NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Dark Powers Among the Heroes
In a world torn apart by war, humans and demons have been locked in an unrelenting struggle for the last 2,000 years. It all began when demons first emerged from the underworld, their terrifying forms and immense powers threatening humanity's very existence.
At first, humans were losing ground—overwhelmed by the strength of these formidable foes, especially the fearsome demon lords.
As the centuries passed, the situation grew dire. Nearly 1,000 years into the conflict, the human race faced the brink of extinction.
Just when all hope seemed lost, a brilliant mage named Thalia discovered a powerful form of summoning magic. This ancient art allowed her to reach out to celestial beings—powerful entities believed to be the creators of the very magic humanity relied on.
Desperate for help, Thalia called upon these celestial beings and pleaded for their aid. In a moment of divine compassion, they granted her the knowledge to summon heroes from other worlds.
These heroes, blessed with extraordinary powers, were charged with the task of saving humanity. Armed with their newfound strength, they turned the tide of the war. For the first time, humans were matching the might of the demon lords.
Five hundred years of hard-fought battles followed, leading to a fragile peace. The once-mighty forces of the demons were driven into hiding, suffering heavy losses. But the heroes, despite their incredible gifts, were not immortal.
They could only extend their lives through magic, and eventually, they too succumbed to the passage of time.
As the last of these heroes faded from memory, a new era of peace began for humanity. For 500 years, people rebuilt and thrived, until one fateful day, the demons re-emerged. With their insatiable hunger for conquest, they began their assault once more, determined to claim the human world.
Now, once again, the Summoning Ritual has been invoked—a tradition passed down through generations to call forth new heroes in humanity's darkest hour.
As the mage leader stood before the newly summoned heroes, sharing the harrowing history of their world, the gravity of the situation began to settle in.
"That's a lot of information to take in, especially just after we got here," Max interjected, looking around at the bewildered faces of his companions.
"I didn't ask for this! There is no way I'm fighting demons," Mia shouted defiantly.
"Just send me back!"
The leader of the mages spoke with a somber tone.
"Brave heroes, I'm afraid there's no way to send you back to your world after being summoned here."
The five heroes stood in silence for a moment, each processing the news.
They had no choice but to accept their roles as saviors of this world. It was their duty—and, truthfully, they were excited by the idea.
But one hero, Xender, couldn't hide the sly smile creeping across his face. He had always dreamed of being the villain, and now it seemed fate was giving him the perfect chance.
"Follow us, brave heroes," the mage continued, leading them toward a grand hall.
"We will test your magical abilities so you can discover the powers you've been granted by the celestial beings."
Max and Leo's faces lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to see what kind of magic they had.
Xender, however, was already imagining himself wielding dark magic. Mei and Mia were more hesitant, but they didn't want to be left out, so they followed along quietly.
The mage guided them into a large chamber, where a strange, glowing light hovered in the center. It was pure and clear, almost like water. The heroes were instructed to step through the light, each wondering what awaited them on the other side.
With hearts racing, the heroes stepped into the clear light, feeling an unfamiliar sensation stirring within their bodies. The light flickered and shifted in colors, flashing like the lights of a disco.
As the light enveloped them, divine blessings from celestial beings awakened their hidden powers. Each hero felt a surge of energy as their abilities took form, unique to them alone.
When they stepped out of the light, they were no longer the same. Ordinary humans they had been—now, they were something more, something powerful. Transformed by the divine gifts they had received, they were superior beings, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Mia the Light weaver has the amazing ability of Luminance Manipulation. She can control light in incredible ways! Mia can create dazzling flashes that blind and confuse her enemies.
She can shape light into solid constructs, letting her build weapons or shields made of pure brightness. By bending light around herself or others, she can create illusions or become nearly invisible, perfect for stealthy escapes.
As Mia grows stronger, she learns to unleash powerful bursts of energy in battle. The source of her strength comes from her hope and positivity, and in moments when people need inspiration the most, her powers shine even brighter!
Mei the Spirit Summoner possesses a unique power that allows her to summon heroic spirits. These spirits can only stay for a short time, but they bring incredible abilities with them! Depending on what the situation demands, Mei can call upon healer spirits to mend wounds, warrior spirits to join the fight, or elemental spirits to unleash nature's powers.
While her summoning skills have great potential, they do have limits—she can only use them briefly. However, as she becomes stronger, the spirits she can summon will also grow in might, making her even more formidable!
Max the Titan's Guardian is powered by Giant's Might. When he activates his ability, Max can temporarily become as strong and massive as a giant! In this state, he can unleash tremendous physical strength and take serious hits without being hurt.
He can also empower his allies, boosting their strength and resilience during combat. Imagine him wielding huge weapons that can turn the tide of a battle with sheer force! The length of time Max can maintain this giant state depends on his stamina and his fierce will to protect his friends.
Leo the Frostbinder controls the power of Cryomancy. Leo can summon ice and create freezing temperatures at will. He can whip up snowstorms, freeze enemies in their tracks, and shape ice into weapons or barriers for defense.
By lowering the temperature around him, Leo can gain a tactical edge, slowing down foes in their tracks. As Leo masters his skills, he learns to charge his ice with energy, leading to explosive ice attacks. His abilities are tied to his emotions—when he stays calm and focused, his powers become even stronger!
Xender the Abyssal Trickster wields dark forces through Shadowmancy and Soul Manipulation. With his sinister abilities, Xender can control shadows to disorient and instill fear in his enemies. He can summon darkness to envelop opponents, making them feel lost and helpless.
His most menacing power is the ability to manipulate souls; he can extract and bind the souls of those he defeats, sapping their strength. As he draws energy from other souls, he not only heals himself but also grows stronger. Charismatic and cunning, Xender can pretend to be a hero while secretly plotting chaos.
"Brave heroes, now that you know your abilities, it's crucial to train and master them. Learn to wield your powers," said one of the mages.
Behind her, the other mages whispered nervously.
"That boy… he wields dark powers."
"How is that even possible? I thought summoned heroes could only use light magic, like the celestial beings."
"Shadowmancy? Isn't that something only demons have?"
The mages were terrified. They feared what Xender's powers might mean. All they could do was hope he'd live up to his role as the hero they needed. Only time would tell.
Mei, Mia, Max, Leo and Xender were now officially heroes—destined to save Aeldrath. But first, they would need to gain combat experience and face the demon forces.
Xender couldn't help but smirk as he thought to himself,
Heh, there really is a God out there. Who would've thought that I would be summoned to play the hero in a fantasy world? Me, a hero? What a joke. I will become the true embodiment of villainy.