Once Forgotten 3.4

Rya surveyed the damage around her with sorrow. There had been many casualties that night. Several had perished when the tavern collapsed. Many more had died in the cyclone, or had it been her own attack? She shook her head, clearing away such thoughts. Four days later, and the damage was still being assessed. It was fortunate that it was limited to only a small portion of the city.

Her attention went back to the letter she held. It had come last evening, and what it said filled her heart with both joy and sorrow:

“My dearest sister,
How are you faring? Many unusual tales have reached my ears, and I must say that you are certainly building both a name and reputation for yourself. And is it true that you have grown wings?! I cannot help but think of the old story mother used to tell us. Of a girl with wings who would bring about a new era, a new age. Sar…I suppose I should call you Rya, now…I cannot help but wonder whether there was, perhaps, more truth to all those wives’ tales than we gave them credit! Things could never have been both better, and yet, worse for us.

Roylen and I were wed not twelve days ago. Oh, Rya, how I wished you could’ve been here! The ceremony was perfect, absolutely perfect! And my new husband is absolutely wonderful! The whole of Jastire rejoiced with us; the great bells were wrung and all throughout the land, people feasted in our honor.

And now it grieves me to give you the gravest of news: Calima has declared war on us. There was some sort of trouble just the other night. A group of Calima Elites were found wandering on our border with no memory of how they got there, but many of them were battered and bruised. We fear that there is some new evil at work. Some horrendous demon has been unleashed, and Flamian himself has confirmed it. He refused to say much, but he came to us with a warning.

Rya, please, be careful and on your guard! I know that you have already slain a Demon Lord (how I nearly burst with pride for you!), but do not let it go to your head! Flamian was genuinely shaken when he told us of this news. Calima is insisting that we had something to do with the state of their soldiers; hence the declaration of war. But do not fear for us, my sister. They will find that though I prefer peace, the blood of our ancestors still flows within me! They will find that Salcarr is still strong!
Again, be careful, my sister. I fear that a demon like none other is on the loose.
Your loving sister
For Eternity,
Kurel “

“Are you going to answer?” Brint asked from beside her. She smiled and let him kiss her, savoring his embrace.

“I suppose I shall. Yet I haven’t an idea as to what to say!” She answered once he released her.

He caressed her feathers as he again looked the letter over. “You certainly have made a believer out of me.” He put an arm about her waist, just below her right wing. “I can’t really explain it, but something…it was like I was awaking for the first time in my life. I mean, truly awake. Everything…it’s all so different, yet nothing’s changed…”

Rya leaned into him. “I know that feeling. I felt the same way after I grew wings.” She softly kissed his lips. “And is it really so surprising? You did come back to life.”

“I suppose it’s not that surprising. It’s just that…I feel so much stronger! In tune with things. I can feel every heartbeat of everyone near me.” Brint held her for a while, before returning back to the letter. “The war is bad enough, but to hear of a demon that has Flamian trembling…I can’t help but wonder at what horror has been unleashed.”

“I know. That, perhaps, could be the most troubling part. And what of the Mauler? We have heard nothing on him. No tales; no signs. I had expected something from him long ago.” Rya sighed as she turned back to the destruction around them.

A female sigh came from beside them. “You really must stop blaming yourself, no? There was no preventing this.” Alda said, shaking her head in sorrow. “Casualties must be expected, yes, in this…war of ours. But it is sad.” She hung her head as the sounds of a weeping woman reached them. “Very sad, yes.”

“What should we do? We can’t just leave them like this!” Rya exclaimed.

Brint and Alda exchanged glances. The Katar turned to her. “With your permission, many of your soldiers have volunteered to be stationed here, but they will send updates. Will this suffice, yes?”

Rya nodded, satisfied with that response. “Yes. I just wish there was more that I could do for them!”

“You’ve already done enough. You managed to stop Samask from razing this place to the bare dirt!” Brint said. “We need to regroup with the others. We came, we saw, you fought; our mission here is done. Now we must return and see the other’s results. And consult with Flamian and Dylan on this new threat.”
She was silent for a moment. “Alright. We go back. Samask won’t be back. Whatever it was that I hit him with, it wounded him pretty good.”

“Yes, that was most…interesting indeed.” The Katar looked at her with new interest, a strange expression in her eyes. “Very interesting, yes.”
****************************************************************************

Dylan was sitting in her garden, listening to Lirand and Gartrand recount their mission. Flamian was pacing nervously, and Dylan couldn’t help but worry about him. The other two became concerned as well after he had not moved from the same spot for over two hours. Finally, he shook his head and began pacing again.

“Alright, what’s got you so worked up?” Dylan asked.

Flamian shook his head. “Nostraeli. Ever since that encounter, I have been searching every memory recorded in the Collective.”

“And is there anything?” Gartrand asked.

Flamian was silent. He seemed to shake himself and turned to them. “There is something. Images mostly. It’s something that happened long ago, before the first Golden Age. Something…happened, but…it was after the Demon War. More than that, I don’t know. There were two…I think. Blood…so much blood…” He broke off, saying no more.

His three friends turned to each other, fear showing on their faces. Gartrand pointed a shaky hand at the draigon. “Let me just say, I have never seen a draigon act like that. Ever!”

Dylan nodded slowly, trembling slightly. “You didn’t see this thing…I...it…it was like it was something neither living nor dead. It…reeked like…a thousand rotting corpses…” She shuddered.

Lirand and Gartrand both exchanged glances. “You don’t think…?” Lirand began. “Most likely.” Gartrand responded. Lirand cursed and sank onto a bench, head in his hands. “Alphairria help us!”

