Disclamer: RuneScape and all locations associated with it that are included in this story (except one or two places) are the creations of Jagex. Only the characters are mine.

Chapter 1 Updated: 8 February 2007


RUNESCAPE: The Silver Chaos


Prologue

Asgarnia. Misthalin. Two powerful nations living in peace and harmony… until the arrival of the great and malignant Soul Reapers. They bent the minds of the leaders of Misthalin, destroying their free will. These Reapers were evil itself. They sold their souls to the demons of past without question… in return for unfathomable power. With this terrible power, they reached into minds, controlled them, and corrupted everything in their path. Telekinesis, creation of fire, and dark summoning were but a fraction of their strength. Their only objective: to destroy the world of RuneScape.

- Asgarnian Chronicles, 1st edition

3rd Asgarnian War 1188 A.G.


Chapter 1: Fall of the Silver Chaos


Thunder and lightning filled the sky as two young warriors conversed quietly.

"It's cold."

"Cold? Enterran, it's freezing… and this rain isn't making it any better," Kaeryd Sunrazor complained, hugging his cloak closer around himself.

Kaeryd Sunrazor and Enterran Raciris were both members of the Silver Chaos Guild. They were best friends, and had been since they first joined the guild. Enterran wielded a self-made, long rune spear with three razor sharp blades at the end. He wore mithiril chain mail and shoulder pads and was draped with a black cape, which sported a silver crest on it, the special symbol of the Silver Chaos. Short, jet-black hair that sat atop his head set off his oval, brown eyes. He was a little short and a tad skinny for the age of fifteen; nevertheless, Enterran held the status of elite soldier under the command of one of the greatest commanders in the Silver Chaos.

That commander went by the name of Eclipse. High Commander Eclipse. At least, that's what everyone called him. No one knew his real name.

Kaeryd held the title of General of the Silver Chaos… also miraculously at the age of fifteen. Not only that but he stood second in command of the guild. With light, sleek, orange-tinted hair, Kaeryd's aggressive color matched his skills as a swordsman and his adeptness in magic. Under the training of the Guild Master, Kaeryd rose through the ranks of the Silver Chaos with flying colors. Despite his combat discipline, Kaeryd was usually an amiable person; however, he did carry a quick temper.

At the moment, Kaeryd was clad in a black leather cloak with a hood that covered his eyes, protesting that the plate mail everyone wore slowed him down. On his waist he had tied two scimitar-like weapons. They were his favorite weaponry and the two blades had saved him from many troubles in the past. They were smooth, sharp, and made of the strongest metal available in the world. Dragon scales glittered on the hilts, worthy of its elven-craft origin.

Kaeryd was great friends with the leader of the Silver Chaos, Guild Master Etherian. Etherian sported ethereal hair and gray eyes. Not much of his past was known, but as leader of the Silver Chaos, everyone enjoyed having him around since his admirable skills were yet unmatched. Known and respected by all, he defended his home: Asgarnia.

The Silver Chaos Guild was adamantly loyal to Asgarnia, and the violent attacks from the once peaceful nation of Misthalin troubled them greatly. What had happened? Asgarnia had received many horrifying reports about the chaos of the possessions by malevolent spirits. These spirits were dubbed "Soul Reapers" for their possessive powers. Against such an enemy, the kingdom of Misthalin did not last long and it fell into disarray overnight. Very few escaped and, within days, the newly militarized kingdom marched on Asgarnia; however, the besieged kingdom could not reason why the Soul Reapers were doing so, nor did they know from where these demons had arisen. All they knew was that they needed to defend their home.

Along with the Faladoran Royal Army of the White Knights, the Silver Chaos now lay in hiding. Soldiers and generals, all hidden in the trees, biding for the right time to ambush the attackers.

A few days earlier they had received information from a scout that an army from Misthalin planned to attack a small village by the coast. This army was led by none other than the Elite Commander of the Soul Reapers, a mysterious man named Sifias. However, the Silver Chaos was prepared. Even during a thunderous storm late in the night, the Silver Chaos had stood steadfast and was not discouraged. Their morale had been dunked previously by the recent fall of the citadel in Barbarian Village, yet the Guild were the best of the best, and could pull off any strategy in any condition.

