The road to the Sunken Citadel would have to wait.

As dawn broke over the Abyssal Domain, a shadow darker than any storm settled across the western frontier.

An Ashwing scout descended from the sky in a frantic dive, barely slowing before landing inside the council courtyard.

"My Queen!"

She dropped to one knee, breathing hard.

"We've confirmed it."

"The Crimson Fangs are marching."

The courtyard fell silent.

Inside the Council Hall, a map of the western caverns was spread across the great stone table.

Red markers covered nearly every tunnel.

Kragga frowned.

"That's... too many."

Darius nodded grimly.

"They're not raiding."

"They're invading."

Vespera, in her human form, studied the map without speaking.

"Who leads them?"

Darius answered with a single name.

"Rhazakar."

The System appeared.

────────────────────────

New Major Threat Detected

Name:

Rhazakar

Title:

The Blood King

Race:

Greater Abyss Ogre

Level:

???

Threat Assessment:

Extreme

Current Objective:

Conquer the Abyssal Domain

────────────────────────

Lirael looked toward Darius.

"You know him?"

"I fought beside him."

Everyone stared.

Darius continued.

"Centuries ago."

"He was one of the greatest monster generals ever born."

"What happened?"

"He decided peace was weakness."

Far to the west...

A fortress carved into black volcanic stone overlooked an endless army.

Thousands of monsters stood in perfect formation.

Ogres.

Trolls.

Dire wolves.

Wyverns circled overhead.

At their head stood a giant nearly twelve feet tall.

His crimson armor was scarred from countless wars.

A massive greatsword rested across one shoulder.

One golden eye.

One scarred socket where the other had once been.

Rhazakar—the Blood King.

A scout knelt before him.

"My Lord."

"The reports are confirmed."

"The Queen has united the Broken Axe Clan, the Stonehide, and the Ashwing Harpies."

Rhazakar laughed.

A deep, booming sound echoed across the fortress.

"So..."

"The little snake gathers pets."

The surrounding commanders laughed.

Another officer stepped forward.

"My Lord, shall we crush them immediately?"

Rhazakar's smile disappeared.

"No."

"I want to see her."

"If she truly believes monsters can live without fear..."

He planted his sword into the stone.

"...then she has forgotten what monsters are."

Back in the Abyssal Domain...

The western gate opened.

A lone rider approached beneath a white flag.

Every guard watched carefully.

The stranger carried no visible weapon.

Only a sealed scroll.

He stopped fifty feet from the gate.

"I bring a message from the Blood King."

Vespera stepped forward in her human form.

"Read it."

The messenger broke the seal.

His voice echoed across the courtyard.

"To Vespera, who calls herself Queen."

"Kneel."

"Swear loyalty to the Blood King."

"Dissolve your alliances."

"Deliver your Royal Key."

"Refuse..."

"...and every city you have built will become ash."

The messenger lowered the scroll.

"That is all."

Silence filled the courtyard.

Every eye turned toward Vespera.

She walked calmly down the stone steps until she stood directly before the messenger.

She accepted the scroll.

Read it once.

Then folded it neatly.

"I have a reply."

The messenger waited.

Vespera looked him directly in the eyes.

"You may tell your king..."

Dark mist rose around her.

Before the messenger's astonished gaze, her human body dissolved into swirling Abyssal energy.

Towering coils of black and violet scales emerged.

Golden eyes burned like twin suns.

Her immense naga form rose high above the gate walls, casting a shadow across the entire courtyard.

The assembled citizens watched in awe.

This was not the gentle queen who walked their markets.

This was the Abyss Empress.

Her voice rolled across the valley.

"Tell Rhazakar..."

"I do not kneel."

She leaned forward, her enormous serpent tail coiling around the battlements.

"If he wants my Domain..."

"...he may come and try to take it."

The messenger swallowed hard.

For the first time in his life...

He understood why monsters once worshipped sovereigns.

Without another word, he mounted his beast and fled.

Miles away, in the western fortress, Rhazakar looked toward the eastern horizon.

He smiled.

"Good."

"I was beginning to worry she might disappoint me."

He drew his colossal blade.

"Prepare the army."

"The hunt begins."

End of Chapter 36

what was your favorite moment?

Choices: