Jin knew he had to act fast. The other two were devouring each page as if they were just images that had no further significance, switching books every half hour. But Jin wouldn't dare.
Having such a book in front of him, he began rummaging through it cautiously as if his life depended on it. Sliding his index finger from paragraph to paragraph, from bottom to top; he looked for any clues that might be of help to him. This one in front of him could very well be the key to unlocking his elemental nucleus; now he just needed to find the key name needed to channel the power that had been bestowed to him. The pact had clearly been made at their last meeting, but there had been no connection established since then to test— or at least prove—that he wasn't losing his mind. He thought they had built a pact. A relationship of sorts. So why else were his dreams so silent since then?
He had seen elemental warriors in battle several times. Interestingly, without fail they always muttered the names of those who had blessed them with the awakening. Unfortunately in his case, he had to work for it. He needed to carefully check each page and eventually—surely the answers would come, he thought to himself. That red-eyed girl had promised him power, and if he needed to read this author's full set of volumes to learn her name, then so be it.
After about an hour of reading the book, he was starting to understand more about the geopolitical landscape he had been protected from. Specifically, the legends from the Age of Old. Over the entire continent of Ravnos, many legacies had been built and torn in a cyclical pattern of glory and misfortune.
The book told of ancient events, dating back over eight centuries of history. And while Jin had always liked to hear the songs , and past heroes but he had never had a book with this magnitude of detail in his hands.
They were in the year 722 A.T, however those pages gave light to compelling times when the Great Nations had not yet formed. Stories set centuries ago about the age before the Great Transgression — A betrayal that would mark the dawn of a new age, with its utmost importance in history. And it read:
A common myth, often heard amongst the ignorant, claims that Azazel Bahaeryon had never set foot upon the soil of Ravnos until the day he descended from the skies along with his siblings to conquer it, but this cannot be truth. Years before ‘The Leap’, sightings of a winged lord by 178 B.T. were already being recorded by noble scribes in the far west. Plainly, Azazel’s interest in building an everlasting Empire long predated the events that drove him to war, for the Ravnos of Azazel’s youth was an unstable continent divided into thousands of quarrelsome kingdoms; there was hardly a time where children were allowed time to behave as such. The foundation of order an unconceivable desire.
And he soon realized true peace could only be obtained if Overlords and Saints and self-proclaimed kings were all under a single banner. And for that he would not eat, nor would he drink until accord was found in the Varaan Plains. Set on this goal from youth, he captivated even the most ignorant men in hearing range. Let it be clear, in his early days Azazel was indeed amongst the few ascended Heralds, not known for his phenomenal speech, but his heartfelt appeals heard by widows,lonely knights, unfathered sons and everyone who was touched by war in some form.
The following quickly grew in numbers, initially not by conquest. And his ideals could breach any border as long as people felt grief and yearned for better days. In the early days, no blood was spilled and no harm was done. There was nothing to be afraid of, and so villages reacted accordingly. Thousands of them were united in the cause, regardless of race, wealth or family. For a time, Men, Elves, Demihumans, and even Dwarves ate and lived as one. From village to village, they approached slowly like a wave coming to shore. Carrying not swords or shields but flowers and food to warm the wounded heart. Azazel was 17 years of age and had already gained more fame than Lords and Ladies that were raiding and conquering for twice as long.
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His following, however, would not be welcomed in open arms in all places they visited. The one occasion that resisted the test of time was the Bonzara's Bastion incident in 175 B.T. ,led by an arrogant and proud man; they called him Lord Obarus, the Unworthy. Over two thousand people made way to his castle, carrying wheat, bread and water for his people. A phenomena that would have been assumed a miracle by many, was not taken kindly that day. The gates remained open until they were all within those stone walls of his, and then hell broke loose. Arrows rained from the skies as armored guards swiftly charged the flanks of a distraught mob; as the gates closed behind them, the proud lord wheezed as his food stock had just doubled overnight.
Some scholars argue Azazel was merely waiting for a disaster, and had reasoned with himself that it was only a matter of time. While others claim he was spared by the arrogant lord only to return the next day to wipe his House name from history. While the legend says he was so stunned from the news, he locked himself for nine days and nine nights only to emerge with glowing crimson eyes and forever changed.; accounts differ.
While there are several versions of the tale, the Massacre of Bonzara remained as one of the biggest tales in history that shaped the origins of House Bahaeryon and the sudden shift in Azazel’s behavior. One thing is certain; the pain and chaos that followed had only strengthened the people's faith in Azazel.
At its apex Alanoth was the greatest city in the known world, the center of civilization and the Alanothian Empire. But in 174 B.U. it was only a small village among thousand others with an ambitious, yet unique Crimson Lord. In the battlefield Azazel was unmatched in single combat even amongst the greatest warriors of his age. Considered a brilliant leader among all else, his diplomatic approach both in war and peace seemed ahead of his time. Azazel Bahaeryon himself, strangely, was as much an enigma to his contemporaries as to us.
His commanding presence drew men to his banners, as news from his victories sprawled across Ravnos like scorching flames in a dry forest. Women were drawn to him, yet he remained ever faithful to his calling. And it is said that after a thousand rulers bent the knee, he thought wise to share his greatest treasure with the deserving. A Grand Tournament was to be held, and the winners would become his dearest . For even the most renowned ascendants from east to west were compelled to attend and prove their prowess before the mighty God Emperor, Azazel himself.
Irillyon Corvion 'The Crystal Hand' of Lantaria, Zortana 'The Maiden' of Romur, Hunkarion Fenathus 'The Dragonslayer' of Barcana, Lilith Whitmore 'Mother of Curses' of the Five Covenants, Xirmos 'The Undying' of Norkrus and Qoryon 'The King of Giants' were among those who answered his call, yet they were only a handful Heralds in comparison to the dozen Saints and hundreds of Overlords in attendance.
While we do not have detailed reports of how each stage of the tournament unfolded, we can assume by the records that it was the biggest competition to be ever held in the continent of Ravnos, spanning 28 days. Through night and day, through rain and fog they fought on. And by morning of the 29th, only four from ten thousand were left standing. Proven warriors, worthy Heralds who were all but one step away from Ascendant.
And in the 30th a strange ritual was made under a Blood Moon, thus Morax 'Black Blade', Rikarthus 'Golden Prince', Isabella 'of a Thousand Faces' and Vulcan 'of the Scorching Breath' kneeled as strangers and rose as members of House Bahaeryon. Victory that night made them Azazel's Chosen. Brilliant Heralds in all—Aspirers to Ascendancy. A House forged not by blood like others, but by sheer strength and pure elemental potential at its very foundation...