| Fall of a Hero
Prologue
Millenia before this time, the world was in a time of peace, a time of great harmony, a time of the discovery of magic in its purest form of fire, water, ice, thunder, wind, mind, shadow, and life. Many races rose to the top: Humans, Akari, Pratzians, Necri, Rye, Zeyans, Traxellans, Angians, and more. Other races were wiped out, including the feared Dragons. However, one race stood out. They were the most powerful and the most feared; even their forgotten name frightened the populace.
This powerful race was exiled into a dimension of stasis, of frozen time, sealed away by eight legendary heroes representing seven of the mightiest races, each armed with their own incredible artifact. With their power augmented by what is now known as the Legacy Relics, each containing a pure form of magic. This octet trapped the Exiles of long ago with a great and mighty seal, weaved with all eight pure elements. To complete the seal, the eight sacrificed themselves and allowed their great magical energies to flow through the seal.
However, one fatal error was made. The great Bloodlet, the mighty dagger of shadow, was lost into a dark abyss before it could be used to seal away the Exiles, thus leaving the seal incomplete and susceptible to being opened.
The remaining seven relics were scattered throughout the world, being given to the nations the wielders belonged to. The shield of life, Starsun, to the nation of Pronyas, The thunder amulet Kiranja and wind Sword of Arc to the Angel Kingdom, the icy trident Emerius to the nation of Aquarius, the fiery ring Magnus to Topal, the flute of mind and music, Awakener, to Kiezre, and the aqueous mace Arisaa to Tion. The nation of Rhinessia received an honorary dagger in place of Bloodlet. However, over the years, Kiranja, Emerius, Magnus, and Arisaa disappeared.
Millenia after, a young Necron by the name of Gal Konaia learned the powers of Necromancy and fell in love with a Human by the name of Ilana Agretio. Ilana was murdered by townsfolk for marrying a Necron, and Konaia became angry. His dark energies called the Bloodlet to him, and he used the legendary powers of Bloodlet to takeover the nation Anti'ila.
Tomi Agretio, the brother of Ilana, formed the First Resistance to try and stop him. However, the resistance was crushed, and Konaiacaptured the nation of Orcra. The newly self-appointed Adori Konaia conquered the rest of Epocya, felling the great nation of Pronyas and taking the legendary Starsun.
Adori Konaia had decided that if the world couldn't cope with his marriage to Ilana, then the world shouldn't cope. He learned of the legendary Exiles, and planned to gather the remaining six relics to unleash the Exiles to do his bidding.
Two hundred years later, in the middle of the 1400s, Natyla and Vincynt Lynnin witnessed the usurpment of Evelyn to the throne of Ryzin. Adori Konaia had assisted Evelyn. They went on to have a child, Dezyth, before helping Proul Riada takeover his father's throne in Zeran. Another individual, Xel Shi'pi, acquired incredible magical energies through the relic Kiranja, which was possessed by his ancestors.
By this time, much technology had been developed, including vehicles, weaponry, guns, explosives, radios, and lights. Many developments were of great significance, while many remained unimportant. However, Adori Konaia had secretly prepared a great army to help him control the world of Titania.
Adori Konaia, successfully holding the island continent of Epocya, prepared to move on Atrolpa, another island continent. Using Ryzin as his eyes, he prepared to attack, and using his many deceptive tactics, he unleashed one of his armies on the mainland continent, Acirfra, to draw the attention of many.
Chapter One
A bloodcurdling scream filled the air. Natyla was strapped to a rack, her arms and legs restrained. Another scream emerged from her rattled body, as her guard placed a burning coal on her body, scarring the tissue and burning through what little remained of her hope.
A cloaked figure entered the room. "Follow me Natyla. It is the only way to escape this pain." Another scream, followed by an almost intangible shout. "Never!" The mysterious shadow nodded to the guard, and another series of screams ensued.
A lightning hammer crashed from the sky, bashing a Zeyan to bits. The Angel Kingdom floated in the air, suspended by magical supports guarded by a fortress, standing tall against the oncoming army from Zrikin. A small force was sent out under commander Xel Shi'pi to stop this menace..
Xel and Fey, his fiancee, had embarked on a quest a few years ago. A Zeyan tried to steal Xel's family heirloom, an amulet, and unwittingly forced Xel harness the powers locked within it. This amulet turned out to be none other than Kiranja, the amulet of thunder, used to seal away the Exiles millenia before.
Xel focused another lightning hammer at the army. He hovered in the air along with his top lieutenants. "We need to stay strong! Konaia's forces won't give up until the Angel Kingdom has fallen. Let's hold them back, and show em the true might of the Angian spirit!"
Vincynt sat in the bright sun, watching his children play in the field with their friends. The castle city of Zeranos towered behind them. He laid back, hands behind his head, and sighed.
