CHAPTER 1 THE NIGHT OF THE INVOCATION

The rain had been falling for hours thick, relentless sheets that drummed against the stone walls of the royal castle and slid in trembling rivers along the tall windows. Each flash of lightning carved the hallway in white for a heartbeat, revealing the ancient banners that hung from the ceiling, their shadows twitching like living things. Then darkness swallowed everything again, leaving only the hollow echo of bootsteps.

Captain Galen walked with long, tense strides, his armor glinting dimly whenever the storm outside flared. Beside him, Priest Valek moved more quietly, his robes brushing against the stone floor in muted swishes. The corridor was long and cold, lined with pillars that disappeared into the dark above, and every step forward seemed to deepen the weight pressing on both men. The thunder growled in the distance as they approached the massive carved doors of the Throne Room. Two royal guards pushed them open. The hinges groaned slow, heavy, almost reluctant as if the doors themselves understood the gravity of what was about to be spoken.

THE THRONE ROOM

Warm braziers flickered within, their golden light dancing across the marble floor and the high arched ceiling. Yet even their glow could not soften the tension that clung to the air.

The King sat upon his throne an imposing figure draped in deep crimson, the weight of the crown pressing heavily on his stern brow. His expression was carved in stone, unreadable yet severe. At his right side the Queen stood with quiet poise, her hands folded, her eyes soft but clouded with concern. The stormlight outside flashed through the stained-glass windows behind them, bathing her red gown in fleeting shades of violet and blue.

Galen and Valek stepped forward and bowed deeply.

Galen raised his head first, his voice low and serious.

“Your Majesty… it’s worse than we imagined. The followers of the Gods plan to break the seals.”

Then the King’s fist slammed against the armrest of the throne, the crack of impact echoing through the hall.

“Venerating them is already a crime…” he growled. “But breaking the seals to free them into this world this is absolute betrayal.”

The Queen stepped forward gently, her voice soft yet firm.

“Do we know who leads this order?”

Galen let out a long, weary breath. His eyes flickered toward Valek, sad and reluctant.

“Yes, my Queen. It has been confirmed… the leader is… Caius.”

Valek stiffened as if struck. His lips parted but no sound came out.

Galen continued quietly.

“…Your nephew, Valek.”

Valek closed his eyes. Pain creased his face, raw and unhidden for an instant before he forced composure back into place. The King exhaled, rubbing his temple with a slow, frustrated motion. The Queen looked at Valek with compassion shining through her worry.

“Valek… none of this is your fault. You know that, don’t you?”

His voice wavered despite his efforts.

“Even so… I can’t help feeling responsible.”

The King leaned forward, his tone firm but carrying the warmth of a long friendship.

“My beloved is right. We’ve been through too many hardships together. I know well where your loyalty lies.”

Valek bowed his head.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I appreciate it deeply.”

The King straightened and turned to Galen.

“Galen… what options do we have?”

The captain swallowed.

“…Not many.”

Valek inhaled slowly.

“We can summon… new heroes.”

The King’s brows drew together sharply.

“What do you mean?”

The Queen’s eyes widened.

“The Heroes? I remember they were once invoked by several kingdoms… If we are to do the same, we would need their cooperation.”

Galen shook his head.

“With all due respect, my Queen… we don’t have time. The enemy has already obtained the first ancient artifact the Ring of the Summoner Master.”

A chill spread through the room. The King and Queen exchanged a look filled with fear.

Valek stepped forward resolutely.

“Allow me to perform the invocation.”

The King’s voice dropped to a grave tone.

“You have my permission. If they already have one artifact… then in three weeks the first calamity will arrive.”

The queen looks at the king a little worried. Galen and Valek bowed once more and withdrew from the room, their silhouettes swallowed by shadow as the doors closed behind them.

THE SILENT CORRIDOR

The storm howled through distant windows as the two men walked side by side. For a long moment, neither spoke.At last, Galen broke the silence.

