[The last night of Edessia has come. The wintry night perished. The ocean of stars banished. The singing fairies vanished. All that's left is nothing but screams of pain and terrors under a dark-shrouded sky. This is a night which no man of sky dares to remember.]

In fluttering tempest, he makes haste. In fiery rage he makes quest. After five thousand years ensnared in a timeless agony, the imagery of his arch enemy still lingers strongly within his memory. The clouds are torn by the swiftness of the raven black and barbed wings. Heavy and impenetrable as Ildirium, the dust and ice that is clattering against his hide will find themselves like nothing but a candle clashed with knife.

" For centuries I have slumbered, in untold nightmares of desolation. "

" You must have perished long before my awakening, impudent mortal. "

Sargaroth fly towards the floating sky island. To the highest peak of Aerdrin he soars, only to quench his thirst for revenge. There is nothing can hinder him, his eyes see through every iron and stone, while his mind reveals every purpose and fabrication.

" Noble as I am, yet the price of such betrayal has to be paid. Either by you, or your blood. Now you may rue in your formless existence, Lorentheus the love-child! "

Within the High Chamber, the king of Edessia, Halius the Gallant summoned all of his lords, ministers, and every important personage in response to the sudden flame and tremor in the northern part of the realm. Gatherings upon the great hall of the sky kingdom Edessia is a must, considering that they know nothing but the stench of primordial malice that defiles the graceful wind of their homeland. Emergency action has been taken, dozens of guards were sent to investigate, All were the most swift, the most experienced, the most competent. Yet full of accomplishment as they are, but none of them has returned.

In the neck-choking atmosphere he sits, shaking his legs, waiting for his subordinate’s return. There's no mead nor wine that could sooth his anxiety for he desires nothing but to apprehend the bane that lurks under the shadow of night.

" The scouting party have returned, Your Majesty! "

At last, the long-awaited word has present itself before the king. However, the sounds of the footsteps were peculiar, it's not as noisy as the time they headed out for the task.

Just as they all feared, among the thirty lads, only one 'survived'; half of his body were melted along with his armor, barely clinging to his life with the aid of magic and analgesic. It takes his all to breath, let alone to speak. Jana The Grand Sorceress immediately casts multiple restoration magic, ensuring the injured lad could bring an enlightenment amidst the confusion of the council of the High Chamber.

" It's... a powerful monster. It's wing... so broad, like our walls...

..Its body... as if the northern keep itself is coming towards us...! and... and... the eyes...!

t-those evil eyes...! "

His throat chokes as if his lungs are going to burst out had he not being careful. The grand sorceress on the other hand, turns pale and began to limp as such an heavy magic will surely takes its toll.

" We have tried everything... swords, axes... spears... magic... all to no avail. We... have failed you... Y-Your Majesty... "

" Give his family twice the amount of the usual, for he has done a great service to our cause "

With his dying breath, he stands true to his duty. The King cannot do much but ensuring his family to get the death gratuity. Although normally a toast and rites to honor such valiant death is supposed to be held, yet there is not even a time to mourn, let alone for a grandeur. Every single living soul inside the High Chamber turns silent. They are staring to each other like a deer to a river, until an old figure stood up and taking the stage for himself.

" 'When the last sun of the winged land has returned to its rest, the beast of old shall taints the sacred ground. That day, darkness will come, along the mist of the forgotten past.' Article number 22, Codex of The Rising. The sight that we are beholding in this very second, is neatly recorded in the archives of our forefathers. "

It is to be expected from Eremir of the Elders faction, to be so straightforward and involves The Teaching in any given chance. As for the others, they all truly aware of the prophecy for it is elementary. Yet none of them have the guts to spit it into the table, for they've known that since the death of their queen, King Halius doesn't seem to be so fond of such matter.

" I'm sure it's already known to us that you have genuinely realized what we are facing, Your Majesty. "

" A colossal fiend that rules the sky with its broad-majestic wings, laying waste to whatever lies beneath the two in ineffable might. They come with a force powerful enough to bend nature to its will... The ripples have come long before the very wave itself. I beg you to cast aside the scar of your past, Your Majesty... For if we are to choose the wrong path, there won’t ever be a chance to turn the other way around. "

The king glared at Eremir. His fist clenched and his teeth gritted, those are clear corporeal signs that no one wanted to see them coming from the most powerful man in the kingdom. All heads turned to their knees, steering clear off the scornful eyes of their liege.

