My heart pounded in my chest as I looked down at the fallen figure of the madman.
His lifeless eyes stared back, filled with the same madness that had tormented the village.
The smell of burnt ash filled the air, a testament to the fierce struggle that had just ended. Crumpled in his stiff hand was the object that had allowed him to wreak so much havoc— [The Emperor] Arcana.
Bending down, I carefully pried the Arcana from his lifeless grip.
The orb that surrounded it had long vanished, leaving the card bare and empty.
It glowed with a soft golden light, pulsating to a rhythm that matched my own heartbeat. It was beautiful, intricate patterns of gold and azure adorned its exterior, making it look too divine to be part of such malevolence.
The power that had been used to corrupt and control the innocent goblins was now in my possession. I could feel it, a throbbing energy, waiting to be directed, used.