Prologue
Ashard had been taken in one night. The once proud elven nation now laid in flames with corpses all about its sacred grounds. So many had already lost their lives trying to defend her people and the council against the onslaught of the Black Kings army. His army had come from the south and their sheer size had ensured their victory. Those who had a chance to run did so and took refuge within the thick woods or within the tower. The black king had given them a choose though, as he brought most of the council down to their knees before him. Defect and follow the banner of the Black King or be swept away in the flames of change.
Ariana Realta Gaoth could not help but stare out the window from her chambers in the great tower. It was one of few buildings of importance still intact and standing. The more loyal soldiers had remained within the tower to protect her and those people who had been rushed inside. As head of the mancer# tower and through the sheer power that Ariana had possessed, she had created a barrier about the tower and three of the more northern towns. She had already sent word of why it had been done so to the remaining council members so they would know of the tragedy that befell them here. The fear that loomed in her mind and that she didn’t share with anyone else was she did not know how long she could keep the barrier up.
The Black Kings army were a plague that would soon infest into the rest of Shadon and there was nothing she could do. No one knew who the Black King was or where he had come from except her father and herself. She knew from the first time she had caught sight of his violet eyes and could still remember when they had been full of hope and kindness. Those traits had vanished into a swirl of madness leaving only contempt and hatred within them. She could only wonder, what had changed her first born child so drastically.
Ja’van had always been strong and one of the more skilled elves to emerge. His heritage was hidden from others and he was accepted by all around him back than. He had earned a position within the royal guards and held the position as the captain. He had more than proving himself several times against left over minions of the devil king. When talk had begun of closing the borders off from the rest of the world it had been him who stepped forward talking of a bright future with all of the races and that it had to begin somewhere. He held so much kindness and cared for all life unlike his father whose sins still spread venom in the world.
It all had come to end almost twenty five years ago and should could never forget the pain that still ached her heart even now. The human general Malakite had come as an emissary of peace to negotiate trade between the elves and humans. He had been a decorated hero from the wars and he had other traits that had caught her eyes. He was bold, daring, and without fear. It was there she felt a flame of passion she had not felt ever when she had seen this man in talks. In the short time that he had been there, that passion was equally received from the general towards her. No one knew of what was happening between them except for Ja’van and he only cared his mother was happy.
The last time she had seen him was when he snuck from her room late in the night. A mighty storm had blown through and had rattled the very palace. A terrible feeling had engulfed her as she knew that something had happen. In a blink of an eye it had seemed, the general had been taken from her. He was found the next morning, dead with no sign of struggle. Even as the guards left with the body to return to his home in Valira, fear spread through every one of them. They feared that the talks of trade would soon dissolve into utter chaos. Too the relief of the council and elven nation, the king of Valira did not hold them responsible for what had happen.
Even though they were not held responsible, there was talk that Ja’van had cause the generals death. Though he did not swing the blade, he had claimed responsibility for not being able to protect him. The council had tried to tell to dissuade him from such thoughts but it was through his own choice and with hefty heart that he exiled himself. Those loyal to him wanted to leave with him but he refused to let them and left to expand his own knowledge. It was great loss for the council but she felt she had lost two men in her life after that. Now her son had returned with an army behind him.
As she walked away from the window she opened the chest that sat near the desk. Within it was the Generals gray imperial coat still stained with his blood. If it had not been for him she would not have seen what was to come or the darkness that threaten to plunge all of Shadon into Chaos. She had become with child the last night they had spent together. She already knew that the child was special for she was affecting Ariana and allow to glimpse into the future. The closer it came to child’s birth the visions became more vivid.
She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and knew that this child was special. Her eyes were not a forest green like her mothers or even brown like her fathers, but emerald. She spent the first month with her daughter and her own father had come giving the child a blessing. The little girl was never easily distracted and she already showing signs of being a powerful mancer. The visions that she had seen told her that her daughter would have a hand in the things that had yet to be played out.
It saddened her but she could not change what she had seen. She knew that if her daughter remained she would not be able to protect her. She didn’t know when the darkness would come to engulf them and had decided on the best option she could come up with. She had called a loyal friend and one of her best pupils within the tower to aid her in this. Krystania was given orders that she was to take her young daughter far from here and to teach her the way of the craft. As she gave these orders she had to fight with all her strength from crying and refusing what she was about to set in motion.
