In the beginning there was nothing but the Void. In this void where two forces, Xar and Pato. These two divine spirits represented two opposites that contradicted yet depended on one another. They were the Light and the Dark. Good and Evil. Both equal in power. Neither one could out match the other. They were in continuous balance for a time incomprehensible, until they finally struck one another.

From their equal wounds poured a blood, a blood that swept over the void and began to mix and flow together. From this mixed blood, two celestial bodies were formed, Magnus and Iridian.

These two brothers watched as Xar and Pato continued to battle and watched as their blood glowed with power. They both realized the possibilities of such a power, one to create endless creations. So together they built a home, Hofkin.

Quickly, Magnus became obsessed with the idea of creation. His ideas spiraled endlessly but Iridan grew bored just as quickly. He became annoyed with his brother's obsessiveness and locked himself away in his own chamber.

Magnus growing ever more curious decided to put his ideas to the test and created his first child, Draco. From here he birthed many more, Vermidia, Eluna, Arkos, Zen, Zul, Muthos, Julian, Moragon, Bo, Galagon, Qharus, Thylan, Shiarus, and Udis.

After such strenuous activity, Magnus grew tired and took time to rest but in his absence, Iridian emerged from his chambers. He turned to the new children of Magnus and had thought up an idea.

He purposed to the children a plan for each of the children to create a new world of their own with the blood. One where they could all live in with their own creations. Few disagreed as they believed the use of the blood for their own desires would be selfish but many felt it was their right as if Magnus had done it, then so could they.

Vermidia, Zul, Muthos, Moragon, Bo and Galagon all fled and began to use the blood. They shaped their own realities and their own minions.

It was then Magnus returned from his rest to find that a majority of the blood had been drained. He grew furious. He turned to the six children and banished them from Hofkin without a second thought, giving them the title of Daem. Iridian returned to find his brother seething, he smiled.

Iridian left to free the Daem from the pit that had been banished to. He allowed them to all return to their realms as a gesture of solidarity. He then returned to Hofkin and provoked his brother, claiming responsibility for the actions of the Daem and challenging Magnus for the throne.

After a long battle, Magnus defeated Iridian, he then turned to his brother's corpse and tore his heart from his body and cast it into the stars.

He turned to the nine who remained and told them of his dream to use the blood to make a home for all of them, one where all of their creations could have lived in harmony. Draco, Eluna, Arkos, Zen, Julian, Qharus, Thylan and Shiarus all sympathized with Magnus knowing that the blood that remained would not be enough. Then Udis approached with an idea. They could use their own blood and the blood left behind by Iridian to create this world Magnus had dreamed of. The others agreed and together they created Amerei, an entire universe filled with everything they could ever imagine.

The Daem lived alone in their own planes of Hell. They grew sick of the thought of Magnus and how quick he was to toss them from their home. While others may have just brushed it off, Vermidia took great offense. She bathed in the vile and grew increasingly violent. She dreamt of the day she could enact her revenge against Magnus and the Celestials. She dreamt of the day she could take back the kingdom for her brothers and sister.

Until the day His voice echoed through her realm. He spoke from beyond death, Iridian. He told her of his plan. One she could not resist. It was indeed Chronos Magnus who cast them out. He surely deserved to pay didn't he? Vermidia jumped to all of the Realms of Hell to gain an alliance with fellow Daem. They all unanimously agreed that Chronos had dealt them a great injustice and should be brought to justice for such crimes.

Udis grew sick of his siblings in Hofkin and began to feel gilt. He reached out to Vermidia with his condolences. He told her he felt sorry for what had happened to them and he wished to be accepted by them. Vermidia saw this as an opportunity and told Udis if he wanted their acceptance, he would have to earn it. In hopes they would one day do so, Udis sent them an invitation back to Hofkin. Vermidia warned him if she came, blood would be spilled. Udis accepted this fact and told her to have her way with Magnus.

