Chronicles of Zoscia: Birth of a King

> "*In the twilight I gazed upon the rushing meadows with new found peace. No matter the many strokes of crimson which would come to decorate them, the crown laid upon my brow and would return to its rightful throne. In the storm I walked, but alone I was not.*"
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> **- Ko'ak Linorn**
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**Year**
-248 to -230 BNAC

## Prologue

The striking of metal echoed through the slim chimes as wind graced against their cylinder forms, piercing through and rushing towards the base. Taking with them the quiet murmurs of various peoples towards the east, the voices of men and women found themselves lost in the Syrath Mountains which stood in defiance of the elements. Peaked with glistening white in the morning sunlight, the clouds above concealed the grey heavens with rays of sunlight breaking through their continual march west. The tall fields danced in the stern wind as black hair concealed the vision of Ko'ak Linorn, his hands anxiously brushing his locks back behind his left ear. Hearing the booming voice of his father not far behind him, his eyes widened at the sound of his name "Ko'ak. It's time." Feeling a firm hand upon his shoulder, he looked up at the towering giant he called father, wonderment and amazement in the sheer height of the man before him. Like the mountains he stood defiant in the wind, an eternal element of the world which would never age or show weakness.

Extending a clammy hand, Ko'ak felt the warm calloused grip of his father, his palm possessing what felt like hard shells; not too dissimilar from the rough demeanor he currently presented. Looking about with sharpened eyes, he began marching forward, Ko'ak following behind as the countless spectators made him flush with color. Looking down at the soft grass to keep himself from stumbling over himself, he felt another slender hand grace his back and make him flinch. Darting his eyes upward, he gave a light smile at the flowing figure of his mother who almost seemed embraced by the clouds above in her white attire. Jeweled beads dangled from her wrists as she grasped his other hand and granted him a soft reassuring smile. Cooler than his fathers, her grasp seemed to welcome him into her embrace and to never let go.

Brought forward by his parents, he felt invincible in their presence and recollected himself in face of the growing crowds which drilled scrutinizing holes into his confidence. Marching towards the mouth of the cavern, he raised his head to welcome the gnarled entrance and its shielding from the sun, the three venturing further downward into ever increasing silence. The crackling of fire guided their path ever downward, torches lining the walls in metal sconces, darkness coalescing on the edges of their reach. Ever present, the darkness struck forward into the flames interior before reeling such as quickly, an endless battle between creation and destruction. Yet in face of his parents might, who could stop their approach?

"Alright son" said his father, their sudden march of triumph being cut short as Ko'ak glanced up at him worryingly. Glancing down, he cracks a small smile before taking one of the torches off the wall and crouching down to his height, a distinct crunch of rock being heard under his shoes. Extending the shielded torch towards Ko'ak, it nearly dwarfed him in size as Ko'ak grasped the cool metal with both hands and barely seemed capable of steadying his posture at the sudden weight change. Looking up with daggers of fear in his eyes, Ko'ak exclaimed "Father! N-no," a hand raising to his lips and saying "We spoke of this Ko'ak, you must venture forth to Corona, it awaits you. Follow the path my son and it will find you." Shaking his head at such words, Ko'aks mother rubbed his back and said in a soft voice which reminded him of the oceans waves "My dear, there is no need to worry for Arunei walks with you. He will cast off the darkness with his rays and lead you to the Heart, have faith my child."

His world seemingly crashing down around him, Ko'ak began to breath heavily as tears welled in his stinging eyes. He was being abandoned surely, there was no other explanation. The darkness of Drohanei beckoned and he would be destroyed, what had he done to deserve such a fate? Despite his pleas and calls for their guidance, his parents fell silent and motioned him onward, Ko'ak resigning to his fate and marching forward slowly. The darkness enveloped his long journey, it seeming to go one for eternity as he walked through the caverns accompanied by his ragged tearful breaths and the occasional drip of water in the distance. The brimming light of Arunei was his only comfort in the darkness, warding off the abyssal ones as he finally made his way into the cavernous interior of the hill.

