The Third Season - Inquisition

**The Inquisition**, was the name given to this specific era of Aeternian History in honour of the Inquisition that was done by The Ancients. This season, just like Dialogues of a Thousand Lies, is a mostly written story with a few exceptions. This season had begun it's story during late January - early Februrary 2021, but with the server's closing and consequent reboot, it never had a complete ending and the story was made as a mean to an end and give closure, by lore/wiki master Shaka.

This season began with the victory of the army of the Ancients over the remains of the Anarchist Nightmare / United Aeternian Republic and The Zelazny of Aeternia. This turned the political landscape on it's head, in a day, 2 major factions/coalition collapsed. With this The Ancients became the major powerhouse of Aeternia, with minor resistance in the north and a few pockets of anarchist resistance in the west. This season was the last season that most accept as the ending of classical Aeternia.

## Chapter I: The Reign of The Ancients (46 N.E. - 51 N.E.)

### The Unification Wars

> *"You know, everyone wants to rule the world. But it can't be just anyone, and it has to be someone with great power. And on this dawn, the one with the power, is **me**."* - Freddy to Theodred & Alan Shaka, during **The Capitol Summit**.
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As the decades of the New Era came to a close. Aeternia is in ruins.. It’s lands, destroyed, it’s people are divided more than ever. The fall of Anarchy and Republic led to new nations rising from their ashes. Yet these new nations had risen in a time that will doom their existence, as the Ancients, the faction that had defeated the two sides, has all the intentions to benefit from their victory the most.

The leaders of all remaining nations/factions decided to hold a summit to decide the fate of Aeternia in 46 N.E. The summit since then was remembered as **The Capitol Summit** or **The Summit of The Doomed**, since it had taken place nearby the ruins of the Capitol. There the leaders discussed and agreed that no more uniting effort shall ever be done, but there's always a sense of tension especially with Freddy being there, Freddy later said the infamous quote to the Elven Kingdom's delegation of Theodred and his new Magister Militum, Alan Shaka, the man Freddy defeated and slayed himself in the ambush.

Almost immidiately after the summit, The Ancients violated the agreements decided in it by engaging in a series "Unification Wars", annexing the nations of Goldshire, Pogland, and etc. During this time, Bubba of the Zelazny dueled Sib, The Patron God of the Ancients, and Freddy's father, killing Sib for the final time, this shattered the relations between the 2 factions, and Bubba began secretly amassing an alliance of those who opposed Freddy, forming NewFORM. Freddy continued his conquest, taking down Guatemala, and then began the construction of a new city, that some has dubbed the Second Capitol, the Ancients Homeland. The newly conquered land was then inquisited and subjugated, restricting their regional freedom, and that all must accept Freddy as their supreme ruler. Freddy then acclaimed himself the Emperor of Aeternia, a title he claimed derived from his victory over the republic and his subjugation of most if not all of West, East, and Southern Aeternia.

Meanwhile in the northwest Alan Shaka, who had just finally disbanded the Republic along with Jordy Cratus and Zack who had left to join the Ancients, left the Elven Kingdom after being dismissed by Theodred. He then founded a new city in a high mountain range, called Palatina-Shakapura, there he rebuilt whatever is left of the old Republic into a smaller version of it. He still hellbent on stopping this seemingly unstoppable conquest by Freddy and the Ancients. He came to Koja in the Hippies Village and asked for an enlightment and final decision. She said to him to follow his judgement. And as such he chose to do one last war and campaign to liberate Aeternia.

### Coronation Day Massacre

Shaka sent an envoy to Freddy, offering his Princeps golden laurel leaves crown for a grand coronation, in turn of a senate to represent the people of Aeternia and home rule. Freddy rejected the senate idea and only agreed to the home rule. The Shakapurans agreed and told the Ancients to prepare for the coronation. However this was all a ploy and part of a scheme that Shaka had thought about, he contacted the members of NewFORM and both sides agree to strike during the coronation day. Shaka also contacted Jordy, Zack, and Theodred if they're interested in helping, Jordy and Zack were hesitant but agreed, while Theodred declined stating that the Elven civilization isn't gonna be able to defend themselves if they were to go to war against the Ancients.

During the coronation as Shaka was about to place the laurel crown, he stabbed Freddy with a hidden dagger. NewFORM and Shakapuran soldiers barged into the coronation chamber killing all known loyalist. Shaka there declared the formation of the Quartz Coalition, and declared war on Freddy, The Ancients, and their Allies.

### Road to Goldshire (51 N.E.)

After the coronation, the coalition forces began their preparations for a battle, converging in the ruins of the Viking Homeland. There the Quartz Coalition officially formed into the 2nd Republic of Aeternia, with Shaka and Bubba as their consuls and the other high ranking officials as the senators. Shaka then organized the new 2nd Legion "Renovatii", and Bubba the 3rd Legion "Liberatii". The Ancients meanwhile, had converged on the town of Goldshire, setting up defenses and turning it into a fortress. Hearing of this revelation the consuls marched with their armies south towards Goldshire to put battle.

