Friendships in the Mist

The land of the Ancients was a world that was consumed in war. When the Mad Moon had shattered into two halves upon a once peaceful kingdom, it brought forth the two rivaling intelligences come to be known as the Radiant and the Dire. These two Ancients despised one another since their imprisonment in the stone, which was unfortunately captured within the worlds pull. From the craters of the broken moon, each Ancient had attracted and manipulated many followers and champions into worshiping them. However their true plan was to eradicate their opposite in hopes of finally being rid of the other faction. To this day these conflicts have brought the lives of its inhabitants into much fear of one another, for the main fighters in the war were heroes and forces that were renowned in their ability to conquer and destroy. Among these warriors was a man who others thought was no man. To them they thought he was a wretched demon who cheats death, yet allows it to claim many of his challengers. Like the flow of an unnatural mist, he glided into battle without the notion of fading into a forgotten memory. To his allies and his fortunate survivors, he was known as the rider of the mist and the Lord of Avernus: Abaddon.

Amidst the woods of Uthoria, a two days trip from Avernus, Abaddon was traveling atop his stallion Acherus Deathcharger through the densely filled forest. The day was at its peak and the sun was high above a somewhat cloudy sky. The ground was quite muddy from a recent down pour that had made it hard for someone to walk on foot. Yet all these circumstances did not bother Abaddon in his quest to find a treasure of great importance. A precious stone that was sought after by many individuals for its elusiveness and ability to grant the soul one more chance at life. It was titled the Aegis of the Immortal, and its bearer would use it to revive himself should he perish. Abaddon had heard rumors from faint whispers of this prize and knew fully well how he would acquire it. Before his trip, he had consulted the wisdom of a particular fortune teller.

. . . . .

"Are you certain that the Aegis will be in this Forest?", asked Abaddon with a hint of question.

The fortune teller responded, "The location of what you seek shall reside in these woods as I predict."

Abaddon replied, "I have heard that the current holder has the Aegis and that he is nearing his end. I came to you to tell me where he is so I may clame it for my own. I find it hard to believe that anyone would be living in this area." With a chuckle and grin, she responded.

"I assure you that if you were to go to where the Aegis is now, it would already be too late. The only way for you to successfuly acquire your treasure is to wait in that area where it will appear."

Without any further hesitation Abaddon finally decided not to question the woman since her reputation had been telling her customers of their fates beyond life; A profession that had made her infamous. As he was exiting, she suddenly stopped him and asked one question: "What is it like being near to death? Such an experience seems so enticing."

Abaddon said, "I do not look upon my death. When I'm at my darkest hour, I merely borrow enough time to best my opponent." He sighed. "You may think the after life is something you would desire. But as a prophet of death, even you should know that life shouldn't be wasted. Don't let it cloud you Krobelus."

With that he exited out of her hut and mounted atop his stallion, riding onward as he left the fortune teller wanting more from his answer. As the warrior was out of sight, she muttered something to herself. "Your journey to the Aegis may start now, but it won't be the end of the journey you will embark."

. . . . .

With great haste he rode towards the marked area he was told that would bear the divine stone. Unconcerned for whatever obstacle he faced, Abaddon would chase, steal and even kill for Avernus. Their destination was near a mountain, just past from where the two weary travelers were trodding. Of course where the lone rider was headed did not have what he sought after. He was to wait for it when its current wielder has died. Luckily for him, time was already short for the unfortunate soul... Or less than unfortunate.

. . . . .

Miles away from both the woods and Abaddon, a falling kingdom had been stricken with a lethal disease. The plague caused many of its victims to suffer leprotic symptoms until their entire body had rotted off of their skeletons. From common peasants to clergy and ministers, the disease had no favoritism to whom or what it infected. When all seemed dire, even the kingdom's royalty had fallen to this scourge. Almost everyone from the royal family died to the disease, except for the king's sole heir to the throne. The prince known as Ostarion was the last member of his clan to be infected. But unlike his father, he thought of a plan to survive. From dungeons deep within his castle, the king to be had held a lone sorcerer named Azorszos prisoner in hopes of prolonging his life.

"Your highness", trembled the wizard, "You should try to stop moving and be more patient."

He was speaking to the lying figure of the prince, who was growing tired of his servant's slow pacing back and forth to prepare for his revival. Ostarion was resting on an altar with various scattered elements strewn across him in a ritual like pattern. With only a handful of candles lighting the chamber, he could hardly see what was going on. His sight had diminished from his current state of health. His body had shown signs of rot and various of his muscles had used most of their strength trying to get him down to the wizard's chamber. The amount of pain he felt as he stood on the cold, hard stone of the altar had made him very distaught and angry. He then tried to move his leg, which felt as though he couldn't feel it.

"Please your highness, you musn't move your body so much. You might-"

"Will you SHUT UP!"

