AN-I do not own Magic: the Gathering in any way, shape, or form.

Chapter 1: Death to Karona…

Karona, False God stood upon a cliffside, watching the minions take apart yet another town. She found glee and enjoyment in watching the destruction. Or, at least, the Phage part of her did. Akroma, on the other hand, was furious. She had willed them apart since the day they joined. But now, it was impossible. She and Phage were now one, forever until death come upon them.

Kamahl had tried and failed to destroy them both, only to cause their fuse. Phage was, in a sense, his sister. Jeska still simmered deep within her soul, but she could not break control. She could thank Braids for that. But now they had become Karona, one who was evil in all thought and deed. And worst of all, it seemed no one, not even the mighty Kamahl, Ixidor, or even the mirari could defeat them.

Fire began to funnel into a cloud, causing Karona to smile even more.

"And just what are you smiling about?" growled a young voice. She turned around to find an oddly dressed young man, who, rather comically, reached no higher than her chest. She laughed openly at him. Could he really be fool enough to challenge me?

"Do you know who I am? I am Karona, a god that will bring war and destruction to all of Dominaria!"

The young man just growled all the more, trying to stand another inch taller. He wore armor that seemed to be outdated by hundreds of years. To any normal person, they might have said he was an authentic samari. He even bore two swords, each hilt rising above his head. They were strapped to his back. "I wouldn't laugh if I were you. I'm not the one whose about to be destroyed."

"Destroyed? You, little boy, have no idea who you're talking to. I am a god. You can't defeat me!"

"My swordsmanship and skill surpasses all, even the gods." He pulled his swords out slightly, to gain maximum sword speed. His stance revealed that he had been well trained. All in all, he might have been intimidating to Karona had he been about four feet taller.

"What is your name, foolish boy? I want to make sure Dominaria knows just how incompetent you really are." She examined him thoroughly, noting a particularly long scar in the shape of an "X" under his left cheek.

"My name is Trukero, samari avenger," he said confidently, showing know fear. Karona chuckled. This runt is a samari? He's a pushover!

"WILL YOU STOP LAUGHING? I'LL CUT YOUR HEAD OFF!" With incredible speed for one so small, Trukero took off towards the false god. Even she was surprised, but ready for the attack. What took her off guard was the speed at which he moved. He seemed like a blur, and he drew his swords with lightning speed. Karona only barely managed to miss the attack. She was slightly puzzled now. He stood up now, a serious look of disgust on his face. Not even Kamahl moved that fast…who is this Trukero?

"Tell me," Karona said, both Phage and Akroma honestly curious, "where do you come from?"

"I come from Kamigawa, and after hearing a god of destruction, I decided to come and see for myself. And I don't agree with pointless murder. One such as you deserve to die, god or not." Akroma sensed his vigilance and strength. Phage only sensed his threat to their survival. But where is this Kamigawa?

"Well, now, I don't know where this Kamigawa is, but I tell you, samari, you are no longer there. This is Dominaria, and here, I rule the planes."

"Ha! You are pathetic, thinking you are god to all? I tell you, you are nothing. Where I come from, there are many legends. I have come to prove that I am the best, that no one can defeat me." A small army of goblins began climbing over the hill behind Trukero without his notice. Karona smiled, knowing that even he could not handle the goblins under her control.

"You may be stronger than me, little man, but you never as influential." He paused, wondering what she meant by that. Seconds later, he turned around to find a horde of goblins behind him, the breath of death still upon them. He eyed them nervously, and for the first time that day, became nervous for his life. Usually it wasn't an issue, but then again, he usually wasn't faced against a small army either. "Ah, now the child is worried. What will you do, oh mighty Trukero?"

The samari faced Karona, eyeing the goblins behind him. He gripped his katanas tighter, weighing his odds for survival. He turned to Karona, anger in his eyes.

"How long have the goblins been there?"

Karona stopped. Is he a child, so insolent to believe that I would actually tell him something like that? What kind of question is it anyway? She looked at him intently, unable to read his emotion. That is, all she could see in him was anger.

"The goblins were meant to report to me after the pillage. It just so happened that you came to…confront the matter. But now, it is too late for you."

The goblin horde made its way to Trukero, with only one thing in mind. Kill.

Kamahl was appalled by what he saw. An entire town had been obliterated, smashed to bits. There was nothing left of it, save a few ashes here and there. There weren't even bodies. They all must have been burned to death. Poor souls…

The town was overshadowed by a cliff. Kamahl guessed that Karona must have watched the destruction from there. It would be the perfect place for a lookout. Anger and frustration welled up inside of him, but he simply shook his head, unable to do anything now. He was too late to save anyone.

