Infinity Wars Book 1: The Cult

Ral Zarek sat down in front of Emmara, Xerath, Jayce and the elements of harmony. “Now that we’re all here I think we should get introductions out of the way. Everyone meet Emmara, a Selesnyan elf from Ravnica and Jayce, a scientist from a city called Piltover located on Runeterra, the same place where Xerath comes from. Emmara and Jayce, these are Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity. You can get to know each other better in a moment.”

“It’s an honor to meet you all.” Emmara said with a warm smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet such a colorful bunch.” Jayce said with a quick salute.

“Mind explaining what got you that burn on your arm Ral?” Emmara asked.

“Two words: elemental golem. Yeah it’s an elemental golem, no biggie…” Ral said shrugging. “But there was something about it. Emmara you are a good friend of the mind mage Jace Beleren, right?”

“Yes, I am. Why do you ask that?” The elf asked.

“Did he ever mention the name Nicol Bolas?” Ral inquired.

“I… don’t quite recall.” Emmara answered.

“Nicol Bolas is an Elder Dragon, one of the only ones left. He is a planeswalker of age I can’t possibly imagine and he’s pretty much a God when it comes to power and intelligence. He has survived the Elder Dragon wars, the Planeswalker Mending and many other things. I’ve seen him in Alara and it was truly terrifying.” Ral explained.

“Your point?” Rainbow asked.

“I felt Nicol’s presence in that golem. It was nice knowing you all but we don’t stand a chance.” Ral grimly said. This caused an uproar.

“Ya’ mean there’s nothin’ we can do?” Applejack asked.

“Unless you’re omnipotent.” Ral answered.

“Maybe I can help…” All heads in the room turned towards Xerath.

“Mind explaining?” Rarity asked.

“If we manage to get me free before this ‘Nicol Bolas’ strikes then I can battle against him on equal ground.” Xerath said.

“That’s right! If we manage to destroy the rune, Xerath will be at God level too!” Jayce explained.

“But how…” Ral began pondering.

“Think later, party now!” Pinkie somehow made a cannon appear out of thin air. She immediately shot it, sending all sort of party related objects everywhere.

“Is it possible to harness Pinkie’s energy in any way?” Ral mused. He broke out of his reverie as Jayce pointed his cannon to Ral’s face and began charging a projectile. As Ral was about to dodge the energy ball, it exploded into confetti.

“Ha! Did I scare ya’?” Jayce asked with a grin. Ral burst into laughter.

“Good one! But you do know I’m gonna get you back someday right?” Ral asked.

“I didn’t expect less.” Jayce answered.

“Well… let’s party then!” Ral shouted.

<…>

Pyr, fortress of the Flame Dawn. The Flame Dawn, a faction of soldiers led by Aberion, the hammer of dawn, said to be unbeatable in battle. Since the truth was found about the Calamity that destroyed the Old World and the other dimensions this faction has been ever expanding, conquering many dimensions with ease, and forging a large empire.

Within the past few years, however, the losses were too great and Aberion decided to create an alliance.

One of the members of the Infinity Alliance, the Genesis industries, was a faction that focused on technology and science. The Genesis, led by Orion, master architect, eagerly took the request for an alliance, as one of their major concerns was peace and the safety of their citizens.

When it was time to battle, even wanting peace, the Genesis were fierce warriors, focusing on creating the perfect soldier through their robotics and wiping their enemies out with it.

The other member of the Infinity Alliance was known as The Descendants of the Dragon. This faction, living in Reish, the same world as the Verore Cult, perfected the art of defense, using it to deplete the enemy’s morale and forcing them to retreat.

The sage council was very interested in the alliance, as any friends would be useful against the Verore and the currently rising faction of the undead known as the Sleepers of Avarrach.

The Verore Cult, death worshippers and dark magic users. They reside in Reish, seeking magic so dark that it would lead to their world’s destruction. They use spells revolving around death to deplete the opponent’s troops and finishing off their enemy with demons of all sorts. They are led by Aleta, the immortal sorceress, who cares little for the spreading darkness on her world.