Something in their tone brought Flamian back to reality. “You…dispersed another M’rachtkenta?” They nodded. Flamian cursed. “Dammit! That’s what he meant! ‘He has turned his sights to more favorable targets’! He’s gone after more essence!!” The draigon shook with rage, fire playing around his fists. A cascade of water washed over him with a hiss.

“Don’t you dare go all mad and enraged on me now!” Dylan yelled. “We need you calm and sane! Remember what happens when you get angry?”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember.” Flamian waved her off and went to stand in the fountain. Lirand and Gartrand raised their eyebrows.

Dylan sighed. “He still struggles with his…other self.”

“Other self?” Lirand asked, puzzled.

Dylan nodded. “It happened when his soul was shattered several years ago.”

“So it’s true? He was stripped of his dragon half?” Lirand asked.

Dylan nodded. “He managed to hold onto part of it, trapping him forever in the form he is in now. He can’t ever appear fully human. Not anymore. As a result of this, he developed a mirror ‘self’, Flarris. Flarris is cold hearted, gaining pleasure from cruelty, death, and he despises all that is good. Flamian has him contained, but it gets hard for him when he’s angry.”

Gartrand pulled at his beard in thought. He wore a grave expression. “I hate saying this…”

“NO!” Dylan cried. “NO! Not again! I swore I would never do that to him! Flarris was free once; it was how we managed to defeat Calrius! The effort…” She choked and blinked back tears. “It nearly killed him to regain control. And…you don’t know what it was like. His eyes…his eyes burned with an undying hatred and malice. Please…don’t do that to him.”

Gartrand nodded slowly. “I won’t.”

“It may be our only chance.” Flamian said, turning to them. Dylan whirled on him.

“But…!” Flamian cut her off. “It may be the only chance we have, but I’ll only agree to it as a last resort.”

Lirand nodded. “That’s wise. Let’s try to avoid unleashing anymore demons. Even if necessary.”

“I think that we all need a break of such talk. Come, let’s eat. My cooks should have a sufficient meal prepared, if I am sure of the time.” Dylan said.

Flamian glanced at the sky. “It’s the correct time. I’m famished.” He led the way inside, appearing calm while waging an internal war.

Nadarin's Narrative Part 1

Au: This is a little bit of a side story. As many of you may be aware, the history of the gods of the Realm have already been told in The Book of the Damned. http://omnibusofchiel.blogspot.com/

However, I decided to try and give at least part of the story of Nadarin. To give a little more insight into who he is. His role. His purpose. The following is Part 1 of his Narrative, told to Vallarrya. Chronologically, this tale is given to Rya sometime after the events of Once Forgotten. I wanted to give the full Narrative, but it turned out that I cannot do that yet, as many of the events in Part 2 have not come to pass in Once Forgotten yet.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy this first part of Nadarin's Tale. I reread The Book of the Damned in order to be sure I did not destroy what has already been established.
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The Tale of Alphairria
Recounted by Nadarin, recorded by Vallarrya

Just as Thyninairinn has its own past and history, so too does Alphairria. The only beings who know this tale would be my brethren and I.

I remember a time when Darkness was not such a tangible thing. I remember a time when it had no hold upon any of the realms. I remember a time, when Light was dominant. It was a time of joy and peace. It was a time when our Father shone upon us as your sun shines upon you.

I do not know what came before my creation, my birth. Perhaps my Mother and Father were the last of same ancient race of beings, or perhaps they simply always were. But I suppose that that does not matter in the line of things. They had spent countless eons fighting the Darkness on their own. They were happy, battling side by side. Over time, they began want helpers, others to join them in their battle. The Father created beings under him, and the Mother did the same. The beings they created were a simple race. Having no true shape of their own, they used the power given them to aid the Mother and Father to the best of their ability, but they were nothing but thralls. They blindly did as they were told, not questioning why; they had no other choice. For a time Mother and Father were pleased.

Once again, a time came when their servants, the Gondranols, were not enough. Mother and Father began wishing for others like them. Truly like them, and of their very essences. They came together, and I was born. I remember first opening my eyes to the world they had created. I lived in harmony with my Mother and my Father. They taught me much of what they could, and I began to explore my own divinity, since I was created from theirs. I was happy existing with them. Fighting alongside them. Together, we drove the Darkness completely from our world, Alphairria. Mother always seemed to whisper that name, a name that echoed the sound of a thousand waterfalls, yet with the peacefulness of soft chimes. But I was also lonely. So Mother and Father again came together, and from them came a six winged female. Mother whispered me her name: Sanshiyhatyarres-Alellendenarres-Finditeismicalleandeas-Nmamorandastolophloian. Her name was good. It suited her, just as my own name suited me. I could try to explain it to you, but I would never be able to fully get across the true meaning of names.

Sanshi, for that is what I dubbed her, was a good sister from the start. Again, all was at peace. Our Mother and Father kept the Darkness at bay, allowing us to just enjoy existing. We expanded the world that was our, filling it with plants and creatures we imagined. Mother and Father had already created beings to entertain us. A time came when Mother and Father again came together. All Alphairria rejoiced at the birth of another Child. Another male was born. There was a feast in his honor, for Garnahtan-Tharoin was born. You frown, dear child, and rightly so, for Garnahtan-Tharoin was renamed, but that will come in later.

