Snippet #2477071

It is often said that time slows down for those in desperate situations. Warriors have claimed to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat during such a phenomena; others are not so lucky and some can only stare helpless ... powerless to do anything but watch tragedy unfold in excruciating detail. For the Dark Lord, the latter was all too true.

By the time Dalmar reached his mentor and father figure it was over. Without remorse the son had cut down the father. The old man lay lifeless upon the ground and all he could do was stare in disbelief. He knew the punishment given to traitors, but this, this was wrong. Xanthom was given no reprieve, no time to explain; he had served The Queen faithfully for many cycles, surely he deserved more than this; to be unceremoniously cut down in an isolated land, by his own flesh and blood? As he stared at the lifeless Xanthom, all emotion drained from his face. The sadness in his eyes slowly faded only to be replaced an quenchable rage. In silence he stood and walked over to the commander and tapped his shoulder.

An explosion of blood erupted from the Master Arcanist as the mailed fist of The Dark Lord smashed into his face; knocking him to the ground. Not giving his former superior a moment to wonder what had happened Dalmar fell upon the fallen knight and seized him by the top of his breastplate shaking him with increasing intensity; slamming his head upon the ground. "Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!"

Acting quickly, Ivagio responded by sending out an unseen force; the pressure so great it sent the silver haired knight flying back a good distance. Getting to his feet, he wiped the blood from his eyes and beheld an unpleasant sight. Dalmar had called his Shadow Knights. Alone, the Captain was no match for him. Even in a test of Arms, Ivagio was the better, but with his knights at his side, The Dark Lord would be a formidable foe. Why the Queen gave him those... abominations was beyond him. Dalmar was a great strategist, but a laughable Captain. On the battlefield, he was no better than a common soldier. Average warrior or not, those damn knights gave him an edge.

Wasting no time, Ivagio decided to level the playing field, by destroying one of the knights; he didn't care which one so long as it was no longer a threat. The first one that moved received a Fireball to the chest.

Dalmar stood facing the Commander, his knights before him. He'd done it now, Ivagio wasn't going to let an attack like that slide. What was he thinking; attacking him like that? He wasn't thinking, that was the problem; now a fight was inevitable. Knowing his chances were slim he decided to focus on defenses. With a single word he could weather the fight with little damage; they'd be even... Before he could speak the word one his knights exploded into dust. ...Unless of course Ivagio was mad enough to destroy the very Shadow Knight he was about to employ.

Ivagio, surprised by the ease at which the Shadow Knight was destroyed, saw the momentary confusion on the Captain's face; who appeared to be himself again. He was about to ready himself for a continued assault when he noticed a change in the environment; Dalmar seem to notice as well.

Like the professionals they were, their attention turned from their fight, to the arrival of the newcomers. The academy taught soldiers to always be aware of their surroundings, the slightest change could mean the difference between death and survival. Dalmar's eyes looked toward the direction of the passing strangers as the crowd began to disperse. With a nod to Ivagio he moved to greet the newcomers, knowing the commander would back him up should things get out of hand.

When he reached the newcomers he greeted them in usual, polite manner. "Greetings, welcome to Tonule. Odd that a city that receives little in the way of visitation would receive so many visitors; and today of all days. Might I ask what your..." A sharp pain racked his body, nearly doubling him over. His body starting to tremble, he fell to his knees. Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong.

While The Dark Lord was staring at the cobbled stoned ground that lay before him. The people of Tonule were staring up at sky that had become ominously dark. Churning clouds illuminated by flashes of light immediately followed by peals of thunder sent many of them fleeing for shelter. With each convulsion from the silver haired captain, the sky became more and more violent. A storm was coming.

>>><><<<

Artimican wasn't as forthcoming as Mirra would have liked, but he did give her enough information to know that Dalmar was not all he appeared. If the elder spoke the truth, not even the Queen knew everything about him. He was dangerous. Despite his charisma and charm there was always an underlying feeling of dis-ease, but she would have never guessed he had such a caustic nature. A chill ran down her spine as she sat back in the cushioned seat. At first she thought it was due to the information, but what was this feeling of dread?

Artimican leapt to his feet with a start; his eyes focused on the window. "By the gods!"

Mirra's eyes widened in shock when she beheld the sky. "Artimican, what is happening?"

The old man stood trembling as he stared out the window; his lips quivering, stumbling over the words, "It's too soon. It's too soon."

Mirra stood up, rushed over to the old man, grabbed his shoulders and spun him around. "Snap out of it! What is happening? What do you mean, it's too soon. Artimican?!"

The old man stared at her before stammering out, "The Queen.. You must inform her majesty immediately! He must be stopped before it is too late!"

Mirra wasted no time as rushed down the hall to the Queen's chamber. Her path was clear of any obstacles; the ominous looking sky holding their undivided attention. When she reached the queen's chambers, she burst through the door and found dark haired woman awake, alert and dressed for battle. Her armor was almost identical to Dalmar's, but where his was black and silver, hers was Ivory White and Gold. Unlike the Dark Lord, she wore a helm that bore silver wings. "You're Majesty!"

"I'm well aware of what is happening Mirra. Five days. It was supposed to have been five days from now. How could I have been so far off?"

"You're Majesty?"

"No I wasn't wrong. ...Somebody fucked up." The Queen hardly paid attention to Mirra as she spoke. The next words were completely alien to the crimson haired aide. "Esthra, Vagu, Mordra, Tonule." With words spoken an image of the Kingdom City appeared before them. Through the portal they could see Lord Ivagio, a woman in green standing close to him and The Dark Lord; no longer a moniker, but a terrifying reality. "While I'm gone, you are in charge." With her last words, The Queen stepped through the portal and the scene vanished.

>>><><<<

Father Lucius, stood outside in full regalia as he ushered in citizens seeking shelter. "Come children. Come inside, all are welcome. Come and pray for safety and guidance."
No longer a mere curator, the church no longer a museum; he hoped he could bring these people peace in these clear times of trouble, but the feeling in the air that permeated the entire kingdom was an overwhelming one. It weighed heavily upon him and those he saw entering the cathedral; a terrible feeling of loss, despair and hopelessness.

>><><<

Lynova stepped on the coble stone streets of Tonule, the wind whipping through her hair. It appeared to be coming from all directions, both cold and warm. The clouds boiled above as lighting streaked and forked across the sky. Looking around she saw people fleeing for shelter, others could only stare, to paralyzed to move. With sternness and determination she marched toward her no doubt puzzled, possibly terrified commander. "Lord Ivagio!" She called over the howling wind. "What in the Abyss happened here?!"

<><><><>

All things come to pass, what is written can not be undone. Darkness fell upon the Kingdom of Etriny. Through that darkness shined a light of hope. The Chosen were urged to act as visions took shape within.

To the Noble Veer who had heeded the call with steadfastness and expediency, an image of an Onyx Archway formed within his mind. His companions he could take with him, but here he must stand alone.

A Man in Volstack, a man outside the law beheld the visage of Falls of Molten Fire. Beyond he would find his destiny, but the purifying fires held many obstacles.

A young man lost within himself and the dying forest around him saw the visage of a magnificent stag. Fleet of foot with agility and grace. Perhaps it will lead him to a sacred place.

For the acting Queen, it was a home long forgotten. A place to reconnect with past and present, where destiny awaits within a Prison of Ice.

A scholar bearing witness to the signs of catastrophe, saw an ancient library beneath an observatory, but the halls of knowledge are not all they appear, perhaps looking within will make the way clear.

A man filled with anger in a crumbling city saw the image of a stone king. Through stealth the ancient king would grant him entrance, but to seek the light within he must travel through darkness, where madness awaits.