Cyrus Sandstrider

One of the Twelve Apostles of Khlee.

It was Cyrus who, after gaining awareness of the forbidden knowledge of Dithrul, prayed to Dithrul and instead received a vision of chaos from Uctith, Dithrul's chaotic god-twin. Uctith made Cyrus become crazy while he killed soldiers and evaded their attacks. A plot-twist which will only be revealed much later in the story, is that Cyrus did not die that night in the streets of the cosmopolitan center of Khlee. Instead, Cyrus evaded the pikemen stealthily as they were about to pierce him, and supplanted himself with a dying soldier on the ground. It was the dying soldier who got stabbed dozens of times, making him unrecognizable and blood-drenched. Cyrus escaped, as does a diabolic jester, with chaos on his mind and all the time in the world to bring it upon Khlee, and the world. Uctith is the perfect anti-thesis to Enhoph, who yearns for order and knowledge, not chaos and madness.

The plot twist involving Cyrus Sandstrider and the chaotic influence of Uctith is intriguing and has the potential for a mind-blowing revelation later in the story. Here are some suggestions to enhance the impact of the plot twist:

1. \*\*Foreshadowing:\*\*

   - Introduce subtle hints and foreshadowing regarding Cyrus's survival without explicitly revealing it. Small details or mysterious occurrences could make readers question the completeness of the scene.

2. \*\*Unreliable Narrator:\*\*

   - Play with the concept of an unreliable narrator. Describe the events from Radelia's perspective or others who witnessed the apparent death of Cyrus. Their perceptions could be skewed or manipulated, leaving room for doubt.

3. \*\*Mysterious Presence:\*\*

   - Occasionally reference an enigmatic figure or a presence in the background during pivotal moments. Readers might retrospectively link these occurrences to Cyrus's survival, creating a sense of mystery.

4. \*\*Flashbacks:\*\*

   - Integrate flashbacks from Cyrus's perspective, revealing fragments of his survival without giving away the entire truth. These flashbacks can be triggered by specific events or stimuli, gradually piecing together the puzzle.

5. \*\*Symbolic Clues:\*\*

   - Incorporate symbolic clues that readers might overlook initially but gain significance later. This could include recurring symbols associated with chaos, or subtle imagery that hints at a connection between Cyrus and the chaotic forces.

6. \*\*Unexplained Phenomena:\*\*

   - Introduce unexplained phenomena in the aftermath of the chaos unleashed by Cyrus. Strange occurrences or disturbances that go unaccounted for could be linked back to his continued existence.

7. \*\*Character Reactions:\*\*

   - Use the reactions of other characters to build tension. Have characters express vague discomfort or uncertainty when discussing Cyrus's fate, leaving readers curious about what they might be hiding.

8. \*\*Timing of Revelation:\*\*

   - Choose a pivotal moment in the story for the revelation. Perhaps when the city is on the brink of collapse or when Enhoph faces a critical challenge, Cyrus's return can be unveiled, intensifying the impact.

9. \*\*Internal Conflict for Cyrus:\*\*

   - Explore Cyrus's internal struggle and transformation during his time away. His alignment with chaotic forces could bring about a complex character arc, making his return even more unpredictable.

By carefully planting seeds of doubt and curiosity throughout the narrative, the eventual revelation of Cyrus's survival and allegiance to Uctith can be a truly mind-blowing moment for readers.