Prologue

Soft footsteps echoed throughout the darkened stone hall. The torches mounted on the walls flicked at the passing, casting strange shadows over the multitudes of shelves that lined the walls. A great dragon; a soaring angel; a demonic king; a terrible magician; all were formed by the shadows cast. And the shadows danced, as if reliving the days long past.

A cloaked figure paused before an old, well-worn desk, the shadows they had left behind dissipating as the light settled. A large book lay upon the wooden top, a simple inkwell and a small stack of quills were resting in preparation of their use. With a simple gesture of their hand, the cover of the book rose as if being opened by invisible hands, exposing a simple, blank page.

They sat in the padded chair that was drawn up to the desk. The inkwell was opened and a quill was dipped into the dark liquid that was harvested on-mass by the inhabitants of this world.

The quill was held suspended over the blank page for a long moment, as if the author-to-be was unsure where to begin. Just as a drop of ink was about to fall, and mar the perfect white page, the hand gently holding the quill lowered and the quill touched paper.

A gust of breeze fluttered the torches scattered around the room, once again casting the strange shadows about the cloaked figure. Four female figures, seeming to dance and twirl, each similar, but different. The shadows shifted, and a single woman was formed, her hand resting on what appeared to be her quite pregnant belly. A motherly warmth seemed to seep from the shadow, despite it only being just that. The shadows shifted and warped, forming a great titan, appearing to gaze down at the writer, seeming to silently judge them.

With a single angry gesture, the breeze and shadows dissipated, becoming still and ordinary. The quill began to move slowly over the paper, leaving a multitude of black marks that began to form beautiful words that few would ever read.

'There is a prophecy, lost on the pages of time, but remembered by those who can live eternally. It spoke of four children of the gods, and how they would overthrow their corrupted father, and place the rightful king over them all.

'The prophecy also spoke of those who would assist these god-born children with their trials, and help them overcome.

'But, like all tales, this one must have a beginning.

'This one just so happens to start with the beautiful, luminous color known as butter…'