Dark Lord Chronicles Vol. 1 Nightfall

Chapter 1:
The Beginning

In the void of the beginning the emptiness gave birth to a son, a being of pure darkness; his life would be forever changed during his stay in the timeless expanse of the void. Then something amazing happened; Light had pierced through the darkness of the void. From this light, another son was born, a son as pure and noble as the Light itself. After the Light entered the universe, time began to flow and space began to form into the universe. The original Light then split into two new forms, the first was Divine Light and the other was Fire. As Fire grew more powerful it too created a son, one of great knowledge and powerful raw emotions.

The three beings born of the cosmos began to traverse this new universe to find its limits and what dwelled in this place they found themselves in. Soon as they moved through the heavens they found each other.

The beings of Light and Darkness were the first meet across the astral plane. They were both surprised to find that life other than themselves existed in this universe. Using the vast knowledge that they were endowed with they found a way to communicate with each other.

“Who are you? What is this place?” the Light being asked, looking around aimlessly.

“I am a being created before the flow of time and space ever came into existence. This place where we now walk is where we were born,” the Dark being replied.

“So this is where we were born, then this is our home.” the Light being said examining the space once more.

“In a matter of speaking, yes this expanse is our home, but I sense a presence other than our own. Will you come with me and find this other presence?” the Dark being replied looking off into the distance.

“Very well, I will travel will you and together we might find others like us.” the Light being answered nodding.

So the beings of Light and Darkness became to travel together in search of this other presence. As they search the expanse, little did they know the other presence they were looking for was the being of Fire and he was wondering who these strangers were and what they were looking for.

As the being of Fire began to follow these strangers at a closer distance, the being of Darkness caught wind of their tag along and devised a way to catch him. As they began to rest for the night, Darkness was able to create the illusion of himself next to his new companion. Then as Fire snuck into their camp, Darkness appeared behind him and grabbed him. Fire began to struggle and as he did he began to burn.

“There is no use in struggling. I have the power to smother your flames. But if you do, don’t hold me responsible for what I might do to you,” the Dark being said holding the Fire being in a choke hold.

“What do you want? Why were following me?” the Fire being asked as he tried to break free.

Then the Light being awoke to find the Dark being was holding another being in a choke hold. “What are you doing? Don’t kill him he might be the only other being in our home.” the Light being yelled as he sprung to the scene.

“Fine, I won’t kill him as long as he calms down when I release him,” the Dark being said as he began to loosen his grip.

“Okay, I’ll calm down, just let go of me,” the Fire being said. Then the Dark being let go of the Fire being and they began to chat.

“I apologize for my friend’s aggressive approach to meeting new people but apparently he was born before time and space formed.” the Light being said as they stood in a circle.

“How can that be? I thought that all life that exists right now was created after time and space formed into this universe.” the Fire being replied as he looked at the Dark being.

“Well then I must the exception to the rule. I must be special maybe like a super being or an older brother,” the Dark being added.

“I like the sound of that. Maybe to make things easier on us we could refer to each as brothers. Since Darkness was created before time began he can be the eldest brother. I was born when time began and space filled our universe so I will be the middle child. What of you, Fire being, when were you born?” the Light being proposed.

“I was born after time and space was established in this universe so in turn I must be the youngest brother,” the Fire being answered.

“Okay, so this is acceptable for everyone,” the Light being said looking at his brothers.

“Yes,” agreed the other two beings.

After many weeks of talking and traversing the rest of the universe till they had covered every single inch of their space, their home, they notice something and finally stop to talk about it.

“Bros, have you noticed how empty this place is?” the Fire being asked as they sat down to rest.

“Yes, I have and I have been thinking about how to remedy this,” the Light being answered.

“What you do have in mind, little brother?” the Dark being asked leaning in to hear his brother’s reply.

“I think that we should combine our powers to create a solid representation of our home.” the Light being replied moving his hands in the shape of the sphere.

“What are you talking about?” the Fire being asked.

“I believe what he’s trying to say, is that we create a planet or plane of existence that has more substance to it than this vast emptiness of space.” the Dark being explained.

“Oh, I get it, a place where we can hangout instead of in this empty space,” the Fire being replied.

“Yes, but I think that we should add something else to this plane. Maybe create other people or some kind of other life,” the Dark being added.

“I concur; I think it would be fun to talk to someone else besides you gentlemen,” the Light being added.

“Yeah, I think we have run out of things to talk about over these many weeks. More people will only add opinions and add more interesting conversations,” the Dark being replied.

“I only see one problem with this new life. I don’t think we are nearly as strong as the forces that created us so this life may not be as powerful, or smart, or have our everlasting life. According to my vocabulary they would only be mortal and have limited intellects and life spans compared to us.” the Dark being added after a slight pause.

“You have a good point. If what you are saying is true, then it will be our mission to educate and help to advance these mortals as much as we have,” the Light being replied.

“Yeah, but I see another problem rising,” the Fire being added.

“What’s that, little brother?” the Dark being asked.

“If we try to teach them all at once, they might get confused. I say that we divide up the plane and each us will be in charge of a designated domain and the people inside that domain.” the Fire being explained.

“You make a good point, little brother. We do go at odds on certain topics that could send mixed messages and end up confusing them.” the Light being agreed. “So I think that this is a good idea. What say you, big brother?” the Light being asked the Dark being.

“I agree, this way each of us can each be satisfied about how these mortal are raised,” the Dark being answered.

The three beings then decided they would create a planet of beings similar to themselves and a thousand years after its creation, they would go to this mortal plane and rule the planet. The three beings came up with the names that the mortal would call them and which part of their world they would each have dominion over. Each being would have exactly one third of the planet, which meant that during the thousand years of development, each would be in charge of molding their territory as they pleased.

After dividing their planet among themselves, they continued their talks, when suddenly the Dark being yelled, “Wait! There is one thing we are overlooking, we as omnipotent beings could not possibly co-exist with the humans and animals in this form. We would only be hurting them like this. I say we make mortal forms for ourselves to contain our divine powers, so as not to hurt the mortal beings.”

The Light being then replied, “I agree with you to an extent. Mortal forms are a fine idea, but I say we allow these mortal forms eternal life to allow us to live with them forever.”

The other beings replied, “Agreed.”

Then the Fire being added, “These human shells and eternal life are okay, but I say that we be allowed to enact our divine powers for a short time, say twenty minutes, which is about the most a mortal could take before suffering major internal injuries from using such powers.”

The others reply, “We agree.”

The Dark being concluded, “We are all agreed, after the thousand years of waiting, we will arrive on the planet’s surface as mortals with eternal life and the ability to enact our divine powers for twenty minutes at a time.”

The three then shook on it: from then on, this would be known as the Pact of Mortality. Meanwhile, the three beings began to shape their new world, Evon Prime; they made the waters, the land, the mountains, the animals, and the humans.

Each of the three beings had a different way to lead their people, the Light being was a hands-off leader that intervened in the life of his people only in their darkest hour when all hope is lost and they were near extinction. The Dark being nurtured his people, helping them by providing them with the tools they would need to survive and prosper. The Fire being gave his people a nudge in the right direction by invoking his knowledge onto his people through dreams and visions. We will skip ahead one thousand years and start where the three beings arrived on the mortal plane of Evon Prime.

Chapter 3:The Dark Realm

The next being on our tour of Evon Prime is the being of Darkness, Nighroth the Shadow Seer, Dark Lord of the Abyss. Nighroth’s power comes from four unique weapons forged in the very abyss, in which he was spawned. Nighroth stands at seven feet and with each weapon he uses, his appearance rarely changes. Nighroth had skin as pale as a full moon, slightly long hair and a goatee as black as a starless night, and his eye were black and hollow like his soul except his irises were as red as flesh blood. Nighroth’s standard attire was a white shirt and red tie with a black suit jacket and matching slacks. He normally wears his weapons concealed on him at all times. Under his clothes, his body was covered in permanent blood-stained tattoos in the shape of ancient glyphs and runes.

Nighroth’s realm spanned the entire southern hemisphere; this was due to Samael, the Scion of Darkness. When the Shadow Seer first established his realm, he blanketed it in darkness, morphing the populace into dark monsters and beasts. Slowly, over several centuries they started to revert to their human forms, but were now much more powerful. Eventually, the humans began forming cults around the Shadow Seer, as the supreme god of their people. After about two or three more centuries the separate cults combined into one major cult, and a leader was chosen from the most devout of all of the cult’s followers. For the rest of the time before Nighroth’s arrival on the mortal plane, the role of cult leader passed over seven more times. The eighth leader ruled over the cult until the beginning of the third war in the White Kingdom.

When the eighth leader, Judarus, was reaching the end of his reign, he received a vision from the Shadow Seer. Judarus was meditating to commune with the spirits of the ancestors to help decide who would be become the next leader of the cult. As he was communing with the previous cult leaders, a silence came over their conversation. The previous cult leaders then turned their backs to Judarus and fell to their knees in worship.

“What is it ancient ones? What do you see that would force you to your knees?” Judarus asked looking on at the spirits strange behavior.

Just then Judarus’ questions were answered. Nighroth appeared from the fog that covered his spirit world visions. At the Dark Lord’s presence, Judarus dropped to his knees.

“Forgive me for my rudeness, had I known I would have dropped to my knees as the spirits did, mighty Shadow Seer. I will accept any punishment for my inexcusable behavior. I am not worthy to even look upon your mighty visage, Dark Lord.” Judarus begged as he forced his head into the ground.

“Please, Judarus, rise. You committed no offence. I expect no reverence from you at this time. To tell you the truth I have come here to seek your aid. For I have set into motion an event that promises to change the world and I want you and your followers to be there to witness it.” Nighroth said as he motioned Judarus to rise.

“Yes, Almighty one. I would do anything to appease you. What would you ask of me?” Judarus said standing up and bowing to Nighroth.

“Judarus, I would like for you to lead your followers to the plateau at the southern tip of the Dark Realm. It is there, that I will deliver a glorious gift unto my children.” Nighroth said as he showed Judarus a vision of the plateau.

“Yes, Shadow Seer, I will do this without delay.” Judarus said as he began to break his meditation.

“Wait, Judarus. I must tell you that once my gift arrives, you will be rewarded for your loyal service to me and your people.” Nighroth replied smiling at the fading leader.

“How will I know what this gift is?” Judarus asked fading from the spirit world.

“The gift will descend from the heavens.” Nighroth said as Judarus awoke from his meditation. Judarus immediately ordered that everyone must follow him to the southern plateau.

As millions of cultists flocked to the plateau, wondering why they were there, Judarus began to envision his reward. He could be given eternal life, a place by Nighroth’s side, or maybe even the honor of being Nighroth’s human host.

As the last of cult arrived on the plateau, Judarus began to preach to his followers, “Greetings, my brothers and sisters. Many of you are probably wondering why we are here. We are here because of a vision I received from our god, Nighroth. In my vision he commanded me to gather all of us to this plateau and wait for a glorious gift from our Lord and Master, Nighroth the Shadow Seer.”

When Judarus was finished they waited for three hours. As they stared up into the Heavens, their gift appeared. A pitch-black orb descended from the sky and landed right in front of Judarus.

As they stood in awe of the orb, a calm voice began to fill the air, “Hello, loyal followers of the Shadow Seer. It is nice to see so many of you here to meet me. I really must thank your truly devoted old man of a leader for bringing you all here.” the voice echoed as the cultists grew quiet.

Everyone began to wonder where the voice was coming from. Judarus was the one to discover that the voice was coming from the heavenly orb. Judarus walked over to the orb and reached out to touch the heavenly object.

“Old man, your wisdom truly matches your age. You have followed the will of Nighroth by bringing all these followers to this plateau. For your devotion you shall be rewarded.” The voice said as Judarus’s hand rested on the surface of the orb. As the voice spoke, a hand reached out from the orb, grabbed Judarus by the throat, and lifted him up into the air.

The blackness of the orb dissipated and a man of great stature was revealed to the cult. His skin was pale almost pure white in color. Unlike his skin his eyes were hollow but his irises were yellow like a wolf’s eyes. He also had short light gray hair and was dressed in a long black robe that stretched down to his feet.

“Who are you?” Judarus asked gasping for air as he held on to the large man’s arm trying to relief the stress on his throat so he wouldn’t suffocate.

The man replied, “I am the first son of Nighroth. I am Samael, the Scion of Darkness.” With that, Samael engulfed Judarus in a cloud of darkness; all could hear his screams.

“Don’t worry, if you accept the will of the Abyss, you will inherit its power, if not, you will rot and die,” Samael exclaimed smiling at his victim as the life ebbed from his body.

Judarus screamed, “I accept the will of the Abyss!”

Throughout his cries, Judarus’s voice became deeper and grew stronger. Then the cloud dissipated and the elder was gone, replaced by a younger, more powerful man. Samael then said to Judarus, “You are no longer the weak human that you were; you have become a host of the Abyss. Everyone meet my serf, Lord Thaneus.”

The entire crowd was amazed at the power possessed by the Scion. Samael, pleased with his work, spoke again turning to the crowd. “From this moment forth the cult of my father is disbanded and all of you shall become my new army.”

Everyone gasped in shock at Samael’s words, as they did; a black mist rose from the ground and began to suffocate the cultists. Slowly, the millions of dark cultists turned into a mass of monstrous soldiers and beasts that would, from then on, be known as the Legion.

Samael then turned to Thaneus and told him the legions of darkness were his to command. Thaneus then received two commands from the Scion of Nighroth. First, begin construction of a citadel on the plateau that they were standing on. Second, begin construction of hundreds of boats to cross the sea that separated their continent from the mainland of the other territories.

Combined the construction projects took about forty years to complete. After Thaneus’s orders were complete, Samael wanted his troops trained for combat and ready for war. For the next decade, the Legion’s soldiers trained extensively, both physically and mentally with strenuous training drills and memorization of complex battle maneuvers. When the Legion’s training was complete, the Legion began to mobilize the many boats they had constructed, to the shore of the mainland, which was virtually defenseless and unprepared due to the reconstruction from the war in the White Kingdom. This full scale invasion caught both the Metal Lands and the White Kingdom completely off guard, which allowed the Legion to easily take over the entire southern hemisphere. Samael gave his Legion two simple orders; raze every fort and village they could find and bring back any humans that showed promise in strength and potential. The invasion lasted only four years before the Legion halted their advance, leaving the southern coast of the mainland in complete and utter dismay with the land plagued by darkness.

Thaneus and several spies returned to Samael to report on their progress. “My Lord, our armies have easily secured the entire southern coast of the mainland and your dark pylons have blanketed the land in the darkness. Our forces have been called back from their advance for reasons that risk the lives of our men,” Thaneus reported as he knelt in front of Samael’s throne.

Samael then asked Thaneus, leaning back and raising an eyebrow, “Thaneus, what possible reason did you have to recall our forces from their advance?”

“My spies report that Gabriel has done something unexpected, he…um…has mobilized nine champions of great strength that threaten the lives of our troops, oh powerful Scion of the Shadow Seer.” Thaneus answered as a cold sweat formed on his brow at the scion’s icy gaze.

“Champions, this is why you recalled our forces? Bring me my test subjects and our armies’ most gifted soldiers. I will show this fool, Gabriel, what true champions really are.” Samael replied arose chuckling and grinning.

That moment, marked the beginning of an era known as the Champions’ War. Samael began to collect candidates for the task of becoming champions of the Abyss. The Legion brought hundreds of villagers back to the Citadel to convert them into soldiers and make the stronger ones into champions. The final nine chosen were each granted great power by the Scion and the Shadow Seer.

The first was Chaos, a dark berserker; he was once a barbarian by the name of Grengan, captured by the Legion in the initial invasion. When he was brought to the Citadel, he was taken to the dungeon to be tortured for killing dozens of the Legion’s soldiers. When Samael was looking for candidates he remembered the barbarian who had slain a platoon of his finest soldiers, the scion walked down to the dungeon and found the man he was looking for.

“Hello, barbarian, I want to make you an offer.” Samael said as he looked down at Grengan.

“What do you want, demon?” Grengan asked as he lifted his head up.

“How you like to be out of that cell?” Samael asked as he spun the key to Grengan’s cell around his finger.

“If I was out of this cell, I would kill you with my bare hands.” Grengan replied as he tried to reach the scion but his chains held him back.

“I could let you out, on one condition.” Samael replied as a grin formed across his face.

“What is the condition?” Grengan asked given pause by the scion’s words.

“That when I let you out you will become my devote champion and servant.” Samael said his grin growing wider as he began chuckling.

“I would rather rot in this dungeon than serve the Darkness. My brothers of the Light will save me from your wickedness and end your foolish campaign.” Grengan replied as he began to struggle again.

“No one is coming to save you, your only salvation is to join me and cover the world in darkness.” Samael said as his grin faded.

“Let me out of this cell and my salvation will come from your death, demon.” Grengan replied as his bonds began to bow and creak at his strain.

“Well, I would like to see you try.” Samael said as he opened the cell. Grengan snapped his chains and he charged out of the cell trying to punch the scion. Samael caught his fist and began to crush it and Grengan fell to his knees.

“You will serve me whether you want to or not.” Samael said as he began to pump darkness into Grengan’s arm and his entire left side began to rot and fester away until his muscle tissue became visible. “Stand my loyal champion, Chaos.” Chaos was given a dark and ancient magic, the power of the sanguine flame .

The second champion chosen was Darjai the Fire Demon, once he was a human named Hyruk. Hyruk was a technician; technicians use machines to harness magic that others beside guitar warriors could not. Hyruk’s machines harnessed the power of fire and he used them to protect his village in the Metal Lands. When the Legion setup their dark pylons, it caused his machines to malfunction and covered his body in flames, giving him an unnatural mastery over fire. When the flames took over his body, he went insane; his mind was broken by the pain of his burning flesh. The Legion dragged his burning corpse to the Citadel and Samael was intrigued by the results of what happens when magic is directly exposed to a dark pylon. Samael used his magic to stop Hyruk’s pain. When Hyruk realized that his pain was gone he stopped screaming.

“Thank you, kind sir, Burn! If there is anything that I can do to repay you I would gladly do it, Burn,” Hyruk thanked Samael as he got up off the floor.

“Well there is one thing you can do to repay my kindness. Serve me for the rest of your live and use your powers to help cover this world in darkness.” Samael replied smiling.

“Very well, my life is yours to command until you see fit to release me from servitude.” Hyruk replied bowing.

“Burn, but I do have one question for you, Burn! What is my name, Burn?” Hyruk asked tilting his head since the pain of his burns blurred his memory.

“Your name is Darjai the Fire Demon and you may call me Lord Samael.” Samael answered looking over the burnt man standing before him.

“Very well Lord Samael, Burn!” Darjai replied as he bowed and left the throne room.

Necrin, a dark mystic, had recently mastered his art and used it in a battle. In the battle, he slaughtered dozens of Light and Metal soldiers by himself, skillfully hacking his victims to pieces with his shadow magic. Necrin had a problem with his magic, the truth was that he had a lust for power and would do anything to gain more power. After killing the soldiers he learned that if he would slay children that are pure he could drink their blood and his magic could greatly increase in power.

The next village that Necrin went to he followed the soldiers until he came upon a group of little children and decided that they would be perfect for him to increase his power. Necrin gathered his magics and murdered the children then used his magic to gather their blood into a bowl that he drank from. After drinking the blood, he could feel their purity fill his veins and his magics began to change. Necrin created a little black javelin and hurled it at a shed. When the javelin hit the shed exploded in black billowing cloud of smoke.

Samael admired this mystic for his bloodlust and his hunger for more power and decided that he could use his greed to control and manipulate this mystic’s loyalty with promises of power. Samael summoned Necrin to his throne room.

As Necrin walking into the throne room he saw Samael standing on his balcony. Samael still standing there asked, “Necrin, do you like power?”

Necrin shook slightly with anticipation and answered, “Why yes, oh mighty scion.”

Samael turned from his balcony and walked to Necrin and said, “Well, if you join me and become one of my champions, I promise you that you will be given unfathomable power.”

Necrin bowed and replied, “Yes, I will serve you without question.” Samael grinned and ordered Necrin away securing yet another champion for his cause.

Maelfist was a brilliant tactician of the Legion. He was promoted to general for his outstanding strategic battle plans for capturing forts, without losing a single soldier. Maelfist would do anything to avoid losing a fine soldier since he liked to form personal attachments to all of the men under his command. Before Maelfist became a member of the Legion he was a lowly cultist with no discerning quality of greatness. His only positive traits were his consistent regiment to worshipping Nighroth and his ability to wield a halberd with great skill.

After Maelfist became a general of the Legion, Samael summoned Maelfist to his personal study. Maelfist entered the study and immediately knelt before the powerful scion.

“Greetings Maelfist, so good of you to accept my invitation,” Samael said as he sat behind his desk.

“Why have you summoned me, almighty scion?” Maelfist asked knelt before Samael.

“You were recently promoted to the rank of general. Is that correct?” Samael asked as he looked over Maelfist’s military records.

“Yes, I was.” Maelfist answered his head held low.

“Good, I’ve been reviewing your records and they are impressive. Top of your class when it comes to tactics and combat scenarios, a flawless combat record, not a single man has ever died under your command. I have to commend you. The reason that I have summoned you is that I wish for you to become one of my champions of darkness.” Samael replied as he put the records down and interlaced his fingers.

“It would be an honor to serve so closely to the scion. Though I must ask what my duties are as one of your champion.” Maelfist said as he stood up and bowed.

“As one of my champions you will be asked to go on missions that others wouldn’t be capable of accomplishing. But aside from that you will be in charge of the Citadel’s defenses as your standard duties when you’re not on important missions for me or my father.” Samael replied as he stood up and placed his hand on Maelfist’s shoulder.

“Very well, I accept your offer.” Maelfist agreed nodding to Samael.

“Before you become one of my champions, I wish to give you a gift.” Samael said as he summoned two servants to bring forth a suit of armor.

“This armor was forged by my father and it yours and yours alone to wear and to use as you see fit. The armor not only protect you from harm it also allows you to manipulate the darkness from the surrounding area.” Samael explained as Maelfist looked over the dark glistening armor.

“I will wear it proudly and I will serve the darkness as best I can.” Maelfist said after he put the suit on and then left the room when Samael motioned him away.

Narsoga was one of the most unique of all the champions. For you see he was not chosen, he was created by magic. Samael was working in his study reviewing champion candidates when he was noticed a scroll inside one of the soldier’s family dossiers. He opened the scroll and inside there was a story about how this soldier’s ancestors fought a horrible ice beast that plagued their tribe for generations. The story goes that the village shaman rallied this fellow tribesman and they hunted down this beast. After a long battle against his icy winds and large feral claws they persevered over the beast. When the battle was won, the shaman used crude and ancient magic to extract the beast’s soul from his body and placed inside a magically sealed container.

Samael was intrigued by the story and decided hunt down this container in the hopes of releasing this soul and using it to create another champion for his Legion. After tirelessly searching through the archives he found a lead on where he can begin to search for the soul of this ice beast. He found the current generation of the tribe that was mentioned in the scroll. Samael was accompanied by several legion soldiers when he entered the village, they looked around and Samael found the elder’s home. The scion entered the elder’s home; he was greeted with open arms for the tribe was a firm believer of Samael’s identity as the son of Nighroth.

“Hello, I am Samael. I have come to speak with you about the beast mentioned in your tribe’s fables.” Samael said as he showed the elder the scroll he found.

“Ah, so you’re curious about the legend of the beast Narsoga. But I must correct you on one point, the story is not a fable, it actually happened. Centuries ago, the ice beast that you read about in the scroll tormented our tribe. We named the beast Narsoga or the deadly frost, the beast could summon blizzards with his mighty roar, the air chilled at his presence, and he could freeze anything solid by merely touching it.” The elder replied as his gaze grew cold.

“Wait, if this creature was as powerful as you say it was then how did a small group of mortals defeat this deadly frost.” Samael interrupted raising an eyebrow and reviewing the scroll.

“Fortunately, Nighroth saw our plight and decided to aid us. He appeared to the tribe’s chief shaman and gave him the container he needed to seal away the beast’s soul so that the beast’s icy spirit would not seek vengeance against the shaman for killing it. For you see the legends say that those who couldn’t grow back into man, Nighroth refused them entrance into paradise. For only man would be given the gift of paradise. Nighroth felt bad for the forgotten ones’ that he had cursed to beastly forms, he gave them a gift to make up for the paradise that they were denied. He gave the ability to interact with the mortal plane after their souls left this world. So if we didn’t seal Narsoga’s soul away, his haunting blizzards would have cursed our people maybe even to this day.” The elder explained as he and Samael shared drinks and a light lunch.

“Do you have the soul container or know where I can find it?” Samael asked as he slowly placed his cup on the table.

“Sadly I do not own the container. The shaman passed down the container to next chief shaman and that shaman did as well and so on and so forth. So if you wish to find the container you’ll need to speak with our chief shaman.” The elder answered frowning and then pointing to the direction of the shaman’s hut.

“Thank you for your assistance. I will seek out this shaman.” Samael said as he left the elder’s home.

Samael looked around the village and found the chief shaman’s hut. When Samael entered the hut he was met by a thin man wrapped in a strange white animal pelt. The shaman was blind yet he knew that the scion was the one who entered his dwelling.

“Hello, great scion, I believe you have come searching for this.” The shaman greeted as he pulled out a clear glass box wrapped in magical seals. Inside the box was a small round orb of white and blue light.

“Is that …” Samael asked before he was interrupted.

“…the container for Narsoga’s soul? Yes it is. I knew that you would come for this. For you see I saw this in a vision one day when I was meditating.” The shaman said as he moved around the scion like a man possessed.

“Will you give me the container?” Samael said looking at the strange blind man and his glowing box.

“Yes, but under one condition. You will infuse the soul of Narsoga in me.” The shaman said as he pulled the box away from Samael and hid it behind his back.

“Why should I? I could just kill you and take the box.” Samael said as he pulled out his scythe.

“If you do that then you will never get the box open. I am the only one that knows how to release Narsoga. I just want my people to be spared from the beast’s wrath and if he takes my body he won’t.” The shaman replied as his eyes moistened.

“Very well, I accept your deal. Open the box, your soul will be devoured by Narsoga and your body will be possessed by the beast.” Samael said taking his stance while the shaman placed the box on the ground.

The shaman used his ritual staff and broke open the seals of Narsoga’s prison. Orb began to glow violently and from the orb an image of Narsoga appeared. The beast had a humanlike face, an upper body like that of a bear, and the lower body of a wolf. The beast turned and looked at the shaman, the beast roared in anger for the shaman was wearing Narsoga’s pelt. Along with the container, the chief shamans passed down a pelt made from the hide of Narsoga.

