Chapter 16: The dark hoards' meeting

Deep within the realm beyond mortal comprehension, bathed in perpetual twilight and shrouded in an oppressive silence, the Dark Hoards had gathered. Their twisted forms, an amalgam of shadow and malice, writhed and pulsed within the labyrinthine confines of their hidden haven.

In the center of this monstrous congregation, a swirling vortex of darkness opened, and from its depths emerged their informant, tumbling into the maze-like structure at the heart of the gathering. He landed with a thud, his face contorted in a mix of terror and relief.

His eyes darted wildly, searching the darkness for any sign of his master. The air crackled with anticipation and a chilling silence stretched before him, broken only by the ragged panting of his own breath.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, its form coalescing from the very fabric of darkness. It was their master, a being of unimaginable power and malice, its eyes burning with an unholy fire.

"Informant" the master rasped, its voice a cold wind that sent shivers down the man's spine. "Tell me, what have you learned?"

The informant stumbled forward, his voice ragged with fear and urgency. He bowed low before the dark entity, his eyes filled with terror.

"Master" he rasped, "our plan... it is failing. Kael... he seem to have fallen for the girl, Amelia. His emotions... they are strong, a threat to our control."

A ripple of unease passed through the gathered shadows. The dark entity, its form shifting like a living nightmare, regarded the informant with cold, calculating eyes.

"Maybe Kael falling in love with a her would be a weakness to him. Let him be!" it hissed, its voice a chilling whisper.

The informant swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "There was... an incident. A near-miss. Something triggered a memory in Kael, a glimpse of his true power. He... he almost remembered."

He paused, fear choking his words. "We are running out of time, Master. If Kael regains his memories, his power... it will be too much for us to control. We must act now, before it is too late."

The dark entity stirred, a wave of malice emanating from its form. Its silence was suffocating, the weight of its contemplation pressing down on the gathered beings.

In a burst of rage, the Dark Master materialized from the shadows, its eyes burning with fury. With a speed that defied perception, it snatched the informant by the neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

"You let all that happen under your watch?" the Dark Master roared, its voice echoing through the cavernous hall.

The informant, his face contorted in terror, could barely breathe, let alone speak. He gasped for air, managing to stammer out, "Forgive me, lord…"

The Dark Master's grip tightened, its eyes narrowing into slits. "Forgive you? You have jeopardized our entire plan!" it hissed. "You allowed the chosen ones to gain strength, to form alliances, to remember…"

It paused, its voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "This cannot stand. You will rectify your mistake, informant. Erase the memories of their new knowledge. Wipe away their suspicions. Do as you did before, and this time, ensure no errors mar your work."

With a flick of his wrist, the Dark Master flung the informant across the chamber, his body crashing against the cold, stone floor with a sickening thud. The informant lay there, gasping for breath, his mind racing with the weight of his impending task.

He knew the price of failure. He had seen the consequences firsthand – the relentless torture, the agonizing manipulations, the slow and agonizing erasure of his own memories. The mere thought of it sent shivers down his spine.

But he knew he had no choice. He had to do what the Dark Master commanded, or face the ultimate punishment. He had to plunge the chosen ones back into ignorance, to erase any evidence of their awakening.

The informant, his body still buzzing from the impact of the Dark Master's throw, rose to his feet with a grimace. Fear and pain mingled in his eyes, but a flicker of determination ignited within them.

"Master" he croaked, his voice hoarse from the ordeal. "Despite the setbacks, I have managed to achieve some progress."

He straightened his ragged robes, his gaze unwavering. "One of the students at Kael's school… their past life's power has begun to awaken."