" The last time I turned myself on such shameful superstition... a loving, gentle soul died an excruciating death. By her name, never shall I forget the dread, never shall I forget the regret. "

" I, myself, will lead the Silver Legion. "

The council mutters to each other. As for the warlords and their captains, clear and steel is the king's words. Therefore, they make haste to prepare a march, subservient as they should be. But when all seems to be already decided, Eremir suddenly slams the table.

" Long I have been waiting for you to overcome Ruana's death, son of Isalius! To be bested by mourn and keep straying away from the path of light!? Is there no end for your insult towards The Teaching...!? How low you have fallen from your grace! "

The king rise from his throne, so is everyone as to response. His long-wavy white hair gracefully falls from his broad-stout shoulder. His diadem shines, rivaled only by no other than the glitters of the 'starfall sapphire' in his royal pendant. Like a cherry on top of a cake, all of his splendors beautified by the glistening light of the chandeliers. He undoubtedly has the appearance of a king.

Elegant as he appears to be, but the fire in his eyes burns to the very core of all that lies before its sight. Enraged and maddened he walks down the throne.

" Come, Faelmir. "

The ring in his right index turns into liquid and reshape itself into a sword. Faelmir itself is not a mere sword. It's one of the Seven Wisdom, a series of weapon which harbors great power that is used to be wielded by Lords of The Alliance, back in the Third Age.

Faelmir itself is the true name of "Winter Light", a double-edged rapier colored in absolute white from its tip down 'till its end. It's also adorned with an ornament of an horned griffin's head at its marbled hilt. One might present all the sword in the world, but to those who has witnessed the marvelous elegance of Faelmir shall found it hard to be impressed by any other.

King Halius approach Eremir, ready to personally deliver his wrath with The Winter Light in his hand.

[It is ultimately unable to be known for all whom flies the endless skies about the shadow that crawls under the clouds. Life, is the cost for those whom dawdles upon the heaven in parade, yet fail to known of the hell that is knocking on the door.]

Eremir stands tall, holding firmly to his belief, refused to turn away from what he deemed wrong. King Halius approaching him slowly. Although maddened, he genuinely hopes that Eremir would take back what he has said and reflect upon them. As Eremir has always been one of the most respectable figures in the kingdom, it would surely create a great disruption had the king were about to chop his head off of his neck, regardless of the reason.

Unfortunately, it seems like Eremir has no intention to do so. Therefore, King Halius raise his hand, ordering the guards to quickly hold Eremir down to his knees.

" You are a man of history and a mentor of mine, take back what you had said, or else. "

Eremir did nothing but glares. Left with no choice, King Halius raise his sword while all the attendees turned the other cheek. Just when he is about to swing his sword, separating Eremir's head from its body, suddenly a red cape flutters before his eyes.

" I beg your utmost forgiveness for my insolent interruption, Your Majesty. "

A tall and hefty figure donned in silver armor suddenly leaps into the middle of the feud, kneeling down before the king. His left hand is carrying his sheathed sword while his right hand sternly crossed onto his left chest. Silver armor and a red cape; it is the epitome among the knighthood of Edessia. Every eyes in the High Chamber immediately recognize the sight that they are beholding.

" What foolery is this, Rein? "

It was no other than Rein, Lord Commander of The Royal Guards who interrupted the execution. He kept his mouth shut for he knows that the king's rage has clouded his own mind, hence he should proceed very carefully.

" Explain yourself! "

" As you wish, Your Majesty. I believe we're facing a far greater danger than we had expected. "

" Have you gone deaf Rein? I said I myself would march to subdue the beast! "

Rein glance at his subordinates, giving signal for them to step forward like they had planned beforehand. The royal guards bring forth a black colored sphere locked up inside a magical glass container. The sphere releases rotten smell and malevolent aura that grows stronger every second, the attendees started to murmuring to each other while covering their nose.

