DoOdLe-MaNiA

Chapter 7: The Last Front

2005-04-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

Allyance Realm
The Zerava forest
September 23rd
05:46 PM Cloudy

The remaining Amazon resistance had begun to converge in the Zerava Forest, located at the outskirts of Diemos. The amazons had lost their city and had to retreat or it would result in a catastrophe for them. They had taken great casualties, too many of their sisters had died and knew that they had to implement this new strategy. The necromancers had caught them off guard. Now, it was their turn to retaliate!

The moon was beginning to be visible as it begun to overtake the sun and claim the sky. It was an advantage to the amazons. They fought well in the dark. The Zerava forest was the only remaining convenient route left to reach the temple. The Amazonians knew well that they had to protect the Queen at all costs! Everyone was scampering to get into their positions; the necromancers would be here anytime soon. They had to be prepared.

“I hear something!" whispered Jaimie. “I think it’s them! Get ready everyone!"

And just as she finished her sentence, a great whirling sound could be heard from just ahead and before long a dozen necromancers apparated in a grand fashion. These necromancers looked different. They seemed for composed then the ones the amazons had faced. They look intimidating.

“So, this is the furthest that we can apparate. It seems that the amazons have placed a strong enchantment around these areas.” a necromancer spoke while dusting off his cape.

“A wise and cunning move, I say." said the other necromancer.

“I’m calling in the rest of them. I think we'll need to march to the temple in this case. If that's how we're gonna do it, then let it be.” said yet another necromancer.

Just before the necromancer was able to transmit the message, the amazons flew from their hiding places and attacked the startled necromancers. A battle had ensued and yet just after a few minutes, it was all over. The necromancers had been defeated and the amazons managed to bag two hostages whom were still unconscious.

“They don't look like combatants to me. They look like they are strategists or scouts. Bewildering." muttered a lean Amazon.

“No. They are generals. I know they are, but they’re very daring to come this far. I don't know. Let's get them into the temple, the Queen would be happy to entertain them." replied an Amazon leader. " Haylee! I want you to disable their magical abilities and then appoint an entourage and escort them to the Queen."

And with that, the amazons resumed their positions and waited for anymore unsuspecting necromancers and at the same time, recuperate themselves.

It was going to be a long night as they knew that the necromancers were bound to chance upon this place when they found out that a couple of their generals are missing.

Chapter 6: The Paladin Order

2005-03-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
City of Regium
September 23rd
02:31 PM Clear

The door to the throne room had finally opened and the King and his leaders filed out of the room and adjourned to the great hall.

The King himself was looking stunned. The message from the amazons had arrived just two hours ago and the King had called for an emergency meeting with his leaders.

Thoughts had flooded the mind of the old man. Age had begun to catch up with this whirlwind King who had done so much for his people. He had begun to bald in several areas of his head and his vision was starting to fail him; however, he was still as fit as a fiddle.

Many of the leaders had opposed to helping the Amazons, but King Dormes knew that they had to help the amazons. They could not just sever their ties with the amazons when they needed them so badly. He still remembered many years ago when Queen Calista had brought food for the people of Marida and Tolles when they suffered a drought. Then again, they had problems of their own. The barbarian hordes were just outside their walls and he knew that they could break in anytime.

It was a difficult decision the King had to make and he had to thread on this issue carefully.

Mesmerized within his thoughts, the King bumped over a vase that caused it to come crashing down onto the floor and breaking into a million pieces. The King stared at it for what seemed like an eternity before his guards beckoned him as they were already late for the assembly.

The King walked on, thinking about the vase. He thought about his kingdom, his people, was he going to let them down? He did not want another rebellion to destroy his kingdom and break it into smaller provinces just like the vase he broke. That would spell the end of his kingdom.

Darian and all the other paladin knights had assembled at the great hall. They had been waiting for more than half an hour for their King. Some of the knights had become restless and were chatting away.

“How long more do we have to wait?” said Thomas urgently, who was a friend of Darian. " I really need to take a leak! "

" Ha-ha. Just wait a little while more.” replied Darian. " They will be here soon. "

True to what Darian said, the King and his party had arrived at the great hall. All of the paladins stood up and shouted " In service of the King ' in unison. While the King took his seat, he also beckoned them to take their seats too.

