The Nightblade Chronicles
Chapter One:
Baptism of Fire
Chapter One:
Baptism of Fire
In the year 200 NCT, the Kingdom of Gratia was set up. It was originally ruled by a kind leader, who worked to make sure his people were safe and happy. It was his goal to see Gratia as the most prosperous nation on the planet. This was not achieved in his lifetime, but it was achieved by his great-great-grandson.
Gratia continued to prosper for many generations. Everyone was happy in Gratia, especially in the capital city, Populaire. All was well, until the reign of King Erix IV. That was when the masked man known only as Red Death appeared. Red Death began with strategic attacks, destroying military bases and large farms. Eventually, Red Death attacked the castle, taking over and killing King Erix IV and his entire army single-handed.
Red Death was able to do this because he is a powerful magic-user. He used his spells to literally create troops from certain materials (i.e. ancient armor, animals, etc.) and has used their undying loyalty to quell any rebellions. He has also shown his power through the executions, usually summoning creatures to devour them, using lighting, or simply performing something similar to that scene in 'Temple of Doom' where that cult sends that man to Hell.
The nature of magic is just that, nature. Some people are born with more sensitivity to nature and the universe. The weaker ones use this to compliment ranged weapons or melee combat, while the stronger ones can create fire, ice, etc.. The strongest can cast spells and curses and then there is Red Death, who can manipulate reality to an extent. He's basically seen as the omnipotent, tyrannical God of these people.
He has been in power for seventy years, and he shows no signs of aging. Who will save save the people from this madman? You will, by helping forge the resurrected organization known as 'Nightblade'.
For the past ten years, a popular, underground movement had taken effect. It was a rebellion that almost succeeded, or so it had appeared, that had been called 'the Gratia Inquisition'. In all reality, Red Death had played a hand in inciting and helping with the success of the rebellion. They had been pawns in his game in an effort to show his power. Now, in middle of Populaire, the five leaders of the Inquisition were chained to a podium. It was time once again for Red Death to show his power.
He walked up onto the podium, glancing over the crowd from behind his mask. Unbeknownst to him, the key to his downfall stood dormant in the crowd, themselves not knowing their role in his undoing. He smiled evilly to the crowd, then returned his gaze to the prisoners.
"None in all of Gratia will ever again rise against my rule." he said, loudly, "I show you the five, pathetic cowards that led this rebellion against me. Watch as they cower! Watch as they tremble before my might! Now watch, as they die at my hand!"
The crowd was silent as he walked to the first leader from the South, a red-headed girl by the name of Rebecca Grean. She whimpered as he looked her up and down, and then stood back. He raised his palm towards her, and soon, fire began raining down from the heavens. Every flame that fell, landed on her. This continued for about five minutes, until there was nothing left but ash.
Red Death then walked to the next leader, the leader of the Western rebellion, a young man with a thick, Western (Australian) accent. He cursed the King and blasphemed him. Red Death simply smirked and raised his hand. Waves rolled in the lake behind the five, and soon, the water had risen to the platform. It engulfed the man, who's name was Steve Cochran, and churned about him until he was nothing more than a wrinkled, dead prune. Red Death smiled as the water receded back to the lake.
He then moved on to the leader from the East, a man named Lao Trent. He raised his hand and the wind started spinning about the man. Lao screamed as his limbs and skull was slowly ripped apart by the tremendous wind, his blood splattering onto his neighbors. The crowd let out gasp, and lightning cracked over head, silencing them. Red Death moved to the Norther Leader, Joshua Magana, raised his arm and smirked as the world opened up beneath the rebel and only that rebel. Joshua's scream was heard for what seemed like hours until finally, the evil king closed his fist, the world closing up.
Red Death then moved on to the leader of the Rebellion as a whole, and the one who had been based in Populaire. His name was Erik Ferrmont. He was a generally charismatic man, and was not only the leader but also the face of the Gratia Inquisition. Red Death had chosen him to lead for one, very important reason:
He was a hotheaded young idiot.
"Red Death!" Erik yelled, "You may kill us, you may kill a thousand more! But the people will not rest until your tyrannical reign is ended an-"
Before he could finish, the sky opened up into a big, black swirling mass, known as 'the Void'. Red Death smiled evilly as a great beast emerged from the Void, and devoured the man. The beast was nine feet tall, very muscular, and and covered in fur. It had goat-legs and feet, with horns and claws. It ripped Erik open and devoured him, slowly but surely. It then let out a roar and returned to the Void.
"And thus ends this demonstration of what happens when anyone attempts to stand against King Red Death!" Red Death yelled, lightning cracking.
Near the back of the crowd was an old man with a long, white beard. He had in his hand a wooden staff, and about his body was grey beggars clothing. He shook his head solemnly and shrank into the crowd.
