-The Forgotten Pages-

Prophecy

The gates loomed ahead, framed by rivers of molten lava that flowed like molten veins through the dark rock. The sharp smell of sulfur lingered in the air as Raiden, Haruto, and Aya pushed forward, their eyes locked on the exit. It was just a little further—freedom was within their grasp.

But as they neared the gates, a tremor ran through the ground. A low rumble echoed from deep within the volcano, followed by a distant roar. The air grew heavier, thick with anticipation.

Out of the shadows emerged the first of the Grand Generals, their forms casting long, menacing silhouettes against the fiery backdrop. Their presence alone seemed to warp the air around them, as if the very world itself was bending to their will.

Beside him stood Kori, a woman who seemed made of ice itself. Her frosted hair billowed around her like a storm cloud, and her cold eyes, pale blue and calculating, tracked every motion with perfect precision. Ice formed at her feet as she lifted a hand, her fingers dancing like a conductor guiding an orchestra of death.

Then came Bael, the Earthshaker, towering and wide, his legs like the trunks of ancient trees. His fists pounded the ground, cracking the stone beneath him as he let out a low growl. The earth trembled in response, quaking under his command.

Lyra, the Storm Serpent, appeared next, her body a blur of motion as she flicked her wrist, summoning sparks of lightning that cracked through the air. Her eyes glinted with mischief and madness as she coiled around, ready to strike.

Kaze, the Wind Warlord, was a figure of fluid grace, his body a silhouette in the whirlwind he conjured around him. Every movement he made seemed to stir the air, as though he was part of the storm itself. The winds howled in response to his presence, a storm in human form.

And finally, from the shadows, emerged Ragna, the Shadow Beast, his form barely visible in the dark. His eyes burned red, and his presence bent the shadows, turning the dim light into an inky, suffocating darkness. Every step he took left traces of night itself in his wake.

Raiden stood, unmoving, his eyes scanning the enemies before him. The storm inside him began to stir, gathering power, a quiet fury that would soon be unleashed.

Arvid was the first to move, charging forward with a roar. His fists, ablaze with fire, swung down like anvils toward Raiden's head. Raiden didn't flinch. His body shifted as if the storm inside him had a mind of its own. With a single breath, he drew in the air, and then...

"Storm Lord. Eye of the Storm."

The winds howled to life, a swirling vortex of lightning and thunder that tore through the battlefield. The storm engulfed Arvid, his fiery strikes scattered by the violent winds. With a c***k of thunder, Arvid was sent flying backward, his body slamming against the volcanic rock.

Kori didn't hesitate, summoning a blade of ice from the very air, her movements swift and graceful. She hurled the blade, the icy shard slicing through the air. But Raiden was already moving, his form becoming a blur as he raised his arm, a crackling bolt of lightning forming in his palm.

"Storm Lord. Thunderclap of the Sovereign."

The bolt shot out, striking the icy blade, shattering it into fragments. Kori's eyes widened as the lightning coursed through her, sending her stumbling back, her skin tingling with the raw power.

Bael's roar rumbled as he lifted his massive fists, slamming them down into the earth. The ground cracked, huge boulders shooting up toward Raiden. But Raiden's eyes flashed, and the very world around him twisted.

"Sovereign's Wrath. Reality Forge."

With a flick of his wrist, the stone walls around them morphed, creating a massive barrier, the boulders crashing harmlessly into it. The ground quaked, but Raiden stood firm, the barrier surrounding him like an impenetrable shield.

Lyra struck next, lightning arcing from her fingers, crackling through the air. She moved with speed, the storm she commanded coiling around her like a serpent. But Raiden didn't move—he became the storm. His body surged with energy, his hands outstretched.

"Storm Lord. Tempest Fist."

His fist collided with the air, a shockwave of raw energy exploding outward. The lightning around Lyra was torn apart by the force of the blast, her body thrown back by the sheer power. She hit the ground hard, her body twitching from the shock.

