Within the Kingdom of Light, one of the Great Powers of the Continent of Estau, the main landmass of Aethion, much work was going on in the Castle. In the castle proper the numerous slaves and servants and other people were running about in a scurry finishing last minute preparations for the day. It was a rather important day, the Day of the Summoning. Most of the nearby countries on Estau had conducted their Summoning’s many months prior.
The Kingdom of Light had to take additional time to prepare as they were ordered by their Patron, Tamara, Lady of Light. They were attempting to common a very specific individual, though they did not know that. They, like all the other countries would attempt to bring many Summoned to their side. The Summoning Chamber was located deep within the bowels of the Castle. Once the Summoning was held the Throne Room but after a certain incident when they summoned a rather inhuman being, that practice was changed.
Now the Summoning was held in a circular room, many feet below ground. It was large, more than 40 feet across; the floor was stone with an intricate magic circle engraved into it. The magic circle had branches leading off into adjoined rooms, each with heavy metal doors. The rooms all had a magic circle similar to the larger one in the Chamber, which they were all connected to. The rooms were all secured and reinforced, there were 5 rooms in all, some larger or smaller than the others.
In the Chamber 10 holy men were arranged around the large magic circle. 9 of the men were Priests; they were all on their knees, silently channeling their magical power into the magic circle. The 10th man was standing, while the Priests were dressed in plain white robes, he however was wearing more ornate garb. His robes were a brighter white, with gold trim along the fringes of the robes, his headpiece was rather ornate as well.
He was reading aloud from a large golden tome weathered with use and age, its pages were frayed and dog-eared/
“Oh Tamara, Lady of Light, our Patron, we beseech thee and your fellow Gods for their Blessings in this Summoning. We shall need Your Champions, Your Blessed, to survive against the heathens that seek to bring ruin to your Children, WE BESEECH THEE!!!”
As the Bishop’s words ended, they echoed about the room, during this the magic circle glowed brighter and brighter. An accompanying glow could be seen emanating from the smaller separated Summoning Rooms. The others attending, looked on with expectation, among them were the current members of the Royal Family. There were 4 of them; the most important of them was the King, Richard Luminus, a shorter jovial looking man, whose weathered face bore the stress of leadership.
To his left stood his eldest child, his only son, the Crown Prince Julius Luminus. He stood nearly a foot taller than his father; he was in his early 30’s. He was thinly built, and rather handsome to boot, most members of the Kingdom called him Julius the Blessed, which was one of his titles granted to him by the Lady. He gained the title nearly 2 decades ago when the Wildmen of the North pushed south with a massive army.
The Wildmen were mostly disorganized barbarians that roamed the Northern countries of Estau. Occasionally a Champion would be crowned, one Blessed by Aslak, the Old God of the North who held dominion over Survival and Winter. It was one such Champion who organized the Wildmen, his name was Moldof, a giant amongst men. He alone united them through sheer force of will and the power he possessed. They swept across Estau like a plague, they dealt much damage before Moldof fell assaulting Drakon.
The remains of his army fled west into the Kingdom of Light. It was at this time that Julius, who had been visiting a border village, earned his Title. He only had a few Knights with him at the time, just as the Prince and the village were both about to fall a pillar of Light descended from the heavens and enveloped him. From there the tide of the battle turned with the Prince rallying those with the will to fight and held out until reinforcements arrived.
Behind the King and the Crown Prince stood the Twin Princesses, they were widely regarded as being the most beautiful women in the Kingdom. On the left stood the Crimson Princess, the general of the Kingdom, she stood at around 5 foot 8. She possessed long crimson hair with hung down her back like some wild mane. Her hair was not what gave her that title however, it was her actions during an event only 5 years ago that did that.
It was when an OverSpill happened, they were similar to the Overflow, but localized to only one dungeon, usually ones inhabited by weaker faster reproducing Monsters such as Imps, Goblins, or the inhabitants of the rare Dire Animal Dungeon. The young Princess Emma, only 15 at the time, was at the estate of an Earl, visiting a friend when it happened. She had been in the town below the estate when they showed up, the Krystalou.
