Prologue
Date: ?-?-?
Location: Dominus Keep
As many tales of glory and conquer do, this tale begins with a Dark lord. An evil creature some would say, a beloved emperor to others. This Lord had been seemingly slain once, but returned stronger than ever. He then used his cunning and power to take over a realm from within it's own ranks until no one stood up to challenge him.
That is until now, for on the day of what should have been his ultimate triumph as he worked a ritual to truly ascend to God-hood. His opposers crafted a plan to steal his life essence away and send him back into death eternal! They knew that without his spirit in the material plane he could never return as the demon king they knew him as.
Unbeknownst to them, their ritual was faulty. Rather than transferring his essence into the realm of death, they would be simply transferring him into a dimension not their own. Sadly, even knowing this the rebels may have gone through with the ritual anyways. Tired of being beholden to a master, the rebels could easily condemn another people to save their own.
Thus the scene before us unfolds, a fierce battle of magic and steel rages outside the Lords dark keep. Thousands falling in single instances as magical traps set by the Emperors finest Praetor Mages. Those without magic raised shield walls, and clashed steel against steel, be it with sword or bow. While magic users known as Aeris' from both sides cast shield spells, conjured beasts and volleyed spells of fire or frost to great effect.
This was a battle to have heroes on both sides, but that is a tale for another day.
As deep inside the keep a hurried conversation carries out between Emperor and his trusted Protégé.
"Milord, you must hurry with the preparations! Our legions can't last without your strength and the closest legions won't reach us until nightfall.
"Hush now Savi, worry not. Soon I shall rise stronger than ever and those who have drawn my loyal kins blood shall suffer pain unknown" Lord Omnis says as he finishes chanting his spell and casts aside his staff. As he does so he cocks an eyebrow at one of his most trusted followers. "I'm afraid you know what must come next don't you?"
Savi's eyes darted about nervously in hopes of avoiding eye contact with her master's gaze, though she had no such luck. She swallowed hard.
"Yes Milord, we will protect you to our final breath."
"Good, It won't be long my dear child" Lord Omnis says as he turns from his apprentice and walks to the center of the hexagonal room build with bricks dark as night and emboldened by carpet red as blood.
Walking up a raised stage in the center of the room, the Lord strips of his cloak and gold trimmed pauldrons. Lean yet muscular the Lords body spoke of royalty in the fluid manner it moved, almost inhuman in the grace of his movements. In the center of the stage was an inground pool, shimmering with a purple hue that appeared at once gaseous and liquid.
Lowering himself in the poool the Lord slowly submerged himself entirely.
Upon seeing her Emperor submerged Savi immediately began uttering an incantation entwined with a complicated pattern with her drawn wand. Though the spell to be cast was not for the benefit of her Master.
Finishing the spell with a sharp upward twist of her want and a guttural word spoken in a language unknown the room was lit in a luminous glow as a circular portal formed in front of the young protégé.
Out of the portal spewed a group of blue cloaked Aeris. By the blue cloaks one could tell the Aeris were not of the Emperors Praetors. Red being the hallmark colour of his legions.
"By shynizith, You've done it Savi!
"Yes I have, but I can't see!" Savi yelled in a panic.
One of the cloaked Aeris stepped forward, a bearded and vicious looking fellow. One could tell this was a veteran of many battles by the many scars on his face. He gave a sly smile before taking two steps towards the startled apprentice. Without hesitation or care for who might notice he ripped savi's clothes away from her body, leaving her nude and on display while desperately she covered herself with her hands.
"Come, now Cevis, the girl aided us and we have no time for your brutality. We have a Tyrant to end" Another rebel uttered. "Leave the girl alone"
Grunting the man known as Cevis stepped back "You're lucky witchling, as far as I'm concerned you're just another of the 'Emperors' toys to be broken for fun"
Shocked at the coarse treatment Savi couldn't help but tremble. It wasn't often that men of power looked down upon her because of her gender or station. She was a woman of power to the citizens of the Empire after all. Her heart pounded against her ribs like thunder as tears welled up in her eyes.
With that, the rebels encircled the stage and began chanting in concert.
After many minutes passed the ritual seemed to be coming to a climax as the Aeris' chanted louder and louder, a swirling wind forming in the air.
"Wh-WHAT IS THIS" A voice bellowed "Treachery, scum, swine under my boot! What have you DONE Savi" the risen Emperor called out, far too late to stop the ritual that now encased him with a shimmering wind.
The still nude Savi choked out "I-I'm so sorry milord, they had Cheri"
" Oh Savi, my dear child...you should've come to me" a much gentler Omnis spoke out, unbeknownst to Savi sorrow was wrought over his face, his glowing gold eyes dimmed in grief "You would know I wouldn't have left your kin to the hands of the beasts"
"You know what I'll have to do to you now, you stupid foolish girl" the Lord spoke mournfully
In despair Savi could only look down as the gathered men finished their incantation
"I'm afraid you won't be able to serve justice upon me, my Emperor" Savi choked out through tears, sensing the climax of the magic in the air.
With a final shout the rebels finished their spell, watching as the shimmering wind coalesced upon the Lord seemingly rendering him into ashes in but a second
Silence seemed to echo for eternity despite the distant clashing still audible outside the keeps walls as the Emperors guard fought on, not realizing it was for naught.
"So it is done" the gruff voice of Cevis cut the silence.
"It would seem so" another taller man speckled with moles murmured.
"What of the girl?" A voice asked
"Leave her, she has lost her sight. she will be of no risk" the Mole covered man said.
With that the rebels made to depart, eager to aid their comrades still fighting outside. Hope in a new kingdom already looming in their hearts as they walked onwards.
"You'll find Cheri in the Burks, that is if the Nexles haven't taken her" Cevis called out without looking back
With that the rebels were gone.
And behind them a ruined child, much too young to have been introduced to the fate dealt to her.
This was the foundation upon which a new kingdom would rise. One of betrayal, anguish and ruined children.
As one world dismissed the rule of the Lord of All, another may welcome him.
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