The faint echo of ringing metal reached his ears, and Kamahl began listening intently to find the source. Perhaps they met resistance…I can still help them! He took off in a dead sprint, following the noise of the fighting. It took him around to the base of the cliff, and eventually up a gigantic hill. He could easily see the footprints below his feet. Goblins…I guess no one is safe from Karona…

When he reached the top, he stopped. There in plain sight was Karona, but that is not what surprised him. In the midst of the dead goblins stood one lone warrior, and even then, he seemed very unusual. He wore what appeared to be samari armor, wielding two swords. Also, he seemed to be short in stature. But was he the one who killed all the goblins?

As if on cue, the warrior turned, giving Kamahl a good, hard look. Karona shifted her gaze also, recognizing the druid. The warrior had a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek, having long red hair pulled back loosely in a ponytail. If it weren't for the blood sprayed over his armor and swords, he would have looked very boyish.

"So nice of you to join us, Kamahl. I was wondering when you would show up."

He gave her a quizzical look, not sure how to respond. There was obviously a great battle that had occurred, but why would she attack this…other person? He didn't appear to be harmful at first, but the more he looked, the more he became shocked. He was streaked with blood, and there was no doubt that he alone had defeated the entire horde of goblins.

Trukero inspected Kamahl, looking him up and down. He wore leather garments, and was well built. He stood only inches shorter than Karona, and actually looked much more intimidating, although his eyes revealed him to be somewhat placid. He turned back to Karona.

"If you'll excuse me, I've got a god to kill," he said, almost growling. His adrenaline didn't bother him; his experience had taken over. Kamahl was taken aback that one so young could fight with such demeanor. He doesn't seem phased at all!

"Who are you to challenge a god? Do you realize how much power he has?"

"I am aware of a murderous scum standing before me."

Kamahl was taken back even more. This person looked to be barely a young adult. How is it that someone so young could be so strong? Either way, it must be he who destroyed Karona. He was the one who caused the foul being to be created in the first place. He vowed to destroy the false god by any means, even if it meant destroying him. And if this fighter was even stronger than Karona, there might even be a possibility of yet another fusion. It was a chance that he didn't want to take.

"I don't know who you are," he said slowly, "but believe me when I say that you must let me kill off this god." The young man scoffed, Karona chuckled.

"Do you think you actually have a chance, Kamahl? Even this runt won't be able to destroy me."

Trukero growled. "What did you call me?" he said in a dangerous voice. If was possible, they would have seen the anger swirling around him. Karona bent over slightly to mock his shortness.

"I said, you won't be able to beat me, runt."

Now's my chance! Kamahl sprinted toward Karona as fast as he could possibly move with only one intent in mind: destroy. He was upon her in an instant, leaving her no time to react. He gave her nothing short of a beating, bringing blow after blow down upon her. His ferocity surprised Trukero. What was once an in-control druid had turned into an unforgiving beast. His attack was nothing short of pummeling.

Trukero stood slightly shocked, unable to take his eyes off the battle. But then again, it wasn't really that much of a fight. After several blows, Karona lay on the ground with Kamahl charging for his final attack. Forest mana swirled around him like an angry storm. He faced Karona, who remained unbelievably calm.

"Now is the end!" screamed Kamahl, bringing his fist in an explosion of mana. Trukero gasped. Karona had dodged the attack, leaving Kamahl very exposed. There was no time to interfere. The god struck Kamahl in the gut, a fatal blow that threw him to the ground

"You were a fool to believe you could defeat me," she said, staring down at him unemotionally. Trukero stood frozen in his spot, uncharacteristically. Kamahl lay dying on the ground, and there he was doing nothing to avenge his death. I must avenge the deaths, but why can't I move? Karona shifted her gaze towards the samari. It suddenly occurred to Trukero what he must do. He extended his arms, calling forth red and white mana.

He surged forward, no thoughts intruding his concentration. Karona stood shocked as he hit first, and then again for a counterstrike. There was no hesitation between the attacks. He had been brutal but swift.

Karona stood amazed for several seconds, before looking down to find blood gushing from her wounds. Akroma was saddened, and Phage was furious. But it was the end of Karona.

Trukero stood breathing heavily, exhausted from all the fighting he had done. He turned to Kamahl, dying, struggling to breathe. He coughed up blood, telling Trukero that there was internal injuries. Kamahl beckoned him to come closer. The samari knelt down next to him, feeling the mana drain from his body.

"Go…to...the…find…Seton...Ajerha…"

"What? What does that mean?"

Kamahl's struggle ended, his limp body fading into the battlefield.