Prologue

Thunder boomed through the night sky as the rain continued to fall from the Heavens. Another bolt of lightning split the sky, and in those brief moments a hooded figure could be seen sprinting through the vacant streets of Disneyland, with two security guards nipping at his heels. Relentless little pricks aren't they? He thought after ducking behind one of the large trees that was overlooking the Finding Nemo Submarine Adventure ride. The trespasser quickly climbed up the plant,gaining a better view and hiding place deep within it's branches. His pursuers had finally made it to the makeshift hiding spot only moments after he had climbed into the branches.

"Where did he go?" one of them asked between breaths.

"I haven't got a clue bro, but if we don't get that book back were done!" One of the guards said as he too began to catch his breath.

Desmond decided it was time he delt with these two and got them off his back if he wanted to make it out of the park with the book, but he wasn't entirely sure how he could do it yet. Meanwhile the guards lingered while trying to formulate a plan on how to catch the thief; their fatigue finally catching up with them as their words began to slowly go from calm and collective whispers to loud, headstrong tests of testosterone.

This is probably gonna be my only shot to loose em'. I'd better think of something fast! He thought.

Just then a light went off in his head as Desmond reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a single folded piece of parchment. His gaze met the writings on the now unfolded paper. The boy took a moment to look it over before returning it to his pocket and whispering "Well Nothing ventured, Nothing gained." With that Desmond closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. In this meditative state he focused on his inner most desires, pleading with the darkness of his mind to aid him in his time of need. The more he thought about what he wanted the more powerful he felt. Soon he found himself gazing at a ball of white goo? It seemed to be made of a liquid substance, White like milk but as thick as Blood, and imbued with a light so brilliant it might have been a star.

The hypnotic and vibrant lights of this odd sphere drew words from the boys throat as if telling him what to say:

"EGO dico super Vox of Ruina" he said out loud.

When Desmond opened his eyes he was met with a faint purple light emanating from his hands and the Violet Inferno surrounding them! However the time he spent in awe was but a moment, for in his meditative state Desmond saw that it had alerted his attackers.

"Hey! There he is!" one of them called

"Get down here you little punk!" the other one aid with a scowl in his features.

Terror shot through the young mans body as all of his muscle functions froze in place, leaving him to sit and await his fate. No no no NO! It can't end like this, this book holds the secret to the Gate! The two men began to climb upwards towards him; shouting idle threats that flew through his ears as he continued to think of the outcome to this scenario. His hope was almost gone when another voice echoed in his mind, this one a calm silky voice of a man with a tone of voice that seemed almost soothing.

"I have granted you my light, now my boy show me how deep the darkness runs through your veins!" it said never breaking it's calm tempo, letting his words seep into the boys mind before continuing.

"Tap into your true desires, and use them to augment your hatred and swat these impudent flies!" boomed the voice.

Desmond's eyes shot to his attackers, as his instincts willed him to do as he was commanded and to appease this strange entity. He lunged at the two security guards catching each of them by their skulls and slamming them on the ground below. Desmond felt a sinister smile drape across his face as the voice continued to echo in his mind "Excellent Desmond show these mortal worms no mercy!"

The guards began to pull and scream in both fear and agony as their assailant slowly tightened his grip on them, the foreign smile never leaving his features; with his companion urging him to take their lives "crush them!" It whispered "Wrangle the life essence from their carcases!" It took the boy almost no time to make his decision, as his morals tried to fight against this sudden craving to take the lives of innocents. But in the end the thirst took it's victory as another strange phrase found it's way to his lips

"Obruno!" Shouted the boy as the sounds of screaming were replaced by the cracking of bone under his palms, a sound that caused a swelling of pride and joy in the heart of the boy.

Desmond's sight came back to him abruptly and as the darkness cleared he saw the outcome of his actions. His hands had a dark red tint to them, this sight alone made him start questioning this power he so easily used on the guards. Why do you fret Desmond? "Do not Fear these gifts they are a blessing of power!" The voice bellowed. "Who are you!" cried Desmond

Only then did he notice the piles of ash on the ground where the guards once lay. Panic overtook him he began to run. all the while the voice still whispering in his ear. "Please Desmond don't run away from your destiny;believe you me I know you won't get far before you realize that you cannot obtain power like this here!"

"shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" He shouted again as the voices tempting banter slowly began leaking it's way into his skull, the more it spoke of power; the more Desmond found himself Craving that power now swimming in his thoughts. He slowed his rapid steps to a halt, his heart slowly calming as he took in the words plaguing his thoughts. "a-answer me this; who or what are you?" He asked again. The voices reply came in the same monotone as before. "How can you not remember that which has always been in your heart Desmond? I exist because you do, I feel what you do, your sins are mine as my sin is yours!" Lightning split the sky as rain continued to fall.