Krystania understood what had to be done and why she had to take her far away. It was more pain than she had thought it would be, the fact that she would not be there for her daughter or be able to watch her grow into a woman. She held the hope within her heart that she would see her again but felt the foreboding feeling that she would never see her beautiful daughter again. She had told Krystania that she was never to know where they went and her daughter was to never know who her parents were in hopes that it would keep her daughter safe.
Krystania understood also that she would never see her mentor and friend again. It was as if fate had decided to take everything from Ariana. As Krystania disappeared into the night, it was than she confronted the council with what she had seen in her premonitions. Most did not take her serious as she spoke and laughed at her. The few older and wiser council members who had had believed her spoke to her in private about the matter. It was than that her father had advised her that it was best to be prepared for the worse situation and the people needed to be protected at all cost.
The others agreed upon this and she had begun trying to change what she had seen. The council members that did not believe her could be damned to the shade but the people had no way of protecting themselves. It was upon on her fathers advice that she begun pouring herself into journals trying to find something that would help them. It was while pouring herself into one of the older masters of the towers journals she had caught reference to a secret crypt within the forbidden catacombs below.
For ten long years she searched without informing any others wondering how her children were. Fear grew in her heart as well as the loneliness. It was only by chance she had found the crypt entrance in fit of frustration but it was only the beginning. It would take her almost as long to discover the hidden word that would grant her access to the secret chamber. When she entered the crypt she was struck with awe.
What she had discovered was more than she had hoped for. She had discovered the long lost journals and spell books of the human mancers. There were rows of books and the crypt was like a huge library hidden away and it was a shock that no dust had even begun to collect on them. She was left in sheer awe wondering how these books had come to be in the possession of the elves? The human mancers had vanished from the world and yet there legacy was hidden was here.
It did not take her long to find the journal that had what she required. The notes were thorough in its explanation and seemed to draw from something other the spirits. It had been the barrier spell that protected them even now. It was in those last few years she had been able to perfect it to some degree but didn’t have the power to protect everyone. If she had been strong enough she would have been able to save her father and so many others. All she could do was keep those other towns safe for now along with the tower. But the rest of Shadon would be shaken to its very core and there was no way to warn them of what was about to come. She could not help but weep in anger and frustration due to own her weakness.
*****
Jolted from her thoughts, she could feel the tower shake. She rushed to her window looking out to see that catapults had been brought. The rocks shattered against the barrier long before they could come close to them. It was still strong enough to force the tower to quiver. She adjusted her long crimson hair and wiped the tears from her forest green eyes. As she turned to sit back in her chair she heard a knock come from outside. Other than the towers defenses, her room was probable the most secure, ensuring none could enter without her permission.
She sat back desk as the knocking became more urgent and she said, “You may enter.”
The captain of the soldiers stepped in and instantly fell to one knee. She waved her hand saying, “Enough of that nonsense captain. If its about the catapults, I am well aware of it.”
“Lady Ariana, it just isn’t catapults. I fear they have brought there own mancers with them.” Captain said while standing.
She bolted up as the news angered her. She could not believe mancers had defected to his side. She clenched her fist as the Captain could see the flash of anger in them. He almost became afraid and watched as she rushed out from her room. The captain quickly followed as the door slammed closed behind them. Flowing up the stairs, she passed many of the soldiers and fellow mancers standing ready to strike if necessary. It sent a sense of pride through her as they all bowed slightly.
As she emerged at the top of the towers, several archers were already ready to strike. She immediately took scan of the area seeing several robed figures kneeling near the catapults chanting and empowering the rocks that were being thrown from the catapults. She summoned forth her own energy from within calling out to Talamh# within her own mind. “Talamh Pléasc#!” she shouted while extending her own hand out.
The very earth began to shake as the mancers that were chanting started to run knowing what was happening. Giant pillars of rocks exploded out shattering the catapults and than exploded. The hurling rock flew in every direction and into to the fleeing mancers. The soldiers were all pushed back by the shockwave it had produced but were already recovering. They were not scared as they began to shouting orders.
The archers and captain cheered for Ariana. As one of robed elves stepped forward laughing while dusting himself off the captain see the anger flare within her eyes again. Even though the cowl hid his face, Ariana already knew who it was and it only further to enrage her. “Titim, you treacherous slug! How could you condone these actions and throw your lot in with this madness?” she shouted.