Feasting was a gift that our Father gave us. Food and drink, a necessity for you, is nothing but a joy and pleasure to us. We eat and drink for the sake of fellowship, a time for us to be together and enjoy the company of our brethren and servants. Not long after, another Daughter was born. Ariadniattes-Sellophloytusmous-Rhetfeliosmosede-Kanerkesserenes, whose beauty was like that of our Mother. After her, came the rest of my brothers and sisters. Amari was the last to be born. We all started out as what you would call little children, yet we grew in what would be mere seconds to you.

The world that was ours, Alphairria, grew exponentially with the birth of each child. We roamed it freely, living in peace with one another. A Great Time passed, and I began to see what the others could not. Each of my brothers seemed to shine with light. Nine shone seemed to shine with the Light of our Mother, a brilliant silver glow, pure and untainted. Nine shone with the Light of our Father, a magnificent golden glow, emanating strength. Yet there was something that intrigued me. Ariadni. She seemed to shine with a Light of her own, though it was faint. The others could not see it, for she reflected the Light of our Mother, making it appear that she shone with silver. I began to ponder at this, for I had come to understand that everything created seemed to have a purpose. Which led me to me to ponder over myself. I spent great lengths of time observing my reflection in the pure waters of the lakes. Creatures of all sorts would accompany me, curious over what I was doing, but they had no real intelligence of their own. I gradually began to realize that, like Ariadni, I had a Light of my own that, with this realization, flared up brighter than the Light of the Father, which I had reflected. I did not know it then, but I was beginning to understand my role, my purpose. Yet nothing prepared me for what was to happen.

For countless eons, Alphairria prospered. A peace, unlike any that followed, dominated that time. My brethren and I laughed and lived in perfect harmony. We kept the world that our Mother and Father had bestowed on us, ensuring that all was well. And for the longest of times it was. Yet Darkness began to seep into our perfect world. Creatures were claimed by it, becoming twisted and deformed from our designs. And we fashioned for ourselves weapons, forged from the Pure Fires that burned within the Great Temple we called our Home. It was there that we communed with our Mother and Father, seeking their council on this disturbing event. I did not know why, but I frowned at the feel of my Father’s presence. There was a great wrong that I couldn’t place; none of my brethren felt it. Father declared that the Darkness had reared up and made a breach into our world. And for the first time, we declared war. We went out throughout Alphairria, and for the first time, the sacred ground was drenched in blood. Whole sections of our world were darkened, tainted.

We destroyed the deformed creatures, and managed to restore some of the former peace, but it was not the same. A great damage had been done. Peace, the true peace that had existed always, had been destroyed.

Over time, I began to feel a…dissention among my brethren. The Nine that shone with the Light of the Mother began to fall into disagreements with the Nine of the Father. I sensed within them the same strangeness I had sensed within the Father. It was not long before He approached me.

“You are troubled my Son. Why is this?” He asked of me. I could not help but frown at the way in which he called my “son”.

“There is dissention, Father. My brethren quarrel, and Ariadni and I are greatly troubled with trying to keep peace among them.” I answered. “Something is amiss. I fear that Darkness has begun to seep even farther into our world.”

“Perhaps it is merely the strong striving to rise to their potential.” He paused and turned to me. “You yourself have seen how Nine shine with your Mother’s Light , and Nine shine with Mine. But you, Nadarin, you are far more special than they. When you were born, the First, I rejoiced with all My existence, for you were born as Me.”

My frown deepened at his words. “You mean to destroy Alphairria!”

He gave a great laugh. “Destroy it? No, Nadarin, no. I do not intend to destroy it. I intend to remake it. Remake all of it into a new image. I have grown weary of all of this. Change is necessary.” He grew serious and grave. “Join me. As I said, you were born far greater than your brethren. We could rule over your brothers, over your sisters. Have complete dominion over everything.” I felt my heart break at his words, and I now recognized the stench that came from him. The stench of darkness. The illusion was lifted from my eyes, and for the first time, I truly saw him as he had become. A wound. An even greater Darkness. The Light that he had once shone with had been gone for eons.

He knew my answer before I ever said. It didn’t need to be said, but I saw some part of him, some residual piece of his original self, glow with pride. “I will not. Nor will I allow you to do this.”

His words fell as a mocking sound upon my ears. “So you choose to fight me. I would expect nothing else from you. But perhaps it is for the best.” He gave me a mocking smile that haunts me still. “After all, out of all your brethren, you are the one most liken to me.” And with that, he left me. That was the last time that we met under any pretense of peace.

It did not take me long to see what was happening. The Father was favoring his Nine. Gifting and bestowing them with his own power. The dissention grew into arguing. And the arguing turned to fighting. I watched as the world I loved fell apart. The sacred ground was drenched with the blood of Grondranols and the other races that The Mother and The Father, as well as us, had created to inhabit Alphairria.

Out of the Nine that turned away from our Mother, three were female: you know them as Truncarr, Llarth, and Zxypher. The Father bestowed on them new names. Names that he chose for them. Garnahtan-Tharoin became Gainahtharrinisidious, the one favored most by Father. The one Father chose to take my place.

For a time, I just watched, and that is, perhaps, what truly caused my separation from the rest of my brethren. And I wept. I wept for the destruction that had befallen my blessed my Home. I wept at the blood that flood in rivers. I wept as the three female M’rachtkenta bore the first Children of Children, creatures devoid of The Mother’s influence, apart from her nature. The first of the M’rachtkenten.

