Somewhere off the coast of Eshia…
Written By @KIllercroc928
As the anchor of Rotwinn’s ship landed in the freezing sea, thunder crackled through the blackening clouds above. As his men placed a plank connecting the ship to the fortress’ docks, Rotwinn strided onto the black stone. Lighting a torch the captain took in his surroundings. The docks connecting the fortress to the sea were lined with dozens of other vessels, all sporting radiant suns on their vast sails. As Rowtwinn stepped onto the docks, he was silently greeted by a soldier dressed in white and gold who guided him through a narrow archway, several of his crew members following closely behind. The halls of the fortress crawled with soldiers and sorcerers, and the rattling of chains rang through the walls. The captain was led by the soldier through several tunnels before descending a flight of steps and stopping in front of a large, golden door. The soldier gestured to Rotwinn to enter, and the captain pushed the door open before stepping forward into the room.
Entering the room, Rotwinn first noticed the torches lining the walls dimly lighting the gloomy chamber. As he peered around into the darkness, Rotwinn was able to make out a solitary figure standing completely still in the center of the room. As he stepped closer to the figure, Rotwinn gestured for his crew members to draw their weapons in anticipation that the figure may be hostile. Then, out of the darkness a raspy voice grabbed the attention of the captain. “You are late” proclaimed the voice. The captain ushered them to sheath their weapons as he ascended a small flight of steps to the stony platform that the figure was standing upon. Recognising the familiar pride in the figure’s voice, Rotwinn retaliated. “It’s not an easy task to navigate the waters surrounding the fortress, Seerigos.” The figure spun around, revealing his scarred and twisted face. “Excuses! We both know that you received the calling hours ago! I would think that when you are summoned by your superior, it should be considered urgent. Or do you perhaps have better things to do?” As smoke rose from the displeased form of Seerigos, Rotwinn did his best to conceal his loathing of his fellow herald. When he had first met Seerigos, Rotwinn had immediately sensed the sorcerer’s pride just as he had sensed Hemolyth’s pitifully desperate need for approval from his master.
In order to quench Seerigos’ fury, Rotwinn swiftly changed the subject. “What do you think is so important that Eclipsus himself had to call us?” This diversion was successful and the smoke billowing from Seerigos’ form quickly vanished. “Truthfully…I am unsure…but whatever the reason, it must be of great importance.” Rotwinn couldn’t help but smirk as Seerigos stated his uncertainty over the summoning. The sorcerer often considered himself the wisest not just of the heralds but of Eclipsus’ entire military so Rotwinn relished in his lack of knowledge. Seerigos clocked this and hissed to the smug captain. “Wipe that pathetic smile off your face while you still can captain. Now where in Nyrissian’s name is that pathetic excuse of an Ovum soldier?” Before Rotwinn could answer, a grating voice rang through the chamber. “I’ve been here the entire time, Seerigos.” Turning in the direction of the voice, Seerigos and Rotwinn spotted a hunched over silhouette perched on one of the steps leading up to the platform. The sinister figure of Hemolyth rose from the ground, turning to his fellow heralds.
“You know Seerigos, I’m still surprised his greatness chose you as a herald. If it was I who possessed the immense power of the great general, your betrayal towards the Order of the Catseye would have a drastic effect on my trust.” Rotwinn knew that this was very likely to get under Seerigos’ molten skin and he was not wrong with the enraged sorcerer rapidly retaliating. “You dare lecture me on loyalty!?” The heralds watched as the form of Seerigos melted away, twisted into a horrifying being. His body scolding with magma and his eye burning with rage, Seerigos loomed over Hemolyth, who stood defensively, red mist surrounding his form. “Let us not forget that you Hemolyth are nothing but a rotting corpse in a mask.” Seerigos turned to Rotwinn. “And you captain can threaten me all you want. Or should I say get your crew to threaten me for you? Because I can still see nothing but the drunken sailor lying stranded and helpless on the rocks.” Rotwinn, enraged by Seerigos’ mockery, drew his saber, with his crew readying their weapons behind him. Just as it appeared a skirmish was about to unfold, a single word rang through the chamber.
“Cease.”
