Author's Rant
Lady A: Howdy everybody. Yes, I know…another prologue, but trust me there is a reason. This story is the sister story of Omega Stigma and kind of necessary. So take a glance, leave a review, and share your thoughts.
Prologue: A Warrior's Soul
'My name is Nightwish and I am twenty four years old. I am a citizen of the world and wanderer of the continent of Menoris. Often times, I find myself traversing the lands of one of the Southern kingdoms, the prosperous country of Rolland. Their king, Sion Astal, is a kind and gentle man who seeks to build a kingdom where all are treated with respect and dignity. This ideal drives him to create a truly peaceful kingdom, one where my skills are no longer required.
My skills are that of a War Witch, so named for the strange power I possess. This power comes from within and cannot be classified into any particular form of magic. Though my power defines me, it is not the only skill in my arsenal. I also hold mastery over the blade and am skilled in close, mid, and ranged combat.
The sword I carry on my back is roughly three and half feet long and is similar in design as the sword wielded by Lady Ferris of the House of Eris, a family of the sword. My sword's name is Sora-Aki, commonly known as Skyfall. The blade itself is as black as obsidian. Ancient runes are engraved into the metal in a dark indigo hue. As of yet, no scholar or academic has been able to decipher the mysterious writing and seems to be a language not of this Earth.
I also am highly skilled in herb lore and considered to be a poisons master. Many have jested that I am an elite assassin who yields only to my sense of honor which has highly complex and intricate rules, but they are mistaken. I use my skills as a War Witch in the heat of battle, but it is my desire to put an end to all wars. War accomplishes nothing and I choose to utilize my expertise to aid and defend others from the brutality of such conflicts. If I must be viewed as a blood thirsty and soulless murderess to put an end to such senseless destruction then so be it.
I, myself, have seen the misery and strife caused by war. My parents were killed when I was but a child. Their crime was only to be in the crossfire of two opposing armies. I was left alone and unprotected, an orphan who witnessed terrible atrocities and the darkness that lurks in men's hearts. If it were not enough to having seen such things, my power began to emerge as I grew older and many people died at my hand because I could not control it. For this, I was labeled as a monster, a cursed child. Deemed as forbidden and unholy, I was hunted like an animal and it was a constant battle to simply remain alive.
In an odd twist of fate, my salvation came from a young man named Lucille, elder brother of Lady Ferris and a member of the house of Eris. It was he who bequeathed to me, my Sora-Aki and trained me in the art of the sword. He went to great lengths to help me attain mastery over my volatile power so that it may never again go beyond my control and wreak destruction on those unfortunate enough to be near.
It was during those years of training that many things became clear to me. The most present of these was the odd and sometimes uncomfortable feeling of displacement. It was compounded by a deep feeling of emptiness that made it seem that I was somehow out of step with the rest of the world. I did not truly belong in that world and others around me sensed this displacement of reality and vainly tried to distance themselves from my presence. I was constantly bombarded by the waves of terror and fear emanating from them. It broke my heart to know that I was the cause of their emotional distress.
After so many years of being under Lucille's tutelage, he deemed me fit of reentering the world's embrace. Battles waged all across Menoris, no corner was untouched by war; not Rolland, not Imperial Nelpha, not Estabol, not Gastark, not Bruna. All suffered from the ever intensifying flames of war and I decreed 'No more.' I applied my skills to every battle I happened upon and slowly the wars began to cease. A legend was born, the legend of Nightwish the War Witch, the end bringer of war, spread across the lands like wildfire and for a time, this blood soaked legend deterred the nations from raising up arms and reigniting the flames of conflict and destruction.
Alas, the fragile peace was shattered by Refal Edia, hero king of Gastark, when he began his campaign to end all wars by unifying all kingdoms under a single banner. At the same time, history was attempting to repeat itself in the Southern kingdom of Rolland. Through the actions of the Alpha Stigma bearer, Ryner Lute, the shared destiny of Ryner and Sion was averted. Through their friendship and trust, the spirits of the fallen hero and the lonely demon were put to rest and balance was restored to Rolland.
However, Gastark continued its campaign until, at last, I intervened. I met the Hero King of the North on the battle field and with my power and that of my Sora-Aki; I overpowered the terrible might of the Hero Relic known as Glowfield, a sword capable of destroying an entire army in a single strike. After his defeat, Refal agreed to accompany me to Rolland and with my assistance, Refal and Sion joined Rolland and Gastark under a single banner and came to a peaceful resolution. At Refal's request, Sion became High King of Menoris and rules the Southern half of the continent. At Sion's request, Refal agreed to become the second king of Menoris and rule over the Northern lands. Through much effort, peace was finally attained.
The two kings became close friends and together, they began to restore Menoris to its former glory and beauty and much to Ryner's pleasure, the kingdom of afternoon naps would be born. I was asked to remain and assume the position of royal advisor to his majesty, High King Sion, but my entire being was drenched in the unfathomable amount of blood I had shed, so I respectfully declined. Though saddened by my refusal, Sion insisted that if I ever required assistance that I should return to Rolland and on this matter, he would not be moved, so I agreed to his request.
Soon after, there were whispers and rumors an ancient evil rising and I knew that it was time for me to leave. With his majesty's blessing, I went forth and sought the origins of the whispers. After many months of travel, I discovered a small valley filled with the ruins of an ancient city. Legends dictate that this place was called the Court of the Dead and was once an active gateway to the Underworld, sometimes known as the Spirit World. According to ancient texts, the ruler of this city, a demigod named Shinigami, proclaimed himself a god and in his madness, he unleashed demons into this world. His actions are the sole reason for demons conquering the Living world and thus bringing about the time of Legendary Heroes and the powerful relics that time left behind.
It did not take me long to traverse the distance from the main gate to the central citadel. Upon entering the High Temple of Judgment, I was confronted by a small army of demons and ghouls. These creatures were dispatched easily with my Sora-Aki. Soon their master revealed himself, the demigod driven by insanity had risen from the depths of the Underworld. He and I battled for almost four days, but it was who claimed victory as I plunged blade into his heart, turning it to ash. But alas, my victory was short lived. With his dying breath, he used the last of his power to summon a magic circle beneath my feet. Before the light faded from his eyes, the spell activated and was blinded by a light so fierce that it seemed to pierce straight through my soul.
It was this light that would whisk me away to a world I never knew existed, to the place where I was meant to be. This light would take me to someone important, someone who will not only give me friendship and acceptance, but someone who would give me a home and a life anew. This light would give me someone to protect, someone to shield until such time that it is time for her own unique destiny to be fulfilled.'
Author's Rant
Lady A: Well, that certainly was informative. Now I completely understand if you didn't understand even half of that, but it will make sense as you continue on into the story. Be kind and leave a review. Seriously, reviews make the world go round.