Epilogue

Hero Ronan, covered with dust from a long road, rode inside a village. A chill ran down his spine at sight before him! Undead villagers roamed aimless on streets – men, women and children alike, their flesh pale and rotting. Empty eye sockets stared unseeing, as they shuffled by in macabre parade!

The knight’s heart raced with trepidation, sword hand tightening on reins instinctively. Three figures emerged from mist to greet him – a knight clad head-to-toe in battered armor; a mysterious cloaked shape with face hidden beneath cowl; and finally, an Undead King himself – skeletal crown resting askew upon bony brow!

The trio halted before hero, their forms silhouetted against moonlit horizon. An oppressive aura of decay clung to them like funeral shroud – stifling life’s vibrancy from very air around.

– Welcome Ronan, – cloaked figure said with pleasant voice: – We have been expecting you.

Ronan nodded and got of the horse.

– What is happening here?

– Every story needs a villain, – man, whom Ronan knew as Dravid, nodded towards the Undead King: – And every proper villain needs an army. These borderline villages and its inhabitants will do nicely. But more importantly, did you brought it?

– I did, – nodded Ronan: – Was not easy convincing the prince to steal it. But his sister got a blessing from god Mithra, our little prince was not happy about it, so he finally agreed to help. Prince dreams about the throne, and we are his biggest hope to get it, after all, – grinned the Hero.

Ronan withdrew ancient tome from his satchel, handling it with utmost reverence and care. The Book of the Dead was bound in obsidian leather – dark as midnight sky bereft of stars! Intricate silver runes adorned cover in looping patterns, seeming to writhe like serpents beneath trembling touch.

When opened, pages rustled dryly – parchment yellowed with age, yet unmarred by passage of time! Illegible glyphs danced across surfaces – each symbol pulsing faint violet radiance! One could sense malevolent power emanating from within, hungering to devour unwary souls.

Graig stood rigidly by Ronan’s side, armored frame radiating barely restrained disapproval! The erstwhile aristocrat seethed inwardly, at having to serve this meddlesome hero and the necromancer. His exile weighed heavily upon once-proud shoulder, but duty demanded obedience. Even from fallen duke reduced to common swordsmen! So, Graig grit teeth and swallowed bitter bile rising throatward, as Ronan negotiated with vile necromancer.

‘The fool has no idea what he’s gotten himself into!’ nobleman fumed silently, gazing upon Book of the Dead with revulsion barely masked! Black magic churned ominously in its pages – corrupting everything it touched.

Still, Graig maintained stoic façade – no hint of inner turmoil marring polished mask! Years spent being trained as nobles’ son, lent him iron self-control. Let Ronan play games with forces beyond mortal ken – when inevitable catastrophe will struck, Graig would be ready to salvage whatever shreds remained.

In meantime though, knight merely waited – biding time until opportunity arose for retribution! Oh yes, soon enough Ronan would rue day he crossed paths with house oh the noble archdukes. But ’til then, obedient smile remained plastered face-onwards, while plotting revenge behind smiling visage.

Meanwhile Ronan glanced at the book. The tome felt heavy in hero’s grip –  as if gravitation bent around its presence alone! Strange whispers echoed distantly, speaking secrets better left buried. Dravid took the book from him with trembling hands.

– It is done then, – he murmured, eyes glittering with sinister mirth beneath shadows of a cowl. He extended skeletal fingers to stroke grim gift. As necromantic grimoire passed from mortal grasp unto undead, a surge of dark magic rippled through desolate landscape.

– And thus begins final chapter – skeletal king cackled, bone teeth clattering mockingly: – Watch closely Ronan! Soon this land shall belong solely to death’s dominion. And even angels themselves will fall, casted down by our armies.

 

 

 

Afterword.

 

Dear Readers,

 

Nice to meet you and thank you for reading our book.

 

And what a wild ride we’ve been on, following Lilith and her band of mercenaries through Dark Continent and the treacherous depths of that cursed dungeon! From thrilling battles to heartwarming camaraderie, their story has kept us on edge from start to finish.

But now as one chapter closes, another beckons… Dark whispers echo on windswept plains – a new threat stirs beyond horizon. What fates await our heroes? And how will Ronan’s reckless deeds sow chaos in kingdoms far and wide?

Only time (and page-turning!) will tell! But rest assured that Lilith, Graig, Cian and company are bound for more perilous adventures ahead – with secrets yet to be uncovered and enemies lurking in shadows.

So brace yourself dear reader – book two awaits! Buckle up your swordbelt, grab some provisions… and let’s see what fresh horrors (or heroes?) lie in wait on coming quest!

 

Sincerely yours,

Your authors.