After fending off the temptation of the Ancient God and completing their encounter with the Titan Guardians, Musling and his companions returned to the kingdom of Luminaria. Their goal was clear: to urge the kingdom to prepare for the looming resurrection of the Ancient God. But the air that greeted them upon arrival was heavy with a different tension.
Once hailed as a wise and just ruler, the King of Luminaria had led his people to prosperity with decisive leadership and clarity of judgment. Yet in Musling's absence, whispers had begun to poison the court. Nobles, ever wary of outsiders, began to sow seeds of suspicion, twisting past political involvements into tales of treachery.
At a royal council meeting, Musling spoke with urgency."The resurrection of the Ancient God is near. We must ready ourselves for war. There's no time to lose."
But the king, eyes clouded with doubt, regarded him coldly."Musling… Are we to throw this kingdom into chaos on the basis of some unseen threat? Perhaps this war you speak of is more about your ambitions than our safety."
Musling tried to hold his ground. "Your Majesty, this is not conjecture. The cultists of the Ancient One are already active within our borders. If we do nothing, it will be too late."
But the king's trust had eroded. The nobles' schemes had taken root deep in his heart."There are whispers, Musling. That your actions in Altekhna and Saylorant have destabilized the realm. That your hand meddles too deeply in the politics of nations not your own."
The sting of betrayal was sharp—but just then, a soldier burst into the chamber."Your Majesty! A massive earthquake has struck Altekhna! Many are injured, and panic is spreading."
The King faltered. "An earthquake...? What is happening out there?"
Musling's instincts were clear. "It's not a natural tremor. Something tied to the Ancient God is awakening. We must investigate."
Reluctantly—and with the hidden hope of sending Musling away—the King agreed."Very well. Go. See what's happened in Altekhna. And do what you must to quell this unrest."
As Musling bowed and left, the king exhaled in quiet relief."It's better this way. Perhaps his presence will cause fewer problems far from court."
But unrest in Luminaria only deepened.
******
Episode: The Welcome of Altekhna and Luminaria's Collapse
Upon reaching Altekhna, Musling and his companions found devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, streets were filled with cries, and tension hung thick in the air. The earthquake had torn through the heart of the kingdom.
Yet King Alexander met them with open arms."Musling. I'm grateful you came so swiftly. What we've suffered is no mere act of nature. Darkness stirs beneath our feet."
Musling nodded. "We feared as much. The influence of the Ancient One is spreading. Tell us what you need—we'll help however we can."
With Alexander's support, Musling's team aided in relief efforts and investigated the quake's cause. In time, they discovered it had exposed a long-buried relic—a remnant tied to the Ancient God. The tremors were a symptom of something far worse to come.
Meanwhile, Luminaria was unraveling. With Musling gone, dissent spread like wildfire. Noble conspiracies and cultist manipulation had driven the people to rebellion. The once-proud kingdom spiraled into chaos.
"Lies! Deceit!""He's no longer our king!""The throne must fall!"
The king tried to suppress the uprising with what remained of his military force, but it was futile. His once-firm grip on the realm slipped, and the kingdom teetered on the edge of civil war.
Back in Altekhna, Musling uncovered a troubling link—the awakened force beneath their feet was connected to Luminaria. They had no choice.
"We must return," Musling said gravely."If this relic is stirring... Luminaria could be next."
Alexander placed a hand on his shoulder."Go. And may the gods watch over you."
*****
Episode: The Fall and Hope of the Royal Line
When Musling and his companions returned to Luminaria, they found a kingdom in ruins. The streets were ablaze, the air thick with smoke and screams. The palace, once a beacon of order, had become a battleground.
They fought their way through flames and rebels to reach the throne room—only to find the king, once wise, now broken by paranoia and madness.
"This is your fault!" he shouted, eyes wild. "You destroyed my kingdom!"
He lunged with a sword, but Musling dodged, trying to reason with him."Your Majesty, we are here to save this land. This chaos is the work of the Ancient One's followers, not us!"
But the king could no longer listen. Whatever had once grounded him was gone.
"We can't reach him," Elena whispered, heartbroken. "He doesn't see us anymore."
As hope faltered, a new voice broke through the tension—calm and resolute.It was Prince Argent, younger brother to the king.
"Enough," he said. "This kingdom cannot be restored from within these walls. We must build something new from the ashes."
Musling nodded. "If we cannot save the throne, then we must save its legacy. The people will need a new path."
Argent placed a hand on Musling's arm. "Then let us find it together."
The group fled the crumbling palace, flames rising behind them, screams echoing through the night. Rebellion consumed the streets, but beyond the smoke, they carried something precious: the will to rebuild.
They would not abandon Luminaria—they would return, one day. Stronger. Wiser. Ready to reclaim it from the shadows.
But for now, they would walk a new path. Toward hope. Toward resistance.And toward the final battle with the god who had started it all.
***
Episode: The Dawn of New Luminaria
Merslin and his companions, along with Prince Arhent, left behind the ruins of Luminaria to begin a new journey—one that would lay the foundation for the kingdom's rebirth. A few citizens followed them, having witnessed the fall of the once-great nation and choosing instead to seek a glimmer of hope with Merslin and his allies.
The journey was arduous. As they fled the shattered kingdom, many hardships followed, and some even lost their way. But Merslin and his companions never gave up. Centered around Prince Arhent, they pressed on with the remaining survivors in search of a new homeland.
At last, they arrived in a remote valley, nestled deep within the mountains. It was little more than a forgotten village surrounded by forest and rock. There, Merslin and Prince Arhent declared the birth of a new nation—New Luminaria.
"We will rise again from here," Arhent declared with unwavering resolve. "Though this is but a small village now, it will be the foundation of a new Luminaria."
But the reality was harsh. Despite the lofty name, New Luminaria was still just a poor, isolated mountain village. The people had few essentials. There was no infrastructure for farming or crafting. To survive, they foraged from the woods and made use of every resource they could find.
Merslin and his allies did everything they could to help. Lisa hunted in the forest. Elena used her magic to purify food and water. Serena gathered herbs and treated the wounded. Aria tended to the exhausted with divine healing. And Merslin himself worked tirelessly to erect protective wards around the village to defend against wild beasts or potential intruders.
"It's hard now," Merslin said to the villagers, "but we will rise again here. We must believe in one another, support each other. This humble place—this will become our hope."
Still, anxiety grew among the people.
"They call this 'New Luminaria,' but it's just a mountain hamlet," one villager grumbled. "Can we really rebuild the kingdom from here?"
Feeling the unease of the people, Prince Arhent confided in Merslin.
"Did I make the right decision bringing them here?" he asked. "I worry we may not have what it takes to rebuild a kingdom."
Merslin placed a hand on his shoulder. "This path was never meant to be easy, Your Highness. But what matters is that we have not given up on each other. Even if we start small, together, we will create a new future."
Arhent nodded. "You're right. As long as I live, I'll protect these people. I won't let despair take root."
And so, in the remote reaches of the mountains, a new kingdom was born. It was fragile, humble, and unassuming—but it was forged by resolve and hope. New Luminaria was still a dream, but the strength behind it was real.
Still, they knew this was only the beginning. The threat of the Old Gods lingered in the shadows, and for those seeking to rebuild Luminaria, greater trials were yet to come.