The Dawn of Chaos: Part III
Amidst the chaos of the Corrorian conflict, and that of the war between Forlon and Aderon, events are to take a turn for the worst in yet another realm. Shral Valeron, manipulating the powers of Telanidor for preparation for an attack to fulfill Nemorok's goal, was about to see a very unexpected adversary emerge... And one within the continent of Shral Valeron itself.
It happened on an unlikely patrol of the south shores. A wraith and three undead minions were in the patrol, seeking a ship that was said to be wrecked nearby. The ship came into view, and the patrol boarded it to search for its origin.
"Something under this ship is irritating me," the wraith said, pointing to a hole in the deck, "runt, go down there and get rid of it."
Without saying words, one of the undead went under the deck of the ship. Under the ship was something not seen in Shral Valeron for more than an Age... Green vegetation. The lower deck of the ship was filled with plants: flowers, grasses, fruits, and more. This was obviously a trader's vessel.
"What's taking you so long, runt?"
The undead minion of the wraith saw the plants wither and die before its eyes, as the wraith's malice influenced the fragile balance of this life.
"Runt! You're worthless! Get up here, we need to burn this ship!"
The undead hesitated for a moment, and then made a very strong fist and showed an expression of great hatred. It picked up a rod, still moist with the soil of the now dead plants, and walked up to the top deck slowly. The undead walked toward the wraith who was then slowly moving away from the ship, not realizing the undead's presence behind him. The undead snuck behind the wraith and swung the rod with great force at the wraith's head. It tore a large hole in the wraith's cloak and he let out a deafening screech. The wraith turned around quickly, only to see the rod once again thrusted toward him. The rod went through the wraith's shadow, and tore another hole in his cloak. In a desperate attempt to thwart the attack, the wraith picked up the scythe he dropped from off the ground, and swung it at the undead. The undead ducked under the scythe and came out once again with the rod, right through the wraith's presence. Another screech was heard, and the cloak dropped to the ground. The undead being watched as the cloak blew away with the wind into the sea.
"I am Ardaenia of the Ete'Akania people! You wretched abominations of Shral Valeron have destroyed the Eukletia Wood and enslaved its inhabitants for your own selfish conquests. I am here to reclaim the Wood and free those you have taken!"
As Ardaenia said this, the other two undead in the patrol came to a similar realization. Many (though not all) of the undead of Shral Valeron were once inhabitants of the Eukletia Wood, until the once green continent was taken by Nemorok. These undead were once Eumidia, Fay, among other creatures of the forest.
Ardaenia instructed the other two undead to return to Shral Valeron.
"Return to the city, and tell the legions of what happened. Tell them that an undead defied a wraith, but a ship was not found. You must stay alive though... You must spread the truth to the others who were once of the Wood."
The two undead nodded and began to work their way back to the Citadel.
"I know where I can find more like us... The place where the refugees went. Oh, I hope they are still around..."
After saying that to herself, and taking a moment to look at the land she once knew, Ardaenia raised the sails once again and commandeered the broken ship to the southwest.
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Eventually she reached her destination: Euphrascia, the kingdom of the Eumidia. There was initially hostility toward her for being undead, but after speaking to the guards in Old Euphrascian they realized who she was. She was once a Eumidia like them, but not lucky enough to escape the wrath of Nemorok. She was then taken to the Counsel, where her cause, as well as her fate, were discussed...
"I think we can awaken the undead of Shral Valeron, and take back the land Nemorok stole from us," Ardaenia explained.
"Possessive of that land, aren't you Ardaenia?" replied a troubled cleric.
"I'm sorry... I just can't help it, I hate him so much.... If I could confront that blasted warlock one time I will kill him! That's what I need to do."
"You wish to bring death to those who did you harm? That's not the way of Arielina."
"I know... But you need to see what he did!"
"Ardaenia, I know that you have good intentions, and I don't question your heart. You may remember that you were once a Eumidia, but you need to also remember what you once stood for. The way of the light is not to desire the death of your enemies. You have been twisted for centuries by darkness, this is not something you can just forget. Please realize that you must rid yourself of the darkness brought upon you."
"But... With respect, I can be a powerful demomancer for your cause."
"A demomancer... An enslaver of spirits... Not unlike Nemorok..."
"I can turn his legions against him! Don't you understand?"
"This is something that must be further discussed. However, what can you do in your current state anyway? Now that you have broken from Nemorok, you have no master. An undead with no master will decay."
"Isn't there anything that I can do to once again become a Eumidia? To no longer be this wretched thing?"
"Well... Yes, there is. You will need to stay in Euphrascia for some time, however..."
"I will do what is necessary."
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Meanwhile, in the city of Corroria, an admiral was meeting with one of his officers...
"Ok... So what exactly did you want to bother me about again?"
"Sir, it's the Aphorites."
"... What about the Aphorites?" |
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