Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 0: The Devil's Summons (Part 1)

Taking a step forward, crossing a dark portal that epitomized the pinnacle of human magical achievement, what greeted the eyes of the light mage Epictetus was a sky ablaze with crimson and an endless expanse of dust.

From the heavens to the earth, and to the very edge of his vision, Epictetus could discern not a hint of green, nor a trace of life. Yet, as the most powerful light mage of the Cesalia Empire and a cardinal of the Church of Light, a leading candidate for the next pope, he was acutely aware of the dangers lurking beneath the seemingly tranquil surface of this land.

This was the Demon Realm, the Abyssal Plains where devils and demons had clashed through countless cycles. The ground was soaked with the blood of devils from the Ninth Circle of Hell and demons from the Endless Abyss, each inch of this land deeply tainted by their unspeakable malevolence.

The air was thick with the stench of sulfur-a heavy, acrid scent that only the vile creatures of the Demon Realm could endure. Indeed, this was a terrifying place; may the radiance of the Supreme God Helios shine upon it, dispelling all darkness and evil...

Suddenly raising his hand, a wave of magical energy surged forth, conjuring a transparent magical shield above Epictetus's head, just in time to deflect a massive fireball descending from the sky.

It seems I must act swiftly. With the Supreme Deity above, I must not be targeted by falling meteors nor encounter any denizens of the Demon Realm before I fulfill the mission entrusted to me by His Majesty the Emperor! Though I am quite advanced in years, I am nonetheless curious about the legendary bloodshed and eager to witness it...

Whispering a silent prayer, the mage Epictetus took his first step into the Demon Realm, guided by an inexplicable force that pointed him in the right direction.

Strolling through the desolate fields of the Demon Realm, his pace neither hurried nor slow, from a distance, the mage radiated an aura of calm and serenity. Were it not for the mysterious spatial magic propelling him forward at an unnatural speed, leaving behind a trail of afterimages, one might have mistaken this great light mage for a figure wandering the majestic temple of the Church of Light or strolling through the imperial capital of Cesalia, the mightiest human empire of the millennium.

However, Epictetus was not traversing the blessed realm of the gods-Isilia, nor was he walking in the safe human territories of Cesalia. Thus, despite his composed demeanor, he remained ever vigilant, prepared for battle at a moment's notice.

Yet, the caution of the light mage seemed unwarranted. Throughout his lengthy journey, aside from the fireballs raining from the sky, he encountered nothing of note; not a single Ba'tzu devil or Tanar demon appeared along his path.

Time flowed ceaselessly, day after day. In the solitude of his journey, Epictetus maintained the same posture as when he first set out-calm and tranquil. Aside from occasionally slowing his pace to eat or drink, the great human mage wasted not a moment, steadfastly advancing toward his goal.

However, even the longest of journeys must come to an end. Finally, after a full month in the Demon Realm, the human mage halted for the first time.

Is this the result of the Supreme God Helios's protection? Not a single evil creature encountered!? This journey has indeed been remarkably easy! With such thoughts, Epictetus paused, and in the distance, a dilapidated castle gradually emerged from the swirling red dust, where the light mage felt an increasingly potent mental summons.

This was the mental message that had lingered in Epictetus's mind since he stepped through the portal, a simple plea: find me, hurry and find me, quickly, quickly find me...

Am I nearing the end? Is the entity sending this message truly the spirit of the sword of the fallen deity Horgani, who mastered the laws of space during the divine and demonic wars?