“Lady Ariana it is always a displeasure to see you. You know I use to admire your power but this is pathetic. Your magic was always weak and this barrier you have placed will fall soon enough. There is no hope left for any of you but I’m a gracious man. Only you need die today and the rest will be spared.” Titim said while looking up at her.
Ariana growled out, “Do you still carry such a chip on your shoulder that you would kill countless people for no reason?”
Titim spit to the side as his own earth brown eyes flashed with rage. “What do you know of pain and suffering? I offered you a place within my own household and to care for you a long time…”
“Enough,” she said cutting him off, “You only asked for my hand cause you failed to become the master of this tower. You only seek to further your own gain and never truly had feelings for me. I know difference between love and lust. Does your lust for power know no bound?”
“You know that I deserved that position and you had no right to it! You only got it by being the head of the councils daughter. You were always weak compared to me and once I have you, I will strangle the light from those disgusting eyes. Now surrender so the rest can live.” he retorted back with an evil smile across his lips.
Before Ariana could retort back, she saw an arrow fly free. It nearly struck Titim but he summoned what looked like fire to destroy it. She looked back as the archers pulled back their own bows ready to fire and the captain started to notch a new arrow between the strings of his bow. “Lady Ariana,” the captain began to say with a serious look on his face, “Rest assured that we will never accept those terms. If a sacrifice must be made, it will be our honor to do so in defending you and the rest of the elven people.”
She couldn’t help but see the same determined look on everyone standing on the tower felt the same way. She smiled weakly and turned her attention back towards Titim. “It would seem the people have spoken Titim.”
He began to spout curse at her but she turned her attention to the men curtsying slightly to them. “You all honor me and I will find a way to save our people. Captain, I must go somewhere where you can not venture. All you have to do is but whisper my name and I shall be there.”
The captain knelt and said, “As you wish lady Ariana. We will do our best to hold them at bay.”
She nodded and thanks and swiftly took flight down the stairs. She knew what she had to do and only hoped that the journals would be able to help her one more time. Titim words were not a threat but more of a promise. He was extremely talented but to power hungry for the like of the council. It wasn’t the fear of he might succeed but when he would. He was dangerous and seemed to have become more dangerous.
It sickened her thinking that it could only end in blood shed. She didn’t take the ideal of killing her fellow brothers and sisters but it was looking as if it would only solved in such a manner. She sighed and prayed silently to the spirits for an answer to end this whole war. She had to find the answer and knew the only place that would have it was those journals. She descended back into the catacombs and made her way to the room.
*****
It was hard to find but once she had found it, she had committed the way by memory. She stopped to a mirror that sat along within the catacombs and could not help but look deep within her own being. Physically she looked as she could pass as a woman enter her late twenties and was still considered beautiful despite giving birth to two children. Her forest green eyes were the only things that could give her true age away. The years had taken the vibrant forest green eyes and replaced them with a fatigue.
She could only sigh as she raised her hand and placed it against the mirror. Closing her eyes she whispered, “Radharc#.”
The mirror came to life as it began to ripple like a pool of silver liquid. She took a deep breath as her slipped into the liquid without effort and began to pull her in. she didn’t fight as she leaned into it and cold chill ran through her body. It wasn’t something her body could easily get use to and it still made her feel so naked as cold wrapped around her body. Emerging on the other side of the chamber she knew that she was no longer in the realm of the normal.
It was here that time flowed so differently and countless months could pass in a mere few hours on the other side. It was an ideal place to study and practice but she always felt as part of her was taken from her each time. It wasn’t right and it made her flesh crawl just being within it but this time she could not just run away from it. As she let out a breath, she opened her eyes to see that food was on a table already and the library was lit as if knowing she would come.
In the elven manuscripts, there were no such spell as great as this one. It was as if the library had been brought to life somehow. She had remembered meeting a very young human mancer once who had smiled at her. He didn’t seem horrifying and seemed to be more at peace with nature than most of her kind. The only other she had seen with such peace in her heart was the old oracle woman and she had not seen her through the countless ages. No one knew what had become of her only that her last known location was the ancient kingdom of Valis.
No one had dared to venture there now to find out what had happen to her. It was a place where the dead dwelled now and according to the rumors the entire sea around it had become a frozen graveyard for ships and anyone who dare got close to it. She wonder why she was think of the old oracle now and shook her head refocusing on what she had to do.
