The Dying Land
Three days had passed since the Tower of Radiance fell.
This beautiful realm, once called the 'Land of Light,' had now transformed into a scene more horrific than any hell. The sky was covered in black clouds, as if perpetually plunged into darkness, and even the occasional light that seeped through was an ominous red.
The land was, quite literally, rotting.
Crack... Crack...
Massive fissures opened up across the ground, spewing black, toxic fumes. Everything that touched these fumes mutated or died. The once lush green meadows were now stained with grotesque colors of brown and purple, and strange, unknown plants sprouted everywhere.
Thornbush-like plants grew taller than a human, dripping poison from their sharp thorns, while mushroom-like growths dispersed toxic spores into the air. The air became thick and heavy, making even breathing painful.
The fate of the animals was even more tragic.
"Screeeech!"
A grotesque shriek echoed in the distance. A once docile deer had now transformed into a monster with bones protruding from its back, black liquid flowing from its eyes. Birds had scales instead of feathers, and rabbits had poisonous stingers growing from their mouths.
But the most pitiable were the humans.
The once peaceful 'Sacred Spring' village was now a ghost town. Most residents had fled on the first night the chaos aura spread, but some were either unable to escape in time or were infected by the chaotic toxicity and left behind.
"Help... help me..."
A woman lay collapsed in the middle of the village. Black veins visibly protruded from her limbs, and her skin was turning grayish. These were symptoms of chaotic infection.
The infected slowly lost their sanity and transformed into mutants. At first, it was merely body aches and fever, but as time passed, their skin discolored and strange growths appeared. In the final stage, they completely lost their humanity and became ravenous monsters.
"Mommy... mommy..."
In one corner, a young boy cried next to his mother, who had already begun to mutate. His mother's eyes had turned black, and she was muttering incoherently, frothing at the mouth.
Such scenes were occurring all over the Land of Light. People who had lived peacefully under the blessing of light for thousands of years were suddenly cast into a hellish reality overnight.
At the same time, about 20 kilometers east of the old Tower of Radiance, a small group walked with difficulty on a hill.
It was a group of survivors led by Light. They were only about thirty people in total who had barely managed to escape during the tower's collapse: twelve Light Knights, five Watchers, and the rest were healers and civilians.
But now, only twenty-five remained.
"Ugh... Ugh..."
A knight at the back of the line coughed up blood and collapsed. His face was pale, and his breathing grew weaker. It was the result of prolonged exposure to the chaotic aura.
"Thomas!"
Elena rushed to him and tried to support him, but it was too late. Knight Thomas's eyes glazed over, and he took his last breath.
"Another... another one..."
Light clenched his fists tightly. This was the fifth person since their escape. The chaotic aura was steadily eroding their bodies.
"Lord Light, this can't go on."
Vice-Captain Marcus approached. His face was also haggard, and his once shining silver armor was now rusted and dirty in places.
"Our light ether is getting weaker and weaker. We can't even properly use our purification abilities in this chaotic aura."
Light felt it keenly himself. Wounds that he could normally heal with simple healing magic now wouldn't close easily. Instead, the chaotic toxicity was penetrating his body through the wounds.
"We still have to keep going."
Light's voice was hoarse. He hadn't rested properly for three days and had witnessed the deaths of his comrades repeatedly. The pride of being the Heir of Light was now a burden to him.
"If we can reach the 'Last Stronghold' at the eastern end... we might be able to hold out there."
The Last Stronghold was an ancient fortress located at the eastern edge of the Land of Light. It had an independent defensive barrier, and they hoped it could somewhat withstand the chaotic erosion.
Screech!
Suddenly, a grotesque cry was heard nearby. Mutants.
"Defensive formation!"
Light shouted, but the tired knights' movements were slow. What emerged from the forest were monsters that must have once been wolves. But now they had two heads, thorns growing from their backs, and toxic drool flowing from their mouths.
"Haaah!"
Light drew his sword and concentrated light ether. But only a weak glow, less than half of its usual intensity, spread from the blade.
Clang!
One mutated wolf fell, struck by Light's sword, but the others charged in unison. The knights desperately held them off, but a civilian screamed as they were torn by a mutant's claws.
"Aaagh!"
"Julia!"
Elena rushed to treat the wound, but the mutant's toxicity only caused the wound to gape further.
Screech! Screech!
More mutants were gathering. At this rate, they would be wiped out.
"Everyone retreat! To the hilltop!"
Following Light's command, the survivors desperately climbed the hill. Behind them, the cries of the mutants grew closer.
At the same time, atop the ruins of the collapsed Tower of Radiance, the 'Seven Lords of Malice' were holding a council.
