The next morning arrived wrapped in silver mist. Fog clung to the ruins like cobwebs, and the waterfall roared louder than usual—as if warning her.
Raven stood in front of the broken seal deep beneath the tower, hand still tingling from her touch the night before. The message hadn't faded from her system log:
The seven princes of Hell. She didn't know how, or when—but she knew this: they were coming. And when they did, she'd be ready.
Back in the village center, Ash drifted silently beside her like a smoky shadow, flickering with crimson sparks. The Wraith had become more solid since the crypt encounter, as if the touch of Hell had strengthened it.
"System," Raven said. "What do I need to summon one of the princes?"
*Requirements: Hellgate (Minor) at 100%
Current Progress: 1%
Increase Progress by:
Raising Infamy
Conquering Territories
Defeating Opposing Sovereigns
Performing Ritual Acts of Darkness.>
"Ritual acts, huh?" she murmured, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Guess it's time to get creative."
She opened the Crafting Menu and selected "Ritual Circle – Minor." It cost 25 Stone, 10 Bloodleaf (a rare herb), and a single drop of her own blood.
The Stone she had.
The Bloodleaf… not yet.
The system marked the nearest patch of Bloodleaf on her map—deep in the crimson woods bordering the ruins.
Before leaving, Raven placed a crude signpost at the village gate with red paint from crushed berries and soot:
"Welcome to the Crimson Dominion. Trespassers will burn."
Satisfied, she turned and walked toward the forest, Ash gliding behind her.
The woods were thick, silent. Trees twisted unnaturally, and the air smelled of iron and smoke. After an hour of silent trekking, she spotted it—Bloodleaf. Crimson-veined leaves sprouting from a pale gray root.
Of course, it was guarded.
A Feral Sylph, a corrupted wind spirit, hovered protectively near the plant. It was fast, nearly invisible in motion. But Raven had faced worse.
She lit a torch, pulled her spiked gauntlet tighter, and launched herself into battle.
It took everything she had. The Sylph moved like lightning, slicing the air with wind blades. One tore across her arm—she ignored it. Ash distracted it, wailing like the damned while Raven used the fire to trap the creature between trees.
One final strike with the burning branch sent it screaming into the void.
Bloodleaf Collected (10)
Current Infamy: 2
Hellgate Progress: 5%>
Breathing heavily, Raven stared down at the Bloodleaf in her hand. The forest seemed to recoil from her, as though sensing what she intended to do.
She grinned through the pain.
"Tell your friends," she muttered to the trees. "A queen's rising."
And Hell was listening.