She grabbed first set of books and brought them over to the table. Setting them down she began to skim through the passages. Somewhere in them she knew there had to be something that could help her save her people and stop the madness. Hours seemed to fly by as she saw devastating and life saving spells but nothing she could even begin to have imagined. They talked about the difference between light and dark that existed within all beings.
They had turned it into a form of science and spoke of how not everyone was equal within them. She began to realize how limited she really was and wondered if her daughter could have mastered these. One journal went into the detail particulars about the spirits and spoke as if he had met them personally. There descriptions and personalities were written here and to her shock there was a fifth spirit.
It was over whelming her but she could not stop reading what he had written. He had talked about the gods and goddess of both light and dark. It was thought that the others had left and abandon most of the races but this stated other wise. She had been born after the conflict of the gods had subsided and when the merciful goddess had stepped in a savior to all races. The elves had not turned towards her because they had always followed the path of the spirits but excepted her as power none the less.
According to the logs he had made, his order had discovered several truths. They had discovered more about the fifth and how she given a gift to the mortals. It was the gift of magic and they had also discovered what really happen during the god wars. It was this that made them dangerous and placed them in grave danger. She came to last entry of the journal and realized through her reading that he had not stated once what it was they discovered or whom was hunting them down till now.
*****
Year of the White Star, log entry 359
It is with a heavy heart that I write in this journal for the last time before it is sealed away. I have documented all that I could and I feel that at least it will be safe for another to read when the time has come. I and twelve others have journeyed to the elven capital of Ashard with most of our books. We have hidden a few else where. It was a beautiful day and I saw the a lovely elven child with crimson hair. The one they call the Oracle told her name is Ariana. It is in her eyes I am reminded that there is a hope for the future.
As I sat looking in the clouds today I had to ask if the price we paid for peace was worth it? I find I come to the same conclusion over and over again. The answer is no of course. It was in that little elven girls eyes that I came to same conclusion. She would not know or fathom what was really taken from her. Because of the price things will change and there will consequences that have yet played out.
I have come back to this same problem over and over, what is balance and why do we need it? We need balance because without things become chaotic and nature will try to correct the problem to ensure the safety of everyone. Long before the time of gods and goddess, there were the spirits. It was not just the five we know of but many. Most don’t know of them but the fifth told me about them one night. She told me how it all had began so long ago.
The spirits of Shadon and the spirits of the shade began a fierce fight against each other. It forced chaos through out the entire world. This expand well beyond the realm of the known world and into every corner. With so much power left unchecked it was impossible to determine who had thrown the first punch or even why they were fighting each other. Soon even the spirits of Shadon and Shade became factions within themselves.
Chaos was the only word for it and yet the balance was maintained by the five. The four spirits that the elves worship still and the hidden one that has always watched over us. Eventually those powers they had became exhausted and truce was struck finally. They had decided that they would all enter a state of dream and rebuild their strengths. To ensure that one faction would not awaken and destroy them they created a new life form to watch over them. These would the gods and goddesses of light and dark.
The five remained awake and watched from a far to see what these new beings would do. Time passed and the beings grew bored. To her surprise, they did something against their nature and began to gather to talk with one another. They weren’t seeking some sort of war but discussing a plan that would ensure that their sleeping master would remain a sleep. They slowly began to siphon off the energy that the sleeping ones were gathering.
They used this extra energy to create other beings that could watch and play with. These were the beginning of us, the mortals. The five could have easily intervened but found the mortals to be more fun. Each god and goddess had a hand in creating different beings of their choosing. It was than the fifth had made a choice. She loved these short lived creatures and decided to impart with them a special gift. She gave a small part of herself and the others to us mortals.
The others and the gods had no clue of what she had done. We mortals passed this gift through generation after generation as it grew into something more since it was left unchecked. It is our belief that is how this world was able to gain its greatest hero’s such as the foxling Kurai and the black knight know as Dragan Windfall. There are other hero’s that could be named but these two are what legends are made of. They are the two greatest examples of the unnatural talents they possessed that allowed to face odds unlike anything heard of.
It was through that gift that my brothers and sisters discovered that it is that innate power deep within us that allows to cast these powerful spells. It would seem humans have the easiest time doing so. But by opening our souls to this power we are able to feel the price for what the Merciful Goddess has done. Yes it was all her doing that has caused our very downfall. We have not told of the other races what we discovered and even now that precautions to ensure our work is not completely lost.
