Prologue

Prologue

Tension filled the air as the armies prepared for war. The Gods of Light stood at the forefront, radiant and majestic. Their golden armor shone brightly, inspiring hope and courage in their followers. Each god had unique abilities, from healing to wielding the elements. On the opposing side, the Shadow of Darkness lurked, shrouded in mystery. Their leaders commanded a sinister and formidable army of twisted creatures and demonic entities. They possessed dark magic, capable of sowing chaos and despair. The battleground itself was a reflection of the conflict’s magnitude.

It stretched across vast plains, scarred by the remnants of previous battles. Crumbling ruins stood as testaments to the destructive power unleashed by both sides. The clash of weapons and the roar of spells filled the air as the two forces engaged in a brutal dance of power. The battle involved both the physical plane and the realm of hearts and minds. The Gods of Light filled their soldiers with hope and love, reminding them of their values. They preached unity and understanding, urging their followers to resist the temptations of darkness. On the other hand, the Shadow of Darkness whispered dark words of power and dominance, manipulating the hearts of those vulnerable to their influence.

As the battle raged on, casualties mounted on both sides. The clash of ideologies became a clash of survival, with each side fighting tooth and nail to secure their vision of the future. The world held its breath, aware that the outcome of this conflict would shape its destiny for generations to come.

In the midst of the chaos, there were those who yearned for peace, who longed for the day when handshakes and greetings would once again signify harmony and understanding. But for now, the forces of Light and Shadow would wage their war, engaging in an eternal struggle, until one emerged victorious and forever altered the balance of power.

Hess Lotti, who was born from a malevolent Dark God from the ancient people of the Kercononion’s growing up under the watchful eye of the dark cult that raised him, honed his skills in shadow magic and delved deeper into the forbidden arts. His training was rigorous, involving dark rituals, secret incantations, and the manipulation of shadows to bend reality to his will. As he grew older, Hess became a formidable force, able to wield his powers with deadly precision. The ancient people of the Kercononion’s revered him as a prophesied savior, believing that his mastery of shadow magic would enable him to vanquish the treacherous Gods of Light and restore balance to the realms. With his siblings, Markaon and Jocelyn, standing by his side, Hess embarked on a perilous journey to confront the Gods of Light and bring them to justice. 

The fate of the realms hung in the balance as Hess embraced his destiny as the chosen one, ready to face the ultimate test of his powers and loyalty. Driven by his unwavering loyalty to the Dark Gods and fueled by his parents’ desires, Hess embarked on a relentless quest to find Morgan. As he delved deeper into the forbidden arts of Shadow magic, the air grew heavy with the scent of ancient books and the crackling of dark energy. The dimly lit chamber pulsed with an eerie glow, casting eerie shadows on the walls. With each forbidden incantation, 

Hess felt the surge of power coursing through his veins, a seductive temptation that whispered promises of ultimate dominion. The Dark Gods had cunningly crafted a plan to manipulate Morgan’s destiny, shaping him into a deadly weapon of destruction. As Hess drew closer to his quarry, his heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The allure of power and vengeance consumed him, blinding him to the consequences of his actions. In his mind, he believed that he could claim the power for himself, to overthrow Morgan and ascend as the one true god.

Unbeknownst to Hess, the gods’ true intentions were much darker than he could have ever imagined. They sought not only to bring Morgan into the Shadow of Darkness but also to use his abilities to conquer all realms and extinguish the light of the Garcononion’s and their people forever. The gods believed that by eradicating the Magic of White Magic and its practitioners, they could establish themselves as the ultimate rulers, unchallenged in their dominance over the realms. In his relentless pursuit of knowledge, Hess stumbled upon a concealed history of the gods. As he ventured further, the musty scent of ancient parchment filled his nostrils, mingling with the faint aroma of incense. Not only did he uncover the existence of the Gods of Light but also the enigmatic Dark Gods, who happened to be his own parents. The weight of this revelation settled heavily on his shoulders, sending a shiver down his spine. With each turn of the dusty pages, the sound of crumbling paper echoed in the dimly lit chamber. Hess’s fingers traced the faded ink, feeling the texture of centuries-old secrets beneath his touch. 

