The Grey Mist Mountains, 60 kilometers southeast of White Tower Town, are always covered in thick grey fog and full of danger. Legend has it that this was once a hiding place for dark magicians. Later, it was sealed off by the kingdom, but even now, many tales of forbidden magic linger. Now, after a long period of silence, uninvited guests have arrived.
Deep within the mountains, the air suddenly distorted. A crack slowly tore open, as if a gap had been forcibly ripped in the night sky. Black air churned within the crack, and rotting corpses slowly crawled out. Their sunken eye sockets burned with eerie blue flames—these were the vanguard of the undead. Then, dark shadows slipped out of the crack. Their limbs were long, wings like bats, skin deathly pale, and eyes glowing a menacing, blood-hungry red. These were the dark creatures, fearsome entities that lived off blood.
At the deepest part of the crack, a huge shadow slowly emerged. Its body coiled amidst the flames, with seven snake heads writhing and spitting out searing black flames. Every breath it took carried the stench of scorching and destruction. The Seven - Flame Monster, a terrifying creature from the depths of hell. Legend has it that wherever it goes, all things burn until nothing but ashes remain.
"Roar!"
With a deafening roar, the Seven - Flame Monster stepped out of the crack. The ground immediately split open with charred cracks. Black flames rippled out, killing the mountain trees. They also woke up vengeful spirits that had slept for ages. With loud howls, these spirits crawled from the ruins and joined the undead army.
Standing before the crack was a man cloaked in black. Hidden beneath the hood, his face was a mystery, but the pale corners of his lips curved into a knowing, malicious sneer. "The White Tower Academy's 'glorious days'? They're about to be over."
...
In the morning, sunlight streamed through the windows into the reception hall. Lin Yuan and the others sat around a long table, listening to Lady Brissmelie's account.
"...So, I hope to seal this black magic book completely to prevent it from falling into the enemy's hands." Lady Brissmelie sighed softly. "What do you think, the Dean of the White Tower Academy?"
The Dean of the White Tower Academy, a middle - aged man in a dark blue magic robe, pondered for a moment and then nodded. "I'll do my best to help, but the situation doesn't look good. We may not have enough time." He said this, then took out a crystal ball and started mumbling spells quietly.
Mist swirled within the crystal ball. Moments later, a blurred image appeared. In the picture, the crack in the Grey Mist Mountains was expanding continuously, and dark power was seeping out without end.
"...Just as I thought," the Dean's expression darkened. "The undead and dark creatures have started their invasion, and even the Seven - Flame Monster has appeared. Such a fiend isn't easy to deal with."
"Grand Magician Lin, your thoughts?" Lady Brissmelie fixed her gaze on him, a hopeful look shining in her eyes.
Lin Yuan sighed and rubbed his forehead. "We need magicians, knights, and adventurers from the capital here fast. We're in for a rough fight."
...
Everyone fell silent. Then the Dean of the White Tower Academy immediately ordered, "Nick, notify the capital at once and request reinforcements!"
The young silver - haired magician nodded and quickly turned to leave. But as he did, his gaze paused for a moment. He turned to look at Desanro in the corner, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.
Desanro met his gaze, and her breath caught.
Lin Yuan leaned over curiously. "Do you know him?"
Desanro stared at him and spoke slowly, "He looks just like Sage Nick in my dream. The only difference is, in my dream, Nick was an old man."
==================
灰雾山脉,位于白塔城镇东南方 120 里处,是一片常年被灰色迷雾笼罩的险恶之地.相传这里曾是黑魔法师的藏身之地,后来被王国封禁,但至今仍有许多关于禁忌魔法的传说.如今,这片沉寂已久的山脉,再次迎来了不速之客.
在山脉深处,空气骤然扭曲,一道裂缝缓缓撕开,仿佛夜空中被硬生生撕裂了一道口子.裂缝之中,黑色的气流翻涌,一具具腐烂的尸体缓缓爬出,深陷的眼窝中燃烧着幽蓝色的火焰,正是不死族的先锋部队.紧接着,一道道黑影从裂缝中滑落,四肢修长,带着如蝙蝠般的翅膀,皮肤苍白,眼中泛着嗜血的红光,这些是暗夜生物,传说中以鲜血为食的恐怖存在.
而在裂缝最深处,一道巨大的阴影缓缓显现.它的身躯盘踞在火焰之中,七颗蛇头扭动着,吐露出灼热的黑焰,每一次呼吸,都带着焦灼与毁灭的气息,七燃怪物,来自地狱深渊的恐怖生物,传说它所到之处,万物皆会燃烧殆尽,直至化为灰烬.
"吼!"
随着一声震耳欲聋的咆哮,七燃怪物踏出裂缝,地面瞬间裂开一道道焦黑的裂痕.黑焰化作波纹席卷周围,烧枯了山脉中的树木,也唤醒了沉眠已久的怨灵.它们嘶吼着,从废墟中爬起,加入了这支不死大军.
站在裂缝前的,是一名身披黑袍的男子.他的面容隐藏在兜帽下,唯有苍白的嘴角微微勾起,露出一抹意味深长的冷笑.
"白塔学院的 '光辉时代',也该结束了..."
...
清晨的阳光透过窗户洒进会客厅,林远与众人围坐在一张长桌前,听完了士嫆莉女士的叙述.
"...所以,我希望能将这本黑魔法书彻底封印,免得落入敌人之手." 士嫆莉轻轻叹了口气,"白塔学院院长,你怎么看?"
白塔学院的院长,一位身穿深蓝色魔法长袍的中年男子,沉吟片刻后点头道:"我会尽全力协助,但情况不容乐观.时间可能不太够." 说着,他拿出一颗水晶球,低声吟诵起咒语.
水晶球中雾气翻涌,片刻后,一道模糊的影像浮现,画面中,灰雾山脉的裂缝正在不断扩大,黑暗的力量正源源不断地渗透出来.
"...果然如此." 院长脸色微沉,"不死族和暗夜生物已经开始入侵,甚至出现了七燃怪物.这种魔物可不是轻易能对付的."
"林大法师,你对此有何看法?" 士嫆莉看向他,眼中闪过一丝期待.
林远扶额,叹了口气:"我的看法是...你们国都的魔法师,骑士,冒险者最好赶紧集合过来.因为我们好像,要打场硬战了."
"..."
众人一阵沉默,然后白塔学院院长立刻吩咐道:"尼克,立刻通知王都,请求援军!"
银发的年轻魔法师点了点头,转身快步离开.然而,在离开的刹那,他的目光微微一顿,转头看向角落里的德珊萝,眼中闪过一丝异样的神色.
德珊萝与他四目相对,呼吸微微一滞.
林远好奇地凑过去:"你认识他?"
德珊萝看了他一眼,缓缓说道:"他... 和我梦中见到的贤者尼克,长得一模一样,只是在梦中他是个老头."