It was then Vermidia attacked with her army. The six of them attacked Hofkin and were coming for Chronos Magnus.

Hofkin, Amerei Plane, End of The First Era

———Vermidia———

The gates of the kingdom loom in the distance, my first glimpse of home in nearly a thousand years. It's strange, this place, once familiar, now fortified beyond recognition. Their defenses have grown far greater than I expected, but I should have known. The shadow of our return must have haunted Magnus for centuries. Yet even with all his preparations, he has still underestimated us. He has no idea what is coming.

I sprint across the open field, ducking behind a jagged rock. "Galagon! Bo! On me, now!"

The two of them rush to my side, armor clanking in the tense silence.

"What is it, Vermidia?" Bo's voice is calm, but her eyes are sharp, waiting.

I point to the mass of soldiers gathering like a storm on the horizon. "I need to breach the castle. Help me cut through them."

Without hesitation, they nod in unison. "Always."

Before I can respond, I see Zul in the distance, charging recklessly with his blade cleaving through the air. A blur of destruction, relentless. But then, from the castle walls, I spot it, a cannon swiveling, its barrel glowing with ominous void energy.

"Zul, get out of there!" My scream cutting through the chaos, but it's too late. The bolt of void energy crashes into him, unraveling him from the inside out. His form contorts, and in seconds, he's gone, his very essence consumed by the blast.

"Zul!" The word tears from my throat, raw and desperate. Tears blurring my vision, rage threatening to drown me. "Damn them! Damn all of them! I'll make them pay, my love... I'll make them pay."

I can feel my body trembling, but I force myself to look at the castle. There is no time for grief. Not yet. "Run with me, now!" I bark, though the crack in my voice betrays me.

Bo reaches for my hand, her touch gentle. "Vermidia..."

I shake her off, my eyes ablaze. "There's no time to grieve, Bo! I said run!"

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She gives a firm nod, her usual warmth replaced with the cold determination we shared. Galagon had already charged ahead, and we follow now, my legs burning with each step as Muthos and Moragon stay behind to hold back the oncoming legion.

I pull my staff free from its harness, and with a flick of my wrist, tendrils of dark energy lash out, tearing into the castle's defenses. Cannons shatter as we press forward, but I can feel it, something more. A shadow in the sky.

A black dragon emerges from the castle's highest tower, its scales glistening like polished obsidian. "Gundriasdan, Draco's best..." I say as he circles once, then angles his massive form toward us. The beast locks eyes with me, his fury palpable, and I freeze.

"Move!" Bo's voice rings in my ears as she shoves me aside, my staff still raised in defense. The dragon's descent is swift, his roar echoing like thunder as he plummets toward us.

The gate looms ahead, and I stumble against it, Bo standing before me, unwavering. Above us, Gundriasdan bellows out. "Your rebellion is a fleeting blasphemy! You are no match for the All-Father's might!"

Bo glances back at me, her resolve stronger than ever. "Go, Vermidia. Take the throne. Do it for me, for Zul, for all of us."

The castle gate begins to close, but before I can reach for her, Galagon yanks me backward. I barely have time to scream her name before the sky splits apart with a flash of lightning. It tears through the air, striking Bo with merciless precision. In an instant, she was gone, turned to ash.

My heart shatters. First Zul, now her. I can't breathe. The tears come hot and fast as I collapse to my knees, but Galagon pulls me back up, his grip unyielding.

"Vermidia, listen to me! There is no time to mourn. They did this to us! To her! To Zul! Now is the time for vengeance."

I look into his eyes, and through my grief, I feel the fire reignite. He's right. This is what they wanted, to break me, to turn my sorrow into weakness but I am stronger than that. Stronger than them.

Ahead, I see Draco running up the grand staircase, his figure growing smaller as he nears the double doors of the throne room. It has always been about this. About Magnus. About ending this farce of a kingdom.

"I'm going alone," I growl, tearing myself free from Galagon's grasp. "Guard the doors. No one follows."

