Amidst a dark hall somewhere within the Luminous Kingdom, a large group of cultists gathered, sitting over an enormous table.
At the end of it, sitting over a larger and much fancier chair, there was an old man, covered on black cloaks, with a long white beard.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but it seems that the attempt at killing the King failed…"
"Hmm, well, I wasn't expecting much out of it. That it caused so much commotion just shows how little they were prepared…"
Their most recent attempt at killing the King failed miserably. The three cultists infiltrated into the banquet and were about to do something that might have taken them more preparation if done right.
But at the end, there were more people than just the royal family there. Not only were their plans foiled but nobody died aside from the cultists, there was not a single noble killed.
"It was all because those Players were there… Yggdrasil, above all." The Cult Leader spoke with an old and annoyed voice. "Not even the castle collapsed, she must have an incredible grasp in her abilities, and her reaction speed is, too, very superb."
"That is the Yggdrasil that has slain most of the Death Generals by now, ruining my Lord's plans one after another." Spoke the Lich at his side, overseeing a large Magic Rune Array that was constantly feeding off hundreds of innocent souls. "My King generously offered you his army for this attack, yet you only left it to three of your cultists."
"That is because it wasn't a serious attack, I was trying to gauge their security with this." Smiled the Cult Leader. "There was no need to waste those resources. We'll be using them very soon, in something different. Something much more planned, a decisive battle that'll give us this entire Kingdom for ourselves, and all of its people. All of their Mana, Life Force, and Souls…"
"You are truly planning to do this?" Wondered the Lich again. "You cannot go back to the way you were once you thread through the Path of Calamity, human."
"I don't care…" The old man sighed. "We will break the chains of destiny and become a God… Even if we must channel the strength of the Underworld for that, or even Hell."
"Your determination is unwavering as it is your malice… You don't see the people of this country as your fellow countrymen?" Asked the Lich.
"I told you I have made my mind. They are mere sheeple, made to be exploited, grown fatter, and killed so we could eat them! We are simply grabbing what is rightfully ours." The Cult Leader's will was unwavering.
"I've been dedicating my whole life for this moment… Yes, hahah… For this very moment, hohoho… The path to True Magic, and the Bridge between Worlds… As long as I can achieve them both, then… I can access our ultimate goal."
"What is this ultimate goal you seek?" The Undead asked suspiciously.
"I do not need to answer more questions from you, our deal is of equal terms…" The Old man grumpily said. "Simply do what your King told you to do, and don't you dare interfere."
The Lich remained in silence, simply glancing at the Array slowly grow stronger, the souls being sacrificed were both a wonderful sight, but also, deep down within the Lich's mind, a horrendous and sinful act.
However, for him to help his King avenge his beloved family and Kingdom, he had to do these sinful things, and would continue doing them, as they too, have walked into a path they can no longer walk back from.
"That they've found out two of our Hideouts means little anyways, our work is almost complete…"
"Indeed, our rise to godhood is coming soon!"
"We will grasp what nobody could!"
The Cultists celebrated, but there were a few that were still worried.
"But what about the Divine Smithy, if it doesn't open…? We will never get access to the Fragment of Ancient Times!"
"My lord, are you sure things will go just as you think they will?"
"Aren't we being too bold? What if…"
"Hohoho… Fear not, younglings." Their leader spoke, his eyes glowing with bright red energy. "The chess pieces have aligned themselves. Yggdrasil, the last descendant of the Ember Family… Soon enough, they shall open the Gates. And give us access to it. We must simply prepare and wait. It will be soon, very soon…"
Suddenly, a strong voice echoed into the mind of the Lich watching the old man speak his mind, his empty eyes glowing with phantasmal.
"King Thanatos. Yes?"
"Watch carefully from now on… You know what you must do when the time comes, isn't it?"
"Oh… Yes, heheh… I know very well, my King."
As intricate plans between different masterminds entangled with one another, creating an uncertain and chaotic future, within the streets of the Luminous Kingdom, several shadowy figures moved, below the soothing moonlight.
These shadowy figures gathered across the alleys, quickly walking through a secret passage leading to an underground, and abandoned prison below the Kingdom's Castle.
In there, a young woman with long silvery-white hair, pale white skin, and crimson red eyes awaited them, as they all swiftly gathered and kneeled before her.
"You've finally called us."
"We were getting bored of simply sleeping."
"What must we do now, my Queen?"
The figures appearances slowly were revealed, showing similarities to her. They had pale skin, sharp crimson eyes, and mostly discolored hair. Some had it silver, others red, and some blue.
"My shadows…" Their "Queen" smiled as she admired their large numbers and powerful auras.
"An annoying rat is threatening my peaceful life with my beloved husband and my son, your future King." She spoke. "Aid those chasing these rats and ensure that they're all dealt with."
"Oh, that cult, isn't it?"
"Indeed." Their Queen smiled, her very presence unleashing an overwhelming aura of pure power. "We are the only ones that manipulate society in the shadows. We won't let any other bastard get away with it…"