The Warpath is not so much a faction as a collective understanding by the beasts of the Old World that they must fight back against the intruders. Named not by themselves, but by the invaders from the other dimensions upon seeing the horror of hundreds of massive beasts bearing down on them with killing intent, “being caught on the warpath” is a horror story passed between all the would-be conquerors of the Old World.

Seeing their intent only protecting their home land, Aberion decided not to meddle in their business.

Last there are the Sleepers of Avarrach. Once a blooming society of people with nanobot enhancements now diminished to a slumbering faction of undead. One day, centuries ago, a nanobot virus was unleashed upon the world: one that would take over the host’s body, killing it, then aggressively spread to each nearby nanobot.

The world of Avarrach turned into a nightmare. Within three days, 90% of the world turned into unthinking husks, the human host dead, but animated by the nanobot technologies embedded in their body. The survivors, those without augmentations, fought as best they could, but soon were overwhelmed. The nanobots took over their bodies and they too joined the undead horde.

Aberion never showed any interest in siding with these evil factions.

Agent Coyle, the youngest general of the Flame Dawn army, a soldier who moves with blinding speed across the battlefield, taking down anyone in his way. He would deliver three strikes during the time most soldiers delivered one.

He walked peacefully through the streets of Pyr, His fiery hair blowing in the breeze as he kept a hand on his sword because of the force of habit. His red trench coat was covered in by a copper chest plate, his armor had to be this light for him to keep his speed. His walk was interrupted by a soldier at the lowest rank in the Flame Dawn army, an aspirant.

“General Coyle!” The aspirant exclaimed saluting.

“Is anything wrong?” Coyle asked giving a salute of his own.

“A rift opened about five blocks away to the east!” The aspirant said with worry. Coyle’s eyes widened at this piece of information.

“What world does it lead to?” Coyle asked.

“I don’t know, sir! I left as soon as it opened to find a high ranking officer such as yourself! I have no information on the status of the other soldiers there!” The aspirant informed.

“I’m going to the rift! You find Aberion and tell him of this rift immediately!” Coyle ordered.

“Sir, yes sir!” The aspirant left towards Aberion’s castle as Coyle ran east, towards the rift.

Within a short time he was there. He saw several soldiers around the rift, but there was no battle. As he approached the soldiers they stood at attention. “Status report, now!” He ordered.

“We have concluded that this rift neither leads to Genesis, Avarrach nor Reish due to the lush green hills. It may be another world completely, sir!” A Flame Dawn knight said, his pistol resting in its holster and the knife inside the sheath.

“We can’t deny the possibility of being in the Descendants part of Reish, or the Old World.” Coyle declared.

“What do we do now, general?” An aspirant asked.

“We wait for Supreme Commander Aiberon, he’ll give us our orders when he arrives.” Coyle answered. “Well… how’s the misses doing Jakob?” He asked the knight.

“She’s doing just fine. How about you, any luck on the lady hunt?” Jakob asked.

“Nah, they don’t like a man who’s constantly fighting.” Coyle answered. An aspirant looked at them both very confused. “You’re new here aren’t you?”

“Yes I am, sir!” The aspirant answered, standing at attention.

“Cut that military crap. There are times to be friendly and there are times to be a soldier! Ease up a bit, we’re all friends here! What’s your name?” Coyle asked.

“I’m Charles.” The soldier answered.

“Any girlfriend, wife, or anything of the sorts?” Coyle inquired

“Not really, I’m not that good with women.” Charles said.

“Charles, one of these days, I’m going to teach you how to live. And when I do, I promise it will be legen-wait for it-dary!” Coyle exclaimed.

A few minutes later a man with glowing red eyes and dark brown hair appeared. A hammer with a symbol of a sun was attached to his belt. At his approach all stood at attention. “At ease men! Tell me, where does this rift lead to?” He asked.

“We are not sure, but it either is the Old World, the Descendants part of Reish or another world.” Coyle answered.

