The Factory Accident of 1928

> "Leave while you still can."
>
> Hephorus Khrom's last words

**The Factory Accident of 1928** is a tragedy that occurred in the Kingdom of Metallum on July 16, 1928. Four Diamond Industrials were killed: Tassian Vergahn, Hephorus Khrom, Segana Khrom, and Palio Vergahn. Several more Diamonds were injured, the most notable being Marelle Khrom. She became paralyzed from the neck-down after rubble collapsed onto her spine.

In March of 1928, Astram Khrom renovated a factory he inherited from his father, Hephorus. The factory was four floors tall and produced paraffin. Astram first gave Segana a tour of the factory in June 1928, and impressed his sister. On July 11, he sent invites to the rest of the Diamond League for a formal visitation. King Silvis Prisma, who had been a banished soul and watching over his kin since his death, heard that Hadena Prisma was going to visit the factory with her only four-month-old son, Atheon Prisma. King Silvis still had a hatred for Orthello and the Tomen bloodline. Since Hadena (Orthello's daughter) and Atheon (Orthello's grandson) were the only living kin left of the Tomen Family, King Silvis created a plan to indirectly kill them. He asked Insomnia to repay him for the deeds he had done for them, such as create a cult and hold souls captive for them both. Thus agreeing, Insomnia corroded one of the pipes in the factory.

On the morning of July 16, 1928, the date of the formal visitation, Atheon coughed nonstop. He suffered pain from an ear infection. Lothian Vergahn and Hadena decided to skip the tour in order to take him to Hillbourn Infirmary. Astram was understanding of this, and wished Lothian, Hadena, and Atheon his best luck. Instead Tassian, Hephorus, Marelle, Segana, Brythan Demyx, and twins Isira Vergahn and Palio went to the factory visitation. Astram had the factory vacated for just himself and the Diamonds. He began his tour and was just about to turn on one of the machines when Hephorus noticed the corroded pipe. He yelled a warning at everyone to evacuate right as Astram finished turning the motor, making it too late. Hydrocarbon gas escaped the corroded pipe, and ignited with the motor machine. An explosion ignited in the factory, causing it to collapse. Tassian and Segana were immediately killed in the explosion, as they stood directly beside the motor. In the aftermath of the explosion, Astram had become stuck in between two beams and cried for help. He was rescued by Brythan and Isira, who pulled him out from the beams. Hephorus, who was fatally injured, managed to lead Astram, Brythan, and Isira to the factory entrance before he collapsed. Astram was frantic and tried to save his father, only to be told by Hephorus to leave while he still could. Hephorus soon succumbed to his injuries.

Marelle and Palio also survived alongside Astram, Brythan, and Isira, although both were in critical condition. Marelle and Palio were rushed to Hillbourn Infirmary, where Astram, Brythan, and Isira reunited with Lothian, Hadena, and Atheon. Astram was hysterical and blamed himself for the accident, all while he hoped for his mother to live. Marelle and Palio were rushed into surgery. Marelle meanwhile, survived. Unfortunately, Palio died just minutes after going in surgery. Hywell and Voleen Banut shortly joined the scene at Hillbourn Infirmary. Both were devastated by the losses.

Astram, Brythan, and Isira spent the night at Hillbourn Infirmary. None had major injuries - only bruising, small cuts, and first-degree burns. Once hearing about the factory accident, Owain Demyx visited Brythan in a worried panic. He embraced his son and thanked him for living through the ordeal.

The next day, July 17, 1928, Marelle was confirmed to have made it through the night, while most medics did not think she would. She was visited by her younger sister, Queen Tarinne Prisma. Marelle shortly learned she was paralyzed from the neck down. However, after hearing the news that her partner and daughter were dead, it truly broke her. She was visited by Astram, and the two proceeded to grieve for hours in Marelle's infirmary room. Later, Marelle invited Brythan and Isira into her infirmary room. She profusely thanked both of them for saving Astram's life.