Boundless Evolution: The Summoning Beast
Chapter 49: Whispers in the Dark

Chapter 49: Whispers in the Dark

Malakar, the beating heart of Zavareth, was a city where power and ambition thrived in the embrace of shadow. Blackened spires clawed at the storm-ridden sky, while the ever-present scent of smog and iron hung thick in the air.

The streets teemed with wary merchants and soldiers alike, all moving under the silent watch of armored enforcers, as if the city itself was waiting for a war to break out from within itself too.

At the core of the capital stood the royal citadel, a fortress hewn from the very bones of the earth, its obsidian walls etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with an eerie glow.

In the depths of this great citadel, lay a chamber untouched by daylight, Zavareth’s warlords gathered once more.

The war chamber of Zavareth was buried deep beneath the royal citadel, its chamber smelling of aged parchment, molten wax, and steel, a testament to the endless discussions of conquest and bloodshed held within these walls.

Flickering scones cast long, shifting shadows across the vast stone table that dominated the center of the room, its surface marred by knife marks and ink stains from years of war planning.

It was here, deep beneath the surface, that Zavareth’s true strength was forged.

Seated around the table were Zavareth’s key figures, each a figure of ruthless cunning and military genius.

At the head sat High Commander Malagar, a towing man clad in dark armour, his scarred face set in an evil smirk.

To his left, Commander Kaelis, a grim and calculated figure draped in deep crimson robes, is presence exuding an air of silent menace. He was known as the Butcher of the Eastern Reaches, the architect of many brutal campaigns, his mind knowing only war and how to kill.

To his right, Lord Veyron, the nation’s most formidable tactician, leaned forward, his keen eyes scanning a massive map sprawled across the table, riddled with markings of enemy movements and fortifications.

"Eldoria’s defenses are crumbling," Veyron muttered, dragging a dagger across the parchment, "The other fortresses will barely be able to resist anymore with the strongest wall, Windbreak Stronghold, in ruins and under our occupation."

Commander Kaelis brought his fist down on the table, smiling evilly as he barked, "Our forces can now march without obstruction. If we press now, we can bring them to their knees before winter."

"That is only the start, we must now consider the next options, we have Titan’s gate as the final remaining fortification in the path through the Silver Mountains, provided that the attack on Stormrend Fortress falls," Lord Veyron countered, his voice a gravelly rumble, "If we cannot breach it before winter, all our efforts will be wasted."

High Commander Malagar smirked, shaking his head, "The defenses in Titan’s Gate pales in comparison to Windbreak but it is not the only path."

He then tapped onto the region of the map which was South of the Silver Mountains, "And should Winter arrive earlier than expected, the next path should be to invade Ironwatch Keep and Riverward Bastion in the South, winter there is more or less negligible in the valleys. With that, we would be able to control their eastern trade routes."

High Commander Malagar nodded as he grabbed his chin in consideration before agreeing, "If this attack succeeds, their supply lines would be severed, hunger and attrition will do our work for us in that region. Come, spring and we should be able to waltz right through."

A ripple of satisfaction passed through the three figures.

"Yes, that would be fitting. Particularly now with the disappearance of Darius Valen, their so-called legendary commander. The defenses of Eldoria will have to be spread even thinner now," Lord Veyron agreed, his smirk widening.

The chamber filled with low murmurs of approval as the figures relished their growing dominance over the region. Their path to victory seeming clear and very approachable.

Lord Veyron leaned back, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "And to think, none of this would have been possible without our benefactor. The one who granted us the means to summon the dragon."

Commander Kaelis gave a short chuckle, "Indeed. The ancient rituals were thought to be lost... brought to us by him... The skies now belong to Zavareth thanks to him."

"A most generous ally," High Commander Malagar mused, his fingers tapping against the table in thought, "I am grateful that he did not turn to Eldoria for help and instead turned to us. Thank the gods that we are able to give him what he wants."

