The stench of burning void still lingered in my lungs when I stumbled out of the exit portal.
Ash clung to my cloak. Blood to my skin. And yet, for the first time in what felt like years, I wasn't in danger.
No monsters.
No collapsing death-palaces.
No cursed echoes.
Just… silence.
The landscape was nothing like the war zones I'd fought through. Jagged hills rolled into green-black fields. Mist drifted over old trees like ghost breath. And just a little further ahead, warm lights flickered.
A village.
Arah'Mor.
I nearly collapsed at the gate.
Two demon guards looked up, weapons half-drawn—until they saw my state. My skin was pale. My armor was cracked. I looked more corpse than noble heir.
"By the Abyss—Get her inside!"
I awoke two days later in a stone hut wrapped in thick furs.
Someone had bandaged my wounds.
Someone had fed me.
And someone had not robbed me blind while I was unconscious.
That was new.
Nyx sat curled beside the hearth, eyes glowing faintly in the firelight. "Welcome back, Plath. You scared the hell out of everyone."
"I scared myself," I groaned, sitting up. My body screamed in protest. "Where are we?"
"Arah'Mor. Demon border village. They don't know who you are—and they don't care. They treat warriors with respect here. Even half-dead ones."
I blinked. "We're… safe?"
"For now."
The next few days blurred by gently.
Villagers offered me food—cooked meat, blackroot stew, soul-warmed water. The kind elder named Mavra stitched my cloak. A mute child named Vek brought me polished stones every morning, believing they were "luck tokens."
I didn't ask questions.
I didn't start fights.
For the first time since I'd awakened in this infernal world, I just existed.
And I healed.
Slowly.
But on the fourth night… the system returned.
> [Yamak Fragment Collection: Complete]
[New Data Unlocked – Yamak Story Essence]
[Would you like to access the truth of Yamak?]
"Yes," I whispered, staring into the fire.
The world around me dimmed.
The Essence poured into me like molten memory.
And I saw it—
Not one.
Not a soldier.
Not a knight.
But seven.
Seven towering shadows of command, each bearing a piece of the Yama King's power. Seven generals bound by oath, wrath, and a name that echoed through demon bloodlines:
Yamak.
Each one had once ruled a region of the Yama King's empire.
Each one had power that could shift nations.
And now… they were mine to pursue.
I opened my eyes, heart pounding.
The fire crackled. Nyx stirred.
"They were commanders," I said aloud. "Seven of them."
He looked at me carefully. "And you're thinking what I think you're thinking?"
I grinned weakly.
"Yeah. I'm going to find them."
The village of Arah'Mor was small, nestled between the jagged cliffs that marked the edge of the demon lands. It wasn't much—stone huts, the ever-present smell of smoke, and thick mist that clung to everything like a second skin. But there was an unspoken bond here, a connection among the demons who lived quietly in the shadows of war.
They were survivors.
And so was I.
I sat by the hearth that evening, my mind racing. The Yamak—seven powerful commanders. They had been the Yama King's most trusted soldiers, each one gifted with unparalleled strength and terrifying power. They had served under him during his reign of terror, but now they were scattered. Some were lost to time, others hidden by the very shadows they once ruled.
One way or another, I would find them.
"Sylvia," Nyx's voice broke through my thoughts, his tone unusually serious. He stood near the entrance of the hut, his fur bristling. "I think someone's looking for you."
I frowned, instinctively reaching for my blade, though it was no longer sheathed at my side. I'd left it behind in the chaos. My hand hovered over the familiar hilt anyway, as though the weight of it could steady me.
From outside, the soft sound of murmured voices drifted through the thick walls of the hut. They were speaking in a dialect I didn't fully understand—demon tongues, but something about the tone was different. It was almost… familiar.
"Stay low," Nyx warned, his amber eyes narrowing. "I'll go see what they want."
I nodded and crouched by the fire, waiting for him to return.
Minutes later, Nyx entered, followed by an unfamiliar face. The demon standing before me was tall, his red skin lined with markings of age and battle. His horns curled back from his temples, the tips sharp as though they had been honed for war. A long cloak of shifting shadows trailed behind him, as if his very presence bent the fabric of the world around him.
"You're the one they call Sylvia Plath?" he asked, his voice gravelly, yet smooth like the deep rumble of thunder.
I studied him warily. There was no need to answer yet. His very presence sent a ripple through the room, the power around him almost tangible. A commander, perhaps?
"I am," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "What do you want?"
He studied me with piercing yellow eyes that seemed to see beyond my skin and into my soul. Then, slowly, he bowed his head. "I am Kharaz, once the commander of the Wastes under the Yama King's reign. I seek your aid."
My heart skipped a beat. My mind raced. Another one.
"Aid?" I echoed, eyebrows knitting together. "What could you possibly want from me?"