Now Desmond...open it; take it out and begin carving your name into the flesh of the world! Desmond obliged to the request and unzipped his jacket; retrieving the item it withheld, the very object that cost the guards their lives. He pulled out a Black Tome ,about the size of an old Dictionary, and held it out into the open air; awaiting the next command. "Good my boy good! The voice cooed now perform the spell again and claim your right as Champion to the Dark Prince!"

Desmond looked down at the leather binding ; taking notice to the steel emblem of what looked like a massive tower with huge bat-like wings closing in around it. " what's this marking?" For a moment he waited the reply, his focus never leaving the book. "Open it Desmond." it said "everything you want to know dwells within the pages of this book. The power to rule an entire country, the knowledge of ten thousand sages and soldiers alike!" bellowed the echo.

Desmond still could only stare at the book, this time keeping a firm grip on on his psyche; who knew what this strange presence had in store for him should he do as instructed and open the book. "whats keeping you Desmond? We are so close to our reward you can almost smell it!"

"forgive me if I don't exactly welcome some ravenous voice into my thoughts with open arms after it turned me into a murderer. And what exactly do you mean by "our" reward?" He said

"oh? And what makes you think I have to power to "turn" you into anything my boy? After all those actions weren't mine they were yours;Every decision made on this night has been yours Desmond! But I suppose regret comes naturally to you; after all you are only human." It said avoiding the last question.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Desmond somehow knew that deep in his heart that everything done here tonight was of his own free will.Human, just the thought of the word made Desmond feel insignificant. Maybe it was the strange voice whispering promises of power in his ear or the constant shame he'd kept to himself for over 4 years now; with every moment coming to gnaw at his sanity. "see my friend? You don't truly regret your actions tonight do you? The spark of hatred in your eyes is as bright as the sun! And what is fueling that spark Desmond? Neglect,remorse, jealousy,anguish; oh the list goes on!" It recited his feelings back unto him like he was reading a book on the subject. this fact alone seemed to comfort Desmond. It was almost like having his father next to him, helping him along the road of life; easing his aching feet whenever he felt he could no longer walk another step.

Desmond relaxed his shoulders and did as he was asked all the while the voice's hypnotic whisper kept him calm. "i know how much you want to forget what you've done my boy,very few people your age can handle such a gruesome task easily, and carry it on their conscience for as long as you have."

"if I do this, if I read from this book; the nightmares... will they end?" came Desmond's hollow reply.

"this is only the first step boy, but keep your resolve strong, and your goal in thought? And I'm sure you will receive the reprieve you are searching for." and with those final words his resistance ceased and Desmond took the black leather cover in hand; and opened the book. Soon after he began to read page after page after page, engraving the contents of the tome into his memory, barely noticing the golden light that seemed to be glowing brighter with each turn of a page.

Desmond continued to vigorously skim the book, ignorant to what it was exactly he was looking for. it was about half way through the massive book, that one particular chapter caught his attention. The page read "Chapter XVI:The Secrets Hidden at the Summit." He took a moment to delve into the chapters knowledge before closing the book and letting the golden aura dissipate into the night. "The Matterhorn?" he said "that's where he is, isn't he?"

"You catch on quickly my boy, impressive. Yes it is within the Majestic mountain where the dark prince sleeps, awaiting his champion's aid in obtaining his freedom and revenge."

" he's trapped in a huge plaster mountain in a theme park? Seems a little farfetched to me." replied Desmond in obvious confusion.

"no no Desmond not here! Such bonds could not hold his majesty! No he is held in a place far beyond this place. A place that birthed this very theme park!" echoed the apparition

"And where is that exactly? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Andilasia" hissed the voice "there is more to be said, but that is for another time I'm afraid. For now you must return home my boy and rest up for tomorrow."

"What happens tomorrow?" asked Desmond

"You begin your rise to power, and ascend beyond the common man, and soar into the very cosmos as a GOD!" bellowed the voice.

It wasn't long before Desmond found himself alone in the rain, with nothing but the faint echoes of the strange voice lingering on his thoughts. A GOD? He thought, feeling a strange tingle in his gut...Fear? No, Anxiety was the feeling; and it felt good. He pulled his black hood over his head and made his way towards the exits. As he made the final stretch down Main Street he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small folded piece of parchment, the same material as the tome that he held in his adjacent hand. He unfolded it with little trouble, and read the font written on the page.

"Andilasia" he said aloud while stopping in his tracks and giving the mountain one last glance before his departure. "a Place where destiny is not found, but earned, and where dreams are the reality. I can't hardly wait" he whispered before trotting off into the cold stormy night, a hollow shell of his former self.