Samael stabbed Narsoga’s soul with his scythe and threw the orb into the shaman’s body. The shaman fell to the ground convulsing in pain as the Narsoga’s soul began to take over his body and devour his soul. Once Narsoga finished devouring the blind shaman’s soul, the shaman’s body became to change. His skin turned snow white and the pelt fused to it, his hair turned white and his eyes were healed from his blindness and changed from grey to blue.

Samael stood before the savage human and said, “Greetings Narsoga, I am Samael and you are going to me one of my champions.”

The beast looked at Samael and sniffed finally replying, “Greetings Samael, why do you smell like the Dark Lord?”

“I am his son. I am the scion of Darkness and your new master.” Samael said as he retracted his scythe.

“If you are his son then I will serve you.” Narsoga said bowing before Samael. Narsoga was then taken in as a champion and he would be from then on known as Narsoga, winter’s herald.

Nightshade was Samael’s personal dark priestess. Her weapons were a shield and sword infused with the powers of the abyss. She was a devote servant of Nighroth and the destiny that Evon Prime would be covered in darkness. She was one of the original cultists who led congregations of her fellow followers in their religions.

When Samael came to her she, like Thaneus, was in her later years but Samael had heard stories that Nightshade made dark deals with one of the demon lords of the Abyss to give her great and terrible powers. Knowing this he wanted that kind of power at his command. Samael found the temple where Nightshade resided and found her room. Nightshade was meditating when the scion entered the room.

The moment Samael entered the room the meditating Nightshade said, “Hello, scion it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“That is impressive that you still have such power even for one as old as you. Surely your powers along with your beauty have faded over the years. I wish to make you a very beneficial deal. If you accept, then you will definitely not regret it.” Samael said with a fake smile and kind eyes.

“Yes, my powers have faded and when I was younger people said that my beauty could have tempted the gods to the mortal plane just to be with me. But as you can see, I don’t have a lot of time left so be quick and tell me your offer.” Nightshade replied as she awoke from her meditation.

“Very well, I want you to become one of my champions and in exchange for your undying loyalty I will grant you eternal life and beauty. You will have the body of your former self and all the experience of your current self.” Samael said as he looked at the haggard priestess before him.

“I accept your terms.” Nightshade accepted looking down folding her arms and nodding her head.

Samael concentrated his powers and blasted Nightshade with a burst of dark energy and turned her into a dark beauty. Nightshade didn’t lie when she described her beauty to Samael. She was one of the most sought after women in the Dark Realm when she was younger. Many men tried to take the heart of the priestess all of which failed and some tried to take her body but they were stricken down by the divine fury of both Nighroth and the priestess. After accepting Samael’s deal, Nightshade thanked him. They left the temple and returned to the Citadel.

Next was Balnia, a quick and stealthy assassin from an ancient order of assassins founded by one of the original cults. Balni was a quiet girl with short black hair, pale skin, and light blue eyes. One day, Balni was hired to assassinate Samael because some thought that he was a pretender and not really the son of Nighroth.

Samael was speaking to his father when Balni made her move to kill the scion. Balni drew her claws and snuck into his chambers. She charged at him and thrust her arm at Samael’s back. At the last second Samael anticipated her attack and grabbed the assassin’s arm. Samael then threw Balni at a wall but Balni recovered and bounced off of the wall leaping at Samael. Samael had drawn his scythe and her claws clashed with his scythe. As Balni clashed with Samael their eyes met and time seemed to slow down but it quickly returned to normal as Samael overpowered Balni. Samael threw Balni to the ground and grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up off the ground.

“You’re one of those assassins that I have heard of. Many people say that you assassins never quit until you or your target is dead.” Samael said as he looked into her intense eyes. Balni pulled a dart out of her sleeve and tried to stab Samael in the neck but Samael grabbed her wrist. He squeezed her wrist until she dropped the dart.

Samael saw the anger in his assailants eyes and smiled saying, “Well, aren’t we full of surprises.”

“Go ahead and kill me. I know all about what happens to those that dare to challenge you.” Balni uttered as Samael squeezed her throat. Samael loosened his gripped and released Balni.

Balni rubbed her neck and looked up at Samael. Still recovering she asked, “Why?”

Samael looked down at her and giving her a little smile he answered, “I don’t punish those that challenge me. I punish those that defy me. I respect those that can challenge me and you are one such individual.”

“What are you going to do with me then?” Balni asked on her hands and knees still recovering from her suffocation.

“Well first I want to know who contracted you to kill me. If you give me his or her name, I will spare you. If you fail to give me a name, I will make you watch as I destroy your entire village right before your eyes.” Samael answered as he knelt down and grabbed Balni’s chin.

“Fine, I will give you a name. It was a man named Excuros.” Balni said looking down and away from Samael’s gaze.

“Thank you. Your life is spared. You may leave now.” Samael said as he stood back up and turned away from Balni. Balni sat there and didn’t move. She just looked at Samael with great distain.

“Well, I say you were free to go. Why don’t you get out of here before Maelfist’s guards show up?” Samael asked as he turned back and looked at his assailant.

“I would if I could but I cannot do that.” Balni replied as she huffed and forced a smile.

“Why can’t you?” Samael asked with slight fascination.

“I am bound by my creed to serve you because you spared my life, master.” Balni said with a fire behind her breath.

“Okay, then you will serve as one of my champions from now on. My servants will prepare a chamber for you and I will call on you when you are needed.” Samael said smiling at the angered assassin.

“Thank you, Master.” Balni said as she stood up. She bowed and then left the room and followed a servant to her new chambers.

The next day Samael made an example out of the man who conspired to kill him. Samael summoned his Legion to the Citadel to deliver a message unto them. The Legion arrived and Samael began his speech. “My loyal soldiers of darkness, it has been brought to my attention that some of you find my leadership questionable and that one of you had hired an assassin to kill me. Luckily, the assassin has been captured and has revealed the name of her employer. Guards bring Excuros to me at once.”

The guards captured the soldier and brought him up to the balcony where Samael was and released him to the Scion. The traitor lay at Samael’s feet until the scion picked him up and ripped a hole in the fabric of space and time. Samael then held him in the rift for a few seconds and pulled him back out. The soldier was barely alive with limbs missing and his torso barely held together.

Samael held up the dying soldier and said “This is what happens to those who betray me or the will of Nighroth. They are thrown into the abyss where they are tortured for all eternity by the monsters and demons that dwell there.” Samael took Excuros and threw him back into the abyss and closed the rift.

Thaneus, the demon lord in charge of the Legion, was already made into a champion because of his position as head general and was given an unholy claymore made from Voidonium , to symbolize his rank as a champion. Samael told Thaneus that his sword would not only signify his rank as a champion but would also give him dark and terrible powers. The claymore would give him powers that only the gods could comprehend.

The final champion was special by his own right. His human name was William, he and his family lived near the current border between the Dark and Light territories, his father was the knight commander, Vorin. William was a ten year old but unlike other children he learned to fight like his father at an early age since his dream was to become a strong knight like his father. He had brown hair and blue eyes like his father. One day as William was taking a stroll along the border, he came across an elderly man trying to crawl over to the Light side of the border. That is when a patrol of dark soldiers spotted him and commenced to drag him back to their side of the border. William, wanting to be a hero like his father grabbed the old man and brought him into the White Kingdom. The dark soldiers dared not follow them or they would burn in the sun.

The old man turned to William and said weakly, “You are William, son of Vorin. I thank you for saving me. I was trying to reach Gabriel to report on the condition of the captured lands, the Legion took from us in their invasion.”

William replied, “You do not need to thank me, sir, it was my duty as a future knight of the realm to help you in your time of need.”

“So, young one, you want to be like your father?” The old man queried.

“Well, it would be an honor to follow in my father’s footsteps when I come of age.”

“I have something that may interest you then,” the man pulled out a gleaming silver sword from the pack he was carrying. “They say the sword has magical qualities that give the wielder immense strength and power.”

“You’re saying if the sword chooses me, I will be as strong as my father.”

“No, you will become stronger than your father. All you have to do is grip the sword’s edge. If you do not bleed, you are its chosen wielder.”

“Let’s get started then.”

With those words, William reached out and gripped the edge and to his surprise, his hand did not bleed. Excited with the fact of being the chosen wielder, William shook the hand of the old man. Then in a sudden flash the old man revealed himself to be, Nighroth. In a divine tone, the Dark Lord began to speak. “You have done well, William, you have been chosen; chosen to be my final champion of the Abyss.”

As he spoke, the gleaming sword grew black and tainted and then consumed William in a red mist. William fell to his knees, at the feet of Nighroth. As the mist consumed him he began to age and grew into an adult. William’s skin grew pale, his eyes turned red, and his hair turned black. The Seer then spoke again as he stood over William. “You are no longer William, he is gone forever, from this day on you shall rise as Azerius, Knight of the Abyss. Now rise up my knight and join my cause to consume Evon Prime in darkness.”

“My lord what about the boy’s parents, won’t they notice that their son is missing?” Azerius asked as he stood next to his new master.

“You are right. Allow me to correct this error.” Nighroth answered. Then he used his powers to burn Vorin’s house to the ground. Vorin’s wife was buying goods at a nearby village when it was burned but he made it appear as if Legion soldiers did it and William was caught in the blaze.

“Thank you, master. Now they won’t know that their son has joined the darkness.” Azerius thanked.

After their encounter, they returned to the Citadel of Shadows, where the nine champions of the Abyss gathered in Samael’s throne room. The Scion appeared instantly on the throne and he gave them their mission. “My champions, your mission is simple. Slay Gabriel and his so-called champions of the Light, so that we can engulf the White Kingdom in eternal night and further the dream to turn Evon Prime into the dark paradise that Nighroth had envisioned for our people. Now go forth and conquer.”

Later that day, a messenger arrived at the Grand Bastion looking for Vorin. Vorin was in the throne room paying a visit to his old friend Gabriel when the messenger ran into the room.

“What is the meaning of this?” Gabriel asked when the messenger burst through the door.

“Many apologies, my lord but I bear a message of grave importance for Sir Vorin,” the messenger replied.

“Well, out with man. What is message?” Vorin demanded.

“Your estate was destroyed in a fire that had been caused by dark soldiers.”

“What about my family? Where are they? Are they alright? Tell me!” Vorin said as he grabbed the messenger and shook him.

“Your wife is fine; she was at the village market buying groceries during the attack.”

“Oh thank Dravinos for the safety of my beloved. Wait, what about William? What about my son?”

“Unfortunately, I am afraid to say that your son was in the house during the attack and was found dead in the rubble.”

“Oh no, William, it cannot be. Gabriel I must be with my wife right now. We will continue our discussion later.”

“Wait, Vorin allow me to come with you.” Gabriel replied.

“No, I could not ask you to leave your throne when you have an entire kingdom to rule and maintain. My wife and I will mourn the death of our son, alone.”

“I doubt that this kingdom will fall apart if I leave the throne for just a day. Plus you didn’t ask me to leave the throne; I want come with you in your mourning, old friend.” Gabriel replied as he stood up from his throne.

Then Gabriel and Vorin took two horses and rode to the village where Vorin’s wife was waiting. As they entered the village they were met with a mix of cheers and condolences for Vorin and his loss. Gabriel and Vorin dismounted their steeds and entered the town hall to meet with Vorin’s wife, Alana, and help to ease her heavy heart.

“Vorin, my darling, William is really gone, I miss him so much if only he came with me to the village he might still be here. It is my fault.” Alana said as ran and hugged Vorin.

“It is not your fault, Alana; you knew William didn’t enjoy going to the market. There was no way you could have known that the Legion would attack our home.” Vorin replied as he held his wife. “Alana, Gabriel has come to help us in our time of grieving and loss.”

“Gabriel, thank you for coming it is honor for you to come to our tiny village. I just wish that it were under… more pleasant circum… stances. Why has the Blade King decided to take our son from us? He was only a boy, our only son.” Alana said with crying eyes.

“Calm down, Alana, I am sure that Dravinos had a higher propose for William. The High Master works in mysterious ways and it is not our place to question his will. I am here to help you and your husband as much as I can through this ordeal.” Gabriel comforted her.

Then the rest of the champions arrived at the village to join in Vorin and Alana’s grief and to help console them in the loss of their son. After a few hours of preparations, the village, the champions, and the Grand King came together at the church for William’s funeral. Bishop was given the honor of giving the funeral rites.

“We have gathered here today to mourn the loss of William, son of Vorin, he was so full of life. He was taken away before his time by a dark twist of fate. This is why we fight the Dark Realm because of instances like the one that took William’s life, but now Gabriel has decided to give the eulogy.” Bishop said as he stood at the altar.

“I thank you all for coming on behalf of Sir Vorin and his wife Alana. I am here to speak about William. He was a son, a friend, and he had a spark of adventure. He had a noble dream to become a knight just like his father. He knew that kindness, honor, and mercy were the characteristics of a true knight. William possessed these qualities and more. Vorin if you would permit me, I would like to knight him so we can have a proper knight’s funeral.” Gabriel spoke as he stood at the altar. He looked at Vorin, he and Alana nodded with tear soaked eyes.

“Very well, I shall knight William.” Gabriel said and he turned to William’s coffin. “With this sword, I dub thee Sir William, by this sword you have sworn to protect this land and its people from any threat, be they mortal men, the angels above, or demons of the abyss. You have sworn to protect till the day that the Blade King takes you into his divine embrace, into the paradise of the heavens above. Now rest, Sir William,” Gabriel said as he placed a sword into William’s hands.

They entire church clapped and cried at the sight of William’s knighting. Bishop took his place at the altar and said the last rites and announced the pallbearers. “The pallbearers are Vorin, Brasic, Ganthor, Gabriel, Vanhorn, and Legori,” Bishop announced. “Please join us as we commit William’s body to the earth and reunite his soul with the Blade King.” The entire church followed the procession into the graveyard for the burying of Sir William’s body.

The people gathered around Sir William’s grave and Bishop blessed the grave to help the little knight’s body join his soul in heaven. The pallbearers lowered the coffin into the grave and Vorin and Alana threw in a hand full of dirt to signal the gravediggers to bury their son. Then the gravediggers took their shovels and filled William’s grave.

After everyone left the funeral, the only people that remained were Vorin, Gabriel, and Alana. They stood there to say their final goodbyes to William. “Thank you again, Gabriel, William would have wanted you to knight him.” Alana thanked.

“Yes, but it would have meant more to him if he was still alive. I promise from this day forward that I will make this Samael and his Legion pay for what he has done to my family.” Vorin added.

“Please calm yourself, don’t do anything rash. Your anger will not help you; it will only lead you down a path of self destruction. The Shadow Seer could use your anger as a way to manipulate you.” Gabriel replied.

“You are right, I am just angry because I could not do anything to stop this from happening.”

“Together we will stop Samael and make him answer for his crimes against humanity.”

Chapter 4:
The Metal Lands

The final being on our tour of Evon Prime is the being of Fire, the Metal Master, Ryvok, Guitar Lord of Fire. Ryvok’s power was said to come from a mystic guitar forged from the Fire and is rumored to have the ability to change its shape and powers. It is also said that when Ryvok uses his weapons the only thing that changes is the color and writing on his shirt. He normally wears a red tee-shirt with the word Fire in white letters, torn denim jeans, and his carries his mystic guitar on his back. Ryvok had light tan skin like sand, hair as red as fire, and blue eyes that burned like fire.

Ryvok’s land spanned the entire eastern half of the northern hemisphere of Evon Prime, opposite of the White Kingdom. The people and society are more of an equivalent to a country post industrial revolution. This growth in technology was caused by the Metal Master using his divine knowledge to spark inspiration to his people, which allowed them to build guns, discover steam energy, construct factories, and most important of all, the invention of music. In the Metal Lands, music is the key to activating magic for guitar warriors; Guitar warriors are people that use magic riffs and rhythms to cast spells and deal out damage. Ryvok was a Guitar Lord, a master of the art of using a guitar as a weapon.

On the day of the beings' arrival on Evon Prime, a man was tending to the grounds of the Metal Temple, a castle built in honor of the Metal Master. Suddenly, in a flash of light, a man appeared sitting on the throne, meant for the Guitar Lord. The man was shocked to see someone appear from thin air but mostly he was upset at the mysterious stranger.

“Hey man, what do you think you are doing? That throne is meant for the Metal Master.” The attendant yelled at the man on the throne.

The mysterious man only seemed to shrug at the attendant as though he did not care. Furious, the attendant begins to scream and yell at the stranger to get off the throne. Yet, the stranger only seemed to ignore him more, as he yelled. Then, the attendant left and came back with guards. “Arrest this man, he is sitting on the Guitar Lord’s throne, which is against the law of the land,” the attendant ordered as he pointed at the stranger sitting on the Metal Master’s throne.

As the guards came closer, the man stood up and silently said, “I guess it is time for my first private concert.”

With that, the man pulled out his guitar and played a chord that froze the guards in their tracks and left the attendant speechless. “I see that you are impressed. I’m flattered and if you wanted to know, the throne belongs to me.” As he said that his body began to glow and he revealed himself to be, Ryvok. The populace began to swarm to the temple as everyone received the news that the Ryvok has arrived.

As millions came upon the temple they gazed up at the balcony, where Ryvok could be seen by all, the Guitar Lord then raised his hand as to motion the crowd to be silent. When the crowd was quiet, Ryvok began to speak. “Hey all of my people out there, it’s me Ryvok the Metal Master. I have come before you to tell you about the beginning of time. In the beginning when we, the three beings, came together to build Evon Prime, we agreed in a thousand years, we would arrive on the mortal plane to rule you all and now that day has come. But I promise you as your new ruler we are going to have fun and my first act as your Lord, I am hosting a concert for all you music lovers out there.”

Ryvok reached for his guitar and played a concert for his people, which blew them away at the sheer awesomeness of his riffs and rhythms. This was the dawn of the age of the Metal Master. This new age of free running and peace lasted about fifty years until the day the Legion attacked its neighboring territories. When the invasions happened, the most unexpected occurred, nine heroes rose up to combat the darkness and saved their people from the Legion. Those nine heroes were each extraordinary fighters in the arts of their practice.

Takada is a ninja from the island province off the coast of the mainland to the east. The island province was famous for a village that trained its members in the ancient art of Ninjutsu. Every member of this mysterious village was equipped with several different types of fighting style such as martial arts, ninja specialty weapons such as kasari-gama, shurieken, and kunai, and ancient ninja magic called jutsus. Takada was one of the village’s top shinobi and was a ninja squad commander. Then there was Tyruki, a female ninja, who grew up in the same village as Takada. Tyruki was a top kunoichi or female ninja, she was in the squad under Takada’s command, and she was his confidant and childhood friend. They spent most of their childhood training side by side; Takada had skill and natural abilities that allowed him to get ahead in the ranks above Tyruki but not by much. The two of them were very competitive growing up but age has not slowed down the drive to try to outdo one another.

One day the two ninjas were training in the woods outside the village when Tyruki had an idea. “Takada, I have idea. How about we race to the shore and whoever loses has to buy the winner whatever they want at the noodle shop.” Tyruki said as their blades clashed.

“That sounds like fun, you’re on. Just don’t cry when you lose and have to pony up for the noodles.” Takada accepted.

“You’re the one who going to cry when you get beat by a girl. I’m the fastest kunoichi on the island. No one can beat me in a race.” Tyruki bragged.

“We’ll see about that. Prepare to lose, Tyruki.” Takada said as he prepared for their race.

Takada and Tyruki each stood on a tree branch and Tyruki counted down from three and signaled them to start the race. Then they were off, the two ninjas were blurs of shadows as they raced to the shoreline. Takada had a slight lead over Tyruki but she wasn’t far behind him. The race was beginning to heat up as Tyruki began throwing shurieken at Takada’s feet to throw him off balance so she could gain the lead. But Takada was still keeping pace even though he became a moving target. As their goal came into view the two shinobi pull out everything they had to win those noodles.

Tyruki was the first to arrive at the shore and she began to gloat about her victory. “Ha, I told you that I was the fastest ninja on the island.

Takada only paused and he stood at the edge of the forest and had a distraught look upon his face as he stared out into the ocean.

“You don’t have to look so sad just because you lost to me. I’ll tell you what why don’t we split the bill for the noodles.” Tyruki said as she wondered why Takada was so distraught.

“That not why I’m worried about, look out there I think something coming to the island.” Takada explained as he pointed out to a small fleet of ships that was followed by an ominous black cloud.

“I think we should take cover and figure out what is on those ships.” Tyruki suggested.

“Good plan, let’s hide in those trees.”

Tyruki and Takada then jumped up into the trees and waited for the ships to land on the shore. The ships landed and large planks were thrown forth from the ships and the two ninjas looked on in horror as monsters decorated in heavy armor began to march off the ships and began to setup battlements and a command post. Then several larger monsters were dragged off the ships wrapped in large chains. As the beasts were unloaded the one of them went berserk and threw its captors around like ragdolls then the mighty beast ran at the tree that Tyruki was hiding in and snapped it down with one mighty swing of its arms. Tyruki jumped out the tree just in time but the monsters noticed her jump from the tree and began to chase her down. Tyruki and Takada grabbed their gear and ran for their hidden village. As the monsters pursued them, the ninjas used their smoke bombs to throw them off their trail and for the few of them that they couldn’t stop with smoke bombs they used their shurieken on them.

When Tyruki and Takada made it through the gates of the hidden village, they signaled the watch towers to raise the alarm and prepare for combat. The ninjas of the village scrambled to their battle positions and went out to slay their monstrous invaders. The beasts were completely outmatched by the stealth and skill of the ninjas hiding in the trees and attacking from all angles. After the beasts were slain, Tyruki and Takada were sent by their village leader to Ryvok to ask for his counsel on this unprovoked attack. When they arrived at the Metal Temple, Ryvok welcomed them with open arms and asked them to stay at the temple and learn under him and improve their skills as ninjas. For he had heard great things about them and that they had the potential to be the greatest ninja masters of the Metal Realm.

Barren, a bass guitarist whose bass beats bashed his enemies to bits. He was also a biker who rode with a gang for several years until he decided to settle down with a family. When the Legion invaded, he lived on a farm with his wife and two children. As the beasts burned a path of destruction through his crops, Barren told his family to hide in the barn. He grabbed his bass and his shotgun and ran at the Legion to confront them. He put up a great fight until he realized that the beasts had got around him and burned his farm to the ground. He fought through them until he was able to get to the barn. It was destroyed but there were no bodies in the rumble. They had been taken by the Legion. After the battle, Barren became a metal hero and asked to live at the temple since his home was destroyed in the battle. He swore that he would find his wife and kids no matter the cost.

The next hero was Brok, a biker who uses a ball bat and chain as his weapons and an old friend of Brok. Both of them were in the same biker gang until it was disband. When the Legion invaded, all members of the gang were drafted into military service to protect the land from darkness. When the invasion was halted, Brok was given full honors for his brave service at the cost of one of his arms. When Ryvok reviewed Brok’s records he decided give him a second chance and enlisted him into an experiment prosthetics program and he was giving a crude steam powered arm. Later grafts of his arms allowed him to store his weapons into his arms.

Then there was Ozric, a guitar wizard who draws his power from a staff guitar, given to him by Ryvok. During the invasion, Ozric used an old guitar that held great power. With it, he fended off three battalions of Legion soldiers, until the guitar broke under the enormous strain forced on it. After the invasion, Ozric was chosen to be one of Ryvok’s heroes and was given a guitar that was built into a staff crafted by Ryvok.

Next was Trevor, a thunder technician and personal bodyguard of the Metal Master. Trevor was a commander of a squadron that added support to any defense that needed it. When the invasion reached its climax, Trevor’s squadron forced back the invasion. Because of Trevor’s actions, he became a loyal technician to Ryvok and was given an upgraded version of his thunder suit and since he was a defense commander, he became Ryvok’s personal bodyguard.

Rena, a female technician, was the next heroine chosen by Ryvok. Rena has always enjoyed fighting ever since she was a little girl. It was because her father was a street fighter, and she loved it so much that she created a concealable exosuit that gave her increased strength and agility to compensate for her small statue. When Rena was older she served in the White Army to fight in the third war.

When peace broke out, Rena returned home and tried to fight anyone willing but most knew her reputation and feared her wrath. One day as she travelled in the southern reaches of the Metal Lands, she came across the Legion sacking a town and capturing people. She saw the fear in the people’s eyes as they were carried away. Rena ran headlong into the middle of the soldiers and began to beat the beasts to bloody pulps.

As she punch one of the creature’s in the face she shouted, “Is this the best you’ve got? I’m barely breaking a sweat. Come on; give me a real opponent to fight.”

Suddenly the soldier backed away and out came a large creature with fangs and claws. Its mouth frothed with rage. All it did was look at Rena and roared.

Rena smiled and said, “Finally, a real opponent test my tech on.” Rena revved up her suit and charged at the beast. She jumped up and extended her leg to kick the beast but it threw up its arm and blocked her attack. She rebounded off of the creature’s arm and flipped backward landing on the ground. The beast charged throwing his arm back and swiped at Rena. A loud crash resonated as dust erupted from the ground cloaking the scene. As the dust settled, Rena stood under the beast’s claw as she held it up. Her suit was almost at its limit when she grabbed the beast’s arm and flung it in a house and jumped at it delivering a series of blows to the chest, stomach, and face. The beast growled as it collapsed at Rena’s feet.

Rena turned to the other soldiers and said cracking her knuckles, “Who’s next?”

The soldiers looked at the scene and immediately ran away. Soon after the Metal army arrived and asked Rena what had happened. She was then taken to Ryvok and he was very impressed by her tech and her ferocity when it came to fighting.

“Rena I would like for you to stay here at the Metal Temple and train with my heroes to help defend this land from the kind of creatures that you fought today. What do you say?” Ryvok asked as he sat upon his throne.

“Thank you. I accept your invitation to join you.” Rena replied bowing to the Metal Master.

“I have a gift for you. I have examined your suit and I have fabricated a sword that would compliment it well. This clockwork sword will be able to plug into your suit and give it the power to cut through anything with incredible force.” Ryvok said as he played a riff and summoned forth a sword and presented it to Rena.

The last two heroes were special; they were students of the Guitar Lord, learning the ancient art of the guitar warriors. The first was Cain, an eighteen-year-old boy who lost his village to an early attack by the Legion and taken in by Ryvok as a child to care for; he was also a fine swordsman. The second was Eric, a prodigy at the art of guitar weapon morphing. The only problem was Cain, he was jealous of Eric’s natural mastery of the guitar, this would lead to dark days ahead, but we will get back to that later.

The heroes alone did not defend the Metal Lands from the Legion. After the heroes pushed back the Legion’s advance, Ryvok created a guardian for the border. This guardian was Dramark, the Chromium Dragon; his hide makes him immune to corruption . As the guardian, Dramark lies at the border and attacks anything that crosses the border in league with the Darkness.