Kharaz stood tall again, his gaze unwavering. "The Yamak Commanders are not what they once were. Some are dead, others lost. But there are still some of us who remain—hidden, waiting. And there are those who seek to extinguish what we stand for. I know you seek us."
I narrowed my eyes. "You know about the fragments?"
His lips curled slightly in something like a grin. "Of course. And I know you've collected two of the Yamak fragments. You think you can use them to gather us all, but you're mistaken. It won't be easy."
I stood, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. "Why are you telling me this? Why help me?"
Kharaz's expression hardened. "Because I know what happens when the Yamak are united. We bring ruin and order in equal measure. You want to command us, Sylvia Plath? You'll have to be prepared for what comes next."
I didn't flinch. "I've already been through hell. What's one more fight?"
He studied me for a long moment, his gaze piercing as if weighing my resolve. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but sharp.
"The first Yamak Commander is lost. I don't know where he is. But I can help you find him. In exchange, you'll owe me a debt. And I will collect when the time is right."
I hesitated. The offer was tempting. My quest for the Yamak fragments was becoming something bigger than I had anticipated, and alliances with former commanders could be the edge I needed. But the price was unknown, and I wasn't one to trust easily.
But the promise of power was too great to ignore.
"Deal," I said, extending my hand.
Kharaz gripped my wrist firmly, a promise of danger and power in his touch. "Then we start at dawn. Prepare yourself, Sylvia Plath. This journey will not be easy, and I will not coddle you."
The early morning mist clung to the ground like a blanket as I left the safety of the small village of Arah'Mor. The air was still, but a sense of unease settled in my stomach. I had made my decision. I would command the Yamak. The seven powerful commanders who had once served the Yama King had become my goal.
Yet, finding them wasn't going to be as simple as I had hoped. Kharaz had given me the first hint, but his cryptic words only painted a bigger picture. The Yamak Commanders weren't just scattered—they were hidden, lost in places untouched by time, and each one would not be easily found, much less subdued.
"This will be a long road, Sylvia," Kharaz's voice echoed in my mind as I stepped into the dense forest ahead. "The Yamak are not what they once were. Even I—one of their own—struggle to find them now. Each fragment you collect will require sacrifices. And even if you do find them, the real battle has yet to begin."
I had no intention of backing down. Not now. Not after everything I had survived.
As I made my way deeper into the wilds, the weight of the fragments I had already collected pressed heavily against my chest. Two Yamak fragments—each a small, yet crucial, piece of the puzzle. But the road to the others was shrouded in mystery. Kharaz's words weighed heavily on me. The Yamak were powerful, but they were no longer under the rule of the Yama King. Many of them had fallen to their own twisted desires, and those that remained had hidden themselves away, unwilling to be found.
I had more to prepare for than simply hunting down fragments.
The path before me was rugged, the trees growing denser as I ventured farther from Arah'Mor. The ground beneath my boots was uneven, and the occasional rustle of creatures watching from the shadows made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I was used to being hunted, but the feeling was different here. The wilds were ancient, their secrets far older than I was.
By nightfall, I made camp at the edge of a craggy cliff, gazing out at the horizon. The moon was full, casting a pale light across the land. My thoughts drifted to the Red Ocean, the place I had heard so much about. Dangerous, unexplored, and full of unknown horrors. The very thought of it sent a shiver down my spine.
"The Red Ocean is your next destination," Kharaz had said before we parted ways. "But beware. The Yamak Commanders may not be what you expect. You must be prepared to sacrifice much, and in return, you will gain much."
I wasn't sure what that meant, but I had learned not to question Kharaz's words. The Yamak fragments were essential, and if I could gather all seven, perhaps I could make the Yamak mine to command. If I could unlock their true potential, they could be the perfect allies—or deadly weapons—against whatever awaited in the Red Ocean.
The next few days were spent traveling through treacherous terrain—craggy mountains, dark caves, and ancient forests where the trees grew so close together that the sun barely filtered through the canopy. But there was something else in the air, something that made every step I took feel like a gamble.
I had already encountered strange creatures—monsters that lurked in the shadows, eager to tear me apart. But none of them were the true challenge. No, the real threat would come when I found what I was searching for.
I paused, my senses sharpening. Something was different in the air. The forest seemed to have grown still, almost expectant. My eyes darted from shadow to shadow, every rustle of leaves making my heart race. But nothing appeared. Yet, I could feel it—the presence of something ancient, something watching me.
"You're being hunted." Nyx's voice echoed in my mind. He had stayed behind, watching over the village, but his connection to me was always strong.
"I know." I muttered, taking a slow, steady breath. "But I'm not running this time."
The days turned into weeks as I pressed forward, always pushing through, determined to find the next fragment. But each step brought more obstacles—monsters that seemed to know my every move, enemies in the form of other demons who sought the Yamak fragments for themselves, and a growing sense of foreboding that something far worse was coming.
