Darius awoke inside a dark cell, confined to a very small space. He had a small feather bed, a
bucket and a small bowl for water. Darius smiled he was finally away from people where he
could no longer harm them but his relief was short lived as an armored elf appeared from the
darkness and stared daggers at Darius "World’s Worst Sorcerer? Looks like a
broken weapon to me, are you sure this is the same man who destroyed our emissaries andbucket and a small bowl for water. Darius smiled he was finally away from people where he
could no longer harm them but his relief was short lived as an armored elf appeared from the
darkness and stared daggers at Darius "World’s Worst Sorcerer? Looks like a
ransacked out forward outposts?” the elf said “Lord Braelion, you may have made a mistake
here” the elf said as Braelion stepped out of the nearby darkness as well “No it’s him, he
carries the Dragon Stone of Vra’kei’illel” the elf looked sharply at Braelion. The name itself
was taboo as the dragon who was born with the eye was a tyrannical creature but was brought
low and its eyes were removed and overtime the eyes became petrified “It is curious that the
horror we knew is nothing than a mere broken human, pity I would love to have seen him in
his prime” the armored elf said, Darius looked at him the elf was clad in silver full plate
denoting that in his order he is a Captain or a Knight-Errant of a very high standing house
“Braelion? Why am I in here?” Darius asked, there was no deviousness or malice just simple
innocent curiosity “I was hoping to cure you of that vomiting but my former compatriots
decided that you were the enemy and imprisoned you, I am sorry but I have no authority in
this case” there was a genuine sadness in Braelion as he knew enemies of the Imperium are
always executed in their Trial “Ah, I see” was all Darius said before slumping to the ground
“Maybe I deserve it, I was a very bad person after all” it was a childlike innocence but the
Elven Knight did not care Darius had murdered and tortured his people at the command of
another but it was up to the Magisterium Dominus to decide his fate.
Some days later Darius was unceremoniously dragged in chains into a large court, there were
rows upon rows of people of all different races but mostly elves. Several silver armored
knights lined the walls and were surrounding Darius
Make them Submit
It was a feast for the eyes, but at the same time there was a palpable tension in the room as a
powerfully built elf stepped up to the large throne in the room and sat, his voice echoed and
boom “I call this trial to ORDER!” he slammed his gnarled wooden staff on the ground
sending out a shockwave across the room silencing everyone “Darius Wolf, you are hereby
accused and identified as the savage who murdered and tortured three hundred and twenty
nine women, two hundred and four men and sixty children all for information on rebellious
activities within your empire and our borders, do you have someone to represent you in this
case?” the elf was ancient and powerful there was no one in this room who would dare argue
against his authority “I will defend him my lord” it was Braelion who stepped forward
“Braelion? Whatever for? This man is a war criminal, would you sully your reputation based
on a few simple observations?” the ancient elf asked “Dominus, permit me to at least present
my observations” Braelion said with the tact of a solicitor “Proceed Lord Braelion” the
ancient elf said, Braelion bowed and smiled “Yes, this man is Darius Wolf or he was five
years ago. Over the past month of travelling with him he has a sense of non-hostile action
against others, he actively avoids populated towns and keeps to himself. The Darius Wolf we
knew did not care about the lives of others he was only in it for his own selfish gains and his
own gratification of slaughter but this broken forgetful shell of what he was stands before you
now cleansed of his sins and before you judge him on the past take this to your heart, his
memories are gone, how do you persecute and judge someone based on their past when they
cannot remember any of it” before Braelion could continue the ancient elf held up his hand
“Elaborate on something for me please Braelion” the old one said, Braelion nodded “If his
memory was gone, why does he have an almost unbreakable stranglehold on the weave that
surrounds him? Six years ago this same man came into our Imperium and decimated
hundreds of our people with that same stranglehold he still has now, explain to me Lord
Braelion why I should not end his pathetic, pitiful and hate filled spiteful life here and now!”
the room was vibrating with angry energy even Darius felt it but for whatever reason he did
not feel threatened “Execute a being such as me? You do not have the willpower to overcome domination nor the courage to even think of such a notion, pitiful mortal” a voice that was not Darius’ spoke quietly but its voice echoed through the entireroom, the ancient elf looked at Darius and saw a glow in his eyes he had not seen in centuries “This broken creature is my vessel, if one such as you raises thy hand” the Dragon Stone was glowing
like white fire “Are you the one who erased his memories ancient one?” the old elf asked “I
needed him hollow and empty but it seems he was quite skilled at burying himself within
himself but being exposed to the world without finding himself has changed him, this
Gathering is nigh and your broken kingdom cannot hold the seat of power the last war forced
you to vacate” the glow faded and Darius was still standing but as he looked out there were
looks of fear and terror on the faces of those in attendance “Darius Wolf are you aware of
what you hold on your person?” the old elf asked “I was told it was a Dragon Stone, I have
been trying to part with it for some time. Brings me naught but trouble” he said futilely
attempting to place the stone on the table as the only place it was to be was in his pocket “An
old ancient dragon that even when my grandfather was young had a hand in ruling this world
through the Manifestations” there was a pain in his voice as if he was expressing centuries of
old wounds “Emperor Virtus wanted to harness the power of the Dragon Stones to create a
weapon of so much unbridled and unfettered destructive power that once he found out you
were going to defect to another country he tried to have you killed but ultimately failed that”
this statement confused Darius somewhat, from what he could remember the two men that
were with Rigel and himself betrayed them for the supposed treasure in the temple but was
Virtus really behind this? Removing Darius from the picture would have decreased tension
given his violent tendencies and Virtus would have gained the Dragon Stone but Virtus was
not to know that the essence of the weave was formed into a conscious form inside the stone
itself and knowing who the dragon was centuries ago it would have likely rejected any
notions of being turned into a weapon.Darius was placed back into the cell for the time being as they had a dilemma on their hands.