Now, back to Cain and his jealousy of Eric, soon it consumed his every thought. One day, the two students were training with Ryvok, when he wanted them to spar with each other. The match started out as any other, but as the match drew on, Cain began to fight as though he wanted to kill Eric. When Cain was about to give Eric a fatal blow, Ryvok stopped the match with a chord from his guitar and told Cain to leave and blow off some steam in the woods. As Cain begins to play, the trees start swaying to the rhythm of his guitar. In no time, the trees were dancing, but something interrupted Cain and the trees ceased their dancing. Cain cried out. “Who’s there? Answer me, who’s there?”

An elderly man appeared out from behind one of the trees and began to applaud the young guitarist. He then spoke to Cain. “You are quite skilled with a guitar, young one. You put on a great show for the trees here, but I enjoyed your performance at the temple, even more.”

“How do you know about that? Tell me.” Cain interrupted.

“I have to know about it because I see all and know all, for I am Nighroth, Dark Lord of the Abyss.” The man answered, afterwards he transformed into his divine form.

“Why are you here foul demon of the Darkness? I have no patience for your wickedness,” Cain replied.

“I am here because I wonder about you. You have great power and potential within you, yet it is squandered by my foolish brother, Ryvok. You should be in charge, not him. I can help you achieve your deepest desire if you listen to me,” Nighroth answered.

“Enough. Get out of here; I do not need your kind of help. Anyway, you’re speaking nonsense, there is no way I could defeat my master, he is a divine being and I’m only a mortal.” Cain interrupted as he walked away.

“I guess, I was wrong about you, I thought you were special, but it looks to me that now you will never be rid of that show off, Eric.” the Seer said in a disappointed tone.

“Did you say I could be rid of Eric?” Cain asked turning back to Nighroth.

“Yes. Yes I did.” Nighroth replied a wicked smirk growing on his face.

“Okay, I’m listening. What is your plan?” Cain asked standing in front of Nighroth.

“All in due time my young friend.” Nighroth said wrapping his arm around his shoulder.

At that moment when Cain began to listen to Nighroth it spelled doom for the Metal Lands. The more Nighroth spoke, the more convinced Cain was of the idea that he should be the Guitar Lord, instead of Ryvok. When Nighroth finished, he concluded with these words, “Cain, I bestow unto you two gifts. The first is this one guitar, the neck conceals a sword and a pistol is stowed in the body. The second is a plan where you should take control of Dramark by incapacitating Ryvok and using the controlling solo. With these gifts, I leave you to your task. Farewell my young friend.” When Nighroth finished talking to Cain, he turned back into an old man and vanished behind one of the trees.

Later, back at the temple, Cain begins his plan to take over the Metal Lands. What Cain needed was backup there was no way he could pull this off by himself and Nighroth could not assist him either. He decided to bring some of the other heroes on to his side to aid him in this dire plot to seize control of the throne from Ryvok. Cain was able to gain Takada, Brok, and Rena on his side.

The plan had two parts. The first part was to incapacitate Ryvok. The second bring Cain to Dramark’s Cave, and then use the controlling solo on the Dragon to bring him unto Cain’s control. You see only two people have the power to use the controlling solo on Dramark, and they are Ryvok and Cain, per the fact that he had great mastery over guitar magic. The first part of the plan was the only thing Nighroth could aid Cain in and that was pulling off a distraction for Ryvok, so Cain could easily put him out of commission. On the day that Nighroth sent his distraction, Cain and Ryvok were in the middle of an intense training session. As the melodies and chords cried out, Ryvok yelled. “Well Cain you’re really focused today. Why don’t we take a break, you seem a little winded to me.”

“Okay master.” Cain replied in equal volume to Ryvok.

While they rested, Nighroth’s distraction arrived. A massive battalion of dark infantry along with a group of shadow-blessed broke through the roof of the training hall and the leader said. “Secure the Guitar Lord, Samael wishes for him to be captured alive.”

Ryvok turned to Cain and said. “Are you ready for this, Cain?”

Cain replied, “Yes master, I†˜m ready to go.”

The two guitarists stood back to back, began to play their attack riffs, and blew the monsters away. As the battle drew on both of them were growing tired. Finally, one of the shadow-blessed was able to land a serious blow on Cain. Then Cain turned to look at Ryvok and said, “Master!” in a faint tone before going unconscious on the floor. Ryvok became furious, in a tone equal to an angry god he said, “That is it. I am going to make you pay for what you did to Cain. Now die!”

Ryvok flipped his guitar and turned it into a Flame Custom Gibson SG. It made the battalion shutter in fear, for they knew this was one of the divine guitars; which meant Ryvok was going into divine mode. He began to play the opening riffs for “My Apocalypse,” then his guitar morphed into a gauntlet, the Dragon Fist, that spewed out flames. “Suffer unto my apocalypse,” was all Ryvok could say to them.

From there, Ryvok began to melt the battalion. To avenge the fall of his student, he took the shadow-blessed that smacked Cain down and any of the remaining soldiers and began to play the solo finisher to kill them by summoning Dramark to disintegrate them into nothingness by the dragon’s flame.

When all the soldiers were dead Ryvok rushed to Cain’s side and said, “Are you alright? Please Cain answer me.”

All Cain did was look toward his master and said, “Yes but I have failed you as an apprentice.”

“No, you have not. You are my finest student and show great promise as a master guitarist,” Ryvok replied.

“I am not worthy of your praise, I have been corrupted, master.”

“What are you talking about Cain? What do you mean you have been corrupted?”

As the Ryvok stared at his student, he came to see the truth; the power of the Abyss was in his eyes. “You have been corrupted by my brother, Nighroth.”

“That’s right, Ryvok, this foolish apprentice of yours now belongs to me,” Nighroth said using Cain as a puppet. As he spoke, Cain whipped out his pistol and shot Ryvok in the side. As Ryvok fell to the ground, Cain stood up and looked at his master, he said two words to Ryvok before he fled the temple with his accomplices, “Forgive me.”

Ryvok’s guards were alerted to what had happened and were able to get him to the medical ward to help with his wound. Eric and the remaining heroes loyal to Ryvok, rushed to the ward as soon as they could to see how their master was doing. All of them worried about his health encircled Ryvok; Eric stood next to his master and asked what happened to him.

“Eric, my student, something awful has happened Cain has been possessed by Nighroth. I bet he plans to use Cain as a way to gain control over Dramark. You and your fellow comrades must stop Cain and his renegades, but please do not punish him for what has happened to me. Nighroth was manipulating Cain to pull the trigger.”

Then Ryvok lost conscious as he finish talking to Eric. Eric turned to the other heroes and said, “Okay, my fellow heroes, you heard Ryvok we must stop Cain from taking control of Dramark and save him from the Abyss.” With that, the heroes set out to find and stop the possessed Cain from taking control of Dramark.

Chapter 5:
Light vs. Darkness

After Cain left the temple, the Legion was preparing for the next wave of their invasion of the White Kingdom. Thaneus was standing on a hill reviewing his hordes of dark soldiers and running combat drills for the coming invasion. That is when a lieutenant runs up behind him and says, “My Lord,” in exhaustion.

“What is it lieutenant? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Thaneus asked glancing back at his lieutenant.

“I know your lordship, but Maelfist wishes to have an audience with you. He says it is important,” the lieutenant explained.

“It probably is, Maelfist is the commander of the Citadel’s guards, it must be a message from the scion,” Thaneus answered.

“You are correct, Thaneus. I have a message from Lord Samael. He wishes for your tactical input, so he can better determine our next plan of attack. He also wants me to inform you that he has found a way to stop the dragon,” Maelfist declared standing behind the lieutenant.

“What does Lord Samael wish of me?” Thaneus asked grabbing his wrist behind his back.

“Samael wishes to know how you would divide up the champions for three battlefronts which are the Metal Lands, the Light and Dark border, and the Grand Bastion,” Maelfist answered.

“Let me think upon this for a while,” Thaneus said.

Ten minutes later, Thaneus said. “I’ve got it, in the frontal assault at the border send Chaos, Necrin, and myself. Then you, Balnia, Nightshade, and Azerius will attack the Grand Bastion. Finally, Narsoga and Darjai will then head over to the Metal Lands and assist our forces once the dragon is subdued. That is my answer to Lord Samael.”

“I will deliver your answer to Lord Samael immediately,” Maelfist replied. With that, Maelfist left to deliver the message to the Citadel of Shadows, so that Samael could mobilize the champions for the next wave of their invasion.

Meanwhile in the White Kingdom, Gabriel sat on his throne trying to discern what to do about the lands lost to the Legion and how they can continue to defend their remaining lands from the monstrous hordes of the Legion. Then Legori burst through the door, ran up to the foot of the throne, and knelt to Gabriel.

“What is it, Legori?” Gabriel asked rising from his throne.

“It is grim news, my liege. Our scouts have returned from their reconnaissance mission, they report that the Legion is preparing to mobilize a massive attack force on the border,” Legori answered looking up at Gabriel.

“This is grim,” the king said as his eyes narrowed.

“What are your orders, my king?” Legori asked as he stood up.

“Mobilize all available troops to the border and prepare to intercept the Legion’s advance.” Gabriel commanded waving his hand forward toward the border.

“Right away, Sire.” Legori said with a bow.

Legori left the throne room to inform the troop commanders to mobilize their forces and head for the border. As all the troops headed for the border, the Shadow Seer could only grin and laugh at how easily the pieces of his plan were falling into place. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the White Kingdom would be engulfed in darkness.

“Samael, my son, our plan to cover the world in darkness is starting to become a reality. The humans are so predictable, they see our troops mounting up for an assault, and they flock toward them like a moth to a flame leaving their heart virtually defenseless. Now is the time that our dream comes full circle.” Nighroth declared with a cough as he lied in his bed.

“You are right as always father, the humans are all too predictable, it almost seems unfair for them to match wits with us; however, it is too much fun to see them squirm at our army’s presence.” Samael replied standing on the balcony of his chambers, overlooking the land his father created so long ago.

On the border, Thaneus gathered his troops and assembled them into formation. Chaos and Necrin arrived moments later to attend to their designated flanks and prepared them for battle.

Thaneus interrupted his ranks to give them a sermon. “My fellow warriors of the Abyss, it is time to begin our assault on the White Kingdom. As we speak, their armies amass at the border waiting to push back our advance. I say they are no match for us. We are the greater beings on Evon Prime, thanks to our god and his scion for making us stronger. For them we will put our lives on the line to make the dream of Nighroth as the supreme ruler over all life, a reality. We march for the glory of our Dark Lord.” Thaneus preached waving his arms around to embolden his troops.

At the end of his sermon, the millions of soldiers sounded out as an overture of roars and screams of renewed faith, to go forth and destroy the White Army. As the troops fell into formation, the three champions stood in their flanks ready to crush their enemy. Then they began their march to the border.

While they advanced, Maelfist and his company proceeded to sneak around the army and cross the border undetected. Azerius then asked, “Maelfist, what exactly are we doing here? Shouldn’t we use this as a way to out flank the enemy and crush them?”

“No Azerius, the invasion is only a distraction for the real plan.” Maelfist answered quieting the dark knight.

“What do you mean the real plan?” Azerius asked raising an eyebrow.

“The invasion isn’t real; it is only to weaken the defenses surrounding the Grand Bastion, so that we can kill the Grand King.” Maelfist replied looking onward at Grand Bastion

“Okay, now I get it, while the army’s away the champions will play.” Azerius said as he nodded slightly and smirked.

“Yes Azerius that is a nice why to put it, even though it makes you seem like a child.” Maelfist said rolling his eyes.

With that, the champions made their way to the Grand Bastion, to kill Gabriel. After traveling for two hours, they reached the castle. Maelfist halted them, as they got close.

“Why are we stopping? The castle is right there. Let’s just attack, it will be easy.” Azerius demanded standing up and going for his sword.

“We can’t just assault a castle without determining its strength; only a fool would do that. I have to determine the strength and number of the guards watching the castle, so I can plan accordingly.” Maelfist replied as energy spiked from his armor.

“Okay, do whatever you want as long as I get to have my fun.” Azerius said loosening the grip on his sword and sat back down.

Maelfist then focused his shadow control and used it to see through the dark corners of the castle to determine their numbers. “The castle has fifty guards; the weird part is that their formation is oddly similar to one of my defensive plans. Whoever came up with this formation must be a master tactician; this is going to be very interesting.” Maelfist informed as he stared at the Bastion with unwavering focus.

“Stop admiring the enemy, we have a mission to complete. Is there anything else we should be aware of?” Azerius demanded as he grip is hilt tightly.

“Wait, who is this? Is this one of Gabriel’s champions? It couldn’t be unless. Thaneus! Come in, Thaneus.” Maelfist added.

“Yes Maelfist, what is it? This is kind of a bad time for a chat.” Thaneus answered as he exchanged blows with a knight.

“How many champions are there on the battlefield?” Maelfist demanded.

“Why do you ask?” Thaneus asked.

“Because it seems that there is a champion in the castle and I need to confirm it to better prepare for our assault.” Maelfist explained.

“Very well, let me see if I can spot them, three are fighting Chaos, one is battling Necrin, I am fighting one at this moment, and I see three more battling our forces.” Thaneus replied glancing at the battle while holding off his champion.

“That’s only eight champions, then one of the champions did stay back to protect their king. Thanks, Thaneus.” Maelfist thanked as he severed the connection.

“Now that you have the necessary Intel to form a plan, Can we kill all of them now?” Azerius asked.

“Yes, Azerius, you’re as impatient as a child. I have a plan and here it is. Azerius, you take my right flank. Nightshade, you will take my left flank. Balni, you stay hidden and sneak into the throne room when I bust down the door. When you’re given the signal, use the special black dart that Samael gave you on the Grand King. Now let’s go.” Maelfist answered.

“Finally we can have some fun.” Azerius said sighing.

The dark champions then set their plan into motion. They ran up to the castle gate and stopped. Maelfist asked motioning toward the gate, “Azerius would you kindly open the gate.”

“With pleasure,” Azerius answered with a wicked grin. He busted the main gate into pieces with a single stroke of his sword. The champions then began to kill every guard in the castle without abandon. Until Maelfist was in the main corridor, of the castle and the door to the throne room was in sight but so was the champion he saw earlier.

“Halt, demon! None shall pass, especially your kind. Only those of the Light may enter the hallowed grounds of the throne room,” the championed bellowed in a mighty tone.

“Who are you human? Your defensive stratagems intrigue me.” Maelfist asked preparing his halberd.

“I am Ganthor, head captain of the Grand King’s royal guard and one of the nine champions of the Light,” the champion answered as he tapped his lance a floor and pounded his breastplate.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ganthor. I am Maelfist, general of defense for the Citadel of Shadows and one of the nine champions of darkness.” Maelfist replied with a slight smirk.

“Well then this should be an interesting battle. Two of the Evon Prime’s greatest tacticians in a one on one battle of body and mind.” Ganthor said with a smirk as well.

From there the two champions charged at each other repeatedly. They kept it up for a long time, each predicting and countering the others moves. That is when Maelfist made a mistake, he left himself open during a powerful strike and Ganthor used the opening to stab him with his sword. Maelfist fell to the ground, one thought ran through Maelfist mind, “I must use the shadow orb attack.” Ganthor was just about to stab Maelfist in the head with his lance when he noticed the champion’s hand was glowing a shade of dark purple. Maelfist then put his hand on Ganthor’s chest and a black orb blasted him into a wall across the corridor.

Maelfist then stood up and said, “Ganthor, my worthy adversary, you made one critical mistake. You hesitated when victory was yours, causing your downfall. Plus, a great warrior always has an ace up his sleeve.”

“I know what you mean,” Ganthor replied weakly as his chest plate began to open and the sound of revolving gears began to fill the room. “Now die, demon.” Ganthor shouted. He revealed the hidden bolter in his armor.

Maelfist then raised his hands as a volley of shrapnel flew toward him. The shadows of the corridor created a shield that stopped the volley in its tracks. As Maelfist lowered his hands, so too did the shrapnel. Maelfist proceeded to walk over to Ganthor.

“Nice try. You thought you could best me. Ha, weak human, none can best the darkness but if only those of the Light can open the door then you are my key into the throne room. So I can kill the Grand King in the name of the Dark Lord, Nighroth.” Maelfist said relishing his moment of triumph. Maelfist then turned and said, “Azerius, Nightshade, status report.”

“This is Azerius. I took out all the guards on my side.” Azerius answered as he bisected the final guard.

“This is Nightshade. I am done here as well.” Nightshade replied as she drained the life of the remaining guard.

“Okay, since you are both done make your way to the throne room. I have a key and I may need your assistance fighting the king. We do not know how strong he is. Plus he is said to have a sword of the Blade King.” Maelfist ordered.

“Yes, Sir.” the other replied.

Maelfist grabbed Ganthor, dragged him to the door of the throne room, and said, “Okay, human. Open the door.”

“Never, as a champion of the Light, would I ever even consider helping the forces of darkness to carry out their vile plans.” Ganthor said with what little strength he had left.

“It doesn’t matter if you want to or not, either way you are opening that door.” Maelfist then took Ganthor’s head, shoved into the door and said, “Knock knock, Gabriel,” as door fell to the ground with Ganthor on top of it.

There on his throne, at the top a small set of stairs, sat the Grand King, Gabriel. He stood up and gazed at the demon who threw Ganthor on top of the broken door. “Who are you? What have you done to Ganthor?” Gabriel demanded.

“I am Maelfist, one of the nine champions of Darkness and your subordinate is fine. You, on the other hand, are going to die. For when you are dead, your kingdom will die with you.” Maelfist answered stepping forward.

“So demon, you wish to kill me in the name of your dark master. Then you shall never succeed, Light will always prevail over the Darkness. Now repent or be cleansed by the burning fury that is the Light.” Gabriel declared drawing his sword. He then jumped from his throne and landed in the middle of the room, his golden armor, gleaming brightly in the sun, coming from the stained glass windows of the room.

Maelfist charged at Gabriel in the possibility of catching him off guard. His attack was blocked by Gabriel’s sword and the collision forced Maelfist backwards. Gabriel dashed at the general and swung his sword downward which was blocked but not without avail. The general’s weapon trembled at the wake of the strike. Maelfist was driven to his knees by the king’s sword. The general was finally able to repel the sword. The Grand King flipped backwards from the dark champion, Maelfist still on his knees, the king spoke, “Enough of these games, I have no time to waste on the likes of you, Ganthor needs help immediately. Now die, foul beast.”

Gabriel’s sword began to pulsate with light energy and his eyes began to glow. He raised his hand and fired a beam of Light at Maelfist. Maelfist quickly threw up his hand to block the beam with a shadow orb. The attack was cancelled but it left his hand burnt. He looked at his hand and at Gabriel, “Why didn’t the attack stop? Why does it still burn?” Maelfist asked grasping his hand.

“You ask why. You know why and if you do not, I will explain. This room is hallowed ground, there are no shadows, no darkness for you to absorb, which means, you have no power in this place.” Gabriel replied as his eyes and sword returned to normal.

“Blast! You’re right.” Maelfist replied as he tried to absorb darkness to no avail.

“Prepare to die, demon!” Gabriel shouted. Gabriel leaped into air and landed in front of Maelfist, he flipped his sword with his blade facing downward and thrust it toward Maelfist’s chest. Then a clang echoed through the room, for Azerius appeared and blocked the blade with his own and flung the Gabriel back.

“Who are you?” Gabriel asked the man who threw him after he landed.

“I am Azerius, knight of the Abyss and one of the nine champions of Darkness.” Azerius answered.

“You must careful Azerius, he is very powerful here. This room drains power from dark beings.” Maelfist warned still trying to recover from his wounds.

Azerius turned around and said, “I’ll be fine, my power is not of the darkness.” Then Nightshade appeared from the broken door. Azerius told her, “Nightshade, take Maelfist out of here, he is in really bad shape. Heal him, when you are both out of the castle. I’ll take care of the Grand King.”

“Yes, as you wish, Sir Azerius.” Nightshade replied lifting Maelfist and helping him to walk.

“So you are going to defeat me. Ha, you remind me of myself when I was young: brave, ambitious, and foolish. I guess I will have to teach you a lesson you will not soon forget, dark knight.” Gabriel said with a bold laugh.

Azerius and Gabriel ran at each other, swung their swords, and the battle commenced. With every clash, the two swords echoed in a thunderous roar and the ground quaked at the sheer power of the two warriors. Both warriors were not giving an inch.

“Come on, Grand King. I thought you were going to teach me a lesson. I’m not learning anything from a weakling like you.” Azerius taunted as he struggled against Gabriel’s sword.

“I will show you who the weakling is, young one.” Gabriel replied gritting his teeth.

Gabriel ran down and swung his sword at Azerius. The dark knight blocked the sword and as they struggled, Azerius was able to overpower Gabriel with the energy focused in his shadow blade. The energy from the sword created a shockwave that threw Gabriel back and caught him off guard. Azerius ran up to Gabriel, spun his sword behind him, lowered the sword, and continued with an upward slash that cut through Gabriel’s armor and sent him flying backwards onto the stairs of the throne.

“Look at yourself, down on the ground at the feet of your opponent waiting to be finished. You honestly believed that you were strong enough to face the darkness. This battle was a lesson to you, the darkness is far stronger than you could imagine. (Azerius chuckles) The thought of you being a powerful king makes me want to burst with laughter. You are a weak leader and for you weakness your kingdom will fall. Now let us finish this battle.” Azerius said as he raised his sword to behead Gabriel.

“Enough!” a voice cried out that shook the room. Azerius’ sword was about to slay Gabriel when his sword froze in place. “Knight of the Abyss, leave this place before I am forced to cut you down,” a gust of wind swept the room and cut the floor at Azerius’ feet. A hand began to reach through the stained glass image of the Blade King. As the rest of the Dravinos came through the glass, his picture faded from the glass. The Blade King appeared in the throne room, floating above the two warriors.

“Azerius, knight of darkness, leave this place before I turn you into a smoldering pile of ash. Tell your master, I will not allow him to kill my servant. He is far too important to be so easily killed.” Dravinos bellowed as he descended to the ground.

“Fine, we will leave, but we’ll be back and next time you won’t interfere with our plans,” Azerius said as he left the room. “Oh yeah, one more thing, now Balni,” Balni appeared from behind a pillar and threw the black dart right through Gabriel’s heart. Balni quickly vanished and left the room undetected.

“Gabriel! No! Those cowards will pay for what they have done to you.” Dravinos said angrily.

Once outside, Maelfist contacted Thaneus to order their retreat for the plan was foiled by Dravinos. On the invasion front, Chaos was battling Brasic, Vanhorn, and Bishop. Chaos was quickly able to dispose of Vanhorn and Bishop. The berserker grabbed Vanhorn and flung him around like a rag doll onto the ground, knocking him out. Bishop was a better challenge, but in the end, Bishop put up a shield to hold off Chaos. Chaos used his sanguine flame to break the shield and Bishop passed out from the strain of trying to maintain his shield. Chaos then set his sights on Brasic. Brasic was busy battling a group of guardian shadow-blessed, when Chaos ran over to Brasic and killed all the shadow-blessed that surrounded the barbarian with his bare hands.

“Who are you and why did you save me?” Brasic asked in surprised at Chaos’ actions.

“I am Chaos, berserker of the Darkness. I killed them because you are a champion of the Light.” Chaos answered as blood dripped down his face.

“What does that have anything to do with you slaying your own men and saving me?” Brasic asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Everything, I wanted to kill you myself. That’s why I killed those shadow-blessed because I want you to join them in death.” Chaos said drawing his broadsword.

Chaos charged at Brasic. Brasic dodged his attack and deftly hacked the berserker’s arm off with his axe. Chaos winced slightly, turned around and roared at Brasic. The barbarian swung his sword at Chaos’ head but was blocked by the berserker’s bloody arm, and then his sword turned red and burnt his hand.

“What happened? Why did the sword burn when it hit your arm?” Brasic asked.

“Don’t you get it? I guess not, my blood burns from the magic of the Abyss. The fire in my veins can burn anything.” Chaos answered as his arm ignited.

“I also have another special power,” at that moment Chaos’ missing arm grew back and he pick up his broadsword. “I have the power of regeneration; I can heal from any wound I receive in battle.”

“So you can heal fast. It does not matter, I will just chop you into pieces so small you will not be able to heal again.” Brasic boasted as he prepared his weapons.

Brasic charged at Chaos and swung both his weapons into a flurry of strikes that cut Chaos into tiny chunks of flesh and bone. “Ha, I told you I would kill you monster,” Brasic said standing over the pile of the berserker’s remains.

As Brasic stood over Chaos’ remains, they began to move about and combined back into Chaos. Brasic was shocked, while he stood in amazement, Chaos threw him to the ground causing him to lose his weapons. “As I said, I can heal from any wound.” Chaos said as he lit his blood hand on fire. “Now barbarian, it’s time to feel the burn of the darkness.”

“Fall back!” Thaneus commanded as he waved his troop to retreat.

Chaos’ foot was on Brasic’ chest as he said “But Thaneus, I am about to slay this champion.”

“Fall back, Chaos. We have our orders, Dravinos interfered and now we have to retreat.”

“Fine, you’re lucky champion. Until we meet again,” Chaos said angrily as he left Brasic lying on the ground.

As the Legion retreated, they dragged their dead across the border with them. The armies of the Light gathered up their wounded and buried the dead. Afterward they celebrated their victory over the Legion. Vorin was not convinced or satisfied of their victory. He knew something was amiss, the Legion was winning yet they were the ones who retreated. He thought on this for a while, until it hit him, the invasion was only a distraction. Vorin grabbed the fastest horse could find and rushed to the Grand Bastion. As he rode up to the castle, he noticed that the gate was destroyed; this only increased his assertion of the Legion’s true intentions.

When he entered the castle, he saw the horror of the bodies of the king’s royal guard strung about the floor, the walls, and even the ceiling. The blood covered every part of the castle; then he made it to the main corridor. In the corridor, Vorin saw the room scarred by battle. Then Vorin saw the door to the throne room, at the door he saw Ganthor unconscious on the floor, Vorin checked to see if he was alive and he was. He looked up at the throne and saw the Blade King holding Gabriel in his arms.

Vorin kneeled to Dravinos and looking up at him, he asked, “High Master, what has happened to Gabriel?”

The Blade King replied, “Greeting Vorin, Gabriel was attack by agents of the darkness. I have healed his wounds and he will be fine. I must go, my time here grows short.” Dravinos then ascended to the window from which he appeared went through it and the picture of the Blade King reappeared on the glass.

Vorin ran to Gabriel and kneeled next to him and held him, he then asked, “How are you, my old friend? What happened while we were gone?”