The King looked more troubled than before. He had to make a decision now.

“Good afternoon, my valiant paladin knights. I apologise for ruining such a beautiful day; however, something terrible has happened. "

There were some whispers in the crowd of paladins but they looked on.

“Just a few hours ago, a messenger arrived with grave news from our Amazon friends. It seems as if they have been invaded by and enemy we thought had vanquished thousands of years ago. "

By now, the whispers had began to grow louder and louder. The King had noticed it too; however, he continued on and make light of the situation.

“They need our help and as King of Augura, I have decided to help them. We have to fight them as they are of a much bigger threat than the barbarians. "

" Listen, if the amazons fail to defeat them, they will certainly invade us too. That is why we have to form an alliance with the amazons and defeat the necromancers while we still can. "

There were some nods of agreement in the crowd and they had begun speak loudly.

" Your highness, I will do anything to stop them from invading us. "

" Count me in too, your highness! "

" We'll banish those filthy animals back to where they came from! "

" We have sworn an oath to protect this kingdom and we will not fail her people. "

The paladins had begun to roar and cheer. The King had now begun to smile and he knew that he had the paladins on his side.

“Thank you very much and may Haloran guide and protect you.”

The generals were soon called upon to plan a strategy. This was going to be one of the biggest operations that any of them had been involved in. The last major war took place almost 25,000 years ago.

“We will send in a task force to scour the Amazon territory. We won't be expecting any amazons to help us as I believe that they have a lot up their sleeves at the moment.” said the grand general.

“Then, we will send in our first wave, mostly Calvary and foot soldiers. After we can confirm some information on our enemy's formation, we will be able to send in further reinforcements, including artillery. "

" Should our advancing party fail, I want all other soldiers and paladins to fortify Regium and the eastern plains.”

There were nods of agreement with all the generals.

“Tell the members of our advancing party to prepare themselves physically and mentally and the paladins who have volunteered to join us should be reminded to go into meditation and recharge their mana as we are leaving for Diemos tonight. "

Chapter 5: The Dark Lord

2005-03-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
City of Diemos
September 23rd
02:24 PM Cloudy

The necromancers had already built a second concentration camp in the city itself. It seemed as if the necromancers had other plans with the amazons and did not want them killed yet.

Amazon resistance still remained strong as ever. The necromancers just can't seem to break through their defences. The amazons were better equipped with catapults and traps.

“My lord." a necromancer spoke. “We are advancing towards the temple but we are facing harsh Amazon resistance along the way."

Galem was not pleased with this news. They had planned to reach the temple by nightfall yesterday, yet they have not advanced much since yesterday. It seemed as if the amazons were making use of guerilla tactics to fight them. It did not amuse Galem at all.

“I am not pleased with our progress at all." Lord Galem spoke. "We have waited for this day to come and you tell me that we can't stop a few female idiots?"

The necromancer backed away as Lord Galem stood up and seethed with fury. He flung several ornaments on his table and they all came crashing down on the hard ground.

He closed his eyes and tried to regain his composure. He had to control himself and not make rash decisions again like last time. He quickly dismissed his subordinates out of his tent.

The necromancers had indeed returned yet no one knew how. Lord Galem remembered the war 60,000 years ago very well. He was one of the generals who commanded the massive necromancer army. They made many bad and rash decisions and that caused them to lose the war.

He remembered himself pleading for mercy. A dishonorable thing to do for any necromancer and yet the last thing he remembered was a blade slashing his head off. Not one necromancer survived the war.

All these thoughts just kept on flooding into his minds. It was as if he had no control over his mind. He just knew that he had to take revenge over their loss, but he did not know why?

He tried to question himself. What was he doing? He was already dead, how could he be standing and breathing again? It was not possible.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Galem." said the voice. “Don’t resist it. Just do what we say. Collect all the oracles."

Galem grabbed his head and fell onto the ground. His head was pounding furiously and soon he had lost consciousness.