And then the greatest of all atrocities occurred. I fumed when I heard of what Gainahtharrinisidious had done. Ariadni was the one most like The Mother, and that only served to fuel the fire that raged within me. I entered the Great War, the War you mortals call so rightly call the Demon War. For that is what I saw them as, and I used my own power and named them such, going so far as to even name The Father a demon. Yet I will tell none that name. It is a horrific name. Terrible as it is soul shattering. A name known only to myself and The Mother.

The Demons were enraged with me. The other Nine were terrified. I fought my Demon brethren, venting my anger and rage upon them. They fled before me. In all of this, I had not seen any signs of The Father, and I knew that he was concocting something. It was not long before I found out what.

Demonkind, such as none we had ever before seen, appeared. Creatures so horrible, The Mother’s Children could not bear the sight of them. And I was left to fight them, but I was not alone. The Children my sister had borne, the Children of Ariadni, stood by me. Together, we fought off this new horror, until we were almost overrun from their vast numbers. However, my brethren, after regaining their strength from our Mother, joined us just as Alphairria was to be taken. We fought as one body. But The Father had over plans for me. He separated me from my brethren, cutting us off from each other. I had no choice but to let them fend for themselves.

Once again, I stood before The Father. He had come to me as he usually did, taking on the form of a winged man. His wings were stained black, and his stench rolled off him in waves. This was the form he always chose to take, and I was born into that image. Yet while his wings were the blackest of black, mine shone with the purest white. I unfurled them now, my own Light shining through them. We didn’t bother with words. Words failed here. Without hesitation, we clashed, beginning battle that lasted The Mother knows how long. I focused my entire being, every ounce of my existence into that one battle. For eons, we were locked in battle. His superior strength only stopped by my ingenuity. We both created; we both destroyed. I used every ounce of power I had, every ounce of my strength. I weakened him. Oh, I weakened him greatly. But even my strength was not great enough to destroy him.

It was then, at the very edge my own destruction, that The Mother intervened. Alphairria shook from the power of her efforts. From the beginning she had bided her time, waiting for the opportune moment, and creating her greatest creation. The Great Seal. I do not remember much, as weak as I was, but I remember a silver Light. The Divine Light of The Mother. It touched us all, scorching the Demons. I remember a rift opening and the Demons fled into it, vanishing from Alphairria. The Selemandairi were sent away as well, for they smelled of The Father’s stench, and were placed in their own Realm, Thyninairinn. And The Great Seal slammed into the weakened Father and threw him into a realm of his own, the name of which only The Mother knows.

Alphairria was changed. We quickly discovered that Mother had Sealed away part of it into Xophaltez, so great was the contamination. What remained was still pure, untouched by The Father’s stench. We went before our Mother, who now dwelled in a new Temple, as the Great Temple now resided in Xophaltez, to seek her guidance. I watched as she gave each of my brethren their tasks, and then I approached. I fell before her, my wings drooping. My Light was all but spent.

She smiled down upon me. “Why do you look so troubled, my Son?” Her voice and tone soothed the wounds that still seethed within me.

“I feel as though I’ve lost my way. I failed, Mother, I failed.” I wept. She dried my tears with her hands.

“Fail? Whatever do you mean? Without you, your brethren that remained true would have fallen into chaos. They may not understand you, but they will. A day will come when they will.”

I raised my head. “When? When will this come to pass? Where do I go from here? Evil cannot be destroyed as I once thought.”

Mother sighed and gave a sad smiled. “No. It cannot. However,” her smile turned to pride and joy, “you can fight it. At the beginning of Our Sorrow, you chose to fight, and I will honor your choice. Nadarin, you are different from the others, as is Ariadni. She will need your strength, but you must not rely on her until she is ready. And now, I bestow on you your task. You, my Son, are indeed the greatest of my children, and as such, you have great responsibility. You are to watch over the Realms. Alphairria, Thyninairinn, and Xophaltez. The Selemandairi n Thyninairinn will need you to watch over them. Your brethren will do their roles, but you must ensure that the Great Stench does not spread.”

I felt my eyes widen and I bowed my head. “I will do as you have said.” She dismissed me with a gentle push. My power had now recovered some, but it was nowhere near the strength I had before. Not yet. But I began using what I had the best I could. I created my own Realm. None of the others knew of it. At first. It was small, more like a…a room between the Realms. Within this room, I created three windows through which I could watch over everything. I found peace there; I found myself in my time of solitude.

I knew that I was too weak to perform this task on my own, and so, I went about creating a power to aid me. I used a great portion of my remaining power, but at last my task was done. I created my own Will. A Will to help keep back the Stench. I rested, then, for a long time. The Will I created began to evolve and grow on its own, sustaining itself on its own. I watched in curiosity as it banished the Darkness from a few of the Voids, causing Alphairria to grow once more. And then a very curious thing happened. Something that I had not expected. I had already shown my Will to Mother, and she shone with pride at all her Children. She named it the G’yckma. But now I returned to Mother and showed her this new development. The G’yckma had seeped into Thyninairinn and the creatures, modeled after our own, and even into the Selemandairi. They were greatly changed. Certain clans of Selemandairi took to different aspects of the G’yckma, causes changes. And thus the different races were born.

With the G’yckma firmly in place in Thyninairinn, I turned my attention to the other Realms. Within Xophaltez, the Demons had multiplied, building up their forces. They were a constant problem, always seeking a way to escape, despite the Seal in place. And there were loopholes. I figured it would not be long before they managed to enter Thyninairinn. Within Alphairria, I learned that Sanshi had borne Children of her own to Toulind. Helix was such a beautiful Child. I won’t deny that I had a special place reserved for her in my heart, yet I did not favor her. She would often visit me in my dimensional home and sit and watch me at work. She would tell me of the demons she had slain and how she had helped to purify any tainted grounds.