In the center of the tower's core, a massive chaotic vortex had formed, surrounded by seven stone thrones. On each throne sat a lord, radiating their unique aura.
"Hahahaha! Perfect, absolutely perfect!"
'Serpent Lord' Ventus let out a maniacal laugh. The toxic aura flowing from his body dyed the surrounding air green.
"At this rate, the entire Land of Light will be ours within a week!"
"Indeed. We've already secured the major strongholds."
'Abyss Lord' Abyss spoke in a deep voice. Tentacle-like things squirmed from beneath his black robe, wrapping around the surrounding debris.
"The sacred temples have all been destroyed, and the Light Knight garrisons are in ruins. There are hardly any forces left to resist."
"But it's not complete yet."
'Iron Lord' Baldur interrupted in a heavy voice. The sound of metal heating continued to resonate from his massive body.
"The Heir of Light, Light, and some survivors are still on the run. If we don't completely eradicate them, they could become a spark of resistance again someday."
"Hehehe... that's hardly a problem, is it?"
'Shadow Lord' Noir laughed mockingly. His form continuously shifted like a shadow.
"What can a mere twenty or so remnants do? Half of them are already dying, aren't they?"
"Still, we must be careful."
At this moment, a new voice interjected. It was Leon.
An eighth seat had been prepared among the seven lords, and Leon sat there. His black cloak continuously flapped without any wind, and chaos ether flowed from his red eyes.
"That Light fellow is stronger than I thought. Although I overwhelmed him, his will won't be easily broken."
A cold smile appeared on Leon's lips.
"And... that makes it even more interesting."
"Oh, what do you think, Leon?"
Baldur asked with interest.
"How do you plan to deal with Light and his group?"
"Simple."
Leon slowly stood up. Black flames began to dance around him.
"I know they're heading for the Last Stronghold. When they think they're safe there and take a breath... that will be the perfect opportunity to plunge them into utter despair."
Leon's eyes gleamed dangerously.
"To give them hope, and then utterly crush it... that is true revenge."
"Hahahaha! Just like Leon!"
Ventus clapped.
"So you'll wait until they arrive at the stronghold?"
"Yes. And in the meantime, we will finish turning the Land of Light completely chaotic."
Leon raised his hand, and black ether swirled, creating a massive map in the air. It was a three-dimensional map showing the entire Land of Light at a glance.
"Here, here, and here..."
Leon pointed to several spots on the map.
"These are areas where the chaos transformation isn't fully complete yet. We must plant seeds of chaos in these places to make them entirely our domain."
"An excellent plan."
'Rage Lord' Ragna slammed his massive axe onto the ground.
"Then I'll take charge of the western region. I'll burn all the villages there to the ground!"
"I'll go south."
'Greed Lord' Mammon gave a villainous laugh.
"It wouldn't be bad to spread chaos while raiding the treasure vaults there."
Each lord began to assign their respective areas. Their plan was simple: to engulf all remaining purified areas in the Land of Light with chaos, and either mutate or kill all surviving residents.
"Then we shall meet again in a week."
Leon rose from his seat.
"By then, Light and his group will have arrived at the stronghold. And..."
A cruel smile spread across his lips.
"That will be their final resting place."
On the hilltop, the survivors, who had barely shaken off the mutants, were taking a moment to catch their breath.
But their condition was steadily worsening. Just moments ago, two more lives had been lost in the battle, and the injured continued to increase.
"Light..."
Elena came and sat beside him. Her face showed deep fatigue.
"At this rate, all of us will..."
"I know."
Light replied in a pained voice. He gazed at the distant horizon. The silhouette of the Last Stronghold was visible in the distance, but it would still take two more days to reach it.
"I was powerless. What good is the title of Heir of Light..."
Blood flowed from Light's clenched fist. He had squeezed so hard that his fingernails dug into his flesh.
"It's all my fault. Because I couldn't stop Leon..."
"Stop it."
Elena took his hand.
"Blaming yourself won't change anything. What's important now is protecting the remaining people."
Light looked at her. A glimmer of hope still remained in Elena's eyes. That light was precious beyond measure to him.
"Elena... thank you."
Just then.
"Lord Light! Look there!"
A scout knight rushed back, his face etched with terror.
"The western sky... the western sky has turned completely black!"
Everyone looked west. Indeed, the entire western sky had turned inky black, as if ink had been spilled across it. And that darkness was steadily approaching them.
"They're... they're turning the entire Land of Light into chaos..."
Light's voice was filled with despair.
Only then did he realize. Leon and the Lords of Malice's plan wasn't merely to destroy the Tower of Radiance, but to transform the entire Land of Light into a realm of chaos.
And they were already putting that plan into action.
"Is this... is this truly the end..."
Light's murmur scattered on the desolate wind.