"Xandros!" Alister's panicked voice could be heard inside the confines of the mysterious, dark hall. He shook his beloved little brother, attempting to wake him from his unconscious state, but it was futile.

Alister's expression dampened even further. While saddened, he was also confused. In his memory, he saw his brother get killed. His face had been stomped on by that white-haired archmage until he died.

But here, laid just a few inches from him, was Xandros. His face was clear, not a single indication that he had been injured.

Alister racked his brain, searching for an explanation of how both of them arrived here, but none emerged. His last recallable memory was the white-haired archmage about to land a finishing move when the world turned dark. After that, he couldn't recall anything.

RUMBLE! Alister was still wallowing in his thoughts when the dark hall grumbled, as though an earthquake was taking place. Following the quake was a heavy, creaking sound.

Alister's eyes moved in the direction of the creaking. A towering door, more than twelve feet high, was opening. Light flooded the hall from the opening.

Alister spotted a lone figure strolling toward him at a steady pace. With the influx of light pouring into the room from outside, it was impossible for him to make out a face.

Nonetheless, as the figure stepped deeper into the dark hall and strolled closer, the towering door closed with a loud thud.

"You are awake, Alister." The figure spoke.

The voice was filled with power and knowledge. His words, though low and gentle, reverberated across every corner of the dark hall.

At that moment, the appearance of the figure became clearer. It was a man towering over six feet. He wore a dark robe that radiated a cold, menacing aura. A dark mask protected his face.

'The mask,' Alister's eyes widened as he quickly came to a realization. 'The Dark Masked ruler of the cult of Ember Justice, Lucifer.'

This man standing before him was a fearsome figure even amongst the cult of Ember Justice. The mention of his name and the sight of his mask, which was widely popular amongst the cult's ranks, was enough to trigger fear.

While Lucifer had never made an actual appearance to anyone, including Alister and Xandros, his legendary accomplishments made everyone cower.

"Y-you," Alister stammered. "That darkness. It was you."

"Hehe, as expected, you were able to figure that out easily." Lucifer laughed. "It is a good thing that you've recovered, Alister. Your position in the cult is unshakable and important. Our grand cause requires your brain."

Alister listened to Lucifer with all the attention he could muster. Not once did he dare to blink in his presence.

"As for your brother, Xandros," Lucifer's eyes darted to Xandros' unconscious figure. "I arrived too late. He had already lost his mana core and fallen when I got there."

Hearing the report of the man who saved him from certain death about his brother's condition, a worried expression appeared on Alister's face as he asked, "Will he be okay?"

"Fortunately, yes. I have taken care of him. His face and body were originally mangled and broken, but thanks to my healing magic, those have been fixed." Lucifer responded and continued. "Unfortunately, I cannot tell when he would become conscious again or if he ever would."

"But you said he would be okay!" Alister's voice broke down in sadness and frustration.

"Whether he wakes up or not depends on him for now. His body is in perfect condition, but the same cannot be said for his soul. His soul is trapped, and only he can free himself," Lucifer explained.

Hearing him, Alister's expression contorted even more. He looked at his brother as his mind began to recall all the memories they had shared since birth: how they had always worked together for the cause of the cult—the same cult their parents worked hard for and died in. He couldn't afford to lose his only family in the world.

Lucifer observed Alister's expression calmly before heaving a sigh as he, too, observed the unconscious body of Xandros. 'Too bad, the cause would be delayed if he doesn't get up on time,' he thought.

A few minutes went by in solemn silence.

Alister retracted his saddened gaze from his brother. His expression contorted into a cold and vengeful one as he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.

Seeing this, a smirk appeared on Lucifer's face, hidden by the dark mask. "You want to have your revenge, right?" He asked.

"I will kill that bastard with my own hands for what he has made my brother go through. I'll start by slaughtering all his loved ones," Alister swore.

Lucifer laughed heartily. "It is great to have you back, Alister."

Alister nodded his head calmly.

Lucifer waved his hand in the air, and an ethereal red glowing gem appeared. A malevolent energy vibrated from the gem and spread across the hall.

"Demon core!" Alister recognized it easily.

"Yes, and not any ordinary demon core. I obtained it myself after killing a calamity-grade demon king," Lucifer said. "With this, you could recover your lost mana and improve the tenacity of your mana core. Who knows? You might even awaken the ability of the demon king it was obtained from."

Alister received the demon core. In his hands, it buzzed with a powerful energy, one far more potent than every superior-grade mana stone and monster core he had laid his hands on.

"T-this…" he became speechless. Even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn't imagine that he'd be able to hold a calamity-grade demon core in his hands. "Thank you," he said.

"No need to thank me." Lucifer waved his hand dismissively. "Your hard work has elevated the cult to new heights, and your research has been a vital point in our grand cause. A single calamity-grade core is not enough to show you how important you are to the cult."

Alister felt warmth in his heart. It was a good thing that his hard work was appreciated.

After the initial warm moment died down, Lucifer shared everything that had occurred within the cult during his unconsciousness and then obliged him to get to work as fast as he could.

After he was done sharing his story, he waved at him and left through the towering door.

Alister lingered in the dark hall for a moment, absorbing all the information he had just received before clenching

his fist.

"The dark seed ritual must succeed as soon as possible!" He swore.