Then war came to Thyninairinn. Brother fought against brother and old wounds reopened as we were reminded of the Demon War. To make matters worse, Ariadni’s jealousy of Sanshi only grew over time. Ariadni was wounded deeply over what had been done to her. The Father’s stench still lingered about her, but it had been slowly fading. I had watched as the Selementaili arose: Selemandairi who were greatly attuned to my G’yckma. I now had to watch as, millennia later for them, they began to slaughter their own people. The rulers they once exalted, they now threw down. The Balance began to shift. I felt the strain and did everything I could, even with my limitations. I mourned that I was forced into this position. Had I my full strength, my full might, I could have prevented it all. I could have restored the Balance. But as it was, the Balance was fading fast.

The unthinkable happened. As the strain grew worse and worse, Ariadni’s jealousy finally flared up. For one horrible moment, she turned her back on our Mother. Her festering rage burned against Sanshi, and out of spite, Ariadni took Helix and opened a rift to Xophaltez. And shoved her threw. I heard her scream echo across the dimensions, ripple across the planes. I felt what little Balance remain shatter as the mortals activated their wretched Tower. My rage, all my control of it gone, boiled over. With a cry of agony and despair, I charged at her. I charged at my own sister. The sister, who like me, was set apart by our Mother. In a blind rage I struck at her, but it was not her scream that shattered my heart. I stood, utterly shaken, staring at the blood pooling around Amari. Dear, sweet, precious Amari who, even throughout the fighting, had refused to raise her hand against anyone. She had leaped between us, taking a blow not meant for her. The others were furious at me. Never fully understanding me, what I was, they had quickly saw me as a traitor. Ariadni was furious at me, but in her own rage she was not anger that I struck such an innocent being. No, she was furious that I dared to strike out at her.

I felt her power, and knew that she had learned who she was, what she was. And I was afraid. Not for myself. I have never feared for myself, but I feared for the Balance. There was only a thin cord of it left, weak and to the breaking point. And so I did the only thing I could. I looked all throughout Thyninairinn, searching for six of the purest mortals. It did not take me too long, but I was quickly running out of time. I quickly gifted each of them with one of the seven powers that made up my own power. With the seventh, Life, there was none yet born to wield it. Then I had but one thing left to do.

Once again, I drained myself of everything, only this time…this time I shattered my own divinity. Oh such pain! Such agony! I felt myself disperse into nothingness. ..

Once Forgotten 3.3

Gartrand wiped blood from his face. He was growing weary, despite drawing strength from his element. Lirand wasn’t much better. Yet still, Reaper after Reaper charged them, seeking only one thing: their end. Gartrand slashed through one, only to have two more fill its place. “Any chance you can muster up another Light Burst?”

Lirand shook his head. “Not a chance. Besides,” he sliced off a head, “it doesn’t work on these. They’re much more than shadow.” Beraneathan laughed as he watched his minions wear them down. The moon had long since risen and was now highest in the sky.

The Demon frowned and turned away, to the north. Something was amiss. The powers were off. Darkness grew only to suddenly withdraw. The powers swirled in strange waves that crashed over them. Gartrand and Lirand felt, as well as saw, their opportunity. Taking the Demon by surprise, they rushed him. With a fearsome cry, Gartrand thrust his weapon hilt deep into the Demon God’s heart. Shock, horror, and hatred flashed across his face as he whirled about. He knelt down, feeling his physical body vanishing. Lirand leaped forward then and slammed the full force of Light into him. A piercing cry of utter agony and suffering sounded as Beraneathan felt his soul disperse.

The Reapers grunted and chattered amongst themselves. Unsure of what else to do, they scattered, leaderless. The two Overseers turned to each other. Gartrand shook his head. “Eleven Above!”

“What…what just happened?!” Lirand exclaimed. The other Overseer shook his head again.

“I…I’m not sure. I fear something has happened.” He responded.

Lirand slumped to the ground, exhausted. “I’m not sure whether to rejoice or crawl into a hole…”

“I’m going to rejoice when this is all over.” Gartrand said, leaning heavily upon his sword, the point buried in the ground. “It appears our job here is accomplished.”

“So we can head back now, right?” Lirand asked.

Gartrand nodded. “Aye, to whatever fate awaits us, be it evil or benign.”

Wearily, the two began the long night of helping the villagers set their village back in order.
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Flamian closed his eyes, soaring high above the ground. His red scales glinted blue with moonlight. His wings flapped once in a while, keeping him aloft. He lazily opened his maw and yawned. Walking about as a human wasn’t too bad, yet a draigon had to balance both sides. On one side was the human, but the other side was the dragon. He spiraled up, his long neck stretching out, wings stirring the wind with every flap. Behind him, his powerful tail guided his every direction.

He rolled upright. Sure, his race was not the only to have a form other than human, yet by far his was one of the superior. The only reason the wolves ruled was his race preferred a more behind the scenes role. He chuckled. That and the wolves were too stubborn have it any other way. Still, they paid tribute. And, as he had learned, wolves weren’t so bad. Although, Dylan could get on his nerves every now and then.