“He is weak.” said another more deep voice. “I don't think he will last long Draven”

"He isn't weak Garma." replied Draven firmly. “He needs more time. It isn't everyday a person gets resurrected and what more, he still blames himself for the war they lost. "

"Then what are you going to do?” Garma smirked.

"We just need to channel the right information to his brain. Anything unnecessary, he doesn't have to know." Draven replied.

“Fine by me.” said Garma sarcastically. "but we still have to break through the Amazon defences. They seem to be holding out to well in the jungles."

Just then, another figure apparated.

"Ha-ha. Playtime is over for those zonnies." the cheeky voice said

"What do you mean playtime is over?" said Garma quizzically.

"Well, we managed to bag a prize back at the Azzar ruins."

"What prize?" the two spoke suddenly in unison.

"The princess!"

Chapter 4: The Greatest Kingdom

2005-03-26T01:48:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
City of Regium
September 23rd
01:56 PM Clear

55,000 years ago, three kings who ruled the great lands of Paras fought a merciless war against one another to control the land and build their own kingdom. Many lives were lost during the 16 year war and eventually, King Mahav Serus and King Grande Aurrius who both could not bear to shed another drop of bled allied together to defeat King Morgan Kane and proclaimed a new era of peace. From the ashes of the bloody war, the Kingdom of Augura was born.

Regium was the small little town where the alliance was forged between the two kings. The tiny little town grew rapidly to become the capital of the new kingdom. The kingdom itself grew and spread across the Paras plains ever since it began almost 55,000 years ago.

The Habren Castle has stood proud and sturdy in the city center of Regium for almost 25,000 years. The castle was built during the Pillagen wars when the barbarian hordes invaded the kingdom. It had stood the test of time and survived the war and memories of the wars were marred on the castle walls itself. The citizens of Regium thought of the castle as their pride and joy over the victory of the barbarians.

King Dormes and his paladin knights had made the gigantic castle their home and in within the castle itself, they erected a massive church tower that spiralled into the heavens, in honour of their protector and god, Haloran.

The paladins originated as warrior priests who were trained to defend themselves from the barbarians while they spread the words of their gods to other villages around the realm. They proved to be successful and eventually, the priests of the Haloran church established the Paladin Order to continue on their work and also protect their people.

"Mommy! Look!" cried a little boy. "It's a paladin! I want to be like him when I grow up and fight monsters and dragons!"

The boy's mother smiled and they both waved at the paladin. The paladin noticed them and walked to them.

"You really have an ambitious boy, mam" spoke the paladin. "He might grow up to be a paladin one day."

He gave the little boy who was now grinning, a pat on his head and walked on, towards the city market.

"Qwailers, qwailers!" cried a voice. "Fresh from the jungle. Only 20 creaves for one!"

Before long, a group of villagers had crowded at the store and jostling to get a good bargain.

"Make it 15 creaves and I’ll take two!" screamed a lady.

The village market was packed with people as usual on this busy day. The usual stalls filled the encompassing arena and villagers were bargaining with merchants over goods that had come from all over the land.

Peddlers could also be seen mingling with the crowds and there were even fortune-tellers daring anyone game enough to learn about their future.

Children were playing in the fountain, cooling themselves on this hot and humid day, while their mothers gathered nearby gossiping about their husbands.

The lone paladin had could be soon approaching a shabby shack that looked more like a stable. He entered the shack that was dimly lit and walked past the fine weaponry that were messily displayed on the makeshift shelves.

He inspected a razor-edged sword that was left lying on the table and smirked. He knew that the sword belonged to his cousin, Travis. He placed it down and walked over to the anvil and observed it.

There was a familiar musky smell coming from behind him. The paladin grinned and turned around.

Suddenly, a Rottweiler leaped from behind and onto the paladin.

"Ha-ha. Buddy!" smiled the paladin “Nice to see you again."

Soon after, a dwarf-sized man with a gigantic moustache came into the shack, puzzled by his dog's actions.

"Who's dere!" threatened the voice. "I swear if it's ya meddlin' kids again, i'll skewer you in a pot."