Gabriel stared at Vorin and replied “Vorin, I am fine. All I need to know is the condition of the guards and Ganthor.”

“Gabriel, I am saddened to say, all of the guards were brutally killed by the agents of darkness that attacked the castle. Ganthor, fortunately is alive, he is only unconscious on the door.” Vorin answered as his face grew solemn.

Gabriel replied as he stood up and held his head low, “This is my entire fault, if I had not of been as rash as to send all of our troops to the border, none of this would have happened and those guards might have lived. I do not deserve the title I have been given.”

“Do not say such things, it would not have mattered how many troops were kept back, the result would have remained the same only with more bloodshed. You were only doing what you thought was best for our people, saving them from the darkness. The Blade King chose you to be the Grand King because of your zealous compassion for your fellow man.” Vorin interrupted placing his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.

“You are right, Vorin. I cannot change what has happened; all I can do is press forward. We need to get the wounded the help they need, prepare border patrols from now on.” Gabriel said raising his head and relaxing his shoulders.

After their talk, Vorin informed Gabriel of a weird event, which occurred at the end of the battle. The Legion dragged the bodies of their dead across the border as they retreated. Vorin sent a spy to follow them across the border to see what they were doing with their dead.

As the spy followed them, the Legion halted, Thaneus stood in front of them and said, “That’s far enough, we’re out of the enemy’s range. We can commence with the revival ritual Lord Samael developed for our troops. Necromancers, ready your magic. All able-bodied soldiers assume the share pain positions. Begin the ritual.” The spy watch in horror as the dead soldiers began to rise again, while the healthy soldiers began to weaken and wounds appeared on their flesh as the mortal wounds of the dead disappeared.

“Now the ritual is complete, we can return to the Citadel without having to carry any of you slackers.” Thaneus said as he motioned his troops to move out.

When the Legion was gone, the spy darted back to the Grand Bastion to report the grave new development of the Legion. As he reached the castle, two guards halted him at the broken gate wanting to know what business he had to see the Grand King. Vorin appeared as the guards were about to attack and detain the spy.

“Stop, he is mine. I sent him on a mission and he has returned to report his findings to the king.” Vorin ordered as the guards held his spy.

The guards immediately released him, so he could give his report to Gabriel. Vorin and his spy then walked to the throne room; Gabriel was on his throne when he saw the spy enter the room.

“Are you the spy sent out by Vorin?” Gabriel asked sitting upon his glistening throne.

“Yes your majesty, I am the spy sent out by Sir Vorin.” the spy replied kneeling to Gabriel.

“What news do you bring me from the Dark Realm?” Gabriel asked motioning him to rise.

“It is dire news, oh Grand King. On my mission, I followed the retreating legion to a large clearing in the woods, when they suddenly stopped. The leader ordered the start of a ritual, which caused the living to wither and the dead to rise again. It seems to me that the Legion owes their new power to Lord Samael. Then the Legion began to march onward to their Citadel and I ran back here to report my findings to you.” The spy reported as he stepped toward Gabriel, his eyes darkened by the dead rising again.

“It was a good thing that you were not captured by the Legion while you were following them. If you had, I would not have received the news of this new power of the Legion. I will have my clerics work on a way to counteract this new power immediately.” Gabriel replied placing his hand on the spy’s shoulder and giving him a little smile.

Meanwhile, the Legion was marching toward their citadel after the battle with the armies of the Light. Thaneus’ troops stopped at a nearby village at the shoreline. Thaneus ordered them to rest here for the night. As they rested, Maelfist’s team arrived at the village. Maelfist then went up to Thaneus’ tent and entered. The tent was filled with a calming air.

“So Maelfist, I heard that Azerius saved your live from Gabriel’s sword.” Thaneus said with a smug grin.

“Shut up, Thaneus. I am in no mood for your insults. Azerius is an exceptional warrior for his age and his lust for carnage intrigues me. He surprised me with the fact he does not draw power from the darkness, but what surprises me even more is the sheer power and skill he possesses without an outside boost. He almost succeeded where I had failed, miserably.” Maelfist replied as he plopped down into a chair.

“Well it seems that Lord Samael had good reason to choose Azerius as a champion after all.” Thaneus replied as he looked out of a window as saw Azerius entered another tent.

Maelfist and Thaneus continued to talk about the battle that day. Soon, the two generals started talking about death and the afterlife. “Thaneus, have you ever wondered what’s on the other side?” Maelfist asked looking up at the ceiling.

“Not really. I know what is on the other side. I asked Chaos one day and he told me the other side is a paradise, a place of peace and beauty, but each time he went there he returned to our side after coming back to life. But Samael told me when the world is covered in darkness, the paradise of the afterlife will appear on the mortal plane and our days will be filled with everlasting bliss.” Thaneus answered.

“This only renews my faith in our cause. Now we must fight even harder to bring the scion’s paradise to Evon Prime.” Maelfist said as he snapped out of his trance and pumped his fist.

“I agree. Now we can’t stop and give up if we want to share our paradise with the world.”

After their night in the village, Maelfist and Thaneus returned with their forces to the Citadel of Shadows to report on what had happened in their battles. Maelfist and Thaneus along with the other champions from the invasion walked into the throne room of the Citadel. There on his throne sat Samael staring with discontent at his champions.

“So Maelfist, you have failed to slay Gabriel.” Samael said resting his chin against his knuckle and glaring at Maelfist.

“Yes, master. We failed, but I wish to explain why we failed and yet succeeded. Maelfist replied shrinking before Samael’s glare.

“Go on then, explain to me why I should spare your lives from everlasting torture in the Abyss.” Samael said looking away from the champions.

“Well Lord Samael all went accordingly to your brilliant plan. The enemy was distracted by the invasion, the castle was left defenseless, and my team was ready to attack the castle. We breached the castle, killed all the guards, and I defeated the only champion guarding the throne. When I entered the throne room my team was divided, but were heading to my position. I engaged the Grand King and lost but I was saved by Azerius and escaped with Nightshade. Azerius then battled the Grand King and won but before he could finish him, for the Blade King appeared and made Azerius retreat. As he retreated, Azerius signaled Balni to strike the Grand King with the black dart you gave her. That is why you should spare us. O merciful and powerful Scion of the Shadow Seer.” Maelfist explained forcing his head into the floor.

“Okay. Maelfist, I have decided that since Balni did strike Gabriel with the black dart. Even though my uncle probably healed that wound, I will spare your lives from the darkness of the Abyss.” Samael said his eyes glazed in thought.

“Thank you, O generous one for sparing our lives.” Maelfist replied bowing.

“Just get out of my sight before I change my mind.” Samael said motioning them away.

The champions then left the room and Samael was left alone sitting in the darkness of his throne room. As he sat there, he began to laugh and then he heard a voice. “You’re learning, my son. It seems that you understand the gravity of your champions’ actions.” The voice said.

“Hello father, it sounds like you were listening in on our conversation.” Samael replied. At that moment, Nighroth emerged from the darkness of the room.

“I heard Balni was able to strike Gabriel with the black dart you gave her. Now I can use this opportunity to kill a few birds with a single stone.” Nighroth said as he walked toward the balcony.

“What are you talking about? Dravinos already healed the wound given to Gabriel by the dart.” Samael asked tilting his head.

“Dravinos healed his mortal wound but not the special venom housed in the dart. Venom made from my own blood, the very essence of the Abyss.” Nighroth answered with a smile.

“Does this mean you can control Gabriel?” Samael asked.

“Yes. Now I can use Gabriel as a puppet to slay his champions without dirtying our hands with their blood.” Nighroth answered sadistically.

When Nighroth was finished gloating over his clever plan, he began to meditate focusing on the venom that embedded in Gabriel’s body. In the Grand Bastion, Gabriel was on his throne when he heard a voice in his head.

“Gabriel, you will obey me,” the voice said.

“Who are you?”Gabriel asked trying to find the source of the voice.

“I am Nighroth the Shadow Seer and your new master,” the voice answered.

“The Being of Darkness, this cannot be. I bear no darkness for you to command me against my will.” Gabriel replied.

“You bear more darkness in your body than you believe there is. That dart which struck your heart released a special toxin into your blood and nervous systems, turning you into my little puppet. With your body, I will kill all of your pathetic champions while you are helpless to do anything to stop me.” Nighroth said with slight laughter in his voice.

“I will not allow you to control me, dark one. The Light will overcome your evil.” Gabriel replied struggling to resist Nighroth’s control.

“You don’t have a choice in the matter; my darkness has already spread throughout your body. You belong to me now and your precious Dravinos cannot save you from my control. Now my puppet let us go and slay those champions of yours.” Nighroth said as he forced Gabriel up from his throne.

“I must resist. I will not slay my champions,” Gabriel said as his body descended the stairs to throne and walked toward the door. Then as he reached the bottom of the stairs Gabriel fell to his hands and knees and screamed in agony as the darkness gripped his body.

When Gabriel screamed, Vorin rushed into the throne room to find out why his friend was screaming. Vorin entered the room and saw Gabriel on the ground. “Gabriel, are you okay? What happened to you?” Vorin asked as he drew closer to Gabriel.

Gabriel looked up in pain at Vorin and said, “Vorin, run before it is too late to stop what is about to happen.”

“What are you talking about?” Vorin asked reaching out to Gabriel.

“No!” Gabriel screamed. As he screamed, his head rolled back and large beams of light came forth from his eyes. As the light glowed, it began to fade from beams of light into a black mist. The black mist was all that remained in Gabriel’s eyes. Gabriel rose to his feet, as he stood there an evil grin formed on his face. His eyes were blackened by darkness, his body grew pale, even his armor changed turning to a blackened golden. Gabriel’s voice was strangest of all; it was deeper and viler.

“Hello, my clever little knight, you seem a little surprised. I was getting tired of listening to his whining so I took over.” The darkened Gabriel said tilting his head up and grinning madly at Vorin.

“Who are you? What have you done to Gabriel?” Vorin demanded as he looked at what Gabriel had become.

The Dark Gabriel only laughed at Vorin and when he stopped, he answered the knight’s question. “Sorry, how rude of me, I didn’t introduce myself. I am Nighroth; Dark Lord of the Abyss and to answer your other question, your friend is inside here with me.”

Then Gabriel took control of his body and said, “Vorin, help me from the darkness,” before he turned back into Dark Gabriel.

“Excuse me; it seems I still don’t have total control over this mortal’s body.” Dark Gabriel said as he tested his control over his arms and legs.

“How can you possess the Grand King anyway? The Holy Scriptures say that the Shadow Seer can only control those whose hearts contain darkness and the Grand King was chosen because he was pure and held no darkness in his heart.” Vorin asked the possessed Gabriel.

“Good question, Vorin. You see it is true that I can only possess the wicked, so I had to find a way to implant darkness in Gabriel’s heart.” Nighroth lowered the armor around Gabriel’s chest and revealed a scar where Gabriel’s heart was.

“Where did Gabriel receive that scar from?” Vorin asked looking at the wound.

“He received the wound from my servant Samael’s assassin, Balni, who used a special dart, full of venom crafted from my own blood and when injected into the body of the victim, which happens to be Gabriel, I can control them as I would a puppet.” Nighroth answered as he made Gabriel do a little jig.

“Why would you want to take control of Gabriel anyway, demon?” Vorin asked clenching his fists.

“You ask why, I did it because I believe in a little thing called irony. I see it like this, a noble king chooses nine champions to combat the darkness, and then he is possessed by that very same darkness and kills the champions he had chosen.” Nighroth declared as he drew Gabriel’s sword.

“You will never get away with what you are planning.” Vorin shouted as his eyes narrowed.

“You don’t seem to get it. I have already gotten away with my plan. You are too late to stop me now. This is now a win-win situation for me, because the only way for you to stop me is to kill your best friend. This only adds to the irony of my plan. You have two choices. Option one, kill Gabriel and create a power struggle for the throne, be executed for treason, and the Legion invades your broken country. Option two, allow Gabriel to kill you and the other champions and Gabriel is taken out in a rebellion for such cruel acts and our legions invade your lands. Either way, I win.” Nighroth declared with a wicked grin and twisted laughter.

“Why are you doing this, Shadow Seer?” Vorin asked with narrow eyes and gritted teeth.

“I have my reasons. Let’s just say that I have vested interests in Samael’s goals.” Nighroth replied lifting his head and glancing at Vorin.

“Now enough of this let us begin my grand performance of two friends’ battle to the death.” Nighroth said taking a stance to charge at Vorin.

“I guess I have no choice, I will have to battle my friend. Gabriel, please forgive me for what I am about to do.” Vorin thought drawing his sword and prepared for Dark Gabriel to attack him.

The Dark Gabriel charged at Vorin and swung upward, Vorin block the attack, causing a clash, which shook the room slightly. They both jumped back from the clash and charged at each other again. After five more clashes, each more powerful than the last, Vorin was able to overpower Dark Gabriel and forced him to the ground.

Vorin stood over the Dark Gabriel and went to deliver the finishing blow when good Gabriel took control and caused Vorin to halt his blade. As Vorin paused, Gabriel said as his eyes quivered, “Vorin, please finish this before I do something terrible.”

“I…I cannot. I could never kill you in such a state.” Vorin replied as he lowered his sword to his side. The Light Gabriel faded and Nighroth regained control.

“Sucker,” Nighroth said as Gabriel’s hand came up to Vorin’s chest and blasted him with a dull beam of light. The blast hurled Vorin backward onto the floor. As he lied there, Dark Gabriel stood up and walked over to Vorin.

When he was right next to Vorin, he picked Vorin up onto his knees. “Now Vorin, it is time to finish what you could not do.” Nighroth said as he pulled his blade back preparing to cut off Vorin’s head.

“Die, Vorin,” Nighroth screamed as he swung his sword at Vorin’s neck.

Right as the sword touched Vorin’s flesh, Dark Gabriel’s arms froze. “What’s going on? Why can’t I move my arms?” Nighroth asked struggling to force his arms forward.

“You can’t move your arms because I will not let you kill my friend, Vorin. Plus, they are not your arms to control, they are mine.” Gabriel answered as he gained control of his body. “Vorin, my dear friend, you must strike now, while I still have control. I cannot hold him for long.”

“But Gabriel what about you, you will die if I do.” Vorin replied as stood up.

“I do not care, anything would be better than being the puppet of such a vile demon. Do it now that is an order.” Gabriel commanded as his body phased between Light and Darkness.

“Very well, my king, my friend I will free you from this curse. Please forgive me for what I am about to do.” Vorin said as a tear fell from his eyes. Vorin took up his sword and thrust it through Gabriel’s chest. When the sword went through his body, Gabriel’s head rolled back, he fell to his knees, and the black mist in his eyes burst outward and only Nighroth screamed in pain as he was forced out of Gabriel’s body.

“No! This can’t be, I was expelled from the king’s body and yet he is not dead.” Nighroth shouted as he formed into a cloud of darkness in the air.

“It is true demon. I am free from your vile control.” Gabriel replied returning to normal and grabbing his sword. “Now, foul Lord of the Abyss, be gone from this place and never return.” Gabriel commanded as he fired a beam of light at the cloud.

“This is not the end of our battle, until we meet again Vorin.” Nighroth said as the cloud faded in the beam.

“Gabriel, you are not dead, but my sword went right through your chest. How do you still live?” Vorin asked seeing his friend unharmed.

“Vorin, the sword I gave you, my family’s sword has a special power. The sword has the power to purify those with darkness and can only cut through evil. That means when you stabbed me, you only stabbed Nighroth and forced him out of my body and freed me from his control.” Gabriel explained as Vorin helped him up to his feet.

“I am glad that you are safe and no longer under the influence of the Shadow Seer, but you look very tired my old friend.” Vorin said placing his hand on his shoulder.

“Yes our battle and my battle against the Dark Lord have left me feeling very tired. I believe we need to rest for now and be prepared for anything Nighroth could be planning from now on.” Gabriel said as he stood there in his throne room staring out into the window, which held the view of the Dark Realm.

“As you command, my Lord, oh and thank you for helping me fight against your dark side.” Vorin replied as he helped his friend to his chambers.

Meanwhile in the throne room of the citadel, Nighroth fell to the floor because his meditative state was broken by Gabriel’s attack. Samael was standing next to his father when he awoke and as he helped him off the floor, he noticed that his father was bleeding.

“Father, what happened? Why are you bleeding?” Samael asked concerned with his father’s injury.

“The people of the Light are stronger and smarter than I first anticipated. Next time, they will pay for what they did to me.” Nighroth answered holding his wounds and breathing heavily. “Samael, I feel weak. Take me to my chambers.”

“Yes, father.” Samael replied carrying Nighroth to his secret bedchambers.

Chapter 6:
Fire vs. Darkness

During the battle between the Light and Darkness, Narsoga and Darjai were sent to the Metals Lands to aid Cain in his task of taking over Dramark. As they came upon the border, Narsoga halted Darjai and said, “That’s far enough. We don’t want to alert the dragon of our presence or he’ll fry us. We have to wait until our men pacify the beast.”

“Wait, how can we have soldiers over there when the dragon torches anything that crosses the border? Burn!” Darjai asked tilting his head as he followed Narsoga.

“It is not that hard to understand, you poor excuse for a matchstick. Our forces in the Metal Lands are not dark soldiers. They are metal heroes that Samael was able to convert to our side.” Narsoga answered gripping the bridge of his nose and shaking his head.

“Okay, I think I get it now, Burn! Lord Samael was able to gain metal heroes as allies, Burn!” Darjai said as his eyes lit up.

“Fine, yes, that is what happened. Now shut your mouth and watch that smoke cloud in the distance. That is where the old furnace of a beast sleeps. When the smoke stops, it means our allies were able to pacify the dragon and we can head over the border to help them.” Narsoga said pointing to the smoke in the distance.

“What are you going to do, Burn?” Darjai asked looking at the smoke and Narsoga.

“Me? Well, I am going to sleep against this tree until you wake me up when the smoke stops.” Narsoga answered as he sat down and propped himself against a tree. As he sat against the tree it slowly froze.

“I still can’t believe Samael assigned me to this mission with a mentally handicapped arsonist,” Narsoga thought as he went to sleep.

“Okay, I’ll stand and watch the cloud of smoke, Burn!” Darjai said quietly as Narsoga slept.

For the next two hours, Narsoga slept until he felt a burning sensation in his foot. He then woke up abruptly. “What in Nighroth’s name is this pain?” Narsoga shouted as he looked down at his foot. Apparently, his foot was set ablaze while he was asleep. “Darjai, you fire happy moron, you set my foot on fire.”

“It wasn’t me, Narsoga, Burn!” Darjai said shaking his hands in protest.

“Who was it then?” Narsoga said as steam rose from his body.

“It was him, Burn!” Darjai said cowardly, pointing up at the sky.

Narsoga looked up and saw that Dramark was hovering overhead. “Darjai, I have an idea.” Narsoga said very calmly.

“What’s that, Burn?” Darjai asked.

“Run!” Narsoga shouted as he ran away. Darjai and Narsoga then ran from Dramark as fast as they could. As they ran, Narsoga looked at Darjai and asked, “Darjai, how did furnace breath find out where we were?”

“Why do you ask, Burn?” Darjai replied.

“There is no way he was able to sense us at the distance we were, unless something or someone helped him find us. Did you have something to do with this, Darjai?” Narsoga explained glaring at Darjai.

“No, Burn,” Darjai answered with a slight hesitation in his voice.

“Tell me the truth or I will personally feed you to lead belly back there,” Narsoga threatened.

“Okay, I got bored watching the smoke, Burn! Therefore, I thought if I could put it out, we could head over and finish the mission sooner, Burn! So I hurled a fireball at the cave, Burn!” Darjai said reluctantly.

“You numbskull, fires cause smoke; they do not put them out. Plus, you made the dragon mad and got my foot torched.” Narsoga yelled.

“I’m sorry, Burn! I did not mean for you to get hurt, Burn! I only wanted to help make our job easier, Burn!” Darjai apologized.

“I forgive you for being an idiot.” Narsoga replied.

“Really, Burn?” Darjai asked.

“No. not really,” Narsoga answered as he tripped Darjai and left him behind.

As Dramark came upon Darjai, he opened his mouth and took in a breath so large it swallowed several trees and prepared to roast the demon. The second fire spewed forth from Dramark’s maw, Darjai was able to blast streams of fire from his hands that propelled him forward; dodging the dragon’s breath, just as the flames hit the ground beneath him. Barely escaping Dramark, Darjai created a smokescreen to blind him.

When Darjai caught up to Narsoga, he was quite angry. “Narsoga, how could you? Burn! I could have been roasted by the dragon, Burn!” Darjai said in a rage.

“I know and it was accident. My leg stiffens up from time to time, but that is beside the point. Your smokescreen blinded old, gray, and scaly. Let’s hurry over the border before he can see again.” Narsoga explained.

Later after running for half an hour, they found refuge in a cave across the border. “According to this map, Samael gave me, we are here, I think. That means Cain should pass by soon. I say we wait here until Cain shows up.” Narsoga said after catching his breath.

The two decided to wait in the cave for Cain and his followers. They arrived at their destination; Dramark’s Cave, shortly after Narsoga and Darjai had began resting. As Cain entered the cave, he was met by the Dark Champions.

“What are you doing here, Cain? Aren’t you supposed to be at Dramark’s Cave,” Narsoga asked.

“Yes, I am.” Cain answered.

“Well then, go. We will be right behind you, Burn!” Darjai added.

“Well that’s going to be a problem,” Cain replied.

“Why?” Narsoga asked.

“I’m already in the cave.” Cain answered.

“What!” both champions said shockingly. Just then, Dramark appeared from the cave and locked his jaws on Darjai’s leg and arm .

Cain leaned over to Narsoga and asked, “Should I put Dramark to sleep, so we can free your buddy?”

“No, wait five more minutes. I’m enjoying this too much.” Narsoga replied watching as Darjai was thrown around like a chew toy.

After awhile Cain finally put Dramark to sleep and freed Darjai from his jaws.

When Darjai was freed, he gave Narsoga a very mean look. Darjai finally spoke to Narsoga. “You’re such a jerk! Burn! If it were up to you, I’d still be that dragon’s chew toy, Burn!”

“Calm down you hyperactive firecracker, I was the one who decided to set you free. Now shut it and let’s go. We’ve got company coming,” Narsoga said calmly.

As Cain and his company left the temple to find and control Dramark. Eric and his band of heroes set out to stop the possessed Cain’s evil plot. Most of them were riding choppers while Tyruki leaped from tree to tree with great pace keeping up with the metal steeds.

“Eric, over there, I found their trail.” Trevor shouted.

“Good. Now we can follow their trail to the cave,” Eric replied. “Come on, we have to hurry before it’s too late.”

With that, the heroes followed Cain’s trail through the mangled terrain of the borderlands to the legendary cave of Dramark. As they drew close to the cave, they were ambushed by Narsoga and Darjai.

“Watch out!” Eric shouted as fireballs rained down on the party.

Ozric quickly drew his guitar and played a chord that blocked the flames. “Thanks for the warning, Eric,” Ozric said as he dismounted his bike.

“Who are these jokers?” Barren asked.

“Who are we? I don’t blame you for not knowing who we are. After all you people don’t get very many Dark Realm visitors because of furnace breath over there.” Narsoga answered.

“You’re from the Dark Realm? That’s impossible; Dramark should have roasted you two.” Trevor added.

“He did try to roast us, but with some luck and a little help from your buddy, Cain, we made it. But anyway, my name is Narsoga and my fire happy friend here is Darjai.” Narsoga replied motioning to Darjai.

“Can I roast these guys? Burn! I haven’t burnt anything all day, Burn!” Darjai begged as his hands ignited.

“Fine, Darjai, you can have all the fun you want with them. I’ll just wait over here.” Narsoga said as he walked to a tree, turned it into an icy chair, and sat down.

“I’m going to enjoy playing with you, Burn!” Darjai said as flaming wings spread from his back.

“Are you ready? Here I come, Burn!” Darjai added as he flew up into the air. While in midair, he dove at the metal heroes and pulled up at the last second.

“We need to stop Cain.” Barren said.

“I know but it’s going to be hard to stop Cain with these guys in the way.” Eric replied.

“That’s why these two are here. To stall us while Cain gains control of Darmark.” Ozric added.

“We need to take them out quickly if we have any chance of stopping Cain.” Trevor said sitting in cover.

“Impossible,” Ozric interrupted.

“What are you talking about Ozric?” Eric asked.

“These two are dark champions, which is the only way I can think of for them making it across the border. It would only waste what precious time we have left to stop Cain, even if we all fought them together.” Ozric explained.

“What are you suggesting?” Eric asked.

“I will stay here and fight these two, while you and the others go on ahead and stop Cain.” Ozric answered.

“Have you lost it? It is too dangerous to fight these two alone, especially a man of your age.” Eric interrupted.

“Don’t worry about me. I may be old but this wizard still has a few good tricks up his sleeve.” Ozric added confidently.

“You heard the man let’s get going. Cain must be stopped.” Eric commanded.

“Where do you think you’re going? Burn! We haven’t even started playing and you are already leaving, Burn! I won’t allow that, Burn!” Darjai said hovering in the air.

“Don’t worry about them leaving. I’m staying here to play with you demon.” Ozric said as he created a barrier around the fleeing party.

“So, you want to stay and play, Burn! Well, remember the old saying, play with fire and you’re going to get burned, Burn!” Darjai said as he descended to the ground.

“Don’t worry; I’ve been around long enough to handle fires hotter than you.” Ozric replied.

“Well let’s see if you can back up those words of yours, Burn!” Darjai said maniacally.

Narsoga sat and watched as Darjai charged at Ozric and started battling it out. Darjai hurled a volley of fireballs at Ozric but he played a riff that absorbed the volley into a twister emanating from his guitar and flung it back at Darjai, who absorbed the fire into his body but was thrown backward onto the ground.

“Is that all you got, Darjai? I thought you could handle an old man like me.” Ozric taunted.

“The game has only just begun, magic man, Burn! This game ends when I have roasted that kindling body of yours, Burn!” Darjai said as he stood up.

The battle continued and Darjai kept throwing more fireballs at Ozric, who started hitting them like baseballs with his staff. Eventually the entire battlefield was covered in flames and scorch marks. Narsoga’ chair was the only place that wasn’t affected by the battle because Narsoga froze any flames that came near him. Ozric used his magic and fired attacks at Darjai as well but Darjai used a flaming sword to smash and nullify his attacks. Eventually their battle turned into an endurance match seeing who could outlast the other. After another round of dodging and repelling each other’s attacks, they stood across from each trying to catch their breath.

Darjai then said, “I’m done playing around, Burn! It’s time to end this game, Burn!” Darjai’ body exploded into a pillar of flames. From this pillar, a giant demon arose with massive wings and a tail made of pure fire. His weapon complimented his size, a large black flame saber. “How do you like my true form tiny magic man, Burn?” Darjai added as the pillar dispersed.

