They made their way through a small valley that wound tightly around, it eventually gave way to a large open field which stretched as far as the eye could see and standing defiant and strong against the open fields lied the city of Perithium. Votaar said as the city came into view, “This is the kingdom of King Perithius, the city of Peritium, which was named far after the King’s death. The original name is lost to us but there is no city greater or more reputable in all the land. Let us enter, so you can see the history of man’s greatest bastion as of yet.” Wrecker was admiring the city from the long distance when Shraag’s shrill voice pierced his ears again and said, ‘This city is famous. Almost as famous as me. The city of Ardour. This used to be my home. I smell the putrid filth from here. What have they done to it?’ Wrecker mulled the name over in his head, Ardour, it sounded oddly familiar to him for some reason when Shraag said, ‘You are special. Your mind is much more powerful than I thought. You know this city as well Wrecker? Your mind is familiar to me. I was court wizard to Perithius before his fall. The only one he trusted as well. Then I became head of the order and well you know the rest. Your mind is old, very old.’ Shraag mumbled to himself for a long while, the entire time they three made their way to the city gates which were flung wide open. They were greeted by an envoy sent by the current King which Votaar frowned at his name, Wrecker guessed because he did not know this King.
Votaar whispered to Wrecker as they dismounted their horses, “This King is the son of the last, he is not very receptive but his father owed me his life, I shall see what I can do for an army.” Wrecker nodded and said, “Gornik...” Gornik looked at him and Wrecker pointed to a tavern nearby. Gornik shouted and threw his arms up and ran towards the tavern, Wrecker followed and said to Votaar, “You know where to find us, well, him at least.” Votaar nodded and followed the envoy into the keep. As Wrecker walked towards the tavern Shraag started to chuckle. Wrecker asked him within his head, ‘What are you laughing about?’ Shraag said, ‘It is not time for you to find out, you will understand when you see it.’ Wrecker asked, ‘See what you foul snake?’ He cursed under his breath as Shraags laughs faded and entered the tavern after Gornik unaware that Votaar watched the entire time. Votaar was curious as to why Wrecker was standing still, eyes closed, it was his job to be curious as well. A knight nudged Votaar continuing to lead him to the throne room, Votaar followed both anxious and wondering what Wrecker was doing. He felt Wrecker was hiding something, he would find out eventually, but now he needed to worry about the King.
Kraan arrived at the place he really did not want to be any longer than he had to. Ash surrounded him, and it felt like a soft cushion beneath his feet, it was hot, very hot. He arrived at the volcanic lands in search of two Elementals of extreme age and power trapped somewhere. He started off on his journey careful of where he went, the lands were very unstable. Kraan teleported to the beginning of the lands and according to Shraags journal the Elementals lie in the tomb of Annor, as they are the guardians of it. The only problem was that they had been lost for ages and Kraan was no way better off than those before him to search for it, except Shraag. He wondered how Shraag had found it. After searching for several hours he came over one of the mountains and looked out over the lands. Just as he was about to give up his eyes scanned over an ancient structure many miles the the Northeast of where he was. He hoped this was what he was looking for and he started to make his way towards it when the mountain he was on began to rumble. The ground beneath him began to shake and crack, he saw through the crack a light begin to rise and his only thoughts were run. He rushed down the mountain straight towards the ruins. He knew he could outrun the flow of lava, but he could not outrun an eruption. He rushed towards the ruins which was the place he wanted to reach, he felt himself pass through a barrier of sorts and he started to slow down. He looked up and saw the rocks thrown from the eruption hitting a barrier that protected the ruins from the volcanic activity. He walked to the entrance of the ruins which was the Temple of Annor, and he entered in search of the Elementals.
Gornik and Wrecker were busy having a good time in the tavern when a fight broke out. Gornik who was too drunk to be of any use went to the rear corner and passed out while Wrecker who didn’t drink went to the same corner when someone grabbed the sword and pulled it lose from its scabbard. Wrecker turned to meet the person, it was a drunkard who was biting off more than he could chew, both literally and figuratively. The man held in one hand a sword that could level the entire city and in the other a partially munched on lamb leg. Wrecker grew angry when the man took his sword, his hands burst into flames causing all to look at him, he walked towards the man and said, “Give. Me. The. Sword…..Now.” The man dropped the sword, it hovered in mid air for a second then slowly went back to its scabbard at Wreckers side. Wrecker quelled the flame at his hands and went to the corner beside Gornik who was still out, even through the noise. As soon as Wrecker sat down a mug was thrown and the fight resumed. It was broken up a few minutes later when soldiers burst in and stopped it. The soldiers approached Wrecker and Gornik in the corner and one of them said, “The King requests your presence.” Wrecker rolled Gornik off the seat and he thudded on the ground and sprang up ready for a fight but calmed down almost immediately when he saw the guards. They both followed the soldiers to the keep and into the throne room where Votaar could be seen thinking by a window. Wrecker wondered what they spoke about, Votaar did not seem too happy either as far as Wrecker could tell.
