The Glitched Mage

The Shadow Wastes stretched endlessly beyond the encampment's borders, a desolate expanse where the dead were long forgotten. Once, this land had been the beating heart of the Shadow Kingdom, but now, it was a graveyard of its past—a battlefield where thousands had perished, their bones left to the sands of time.

And tonight, three of them would rise again.

Nyx, Krux, and Aria had left before dawn, vanishing into the ruins beyond the Shadow Kingdom's shattered borders. The journey was treacherous, the air thick with lingering mana from spells cast centuries ago. The land itself rejected them, shadows curling and twisting unnaturally around their feet. It was no place for the living.

But they were not afraid.

They moved with purpose, silent but efficient, following the remnants of ancient battlefields where necromancers had once stood against the Solis Empire. It did not take long to find what they sought.

Three skeletons lay half-buried in the cracked earth, their robes tattered, their skulls still adorned with remnants of ceremonial engravings. Even in death, their bones pulsed faintly with residual mana—proof that they had once wielded immense power.

Krux crouched beside the remains, running a calloused hand over the brittle ribcage of one of the fallen. His eyes narrowed. "They died fighting."

Aria knelt beside another, brushing away dust from a shattered femur. "Not just fighting. They were slaughtered. There are traces of purification magic on the bones. The Solis Empire didn't want them to rise again."

Nyx remained standing, her gaze unreadable as she scanned their surroundings. "Then they underestimated our king."

Without another word, the three generals worked swiftly, carefully extracting the skeletons from the cursed soil and wrapping them in protective mana-infused cloth. It was dangerous to disturb such ancient dead without proper preparation—residual energies could cling to the bones, corrupting anyone who touched them without the right precautions.

But they were not ordinary warriors.

By the time they returned to the encampment, the sky had darkened once more, the air thick with the weight of what was about to take place.

Riven stood at the heart of the encampment, the hushed murmurs of his gathered warriors fading into silence. Before him, three skeletal remains lay upon the dusty earth, remnants of the Shadow Kingdom's past—necromancers who had fallen in the war, now nothing more than brittle bone and lost history.

Normally, Puppeteer of the Dead only allowed Riven to reanimate fresh corpses, binding them to his will with ease. But after uncovering the Soulforge: King's Dominion skill from the hidden Vault beneath the library, everything changed.

Unlike his original ability, Soulforge: King's Dominion extended beyond the limits of decay, allowing him to summon souls long since lost to time, no matter how old their remains. It bypassed the constraints of flesh and bone, reaching into the void to reclaim those long perished. There was limits of course, he couldn't bring back someone on the same power level as him or someone who had been stronger.

But what surprised him most was that it wasn't a separate ability but a passive augmentation to Puppeteer of the Dead—a hidden layer of power that had been dormant until now.

He exhaled, lifting his hand above them. The air around him thickened, abyssal energy stirring like a tide drawn by an unseen moon. Shadows coiled at his feet, stretching outward, seeping into the ground. His presence alone commanded the void, the very essence of death bending to his will.

He spoke the word that would change everything.

"Awaken."

A pulse of pure abyssal power erupted from his palm, black tendrils of energy lashing forward and sinking deep into the skeletal remains. The world seemed to hold its breath. The bones twitched, then rattled violently as an unseen force pulled them from the grasp of death.

Shadows poured into their hollow forms like ink seeping into cracks, filling the void where flesh had long decayed. The energy bound itself to them, knitting together fractured bones, reawakening slumbering souls trapped in the abyss.

Then, with a sharp inhale of nothingness, the first of them moved.

The tallest of the three, his tattered black robes still clinging to his skeletal frame, lifted his head. Twin pinpricks of abyssal fire flickered to life in his empty sockets, and his voice, ancient and cracked, rasped through the silence.

"Who… calls me back?"

The second followed, her fingers flexing as faint markings—ritualistic tattoos burned into bone from past mana exposure—glowed softly. Her voice was lighter, but no less eerie.

"The Shadow King… still breathes?"

The last to rise was smaller but clad in aged, broken armor. His gauntleted fingers curled into a fist as he lifted his skull, his voice barely more than a whisper of wind through hollow halls.

"The war… has not ended."

Riven let his mana flow freely, pouring into them, binding their newly awakened souls to his command. His eyes burned like smoldering coals as he gazed upon them.

"I am Riven," he declared, his voice absolute. "King of the Shadow Kingdom. And I have called you back."

The necromancers stilled.

Then, as one, they knelt.

Not as mindless undead. Not as husks stripped of identity. But as warriors of a kingdom that was rising once more.

