"Diamonds! Diamonds everywhere! They shine with a bright blue light and grow to be larger than... than... Than a mastodon! I was testing a new invention, one that has a head made of diamonds which bores a hole into the ground, powered by magic, and I thought a perfect place to test it would be the sands of sorrow, for many things must lay underneath those miles of sand. My invention bored easily through the sands and suddenly fell into a deep tunnel, carved long ago. My magic machine had burst open and was nothing more than scrap metal *sniff* but behold! Around me were riches greater than any I have seen before! But there were two things there that would make any expedition dangerous. Many monsters, sealed for ages, wander about, and the diamond itself is steadily implanted into the wall, almost impossible to break it free. I spent about a day removing a chunk the size of my palm."

The Althainian Report, Day of the Bull, 29th the Month of Futility.

For 7 weeks I have called upon the many clans of the lands to do battle. There have been some glorious battles. I present the current standings to you for your review.

Malice 21-0 Valor 17-4 Shalonesti 17-4 Wargar 13-8 Eclipse 11-10 Knighthood 11-10 Armada 6-15 Conclave 5-16 Pirates 2-19 Slayers 2-19

2 matches that may interest you Lord, are the Wargar versus Eclipse in which the #4 playoff spot will be up for grabs if Wargar doesn't show well. Also, Malice takes their unbeaten record against the mighty Elves of Shalonesti. And for your humor, m'lord, if you do enjoy that sort of thing, The Slayers will fight the Pirates to see who will be names Algoron's worst fighting clan of this year.

May you bless me and all who do battle in your name.

(ooc: next week, levels 15, 38, and 51)

Malachive was now unburdened by the limitations of the mortal mind. He knows the secrets to many things beyond mortal comprehension but still, as anyone around his age of 20 years; he couldn't piece a lot of things together.

"Of my father wants me to conquer this world, why not just throw a meteor at all kingdoms that resist?" He thought.

"Indeed," said a voice from behind him.

Malachive had sensed no one near him, so he knew whoever this voice came from was a God of some type.

A woman with pale skin and long black hair stood with more beauty in her smile than all wonders of the world combined. Instantly, Malachive recognized her.

"Mother!" Malachive said with a boyish excitement.

Drakkara embraced her son and for a moment one would never know the evil within these two hearts.

"You do not know the trouble your father went through getting the rock to land. The same people who would see you dead everything they could to stop it. So now the responsibility is yours to conquer the world. And while I would have you off this world safe, these events must come to pass" Drakkara said.

"I guess I can understand that. Already there are many who attack me." Malachive replied. "Elves, Knights and even kingdoms have come for my head. If not protected by your Black Tower and some of the Demons, my life would already be at an end.

"And what of the immortals? The ones who suck life to sustain their own?"

"The vampires? Mother, they have long forgotten their dark gift as a prize to be cherished. They have long stopped being thankful for eternal life and immortal powers. They are a lost cause. I have hope for many, but only a few of those are worthy of their gift. And I do mean a seldom few."

"Perhaps you should teach them a lesson?"

"Can I?" Malachive paused for a moment. "I'm still getting used to this.

My powers grow daily and I am coming to understand its limits are far beyond what I imagined."

Drakkara grinned an evil smile. "The first steps have been taken. The rest is your responsibility. I will help guide you all that I can, but you should know that the more your father and I involve ourselves, the more the others will become involved as well. Even the neutral Gods fear you and will do what they must to kill you. We created you without their permission or their council. However you were created with purpose and as my son you have all of the tools to ensure our victory. You know what to do."

In an instant, she was gone.

"Indeed mother, indeed. The beginning of the end is now and I know just how to start." Malachive, his eyes a flaming black.

"I need not remind each of you what is to come. Our Lord's time is almost at hand and each of you will have a part in shaping the history of the entire world. You've done a superior job in establishing a base camp and I am very proud of you. However, our task here is incomplete. We will be establishing a barracks and you can expect recruits to come in by the hundreds. They will be housed, they will be trained and above all, they will be disciplined. Those who fail will not be allowed to go home; they will be slain for their weakness. All of you have proven strong, so expect the same standards from any recruit for if they fail, they are the enemy."

