Deep within the murky swamps, an unsettling sensation lingered in the air. The rustling of leaves and the croaking of frogs were the only sounds that could be heard until suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet. It was as if a volcano had erupted, causing the earth to rupture and small mountains to erupt into a shower of debris.
From the chaos, a figure emerged, wreathed in an aura of dark energy that threatened to snuff out all life.
His eyes blazed a fiery red, emanating a fierce and menacing glare that struck fear into the hearts of all who beheld him.
It was none other than Marty, his true form revealed.
The being who had battled Augustus was merely a vessel composed of ash and imbued with Marty's consciousness. Now, however, the consciousness of the one who served Death as one of the four undead kings had returned to his physical body, which was hidden deep within the innermost region of the swamps.
Feeling the presence of living beings closing in on him, Marty swiftly made his way towards them. His movements were lithe and graceful, like that of a panther in the wild.
Soon enough, he came face to face with a pack of beasts.
They were fearsome creatures with razor-sharp teeth that glinted in the moonlight, eyes that glowed like fiery coals, and wings.
However, as soon as Marty approached, they immediately lowered their heads in a show of respect.
This showcased that the monsters of the swamps have allied with the undeads.
With a voice as cold and commanding as the frosty tundra, Marty questioned the beasts, "What news do you bring?"
Growling and snarling, their low guttural voices seemed almost unintelligible. However, Marty could understand them perfectly. They revealed the whereabouts of Augustus, the High-rank anomaly, and how he had become weakened after his grueling battle with Marty.
Marty couldn't believe his luck. The news he had just received was a gift from the heavens, an opportunity that he simply couldn't afford to miss.
With Augustus weakened and vulnerable, Marty knew that he had to strike, and strike hard. After all, this was not an opportunity that came around every day. In fact, it was a once-in-a-million chance. He knew that he had to act before Augustus regained his strength and the window of opportunity closed. He felt a sense of urgency, a burning desire to make the most of this situation and hopefully rid the world of darkness of the menace that was Augustus.
Marty jumped on the back of his summon and rode towards Constantine county with murder on his mind.
But then, something unexpected happened.
A mysterious figure appeared before him, halting his headless horse in its tracks. Marty studied the figure with caution, unsure of what to make of this unexpected obstacle.
"Hello, Marty. This king has been waiting for you," the figure said, its voice low and ominous.
As the figure drew closer, Marty realized just how imposing and formidable he truly was.
The stranger towered over him, with a skeletal face that seemed to glow with an otherworldly red light. It was clear that this was not an opponent to be taken lightly - after all, Marty, who was one of the top twenty strongest beings in the entire Far West Major World, hadn't even sensed the stranger's presence until he made himself known. It was a clear indication that this newcomer was one of the ten strongest beings in the world.
Marty bristled with apprehension, steeling himself for a potential battle.
"Who are you?" he demanded, although the slight tremble in his voice betrayed his nervousness.
"I am Vex," replied the undead being in a low voice, devoid of any warmth or emotion. "And I assure you, I am not here to cause any harm. After all, just like you, I serve Death. But I bet you have already discerned that."
Marty's eyes narrowed as he took in the undead king before him. He had heard whispers about Vex but never had the opportunity to meet him face to face. Vex was no ordinary undead king - the rumors in the uncharted land said that he was one of the most intelligent beings in the land, second only to Death himself.
Undead kings kept to themselves, preferring to rule their own domains without interference from others. They rarely crossed paths, and when they did, it was often a sign of trouble. Marty had always been a solitary figure, content with his own power and the respect it commanded. It was no surprise that he had never met Vex in person, nor did he recognize him until Vex spoke his name.
The air between the two kings was full of tension, and Marty couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of Vex's visit was.
"What do you want?" Marty asked, his hand moving away from the hilt of his sword.
"I've been sent to deliver a message from Death himself," Vex replied.
"What message?" Marty asked, trying to keep his voice even.
"He has ordered us not to move against Constantine County until the preparations are complete," Vex stated, his voice carrying an air of finality.
Marty gritted his teeth, hearing his words. He had gained a god-sent opportunity, but now he was being told to let it go. He felt frustrated, to say the least.
"Why must we wait?" Marty asked, his hand unconsciously moving away from the hilt of his sword. "I am powerful enough to take on anyone in Constantine County, anomaly or not. And if you help me, who could stop us? We could massacre every single inhabitant of the county and absorb their souls to become stronger."
"Patience, Marty," Vex said, his voice calm but firm. "We must trust in Death's plan. The first wave of the invasion may have failed to make the sheep feel miserable, but it has allowed us to infiltrate Constantine County with 26 of our most skilled spies. Their mission is to destroy the long-distance teleportation portal, which is the empire's primary means of sending reinforcements. Once that portal is out of commission, we will have a clear path to taking over the northern region without any interference from their maniacs. Before that, we must not take rash actions, lest our intentions become known."
Marty's fingers twitched, his body vibrating with pent-up energy. He hated being told to wait - it went against every fiber of his being, but he also knew the consequences of disobeying Death. He had seen what happened to those who dared to defy the Reaper's will, and it was not pretty.
"I understand. I'll abide by Death's wishes... for now." With a reluctant nod, Marty acknowledged Vex's words.
Vex's eyes shone with approval.
"Good. Remember, we serve Death with our all. His words matter the most."
Marty watched as Vex disappeared into the mist, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him, urging him to act and take revenge. Only by spilling Augustus's blood could he calm down, but he knew that he couldn't defy death and that patience was key.
He would have to wait for the right moment to strike.
And it would arrive soon!