The tallest one's fingers brushed the abyssal energy curling around him. "You are not him." His tone was not questioning—it was knowing.

"No," Riven confirmed. "Velmorian is dead."

At those words, the air shifted. The second necromancer tilted her skull, the faint remnants of her old voice laced with something almost… amused. "And yet, we remain."

Riven stepped closer, his presence looming. "You were apart of and protected this kingdom once. You will do so again."

For a long moment, there was silence.

Then the armored necromancer let out a sound—a deep, hollow laugh, dry as the grave. "The Shadow Kingdom… still has a king."

Riven did not move, but his power coiled tighter around them, locking them into his dominion. "And you will serve."

The tallest bowed his head. "We already do."

His shadows surged, swallowing them whole.

Then—Riven siphoned more of his mana, pushing it into them, reshaping their forms. Their bodies tensed, the glow in their sockets intensifying. The skeletal structures hardened, their movements becoming sharper, more controlled. No longer simple undead.

But something more.

Undead Warriors.

A notification flickered in his mind.

[[ Subjugation successful. ]]

[[ Adding Undead Minions 3/5: Reanimated Necromancers ]]

[[ Promotion Activated: Undead Minion → Undead Warrior ]]

[[ Total Undead Minions 5/5 ]]

[[ Skill can now be upgraded ]]

The three necromancers slowly rose to their feet, their forms steadier, more refined. The raw scent of abyssal energy radiated from them—not mindless husks, but true extensions of Riven's will.

The Shadow Kingdom's army had begun.

Riven lowered his hand, watching them closely. "Your names."

The tallest inclined his skull. "Malik."

The second's bones shifted as she straightened. "Veyra."

The armored one adjusted his gauntlets. "Danin."

Riven committed their names to memory. "Welcome back to the Shadow Kingdom."

Malik's abyssal eyes flickered. "What are your orders, my king?"

Riven's smirk was sharp as a blade. "You are to go out into the wastes and find your lost brethren. Bring me only the strongest of the fallen warriors and I shall bring them back."

"We heed your command." They said I unison and disappeared in a swirl of smoke.

The gathered warriors and residents remained silent, the weight of what they had just witnessed settling into their bones. This was no ordinary necromancy. This was true resurrection, not as mindless undead, but as warriors reforged in the abyss.

Nyx exhaled, her gaze lingering on Riven. "This changes everything." There was no doubt in her voice—only certainty. But after a pause, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Can you keep up with the mana strain?"

Riven flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders as the last remnants of dark energy settled within him. "I don't have a choice." His tone was steady, but beneath it lay something deeper—a hunger, a drive that refused to yield. "Human soldiers alone won't be enough. The Shadow Knights will be our elite force, but what we need is an army that does not tire, does not fear, does not waver."

Krux let out a low chuckle, crossing his arms. "Looks like we'll have to work just as hard to make sure we're not left behind."

Riven glanced at him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Then stop wasting time. Those apartments won't build themselves."

Krux groaned. "It's the middle of the damn night—" But the moment Riven's gaze darkened, his protest died in his throat. He grumbled something under his breath before turning to leave, dragging a reluctant Damon along with him.

Riven swept his gaze over the gathered warriors, his voice cutting through the night. "That goes for all of you. We push past our limits. Just because we have the foundation of a kingdom doesn't mean we can afford to slow down." His abyssal mana pulsed faintly, a reminder of the power that now ran through the heart of their city. "Double your efforts. We are not rebuilding—we are reclaiming."

—x—

In the wake of that fateful night, the kingdom surged forward at an unrelenting pace.

Riven had pushed his abilities to their limits, evolving his skill to reanimate a total of twenty undead necromancers. The strain of maintaining them was immense, forcing him to rely on a daily intake of mana potions just to sustain their tether to him. But the results were undeniable—his army was growing, and the Shadow Kingdom's foundation was stronger than ever.

The city's builders worked tirelessly, fueled by their king's unwavering resolve and sharp encouragement. Within weeks, the encampment had transformed once more. A fourth apartment block rose beside the others, offering housing to the influx of new residents. A tavern was constructed—its warm glow a beacon in the heart of the settlement—and alongside it, a newly built barracks stood ready to train both the Shadow Knights and the growing ranks of soldiers.

Trade flourished. Merchants now moved in and out of the market square with increasing frequency, their confidence in the kingdom's revival solidifying. To bring order to the growing commerce, Nyx secured a competent overseer to manage the merchants, streamlining transactions and negotiations. The demand to establish permanent storefronts had already begun—an undeniable sign that the Shadow Kingdom was no longer just surviving but thriving.

