Dawn of Night: Prologue

Cool air whipped around the head of the Ardoni guard standing outside the eastern most hut of his village, looking out into the forest. Every part of him was tense as the wind rustled the grass, creating a sound. A sound as though the sky was whispering to him, whispering warnings of grave danger. Around him, lanterns flickered as the fire he was near crackled. A sharp scent of burning meat startled the guard from his grim thoughts. Quickly, as not to have the meat burn completely, he sat near the camp fire and took the meat of the fire. He sighed heavily as he set to eating the meat.

Crack! The guard jumped as a nearby bush rustled and twigs snapped. From his back, he pulled out his emerald glaive. Holding his weapon with both hands, he crouched, ready to spring on the attacker. The figure stepped out into the open light of the campfire, and the guard breathed a sigh of releif. It was merely his son, Kylor. Kylor had always wanted to join the militia that gaurded the vilage, but he was only four years old, much to young for combat. "Father, can I help out with the watch?" Kylor begged. Suddenly, Kylor's mother, Kylie, came up from behind then. "Kylor,", Kylie exclaimed, "What are you doing here?! I told you to get to bed! Tysoar, dear husband, will you get into Kylor's head that he can't simply run around after the patrols!" Tysoar smiled to himself. He ruffled his son's hair and prepared to debate with him, when he tensed and whirled towards the forest.

Something was wrong. In the air hung a quiet stillness. The wind had stopped, but yet the bushes and trees were rustling in the distance. *Plus,* Tysoar realized, *Mytar should be here to releave me by now. Its been long past my shift. And the guards. I should have gotten signals long ago showing the state of their patrols.* Dread and panic built up in the guard's stomach as the realization hit him. *The only reason Mytar wouldn't be here is if he couldn't come. And the only reason the other guards wouldn't be signaling is if...they weren't there to signal.* Terror raced through his veins. *They found us, and they have taken out the guards, I have to raise the alarm!* But just as Tysoar turned to the bill near his position, and arrow flew from nowhere towards him. Tysoar quickly rolled towards the side.

Now that the attackers knew there presence was noted, they abandoned their cover, charging out of the forest towards the village. There would be no time to ring the bell. Tysoar turned to his wife. "Get Kylor out of here! Get to the house and give Kyloar his song, it is time for him to wield it! And here," Tysoar handed his wife his glaive, "Send this with him. It is his now." Tysoar pulled out an iron sword from his inventory. His wife looked at him in shock, and he fully expected her to fight him on this. However, he saw understanding and acceptance in her eyes. Then she was gone, and Tysoar turned towards his attackers.

They came at him fast as lightning and were on him in a second. And jabbed a spear at him, and he side stepped the thrust before slicing up in a vicious arc, killing his opponent. *Looks like the Unyielding Legion has come to end me and get even.* An arrow raced towards him and he knocked it aside before blocking a sword from the right. As another arrow came at him, he did a back flip. The arrow passed underneath him, striking a mercenary charging at him. When he landed, he stabbed backwards with his sword. Behind Tysoar, chuckling could be heard. Tysoar turned to see his archenemy, Victor Voltaris, standing behind him. "Bravo, Tysoar," Victor called, "You were always a great fighter! Pity you must die now." Tysoar smiled grimly. *So he hasn't found it yet.* Tysoar taunted Victor with contempt in his voice. "I will not give you what you want. Killing me won't change that."

Victor merely smiled, as though Tysoar was just a foolish child who knew nothing of reality. "But this village can." Victor sighed with mock sadness, "Tell me where it is, and I will spare your family within this village. Cross me and I will kill you and your family!" Tysoar laughed at this. *My family is escaping.* "You'll never catch them Victor. They are already leaving this place." Realization dawned on Victor and he roared with anger. "Then I will kill them before they leave!" Victor pulled a diamond ax off his back and charged Tysoar. Tysoar spun his sword and them met Victor. Together, their blades clashed with unrelenting fury as the village burned behind them. Tysoar's heart broke as he watched his neighbors get killed all around him. *This is all my fault,* he thought as he saw the betrayal on their faces. *It was my job to protect them!* The two ducked and dodged. Attempting to break the engagement, Tysoar used Aggroquake. However, Victor used it to launch himself above and over Tysoar's head. When Victor landed, he slashed, but Tysoar was ready and blocked. The battle continued till Victor got the edge. When Tysoar went to strike him, Victor used Protearmor. Stunned, Tysaor was swept off his feet. Victor hovered over his opponent and jeered at him. "You've failed. I shall finish what Ingressus started and you won't stop me. Everyone you ever have known will die." Victor raised his blade to give the killing blow, but Tysoar only smiled and chuckled. "You will never win," Tysoar croaked, "My son will stop you" Enraged, Victor swept his blade downward, killing the Kaltaris. Out of the corner of his eye, Victor watched Tysoar's family run into the night. With a wicked grin of satisfaction, Victor went after them.

Seeing Victor coming, Kylie turned to Kylor, handing him the glaive and the Protisium song. "Run son," She cried softly as she drew her son into one final hug. "One day, you must come back when it is safe. Find Father's book and everything will be explained. But until then you must run. If you die, we are all doomed. You are our only hope." Seeing the pain in her eyes, Kylor simply nodded. Putting on a tough face for his mother, he turned and ran into the woods.

Victor came towards the Kaltaris female. "So you must be Tysoar's wife. Let's make this easy women. Tell me where it is and I will let you live." He watched with fury as the women simply closed her eyes, as if accepting fate. "So be it," Victor snarled, "If you will not give me what I want, then you die. And when I find your son, I will kill him and have full victory! NOTHING will stop me!" And with one swipe, he killed her. Suddenly, Victor's lieutenant came up to him. "Should we go after the survivor, sir" Victor turned to watch the burning village some more. Scowling, he shook his head. "Let the boy go," Victor sighed, "We can't find him now." As his lieutenant left, Victor bent down to inspect Kylie's songs. He then straightened and turned to the moon. "I will find this boy and kill him." Victor vowed, "I will not let him win. " Then Victor turned away and followed his men back to base.

Chapter One