"Awakening"
The Master was looking through the Jeuno library's collection of ancient scrolls when one of his followers interrupted him. "Master, sorry to interrupt your reading. Nomek is here to see you. He says it's urgent.
"Send him in." said the Master.
Nomek went inside the library and bowed to the Master. "Master, Prince Trion has been unseated."
The Master was surprised by the news. "How could he be unseated? Who did it?"
"The Sandorian resistance with the help of Bastokans freed the King. Prince Trion was defeated in a duel with Wolferine, who is the Prince's half brother." Nomek replied.
"Bastok aiding Sandoria? That is really something I didn't expect. And what become of our men?" asked the Master.
"Those who weren't killed retreated with me. A few were captured. We lost control of Sandoria." Nomek said.
"No matter, we still control Jeuno. It will be easy to take back Sandoria. Windurst is my main problem. With the Yagudo's refusing to help us, it will be a little bit difficult to take it by force. Unless..."
"Unless what Master?" Nomek asked.
"Nothing. Windurst actually sent an emissary to Jeuno yesterday. They want a peaceful settlement to the conflict. How naive of them."
"What's keeping you from attacking Windurst? With Icon at our side we can surely crush them." Nomek said.
"Windurst is a city filled with magic practitioners. I am apprehensive to attack them. Their combined powers might be just strong enough to repel the Icon's powers."
"We can send the Quadavs and Orcs towards Windurst. Surely that will be enough to turn the tide to our side." Nomek said.
"The Yagudos will not sit down and see their territory being invaded by other beastmen. We might turn the Yagudos against us. I need Icon to deal with the Yagudos. Which reminds me I haven't seen Umbra for days." the Master said. He ordered his men to look for Icon and Umbra.
Icon arrived a few minutes later followed by Umbra shortly. The Master looked at Umbra and asked. "You look pale. Are you sick or something?"
"It is nothing Master." Umbra said with obvious discomfort.
"If you are well enough then I need you to go to Windurst for me. They sent an emissary to Jeuno to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the conflict. Tell them I will agree to talk only if I met the Elder Council of Windurst in person." said the Master.
"Why should you meet them personally?" asked Umbra.
"I have my reasons." the Master replied. "Just deliver the message and see what they reply."
The Master then turned to Icon. "You are to travel to Castle Oztraja. Look for the Yagudo High Priest. Tell him to help us attack Windurst. If he still refuses, teach them a lesson they will never forget."
"As you wish." Icon replied.
"You may go now. Umbra stay, I have something else to discuss with you."
When Icon left, the Master approached Umbra. "Are you not feeling well? I haven't seen you for days. If you feel sick go to the infirmary and have them look at you." the Master said to Umbra.
"I already did Master." Umbra replied.
"And what did they say?" the Master asked.
"This may sound ridiculous to you but they said I am pregnant." Umbra said.
"Pregnant?" the Master's eyes widened. He then felt Umbra's pulse. "My dear Umbra. You are really pregnant. How could that be?"
"I tried to tell you before Master. I had this vision of my futre. This was one of the things I saw in the vision. At first I wouldn't believe but lots of things have already happened to me that made me believe those visions are true."
"Things like what?" the Master asked.
"I swear I remembered I tried to slash Icon one night when he entered my room. When I woke up everything seems fine. I remembered him kissing me also. I saw all those in my vision." Umbra said. "I tried to tell you before but you thought I was crazy."
"And who might the father of your child be? Did you see it in your vision?" the Master asked.
"I think Icon made love to me that day he kissed me. I can't remember it happening but in my vision I saw it happen. He must have cast some spell to make me forget."
The Master looked at Umbra for a quite awhile. Umbra could see the Master was starting to believe her. "You really did see me die in your vision?" the Master asked.
"Yes, the visions were short but there was one where I saw you dying. Something is really wrong with Icon. Have you seen how willingly he helps you? The old Icon would have hesitated."
"I will look into the matter when he comes back." the Master said. "Are you well enough to travel to Windurst?"
"Yes I am Master."
"Good. Go and deliver my message and come back. We will see what we can get out of Icon when he returns."
"I fear for your safety Master." Umbra replied.
"I am so close to my dream. I cannot fail now. I have the power to control Icon. Do not worry. If I have to destroy him to protect myself I will."
"Then I will leave for Windurst and return by your side before Icon returns." Umbra said as she bowed and left.
