Prologue: It's So Cold

It's so cold here, in this void, on this rock, in this temple.

It's so empty here, in this hall, in this tomb, in my tomb.

It's so lonely here, in my room, on my throne, so alone.

There is no one else here, there will never be. It hurts to be alone this long. My memories fade to black as my bones lie on a cold stone throne.

I have no name... at least I don't remember. I have glimpses of what I was before this. A Khan, a king of dragons, a punished soul, of crimes I can't forget, a servant to a goddess of death. I miss her voice, in my lonely mind. Whenever it would scold me for stupid things, or words of encouragement in my darkest of hours.

This temple, I built for her in this void, I inscribed with my adventures of spreading her name amongst my race of Kobolds and Dragons.

Yet, it's so cold here, even though I have no flesh to feel with. She no longer speaks with me... my soul weeps at the silence. Why must you be so quiet. I barely hear her in my dreams, what's left of them.

It hurts so much, my soul deteriorates as I sit here, but I wait for her call. I am her avatar after all, a paladin of highest authority.

No one visits me anymore, those that could venture into this void have passed on or wage war in a different space. I long to converse with someone.

Was I not a dutiful in my endeavors Nul? My beloved goddess of justice? The draconian cycle needs you to give order to the chaos we bring.

For when kobold die in glory and honor, they become dragons in the next life. But when dragons die in shame and have done so much wrong, they become kobold.

Highest judge, even you preside above Great Red, in both belief and power.

But your followers are no longer as powerful as they were. They are not strong enough to travel here. They die before they can achieve greatness and I weep for them.

Nul, I hear their sorrows, but I cannot hear you. Where did you go? What must I do to hear your melodies again?

The dragons are losing their faith as they continue to live, even Oroboros does not know of you my lady. I beg of thee, where is your voice when I need it now more than ever?

There aren't even any more chapels in your name, no more confessions of sins.

Nul, my beloved, my greatest treasure, my Master, where did you go? Was I not good? It hurts so much, my soul withers and cries yet I cannot shed tears from my skull.

I can't move anymore, the weight of my armor, no longer fueled with magics I could cast on a whim weigh more than what the skies do to atlas.

This temple has become a mere Barrens in the gap between realms. No one walks them, and neither do I. I sit here shackled by my own armor under the weight of dormant emotions I cannot display.

My bones grow weak as they creak under my armor. They get weaker every time I call out your name.

My memories grow distant, I cannot remember the name of my birthmother I cared so much about a millenia ago. I cannot remember my friends I fought alongside with.

I miss hearing you hum while I enter the realms of Hypnos. Those beautiful melodies that could move armies away and drive away the darkest of memories.

I forget the cruelties I still need to repent for. It chews at my soul, actions that I wish to coorect. Yet you forgave me all those years ago, after I freed those children from the clutches of Ulthaan, scourge of Kriiknar. I slayed him with my sword, and threw his soul to your cycle with my bare hands.

Yet I cannot draw my blade anymore. I wish to rise from this tomb, to avenge the Heavenly Dragons sealed by Him. But you told me their fate was that, their own retribution for other crimes against our code.

The stone walls crack and deteriorate. They crumble as no one takes care of it anymore. Moss of multitudes of color grow, yet I forget the names of the colors. Mushrooms grow in the corners of the halls giving light, but the torches in their sconces lie dormant waiting to be lit.

Your temple has been overtaken by an ecosystem, but I still sit here untouched by the plants and pests that overun this place.

The silence is killing me Nul, it hurts so much I cannot even hear a clock tick to pass the time. Please, if you can hear me beloved, say something.

It's So Cold Here....