The General galloped away followed by his aids and commanders all on horseback. The officers commanded the troops to return to their daily tasks.

A man in dark robes walked before the camp's commander, a white furred Minotaur known only as Colonel Skurn.

"About time you came, wizard." Skurn growled to the mage.

"I had previous orders to attend to." The hooded mage offered as an explanation.

"No matter." Skurn replied. "Can you develop what the General has asked of you?"

"It's possible." The mage replied.

"Then we shall collect that which is needed, mage. You may develop a workshop within the caves; just make sure you keep those things far away from the rest of us, understood?" Skurn said without emotion.

"It's understood, Colonel. However, I have a request. I know full well the amount of aid and cooperation we will be asking from the Knights. I am requesting the aid of a few men without such....how do I put this...Knightly morals?"

Skurn snarled. "A man without honor can not be trusted. But if you keep them in the caves and away from us, then I will allow them to live. If they enter base camp, or if we see them even look at us, they will join the fate of the rest of the world."

"Agreed, and if they meddle, I'll handle them myself." The mage replied.

Skurn raised an eyebrow. "Whom do you have in mind, mage? Another one of your Clavists'? Perhaps someone from that clan that calls themselves "Malice"?

A smile appeared from below the dark hood. "For what I require, I'm afraid I need an even worse sort of person."

"Ahh" Skurn smirked. "The Pirates! Yes, our Lord would not be pleased with you if they showed themselves here. Be sure that they understand this."

"Of course Colonel." The mage replied as he departed.

The mage seemed to glide from under his robes showing little body movement. The soldiers had all gossiped among themselves that this was no mage at all, but a spirit drabbed in dark robes as a cover. No one really knew, but the rumors seemed to gain new theories daily.

Skurn walked over to a team of Dwarves, all arguing over a blue print of a barracks. The Minotaur and the Dwarves had a great understanding of each other and the team of architects and builders were very fond of Skurn. He had displayed both honor and a fierce battle rage that almost all Dwarves could respect. If only they get him to partake in some Ale one Dwarf had said earlier.

"How long?" Skurn asked.

"3 weeks." One Dwarf said.

"A month." Another replied.

"2 months" said another.

Skurn laughed. "You have 6 weeks, but knowing your reputation, I wouldn't be surprised if it were done in 2 weeks."

Footsteps with no feet, or body for that matter, appeared to swirl leaves around slowly, but quietly. Finally, after a few miles from the camp, an Elvish female appeared as a magical cloak was removed. She was a beautiful elven female with a tanned face and slight features. Long, flowing, auburn hair cascades down her back and her eyes are a striking emerald green color.

Faerynn Shae'loren knew what she must do. "People must know and prepare." She said to herself. She didn't know how she got to where she was, her surroundings did not look familiar. A magical spell had placed her there and she knew only the blessing given to her by Sebatis could get her home from this lost place. Faerynn closed her eyes and uttered a prayer, one that this enchanter had uttered several times. When her eyes opened, she was in Shalonesti.

Snarkerl raised his head from the ground and yawned. The Dragon's large pointy teeth were the same size as the Balanx who was trying to wake him.

"You've missed the entire war, or at least the first wave!" Austanis said. "I can't tell you what's to come, but I can tell you what you've missed if you like." He said without any emotion in your voice.

"So some mortals went to war and killed one another. What do I care?" The Green Dragon hissed.

"Not quite" Austanis said, "a bit more than that occurred."

The green dragon yawned. "Didn't you alter something historic by waking me up? Go away!"

Austanis "No, you'll be dead in an hour anyway."

Now the Balanx had the Green Dragon's attention.

Snarkerl changed his expression from careless and tired to serious. "Speak. Or you'll be joining me."

"One day, but not today, my green friend." Austanis replied. "The Gods have started a War with each other."

Snarkerl asked "A full war?"

Austanis nodded his head, "All out war. The Good Gods against the Evil with the Neutral Gods caught in between trying to find peace before the world is destroyed. Many in Algoron are dead, much is destroyed."

"How long did I sleep?" asked Snarkerl.