The wizard froze at the sudden outburst from the decomposing prince. Even at a near death state, his master had kept his arrogant attitude.

"I am trying my best to help you. If you try to move your body, you might interfere with the ritual. You must understand that this process takes time and the utmost concentration."

"Azorszos you incompitent magician" The living corpse spoke. "I don't have time, I have lost all patience, and I am in too much agony for me to concentrate! Fix me now."

"But I am trying my best to haste myself..."

"You have been saying that since we got here!"

All of a sudden, Ostarion felt a sudden jolt of pain and looked where his leg was. It had fallen from its socket and started spurting life fluids on the platform. Ostarion made a quick grab for Azorszos and pulled him towards his dry, wrinkled face.

"I have had enough of your pacing. Forget the time and just get on with the ritual. I don't care if I lose a leg or my father's precious heirloom, I am not leaving this room in a coffin! Start it now!"

"But prince Ost-"

"YOUR KING COMMANDS YOU SHITTY WIZARD!!!"

At that, the pitiful magician finally gave up and did as his master ordered. He hated him so much, he wanted to leave him dying there. But what was left of palace guards, loyal subjects, and an entire kingdom would hold him resposible for the prince's demise. He would surely be tried for treason and hanged by who ever was left from the disease. As he hurriedly placed the last item on the altar, he went to a jewel encrusted chest holding the main ingredient. He hesitated when his fingers felt a surging power from within the chest.

"Open it." Ostarion said, still trying to fight for whatever life he hadn't used up.

The wizard flung open the cover and shielded his eyes at what he saw: A radiant gem with an orange glow was before him. It appeared cut and polished to a perfect design, but it showed no actual possiblity as to how it was crafted. It had a strange crust covering most of its structure, yet it still displayed a form of beauty that Azorszos couldn't resist. Coughs from the dying prince had broken whatever trance the wizard experienced, and he hastily grabbed the jewel to start the assembly. As he passed the gorgeous gem to his ungrateful leader, he felt a sudden twinge of sadness as his fingers let go of the precious stone. When all was set, Azorszos began chanting the spell to save his master.

It is a matter of fact that this gem known as the Aegis of the Immortal would bring someone back to life, but there was a catch. When the Aegis is used, it is used only once per individual. Once it does its magic, it would disappear and be sent far from the wielders where abouts. Its location changes everytime to help conceal itself. Ostarion had anticipated this and sought to not just revive himself, but make himself immortal forever. With the ritual underway, Ostarion was already thinking how he would rule his kingdom and out live any bastard challenger that would try to overthrow him.

But one shouldn't tamper with strange magicks, as the consequences could be disasterous. As the the markings on the altar lit with power, the wizard felt something wrong. At that instant, the sounds from the outside world ceased and the air became warm. The candles were extinguised as a torrent of magically energy had engulfed the room. The light within the Aegis grew bright as though it were a small star and kept gaining intensity. Azorszos panicked.

"Your highness!"

"What did you do!" shouted the pompous figure as the room was covered in a blinding light and a deafening sound.

. . . . .

The sun had been setting as Abaddon rode through the dense forest. He would often wonder if his quest would have been worth the trek. The power that Avernus had granted him had already made him invincible, so why would he even need it? However he knew that whatever the mist wanted, he would do all that he could to satisfy it. His thoughts were interrupted when his mount gave off a irritated neigh. "Hush Acherus. Our destination will come to an end, I promise.", reasured Abaddon. With the few rays of sunlight that broke through the already darkened canopy, the lord of mist knew what he would have to face should the Aegis appear. At last what seemed like hours in the forest had finally ceased when the traveler and his pet came to a stop. "We're here."

Before Abaddon was a giant cave in the mountain, which seemed to be big enough to herd two rows of elephants through it. The lone rider had dismounted from his steed and led him near a brook for rest and safety, for where he was going would mean him harm. He knew about the challenge of the Aegis, the peril it harbored..... of its sole guardian. There were stories of a great beast that protected the divine treasure with a destructive strength. Its first and last crime had been stealing the Aegis, and because of this the gods above had cursed it into protecting it until its death and its revival. Although once a tame creature, years of bloodshed and deaths had turned it into a being of heartless prejudice and ferocity. The name of this creature caused many to cower from merely hearing it, for those who wanted the Aegis must defeat Roshan the Immortal.