“Size isn’t everything. For a demon you seem to be ill experienced in the ways of the world.” Ozric said readying himself to end his final charge.

“Enough talk; prepare to die magic man, Burn!” Darjai said swinging his sword at Ozric.

The final battle ensued and each warrior attacked repeatedly but Ozric was the only one to land any blows. It seemed that Darjai’ massive size made him slower and a larger target for Ozric to hit. After several minutes, Darjai finally fell to one of Ozric’s power chords. As Darjai fell, he turned back into his human form.

Narsoga then stood up and started clapping. “Nice job, wizard. I’ve never seen anyone take down Darjai so easily or quickly besides Lord Samael himself.” Narsoga said as he jumped down in front of Ozric.

“Are you here to compliment me or fight?” Ozric asked.

“I am here to fight, but before we start our battle let me just clean the field a little. First let me move this small obstruction.” Narsoga said as he picked up Darjai and threw him up into the icy chair. “Second let me clean up the mess my associate made.” Narsoga added as an icy white mist covered the field until it was frozen over. “That’s more like it.”

“So are you ready to go, ice man?” Ozric added impatiently.

“Iceman, I am winter’s herald, not some iceman. I’ll make you suffer for your insults.” Narsoga growled flashing his teeth.

“Your threats are nothing but talk. I took your friend, Darjai, down easily. What makes you any better than him?” Ozric said.

“As you said earlier, Darjai seemed ill experienced for a demon and you’re right. He was actually a human once, a young technician. However, unlike him I am far older than he is. I was an ice beast centuries ago. Now I am the herald of winter and a champion to the Legion. After seeing you battle, I know your combat style and there is no way you can defeat me.” Narsoga answered.

“We’ll see about that, shaman.” Ozric replied retuning his guitar.

From there the two spell casters began their battle. Ozric started with a music chord, which was stopped by an ice wall, thrown up Narsoga. Ozric was shocked that the wall didn’t crack at the power of his chord.

“What? Not even a scratch. How is that even possible?” Ozric said in astonishment.

“Are you surprised, wizard? After watching your battle with Darjai, I figured out the bulk of your strategy and most of your moves.” Narsoga boasted as the wall sunk into the ice ground.

“You don’t know all of my tricks, Frosty.” Ozric taunted as he played twenty chords.

“No, but I found a fun way of countering your moves.” Narsoga replied.

As the chords hit the wall, Narsoga concaved it causing the sound to echo back at Ozric. Ozric quickly played a shield riff to cancel out the chords. “What was that?” Ozric asked.

“I call it an echo wall. I used my power over the ice to create a concave wall that causes an echo effect in your music, allowing me to reflect your attacks back at you.” Narsoga explained.

“So that’s your game, to beat me with my own music.” Ozric said. “Only, I see one problem with your plan.”

“What’s that?” Narsoga asked.

“This.” Ozric answered as he played a chord. Narsoga absorbed the attack, but Ozric dodged the echo and charged Narsoga. When Ozric got close Narsoga pulled up another wall and the chord Ozric played hit him.

“How did that happen?” Ozric asked.

“Simple, when you dodged the echo, I created a box from the water in the air and recaptured your sound and waited until you were right in front of me to release it.” Narsoga answered. “Why don’t we just end this man to man, your spells are unless. What do you say, wizard?”

“I say bring it on!” Ozric said as he recovered from the echoed attack.

Both warriors took their stances and began charging. As they clashed, sparks and shards of ice flew off their weapons. Both of them were determined to defeat the other by any means that they could muster. Eventually, the two of them met for one final charge, as the collided, Narsoga’ sword shattered and Ozric followed through with a jab to the stomach that slung Narsoga to the ground.

“Guess I win. All that’s left is to finish you off.” Ozric said as he prepared to crush Narsoga’ head with his staff.

Just as Ozric’s staff met the shaman’s head, his body froze in place. “Ha! Did you really think I was defeated? I only let you win those clashes so the ice from my blade would cover your body. Now you are helpless to stop me from killing you.” Narsoga said as he rose from the ground.

“Now die, wizard.” Narsoga cried as he created a new blade from thin air and prepared to stab him.

Suddenly a voice echoed inside Narsoga’s mind and said, “That is enough, Narsoga; your mission is to stall the heroes, not kill them.”

“Who are you?” Narsoga asked.

“I am Nighroth the Shadow Seer. The one who gave you your powers.” the voice answered.

“What do you mean stall them? My orders were to kill them.” Narsoga replied.

“Never mind Samael’s orders, just grab Darjai and return to the Citadel immediately.” Nighroth commanded.

“Fine,” Narsoga said as he lowered his blade from Ozric’s neck. “You’re lucky, wizard. I have to leave now, but next time you won’t be so lucky.” Narsoga added as he grabbed Darjai and disappeared in a frosty mist.

After Narsoga left, all the ice melted and Ozric was freed. Then as he started moving around, he remembered that he had to catch up with Eric and the others.

“Oh man! I’ve got to find Eric and them.” Ozric thought.

“Where’s my bike?” Ozric asked as he looked around.

“Oh, come on!” Ozric yelled as he found the scorched wreckage that was his bike.

“Guess I’m hoofing it.” Ozric added as he pulled out his guitar. He played a riff that made him faster than if he had rode his bike. As he ran, Eric and his team made it to the path that lead to Dramark’s Cave.

“Wait up, I’m here. Stop,” Ozric shouted in the distance.

“Ozric, you’re alive. What happened to those dark champions and your bike?” Eric asked relieved that Ozric was alive.

“I took out the pyro pretty quickly, but before I could finish him the ice dude jumped in and saved him. After Darjai was out of the way, he fought me, but he was a lot more challenging and he almost killed me, then just as he was about to stab me, he stopped and left with Darjai in hand. When he left I found that my bike was trashed from the battle, so I had to run here.” Ozric explained catching his breath.

“Okay. Why don’t you just stay here with the bikes while we go on ahead?” Eric suggested.

“Fine, I’m too tired to move anyway.” Ozric agreed as he plopped onto the ground.

“Come on, guys. There isn’t much time left, we have to go.” Eric ordered.

Eric and the others continued forward to Dramark’s Cave. Meanwhile, inside the cave, Cain began to have second thoughts about the Shadow Seer’s plan. “I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore. At first, his plan seemed perfect; I rule the lands and no more Eric to steal my thunder. Now I have critically injured my teacher and have betrayed my people. This is all wrong.” Cain thought to himself.

“What are you thinking about Cain?” Brok asked.

“It’s nothing,” Cain said aggressively.

“Cain, I sense Eric and the others are close by,” Takada interrupted.

“Well, Takada and Brok go and cut them off. Rena, you stay with me and watch my back while I perform the ceremony.” Cain ordered.

“Yes, Lord Cain,” his heroes replied.

Eric and his team walked up the trail to the cave. When they made it halfway up the trail, Takada and Brok appeared in front of them.

“That is far enough.” Takada declared.

“Yeah, we can’t allow you to get any closer to Cain,” Brok added as a chain started to extended out of him arm.

“Why are you doing this, Takada? You know that what Cain is doing is wrong.” Tyruki asked.

“Hey Brok, what she said. Why are you doing this?” Barren asked.

“We have our reasons. We have to ask you why you are trying to stop Cain. All he is doing is trying to make our lands safer.” the rebel heroes replied.

“This isn’t Cain’s doing. It’s the Shadow Seer, he has possessed Cain so he could use him to take over Dramark and invade our land.” Eric explained.

“Enough of your lies, we won’t allow you to pass,” Brok replied.

“Fine, we didn’t want to fight but if we must, we will.” Eric said sadly.

“No Eric, you and Trevor keep going. Tyruki and I will handle these two.” Barren interrupted as he locked weapons with Brok.

“Yes we can handle these two. Please you must stop Cain before it is too late.” Tyruki added as she battled Takada.

“Okay. We’ll go on ahead. Come on, Trevor. Good luck, guys.” Eric yelled.

As the four of them fought, Eric and Trevor continued forward to the cave. When they reached the mouth of the cave, Rena was the only thing standing between them and Cain. “The only way to get to Cain is through me.” Rena said as she drew her sword and activated her suit.

Trevor stepped forward to meet Rena and said, “Rena if it’s a fight you want, then it’s a fight you’ll get.”

“Are you sure about this, Trevor?” Eric asked.

“I’ve never been surer in my life. Only you are strong enough to stop Cain from gaining Dramark’s power.” Trevor replied charging up his sonic emitters.

Trevor and Rena charged at each other and began their fight. Eric slipped passed them and continued into the cave to find the possessed Cain. The closer Eric drew to Cain, the more energy he felt in the air. Then he found Cain standing in front of Dramark preparing to play the solo. “Cain stop this, you are only helping the darkness take over our world.” Eric demanded.

“No, I’m not. I’m saving our world from the Legion by using Dramark to kill them all.” Cain replied.

“Cain, why are you doing this? Don’t you know what we could lose from your actions?” Eric asked.

“What we could lose. You don’t know the first thing about loss. I lost everything when the Legion attacked my village. It is impossible for you to know what it feels like to see your loved ones killed around you and you can’t do anything about it. I’m going to use Dramark to take my revenge on the Legion, so no one else has to suffer like I did and there is nothing you can say to stop me.” Cain answered.

“If I can’t talk you out of doing this then I’ll have to make you stop.” Eric threatened.

“Fine, let’s see what you can do, Eric. Just remember the master isn’t here to bail you out when I’m about to kill you.” Cain replied.

“Enough talk, let the guitar battle begin,” Eric announced.

Cain and Eric both pulled out their guitars and began to play riffs that shook the very foundation of the cave. Eventually the sheer power of their music caused the cave to break apart. Even as the cave fell apart, they continued to play until Eric transformed his guitar into a sword and charged at Cain, but as he got closer Cain drew the sword in his guitar’s neck and blocked his attack. The two disciples continued to slash and block each other repeatedly until the two of them locked swords.

“Why did you listen to the Shadow Seer in the first place, Cain?” Eric asked as they struggled.

“It’s because he said that I could get rid of you if I helped him.” Cain answered.

“Why do you hate me, Cain?” Eric asked.

“I don’t hate you. The fact is I’m jealous of you,” Cain answered.

“Jealous? What do you have to jealous of?” Eric replied.

“The master always gives you praise every time you do anything with your guitar, but I get nothing for my musical magic. You’re his favorite and I’m tired of you stealing my spotlight.”

“What are you talking about? Ryvok has given you lots of praise; he just does it when you’re not around. He says it’s because he doesn’t want you to get a big head.” Eric interrupted.

“Really,” Cain asked.

“Yes, really, your skills with a guitar are far greater than mine. Telling you so would only soften your skills, making you worse.” Eric explained. “Plus, Rvyok chose to take you in when your village was destroyed because he knew you were special.”

“You’re right. I need to end this, but the Shadow Seer still has control over me.” Cain replied.

“Not for long. If we team up we can break his control over you.” Eric said.

“No! Cain is mine. With his power I will control Dramark and the Metal Lands will be consumed in darkness.” Nighroth said using Cain’s body.

“Shadow Seer, you won’t win. Cain is with me now and together we will defeat you.” Eric shouted.

“What? Cain is under my control. He won’t be able to help at all.” Nighroth replied.

As Nighroth’s power surged through Cain, he began to play the controlling solo. However, as he played, the chords from his guitar slowly stopped sounding. “What’s happening?” Nighroth asked shockingly.

“I will no longer be your puppet, Shadow Seer. I see now what I was doing was wrong and you won’t control me anymore. Now get out of my body.” Cain demanded.

With that, Cain played a chord with Eric that forced Nighroth out of Cain’s body. “No! You can’t stop the Will of the Abyss.” Nighroth said as he faded into nothingness.

Eric ran over to Cain who fell to the ground when Nighroth was forced out of him. “You alright, man?” Eric asked as he helped Cain up.

“Yeah, I’m alright. Why don’t we pick everyone up and head home to the Temple?” Cain replied.

The two of them gathered all the others and headed home to the Temple. As the heroes returned to the Temple, the people rejoiced and Cain headed to the medical ward to check up on his master and apologize for his actions.

“Master, I’m sorry for the trouble I have caused for our people. I hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me master.” Cain said sitting next to Ryvok with eye filled with tears.

“You don’t need to apologize. It wasn’t your fault. My brother, Nighroth, was manipulating your emotions to help him. If anything I should be the one to apologize for making you feel under appreciated. You will always be my favorite student.” Ryvok replied looking up at Cain with a warm smile.

“Hey, Cain how about we have some one-on-one training whenever I get better.” Ryvok added as he looked out the window at the Temple Garden.

“I’d like that, master.” Cain replied wiping away his tears and smiling. After that, peace returned to the Metal Lands.

The Birth of Astaroth

Several years later, the three regions of Evon Prime had reached a stalemate in their war. Neither the White Kingdom nor the Metal Lands could regain the ground lost to them from the Legion’s initial invasions, but the Dark Realm, these days seemed to be weakening. Something in their realm appeared to be changing or fading as it would seem.

It turns out Nighroth was dying. This is because of the fact when he used his powers to blanket the realm in darkness he gave up his eternal life as a price for his actions. The Pact of Mortality ensured that each of the divine beings would have one mortal body with eternal life meaning that their bodies would never age and they would live forever on the mortal plane. Nighroth on the other hand, relinquished this eternal life to protect his creations from the other regions of Evon Prime. Now, Nighroth has aged to the point where death could come at anytime to claim his body. Fortunately, for him, he had planned for this day to come and called Samael to bring him his viewing bowl. Samael then summoned his sages to help his father to restore his life and power.

Nighroth had found a way to make a new body, even though his powers of creation could not be used to do so. For the Pact forbids the creation of addition bodies. Each being was to be given one and only one mortal body and if it were to be destroyed in any way then the god forfeits the right to his kingdom and is never allowed to return to Evon Prime. But Nighroth had found a loophole in the Pact. First, Nighroth saved a woman by the name of Maria from the Metal Lands during the first wave of the Legion’s invasion and placed a dark seed in her womb. The woman was from the same village as Cain and the only other survivor of the attack. Nighroth protected the woman during the attack and struck down any who would dare lay a hand on her. She fled from the village and now lives near the Metal Temple, which was the perfect place to hide them from Nighroth’s enemies.

Nighroth, being the most compassionate of the three divine beings, stayed with Maria and their child for several years until the burden became too much for him to bear with his advancing age. During his stay Nighroth hid his identity fearing that if he were discovered Ryvok might hurt Maria and their son. Now the child is a man by the name of Vincent and he was ready for the destiny Nighroth bestowed upon him.

With the bowl, Nighroth extended his consciousness to Vincent, “Listen to me, my child. Come to me. Follow my voice.” Nighroth commanded gazing into the bowl and stirring the water.

Vincent fell into a daze and began to hear the voice echoing in his head. Unfortunately, he heard the voice during a meal with his mother. He began to lose focus on the meal and his mother. She soon noticed him distancing himself from the conversation and from the meal.

“What’s the matter, Vincent? You seem to be somewhere else.” Maria asked looking up him as he slowly stopped eating.

“What? Oh, nothing I’m fine.” Vincent replied as he looked down at his food.

“Alright, you know that you can’t fool me with that act. Now what’s on your mind?” Maria asked placing her fork on the table and wiping her mouth with a napkin.

“You’ll think it’s weird.” Vincent said his heading hanging low as he looked at his mother.

“I’ve been around long enough to see a few weird things in my day so just try me.” Maria said as she placed her hand on Vincent’s and gave him a gentle smile.

“Okay, I’ll tell you. I’ve been hearing a man’s voice in my head. It’s a strong yet soft voice that fills me with comfort and security. I feel like I’ve heard the voice before but I can’t remember who it belongs to.” Vincent said looking into his mother’s eyes.

“By Ryvok’s strings,” Maria replied as her eyes narrowed.

“What is it, mom?” Vincent said starting to stand.

“I know whose voice you’re talking about. Before you were born, he appeared to me when the Legion attacked my village. When the attack began they burned down my family’s house killing my family and leaving me all alone. I tried to run away but I tripped and one of those monsters tried to grab me. At the last moment a tall dark man appeared and slashed the monster in half. Then I heard him ask, †˜Are you okay?’ Even though he was covered in blood, he offered such a gentle smile and his eyes, so cold yet soft. He helped me up and then fought off dozens of those monsters. After we escaped, I went with him to a secluded cottage. I tried to ask him who he was or why he saved me but all he did was smile and then he hugged me and kissed me. I was just happy to be alive but when we kissed I felt this connection and then we shared a bed. It was very hot; we ripped off each other’s clothes…” Maria explained as she began to blush and sweat remembering

“Mom, I don’t want to hear this. Could we just skip this part of the story?” Vincent interrupted as he tried to forget the images of his mother naked.

“Okay we’ll just skip over that part. After that night when I woke up in the morning he was gone. Soon I realized that I was pregnant and your father was nowhere to be found. Months passed a not a single letter or call, I feared that I would never see him again and that I would have to raised you on my own but when I had you, he appeared again, this time it was in the maternity ward. After I gave birth to you, the doctor asked me what I should name you and I heard his voice, †˜His name is Vincent, after his grandfather.’ Then I asked him who he was and he answered, †˜My name is Nishimura. I’ve been keeping my eye on you. I am the boy’s father as you must have figured out. But I wish to be with you and our son. I must warn you now though. I have business obligations in the other kingdoms so every so often I will have to leave you for unknown lengths of time but I will always return. Is that okay?’ He gave me that same gentle smile I felt that I could trust him after everything I had been through so I accepted his terms.” Maria continued as she looked Vincent with a smile and distanced eyes.

“So this voice in my head could be my dad. It wants me to follow it. But is it really okay for me to leave you here alone?” Vincent said as he stood up.

“Yes, there’s nothing keeping you here so follow the voice it may lead you to your dad. I’ll be fine here; I’ve lived a good life with you so just go find your father, he might need your help.” Maria said giving Vincent a soft smile.

Vincent traveled for several miles, following the voice in his head until he came to the border. Once he got to the border, border guards immediately stopped him.

“Wait, you are not allowed to cross the border, by order of the Metal Master.,” the guard captain ordered.

“I must follow the voice.” Vincent replied as he came closer to the guards.

“Sir, please don’t come any closer, we have orders to shoot anyone who gets too close,” the captain warned.

“No one will get in my way. I must follow the voice.” Vincent replied as he continued to move forward.

“Okay men, he’s not stopping. Prepare to fire. Ready, Aim, Fire!” the captain ordered as his men prepared to open up.

“No one will stop me from finding my father!” Vincent screamed as the bullets flew toward him.

As the bullets hit Vincent, a black mist surrounded him and the bullets were reflected back at the guards. The bullets killed the guards and he continued forward across the border and onto one of the boats heading for the Dark Realm.

“Yes, all of the pieces are falling into place for my ultimate plan.” Nighroth gloated. “Samael, please send Thaneus to bring my son to the citadel.”

“As you wish, father, I will give Thaneus your orders.” Samael replied. Samael left the secret chamber to find Thaneus and give him his orders. “Thaneus, come here.”

“You called for me, Lord Samael?” Thaneus asked as he entered the room.

“Yes, I did. I have a mission for you. I want you and a few of your men to grab a package coming to the shore and bring it to the citadel.” Samael answered.

“How will we know when we find this package?” Thaneus asked.

“Trust me; you’ll know it when you find it.” Samael replied as he gave Thaneus a wicked grin.

“I will take my men and head to the shore right now, my Lord.” Thaneus said bowing to Samael.

Thaneus set out with several men to the shore where Vincent was going to meet them. As they drew closer to their goal, Thaneus’ men began to feel uneasy. Then Thaneus saw the package Samael wanted delivered to the Citadel.

“You two, secure him.” Thaneus ordered pointing at Vincent.

“I don’t know, sir. The other men and I are getting a weird feeling from this guy.” the commander replied with a slight hesitation in his voice.

“Do you want to be the one to explain to Lord Samael, why we could not deliver his package?” Thaneus said glaring at the commander.

“No.” The commander replied quickly shaking his head.

“Well then, secure him.” Thaneus said motioning to Vincent.

“Yes, sir,” The commander replied as the soldiers walked over to Vincent and grabbed him.

“No one will stop me from finding my father,” Vincent said as the soldiers grabbed him. A black flame extended from his body and reduced the soldiers to charred skeletons.

“My child, don’t kill them. They are bringing you to me. So we can be together sooner,” the voice commanded.

“Fine, I will go with them.” Vincent complied as the flames around him dimmed.

The remaining soldiers took Vincent, and Thaneus delivered him to the gate of the Citadel. Once they were at the gate, Maelfist took custody over the man.

“Greetings, I will take you to Lord Samael.” Maelfist said as he led Vincent to Samael’s personal chambers. Samael met them as they entered.

“Thank you, Maelfist. That is all I require of you and please thank Thaneus for getting him here.” Samael said motioning Maelfist away as he took Vincent into his chambers. Maelfist nodded his head and walked away.

“Will you take me to my father?” Vincent asked looking up at Samael.

“Yes. Follow me and you will finally meet your father.” Samael answered as he guided him a back wall. Samael opened a secret door in the wall and motioned Vincent to enter the room. As he entered the room, all he saw was two slabs and a dying man laying down on one of them.

“Was it your voice that brought me here? Are you Nishimura?” Vincent asked as he ran over to the dying old man.

“Yes. I am the one who summoned you. I am also the one your mother calls Nishimura, but my true name is Nighroth.” the old man replied.

“Are you really the Shadow Seer?” Vincent asked as he took a few steps backward.

“Indeed, our father had this all planned out from the beginning.” Samael added as he grabbed Vincent from behind.

“Why did you save my mother and impregnate her?” Vincent asked.

“I saved Maria because she was different; special. She held the key to Evon Prime’s future. I helped raise you until you were ten but my life became very hectic so I had to leave so that I could make the world a better place,” Nighroth answered. “But enough with the formalities, we must hurry, my time grows short.”

Samael took Vincent, strapped him down to the other slab, and assured him. “Don’t worry, you might feel some discomfort, but it will all be over soon enough.”

As Vincent was strapped down, six of Samael’s personal sages appeared and began to chant in a dark tongue. Samael stood in between of the two slabs and uttered four words, “Symon. Alben. Myronos. Zyphos.”

When the last word was uttered, the souls of the two men left their bodies and Samael motioned the souls to enter the opposite body. Once Nighroth’s soul entered Vincent’s body, his skin grew pale, his hair turned black, his eyes filled with darkness and turned red, and Nighroth’s blood tattoos began to appear on his body.

“Yes, my plan worked. I am reborn.” Nighroth said, as he broke free from his straps.

“What about him?” Samael asked pointing at the withered Vincent.

“Don’t worry, he is still useful to me and now that I am in this new body I can use my powers on my old one.” Nighroth answered. Nighroth walked over to Vincent and rammed his hand into Vincent’s chest. Vincent began to convulse as black runes began to spread out from Nighroth’s hand, rejuvenating his body and turning him into scion. When Vincent’s body was completely consumed by the black runes red fissures formed across Vincent’s body and shattered the runes giving him new live.

“Samael, I would like to introduce you to your brother, Astaroth, the Scion of Flame.” Nighroth said as he lowered the slab and motioned to the renewed Vincent.

“Should we bring these tidings to our people?” Samael asked.

“Yes, gather my children to the Citadel. They have the right to know of our rebirth.” Nighroth replied as he flexed his new body.

Within the hour, all of the Dark Realm’s people were gathered outside the Citadel. The crowd stood anxiously as they waited to hear the tidings from the scion.

The masses grew silent as Samael appeared on the balcony and declared, “My fellow children of Nighroth, I have great tidings from our father. He says he, wait, why should I say anything when he can tell you the news himself.”

The crowd exploded into a frenzy of questions and awe. At that moment, a man emerged out from behind the Scion and raised his hand to quiet the populace. In a dead silence, the crowd stood to listen to the supposed Shadow Seer. The man then began to speak, “Hello, I am Nighroth the Shadow Seer.”

“Wait! How do we know you’re actually Nighroth?” a man in the crowd interrupted.

A hole opened up in the crowd around the skeptic. As he finished his sentence Nighroth drew a masamune from his back and sunk into the shadows of the balcony. The crowd was shocked; Nighroth reappeared from the shadow of the man and sliced him in half.

When he was finished he returned to the balcony and asked, “Does anyone else question my identity?” The crowd remained awestruck.

“If no one else has anything to say, I will continue. But before I do, there is one thing I need to take care of.” Nighroth said as he restored life to the man he killed. “Have I proven myself to you my child?”

“Yes, you truly are the Shadow Seer.” The man said as he fell to his knees in reverence and shame.

“Now, as I was saying, I am Nighroth. I have been watching you for over a millennia and walking among you for nearly a century. There is a secret that I have for you, even my brothers do not know about. When I used my power to transform this land into a paradise, I made a personal sacrifice to protect you. I gave up my eternal life, which means I could die in my mortal form be it old age, sickness, or even being attacked. I was vulnerable to my enemies, but twenty years ago, I devised a cunning plan to rid myself of this accursed weakness. I would like you to meet the man who saved my life, my second Scion, Astaroth.”

As he finished a tall man stepped into sight. They could tell that he was powerful from the intense heat radiated by his presence. Astaroth removed his hood and revealed him to be reminiscent of a guitar warrior of the Metal Lands.

Astaroth looked about twenty. He was tall, about 6’ 4”. He had tan skin, which was unusual for the people of the Dark Realm since there was little sunlight. His hair was dark brown, nearly black in shade. Astaroth wore a red shirt and black pants, a leather jacket with the insignia of the Dark Realm on the back, and he had blood red chains hanging out of the pockets of his pants. His eyes though, were the most interesting, they were hazel but they weren’t hollow like his father or his brother, they were normal.

“Hey out there. I’m Astaroth, second son of Nighroth. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I can’t wait for the after party of this meet and greet.”

The air was filled with an awkward silence from the strange words of the new Scion. As the silence faded, Nighroth said goodbye to his children and left the balcony. Nighroth then took his place on the citadel’s throne.

“Astaroth, I want you to run an errand for me in the Metal Lands.” Nighroth ordered as he leaned his chin on his hand.

“What would this errand be, dad?” Astaroth asked.

“Bring me Cain.” Nighroth replied as he smirked.

“Okay dad.” Astaroth said as he bowed and left the throne room.

After receiving his orders, Astaroth raced to the Metal Lands to capture Cain. Once he reached the border, Dramark blocked his path. Dramark pulled his head back, took a deep breath, and let forth a large pillar of flame on Astaroth. Before the fire hit, Astaroth teleported himself behind Dramark and fled into the Metal Lands. As Astaroth made his way to the Temple, Cain headed to the forest outside the temple grounds.