" In the name of The Great Father...! what filth have you brought upon this sacred hall?! "

" Your Majesty, after the sudden wave of unknown malicious energy back then, I immediately contacted Lady Meldia to send out an emergency warrant to order The Investigation Chamber to inspect every corner of the kingdom. "

Meldia, the Lady of The Investigation Chamber, whom not long ago just entered the High Chamber, stand up to testify and confirm what Rein has explained. She hope that by doing so, the king would consider a wiser act to confront the crisis.

" Forgive my tardiness, but please allow me to testify, Your Majesty. The lord commander is telling the truth...

An hour after the wave, one of my men showed up before my mansion's just when I was about to head to my office. He was a first-rank investigator, yet he was gravely wounded and died soon after delivering that suspicious object. "

King Halius lower his sword, surprised by the fact that the dragon was not the only thing he has to be concerned of. He closes his eyes to subside his anger so that he could tread to a more careful approach on dealing with this dire situation.

" You may continue, Meldia "

" Thank you, Your Majesty. We strongly believe this black sphere to be an instrument of a summoning ritual, and the person who possess them is no amateur by any means. The sphere itself is constructed of- "

" If we have time for such details, Meldia. I would prefer you to take a bath and dress up before showing your lacking sense of urgency in front all of us. "

" ...I-I apologize, Your Majesty. Currently, we have discovered three spheres, but on the other hand, seven of eighty investigators were killed in action, including the one that showed up in my mansion. Therefore, we hypothesize that there were six other spheres that is still out there somewhere. "

"Where do you find these spheres?"

Suddenly Lady Meldia having cold sweats and shivering, she realizes something very important yet fails to notice earlier. One simple fact that is overlooked by her.

" Y-Your Majesty... all of our investigator... were killed around the plaza... "

King Halius surprised beyond words, his pupils shrink, he trembles in fear, for he knows that the plaza is the highest populated residential area. He could feel as if the devils are laughing on him and his narrow mindedness, causing him to lose his temper.

" You stupid wom-! "

Before the King could finish his words, another sudden wave of malice surges all over the kingdom. But this is nothing like before, this one was a little bit weaker, but still massive enough to cause a mana disruption nonetheless. The king along with all of his attendees, the higher ups of the kingdom, quickly run towards the balcony outside the High Chamber as they can feel that the source of the wave is somehow near.

Before their very eyes, a mysterious figure appeared upon the sky of the Plaza. It's a mage in tattered dark robe with a skull ornament on his right shoulder. Its face is hidden under a hood and it wields a crooked y-shaped wooden staff in his left hand. Then once again, a strong magical wave surged all over Edessia.

" The time has come, pathetic skyling! Your filthy breeds shall be burned in a sea of flame, and thus this long-promised land will be ours! The new age has come, and the rightful heir shall claim back the marble throne! "

Before that mysterious figure starts anything, Rein's hunch made him cast a magical yellow-colored flare as a signal to every outpost and turret to activate a defense layer above Edessia. On such a short notice, the guards are doing well in responding and repeating the flare thus ends up with the barriers being successfully placed.

"Blood, bone, eye, and tongue. Cast the world aside with a sundering flame, Oh Great Prince of Fire! Burn down all who stand upon this realm with which you had conquered once, so that you may feast on what the heavens has denied!"

"Dark art: Tears of Izghar! "

After the incantation, the sky cracks and seeps with flame. As if there are giants on the moon hurling fire. Countless meteors descended from the night clouds, falling free like autumn leaves of an old tree. Terrifying as it is, but fortunately the layers of barrier were able to fend it off.

The barrier is so powerful to the point that it made everything seems to be alright, until suddenly, due to unknown reason they wane and finally dispersed. The meteors instantly break through. Horrors pours down from above, it's a burning rain that spares nothing in its way. Children cries and women dies, the fire didn't know mercy as it devours everything the eyes can see.

" What is happening?! Why did they undo the barrier?! "

Eremir shouted, his frail bones run cold, shaken to its core. His soul screams, cursing his old age and helplessness. 'If only I was two hundred years younger' He thought to himself.

On the other hand, King Halius refuse to stand idle. He commands Lord Argil, his Field Marshal to assess and regain control of the situation. Lord Argil excuses himself before the King and head out to the Plaza along with his men.

In the despairing refulgence. Sargaroth let out a powerful roar, striking fear to the heart of all Edessian in the most dreadful way in the worst possible moment. 'This could really be the end of all' they all thought to themselves.