-O-
As Umbra was getting on the airship to Windurst, Icon arrived outside Castle Oztraja. He walked inside and the Yagudos saw him. The Yagudos sensed his great power and started to cower in fear. Icon asked one of the Yagudos to lead him to the Yagudo High Priest. The Yagudo lead him up the castle. As he passed by the other Yagudos inside, they would move out of the way they knew Icon had the Shadow Lord's power. They could feel it in him. Finally Icon arrived at an outdoor courtyard where he saw dozens of Yagudos waiting for him. There was a single Yagudo standing at the top of a small mound in the middle of the courtyard. Icon went up the mound and came face to face with the Yagudo High Priest.
The Yagudo High Priest said to him telepathically. "You have returned to walk the land of Vanadiel again o Dark Lord."
"You know who I am and what I want from you. Join me and the other beastmen to sack Windurst. After Windurst falls you can have all the land it controls."
"As I have told your emissary before, we Yagudo do not wish to enter this conflict. I will have to decline again. Please do not bother us anymore."
"You know the consequences of your refusal to join me?" Icon asked.
"We are ready to suffer the consequences." The Yagudo High Priest answered. With that reply, Icon's palms started to crackle with dark energy.
-O-
Umbra arrived at Windurst and was swiftly escorted to meet the Elder Council inside Heavenly Tower. Umbra had never seen the inside of the Heavenly Tower. It was so beautiful she thought. She soon was ushered to this large circular room, where she faced the Elder Council of Windurst, which is composed of seven Tarutarus and two Mithras. One of the Mithra, acted as the spokesperson of the Council. "So what is the message you bring to us?"
"My Master insists he meets the Elder Council in person, and then he will agree to talk."
"That is all he sent you to say?"
"Yes that is all."
"Let me confer with others for a minute. Please wait awhile." the Mithra said. All the elders then closed their eyes and seemed to be meditating. Umbra looked around the room she was in. Intricate carvings covered the entire room. This room must be special she thought. Suddenly one of the female Tarutaru Elders opened her eyes and stared at Umbra. Umbra looked at the Tarutaru and wonder why she was staring at her.
"You... you have the offspring of the Dark Lord. How can that be?' the female Tarutaru Elder pointed at Umbra. The other Elders opened their eyes and started to stare at Umbra also. How did the Elders know who is the father of the child in Umbra's womb was that even she isn't sure whohe is?
"I can feel the Dark Lord's energy in your offspring. You should be destroyed." said the female Tarutaru Elder again. She stood up and started to cast a magic spell at Umbra. A streak of lightning streamed forth towards Umbra. Umbra couldn't move fast enough. The lightning struck her but to her amazement something had blocked the magic spell from harming her.
"She has a magical barrier around her to protect her offspring." the female Tarutaru Elder said again. "Come my fellow Elders help me destroy her." The other Elders joined in to attack Umbra with their magic. Umbra retaliated with magic spells of her own. Her magic had no effect on the Elders; they simply resisted Umbra's spells. Umbra could feel the magic barrier protecting her was starting to wither from the intense magical attack from the Elders. She was trapped in this room, no way out. She was going to die she thought.
-O-
The foundations of Castle Oztraja was shaking in its core. Icon and the Yagudo mages were engaged in a magical battle. Many Yagudos inside had died or was injured by the falling debris caused by the battle. The Yagudo mages tried their best to stop Icon from advancing but he was to powerful for them. Icon kept pounding them with magic spells forcing them to retreat into the inner part of the castle. More and more Yagudos tried to block Icon's path but one by one they fell to his magic onslaught. Icon was laughing as he walked after the Yagudos running away from him. In all the confusion he saw a Yagudo sitting down on the ground while others were busy running for cover.
"And what do you think you are doing sitting down there?" Icon asked the Yagudo.
"It seems you aren't Icon anymore, if you were you would certainly have recognized Me." the Yagudo answered back telepathically.
"I have no time for you." Icon answered back as he prepared to blast the Yagudo..
The Yagudo waved his hands and a white mist appeared in front of Icon. He then saw Umbra being attacked by Tarutarus and Mithras. She was calling for help. "She needs your help. I suggest you go to her right away." the Yagudo said.
Icon knew Umbra was being attacked by the Elder Council of Windurst. "I will deal with you Yagudos later." Icon then warped out and disappeared.