It was common knowledge that Cain goes into the forest to play for the plants and animals. Astaroth arrived at the forest just after Cain began to play his concert. Astaroth played a chord to turn himself invisible. As Cain’s concert drew on, Astaroth continued to make his way to Cain by following the music. When Astaroth found Cain, he played an attack riff but Cain dodged it and returned with a volley of chords. One of them managed to hit Astaroth and caused him to become visible again.

“Who are you and why did you attack me?” Cain asked as lowered his guitar.

“The name is Astaroth and I’m taking you to Lord Samael. That’s why I attacked you.” Astaroth said on one knee catching his breath.

“Well, I’m not going down without a fight, Astaroth.” Cain said as he prepared to strum his guitar.

“Why don’t we settle this with a guitar battle, Cain?” Astaroth asked as he finally stood up holding his guitar by its neck.

“Sure. What are your terms, traitor?” Cain asked looking his strange opponent over.

“If I win, you come with me to the Shadow Citadel.” Astaroth said as he lifted his guitar into its playing position.

“What if I win?” Cain asked with a small smile.

“If you win, you can take me to the Metal Master to be interrogated.” Astaroth said as he started tuning his guitar with his eyes closed.

“Very well, let’s get started.” Cain said as he through his guitar into its playing position.

The two warriors began to play, at first their pace was slow but as the battle went on the riffs grew faster and the rhythms began to tear the battlefield between life and death. In the end, Cain grew tired, his fingers slowed and Astaroth finished him with a solo that scorched the area. With Cain defeated, Astaroth threw him over his shoulder and vanished in a pillar of black fire. Astaroth reappeared in his father’s throne and threw Cain on the ground in front of him.

“Dad, I brought Cain like you asked.” Astaroth said as Cain hit the floor.

“Excellent. Now the second phase can begin.” Nighroth replied with a twisted grin.

Chapter 8:
The Gauntlet

"This is terrible." Ryvok said as he sat on his throne.

"What's wrong master?" Eric said as he ran into the room.

"Cain has been kidnapped by an agent of the Legion." Ryvok answered with a solemn tone.

"What should we do, master?" Eric asked.

"Assemble the others; I have something else that might help you on your mission." Ryvok ordered.

"Yes, master." Eric replied as he left the room.

After Eric left, Ryvok used his powers to contact his brother, Dravinos. When Dravinos heard his brother, they began to talk.

"What is wrong little brother? Why have you contacted me?" Dravinos asked.

"One of my students has been kidnapped by one of Nighroth's servants. I need the help of your champions to rescue him. Together they can save him before it's too late." Ryvok answered.

"Very well, Gabriel's champions will meet yours at the border."

"Thanks bro." Ryvok said as he began to awaken.

Dravinos visited Gabriel shortly after his meeting with Ryvok.

"Gabriel, I have a mission for you." Dravinos declared.

"What would you wish of me, Blade King?"

"My brother, the Metal Master, has informed me that one of his students has been kidnapped by the forces of the darkness. He pleaded that I offer him aid. So I want you to send your champions to help my brother's heroes to rescue his student from the Dark Realm."

"Yes, high master, I will send my champions at once."

"Good. Farwell, Gabriel."

"Guards, summon the champions, I have an important mission for them.

Meanwhile in the Metal Temple, Eric and the other heroes arrived in Ryvok's throne room.

"Master, I've assembled the others as you ordered." Eric said.

"Okay, Eric. Your mission is not an easy one my heroes. But my older bro, the Blade King, is getting his man, Gabriel, to send his champions to help you rescue Cain from the Citadel of Shadows." Ryvok replied.

"Where will we meet these champions of the Light?" Ozric asked.

"You will meet our new allies at the border and begin your mission from there. One more thing, time is of the essence, whatever the darkness is planning; Cain's life hangs in the balance. You must hurry." Ryvok answered.

After the meeting, the metal heroes made their way to the border. At the same time, the light champions received their orders from Gabriel and they too headed to the border to rescue Cain. When both teams reached the border they were meeting for the first time.

"Greetings, I am Vorin, knight commander and leader of the light champions."

"Hey, I'm Eric, one of the Metal Master's students and co-leader of the metal heroes."

Shortly after all of them were introduced to each other, they began their perilous descent into the Dark Realm. Unfortunately, Nighroth was already aware of their mission and was planning a surprise for them.

"Samael," Nighroth yelled.

"Yes, father." Samael replied.

"My brothers have sent their chosen, in a desperate attempt to rescue Cain. I want you to send Necrin, Darjai, and some of your troops to meet our guests at the shoreline."

"As you wish, father," Samael replied.

As the champions made their way across the sea that divides the Dark Realm from the rest of Evon Prime, the sky grew darker, the winds grew colder, and an unsettling feeling filled the champions' hearts. The champions were still determined to save Cain no matter how bleak the landscape was but as they drifted closer to the shore, they could see two figures standing in the eerie fog of the morning air.

"Who is that in the distance?" Eric asked.

"The welcoming party," Vorin replied.

"Let us clear the air." Ozric said as Bishop and Ozric used their magic to dissipate the fog. The figures turned out to be Necrin and Darjai along with two hundred dark infantry.

"Lord Samael wants us to relay his regards and to make sure you had a proper reception." Necrin said as the champions landed on the shore.

"Yes, a real warm welcome, Burn!" Darjai added. "Well, Necrin, Burn?"

"Well, what?"

"How do you prefer your champions, medium rare or well done, Burn?" Darjai said as he blasted streams of fire at the champions.

"You seem eager to play with our guests. Do you have a favorite, Darjai?"

"Yes. I want the magic man and the priestess, Burn!"

"Okay. The other men and I will take the rest."

The champions and the Legion's welcoming party charged at each other. The Legion surrounded the champions but as they encircled them, Ganthor and Brok began to break their lines. Once broken the troops were cut down by the other heroes. Necrin though, blocked Malik and his light blade with his shadow blade. The two warriors started clashing but eventually Necrin overpowered Malik. As Necrin went to finish him off, Barren intervened with a bass riff, Necrin was thrown off balance and before he could recover, Barren leaped forward and shot him in the face with his shotgun, Necrin was dead before he hit the ground. Meanwhile, Darjai was flying overhead trying to roast Ozric and Circel. Fortunately, Ozric and Circel had created shields to protect themselves from Darjai' flames. As Darjai' attacks failed, he grew angrier and his flames became more intense.

"You're going to be a pile of ash when I'm done with you magic man, Burn! You're going to pay for what you did to me, Burn!" Darjai yelled cackling as he splashed flames over Ozric from the skies.

As the flames grew hotter, Ozric's shield began to crack, but as his shield failed, Circel jumped in front of the flames. Her shield gained tremendous power as she protected Ozric. When he finished resting, Ozric played a riff and teleported behind Darjai. The wizard bombarded Darjai with dozens of power chords, which drove Darjai to the ground. Once there, Circel hit him with a massive blast of spiritual energy. The dust cleared and the fire demon was extinguished.

The champions finished the remaining troops and gathered themselves to rest for the moment.

"Barren, I would just like to thank you for saving my life. I owe you a debt of gratitude." Malik said.

"Don't mention it. I was just doing what anyone would do in my position." Barren replied.

Back at the Citadel, Nighroth was planning for the next step of stopping the champions. Samael entered the room and kneeled to his father.

"Father, Necrin and Darjai are dead." Samael reported.

"Yes, I know. We must not let their deaths be in vain. I want you to send Balni, Nightshade, and Narsoga to stop the champions, along with two battalions while you're at it." Nighroth replied.

"Very well, come to me my champions."

"We are here, Lord Samael. What do you ask of us?" the champions replied.

"Narsoga, Balni, and Nightshade, I need you to intercept the champions in the black forest. As you might know, Darjai and Necrin were slain by the champions. You must avenge their deaths and vindicate their blood, in the name of the Shadow Seer."

"Yes, my lord." the three replied.

Back at the shore, the champions finished resting and headed into the forest lining the outer edge of the shore. The champions cautiously made their way through the forest, but the air was filled with a sense of dread. The trees were black and withered by death, eerie cries of dark beasts could be heard in the distance, and bodies of those who were lost in the forest seemed to claw at the edges of their trail.

"Dude, this place is really starting to freak me out." Eric said.

"Keep it together, Eric. You must be strong, if not for you, then for your team and your friend, Cain." Vorin replied.

"You're right. Thanks, Vorin. I almost lost my cool."

"Come then, we must hurry if we wish to escape this god-forsaken place." Bishop added.

The champions headed deeper into the forest but eventually they noticed a change in the air.

"Hey Brasic, you feel cold or is it just me?" Brok asked holding his arms.

"It is not you, the air is getting colder."

"I haven't felt this cold since the time I fought… Eric, I believe we are walking into a trap." Ozric said.

"What are you talking about? What trap and by who?" Eric replied.

At that moment, a needle flew at Eric's head but was caught by Takada at the last moment. He broke the needle and revealed the poison housed in the dart.

"Ozric is right, we are not alone, keep your guard up." Takada whispered.

The group grew quiet and the only sounds that could be heard were those of the animals, native to the forest. As they listened, a new sound entered the forest, faint at first but soon it grew louder and closer, the sound of footsteps marching toward them. They could see a large force of Legion soldiers, behind them Ozric saw Narsoga standing there.

"Just as I thought, the reason it's so cold is because of him." Ozric said.

"Who is he? How do you know him?" Vorin asked.

"His name is Narsoga. I know him because I fought him during Cain's rebellion." Ozric explained.

"How is he responsible for the cold?" Eric asked.

"He calls himself winter's herald because he has the power to create ice and control the cold." Ozric answered as he pointed his staff at Narsoga.

"I'm impressed; I can't believe that you could remember that far back for someone of your age." Narsoga taunted.

"You won't win this time." Ozric said clutching his staff tightly.

"The only thing that has changed is that I have full permission to kill you this time." Narsoga said as he snapped his fingers and two more platoons appeared on both sides of the trail, surrounding the champions.

"Stand firm team, we can take them." Vorin shouted drawing his sword.

"You may be able to take them on but not me and my team." Narsoga said as two warriors stepped out from behind him. "I would like to introduce you to my team. This Nightshade, Samael's priestess and this is Balni, Samael's personal assassin. I believe you've already seen what she can do, haven't you, Eric."

"So she was the one who attacked Eric. Tyruki and I will handle her." Takada said as he pulled shurieken out of one of his pouches.

"Nightshade is no priestess. I will show this dark priestess what being a servant of god is all about." Bishop said as he lifted his hammer.

"Not without me you're not. It would be a good challenge to fight a dark champion." Rena said drawing her sword.

"The only one left is Narsoga and he's mine." Ozric said.

"I will assist you; Circel is still tired from the other fight so I will step in for her." Alicia said.

"So wizard, you are teaming up with this knight. I expected more from you, but why should I complain. I have the pleasure of killing both of you at once." Narsoga said. "Troops, Attack!"

The troops charged and the battle ensued. The champions split into teams. Balni versus the ninjas, Nightshade versus Bishop and Rena, Narsoga versus Ozric and Alicia, and the rest of them fought the accompanying troops.

Balni quickly vanished and the ninjas soon followed. The three of them were barely visible fighting in the canopy above the battle. The only thing that could be seen was the flash of their weapons clashing. Balni was running circles around the ninjas. Fortunately, Tyruki was able to throw a kunai that pinned Balni' leg to a tree. As they went to secure her, she tugged on a string and tied up the ninjas. The assassin pulled out her claws and went to slice them up but Takada used a series hand signals and cast a reverse mirror jutsu. Balni found herself tangled in her own trap. Takada and Tyruki came together, used a joint hand signal, and called out twin dragon jutsu as great streams of fire spewed forth from their mouths.

As the fire passed over her, tears fell from Balni's eyes as she whispered, "I'm sorry, Lord Samael. I failed you." After the flames died down, all that remained of the assassin was her charred corpse tied in her own trap.

On the ground, Nightshade and Narsoga were fighting the other two teams of champions. Bishop started swinging his hammer trying to break Nightshade's shield while Rena was clashing with Nightshade's sword. During a major clash, Nightshade jumped backwards, focused her energy, and created a shadow version of her. The clone fought Rena and Bishop fought the real Nightshade, the three warriors were locked in a great stalemate.

On the other side of the battlefield, Ozric and Alicia were trying to defeat Narsoga. Alicia was fighting Narsoga up close, while Ozric tried to hit him with power chords and riffs, but it was to no avail. The herald was still using his echo wall to deflect Ozric's music. Alicia was also having little effect on Narsoga with her rapier. As their battle drew on, Narsoga began to falter, his defenses weakened, and his sword fighting grew sloppy, but as Narsoga reached the point of his defeat, he snapped.

"That's it. I am tired of these games; it is time to end this battle." Narsoga screamed.

The air and ground around Narsoga was actually freezing. Eventually his body actually fell apart and out of it came was a giant primal beast whose breath was a winter blizzard to the forest and its inhabitants.

"What is this creature?" Alicia asked.

"Behold champions, my true form freed from that cursed shell of a body." Narsoga bellowed as he went on a rampage.

As the two warriors dodged his attacks, Narsoga accidentally froze Nightshade. Bishop shattered her with his hammer. Her clone also disappeared as she died. Narsoga continued his rampage, killing anything and everything in his path. The champions were the only ones to survive the warpath of the ice beast. Together they hammered him with attacks until he fell and faded into ice crystals. All that remained was a small orb of light that flew up to the heavens and vanished. The heroes rested on the path after realizing how late it was. In the morning, they would continue to the Citadel of Shadows.

Back in the throne room of the Citadel, Nighroth was waiting for the news of the champions' progress. Soon Samael entered the room to deliver the news.

"Samael, please tell me what happened in the forest." Nighroth ordered as he rested his head on his hand.

"The champions have triumphed over my forces once again. We lost because Narsoga freed himself from my control and killed most of our forces." Samael reported.

"The champions are nearing the Citadel. Samael, here is how I want our forces to be divided for the last line of defense." Nighroth said as he whispered his plan into Samael's ear. Samael left the room, gathered his remaining troops and champions, and prepared them for the champions' arrival.

Finally, the champions reached the edge of the forest and as they exited; they saw the horror that was the Citadel of Shadows. The walls were a dark grey decorated with the bones of fallen soldiers, the waters near the gates were red from the blood spilled in their slaughterhouses, and the sky was alight with lightning and the sound of thunder boomed across the plateau. The plateau on which it was built was carved out to make a trail that led to its gate. The champions climbed the trail and at the front of its gates stood two of the four remaining champions of Samael. As they came closer, they saw that the two champions were Maelfist and Chaos.

"Welcome to the Citadel of Shadows. Please, allow us to give you a tour before you die." Maelfist welcomed.

"There's no way you two can stop us alone." Eric replied.

"But you see we are never alone as long as we have Lord Samael to fight for." Maelfist said as thousands of dark soldiers ran forth from the gates of the Citadel, covering over half of the massive plateau, and surrounded the champions.

"Are you ready, young one?" Vorin asked raising his sword.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Eric answered as he pulled out his guitar.

The battle ensues, the champions divided into teams as the legion engulfed them in a frenzy of weapons. While the champions were fighting, Maelfist stood back and watched as his soldiers were cut down by the enemy until he couldn't take it anymore. He charged into the fray and tackled Ganthor, when he did Trevor followed them to an open spot on the plateau. Meanwhile, Chaos ran at Brasic, killing anyone in his way, when he collided with Brasic both of them landed in a pile of corpses made by both of them. During their battle, Brok jumped in to aid Brasic in beating the berserker, Chaos. He wrapped a chain around Chaos' arm to hold him, but as he did, the chain heated up and burnt his hand.

"What was that?" Brok said cooling his hand.

"My blood-soaked arm has the power to create a super intense flame that can burn through nearly anything." Chaos said as the chain melted on his arm.

Brasic and Brok charged at Chaos and in a violent flailing of their weapons, they left Chaos as a broken and mutilated pile of remains lying on the ground. As they walked away covered in the berserker's blood, Brasic remembered something. Then they could hear laughing coming from the tattered remains of Chaos, his body rose, and it was renewed.

"Brasic it seems that you forgot, I'm a quick healer." Chaos said as he picked up his sword.

"Why didn't you tell me he could do that?" Brok asked.

"I just remembered that he could." Brasic replied.

The two heroes took their stances to fight the berserker for a second round. Chaos was even stronger now and did not fall to the blades of either champion. Then Chaos ignited the blood he left on the heroes turning their armor to ash. As the warriors battled, Bishop arrived to end it. Soon Chaos was held down and Bishop began to speak a prayer and held up a holy symbol of the Blade King. Chaos' anger increased as Bishop prayed until he broke free but as he broke free Bishop pressed the holy symbol against his chest. As Chaos escaped, he was chained again by Brok but unlike last time, Brasic ran up and hacked Chaos' head off. This time Chaos stayed down and the berserker turned back into his human form. Brasic fell to his knees when he realized that Chaos was his old friend Grengan.

"Are you okay, man?" Brok asked as he touched his shoulder.

"I am fine, return to the fray I will join you shortly," Brasic answered.

"Okay." Brok said as he turned and charged back into the fray.

"Farewell, old friend. May the ancestors grant you passage to the great hall in the sky," Brasic said as he placed Grengan's sword in his hands and laid it on his chest.

In another area of the plateau, Ganthor and Trevor stood to battle Maelfist. The general charged at the champions but as they clashed Maelfist deftly sent the champions to the ground. Maelfist stood back and fired a volley of shadow orbs at the champions but as they drew close, a wall of sound collided with them and cancelled the attack.

"Ah, you're the famous thunder technician of the Metal Lands, Trevor." Maelfist said after his attack failed.

Both champions rose but as they took their stances, Maelfist attacked again with another volley and he used some soldiers to hold them in place. At the last second, Ganthor's chest bolter activated and drove Maelfist to the ground. The soldiers holding the champions ran to their general's side. As they were caring for him, Trevor created a thunder blast and hurled it at Maelfist and his men. As the blast flew, Maelfist created a massive dark explosion to shield his men but this act cost the general his life.

As the battle raged on Vanhorn and Legori cleared a path to the main gate, Vorin and Eric followed and broke through the gate. The four of them entered the citadel with great caution. Even the interior was ornate with bones. They continued through the halls of the citadel until they were met by Thaneus, Vanhorn and Legori stepped in front to guard the others.

"We can cover you while you find Cain," Vanhorn said as he adjusted his bolters and blade gauntlets.

"Thank you. We will do are best." Vorin said as they ran past Thaneus.

"Where do you think you're going?" Thaneus said as he swung at Vorin.

"No. Your fight is with us, demon." Vanhorn said as he blocked Thaneus' attack.

"Good luck, guys." Eric said as they ran through the door.

As the door closed, Legori prepped his arrows and launched a volley at Thaneus. As the volley flew, Thaneus raised his sword and the arrows fell to the ground. Vanhorn charged at Thaneus and pulled out his hidden blade to stab Thaneus, but as he went to strike Thaneus raised his sword and the hidden blade was retracted and Vanhorn was thrown backwards.

"Why is this happening? Why are weapons not working?" Vanhorn wondered.

"Foolish champions, I am Thaneus head general of the Legion. No weapon can strike me as long as I have Caisus." Thaneus declared.

The two of them wondered what or who Caisus was. They continued to attack but like before Thaneus raised his sword and their weapons failed. Then as they prepared to attack again, Vanhorn realized that Caisus was Thaneus' sword. Vanhorn whispered a plan to Legori that would allow them to take Caisus away from Thaneus. Legori started running in circles around Thaneus and firing arrows at him but unlike before Vanhorn snuck past Thaneus' sight and got behind him. Vanhorn grabbed Thaneus' shoulder, swept his leg, and threw him to the ground. As he fell, Vanhorn took Caisus and the two champions hammered the general with arrows and bolter darts. After the barrage, Thaneus laid there lifeless. Vanhorn took Caisus and decapitated the great general, and they headed forward to find the others leaving Caisus lay with its master's corpse.

During the Vanhorn and Legori' battle, Vorin and Eric continued through the halls of the citadel until they found a very large door depicting the story of their god Nighroth. At the door, they were met by the final champion, Azerius.

"Stop right there. None shall pass unless the Scion wishes it." Azerius warned.

"You must be the dark champion who almost killed Gabriel and that door is the door to throne room." Vorin said clenching his fists.

"Yes and Yes. My name is Azerius, Knight of the Abyss and this is the door to the throne room." Azerius said as he paced in front of the door.

"A beast with no honor does not deserve to claim such a title." Vorin said raising his fist at Azerius.

"Honor, I have more honor than any of these beasts that you've battle so far. My honor comes from the power that my god has given to me."

"Knights cannot gain honor through power alone. Knights have to follow three basic virtues; courage, valor, and loyalty to gain honor."

"I am a knight that gains his honor through power and power alone." Azerius said.

"Knights should not rely on power alone. As long as they follow these principles, they will always find the strength to overcome any foe. A knight with only power is only trying to hide their own weakness."

"Enough of your nonsense, power is everything. With power, you can do anything. One can even change the world for the better."

"Change the world for the better? Your lord wishes to enslave the world, not make it better. You do not realize the amount of suffering you have caused our people. I will stop you and your lord before you can hurt anyone else." Vorin said raising his sword.

"Just try it, old man." Azerius replied drawing his sword.

"I'll help you." Eric said as he brought out his guitar.

"No. This is a battle between knights. Honor demands that you must not intervene." Vorin replied motioned Eric to stay back.

The two knights took their stances and charged at each. Vorin swung with a flurry of slashes but each one was blocked by Azerius. Azerius retaliated with three powerful strikes. Vorin blocked two but the force behind them sent him backwards. The third slash he dodged and countered with a lunge but as the sword made contact, he saw his son, William. He could hear him say, "Why are you hurting me, father?" In an instant Azerius moved; receiving only a glancing wound. Then Azerius took his stance as he backed away from Vorin.

"What was that?" Vorin wondered.

Azerius attacked again and once again Vorin countered but as he struck Azerius he saw his son again and he said, "Father, please stop hurting me." Again, Azerius was only grazed by the attack. This time Vorin asked Azerius about his son.

"Azerius, why do I see my son when I strike you?" Vorin asked as he recovered from his attack.

"That's simple. Vorin, I am your son." Azerius answered.

"That is impossible. My son was killed when the Legion attacked my home," Vorin replied as his eyes dilated and his mouth hung open.

"No. He was consumed by the darkness of the Abyss because of his need to be stronger and that is how I was born." Azerius corrected grinning wickedly.

"I will free him from your clutches, vile spirit." Vorin said gripping his sword tighter.

"I am the manifestation of your son's inner darkness if you want to free him; you'll have to kill us both since we share his body." Azerius said beating his chest.

"You are a monster, using my son as a shield against me." Vorin said as he clenched his fist and gripped his handle tightly.

"I maybe a monster, but you're the one who has to kill his own son." Azerius said as he took his stance

"Enough, I am going end this." Vorin replied taking his stance.

Vorin lifted his blade and charged at Azerius. As he charged, his sword began to glow. Azerius raised his sword to block but as he blocked his sword shattered and the force of the clash caused him to fall to the ground. Vorin stood over Azerius and as he lifted his sword to finish Azerius, he saw William standing in front of him. William asked, "What are you doing, father?"

With moist eyes, he replied, "Setting you free." Vorin thrust his sword downward and killed Azerius.

When Azerius died, the curse of his sword was lifted and William's body returned to normal. The vision of his son faded and all that was left was William's lifeless body. Vorin turned away from his dead son. Eric walked over to Vorin and asked him if he was okay.

"I will be when I get to make Samael pay for crimes." Vorin replied. As Vorin and Eric stood in the hallway, the other champions arrived.

"Why are you here? What happened to Thaneus and the Legion?" Eric asked.

"We defeated Thaneus after you left the room." Legori answered.

"And the Legion just retreated. We were fighting one moment and the next they were running away." Brasic added.

"Plus we couldn't let you two have all the fun with Samael." Brok added.

"Fine, you are all here now so let us take down Samael together." Vorin replied and the rest of the champion let out a cry.

Vorin bust open the door and yelled, "Samael, we are here to put a stop to your evil campaign."

At the other end of the room, Samael sat upon his throne. He spoke calmly to the champions. "Welcome champions to my home. Please, enjoy the beauty of my throne room while you can because after I kill you, you will be dragged outside and fed to my pets."

"Samael you cannot possibly defeat us by yourself." Eric replied pulling out his guitar.

"You're right, young one, but I am not alone. Astaroth, reveal yourself to our guests." Samael said rising from his throne.

"Alright, bro," Astaroth replied as he appeared in a column of black flames.

"Champions, I would like to introduce you to my brother, Astaroth." Samael said as he motioned at his brother.

The champions stared at him and realized that he was a guitar warrior. Samael jumped down from his throne and pulled a vile scythe out of a dark portal.

"Champions, do you have any last requests before we kill you?" Samael asked raising his scythe.

"Yes. Why do you seek to control the world? No man could possibly handle that much power and responsibility." Vorin replied as he threw out his arm.

"I am not a mere man, knight. I am Samael the scion of darkness, first son of the Nighroth." Samael answered posturing.

"I'm Astaroth the scion of Flame, second son of Nighroth." Astaroth added as he drew his guitar.

"You are the sons of Nighroth? Then that means you are demigods." Bishop asked with dilated eyes.

"Yes. We are demigods. Now it is time to end your lives, champions." Samael answered as a grin formed on his face.

The metal heroes faced Astaroth while the champions of the light faced Samael. The scions were powerful and each of them had a unique fighting style. Samael was fast and skilled, he moved with such grace and precision that he actually used the champions' own weapons against them.

Samael deflected some arrows with his scythe that is when Vanhorn ran up to slash him with one of his blades. Samael quickly dodged, grabbed Vanhorn's extended arm and threw Vanhorn to the ground. Samael was almost untouchable, no one could keep up with the speed and fluidity of his moves, but he was also arrogant. While he was insulting Vanhorn and Legori's efforts to hurt him, Vorin was waiting and he struck the scion with his sword, cutting his hand off. Samael's hand faded and he became enraged. Samael sheathed his scythe and he charged at the champions. Brasic and Bishop tried to catch Samael but he was too fast for them. Samael jumped up and threw his remaining fist at Brasic's face and with his hand still on the barbarian's face; he pivoted and hit Bishop with a roundhouse to the back of his head, knocking him to the ground. When Bishop hit the ground Vanhorn and Legori fired arrows and darts at Samael but as he finished his roundhouse he continued to spin, he pulled out his scythe and repelled their volley. As the volley failed, Samael's foot caught the floor and he stood there unimpressed with the champions' efforts to stop his campaign.