"Good morning Haaz." smirked the paladin. "My father wouldn't like that you know."

"Oh! Darian, o'l boy!" replied the stocky man. "Is fine, is fine! I havun't sin you in ah bit. Sorry 'bout that. Pesky kids been playin' hide an' seek in my shop."

"It actually reminds me of my younger days." said Darian. "I always played in your shop and broke a lot of things."

"You're like meh very own son. I wouldn' skewer you. Promise!" sweared Haaz. "What hava ya' been doin' lately, son?"

"My dad, you know." Darian started to sulk. "I've been busy with all these missions around the Phraen Wall. It seems like the barbarians could just break in anytime."

"Now, now" retorted Haaz. "The barbs are good chaps you know, done some biss'n with 'em a while back."

"Yeah. I know." replied Darian uninterested. "Dad says we still honour the treaty we signed with them, but the barbarians just can't seem to understand the meaning of a treaty. They think of it as sharing."

Haaz had already disappeared to the back before Darian had even finished his sentence. He came out soon with a gleaming blade.

"Here's your sword." grinned Haaz. "Polish'd it well an' good as new!"

Darian took the sword and started swishing it about. Impressive, he thought. The sword was not just lighter, but also swifter than before.

This sword was no ordinary sword. It was given to Darian by his father himself. It was made from metal and ore found in the Dangu caverns and blessed with holy powers of Haloran. This sword could only be wielded by a true paladin who placed his faith with Haloran.

Just then, a bell chimed repeatedly from the church tower in the castle.

"Oops. they're calling us back to the church." said Darian. "I'll see you soon Haz and thanks for repairing my sword."

"Well do." smiled the old man. "and stay out of trouble!"

All around the city, paladins halted their duties and left their posts to gather at the church. From the way the bell was chimed, it seemed as if it was important.

Chapter 3: The Dark Invasion

2005-03-25T04:09:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
City of Diemos
September 23rd
10:28 AM Cloudy

The once gleaming city of Diemos was now buring and parts of the city now laid in ruins. The necromancers and the amazons were fighting a huge battle. Both sides were equally matched as the amazons bombarded the necromancer invaders with enchanted flaming rocks from their catapults.

The necromancers, unlike the amazons were not trained in physical combat, but they mastered dark magic. The amazons were petrified of the power the necromancers possessed, yet they fought on valiantly.

The main battle took place near the town square. The necromancers had already pushed into the city and were trying their best to reach the temple. Houses were destroyed and the market was totally annhiliated. Slained bodies of both the amazons and the mecromancers littered the streets.

" Akira! " cried a fellow amazon. " Behind you! "

Akira, an amazon trained in the mastery of spears, turned around and readied her javelin. A necromancer charged at her and she cleanly split her enemy in two; however, the figure just vanished. She was being played.

Suddenly, from behind, the same necromancer appeared and shouted an incantation. A white wisp ejaculated from his wand and tore into the startled amazon.

" No! Akira! " screamed her friend, Jaena. She whipped out her majestic bow and started firing frantically at the necromancer. The necromancer was able to dodge the projectiles skillfully and with ease. Still composed, he mumble an incantation and with a jerk of his wand, a green sparkle emitted from the wand.

Jaena gasped in horror as she saw her slained friend rose up. Her eyes were green and movement rigid.

" What have you done to her you freak! " Jaena shouted. " What have you done? "

Jaena had begun to break down and had no more will to fight. The necromancer ordered the zombified Akira to slay her friend.

The necromancers were few in number, compared to the amazons, yet by dawn, the tide was turning in the necromancers favour. Their skills were far more powerful than the amazons who were more organized.

" Your highness. " said a priestess. " We need a new strategy. I don't think we can hold on until our allies arrive. "

Countless houghts were coursing through the Queens mind as she fervously thought of a plan. The Queen and her subordinates were seeking shelter at the temple and making her commands from there. The temple of Merra had been barricaded and her fellow warriors stationed strategically around the temple.

