The Catacombs of Heroes were located on another mountain about an hour's march from Martsirt. The Catacombs of Heroes was a battleground between Martsirt and three other Mid-Level Cities that rose in power together. The decisive battle determines who would be the powerhouse within the region.

The battle was a trick as the three cities worked in unison to deceive and lure one of Martsirt’s army by surrounding it.

A powerful spell that created a wall that surrounded Martisrt’s army entrapped the army, and the three armies attacked through four gates and attacked at all sides.

But by chance, Argan Martsirt, grandfather of Leoric Martsirt and who later became the first king, urged Martsirt to fight and keep fighting until the other armies arrived.

The three mid-level cities thought that they could eliminate Martsirt before the reinforcements arrived, and because they failed, they ended up being routed as Martsirt’s reinforcements surrounded them.

At the end of the battle, only eight men from Martsirt’s original army survived the ambush.

To honor the knights that had died that day, a powerful and great magic was used by sacrificing the captured soldiers of the three Mid-Level cities.

The walls that were created became the foundation, and the kingdom built a hill on it. This became the burial grounds of the most powerful and brave knights of Martsirt.

The journey was fast for the group, and they reached it in less than an hour.

Dyne was excited to see the grounds.

“Lord Dyne… if I may. What if the souls are gone?” Jedo asked secretly. This was one thing that he pondered. Why hadn’t the souls left?

“Unlike Legaia, where the souls journey to the Genesis Tree to reach Noaru Valley, this planet has a different process. But this planet feels weird. The souls stay longer than they should. Look at what happened in that cave where the Afarit was being called. They had slain so many, yet the souls still stayed.” Dyne explained.

“I knew you noticed it.” Strafe sighed.

“Yeah. Something is wrong with this planet. But it makes sense. The enemies and traitors want to increase death energy. So they have to stop the cycle. As Strafe explained earlier, souls journey to the core of a planet to begin the Yin and Yang Cycle. It might be these Afarits doing it or something more malevolent.”

“Technically, it only happens with a region. It’s a dark spell that affects the ground, and this entire area has that same spell. But this spell would have sacrificed the life of nearly five thousand people…” Strafe explained.

“Regardless, it allows us to have an advantage of raising a loyal skeleton army!” Dyne laughed.

As they neared the entrance, King Ciroel asked how to deal with the people guarding the tomb.

“There is a group of soldiers always tasked to guard the entrance to protect it from tomb raiders,” Chrone explained.

“I don’t think we need to fight them.” Dyne shook his head.

“You call it the Catacomb of Heroes since it holds the most powerful and loyal knights of the kingdom. If I’m right, those that remain here are those loyal and powerful. The Serpentari or those demons won’t have much use as the souls in this tomb may be like Emera.” Dyne explained.

Lachadan managed to resist the curse of King Leoric and Diablo himself! If Dyne were to follow the principle, it is possible that the souls here would follow that route. Hearing of their heroic tale, Dyne knew that these knights were loyal to Martsirt.

“I suggest that the king just present himself there. That will give us a few more soldiers that can act on our behalf if we succeed in resurrecting this skeleton horde.”

And so, the king presented himself to the few people who were standing guard over the tomb. A small patrol of strong knights guarding it, and when Dyne noticed that everyone’s Fate seemed positive, Dyne decided to let the King show himself to the men.

The group of knights bowed before the king and were shocked at the news of what they had heard.

Soon, the group of people ventured into the deep room and found the many tombs of great warriors.

In the very center of the hall were three giant statues of three men.

The statue at the center was the most recent statue as it didn't look old. It had a great tall posture, and the statue depicted a tall warrior with thick armor and a very impressive helmet on his head.

“Who is the one in the center?” Dyne immediately asked.

“That is Lachdagonan. The strongest knight to have ever lived. He died a few months ago and slew a group of powerful beasts that attacked the king during our return from a skirmish against another Mid-Level city up north. The beasts ambushed us, and our armies were weary from fighting and marching. We didn't expect something so strong to attack us.” Ardnula explained.

