It was a simple day for Christos and Giorgios, they were now traders, trading different types of products hailing from Asia to Africa, until the mysterious man finally approaches them personally. Gabriel pointed at him and said "There's that man again!" Both of them looked at him almost sheathing their weapons they were ready to fight.
However, Lazarus stood before Christos, Giorgios, and Gabriel, his eyes piercing into their souls. He was a man of power and authority, yet his demeanor was cold and distant, he still dons a black robe and revealed himself to them, wearing a silver mask to hide his identity he removed it finally.
"I am Lazarus," he said, "and I am Death."
The trio stood there in shock. They had heard of Lazarus before, the legendary Nomad during the 6th century who served under Belisarius during the Gothic Wars, and in the future he will a legend in his time, a son of a Megas Domestikos and soon an Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Lazarus continued, "I have come from the future, a time where the world is threatened by a great evil. A prophecy foretold of your arrival, and I have been waiting for you for centuries."
Christos and Giorgios exchanged a look of disbelief. They had always considered themselves to be ordinary men, with no special destiny or purpose. But Lazarus seemed to think otherwise.
"What do you want from us?" Christos finally asked.
"I need your help," Lazarus said. "The world is in peril, and only you can save it. You must unite the warring kingdoms and empires under one banner, to face the enemy together."
Giorgios was skeptical. "Why us?" he asked. "We're just simple men, and also fugitives of the Eastern Empire, What can we do?"
Lazarus smiled. "You have skills that will be useful in the battles to come. Christos, your combat training and your military prowess will be invaluable. Giorgios, your knowledge of the administration, diplomacy and finances will be essential. And Gabriel," he turned to the young boy, "your innocence and purity will be a beacon of hope for all."
Gabriel blushed at the compliment, while Christos and Giorgios looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
"But we don't even know where to begin," Christos said.
Lazarus nodded, he sheathed his sword and chanted in an unknown language and soon his sword glowed brighter than the sun and suddenly they were teleported into another world. "That is why I have brought you here. This is the world of Yaegrafane, a land unlike any you have seen before. But it is here that you will find the allies and resources you need to begin your journey."
With a wave of his sword, Lazarus transported them to a sprawling city of Florencia, filled with strange architecture and colorful banners. The trio looked around in wonder, taking in the sights and sounds of this new world.
Lazarus turned to them. "Remember, the fate of the world rests on your shoulders. You must not fail."
And with that, he disappeared, leaving the trio alone in this new and unfamiliar world. They had no idea what lay ahead, but they knew that they had to try. For the sake of their own world, and for the sake of Yaegrafane.
Soon, they arrived at the capital of the Kingdom of Astonia, Florencia and they soon found jobs for themselves.
The Nafonian Knights, renowned for their valor and chivalry, were impressed by Christos' military prowess and sought to recruit him into their ranks. Initially hesitant, Christos eventually accepted their offer after learning more about their cause and their mission to bring peace and stability to the region.
Giorgios, on the other hand, decided to remain a merchant and continued to travel throughout Florencia, trading goods and making connections with the locals. Gabriel, meanwhile, was fascinated by the magic and mystical creatures of Yaegrafane, and spent much of his time studying and practicing the arcane arts.
As Christos trained and fought alongside the Nafonian Knights, he also learned more about the prophecy that Lazarus had spoken of. It was said that a powerful and malevolent being, known as the Lakthor, the devil of the desert, was threatening to conquer all of Yaegrafane and enslave its inhabitants. Only a united force of the kingdoms and empires could stand a chance against him, and it was foretold that Christos and his companions would play a crucial role in bringing about this alliance.
Determined to fulfill this destiny, Christos rallied the Nafonian Knights and began to journey across the land, seeking out other factions and kingdoms to join forces against the Lakthor. They encountered resistance from some, and support from others, but Christos' unwavering conviction and martial prowess earned him many allies.
Meanwhile, Gabriel's magical talents began to grow stronger, and he discovered that he had a particular aptitude for healing magic. He began to use his powers to aid those in need, and soon became known throughout Florencia as a skilled and compassionate healer.
Giorgios, too, found himself drawn into the conflict against Lakthor, as he discovered that the trade routes he had established were being disrupted by the Lakthor's forces. Determined to protect his business interests, he joined forces with Christos and the Nafonian Knights, providing them with valuable information and resources.
As the alliance grew stronger, so too did the Lakthor's power. His armies marched across the land, leaving destruction and despair in their wake. Christos and his companions knew that they must act quickly if they were to have any chance of stopping him.
Soon the inhabitants of Xalatia began to see Legions of Lakthor and were soon crossing the mountain border.
The Legions of Lakthor continued to advance into Xalatia, crossing the mountain border with ease. The people of Xalatia watched in fear as the invaders pillaged their towns and villages, taking what they wanted and leaving destruction in their wake. The Queen of Xalatia was quick to respond, ordering her Tumen to attack the Legions of Lakthor and drive them back across the border.
The Tumen of Xalatia was a force to be reckoned with, made up of skilled horsemen and archers who were used to fighting on the open steppe. They charged into battle with their lances held high, but they were no match for the disciplined ranks of the Legions of Lakthor. The Xalatians fought bravely, but they were quickly overwhelmed, and their Tumen was forced to retreat.
The Queen of Xalatia was not deterred, however. She was determined to drive the invaders out of her land and protect her people, just as her predecessors had done before her. She ordered her Tumen to regroup and launch another attack, but again they were defeated. The Legions of Lakthor were too strong, too well-trained, and too well-equipped for the Xalatians to overcome on their own.
The Queen of Xalatia was faced with a difficult decision. Should she continue to fight alone, risking the lives of her people and the future of her nation? Or should she swallow her pride and seek help from the Caladrian, The Empire of the Silver Crown, and the Falonian Republic, the very nations that her people distrusted?
The Queen chose to continue the fight alone, convinced that her Tumen would eventually prevail. But as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, it became clear that the Legions of Lakthor were not going to be defeated by the Xalatians alone. The invaders continued to push further into Xalatia, leaving destruction and despair in their wake.
The people of Xalatia began to lose hope. They watched as their homes were burned to the ground, their families torn apart, and their way of life threatened. They wondered if their Queen was leading them to victory or to their doom.
Finally, the Queen realized that she had made a grave mistake. She had allowed her pride and her people's distrust to cloud her judgment, and now they were paying the price. She knew that she could no longer fight this battle alone, and she reluctantly decided to seek help from the Caladrian, The Empire of the Silver Crown, and the Falonian Republic.
It was not an easy decision for the Queen, nor was it an easy one for the leaders of the three nations. They had their own interests and their own agendas, and they did not want to risk the lives of their own soldiers in a war that would surely be devastating. But after much deliberation, they agreed to send troops and resources to aid Xalatia.
The arrival of the Caladrian, The Empire of the Silver Crown, and the Falonian Republic's forces gave new hope to the people of Xalatia. The Legions of Lakthor found themselves facing a much stronger enemy, one that was better equipped and better trained. The combined forces of Xalatia and their allies launched a series of successful attacks, driving the invaders back across the border and finally bringing an end to their horde for now.
But they can't last a decade war against Lakthor, as his legions kept appearing like a pest on a field, something has must be done and it's up to Christos now.