Rosie's Games

Chapter 382: The Seal

"In the ancient tales of the world's beginnings," Lucas started while staring at the campfire in front of them. "It is said that demons were the first occupants of the realm. They emerged from the depths of darkness, embodying primal forces of chaos and malevolence. As the earliest beings to inhabit the world, they possessed a raw and untamed power that defied comprehension."

"Demons were organized into a hierarchical structure, with varying ranks denoting their levels of strength, intellect, and influence. At the pinnacle of this hierarchy were the high-ranking demons, beings of immense power and cunning, " he continued.

"These formidable entities possessed the ability to shroud themselves in the guise of humans, effortlessly blending into society and concealing their true nature. Their shape-shifting abilities made them particularly dangerous, as they could masquerade as ordinary individuals while harboring sinister intentions."

"However, not all demons possess the same capabilities. The lower-ranking demons lacked the capacity for independent thought and were driven solely by their primal instincts. They were bound by the will of the higher-ranking demons, acting as their foot soldiers and enforcers. While individually less powerful, their sheer numbers and ferocity made them a formidable force."

"Legends spoke of encounters with demons, painting vivid tales of their malevolence and the devastation they wrought. They were said to possess otherworldly abilities, capable of conjuring dark magic, manipulating the elements, and corrupting the souls of the innocent. Some tales even spoke of demons being able to control and manipulate the very fabric of reality itself."

"They are that powerful?" Rosalind could not help but frown. The demons that she saw in her dream were not that powerful but their sheer number alone was frightening.

"Yes," Lucas said.

He made a pause before he started talking.

"Throughout history, various civilizations and secret orders sought to understand and combat the threat posed by the demons. They developed rituals, spells, and artifacts to ward off or banish these malevolent entities. The knowledge of demons and their workings became shrouded in mystery, guarded closely by those who delved into sorcery."

"Sorcery?" Rosalind frowned.

Lucas nodded solemnly. "Yes, sorcery. In the days of old, there were individuals known as sorcerers who possessed a mastery over mystical arts. They were regarded as beings of immense power, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary mortals. The sorcerers of the past were renowned for their ability to combat and confront demons on a level that surpassed anything we have seen today."

He paused, his gaze fixed on her, gauging her reaction before continuing. "Sorcerers were capable of wielding magic that defied the limits of imagination. They could bend the elements to their will, summon storms, and manipulate the very fabric of reality. Their spells could bring about incredible feats, shaping the world around them with their incantations."

"However," Lucas continued, his tone growing more serious, "the knowledge and practice of sorcery became increasingly scarce as time went on. The secrets and rituals of the sorcerers were lost, hidden away, or forgotten. The world changed, and the influence of sorcery waned."

"If sorcery once held the key to combating demons, then perhaps we can find a way to reclaim that power. We cannot face these adversaries with mere mortal strength alone," Rosalind said. This was exactly like her dream! The woman that resembled her said that Sorcery is the only way.

It must be the only way!

To her surprise, however, he started shaking his head. "Sorcery... and demons could not exist in this continent. Our ancestors made sure of that."

Rosalind frowned. Atior and the others existed, right?

As if reading her thoughts, he shook his head again.

"Atior and the others only possess a fraction of the true sorcerer's abilities," Lucas explained, his voice tinged with a sense of disappointment. "Their powers are limited to harnessing darkness, as it is the predominant force in this part of the world. But true sorcery, the kind that existed in the past, encompassed a much wider range of abilities and elements. If the seal is broken- "

"What seal?" she interjected.

Lucas's expression shifted, his brows furrowing in concern. "The seal is a protective barrier that has been put in place to prevent the demons from entering this specific area, shielding it from their malevolent influence."

"But if there is a seal," she questioned. "What about the demon that we encountered in this place?"

"The seal was forged centuries ago by my ancestors, with the intent of ensuring that no one could break through and unleash the demons upon this land. However, over time, the seal has gradually weakened, its strength waning. It was never meant to endure forever."

She pursed her lips.

"Tell me more about the demons."

This time, he did not hesitate.

"It was believed that demons thrived on chaos, despair, and negative emotions. They were drawn to places where darkness held sway, where humanity's goodness waned and their own influence could take root. These locations became breeding grounds for demonic activity, with whispers of their presence reverberating through the shadows."

For a moment, she thought about her past life.

"A place full of death and despair," she muttered as realization sank in.

"Yes. A place full of death and despair can be one of those places."

Then in her past life...

She swallowed.

Was it possible?

All the devastation from the disease, the war, the plague, the beast tide.

All of them started happening one after the other, leaving despair and devastation.

Could it be that these events were not mere coincidences? Is it possible that they were orchestrated by the demons, drawing strength from the chaos and despair they sow?

Rosalind's mind reeled with the weight of the information Lucas had revealed.

The notion of a seal protecting their land from demons, the limitations of the powers possessed by Atior and the others, and the connection between darkness, despair, and the presence of demons left her grappling with a newfound understanding of the world around her.

"The disease that- " Rosalind thought about the man who was infected and slowly turned into a demon in the North. "That man... turned into a demon. Does that mean that demons could infect a human? They could turn a human into like them?"