"Ha, this is the best the Light has to offer. How pathetic! You were foolish to challenge me. I am the son of a god; no mere mortals could possibly stand a chance against me." Samael gloated as he leaned on his scythe.

Vorin took advantage of Samael's overconfidence and had Circel conjure a spell to bind Samael's limbs so he couldn't move anymore. As Samael continued to boast, he realized that he couldn't move his arms and legs. The champions had their opening and they used it to pummel Samael with everything they had and he collapse to the floor shocked that he was defeated by mere mortals. The Scion of Darkness was defeated and only the Scion of Flame was left standing in the way of Cain's salvation.

Astaroth had an entirely different style of fighting than his older brother. This Scion had a very lax style of fighting; he stood in one spot and rarely engaged the champions, instead Astaroth waited for his opponents to come and attack him. The first to attack Astaroth was Brok and Barren. Barren ran at the scion and Brok followed. Barren pulled out his bass and swung it at Astaroth, the scion threw up his guitar and blocked it and in one motion grabbed Barren's shotgun from its holster and pulled the trigger but before the shotgun went off, Brok grabbed the barrel of the gun with his chains and the shotgun fired away from Barren. Astaroth then pushed away Barren's bass and played an intense chord that almost broke Barren's bass. Then Brok charged at Astaroth and nailed him with his ball bat. Astaroth's neck snapped backwards and his broken spine ripped through his throat. The champions cheered as Astaroth hit the ground for they knew that now Cain was saved as soon as he was found.

Brok helped Barren up off the ground and they walked back and joined the other champions but as they walked back smoke began to rise from Astaroth's body. Then his body burst into flames and Astaroth stood up, as the flame continued to burn, Astaroth grabbed his head and snapped his neck back into place and his wounds healed.

"Man that was a pretty good shot. I don't think anyone has ever hit me hard enough to break my neck like that before. I have to tell you it's a strange sensation, feeling your spine rip through your throat. I guess it's my turn now." Astaroth said as he stood there and cracked his neck.

The heroes were shocked to see Astaroth standing after having his head nearly ripped off. Astaroth grabbed his guitar and nailed Brok and Barren with a powerful riff blast in the form of a black flaming torrent. Brok and Barren went flying and they had to rest behind the others. Tyruki and Takada then tried their hand at engaging the powerful scion, they flew up into ceiling and from above they nailed Astaroth with a flurry of shurieken, kunai, and bombs. Then they pulled out their katana and came hurdling down on Astaroth, as they make contact they hacked off his arms and with a back flip they moved away from Astaroth and hit him with a powerful twin jutsu called the Lightning Tiger Claw. Their jutsu created a giant lightning tiger that clawed at Astaroth and threw him into the wall. The heroes heard Astaroth's ribs shatter and again he fell to the ground and he was definitely dead because Takada ran up and checked his pulse.

Takada and Tyruki ran back to the other heroes but just like before smoke began to rise from Astaroth's body. The smoke turned to fire and as the fire consumed Astaroth he stood up and his arms grew back and his collapsed chest began to fill up and heal. Astaroth cracked his fingers and popped his arms back into proper alignment.

"I have to hand it to you heroes, you guys don't mess around. You guys killed me twice and within a few minutes of each other, but if you're done I'll take my turn now." Astaroth said as he picked up his guitar.

Astaroth took his guitar and threw it at Takada, it nailed him in the back of the head and after it connected, it flew back into Astaroth's hand. As the guitar flew back into Astaroth's hand he flipped into playing position and played a powerful riff that created black lightning and struck Tyruki to the ground.

Then the three guitar warriors Ozric, Eric, and Barren stood together and combined their magics to use an ultimate solo attack that formed into a maelstrom of notes, fire, and lightning. Astaroth took his guitar and played a counter solo, his solo formed into a storm of lighting and fire. As the two solos collided, it created an explosion that back lashed onto Astaroth. The explosion burned, crushed, and electrocuted Astaroth with such intensity that it reduced his body to a pile of slag. The heroes were certain that Astaroth was dead; no one could possibly have survived the attack. But just like before, smoke rose from the slag and the pile burst into flames and his body slowly regenerated again.

"Again, you guys impress me. I didn't think that you guys could kill me to such an extent. But again I think I'll take my turn now." Astaroth said as he reformed his melted guitar. Astaroth hit the three guitar warriors with another unorthodox counter attack.

First Astaroth threw his guitar but they dodged it, as the guitar flew Astaroth actually ran to engage them. Astaroth knee kicked Barren in the face, jumped up into the air and grabbed his guitar and swung in at Ozric, who blocked with his staff but the force knocked him to the ground. Then Astaroth landed and charged at Eric with his guitar but then when they clashed Astaroth's hand burst into flames and grabbed Eric's face and slammed him into the ground.

After recovering from Astaroth's attacks the heroes used a mega combo attack where all of the heroes hit Astaroth with their most powerful attacks to finish him. Brok held Astaroth with his chain and began hammering him with his ball bat. Then Barren and Ozric used their most powerful solos and utterly crushed him with their magics. Next Tyruki and Takada kicked him up into the air and slammed him to the ground with another twin jutsu. As Astaroth landed he was assaulted by Rena with a major sword combo afterwards Trevor used his thunder powers to bombard the scion with sonic booms. Finally, as Astaroth tried to stand he was stabbed in the head by Eric's guitar sword and with that the scion fell but this time no smoke rose from his body.

Vorin walked over to Samael, pulled him to his face, and asked, "Where is Cain?"

Samael pointed at the throne and as he did, the throne began to transform into an archway. Out from the arch a very tall man appeared holding someone by the collar of their shirt.

"Who is that? Is that Cain?" Eric asked. The man held up his hostage and it was in fact Cain. His body was covered in bruises, gashes, and scars, all painted with blood.

"What have you done to Cain?" Eric asked clenching his fists.

"I had a little chat with him." the man replied with a wicked grin.

"Here; you can have him back," he added as he threw Cain at Eric's feet.

"Who are you?" Vorin demanded.

"Vorin, I am disappointed with you. I thought you would remember me. I bet Gabriel would remember who I am." The man said walked down for the stair that led to the archway.

"Wait, that voice; it cannot be, Shadow Seer?"

"It took you long enough but it is harder to remember a voice than it is a face. So I welcome you now to gaze upon the face of Nighroth the Shadow Seer, Dark Lord of the Abyss." Nighroth said shrugging his shoulders and posturing to the champions.

"Now it all makes sense, it was you who was pulling the strings all along, not Samael. You want the world, not him."

"You're correct, to a point, I want the world but so does my son. I was behind the invasion and the kidnapping of Cain. This world will be mine and I invite you to be the first to bow down to the new ruler of Evon Prime."

"We will never bow to you." Vorin said as he raised his sword.

"Bishop, take Circel and heal Cain's wounds." Vorin ordered as he looked at Bishop and Circel.

"Yes, sir," Bishop answered as he and Circel left the room while carrying Cain.

The remaining champions stood ready to battle Nighroth. Nighroth stood in front of them waiting for them to strike. As the champions started to charge at Nighroth, a dark pulsating aura began to ooze forth from the dark lord. The champions were stunned by the pure evil that emanated from the Shadow Seer; the darkness was so strong that the champions lost consciousness. When they gathered themselves the champions found that they were suddenly locked inside dark, almost living cages.

"What is this? How did we get inside these cages?" Vorin asked as he drew his sword to attack the cage.

"I thought that fifteen against one wasn't very fair so I decide to even up the odds a bit. You will now each fight me in small teams. Oh and if you were thinking of attacking the cages to free yourselves, I wouldn't because these cages fight back and I assure you, fighting the cage is a lot worse than fighting me." Nighroth replied as he stood outside of their cages. "So who will be the first team to fight me?" Nighroth asked as looked at his captives.

"We will fight you first, demon." Brasic answered as Brok, Ganthor, and Trevor nodded in agreement.

"Very well let the battle begin." Nighroth said as he waved his hand. Suddenly the cages disappeared around the chosen champions' cage.

As Nighroth stood there, Brasic, Brok, Ganthor, and Trevor charged at him. Brasic pulled his axe back and lunged with his sword; Brok threw his chain and ran full speed with his baseball; Ganthor planted his feet and fired his chest-mounted bolter; and Trevor pounded his chest to create a thunder wave. The thunder wave, metal bolts, and Brok's chain were the first attack to reach the Shadow Seer but in an instance, a wall of chains burst out from the floor and intercepted the attacks. The thunder wave was absorbed and grounded into the floor, the bolts were tangled up into the chains' links, and Brok's chain became entangled by the chains and almost like a snake the chains constricted the biker's chain and ripped it in half.

"What was that?" Brok asked as he gathered his broken chain.

"Where did those chains come from?" Ganthor asked as his bolter closed back into his chest.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Nighroth smugly replied as he stood behind the wall of chains.

Suddenly Brasic used this moment to sneak behind the wall and swing his axe at Nighroth's head. When Basic's axe flew over Nighroth's shoulder, the same chains that rose from the floor erupted from the dark god's shoulder and grabbed the barbarian's axe.

"What dark sorcery is this? Metal snakes that move inside your body." Brasic asked as he struggled to free his axe from the chains' grip.

"Those metal snakes as you call them are my Hydra Chains, they're living chains that protect me from your attacks, but they also do this. Iron Rack," Nighroth replied.

Suddenly the Hydra chains erupted from under the floor and dug themselves into the four champions' wrists and ankles, the ends of the chains had jagged and serrated hooks. Nighroth motioned and the chains lifted them into the air. The champions hung there, hands and feet bleeding from the chains. Then Nighroth clenched his fist and the chains began to pull outward stretching the champions until the chains' edges cut through their hands and feet, leaving their appendages torn in half. When the chains released them, they fell to the ground in a pool of their own flesh and blood.

"Who's next to feel my wrath?" Nighroth asked as the chains retreated into the floor and sunk back under his skin.

"We will face you next you merciless beast." Vanhorn answered as Takada, Tyruki, and Legori nodded in agreement.

"Very well, let's see how well you'll fare against me." Nighroth replied and like before he made their cages disappear.

Takada and Tyruki vanished, Vanhorn ran at Nighroth, while Legori began to strafe and fire arrows at him. Nighroth grabbed the masamune on his back and prepared himself for their attacks. As the arrows, kunai, and Vanhorn hit Nighroth; he took the arrows and kunai but blocked Vanhorn's strike as he cringed from the pain.

"Why did you not use your chains to block the arrows or kunai?" Vanhorn asked struggling against Nighroth's blade.

"You'll see," Nighroth said as he held back Vanhorn's blades.

Over and over, Nighroth clashed with Vanhorn and kept getting nailed with arrows and kunai. Then Vanhorn finally hit Nighroth with one of his hidden blades but Nighroth didn't fall. In fact he started laughing and grabbed Vanhorn by the throat and lifted him into the air with one hand.

"What is happening? I feel strange." Vanhorn said gasping for air as he tried to free himself from Nighroth's grip.

"Now let's see how much pain you can handle. Sufferer's Revenge," Nighroth said as the arrows and kunai fell from his flesh and his wounds healed. Suddenly fresh wounds appeared on Vanhorn's flesh matching those that were once on Nighroth's. Vanhorn collapsed and Nighroth made his way to his next target, Legori.

Nighroth pursued Legori but the more Legori ran the less effort Nighroth put in to keeping up with him. Nighroth seemed to just glide across the floor like a phantom even as the ninjas through kunai and other projectiles. Eventually Legori quit running and as he stopped Nighroth suddenly appeared in front of him even though he was pursuer. As a last ditch effort Legori fired three arrows right into the demon's face. It did nothing; he simply ripped the arrows from his flesh and threw them to the ground.

"How can you possibly be alive after injuries like that?" Legori asked as he fell back onto the ground trembling.

"Nothing left to offer me; very well I guess this is it for you. Demon's Malice," Nighroth said as his wounds traveled across his skin and gathered onto his arm turning it black. Then Nighroth tapped Legori' forehead with a single finger, with that single tap Legori went flying across the room. After throwing Legori across the room his arm returned to normal and his wounds disappeared.

After Nighroth's attack, Takada and Tyruki threw more kunai and shuriken at Nighroth, but it was to no avail he simply took their attack and grinned with anticipation. Then the ninjas changed tactics, they used thin steel wires to tie up Nighroth and slow him down. When Nighroth was stopped they nailed him with a flurry of throwing weapons and jutsus. As the smoke cleared from their continuous attacks Nighroth actually started to falter as he fell to one knee.

Just then, Takada ran behind Nighroth and cut his throat open with his katana. Nighroth fell to the ground and victory appeared to be theirs. As Nighroth hit the ground, he broke free from the wires; he caught himself and jumped up into the air. As Nighroth came back down he landed behind Takada and cut open his back with his sword. As Nighroth stood over the bloodied Takada his neck slowly closed and healed.

Tyruki darted at Nighroth to stop him from killing Takada, but as her blade met Nighroth he shifted to the left and said "Dragon's Loathing," and the burns that the dark god had suffered from their attacks actually started to move across his skin and onto his hand and as they gathered on it his hand began to spew forth flames and after he burned Tyruki, his burns were gone.

"What manner of sorcery is this?" Vorin asked gripping his cage. "How could you have taken all those attacks and still be standing as though nothing happened?"

"This is Buraddi Kanja , a sword that has the power to absorb pain and suffering and inflict it onto others like your friends Vanhorn and Legori. Also, the reason why your weapons seemed to have no effect was because Buraddi Kanja is a blade that makes its wielder suffer as it does. Death is an escape from suffering and Buraddi Kanja will not allow its wielder to die until they have suffered as much as it has, making me virtually invincible." Nighroth explained showing his sword.

"I guess that now that they have fallen I need to get rid of these excess wounds, Sufferer's Blood." Nighroth continued as he examined the wounds he received from the ninjas. Nighroth's sword began to glow an eerie red color as his blood began to spill onto the blade. Nighroth then swung his sword and a weird almost living energy lashed out from the edge of the swords and headed toward the injured champions. Right before the attack hit its target Ozric and Malik used their magics to throw up a shield and protect their comrades. As the energy faded Nighroth wounds began to heal and he stood ready to face those who would challenge him next.

Nighroth sheathed his sword and asked, "From that shield I would guess that you volunteer to be next?"

"That's right you, monster; we'll face you next." Ozric answered as Malik and Barren nodded in agreement.

"Okay let's see what you've got." Nighroth said as he released his next opponents for battle.

"We will show you what we've got," Ozric replied. Then Malik, Barren, and Ozric each fired a barrage of spells at Nighroth.

Nighroth pulled out a scythe and the spells ran right through him as he vanished. A few seconds later, Malik fell to the ground writhing in pain. Nighroth reappeared standing over Malik with the edge of his scythe covered in blood.

Then Barren and Ozric fired more powerful spells at Nighroth. As the spells ran their course, the two of them ran at Nighroth to attack him head on. As the spells and the warriors hit Nighroth, they ran right through him as though he wasn't really there and like before he vanished. Moments later, Barren fell down staring at his arms as though they were cut off. Nighroth reappeared with even more blood covering his scythe and now his clothes were stained with blood.

Ozric summoned what strength he could muster and conjured the most powerful spell he could play. This time though Nighroth swung his scythe at the spell creating a large cloud of smoke. After the smoke cleared Nighroth stood there with a calm disposition as though the attack never actually hit him. In fact, he didn't have a scratch on him. Then Nighroth disappeared with a wicked smile on his face.

Suddenly, Ozric collapsed without a word clutching his chest. Nighroth reappeared with his left hand covered in blood and said, "This is the Death Veil scythe, and it grants me passage between this world and the next one allowing me to attack my enemies spiritually instead of physically. Oh and by the way I can also make other things travel through the veil like Ozric's ultimate attack."

"Come now, champions. Is this all you have left to offer me, a youngling, two females and an old knight." Nighroth said as he put away his scythe.

"We will prevail over your darkness. The Light will protect us from your wickedness and grant us victory." Vorin replied as he drew his sword.

"Oh really, you truly believe that. I will show you the truth." Nighroth said as he raised his left arm into the air and a gauntlet was revealed.

There was an eye on the gauntlet, when the eye opened Nighroth was consumed in darkness. As he returned to sight, his body was decorated in bonelike plate armor ornate with ancient glyphs and runes.

"Witness my true form, champions. For this is the first time and the last time you will ever see me in this form." Nighroth then waved his hand and released his last opponents for their battle against him.

Rena charged at Nighroth, while Alicia followed her. Rena swung her sword at the Shadow Seer. Nighroth caught the blade before it touched his face. "You're quite strong for a woman, but then again you do have that exosuit. It is to be expected but unfortunately you aren't strong enough to hurt me." Then he snapped the sword with his hand, and then he grabbed Rena' face and slammed her to the ground with such force that it created a small depression in the floor. Rena laid there unconscious as her suit broke down and sparked around her.

Alicia thrust her sword at him and Nighroth produced a blade from the bones in his arm to block it. "What? How did you do that?"Alicia asked as she clashed with Nighroth's blade.

"Oh, in this form my entire body can mutate into a wide variety of different armaments. My bones can turn into blades and my skin has mutated into an armor made of a compound several times stronger than diamond."

"I don't care, as long as there is any strength within my body, I will defeat you." Alicia said struggling against the Seer's intense strength.

"Allow me to remedy that." Nighroth said ripping Alicia's sword out of her hands. Nighroth proceeded to run her through with his sword and she fell to the ground, barely alive.

After defeating the two female champions, tattered wing spread forth from Nighroth's back and Nighroth flew up to the ceiling. Then the runes and glyphs on Nighroth's armor began to glow and his hands turned blood red.

"Behold the true power of the Abyssal Lord. Void of Pain," Nighroth yelled as he created a swirling ball of darkness and hurled it at the remaining champions.

After the attack, Eric collapse to the ground leaving only Vorin was left standing as he used his sword as a crutch. Then the Shadow Seer descended from the ceiling, landed in front of Vorin, and stretched out his hand.

Chapter 10:
Nightfall

In the White Kingdom, the champions were carried into the Grand Bastion and brought before the royal clerics to mend their wounds. Bishop was brought before Gabriel to explain what happened to his chosen warriors.

"Bishop, explain to me what horrors befell your comrades." Gabriel commanded.

"Yes sir. We traveled into the Dark Realm, defeated much of the Legion, and slew their champions, but as we fought our way through the citadel, we were met by Samael and his brother, Astaroth. They were the sons of the Shadow Seer and scions to their people. Once we defeated them, Vorin asked where Cain was held. After he did, a new foe appeared with Cain in hand and he threw him at us." Bishop explained.

"Who was he, paladin?" Gabriel interrupted.

"He was the Shadow Seer, Nighroth. As we readied ourselves to fight him, Vorin ordered Circel and me to take Cain and retreat while they fought Nighroth. When we reached the outer grounds of the citadel, we were teleported to the border with the others." Bishop continued.

"The Shadow Seer was responsible for this travesty." Gabriel replied.

"Yes, my Lord." Bishop replied nodding his head.

"You are free to leave, Bishop. You have no more useful information for me." Gabriel said as he motioned the paladin away.

"Very well my lord," Bishop replied and left the room.

Gabriel leaned over to one of his servants and ordered, "Watch over Sir Vorin. Please inform me when he regains consciousness."

"Yes my lord." he replied. The servant exited the room and Gabriel was left alone to ponder the current events of the world.

In the Metal Temple, Ryvok sat next to Cain's bed in the medical pavilion, watching over his wounded apprentice. Ryvok was deeply concerned for the life of his first student. As he sat looking at Cain, he remembered all the good times of teaching his young student the ways of the guitar, the fun moments they had outside playing around, and the training they enjoyed. Then his glee turned to rage when he remembered the times Cain was taken from him by his eldest brother's darkness. His recollections were short lived when he sensed the presence of darkness creeping into his land. Ryvok grabbed his guitar and teleported to the site of the disturbance. At the border, Ryvok stood atop a tree and from the border; a man walked through the darkness and stood staring up at the Metal Master.

"Return to your darkness or be destroyed. I don't have the patience for your kind right now." Ryvok warned as he prepared his guitar.

"Is that any way to speak to your older brother?" the man replied as he shrugged with a sigh.

"Nighroth," Ryvok asked gripping his guitar tightly as his eyes widened.

"That's right, little brother. I just wanted check up on you and see how you're doing." Nighroth replied with a little smile.

"Since you're here, I'm going to make you pay for what you did to Cain and the others." Ryvok declared as he pointed his guitar at Nighroth with a fire in his eyes.

"Good. Now I don't have to force you to fight me." Nighroth replied.

"What do you mean by that?" Ryvok asked.

"If you had refused to fight me, I would have destroyed one of these nearby fringe villages." Nighroth explained.

"Fine, let's just get this fight started." Ryvok replied as he played a power chord.

Nighroth dodged the chord and charged at Ryvok. Ryvok jumped from the tree and stood in midair strumming on his guitar.

Ryvok commanded, "Fury of the Horsemen," and his guitar quickly dissolved into clouds of energy that swirled around his arms. At the tip of his arms, the clouds condensed into wicked blades.

At first Nighroth countered with his Hydra Chains they did little but slow down Ryvok's strikes. No matter how many chains Nighroth used to block they broke and snapped at the wake of Ryvok's attacks.

"Curse your powers, why are my chains not stopping you?" Nighroth asked.

"This power derives from the powers of the legendary Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which means that I have the powers of Conquest, Famine, War, and Death." Ryvok answered.

"So your blades focus these energies and allow you to rot, wither, and rust my chains. Well, then let's see if you can do it again, little brother."

Ryvok charged at Nighroth with his blades, but unlike before Nighroth's chains were able to hold back his assault and even counter his moves. The Metal Master became enraged and wildly swung at his brother to no avail. Then Nighroth restrained Ryvok with his chains and was struck by a flurry of jabs from the chains' edges.

"What happened?" Ryvok asked coughing up some blood as he hung by the chains.

"You told me how your weapon works and my chains figured out how to adapt to it. My chains are technically alive so they have ability to think and adapt for the sole purpose of protecting me and eliminating those that intend to do me harm," Nighroth answered as chains slid out from under of his skin.

Ryvok tried to struggle free but the chains were too powerful. Ryvok began to lose hope and began to slip in and out of consciousness when a vision of Cain entered his mind. It was a memory of when Cain was a child. Cain was crying at the top of the temple steps and then Ryvok sat down next to him.

Ryvok started to rub Cain's back and asked, "Why are you crying?"

"My mommy and daddy are gone." Cain replied through his tears.

Ryvok frowned and asked, "Why did you come here?"

"The people who found me said that you know where my parents are. Tell me where they went." Cain said as he looked up at Ryvok with an unwavering gaze.

"You parents have left this world and are headed to a gleaming paradise." Ryvok replied as he turned and looked up at the sky.

"So they left me behind. Why would they leave me? They said they loved me. I loved them. I don't want to be alone." Cain said as he began to cry again.

"Is there anything I can get for you? I could make you a toy or maybe you would want something to eat." Ryvok said trying to comfort the distraught child.

"I don't want food or toys. All I want is my family." Cain said as he curled into a ball.

"I can't give you your mom or dad. But you see I don't have a family either." Ryvok said as he let out a weak sob.

"You lost your family too." Cain said as he opened up a little bit.

"Actually, I never really had a family. I don't have a mom or a dad." Ryvok said as his expression turned colder.

Suddenly, Ryvok felt a sudden tightness form around his waist as Cain hugged him. With tears in his eyes, Cain said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I've been talking about my mommy and daddy. But you never had that."

Ryvok smiled at the child's innocence and said, "It's okay. You don't have to cry for me. I'm used to being alone."

Cain wiped away his tears and looked up at Ryvok with a look of deep thought. Then he suddenly lit up and said, "I have an idea. Since both of us don't have a family, let's be each others' family."

"Be a family. I like it. Okay let's do it." Ryvok said with a smirk.

Both of them stood up and walked toward the temple, and then Ryvok looked down at Cain and asked, "By the way, what's your name?"

"My name is Cain." Cain answered looking up at Ryvok with a sweet little smile.

As the memory faded, all that remained was a vision of Cain. Cain faded away and reappeared older as he heard him say something indistinct. Then his faded again and reappeared even older as a young man while hearing him say something again. This happened a few more times until the vision of Cain lying in his infirmary bed faded while saying the same thing but still it was unclear. As Ryvok stood there in the darkness of his mind, he heard a faint whisper behind him and he turned around seeing another vision of Cain. Ryvok reached out to Cain and turned him around. Ryvok recoiled in horror and fell to his knees as he saw that this Cain was hollowed out.

The hollowed Cain pointed at Ryvok and said with a dull whisper, "This is your fault. You promised to be my family so I would never be alone. But you didn't come to save me from the darkness. You sent others in your stead and they were hurt. You hurt not only me but my friends as well. Is that what you wanted? Do you like lying to me? Do you like seeing other people hurt? Maybe Nighroth was right about you. Maybe you are just a child that doesn't deserve to be a god."

"No, I didn't want to see any of you hurt. I just wanted you to come back. I am fighting for you now. I am going to fight so that you won't have to suffer again." Ryvok said as he looked up at the hollowed Cain with a distraught look on his face.

"You're not fighting. You are giving up. Your brother has already beaten you. You can't stop him because you have no resolve. I think that Nighroth should be my new family. At least he fights for his family, unlike you." Cain said turning away from Ryvok and fading away.

"No, I will not give up. I will fight for you, for our family, for our future. I will make sure that Nighroth never takes you from me again." Ryvok said as he awoke from his visions.

Ryvok was focused his powers and the Four Horsemen reverted back into a guitar. Then he transformed the guitar into his Dragon Fist. Ryvok filled with renewed vigor immolated himself and melted away his bonds. Then Ryvok used his Dragon Fist to roast his brother but Nighroth countered with his Death Veil Scythe, with the power of his scythe Nighroth dodged the flames.

"Ha, your flames may be able to roast anything in the mortal plane but with the power of my scythe, I can dodge your flame by moving into the plane of the dead," Nighroth taunted.

"Oh really, let's just see if I can't burn you with my gauntlet." Ryvok replied as his flames on his fist turned blue.

Ryvok actually grabbed him and ignited his gauntlet. The pain from Ryvok's immolation paralyzed Nighroth, but with a burst of strength he broke Ryvok's grip and was able to escape.

Ryvok switched to his twin lightning blades but again Nighroth countered this time with Buraddi Kanja. Ryvok disappeared in a flash of light and Nighroth lifted his sword and prepared for his brother to strike. Suddenly in another flash of light Ryvok reappeared with his blades locked with Nighroth's.

"Your speed is quite impressive, little brother, but you're going to need more than speed to beat me." Nighroth said holding back Ryvok's blades.

