The Holy Kingdom's Lich

Prologue: Prayers

The land soaked on blood and ashes and the smell of iron and burning corpse. As soldiers fall, drained of their power and their enemies remain relentless, seemingly unhinge and numb to the death of their comrades. A large muscular figure, wielding a large blade decimates any of those who is in their proximity whilst they pursue the running troops after witnessing such terror.

"Kuahahahak! Blood! Finally, the smell of battle!"

Their armor clunks as the large figure moves about, a demonic kind that commands great power. A'thalla, the titanic demon laughs maniacally while sweeping off his enemies like dust with his gigantic blade.

With such a foe on the opposing side, the defense was futile. However, underground the fort is a powerful artifact hidden deep. An artifact which was said to be locked deep out of nowhere, out of everyone's expectations because of simply how dangerous its function is.

"How deeper do we need to go?! And how can this fort have so many floors deep?"

"You know how it is between dwarves and elves, way too cautious with things like security. At the end it costed them a whole lot when demons attacked and they have a whole lot to go through for safety."

Braving underground are two ruin hunters, hired by the Holy Kingdom to recover an artifact. The rampant noise from above gradually went quiet as they went deeper into the fort. Only their nimble footsteps resonates in the place, hitting the stairs of stones. The two eventually reached the deepest floor, it was nothing extravagant compared to the long way they had to go through. A simple room, lit with elven lighting and a conspicuous area guarded by a barrier of mystic.

"Is this it...?"

"Yeah, the Primordial Ship, or atleast a part of what it used to be."

The two ruin hunters then began to retrieve the artifact, slowly dissipating the mystical barrier with a rune.

"It's all up to this rune that knife ears gave us!"

The ground shakes, thundering roars reaches their end. The barrier slowly opened up and the ruin hunter impatiently took the piece. A round flat object with engravings unreadable to the two sits tightly at their grasps. The center of the coin like artifact showed a faint but blinking light. Its condition remained pristine, the air tight barrier allowed no dust nor dirt to enter and thus nothing damaged its state.

"Now to the hardest part..."

The other one nodded, their hands reached out to their bag and placed the artifact onto a specific container that was given to them.

"Going back, yeah? With the amount of demons outside I'll take getting stuck in here honestly. But yeah, a job's a job and what if that job carries the safety of the lives of many? Then all the more reason."

"Oh how noble, but how would we do that?"

The two joked with each other before they prepare to head up. Taking their steps slowly, they try to avoid losing energy before they need to dash outside the war that is going just a door away.

The two ruin hunters opened the door and what greeted them was simply a m******e. Blood spills and bodies flying, hitting the foundation columns as it slowly crumbles. The large gate was smashed open, allowing entry for the demons. What remained of the guards stationed at the fort are only a party of four people. A Dwarven mage, using magic to turn the earth into thick clay, slowing the advance of their opponents, an elf warrior that speeds through the horde of demons with his elegant blade dance, a human knight wielding a towering shield preventing A'thalla from and his army from entering and a beast kind using their enormous strength to throw off any demons that slips by. Their party are accomplished and recognized in stalling the enemy, however their combined strengths aren't enough to fully block the gigantic demon.

Clang, clang. The large dull blade of the demon rings as it continuously hits the shield.

"D-despite the large weapon he can still move this swift?!"

The knight retorted, surprised at the prowess of the demon. Arms shaking as their shield becomes heavier and heavier. The knight grits her teeth, adjusting her built figure to accommodate the heavy swings.

The beast kind's nose flinches, seemingly able to catch a familiar scent. He whistled and caught the attention of the group. The ruin hunters are back, it is now time for them to retreat, be it as they are the only ones alive from the hundreds of soldiers garrisoned at the fort.

"Stand back Ms. Ferris! Let my Earth magic handle your shield. Stone Grasp!"

The Knight refused to let go of her shield till she saw the traces of earth clinging to its rim. As she retreats, the clay kept the shield standing, but the absence of force in noticeable as the hardened clay is barely able to hold on.

"Retreat! Everybody, that are still alive, use your every strength to shout so that I notice!"

The group advanced on, but the knight slowed their steps, hoping for a response. The fort answered with silence, the only noise that remained is the growls of the demons just outside her shield and the bashing of a dull blade. The remains of the battle only left the dead bodies of the soldiers who fought to protect the fort and the knight quietly grieved, before rushing to her comrades.

"Please, Goddess Arawahn, grant us the saviour we, this world needs."