" Retreat to the forest. We can use our camuoflage abilty to our advantage. " she suddenly said. " Now! "

" Wait, where is Alivya? " asked the Queen. She had forgotten all about her daughter. Everyone in the room just froze on the spot, unable to answer the question. " Go and find her now! "

The Azaar ruins was now completely deserted. Just hours ago, a battle had taken place there and now only weapons and bodies littered the ruins.

The last few remaining amazon survivors had been rounded up by the necromancers and led to a concentration camp that had been built near the port. The necromancers casualty were far lesser than those of the amazons; however, they still had to face another army of amazons warriors ahead of them. They were not going to go down that easy. Lord Galem was still extremely pleased with their progress and predicted that they could reach the temple by nightfall.

Alyvia had been hiding underneath a stone slab that kept her out of view from anyone who passed by. She was too shocked for words and her eyes were sore as she burst into tears. So many of her friends had been slained by the necromancers and she had broken down emotionally. How could this have happened? Could this have anything to do with the tablet?

Her mind could think no further and unable to do anything, she laid down her head and closed her eyes.

Chapter 2: The Mystic Oracles

2005-03-24T02:33:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
Lake Haseylia
September 23rd
12:32 AM Clear

" They have awakened. " whispered the voice. " Before long, we will have to fight them. "

The full moon was shinning brightly on a smalkl group of people gathered in a circle. The air was chilly and distant cries from several wolves could be heard.

" Are you sure of this Megara? " questioned another voice. " We have to becareful of exposing ourselves to the outsiders. "

There were nods of agreement among the members, yet, one figure remained silent.

Somewhere deep in the jungles of Gangran, there is a mystical lake that has never been discovered by outsiders, not even the amazons themselves. This is where a small tribe lives. They hone the powers of the nature surrounding them and live harmoniously with them.

Milleniums ago, they fought a war of an epic scale. The scale of the war was too much for them to bear. In the end, the war was lost and they went to hide, never to be seen or heard from again.

The Sisterhood of the Issylia were very much alike the amazons. There were no men living in their tribes. They did not produce offsprings, instead, adopted unwanted infants and brought them up. They were sorcerers, powerful ones. They mastered this skill and perfected it even after they went into hiding.

In fact, they were an ancient race of people and their knowledge of the sisterhood surpasses even those of the amazons. They outlived many of the races that fought during the great war milleniums ago.

" We have lived many years in cowardice, my fellow members. " said Megara. " Now, the necromancers have returned more powerful than before and this time, they know about the oracles. "

There were gasps of horror coming from the group of women. They stared at each other with certain disbelief. How could the necromancers obtain this knowledge?

" They will ravage this land and if they know about the oracles, they will definitely know of our existance as we hold one of the oracles too. "

The oracles were once used in the great war and served a very special purpose. After the war ended, the oracles dissapeard mysteriously and before long, everyone forgot about it. The sorcerers were the only people left who knew about the oracles.

Five oracles had been scattered throughout the Allyance realm and the sorcerers had acquired one of the oracles where they safeguarded the small stone with their lives. The blue stone would choose a guardian to protect it and be able to harness its powers.

A rustle of leaves came behind the clearing and everyone turned to look who it was.

" Sorry, I'm late my elders. " said the mysterious figure. " The cacklas went loose and there was mayhem back in the village so i had to help them out. "

" Very well then, Aurora " replied a bemused Megara. " You surely suit the job as guardian of the oracle i see. "

Aurora gave a noticable smile and then took her place on a tree stump.

" Let us resume. " said Megara. " I had already told Aurora what happened before the meeting commenced so we can move along. "

The meeting continued on throughout the night as they discussed what they were going to do and where they would stand on this issue. There were several disagreements, but they all agreed on one thing, the necromancers had to be stopped.

ROTT Guide Book: Haagen Origins

2005-03-24T02:08:00.000-08:00

60,000 years ago, a great war was waged between the Amazonians and the Necromancers. The two fought bitterly over the Haagen Tablet. Many Amazonian warriors sacrificed their lives to protect the Haagen tablet from the falling into the hands of the Necromancers.

The Haagen Tablet, you see, held a prophecy that was engraved into the stone itself. Indestructable, this tablet carried the words of the gods themselves and it was sought after by many. The Amazonians were the sworn protectors of the tablet, yet after centuries of war, they had begun to lose their devotion to their cause.