### The Eastern Liberation & Road to The Black Gates (51 N.E. - 53 N.E.)

The Republic's victory at Goldshire the prompted them to go east towards Cova Dragao liberating the city with a year long siege and the Elven Stronghold (Minas Aerith), Shaka went to the Stronghold personally to negotiate with Theodred and invite him to the republic, which Theo declined, so Shaka requested Theodred for his greatest blacksmith to help him forge a new divine sword, as his Excalibur had been handed to Zack, that Theodred agreed. With help of the elven blacksmiths, they forged a silver sword of divine power, Elderic Crist, a sword that when Shaka is killed, it will be brought with him through the after life. After this The army continued their march east, reaching the Black Gates, a massive bastion built by Shaka during his reign as Legatus-President of Cova Dragao. Shaka tasked the others to march to Cova Dragao, while he stayed at the Black Gates to fortify the defenses.

The Ancients hasn't been idle either they had recruited more men than ever to their ranks, Freddy and Noah had formed their own armies and after hearing the fall of Cova Dragao to the republic began their eastern march and taking cities that has yet to subjugate, including the Hippies Village, that has long been abandoned by all except a few including Meng & Koja who had gotten married. Meng and Koja escaped to Minas Aerith, but Theodred and the elves had agreed that Minas Aerith is no longer a viable home and as such agreed to move east towards the Great Sea and settle on a nearby Island, the Daedric Isles.

The Ancients' forces marching towards Cova Dragao then saw their path blocked by the 2nd Legion of Shaka who manned the Black Gates that protected the road towards Cova Dragao. With overwhelming numbers the Ancients began their attack on the Black Gates. Deciding that they can't afford to retreat and risk Cova Dragao being captured, Shaka and his legion decided to make their last stand, their Saragarhi, death or capture before the dishonor of retreating.

### Battle of The Black Gates (53 N.E. - 54 N.E.)

*Main Article: Battle of the Black Gates*

### The Execution of The Princeps (55 N.E.)

The Black Gates is a great victory for the Ancients, their moral rose significantly especially with the capture of Alan Shaka, the face and founder of the Coalition & Republic. Freddy, Noah, and their army returned to the Ancients Homeland in triumph, with Shaka imprisoned. The news reached the republic, who had received Shaka's message, the message read:

> *"Let no one mourn; the death of one soldier is not a great loss to the republic. I send this message to you because my doom is almost inevitable, I request all of you sons of Aeternia to stick with the strategy we had planned, to Jordy my consulship I hand over to you, to Lucius my son protect Palatina-Shakapura from all danger, and to the people of the republic of Aeternia, all I hope is for peace and the end of the Ancients Tyranny, may Du'Ain bless you all."*
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Shaka was then tried with treason, rebellion, and genocide by Freddy and the high court of the Empire. He plead guilty, and was sentenced to death by decapitation. Shaka's public execution happened at city square, He himself gave a passionate speech admitting to his guilt and the actions of his past, but said the king, the "scourge of this world", is no better if not worse. Shaka was then beheaded, his body was sent to the Republic as an insult, and he was buried next to the senate building. This ended the Coalition Uprising but the war is far from over, as during Shaka's funeral Jordy made a eulogy speech for his friend saying the Ancients will pay, and their tyranny and empire will fall:

> *"...The Ancients has ruled long enough, their reign end with us, the sons of Aeternia. The age of the Final War is upon us, and victory is all we can give, to Du'Ain, to Shaka, to Aeternia and it's people..." - Jordy Cratus, Alan Shaka's Funeral.*
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## Chapter III: The Final War (55 N.E. - 58 N.E.)

### The Grand Invasion - Road to Battle of World's End (55 N.E. - 57 N.E.)

The senate meeting started with a loud call for an immediate retaliation and an invasion against the Ancients, and with an overwhelming majority, the republic is about to pull of a grand invasion on the Ancients' controlled territory. 2 new legions, the 4th & 5th, are formed with the new recruits with Zack & Ollie tasked as their legates. Jordy was tasked to lead this grand army, and with that they began their southwestern march into the heart of the Ancients.

The forces clashed in rear guard skirmishes throughout the south and west of Aeternia, carving a path of destruction through the land. Soon the 2 armies began heading towards the Ancients Homeland, fearing it's destruction if battle were to be put there, the city was abandoned. A poor decision, as the republic's forces proceeded to destroy and put it to the torch anyway, in retribution for all the destruction they themselves had caused. The Ancients army, now enraged by the destruction of their home, prepared to put battle, they marched to the First Plains and are ready to put battle. The Battle fated by Saladin, The Battle of World's End.

