Chapter 4. Rules of the House of Myriad Creatures. Part 3.

Indeed, many were disappointed in the outcome of the war. The losses on both fronts were staggering, leaving deep scars in the collective consciousness. The ongoing tensions, fueled by territorial disputes, lack of resources and a sharp contrast in absorbed energy, threatened to rekindle the flames of conflict at any moment. From disputes over land borders to bitter resentment over access to vital resources, the gulf between the two worlds seemed insurmountable.

Amid the chaos, a fragile truce hung in the balance, weakening with each passing day. Acts of sabotage and subterfuge became the new norm as criminal elements on both sides sought to undermine the fragile peace. 

As the dust settled and the smoke of battle dissipated, the Home to a Myriad of Creatures faced a daunting task: maintaining order in the face of chaos. Specialized units patrolled the borders, always vigilant against the threat of rebellion. Yet even as they sought to maintain their newfound peace, rumors of disagreement were in the air, a grim reminder of the cost of survival in a world torn apart by conflict.

In this alarming lull, an ominous shadow appeared from the depths of despair — Dals. Kidnappings, inhuman experiments, the vile trade in gifted flesh and the exploitation of the children of the weak for the perverse pleasure of select circles of society have stained their hands. The name they chose for themselves, "Dals", translated from the ancient language as "Lie" or "Guilty", was a chilling reflection of their malevolent nature.

To this day, the origin of the Dals remains shrouded in mystery. No one can say for sure which side of the conflict gave rise to these monstrous personalities or what prompted them to commit such heinous acts. Nevertheless, their influence was undeniable, their power over the population was increasing every day. What led to this descent into darkness? Was it the attraction of power, the promise of wealth, or a thirst for revenge? The answers remained elusive, buried under layers of deception. 

As the Dals expanded their sinister influence, they ensnared both the weak and the gifted, subjugating them to their will with promises of untold riches and boundless pleasures. However, the heads of Great Families and elders among the weak refrained from direct confrontation with the Dals. They could only watch helplessly as the tentacles of corruption spread, weaving a web of deception that threatened to engulf them all. 

For the Great Families and elders of the weak, the rise of the Dals posed a serious threat to the fragile peace they had fought so hard to maintain. And yet, in their desperation, some dared to hope that the Dals could serve as a catalyst for reconciliation, a bridge between the warring factions. Little did they know that their optimism would soon be shaken by the harsh realities of the world they lived in.

Driven by a single ideology — to enslave the population and satisfy their insatiable thirst for power — the Dals spared no effort in their quest for domination. They turned the Home to a Myriad of Creatures into a perverted realm where lawlessness reigned supreme and morality was just a distant memory.

But as the price of their power grew higher, the true cost of their tyranny became painfully obvious. Their grip tightened on the throat of the population, depriving morality and intelligence of life. The once endless feud between the factions has turned into a senseless, slobbering horde — a grotesque parody of humanity, driven solely by base desires and primitive instincts. The once vibrant community now lay in ruins, an empty shell of its former self, enslaved by the very darkness it sought to escape.

As the influence of negative emotions persisted, the once rich mana of Oblivion Lake was depleted, leaving behind only meager remnants. With each passing day, the oncoming darkness crept closer to the heart of the Home to a Myriad of Creatures, leaving devastation in its wake.

The crumbling veils heralded a new era of uncertainty—a world on the brink of collapse, where salvation was no longer possible and resistance seemed futile.

Sensing an impending catastrophe, the Great Families took a bold gambit, seeking to defy fate itself. Through intricate schemes and covert operations, they began to kidnap children of both the weak and the gifted, creating a new generation of strength from the ashes of despair.

Drawing on the wisdom of their ancestors, these families delved deeply into forbidden knowledge, revealing ancient scrolls filled with arcane secrets and hidden techniques. Through relentless experimentation, they have discovered new ways of power, using the energies of both mana and darkness to their advantage.

The result was twofold: the emergence of Immortals who took advantage of dwindling mana reserves, and the rise of martial artists, descendants of the weak, who learned to use the power of darkness as a weapon.

And yet, for all their skill, these newfound abilities were worth a staggering price. Every step towards mastery was fraught with agony and danger, pushing the limits of human endurance to the limit. Few were willing to pay such a high price, and even fewer were able to withstand the trials that awaited them on their way to gaining strength.

Nevertheless, children who grew up within the walls of closed palaces became formidable allies in the war against the Dals. Using methods never seen before, they challenged the very foundations of the status quo, shaking the complacency of the apathetic forces of this world.

The once impregnable group fell under the weight of this unique onslaught. The weapons that once struck fear into the hearts of the gifted proved useless against the tenacity of the Immortals, while even the most dangerous contraptions proved powerless against the might of martial artists who demonstrated their skill by eliminating such threats with pure brute force.

Victory, when it finally came, was difficult, leaving behind scars from bitter experiences and lingering fears. The hard-won peace was a fragile respite, overshadowed by the specter of past atrocities.

Subsequently, the word "Dals" became taboo. While copycats can still lurk in the shadows, swift and merciless justice is coming for their deeds. The very mention of their name serves as a warning—a grim testimony to the consequences of entering the path of darkness.

There are rumors of "The Guilty ones" hiding behind the veils, their influence extends far beyond the comprehension of mortals. Some even suggest that these criminals are not mere mortals, but creatures created by the darkness itself.

The second rule sounds like a solemn oath: do not shield the guilty means to reject Dal's legacy, to avoid ruthless actions that once plunged the world into chaos.