Abaddon sat near the cave entrance and meditated. He knew that his prize would not escape him, but if he wanted to slay Roshan he would do so with a clear mind. The gentle air and forest sounds had helped him relax as he waited for a sign. But all was silent near the cave entrance. Minutes passed and the sun had already set as Abaddon waited. Then he heard it. The sounds around the cave had died, only leaving him with the sounds of his breathing. A loud crash boomed from within the enormous cave as though lightning had struck from inside and what followed only assured Abaddon that he was ready. He stood up and made his way into the damp crevice, with his blade in both hands to confront the foe. With each step he took, he heard the growls and huffs of an enormous animal growing as he went further in. Although the cave was dark, Abaddon had been used to dark environments which allowed him to see fairly well. He suddenly stopped as the owner of those awful sounds stood before him. A gargantuan figure standing on two legs towered over the sole warrior. His arms looked strong enough to split a person down the middle, while claws menacingly showed their crushing potential. Its body had a texture similar to granite and had been wrought with many weapons and scars from past challengers who had previously opposed him. His head had two horns that curved down to his neck as a mouthful of dagger like teeth gave off a terrible sight. But what caught Abaddon's eye the most was the middle of the creature's head. It looked like a third eye, but it didn't blink. It gave off an orange glow as a certain energy came off of it. "By Avernus", thought Abaddon. His prize was on Roshan's forehead; Theft was not an option. Readying his sword, Abaddon said, "You shall die as fast as you returned." The beast replied with a bellowing roar.

The monstrocity lunged toward Abaddon, already knowing that its treasure was at stake. The lord made a jump to the side as the creature missed its marked. Abaddon needed to come up with a strategy to kill the beast without causing any harm to the Aegis, or himself. He may have been strong, but a creature this size and reputation could easily break him in two. As Roshan got back up to continue the attack, Abaddon dashed near columns of stalagmites and stalagtites to give himself some space. The creature furiously pounded on the columns to try and get to the hero, but luckily Abaddon was safe for now. He needed to think quick, as the formations wouldn't last under this much punishment for long. He looked around the cave and saw what appeared to be a loose looking rock formation near the ceiling. At that instant, he heard the strike of a well hardened claw smashing his only structural defense. He narrowly dodged a similar blow and ran toward a wall near the weak ceiling. He then started concentrating his power toward his sword and silently chanted some words. Seeing an opportunity at killing the intruder, Roshan made a mad dash toward him. With mere feet away from death, Abaddon suddenly let loose the mana he had been charging into a surge of energy that propelled itself from his blade onto the breakable ceiling. His plan had worked as the loose plating of rock landed on top of the beast, causing it to be stunned and confused. Seeing his moment, Abaddon thrusts his long sword into Roshan's neck. "Be gone foul creature!" shouted Abaddon. All the monster could do was let out a gurgled cry as the warrior twisted the blade and decapitated the cursed beast. Roshan's body started to evaporate into embers as his head landed on the ground and soon followed. What was left was the orange gem that the lord sought for. Claiming his treasure, he made his way toward the exit as the night had over taken the sky.

With the Aegis in tow, Abaddon had made a campsite to rest after a whole day of riding and fighting. He had finished eating a fish he caught from the stream near the cave. "Such a trifle task we had getting this jewel. Was it not Acherus?" Asked Abaddon. His loyal steed had already layed down to rest under the stars. Although living creatures needed sleep, Deathcharger was no mere horse. His connection with Abaddon and Avernus had made it so that he never slept, though rest was still needed. As he put out the flames, he took the gem in his arms and looked around. Surely if word got out that the Aegis was in free hands, there would be people other than Abaddon that would try and steal his fair earned bounty. He entered his tent with the precious artifact and layed down with it. Abaddon thought, "If anyone were to try and steal this from me, they would be foolish or ignorant to ever face me". With that, Abaddon clutched his treasure with him and went to sleep as his faithful mount kept watch for the night.

. . . . .

A sound of shrill whinnying had awoken Abaddon from his slumber. What resulted next caught him by surprise as the tent and himself were flung into the air. He lost grip of the Aegis as he landed on the ground. As he got up, he saw something suddenly snatch the glowing gem and then lift it up into the trees. His first thought was to draw his sword and confront the enemy head on.

"Who dares steal from the house of Avernus!", shouted Abaddon to the thief.

His response however was met with flame and fumes. Abaddon shielded himself with the mist, and with new light saw that his burglar wasn't a person. A tall figure with enormous wings had spewed a molten wall between him and Abaddon. Its height seemed to dwarf Roshan, yet its body was slender and smooth. Long spikes rowed across its back as red scales covered every inch of its being. Its arms stretched out and enormous claws gripped what few trees that were tall and undamaged by its wake. With an elongated head and slitted eyes, it didn't take long for the lord of mists to realize what stood before him was a breed of dragon he never saw before. He noticed a glimmer in between the drake's rows of teeth. The creature had the Aegis of the Immortal! Before he could react, the beast roared and then flapped its wings and sent a wave of wind toward Abaddon. With little effort, the dragon was airborne and was flying away. Enraged, Abaddon quickly whistled to Acherus as he came galloping towards him. Without stopping, Abaddon mounted on top of his hastily moving steed just before they leaped over the still burning fire. With rest far beyond them, the Lord of Avernus pursued the flying thief under the star covered night, not taking anything into regard other than getting his treasure back.