### The Age of Strife Begins

#### Season IV: Soul & Thunder

*Taken from the prologue of Season IV*

*The Ancients' inquisition was stopped, the banner of the republic standing atop of a grand old hill being covered by the corpses and bodies of dying men. From both sides great men fought and died, Bubba, Ollie, Zack, Freddy, and many more perished in this battle leaving the lands of the First Plains, Ancients Homeland, and many notable places all destroyed beyond repair. Whoever are the remaining men alive, would no longer care about their allegiance, they followed Jordan Cratus to the Viking homeland to rebuild around it’s mountain. But the gods have other plans, Ellundir, enraged at the almost complete destruction of his favorite Elven race, wanted the destruction of the world for it to be reset but he was stopped by Du’Ain trying to protect his beloved humans. But before it did, Ellundir stripped the already devastated Meng from their god powers and status, making them fall further into depression. The sky went red during this period of the gods clashing.*

*The few remaining elves of the new Stronghold were aware of this divine clash, the king of the Elves, Theodred, met with Ellundir, his father, proclaiming him to stop. Enraged that his authority has been ignored, Ellundir struck his destructive force towards his son, starting the last war of the Elven kind - one against their own god. This resulted in the death of none other than Theodred, Koja, and the Elven Race. Hearing of this, Du’Ain went through the nine trials and faced Enya, the creator of all that lives.*

> *“Master, we must put Ellundir to rest!”*
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*Enya then casted a curse that placed Ellundir into a state of stasis in a dimension specially made for him, as he was forever locked in The Ellendic Void. With this Du’Ain thought no more war shall ever be fought upon by man; all sides were so destroyed and devastated by the war that there is no one left wanting such bloody conflict.*

*Soon Jordan and his followers of the Cratian Republic left the Viking homeland after seeing that it was uninhabitable. They migrated West towards the Great Sea, reaching the remnants of the devastated ruins of the new stronghold. Soon they reached the coast and set sail to an island Theodred had told him when he was alive. There humanity began rebuilding over the years, those years became decades of flourishing times, that decade became centuries of prosperous ages. But the history of old more and more became stories of legend, and soon myth, stories of gods walking the world, warriors of valour, and ambitious leaders who led this legendary United Aeternian Republic.*

#### Whatever is Left: A Tales Ex Aeternae

*Taken from the prologue of WiL:ATEA*

Only the Gods would know what Jordy felt and thought as his body was pierced by a pickaxe. His late friends? His remorse for those who died during the wars? Or is it joy and happiness that he has killed the tyrant Freddy with the last of his strength? We may never know his dying thoughts or if he knew it’s consequences, as he lay immobile on the ground feeling death coming closer to take his last life and end it once and for all bringing the last fire of the old republic to his grave. Hundreds of thousands of men are dead, their bodies lying on the fields of battle.

Soldiers near him rushed to his aid but when the first soldier touched him, his and Freddy’s body vanished to thin air. Leaving only the golden laurels, symbol of the republic, that Shaka had given to him before his execution. The remaining republican soldiers brought the golden laurel back to the seat of the senate in Palatina-Shakapura, demoralized, depleted below fighting numbers, and despite their victory they lost the last founding father and consul of the republic. The senate, who’s numbers diminished, as many joined the soldiers in the battle, fell to a bout of arguments as the rest of Aeternia began to crumble.

And now at Aeternia’s weakest moment, the time has come. As from the northern lands, beyond the deathly Saraschens, beyond the Great Mountain Range of the north, beyond where all normal Aeternians never returned, accessible only by a single road that leads through the mountain valley protected by a fort and wall, when in normal times would be manned and supplied by all Aeternians, now only a few dozen soldiers of the republic are left, a grave danger emerges.

As a lone soldier watches from the watchtower, he yells to his compatriot to call the regional commander as he sees a far cloud of dust and smoke riding south towards them, a sight that has never happened in Aeternia’s history even before the arrival of men. The commander, receiving the report, headed towards the walls with a hundred men to hopefully fortify it. What the commander saw when he arrived would make men shiver. A destroyed and burning husk of the walls and fort, bodies of dead soldiers laid burning on the ground, their blood splattered around, with a destroyed section of the wall laying on the ground. Then arrows fell on them like lightning, and the sounds of war drums like thunder. One by one they fell to the ground succumbing to the arrows of fire that had pierced their armour and skin. And those who did survive are never seen again. The northern walls protecting Aeternia have fallen, the Khaganate from Beyond are at the gates.

Soon northern Aeternia, and as such the house of the Senate in Palatina-Shakapura itself has fallen. Warlords began to sprang up in the south and west. And in the East, Cova Dragao and the remaining cities of the old republic stood longer before succumbing to civil war and invasion from the destructive hordes and warlords. An era of death and destruction even greater than the wars against anarchy itself, with the old dominions, home of so many great heroes and leaders, the existence of the elves and hybrids, and the old knowledge of a now lost past only held by the few who survived.

Here begins the darkest age in Aeternian history. An age with great leaders or heroic characters, but greater adversaries. An age of strife beyond what one could think of. But even in these dark times, those who dreamed exist, but so few will fulfill this dream of a bygone golden age, but yet they dreamt on, as there once was a dream, an Eternal dream.