Dyne immediately noted that the name sounded familiar and could be linked to one of the strongest knights of King Leoric in Diablo, who was able to retain his sanity.

“Lachdanan…” Dyne smiled. He was right. This place has that knight!

Lachdanan was a powerful knight who the characters of Diablo soon meet. When King Leoric cursed him, he managed to retain his will and hid. When the characters of Diablo meet him, he asks them to find an elixir that he could take to cure and kill him and free him from his curse.

“He was… a powerful warrior and the rival of Molibius,” Ardnula explained.

“He is also… one of those tricked by the Serpentari. Near his death, he claimed he suspected that the king was the cause of killing his child, who had mysteriously died earlier on. So he declared his great hatred to the king but held on to his honor as he fought those monsters.” Zehir added.

“Oh? There’s such a story?”

“This could be the reason why the Serpentari has not acted. The monsters they sent were as strong as Bishop Chrone’s Monkey form.” Jaden added.

“I was there… During Black Dagonan’s fall. He took on seven of those beasts and killed all but at the cost of his life…” Amorien continued to explain.

“I see. So the Serpentari lost a lot. And that Knight Molibius is as strong as Lachdagonan?”

“They are evenly matched. But Molibius claims Lachdagonan is stronger.” Ciroel smiled.

As Dyne listened to their tale, Dyne was certain that he wanted such a knight to be his Einherjar.

“Alright. I’ll see if what I plan is possible.” Dyne finally acted.

He took out the various objects he acquired from the mage Abrellam. It was a small coffin that Dyne was certain had the powers of a devil. He also took out the power responsible for turning the knights into Undead.

The Heart of Darkness and the artifact that Dyne called the Amulet of the Undertaker because it looked like the artifact in Heroes 3 were revealed.

“Emera. I want you also to help. Jedo, show yourself to be a good Senior Apprentice. Then, as I chant, call out to the souls in this place and tell them their king is present.” Dyne ordered the two. He then turned to Jaden.

“Jaden. I will use the power that I showed you back then. It will gather the souls. I gained some new powers and will be using them to help me show the memories of what I saw to convince these souls of the truth and try to match it with your story. Please speak to the knights!”

“Me?” Jaden was confused. Why not have King Ciroel speak?

“Lachdagonan is here. His soul might have mingled and chatted with other souls. They will not believe the King if Lachdagonan has made known Ciroel’s treachery. But they might listen to the heir. Tell them your real identity and the plan to turn the kingdom against them. Right now, the king may not command their trust.”

“The dead souls know of Lachdagonan's Fate? How?"

"I don't know. They probably can communicate with one another. But I've never been dead. Ask Emera." Dyne shrugged.

Emera was already looking at Chrone.

"Erm... Mighty Revenant... Do dead souls do that?” Chrone was amazed.

“We do.” Emera confirmed.

“It isn’t like talking. But souls are a manifestation of memories. The emotions we feel are communicated. The wights are souls that haven’t gained sentience, and so they follow my commands through my emotions. Sir Lachdagonan’s hatred and pain may have followed him here.” Emera explained.

But while everyone was processing the fact that departed souls gossip, Dyne began to give his last instructions.

“Alright, everyone focus. Jaden.”

Immediately, Dyne began to start a chant that made everyone fall silent.

“This is the chant that Lord Dyne used to create undead!” Jaden explained to the rest.

“Move back!” Chad also called out.

As Dyne was chanting, dark energy began to enshroud the place.

Dyne held on to the two artifacts and used them.

With his soul control and Jedo’s presence, he could sense the numerous souls present.

The Amulet of the Undertaker’s effect caused this. And through it, Dyne could feel he could communicate or arouse the emotions of a sleeping soul.

And then, the other power worked.

The Heart of Darkness was the object that resurrected the vampire Kain in the PS1 game Legacy of Kain. Dyne knew that it had some powers that could resurrect a person to some extent. So, although it would be very weak, the small powers rushed out and slowly made the sleeping souls gain temporary life.

Emera suddenly acted as she used her dark powers and triggered the wights to rush around.

“Who disturbs us from our sleep?” A malevolent voice echoed out of the dark tomb.