As he delved deeper into the depths of this hidden knowledge, his heart raced in anticipation. And then, amidst the silence, a whispered revelation reached his ears, carried by an unseen force. It spoke of another race, far more sinister and potent than his own, vying for power. The gravity of this revelation sank in, causing a chill to run through his veins. As Hess delved into the ancient scrolls, the words unfolded like whispers of forgotten secrets. 

The Gods of the Shadow realm, known as Kercononion’s, and the Garcononion’s, the Gods of Light, were revealed as mere underlings, their presence resembling a faint echo in the cosmic symphony. They played their roles as errand boys, while the two true deities battled fiercely for control. In this hidden realm of gods and power struggles, Hess felt the weight of his own insignificance, a heavy burden that pressed upon him. Yet, a fire ignited within him, fueling his determination to uncover the truth and grasp the unimaginable power that lay before him. The allure of this unknown power enticed him, its mysteries unfathomable and its potential intriguing. He yearned to possess it all.

The moment this truth dawned upon him, an inexplicable event occurred. The ancient scroll he had discovered and the text it held rearranged themselves meticulously, falling into his hands as if cursed. He became aware that if he were to read and comprehend the true nature of the unfolding events, something profound and life-altering would transpire. They, the gods, would not permit anyone to uncover their manipulation, reducing all others to mere pawns on their celestial chessboard. 

A scream tore through his lips as excruciating pain coursed through his hands and body, as if the curse had entered his very being. The words inscribed on the pages dissipated into ephemeral smoke, accompanied by mocking laughter. In an instant, his once youthful body succumbed to rapid aging, as if time had sped up its cruel grip on him. His skin wrinkled and sagged, like a weathered piece of parchment left out in the sun. The weight of the curse seemed to press down on him, causing his bones to creak and his muscles to weaken, as if he were carrying the burden of centuries on his shoulders. His once vibrant and energetic body now resembled that of a man in his late nineties, with every step he took requiring great effort and causing him to wince in pain. 

But little did anyone know, in the realm of wizards, time worked differently. With his knowledge in the dark arts of Shadow magic, his true age surpassed seven thousand years, a secret hidden beneath his malevolent exterior. Concealing the truth, the Dark Gods, among them his own father, had kept secret the fact that he would devote almost two thousand years of his life to pursuing the boy. Throughout this extensive search, his heart became consumed with a malevolent and vengeful spirit.

He had mistakenly believed that he was searching for a man, an evil man like himself, not realizing that the boy would not even be born for nearly two thousand years. And so, he had to endure, twelve more long years, until the boy was ripe for the picking. But what made his torment even worse was the thousand years he dedicated to training Morgan, a twelve-year-old boy who possessed the potential to become a powerful white wizard, much like his accursed father, Glen Terman. This arduous task consumed a significant portion of Hess’s existence, a constant reminder of his twisted satisfaction. Taking an innocent boy, the son of the esteemed Glen, the leader of the Council of Light, under his wing seemed like a fitting revenge.

Hess orchestrated a confrontation with the town bullies, the sound of their jeers and taunts filling the air. He pretended to assist Morgan in a well-organized scheme, his dark minions lurking in the shadows, their presence only felt as a chilling breeze that brushed against the skin. Hess carefully handpicked and trained them, plucked from orphanages across realms, their loyalty to him unwavering. Their eyes glowed with a sinister gleam, a reflection of the darkness that consumed their souls.

The smell of their malevolence wafted through the air; a sickly-sweet scent that left a bitter taste in one’s mouth. As Hess watched his plan unfold, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. The feeling of power surged through his veins, a twisted fulfillment that only he could understand. The journey had been long and treacherous, but it had all been worth it to see the son of his enemy fall into his clutches.

Ah, the memories of those good times flashed through Hess’s mind. Alas, it was all in vain, as he had foolishly neglected to read the fine print of the warning on the scroll. Dismissing it as mere falsehoods aimed at obscuring the truth, much like the other texts he and Morgan had examined in the hidden catacombs beneath the very feet of the Council of Light, the custodians of the ancient scrolls of the oracles throughout the ages. 

He knew he had failed, and his punishment would be death everlasting. To achieve this audacious feat, they must unearth the Five Keys of Destiny, forged by the benevolent Gods of Light, which will grant them godlike powers. Hess unwaveringly believed in the necessity of uncovering the Five Keys of Destiny and the artifacts supposedly crafted by these alleged deities. Becoming a God and obliterating not just the Gods of the shadow realm and their rules was his sole opportunity.