Peering upwards, the heralds noticed that at the back of the room, atop a pillar of dark stone, sat a large figure dripping in golden armor. Instantly, the quarrel between the three halted. Hemolyth fell to his knees, bowing to his master. Rotwinn, fearing for his life, stepped back in terror towards his crew. Only Seerigos remained unfazed, his molten form melting away. The terrifying voice that echoed from the figure resting in the throne was a harsh one. “How dissatisfying. My mighty heralds bickering like mere children.” Eclipsus glanced towards the fearful captain. “Rotwinn, this matter does not concern your crew.” In response, Rotwinn ushered his crew from the chamber, the grand doors closing behind them. The general’s eyes then turned to Hemolyth, who was kneeling to his saviour. “Rise my herald. Look upon your master.” The Ovum deserter swiftly rose to his feet, still not daring to look his idol in the eyes. Seerigos sneered at the weak reactions of his fellow heralds before striding towards his master’s throne. “My lord, I sincerely apologise for the insolence of my fellow heralds. They are simply confused as to why they were called.” The figure’s golden eyes stared disapprovingly at Seerigos before speaking.
“Long ago, as I served under the Sun Lord Athi, the golden land of Eshia bled. That ridiculous fool was not fit to reign as Sun Lord. He was oblivious to the world, blinding himself and others with a fantasy of peace and harmony throughout the continent. The kingdom’s enemies, far mightier than anything the Knights of the Sun could ever hope to be, were closing in and I knew that it was only a matter of time before the Knights of the Sun, before the entirety of Eshia crumbled, leaving behind only dust and blood. Thus, I plotted in secret, raising an army who, like me, stared into oblivion, who were not blinded by the illusion of tranquility. However, as my ambition to overthrow the Sun Lord progressed, I came to the realization that even when I was victorious, the mighty enemies of the kingdom would continue to overwhelm Eshia, still leading to the decimation of the Knights of the Sun. As such, I surrendered myself to Athi, while my loyal forces prospered within the shadows, awaiting my inevitable return. I knew that the surrender of the kingdom’s most powerful general would ensure the deterrence of the kingdom’s enemies, with my sacrifice warranting the survival of the kingdom. However, this imprisonment benefited myself as well for while I remained confined within the Choking Wolf, I discovered something. A force beyond anything that any mage, sorcerer and warlock had ever discovered before.” At that moment, three radiant orbs thrashed out of the symbol in Eclipsus’ chestplate dancing through the air of the gloomy chamber. “Regarded as ‘Radiantes Clavem’ this mystical enchantment allows the tethering of a being’s life force to another. I continued to practice this ability in secret and by the time I breached my confinement, I had mastered this technique. It is a process that is as difficult as it is dangerous but after grueling amounts of research, I have ultimately discovered the secret to…IMMORTALITY!”
For a moment the orbs continued to shimmer within the air before darting towards the three heralds standing at the base of the throne. As the orbs imbued themselves into the three, the suraa pulsed through their beings. “The Radiantes Clavem acts as a splintered fragment of my own life force and, while it renders my abilities substantially weakened, as long as you walk this realm then I will remain everlasting. I entrust you, my formidable heralds with the keys to my soul and trust that you will remain cautious.” Then, Eclipsus leaned forward, his golden eyes flaring menacingly. The heralds drew back in terror as his next words echoed through the dingy chamber. “If you fail to preserve your key, then I shall willingly recollect it from your lifeless corpse!” Eclipsus leaned back in his throne as the cowering heralds vigorously accepted. “Now depart…and ensure the keys are well protected…” The heralds took one final glance at each other before dispersing. Molten wings sprouted from Seerigos’ back and the sorcerer launched himself into the air, vanishing into the darkening clouds. Followed by his waiting crew, Rotwinn strided out of the throne room and returned to their vessel which promptly set sail. Hemolyth’s armoured form dissolved into red mist before billowing out of the throne room and into the skies.
As the general overlooked the empty throne room, a single figure, dripping in gold and white robes, dropped down from above. “My lord, some may consider your bestowal of the keys on the heralds rather foolish. Each of them are blinded by their egos and I can foresee that their pride will result in their undoing.” The general, acknowledging his loyal apprentice’s concern, proceeded to reassure him. “That may be true Sarmual, and I know that you stand as not only the most faithful of the heralds but the most powerful which is why I will be assigning you a key to oversee as well.” With that, a final orb writhed out of Eclipsus’ chestplate before imbuing itself into his final herald. “In truth, I am unconcerned if the three heralds fail, for every day my armies continue to expand and if their deaths delay that pathetic excuse of a Sun Lord in his endeavour to rid the continent of me once and for all, so be it.” Sarmual, recognising this honour, knelt before his worthy master. “Now Sarmual, while the other heralds build my armies within their respective regions, you will be dispatched on a…let us say rather demanding mission.” Sarmual’s curious eyes rose up to the throne, awaiting his master’s commands. “I am at your service, my liege.” Eclipsus, despite his weakness, grinned eagerly.
“Midus forest awaits…”