Chapter 1 -The Kingdom of Brozegrad

The sun beat down on the slopes of the Brozengrad mountains, but it did nothing to prevent the cold wind from blowing and freezing over the grass. The ground was frosted in a layer of white snow, and the few trees at the base of the mountain were leafless. They had fallen and rested atop the pure, white dust. The sky was clear, leaving nothing but the red, and orange glow of sunset approaching. The air was cool, and crisp, as winter could be felt approaching. That, with the average temperature of the Brozengrad mountains, made it a rather chilly time of year. Along a single path where seven figures, walking slowly. They had been traveling for a month and a half now, from the desert on the far west side of Ageria, all the way to the furthest mountains to the east. A black-cloaked figure walked along with them. About six and a half feet in height, she towered over the travelers she was with. She had long silver, white hair, and dark, brown skin, which was heavily scarred. An 'X' shaped gash ran across her right cheek, and the upper left-hand side of the scar ran up and over her nose. Another scar went just across her left eye. Scars were running down and across her neck, and arms. There wasn't a part of her body that wasn't touched by the white scars that stood out from her brown skin. Under the cloak, she wore a black jacket, with several knife holsters, and a small hole cut out the back, where two large, black, feathery wing's rested. The jacket only had it's left sleeve intact, the right had been torn off, leaving her skin exposed to the cold elements. Her eye's where mismatched in color, with one being silver, and the other being a dark, stormy grey. A permanent frown seemed etched into her face. The leggings she wore ran down and were tucked into her tall black boots. A sword hung in a sheathe from her hip, along with several mithril knives. A quiver hung from the back of her belt, and an unstrung bow to its side. Girl's ears where pointed, helping others identify her as an elf, though the ones who knew her best would call her a Vampire.

Beside her was a smaller girl, being sixteen years of age. Only about half her height, at about four foot eleven. Her hair was much shorter and only went down to the bottom of her neck. The black hair had several strands of dark red dye in it. Just above both her eyes and partially hidden in her hair, where two white horns that protrude from her skull. They broke the skin and had been growing since. Recently, the horns where dulled and cut, so they were not as sharp and dangerous. The girl needed to hide them under her hood but left it down for now, as they were with people she trusted. The girl had a scar across her right eyebrow, though it was fairly small. Her eyes were a dark blue, and unlike the woman next to her, she had a smile on her face. She wore a dark gothic dress that went down to just before her ankles. Beneath it, she wore black leggings and tall black boots. Each one had a large copper buckle on it. She too wore a black cloak, and she too had black, feathery wings beneath it, just like the woman beside her. The top of her dress had a golden circle that ran around the neck, and hanging from it was a necklace gifted to her by a stranger to most. The belt she had, had a few things hanging from it. A sheath for a small dagger she carried, and on the other side, a holder for a black wand. There were several different colored rings on her fingers, each with a gem embedded into them. The only one that stood out was a ring with a ghostly blue color to it. That ring contained someone who she would call a friend. The girl looked up at the woman and poked her shoulder.

"Alina? Are we there yet?" She asked, in a whining tone of voice. Alina had grown weary of trying to hush the girl and just walked along in tired silence.

"Alina?" asked the young witch.

"No, Emily," Alina responded in a tired voice.

"Will we be there soon?"

"I don't know."

"I hope we are their soon, I just want to take a long rest." Emily smiled.

"So do the rest of us," Alina growled softly. Alina, who took care of Emily, had found her, homeless and alone in the city of Peccatum. Since then, they have traveled together, and there were a few times when Alina regretted it, but it was a rare feeling, and she would often shake it. She loved the girl. Emily smiled and looked forward. In Front of her was her lover, Dalton. A girl who was also a vampire, though, over the last month, many of the group members dismissed hat. Her hair had magically changed to completely blind over their walk, and her wing's had gone from black and grey to completely white. She wore a white, and golden knights armor as she walked. Her wing's hit through two slots in the back, which was helpful for her. A brown witch's hat was on her head, which didn't match with her outfit at all, but she wore it because she technically took it from her lover, even though she didn't use magic. Leading in front of Dalton was Sargon, the leader of the group. He almost always wore black armor with golden outlines around it. He walked more professionally and carried a long Halberd on his back. Sargon was a user of dark magic and used it proudly.

