Champions of the Realm, Part 2

**Champions of the Realm, Part 2** is the eighth entry in a series of lore vignettes known as Paladins Chronicles.

As the developer note attached to the end of Champions of the Realm, Part 2 states, "*Paladins Chronicles are short stories meant to enrich the world of Paladins & serve as context for future events."*

This story was originally posted here on Paladins.com, and promoted here on the official @PaladinsGame Twitter.

## Story

*“He once stood for that as well. This Realm…it has taken so much,” she states as she raises rock from the ground to reveal a chipped handle of an ax. She begins to reach out – to him. To the one she loved & the man she lost. They were riding into the next battle but had stopped to picnic under a tree. They looked out to the sun, with hope in their hearts they were more than the purpose they were created for. They were Stagalla, and they would be hap-”*

Inara wakes from a dream of a simpler past – a better life. It feels intangible yet right within her grasp. The Scourges were times of conflict, but also led to growth and love. She couldn’t protect them all then…how would she manage to do so now?

The outskirts of Greenwood Outpost are filled with whispers as various scouts and mercenaries gather from across the Realm. Rumor has spread that the Paladins have been gathering inside, the first time the group has been seen since the events in the Shattered Desert. However, why they are gathering is a mystery to all those uninvited. The first arrival makes the importance obvious.

Grover rises before the walls of the Outpost, stanced tall enough to nearly peer inside. On his shoulder rides Cassie, who has managed to fasten herself between his branches. The two of them seem friendly enough, but the embodiment of nature outside a Timber Mill is certainly a sight to behold. Slowly, the gates open for them, and onlookers gather around to see the lone Stagalla standing before them. Inara is smiling, not of happiness, but of welcoming warmth. As the two guests make their way inside, stone walls block the curious eyes from glimpsing more.

Next, a familiar face to many whistles his way down the trail to the gate. Barik, with a cart of tools in tow, waves to the onlookers as he makes his way through. Some ask him about his purpose there, to which he responds by patting his turret in the cart. No one asks him twice. Quickly following him is Tyra, who similarly spends time talking to the people outside. According to her, they’ve been summoned by the Stone Warden due to an Abyssal threat. This news hits a particular spy’s ears, and as Tyra enters the fort, Skye hides herself to go report back to the Magistrate.

As everyone gathers within the meeting room, Furia paces back and forth impatiently. Inara, meanwhile, has laid out a map of the Realm before them. Markers litter across the land for their allies’ and enemies’ known locations. The former town of Seris holds that of Seris & Raum, with other Abyssal beings unaccounted for. Worry crosses her mind, but not her face. She must lead, and her friends need confidence.

“So, status reports?” Inara states it as a request rather than a command. Cassie responds first.

“Grover can’t leave Greenwood for long stretches, but he’ll ensure any displaced people are welcome here. Best offense comes in the form of unbreakable defense. As for myself, I’m ready to face what I must.” She shares a knowing look with Tyra, who nods and continues.

“As for the former Sentinels, Buck is assisting in the remnants of the Resistance. They’ve been rallied around a new cause -”

“Talus. He’s become somewhat of a symbol…I’m proud of the scamp.” Barik chimes in as he repairs various switches around the room. “They may be able to assist, but their focus is squarely on the Magistrate still.” Furia walks over and rests her hands on the table.

“Azaan is gone…captured, or worse. Jenos won’t leave Ascension Peak, Io has disappeared into the Shattered Desert…Imani is prepping for the future of the Warders. We’re far too short on power.” The angel’s voice remains shaken but devout. “How do we stop whatever this is?”

Inara stares at the group, considering their options. She debates reaching out to Lian, but the Magistrate and Abyss tend to fester. The Resistance is fragile, and she’s not sure who is holding it together now. This fight is one they have to take on now, waiting could lead to large-scale strife once more. She refuses to watch more people be hurt, more love be lost.

“We take the fight to them. They know we are coming, and they have every advantage. However…we have something to lose. Everyone has something to lose. Gather as many allies as we can on our way, but no matter the numbers: we will stop this rift before it fully forms. We have to.” Her statement leaves the room silent, but not in disagreement. They gather themselves and prepare to set out for Seris.