"Not long, especially for a Dragon. You slept about 3 days." Austanis replied. "But as you know, when the Gods choose the affect the world, it happens quickly. Many Dragons slept, as did many mortals. That was not by choice, but by the protection of some Gods."

"So I slept to be protected only to be killed in 1 hour?" The dragon snarled.

"Yes. Your protection has run out." Austanis said without emotion.

"Wonderful!!" The Dragon said sarcastically. "What else happened? Who's dead?"

"The Dragons who did not sleep launched a full assault on the Slayers keep. Much to the mortal's credit, they fended off the Dragon coalition. Their downfall occurred when a Blue Dragon landed awkwardly on top of the keep. It was crushed under the Great Wyrm's weight."

"The Slayers Doom was the result of a fat Blue Dragon landing on them?" The dragon laughed.

"I wouldn't call him fat, big boned for sure, but he was a Great Wyrm, just as you are. Anyway, other clans fell to the Gods themselves. Armada was destroyed by the Pirates. The Gypsies wagons were burned by the Kingdom of Verminasia as order by Malachive. Malachive, son of Necrucifer single handedly destroyed the Pirates killing many and reducing their hideout to rubble. Malice fell before Nadrik and his Knights while Valor was destroyed by Necrucifer and his knights. Eclipse was terminated from within by Renegade Yinn opposition."

"Knighthood and Shadow took out Malice and Valor?" the dragon asked. "And Malachive? I already refused to join him! I knew he'd destroy the world instead of conquering it!"

"Yes." The Balanx replied. "It seems the honorable factions had the discipline to accomplish their lord's goals quickly. There are a lot of survivors and it's my understanding that those left alive are seeking a place in the newer starting clans. The people are calling these new orders Bloodlust, Wrath of Justice and the Order of the Talon."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" The dragon asked.

"I am here to document your death. I am just passing the time with this story. It feels refreshing to share my knowledge, especially knowing you can do no harm with it."

"I suppose I should feel privileged. Continue." The Dragon said again sarcastically. "What of the rest of the World?"

"The Elves enclosed themselves in the forest avoiding the war, as did the Dwarves who shut the mountain's gates. Both thought it was the rest of the world's problems since they were not attacked. A natural reaction I suppose. The Conclave finally did the inevitable and merged the towers under one ruler. They are the same as they were, except unified as 1 conclave with the 3 factions. They are also building a non-warring faction to teach magic. Sebatis even moved the Red Robe tower out of the main focus of these battles, to Ice Wall.

"The Austinians were destroyed by Goblins who simply sought out loot in the time of turmoil. The survivors are now calling themselves the Gray Church and are opening their doors to anyone without constraints.

"A lot of artifacts and magical items were destroyed in the world. Mages seem to have an awful advantage, for now, as the fighting types tend to figure out how to counter that. They've already starting manufacturing better armor types. The Banks have crumbled as they were looted. Looters ran rampant on those kept sleeping as well. Hundreds have been executed for their part in that. Yes, it appears the first wave of this war is over and order is coming back - for now."

"And what of me? How am to die? And why?" The dragon asked nervously.

"You're going to die by Malachive's hand for not joining him." Austanis said.

"And where is he?" The dragon asked.

"You are speaking to him, idiot." Austanis said.

"What?" The dragon asked as he watched Austanis' form change to Malachive's.

"I hope you've enjoyed today's report. Enjoy yourself in Hell dragon." Malachive said with a smile.

Malachive struck his hand into the dragon's chest and pulled out its enormous still beating heart before the Dragon could react.

The dragon's mouth flew wide open as to yell in pain, but before it made a sound, Malachive threw the heart into the dragon's mouth, forcing it to swallow it whole.

Malachive grinned as he simply said "Heh"

"As you may have guessed, the announcement you are here for concerns the AGL World Title and its first defense under its new Champion." Randorf said.

Darbolg interrupted his uncle. "But before we bring out the Champion and his opponent, we have another announcement."

Randorf groaned. "Go ahead, Darbolg. Why don't yae finish this for me" he said as the journalists all chuckled.