A shadow passed over Vincynt. He looked up, and spied a figure flying down. An Angian landed next to Vincynt. "Vincynt, you missed the strategy meeting." Vincynt shook his head. "I'm taking a break, Yujia. Go tell Proul that." Yujia nodded, and flew off into Zeranos.
Vincynt continued to watch his offspring frolic with the other children. Dezyth played catch with some Angian children. Yeoso and Tomo ran around, chasing some other children in a carefree game of tag.
Vincynt laughed. "The carefree days of childhood." He smiled. "I was Dezyth's age when I met Natyla. That was fun." A horn blew in the background, startling Vincynt. Vincynt saw Yujia fly down again. "Vincynt, Proul needs to see you now!" Vincynt nodded his head. "Argh...fine. Can you get the children?" Yujia arched an eyebrow. "You're joking...right?" Vincynt grinned and patted his back. "Have fun."
Chapter Two
Yana sped up, running from Rojima. Through a dark alley, around a corner, up a ladder, down a slide, a neverending chase. She didn't even know why she was being chased. In Kiezre, one was either the hunter, or the hunted. For Yana, her life as the hunted had gone on for eleven years, ever since her parents were part of a mass slaughter in a dark conflict between Kiezre and Astonia, a country under the control of Adori Konaia.
She had been left with few possessions, including a momento of her mother. A sparkling silver flute embedded with a crimson red ruby. Yana played it to calm herself, and it seemed to affect her surroundings as well. All became peaceful and serene whenever Yana began to create a mystical melody.
For now, Yana ran, and ran, ran, ran, trying to escape her long pursuer, the same pursuer who had chased her for five long years. She turned a corner, trying to find a place to hide. Her breathing was hard, inhaling and exhaling. It was all she could do to keep going.
"Leave me alone, Rojima!" Yana yelled back at Rojima. A year ago, Yana had been ensnared in a devious trap set up by a Lieutenant Kaoip, serving under Adori Konaia, and rescued by Rojima. Rojima had released Yana. She discovered a gentle, caring, protective side to Rojima Knavi, but couldn't understand it. "Yana!" Rojima continued to follow.
Chapter Three
Natyla dangled closer and closer. The spike chasm seemed to come at her every time she dropped further in. "No. I don't care what you do, I'll never obey you, creeps!" Natyla dropped again and screamed. The cloaked figure came over once more. "You will be one of us, soon enough."
Natyla focused. "No! I will not! Vincynt will save me!" A malicious laugh filled the air. "Hahaha. Your sad efforts to convince yourself are futile. As we speak, my army approaches Zeran from all directions. Give in now, and be my loyal servant for all eternity!" Natyla face cringed and muttered a few words as she faded into the darkness. "Damn you Evelyn..."
Vincynt walked into Prince Proul Riada's throne room. "Proul, what's going on?" Proul nodded. "The Ryzin have overrun North Xross, and the Feroran have overtaken Tila. I think they're gonna try for Zeran. We need to mobilize our armies!" "Is there any word from Natyla?" Proul's face became grim.
A cold, sinking feeling settled in Vincynt's stomach. "Is she still Konaia's prisoner?" Proul nodded. "Yes... They're still demanding our unconditional surrender for her safe return." "Argh....." Proul solemnly nodded. "Vincynt, we need a plan."
Yujia walked in, carrying Yeoso and Tomo in his arms, and bearing Dezyth on his back. He let the children off and slided over. "What shall be done? The army of Ryzin is on the move as we speak. Our fortresses can't hold them much longer, Lord Proul." Proul's face flared up. "For the billionth time, just call me Proul!"
Vincynt pulled up a map of Zeran, and set it on a table. He pointed to three fortresses on the map, guarding the major and most versatile routes to Zeranos. "These three key staging points must be held: Golagos to the south, Zeranos II to the east, and Rukar, the northwestern port. I'll take an army down to the Golagos Fortress. We'll hold off the Ryzin there. Yujia, take the Angian army to the Zeranos II. Stall the Ferorans as long as you can. We'll send a detachment to help reinforce Rukar, just in case we have to retreat.
"Proul, you stay here. We can't risk putting you in danger." A Pratzian tactician ran in. "Prince! Trouble of the northern border! Rukar has been invaded by the army of Epocya!"
Proul jumped up. "What!? I thought he was attacking the Angel Kingdom!" Something clicked in Vincynt's mind. "It must have been a diversion. We're the only real threat on Atrolpa, so taking it should be a cinch. Proul! Contact Yikoo, Znayj-La, Rieprof, and the Angel Kingdom!"
Chapter Four
Yana awoke inside an abandoned warehouse. She wondered what to do next. Where should she run? Where would she go? What could she do? Questions began to rack up in her mind, as they had done for years and years past.
A loud crash interrupted her train of thought, and she quickly turned to face another menace...
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