Yet despite all the chaos and turmoil, King Halius stands calmly. The soldier’s footwork, the call to arms, and the crackling flowers. His mind ignores all as he is reminiscing about the past, back to the day of his coronation.

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*Flashback*

It was a cold mid-summer day, roughly three months after the kingship trial. Young Halius went to pay a visit to The Altar of Vashuldor.

His heart aches as his legs take him closer by every second. His thought turns his fiery eyes grey, like a faint twilight. As someone whom always walk in power, never once he has ever felt such overwhelming anxiety in all his life.

He is expected by The Great Elder, a figure - or rather - a being shrouded in mysteries. Even though nobody has actually seen her, except for the fact that she had an elderly female voice, everyone treats her with respect and obedience, even more than what they had for the king himself. Some said that the Great Elder has been around since time immemorial, but that rumor has yet to be proven. The only one thing for sure is that she only appears in a certain occasion for reasons unknown.

" I have come to answer your call, Great Elder. "

Inside a room full of white-colored curtains and fabrics, Halius sits on his knees. Before him lies a wide veil, separating him from the Great Elder. The veil is quite thick as Halius can barely see anything on the other side.

" I had foreseen this outcome. "

" ...I am honored by your wor- "

" That was not a praise. "

Silence fills the air, Halius dares not to even let out a breath. a dozen seconds has passed without a single word spoken, Halius is getting nervous. He knows that The Great Elder already found out about the trial.

" What has become of your brother? "

" He... My brother... is still unconscious. "

Halius mopes, for he knows that the trial has been defiled by scheme and disdain. A crown overruled by the blood of greed and blackened thread, to take it as it is, would simply be an act as depraved as spitting on the grave of his predecessors.

After a million of times the thought had passed his mind, He is finally able to muster his courage and speak the truth. But just when he is about to open his mouth, the whole room suddenly surged by air, waving the fabrics within.

" I said I had foreseen this. There's nothing that you can do about it, it is simply beyond you. "

" This is too heavy of a burden to bear, O Great Elder. The trial was not held in sanctity, therefore I have no right to be here. "

" You have the right to feel that way, but Vashuldor acknowledge the trial. Consequently, the outcome is legitimate. "

Halius is shaking, his broad shoulder turns limp. He is ashamed of himself and lost all confidence to step any further. 'I am not worthy for any of this', he thought to himself.

" Is there any sane soul who would pledge loyalty to someone who ridiculed their legacy and desecrate their ancestor? "

The Great Elder keep silent. She knows well that Halius is a man of such character whom uphold honor above anything else. Certainly, such incident would leave more than a scratch to his pride.

" I myself would rather die as a dog of rebellion than to bow to such a dishonorable reign. "

" You may curse all that exist between heaven and earth. All but to no avail, not even in a million years. Hence, rather than be drowned, you should embrace it with all of yours. "

The Great Elder's voice suddenly changed, from an elderly woman into an unknown otherworldly entity. The room is shaking and bursting with light. Halius whom had known nothing about this were very surprised.

" I will bestow upon you the stout that shall never falter. It is as strong as your resolve to make up for your past. Be valiant and keep the shadow of your crown as an impetus to rule in just. "

The Great Elder mystically carved a symbol of a simple straight line at the back of his right palm that shines in bluish light. Halius can sense a surge of power flooding into his body from the carvings.

" From now on, you are Halius The Gallant, sixth king of Edessia. I trust you and your renowned might to protect the people of this land as well as your forefathers did. "

That day, he took an oath to protect his people. But the oath has long withered since then. Consumed by mourn and distraught, he cast aside all which he has worked hard to earn. The throne, the crown, the title, they all but a little of mean now.

Sky folds and years passed by. Losing most of his will to live, he often spend his time cursing his fate. The world itself is not end yet, but his world might be. The death of his most beloved ones leaves his mind to rot. Truly unsightly for someone who used to make the earth trembles wherever he walks.

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*Present Time*

Triggered by portentous threat and mortal danger, who would've ever thought that it is the rain of fire who rekindled the long-forgotten dignity in his heart? In the mist of terror, the lost knightly soul found its way back home. The power, the memory, and the heart. All that he has lost are coming back to where they once belong.

