Land of the Undead.
Mahtore watched with evil anticipation as the two planes aligned, bringing the Land of Undead back to Telon. A cheer rose across the ranks of the Undead, they had longed to bring destruction to Telon for many millennia. The green portal opened and Mahtore stepped in front of it. He turned to face his massive army, his black eyes gleaming brightly. Green magic swirled across his decrepit body, and his voice was elevated. "Today is a historic day, my loyal soldiers. We have waited for 10,000 years to take our revenge on the world of Telon." He looked out across the massive army with something akin to pride, "This time, there is nothing to stand in our way! Irian, the Great 'Dragon God' is dead, thanks to our Master and God!" He said this last part with a hint of bitterness, it was necessary to keep face in front of his Master; lest he suspect Mahtore of treachery.
A massive cheer arose from the undead army. At the helm, for canner fodder were the Draugr and skeletal warriors. Behind them came the creatures of the night, and unlife. Last in the ranks, were Revenants, his almost dangerous warriors. The green magic rolled down his skeletal hands and flashed out across the sky, "There is not a force in all of Telon capable of stopping our might!" He roared, his corse voice cracking. "Now, the moment we've all been waiting for. The beginning of a new era, the Era of Undead!" He motioned with his bony hands, and a battalion of Draugr marched into the green portal. The cheers of the eager and lifeless undead rose to even higher volumes. "Let the so called 'Gods' try to stop us!"
Mahtore smiled viciously and looked once more at his forces. They were truly impressive and numbered in the hundreds of thousands, much more then his last attempt to conquer the world. This time, the Lich-Lord would not be stopped; by man nor God. If he would have been truly alive, he would of needed a breath to calm his rapidly beating heart, but he was neither alive or had a beating heart. He stepped into the portal and returned to Telon for his great conquest.
****
Bal-Tuhn watched with a bemused smile as the army of undead roared in support of their 'Lord'. He had disguised himself to watch the unfolding events. To these pathetic creatures, Mahtore had unbelievable power. No, Bal-Tuhn had witnessed true power, the power of an Elder God. Now that was true power; something he had committed himself to gaining. His servant would unknowingly aid him in this pursuit, and after; well Mahtore would not be needed.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, a sliver of doubt creeped its way into his black heart. "Unless, Irian disrupts them again." He pushed the doubt down and shook with anger, "He is not the same Irian, he's nothing more than a child in comparison to myself." Bal-Tuhn paused, "No, I cannot allow myself to underestimate the boy. He may not be old, but he has claimed the sword; and he is truly Irian, after all." Bal-Tuhn stroked a cleanly trimmed goatee and disappeared from the crowd of roaring creatures. He reappeared on a mountain top, and looked down at the forces arrayed before him. "Hmm, I cannot allow Irian to defeat me again." He thought as he called out to his brother. Yes, it was time to remove the newest player of the game.
****
The Black Plains, Somewhere Across the Crystal Sea.
Madon sat in deep thought, his mind working incredibly fast. Frustration had long ago taken root in his soul. "I can't believe I failed to destroy a mortal." He bristled in anger, now the young man had claimed the legendary sword and gained the power of the greatest a Elder God. Madon jumped to his feet and stormed across the field of destruction. The Black Plains had been named long ago, after a terrible battle between the Gods. Bal-Tuhn has struck down two of his kin on this very field, Gilegan and his lover, Cleo. An incredible show of his power. The plains had been beautiful, and lush with life before that. Bal-Tuhn's evil power had corrupted it and vanquished the life.
An itching began on his wrist and spread through his arm. He took a deep breath and his brother's face appeared through a portal. "Little brother." His cold voice spoke, sending chills through the God of Chaos.
"Bal-Tuhn," Madon said respectfully, a hint of fear seeping into his voice.
Bal-Tuhn's face never changed. He was a handsome individual, with lush black hair and a pristine goatee; yet, he radiated malevolence. "It is time you redeem yourself. I have an important task for you, one that we cannot afford to leave unaccomplished."
Madon's face lit up, "Anything brother! I will do whatever it is you ask!"
For the first time that he had known his elder brother, a cruel smile appeared on his face. "Good," he said.
****
The woman strutted forward, a sultry swing to her hips. Full, red lips, were soft and plump. Her soft body was alluring and curvaceous. A pouting expression on her gorgeous face, "Why not?" She asked, faking sadness.
The groaned, "I've told you, Demoness. Brother demands he die."
The Demoness sighed and leaned back, displaying her cleavage to her very unamused brother. "You and Bal-Tuhn are such prunes. I never get to have fun, Madon." She watched her older brother, his scarred face crunched in annoyance.
"Orders are orders. You know that, Demoness." Madon said sternly, the threat clear in his voice.
The goddess waved him off and smiled, "I will do it, but not for Bal-Tuhn. I myself, know how powerful Irian was. If this, alluring, young man is even half the God Irian was; we are fucked." She smiled playfully, "Speaking of fuck, can I do that first?"
Madon groaned, "I don't give a flying fuck what you do, Demoness. He just needs to die, I cannot afford to fail our brother again. Neither can you."
The Demoness stood, displaying her scantily clad form to her brother. "I won't fail, not in this."