Erymae , the sister of Queen Mavina had even begun to rebel. She amassed an army of her most faithful followers who had objected to the countless wars that they had to bear and fled with the tablet one morning.

The Amazonians searched far and wide, throughout the Allyance Realm for Erymae; however, to no avail.

A choronicle recovered 28 years ago documented an army of warrior women who passed through the River Hask many centuries ago and were seen by villagers of Murin heading for the Gangran Jungle.

Only just recently, has the Haagen tablet been recovered and restored to the Temple of Merra on the Amazonian island Queendom of Diemos.

Chapter 1: An Evil Returns

2005-03-23T02:25:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
City of Diemos
September 22nd
05:43 PM Sunny

The princess had returned to her island Queendom of Diemos. The port was still bustling with some activty as the fish farmers tried to sell of their remaining catch of the day and prepare to end another long day.

Walking towards the Temple of Merra, Alyvia passed by the great town square where the senators usually held their talks and bazaars selling a wide variety of amazonian goods. Yet, today, it was eerily quiet as the number of people at the town square were dwindling rapidly. The citizens of Diemos all seemed frightened and were speaking in hushed tones as they pointed at the now orange evening sky.

Alivya did not bother to see what it was as thoughts on her discovery of the Haagen tablet flooded her mind. She was going to be famous for generations to come. Now, that was the good life. She giggled.

The path to the temple was rather long, Alyvia had to walk through the Azaar ruins which was once a part of their city. The town was pillaged by enemies centuries ago and totally destroyed Azaar. It brought back memories of her childhood. Kaylen, her best friend, and her always played around the ruins when they were young even though they were repeatedly told not to do so. The good old days, she thought.

" Good evening princess, " greeted the temple guard. " the Queen is waiting for you at the altar. You should hurry. "

Alyvia had already reached the temple without even knowing in. Still in deep thoughts, Alyvia walked up the massive stairs leading into the hall of the temple. The halls of the temple were decorated with glistening marble statues of great amazonian warriors.

She stopped by the statue of her great-grand mother, Harrah, who was hailed a heroine during the Malice wars almost 200 years ago. Back then, the amazonians were defending their forests from an invasion of the Rayven Clans, an amazonian tribe not recognised by the order.

They were barbaric people who destroyed everything and killed anyone that crossed their paths . They were eventually defeated by the brave Amazonian warriors with the help of the Paladins and the survivors spent the rest of their days in the prisons of Paladin city of Regium.

The entire council had already been assembled when Alyvia reached the altar room and sitting on the majestic throne before her was her mother, the Queen Calista.

The council had not yet noticed Alyvia as they were all deep in their own discussions.

" This is impossible, your highness! " a priestess retaliated. " We have long forgotten the sacred skills that our ancestors had taught us. We have not fought in a war for over 200 years! "

The Queen frowned for a moment and was hesitating but then began to speak again.

" Very well then, I will not sacrifice the lives of the innocent. " said the Queen. " I want all men, children and the sick to be evacuated to the mainland. I will send a message to the paladins and seek their aid. "

There were murmurs among the council members. Alivya was still puzzled by what they were talking about.

" Mother! " cried the puzzled Princess. " What's going on? "

" Liya! " replied the Queen who was a little startled. " I'm sorry I didn't see you back there. Sorry for asking you to come, but something terrible is about to happen. "

The Queen took her daughter's hand and led her to the balcony.

" Look for yourself. " said the Queen

Princess Alivya looked up into the sky and was shell-shocked by what she had seen.

A maelstorm was brewing in the sky. The once orange evening sky was now covered with menacing grey clouds that threatened to rage upon the island. The Necromancers were coming AGAIN!

The Necromancers hailed from the desecrated necropolis. Their origins and purpose of living were totally unknown to the people of Allyance. People say that they live to kill, yet, some say that they were unfortunate people who were cursed to live this terrible life. Since the great war 60,000 years ago, no one has ever seen a living and breathing necromancer.

