Chapter one:

There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is-

Satale Shan's mind was sharply excruciatingly wrenched back from her metaphysical meditations by a strong electric current jolting through her body. At first, she resisted, but it grew intensely until she could not bear it any longer, and cried out in anguish. She struggled against her restraints, desperately searching for a way out, an escape, something, anything to relieve her torment. After what seemed like hours, the current subsided.

Ah, young Satale. It hasn't been that long, as it? Are you finding your accommodations to your liking? a sinister, voice called out to her mockingly. Satale blinked away the stars at the edge of her vision and focused her gaze. Before her stood a man she knew very well. A human male, standing two meters tall, sporting blue- black tattooed stripes across his bald head, appeared before her. This man spoke through a voice modulator in a prothestic jaw, adding to his sinister and admittedly already grotesque appearance. His gray eyes seemed to have pierce Satale's very soul as his eyes glared down at her.

Malgus. Satale spat the name out like poison on her tongue.

Hmm... Yes, but I prefer Dark Lord, if you like. I think it suits me... rather well, Malgus said coolly. Much better than that weakling Vindican.