Land of the Undead.
Mahtore watched with joy as the two planes came closer to aligning. Within hours, his forces could step forth into Telon for the first time in 10,000 years. A shiver of anticipation ran down his spine. Mahtore didn't often feel emotion, but when he did, something terrible was about to happen to innocent people. Below him, in the valley of Undead, stood hundreds of thousands of warriors. Mahtore had acquired his vast army for many millennia, lying in wait for the day he could return for his revenge.
The sound of creaking bone came from behind him, followed by an emotionless voice. "My Lord, the Counts have arrived." Mahtore nodded and dismissed the Remnant, his most dangerous weapons. Mahtore slid a thin grey hand from his black cloak, the skin hung tightly to the bone. Sickly green runes ran down his wrist, each of them contributed in some way to his formidable power. Green energy gathered around his fingers and spread across his body. Soon, he was shrouded in a mist like substance. His vision blacked, but quickly returned. His eyes regained focus; he was now standing in a room of black granite. In the midst of the room stood five armored figures, they all stood around a circular table. Mahtore walked slowly to his seat at the helm, his malevolent presence causing the master vampires to flinch.
Mahtore stood at his seat and slowly slid down his hood. Clumps of dead hair hung to his head, several open sores had maggots crawling in them. His black eyes took in the anxious figures of the Counts, master vampires who served as his generals. His raspy voice broke the tense silence, "What word do you bring?"
A handsome, red-haired, vampire spoke first, "My Lord, it is as suspected. The slumber has truly ended, and the Gods have awoken. You were correct, of course, the Gods are still very weak." He gulped, hoping he said nothing wrong. Mahtore remained silent for several moments, allowing the vampire's terror to fester.
"Good," he croaked, purposefully changing his voice. "What of the Elder?" Malevolence seeped into his question, causing the fearful Counts to shiver.
This time, a battle scarred vampire spoke, his bald head glistening with perspiration. "There is no word, My Lord. It was as you expected, he truly disappeared after the Great War. Unlike his kin, who we all had tabbed, he eluded us. It is believed, that he may of avoided the slumber all together."
Mahtore growled to intimidate the vampires, but in reality he had expected this answer. Not only were Elder Gods different from their younger kin, they were also much more powerful. Still, he could not allow failure. With a wave of his hand, the bald vampire crumbled to his knees in pain. Green mist gathered around the Count's head and constricted. A wet pop echoed through the chamber, followed by the Count's body collapsing limply to the floor. "I will not tolerate failure." He groaned, "Leave, before you join your compatriot." The other vampires quickly scurried from their Master's wrath, they all disappeared in heaps of black mist.
Mahtore remained seated for several minutes, green energy swirling around his hands. He often did this when he had to think, the familiar feeling of his magic, allowed him to think clearly. His thoughts were focused on that of the Gods, the impossibly powerful beings. He served one of these beings, but not willingly. That was why his plans had to proceed quickly. He refused to serve the Undead God for eternity. No, he would take his 'Master's' life, and his power. The Lich-Lord chuckled grimly, "Not much longer now."
****
Bal-Tuhn watched his servant from the shadows, an amused smile on his face. The Lich-Lord had believed himself independent during his slumber, but could not be more wrong. Yes, he had become unruly, but this served Bal-Tuhn's plans. Mahtore believed himself more powerful then he truly was. Bal-Tuhn might be weakened from the accursed slumber, but he had lived for millions of years. Long before this so called 'Lich-Lord' had even been sperm in his father's member. No, he wasn't dumb enough to think Mahtore couldn't injure him. He was cautious, of course, if his incredibly long life span had taught him anything, it was never underestimate anyone.
Anger seeped into Bal-Tuhn's black heart. He had long ago underestimated his Uncle, and his power. The Dragon God had been the trickiest of opponents; Bal-Tuhn had been convinced that Irian was too weak to oppose him. He couldn't have been more wrong. Twice, Irian had stopped him. The first had nearly saw Bal-Tuhn destroyed, and the second had delayed his plans by 10,000 years. Luckily, Irian had finally met his end. Bal-Tuhn laughed sadistically as he remembered Irian's useless sacrifice. He waved his hand and Mahtore's chambers disappeared. He resurfaced on a lifeless mountain, beneath a black sun.
He looked down upon the vast army below him; Mahtore had done much in 10,000 years. For that, he was thankful. His thoughts were interrupted as an itching sensation spread across his body. He sighed and snapped his fingers, causing a portal of sorts to appear. He looked through with an emotionless expression on his face. On the other side was his little brother, Madon; one of four Gods to side with him. "Speak." He said coldly.
He hated everything and everyone, but that couldn't be said for his brother. In fact, he didn't feel anything for him one way or another. He was a powerful and useful tool, one he would rather preserve. "I have grim news brother." Bal-Tuhn's eye twitched. Madon was the God of Chaos, and rarely would Bal-Tuhn see a worried expression on Madon's face.
"What could that be?" Bal-Tuhn said with a hint of concern.
Madon's face became downcast, a look of failure, that rarely showed itself. "I should have been more careful, more prepared." He mumbled and berated himself.
"Speak!" Bal-Tuhn commanded angrily, interrupting Madon's rant.
Madon swallowed nervously, Bal-Tuhn May have been his blood brother, but he was much more powerful. "A new piece has been added, or maybe I should say, returned."
Bal-Tuhn's face remained emotionless, "And who may that be?"
"Irian." Madon said gravely, fear on his face.
Uncertainty and fear shot through Bal-Tuhn's evil heart. "Preposterous! Irian died, I saw it with my own eyes! In such a weak state, he couldn't have survived!"