Kaze, the wind itself, rushed forward, his body blurring in the gusts of air he whipped up. He struck with the force of a cyclone, his movements faster than the eye could track. Raiden moved with equal speed, his body flowing like the wind itself.

"Sovereign's Wrath. Sovereign's Domain."

The winds stopped, the air growing thick and heavy as gravity seemed to shift. Kaze's movements slowed, his eyes widening in confusion as his body became sluggish. The very laws of nature bent to Raiden's will, and Kaze was caught, trapped in the unnatural stillness.

Finally, Ragna, the shadows, slithered toward Raiden. He struck from the darkness, his blades of night slashing through the air with deadly precision. But Raiden's eyes glinted with determination as he held up his hand.

"Sovereign's Wrath. Sovereign's Domain."

The shadows around Ragna twisted, contorted, and vanished. His shadow blades dissolved into nothingness as Raiden bent the reality around them, the very essence of the night fading at his touch.

The generals, one by one, staggered back, their forces scattering into the distance as Raiden's storm and will crushed their hopes of victory. Their attacks had been powerful, but Raiden's mastery over the storm and reality had shattered them all.

The air settled, and Raiden, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths, turned toward Haruto and Aya.

"Let's go," he said, his voice calm.

The gates loomed ahead, their massive frame like a final, unyielding test. They were almost free—just a few more steps and the dangers of Hades' Lockdown would be behind them. But as they neared the gates, Raiden, Haruto, and Aya stopped. Aya's eyes, filled with uncertainty, darted between them.

"Something's wrong," Aya muttered, her fingers twitching around the hilt of her blade. "We shouldn't be doing this."

Raiden, ever composed, narrowed his eyes. He glanced at her briefly, but then focused on the gates ahead. "We've come this far. We're leaving now."

Aya's gaze shifted toward Haruto, her expression unreadable. Haruto, ever the skeptic, noticed the subtle shift in her posture. Something was off—something didn't feel right.

Before he could voice his concerns, Aya's face twisted into a cold smirk. She moved faster than Haruto could react, drawing her blade from its sheath with deadly precision.

"I never intended to be part of your plan," she said, the words icy and final.

Haruto's eyes widened. He barely had time to process what was happening before the blade sunk into his side, the sharp steel cutting deep. The pain exploded through his body, and he staggered back, his legs unable to hold him. Blood pooled beneath him.

Raiden stood still, his face betraying no emotion, watching as the drama unfolded.

"Aya, what are you—" Haruto gasped, clutching his side. His vision blurred, pain clouding his senses.

"You were always too trusting," Aya spat, taking a step back, the blade still dripping with his blood. "The village, your family—it was never my fault. It's because of you! You never should've let them die." Her voice grew colder with each word. "And now, I'm finishing what I started. You're nothing but a liability."

Haruto's breath hitched as his body struggled to stay conscious. The weight of her words stung more than the wound. "Why?" he whispered weakly, struggling to stay conscious. "Why now? After everything..."

But Aya didn't answer. With a cold glance at Raiden, she turned and disappeared into the shadows of the prison, leaving Haruto alone and bleeding.

For a long moment, there was only silence. Then, Raiden moved, his steps deliberate and controlled. He knelt beside Haruto, his eyes unreadable as he observed the damage.

"This was inevitable," Raiden said quietly. "Aya's loyalty was always in question. She was never meant for this."

Haruto's hand trembled, but he couldn't speak. He could only stare at Raiden, too weak to understand what was happening. The blood loss was making his thoughts muddled, but there was something in Raiden's tone that didn't sit right with him.

Raiden's cold, calculating eyes met his. "You, however, have a much greater purpose. And I'm not about to let you die over her foolishness."

With that, Raiden placed his hands on Haruto's shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. His voice was firm as he spoke.

"I'm taking you to a place where you can heal. This kingdom has more to offer you than anything else. I'll make sure you fulfill your potential."

