While Ateen was advancing alongside a group of female warriors, the Virkoda creatures suddenly burst out from beneath the ground in a terrifying scene, attacking the civilians violently. One of them grabbed a man and tore him apart in a brutal manner.
Everyone stood stunned in horror at the scene, as the screams of the townspeople rose and the ground was stained with blood.
Ateen shouted with a firm command: "Everyone must protect the civilians! Do not allow these monsters to get close to them!"
Then she turned toward the citizens, raising her voice: "Head to the center of the city immediately!"
The female warriors charged into battle, while the ground trembled beneath their feet as more and more Virkoda emerged.
Elsewhere, while Basil was lying fallen among the rubble, the mark on his left hand began to glow strangely. The tattoo covering his arm started to extend, slowly crawling toward his neck, while his broken arm and the deep stab wound in his abdomen began to heal, covered by a mysterious black substance, like a viscous matter forming around his body.
Basil opened his eyes, only to find himself not in reality, but deep within his own mind… inside a different world.
He found himself bound by massive chains fixed into the ground, and beneath his feet was a large mark similar to the one on his hand, glowing with a faint light.
He tried to move, but the restraints were strong, preventing any resistance.
Then, from nothingness, a massive shadow with glowing red eyes appeared, staring at him in silence for a moment before speaking in a deep, terrifying voice:
"It has been a long time since our last meeting."
Basil raised his head and said: "You again… Mark Demon!"
The Mark Demon laughed, his laughter echoing through the void around them, then said:
"You are in a pitiful state… you will not survive without me."
Basil cut him off in a steady tone, saying: "You are not the one who decides that."
The Mark Demon moved closer, its glowing eyes intensifying, then said mockingly:
"Do you think he will save you as he saved your village? Where was he when your village was burned, when the blood of its people was spilled, and its sanctity was violated in cold blood?"
Basil's eyes narrowed, and he said in a calm voice:
"Life is a place of trial; a person is tested in it with hardships and calamities, and he must either be patient and seek reward, or grow resentful—thus becoming the loser."
The Mark Demon moved closer, until it was almost pressed against Basil's face, then said in a voice full of pressure:
"Spare me this nonsense… You always—whenever you weaken—come to me, seeking power. Isn't that so?"
Basil raised his head and said in a firm voice: "I have sworn to myself that I will never return to you again."
The Mark Demon laughed more sharply and said:
"And do you think your regret will erase all the crimes you have committed?"
Basil replied with confidence: "Whoever truly repents and returns to the right path can change his fate."
The Mark Demon continued to pressure him, its eyes glowing brighter:
"Tell me, how will you save the kingdom? How will you stop the creatures and their king? Will you cry and raise your hands asking for help?"
This time, Basil did not respond, but his gaze did not change, which made the Mark Demon lose its composure. It shouted angrily:
"You must accept it—you always need me!"
Then it continued: "Let me enter… and I will lead the battle my way!"
Suddenly, the ground beneath Basil began to move, and a black viscous substance appeared, gradually covering his body. It crept over his feet and climbed toward his chest, as if trying to consume him.
Basil tried to resist, but he was bound, completely helpless.