"It's not the time to complain, guys! And keep quiet! In case you've forgotten, we might screw this whole thing up if this waylay doesn't succeed," Hale shouted over a clap of thunder. Hale Blacksail, under the command of the High Commander, was also a friend of Enterran and Kaeryd's. Only a year younger than the other two, he had blazing red hair and freckles dotting his cheeks, which corresponded to his funny and carefree manner. He wore full adamantite plate armor (with an orange cape) except without a helm which he claimed was uncomfortable. He wielded a two-handed runite sword sheathed on his back. Kaeryd may have had a quick temper but Hale was faster to pick a fight.

"Shush!" a voice hissed from behind them. The authoritative voice belonged to Jasmine Owlfeather. Extremely strict and very bossy to almost everyone, she ranked just under Kaeryd (unfortunately for the men). Jasmine's long blonde hair fell around and past her blue eyes. She dressed in dark robes and held an enchanted staff. Jasmine had also received training by Etherian along with Kaeryd. They were Etherian's two favorites out of the Silver Chaos and he treated them like siblings.

"Quiet, I think I hear something," Enterran cautioned.

Everyone waited. Not making a sound. The army had come. Through the leaves and branches, Kaeryd could make out a lone figure in front of the massive army of Red-eyed soldiers and the Black Knights. The figure was definitely the notorious Sifias, the Elite Commander. He seemed to be waiting for something… or rather… someone.

A horn sounded. That was the signal. Kaeryd and Enterran exchanged glances.

"FOR ASGARNIA!" Etherian cried and lifted a radiating object high above his head. The Faladoran Army and the Silver Chaos charged.

"Time to kick some Misthalin butts!" Hale whooped and jumped into the fray.

"Let's get 'em!" Enterran charged in with the army as well.

"Well, this is it, Jas… let's destroy them," Kaeryd said, with no little malice in his voice.

"I agree," the girl replied, eyes focused like hawks.

They leaped into the middle of battle.

"I'm gonna burn them all!" Jasmine growled as she absorbed a small cluster of fire runes directly from the corresponding pouch into the palm of her hand. As Kaeryd covered her, absorbing a few runes himself, Jasmine started to murmur a few incantations.

At the last word, fire erupted in a circle around them and spread out in all directions burning everything in its path. Kaeryd used one of his defensive spells and formed a magical barrier around all the friendly soldiers, protecting them from the blaze.

"Nice one!" Enterran stood three meters away battling two enemy soldiers both clad in black plate mail.

"I'm gonna find Etherian!" Kaeryd shouted at Jasmine.

"All right!"

Kaeryd jumped onto a scraggy tree and scanned the battlefield for Etherian. He quickly spotted him engaged in battle with Sifias. The two commanders, one slim with gleaming locks, the other burly and bearded, seemed matched in swordsmanship. As Kaeryd watched, Sifias almost landed a blow on Etherian's silver mail with his giant battle-axe, but Etherian parried it and punched the commander with his free hand. His other hand was gripping the sword of legend, the Chaos Reaver. It was enchanted with magical abilities and, when held by him, could erupt in flames.

Kaeryd then turned his attention to the surrounding destruction: They were losing. The enemy faction was vast. All around him he could see black knights ripping through the Faladoran Royal Army. Why would Sifias bring such an immense army to attack such a small village? The answer struck him like a blacksmith's hammer. It was a trap. Somehow Misthalin knew of the ambush, but how? His thoughts were cut short as an arrow zoomed by his wet cheek, nearly scraping his face.

"Crap."

Kaeryd quickly located the archer and alighted from the tree. With amazing speed and agility he dodged another arrow and unsheathed his two swords. His form blurred as he jumped high into the ominous sky and threw his scimitar at the archer. The weapon pierced the archer's chest and he fell instantly. After retrieving his cherished weapon, Kaeryd joined a group of soldiers struggling to hold their ground.