A storm of embers dancing within him. It's as if he has been reborn. The dreary eyes are turning clear, the pale and flagging skins are bursting with youth and might. The one-most basic duty that he took when he first started his knighthood has returned to him in the grandest way, 'Ensuring the safety of the people'.

" How I have failed you, my people "

The attendees turned their sight to their king. They watch him taking off his mantle, his jewelry, and his luxurious dress. All that left is a single piece of cloth covering his skin and his crown.

" To think that I used to sleep on a branch of Adam trees for a whole week without even a single clothing back in my days in the military. All of this, really doesn't suit me after all. "

Everyone is shocked by the sudden change of heart. The king which they had known for years is suddenly acting like a totally different person.

" Y-Your Majesty! What are you doing! You are embarrassing yourself! "

Tariel, one of his servants rushed to put his clothes back on, but Halius raise his hand, telling him to stand back. Instead of putting his clothes back on, Halius took the crown off his head.

" I should've known that I was not meant to have this. "

Halius throw away the crown, rendering everyone silenced in awe. His servant quickly retrieves the crown as it is a royal heritage that must be preserved.

" Your Majesty, please! "

" Calm down, Tariel. It's just a mere round-shaped clump of colored steel. "

Halius lift up his right hand and clenching his fist. He wanted to know if the gift is still within him. The symbol in the back of his right palm glows with a faint light. 'It is still there, but weak' he thought to himself.

" Still, it's enough. "

" Sage art: Flight of the White Swan "

Halius release a burst of white ray from his palm to the mage whom cast fire upon his kingdom. With that very single spell, the mage lost its right arm. It would surely be dead by now had it not put up a protection barrier.

Realized that the king's absurd magical power might put its life to an end in an instant, the mage cast its final spell with the remaining of its strength.

" Despite the decadence of your mind, you still have such power resides within you. Still, strong as you may, I will accomplish my role and fulfill my master's wish. "

" In the name of black and chaos, I shall quench your thirst of conquest! O, Riders of a Thousand Plane! Heed my call-! "

Halius knows that the mage was up to something and decided to bombard it with magic. His spell was able to separate the mage's head with its body. He thought he had it, but not long before he realizes that the mage is still chanting its spell.

" - Submit yourself to my decree and I shall open a path for your horses and hounds to hunt! "

" Dark art: Infernal Gate "

Again, Halius fire away his magic to kill the mage for sure this time, but it was futile. The mage might have perished along with the burst of light, but the spell has been completed.

[The world has never been a simple frame colored in black and white. Sometimes, the more light there is - the less you can see, the louder the streets - the less you can hear, the wider the sky - the less you can breathe. Therefore, is it uncommon when one who has succumbed in sin could rise anew in a greater light of repentance?]

Amidst the fire and ashes, six pillars of purple-colored light emerges from the ground in the capital's plaza. The bottom of the pillars linked with each other, forming an hexagon before unearthed an enormous gate from down below.

" W-What in the world is that thing?! "

Knights whispering to their fellow comrades. Those whom guards the plaza, even well-trained as they are, were aghast before the size of the gate and the stench of decaying carcass that came from it. The foul-putrid odor is so strong, strong enough to empty one's stomach.

But the truth is that they haven't seen the worst. The gate slowly opens. From the gap of the double doors, a dark-colored blood-like liquid seeps through. Like a puddle of filthy mud, it overflows, seeping deep into the under, turning it into a tainted soil. A tainted soil, like its name, is a defiled soil that is rendered unable to create the force of life. instead of growing seeds, it can actually turn an open wound fatal.

From the tainted soil, came forth beings of unknown origin. Dissimilar to one another, each of them has their own morphological traits. Some were tall as a barn, some were the size of lambs. Some were creature that has no mouth and some other consist of only mouth. Even so, one thing for sure is that these vile creatures bear extremely hostile intent.

The dark creatures immediately initiate conflict with the knights of the kingdom, spontaneously, and barbarically, without any warning in advance. They strike worse than a rabid dog, purely driven by insatiable hunger for massacre that doesn't call for any structured chain of command, tactics, or anything in between.

The open conflict that occurs in the plaza can be seen from the balcony of the High Chamber. Although a little bit unclear without the aid of tools and magic, one can easily perceive the menace that brews below them is getting more and more intense by every second.

