The training hall was silent, the echoes of clashes and magical bursts replaced by a heavy stillness. As the final seconds of the test dwindled away, Dragbaki and Lyria, their weapons lowered, stood panting in the center of the hall. Captain Seraphia and Head Wizard Maldris, similarly exhausted, shared a glance that conveyed both respect and acknowledgment.
Captain Seraphia sheathed her longsword, breaking the silence. "You've proven yourselves more capable than we anticipated. Your teamwork is commendable, and your adaptability in the face of adversity is noteworthy."
Head Wizard Maldris, though visibly fatigued, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Your strategic approach, especially that use of illusions and distractions, was impressive. Few novice adventurers have shown such ingenuity."
The heroes exchanged a brief look, a mix of relief and surprise in their eyes. Stalemate against these seasoned commanders felt like a victory in itself, considering the vast difference in experience and power.
"You have not only earned the right to continue your journey," Captain Seraphia continued, her rare smile turning into a look of respect, "but the Temple of Guardians hereby acknowledges you as heroes. Your actions today have displayed qualities we seek in those destined for greatness. Learn from this experience, and may it guide you on your path."
With those words, the atmosphere in the training hall shifted. The acknowledgment from the Temple of Guardians held a weight beyond a mere passage to the next stage of their journey. It was a recognition of heroism.
As Dragbaki and Lyria prepared to leave the training hall, Captain Seraphia stepped forward, her tone carrying a sense of ceremony. "In our discussions, Maldris and I have come to a profound realization. The prophecy has foretold the arrival of a fated hero, and today, Dragbaki, you have proven yourself to be that hero. Furthermore, Lyria, you have been recognized as a fated member of the hero's party."
Seraphia continued, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and anticipation. "To celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy, the Temple of Guardians will hold a grand festival in one week's time. It will be a gathering to honor the arrival of the hero and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our realm. Prepare yourselves for the festivities that await, for you are not just heroes; you are the heralds of a destiny that will shape the course of our world."
After Captain Seraphia says their next plans the Dragbaki and Lyria then toured around the Temple with a few guards and casters. After the group explored they went to the dining hall for dinner. Finishing dinner the duo proceeds to their quarters and is out for the night.
The day following the intense trial, While talking to the on break guards, Dragbaki and Lyria were told by a guard that the two commanders were looking for them. The duo then told the guards to continue their break and would talk to them again later, after that the duo then followed the guard to the commander's office. Entering the office the duo then greeted the commanders.
“Good morning, Heard you were looking for us?” Dragbaki greeted the two commanders. While Lyria chimed in with a cheerful “Good morning!”.
“We called you here today, to tell you about the current situation. Since it’s only been a few days since you’ve become the prophecy’s chosen, you probably don't know much about the situation regarding the encroaching darkness. I’d let Maldris explain the situation from the history side though I'm sure Sir Auric would correct us with facts should we get information wrong” Captain Seraphia explains soberly.
The reason she called for the duo and as she explains that Head Wizard MAldris would explain the history of their enemy, Sir auric materializes besides Dragbaki after hearing of the situation from within the Gem of illumination and assures that he would help with the facts.
“After Maldris explains the history of our enemies, I would tell you what we think their current locations are and how we would proceed after your inauguration as heroes.” She continues as she hands off the duo to the Head Wizard.
"So where do you guys wanna start?" The enthusiastic Head Wizard trying to lighten up the heavy atmosphere knowing the burden of the hero's party.
"Heh, well I guess from the beginning," Dragbaki replied.
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"Alright, what i'm gonna say is based on the knowledge accumulated by the sanctuary which, courtesy of the great sage, sir auric, is probably the greatest bastion of knowledge to ever exist." Maldris explains as he gives courtesy to the source of his works, the spirit guide sir auric, after that he then proceeds to explain what their enemies are.
"So based on the knowledge of the sanctuary, what you've been calling darkness or forces of darkness are actually called abyssals and their leaders, the abyssals are spawns that are created in the pits of the abyss. Created from the anger and the energy of the abyssal dreadlords, there's also levels to them to which I would explain later. The abyssal dreadlords on the other hand. they're ancient entities capable of surpassing the power of the gods" Maldris explains as Lyria asks a question.
"In terms of power, where would you put their power between the gods, the great old ones, and the titans? " Lyria asks as her eyes sparkles at the lore that links with their destiny.
" Hmm personally, I would think that they're between the gods and the great old ones and definitely below the titans of the forgotten age. Though I'm more curious of what sir Auric would say given that he fought one of them before... Though I guess it would be inappropriate given what he's experienced. " Maldris answered the curious Lyria and looked at the spirit guide with a sorrowful look remembering what happened to the sanctuary of illumination.