"Thanks Uncle", Darbolg said matter of factly. "As you know, our World Champion Mantaroth is also our Althainian Champion. As of Tuesday, we are stripping Mantaroth of that title and will have a 4 man tournament on Tuesday. Following this tournament for the Althainian title, Mantaroth will defend the World Title against.... Well. Why don't we just bring him out?"

As Eteiseth makes his way past the journalists stalking the ones in the front, his pure size and condition intimidates them making them take a step back. Fresh blood is dripping from his claws, and bits of flesh cling to his teeth.

The former Crown Champion's broad shoulders are scarred from battle, on his left shoulder are the letters AGL, tattooed into his flesh. A low humming sound can be heard, emitting from the former Champion's throat.

Question 1: How do you expect to beat the current AGL World Champion Eteiseth?

Eteiseth Answer: I expect to tear his horns out while I crush his skull with my boot. Anyone want a side of beef after I'm done with him?

Question 2: What can we expect to see at this fight?

Eteiseth Answer: It is going to be a dangerous fight. I would not want to be standing over the arena in the front seats of the stands, I suggest you all move to the upper levels. It is going to be a night of annihilations, if the coliseum does not collapse.

Eteiseth crosses his arms and flexes his muscles, with the tattoo of AGL on one shoulder. The sound emitting from his throat can be heard once more, a very deep humming noise.

From out of nowhere, lightning begins to strike in rapid succession just to the right of Darbolg, causing everyone to shield their eyes. When the bolts stopped and the smoke cleared, the monstrous 8-foot tall Champion known as Mantaroth came into view.

"Let us be done with this quickie. I have little time for your inane curiosities."

His scorched white and gray fur was messy and unkempt with vicious scars visible across his entire body. A midnight black tabard covered the length of his body, with the AGL Champion's belt firmly around his waist. This outcast of the Black Tower continued to exercise his dominance over the League with his brutal fighting style and relentless thirst for rage and vengeance. Not only had he become the only gladiator to carry the two top titles at the same time, he had done it all while remaining undefeated. And with the slayings of Shiro and Khethus, fewer and fewer stepped forward to overthrow the Minotaur and claim the championship as their own. Could he ever be stopped?

Reporter question 1:

Champ! Champ! Rumors and doubts about your upcoming match keep surfacing in regards to your falling out of favor with Mencius! Will you be able to keep going?

"Fool! I defeated everyone sent against me during my period of reflection from Mencius. Yet He is with me once more, and no force on Algoron will be able to stop me now."

Reporter question 2:

You've never faced a mean old barbarian before! I think Eteiseth is going to wipe the arena stands with your corpse!

Mantaroth growls and walks to the front of the crowd, reaching in to grab the offending goblin by the throat and raising him into the air. But just before Mantaroth could squeeze the life from the reporter, Eteiseth's voice could be heard.

"Put him down, minotaur. If its death you yearn for, I will send you to whatever god you wish."

Mantaroth, growled, releasing the goblin that fell to the ground. The goblin stood up with wide-eyes and began rubbing his neck in excitement. "I am never washing this again!"

Mantaroth and Eteiseth square off eye to eye. The whistling of an air born axe is heard flying through the air and lands in the side of the wall between Mantaroth and Eteiseth.

"Save it for the fight, lads." Randorf says as he retrieves his axe.

Once again the reporters burst out all at once trying to ask questions. Darbolg says "Uncle would you mind finishing this up? Ah 'ave ta get back ta meh boat an' finish up tha' keg o' beer ah tapped this mornin'." Darbolg yells "Thanks uncle!" As he walks off behind stage.

A reporter asks "Randorf, how will the contenders for the Althainian championship get chosen?"

"We'll take the top 4 ranked volunteers. If you will excuse us, I think its best we get these two separated. I'll see you all Tuesday night."

"One last question" a dwarven lady asked with a flirtatious wink.

"Uhh... Sure lass. Ask mae anything." Randorf said almost too eager.

"What does this title fight mean for the AGL and how would you rate its anticipation compared to previous title under Torin, Nashkell and Maxx?"