He reached back into his memory, tapping into the Collective. The Collective was the name given to the memory he shared with the rest of his race. Draigons were, in many ways, far more emotional creatures than even humans. They shared a deep connection through the Collective, able to feel each other’s essence to the point where they were all individual creatures, yet they were all one entity. The Queen, his sister, Kaylandra, used the Collective as means of keeping the clans united. He, Flamian, had been the first to weaponize it. At the end of the Calrian War, he hadn’t been given much choice. Calrius had pinned Dylan’s forces down hard, and Flamian had made a terrible choice. He had tapped the Collective, and from it, the minds of the draigons still loyal to their cause. United in a way that hadn’t before existed, they had attacked as one mass. Calrius’ forces had been utterly crushed.

Sounds of metal clanging drew his attention. He swung his head down and around, locking onto the fighting. Rogues! He swooped down, changing to his human form within seconds. Wings flared, he slammed into the ground, enjoying the rush from his quick landing. The rogues whirled, their attention drawn from the band of travelers.

“It’s a stinkin’ lizard! Gut him! We’ll roast his hide!” Their leader laughed.

Flamian smiled, throwing back his cloak, sword swinging into his hand in a flash. If there was one thing he really liked, it was the ability to be clothed when changing back to human. All draigons had this. It was part of their particular magyck. He spun, the sharp, blade-like tip of his tail slicing through a man’s neck. Crimson rained briefly, as the man’s life left him.

“By the might of Arayinda! A Hunter Drax!!” One of them called out. Others followed suit with curses. Their leader eyed Flamian with mild interest.

“Either way, he still bleeds. Attack pattern Zerock.” The man called out.

Flamian frowned. These weren’t rogues. Soldiers. Caliman soldiers. “These lands are the lands of the Drax. The wolves govern it, but we own it. What is your business, Tresspassers?” He snarled, his curved fangs glinting in the firelight, venom dripping.

“You flying lizards don’t frighten us! Soon, we will be the dominant people! You sorry lizards had your time; it’s our turn to be the ruling power!” The Commander said. He raised a hand to his lips and let out three sharp whistles.

Soldiers popped up everywhere, surrounding him. Flamian’s eyes widened. This was more than just a raiding party. A whole army spread out around him. His eyes narrowed with rage and anger. “Invaders!” He shouted with his mind. Draigons, wolves, humans, he didn’t care who heard it. All the Six Nations was threatened. A force slammed into him without warning, throwing him back several feet. He picked himself off the ground, wiping blood from his lips. A mage, and a powerful one at that.

Flamian chuckled as he stood to his full height. His sword was pinned to the ground by a soldier. He shrugged. “I merely use that because I like it.” He closed his eyes, focusing. When he reopened them, his blue-grey eyes were streaked with an orange that shimmered like fire. Energy swirled about the mage before him, his robe billowing in the wind it caused. Flames sprang up around them, creating a circle, the soldiers leaping back to keep from getting burned. “Fire is so much better to fight with. Leaves less of a mess to clean up.” He threw out an arm, fire flowing along it. It streamed at the mage, who raised a palm, splitting it around him. Screams erupted behind him, and his eyes shot back to Flamian. The draigon shrugged. “You failed to stop it.”

“You reptiles are all the same. Arrogant! Proud! Always leaving us in the dirt so you can live in luxury!” The mage snarled.

Flamian glared. “First of all, I’m not a reptile! We happen to be warm blooded! And luxury? Have you ever even been to our mountains? We prefer simple things! We forsake lives of ease for the benefit of all!”

The mage threw out his hand. A shockwave rode along the ground, causing the earth to rise up. The draigon nimbly held out a hand, stopping it. The man’s eyes widened. Flamian smirked. “And I am no mere Drax.” With ease, he sent the wave back. It slammed into the mage, knocking him to the ground. From the east, there came a sound that struck fear into the soldiers hearts. Wing beats. Hundreds of them.

Kaylandra landed, sword at the ready, her long blond hair tied behind her head. Flanking her were her personal guard, decked out in full Drax armor, which consisted of helmet, chest plate, and shin guards. The gaps were filled in with scales. Above, at least a hundred Warriors circled. “What is the meaning of this?!”

The circle of fire died down. Flamian nodded to his sister. The Commander trembled with awe and fear. “Flamian…”

Kaylandra’s eyes narrowed as Flamian mentally relayed everything to her. She turned to face them, emerald eyes blazing. “So, Calima thinks it can just walk all over us, does it?”

“Blood…flesh…food…” A figure emerged from the shadows. The creature, roughly humanoid, staggered, as though it were drunk. It wreaked of old decay. Ragged wings drooped behind it, dragging along the ground. It stopped between the two armies, not seeming to notice them. Its head rose up, sniffing. With a terrifying ferocity, it fell upon the body of the man Flamian had killed. It lunged at the corpse’s throat, greedily drinking the blood that still oozed. As it began to tear into the flesh, Flamian flung it away with his mind. The creature flipped in the air, landing catlike. Hollowed, yellow eyes that glinted crimson stared malignantly at them. It opened its mouth, revealing row after row of sharp teeth.

“The…Mauler?” A Drax muttered.

Flamian scrunched his face. “What’s left of it.” He lifted his voice to the demon. “What are you, foul creature?”

“What are we? He asks us what we are as though he expects an answer!” The creature sneered. It stood up, stronger looking, healthier. The smell of decay had faded. ”You expect us to answer you, a mortal creature? He he he he hee!”
Flamian shuddered and gulped down the bile that rose up his throat. “I’m slightly weirded out now.” The creature that had once been the Mauler, fiercest of the lesser demons, stalked forward.

“It had been some time since we had feasted on fresh blood. We would have preferred to finish that meal before killing you all, but then we realized. That would give us even more to feast upon!” The demon leaped forward with a cry that froze the blood of several Caliman soldiers. Kaylandra’s guards quickly enclosed her, shielding her from the foul thing as more Drax descended from the sky.