Their conversation continued further, their laughter and voices filling the chamber, oblivious to the faint metallic creak that whispered through the air vents above them.

Kieran exhaled slowly, his lean, wiry frame pressed tight against the cold metal grates as he maneuvered through the cramped ventilation shaft. His dark leather attire blended seamlessly with the shadows, perfect for stealth.

He peered through the slotted opening above, his sharp green eyes flickered with intensity as he scanned the scene below.

His face, partially concealed beneath a cloth mask, remained unreadable, but beneath it, his jaw was clenched, his breath steady despite the storm brewing within him.

’How dare they talk about Commander Darius with such casual amusement,’ he thought as his fingers gripped the dagger at his belt instinctively and his jaw clenched. The legendary commander, the shield of Eldoria, was reduced to ash and discarded as though he had been nothing.

His heart pounded, but he steadied himself. He had to escape with this information.

’I need to get this information back to King Alden and High Commander Callen,’ Kieran thought as he started to move silently...

But just as he shifted, the doors of the chamber creaked open.

Kieran froze, his breath shallow as he remained hidden within the ventilation shaft. He dared not move a muscle as the flickering torches cast eerie, elongated shadows across the chamber.

A suffocating presence swept into the room, and the conversation of the three figures at the table immediately halted as their faces turned to the doors.

King Aldros of Zavareth had arrived.

Clad in flowing crimson robes embroidered with golden sigils of conquest, his jet-black hair, streaked with silver, framing a young face that radiated battlelust and power.

Kieran clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain still.

’So the king himself is here,’ he thought, ’This just became even riskier... but also much more valuable.’

He had planned to leave with his information but now, whatever was about to be discussed could be even more crucial than what he had already learned.

Right behind King Aldros, a second figure entered alongside the king.

He was draped in flowing black robes adorned with arcane symbols and moved with an eerie grace as a skeletal hand revealed, gripping an ancient staff that crackled with a residual ghostly energy.

The moment the figure entered, the entire world seemed to still.

The air itself recoiled, an unnatural silence swallowing the chamber. The flames in the sconces guttered violently before dimming, casting flickering shadows that danced along the walls like spectral wraiths. A weight—crushing, suffocating—descended upon the room, as if death had crept into the chamber and refused to leave.

Kieran’s stomach twisted into knots as his breath hitched and he gritted his teeth as an involuntary shiver ran down his spine.

’That person...’ he thought, his mind slowly flowing into disbelief, ’Is that...’

"Your Majesty," the three figures at the table intoned, their voice careful and respectful as they greeted.

High Commander Malagar then turned toward the figure next to Aldros, his tone then kept the same tone as he greeted, "Archlich Ravos."

’Archlich Ravos?’ Kieran repeated as he knew Ravos.

Ravos was a famous independent sorcerer who studied necromancy in Eldoria a decade back. He was largely respected by the whole public and even served in the military until news broke out about his inhumane experiments where he was discovered to be using dead bodies of soldiers to improve his skill. This had resulted in him being exiled from Eldoria under very bad terms.

’He was a Lichbounch Sorcerer before... but now...’ Kieran recalled, ’An Archlich?

At this realisation, shock and worry caused Kieran’s breath to hitch. Ravos had not merely returned- he had evolved. He was now firmly in A rank.

His fingers dug into his palms, his knuckles white, ’How did this happen? How did he ascend?’

Back at the table, both figures took their seats among the free chairs and upon sitting, Lord Veyron smiled as he inclined his head slightly, "Archlich Ravos, none of this would have been possible without you. We owe our greatest triumphs to your knowledge."

For a moment, silence filled the chamber.

Then, ever so slightly, High Commander Malagar’s fingers twitched against the table, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

Though their words were filled with gratitude, none of them could meet Ravos’s gaze for long. It was respect—yes—but there was something else lurking beneath it. Fear. Unease.

Kieran’s mind short-circuited as his heart seemed to hyperventilate as his pulse hammered in his ears.

’No... it can’t be.’