However, he had to eliminate the Gods of Light to prevent the birth of the White Solon … unless he decided to convert him instead. “Yes, he thought he could do that and use Morgan to do it. Then kill them both and became the true and only God. However, the Gods of Light and their devoted followers will not surrender without a fierce resistance. 

The air crackles with tension as Morgan and his master Hess Lotti set their determined gazes on eliminating these valiant individuals. The scent of anticipation hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of incense from the sacred temples. The White Solon, radiant and ethereal, stands as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. The soft glow of moonlight bathes the landscape, casting an otherworldly glow on the Moon goddess, her presence both serene and powerful. The High Elders are revered and wise, their voices resonate with authority. The Gods of Light are mighty, their divine essence palpable, radiating invincibility. Morgan and Hess have a bond forged through centuries. They feel the weight of malevolent desires as they prepare to vanquish them all. Their hearts are filled with determination and trepidation. Their hands tremble with anticipation as they embark on their mission to reshape the world. They understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.

Starlight Riddle

Two boys light, two boys dark. One travels through time and yet out of time. One is cared for; the other is not. A mother who loves finds him, and family makes him strong. Glory is found and glory is lost and regained when the two boys meet and stay as one. Yet both remain apart.

A quest is chosen and must be traveled here and far. And if not partaken they will each take upon the shrouds of death for time and all eternity.

There will be no time, no stars, no glory, or salvation render. to those that could have been saved. Only endless death too one and all. Both are waiting for a new beginning that will never come. Unless those that come forth who stayed their hand of these two boys make amends and replants the seeds of what has been lost and what has been forgotten.

End of Riddle

By

Eric J. Shepherd

Now Hess’s body is buried, and his soul trapped in the deepest part of the Cross Bone Gate Prison as Morgan watched from faraway high up on a mountaintop, knowing if he had not escaped in time, he too would be right where his master Hess is. Yet it did leave Morgan with several problems. (1) Find the map of five lost keys and the items that hide them) (2) Find a way to free his master (3) Find the White Solon and kill him or turn him into the Dark Prince. Or do nothing. “Yeah, right, that was never going to happen:” Morgan thought aloud.

One thing they both agreed upon before Hess was caught and killed, then taken away whatever was left of him to the Cross Bone Gate Prison, was the White Solon, whichever the two boys had to die and train the other to become the new dark prince. Teaching one Dark Magic and giving them the power to wheel it was far easier. Hell, they have been practicing this for many centuries. However, it was the White Magic and the Elemental Magic they had a more challenging time with because of the rules they had to conform to, more so finding wizards willing to teach it. Watching them kill themselves and their student the moment we introduce Dark Magic or other elements they are not ready for, only using the basics stated by their teachers, they must be born with it first. 

There is no other way. Which again confused Morgan and Hess about how this was to be done. It was not until they realized it was too late. It cannot be done because they killed or, should say, destroyed the entire line of wizards or healers that could have done so, blaming each other for not realizing this before it was too late. Causing the last wizard that could have helped, He bursts out laughing as he is being tortured by a stretching rack. He burst into stardust, taking him and his student with him. 

This put them behind by more than six hundred centuries or more. Hess knew he could not keep going. His body was much too frail. He needed a new one, but he was cursed by killing The Four Kings and their Four Sisters that protected Glendale, the Border, the Lakes, the Rivers, and the Springs within its borders. He smiled as he remembered the carnage. He and Morgan had left behind. The towns they have destroyed taking every man and boy that could hold a blade or knife or carry firewood, giving them two choices: to die by the head of the axe or serve in his and Morgan’s army.

If they even hesitated, he killed their children and wives in front of them and made them serve anyway. Promising huge bounty and glory for them and their families, giving them only trinkets and scraps from his table. While his friends got the riches and the spoils, watching the families get nothing or got what they could spare. No, Hess’s body was waning fast, and he and they knew it. The curse would weaken more but never kill him, and every time he used magic, it took something more from him. So, they spent those last few months hiding in the catacombs of books, learning all they could about the Cross Gate Prison. From the spells they might use and things they might use to open their doors. Assuming they both knew this was their fate, most likely, but not without a fight.