I wasn't just gathering fragments anymore. I was becoming part of something much larger. The Yamak were no longer just pieces to a puzzle. They were the key to something greater, and I was beginning to understand the price of unlocking that power.
Finally, I arrived at the edge of a vast wasteland—the remnants of a once-great city, now reduced to ash and ruin. This was the place Kharaz had mentioned. The place where I could find another Yamak fragment. But it wasn't just a fragment I was after.
I had learned that the Yamak were not to be found easily. They weren't waiting to be collected by someone like me. They were powerful beings, and if I wanted to gain their allegiance, I would have to prove I was worthy.
The city was filled with monsters—beasts that had long since turned to stone, relics of an ancient time. I had no intention of just wandering through it like a mere adventurer. I needed to find what I was looking for quickly. Time was running out.
"Sylvia," Nyx's voice cut through my thoughts, his tone tense. "You're getting closer. But I sense something... something is coming. Something powerful."
I narrowed my eyes, drawing my blade as I stepped forward. The wasteland was silent, but that silence was about to break. "I'm ready."
And so, the hunt continued.
The days had blurred together as I continued my trek across the desolate lands. The fragments I had collected weighed heavily on my mind, and the unknown dangers that lay ahead kept my senses on high alert. But now, after everything I had survived, the thought of what lay beyond the horizon lingered more than ever.
I arrived at a small, secluded temple, one that had stood the test of time despite the relentless erosion of centuries. The once-grand structure was now but a shadow of its former self, crumbling stone pillars supporting the half-destroyed roof. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the remnants of forgotten prayers.
Inside, the silence was suffocating.
I stepped forward, my boots echoing against the stone floor. The only source of light was the flickering glow of my lantern, casting eerie shadows along the walls. There, etched into the stone, was an intricate design—a map.
At first glance, I didn't understand what it was, but my instincts told me that it was important. My fingers traced the edges of the map, deciphering the cryptic symbols, lines, and markings that seemed to pulse with a strange energy.
"The Red Ocean."
The words surfaced in my mind like an echo from a distant memory. This place—the Red Ocean—had haunted my dreams for days, but I had never truly understood it. Now, as I studied the map, I realized that it was the key to everything.
The map was no ordinary chart of lands and seas. It was a guide, a path to the seven places where the Yamak Commanders resided. Each place was marked with a symbol, a different shape representing a different trial, a different challenge.
The first place was called The Infernal Abyss, a volcanic landscape where fire and lava consumed all but the bravest. The second, The Hollow Citadel, a towering fortress buried deep within the heart of a lost mountain range, where time seemed to stand still. The third, The Eternal Storm, a vast, endless wasteland battered by unrelenting winds and rain, where only the strongest could survive.
The fourth, The Crystal Labyrinth, a sprawling underground maze of glistening ice and treacherous traps. The fifth, The Dark Sanctuary, hidden within a dense, forgotten forest where shadows moved as if alive. The sixth, The Blood Sea, a body of water that swallowed everything in its path, known for the monstrous creatures that dwelled beneath its surface.
And finally, the seventh—the most dangerous of them all: The Red Ocean, a place where the seas ran red with the blood of the fallen. It was a place of endless terror, filled with untold horrors, yet it held the key to unlocking the full power of the Yamak.
I stepped back, my hand shaking as I realized what this map meant. Each of these locations was a trial—a test of strength, cunning, and resolve. But the Red Ocean stood apart. It was the ultimate challenge, where the Yamak would be waiting.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to steady the chaos inside me. The Yamak were the key to my survival, to my rise to power. If I could command them, I would have the strength to take on anything the Red Ocean had to offer. But the thought of facing them terrified me. They weren't just any soldiers. They were beings of immense power, each one a force of nature in its own right. And they were no longer under the command of the Yama King. Each had carved its own path, hidden away in the farthest reaches of the world.
I wasn't sure how I was going to do it, but I knew this: I had no choice.
"I'll find them."
The voice inside my head was mine, but it felt different now—stronger, more resolute. I was no longer just a survivor. I was a force, a warrior who would stop at nothing to claim what was mine.
I folded the map carefully and tucked it into my cloak. With the path now clear, I would begin the hunt for the Yamak Commanders, one by one. The map would guide me, but the trials would test me like nothing else. Each step I took would bring me closer to the Red Ocean, to the truth that awaited in its depths.
But before I could set out, I needed to rest. My body was weary from the constant battles and relentless pursuit. I returned to the village of Arah'Mor, where the demons welcomed me with warmth and comfort. It was a fleeting peace—one I knew wouldn't last.
That night, I stood before the village's stone altar, the map spread out before me. I traced the path with my fingers once more, knowing the journey ahead would not be easy. The Yamak Commanders were waiting, each more powerful than the last. But I had no other choice.
The Red Ocean loomed in the distance, and I would face it. But not yet.
I had a plan.