Argus led an army of thousands through the great west valleys toward the rugged peaks of the Pyrishian Mountains that surrounded Sirus’ kingdom. Sirus’ castle was situated far atop the highest peak and was enveloped by an enormous pumpkin patch. In the darkness of night the pristine pumpkin patch sparkled brightly of the anguished faces and sinister grins carved by the king himself. As Argus approached the unearthly spectacle, visions of his first battle with King Sirus flashed through his mind. It was here he remembered Sirus’ fetish for these pumpkins and how he loved to carve into them the evil grins symbolizing a lost and empty soul. The sheer enormity of the patch became even more overwhelming the closer Argus got to it and he noticed that it appeared to almost have a life of it’s own.

Nervous by the sight, one of Argus’ elite guards nervously asked, “Sire, why does the hillside move?” To this Argus replied, “Do not be intimidated by what you see for it is evil that corrupts you and makes you question your destiny.” Argus faced his men and lifting his sword high in the air declared, “All who bear the symbol will die tonight and we will eradicate the world of King Sirus forever!” While his men cheered him on, Argus realized that without Stacia to heed caution and forewarn him of what Sirus was thinking, he would have to rely exclusively on his faith. 

With Argus out front he rallied his army to charge the castle. The murderous mob gathered outside the castle walls. They were in amazement at how the vines of the pumpkin patch almost completely engulfed the castle’s entrance. Emboldened by the vengeance coursing through their veins, Argus’ men proceeded to cut away the vines and break down the main doors. As Argus passed, the vines regenerated like webs, blocking out all others from passage. The armies of the Lyte struggled heroically with all their might to follow Argus. They hopelessly cut away at the vines that seemed to grow stronger and thicker as they tried to make their way through the narrow castle passages.

King Sirus calmly assembled his thirteen disciples in his private chamber. He gazed into their waiting faces, with the knowledge that he must bestow a special power on each of them to carry forth into their dark immortality. Transfixing them with his intense stare, he recited a silent incantation granting each disciple’s power. When he was finished each of the disciples took part in a blood ritual to complete the code as instructed by the Dark Lords.

Argus entered the main tower and made his way up the staircase to the door of Sirus’ chamber. Just before opening the door the misty image of Stacia appeared before him. He was suddenly and momentarily calmed as he reached out to her. “Remember your faith, my love,” she said. King Sirus, anticipating Argus’ arrival, sensed his hesitation and stood before his disciples raising his arms. Before Stacia could complete her message to Argus, her ghostly vision washed through Argus’s body and disappeared. Argus tried to clear his head and gather his emotions before entering the chamber.