Eclipse of the Paper Tower: Resurrection of the Midnight Dirge
The heavy iron door slammed shut, echoing through the subterranean hall.
"So, you're going to sell your soul? Are you sure?"
The voice belonged to Prince Phobos, his golden hair catching the dim torchlight as he leaned against a pillar of carved obsidian. Beside him stood Diaz, arms crossed, and the shadow-draped figure known only as Darkness.
"You’d be throwing away your life," Phobos continued, his violet eyes narrowing. "Not to mention your title as Suvall. What could you possibly hope to gain?"
A lone figure stepped forward into the ring of flickering light, his knuckles bruised, his armor cracked. "I have set out to prove my strength. I can't let anything end my battles here on this earth for the next three years. If a contract is the price to keep fighting, I'll pay it."
Darkness chuckled, a sound like rustling dry leaves. "It's been quite a while," Darkness said, shifting his gaze toward Diaz, Scarface, and Prince Phobos. "Look at what Agent Paper wrote on the scrolls."
Scarface stepped up, unrolling the brittle parchment under the glare of a lantern. "He notes that I came from Meridian long ago with Queen Elyon," Scarface read aloud, his voice low. "You were the one who saved her from Nerissa and reclaimed the Seal of Phobos."
"Ancient history," Phobos muttered, though a flicker of old pride crossed his face. "Meridian is safe. But our immediate problem lies elsewhere." He gestured toward a shimmering obsidian basin at the center of the room. The liquid inside reflected a desolate landscape. "There were no signs of life in the inner courtyard of Camelot."
"No book will help this time," Diaz said grimly, tapping the hilt of his broadsword. "Camelot is a legend—or at least, it was until the rifts started opening. The seal won't hold the gate open much longer."
Agent Paper, stepping out from the shadows near the basin, checked the glowing runes carved into the floor. He raised a hand, pointing toward the swirling azure vortex hovering just inches above the flagstones.
"Agent Paper, get him closer to the portal and we'll take care of him," Darkness, Diaz, and Prince Phobos said in unison.
Agent Paper nodded, grabbing the Suvall by the shoulder and shoving him toward the edge of the threshold. The wind howling from the rift threatened to pull them all under.
"It's kinda a risky move," Agent Paper admitted over the roar of the portal, "but we have no choice."
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