The goddess had gained artifacts from the four to help her bring order to the chaos known as the God Wars but something happen. We are unsure if was her true nature or if the power had overwhelmed her. We don’t know exactly how she did or why she did it, but she banished all the gods and goddess into a place beyond the Shade. By doing this she opened something or unlocked something within the shade and it slowly forcing its way into our world.
The worse part is she doesn’t wait to see any longer or let mortals decide their fate. If it defies her she acts swiftly and removes them permanently. It is our belief that these unlucky souls are not allowed to travel into the shade and receive judgment. They are wiped from existence itself and their souls never given the chance to be reborn again. We do not possess the power or the strength to correct the problem but the fifth sensed something.
Soon she would only say and than one morning I felt it also. It was a sweet song in the air that hummed with life. I swear to you the fairies began to dance and the world tremble with joy. Something was happening and our souls could feel it also. All over we received word that others were experiencing the same sensation. We believe entire world was crying and singing not in anguish but in joy. That night something happen and we all shared a dream.
We saw the world in its entirety from the stars and it glowed in a bright blue sheen. A figure than appeared as the blue light around the world grew brighter and hid his face from us. The only thing that anyone could catch was the light reflecting off what looked like a black cross. There was an explosion of black lightning creating a black flame that swirled around like a storm. The sheer power that this one possessed made even nature rejoice.
When I awoke I found that I had been crying and felt a sense of peace. We knew our deaths would come soon but we were allowed to see a flicker of hope for this world. It was a sign that our souls called out and brought forth someone or something to correct the mistake. When I told the fifth of this and asked if it was her who had done such thing she only shook her head. She had seen the same thing and didn’t know what it could mean,
It was than the fifth informed me that the goddess had decided that she would not let us go unchecked anymore and her gaze had been turned to us. The council came together as we all made a decision that we would not simply stand idly by. Several of us were selected to move our books in secrecy while the others would prepare themselves for a fight unlike anything we had encountered.
I realize now that so long as this rift remains open corruption will continue to spread through out the lands. Even the strongest of wills will eventually be turned to its cause. But there is hope for the one who bares the black cross will have the will and strength to stand against it. It saddens me to know I will not live long enough to meet this person but the oracle has agreed to go in our stead and prepare this person.
In my own opinion I feel she already knows where to find him. It saddens me and it almost felt like she was about to cry when she looked upon my face. I know that it means our end is coming soon and I can here the others even now screaming. Its about the tower and how it no longer stands anymore. I wish I could write more to explain everything and I hope whom ever reads you will come to know the truth and be a better time.
When I finish writing, this will placed away with the others in this collection of books and than I will go with the remaining others to face our end. May the spirits watch over all and help lead the people to safety…farewell friend…

Master Tazarai Elmadora
*****
As she read the last entry, she could feel the hot white tears role down her cheek. The image flashed her mind of the young man she had met when she was a child. It brought her some sense of pride and joy knowing that he had taken the time to record even a simple thought about her in his journal. She wondered if he found some sense of peace to what he was doing and understood now what was happening.
The consequences of what he spoke of were only getting stronger. It was as if a puzzle slowly came together as she remember her three missing friends. They had vanished and more than likely died during the fight with the devil king but he was just the beginning. Her son, without realizing it, was continuing his father’s legacy. She wondered if this corruption that Tazarai had spoke of was influencing her son even now.
It would make sense and she could only imagine what other horrors would come about. The time of payment had come and wondered what hope they actually stood? As she fought the tears and her own anger from rushing forward she remembered the dream he spoke of. She looked up and remembering having it also. She shook her head and wondered what had become of him? Had he perished long ago with the oracle?
As if something echoed in her mind she saw it for an instant. It was the black cross reflecting light hanging from someone’s neck. It almost stole her breath away as she knew in her heart that this man was still alive. “It can’t be. After all this time he is still alive. His still alive which means…”
For the first time since she stepped within the library she felt a sense of hope. If the human mancer spoke true than there was still hope for them. She wiped her tears away and realized how she herself had almost given up hope, but realized that the human mancers had been a far worse position than her. Despite this, they didn’t give up and hide but stood and fought against it. She became full of hope again and knew that the one Tazarai spoke of was still out there.
As she moved towards the books to gather a new set of books she stopped and looked at the journal. She walked over to it and placed her hand upon it and whispered, “Thank you Master Tazarai for given me hope again.”
*****