Chapter 1: The Shadow of Vossler

Vossler moved silently through the forgotten corners of the Shadow Dimension, a vast expanse of shapeless forms. His eyes remained fixed on the spectral creature ahead, keeping a safe distance to avoid drawing its attention. He had no fear of the undead being, but he knew it would be a waste to eliminate it without learning more about its origin.

Beneath the hood of his dark robes, Zhara, his serpent familiar, adjusted restlessly. Vossler could feel the venom building in the body of the red viper. Her energy intensified, ready to strike at any sign of danger.

Both were on high alert. They had come dangerously close to being discovered by the self-proclaimed "Lord of Shadows," a figure Vossler had been observing from a distance for months. The cybernetic entity wielded great power, capable of manipulating both the Shadow Dimension and the realm of the living, but Vossler never believed in his supposed divinity.

He had witnessed Malakar’s rise with his own eyes. Once a mere human, the ambitious young man was poisoned by a rival seeking control over his ascent. His body, deformed by powers he was never meant to possess, had been altered in the Arcane Lair’s laboratories, mixing magic and technology recklessly. Somehow, Malakar broke free of his restraints and was reborn as a threat—caught between the physical world and the eternal darkness.

Fortunately, Malakar was now in the Void Realm, organizing his army of corrupted creatures, undead beings, and mindless followers. His Disciples were pathetic servants, always ready to destroy themselves for scraps of power. Vossler watched them from the shadows with disdain.

“Necromancers are always misunderstood,” he thought bitterly, as he absentmindedly touched the tassel of his hood. The fear that wizards and sorcerers harbored toward necromancy was pure ignorance, born of centuries of misunderstanding. Vossler had abandoned the arcane guilds and their antiquated rules, choosing instead to work alone, free from the institutions that feared what they could not comprehend.

A troubling thought crossed his mind. The Temple of Fallen Stars had been overtaken by zealots who believed that Animists and their familiars were heretics. Vossler had tried to intervene but couldn’t prevent the Temple’s fall. He made a mental note to check on the Hydromancers, who were still protecting the exiled Temple Master.

But there was a more pressing mission. Vossler had guided Isaac and the Atlanteans through the shadow paths, shielding them from the fanatics as they made their way to Goblin Town. Isaac was the key to the revolt, the only one capable of uniting the remaining wizards and reclaiming the temple.

"Those who seek power too quickly... always burn themselves," he murmured, watching as the undead creature prepared to cross back into the living world.

Vossler narrowed his eyes, ready to cast the Dryad's Ear spell and end the creature’s rampage before it could do more harm.

Chapter 2: An Unexpected Intervention

Just as Vossler was about to release his spell, a flash of light cut through the darkness. A rift appeared between the realms, revealing the translucent barrier separating the living from the dead. The creature turned, roaring in fury as it spotted the necromancer.

"Damn it!" Vossler cursed under his breath as the undead being conjured its own spell. The putrid stench of decay filled the air as the creature's magic collided with Vossler's. The two spells met in the space between them—an eerie battle, illuminated by the glow of the living world. Vossler’s Dryad’s Ear sprouted green vines, attempting to entangle the dry, decayed petals of the monstrous Rafflesia—the death flower, symbol of eternal slumber.

Out of the corner of his eye, Vossler saw two figures approach the rift. One was tall and lanky, the other short and stout. The taller mage impatiently hurled a fireball at the barrier, in a futile attempt to break through.

"Fool," Vossler thought. Fire could not affect the laws of creation. Realizing his mistake, the mage stopped, and his shorter companion studied the rift. Something about the pair seemed familiar.

Vossler focused on Kali. The snake slithered out from under his hood and crept into the shadows, preparing to strike.

"I know you can’t kill what’s already dead, but your venom should weaken it," he thought.

Kali responded eagerly. The serpent lived with the constant pressure of her venom, and each bite brought temporary relief from the burning within her.

The battle with the undead was more difficult than Vossler had anticipated. But then, a shrill cry pierced the silence, and the Rafflesia wilted, collapsing in on itself. Vossler smiled as he sensed Kali’s venom taking effect.

Suddenly, a beam of light sliced through the barrier, and hands pulled the rift open even further. The undead creature, weakened by the venom, tried to escape but its magic had faltered.

Vossler turned, surprised, to see the bespectacled face of Lux, an old friend, grinning sheepishly at him from the other side.

"Vossler, old friend... I hope we're not interrupting," Lux said, adjusting his glasses.

Vossler blinked, still processing the situation. He turned back to the undead creature, but it was too late. The enemy had already disappeared into another rift.

"Another damn escape," Vossler muttered.

Kali, coiling back into his hood, shared his frustration.

With a sigh, Vossler turned to Lux. "You never arrive at a good time, Lux."

"The Runiverse is in chaos, and I expected to see you here sooner," Vossler continued, inspecting the damage around the rift. The scorched grass from the fire mage’s reckless attempts was clear evidence of his lack of foresight.

Vossler turned to Lux. "All right, Scrollmaster. Out with it. I need to hunt down that undead before it causes more trouble in Malakar’s name."

Lux nodded. "We’ll help you track it down, Vossler, if you agree to help us in return."

Vossler frowned but agreed with a nod. "Very well. I suppose you want me to find someone. Will I also be required to guide them into the Shadow Realm?"

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