Emily turned her head and saw Karaline. She walked behind them in steel armor, just like Sargon's, only it looked more traditional to a male knights armor. She hid the fact she was a girl, by only wearing a helmet and disguising her voice while in public. Only her friends knew her secret. Emily sighed and looked forward again. Alina walked between Emily and the last two members of the group. Violet, a small necromancer, who wore a grey, ritualistic mask all the time. Her face had never been seen by her allies. She wore a purple cloak, which matched her long purple hair, which went down to her lower back. The girl was rather short, only being four foot, one in height. She wore a black top, and leather pants, with a belt. Her hand's had leather gloves over them, and she carried a wooden staff with her as she walked. A purple gem was wrapped around the sticks roots at the tip of it. Sitting on the Necromancer's head was a half-naked fairy. All she wore was a simple strip of cloth around her breasts and a single pair of panties to cover the more private areas of her body. Her long blond hair ran down to her ankles, meaning some of it was currently on Violet. While she sat on the girl's head, she could not be felt, for she weighed nothing at all. She was as light as a feather. Her skin was covered in bluish nature like tattoos, and the material her skin was made of sparkled in the sunlight. A set of butterfly-shaped wings where on her back, and she looked out in front of her, smiling. The cold breeze did not bother her, as natural elements such as fire, and ice have proven to her allies before that she was immune to them. Violet looked up at the fairy, and pat her bare leg before looking forward again.

"Emily, can you stop whining?"

"Or?" Emily snapped her fingers and a small spark of electricity flew at Violet, hitting her. The girl jumped a bit and looked over at Emily before sighing and continuing as if nothing happened.

"I will stop you." Karaline frowned and crossed her arms.

"How?" She leaned her head back to look at Karaline as she flung another spark at Violet, who ignored it this time but frowned under her mask.

"Take your wand, break your fingers, many things." Karaline threatened. Emily looked back up at Alina and grinned before turning around and flicking the third spark of electricity at Karaline. The knights quickly blocked the spark with her gauntlet and stared down Emily.

"Try me one more time, bitch."

Alina grabbed Emily's wrist and yanked her away from Karaline. Emily was able to fling one more spark at the knights before being pulled away. She stumbled and almost tripped as Alina moved her to walk in front of her.

"Emily!" Alina hissed, "What are you doing?"

"That's it!" Karaline stomped over to try and grab Emily from around Alina, but the vampire blocked Karaline, keeping the child behind her. Emily grinned a bit wider, knowing that when she was with Alina, not much could be done to her. She poked her head around to see Karaline.

"Get that fucking bitch sorted, or I will break both her hands, and leg's over, and over until she gets the point." She muttered at Alina. Emily raised an eyebrow at Karaline, but the grin on her face faded slightly.

"No, you won't," Alina tells her shortly. The other group members stopped and all turned to watch the two. For as sad as it was, arguing with each other like this was more common than most of them wanted.

"Do you want to test me as well? We could take a break so I can give you a close-up demonstration." Karaline growled, "I might even add some blunt clubs into the mix and I know you hate those." She spoke in a serious tone after taking off her self, allowing her brown hair to fall over her shoulders.

"You can break every single bone in my body. But. Do. Not. Threaten. Her. Again." Alina narrowed her eyes at Karaline.

"Yeah, Karaline. Don't threaten me again!" Emily said with a grin on her face. Alina's mouth tightened, clearly unhappy with the girl's comment, but said nothing.

"Alina, stop fighting Emily's battle here. If she is so inclined to harass people, let her deal with the consequences." Dalton added, walking up to Alina's side.

"I'm not going to let any random person with a short temper smash her to pieces because she threw a few tiny sparks at them." Alina looked down at Dalton

"What's the point of a threat when you can't get your point across? Sort her out or else." Just as Karaline finished speaking, Emily let out a loud yelp. Blood ran down her arm, as a small glowing throwing knife had entered the backside of her arm, just short of the bone. Enchanted with holy water, the knife burned Emily's skin. She Let out a scream in pain as she pulled the knife out quickly, burning her hand in the process. She teared up and fell to her knees as she felt the holy water now on her arm, burning her skin. Alina looked down at Emily and her face darkened to a scowl as she saw the weapon on the ground. She growled and started glancing around wildly for the source of the attack. All she could notice that was remotely suspicious was Violet shifting her arms around under her cloak. Emily's screams turned to growls, as her nails started to extend, and two pointed, retractable fangs broke through her gum. Emily didn't care where the knife came from. All she could come up with was that Karaline somehow threw it. She quickly sprung up, blood gushing from her arm. Her wing's opened up and she jumped at Karaline, her claw's extended outwards towards her. Karaline readied herself and grabbed both of Emily's arms when she got close enough. Her eyes were glowing crimson. Usually, she wasn't thinking whenever her eyes changed to that color. She was just fueled by anger.

