Prologue

A heavy musk of motor oil and electricity hung over a small room. filled to the brim with chests and gold, and many, many orbs of different shapes and sizes. An old man sat at a small indentation in the wall, filled with tools and wires

Toiling away at his workbench, he sat hunched over a small golden orb, poking and prodding it with what looked to be a mix of teasers and tongs, fiddling with wires and quietly mumbling to himself.

"So close.... Just a little more."

The man seemed to perk up, as he tilted his head, seemingly to someone talk.

"Alright, Alright. The orb will be done soon. Then, and only then, can I use the stone."

The man gestured to a little pearl white pebble, encircled by golden runes. The little stone vibrated, and flung itself upwards, only to be pulled back down in an instant. Seemingly giving up, the stone stopped vibrating, and settled down. A short while later, a heavy rumbling filled the room. The man flicked up his welding mask, and presented out the orb, fully complete, and perfect in its shape and luster.

The man cocked his head again, once again listening to an unknown voice.

"Yes! I know. But I still need to put this away first."

And with that, the old man hobbled over to a chest encrusted in gold and jewels, and pressed on a gemstone, and a hidden lever in the shape of a golden cube popped out from the box. Twisting the lever, the box slowly opened, revealing a velvet padding, perfectly fitting the gold orb. Setting it down, the man closed the box, and it automatically returned to its starting position. He hobbled back over to the bench where he had sat, and focused on the white pebble. Taking out a old tattered book, the man slowly recited a passage, trying to make sure he didn't mispronounce a word.

"Albe-thath-poea. Que-waer- este. Al-thernum-poitas!"

As the pebble shook, a glow overtook it, starting with a blinding white, and then fading to an endless black. The man, seeing this, cried out. "SHIT! It's Poitos, not Poitas! Damned book just cost me my life."

The dark somehow got darker, and a sinister laugh filled the room.

"Heh. Heheheheheheheheheh. Foolish mortal. Dost thou think that thine power is comparable to my own? Ha. Thou is more foolish than I thought. However, thou can have this... vial as my appreciation."

And with that, a vial of green liquid formed in front of the old man. The darkness seemed to smile, as a being made of shadowy flames sprung forth.

"Before I go, what is thine name? Be quick, or my temperament will reign."

"Ku'lthar. My name is Ku'lthar"

"Ku'lthar, ey? Thou can live, if only for today."

And with that ominous line, the being vanished, leaving no trace of him behind.

Ku'lthar then proceeded to feint.