"Well then try this out." Ryvok replied as electricity surged from the hilts into his blades. As the electricity surged, it jumped to Buraddi Kanja, since Nighroth was standing on the ground he completed the circuit and the electricity ran through his body. Nighroth fought through the pain of electricity shorting his nerves and threw Ryvok backwards.

Nighroth's hands were covered with electrical burns his legs trembling barely able to support him. Ryvok disappeared in another flash of light and reappeared behind Nighroth. Ryvok crossed his swords and electricity surged from his blades. As Ryvok swung his swords, lightning arced out from the tips of his swords and toward Nighroth. The lightning ran right into Nighroth's chest and he collapsed on the ground convulsing.

Ryvok stood over his brother gloating, "Is that the best you've got big brother? Looks like you're the one who's going to need more if you want to beat me. Nothing to say, I guess you're done."

"I'm not done and I have yet to show you what my sword and I can do." Nighroth said as stood up with his body still full of electricity.

"How are you standing? No one can stand with that much electricity running through their bodies." Ryvok asked as he continued to throw more lightning at Nighroth but no avail.

"This is what I have been waiting for, the pain, the torture. Now I can use Buraddi Kanja's full power." Nighroth said as his body began burning.

"Bleed, Buraddi Kanja." Nighroth commanded as he held his sword above head.

The sword actually started to melt and soaked down his right arm. This continued until the entire sword melted onto his arm. The melted metal then reformed into barbed wire around his arm and two lengths of barbed wire stretched down from his knuckles like whips. Suddenly the barbed wire began to sink its barbs into Nighroth's arms and his burns actually were absorbed into the wire.

"What's going on? What happened to your sword? What's happening to your burns?" Ryvok asked in shock at his brother's recovery.

"This is Buraddi Kanja's awakened form. I only needed you to make me suffer enough to wake up the spirit that dwells within my sword. Now it's time for you to suffer as Buraddi Kanja does." Nighroth explained showing off his barbed arm.

"I don't care, you still can't hit me. I'm way too fast, I can move as fast as lightning." Ryvok said striking his swords together and disappearing.

"Let's see about that, prepare to feel Buraddi Kanja's suffering." Nighroth said as he prepared to attack. "Angel's Spite," Nighroth commanded as his whips turned white and began to glow. Nighroth then flung his whips at Ryvok.

"A direct attack, too bad you can't possibly touch me." Ryvok said as he was teleporting.

Suddenly, as Ryvok reappeared, Nighroth's attack missed but as the whips hit where he was standing he noticed that Nighroth had disappeared and in an instant Nighroth reappeared behind his brother and wrapped his whips around Ryvok's chest and neck.

"How the hell did you do that? There's no way that you could have moved faster than me." Ryvok said as he tried free himself from Buraddi Kanja.

"No one can escape the suffering that Buraddi Kanja delivers. The attack I used allows Buraddi Kanja to create a convincing illusion that slowed you down enough for me to catch you with my whips." Nighroth explained as his whips returned to normal.

"Now die, Bonds of the Sufferer." Nighroth commanded as the barbed wire reached out and began to wrap around Ryvok's arms and legs. The barbs started to dig into his flesh and made him bleed profusely.

As a last resort, Ryvok focused as much electricity as he could into his swords. Then as Buraddi Kanja's barbs sank deeper into Ryvok's skin, he released all of the electricity in his swords into Buraddi Kanja. The sudden surge of electricity that ran through Buraddi Kanja's wires caused Nighroth to flinch enough for Ryvok to break free.

Ryvok retracted his swords and his guitar reappeared. With a wild rift, the guitar began to break apart and engulf Ryvok in a flurry of gears and machine parts. As the flurry faded, Ryvok reappeared decorated in his ultimate form, the Mecha-Militia Armor. Nighroth, in response, sheathed his sword and used his gauntlet to transform into the Abyssal Lord.

Ryvok's armor produced a gun out of a holster in his leg; he grabbed the gun and started firing at Nighroth. Nighroth quickly countered when a weird hive-like structure that formed on his right arm and began firing weird bone-like spines to intercept the coming gunfire.

"What the hell? How did you pull that off?" Ryvok asked as he lowered his gun.

"In my ultimate form, I can mutate my body into anything that I need to defend myself or to punish my opponents." Nighroth replied as his arm returned to normal and a bone sword grew out of his arm.

Next Ryvok's armor begun to clink and clank, in a burst of stream the armor produced a clockwork sword that launched out of a chute in his back. Nighroth charged at Ryvok but Ryvok's armor produced a special scanner over his eye and enabled Ryvok to calculate and predict every one of Nighroth's attacks. Ryvok kept blocking but in a few instances he would counter and hit him with his clockwork sword.

"I can't afford to keep this battle up. I'm almost out of time, I have to end this." Ryvok thought as he clashed with Nighroth's ultimate form. But eventually, Nighroth left himself open to Ryvok's scanner allowing him to lock-on with his ultimate attack, the Hellfire Bombardment. Ryvok's armor fashioned a steam-punk jetpack and he flew up into the air so he could launch his attack at a safe distance.

The Hellfire Bombardment works like this, first Ryvok fires a barrage of concussive grenades charged with the power of thunder called thunderstruck grenades. Second, he revs up devastating shoulder mounted heavy bolters called the Black Fade Cannons. Then he fires his Fire Reign Missiles, a barrage of thermite infused missiles from missile batteries mounted on his back. Finally he channels all of his remaining power to a monstrous chest mounted energy cannon called the Prometheus Cannon. As the smoke cleared from his bombardment Ryvok was stunned to see that his attack didn't even faze his older brother. In fact, Nighroth didn't even have a scratch on his armor; his crystal-like bone armor glistened in the light of Ryvok's energy cannon.

"Is that the best you could fire at me? I guess it's my turn now." Nighroth said as he flew up to Ryvok with the tattered wings on his back. He then charged up a black orb in his hands at point-blank range and said "Void of Death."

Ryvok was absorbed by the black orb; Nighroth flew above his brother and slammed the orb to the ground with a devastating axe kick to the top of his brother's head. After the impact, the orb dissipated and as it did Ryvok reappeared and his armor was torn to shreds as his godlike limit was reached. Then Nighroth slowly descended to the ground where his brother lay.

"It is a shame that you haven't grown strong enough to best me, little brother." Nighroth said standing over Ryvok.

"You didn't beat me by much; you should be out of power too." Ryvok replied weakly.

"That is where you're wrong, Ryvok. My body is no longer bound to the Pact, allowing me to use my powers for as long as I please. Now, you must pay the price for your defeat." Nighroth said turning away from his brother.

"What price?" Ryvok asked struggling to stand up.

"This one, now Astaroth," Nighroth called snapping his fingers.

At Nighroth's call, a power chord sounded and Dramark's new cave crumbled. Out from the ruins, the mighty Chromium Dragon took to the sky. The dragon flew to Nighroth's side and the Seer began to rub his new pet's head.

"That's impossible. Only a guitar warrior can control Dramark." Ryvok said in astonishment.

"This much is true. I would like you to meet your nephew, Astaroth." Nighroth replied as Astaroth appeared with his guitar in hand.

"This warrior is your son but he is of the Metal Lands." Ryvok said eyes shallow and wide.

"Hey, it's nice to finally meet you uncle Ryvok." Astaroth said with a quick wave and a smile.

"You know that village, the one that Cain lived in before the Legion destroyed it." Nighroth said with his hand on Astaroth's shoulder.

"Yes, that was the first one that your people attacked." Ryvok replied still trying to stand.

"Well, I impregnated the only other survivor of the attack, the woman who also lost her family in the attack. Didn't you find it strange, that the only other survivor was a woman new with child; even though she never knew a man's touch? Or were you too focused on Cain to notice? I know you have thought of him as your own son. You raised him since he was about five years old and taught him the most important secrets of your domain." Nighroth explained grinning.

"How do you know all of this?" Ryvok asked as he fell back down.

"Simple, little brother while you and Dravinos were distracted by Samael's invasion I kept my eyes and ears fixed on your kingdoms and I saw the special bond you formed with the orphaned child." Nighroth replied as he started to pace in front of Ryvok.

"Even though you knew Cain was like a son to me you still took him away from me, twice." Ryvok said clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.

"Yes and I want to apologize for that; I didn't mean to cause you such pain but it was the only way for me to achieve my ends." Nighroth said frowning.

"Fine I see that now, you couldn't have done as much as you did if you tried to get the information from me. But what begs the question is if you had a son in the Metal Lands why didn't you use him instead of Cain?" Ryvok said relaxing slightly while continuing to regain his strength.

"My son didn't know nearly as much as Cain did and wouldn't stand a chance against that metal behemoth. He lacked the skills or experience needed to accomplish my goals until now." Nighroth explained looking at his son and his new dragon.

"Okay I see your point; Cain was far more prepared than your son, Astaroth, to take control of Dramark and had the insight to have some of the other heroes join him in his cause." Ryvok replied shrugging.

"Now that Dramark is mine, I think it's time to upgrade this metal behemoth into a real dragon." Nighroth said sinking his hand into Dramark's skull.

Dramark's metal hide began to melt off his bones. His bones grew more rigid and rough. His skeleton grew longer and spikes erupted from his spine. Then his bones were covered in a blackened scale hide, the dragon then stood upright like a human, and his forelegs turned into arms. The dragon's eyes turned from fire red to an ethereal green flame. When his transformation was complete, Ryvok could only look in horror at what his faithful guardian had become. This vile beast let out a horrifying screech that sounded like the screams of hundreds of dying men and he flew back up into the sky.

"Ryvok, I would like you meet to Moracion the Reaper Dragon." Nighroth said as his dragon flew to a nearby village.

"What is he doing, Nighroth?" Ryvok asked with shallow breath.

"Demonstrating the new found powers I have given him." Nighroth replied smiling slightly.

Moracion took in a large amount of air and let forth a mighty stream but not of fire, it was a stream of death. After his attack, the only things that remained were the buildings in the village and the rotted remains of the villagers.

"Now that you have seen the power of my dragon, I will leave you with this. Stay out of my way or be destroyed." Nighroth declared as he and the others went back across border into the darkness.

Ryvok sat up and began meditating in order to warn Gabriel of the imminent threat of Nighroth and his new dragon.

"Gabriel, can you hear me?" Ryvok said telepathically.

"Yes, Ryvok, why are you speaking to me?" Gabriel replied.

"I got to tell you about my bro's treachery. He stole my dragon and turned him into a dark dragon called Moracion. He is also preparing to mobilize for one final invasion."

"Thank you, Metal Master."

"You’re welcome Gabriel, but I would advise that you move your champions to the Upper Northlands so that they will be safe from the wrath of my brother and his Legion in case we fail to stop him."

"Yes Metal Master, I will move them immediately."

Meanwhile at the Citadel of Shadows, Nighroth addresses his troops for the upcoming battle. The Legion was amassed and on the edge of bloodlust as they stood at the gates of the Shadow Citadel. Nighroth appeared and began his end game address for the battle ahead.

"My faithful children, I am here to announce that I have obtained the key to our victory over the White Kingdom. Allow me to introduce you to Moracion the Reaper Dragon." Nighroth declared with arms outstretched. Then at the call of his name, Moracion appeared from the sky and let forth a horrifying screech.

"Moracion was the border guardian of the Metal Lands but now he is my obedient servant and with his power together we will spread our paradise to the entire world. We now stand at the precipice of a new era, an era of peace, an era without strife, an era that will bring this world into perfect harmony and balance. Together we march to destroy those in are way. Just remember you are not alone in this fight, I will be there with you, watching over you and protecting you. Now go and show these heretical fools the strength and resolve of your faith in me and our ultimate goal." Nighroth said as he pointed out toward the White Kingdom. The crowd let out a massive wave of cheers to Nighroth and they began their journey to the border.

In the Grand Bastion, Gabriel gathered his forces and planned their defense against the coming invasion. When they had their defense planned, they marched to meet the Legion at the border. Gabriel was the first to arrive at the battlefield. Astride a mighty steed, the King commanded his troops to set up defensive barricades and set up the formations of his ranks. Then the Legion came over the horizon from the border with Nighroth leading them.

"Gabriel, surrender now. I wish not to see anymore needless bloodshed." Nighroth yelled as he stood upon a command platform lifted by several Shadow-blessed.

"We will never surrender to the forces of darkness." Gabriel replied raising his fist.

"Have it your way, mortal. Legion, attack," Nighroth replied motioning his troops forward.

With that, the Legion charged across the field and collided with the armies of the Light. As the Legion advanced, the rear archers of the Light fired arrows at the charging beasts. Many of the soldiers fell but many more continued to charge. When the Legion struck the forward wall, they caused the army to split in half and as the Legion continued forward they were encircled and Light army began cutting them down until one of their men killed enough of Light soldiers to break their encirclement.

"Who is that soldier?" Gabriel asked on top of the hill. With a closer look through a spyglass, he could tell that the warrior was Chaos. "How can this be? Bishop told me all of the dark champions were destroyed."

Immediately, Gabriel noticed that the other champions of darkness were fighting as well. Nighroth then appeared next to Gabriel.

"Demon, how are your champions alive?" Gabriel asked.

"Simple, in the Dark Realm, one's service to me is eternal." Nighroth explained and the next moment he was gone.

The armies of the Light were able to hold their ground against the Legion and its champions but the advantage soon fell to the darkness when Nighroth appeared with Moracion and ordered him to attack the ranks of the Light's armies.

"Moracion let forth your wrath upon those who dare to challenge my will." Nighroth commanded as he stood on his dragon's shoulder.

Moracion took a deep breath and a wave of death left the dragon's blackened maw, killing many of the army's frontlines. As the Legion overpowered the weakened army, another army came from the east. It was Ryvok's metal militias carrying guns and vehicular cavalry. Ryvok's men took their positions and began to fire upon the Legion. Then the cavalry took off, charged at them, and began to mow through their lines. The Legion's numbers started to dwindle but Nighroth knew how to deal with this.

Nighroth phased his hand into the back of Moracion's skull and said, "Mortals, witness the power of the Abyss. Moracion, release the breath of the Veil."

Moracion released a cloud of darkness that engulfed the battlefield. Moracion then flapped his wings and blew the cloud away. When the cloud was gone, none of the soldiers were injured or dead but what did happen was that all of the fallen soldiers had come back to life as nulls, controlled by Moracion and Nighroth. Nighroth's nulls and his legion continued to advance and were slaying many of the Light and Metal soldiers.

As all hope seemed to be lost the sky opened up and a beam of light hit Moracion and the beast was stunned. Nighroth jumped off Moracion at the last second and the dragon turned to stone and Moracion plummeted to the ground. When he finally crashed into the ground, the army of nulls fell down and died once more. From the heavens Dravinos descended onto the battlefield.

"Enough! Nighroth, I will no longer sit back and watch you enslave these innocent people. I am going to stop you and your campaign of darkness and bloodshed, once and for all." Dravinos said as he landed on the ground.

"So, my younger brother has finally gotten off his high horse to join us here in the rabble of the mortal world." Nighroth said as he walked over to Dravinos.

"Why are you attacking our lands, Nighroth? Why do you wish for control?" Dravinos demanded his hand resting on one of his blades.

"I wish to rule because I want to end the chaos of the mortal world. It is apparent to me that neither you nor Ryvok will ever stop the chaos. I alone will spread the paradise of my land to the entire world and rule them so that I can take away the mortals' suffering." Nighroth said posturing before Dravinos.

"You will also take their freedom. If you control their lives then they will not be able to make choices. Humans will become a slave to your will and your faith. They will be stripped of their humanity for your own selfish gains. Plus how do you intend to spread your paradise, you do not have that much power, none of us do in our current forms." Dravinos said as he gripped the hilt of his sword.

"The Nexi," Nighroth replied with a large grin.

"Brother, you are mad. The Nexi were created to insure that the balance of our power was kept in check." Dravinos replied wide-eyed and stammering backward.

"And once I control all three of them, the world will be in perfect balance." Nighroth said as he stepped toward Dravinos still wearing his smile.

"This madness must end. I cannot allow you to disrupt the delicate balance of our world." Dravinos said centering himself and drawing his sword.

"You're too late. My son, Astaroth, has already taken control of the Metal Nexus." Nighroth said as Dravinos's sword pricked his neck.

"How could you have taken the Nexus while you are here leading your armies against me?" Dravinos asked as he pulled his sword back slightly.

"While Ryvok's armies are here and fighting with me, they left the temple completely unprotected and Astaroth has brought the Nexus under my control. Now the only thing that stands in my way of my glorious paradise is you, Dravinos. I have defeated your armies and your appointed servants and now only the High Master of the Light is left to protect his kingdom." Nighroth said as he jumped away from Dravinos.

"It looks as though you are correct. I am the only one who can stop you, brother." Dravinos said as he sheathed his sword and summoned the orbs of Light.

"I didn't say you can stop me. I said that you were in my way." Nighroth said letting out a little chuckle as he summoned his weapons.

"I do not care what you said. I will stop you, so defend yourself," Dravinos said as he drew two swords from an orb of light.

"Very well, I've been waiting a long time for this day to come." Nighroth said as he drew Buraddi Kanja.

In an instant, Dravinos vanished while Nighroth stood in anticipation of his brother's impending attack. Nighroth raised his sword and with a quick spin he took his sword and horizontally blocked Dravinos' slam attack. The only sign that Dravinos attacked were the sparks that flew off Buraddi Kanja as they clashed. After the attack, Nighroth prepared for his brother to strike again. Suddenly, Dravinos faintly appeared and struck his brother. In a flash of sparks Nighroth was able to react fast enough to block his brother's attack and their swords became locked in a stalemate. Then Dravinos became visible again since his swords were the source of his invisibility.

"What is so special about that sword? It seems like any other old sword besides its large size." Dravinos asked as he locked swords with Nighroth.

"You don't know? Well, I will explain then. You see this sword has a spirit that dwells within it. This spirit can manifest and transform the blade into a physical representation of itself, if I call out its full name. Just watch," Nighroth replied as he forced Dravinos back in a burst of strength.

"Reign in Blood, Buraddi Kanja Gōmon-ō." Nighroth shouted as he lifted his sword up to the sky as a bloody aura washed over him.

Barbed wire began to grow out from the hilt of Buraddi Kanja and wrapped around his arms. Then his clothes changed into a white kimono with blood stain patterns all over it and a barbed crown formed on his head. Buraddi Kanja also changed it grew shorter and its edge turned red and a black blood grove formed on the sword.

The entire battlefield grew still as the two gods battled. Their battle would decide the fate of Evon Prime and its people. Dravinos jumped back after a powerful clash, he twisted his swords outward and swung them together creating a wind so intense that it acted like a spear. As this gust flew at Nighroth, he lifted his right hand to block it. Then Nighroth growled and forced the wind downward with his hand and stood unimpressed by his brother's attack.

"You call that an attack. Let me show you how it's done." Nighroth stretched forth his left arm and the barbed wire began to tighten and cut through his skin.

"Now feel the pain of those that have suffered from your indifference, Pact of Akuma." Suddenly the cuts and bruises that Nighroth had suffered throughout their battle started to get worse to the point that he started bleeding.

"What are you doing? What is the point of injuring yourself; do you want me to win?" Dravinos asked in shock of Nighroth's new injuries.

"Of course not, I was just setting the scene for your defeat." Nighroth answered with weighted breath with holding his wounded arm.

"I do not believe you. Now feel the sting of my holy steel." Dravinos said as he began to charge at Nighroth.

"Fool, Prisoner’s Edict." Nighroth said as his blood started to pour into Buraddi Kanja's blood grove. Then Nighroth swung his sword and the blood turned into red energy and blasted Dravinos. The force of the blast threw Dravinos to the ground.

"What was that?" Dravinos said as he tried to stand up as wounds began to mark his flesh.

"Buraddi Kanja is a very special blade, when its full name is translated it means Bloody Sufferer the Tortured King. My blade in its transformed state has the ability to absorb the pain and suffering of those around me and contain it within its barbs. The power that I used to hurt myself only helps to amplify the power of my attacks, like the one I used on you which allows me transfers my pain onto my opponents. You see Buraddi Kanja requires its wielder to suffer as it does to unlock its full potential." Nighroth explained as Buraddi Kanja reverted back into its normal sword state.

After getting up, Dravinos drew seven swords out of another orb and they floated in the air around him, Nighroth sheathed his sword and stood unarmed. Dravinos sent three of his swords at Nighroth but the Seer blocked them with his Hydra chains. Dravinos' swords whirled so violently amidst the Hydra Chains that they became entangled in the chains. But Nighroth had more chains than Dravinos had swords and he used this to his advantage, more chains come out of his body and then he caused these chains to meld together into a sword.

"Too bad this battle is over before it has even begun." Nighroth as he prepared to strike with his chain sword.

"This battle isn't over yet," Dravinos replied clenching his fists.

Then one of his swords turned into air and escaped from the chains' grasp. The sword flew into Dravinos' hand and he blocked his brother's strike.

"How did you do that?" Nighroth asked struggling against Dravinos's sword.

"Well brother just as your weapons have special powers so do mine. These seven swords that protect me are called the Zephyr Blades. These blades have the power to turn from steel to air at my command.

They clashed for a few more seconds until Nighroth drew his scythe and phased into the afterlife. Dravinos then drew another sword that's blade was made of glowing crystals. He swung the blade at Nighroth but instead of phasing through him it actually cut him.

"How did you hit me, Dravinos?" Nighroth said holding his wound.

"With the power of the Heaven's Blade, even in death you cannot escape its edge." Dravinos replied preparing to strike again.

"It is futile to continue in this form, I suggest we end this battle now." Nighroth said reverting to his original form and halting his brother.

"Agreed, brother," Dravinos replied as he lowered him blade and backed away.

Dravinos summoned a great orb from the heavens and drew his ultimate sword; the Edge of Retribution. The Edge of Retribution is a powerful blade that had a seven foot blade and a foot long hilt the blade was made of gleaming white silver and the hilt was decorated in blue sapphires and white diamonds. Nighroth evoked the power of his Abyssal Gauntlet. Nighroth's body was covered in an armor of hardened bone plate and tattered wings sprung forth from his back. While the Blade King became decorated in a golden armor ornate with white gemstones as white angelic wings spread forth from his back.

"Nighroth, your time is up. With this sword I will wipe clean the stains of your evil from this world." Dravinos said as he took his stance.

"Ha, with the power of my abyssal gauntlet, I will crush you and herald the coming of my new world." Nighroth replied as his wings stretched out.

Dravinos was the first to attack. He flew at Nighroth with his sword pulled backed. As he drew close he flew up and moved his sword into a slamming position. As Dravinos' sword came down, Nighroth reached behind his head and produced a blade made from his spine and cross blocked Dravinos' strike.

"How can you make a sword from your spine if need it to live?" Dravinos asked mouth agape and shallow eyed.

"It's simple in this form I have the power to mutate my body in any way I see fit. So I created a second spine that I formed into this spinal column sword." Nighroth replied as he overpowered Dravinos and threw him backward with his sword.

After that, they started clashing until they could both sense that Dravinos was about to run out of energy. Dravinos knew that he had to finish the battle or else Nighroth's army would simply kill everyone and take the Nexus. Nighroth knew that Dravinos was weakening and that he would be forced to use his ultimate attack, so he prepared to use his. After being thrown backward from a powerful clash, they both used their ultimate finishers.

"Void of Damnation," Nighroth cried as he flew up and threw an orb swirling with black and red energies, at Dravinos.

"Wave of Armageddon," Dravinos cried as he swung his sword and created a raging torrent made of fire and lightning.

The two forces collided and the entire battlefield began to rip apart at the sheer power of the two gods. Then as their attacks faded, Dravinos fell to his knees, Nighroth fired another orb at him, and Dravinos reverted to his mortal form. Nighroth descended to the ground in front of Dravinos and picked him up by his collar.

"Look at yourself. You are just like the humans you failed to protect. Arrogant, ignorant, and weak, you call yourself a god. You are not worthy of such a title. All you do is watch your people suffer from the paradise that is your throne. Your arrogance will cost you dearly, little brother." Nighroth said holding Dravinos.

"You are a monster, Nighroth. You are the one who should not be called a god. Forcing your people to fight a war for a promise of a supposed paradise and kidnapping our people and using them as test subjects for your sick experiments." Dravinos replied weakly.

"Silence, brother, you are in my way, so be gone from my sight." Nighroth said as he threw Dravinos to the side.

Then Nighroth used his powers and teleported to the lowest level of the Grand Bastion, where the seal of the Light Nexus was located.

Nighroth lifted his hands to the Nexus and chanted, "Embrace the darkness, Nexus of Light and grant me the power to cover this world in everlasting night!"

With the chant, the runes on the seal began to glow and the seal split in half. A large pillar of light escaped the seal and touched the sky. The other Nexi also opened and the same pillar emerged from the others seals and as they touched the sky, the pillars turned from white to black and day turned to night. As night covered Evon Prime, Ryvok used his remaining power to teleport the armies of the Light and Metal to the Northlands, which had magic properties that shielded it from the effects of the tainted Nexi.

Nighroth teleported again and appeared on his throne. Moments later, Samael and Astaroth appeared and knelt to their father.

"Father, Ryvok and Dravinos have fled to the Northlands. Shall we pursue them?" Samael reported kneeling before his father.

"No. I will grant them a reprieve. I have what I want, Evon Prime is mine and my brothers are powerless to stop me." Nighroth replied looking off to the side and glancing at Samael.

"Now that Evon Prime is yours, dad. What do you want us to do?" Astaroth asked looking up at Nighroth.

"You two shall be my viceroys for the other two domains. Astaroth, you shall be in charge of the Metal Lands. Samael, you will be in charge of the White Kingdom. However, remember you rule by my will and my will alone. If you do anything that I would not, I will strip you of your command. Now go and enforce my will." Nighroth said standing up and motioning them to go forth.

"Yes, father." the two sons said as they went to their respective lands.

Meanwhile in the Northlands, Gabriel stared out into the darkness that was his kingdom. As he stood there, Dravinos walked up beside him and put his hand on Gabriel's shoulder.

"What is wrong, my child?" Dravinos asked placing his hand on his shoulder.

Gabriel turned his head and said, "We have failed, the world is covered in darkness, our champions are severely wounded, and Nighroth controls everything. There is no hope and the end I fear is near."

"What kind of talk is that? I made you king because I knew you would be a good leader during the good times and the bad. So calm yourself and be the leader your people need you to be. Our champions' wounds will heal, we will return to our people, defeat the forces of darkness, and break Nighroth's clutch on Evon Prime." Dravinos said as he turned Gabriel around and looked him in the eye.

"I am sorry. You are right. In time, our wounds will heal and next time we face the Shadow Seer, we will be ready." Gabriel said as he stared off into the darkness raising his fist.