Randorf looked serious for a moment. "Well, every fight we had for Maxx was exciting and not disappointing until he fell to Nashkell. Nashkell never got a successful defense as Torin took him for it on the first fight. I think its safe to say that Torin dominated the AGL during his time, never losing. However he stopped defending and we to exterminate him.. Err I mean his contract."

"So as far as what this means for the AGL, this is the first World Title Defense in a long time. But more importantly, it's a fresh start for a fresh champion and the beginning of his legacy and how he will be remembered in history. Mantaroth has all of the tools to be the next Maxx or the next Torin. Eteiseth has all of the tools to be the next "Giant killer" like Nashkell was. This fight will say a lot about both lads and their place in history and I look forward to seeing you all there Tuesday night as we crown a new Althainian Champion and see how these two lads will be remember."

The figure walked out on to balcony, wrapping his robe a little more closely about him, raising his gaze upwards towards the moons. It was near time. All these years.... All his work. A small creeping smile came across his features. Soon they would all see.

He took one last look towards the moons then quickly whirled around and made haste towards his laboratory. An underling ran across him in the hall and with a wave of his hand, quickly fell in to a deep sleep. None would know of this, not yet. Surely they would presume, and some would wish to stop him, but for now none would get in his way. With another wave of his hand the doors to his laboratory flew open and promptly shut behind him. He whirled around the room quickly, searching for the one key thing that he needed to bring all of his years of research and study to the final conclusion, and with a grin he quickly gathered the crystals he required and rushed his way back up to the top of the spire. Waiting patiently for just the right moment of alignment.

He placed the crystals where he needed, drawing an archaic symbol upon the stones around his feet. Now came the true moment that he had waited for. Uttering a few words, the wind swirled and the area before him began to warble. He spoke a few more words and a great flash of lightning struck the ground near to him, but he would not falter. A brilliant light flashed and he quickly guarded his eyes, and as he drew his hand from his face, before him was the portal that would bring him to where he needed to be. The future.

As he stepped in to portal, several strikes of lightning occurred within the near vicinity. Portals opening in random places within his time, drawing individuals through it before they could even react. He took care entering the portal, for the spire where he stood in the past did not exist in the present. He gazed around to see the outlay of the lands before him. Lightning strikes landing within the lands, similar to the one that had opened his own. A slight feeling of concern came over him, but he quickly brushed it away.

*******CURRENT TIME*******

Great flashes of lightning and brilliant lights flashed within the major cities, a space in time shifting and contorting as portals began to arise in them. Citizens quickly screaming in alarm, then ceasing their outcries to stop and gaze on in wonder. Questioning where they had come from, with a bit of trepidation as to what or who may come through them.

Their questions were quickly answered as bewildered people fell through them. Bewildered looks upon their faces as they gazed about, wondering as to what had just occurred. People quickly surrounded them, questioning and asking as to who they were and where they had come from. It was quickly discovered that they were people from the past. The world of Algoron before those of this time knew of it. These 'visitors' from another time, quickly surmised that there was only one person that could have construed and managed such an act. The old Conclave mage, Seanan.

They did not belong here, it was far too risky. Too many things could alter from them being here. Lineages destroyed, the world altered for them. They had to return, there was no question about it. They had to find Seanan, for certainly he had come here as well. For what purpose, they did not know and where to look they had no clue. But perhaps this world had advanced enough that someone amongst them might know the answer.

At that same moment, lightning struck near one of the portals, a figure forming deep within the portal. The citizens of Althainia shrieking and standing back. A great roar echoed through the air, and several people quickly drew their weapons, wondering just what was on the other side. With a mighty gush of wind, several people ducked, as out of the portal flew the largest red dragon any had ever seen. Dwarfing in size even the mightiest of the gods. The dragon swooped across the sky, his roar shaking and trembling the ground. People screaming and rushing to hide within doorways as quickly as they could.

The dragon recognized this world, yet it was somehow different. The lands different than where he had just came from. He made his way across the oceans, his curiosity mounting as he flew in to one of the nearby cities. Soon many came to flock towards him, men and women of the darkened auras. Several in awe of him. He could grow to like this place.