Wrecker and Gornik approached the King, they both offered a slight bow and the King returned the gesture. The King began, “I am King Peruvius, your wizard friend told me of your quest, one of revenge, and that you request my Kingdom’s help….” He motioned for Gornik and Votaar to be removed from the throne room and they were escorted out. The King continued, “....I am not like my father who even though he was in debt to the wizard, I am not. Why should I help you? Who are you to come and ask for an army to fight a war that is not ours to fight?” Wrecker said, “My home, which lies in your lands at the far outskirts was destroyed, your people were attacked. Your father was indebted to a wizard of the order, the crown was indebted. This kingdom would not stand if not for that wizard so you are in debt to him. We came here in good spirit, and you show us hostility. That is no way for a king to treat his visitors, especially not one of his own people. I will march on the hordes of Orcs with or without your help, but your father made a deal that he could not complete in his lifetime, a debt not paid because of no need to until now. I call on behalf of Votaar, your kingdom’s debt shall be paid should you help. You can sit by idly as I burn the Orcs to ash, but flames are uncontrollable, they may spread to nearby lands, as such is the beauty of war.” The King stood up and started to shout, “You dare threaten me in my kingdom? You shall not be helped, great warrior or not.” Wrecker asked, “So you have heard of me?” The King said, “Yes, I know the village of which you speak, it was one of the first set up, even before this city.” Wrecker smirked and asked, “How about a duel then….King?” The King laughed and said, “There is no finer swordsman in the land than I, you stand no chance you whelp.” Wrecker said, “Then you have nothing to lose, I will need lent a sword however.” The King asked, “What about the one at your side?” Wrecker chuckled, unsheathed the sword and it burst into flames almost immediately after exiting the scabbard which startled the King.
The King motioned for one of his guards to offer their sword which he did. Wrecker said, “Get Votaar and Gornik back in here, they will watch.” The King sent for guards to bring them back into the throne, Votaar was shaking his head and Gornik had no idea what was going on, he was still weary from the amount of grog he had earlier. The King said, “You lose, your life becomes mine.” Wrecker said, “I win, your army becomes mine for the purpose of this quest.” Wrecker and the King went to engage when a sudden flash was sent out across the throne room. Votaar rushed over to the body of a wizard, the body of Kraan. Votaar asked, “Kraan, what happened? Where did you go?” Kraan could not speak only mumble, the King saw an opportunity to strike and he swung his sword at Wrecker who was not looking at him. Wrecker turned to block it within the blink of an eye thanks to Shraag who whispered in his ear about the attack. Wrecker said, “For a King that was an unhonorable strike, let's see how well you move shall we.” Votaar took Kraan out of the room, closely followed by Gornik leaving Wrecker and the King to their duel. Wrecker went at a steady pace with his attacks on the King. He could tell the King trained hard but he was too prideful and that's what he would use to beat him. Wrecker taunted the King, “Are you not a King? How is a commoner outskilling you now? What a travesty you are.” The King became angry and at that point Wrecker had won. The King snarled, “You are worthless you whelp, your punishment is now death.” The King swung to cleave his head off and Wrecker knew now that the King went too far and dishonored the Duelers Code. Wrecker said, “By the Duelers Code I attain victory, now do not make me hurt you.” The King laughed and said, “You cannot hurt me, I am the heir to King Perithius, the founder of this Kingdom, I have the blood of a warrior.” Wrecker tossed aside the borrowed sword and drew his, blade bursting in flame which made Kraan sit up ignorant of his wounds. Kraan eyed the blade from through the open throne room door and whispered to Votaar, “That blade needs to be destroyed now, it brings the end of what we know, it is Shraag.” Kraan passed out after he said that and Votaar panicked to keep him from dying.
