Subterra: Dark Relm

Part 1: The Awakening Shadows

(Many years ago, a dark force named Malakar terrorized the land. After the loss of his only child, Malakar’s grief twisted into uncontrollable rage. Fueled by his despair, he razed entire cities, leaving fear and ruin in his wake. The people, driven to desperation, prayed for salvation, calling upon the god Auron to intervene.)

(Auron, hearing their cries, descended to the mortal realm and confronted Malakar. A fierce battle ensued, one that shook the earth itself. Though Malakar was immensely powerful, Auron’s resolve proved stronger. In the end, Auron defeated Malakar, but the fight left him weakened, barely able to stand. Even now, parents tell their children the tale of Malakar to remind them of the dangers of defiance. "Follow the rules," they warn, "or Malakar will return to punish those who stray.)

Subterra, Cavaryn Kingdom, Darkrift Cave

(Two soldiers stand guard at the mouth of a dark cave, both looking weary from boredom and long hours.)

Soldier 1: (sighs) "I miss home. Guarding this thing in the middle of nowhere is the worst."

Soldier 2: "That ‘thing’ is the Luminara, you idiot. You’d better show some respect. This stone could change the world."

Soldier 1: "Yeah, yeah. When’s the real muscle getting here? We’re not equipped to protect something this important. Who even knows about this cave?"

Soldier 2: "Orders are orders. King Aric said to guard the Luminara until they arrive."

(Just then, a shadowy figure approaches the cave, stepping into the dim light from the torches.)

Vorath: (smiling darkly) "Ah, how lucky am I? A couple of mortals standing between me and my prize. I am Vorath, and I’ve come for the Luminara."

Soldier 1: (whispering) "Is this the guy we’re waiting for?"

Soldier 2: (alarmed) "No! We were expecting Locos. This isn’t him. Hey! Get lost before you regret it!"

(Both soldiers draw their swords, but Vorath merely picks up a stick from the ground, his eyes glowing with sinister amusement. As he grips the stick, it starts to glow with a dark, ominous energy.)

Soldier 2: (terrified) "Oh no… that’s Veyra’s.  We’re screwed!"

Soldier 1: (panicking) "Veyra?! We can’t fight him!"

Soldier 2: "We can’t run either. May be its his trick to fool us. Let’s give it our all!"

(The two soldiers charge at Vorath, but with a casual flick of his wrist, the stick slices their swords in half. Before they can react, he knocks them both unconscious with ease. Vorath strolls into the cave and takes the Luminara, a malicious grin spreading across his face.)

Vorath: (chuckling) "Pathetic. Let’s hope my next challenge proves more… interesting."

Aeloria Kingdom, near Shadowmire Forest

(A young warrior named Galen is pacing the streets, his eyes scanning every corner for a sign of his missing master, Orin. Orin, or as Galen calls him, the "old man," hadn’t been seen since returning from a distant war. According to the villagers, the old man was last seen two days ago, but now, it was as if he had vanished into thin air.)

(Galen moves through the market, past taverns and quiet alleyways, his frustration mounting with each dead end. Just as he’s about to give up and move to another part of the city, he notices a group of bandits harassing a young noblewoman. They tear at her jewelry and snatch her purse. Before Galen can intervene, one of the bandits catches sight of him.)

Bandit: (wide-eyed with fear) "It’s Galen! We’re done for! Drop everything and run!"

(The bandits scatter, leaving the girl and the stolen goods behind. Galen strides over to the noblewoman.)

Seraphina: (breathing heavily) "Thank you… thank you. I’ve been searching for you.

Galen: (confused) "Me? Why would a noble be looking for me?"

Seraphina: "I’m Seraphina, daughter of King Thalric of Eldoria. I’ve been searching for you for two days. They just take your name and I found you."

Galen: (frowning) "King Thalric? Eldoria? I’ve never heard of either."

Seraphina: Your master Orin knew my father well."

Galen: (suddenly alert) "Wait, you know the old man? I’ve been searching everywhere for him. He’s missing, and I don’t know where he went."

Seraphina: "I know where he went, but he told me to find you and Damon. Orin wanted to speak to both of you."

Galen: (nodding) "Damon... He’s in Vandros, near the Aeloria border, close to Shadowmire Forest. The old man visited him about a year ago after... well, after something bad happened."

Seraphina: (curious) "What happened?"

Galen: (hesitant) "I’ll tell you after you tell me where the old man is."

Seraphina: (nodding) "Fair enough. But we need to find Damon first. Orin wanted us all together."

Galen: (looking at the sky) "We’ve got a long way to go. If we push, we can reach Vandros by dawn. Didn’t you bring any transportation? You’re a princess, aren’t you?"

Seraphina: (grinning) "I did, but the old man took it and left in a real hurry."

Galen: (raising an eyebrow) "Took it? Where was he headed?"

Seraphina: "I’ll explain everything once we’re with Damon."

Galen: (with a sigh) "Fine, fine. No more wasting time. Let’s move."

(They gather the items the bandits left behind and set off. The journey is long, and as they walk, the sun sets behind the mountains, casting long shadows across the path. By the time they reach Vandros, the night has fully fallen, the stars twinkling overhead. Damon’s house sits at the edge of the forest, isolated and quiet. They knock on the door, and after a moment, it swings open.)

(Damon nods, stepping aside to let them in. As he closes the door behind them, his eyes drift toward the edge of the forest, where something seems to move in the shadows. His expression hardens for a moment, but then he shuts the door firmly. Outside, hidden in the darkness, glowing eyes watch the house intently from the depths of the jungle.)