I turn, my heart heavy with loss, but my resolve unshakable. "I'm coming for you, Magnus."

———Chronos Magnus———

"Chronos!" Draco burst in through the double doors in front of the throne and yelled my name.

"What is the problem?!"

"They are coming!"

I turn to look at Eluna as she stands at the side of the throne. "Go now, warn the others."

She nods and runs from the hall and into the portal room.

"Draco, ready yourself, we are not about to lose this realm to the Daem!" As I said that She burst through the doors and the room fell silent.

Her long cloak flowing black with deep blood red and violet accents tracing the edges. Her armor sleek, forged of dark madium that gleams menacingly.

Her boots of tough, shadowy leather, laced up high, with silver obsidian buckles that glint faintly. Underneath her cloak, she wears a close fitting, dark tunic. The tunic covered in her dark magic runes.

She smiles as she stands there and her eyes fixate on me in an instant.

"Chronos, father, aren't you going to welcome your daughter back home?"

I shake my head and laugh at her words. "You, are no child of mine, not anymore!" I yell.

Udis interrupts "Sister, you're here? I did not expect you to be so early."

She smiles with a menacing expression. "Yes, thank you for the location of the kingdom. It's been hard to pin down ever since the move."

I turn to him "You..." I say in a stern voice. "You gave her our location?!"

Draco steps forward and points at Udis."You filthy Daem!"

Vermidia conjures a blade and then throws it at Draco. It pierces his armor and knocks him to the ground. "That's enough!" She turns to me with anger and frustration.

Vermidia then looks at Udis and whispers something in his ear. I shake my head in disgust.

"I hope you know what you've done boy, I'll make sure every instance of your name is followed by the title of Daem."

He smirks. "That was the goal, father." He turns and leaves through the castle doors.

She looks at me. "Now, where is his heart?"

I laugh. "That's what this is about? You won't find it anywhere. You won't get your hands on it. You cannot bring him back!"

She laughs. "We will see about that."

————Draco———

I open my eyes and pull the blade from my chest. The room begins to blur. I see her smile as she conjures a new blade into her hands and swings it around in the air getting a feel of it. Magnus stands up off his throne and shakes his head.

"Vermidia stop this at once!"

"No. I have orders King." She speaks firm.

He violently shakes his head in anger "His persuasion has turned you against us. He's infiltrated your mind. See reason Vermidia, think of the prophecy. My children will destroy you and will end your reign. Ask yourself, is it really worth it?"

"His 'persuasion'..." she chuckles "It didn't take much persuasion once you kicked us out! As for your 'prophecy'... it's a hoax. You really think our brothers and sisters can defeat us Daem after you weakened yourselves? Maybe before you made Amerei, but not now."

"Is that a test? I defeated the mighty Iridian. No matter how big and powerful you think you are now, it pales in comparison to me. You are nothing but a pity creation of mine who does nothing but mess with mortal minds, dreams, and lives. A mistake at best."

He raises his hand as a ball of red fluid like matter takes form. The matter shifts and turns as it hovers above his fingertips. He then throws his palm forward as the ball leaves his fingertips, turning into a long jagged spear. She dashes to her right as the spear flies past her and breaks through the double doors.

She then throws her hands back out at him with a scream. A burst of void darkness shoots from her palms. It twists and turns like lightning and slams into his chest.

Chronos staggers back and in an instant, he shatters apart like glass with the power of her darkness. His body vaporizes and floats away leaving behind three crystals in its place. They fall to the ground in front of the throne.

They glow, blue, red and purple. The blue one hymned of ice, the red of flames and the purple crackled of sparks of lightning.

"How anticlimactic, he really did lose his touch in his old age." Udis speaks as he walks towards her from the shadows. "What a pity. I really was hoping for more of a brawl. Either way, congratulations Sister. You may now take your, rightful place on the Madium Throne."

"No, it doesn't belong to me. It belongs to another." She mutters with distaste as she glares at it.