Their travels net them some assistance, but not as much as they’d want. Pip offers to join in if he’s allowed to test out some new concoctions on their foes. They bump into Bomb King, who refuses to not come along since he must protect “his domain”. Finally, as they made their approach through Magistrate territory, Strix made contact with them. He shared that the Magistrate was aware of their presence, but uninterested in protecting the town of Seris any longer. He however refused to ignore it, so his services would be provided.

As they make their way into the walls of Seris, Inara’s first fears are realized. Strix calls out from a rooftop the sight of familiar sails, that of Dredge’s ships in the distance. Whatever was occurring, all of the Abyss was seeing to its completion. No longer were the Lords isolated on their own goals, but focused and joined behind a purpose.

Inara and Furia lead the way through the streets as the group first begins to hear the cackle of Raum echo between destroyed buildings. Grover begins to send roots through the ground to rout him out as the rest of them push forward to the Oracle in the distance. Gatling gun spinning, the Rage of the Abyss reveals himself as he shreds through roots towards the group. Pip & Bomb King quickly leave to help keep the demon down as long as they can.

Dredge begins to launch mortars from his fleet as Barik deploys his shields and begins to craft a counteroffensive of turrets. Tyra takes cover & begins to send suppressive fire toward the Admiral himself to shake his commands. The seas begin to shift as boats attempt to evade, and the town descends into combat. Through all this Inara, Furia, and Cassie inch closer to Seris’ ritual at the rift.

Right before they manage to get within range, a voice calls out to them from above.

“Paladins…turns out the past has a way of refusing to die,” Lillith states as she falls to the ground in between them and their goal. “Shame, I was hoping Valera was out of retirement. What I’d give to repay her a favor…”

“Get out of the way, vampire,” Furia responds, grasping her blade ready to fly past her. “You are out of your depth here.”

“Oh, Sarah. You truly are lost now that Azaan showed you the Pyre’s colors.” Furia’s flight stops dead in the air as Lillith smirks and turns her attention to Cassie. “Huntress, betrayer of her family and the Magistrate. What will Lian do when she finally deems your insolence worth her time?”

Inara stands there, watching her allies struggle with the words they are forced to hear. She steps forward and stares at Lillith. The Heartless looks down on her and hides any thoughts she may have.

“I’m going to walk past you and stop this. Nothing you say will stop me because I’ve already lost more than you’ll ever know.” Inara begins to approach Seris once more, and as Lillith opens her Heart to stop her, Furia & Zigs both fly in and force her into combat.
Inara stands before Seris, preparing to send her spear towards her with all her might. As she charges her throw, spaces tears open behind the Oracle as she laughs dissonantly.

“So, this is the Realm Azaan has been complaining about? All I see is potential!” states Nyx, emerging from a portal just in time to catch the spear with a clenched fist. “Don’t worry, your savior has arrived. Thanks for the lift, honey.” Nyx nods to Seris who begins to chant as the large Rift below her glows.

“Who…are you?” Inara states as she summons her spear back to her.

“The Queen this land deserves, a ruler who allows everyone freedom to do as they please!” Nyx boasts with her arms wide, spinning through the ruins of Seris.

“Chaos is all you bring. I’ve seen what that does to innocent people.” Inara states, feeling her skin crack slightly in anger.

“Well, of course! Chaos is all this Realm has ever known, and too long have groups stood between the will of the people, to let their worst selves flourish.” Nyx points her arms forward, almost as if she’s offering Inara an embrace.

“You wish to turn us into the Abyss!” Inara shouts back, clenching her weapon, prepared to fight.

“No. I wish to bring the Abyss to you.” As Nyx states those words, the rift below Seris rips open once more and a pillar of purple light pierces through the night sky. Inara watches in horror as souls begin to creep out. Nyx takes flight and tries to pull her in with Abyssal chains, but Inara raises a wall between them. She turns back to the Paladins quickly.

