1 Alpha - The Dream

The midnight sky stood still, only obscured by the Arc, the great ring that encircled the entire planet. For so many years, the Arc remained silent to the Oracle of Khetem, a prophesier of the Kingdom Khetem.

Renown for his ability to glimpse important events, yet incapable of perceiving the path towards them, the Oracle once more turned to the Arc. For as long as the Oracle had lived, which had been close to two centuries, it had foretold of many kingdoms and their ruinous fall, and some of their ascension to prosperous times.

Only once he had been given the most powerful of visions; the coming of a Blackheart.

The Blackheart, a title, an item and a power all to its own self, it is known simply as such due to its effects. When the wielder possesses the power and the item it is named after, it is said that those, either 'chosen' or 'usurped' the title from the original, gain either complete insanity from whatever they witness, grow mad with power and an unrelenting instinct to unite all the lands through unrelenting force, or become weighed down by the incomprehensible power the Blackheart contains.

Regardless, the Blackheart's six wielders and their respective names etched their legacy into history long ago.

The First, Anaris Sanctarum, the Conqueror. It is said he possessed the combined might of the entire race of the dragons, and bent the world to its knees. His greatest legacy was to bring all kingdoms, fallen cities of the Imperia and the numerous races of the world to respect the Pillars, the massive structures that connected to the Arc. It is said that those who are still loyal to Anaris himself dwell upon these pillars, awaiting for another of equal to arrive so that their fallen king's legacy to be made whole once again.

The Second, Leanne Thelara. Known as the first wielder who truly embodied the name of the title Blackheart, Leanne cared for the world far more than her own wellbeing. It is said that the world prospered as she uplifted many kingdoms, peoples and races to greater understanding. She is also remembered simply as the Herald of Knowledge.

The Third, 'Victaris', remembered simply as the Sundering Joker. The Madman, he is oft referred to, for he broke the great lights and shining glimmer of the Arc, forever to darken and silence the world. He also brought low many a hero who dared to face him, let alone those who dared not to laugh at the great comedy he spoke of. It is unclear what Victaris meant, nor is it clear if anyone else shall be enlightened by this same knowledge.

The Fourth, Tralyz, the Ancient. The first dragon willing to take up the mantle, Tralyz utilized his power to reinvigorate the world. Re-seeding the world with magic, he imbued the caverns, abandoned places and ruins uninhabited across the world with the first dungeons. Spawning forth items and materials from nothing, Tralyz hoped that by doing this, the world may become stronger.

The Fifth, Auric. Known as a mercurial person, he went mad and became instinctually driven to conquer the world. Only after his fifth year of conquest did the kingdoms finally manage to break Auric and end his life. Historians still debate if this would have been possible without Tralyz and the advent of dungeons. Auric left a wake of massive chasms filled to the brim with gold and rare minerals. His devastation remains a warzone due to the unrefined, pure gold deposits that now exist there.

The Sixth, Erundis Seabreaker. Prophesied by the Oracle, Erundis set out to explore and bring knowledge of the world at large to all. It is said that when he returned, he returned half alive, with the Blackheart returned back to its resting place. His current whereabouts are unknown, but old maps and the knowledge he spread remain in circulation to this day.

The Oracle closed his eyes once more, releasing a ragged breath of relief and of sadness. The world regresses further, distancing itself from even the most basic of Imperia age tools. The common people grow superstitious, believing the ruins as a mark of the Gods of Old and their warning upon the present. Some believe this to be true even among the Oracles, yet he remains skeptical. Gazing up at the night sky once more,, he notices something in the night sky. More stars have appeared in the sky, as bright as the planets themselves. He reaches out with his mana, hoping for a vision, and he receives.

Through the void, they return.

From the stars they burn,

Inheritors of a lost age,

Harbingers of unending rage,

Wronged and neglected,

The children of the subjected

Remnants of desolation

Left to rot in stagnation

The end of a lifetime

A son of none yet of time

A challenge and of light

The way forward only in twilight

From the dust

Yet none to trust

A thief of the dawn

Becomes a simple pawn

The lied becomes the last

The only left to cast

The Betrayer of the soul

The Uniter of the Whole

The broken shall be remade

And the greatest to be unmade.

The Oracle shuffles back from the edge of the balcony. Standing atop the granite tower's balcony that, from the outside, looked as if entirely carved out of a single, massive granite block, he looked at his hands and then forward unto the large, sprawling city.

The Oracle of Khetem shook his head. He had witnessed the rise of a Blackheart before. Who was he to witness another, let alone bring forth a prophecy that would bring massive upheaval upon the world?

Doubting himself, he let his mind wander. There were so many places ravaged by those with immense power, and the introduction of a new Blackheart in this age would certainly either bring upon the world its final nail within the coffin, or uplift it from the mires of regression and decay.

The Oracle let loose a sigh, retreating further into the confines of the granite tower, moving down the stairs. He rushed to move to the king's chamber, to tell him of the prophecy that shall unfold.