Thread: Grimoire of Myths

Destiny Dark One Though humbled by the actions of the Lily Storm, we were nonetheless proud of what she had accomplished. She had single handedly removed a threat, and brought to our aid an army from a quarter none expected. For defeating such a force, the people grew rich in tribute and trade, nations all offering their aid and friendship. The people had never been in a stronger position, and talk began to quietly circulate of the people taking upon themselves a greater role in the world. But this pride led the people to begin to forget what threatened them. The Dark lands stirred, and those who held watch sent messages to the cities, calling for aid, as the darkness was expanding. It seemed that the Dark had found some new source of power, for it pushed past it's old borders, spreading in a vast tide. The light from the beacon held the dark at bay from the lands of the people, but it was spreading in a ring around the land. The people then realized that the Dark was not coming for them this time. It was coming for everyone else in the lands. Warnings were sent, places warned, but few heed them. For these lands had never been beset by the beasts that dwelt within, and had no knowledge of what awaited them. The people did wait, and worry over the growth of the Dark lands, but none could put to thought any plan that might halt the progress of such a force. In the attempt to learn what forced the Dark lands into this new form, a scout from the Watchers advanced into the shadowy realm. All called them fool, and deplored the waste of a life. But they did not perish within the Dark lands. This scout returned, their body battered and bleeding, their weapon notched and broken, but still moving forward. Their comrades met them, and what was said chilled them to the bone. The Dark was expanding for it had found new power. The Dead legion that had marched to make war with the beasts within had indeed done so. But the bodies of the fallen warriors from the more distant land, enhanced and powered by spirits, had begun to fade once within the Dark. And that trapped power was even now allowing the Dark to expand once more. More shocking still was the news of who had delivered to him this knowledge. The scout had been sent back by the Scarlet Grave, still alive after the ages, and still seeking within the Darkness. The scout was praised for their heroism, and told to stand down, to rest and heal. The scout refused such. Rising to their feet, the scout claimed that there was yet work to be done. Setting out once more, bearing a new blade and the determination to see that the people were spared the wrath of the beasts within the shadows. The scout crossed the lands with all speed, even braving the newly made roads that led through the wastes, to allow the people to reach their new lands. The Dark was swelling up, and had already begun to engulf these lands. The scout rallied the people, calling for them to light their beacon fires, to take up arms and prepare for the coming of the Dark. And so the people did as was told, rallying to the news that Scarlet Grave lived on, and yet fought. As the Dark began to sweep in, the scout began to change before the eyes of the people. Skin darkening, and eyes moving to pools of dark, black as ink. Time within the Dark lands had changed them, left them attuned to it. Even within the brightest light, the scout now pulled the shadows with them. Though the people did know fear at their coming, they did realize that in this form, the scout would be able to marshal them, to explore the edges of the Dark, and bring word of what came. The scout had become a Dark One, though by this turn of events, the scout did find their Destiny, to lead the people in defence against the tides that came. The people watched in horror as the Dark swept over the lands, engulfing the new lands, those who watched from within the influence of the beacon saw the Dark One stand tall, and exult those with them to stand their ground. As they vanished from view, all who watched knew that there would be no way to reach them in numbers enough to help them. Thousands of the people had died in that instant, along with one bold enough to brave any peril to aid others. And so it was that the Dark One was lost to us, though we sing of their song yet, that we might never forget the heroism and sacrifice that was shown in that moment. So came to pass that an Age was ended, and a new one begun. It would be nearly a century until any could conceive of a way to challenge the Darkness, but that, my brethren, is a tale for another night...