“We need to shut this. All focus forward!” Inara commands them, and the team jumps into action. Grover sends roots toward the portal while Raum chops through them as long as he can. Barik attempts to ready a cart towards the crater but is held at bay by Dredge’s volley. Zigs attempts to look for solutions above, but Cassie gets back a solemn whistle. As all hope seems lost, a royal horn plays throughout the town.

“I am the king of this Realm! Your claims are rejected!” as Bomb King rolls towards the side of the crater and proceeds to explode, breaking the ground between it and the bay holding all the ships. As water pours in, Nyx lets her guard down as Inara shoots boulders towards her and knocks her out of the air. Lillith, seeing the state of the fight, locks eyes with Cassie and blows a kiss as she vanishes in a swarm of bats. Tyra calls out to the group to retreat, and all but one listen.

Furia and Seris stand once more eye to eye, as the town of Seris descends into madness around them. Furia speaks plainly.

“I know you’re in there. You can lie all you want.” She wasn’t even trying to threaten, no attack readied. She was speaking from the heart.

“There is no one left, and you have failed. This is an omen of what is to come. You lost your sister…these mortals have lost their fight. You may think this stops us, but you delay the inevitable.” Seris responds, unphased by even Nyx’s concern as the rift closes and fills with water.

“Next time we fight, I will end this.” Furia ignites her sword with fire in her eyes.

“You’re not worth the time. Farewell, angel.” Seris states back as she waves her hand and fades into nothingness. Furia looks around, screams, and flies away.

As the town settles and all other parties depart, Nyx composes herself and walks to the edge of the rift. She leans forward, picking up a single bone on the ground and smiling. Her Omen is on its way.

**Directions**Anti-Abyss  •  Anti-Darkness  •  Nature Protectors  •  Neutral
**Groups** Bomb Kingdom  •  Deepwerks  •  Eternal Pyre  •  Followers of Io  •  House Aico  •  House Arturos  •  Outer Tribunal  •  Paladins (Former)  •  Red River Orcs  •  Sentinels  •  Shadow Tribunal  •  Summer Court  •  Tau-Kor Monastery  •  Thousand Hands Guild  •  Warders  •  Unknown Groups
**Noteworthy Items / Forces**Crystals  •  Magic  •  Souls  •  Warder's Key  •  Warder's Relic
**Notable Positions**Abyssal Lord  •  Border Lord  •  Grand Magister  •  Pyre Lord
**The Realm**Abyss  •  Aico Tundra  •  Crosswind Hold  •  The Eight Oceans  •  Enchanted Forest  •  Greenwood  •  Lunar Coast  •  Seris (Village)  •  Temple Isles  •  Trade Row  •  Warder's Watch
**Races**Abyssal Creature  •  Animal  •  Construct  •  Darkness  •  Dragon  •  Deities  •  Dwarf  •  Elemental  •  Elf  •  Faerie  •  Goblin  •  Human  •  Leipori  •  Orc  •  Pyre Creature  •  Ska'drin  •  Spirit  •  Stagalla  •  Tigron  •  Transformed  •  Undead  •  Vulpin  •  Wyrin
**Complete Timeline**Complete Timeline  •  Paladins Chronicles
**Story Arcs**Crystal Arc  •  Darkness Arc  •  Ska'drin Arc
**Time Periods**The Ancient Age  •  The Age of the Paladins  •  The Golden Age  •  The Age of Resistance  •  The Lost Future
**Notable Events**Dragon Scourge  •  Goblin Scourges  •  Golden Age  •  Crystal War  •  Koga's Revenge  •  Destruction of Seris  •  Battle of Ascension Peak  •  Warders Return  •  The Fight of the Shattered Desert  •  Shattered Goddess' Return  •  The Summoning of Raum  •  The Darkness Released  •  Shift of Power
**Other**NPCs  •  Updated Bios  •  Alternate Realities  •  Canon Skins  •  Statues  •  Legends  •  Misconceptions  •  Retcons  •  Character Feats  •  Alpha Lore