Julia looked at him, a flicker of sadness in her eyes, revealing a glimpse of the darkness he'd glimpsed in his dream. "Dark Lord Neverus," she whispered, her voice laced with both fear and resolve. "A dark mage unlike any other, has come to power. He wields necromancy to command the dead and twist the very fabric of our land. In mere months, he forced the monsters who once lived in the shadows out of their hiding places, rallying them under his banner, the Dark Legion. It continues to grow stronger each day.

  The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. "They corrupt everything, enslaving the defeated and driving the survivors toward despair. People are fighting back, but each loss carves deeper scars into our world."

  William listened, feeling as if he were entrapped in a particularly grim tale, the kind that usually had “Do Not Open” written on its cover. His thoughts spiralled, drawn into the dark history surrounding them. Julia’s words echoed in his mind, and a vision of terror danced at the edges of his consciousness, a memory not his own but one he felt compelled to witness.

  [Flashback Begins]

  In the northern reaches of the continent, the small town of Shendek lay nestled between forested hills, a peaceful place where laughter and everyday life flourished. But that serenity shattered the day Dark Lord Neverus emerged from the shadows. His rise to power was sudden, his influence suffocating, as he led a small army of undead skeletons toward Shendek, their hollow eyes gleaming with malice.

  Days later, the sky darkened as Neverus unleashed his assault, descending upon the town like a storm. The clash of steel and the cries of the townsfolk filled the air, it was utter chaos. The fighting was brutal, houses were set ablaze, their flames lighting the night sky in a grotesque celebration of destruction.

  “Fight back!” a town guard yelled, desperation threading through his voice. But as the skeletal warriors advanced with chilling precision, it became clear that hope was a fleeting notion. Anyone who resisted was met with merciless brutality. Men, women, and children all fell beneath the relentless assault, their lives extinguished in a matter of hours.

  "Please, spare us!" a woman cried out, clutching her child to her chest. But mercy was a concept foreign to Neverus. With a single wave of his hand, he commanded his undead to strike. The combatants showed no distinction, everyone who did not surrender fell victim to his dark desires.

  In the aftermath, as the battle subsided, the town was left as a graveyard of sorrow. The air hung heavy with the stench of smoke and death, a once-vibrant place reduced to shadows of its former self. But Neverus did not rest, he walked among the fallen, raising them with a cold incantation that poisoned the air.

  “Arise, my warriors,” he intoned, a cruel smile creeping across his face. “Join me in my conquest. Know the power of the afterlife.”

  One by one, the lifeless forms shuddered and jerked, rising as cursed soldiers. Even the bodies of women and children were not spared from his dark resurrection. The town of Shendek, once a beacon of hope and life, fell into darkness, its spirit crushed under the heel of brutality and despair.

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  [Flashback Ends]

  William's heart raced as the haunting images receded, leaving him breathless. He glanced at Julia, feeling the weight of the history she carried on their shoulders. They were fighting against pure evil, one whose cruelty knew no bounds. The revelation deepened his resolve to understand this world and find a way to join the fight against Neverus and his Dark Legion.

  “I... how long has this war been going?” William asked, struggling to process the enormity of the situation.

  Before Julia could respond, a low, gruff voice interrupted from the cave entrance.

  "Julia? Are you awake? And how is the one we found faring?"

  A tall man ducked into the cave, avoiding the low ceiling. His imposing figure clad in worn leather armour reinforced with metal plates, stood with an intimidating presence. His weathered face bore deep lines etched by the sun and wind, a testament to countless conflicts endured. Sharp, watchful eyes, reminiscent of a hawk, seemed to take in every detail, revealing a mind alert and calculating. This must be Edward.

  He paused when he saw William awake, surprise flickering across his stern features before relief softened his expression. Julia turned and spoke to him, their exchange too rapid and too quiet for William to catch

  When Julia turned back, her demeanour softened. "This is Edward. He says the area appears clear for now, but we should move on soon. It's not safe to linger here, especially with goblins lurking about; the Dark Legion cannot be far behind."

  Edward stepped closer, assessing William with a mixture of caution and concern. “You’re awake, good,” he said, his tone firm yet welcoming. “Julia tells me you used citrusroot, that was smart. Not many outsiders know of its properties.” He reached into a pouch at his belt and offered a handful of dried berries and fruits. “Eat. You’ll need your strength. It’s not much, but please share what we have.”

  William’s stomach growled at the sight of the food, insistent and loud in the stillness. Gratefully accepting the berries, he nodded his thanks, feeling a wave of emotion wash over him.

  “I wanted to ask” he began, but Edward raised a hand, cutting him off gently.

  “Questions later. Eat first,” he insisted, glancing toward the darkened cave entrance. “This shelter is decent, but we're vulnerable here. A town lies east of us. We can rest there and plan our next move.”

  As they ate in silence, the distant howls echoed through the forest, a haunting melody of the lurking dangers. William’s heart sank as the cries grew closer, a chilling chorus announcing their approach. The sound painted a vivid picture of threat beyond the firelight, and he could only hope they were not the next victims of the Dark Legion’s insatiable appetite.

  Edward's expression hardened as he listened, his warrior instincts kicking in. “Finish eating,” he said, his voice steady. “Then we depart. Nightfall will bring more dangers, and we can't afford to be caught here.”

  “It’s called Sharwood Town,” Julia added, her tone reassuring. “It is relatively safe there; we should reach it before nightfall.”

  “A town?” William couldn’t help but quip to himself. “Finally, a place where they don’t actively try to kill you. I’m starting to feel like I’ve wandered into the worst travel brochure ever.”

  As they finished their meagre meal, the howls pierced the air once more, closer this time. The wolf-like sounds sent a shiver down William's spine, his instincts urging him to move. It sounded like wolves had caught their scent and were coming closer looking for an easy feed.

  “Wolves?” he muttered dryly. “Fantastic. Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any worse. This is definitely not what I signed up for.”

  With newfound determination, he got to his feet, ready to face whatever lay ahead.