A man named, Reklah Kayen made his way towards him, accompanied by another named Jaerlach Kesepton. They quickly introduced themselves and just as quickly wondered as to who this dragon was. Amidst their conversation, it was quickly learned that the name he went by was Maylstrom and that he too had come from the ancient past. Things were vastly different here, he could feel it... Sense it. This world was much weaker than his own, and he would revel in it.

Word spread quickly across the land of this other arrival, and the other 'visitors' to this world cringed in fear and dread, many around them questioning as to their reaction. They had to warn them, they had to tell them what they needed to know, even if it meant altering what might be. Maylstrom, was no ordinary dragon. He was a god.

The followers of the light, scoffed at such things. A dragon a god? Even if it was true, they would ensure it's death. They were soon to find out otherwise, as armies gathered to fight this new god within their amidst, and falling just as quickly before his might. Even the mightiest of the gods in this time, learned quickly that it was no match for this one. Yes, he would like it here... And he would claim these lands, one by one, for himself and the darkness.

The others quickly gathered with their new acquaintances and made haste and plans to find someway back to their time. If only they could open a rift in time back to where they belong, perhaps Seanan and Maylstrom would be drawn back as well. So they searched for the mightiest of the mages in this time, and the oldest. Sinarous and Nagash. Neither were quick to help mind you, for they thought perhaps this would be quite interesting to see what might occur, but they had soon relented and gathered what was needed. With no guarantee mind you, that it would work at all and send them precisely to where they came from.

They gathered within the Vale, the one place upon these lands that had never altered through out all of time. It was here that some of the oldest magics were the strongest. It was here that the rift needed to be opened.

Word quickly got to Maylstrom, and he set out himself to quickly find a way to prevent himself from leaving this world. This was too good of an opportunity for him. Here his power was great. With the aide of a man named Itamar Schwartz, he quickly found what he needed, then he had but to wait for just the right moment to close the portals and the rift, before he was drawn back within it.

Just as he had predicted, the portals opened once more, drawing everything near it back in to them. All but himself, as he cast the magic he needed to shatter the portal in to small shards of ice He was not going back and to ensure that fact, he had to find Seanan. Seanan was here somewhere, he could feel it. As for the others, they vanished back hopefully to their own time.

(written by Kyri)

Maylstrom raised an eyebrow. "You came here alone? Did you not want to endanger the other mages of the towers or did they not like you enough to help? Either way, you've made a grand error, Wizard."

"The only mistake in coming here was yours, Maylstrom. You should have stayed in your own time. As for my mages, this is between us. I'll not let you use their lives as a crutch to distract me from giving you what is due." Seanan yelled back. "But enough banter, this will end here and now."

The mage and the dragon fought for several hours destroying Maylstrom's lair in the process. The Dragon was reluctant to use his fiery breath weapon at first for fear of destroying his experiments, but a lightning blast from Seanan's staff turned his large scale alchemy experiments into mostly ashes and fire. Finally, Maylstrom let loose all of his power and destroyed a good portion of the great forest in which he resided. Smoke and ashes blew into the horizon and was noticed by another red dragon. This one was large for a dragon, even by today's standards but no where near the size of Maylstrom. Soaring through the sky, Galeru saw the smoke rise from miles away. The smoke had a unique darkness to it and Galeru knew that it had come from dragon fire. He headed towards the devastation as quickly as he could fly. A chain of colorful light left Seanan's staff and hit Maylstrom in his wings binding Maylstrom down to the earth where he crashed with am earthshaking thud. Maylstrom roared as his fire breath engulfed Seanan where he stood. Maylstrom groaned as he saw a shield of light surrounding Seanan blocking his fire attacks.

"Face it Maylstrom, this is the end." Seanan said plainly before zapping Maylstrom's legs and arms with some unknown spell. Maylstrom's limbs fell limp and the dragon laid on the earth unable to stand or claw at Seanan.

"If this is the way it must end, then this is the way it must end" Maylstrom said with a sound of defeat in his voice. "Send me back, Seanan. Send me home" he pleaded.

"You know I can't do that and you should know that I wouldn't. This is your end" Seanan replied with almost a look of sadness in his old voice. "You've brought enough pain to this world in our time and in this one. It's over."

