Chapter 1 - [i]Family[/i] Cretia. It's a major continent of four, and the home of a small Muntarian named Causher Reviluti. He lived just outside the capital city of Soalis in the small town of Hedgestone with his mother, Catarine Reviluti, and father, Bruseti Reviluti. They weren't the wealthiest of families, only earning enough money to barely scrape by, but they were content nonetheless. They were living in a time of war and oppression for the citizens of Tempus, so daily life was very hostile and dangerous, no matter where you were. Ever since the deadly band of mages known as Turgan's Legion started ravaging Cretia, raiding towns and killing anybody, everywhere they went, things have been getting worse and worse. It's no better on the other continents either. Basin, the largest of the four, is getting hit hard by the Sword of Darius, another band of mages, and Iishnod-Vaerma, home of the Kani to the far southeast, is still recovering from the Fourth Movement, the second world war. Long ago, magic was a very prevalent force on Tempus. Many people could control its power, but this also meant there was a high chance for something to go wrong. And very wrong did it go. Magic had caused nearly three mass-extinction-level events since it was gifted to the first people of the planet during the Totem Wars by the Archilae gods, the life preservers, and Sentinae gods, the death bringers. Ever since the last small uprising of mages was suppressed, magic has been kept under a watchful eye. Only certain people could wield it and so anybody else who was outside of that list had to get their powers removed by priests, who were allowed to keep theirs in service to the god they worshipped. But even this small amount of magical freedom was enough to cause problems. Many greedy people who were allowed to keep their abilities decided to sell their teachings to others "under the radar" for a high price. Some even went as far as stealing great magical works and literatures from the Colosia in the capital city of Testament on Basin to relearn all of which was taken. Eventually the forces of magic were spread all around the world again, setting the stage for something to go horribly wrong. Mages formed groups of bandits who would terrorize the people of Tempus for years to come, Turgan's Legion of Cretia and the Sword of Darius of Basin being the major ones. And this uprising would soon bring about one of the most dangerous beings since the time of a legendary creature of both fact and myth; the vile Prince of Darkness created only to slaughter and devour the everything in its path, even light itself: Akahmoa. Day of Immortals, 51st of Harvest, Year 23-4 Causher's story starts in his hometown of Hedgestone, with Turgan's Legion initiating an assault against the settlement. On the Day of Immortals during the month of Harvest, Day 51, the clash between the Hedgestone Raiders, the local militia of Hedgestone, and Turgan's Legion occurred. For Causher though, life seemed to be normal. He completed his usually-daily routine of playing pretend in his backyard, as many 10 year-olds did at that time. His mother, Catarine, had just finished making him some rabbit stew for lunch, which was a family favorite. "Causher," she yelled out of the back door, "your food is ready, come on in and eat before it gets cold!" Causher immediately set down his old and weathered wooden sword, and took off his fathers old cape, resting them down on the ground for when he returns, excited to fill his stomach. Catarine looked off into the distance for a moment after hearing the sounds of mortars firing and swords clashing. Causher looked the same way before his mother went out and hurriedly escorted him into the kitchen. Causher knew his father had to defend the city against average bandit raids every now and again, and is usually back at the house after his shift, ready for dinner. And it worried him greatly. "Mother, why has father been gone for so long? Doesn't he get back by now?" asked Causher, seating himself at their dining table, completely unaware of the devastation taking place not 400ft down the road. Bruseti was the commander of the Hedgestone Raiders, and was out repelling the siege as best he could with his men. But nobody in the city knew of the danger this particular battle imposed on the citizens. And even if Catarine new herself, she wouldn't be telling Causher. She feared that constant exposure to this violence would turn Causher into a cruel, ignorant person, or even turn him to a life in the military. Neither of which she wanted for him. She longed for a better life in his future, one without violence; maybe as a chef in Basin's capital of Testament, or even as one of the Council of Elders if he could be so fortunate. She approached Causher with a pot of rabbit stew and began pouring a bit into a bowl sitting in front of him. "Honey, your father is out protecting us right now," spoke Catarine, as she began pouring herself some stew, feeling worried about Bruseti and the battle. "He's trying to keep us and the town safe. It's his job to." "Well father usually returns, doesn't he? I bet he'll be back soon. Might as well keep the stew warm for him." Causher sipped on his stew, assured his fathers return will be of a safe and swift one. "Yeah," mumbled Catarine worriedly under her breath. "I hope." "What did you say, mother?" Before Catarine had even a chance to respond, a loud bang was heard within the town, followed by the screams of terror of many people, most known to Catarine in some way. Neighbors, friends, even relatives to Bruseti. She could distinctly pick out their screams in the confusion of chaos ensuing outside. Even Causher himself recognized some of the voices, though not as many. His cousin Veneir was heard and his mother, Availa as well. Even the painful shrieks from Old Man Blue, the retired Sutaun elder who lived in peace by himself. Who always told of his ventures during his service in the war of the Fourth Movement, the World of Blood, giving wonder to the children who cared to listen. Usually everybody listened. Suddenly, Bruseti bursted through their front door in a state of panic, running for his family. "Come on, we must get out of here now!" he shouted, kicking open the back door. Catarine shouted back in a similar manner, her anxiety rapidly increasing. "What's wrong? What happened?" "The Legion broke through, they're invading the town and killing everyone they see!" He leaned his head put the back door and looked around for signs of the bandits. "The Raiders were forced into retreat. We need to go, NOW," he shouted again, unwaveringly, leading his family out the door. "Mother, I'm scared. What's going on? Why is father acting like this?" Fear filled Caushers gut as his daily ritual was interrupted by screams of agony and distraught throughout the town, and by the way his father was acting. Nothing major usually goes on at Hedgestone; the Hedgestone Raiders are rarely called into battle. And never had they needed to abandon their homes. Some of them had experience in the Menarin Army during the Fourth Movement, but some were just simple farmers or blacksmiths, masons or tailors. "Don't worry, honey. We're gonna keep you safe. We promise." Catarine was shrouded with doubt, feeling as though they won't be able to keep Causher safe, or even themselves at the very least. Bruseti began kicking at their fencing in their backyard, tearing it to pieces. Once the last plank from a small section was ripped from the ground, they all ran for the hills that rest just before the Great Forest of Do'rus, commonly referred to as just the Great Forest. They ran away from the town, north, as fast as they could, not looking behind for a second. Eventually, the frightened family reached a dense area of the Great Forest, where they all three stopped to catch their breath, Bruseti staying on alert and watching behind them for scouts. Catarine quickly rushed over to Causher, kneeling down to comfort him. "What's going on, Mom? Why did we leave the town?" Causher pressed, still in slight shock and confusion as to why they left. He was now sure that they had probably lost their home, even the whole town to the bandits, but he still asked anyways. As if he didn't want to bring himself to believe what has happened was real. Maybe it's just a dream and I'll wake up soon. To some nice breakfast and a cup of milk. His head was filled with blurred and confused thoughts; sad thoughts for those who died, and angry ones for the takers of their freedom and hope. "The Legion is in Hedgestone now, Causher. The bandits your father was trying to protect us from." ... [spoiler]This is from a book I've been writing based on the universe I've written piece by piece for the last four years. This is purely to get an outside idea/opinion on my writing style, grammatical errors, or the universe itself in terms of quality. I know it's a huge chapter, but if you're a fan of fantasy and have an open mind, I believe you'll come to like this. There's not much lore in this chapter, but it's enough to give you a taste. Please give your thoughts! It's greatly appreciated.[/spoiler]