powerfully built elf stepped up to the large throne in the room and sat, his voice echoed and
boom “I call this trial to ORDER!” he slammed his gnarled wooden staff on the ground
sending out a shockwave across the room silencing everyone “Darius Wolf, you are hereby
accused and identified as the savage who murdered and tortured three hundred and twenty
nine women, two hundred and four men and sixty children all for information on rebellious
activities within your empire and our borders, do you have someone to represent you in this
case?” the elf was ancient and powerful there was no one in this room who would dare argue
against his authority “I will defend him my lord” it was Braelion who stepped forward
“Braelion? Whatever for? This man is a war criminal, would you sully your reputation based
on a few simple observations?” the ancient elf asked “Dominus, permit me to at least present
my observations” Braelion said with the tact of a solicitor “Proceed Lord Braelion” the
ancient elf said, Braelion bowed and smiled “Yes, this man is Darius Wolf or he was five
years ago. Over the past month of travelling with him he has a sense of non-hostile action
against others, he actively avoids populated towns and keeps to himself. The Darius Wolf we
knew did not care about the lives of others he was only in it for his own selfish gains and his
own gratification of slaughter but this broken forgetful shell of what he was stands before you
now cleansed of his sins and before you judge him on the past take this to your heart, his
memories are gone, how do you persecute and judge someone based on their past when they
cannot remember any of it” before Braelion could continue the ancient elf held up his hand
“Elaborate on something for me please Braelion” the old one said, Braelion nodded “If his
memory was gone, why does he have an almost unbreakable stranglehold on the weave that
surrounds him? Six years ago this same man came into our Imperium and decimated
hundreds of our people with that same stranglehold he still has now, explain to me Lord
Braelion why I should not end his pathetic, pitiful and hate filled spiteful life here and now!”
the room was vibrating with angry energy even Darius felt it but for whatever reason he did
not feel threatened “Execute a being such as me? You do not have the willpower to overcome domination nor the courage to even think of such a notion, pitiful mortal” a voice that was not Darius’ spoke quietly but its voice echoed through the entireroom, the ancient elf looked at Darius and saw a glow in his eyes he had not seen in centuries “This broken creature is my vessel, if one such as you raises thy hand” the Dragon Stone was glowing
like white fire “Are you the one who erased his memories ancient one?” the old elf asked “I
needed him hollow and empty but it seems he was quite skilled at burying himself within
himself but being exposed to the world without finding himself has changed him, this
Gathering is nigh and your broken kingdom cannot hold the seat of power the last war forced
you to vacate” the glow faded and Darius was still standing but as he looked out there were
looks of fear and terror on the faces of those in attendance “Darius Wolf are you aware of
what you hold on your person?” the old elf asked “I was told it was a Dragon Stone, I have
been trying to part with it for some time. Brings me naught but trouble” he said futilely
attempting to place the stone on the table as the only place it was to be was in his pocket “An
old ancient dragon that even when my grandfather was young had a hand in ruling this world
through the Manifestations” there was a pain in his voice as if he was expressing centuries of
old wounds “Emperor Virtus wanted to harness the power of the Dragon Stones to create a
weapon of so much unbridled and unfettered destructive power that once he found out you
were going to defect to another country he tried to have you killed but ultimately failed that”
this statement confused Darius somewhat, from what he could remember the two men that
were with Rigel and himself betrayed them for the supposed treasure in the temple but was
Virtus really behind this? Removing Darius from the picture would have decreased tension
given his violent tendencies and Virtus would have gained the Dragon Stone but Virtus was
not to know that the essence of the weave was formed into a conscious form inside the stone
itself and knowing who the dragon was centuries ago it would have likely rejected any
notions of being turned into a weapon.Darius was placed back into the cell for the time being as they had a dilemma on their hands.
