CHAPTER 18: Plans and Shadows
524 Words
Zayn awoke with a start, sweat clinging to his skin, shadows twitching faintly along his arms. The vision had come again — a torrent of fire, clawed hands, screaming echoes of failure. May, sleeping nearby, stirred but did not wake. May's presence beside him was steady, grounding him as always.
He pushed himself up, running a hand through his hair. The images — Kaelthorn’s manipulation, the monsters, the people he feared losing — still clung to him like ash.
“It’s happening again,” he muttered under his breath.
May, now fully awake, sat up and looked at him. “Zayn… you can’t keep doing this alone. Let’s figure it out. Together.”
He nodded, though his face remained taut. “You’re right. We need to act… before it’s too late.”
Later, the Old Five convened in the council chamber. Xander and K had returned, joining May, Ze, and Zayn. The tension in the room was thick, each member aware of the stakes.
Zayn cleared his throat. “Kaelthorn’s influence is growing. We’ve seen it in Darkwood. The monsters are smarter, more coordinated, and his control over them is increasing.”
Xander frowned. “So, what’s the plan? We can’t just fight blindly. The villagers are safe in the capital, but these monsters… they’re different.”
May leaned forward, hands clenched. “We need a strategy to re-seal the Monster King. Kaelthorn’s endgame is clearly pushing toward freeing him completely. Destroying him isn’t an option — the seal is the only thing keeping the Realm safe.”
Zayn nodded. “Exactly. He can’t be destroyed. But if we work together — the Old Five, coordinated — we can contain him again. We’ll need every resource, every bit of strategy, and full cooperation from the Kingdom.”
K tapped the table thoughtfully. “We also need contingency plans. His influence is spreading. If he targets one of us directly…”
“He will,” Ze interrupted. “And he will exploit weaknesses. That’s why we need tight coordination. No one fights alone.”
The room fell silent for a moment, each of them aware of the weight of their task. Re-sealing the Monster King wasn’t just dangerous — it was life-threatening, and failure meant the Realm itself could fall.
Meanwhile, far from the Realm, in the shadowed expanse of the Monster King’s domain, a figure knelt before the throne.
The Monster King’s eyes, glowing faintly even behind the shadows that bound him, focused on the newcomer.
“I pledge my loyalty,” the figure said, voice low but unwavering. “I will serve you, and when the time comes, I will see your freedom realized.”
A ripple of dark energy responded from the Monster King’s bound form, as if acknowledging the pledge. The figure bowed once more, then stepped back into the shadows, unseen by the world outside.
At that moment, the balance of power shifted subtly. The Old Five were planning, strategizing, and gathering strength — but a new player had entered Kaelthorn’s and the Monster King’s schemes.
And the Realm had no idea just how quickly the shadows were closing in.
- Writer
