The Blind Eternities is a place ravaged by war of ancient times. Most of the infinite land is uninhabitable. Farmland is scarce and fresh water is scarcer. Only five realms are known to exist.
The Democracy of Theros, a government for the people where all the best warriors are forged. The Vryn Bureaucracy, a cold and unforgiving political sphere filled with adepts at magic. The Empire of Dominaria, a force of sheer ambition and power. The Kaladesh Consulate, a country of artisans and pyromancers full of creativity. And the Vastwood Clans, roaming the wilds to further advance their connections with the land.
The battlefield wasteland in between them is a place of constant five-way war.
Then, there are the heirs. Gideon Jura and Elspeth Tirel are both an immovable rock and an unstoppable force. Jace Beleren is of archmage level when it comes to magic and a demon with the rapier. Lady Liliana Vess and Sir Josu are both forces of destruction to be reckoned with. Chandra Nalaar is a master in pyromancy and artifice alike. While Nissa Revane is in tune with all the forces of the land.
"Vrynians! Charge!"
Here was the beginning. A battlefield. A clash with Dominaria. Jace led his troops into battle on foot as was customary with a rapier user. The Vrynians were made up of mostly mages, who wore very elaborate blue and silver clothing. The Dominarians were clad in pitch black armor and their faces were covered by Phyrexian masks. Phyrexians are said to be demons who ravaged the land, creating the wasteland before them today. Luckily, the Weatherlight Crew, a group of powerful mages, finished them off before they had no where left to live.
The next few hours were a blur to Jace. Just blood, killing and screams of rage, fear and pain. War.
The battle raged all through the night. Vrynians holding on with magic and Dominarians holding on with numbers.
By sun rise, At least 95% of each side's forces had been devastated.
Jace was tired, hungry and losing his will to stand. He'd gotten multiple wounds during the battle and they certainly weren't helping. He collapsed. As his eyes closed, he caught the faintest sight of a woman on a black horse headed in his direction.
Jace returned to consciousness, seemingly, as quickly as he had lost it.
His pain was gone. The downside is that he was in a prison cell. Antimagic for that matter.
"So you're finally awake." A voice echoed from behind the shadows cast by the dim torch light.
Jace closed his eyes and reopened them under an enchantment of night vision. It was a Domiarian warden.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You're in the most secure prison in Dominaria. As the heir of the main chair in the Vryn Bureaucracy, we couldn't treat you like any normal P.O.W."
"Your consideration of secure is Antimagic bars?"
"No. This is just in case. The real security is outside in the form of deadly traps, force walls and other prisoners."
"So what, are you gonna kill me? Demand ransom?"
"Well, that was the original plan, but her majesty Princess Liliana demanded to see you."
"And that's why you're here. Make sure I don't break out in a fit of magic."
"Unfortunately, no. She wanted to visit you in a dignified manner. Put these on. You'll be joining you for dinner."
The warden tossed folded clothes onto the floor of the cell.
"Hang on, these are Vrynian."
"Her majesty takes heavy interest in other cultures."
Jace, escorted by a battalion of Dominarian soldiers, entered a grand dining hall. It was lit by candelabras and chandeliers.
A long wooden table sat in the center of the room. At one end, was a girl. A raven haired, porcelain skinned girl with alluring purple eyes and blood red lips. Jace assumed she was Liliana. She was pleasantly having a cup of tea, decked out in marauder's armor. Next to her, was a man who looked awfully similar to Liliana, but he was staring at Jace with eyes of death. He turned to Liliana.
"Sister, I'd very much advise against this."
"Oh, hush Josu. If he attacks, you can kill him. But for now, I want to meet him."
Jace took a seat at the other end of the table. He folded his hands and set his elbows on the table, eyes narrowing as he looked to either of them.
"It's rude to put your elbows on the table, you know," Liliana said.
"No, no," Jace responded, "This is just my 'how am I going to kill two imperial family members today' face."
The guards and Josu drew their weapons. Liliana chuckled.