The Krystalou, were mutated Dire Animals, which were animals corrupted by magic, the Krystalou however, took that a step further. They were rare beings, they could only come into existence when a powerful Dire Animal consumed a Dungeon Core, or a portion of it. They could however be coerced into being formed, a Dungeon Master or Dungeon Lord, could feed a piece of the Core to a Dire Animal with a large Brood. Just as in humans, drugs could affect a feeding child; the power of the Core mutated the Mother and the Children, as they fed.
There were many Krystalou, around 50, more than had been seen since the First Overflow, where they were first seen. They attacked the village, along with thousands of other animals, Dire and otherwise. They killed most of the villagers, but ignored those that escaped; they marched on the Estate, which was manned by only a few hundred soldiers. Emma was trapped in the village; she was attacked as she tried to flee back to the Estate.
A Krystalou in the shape of a massive wolf lunged at her; the Princess fell back and dropped the dagger she had been holding. She scrambled to recover it, she let out a cry of pain as the Krystalou latched onto her leg, she strained to reach the dagger, finally grasping it before she was dragged back by the monster grabbing her. The beast let go of her leg as she flew through the air, she impacted against the ground, somehow still holding onto her weapon.
It pounced towards her once again, this time aiming for her throat, to finish its pitiful prey off. The princess was trembling as the world seemed to slow and the deadly teeth inched closer and closer to her. Suddenly she heard a sharp yelp and a massive weight collapsed on top of her. She opened her eyes after a time, the Krystallou lay dead atop her, she was covered in its blood.
As the body vanished into dust, her wounds healed and she picked up her weapon, a voice echoed within her mind.
“Rise up Warrior, Rise up, slay your enemies and become forged through blood, become my Crimson Warrior.”
As the words of Denek, the Crimson God reverberated about her mind, more and more Krystalou and other Animals showed up. They gathered around her forming a circle with her and the fading pool of blood from the Krystalou in the center. There was a silence and a tranquility that descended, it vanished as swiftly as it descended as the animals all rushed towards her. That was how her Trial began and how she became the Crimson Princess.
Whereas Emma was a warrior, a fighter through and through, Caitlin, was the more societal of the two. While Emma was brash and prone to violence, she was also rather honorable and virtuous, Caitlin was cunning and manipulative. Truthfully, Caitlin was the only Princess, of the two of them; Emma gave up her claims when she gained her Title. Caitlin was the more suited for the role, but those of the Kingdom still liked to call the two of them the Twin Princesses.
As the light from the ritual grew brighter shapes and figures started to form. The King and Julius watched on with expectation in their eyes. Emma looked on with apathy, being relatively uncaring about those that would be summoned. Caitlin waited and gazed on with anticipation as the figures became more solid amidst the aura of light. During this the glow in the accompanying rooms died down, in all except for one that is, which glowed slightly brighter than the Chamber itself.
ON EARTH
The City of Cross Timber, is home to many criminal organizations, this is a left over from its roots in the 30’s. Many notable criminals and organizations have operated in the city, even after the heyday of organized crime ended, they still persist. One of the more notable groups that are a part of the criminal underworld of Cross Timber is the Nicoletti Family. They are one of the major members of the La Cosa Nostra, the Mafia. The Nicoletti’s once ruled Cross Timber back in its heyday, and even now, so many years later, they have great influence.
Their leadership was based out of the Nicoletti estate in one of the older sections of Cross Timber, built before the Great Depression. It was a gated estate, that held many buildings, surrounded by impressive wrought iron fences, a relic still standing from an era long past. The buildings ranged from a gardening shed next to a walled in Vineyard to the multi-story brick house that dominated the Estate.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Near the front door of the Mansion, a massive figure was standing; he was waiting at the door. He gazed around at what had once been his home, his dark gaze taking in the bricks bearing the cracks and patina of age, as well as the vines obscuring a portion of the front wall. He reached out with one massive hand and gently stroked the brick, as he did so the door opened. The person standing on the other side of the door was an older man with mostly silver hair, far past his prime, yet he exuded the youthfulness of a man less than half his age. When he spoke it was with a polite and cultured accent, colored by his Italian roots.
“Grazie Victor. Your father has been awaiting your arrival, follow me please.”