"Who else should have it? You are the victor, you have slain the mighty Chronos Magnus. Is it not so glorious? Men have died just thinking of such an opportunity."

"I said no Udis, if you lust over it so badly, then you take it. Just know it won't be yours for long." She then slices the air with her blade, cutting a rift into existence. She steps into it and vanishes in a spiral, escaping into the void.

Udis cackles at the thought. "Well then, don't mind if I do." His voice squeaking in excitement.

He sits onto the throne. Basking in its glory. He looks over its finish and strokes its edges. He chuckles some more and raises his hands as he laughs.

"Mine, all mine, ah ha, ooohh it's so glorious. All for me. Mine, all mine." He dances in his seat.

I crawl towards the shattered pieces of Chronos and slip them into my pocket as Udis is encapsulated.

He then turns to look down at me as I lay at his feet.

"Oh, you're still living it seems."

Eluna staggers into the Throne Room. She looks to me on the ground and then glances back to Udis. He then looks to her.

"Well, go on then, take him and go! I'm not yet ready to leave such a wondrous experience as this." He raises his hands and begins to cackle aloud.

Eluna raises me and places my arm around her shoulders. She then carries me out into the Great Hall from the large double doors as the laughter grows increasingly from Udis.

"Mine, all mine!"

We stumble into the portal room. Zen stands there waiting. His eyes widen as we approach.

"Draco are you..."

"I'm fine, really." I say.

"Eluna?" Zen turns to her.

"He'll be fine once I take a look at him, don't worry." She smiles at me as she sits me down in a chair along the wall of the room. She then begins to tend to my wounds.

"Thank you for coming back for me Eluna."

"Of course Draco, we have to stick together now."

"Where are the others?" I turn to Zen.

He motions to the portal. "They used the Celestial Gate. Eluna and I warned them that it wasn't safe here anymore."

I nod. "Good, as long as they are safe. Who knows who else is lurking about the castle. Now, I need a favor of you two."

They both look to me. Eluna chuckles. "I just saved you from bleeding out on the floor, I'm currently healing you and you ask more of me?"

"I know, but you both need to see this."

I reach into my pocket and pull out the three gemstones and lay them on the table.

"His children, how?" Zen asks.

"They appeared when Vermidia shattered him. They are his literal flesh and blood, we have to get them out of here. As far away from Hofkin as we can."

"Where would we even take them? Hofkin was supposed to be the safest place in the Universe. We have no where else to go that the Daem can't follow."

"Then we will just have to keep moving won't we? Live in secrecy among the mortals on Naurus, maybe Zenot." Eluna suggests.

"That's all we can do." I hold the red gemstone in my hand. I stare into its core. "What other choice do we have." I turn to Zen.

"Indeed what other choice do you have?"

A voice echos from the doorway. We all turn and see a shining silver man. He pulls from his back a long rigid blade.

"Galagon..." Eluna speaks in horror.

"Udis said you had gone this way, but I didn't think you would be as foolish as to stay this long."

Zen steps forward and smirks. "We were just leaving."

I slide the red and purple gemstone into my pocket as Eluna grabs the other and conceals it herself.

"Mmm yes, well, you already had that chance it seems. Udis letting you go is one thing, but if Vermidia learned I let you out of my grasp, well now, that's a different story."

I begin to whisper into my hands. As I cover my face with them. I stand and approach Galagon as Zen backs up.

"Eluna into the portal, into the portal now!" Zen yells as I hear them run back. I hear the gate turn on and begin to charge.

Galagon stares at me. "You never were one for a fair fight were you?"

I smile. "I'm just using what's in my arsenal Galagon."

I throw my hands from my face as a rift opens and a roar echos from my palms. Galagon turns and runs away as a dragon emerges from my hands and tears through the room, causing the ceiling to collapse. It then chases after Galagon through the Great Hall.

I turn to Eluna and Zen as they jump through the portal and I follow.