The New Beginning

The Throne Room

The grand throne room of Velmoria was a sight of awe. Towering pillars carved from white marble lined the vast hall, their golden accents gleaming under the light of massive crystal chandeliers. Blue banners bearing the crest of Aranthor , a silver lion on a blue field , draped from the ceiling. At the far end of the hall, upon a majestic throne of gold and obsidian, sat King Aldric Valmore, his presence commanding and regal.

A wave of tension lingered in the air as the king leaned forward, his piercing green eyes locked on the armored figure standing before him is  Lennox, the king’s most trusted aid.

"What's the situation, Lennox?" the king’s voice was low, though it carried a firm authority.

Lennox bowed respectfully, her raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders. "The dwarven kingdom, Kazadorn, has been attacked by orcs, Your Majesty."

The king's brow furrowed. "Orcs, you say?"

"Yes, my king," Lennox confirmed, her tone steady. "But these are no ordinary orcs. Reports suggest they are... mutated. Their strength and ferocity far surpass anything the dwarves have faced before."

The king drummed his fingers on the armrest of his throne, "Mutated? This is surprising. Investigate the source of this invasion."

Lennox gave a curt nod. "As you command, my king."

A brief pause lingered before the king’s voice lowered, now carrying a more ominous weight. "Send a shadow assassin. Take advantage of the chaos and retrieve the artifact."

Lennox’s gaze sharpened. "Understood, my lord."

Without further words, Lennox shifted her posture slightly. In a calm, commanding tone, she called out, "Bell."

From the depths of the shadows, a slender figure emerged, cloaked entirely in black. The presence of the assassin was like a ripple in the air , silent and deadly.

"Yes, my lady?" The voice was soft yet laced with absolute loyalty.

Lennox’s eyes remained cold. "You know what to do."

The assassin gave a low bow, her movements fluid and graceful. Without another word, she vanished into the shadows, leaving no trace of her presence.

Arrival of the Heroes

Outside the colossal gates of the palace, the summoned heroes stood, their eyes wandering over the grand architecture. The city of Velmoria was vibrant and bustling, the capital of Aranthor gleaming under the golden sun.

A royal guard (Herald) clad in shining steel armor, approached with a booming voice. "Attention! You are in the presence of His Majesty, King Aldric Valmore, ruler of Velmoria and sovereign of Aranthor. Show your respect."

The massive doors creaked open, revealing the throne room’s splendor. The heroes, four in number, stepped inside.

The king’s gaze swept over them. Despite their youth, there was a spark of power in their eyes.

"Welcome, heroes from another world," the king addressed them, his voice resonant. "We have been awaiting your arrival. It seems the holy weapons have chosen you. Congratulations."

A young man with sharp features named Finn Sterling, took a step forward. "Yes, and the lady beside you told us that you would be the one to answer our questions." While Looking at Lennox.

The king nodded. "Indeed, you may speak freely."

Finn’s expression hardened. "Why have you summoned us?"

"Heroes are summoned to protect humanity," the king replied, his tone solemn. "To vanquish the demons and any races that pose a threat to the innocent. To uphold justice and shield the weak."

A voice broke through , calm, yet skeptical. It was Jace , the fifth and unchosen hero. "And why do you think we have the power to save this world?"

The king's eyes narrowed slightly. "The ones from another world possess a strong mana core that can massively increase their magic capabilities , far surpassing those of the people in this world. The legends say ,if you awaken your full potential, a hero could even rival a divine being."

A hush fell over the room.

"The Demon King has already been slain by the previous generation of heroes," the king continued, his expression grim. "It was a hard-fought battle. They gave their lives to ensure humanity’s survival."

A scoff echoed through the chamber. Zane Callister, the hero of fire, crossed his arms. "The Demon King is already dead. So why do you need us?"

To be continued...

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