Beyond the city, Riven expanded the farmland further, pushing the reach of abyssal-infused cultivation. New medicinal herbs flourished alongside fresh crops, their properties stronger, richer than anything found in the outside world. What had once been a wasteland was now a kingdom reborn.

And now, the long fated moment came.

A heavily armored caravan, bearing the unmistakable crest of the Deveroux guild, rolled into the city under the watchful eyes of the Shadow Knights. Despite their well-trained composure, the guards escorting the shipment couldn't fully conceal their unease. Word of the Shadow Kingdom's revival had spread like wildfire, but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.

They passed through newly constructed roads lined with towering structures—apartments, barracks, and trade centers that hadn't existed mere months ago. The streets, once barren, now thrived with movement. Blacksmiths hammered away in open forges, their flames casting sharp shadows across stone walls. Traders set up their stalls beneath newly built awnings, their voices haggling over prices in a city that had once been thought dead.

At the heart of it all stood Riven.

He was waiting for them at the steps of the newly constructed trade hall, flanked by Nyx, Krux, and Aria. Behind them, Malik, Veyra, and Danin stood at silent attention—their undead presence an unspoken warning.

The caravan came to a stop, and the lead merchant dismounted, adjusting his fine cloak before stepping forward. His face was composed, but Riven didn't miss the way his fingers twitched slightly as he reached into his satchel.

"A delivery," the merchant announced, pulling out a sealed ledger stamped with the Deveroux crest. "First payment, as per our agreement."

Riven took the ledger, flipping through its contents. The figures were substantial—far more than the average city could generate in its infancy. The auctioned abyssal-infused herbs had fetched a high price, and with Deveroux Guild's exclusive rights to their sale, the profits were only beginning.

With a flick of his wrist, he handed the ledger to Nyx, who scanned the numbers with a sharp eye.

"We were expecting coin," she said, looking up.

The merchant hesitated before motioning toward the back of the caravan. "The Duke decided a portion of the payment would be in supplies instead of raw gold. He assumed your city would benefit more from resources at this stage."

Riven narrowed his eyes slightly, but waved his hand. "Show me."

At his command, the caravan's guards pulled back the heavy canvas coverings, revealing crates upon crates of refined materials. Stacks of enchanted steel, processed lumber reinforced with mana, and barrels of rare alchemical ingredients. At the very back, several sealed chests gleamed with the weight of gold.

A calculated move. Lucien Deveroux wasn't just paying him—he was investing in the Shadow Kingdom's infrastructure, ensuring that their dependence on his guild remained strong.

Riven smirked. Clever.

Krux let out a low whistle as he examined the goods. "I'll give him this—he's thinking long-term."

Nyx closed the ledger, giving a small nod. "The numbers match. The payment is fair."

The merchant cleared his throat. "The Duke also sent a message." He reached into his satchel again, retrieving a sealed letter. "He wishes to discuss an expansion of the deal—something regarding higher-tier alchemical products."

Riven took the letter but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the merchant, his voice smooth but firm. "Tell the Duke I'll consider it after I've seen how well he upholds his end of the current agreement."

The merchant hesitated before nodding. "Of course."

Riven stepped back. "Unload everything. My people will handle the distribution."

The guards scrambled to obey, moving quickly to offload the supplies. The Shadow Kingdom's warriors—both living and undead—stepped forward to take inventory, their movements efficient.

As the crates were carried into the city, Riven turned to Nyx. "Ensure the gold is stored properly. Allocate funds for the expansion projects."

Riven wasted no time.

Now that the first payment had arrived, he was ready to accelerate his plans. The walls of the Shadow Kingdom were still little more than makeshift barricades—enough to keep smaller threats at bay but nowhere near the fortifications they needed.

That would change immediately.

Standing at the center of the trade hall, surrounded now by all his generals, he gave out his next orders.

"We begin construction on the outer walls. Effective immediately." His gaze swept over them, unwavering. "Damon, you will oversee the structural integrity. Use everything at your disposal—earth magic, reinforced stone, abyssal-infused foundations if necessary. I want these walls to stand against both time and siege."

Damon nodded, rolling his shoulders. "We'll need a massive amount of stone and metal for that, but with what we just received from Deveroux, we can make it happen."

Riven turned to Krux. "You'll lead the workers. Prioritize efficiency but do not compromise security. Every part of the wall built must be defensible. Set up watchtowers along key points and reinforce the main gates."

Krux crossed his arms, his golden eyes gleaming. "Consider it done."