Seanan raised his staff and concentrated on the spell he was about to perform. Maylstrom began to mutter a spell of his own and both realized that they were in a war of words. Both spoke quickly, Seanan in an old forgotten language and Maylstrom in his dragon tongue.

Maylstrom seemed to have finished his spell in a very short instant before Seanan did and energy from both beings collided forcing a grand explosion that cleared more than 80 acres of forest. The force of the blast sent Galeru spiraling out of control towards the earth. He regained composure and maintained flight only a few hundreds yards from hitting the ground. He gained altitude and waited for the dust to settle. 30 minutes passed by before Galeru landed.

All around him were various pieces of the former great red dragon. No trees, grass or plants had survived the explosion. All that lay around Galeru were small parts of Maylstrom and the limp corpse like form of Seanan who had somehow managed to remain in one piece, despite his long beard and his robes being burned and tattered. Oddly enough, a sack strapped to Seanan's back remained unmarred.

Galeru reached for the sack only to pull back as if his hand were being sent through excruciating pain. He leaned his head down towards Seanan and saw that this old man was breathing, although barely. "Not all treasures sparkle" Galeru said to himself with a slight smile. Galeru picked up Seanan's limp body in one clawed hand and leapt up into the sky.

His staff and his backpack were gone and his golden robes of the conclave had been replaced by a simple grey cotton shirt and grey cotton pants. His pointy hat and shoes were also gone, but his recently frayed beard was back to normal.

"Am I dead?" Seanan said out loud not expecting any answer. After all, there was nothing but ground as far as his eyes could see.

"Szarveenik!" Seanan said while holding out a hand. Nothing happened. "SZARVEENIK!" Seanan said louder with his hand out stretched. Puzzled, Seanan sat on the ground.

"My magic. Its gone" the old man said sadly.

"You'll find that magic does not work here, especially for the dead" a voice behind him said in a sad tone.

Seanan turned around to see a young noble looking man with long black hair wearing black robes. His skin was pale and his expressions seemed very genuine.

"You will find that nothing of what you were remains. This is what is left of you and this is your destiny for the rest of eternity. To walk this realm alone" the man said, again with sadness in his voice that made Seanan feel as if this news troubles this man as much as it did to Seanan himself.

"Who are you?" Seanan asked. "How did I die? Was I eaten by Galeru? Did that red beast feast upon what was left of me?"

"You died from the wounds you obtained from the incident with Maylstrom. You laid in Galeru's lair for a week and then your body gave out and you died. The Dragon did not eat you." The man said while studying Seanan's face. "Galeru was merely acting to his nature, seeking a few easy jeweled eggs in return for finding you helpless and then returning you your towers, but your mages did not want you back."

"That can not be." Seanan said in disbelief. "They wouldn't."

"They did betray you, Seanan. They did indeed. A few offered the dragon the eggs but only in return for your books and not for you. Others said they would only help if the Gods themselves told them too and even then, they undermined you by stating they wish for the red to eat you and that you were not around the towers enough to baby sit them. They wanted you to die, and so you did. In fact, their leaders stated publicly that they would celebrate your death as if you were a tyrant whom had spent your days razing their villages and killing their families."

Seanan's old eyes grew wide. "But I was there to help them! I taught them the ways of Battle Magic!! I had EIGHT other schools of magic to teach them, not to mention many more spells to within their own schools to show them! Why would they do this to me? After all I have seen and sacrificed to make them better and to prepare them for what is to come? How could they betray me? How?"

The pale man smirked. "Old one, the Conclave is not what it was in your day. They are their own worse enemy. Politics takes the place of common goals and egos take the place of a passion for magic and arrogance takes the place of worship. My mother could go and on about this very topic."

"Your mother?" Seanan asked cautiously.

"Drakkara" stated the man. "My mother is Drakkara. We aren't exactly on the best of terms right now, before you start asking."

"So you are Malachive then?" Seanan asked.

Malachive grinned. "I am. And I came here to see you off. You are one of the most powerful wizards in the history of the world, Seanan, and to be honest I was flattered to learn that you came to this time to defeat me. Unlike those in the Conclave, I recognize and appreciate one who made themselves as powerful as you."

