Five thousand year's ago. A great cataclysmic event erupted which would shake the very fabric of the universe. Two primordial forces, as old as time itself would clash and threaten to end the world as we know it. The chaos would create an impact so powerful and so lasting, tales and legends would go on for generations about it's greatness. A great view to some and an experience of terror to other's. This event would come to be known as the endless war of a million stars.
These forces exist as concepts in their true forms, they embody the very idea of light and darkness. How would these two opposing concepts face off against each other then? they took hosts. These physical hosts expressed the full power of the light and darkness in the physical plane. This was the only way they could exist in a lower existence without destroying it.
They're very few beings who remember the events of the war of a million stars. Two of those being's would be the Demon King, Alepheus and the first member and founder of the Forever conclave, Orin. The Conclave would be formed shortly after the wars end and the formation of the ten Eternal Wonders. The Wonders, in all their power and glory would be assigned to making sure the Shadowbane never returned. As the generations passed, each era of Eternal wonders were able to keep the Shadowbane at bay. They were successful up until now.
High atop the spires of the capital, the air was charged with anticipation as the Avalorian grand order gathered around a grand map laid out on an ornate table. The map depicted the sprawling continents and the intricate web of magical currents that crisscrossed the world. At the center of their focus lay the Demon Continent, a place of ominous legends and haunting tales.
Ren, the highest ranking general with silver hair that shimmered like the stars, stood at the forefront of the assembly. His presence commanded attention, and his voice carried the weight of determination as he addressed his fellow soldiers, he was the strongest the order had to offer.
"Fellow members of the order," Ren began, his words echoing through the chamber, "the time has come for us to undertake a journey that has been spoken of only in hushed whispers for generations. The Demon Continent, a realm of dark energy and enigma, has been untouched by our hands for far too long."
A ripple of murmurs swept through the gathered members, their gazes fixed on the map as if trying to peer through its surface into the very heart of the Demon Continent.
Rens eyes gleamed with a mix of apprehension and resolve. "Our mission is not to conquer or destroy, but to understand and, if possible, to find a way to bring balance. The tale of the Endless War of a Million Stars has echoed through time, but now, we have an opportunity to mend the fractures that linger in the fabric of our world."
Among the gathered members was Seraphis, a warrior whose mastery over the art of the staff allowed him to even pose a threat to an Eternal Wonder. "Ren, your courage emboldens us all," he spoke, his voice a gentle ripple in the sea of contemplation. "But the Demon King, Alepheus, is a force that has withstood the ages. His darkness is ancient, his power immense. How do you propose we even approach him?"
Rens gaze never wavered as he answered. "We approach him not as adversaries seeking to quell his darkness, but as seekers of understanding. The balance between light and darkness is delicate. The Shadowbane has returned. We've been given direct order's by the Royal council to seek an audience with the King of the Demon continent. If the Shadowbane can't be stopped this time, we'll need all the help we can get"
The assembly fell into a contemplative silence, each member grappling with the weight of the task that lay ahead. After a moment, Ren continued, his voice unwavering.
"The tales of the Endless War are filled with...a lot of Tragedy. Alepheus himself never wanted the war to end, he derives pleasure from the chaos but if the Shadowbane wins this time. There won't be a world left"
As the gathering dispersed, each member retreated to their chambers, contemplating the audacious journey that lay ahead. Rens plan was fraught with uncertainty, yet it carried a glimmer of hope that resonated deeply with their collective desire for balance.
Days turned into weeks, and the preparations for the expedition were meticulously laid out. Ren, accompanied by a select group of soldiers, ventured into the shadowed heart of the Demon Continent. The air grew colder, the very ground seemed to shiver beneath their feet as they entered a land untouched by the sun's rays.
"What do you want?" An ominous voice said. The voice resonating from behind the soldiers.
Immediately the soldier's gathered were overwhelmed with consuming fear. They had never felt anything like the aura which was present behind them. They stood still, unable to move or speak. It was as though sudden death would fall upon them if they so much as inhaled air. "What is that presence?!" Ren thought to himself.
"You may turn your heads" Alepheus allowed.
Alepheus stood a few meters away from the soldiers. His appearance came as a shock to Ren and Seraphis. His presence was magnetic, drawing the gaze of those who beheld him while simultaneously repelling them with an aura of death that seemed to linger in the air.
With raven-black hair cascading down his shoulders, Alepheus exuded an otherworldly charm. Each strand of his hair appeared as if it absorbed the surrounding darkness, shimmering with an iridescent quality that hinted at his evil nature. His skin, a pale and flawless canvas, held a subtle luminescence that contrasted starkly with the inky tendrils of his attire.
His eyes, however, were the most captivating feature. Like twin orbs of endless night, they gleamed with an inner fire that danced with chaotic energy. They held depths that seemed to reflect the universe itself, a swirling maelstrom of galaxies and stars trapped within their depths. As he regarded the soldiers with an almost casual curiosity, his gaze seemed to pierce through their very souls, leaving them feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Alepheus's attire was a masterpiece of contrasts, a harmonious blend of elegance and darkness. A dark-colored kimono with a black edge, a purple scarf, and black shoes. Intricate patterns of deep purple adorned the Kimono's edges, weaving intricate designs that seemed to shift and change like living ink. Beneath the Kimono, he wore a simple yet intricately designed shirt, its fabric appearing as though it was woven from the threads of the cosmos itself.
As he stood, the surrounding seemed to unravel. Every breath he took sent ripples through the very fabric of reality, his presence a reminder of the power that he held over the forces of chaos and darkness.
In his entirety, Alepheus stood as a paradox, an entity of captivating beauty that was undeniably intertwined with the forces of evil that he embodied. His appearance held an allure that was as irresistible as it was foreboding, leaving those who beheld him torn between fascination and fear.
"I'll ask again. What do you want?" Alepheus asked.
The fear which overwhelmed the soldiers was so great and unbearable, some started to kill themselves while other's tried to run away and escape the presence of Alepheus. As they made way for the gate that separated the Demon Continent and the human continent, Alepheus felt irritated and couldn't resist the urge to act upon his annoyance.
"Oh? They're running. That always happens" He said while performing the Benzaiten hand seal. Instantly the soldiers disintegrated. Nothing left of their forms or existence. No evidence they were ever there at all.
"I destroyed their very existence. No afterlife for them, such cowards don't deserve to go to the outerworld. You two though, I commend your will so I'll ask again, what do you want?" He said as his gaze turned to Ren and Seraphis.
"We...we were sent by the Royal council to...to...to ask for your help against the Shadowbane" Ren stammered, unable to keep his composure. Seraphis stood there, still unable to move nor utter a word to support his superior.
Alepheus' expression turned into a grin and then a manical laugh. Ren and Seraphis, trapped in consuming fear were also trapped in confusion. They had just witnessed their comrades kill themselves or get snuffed out by the King of the Demon continent and they could be next. They were great and powerful warriors in their own rights, but they were nothing in the presence of Alepheus.
"Now why would I do that? Go back and tell your Royal council to prepare. The Eternal War is only just about to begin" He exclaimed with a sinister grin on his face.