The King stepped back while Wrecker tightened his grip on the flaming blade. The King said, “You have a magic blade?” Wrecker said, “No, it is a cursed blade.” He rushed the King and pushed back slowly across the throne room all the way to his throne chair. Wrecker bludgeoned the King’s sword to the point where it broke. He pointed the flaming blade at the King’s throat and he said, “Your army is mine to command, you will have it back when the Orc filth is destroyed. No exceptions.” The King kept moving back until he reached his chair which he sat in. The King said, “You are a great warrior, a warrior shows restraint and you did not, you have dishonored the code, your demands are fals---” Wrecker cut him off moving the blade closer to him and said, “My restraint is in not beheading you and taking your army by force, your lack of honor lost you the duel. Do not make me kill you.” Votaar rushed into the doorway and shouted, “Take the offer King, he will not hold back, Wrecker come and help with Kraan, he’s bleeding bad.” The King said grudgingly, “Fine I yield, take my army.” Wrecker sheathed the sword and the flames died down and he made eye contact with the King who was startled. Wreckers eyes appeared like flickering flames, shifting and seeming to crackle.
Wrecker rushed over to Kraan and asked, “What can I do to help?” Votaar said, “Use your blade to burn the wound, it will close it and stop the bleeding.” Wrecker asked while drawing the sword, “Why not heal him with magic?” Votaar said, “Something magical in nature did this, I cannot heal wounds caused by magic.” The swords flames were dulled down by Wrecker who only wanted the blade itself to be hot. The blade glowed red and Votaar said, “Now slowly push it down on the wound making sure to cover it all, I will help.” With Votaar’s help Wrecker closed up one by one Kraans wounds. Once it had been done Votaar thought back on what he said about Shraag being behind the sword, deeply concerned. Wrecker helped Votaar and Gornik carry Kraan to a nearby inn where they laid him down in a bed. Wrecker said, “I will take the King’s army and meet the Orcs, you two stay here with him and help in case of a counter attack once we leave. I will leave a couple battalions in addition to what is here now so there will be plenty of defenses. I do not need an army but I will use one in case I would have needed one, never know what could happen in war.” Votaar said, “Use that blade with care Wrecker, I fear it is more dangerous than we realize.” Kraan struggled to get words out, “Destroy it now, this battle will start the beginning.” Wrecker asked, “The beginning of what?” Kraan said, “The end.” Kraan continued to rest, Wrecker and Votaar left him alone with Gornik to speak away from him.
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Wrecker asked, “What does he mean by the end?” Votaar said, “I do not know but I managed to get out of him where he was.” Wrecker asked, “Where was he?” Votaar answered, “The volcanic lands to the North. He said he found a temple to on of our order, the first of the wizards of our order in fact. He said he was attacked by two monstrous entities trapped within and they were very angry. He also said something about Shraag.” Wrecker asked, “What about him?” Votaar looked at Kraan and back to Wrecker and said, “He said Shraag stole that sword from that temple and imbued within it terrible power. If that indeed is the sword of the first of our order it was already strong before anything else was added to it, tell me, did the sword have a name?” Wrecker thought back to the moment he saw the sword, the black misty figure telling him the name. Wrecker said, “No, I did not find a name for this blade, only a place within the Volcanic lands.” Votaar said, “Stay away from that place then, there is something there far more dangerous than the blade, Shraag was deceitful and a master of trickery, tread carefully in case that blade is cursed.” Wrecker nodded and left Votaar and Gornik with Kraan. Shraag once again came and said, ‘You learn well. You are a King by blood. You are a King by right. Take your army. Destroy the orc filth. Find the temple which the wanderer told you. That is where your destiny shall take you.’ Wrecker said back, ‘I only want to get revenge on those that killed my family and my people, nothing more. I gave up fighting long ago when I found that it only brought more fighting.’ Shraag replied, ‘Not when there is no one left to fight. Total devastation brings the greatest of peace. You will follow this path. It is your destiny warrior.’