Riven continued. "Nyx, you will assign Shadow Knights to oversee construction sites and patrol the perimeters. We can't afford any interruptions."

Nyx gave a small nod, her expression sharp. "I'll make sure no one gets in or out without us knowing."

She went back to looking through the ledgers, her mind working ahead. "We'll need more manpower. The undead necromancers can assist, but human workers will be vital for speed and precision."

"Then find them," Riven said simply. "We'll offer wages, food, and housing for anyone willing to work. If necessary, reach out to independent laborers through our merchant connections."

Nyx smirked. "Done."

Riven took a step forward, his presence pressing down on them like a shadow stretching over the room. "The outer walls are our priority now. No other project takes precedence. I want the first sections complete within the next two weeks."

Damon scoffed. "Two weeks? That's—" He stopped when he met Riven's gaze and sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But don't expect us to sleep."

Krux clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit."

Riven turned toward the gathered workers who had been waiting outside the hall, watching the meeting in tense silence. "All of you," he called out, his voice carrying through the air, "the Shadow Kingdom is no longer a camp. No longer a ruin. We are a city. A kingdom."

His aura pulsed, spreading over them, filling them with the weight of his will.

"And a kingdom must be defended."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"We build not for today, but for generations to come." His gaze hardened. "We begin immediately."

A roar of approval rose from the gathered workers, Shadow Knights, and citizens alike. The kingdom had no time for hesitation. They had survived the ruins of their past—now they would fortify their future.

"Aria, with me," Riven commanded, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

She gave a silent nod and followed as he turned, striding out of the trade hall. Behind them, the others dispersed, already moving to carry out their assigned tasks.

Riven led Aria away from the growing crowd, his steps purposeful as they moved through the city's newly paved streets. The torches lining the roads flickered, casting shifting shadows across the stonework. The hum of activity behind them faded as they neared a quieter section of the city, where the construction had yet to reach.

Aria remained silent, waiting for him to speak. She was sharp enough to know that if he was pulling her aside like this, it wasn't for idle conversation.

Riven finally stopped at a secluded vantage point overlooking the encampment. From here, they could see the evolving kingdom—the workers moving to fortify the walls, the merchants finalizing trades in the market square, the warriors training in the barracks. It was progress, but progress wasn't enough.

Not yet.

"We've secured trade," Riven began, his voice even. "We've started building a proper defense. We've begun assembling an army."

Aria nodded, waiting.

"But there's something we still lack," he continued. "Information."

Aria's dark eyes gleamed in understanding.

"I need an network," Riven stated. "A force that operates in the shadows. One that gathers intelligence, eliminates threats before they arise, and ensures our enemies never see us coming."

He turned his gaze to her fully. "And I want you to lead it."

Aria didn't blink. "An assassin unit."

"More than that," Riven corrected. "A network. Spies, infiltrators, saboteurs. A force capable of gathering intelligence across multiple cities, tracking enemy movements, and taking out key targets before they ever become a problem." His voice darkened. "We can't afford to be caught off guard. Not by the Solis Kingdom. Not by the guilds. Not by anyone."

Aria crossed her arms, considering. "We'd need to train new recruits from the ground up. The Shadow Kingdom's warriors are strong, but assassination and espionage are different beasts. I'll need those who can move unseen, think fast, and kill without hesitation."

"Select whoever you see fit," Riven said. "We'll start with a small core team and expand as needed. Use the existing mercenaries and rogues in the city as a base—there are plenty of survivors who lived in the underbelly of the fallen kingdom. They'll adapt quickly."

Aria smirked faintly. "You're giving me free rein, then?"

"As long as it gets done," Riven confirmed. "And I want them ready as soon as possible."

She exhaled, nodding. "I'll begin scouting for candidates immediately. Some of the traders coming through might have connections to informants or displaced spies. I'll leverage those resources."

"Good." Riven's gaze drifted back to the city. "Your squad will be the Shadow Fangs."

Aria's expression didn't shift, but there was a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Fitting."

"They'll operate beyond the walls, in the streets of enemy cities, within the ranks of those who seek to undermine us." Riven's voice was low, but absolute. "I want eyes everywhere. And if there's a threat—I want it removed before it ever reaches our doorstep."

Aria bowed her head. "Then I'll give you ghosts, my king." A small smile played at her lips. "And nightmares for your enemies."

Riven smirked. "That's exactly what I need."

She straightened, her stance shifting into something sharper. "I'll send word when I have my first recruits."

"Make it quick," Riven said as he turned to leave. "I expect results."

Aria simply nodded before vanishing into the night.

The Shadow Fangs were about to be born.