In the prosperous lands of Raynor, Nua’s capital, the ruling parties were set to engage in a meeting at a Castle located in the outskirts of the region, north of the capital city. This castle was the Royal Palace built during the Golden Era and once the home of the first Nuan King.

Travelling in a strong steel carriage at this early time is General Hyperion Shadowbreaker, the leader of the Battalion of the Saints. Marching behind him are many of his captains to guard and escort him safely. The carriage stops a yard away from the Palace. Hyperion gets out of it and steps into the gathering troop by his side. He is an average sized man wearing light adamant armour, a man barely having the build of a soldier. Centralized among his forces with his looked after carrot coloured hair, he is easily identified as the one in authority. After his sudden pause, young Shadowbreaker approaches Raynor Castle just ahead moving towards the entrance gates. The gates are guarded by Imperial Soldiers. Some of them are also lingering outside the vicinity left to patrol as the meeting takes place. The small pack of Saint Guardsmen left by Hyperion remains in position aside from two of his Captains. As Hyperion continues forth he speaks very quietly to his two escorts.

“It seems that the other ruling parties have already arrived.” Hyperion commented.

His two closest advisers would heed his words as they gazed at the corner of the wall side where another spectacular carriage had been parked up, a clear arrival of someone important before the gathering of Hyperion’s liege.

“That spectacular carriage over there belongs to Dugal, I heard he received it as a gift from his father when he became of age.” said the advisor to Hyperion’s left.

“Noted” Hyperion replied.

Hyperion eyes spot the carriage a yard to his left which his guardsman spoke of. He realises that the King’s brother had already arrived before him. And this man, Lord Dugal was known for his honorable enforcement of war like tactics in battle when times were more merciless.

“So, my General. You read the King’s letter. Do you really think you can convince him to overlook this?” the advisor to Hyperion’s right addressed.

“I’m not sure but I won’t know unless I try.” Hyperion responded.

There was a lack in confidence about his strife. He had a plea to make with the new King, Yomato but doubted he would listen to reason. That wouldn’t stop him from clinging onto the hope of all resolve.

In front of the Castle gates, the Imperial soldiers start speaking about Hyperion as he proceeds into the vicinity of the outer Palace grounds. There are two staircases to the far right and left of the grounds that proceed to upper levels of the Castle. Hyperion with his men by his side continue as the Imperials are in converse while he walks through towards the entrance door on the same level to get to the inner Palace. Comments are heard by the young General as he passes through on supposedly safe grounds.

“So that’s Imperius’s second born son.” said an Imperial Guardsman on the top part of the Castle gates.

“That’s General Shadowbreaker to you, rookie” another Imperial Guardsman replied, a man seeming to be of higher prestige.

“He’s not as big as I’d imagined him to be” the rookie downplayed.

“Sure is handsome though” said a female comrade to his side.

“I heard he was the one that finished off that Ogre that attacked his home city. He commanded the small troop that fended it off. Must make him remarkable despite his smaller stature” the rookie relayed to his fellow men.

“Yes, that’s what they say. But you should know that he himself admitted the slaying was mostly luck” the prestigious Guardsman made clear.

As the comments faded away, Hyperion enters through the entrance door to the Castle. He is now proceeding through the front hallway. There are Imperial Royal Guardsmen, standing by the side walls of the hallway. They are less armored than your standard Imperial Soldier wearing barely any at all. Once Hyperion reaches the end of the hallway he tells his two captains to stay put.

“Wait for me here, for now I proceed alone” said Hyperion.

“Understood” the advisor to his left replied.

Ahead of the door in front of Hyperion is restricted to those who have come for the meeting with the King. An uneasy Hyperion’s thoughts escalate; he knows what the meeting is for but feels uncomfortable about it entirely. A few days prior to being called for it, the King had set a new order, one that Hyperion believed could destroy the nation just when he thought it had been finally restored.

“Well there’s no going back now” Hyperion muttered as he walked through the hallway.

Hyperion with both hands pushes open the heavy doors and enters into another hallway, but one smaller and empty that would lead him to the meeting room. He knows this Castle well. He was brought to it regularly as a child by his father to visit. Whilst he walks through this empty section of the Castle, his thoughts race. No other than Yomato Tharal, the new Nuan King comes to mind. Hyperion has doubts about his rulership and his reason.

“How do I tell him that what he is doing is just plain wrong. I wish Lord Dugal took the throne instead of this maniac” Hyperion mused.

For a moment, Hyperion starts wondering of the seriousness of the matter to discuss. However the feeling of disbelief is short lived as he thinks back to the letter that was sent to him.

“No…there’s no way he could be serious about executing such an order” Hyperion mused.

Hyperion reaches the end of the empty hallway and in his front is another door. The door leads into the meeting room and he pauses briefly. Then he slowly places both hands on the large door to push through as he muses to himself once again.

“An order that will definitely lead Nua back into Civil War, I’m sure of it” Hyperion mused.

Then Hyperion enters the King’s discussion room for the meeting set. Everything goes quiet on his entry. There are two Elite Royal Guardsmen at both far side corners of the room which Hyperion assesses instantly. After scanning the room, his eyes focus on the ruling elites ahead. Three of the most powerful men in Nua stand ahead of him protected by these soldiers. They are beside a luxurious table and it appears that they were expecting Hyperion to enter suddenly. Stood to the far right of the table is Lord Dugal Tharal, brother and second in command to the King controlling a branch of important Captains in the Imperial Army. He looks well into his middle ages and is the tallest and biggest built of these commanders. Dugal also has long black hair tied back behind his head. Stood to the far left side of the table is Orham Dhyule, the General of the Imperial Army and chief controller of the main force ready for battle. He is the oldest of the three powers and must be in his sixties. Despite so, he stands as a tall well-built man still full of strength. Unlike the standing two powers at the table, sat down in a golden seat opposite to the entrance door is Yomato Tharal, the King and current ruler of Nua. His long dazzling black hair mostly rests on his back like a woman. Hyperion feels uneasy as he enters Yomato’s vicinity.

“Ah…Hyperion, you’ve arrived” Lord Dugal commented.

He seems pleased to see the young hero who is known for slaying an Ogre.

“You’re late, young General” General Orham Dhyule groaned.

“I apologise General Dhyule, the calling of the meeting was so sudden and our estimation of time was poor. Nevertheless, I am here now” Hyperion replied.

As Hyperion explains his lateness, he walks from the entry door of the room towards the grand table where his superiors are at. Once he arrives, the King settles his subordinates. His visage devoid of life.

“It is not a matter, actions have already been taken before this meeting was set. But let us begin…” Yomato concluded.

“Yes, your majesty” Hyperion replied.

That settled their introductions. Orham and Dugal get adjusted ready to sit down. Hyperion anticipates what his next actions should be and he takes his seat much like them. His seat would directly face the King in this meeting. His two equals would sit towards each side of the table, Dhyule, to his left side and Dugal to his right.

*****