The Mauler attached itself to Flamian, trying almost desperately to sink its teeth in him. “Your blood! It sings! It sings of power!! We must have it now!!”

A flash of golden fur, and the Mauler was ripped off of him. A giant wolf with gold fur growled and snarled at the thing that had once been a demon. “What is that thing?” She asked.

“I expected you earlier!” Flamian replied back. He gestured at the blood covered monster. “That used to be the Mauler. But…he doesn’t smell right. If demons ever did smell right.”

Dylan never took her eyes from the deformed creature. ”What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure what it is, but he’s different. Changed.” Flamian said.

The monster laughed again, causing Dylan’s fur to bristle. “We are with our Master now. His soul dispersed, his essence lingered. Yes, and soon, we shall have more!! So much more!!” It eyed the humans with a hunger Flamian knew.

“Whatever he…its done, its…” he broke off.

“Disgusting.” Kaylandra said. Without warning, the monster gave another cry and leaped into the Calimans. They scattered like birds, some trying to fend it off, most trampling each other to get away. It laughed, blood dripping from its body. It hungrily eyed the Drax and Ulfric.

“Yes, their blood sings, and we must drink! So…thirsty…so…hungry!” The creature prepared to leap, when it was slammed with what felt like pure energy. Raw power swirled about the area, and a new figure stepped out of the shadows.

“You filthy creature! You are a thing of purest Darkness! What spawned you?!” A voice boomed from the hooded figure. The creature writhed on the ground, it’s own polluted blood filling the air with a horrid smell. Without answering, it darted away, vanishing. “The Mauler…what have you done?!”

The remaining people gathered together, inspecting this cloaked and hooded man. He waved a hand and they fell to the ground as though dead. He next turned to Dylan and Flamian. “Send the Drax away. Kaylandra may stay if she wishes, but the rest must return to their mountains.”

Kaylandra shouted orders to her guards. Reluctantly, they all left, leaving her, Flamian, and Dylan to the mercy of the figure who now knelt by the Commander. “The fools. They think that war is necessary. They think that my brethren have forsaken them, but they have not.” He said, his voice filled with sorrow. He raised his head and stared after the Mauler. “And now a new abomination has arisen.”

“Kadrin?” Flamian asked. The figure stood up and turned to him. The eyes of a God bore into him.

“Yes, I was called by that name. I suppose it is now a part of my true name as much as anything.” The figure nodded.

“Nadarin…” Dylan softly said. The three of them sank to their knees in reverence and awe.

“Rise, my friends. We have much to discuss and very little time to do so.” He gestured to the unconscious men. “When they awaken, they will remember nothing of the events that took place here, nor why they are within the Six Nations. As for that thing…it was indeed the Mauler. He has consumed the essence of Maldis, his former master, granting him some of my fallen brother’s power. He has become a Nostraeli. A demon that has not been seen in an eon. He is the result of when a demon feeds off of other demons, even their Masters. Oh yes, there have been the likes of him before. And they are so much harder to kill. Nostraeli cannot be dispersed, and no matter how many death blows you give them, they keep coming at you.”

“Then how can we stop it? How can we dare to go against it?” Kaylandra asked, fear drenching her voice.

Nadarin smiled at her. “I am not asking you to. I only ask of you what you are already capable of. Save your families.” He turned to Dylan and Flamian. “I chose your families long ago to watch over Water and Fire, knowing that you would be born. I know you have questions, but now is not the time. The Mauler will not return here. He will turn his sights to other, more favorable targets I’m afraid. Before I go, you must swear to me that you will keep my presence hidden.” One by one, they swore. Nadarin clasped each of their shoulders and departed, heading to the west. Kaylandra called back her guards, who were at her side within minutes.

“We best move the humans to someplace…less gruesome. If they were to wake up to… this, it would bring up unwanted questions.” She said softly. Flamian and Dylan just nodded. The guards moved the living to a different area, while Dylan piled the corpses. Flamian burned away the blood and impurities, then set fire to the dead.

“They deserved better, yet a simple pyre will have to suffice.” He murmured. The others left. He stayed and watched the pyre burn until the night began to give way to dawn. He spread his wings and headed toward the mountains.

Once Forgotten 3.2

Rya stared at her untouched food. All about her, the soldiers laughed and talked as they enjoyed their food and the entertainment provided by the tavern master’s daughter. Feeling eyes upon her, she glanced around in time to see a flash of brown vanish out the door. She rose, excusing herself from the table, and hurried out. Barely had she stepped out of the door, when a massive blade came down upon her. Before thinking it, she leaped back and up, her wings lifting her into the sky. She eyed the dark figure before her.

Her eyes widened at the multiple arms that protruded from the figures body. “Samask!”

The Demon laughed. “Surprised to see me? I should think so. Clever of me wasn’t it? Here you were expecting my dear brother, Graindianeth, and I show up instead.” He frowned, taking in her appearance for the first time. “An angel?! How? How can you be interfering without giving us strength?”

Rya flicked her scythe, extending the blade. She twirled it, causing the wind to flow about her. She landed lightly a few feet from him. “I am no ordinary angel.”

“Unusual indeed. You do not have the sickening sweet smell of Alphairria about you. A mortal? No, but neither are you immortal.” Samask faltered slightly, unsure of her. “A mortal immortal…”

Rya narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”

Samask inspected her with high interest. “You are a marvelous creature indeed. Strong, intelligent. Yes, quite marvelous indeed.”