" My people. "

The sudden voice turned their eyes. Lies before them a sight of a warrior donning his armor, fully equipped with his cuirass, vambraces, and greaves. The strange-warm aura around him strangely put their mind at ease, even after looking such tremendous horrors unleashed.

" My friends. "

A pauldron decorated with an horned griffin sit upon his muscular left shoulder. Every part of the armor were exclusively made out of Arconite. One of the most prized metal on earth, which is said to be almost equal to a dragon's scale.

" My brothers. "

His servant put his cape on the back of the armor to complete the perfection of his appearance. The word 'nostalgic' was not enough to describe the feeling of those who witness the sight of this grand warrior. 'This is how it supposed to be' they muttered to themselves.

" Eremir was right, I have failed you... all of you...

Trampled and trapped in my own egocentric behavior. I am truly is the worst of the six. "

Halius kneel down with both knees on the ground. He couldn't look into the face of his subjects for how ashamed he is of himself. His eyes damped and his voice trembles. The thought of all inanities that he has done suddenly floods his mind, thoroughly clearing the mist that resides within him for almost fifty years, ever since the death of his spouse.

" Considering the sin that I have committed, I truly have no right to ask this... but surely against such threat, there is no other way. "

"Please lend me your strength for the sake of our land!"

He held his head down as low as possible, only an inch away from the ground. As if time stopped still, everyone before him rendered speechless, for this is the first time they had seen a king to bow so low.

" Your Majesty! "

After a few second of frosting confusion, they all hurriedly kneel down until their forehead touches the ground. Before finally realized that the sight they are beholding is a portent of the rebirth of a long-sullen heart. The awakening of a fifty years slumber.

" Your will is my fate, Your Majesty! You don't have to do this! "

Rein was the first one to bow, and also the first one to stand up and rushed to the king side. He lifted up the king, begging him to stand with might. He pulled out his sword and put it before his king's feet, expressing his undying loyalty before once again bow before him.

" If your heart also turns pale, then who could possibly stand against such evil?

Please, Your Majesty! Show us power! Be our beacon of light in this time of dire! "

Touched by his action, Halius cried a bit and pat the lord commander's shoulder, thanking him for the courage the young man has given him. Halius wipe his eyes and stood back up with a stronger heart. Now that his mind is clear and his heart is firm, his resolve to redeem his past flared brightly than ever.

Yet despite the reflective-melancholic nuance in the air, Eremir is the only one who didn't bend the knees. Instead, he sharply glares at Halius. The king wasn't surprised nor disappointed, for he only has himself to blame.

" Eremir... I... "

Eremir walks towards Halius. His crooked back and wrinkled skin made Halius realize how many time has passed. How long he had burdened his former mentor's mind.

" I will cast away my throne and titles once this is all over, Eremir. "

He stops right in front of Halius and slaps the king in his face, not only once but twice. He also punched the king's chest with all of his back although of course there's not much power left in such a brittle hand. 'Oh no, he just walked straight to his grave for the second time!' Everyone thought to themselves. But surprisingly, Halius wholeheartedly accept it, for even though it doesn't do anything to his body, it means a thousand to his heart. It brings the memories of his youth, back to the day when his mentors always hit him whenever he misbehaved or failed a test.

" I am aware that you are certainly not the brightest. But never once did I taught you of such idiocy...

'A man's sight should never be hindered before any predicament.' You, idiot, are embarrassing both yourself and mine. "

Eremir's true intention was to seek for the smallest dirt in the eyes of his former pupil, the trace of the maddened arrogance who were going to severe his head from his body a few moments ago. Yet curiously, he can't find any.

" Kings, crowns, thrones, and castles means nothing without a land and its people. And now you are losing both...

So, instead of dawdling in your regret of the past and promises of the future, why don't you raise the flag and show us if you are truly spoke for your heart? "

Eremir kneels afterward, just like the others. This surprises Halius as much as it surprises the other. No one ever expect Eremir, as full of dissatisfaction as he is, to commit such action.

" Master, I-! "

" I ceased to be your mentor a long time ago. Now, I am but one of your subjects. Decide for us, and we will submit ourselves to your wisdom, Your Majesty "

With all in its place, it is time for the sons of Edessia to move on and fare against the rage and chaos that engulfs their beloved land.