Alina turned and tried to tackled Karaline away from Emily, but Dalton stopped her,

"Wait a bit first Alina. Emily spends most of her time harassing Violet anyway or someone else. She deserves at least a little bit of payback."

Karaline pulled Emily close and pressed her against her steel breastplate. Emily's skin burned against it, and her cheek and right side of her face began to sting and smoke as Karaline forced Emily against the burning steel of Karaline's armor. She let out loud screeches of pain, as she tried struggling and pushing away from Karaline, but all that did was burn her hands more as she pushed against the steel. Alina completely ignored Dalton and wrapped her arms under Emily's armpits, hissing in pain as her skin made contact with the steel. She extended her wing's and flapped them, kicking off of Karaline and flying a distance away from her. Karaline stumbled back but didn't fall. She stood, looking at Alina without a bit of remorse. Emily screamed and cried in pain while Alina wrapped her arms around her protectively. Her wing's arched around them. The girl breathed heavily as burn marks layered the right side of her face and her hands. The fangs and claws retracted as she cries of anger and pain shifted to sobbing.

Dalton sighed as she watched. As much as she cared about Emily, she deserved this. But if Alina kept stepping in every time something happened, Emily wouldn't learn her lesson about doing things like that for fun. Karaline stared at the two vampires and sighed. She walked over to Violet and whispered a thank you, before suggesting they rest here for the night. Violet turned to face the two, then up at Lunette before nodding. She frowned, not feeling too good about hurting her Allie. Emily clung to Alina until the burns healed. Her skin slowly unwrinkled, and the red color faded back to its normal color. Her eyes were back to normal as several tears ran down her cheeks. Vampires could heal all wounds, but it wasn't always a good thing. While the injury would heal, the pain from that injury would linger on for some time. Alina held Emily close, running her hand through Emily's hair, and whispering for her to calm down, and that it would be alright. The young vampire continued to cry from the burning pain long into the night.

The group woke up early the next morning and continued on their way. The rest of the walk was through the snow on the slopes of the mountain. The wind blew from the tops of the great mountains and caused snow to blow down, and rain onto the base below. None of the members were prepared for the snowy weather, which made them more eager to get into Brozegrad. After a long and tiring walk, they made it to the city's entrance by sunset the next day. The city's gates were built into the steep slopes of a large mountain, with two circular stone watchtowers on both sides. Each watchtower was partially built into the mountain, and where about five stories in height. They were built with tunic leather across the roofing, with wooden sticks holding them up. The gate itself was a sturdy metal contraption. The dwarfs, best known for their ingenuity in technology, had great cities of marvels not seen my most. The gate was structured like most. Long metal bars shooting upwards, and side to side, forming square holes, with two large steel door behind it. Above the gate where two large mechanical crossbows, with metal, robs about twenty-four feet in length. Several of those beams were stuck in the ground around the area.

"Who goes there!" A loud booming shout called from the watchtowers. Dalton looked up, and considered responding before nodding and calling back,

"A humble party, seeking an audience with your Monarch! We come to warn of a dangerous threat, and find assistance stopping it!"

"Bandits!" Emily looked up at the door. Dalton stopped and looked back at Emily.

"You should stop talking if you don't want to be killed."

"Fine, whatever." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"You wish to speak to the king? We have heard of this so-called 'threat' and can assure you we will have no problem taking on such a minuscule problem. If the humans were unsuccessful then out machines of war shall be a hundred times better! We have heard of this same excuse by many groups like you. What makes you differ from them?"

"The fact that we have encountered him before, and lived. I assure you, your machines will do nothing to stop him now. We have ancient information long forgotten about him." Dalton yelled back. The voiced between the two boomed and echoed in the mountains around them.

"Ancient information? What sorts?"

"We know how to slay him. I also have another request, this one more personal! However, getting your assistance in stopping this threat is far more valuable!"

There was a long pause before a loud clunking noise rang out. The metal bars at the gate began lowering and retreating into the ground. The two metal doors began sliding open, inward's. The bottom of the door scraped against the stone ground, forming a clear path for them to enter.

"Very well! The king shall answer your request."