Seanan sat and said nothing. He looked off into the nothingness with a blank stare before uttering "You've no reason to flatter me, Malachive." A single tear fell down the old mans face. "Do not be sad, old one." Malachive said with a look of concern. "I too used to live among the Conclave and I too was unwelcome there, despite my mother's wishes. So now, I live in hiding, slowly planning, slowly building, slowly preparing for what is to come. It is a shame you won't be there to see it."

The words rang through Seanan's head. His pain turned to anger and his face flushed with a bright redness.

"It's a fact, Seanan. I am not saying such things to sting you."

Malachive leaned down and studied Seanan's face. His face was red; his eyes were wide and teary. If Seanan were alive, one would worry that he was having a stroke.

"What are you thinking, old one?" Malachive asked politely.

Seanan turned and looked Malachive eye to eye. "I can't believe this is how it is to end for me, after all I have done! How dare those ungrateful little bastards betray their robes and betray me, the only man who could place them back at their previous glory!! If there is a way out of this realm, I will find it and when I do, I will tear down those towers brick by brick by brick by brick!!!!"

Malachive smiled. "I made the same vow myself, you know. When they unwelcomed me, so I understand your thoughts Seanan. It's a shame too, because like it or not, you are dead. Not even I can restore you to your mortal form."

"My mortal form was weak anyway!" Seanan said, again staring out into the nothing. "Even if I could go back as a powerless small child, I would find a way to get my revenge! Those ungrateful bastards deserve what they have coming to them and I want to not only be there to see it, I want to help!"

"Are you asking me for help?" Malachive said, almost grinning.

"I'm no spring grasshopper." Seanan replied. "I know what I'm getting myself into and I know that I've lost favor with Sebatis over the last year or I wouldn't be stuck in this Abyss. But what I know more than anything else is that those bastards in the towers are going to pay for what they did to me. They deserve everything they are going to get and I am going to make them and the moons pay! If you want my soul for servitude, then you have it! If it's either waste away here shunned by every one that I had dedicated my life for and go seek revenge, then I demand revenge!"

Malachive's grin left his face. Muttering "Mother, forgive me" to himself, he placed his hand on Seanan's shoulder and spoke softly.

"Old one, I did not want to see you robbed of your dignity any way. You and I will walk the world together and I will see that you have your chance to get your revenge. But understand that by placing yourself under my will, you will cease to feel things as you have. You will cease to taste things they way you have and you will have to live with the orders in which I give without regret. A better tomorrow awaits all of us if we are only willing to make the tough choices of today. The world below is vile and ugly and only with strength and control can we make it a better place."

"What's to become of me?" Asked Seanan. "Am I to be transformed into a demon?"

"A demon?" Malachive chuckled. "You confuse me for my father for I control no demons. Just consider yourself an agent of Malachive. "Let us begin our journey."

In a blink, Seanan was in a new place. His clothes had been replaced with long grey robes. At his feet laid his own corpse, along side of it was his backpack and his staff. Reaching down, he picked up his back pack and his staff. He noticed the aches and pains of his normal movements were still completely gone. Physically, he felt young again. Looking around, Seanan realized that he had died in what was an abandoned ruby mine. He made his way to the entrance only to be met at the door by a rather large red dragon.

Galeru stood poised for battle. He swiped a claw at Seanan only to have his entire arm jolt from whatever barrier that was protecting Seanan.

"To kill you now would be to kill a fly, simply for flying." Seanan said. "It is not my job to change the nature of a Red Dragon."

Galeru looked at Seanan perplexed as Seanan walked past him, unconcerned.

Turning as if Seanan had just realized he forgot something, he looked at Galeru.

"However, since we now share some common enemies."

Seanan raised his staff into the air and a blue bolt of energy passed from the staff into Galeru. Galeru's muscles grew and hardened. His claws extended and his fangs grew jagged edges between the teeth.

Galeru looked down at his arms, claws and felt his fangs. He looked back to Seanan, but Seanan was gone. Galeru strolled back into his lair and looked at his reflection in a pool of standing water.

What he saw was something Galeru had never seen before upon his face. A grin.