One: they could execute Darius and avenge their people. Two: Exploit him and turn him into
the very thing Virtus didn’t want and make the Imperium strong again or let him go and let
Braelion care for him and monitor his movements and see if he would return to being his old
self. He thought to himself as he recalled the words of the old elf, saying that he was going to
defect, was the stone confirmation of his betrayal or was it the price to defect, was Rigel also
in on the plot as well? Too many questions he kept pondering, what if and why. Quickly he
scrubbed any doubt from his mind, this was a new life and he was going to embrace whatever
came his way.
Days in solitude was nothing for Darius he had spent the better of a decade by himself, he felt
comfortable in the darkness and the dim candle light that illuminated his space of peace. But
as we know peace comes and goes and it was his day of judgement as he was taken by the
arms very gingerly as they were holding an elderly person. People were gathering as Darius
was brought into the room once again and was now unguarded and being treated like a guest
more than a prisoner. It was at his request that they have almost no light in the cells for
whatever reason the darkness was safer than the light. The old elf sat on his throne and tapped
his staff on the ground for silence “We are gathered here on this day to pass judgement on
Darius Wolf, former court mage to Emperor Virtus of the Galvaniaum Empire, addressing the
first and foremost relevant concern is that you hold an object of untamed power and yet you
choose not to wield its awesome power for yourself or for another. Tell me Darius what
would you do if released?” the old elf remarked and asked “I just want to be left alone” there
was no falsehood in his voice “Therein lies the rub, because of this power you hold over the
Manifestations many people in the many cities and towns will look upon you with hostile
intent and malice” he was concerned as he was no longer a threat to his people but more of a
danger to himself, the old elf had thought about keeping him imprisoned but having someone
like that called for uninvited guests “People can think what they like sir, I harbor no ill will
towards others and if you do release me I intend of heading east into the Brannach
Dreadlands and vanishing all together” he wanted nothing to do with people anymore, simply
disappearing into the vast empty lands known as the Dreadlands where one could go and
become lost like everyone else who ventured there “They will come for you and seek your
death, you know this don’t you?” the old elf asked but Darius simply nodded “I accept my
punishment” said Darius with a defeated look on his face “I hereby banish you from the
Imperium and on pain of death if you return thus will be your fate, so be it!” the old elf
smashed his staff on the ground making it his final judgement. Darius realized later that it
could have been death if somehow Braelion was not there.
Leaving the Imperium left Darius confused about where to go but at the suggestion of
Braelion he would head to the Holy Kingdom of the Sun to try and find some allies, maybe
Lord Haldrith would be more receptive to Darius’ presence. But there was a dark place he
needed to see first.
the very thing Virtus didn’t want and make the Imperium strong again or let him go and let
Braelion care for him and monitor his movements and see if he would return to being his old
self. He thought to himself as he recalled the words of the old elf, saying that he was going to
defect, was the stone confirmation of his betrayal or was it the price to defect, was Rigel also
in on the plot as well? Too many questions he kept pondering, what if and why. Quickly he
scrubbed any doubt from his mind, this was a new life and he was going to embrace whatever
came his way.
Days in solitude was nothing for Darius he had spent the better of a decade by himself, he felt
comfortable in the darkness and the dim candle light that illuminated his space of peace. But
as we know peace comes and goes and it was his day of judgement as he was taken by the
arms very gingerly as they were holding an elderly person. People were gathering as Darius
was brought into the room once again and was now unguarded and being treated like a guest
more than a prisoner. It was at his request that they have almost no light in the cells for
whatever reason the darkness was safer than the light. The old elf sat on his throne and tapped
his staff on the ground for silence “We are gathered here on this day to pass judgement on
Darius Wolf, former court mage to Emperor Virtus of the Galvaniaum Empire, addressing the
first and foremost relevant concern is that you hold an object of untamed power and yet you
choose not to wield its awesome power for yourself or for another. Tell me Darius what
would you do if released?” the old elf remarked and asked “I just want to be left alone” there
was no falsehood in his voice “Therein lies the rub, because of this power you hold over the
Manifestations many people in the many cities and towns will look upon you with hostile
intent and malice” he was concerned as he was no longer a threat to his people but more of a
danger to himself, the old elf had thought about keeping him imprisoned but having someone
like that called for uninvited guests “People can think what they like sir, I harbor no ill will
towards others and if you do release me I intend of heading east into the Brannach
Dreadlands and vanishing all together” he wanted nothing to do with people anymore, simply
disappearing into the vast empty lands known as the Dreadlands where one could go and
become lost like everyone else who ventured there “They will come for you and seek your
death, you know this don’t you?” the old elf asked but Darius simply nodded “I accept my
punishment” said Darius with a defeated look on his face “I hereby banish you from the
Imperium and on pain of death if you return thus will be your fate, so be it!” the old elf
smashed his staff on the ground making it his final judgement. Darius realized later that it
could have been death if somehow Braelion was not there.
Leaving the Imperium left Darius confused about where to go but at the suggestion of
Braelion he would head to the Holy Kingdom of the Sun to try and find some allies, maybe
Lord Haldrith would be more receptive to Darius’ presence. But there was a dark place he
needed to see first.
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