Wrecker scoffed and continued out of the inn and back to the throne room where he confronted the King and said, “I require your army now. Leave three battalions here the rest come with me.” The King spat, “I have sufficient forces for defense take them all.” Wrecker said, “I do not need all of them. You will keep three battalions behind, a counterattack will no doubt happen when your entire force leaves for war. So get on it. I will wait at the furthest east bend of the river, make sure they get there, or I will not show mercy to anyone here.” Wrecker walked out of the keep and to the stables. He retrieved his horse and rode out to the easternmost bend of the river that lies just east of the city and he began to wait for his army. The forces arrived a couple hours later, they had to travel on foot the entire way. Wrecker inspected the battalions that were sent to him, all able bodied men, who were most likely going to die this day. He shouted across the fields, “You are to follow my commands with no questions and no hesitation. You are going to war, death is a given. Should you live to tell your tale, remember those that fell. For those that fell are the reason you lived. Now, to WAR!” The army bashed their spears against their shields sending clashes out across the land, into the ears of an Orc scout who was busy watching the movements of the city. The Orc scout immediately rushed back to alert the camps of an incoming attack.
As Wrecker and the army behind him came over a hill Wrecker could see the Orcs gathered below. He signaled a halt and for arches to ready arrows. He scanned the army of Orcs but he did not see the one he wanted, they did however bear the same mark as those that attacked his village did, so his revenge would be half and not exact. He scanned the army behind him, archers had arrows nocked, and he yelled, “Let them fly.” He turned back around and started down the other side of the hill with arrows flying over him and he yelled, “Infantry charge!” he was nearly halfway down the hill when the infantry started to join his advance towards the ranks of Orcs. The Orcs held their ranks in a phalanx formation with spears and shields at the ready. Wrecker was the first to meet the Orcs line, the horse he rode swiftly slammed into their frontal line and he was thrown from the saddle and the horse was killed. He stood and was surrounded by Orcs. He drew the sword at his side, the blade ignited in a deep red flame that caused the Orcs to back away and become scared. Wrecker did this as to distract their line from the oncoming army from the hill and that is exactly what happened. The Orcs line was caught unaware and was broken with ease from the oncoming army which they failed to guess to correct size to, it was smaller than they thought. The Orc commanders laughed at their feeble attempt to attack them with such a small force, this made them double their efforts and signal for the attackers to be surrounded and slowly beaten down. Their attention was caught by Wrecker whom they could clearly see wielding a flaming sword and decimating their forces. They thought little of him as they thought he was simply a court wizard, oh how wrong they were. Wrecker and the army continued to fight, seemingly for hours and hours when he saw in the midst of battle a single bird fly over head, towards the hill that they first came over. He looked back and saw Hevaar standing alone on the top of the hill and he smiled. He turned back to the battle and continued fighting, eventually making his way towards Hevaar.
Hevaar said, “I see the King allowed you use of his army, and it seems smaller than I remember.” Wrecker said, “I dueled the King for this army, he was dishonorable about it and I more or less forced it from him. The rest of the army is still in the city, I did not want to leave them totally defenseless, besides they have a wizard and a sword of immense power at their sides to attain victory. Let us return to the battle shall we?” Hevaar smirked and said, “Yes we shall.” They both started down the hill and charged into battle. Wrecker started making his way to the commanders, Hevaar remained with the army and they redoubled their effort at his appearance. The Orc commanders saw Wrecker advancing towards them, alone, and through their elite ranks. They began to panic and fear loss when an Orc behind them barked in Orc tongue, “This whelp shall not live to the morning, I will handle this.” The Orc pushed through the commanders and approached the battlefield. Wrecker was feeling the power of the blade fill every one of his strikes, he did not tire, he did not falter in either step nor swing, and he did not fail to kill any he hit with a strike. With everything he killed the blade seemed to hum and hum more as if it enjoyed killing, as if it gained more power, as if it was alive. The whole while the only thing Wrecker could hear was the maniacal laughing of Shraag, even over the noise of battle.
Wrecker burst through the rear of their ranks and he was met with a single Orc standing in his way of the commanders. This Orc was large and boasted heavy armour and a large sword. Wrecker laughed at the sight of it as to try to anger the Orc, which he succeeded in doing. The Orc charged towards him faster than something of that size should be able to. Wrecker dodged out of the way and as he was turning to meet the Orc all he saw was a blade rushing towards him. He managed to duck out of the way and he delivered several slashing strikes to the Orcs legs with his flaming blade which did little to stagger the Orc. As the battle between them raged on, Hevaar looked over from his current engagement to see who Wrecker was fighting and he became panicked. Wrecker was most likely unaware that he was fighting one of the most dangerous Orcs that was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of warriors. As Hevaar was distracted a nearby Orc took advantage and slashed at him, catching him in the thigh dropping Hevaar to the ground. Hevaar shouted out, and he sent torrents of flame towards the Orc killing many Orcs behind him and even some allies. He knew he could not stay and fight with his current wounds so he teleported out. Wrecker looked over at the last second to see Hevaar teleport out and that's when Shraag said, ‘Now it is time, fully embrace the flame and your journey will begin. The one you seek revenge from is not here. He is in their capital. You must end these souls and gain your true power and then you will truly make them pay, and you will truly have your revenge.’ Wrecker disengaged the Orc and he said to Shraag, ‘Help me do it then.’ Shraag replied, ‘Gladly.’ Wrecker focused on the blade, his mind began to flood with the intoxicating power the blade had, the flame on the blade grew hotter, and eventually grew a white flame so hot the armour of the Orc he was fighting started to melt to the Orc’s body and scorch its skin.