Rya whirled her scythe before her. “Save your flattery. I know you had something to do with Helix.”

The Demon smiled. “You play a dangerous game, Rya Windseer. To accuse a God is a serious matter indeed.”

“I accuse not. I speak truth, and you know it! Chiel was witness to your deeds!” Rya shouted. She barely leaped back into the sky as two blades slammed down where she had been standing.”

“Do not speak that accursed name! You know nothing, child!” The Demon snarled. “Enough of this!!” He roared.

Rya soared up high, only to be slammed to the ground. The Demon laughed maniacally. “Naïve and foolish girl. Do you not know that I am next in line after Gainahtharinisidious? I am not the faded creature Maldis was!”

Rya raised herself to her knees and coughed up blood. Her blood glowed in the pale light. She glared at the Demon before her. “You should know by now. If there is one thing about us mortals, we just don’t call it quits!” She pulled herself to her feet, holding her scythe before her. She felt her mind clear, power coursing through her. Rejuvenated, she stood to face her enemy.

Samask glared. “I know this power…” He blocked the deadly blade singing towards him. “No! I will not fall to some infant upstart!” Rya was forced back into the air. If she wasn’t parrying of the deadly black blades, then she was warding off his other powers. Without warning, Samask stabbed a blade into the ground and grabbed her leg. Smiling wickedly, he threw her into the tavern. She crashed through the doors and slammed into the far wall. As she struggled to extricate herself from the rubble, Samask crashed through the wall. “Such power, yet no knowledge of what it is or how to use it! Pitiful.” He laughed at his own words. “But then, pity is for the week.” He rushed at her.

There was a burst of energy, and the Greater Demon careened into the opposite wall. Rya freed herself to find Brint standing before Demon Lord, the second M’rachtkenta. Alda, with several soldiers, was by her side in a flash, helping her. “Brint!” She gasped as they lifted a board off of her. The Priestess glanced at him.

“He will hold his own, yes. You must rest. Regain your strength.” She said, helping to lift her out. Samask ripped himself from the wall. Dark blue liquid dripped from a small cut. Blood of a Demon God. Samask snarled. “You will pay for that, mortal!” He charged, thrusting forward a black blade. Brint leaped up, landing lightly upon the Demon’s wrist. The Demon flicked his wrist, dislodging him with ease. The man ducked into a roll, coming up right in Samask’s face. He raised his sword and slammed it into his chest. The Demon slammed a fist into Brint, sending him crashing through the one good wall remaining.

“NO!” Rya screamed. Alda and the others scattered as the wind began to howl. Samask turned to see a cyclone of pure fury. It dissipated under his stare. He roared with pain as a streak of dark blue appeared across his chest. Before he could react, the wind slammed into him like a wall of demon metal. What was left of the tavern collapsed as the remaining support vanished. Rya hovered above, her wings glowing with blue light, her eyes blazing with untamed fury. Another streak of dark blue appeared, crossing the first streak, as Samask got to his feet.

He glared up at the girl. This wasn’t unexpected. He had known she cared for that pitiful mortal he had just killed. Yet she still had no knowledge of what she possessed. He laughed. “You think a few scratches will even weaken me?! HA!” He roared as he waved a hand. A cyclone, black and angry, rose up, devouring all around it. He released it, and it roared toward the mortal angel. Rya struggled against
it, barely able to keep herself free from it. With a cry of agony, she released whatever power she had. It slammed through the cyclone, straight into a shocked Demon. Unable to maintain her flight, she plummeted to the ground. Fighting to stay awake, she raised herself just enough to look at the Demon.

Samask’s breath came in ragged gasps. “Remember…this…mortal…You…have…not seen….the last…of me.” He vanished in shadow.

Rya sighed, but then fought of the exhaustion and the physical pain she felt. Brint. Hands lifted her from the ground. She looked up into Alda’s face. The fur around her eyes was moist. She was crying. Within her chest, she felt a new ache. Brint…he couldn’t be…

Soldiers, both Freedomist and Alandris’s, scurried about. They were pulling the wounded from the wreckage while they laid out the dead. Alda headed for a small group of mourners. Rya shook her head, tears falling. This isn’t happening…

Alda helped her into a kneeling position. Rya shook off the hands that held her and managed to crawl to her friend’s body. At the sight of his broken body, she broke into fretful sobs. They wreaked her already ravaged body, causing her pain, but she hardly took notice. The pain her heart felt was far greater. She stared down into his face, a new realization dawning to her. “No, please, no.” She wept. Her lips found his. They were still warm. “I love you…” Her head fell onto the chest that would never again draw breath.

Thousands of leagues away, a cloaked figure stopped in his tracks. A grief was on the wind. The ground shuddered from it. The water that flowed beneath the ground froze. He felt the Darkness laugh. And then…he smiled. Light energy was swirling in a way he thought it never would. Life grew stronger. The figure’s smile broadened. The Time Foretold had at last come.

Rya ceased her sobs. What was this? Light, pure, gentle, Divine, shone down upon them. She felt the caress of Life, having felt it once before, descend. Brint let out a long gasp and air, blessed air filled his lungs. Slowly, as though he was just waking from sleeping, he opened his eyes. A smile played at his lips as he stared up into the prettiest face he had ever seen. Rya collapsed into his arms. Overcome by everything, she just let herself be. For one moment, her pain, her exhaustion, everything, all vanished. It was just her in the arms of the one she loved. Whom she had always loved.

Nadarin smiled, laughter building within him. For the first time in an eon, Nadarin let himself laugh.