The larger man, Victor Armstrong nodded, before ducking slightly, so as to not hit the door, as he followed the much smaller man inside. As he entered, one of the two guards, suited mobsters that served Giovanni Nicoletti, closed the door. The foyer of the house was elaborate, yet another sight from times gone by. The foyer led into a wide open area, with a spiral staircase leading to an upperfloor, above the staircase, centered in the room was a massive crystal chandelier that cast its light on the laminated flooring below.
Scattered throughout the room, numerous Mafioso could be seen, most were standing at attention, though a few could be seen conversing here and there. Victor’s attention returned to the butler who began walking soon after the door closed. The older man was a friend of his fathers, he had served the family for many years, his name was Constantino Milani, and was born in Sicily, much like Giovanni was. Instead of heading up the staircase, or through the wooden double doors at the other end of the room, Constantino instead led Victor down one of the side hallways.
Though he was several feet behind the other man, Victor’s large strides enabled him to catch up pretty quick. He did not really need to follow the older man, he knew where they were headed it was the only room on this floor in this section of the house after all, his father’s study. The floor of the house was wood, oak in fact, with a beautiful veneer to it. The double doors were large and wooden, they were strong, not even Victor’s impressive strength could shake it, a feat many metal doors failed at.
Standing to either side of the doors to his father’s study were Large suited men, standing nonchalantly, yet cautiously. As Victor and Constantino approached the study the two men stepped forward and opened the doors inwards to the study. Within the room there were 8 men stationed around the room along with 2 more stationed next to the doors, like the 2 outside the room.
The room was dominated by a massive desk, behind it was an indent that framed a mirror, in front of which were several trinkets. The back wall behind the desk, on either side of the indent had cabinets and bookshelves, full of more trinkets and books as well. The man sitting at the desk was not imposing, not physically like Victor, but he held an air about him that told you to listen or else, nonetheless.
As Victor and Constantino entered the two men closed the doors and the man at the desk, Giovanni, looked up. He spoke and gestured to the men stationed around the room. His accented voice was smooth and mellow, calm, but carrying a tone of solemn authority with it.
“All of you but those at the door, I would like to speak to my son in relative privacy.”
Following his words the 8 men vacated the room with swift silence, after which he turned his attention back to Victor and Constantino. He then gestured to the chair in front of him, and spoke. As he spoke Constantino moved from Victors side and took a position behind Giovanni.
“Please, sit my son, we have much to discuss.”
Victors response was swift, his deep voice carried a cold formally to it.
“I think not father, I will remain standing. Speak your piece so that I might hasten my departure before one of the staff alerts her, undoubtedly she still has contact with some of them.”
A flash of annoyance briefly crossed over his father’s face before he responded.
“Actually, that was what I wished to speak with you about. She knows you are here, she arrived in secret not two days ago. I only found out she arrived this morning myself, I don’t know who her source was. She has gotten quite industrious since you two were separated, my son. Due to her persistence in chasing you, and other things, I have arranged for evidence and testimony to remove the charges pinned against you all those years ago when-.”
Whatever else he was about to say was drowned out by a derisive snort and Victors rather loud, heated reply.
“You need to make up your mind Father. You brought me into this family as your Son, when I saved Her life, then you Disowned me because of the accusations of your wife.”
Following Victors disdainful response, Giovanni was silent for a moment, the calm before the storm. The next moment he yelled, no bellowed, his response. It was accompanied with a fist to the desk, which impacted against the heavy oak desk with a thump, but it held. This was a rarity for him, Giovanni Nicoletti was not a man who needed to yell to get his point across, but he always had been emotional in matters concerning his children, especially his daughter.
“HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO REACT, HUH!?!?!?!?.”
Giovanni fell silent once more and ran a hand over his face before continuing, his voice much more mellow, and more sorrowful.
“I knew what that woman accused you of was false, even with your capacity for violent and terrible things, Terrie was too enamored with you for what she suggested to be a possibility. Regardless, I had killed men for less, and I could not afford to let my feelings for you to get in the way of protecting my Daughter.”
Victor gave a cold laugh in response before he spoke. Though he did not shout to start, each word he spoke carried about the study.
“You brought me into your family because I protected her once from an attack, all those years ago. I will always be grateful for that, you were the first real family I ever had, but...”