Madon nodded, "Good, now you better get along with it." He waves and the Demoness left her brother, it was time for her to have some real fun; fun she hadn't had in over 10,000 years. A wicked, but suggestive smile danced across her plump, red lips.
****
Dragon's Reach.
Elios sat in his marble throne, red hair falling down his broad back. He listened intently as a large, bald Dragon spoke. "My King, if Irian is truly returned; shouldn't we be out searching for him?"
Elios sat comfortably on the throne, his massive body filling it out. "It is father, I felt his essence. He has returned, and I assure you. He will come to us when he chooses. He has never done anything without reason."
Elios's comment silenced the large Dragon, he bowed in respect to his King. "I apologize, my King. You are right, of course."
Elios sighed dramatically, "Enough of the bullshit, Brother. What is it you wish to say?"
Ivan smiled, his white fangs gleaming in the interior. "I ask that my King see it reasonable to send his loyal vassal and brother out in search of his Holiness. I will then inform his Holiness that the Dragon's are aware he has returned."
Elios pondered over Ivan's reasonable request for several moments, he finally looked over at his mate for her opinion. The Dragon Queen's eyes were violet and caring. "I believe that, General Ivan, has made a very reasonable and sound request. I say he be allowed to seek out Irian."
Elios nodded at his mate's advice and returned his golden eye's to look carefully at his battle hardened General. "Very well. You will set out immediately in search of father. After you have located him and informed him of the circumstances; you are to return, unless he says otherwise."
Ivan smiled and bowed to his great King, "Thank you, my King. I will do as you command."
Elios chuckled, "Get the hell out of here you bastard!"
"Your wish is my command." Ivan retorted as he left the audience chamber of the King.
After court had convened, Elios and his mate retired to their chambers. For several hours they enjoyed the pleasures that came with their human forms. Afterwards they laid naked, flesh against one another. Elios stared at the glass ceiling of his chamber thoughtfully, "I know it is my father, Selene. Yet, I can't help but question my own thoughts. Ivan and I watched our father die, he sacrificed himself to force the Eternal Slumber."
Selene stroked her mate's chiseled jaw, "You doubt yourself, my King?" She asked.
Elios sighed, "I'm not sure what to believe."
"It will work itself out, my King. It always has, worst case scenario; your father's sword has been claimed by some other being." Selene said in a relaxing voice. Her red hair glistening in the sunlight.
"That is what I'm afraid of." He mumbled as he ran his fingers through her soft hair.
****
Korgan's Forge.
A scarred man with charcoal grey skin stood with his body straight. A giant helm sat upon his head, hiding his features. At his side he held a behemoth of a bastard sword. The steel blade was jagged and deadly; it was coated in black poison. Fur pauldrons sat upon his massive shoulders, and their straps crisscrossed across his severely burned chest.
His body was rippling with muscle and his blonde hair fell out the bottom of his helm in a warriors braid. Vano stood in his brother's ancient forge with a look of discontent, "You haven't changed at all, Korgan."
A bronze skinned man stood before him, with thick brown hair. His brassy voice echoed over the sound of hammer strikes, "Neither have you, Vano. It seems that even after two million years, you refuse acknowledge the mortals as living beings."
Vano sighed in disappointment, "And I'll never convince you to forge me that weapon I requested?"
Korgan looked up from his hammering and stared crossly at Vano, "Over my dead body."
Vano chuckled and shrugged, "Worth a try."
Korgan frowned and laid down his massive, golden hammer. "What is you're really here for, Vano?"
Vano's expression changed, his body tensed and he became serious. "Irian is alive, after all this time."
Korgan nodded, unconcerned. "I know."
Vano looked at his brother in frustration, the God had returned to his forging. "That doesn't bother you?"
Korgan shrugged his broad shoulder, "Why should it? It's not particularly surprising, he is an Elder God, after all. I'd be surprised if even sending us all into a slumber was that taxing for him."
Vano growled in anger, "That is my point! Is it not the least bit concerning that he can just force us all into an 'Eternal Slumber' so easily. The worst part, is that I watched him 'die', but apparently that was a charade. I tell you what Korgan, I don't like it. Not one bit."
Korgan's massive hands froze before his next hammer strike, his eyes narrowed and he looked up at his younger brother. "What exactly are you getting at, Vano?"
Vano's eyes gleamed madly, "I say we end that bastard! I don't trust anyone that powerful, not even the All-Mother."
Korgan's breath caught in his throat, "Take that thought back and never voice it again. That would only spell your doom, and I will take no part in it." Korgan warned Vano, and began hammering. His brother had always been callous and rash, but never so bold as to challenge the most powerful Elder God, outright. He may always support his brother, but he would not take part in destroying his uncle. If the Gods had woken, he knew Bal-Tuhn had as well. He wouldn't harm the only being who could stop that madman.
Vano cursed and threw a desk at the stone walls it shattered in thousands of splinters of wood, "You refuse to help?"
Korgan kept hammering, "Go. Now." He said coldly to his mad little brother. Vano cursed again and left Korgan's forge in a wisp of grey smoke. "He's spelling his own doom," he mumbled as he continued the calming task of forging.