PART III: AFTER THE UNSEALING OF THE BLACK MAGE

Chapter 14: Root Abyss

• After the Black Mage’s return, two new Commanders joined his side - Will and Damien.

• Will was a scholar who was deeply interested in the Black Mage and his goals. Through endless research, Will came to realize that the Black Mage’s plan was not simple destruction, but to create a new world free from the influence of the Overseers. Intrigued by the Black Mage’s plan, Will sought out the Black Mage and became his most loyal Commander in exchange for the chance to see the perfect world that he would create. Imbued with the power of the Black Mage, Will became known as the King of Spiders.

• Meanwhile, Damien had spent centuries in Tynerum slowly growing his demon army in order to conquer Maple World, gaining power and favor with the half-blood demons of Tynerum who resented their life under the tyranny of the pure-bloods. After the Black Mage’s return, Damien was brought by Arkarium to the Black Mage, where he officially became a new Commander.

• After the Commanders discovered the location of the World Tree, Damien was sent to recover her. Damien and his demon army traveled to Root Abyss and secured Alicia. Upon seeing that her powers had not yet fully recovered, however, Damien decided to leave Alicia there, as he needed her Transcendent powers at full strength.

• To prevent her from escaping, he created four Seal Guardians - Vellum, Von Bon, Pierre, and the Crimson Queen - who kept Alicia imprisoned in Root Abyss. Soon after, the Alliance discovered Root Abyss and sent an expedition to recover Alicia. After defeating the Seal Guardians, the Alliance brought Alicia to Ereve, where she was absorbed within the jewel on Shinsoo’s forehead.

• During the expedition to Root Abyss, the Alliance also discovered the Tower of Oz, which was being guarded by Alicia’s soul, severed from her still-recovering body in order to protect the animals which she had kept within the tower. As a result of the Black Mage’s influence, however, the guardians of the tower had been corrupted, for which she asked the Alliance’s help to defeat them and save the specimens.