" I heard that you've recovered the Haagen tablet. Good work. " praised the Queen, " but, now we have to get you and the tablet to safety. It is for the best my daughter. "

The princess stared in disbelief. She had not even heard a single word that her mother had spoken. Thoughts were racing through her brain. How could this happen? How could the ncromancers return after their destruction 60,000 years ago? It was impossible!

" Mother. " said Alyvia. " How could this have happened? It just doesn't make any sense! "

" Everyone thought the same. " replied her mother. " The best thing we can do is to try and hold them back until reinforcements arrive and I know you Liya. I 'm not allowing you to take part in this battle. You are too inexperienced! "

" But.. " Alyvia butted in.

" No buts. I'm telling this to you as your mother. The last thing I want to see is you die at the hands of these monsters. "

" I understand. " replied Alyvia hesitantly.

The temple guards had already begun preparing themselves. Javelins, bows and maces were being brought out of the stockade. Fear struck the eyes of many of the warrior women. For most of them, this was their first time in battle. They had no experience at all.

Alyvia stepped out of the temple with her mother and made their way to the town square.

Man and children were quickly evacuated to the mainland while all the women stayed behind. Galleons had already left port carrying valuable materials and possesions belonging to the people of Diemos.

The man and children of Diemos were all crowded at the port and cries from frightened children filled the air. Some people just broke down.

" Quickly! " shouted a male citizen. " Forget about your possessions, just get on board now! "

The Queen commanded her guards to guide her mother onto a galleon and ensured that she would be taken care of. Other than the Queen's mother, Alivya was the only woman who was not allowed to fight.

Everything was happening at a whirlwind speed and Alivya did not even have a moment to swallow the facts. She stood there, unable to think, unable to speak, totally mute.

" Hurry child! " shouted Alivya's mother. " The last Galleon is leaving for the mainland now! "

Alyvia broke from her deep thoughts and looked up at her mother. Tears had already begun to flow freely from her eyes.

" Is this the end? " she thought.

Just then, a crack of thunder pierced the sky and a flash of lightning struck the ground.

Alivya turned around to where the blindig flash had came from and there she came face to face with a towering man donning black metal armour, Lord Galem Dre'nor, the King of the Necropolis.

Prologue: The Stone Tablet

2005-03-22T01:29:00.000-08:00

Allyance Realm
Gangran Jungle
September 22nd
02:49 PM Sunny

Centuries worth of dust had accumulated on the massive stone tablet and the young explorer found difficulty in translating the symbols engraved onto them. She whipped out her ragged cloth and began wiping the tablets clean. Her face frowned for a moment as sweat trickled down her cheeks. The symbols were difficult to decipher yet familiar somehow.

The amazonian girl whipped out her book and frantically flipped the pages until she found what she had been looking for. She stared at the book for what seemed like an eternity before looking up at the stone.

" The language of the gods... " she whispered to herself in disbelief.

The girl slowly stood up and unable to contain her excitement and screamed into the misty air with overwhelming joy. Her scream echoed throughout the Gangran Jungle and startling several Qwailers that were burrowing nearby.

Meanwhile, her entrouage of academians, explorers and merceneries all stopped work and gathered around her. Everyone jostled with excitement as they crowded before the young explorer.

" My fellow friends, the Haagen tablet has finally been recovered. " she announced.

Everyone cheered while several of the professors broke into tears. 62 years since the task force had been created to recover the tablets, they had finally accomplished their task.

" Merra has blessed us today and we shall rejoice! " cried a professor.

" Yeah, Merra... " thought the girl.

She couldn't understand why everyone had so much faith in Merra. In fact, it was her who found the stone tablet, and of all people, not Merra

" So, she's a goddess, but what has she done to protect us? " she thought to herself. " Was she there when the drought came last month and why didn't she protect us from the tidal wave that destroyed our city? "

As she was deep in thought, a messanger came rushing through the clearing.

" Princess Alivya... " he panted. " Your mother needs you now. It is of grave importance. "

The princess who had been lost in her own thoughts came to her senses and without a moment of hesitation left with the messanger, leaving her party with bewildrement.