Far to the south, the four summoned heroes marched steadily northward with their growing escort of soldiers and mages. The journey had been long and gruelling, but each passing day made them stronger, their powers sharpening like blades honed on the whetstone of constant battles.
Liam walked at the front, his golden armour gleaming under the harsh sun. His fists were clenched, knuckles white, as he stared at the distant northern horizon with burning impatience.
"How much farther to the northern borders?" he demanded for what felt like the hundredth time, his voice sharp with frustration.
The Head Mage, an older woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp eyes, walked a few paces behind him. She sighed, clearly tired of the same question. "We are making good progress, Liam. The northern territories are still several days away. This journey gives you time to train and grow stronger. The monsters we've faced so far have been nothing compared to what may await us in the north."
Liam's jaw tightened, his fists clenching even harder. "I don't need more training. I am already stronger than any of you realise. I am the true hero. The fifth one was a mistake, a criminal who nearly destroyed everything. When we find him, I will show the world who the real saviour is."
The other heroes exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. They had all grown powerful during the journey, their magic more refined, their bodies hardened by constant combat. Low-level monsters that once required effort now fell in seconds to their combined strength. Yet the memory of Lucius, the one who had suddenly become dangerous, still lingered in their minds like a dark cloud.
Shira with flowing blue robes, spoke quietly. "Do you really think he's still alive? The reports say he was taken by some shadow group. Lord Dox… that name keeps appearing in the intelligence reports."
The Head Mage nodded grimly. "Lord Dox is no ordinary enemy. Our spies have confirmed he is gathering forces in the north. If he has the fifth hero, we must reach him before Dox can weaponise whatever curse power the boy carries. The King wants him brought back, preferably alive, but the priority is stopping whatever plan Dox has in motion."
Liam smirked, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Good. When we find him, I'll be the one to put him in chains. The world needs to see that the fifth hero was never meant to exist. I will prove I am the true chosen one."
The party continued marching north, their steps steady and purposeful. The landscape slowly changed around them, the green fields giving way to rocky hills and colder winds. They had faced many battles along the way, but none had truly challenged them. Their confidence grew with every victory.
Unbeknownst to them, two other groups were also moving: one carrying an unconscious Lucius deeper into the shadows, and another, a determined group led by a wounded boy who refused to give up, along with some royal messengers.
The paths were converging, and the north was waiting.
The heroes' party pushed even deeper into the northern territories, the landscape becoming harsher and more unforgiving with every mile. Snow-dusted mountains loomed closer, their peaks sharp against the grey sky. The air carried a biting cold that seeped through armour and cloaks, and the ground grew rocky and uneven, forcing the soldiers to move more cautiously. Their escort had swelled to nearly four hundred strong, soldiers, mages, and scouts marching under the King's banner with grim determination.
Liam rode at the forefront, his golden armour now dulled by dust and frost, but his posture remained proud and arrogant. He had grown significantly stronger during the long journey. His magic crackled with raw power, and his sword strikes could cleave through thick monster hides in a single blow. Yet his mind was fixated on one thing only.
"The fifth hero," he muttered, gripping the reins tighter. "A mistake. A criminal who should never have been summoned. When we find him, I will personally drag him before the King in chains. The people will see who the real saviour is."
The Head Mage rode beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. She had watched Liam's arrogance grow with every victory, but she kept her concerns to herself for now.
One of the other heroes, Collen, spoke up. "Do you really believe the rumours? Did the fifth hero single-handedly defeat monsters, as it is said to have been captured? He was supposed to be very strong."
The Head Mage's expression darkened. "The reports from our spies are clear. They saw him with a merchant caravan before the incident. Whatever happened in Whisperwood, it was significant. The forest itself is said to be healing. If Lord Dox is involved, this is no longer just about capturing a rogue hero. This is about the balance of power in the entire kingdom."
Liam laughed coldly. "Healing the forest? How convenient. When we catch him, I'll make sure he explains everything before I prove once and for all that he was never meant to exist. I will be the one the people remember as the true saviour."
The party continued marching, stopping only briefly to rest and train. Their battles against roaming monsters had become almost routine. Spells lit up the sky, blades flashed, and creatures fell before them. With each victory, their confidence swelled. They were no longer the fresh summons who had struggled in the early days. They were a force to be reckoned with.
In the west, Harlan's crew and the royal messengers had begun to ride towards the north. Dave sat with Harlan as he rode, his small body still weak from the deep gash on his arm and the blood he had lost. He leaned heavily against Harlan, his face pale and drawn, but his eyes burned with quiet, fierce determination.
"We have to keep moving," Dave whispered, his voice hoarse but steady. "Brother Lucius needs us. He's still alive… I know he is."
Harlan kept a protective arm around the boy, his own injuries still healing. "We're moving as fast as we can, lad. You're still weak. If you push yourself too hard, you'll only slow us down. The royal messengers have healers with us. Let them help you."
The leader of the messengers rode nearby, his expression serious. "Our spies have confirmed movement in the north. Lord Dox is gathering forces there. The heroes' party is also heading in that direction. If we can link up with them or find clues about where Lucius is being taken, we may have a chance."
Dave nodded weakly, his small hand gripping the saddle tightly. "I won't slow you down. I promised him we'd stay together. I have to keep that promise."
The group pressed on, a small but determined force moving northward. The healed Whisperwood slowly gave way to colder, wilder lands. Dave's condition improved slightly with rest and healing magic, but he was still frail, his steps unsteady when he tried to walk on his own. Yet his resolve never wavered.
Far ahead on the shadowed roads, Zon and his men continued their hard ride, carrying Lucius's still-unconscious body.
Lucius remained completely motionless, slung over the saddle of one of the horses. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. The exhaustion and pain had left him in a deep, unnatural sleep. He had not stirred once since the ambush, despite waking up in the prison one time.
Zon glanced back at him with a satisfied smirk. "Lord Dox will be pleased. The curse eater is finally ours."
The paths of all three groups, the heroes' party, Harlan's crew with Dave, and Zon's men carrying Lucius, were slowly converging toward the north
As the three paths drew closer to the northern valleys, a sudden raven landed on the saddle of the hero's party's lead scout. The bird carried a small scroll sealed with the royal insignia.
The Head Mage opened it quickly, her face darkening as she read the message aloud.
"Lord Dox has been sighted in the Shadowed Vale. It confirmed that the fifth hero is brought to him … and the fifth hero has not died."
Liam's eyes lit up with dark excitement. "Finally."
At the same moment, in the inn where Dave and Harlan's crew were resting, a second raven arrived with almost identical news.
Dave, still pale and weak but sitting up for the first time in days, clenched his small fists.
"He's alive… Brother Lucius is alive."
The boy looked toward the road with burning determination.
"We have to go. Now."
Three groups.
Three different motives.
All were heading toward the same dark valley where Lord Dox waited.
The final convergence was no longer coming.
It had already begun.