"Hoo... It's fine, no need to feel remorseful for what happened in the past~. Though the fate of the sanctuary is indeed a sad thing it isn't without benefits. For one we now know that they're been active for a long time and have been planning this war, we now also have a basis on how powerful they are." Auric said as he thought hard about the past, and after a while he then continued his story.
" The one I've fought is called vexzephyrak the Accursed. I don't know where he ranks upon the dreadlords but one thing he said to me that I will never forget. I wanted to write this at the ancient tome, Lady Lyria is holding. But I've died before then. The thing it said was, ‘1 among the rest, 1 not among the 12, the 13th enthroned, the eternal abyss' . The speech is still burning in my mind and I will never forget that. I've always thought about it and then I realized something, there's someone higher than the dreadlords, and the dreadlords are already stronger than the gods then how strong is their leader... " Auric explains with a complicated look on his face.
" So that means the bastard's the final boss then?" Dragbaki said curious of the mysterious leader.
" Don't be impatient... The way you are now... You're still far from that" Auric warns Dragbaki to be patient.
" So what's the History of the abyssals? " Lyria turns to Maldris and asks.
" Well according to the discoveries of the sanctuary of illumination, the abyssals have long existed even before the Overgod AO allowed the gods to rule the universe. It's even before the dracorage and the tablets of fate. " Maldris explains which stunned the duo at the age of the abyssals
" Though Sir Auric had defeated Vexzephyrak, the dreadlords have appointed a replacement and as for the 13th enthroned, well there's no information about them. That's basically their history other than that the only information left is that they've suddenly attacked last century and from then on their attacks have only just increased. Their first siege targets multiple key locations. The sanctuary of illumination, the royal capital of the thrinderostal empire. One of the largest empires which broke after the attack, and lastly... Glypeinros..." Maldris explains but he then realizes that the memory of the attack is probably very disturbing for Dragbaki.
Hearing the Explanation Dragbaki made a very complicated face as he remembers the event that occurred that day as his father one of the greatest sorcerer of all time perished as his mother the goddess Mystra, enraged by the event wiped out the whole city as she gone berserk with the loss of her husband.” Lyria hugged Dragbaki trying to comfort him as Maldris continued his story.
“After the event, Mystra lived in the forest with just herself and her child in the hopes of hiding from the abyssals knowing that their lives would be targeted as without her control of magic the world would be easily conquered as the world would have no way of fighting back. Until a few decades ago when she suddenly vanished from their home leaving Dragbaki all alone to fend for himself as Mystra, determined not to hide anymore, went to the frontlines to fight the abyssals...
"Dragbaki...Dragbaki! Hey you've spaced out" Lyria pulled Dragbaki's mind back to reality. "Are you ok? You've spaced out and I've called your name a lot of times and you didn't answer me." Lyria continues to say with a worried face as the others also look at him worried.
"I'm fine now... Just remembered some bitter memories... But I'm fine now, please continue with the discussion” Dragbaki assured everyone though still pained by the events of his past.
“Alright, but let me know if you don’t feel well.” Maldris said to the sad Dragbaki
.”Continuing, After the abyssals ravages those lands, The gods finally bonded together along with the various powerful nations to send their most powerful combatants to help with the fight against the abyssals, especially after the event that happened in Glypeinros where goddess Mystra lost control and basically deleted the whole city after her berserk magic vaporizes the land.”Maldris said in a solemn voice while looking at Dragbaki. And after he comforted Him again, Maldris continued to explain the history.
” After that the gods and various heroes have gone to the edge of the abyss which is the frontlines to combat any abyssal Dreadlords trying to come out though the main bodies can’t come out their avatars are still able to materialize in the prime plane.” Maldris said with a grave expression.
“Which is why we’re still in alert mode as one of those avatars can attack us at any moment though me and captain Seraphia can stalemate one of them if we fight together we think that with the two of you here we would be enough to take down one of their avatars.” Maldris said, finishing his explanation of what the abyssals are and their history in the prime material plane.
“Alright, let’s have a break first we’ll continue this later since that’s a lot of information to process” Captain Seraphia said, lifting the mood of everyone.
The group takes a break from their discussion and heads for the dining hall, Dragbaki and Lyria talk about their adventures before meeting at the sanctuary while eating their meals which helps alleviate Dragbaki’s sadness from the discussion. After a while the duo meets up with the two commanders again to head back to the commander's office for Captain Seraphia’s part of the Discussion. Entering the office the captain called for a few high ranking officers of the guards to help with the preparation for explaining the future plans of the temple in regards to the increasing number of incidents relating to the abyssals attacks. After a while the group finished preparing the materials for the presentation and stayed as commanded by Captain Seraphia to give their opinions on some points regarding the presentation.