Legend says that, before the dawn of the 'Mad King's' treacherous coup, the Shard was no island as it was part of the mainland. there was once a small outlying kingdom on the far west of Estrelia called Buri where the Man who would become a King of Kings was born to a family of minor nobility.
From there his powers grew as if he were born of the Will itself, though he never claimed such a title as that he believed to be only deserving of Merlin and his sister who where not born from any women but mother nature itself as the legends say.
He along with his most trusted friends and future beloved set out to tame and conquer the known and unkown and bring peace and prosperity under his rule.
None more did he trust to help hime bring about his great vision than his own brother who shared his enthusiasm and helped bring about their plans.
So when the world was theirs and peace and prosperity was had by all, none were more shocked and saddened than Aldwin himself when his brother corrupted some of his friends, brothers in everything but blood.
They saught to kill him, his wife and their recently born first son. All seemed lost when the news broke that the great and benevolent High King was slaughtered at the hands of his own brother and his whole bloodline wiped clean.
Merlin was fortunate to have been away at the time mediating unrest in the east when he heard of the news. It is said that when he heard the news the elements themselves seemed to weep alongside the distraught Great wizard.
As the winds howled and the sea bellowed while the eath tore itself apart. The world felt Merlin's loss and the Will responded.
He spent days in guilt ridden mourning, as he believed his fault that he hadn't noticed the taint on the prince. He who had, at one time, travelled the world with him to learn the way of the Will.
He now realised where as he did so out of love for knowledge and to feel closer to understanding himself, Damien had only done so out of a fierce lust for power.
Many times he had glanced over a blind eye to Damien's slow corruption as he didn't want to believe it. when his days of mourning past all that was left was guilt fuelled rage that made very air around him scream in fear and protest.
He travelled as fast as a speeding arrow as he raced back to the heart of the empire, where it had all began.
When he arrived all he saw was bloodshed as Damien was slowly killing any and all who did not bow down to their new King. Merlin's rage at the sight of a whole village massacred and left to rot had lit a beacon for any with the Will, no matter how weak, to see for miles.
Damien sensed this and felt his first taste of fear since his 'correnation' as new High King. He delved to the deepest depths of his castle, making his way hurriedly to the waters edge. There stood a single bell, rusted with age and water as the wood frame had started to rot.
Damien rushed to the bell with as many servants as he could find as well as his beloved mistress in his hands. His wife had disapeared some days ago, under what circumstaces none but Damien himself knew.
Rang it with all his might. A ringing sound echoed out as he swung on the cord.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
All that met it was an eerie silence as the bell continued to ring out.
Dong Dong Dong.
Till sounds other than the bell could be heard. The sounds of the water rippling as if it were a small tide. The sound of slithering coming from under the water itself as something was moving. the water turned darker as tentacles were writhing around worming their way onto the rocky surface.
The bell stopped. A voice echoed out across the body of water into the seemingly vast nothingness. "You called for me, your hignesssss." It was a femanine voice. that of a temptress, soothing and alluring. "Did you remember the pricccceeee for our servicessss"
This time it was a much older woman's voice. Croaky and gravelly. "It seems he rememberrreed." muttered out a third more mature and strong voice. That of a warrioress.
"I have come to bargain." Damien shouted back in his most commanding tone. "Honey, what is going on?" His mistress called to him worriedly. "Then you know the pricccceee." The gravelly voice asked him.
"Yes.." He drew his dagger and slit his mistresses throat before slaying the three servants. "Happy now." he struggled with his raging emotions. "The woman you loved would have sufficcccceed, hehe." The temptress purred out with twinkling laughter.
"Fine your highnessss, you have our powerrrr...." The gravelly one sounded out.
Merlin had raced from one side of Estrelia all the way to the border of the Buri Kingdom. His rage had travelled with him as the land cracked and skies became a tempest in his wake.
But, the damage left by Merlin was that of a force of nature nothing a like to the dark decaying and corrupting nature that Damien's once brightness had become.
The fight between the two reached epic proportions as if the end of the world was at hand. Days went by where the sky earth and even the sea was reaching a boiling point.
Until the balance was tipped. Damien's power had grown since they last met and it had taken Merlin by surprise. He had already taken a heavy hit and was bleeding badly. In desperation he drew in everything he had for one last attack.
Damien did the same. As he did so, the area around them could be seen again. It had been scarred by Merlin and decayed by Damien left rotten and festerring.
The world seemed to stop in that moment in anticipation for the utter destruction that was fats approaching. Sweat trickled down from their brows as weakness and fatigue from overdrawing settled in.
The air started buzzin with the sheer energy gathered in such a small area. And then it happened.
The sky itself split apart as all the dark storm clouds were torn in two, your very eyes felt like they were burning from the vast amount of light from their clash. But, worst of all was the land. It was torn in twain like an axe to wood. The crack was miles long and much deeper.
Then there was a sound like thousands of giants wailing as the crack widened until it met the shore. Then water the gap. Merlin inbetween heavy gasps of air drew in more water as he pushed the at the gap widening it further and further.
Soon The Kingdom of Buri could barely be seen in the horizon as Merling drew upon his last reserve and fixed it into place. He couldn't beat the former prince now corrupted to darkness and desire but he could make it so he is forever just out of reach of his source of desire.
From that day on the former Kingdom of Buri became known as the Shard, as it had been split from Estrelia like a shard of glass from the plane. And Merlin disappeared never to be seen again. Many believing he died from the severe wound The Divine one, Damien, had given him.