Illuminated by cracks in the ceiling, cool rays of sunlight gleamed in and unveiled a bountiful garden of plants which grasped his ankles lovingly. Shocked by this display of affection, Ko'ak jerked back slightly before falling onto his bottom painfully. Dropping the torch, he gasped in horror as it clattered across the ground remained alight, his fears being put to rest of an untimely damnation. Observing the plants which intertwined with his legs, he felt a warmth grace his face before light engulfed the room and forced him to shield his gaze. Originating from the center of the room, the light unveiled the rest of the cavern to him, a natural platform existing in the western portion of the room with a gleaming body of water below it. Focusing into a white orb, the rooms light dimmed gradually and allowed Ko'ak to peer around comfortably. Levitating above the rocky platform, it beckoned him on an instinctual level forward, the wonders it could share utterly enthralling him.

Standing up slowly, he made his way to the platform with wide eyes and an agape mouth. His young fingers reaching out shakily as he inched closer to caressing the orb, he watched with anticipation as he drew towards the orbs surface and finally pierced it. Without a sound or sensation to herald his arrival, Ko'ak dumbstruck expression fell away as his vision faded and the world grew evermore alien. A foreign voice pierced his mind and spoke.

## Chapter 1: Vixen of Baruth

Prowling the streets with a drunken band of peers and lickspittles, Ko'ak migrated in a group of seven with each picking up another bottle or suitor on their travels. Paid in coin or joyous company, the laughter of young women intertwined with the bellowing of drunken men in To'rnas night life. Son of the cities Dashi, he enjoyed another night out after extensive training with his father and Holaks. War was waging across the former Empire, but he couldn't tell tonight. The wine flowed as freely as the entertainment, everyone seeming poised to ensnare his attention through feminine guile or boisterous songs which he joined in.

Flurries of colors and conversations pass him by as he inevitably falls into slumber. Warm and comfortable, he wakes up to the sudden splash of ice cold water on his face which cuts him to the core his being. Shouting, he scrambles in a fruitless effort to dodge more as the once comfortable sleeping spot is suddenly a cold stone road with dirt and mud churned amongst his boots. Glancing about with his drenched hair, water droplets flicking as he does so, he spots a familiar young woman named Quila Aril who drops her bucket and wipes her hands clean on her white apron.

"Done sleeping your majesty" she says in an edged tone, a devious smile on her face.

Looking at her with fury in his eyes, he says slowly "I suppose I didn't **have** much of a choice Quila."

"Quite right, now yous best head to the keep, you're fathers men have been lookin for you" she says dismissively, going back to pumping air into the furnace and fueling its heat for breakfast. The sounds of metal working and men shouting out orders echoes through the early To'rna morning, Ko'ak nearly slumping back to sleep before noticing another water bucket near Quila. Standing up, he tiredly stumbles back home. Cleaning up his outfit in the castles courtyard, he goes to breakfast and finds his father, mother, and two siblings awaiting him with scrutinizing glares. Sitting down, a plate of fine rolmer venison and a goblet of water are placed in front of him by a servant. Thanking the servant, he stares at his father who continues to eat in spite of his entrance.

Eventually finishing his drink, he sets it down and breaks the tense silence "So glad of you to join us Ko'ak, I was just explaining the coming ball next month."

Raising an eyebrow, Ko'ak begins to eat "Oh? What about it?"

"Your mother and sister have gone to great length for organizing it and I hope to see you in attendance, it would go a long way to bring the March of Korith and Baruth into the fold. We are in need of more allies if we are to retain our claim to the throne of Oaldia."

Nodding, Ko'ak gives a quick glance to his fathers crown, it having become normal to see an Imperial artifact in their home. He had nearly forgotten about it considering his father was always adorned in his armor and training with the men. Finishing his bite, he says "Of course father, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good. Then I expect you will abstain from your escapades for the time being and brush up on courtly mannerisms."

"Am I not practicing proper etiquette" Ko'ak says questioningly, his father eyeing his shoulders on the table. "I see your point," he takes them off the table "I'll make sure to carry out my duties without distraction."

"As always" the conversation coming to a close and the atmosphere lightening to more pleasant discussion.

TBA