Introduction
It’s been twelve years since the cruelest and most dreadful war that the Land of Gaul has seen. The war known as the “Fallen War” got this name due to the amount of people that had fallen. Many legends were forged and tragic stories were played out during this war. The war ended in a draw between the major Provinces of the Land of Gaul, which only worsened the tensions between the Provinces. Three of the five major Provinces participated in the war, Falkshire, Sartoris, and Aires each pushing the limits of each other. The remaining two Provinces remained neutral, the Olaf and Myra Provinces. Other territories remained neutral as well but felt the pressures of the hellish war. Now every three years the five major Province Lords meet at a Convention, where they continue to negotiate the parameters of the results of the war even after 12 years. With tensions rising, it’s only a matter of time before another war, likely to be far worse than the Fallen War, will occur. In the shadows, a syndicate has been forming and building its strength, waiting for the right time to enter the spotlight and flip the world upside down. This is time of darkness; the time of suffering…this is The Age of Darkness.
ARC ONE: INNOCENCE LOST
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In the center of Falkshire, there is a castle that houses a Lord named Gaia Wulfric. He has been the Lord for about thirty-two years and continues to do so until a proper candidate is able to fill his shoes. In his office, he sits in his chair facing the windows, looking out at the dark morning sky before the sun has risen. He is smoking on his long wooden pipe as smoke hangs about the air, almost to the point of suffocation. A shadowy figure lies just in front of his desk kneeling on one knee, with his head bowed. One arm pushed heavily into the ground, an arm made of metal; a sight that reeks of tragedy and regret.
Lord Gaia: “Darkness has a stronger grip of death these days, it seems. Something terrible is fumbling toward us. Don’t you feel it, too Tiberius?” His old raspy voice says gently.
Tiberius: “I’ve felt this way for quite some time, my Lord. Even back when I was younger; in the middle of that damn war.” The man says in a soft, depressed tone. “So the kid should be sixteen now, which means…”
Lord Gaia: “Yes…he should be enlisting into our military soon, for now don’t worry about that. Hiruko and Tsubaki are now on a mission outside of Falkshire so it is up to you to guide anyone who needs to be guided to the site for enlistment. With the shroud of darkness growing and hanging over our heads, it is imperative that this next generation of young warriors is properly trained. As it will be they who carry our legacy and prosper in the sun’s light.” The old man finally turns his chair to face the man kneeling on the ground.
Tiberius: “As you wish, my Lord I will do my best.” The man stands up, now showing his height of about 6’3”. His long black, wavy hair drapes down to his shoulders and his black cloak now covers his metal arm. Tiberius bows his head toward Lord Gaia and makes his swift exit.
Darkness completely envelops a young boy as he fumbles around to figure out his surroundings. The boy is completely alone and seems to be in a large room since his voice seems to echo off the walls.
Young boy: “Where the hell am I? Have I been here before? Its so damn dark I can’t even see two feet in front of me.” The young boy says with a serious, calm tone. He walks about the darkness with his arms extended out.
Ominous Voice: “Welcome back, why do you come here so often? Are you seeking answers? Power?” A dark, deafening voice yells out to the boy. “Well are you going to answer?”
Young Boy: “Who the hell are you? Where am I?” The boy says with frustration as he gets into his fighting pose. Sweat is beginning to roll down his forehead and arms. (Damn it’s getting hotter in here, what the hell is going on?)
Ominous Voice: “Don’t you worry about getting answers, soon enough you will be dead just like the rest of your family…hahahahahaha” The voices says laughing mockingly.
Young boy: “Whaaa?” Flames begin to ignite the entire area spontaneously as the boy begins to run forward. The flames start to trail the boy and columns of flame rise at his sides. Just as the boy makes it a little further ahead a giant wall of fire rises in front of him. Two purple/dark eyes form and a purple/dark mouth with jagged fiery protrusions faces the boy.
Ominous Voice: “Cedric Arthur…you will die, it is inevitable…hahahaha so why not just get it over with no…” The voice begins to quiver and a beam of light pierces through.
Light: “This way Art (Cedric Arthur)! Follow my voice!” A silhouette forms where the light breaks through the fire and reaches a hand out.
Art: “Who are you?” He yells as he gets up to run towards the light and the silhouette.
Ominous Voice: “Arrrgghhhh…no you don’t I will get you!” The flames are now chasing Art as he runs for his life towards the light.
Light: “Don’t worry about who or what I am just run!” The flames get closer and closer to Art and start to form many hands that try to grab him. Just as he reaches to touch the silhouette’s hand the flames grabs him and pull him towards the darkness…
Art: “Aaaaahhhhhh….” He sits up in his bed soaked in sweat looking around the dark room he is in. “That damn dream, why do I always have that dream?” He gets out of his bed and takes off his sweaty clothes to change. He gets to his bathroom to look in his mirror and checks his eyes and face. “Today is the day…I finally get to join the Falkshire Military…”
Art moves from his bathroom into his room where he grabs his sword that lies right next to the door. He slides his head through the loop of his sword’s sheath and then tightens it around his chest. He then moves towards the door and grips the door handle, takes a deep breathe and leaves the room. Art lives in the outskirts of Falkshire, which takes about ten to fifteen minutes to walk to the central more populated area of the village. The outskirts have houses that are sparse and plains cover the surrounding areas of Falkshire. South of Falkshire there is the forest of giant trees where a couple of villages lie and the province runs towards the southwest coastline. The central part of Falkshire is mainly residential but many kiosks, restaurants, armories and businesses also lie here. The sun begins to peak over the distant horizon as Art makes his way towards his destiny. But what lies ahead for the young boy? What meaning does the dream take? Will joining the military be as easy as turning sixteen?
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