"You there! Head to Unit Two. They need assistance!" Eclipse hollered to a group of his soldiers. From his tone, he knew they were losing as well. The Faladoran Royal Army was almost already completely wiped out and the Silver Chaos was slowly losing morale. They were now being pushed back. The Misthalin army was cornering what was left of the White Knights and the Silver Chaos at the nearby cliff.

"This is not looking good," Eclipse said gruffly to Hale who fought beside him.

"What gave you that idea?" Hale grunted as he slashed a black knight with his gargantuan sword sending the knight crumpling to the ground.

"Etherian! We need to retreat!" Jasmine shouted.

"To where? Damn it! We're trapped, " Etherian cursed, clearly frustrated. This was the first time any of the Silver Chaos had ever seen such emotion on Etherian's face. He was really worried and furious, and that fact worried the whole guild.

"NO! It won't end like this!" Hale screamed. With a cry, Hale swung his massive sword in an arc sending all nearby knights flying into the trees.

"Jasmine! Kaeryd! Teleport us out of here!" Enterran screamed as he withdrew.

"I don't have any more runes!" Kaeryd cried angrily.

"Same here!"

"Etherian?" Enterran called desperately.

"I don't have enough either! At least not for all of us…" Etherian muttered. Again, that tiny hint of bitterness and worry mixed into his voice.

By now, the White Knights had been completely obliterated. Suddenly the battle stopped, and Sifias came forward.

"Well done," he said in a voice that sounded more deafening then the thunder, "I commend you for lasting even this long… but it is over. The last of the army has been destroyed and you have no where to run."

All that was left of the Silver Chaos was Etherian, Kaeryd, Enterran, Jasmine, Hale, Tysan (Kaeryd's cousin), Auranus (Kaeryd's older brother), and Eclipse (along with a few of his soldiers). They were all completely exhausted, and most, if not all, were injured.

"You'll never get to the king!" Etherian growled through gritted teeth.

"I beg to differ," Sifias answered, then frowned, "There's just one thing I want to know before I kill you. How come we couldn't possess your army… or you for that matter?" Sifias did not look happy at having to ask.

"You really want to know?" Etherian inquired sardonically, "Well then I guess I'll tell you since our lives are about to end anyway… This orb," He took out the radiating object that he had shone across the battlefield, "This orb protects us from your dark powers. It protects our minds from being manipulated and possessed."

"Where did you find such an artifact…?" Sifias said with his eyes narrowed.

"Well that… is none of your business…" Etherian replied smugly. A stiff silence ensued until the Soul Reapers' Commander spoke.

"No matter… you are no threat to us even with your little objects…" the man announced triumphantly.

"I'll teleport you guys out of here…" Etherian whispered to Kaeryd through the corner of his mouth.

"What? What about you?" Kaeryd whispered back.

"I'll… I'll be fine," Etherian said slowly.

"No you won't!" Kaeryd hissed at him, a feeling of worry spiking inside his chest.

"A small price to pay for you guys to live on," Etherian said selflessly, not looking at the young warrior.

"Kill them now!" Sifias barked to the archers.

The archers nocked arrows onto their bows.

Etherian started to mutter a spell with his remaining runes.

"No…," Kaeryd pleaded. Their fellow soldiers looked poised to charge again in the face of imminent death.

"Don't argue," Etherian answered firmly.

The archers took aim.

Etherian then spread his arms wide.

"What the-?" Sifias started.

"PROTECT THE KING!" Etherian screamed to everyone and threw the orb to Kaeryd, who barely managed to catch it. Etherian then brought his hands slamming together and in a blink of an eye everyone vanished.

Except for Etherian.

"AAARGGH!" Sifias shouted and punched a feeble Etherian to the ground.

"WHERE DID YOU TAKE THEM?" an enraged Sifias demanded.

"I'll never tell you…" Etherian mumbled weakly.

"Then you will die…" Sifias raised a hand and uttered a spell.