Though the realm of Tartarus had always stood tall in magical might, it had long neglected the systematic rigor of scientific research.
And in this oversight lay their current vulnerability.
Despite facing a mysterious infestation for over two years, their scholars had uncovered only fragments of truth. Emery, pouring over dusty parchments, bound spirit tablets, and scattered alchemical notes, could only sigh at the inefficiency.
They had called them Scourge Parasites—a name whispered with dread across the war-torn fronts. From what little was gathered, the parasites spread in the form of tiny, nearly invisible eggs, released into the air during moments of battle. These cursed seeds floated like ash, finding new hosts wherever the veil between worlds thinned. The air itself became a threat.
However, the parasites could not survive long outside a host, and even less so in foreign realms.