"Thank you! While we visit your great kingdom, might we visit your dwarven forges in our time waiting on an audience with his majesty?"

"You will have an audience with our king now in his feasting hall. His wise words will determine the truth of your statement." The dwarf replied.

"We are all grateful for the opportunity to speak with his Majesty," Dalton said, before walking through the open gate with her allies. The entranceway was constructed of smooth walls, with large stone columns on both sides of the pathway. They took it up and left only one way in and out to go. The second they set foot through the gate, they all felt a gust of warm air. The light that shines through the holes was still unknown but looked a lot less bright now that they were up close. The hallway was long, with several paths going off in diagonal directions on each side. Soon, large golden chandeliers were the main source of light. They were lined across the ceiling down the straight hallway, and each one looked the same as the other. Karaline and Dalton walked beside each other and looked in awe. Emily simply walked behind Alina, not all too interested in the decor.

Large golden tubes were now sticking out of the wall. They released steam into the main pathway and connected to one central area deep in the mountain. Dwarven guards with steel and gold armor lined the wall every few columns. Each one wielded a different weapon. They assisted others as they walked between the halls and around. The main population was dwarves, but there were a few humans, and Merfolk, and very few Elves. The walls started to widen, and soon the group reached a massive cave area. The roof of the cave stretched far up to about fifteen kilometers, with the actual length of the cave being the same, although the city was dome-shaped. Multiple stone pillars and building had been built to serve as support. The flooring had changed from stone to lush dark bluegrass, with purple glowing flowers, blue leafed trees, and light blue water, that ran through a system of pipes around the city. The center of the underground city had a fairly decent sized tower, in which there were four walls around, suggesting it to be the King's castle.

The dwarfs wandered the cave-like one would stroll through a park. The men were large, short, and had stylish beards, braided even more than the women's hair. The women were around Violet's height. Machines made of gold and metal roamed around as well. Some flew like birds while others walked on four legs. They all seemed to be powered by steam and gears in some way, though it was unsure how. The dwarves were talented craftsmen, and it was more evident now than ever. They would be the one to further technology in Ageria. Emily looked around at everything, now interested in the scenery. She spotted the oddly colored trees and approached one to look at it. It didn't take her long to notice most of the population was all about Violet's height. She was in a city full of Violet's. A mischievous grin ran across her face, but Alina grabbed her shoulder and started dragging her along in silence.

Lunette proved to be a problem. Violet had to hold onto her with both hands to prevent her from flying away. She was seeing so many new things for the first time, and just after she believed she had seen everything in Ageria. Her eyes were wide in wonder, and a large smile spread across her face. Her wing's where flapping hard, but Violet was able to keep her anchored. When they got closer to the King's castle, the learned that the city's layout was more or less straightforward. Several signs were nailed to buildings, serving as directions, maps, and advertisements for local businesses. They saw a large tree in the center of what looked like a garden. Many of the dwarves were resting under its long branches that extend out far, and around buildings. In Fact, the tree was about a quarter of the city's size. A silver bridge was the only way into the King's feasting hall, and the decor around it was better. The light blue water flowed under it like a stream, with golden walls surrounding the castle. Sargon had his arms crossed as he looked at what the city had to offer. He was always impressed with the dwarfs and their ability to craft such interesting tools and machines.

"Alina?" Can I go over and see the tree?" Emily asked, pointing towards the massive blue leafed tree."

"Emily, stay with us please?" She hissed, not wanting to leave Emily unattended in a city like this. Violet walked up to Alina and pointed at herself, then at the tree, and Emily. A cloud of smoke appeared above her and her thoughts began to materialize into words that floated above her.

"I could watch over her." Violet thought.

"What?" Emily tilted her head.

"Are you sure Violet?" Alina sighed softly.

"I will be fine, Alina. Thank you for your concern." The words formed before breaking up. Alina looked at Emily and Violet and sighed.

"Alright. Just don't get into trouble." She looked at the young vampire. Alina then hesitantly turned to follow the others while Violet led Emily over to the tree. Many of the dwarfs around it were sitting in pairs of two, one male, and one female. They slept peacefully under the tree, the sounds of gears, and steam hissing around them.

The rest of the group walked across the bridge, and into the tower. They found themselves in a small, cramped cube. Two guards stood outside it and ordered everyone to stay away from the door. Soon a metal cage shot across the open area, and the cube they all stood in began descending, being held up by nothing but chains, and gears.

