The Rise of the Lost

Kalm and the Queen advanced through the cave with steady, confident steps.

He asked a handful of questions here and there—within the limits of what his mind could grasp—trying to understand her powers, her weaknesses, what she could and couldn't do.

As he expected, she answered everything with a gentle smile and a soft, unbothered tone, though some of her answers left him frozen in place, barely able to believe what he'd heard.

The first shock was about how they had vanished from the castle and suddenly appeared inside this cave.

The Queen explained it was a unique ability of hers—she could travel through shadows.

Something akin to spatial teleportation, but the range depended on the essence of her soul and its strength.

And because of her immense power, she could even take others with her.

Kalm found this absolutely fascinating. The potential of such an ability in combat or for escaping overwhelming enemies was immense.

She also explained how shadow constructs worked—each one was connected to her soul.

If her shadow was injured, her soul would be wounded directly.

Likewise, she could wound the shadows of her enemies and hurt them both internally and externally.

That concept alone sent shivers through his spine.

To be afraid of such a graceful, delicate woman... somehow made perfect sense.

There were other things too—things his mind failed to fully understand.

But as a mere teenager at the beginning of his journey, the Queen revealed something far more incredible… almost by accident.

He had tried to ask her about her kingdom.

Kalm had assumed everything here was just an illusion created by the Voice of the World as part of the trial.

And while he wasn't entirely wrong… he also wasn't right.

Her world was real.

Which meant there wasn't just *one* world, but *two* at the very least.

The Queen had laughed heartily at that revelation—so much that a tear formed in the corner of her eye.

"What, did you really think your world was the only one?

There are *seven* worlds.

Which means humans lived in all of them—except one.

And all of them have fallen.

Yours is the next."

Despite the weight of her words, she said it with a smile—and refused to elaborate any further.

Especially about the "Eight Rulers" and the "Lost Ones" she had previously mentioned.

All she told him was that those beings were beyond legendary—gods in everything but name.

And as long as he remained weak, he had no right to ask about them.

She placed her hand gently on his shoulder, and her expression turned serious.

"Kalm, there are truths… and knowledge… that are more dangerous than the sharpest blade.

Even the Rulers themselves imbued these truths with power.

Just asking about them aloud is considered a threat."

She fell silent for a moment, her eyes scanning the path ahead.

"When humans awaken their power, they open the sea of their soul—their essence.

That is both the source of their strength and the path to their side…

Just like me. I possess a sixth-rank essence and a naturally vast soul-sea.

But if you begin to pursue forbidden knowledge or force it into your mind, it will corrupt you.

It will twist your growth… and turn you into a mad, broken thing."

Her grip on his shoulder tightened, as if she wanted to burn the warning into his very bones.

"So until you reach the *third stage*, at the very least—never question the Rulers aloud.

Keep all your doubts and thoughts buried deep inside your heart and mind.

Only once you're strong enough will you be able to carry the weight of the truth.

And the truth… no one can bear it."

Kalm met her stern gaze and nodded, doing his best to remain calm.

But inside… fear rattled him to the core.

Just *asking* the wrong question could lead to madness.

Which meant the truth…

was enough to *shatter worlds*.

He looked at her hesitantly and asked:

"Did *you* discover the truth, Your Majesty…?"

The Queen lowered her hand from his shoulder, her expression fading into a soft, bittersweet smile.

And finally, she answered:

"Yes… well, not all of it.

In my youth, I entered a fifth-tier gate with someone I trusted.

From there, we journeyed to another world—the one where monsters originate.

We discovered old ruins, strange remnants…

And then, we moved to the next world after that.

The journey lasted seven years.

It was dangerous, painful, exhausting…

Oh, and we even entered the Shadow World. Not both of us—just me.

And it truly lives up to its name: the world of death… and eternal rest."

She laughed softly as the memories returned, then turned to Kalm.

"The truth... hmm…

It's a burden no one deserves.

My advice? Don't ask questions.

Once you're stronger—fifth or sixth rank at least—search for the *Grave of Truth* and the *Tomb of Lies*.

They lie in other worlds.

Only then will you begin to understand what's happening to this world… and *why*.

Only then will you know the true horror of it all."

Kalm blinked twice, his breath catching in his throat.

He was just a teenager—yet he had already been given more dangerous knowledge than he could handle.

Confusion and dread spun in his chest, but he forced himself to remain composed.

*The Grave of Truth… and the Tomb of Lies.

This world's insane truth...*

And now, thinking deeper—so many new questions burned in his mind.

For example:

What *is* the strange "Voice of the World"?

Why was it created?

What's its true purpose?

What are these gates devouring the world slowly… and where do they come from?

What are those abhorrent monsters? How were they born?

Where did the Rulers vanish to?

And who exactly was "the Lost One" and his mysterious partner?

And most of all—

*How could they allow the world to fall this far into ruin...?*

Did they die in some war among themselves...?