-O-
Umbra was now down in the floor trying to shield herself, any second now the magical barrage from the Elders would break through the invisible barrier protecting her. What a way to die she thought. After a life filled with violence, her death seemed to mirror it. She closed her eyes and waited for the darkness to consume her. Any second now.
She reopened her eyes when she felt the Heavenly Tower shake. The Elders had stopped attacking her. The tower was being attacked from outside. "Whoever is attacking the tower cannot breakthrough the magical barrier protecting it that easily." one of the Mithra Elder said. The entire Heavenly Tower kept on shaking and rumbling like an earthquake had passed through it. The Elders lost their balance and fell down from the intense shaking. "Who is attacking us?" yelled one of the Tarutaru Elders.
Suddenly the wall of the room exploded, strewing debris all over the place. As the smoke cleared they saw Icon standing on a hole where the wall used to be.
"You dare harm her?" Icon pointed to the Elders.
"She has the offspring of the Dark Lord. Your offspring." said one of the Elders, pointing back at Icon.
Icon moved towards Umbra and bent down to hold her. "Are you all right?" He asked.
Umbra nodded her head. Icon then stood up and turned his attention to the Elders. "You are Windurst's most powerful mages; the Elders. I would like to see how powerful your magic is compared to mine." His eyes began to radiate and a black beam shot out from his eyes. The beam hit one of the Mithra Elders, knocking her backwards. The other Elders then started to attack Icon. Magical spells flew back and forth between Icon and the Elders.
"I cannot believe he is still standing unmoved from such a powerful magical barrage he is receiving from us." said one of the Tarutaru Elders.
"He really is the Shadow Lord. No other being can withstand the combined might of the Elder Council." answered another.
"Concentrate my fellow Elders before all is lost." said a Mithra Elder as she saw Icon coming towards them.
With all their might, the Elders tried to blast Icon into submission. Icon staggered back once in awhile from the magical blasts but still kept moving forward towards the Elders. He was able to grab hold one of the Tarutaru and threw him across the room. The Tarutaru hit the wall and fell unconscious. Icon then let out a magical energy pulse knocking the rest of the Elders back.
He then stood in front a Mithra Elder. "Such power inside of you, you shall satisfy my hunger." Icon placed his hand on her head. The Mithra Elder started to scream in pain. The other Elders could see the Mithra's energy being sucked out of her. They tried to help her but Icon let loose another energy pulse knocking them down again. "Help me..." the Mithra shouted. She started to decay and died soon right after. Icon was savoring the energy he took from the Mithra. "Such energy, how exhilarating it is." Icon said.
All this time Umbra was looking at the battle. She was shaking in fear for she saw this scene in her vision also. Icon really is the Shadow Lord itself. The visions were true. She was too scared thinking about her vision that she was petrified, sitting on the floor. The other Mithra Elder ran towards her and pulled out a dagger and held it to her throat. She shouted to Icon. "I will kill the bearer of your offspring if you continue to attack us."
Icon turned and looked towards umbra. He smiled and said. "You will not do that. You Elders have too much honor that you will never do such a thing, threaten someone by taking another hostage. You are weak pathetic mortals." Icon raised his hand and sent magic bolt towards the Mithra Elder. True to form, the Mithra Elder didn't slash Umbra and was knocked back to the wall by the magic bolt. Icon then cast a spell of warp on Umbra sending her back to Jeuno. "Now that she is gone I will destroy you all."
The populace of Windurst who had gathered outside the Heavenly Tower saw something they would not forget in a million years. They saw the Heavenly Tower explode in front of their very own eyes.
-O-
The Master was sitting down reading when his followers burst into the room shouting. "Master help. It's Lady Umbra." The Master stood up and saw them carrying an unconscious Umbra. He quickly went to her side and asked his men. "What happened to her?"
"We found her beside the homepoint crystal unconscious."
"Carry her and lay her down over there. Go get me a doctor from the infirmary." ordered the Master. "Someone will pay for hurting her."
"That someone is you."
The Master turned and saw Icon standing at the doorway.
"You will pay for sending her to Windurst. She almost died from the Elders magical assault." Icon said.
For the first time in ages, the Master felt fear. Icon in front of him had transformed into a familiar figure of the Demonic Shadow Lord he encountered many years ago. The Shadow Lord has risen again.