"What the..." Alina looked around and held her stomach as motion sickness settled in. The others looked around as the box continued to descend, before stopping. Alina was the first to leave the elevator, looking queasy and unhappy. Karaline walked past her, along with Sargon. The new room was shaped like a long hallway. The middle of the room had an extensive rectangular table. The wood was polished and carved together with steel supports. Food laid scattered across the table, each one looking like it took hours to make. The smell of chicken, meat, salted pork, wine, fruits, and lamb, filled the air. The room had a few hallways leading out of it, and dwarfs came and went. At the far end of the table, sat the King of Brozegrad. He wore a crown of jewels decorating the ornament and a golden chest plate to show his wealth. The crown, made form the same material, was structured like a more traditional one. A simple round object with five-pointed ends sticking up. Marking's where engraved into the crown, a message that couldn't be read. The dwarf's beard was long and grey, and he seemed quite agile for his age and appearance.

Dalton looked at the king before bowing on one knee, head turned to the floor.

"Your Excellency, we are honored for the chance to speak with you." She knew dwarfs tended to be rowdier and less formal than some of the other races, at least on the lower levels of society, but she wasn't sure how that held up with the King. So Dalton decided to do her normal, formal style when speaking to royalty. The king stood from his seat, removing the ax from the metal chest plate, making it a simple walking stick.

"What do you need?" He asked in a low booming voice.

"Your excellency, we come seeking your assistance. We know how to slay the threat plaguing our lands, but we cannot do it alone."

"Then do tell me, how do you slay this 'threat'?"

"We need a weapon forged from some... distinct materials, your Excellency. Due to the sheer levels of perfection required, your people are the only ones trusted to follow the designs."

"And what is this weapon made from?" The king asked, unfazed. Alina slid her eye eyes wide ways to Dalton and the others and raised a single eyebrow in question if they should tell him. Karaline and Sargon stayed silent.

"Your Excellency, the important fact is that one of the ingredients is very rare, very valuable, and very hostile. It has enough magic running through it to take out an entire city if handled improperly. Your smiths are the only ones in the land with enough precision to handle it."

"We do not tinker with magic child." He responded stomping his staff slightly as his voice raised in anger.

"Your Excellency, the ingredient is one of a kind. If we were to bring it anywhere else, it would damn the entire world for the rest of Eternity. We know of your distaste for the magical arts, and I assure you, we wouldn't come to you with this if there was anyone else you could do it." Dalton finally looked back up at the king, staying on one knee. The dwarf king paused for a moment, thinking about it.

"Fine. We will attempt to forge this myth. You only have to bring the materials to us and our best blacksmiths will get to work."

"Your excellency, we have the utmost gratitude for this. However, I have more of a personal endeavor here as well, if I may ask a simple question."

"What is it?" The king said simple, his voice lowering with a sigh.

"How long do your people keep the designs and templates of that which you forge?"

"You mean the designs to our home?" The king asked.

"No. Your draft papers, and templates, and blueprints. Specifically for things like say, weapons, and armor?"

"You are welcome to examine the prince to out primal war sets, but I don't see why you would do so?"

"Because... I believe I will find something that belongs to me buried in those designs." She simply responded and then asked. "Can I be lead to your archives?"

The king snapped his fingers, and one of the guards stationed in the room walked over and began escorting Dalton to where the archives where located.

"Are there any more questionable requests?"

Alina stepped forward and looked at the king.

"I am sure you are familiar that the artifacts of Asdros and Arja have been discovered? While we are searching for the materials to the weapon, our goal is also to prevent Valhalla from once more gaining all four artifacts. Would you have any idea where the temple of Moradin lies?"

"We do not possess a temple. We only have a vault. Locked deep into the mountain, far from this stronghold."

"Have you taken precautions against Valhalla taking it?" Sargon asked. The king laughed and nodded.

"We have a large variety of obstacles. I would be impressed if your group could even survive." He responded.

"And yet he is nearly invincible. Deadly traps would likely be ineffective." Alina added.

"My apologies, you must have misunderstood. They are not traps, they are obstacles. Living creatures who guard the relic without any knowledge of doing so."

"And the Shield of Asdros makes him immune to any attack." Alina sighed.

"Any attack? What if a demon were to attack the shield, better yet, what if multiple demons were to crush the humanoid?"

"I highly doubt it would do anything." Alina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

"Well, we shall see with time. The demons we keep locked up in their will provide all the protection we need." The king said with confidence.

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