“Very well. General Coyle, you will go ahead and scout the land. Me and the other soldiers will start setting up camp in case we are needed. If it is a different world and you find sentient life forms, try to be diplomatic. If that doesn’t work, I believe you’re a good enough soldier to fend off for yourself.” Aberion said.

“Sir, yes sir!” Came the collective approval of the plan. Coyle immediately left through the rift as the other soldiers got plenty materials to build a campsite on the other side.

<…>

“Master Nicol, the golem failed. It even made them aware of your presence.” Lazav said.

“Just as planned.” Nicol replied. “Soon they will figure it out, and my plan will be complete. I will have as much power as I had before the Mending.”

“That’s cute and all but I thought we were discussing an alliance.” A woman in purple robes said, on her hand was a wooden staff with a green gem.

“You do not show such disrespect to my master!” Lazav drew his dagger and stopped just short of cutting the woman’s throat.

“That will do nothing, Lazav. Aleta is immortal after all.” Nicol said.

“Well, if what you said is true, then the Flame Dawn are in the world you want to conquer. All I ask of you is some help in dealing with them. And taking into account you are able to control the nanobots on the Sleepers I believe that it will be enough to defeat their puny Infinity Alliance.” Aleta said.

“Very well, I shall grant you this help, assuming that I can count on you to help take care of the elements.” Nicol replied.

“You won’t be disappointed…” Aleta vanished into a veil of darkness.

<…>

“Come on! That wasn’t fair!” Ral Zarek exclaimed.

“Yes it was, you should learn the rules!” Rainbow replied

“I can’t believe I’m being beat at Battleship by a rainbow-maned pegasus!” Ral facepalmed as his aircraft carrier got sunk. “I literally analyzed every possible situation and she wins by attaching a mirror to her wing! Seriously, where in the rules, says that is allowed?”

“Where does it say it isn’t?” Rainbow asked with a smirk.

“Calm down Ral, it’s just a game.” Emmara said as she ate a cupcake.

“The Izzet have invented a very cool thing.” Ral declared, suddenly calm.

“What is it?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s called table flipping!” He exclaimed as he flipped the board. “Screw this, I’m hungry!” He said as he headed towards the treat table Pinkie somehow set up without anyone noticing. Emmara just shrugged it off and continued talking to Fluttershy, animals as the recurring theme.

“Wow, talk about a sore loser.” Rainbow taunted.

Meanwhile on the other side of the room Jayce talked to Rarity and Applejack. “So what do ya’ do in this Piltover place?” Applejack inquired.

“I’m an inventor, nothing too special.” He said.

“Don’t the people of Piltover consider you a hero?” Xerath asked interrupting his conversation with Twilight and Pinkie.

“Yes, but I’m not a hero for doing what anyone would do.” Jayce humbly said.

“What exactly did you do?” Rarity asked.

“I took down a lab from a person called Viktor. He was developing weapons that could change the future of Runeterra for the worse, so I stopped him.” Jayce said.

“FOR THE LAST TIME, PINKIE! I CANNOT CREATE AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PARTY SUPPLIES!” Xerath bellowed attracting all attention to himself.

“Correction: you cannot do so, at the moment.” Ral corrected the arcane being.

“What he said. As for your question Twilight, I will not reveal how to ascend for your own safety. When I ascended I had to go through losses you cannot imagine, and I’m certain that you’re not prepared for it.” Xerath said.

“Oh dear, look at the time!” Emmara exclaimed.

“Let us hope my lab can double as a house.” Ral said, stretching himself.

“There’s no need for that! I have room for you here. I don’t have enough for Jayce and Emmara, tough.” Twilight said.

“Emmara could stay with me, if that’s okay with her.” Fluttershy said.

“Why thank you Fluttershy.” Emmara thanked the shy pony.

“And Jayce could stay with me.” Rarity said.

“Don’t see why not! Thank you.” He looked at her and winked, resulting on a giggle from the mare.

“Well, now that’s taken care of, I guess it’s time to say good night.” Ral concluded as everyone said their goodbyes.