Wrecker let the power of the blade fill all of his being. Every ounce of him was radiating with the power of the blade. He closed his eyes and focused all the energy into the blade. He turned his grip around on the blade and he slammed it deep into the ground. As he did this he let loose torrents of fire so great the entire area of the battle was filled with flame. Wrecker looked up and saw the vast flames spread mercilessly through the battlefield, killing all Orcs and all of the army he brought. He pulled the sword from the ground which slowly went back to a deep red flame, the entire area around him was in flames and this was when he realized what the wizards meant about the terrible power of the blade. He himself was unscathed and to that he was confused to. Shraag answered his questions by saying, ‘The blade only harms others not the wielder. It also makes all fires useless to you. You cannot be hurt by it. Now travel to the volcanic lands.’ Wrecker said aloud as there were none left to hear him but Shraag, “I do not know how to get there, I am not familiar with the lands to the North nor the marshes to the South. Can you help me get there?” Shraag laughed and said, ‘Yes I can. Close your eyes and focus on the image I give you, focus only on that image.’ Wrecker closed his eyes and saw an image show up of a temple. He focused every last part of his mind onto the image and did not stray from that focus. Seconds later he felt the air suddenly change and Shraag said, ‘Open your eyes warrior. You have arrived.’ Wrecker opened his eyes and the image he had within his head was the same as what he was looking at now. He looked around and saw volcanoes in every direction around him, erupting and shooting magma across the land.
Wrecker entered the temple and looked around. Shraag all the while told him of the history of this place. Shraag began, ‘In the beginning of time as Kraan has told you there were the Elementals who controlled what we call magic, they controlled the elements and supernatural forces of the world. When the first mortal wizards were crowned, there was one, Annor the Pyratic. He shares the same power source as Hevaar does, fire. Annor built this temple as his home, being more at peace with the fire and flames of which he drew his power from. Hevaar is nowhere near the power of Annor however, very far from it. Annor was the first to gain the power, he started the order, and he fell to the order. He became too strong and the other's gathered massive armies to fight him, they eventually killed him after 50 years of war. That blade which you wield was and is the power of Annor. That blade which I acquired from this very temple which now lies as Annor’s tomb. I unfuse the power of over a hundred Elementals into it, using his teachings which he left behind. I grew to become very powerful, and much like Annor, the order fought against me. Their armies blundered against my power, I refused to use the sword as your prophecy came from Annor. You see wizards in the beginning were not protectors of the world, they were protectors of themselves and they had no rules they were to follow. It was only after the first hundred or so orders came and went that rules became relevant, on command of the peoples. Anyway, it was Annor who told of your coming, long before anyone had a clue. He could see what the world was becoming, it was the one, and the only flame which he said needed be extinguished.’
Wrecker walked while Shraag explained the history of Annor, he walked by a large hallway which led down into a central structure. Wrecker stopped and admired the structure, it was built magnificently and its flawlessness had no equal. Shraag said, ‘Ah yes, the Tomb of Annor. Do not be fooled by its magnificence, it was built in hatred. The walls around that room tell his story. This temple was guarded by two Elementals, which your friend Kraan had very much so found. He is very lucky not to be dead because these Elementals are stronger than other normal ones, they are Apex. They are two of four original Elementals of their kind, they were made when this world was made, and their power will allow you to get your revenge and finish what Annor and I tried to do but could not. As it is your destiny, you will come to know and love your power, you will do great things with it, very very powerful things. Once you absorb the Apex's into the blade I will be no longer, as it is my destiny to die when they enter the blade. I am at terms with this plane, now I must face the harshness of the other.’