(7 Hours later)

Hours later, Haruto awoke in a spacious, quiet room. His body felt... different. No pain. His side was completely healed, the wound from Aya's betrayal a distant memory. He blinked, confusion clouding his thoughts. Where am I?

Raiden's voice cut through the fog of his mind. "You're in the Sorcerer Kingdom. You're safe."

Haruto sat up slowly, looking around the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was luxurious—vast, almost regal in its design. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, ancient scrolls lining shelves along every surface. This was no ordinary place.

"Why am I here?" Haruto croaked, his voice still weak from the blood loss. "What happened?"

Raiden stood by the door, his arms crossed, "I couldn't let you die, Haruto. Not yet. You have a role to play."

Haruto's mind was still foggy, but he remembered. Aya's betrayal. The anger, the pain, the betrayal. His heart clenched, but he pushed it aside. "What role?"

Raiden walked over to him, his expression unreadable. "I've been watching you for a long time. Your skills, your mind—your ability to adapt and survive. You're valuable. That's why I brought you here. This is the Sorcerer Kingdom—the heart of all power. And now, you have a place in it."

Haruto's brows furrowed. "And what about Aya? Why... Why didn't you stop her?"

Raiden's eyes flickered, but only for a moment. His voice remained cold. "She made her choice. She's not part of this anymore. You, however, are. I need someone who can help me reshape this kingdom. And you'll do just that."

Haruto was silent for a long moment, processing Raiden's words. The weight of the situation pressed down on him. He could feel the gravity of everything shifting beneath him.

"What happened to the prisoners?" Haruto asked.

"Don't worry... They are safe. They are being trained."

"Thank god."

Raiden continued, his voice firm. "I'm appointing you Chief Minister of Knowledge. You'll oversee the flow of information—research, history, magic. You'll learn everything about the world and help guide the kingdom's future."

Haruto was stunned. "Chief Minister of Knowledge? Me?"

Raiden nodded. "You've proven yourself capable. And now, you'll have access to the Ancient Library—the most comprehensive collection of knowledge in the world."

Haruto's heart raced. "The Ancient Library?"

Raiden smiled, though it was more of a slight quirk of the lips than any true warmth. "Yes. It holds the secrets of everything—history, magic, and more. It's where the true power of the Sorcerer Kingdom lies. And you will have a part in it."

Haruto stood, still reeling from everything that had happened. But one thing was certain: his life had changed irrevocably. His past, his future—they were all tied up in this kingdom now. And as he followed Raiden down the long corridors, heading toward the Ancient Library, he felt the gravity of his new position settling in.

There was much to learn. Much to uncover. And as he looked around, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever truly escape the shadows of betrayal that haunted him.

Raiden led him through the sprawling, labyrinthine halls, and at last, they reached a massive set of doors. With a wave of his hand, they swung open, revealing the Ancient Library in all its overwhelming grandeur. Shelves stretched to the ceiling, filled with ancient scrolls, books, and tomes that contained knowledge from across the ages.

"This is it," Raiden said quietly, his voice reverberating in the vastness of the room. "This is where you'll start your new life.".

"Raiden, I have a question..." Haruto looked into his eyes.

He continues, "What happens when the Shadow King's parts get connected together?"

Raiden laughed for a while and he stopped, "Well, obviously he will get revived. and then so will Ragnarök Arise. An army said to be created from Satan's life force itself. An army so powerful that Hell cast the army out of fear. Something even all the 11 Elites, Supreme Vanguards, GDC, the Shadow Cult, The Shadow King, The Jade Assassin and the Shadow King combined is not enough to defeat him."

He picked a book from the shelf and told me to read the last line on the book, it said,

"When the pieces of the King of Shadows unite,

He'll rise from death, bringing terror and fright.

Then, Ragnarök will awaken, bringing endless fear,

An army forged from Satan's blood, drawing near.

A legion so vile, so wicked, and cruel,

That even Hell recoiled, its gates turned to fuel.

Ragnarök, cast deep within Earth's core,

A force so dark, it will burn evermore."