There was a pause following those words, and he started shaking, his fists clenched in barely controlled rage. His next words were shouted out loud, following his raised voice the two door guards tensed up, one of them more fidgety than the other.
“Everything, EVERYTHING, THAT I HAD DONE SINCE JOINING YOUR FAMILY WAS FOR THE SAKE OF PROTECTING HER!!!!”
Whatever else he was about to say was interrupted as the fidgety guard went into action. He brought his concealed handgun from beneath his suit and leveled it at Victor, stepping forward as he did. Considering the tension in the room, and the fact that Victor had been barely controlling himself, the action was foolish. The minute the gun was pressed to his back, Victor acted on instinct, exploding into action.
For such a largely built individual, Victor moved with surprising grace and speed. He twisted around, swinging his left arm like a club, both knocking the gun from the goons hand and knocking the man off balance. In the same smooth motion his right arm shot out and he grasped the man’s shoulder, pulling him down, as he did, his left arm grasped the arm that held the gun and wrenched it upwards.
The unfortunate goon gave a brief gasp of discomfort, which soon turned into a pained disjointed grunt as Victor’s knee met the goon’s body as he was pulled down. There was an audible crunch as something in the goon snapped at the forceful contact. Victor used his hold on the man’s shoulder to toss him back a short distance, he fell down with a loud thud, impacting against the double doors to the study.
Giovanni had watched impassively as Victor decimated the goon, he had no use for foolish, impulsive individuals. Constantino was the same, though his silence had stayed the same throughout the confrontation between Giovanni and Victor. His silence was broken as he called out in an intense, short burst of Italian. Following his words the two men outside the study opened the doors and carried the unfortunate goon away, who was luckily still breathing.
Victor gave a heavy sigh before continuing.
“I have been shot and stabbed while protecting her, I have killed for her, to keep her safe. I care for her deeply, even now, but back then I would not have done what she suggested, or even what you were worried had actually happened. I could not take advantage of Terrie like that, I was too selfish to, for the few years I was with you guys I was happy, for the first time I had something akin to an actual family, despite your nature, you guys did not disdain or seem wary of my, welcoming me with open arms.”
Victor paused as he gave another equally heavy sigh before continuing, his voice calmer and much mellower, but still carrying a deep solemnity to it.
“I will take my leave, but I will give some thought to returning, should I truly encounter her at Darkholme I will speak to her, but it is ultimately her decision.”
Victor gave a curt nod before turning away and exiting the room, Constantino followed behind him. Victor swiftly made his way through the side hallway and out into the foyer, despite the spectacle that took place in the study, most of the people, goons and servants alike were still going about their jobs. More than a few of them were covertly glancing at him and whispering to one another, though few present worked in the estate when Victor lived there, they had all heard of him, Victor Armstrong.
He had just exited the front door and had begun walking along the path to the gate when Constantino called out to him. The older man’s words were lighthearted with a hint of praise, he had been the first to notice Victor’s potential and was the first to train him all those years ago.
“I see that you are as skilled as ever in combat, Victor.”
Victor paused for a moment and raised his massive callused hands to look at them, they were scarred and marked. He clenched them for a moment, the veins popping out in his forearms as he did. He responded to the older man, his tone mellow and calm, much more so than it had been at any time in the study.
“I guess there are just some things you can’t grow out of, that you grow into. Even before I came to this family, before you taught me, I was a fighter, I had to be.”
Following his words a silence fell between them and he continued walking. It was a relatively short distance from the main house to the gate of the estate, but time seemed to stretch as the silence grew. Soon enough they reached the massive wrought iron gate that marked the entrance to the grounds of the estate. The guards swiftly opened the gate, which swung slowly, giving an ancient creak as they did, just before he left the Nicoletti Estate Victor turned back as Constanito called out to him one last time.
“Victor… No matter what happens, even if the two of you don’t reconcile with Gio, keep her safe will you?”
Following the older mans words there was a brief silence before a loud booming sound rang out, one which had not been heard for some years, Victor’s raucous laughter. Before responding Victor wiped some tears of laughter from his eyes, the obvious amusement he felt tinting his voice.
“Always have Tino, always have, keep the old man safe.”
Following those words Victor left the Nicoletti Estate, his first visit to occur for the better part of a decade ended as the massive wrought iron gate closed behind him.