Age of Heroes

OUTSIDE THE ENCIRCLEMENT

SOMEWHERE ON THE XENOS DESERT

Two figures emerge from the ground, dusting off the mud from their faces. 

'Jurgan, finally after a millennium we are free' the figure said looking at the open blue sky. 

He looked to his friend a man of seven feet tall, bald and muscly with purple eyes, and wearing nothing but a loincloth while his body is brown because of the earth. 

He has a red complexion and a short horn on both sides of his skull. 

'Astiel we are both free' Jurgan said and he wipe the dust of Astiel shoulder. The dust of the yellow sand sway gracefully in this land full with sands and violent winds.

Both of them are looking at the opening expanse of the wide and unforgiving deserts.

Astiel have a purple hair and purple eyes, with long flowing beautiful hair and his body is lean, cut like marbles, a handsome face that could melt any woman he met if not for the color of his skin which is red which would certainly invite some suspicious glare if not outright fear. 

'Why do you think the seal weaken Jurgan?' Astiel said curiously as he sits on the open ground of the yellow sand and look in front of them, boundless scenery of sand with no life to be detected.

Jurgan look back at the hole and then he inferred his own opinion. 

'Levitia trapped us with his sealing magic and he sealed it with his own blood courtesy of the Lady of the Lake teachings. It is one of the most binding magic…. blood that is. For people like us that can't procreate it is not only binding it is lethal. And he uses it against us to trap us in that tight enclosed space with no foods and water. If not for our immortality and not for your brilliance using the Memory magic to erase the knowledge of our weakness, then we surely would have died under his hand.' 

'I know he use blood magic but why did it suddenly weaken?' Astiel asked. 

After all he is also present in that battle. He could remember it like it was yesterday. Mountains crumbled, lakes evaporate, cities fall, the day both of them fight with the greatest hero of that era, the strongest man in the world as he Levitia was touted during that era. 

It was an era of man Astiel had to admit. It has no room for those who live in the Age of Gods.

Jurgan continued his explanation.

'For centuries we have been digging our way out of that infernal hellhole and there are times when that blood magic weakens. A thousand years ago, there is that one time when it weakens. And since then they are a lot of times when it weakens. Each time it weakens we attack the pocket dimension with all we had trying to crack it, to form a hole big enough for us to escape. I believe that Levitia when he uses blood magic he binds the magic to his blood. 

'I know, his blood.' Astiel said rolling his eyes in frustration. How much time Jurgan need to repeat himself?

'No, you don't understand Astiel. His BLOOD. Not blood in the literal sense but in the figurative sense.' 

'You mean-' Astiel began to understand as understanding dawns on him

'Descendants. Sons and daughters, grandson and granddaughters. He binds it to his lineage.' 

Astiel nodded in understanding. 

'I always wondered how that seal could stand so long. If it's this, then it all make sense. It makes sense how a hero like Levitia that has no magic, could make that seal and how it could seal us for so long' 

'Yes, me too' Jurgan said. 

'If my opinion is correct the last weakening that happen before and now this time must be relate to the wellbeing of his descendant. He might have die…. or die for a moment enabling us to find that weak spot in that magic encirclement and break through.' 

Astiel then look outwards. 

'Now, the world is open up again for us brother. What do you want to do?' 

Jurgan look at the opening expanse and said 

'Everything.... but first we must release our brethren from the Jar. Then we will once again reign supreme.'

Astiel grins and Jurgan laugh. 

The Old Legends…of Old Gods, of Old Magics, of dark and terrible things that once roam the earth, surfaces again but this time will it have a hero in it? 

And hearing his brother plan, Astiel get up from his rest and together they traverse the desert searching for their lost brethren.

*************************************************************************

ARRANDY

When he returns to the castle after spending some time in Ariadne garden, trying to calm down his heart and believes himself to be ready to take the great undertaking that will seal the fate of Arrandy, he walks straight to his Great Hall, the large beautiful hall decorated with his family coat of arms, showing the splendor and might of the Vermont's to those that attended. 

The great dragon statue in the courtyard is portrayed majestically filling people with a feeling of awe of the Vermont every time they passed the yard.

Almost all of the great nobles is present. Lord Massey, Lord Paris, Lord Robert of Montaiu, Count William of Asbor, Lord Richard of Evrex, all of the great men and great families of the realm of Arrandy.

They are all waiting for Arial to say…to declare what is on his mind. 

They all knew why they are summoned. It is because of his conflict with Harald has reached a tipping point. 

It seems there could be no reconciliation. 

They all knew how the Duchess has tried to seek a diplomatic way for the relations with Vangua not to sour; after all, the duchess land is just bordering the northern border of Vangua. 

But Harald insist to seek trouble. He insists to wake the sleeping dragon.

He set up checkpoint and stops Arrandian traders and even at time harassed if not robbed the trading company. 

To say it was Harald fault, of course it is highly inconceivable. But Harald play a part on this attack even if it's not done directly. 

By forbidding Arrandians traders to come trading to Vangua it was like the robbers on the northern border of Vangua found courage to attack the traders boldly. 

And that is not all. 

Sooner or later, the duchess worries that Harald may set his eyes on Aetherland and then Arrandy. 

For all that King Adrian had done to govern Aetherland, there are still some secret faction that calls for Alderam banner and who else is fit to hold that banner if not Alderam son. 

Alderam can be called many things…greedy, arrogant but he also knows how to instill loyalty. 

It is because of this Arial could not afford to end this peaceably because he knows that Harald will one day clash with him. 

If there is one thing that Harald share with his father, Alderam, it is undoubtedly is his stubbornness.

Arial take his seat at the highest seat in the Hall and look over all of these great noble families as they are waiting, listening, looking at the young lord with great anticipation the words that will be spoken by their lord and then Arial looking at this anticipating crowd he declared with his usual self of bravado 

'I WILL CONQUER VANGUA WITH ALL MY MIGHT! HARALD WANTS WAR? LET'S GIVE HIM ONE!'

The nobles look at each other and cheered. There is deep seated hatred between the people of Arrandy and the people of Vangua.

Mostly because of their different races and cultures and not to mention their constant clashing around the southern borders. 

The north rarely clashes with Vangua but the southron lords have lost many men and family to the noble's lords of Vangua. 

Most of the people in Vangua is Raxons and Anglais whereas Arrandy and Aetherland has Caelum race.

Then Arial proceeded to explain his plan for the conquest and the assembled nobles listened to Arial's plans for the conquest of Vangua, realizing the scope of Arial ambitions and the magnitude of obstacles that has to be overcome, and the nobles recommended summoning a great meeting of the entire Arrandy nobility.

Arial hear their suggestion with real care. 

If this is realized, they will be at war. Who would have thought he who has tried to stop a war has become the man who is trying to start one? The irony. 

Arial then said

'Then it is decided. Summon them all to my castle at which I will ask them to pledge to back me in this war' 

The other roar and they are dismissed from the Halls as they all ride back home, kisses their wife, spend time with their family as they are preparing for war, probably the war of their lives.

However, on the castle Arial have no such time for that kind of leisure time. Since he is determined to make war…he is determined to win it.