Chapter 1: Rise of the dead

"The dead shall rise again like a Phoenix from its ashes to fly higher above the horizon while the world watches on"

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"Gemmi, are you sure about this? I am still young and unmarried for God's sake Gemmi, leave it. Gemmi! Let us leave this damn place."

"Shenni, SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH! Do you see that I am digging? if you want to leave then leave but if I get what I am searching for then do not even dare to come in front of me asking for some shares. Got it?"

"Gemmi, I don't want any share. I beg you. Please leave with me. I don't want to die nor do I want to see you dead."

Amidst of all the bickering, Gemmi's saddle came to an abrupt halt. When he looked down, he saw a wooden trunk inside the pit he dug. He stopped bickering with his brother and eagerly started digging with his hands. Soon he unearthed a small wooden trunk.

His face brightened up with excitement. He eagerly broke the trunk's seal but his face sank as he opened it. "Oh no, a dusty scroll. WHAT THE HELL!!!"

"I came all the way out here in this wilderness to dig a scroll, bleh" Gemmi cursed loudly.

"It's okay Gemmi." Shenni tried to pacify his angry friend.

"No Shenni, I am sad, very sad. I will kill that old man."

"Okay, Okay. We will kill that old man now let us go back"

"Okay, Shenni"

Gemmi stood up and climbed out of the pit.

*Swish*

The wind started howling. The weather changed abruptly, the sky turned grey and the clouds disappeared revealing the moon.

It was a sight to behold. It was not the kind of weather you would like to see but the one which makes you mesmerized.

Lightning was flashing in between the clouds with rumble and roars.

"Shenni, I am afraid."

"Damn, now you know what fear is?"

"Shut up Shenni. Let us leave!!"

"No, we can't leave now."

"WHY???? Are you out of your mind Shenni? Run while you have the chance otherwise both of us will be minced into nothing here."

"No! If we leave then I am sure that we will be dead"

"F*k, what are you blabbering about? Run with me Shenni" Gemmi pleaded desperately but to no avail.

"Are you taking revenge, Shenni? I am sorry I didn't heed to your advice earlier but now is not the time for petty revenge."

"Shenni." Gemmi said softly.

Shenni knew something was off. Their meeting with that old monk, his prophecy, and all that, he never believed in it. But he was curious. Why the heck would someone con them? They were just ordinary brothers.

Now, he finally got his answer. The treasure which the old monk talked about was not some gold or silver, but it was this scroll.

Shenni slowly approached the trunk and crouched beside it. He extended his hand and brought the scroll near to his face. The moonlight was exceptionally bright today, so it was not very difficult to read the scroll.

"All hail the Knight,

Heir of sorcery,

Son of Hades,

Thou who has been in slumber,

Waiting for your calling,

Hear me, as I say,

Arise O' Fallen Knight." Shenni screamed out while reciting what was written.

With that, a deafening rumble was heard in the sky. The moon became pale in front of the lightning, which was soaring in the sky, within a second it struck the scroll and burned it completely.

Everything went into nothingness, even the ashes could not be seen.

"Holy Moly Sweet Macaroni! The f*ck Shenni? You are a lunatic. You were just an inch away from getting struck by lightning."

Shenni froze. He knew that the scroll was not simple, but he never imagined it to be this deadly.

His hands and feet were cold. Heck, his whole body was covered with cold sweat. Shivers were constantly flowing in his veins.

Gemmi clasped Shenni's hand and dragged him, "You f*cker. I told you not to mess with anything but look, what you did. Do you wish an early death?"

Gemmi dragged him with all his might but before they could even run they saw a white light illuminating the air.

Several fragments of light took human shape and soon, a well-built man popped into existence.

The man was extremely handsome, so much so that he could even charm men.

"What the hell? What is going on? Am I not dead?"

The man in front of them was babbling nonsense, he looked handsome even while blabbering. But alas, Gemmi and Shenni were in no mood to appreciate this beauty.

"Hey, care to tell what happened here? How come I am here?"

Both the brothers were stunned. The man was not only handsome and strong, but he was humble too.

Earlier they thought that the man in front of them might kill them for awakening him. But he did not show any tinge of anger, he even asked them a question politely.

Gemmi was still too afraid to speak so Shenni narrated the whole incident. He even told him about the old monk and his prophecy.

"I sincerely apologize. I know I should not have disturbed you from your eternal slumber. Pardon me." Shenni apologized sincerely.

"Aah, it's okay. It was not like I loved death, so I am grateful to you, for awakening me. Since you have helped me I should repay you." The man spoke with an earnest smile.

"NO, NO, NO!" Shenni denied.

"Yes, yes, and yes. You should repay us. My brother was so close to his death because of you, so you should pay for it," Gemmi said greedily.

Shenni was irritated at this brother, but before he could stop his brother's running mouth the man handed Gemmi a gold ring.

"Of f*ck! Brother, this is so heavy. It is pure gold with diamonds engraved on it!" Gemmi screamed in happiness.

Shenni was astonished too. No matter what, they committed a sin, and being rewarded for the said sin did not feel good. He wanted to refuse it, but he was lost for words.

"Don't feel burdened, it's the least I can give you for now. If you are not happy with the compensation, then give me a few more days to compensate you." the man said humbly.

"No, not at all. It is enough for us. I think we should take our leave now. Once again, I apologize." Shenni bowed his head and dragged his greedy brother with him.

"Bother, bother, don't drag me. He is offering us moneyyyyy...!!!" Gemmi screamed but his voice faded as he was dragged away.

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