1 Starting off

Luther Hearth looked out into the knight sky one last time. Apophis was very clear, he would never return to this Dimension. If he failed, it would be even worse for him considering the Egyptian God expected much from him.

Looking into the sky always brought about a sense of calmness to Luther. Even when young escaping the troubles of his family, this always brought a calm of sorts.

With no family left and all his friends having passed away, not much was left for the old Mortician. The last few years were spent enjoying retirement by going back to college. It was never to late acquire more knowledge people said.

"Hmmm, I feel light all of a sudden." As Luther stared up, he could swear the sky started to shift about. The stars moving in a pattern. Almost like that of a snake. "Ahhhh, guess Apophis will get me later.."

With a mighty yawn, Luther drifted into slumberland.

The drowsiness came from Apophis himself. A large snake formed from the stars and swallowed the soul of Luther up. The body left behind with a smile on.

The almost unending serpent made of darkness and starlight shot off into space. Piercing the Dimensional Barrier to deliver Luther to his 1st and hopefully not last Dimension.

Unlike the process for Champions who visited the "Waiting Area" or the "Boundary" as it was known in the olden days, he went straight to his destination. As they traveled, Apophis passed over the ways of Magical Cultivation. As well as the Aspect principles he must learn and study to understand.

Unlike a Champion, a Dark Champion was not allowed to really choose. Only break through the higher realms and establish an Aspect then. And Apophis was not very understanding in those who tried to stray without power.

Yoou could do what you want... after you completed his tasks.

Apophis is associated with Earthquakes, controlling bits of the earth in a way. Thunder to manipulate the skies and loom over your enemies. Darkness to cloud your enemy before making your move. Death to end their time in existence. And one more, Chaos.

Darkness, Death, and Chaos were abundant in the Dimension Luther was going to. He would have to strive to keep himself in check. Deviation in the Cultivation was a Deviation in the Soul. Which would lead to his undoing among other things.

But the good news about being a Dark Champion, they did not suffer the Heart Monster easily. Which was the trouble of following what they desired. Or the Mental Monster for that matter. Struggling to cope with all they had to do and who they had to do it through.

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Outskirts of Gariland-

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Apophis arrived in the dead of night. Masked from all that lived in the place. So many wives of long-dead soldiers were available for the process of rebirth, that the god felt a tiny bit bothered about who to choose. But a pulse of the blood alerted to just the right one not far away.

'One of the old blood will do just nicely. Especially with a name like that attached to them.' Apophis stepped into the darkness, arriving in the house of a woman on her deathbed. "Can not have you dying just yet. From a broken heart no less."

The woman just shuddered a little in response. Aware someone was there, but unable to open her eyes. With a simple touch of Chaos & Death magic, the woman was restored to a good state. At the same time, knowledge on her blood history was revealed. Along with the soul of Luther.

The bloodline of the old Kingdom of Ydoran flowed through her. And now, it flowed through Luther.

Apophis spoke a few more words before departing. Leaving just enough for the woman to live longer. And if she tried hard and devoted herself, she could live longer than anyone in Ivalice.

But that would require a contract as well. Which Luther would be tasked to sign.

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21 years later-

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After some years later, Luther felt the power of the contract with Apophis take hold. It was time for him to begin his job. Which consisted of dealing with those with powerful destines. Having spent time traveling and meeting various people of Ivalice, Luther was aware of who they were.

It was time to head to the Akademy to turn in his findings from "scouting" as they were told anyway. A little magic was used to make it easy for him to do so. The woman who was his mother did well for herself in the town of Gariland. Helping feed the populace and making sure a few kids lived long enough to make something of themself.

As the first contract signed by her when Luther was 10, she grew in strength. Becoming a very prominent Mystic. Strong enough to get respect but not high enough to be bothered by others. She did well keeping her status as Blue Blood.

The relationship between the two was amicable enough. When young, Luther acted the part of a loving child. But the more he grew and the more strength he obtained in his Aspects, the faster he returned to his mentality of himself as an adult.

Luther spent his time helping the people as best he could and understanding the politics of the place. The slow steady pace was approved by Apophis during that time, and that was only because it wanted Luther to be extremely powerful. And for him to understand the Contractees he would set up more.

Through the power of the Pantheon, Luther could write up and have individuals sign magical contracts. Contracts would help enforce rules as well as help the individual fight against Destiny and its Design.

The contract would also gather various energies to go to Luther. After Apophis gets his cut of course. With that energy, Luther is able to cultivate to become stronger as well as grant wishes for the contractee. Which takes a lot of power for certain acts of course.

The Champion, or Dark Champion for that matter is just really a big container that moves about a Dimension. Champions usually have a type of prison within themselves that is use to secure Dimensional threats.