“Are you certain you can perform the invocation alone? I dont have magic, but I’ve heard it consumes an enormous amount of energy…”

Valek gave him a sideways smile, small but genuine.

“Don’t tell me you think I’m a weakling.”

Galen snorted softly.

“Fool. I know better than anyone how powerful you are.”

“That’s why I have to do it.” He continues “listen Galen, I owe this to the king”

Galen sighs.

“Do you still blame yourself for what happened?”

“ I could stop him and protect him”

Galen stops and looks at Valek.

“Listen to me very well Valek, what happened was not our fault, it was a decision that the king himself made.”

“Even so…”

THE CASTLE CATHEDRAL

The cathedral was dark except for the warm glow of candles arranged in tall circles, their flames bending with the drafts that drifted through the ancient hall. Stone angels loomed from the shadows above, their wings catching flashes of gold whenever a flame flickered too brightly. Valek walked forward, steps slow and deliberate. He reached the altar and placed his trembling hands upon it. The weight of what he was about to do pressed against his chest like a tightening band.

He closed his eyes.

He breathed once.

Again.

Then he whispered:

“Sacro vocare.”

Light rippled across the floor.

A sacred fire rose around him, bright and warm, as if the air itself had ignited. Ancient symbols carved into the stone beneath the altar awakened, glowing gold, spreading outward in a perfect circle until they filled the entire cathedral. Valek raised his hand, now enveloped in sacred fire. His voice echoed through the hall ancient, powerful, resonant.

“Invocationis homo.”

The circle erupted in light.

Wind roared through the cathedral, extinguishing the candles instantly. Shadows twisted and spiraled into the luminous center, pulled toward a blinding core of magic. Valek’s robes whipped around him, yet he stood unshaken, channeling the spell with every fragment of strength he possessed.

IN THE MODERN WORLD.

People walked through the streets without any worry. In a cafeteria on the corner you could smell the aroma of coffee. A coffee was posing on the table where a young man was sitting looking at some papers. The young man sighs tiredly.

“This is impossible” he takes his cup of coffee and takes a sip. “It’s like trying to find a ghost.”

At that moment one of the waiters approaches.

“Good morning Gideon. Working?”

Gideon looks at him with a tired smile. “It’s the story of my life”

The waiter leaves and Gideon gets up from the table and walks to the bathroom.

-This is crazy, I’ve never had this problem in my years at this job.- he though

He opens the bathroom tap and is wash his hands.

-I’m one of the best in my company, that’s why I’m in the position I’m in. I’m not doubting my abilities but this person is...-

In those moments a magic circle appears on Gideon’s feet and they teleport it.

Then silence.

KINGDOM OF AHNROZES

The glow faded slowly like the dying breath of a star. When Valek opened his eyes, Seven figures stood before him.

Confused. Disoriented. Their expressions flickered with disbelief as they took in the world around them the high stone arches, the ancient symbols beneath their feet, the lingering scent of burnt air.

Valek exhaled weakly, exhaustion threatening to buckle his knees. But hope glimmered in his eyes.

“Welcome to the kingdom of Ahnrozes,” he said softly.

“My name is Valek, priest of the royal family.”

The seven summoned did not speak at first. They merely stared, trying to understand.

Gideon’s thoughts raced- What is this place? I was just in the café and suddenly…- His gaze drifted to a woman with golden eyes standing among the group also confused, also summoned. -She is here too?-

Ezra stepped forward with irritation etched across his face.

“Hey man, what’s going on here? If this is some kind of joke, it’s in really bad taste. I have a work meeting.”

Riven crossed his arms.

“Yeah, and I’m supposed to meet with my team.”

Valek nodded, his voice calm despite his fatigue.

“I understand your displeasure. Please… stay one night. Tomorrow morning, we will meet with the King and Queen.”

Gideon glanced at the others. - A king and queen…?-

He exhaled.

-This will be interesting.-

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