Or maybe they simply grew tired of caring for humanity—and chose to vanish...?

Kalm rubbed his head, overwhelmed with questions.

What made it even more absurd was that he was walking beside someone who knew *all* the answers… and yet couldn't tell him, or else he'd turn into a disgusting, broken monster.

He sighed in frustration and focused on the path ahead.

*"What a joke… My mother named me Kalm because I was always calm and composed… And now, terror is eating me alive. What a cursed trial…"*

In that moment, one final question struck him—maybe it could help him move forward… assuming he got out of this alive.

He turned toward the Queen, who was walking as though she were strolling through her garden, smiling gently.

"Your Majesty, may I ask you something…?"

She looked at him and placed her hand on her sword's hilt.

"Oh, of course."

Kalm took a deep breath and asked:

"Since you've seen both truth and lies… how did your world fall?

Wasn't there some knowledge or way to stop it?"

The Queen stared at him for a second—then let out a soft, melodic laugh. Her eyes shimmered with a darker expression.

And after a short pause, she answered:

"You must understand, dear little Kalm…

Knowing something—and acting on it—are two entirely different things.

You're right, I *did* learn the truth… that my world would perish.

And I *did* find a way to stop it."

She paused, gently brushing her fingers across her black cloak.

"First, know this: power is the foundation of everything.

In my world, there weren't many Awakened. Some could barely reach the second stage.

Many had gifts unrelated to battle.

Meanwhile, the monstrous creatures existed in numbers as countless as the stars—

and among them were beings of the seventh and even *eighth* rank."

Kalm listened with deep focus, his eyes locked on hers.

The Queen continued:

"The difference between ranks isn't huge in the beginning…

But even then, only the strongest, the most determined and driven, manage to ascend.

And perhaps the most painful truth of all—

One person alone can never make a difference.

What good is a seventh-rank Awakened… if all their soldiers or people are dead?"

She smiled sadly and sighed.

"When the catastrophe began in our world, my grandfather—who had reached the fourth rank—stepped forward and led humanity.

He was crowned King of Men.

After him came my father—

The first to ever reach the *fifth* rank, as I told you earlier, because ascending is terribly hard.

And after him… came me."

She lifted her hand and placed it over her chest, laughing softly with a nostalgic warmth.

"I was their hope.

I carried the title and legacy of the *Lord of Shadows*…

The *Ruler of Death*…

And the *Eternal Rest*.

Of course, I was a genius—

But I also worked hard.

At the age of twenty, I reached the fourth stage.

And then… I got lazy with my training. I started sneaking out of the castle more and more…"

Kalm raised a brow, nearly stumbling.

"You… the composed, regal queen… were skipping training and running off?"

She frowned slightly.

"Wait, do you really think *this* is my real personality?

I'm human too, you know.

And at that time, when I was twenty…

I had a wonderful lover."

A soft blush colored her cheeks, and a delicate smile touched her lips.

*That bastard,* Kalm thought bitterly. *He was probably the happiest man in the world to end up with her…*

He sighed with mild envy and prayed silently for even a fraction of that man's luck with women.

Unaware of his inner turmoil, the Queen kept speaking gently:

"Because of our relationship, I skipped training often—dragging him along with me.

He was a whole stage weaker than me, after all."

Kalm looked at her with a blank expression.

"Your Majesty, that's not *taking* him. That's *kidnapping*. There's a huge difference."

She waved a hand in the air in protest.

"Of course not! Don't be ridiculous—we were lovers.

Well… I was young and naïve back then.

I didn't really understand or care about the looming threat to my world.

But the point of all this strange talk…

Is that my world simply didn't have enough power.

Nor enough *time* to use the knowledge I had gained."

Her expression returned to calm seriousness.

"During the war, no one bothered to name the stages of ascension—

So they simply numbered them.

From Stage One to Stage Eight.

Each stage has three ranks.

But the *Ninth Stage*… it has a name, even though no one has ever reached it."

Kalm leaned in, intrigued, as the Queen continued:

"It's called the *King Stage*.

The stage where a human reaches the power of the Rulers themselves.

And now, I'm sure you've figured out the only possible solution…

But don't say it out loud.

In fact, try to forget it—until you're strong enough."

Kalm's hands trembled as he processed her words.

The only solution…

He stared at her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the path ahead.

*Does that mean… my world will fall too, unless a new Ruler is born?*

But could anyone truly reach that level?

Those legendary beings… whose power defies comprehension?

As he wrestled with thoughts of his fate—and the fate of his world—

a sharp, echoing *caw* and a monstrous growl shattered the silence.

The Queen smiled, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.

"Kalm…

It seems our moment of peace has ended.

It's time for trouble."

She stepped forward, placing herself between him and the growing threat.

"But don't worry—

The trouble isn't *ours*…

It's *theirs*.

Now, you'll finally see why they call me the *Queen of Death*."