The Dark Champion has this as well, but had a deeper task to do within the prison they placed someone or something. Each individual that was housed within, had to be linked to the Dark Champion. They must live through the entire individual's life. Knowledge and power was obtained this way..

..but also caused a lot of Dark Champions to have a psychotic breakdown.

Most of everyone was gathered in the main hall. Luther had turned in his report to those in charge. Retaking his position as a guest Knight Commander to instruct the cadets. Luther was the youngest Knight Commander in the history of the Northern Sky, earned him a lot of leeway, and pull for certain things.

Luther was awarded the title of a Noble despite the protesting of a few Blue Bloods. But thanks to his mother, he did have a good claim to Nobility. Enough documents and Heirlooms due to magic helped solidify that.

The crown knew well enough to leave it be. But it put him at odds with the Church of Glabdos. The people were on his side from his acts of helping along with his mother. But the faithful rembered that the Yodran Empire was responsible for the execution of Ajora, the named "Apostle" of the Church of Glabados.

"What is going on over there?" A Knight said. His words caused the others to look over at the young squires causing trouble. "I should just ask Ramza and the others later." The Knight said as he watched as a young squire was talking to a group of older squires, and it didn't look pretty.

"Haaa, how annoying." Luther excused himself from the group to get closer. It was not like the Knights didn't think it prudent to interfere, it is just to many Blue Bloods were involved in the talks. It would not be wise to tick some young scion off and find your unit's rations decreased. Or worse. 'So much Chaos energy here. At least I will have more than enough for a plan later.'

"The only thing of note..." the young squire looked up from his paperwork amongst the group quickly stammering at the older boy. "A..a ..an ...no..another shipment of supplies was attacked. All the goods were ransacked and the mercenaries that did the transport escort, all died. The caravan was struck last night on its way to Eagrose."

The older squire snarled at the young squire. "Was it the Corpse Brigade again?" He gestured towards the others getting their attention. "Those bottom feeders.."

"Cut the crap." Luther chastised. "It is not the Corpse Brigade and you know it. Only those in the Akademy and a few Nobles would have known about the routes taken. Which means it is most likely some stupid Lesser Noble House causing an issue with another house. Which we the people are paying for."

Before the younger squire was able to answer, the older squire turned around and declared loudly, "The filthy commoners in that area should all be gathered up. Who is with me? Leave them all dead an sort this out after."

"How can you say that?" A female knight questioned. She had run over and grabbed the papers from the scared squire's hands the moment things turned worse from Luther's involvement. "The reports say nothing of the sort. In fact, we have heard around town that people have even dressed up like the Corpse Brigade causing trouble. Even sight of House..." She stopped dry not wanting to mention the house involved. That was a death sentence. ".. ehem! They have been doing everything to keep the peace!"

Talks started to break out amongst the lot of them. Squires speaking up loudly against the older squire and his ways. Each of them enveloped by Chaos magic from Luther. Best to egg the flames here and now when the opportunity was fresh.

Ramza turned to his squad, "I wonder where all this leads...Delita. What do you make of this?"

"I'm not sure. I have my guesses, but...I think Duke Larg is coming to Garland." Delita said as he gazed into the crowd to see how they will react to the situation at hand further. His teeth clenched when a few of the knights started pushing the squires back making threats. "My sister.. my sister says people are using this to exploit the masses."

"Who would risk the populace like this? Especially with unrest in the capital?" Gazes turned to Luther, Ramza couldn't understand why his friend didn't help settle this peacefully. Instead of fighting fire with fire at times. Seeing that the other members of the squad were distracted he moved up to Delita. Ramza placed his hand in front of Delita, gesturing for him to continue, "I'm listening. What did you say about Duke Larg? Why?"

"Not just the duke. The marquis Elmdore de Limberry, too. All of Ivalice is in turmoil... stuck in a slow burn of madness. The Order's supposed to be keeping things under control, but the fact is, they are numbered too few." Delita said in a firm tone as he looked at Ramza. "Rumor has it, your brother is involved in a lot. Just like Luther has been hinting at. A divide in the Order is forming and the Church seems to be ignoring it."

"That's the first I've heard of it," Ramza said looking away. He was lying. He didn't want to believe his brother was involved in something like this. Not believe in the rumors. "This has not the sound of a state visit. Hmm, what are you doing here Squad Leader?" Ramza turned facing a hooded squire.

The hooded squire was someone part of Luther's squad. Most of his squad were covered head to toe. Leaving no visible ways for people to see them. This particular member was called "Archer" when addressed informally.

"So, are you just gonna stare or will you do something?" Archer glared at Ramza and Delita from under his hood. Eyes almost haunting in a way with the purple glow. They looked at him like a frightened Chocobo in front of a Panther herd. "Hmph, wimps still to this day." He then strode forward to the fool that was 'preaching' while Luther was tending to the squires that were injured briefly.

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