Season 3: Rise of the Dark RealmsChapter 2: The Gate of Frost
The frozen valley shook violently.
Snowstorms spiraled through the air as Arif clashed against the giant armored creature. Every strike from its black ice sword carried terrifying power.
CLANG!
Arif blocked another attack.
The impact pushed him backward across the frozen ground.
His boots carved deep marks into the ice.
"This thing… is insanely strong…"
The creature's glowing blue eyes stared directly at him.
Almost as if—
It recognized him.
Lina rushed forward from the side.
"Arif!"
Her sword flashed.
She attacked the creature's exposed shoulder.
BOOM!
Ice exploded.
But the creature barely moved.
Its armor regenerated slowly.
Lina frowned.
"It heals too?"
The creature swung its massive arm.
Lina barely dodged.
The attack shattered a frozen mountain wall behind her.
The guild adventurers watching from afar looked terrified.
"That monster… isn't human…"
"No… it's worse…"
Arif activated Shadow Step instantly.
He appeared above the creature.
"Shadow Strike!"
Dark energy exploded downward.
This time—
The creature staggered slightly.
Arif noticed immediately.
"There's a weak point…"
But before he could attack again—
The dark crack in the sky expanded further.
Cold wind burst outward.
Then—
Another creature emerged.
Smaller.
But faster.
Its body was covered in crystal-like blue armor.
Four glowing eyes opened.
Lina's expression darkened.
"There's more?!"
The system flashed.
[Frost Warden Appeared]
[Threat Level: High]
The Frost Warden disappeared instantly.
Fast.
Too fast.
Arif barely sensed it.
BOOM!
The creature struck him from behind.
Arif crashed through several ice pillars.
"Arif!"
Lina rushed toward him.
But the giant armored creature blocked her path.
The battlefield split apart.
Arif stood slowly.
Blood dripped from his forehead.
"That speed…"
The Frost Warden tilted its head unnaturally.
Then it attacked again.
Arif activated Shadow Domain.
Darkness spread across the frozen valley.
The Frost Warden slowed slightly.
"Got you."
Arif rushed forward.
Their clash became a blur.
Fast attacks.
Sharp counters.
The creature moved like ice itself.
Smooth.
Deadly.
Arif finally managed to slash its chest.
Blue energy leaked out.
The creature screamed.
But then—
The sky cracked again.
Arif looked up.
His eyes widened.
More portals.
Different colors.
Purple.
Red.
Green.
Each carried different energy.
Different realms.
"This is bad…"
Suddenly—
The giant armored creature raised its sword toward the sky.
The portals stabilized.
The creature spoke again.
"The Dark Realms shall return."
Then—
Something unexpected happened.
A human voice echoed from one of the red portals.
"So the seal finally broke…"
Arif froze.
A figure slowly stepped out.
Tall.
Wearing dark red armor.
Long silver hair moved in the freezing wind.
Unlike the monsters—
This one looked human.
But his aura…
Was monstrous.
The system reacted instantly.
[Danger Level Recalculated]
[Extreme Threat Detected]
The man looked around calmly.
Then his eyes landed on Arif.
"Oh?"
He smiled faintly.
"A Shadow Sovereign still exists."
Arif narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
The man placed one hand on his chest slightly.
"I am Kael."
"The Flame General of the Rakshasa Realm."
Lina's eyes widened slightly.
"Rakshasa Realm…"
Kael looked at the sky.
"So many years… and finally the gates are open again."
Arif stepped forward.
"What are the Dark Realms?"
Kael looked amused.
"You defeated one Shadow King and thought the story was over?"
His red eyes glowed faintly.
"The Shadow King was only one ruler among many."
Silence filled the valley.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Arif's expression hardened.
"…Many?"
Kael smiled.
"There are seven Dark Realms."
"Each ruled by beings far stronger than the one you defeated."
Lina clenched her fists.
"That's impossible…"
Kael looked at her calmly.
"Reality doesn't care what you believe."
Suddenly—
The giant armored creature knelt before Kael.
The Frost Warden did the same.
Arif noticed immediately.
"He controls them…"
Kael slowly drew a crimson blade.
Dark flames surrounded it.
"Now then…"
His eyes locked onto Arif.
"Let me see if the Shadow Sovereign is worthy."
The pressure around him exploded.
The frozen valley cracked apart.
Arif immediately activated Shadow Armor.
His instincts screamed danger.
Kael disappeared.
Arif's eyes widened.
Too fast.
CLANG!
A crimson blade collided against Arif's sword.
Dark flames exploded everywhere.
Arif was blown backward violently.
He crashed through the frozen ground.
Lina's face turned pale.
"Arif!"
Kael stood calmly in the center of the valley.
His dark flames burned against the snow without melting it.
Impossible flames.
Ancient flames.
Arif slowly stood.
For the first time since defeating the Shadow King—
He felt it again.
That overwhelming feeling.
A monster far beyond normal understanding.
Kael smiled slightly.
"Yes…"
"Now this feels interesting."
To Be Continued…