Madon nodded, "I thought so as well, but it is true."
"How?" Bal-Tuhn said with dread.
"I had been awake for nigh on two day, when I felt a strange disturbance. The Rite of the Ancients had been initiated, so in curiosity I spied on it." Madon paused to let Bal-Tuhn absorb his words.
"Continue." Bal-Tuhn said hatefully.
"A blonde haired young man, with familiar blue eyes walked through the land of the Dead and passed the Rite with ease. This would have been normal, if it wasn't for his body. It was lined with crimson runes, depicting the Crimson Dragon." Madon took a breath, "And strangely, Talyn brought the boy to his library. There, he tested his blood. The blood showed the exact same essence as Irian's, only much more plentiful. I, of course, killed Talyn in his weakened state and followed the man. He immediately left the Great-Wood and headed for the White Mountains. Along the way he was attacked by a God-Beast cub, and this man, Cassius, bonded with it! A God-Beast!"
Bal-Thun clenched his fists in anger and something incredibly foreign, fear. "Did you kill him?"
Madon gulped, "I tried brother, I sent a Lesser Dragon after him. It tracked them through the Bastion, but right as it prepared to kill him. A crimson coated, God-Beast attacked it. The Guardians then subdued it, while they escaped into the Sword Chamber." Madon swallowed his fear, "I am sorry, brother, I have failed greatly."
Bal-Tuhn's rage grew with each passing second, "Leave." He seethed and turned around. His calm and calculated demeanor changed, his greatest enemy had returned from death. Not only that, but stronger! He had successfully reclaimed his Item of Power, which would make him a greater player. Bal-Tuhn roared in anger, shaking the mountain and causing even the Undead to tremble in fear.
****
Somewhere in the five continents.
The man sat on his wooden porch, his eyes focused on the horizon. They twinkled as he watched the setting sun. The giant black wolf laid beside him, it's massive head in the man's lap. He absently stroked Wulf's head. White runes covered his back, for the last month, they had shone for the first time in 10,000 years. His mind was lost in a sea of thoughts, going from one after another.
He failed to notice when the air beside him distorted and a beautiful woman stepped into existence. Wulf lifted his massive head, and his ears perked up. The black furred tail began wagging with ferocity, causing the woman with beautiful white hair to smile. "It's been to long, Wulf." The giant wolf bounded over to her, and she scratched his ears. Wulf growled in pleasure.
The man had finally noticed the woman's pleasure, and he bounced to his feet. "Mother!" He exclaimed and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
The woman smiled warmly at her son, "Uriel, it has been far too long. 10,000 years of I recall correctly."
Uriel laughed softly, "As wise as ever, Mother."
His mother giggled and swatted the big man playfully, "As it should be." They laughed and caught up for several hours, and Uriel invited her inside for dinner. Together, along with Wulf, they discussed the happenings of Uriel's 10,000 years acting as a mortal in Telon.
"I fell in love Mother." He said with a tear in his eye, "For the first time since creation, I found love."
His Mother too had tears in her eyes, she knew all too well what it was like to find love and lose it. "I am sorry, my son. The live's of my youngest creation are fleeting, I wish it had been different." She said with a sad sigh.
Uriel smiled in sadness at his loving Mother, she had lost much in her lifetime. She had witnessed her own children kill each other, time and time again. "I don't blame you mother, I know you had no control over their lifespans. Instead, I thank you." He gripped her soft hand tightly.
She took a deep breath, wiping her tears away. "Before I go, we must discuss the real reason I am here."
"Irian." Uriel murmured. His thoughts were subdued.
"You felt it too, then?" She asked with wide eyes.
"How could I not? His aura is different, but I suppose that would be the case with a reborn Elder God." Uriel scratched his strawberry blonde beard. It hung down his face, with his shaved head and white runes. He resembled a barbarian.
"I saw him, at the Rite. He is different, but it is without a doubt him. The hair, face, eyes, and runes are all the same. This time, he goes by the name Cassius." She took a deep breath, "He recognized me, but couldn't place where he knew me."
Uriel stared thoughtfully at the wooden wall of his humble home, "Could it be the Godstone?" He asked quietly.
His Mother's face became grave, "It has to be." As they stared at each other, the air began to change. It became thick with energy, crimson bolts of lightning shot in every direction. Together, they hurried out Uriel's door. They were nearly thrown from their feet as deep thunder shook the earth. Crimson lightning shot across the sky. The thunder distinctly sounded like a Dragon's roar. Uriel stared in awe at the sky. "Irian," he whispered along side his mother.
****
Dragon's Reach.
The Dragon King sat naked on the cliff face, a pensive expression on his face. Over the past two weeks he had desperately searched for a sign of the Crimson Order. His father's loyal followers and disciples. No matter how hard they looked, they couldn't find a trace. Now, he would have to fly half way across the world to the Bastion of Irian. That was the Order's central location. A black haired woman with a beautiful body was draped across him. Her naked flesh glistening in the setting sun. She ran her elegant fingers across his muscular chest. His red hair hung loosely behind him.
"What is wrong, my love?" She asked in a caring voice. He smiled down at his mate and kissed her brow, she growled in pleasure.
"Nothing dear, I am just worried about what became of my father's Order."
"Elios." She looked at him crossly, "I admire your tenacity, but what if they are gone? What then?"
"I'm not sure," he sighed. He wrapped his mate in his arms and stared at the sunset. His sensitive body shuddered as the air became thick with energy and crimson lightning crackled all around. He jerked upright, preparing to protect his lover. Thunder rolled across the sky, followed by familiar crimson lightning. A dragon's roar left with the thunder. His reptilian eyes gleamed with hope, "Father."