章 168: The Darkness Descent      

"S-Sacrifice?" Golly's face drained of color as he took in the grotesque sight of the magic circle. The ground was stained with dark splotches of blood, and a foul, acrid stench filled the air.

"N-no way . . ." Santi's voice wavered, her disbelief mingling with horror.

Rain's eyes widened in shock. "All those gnomes . . . they were sacrificed?"

A spear materialized out of thin air, its end slamming into the ground with a resounding thud as Gorm's maniacal laughter filled the chamber. "Everyone will be sacrificed to open the underworld! I'll claim my Interitus from the reaper's chest, one way or another!"

Gorm stood surrounded by a maelstrom of dark energy, his arms raised in a dramatic arc as he chanted in an ancient, guttural language. The air crackled with the intensity of the ritual, each word of the chant sending ripples through the oppressive atmosphere.