"Put your weapons down. We're not here to kill people with bad manners."
The guards obeyed. Josu stilled seemed on edge.
"So, may I ask, to what do I owe this pleasant meeting?"
"Good question, Lord Beleren. I assume you know who we are."
"Indeed I do."
"Good. Well, we are here to negotiate a treaty. We want to make an alliance with the Bureaucracy. Besides, according to your laws of Arcana, we're allied colors of magic."
"How much do you know about Vryn Culture, your majesty?"
"More than you would think, my lord."
"Cool. So, what are the political reasons you want to make an alliance?"
"I'm sorry?"
"No one makes an alliance with another country just 'cause."
"Oh, yes. How stupid of me. My father's army is lacking in magic users, causing us to lose horribly to the Zendikari. So, dear old dad has decided to marry me off to the Bureaucracy's best and brightest."
"Thank you for the compliment, however, I believe you may come into some trouble there. My mother has decided to marry me off to the democracy. I'm to marry Elspeth Tirel in only a few weeks."
Liliana's smile faded, "Oh, my. I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps we could win your mother's favor?"
"Unlikely. She is too stubborn for her own good."
Josu stood up, "See? He is useless to us! Guards, kill him."
The guards behind Jace drew their weapons. Jace nonchalantly waved his hand. The soldiers froze in place, unable to move.
"What sorcery is this?"
Jace snapped his fingers. Josu fell asleep in his chair.
Liliana stayed silent. Then, began to laugh just a bit, "And I thought setting up a guard would make a difference. Oh well, nevertheless, impressive."
"I'm an archmage. It happens. Do you still wish to discuss negotiations, princess?"
"Even more so, actually. Since dinner clearly won't be arriving for a while, care for a stroll?"
"That'd be fine."
"Look at us. Heirs of two countries being all friendly with each other. I'd be beheaded if anyone heard about this in Vryn." Jace said as he and Liliana walked along a gravel road through a courtyard.
"Life as a Bureaucrat must be tough." Liliana said.
"Unbelievably. Children are tools, your own countrymen are out for you and emotion is almost nonexistent. I've always hated Noble clothing, too. I prefer middleclass apparel."
"I hear you're a telepath." Liliana said, "Just rumors here, but what's the truth."
"Yeah, I can read minds."
"Does it hurt?"
"Don't think so."
"Can you read mine?"
Jace stopped walking and closed his eyes. He searched through her mind.
"Let's see...you're hungry. You don't want to kill me. The rest of your mind is...strange. I can't read it but I can feel it? I don't know."
Jace felt a sensation. Almost like a texture. Or a flavor? He didn't know.
Suddenly, Jace hit a mental wall. What? It was like a three foot thick wall of steel and Jace was trying to break through it by throwing wood chips. Jace exited her mind.
"How was it?" She asked.
"Interesting to say the least."
"Good Interesting or bad interesting?"
"Just...interesting. I noticed that this isn't the capital of Dominaria. Is this where your family stays?"
"No, this place is mine. I get a personal castle and in exchange, I run the country's best prison."
"Seems fair."
"Speaking of fair, even though you'll be treated like a guest here, keep in mind that you're still a prisoner."
"Still a prisoner. Got it."
"And we're collecting that ransom."
"Fine with me." Jace remained stoic.
"Do care at all about you country?"
"Nope." He responded matter-of-factly.
BOOM!
The ground shook throughout the castle.
"What the hell?" Jace asked.
"The Zendikari! They're here for their prisoners. How fast can you get us to the wall."
Jace grabbed Liliana's arm and teleported them to the edge. The area surrounding was a snowy mountain top, with blistering winds. A magical barrier seemed to keep it warm on the inside.
An army of elementals and elven warriors stood in wait at the front.
"Attention, Liliana Vess! This is Nissa Revane! Heiress to Clan Vastwood! Prepare yourselves, for you have made an act of war by demanding nature's sacred resources in exchange for our people!"