Morfinale's figure arrived at the ice castle. Its piercing chill had no effect on him as he easily broke through the ice like Umbra.
Following his sense of the energy he could feel from within, he quickly got to the heart of it all.
There he saw the ice buried halfway into the ground, constantly releasing chill mist, giving off a gentle hum and glow.
When his eyes landed on the sword, he had a complicated look on his face.
Just then Vyraghast arrived behind him, heat mist coming out of his nostrils as he used his dragon flame to keep his body warm from the biting cold.
"Came as quickly as I got your message," he said, stopping a few distances away from Morfinale.
He had received a telepathic message from Morfinale just before he left the meeting hall.
He had to rush over immediately after he was done with the others.
Morfinale didn't respond to him, creating a heavy air of suspense due to his silence.
After what felt like an eternity to Vyraghast, Morfinale finally decided to speak.
"What would you do if you were caught in between a fiery lightning storm and behind is a soul-freezing sea of flame, leaving you with nowhere to turn to?"
This question confused Vyraghast, especially the terms used: fiery lightning storm and soul-freezing sea of flame.
Each element mentioned had contradictory elements within it. Wouldn't that mean chaos on its own?
Still, the most important fact is that he doesn't know how best to answer this question, as both elements don't fall in pleasant places for him.
Choosing the lightning storm might take his life from the outright slaughter of lightning. Choosing the freezing flame, well, one could already imagine what it might be capable of by the name alone, so he is lost as to which should be the best way to die since both would end up killing him, even if he is a dragon.
"It's a difficult question, one that requires careful consideration," Vyraghast said slowly, still trying to wrap his mind around the conflicting imagery of the scenario.
"I would say the fiery lightning storm, since at least there is a chance of survival with lightning, whereas the freezing flames would surely mean certain death. But then again, if the lightning is powerful enough, it could be just as deadly. And who knows what other dangers could be lurking within the storm, or if there is any way to escape it at all? Perhaps there is some hidden third option we have not yet considered?"
He looked to Morfinale as he gave his honest answer, one that garnered Morfinale's attention as he turned to face him.
"Perfect answer. I would have been disappointed if you didn't fight against fate even though there is no hope."
He beckoned for Vyraghast to come over, and the latter did.
"This Arthur Relzar I don't know, but Arthas Relzar is one I can't get out of my memory."
Vyraghast felt a sense of foreboding as he listened to Morfinale speak, the name Arthas Relzar ringing alarm bells in his head.
"Arthas Relzar... I've never heard of such a person, but his name carries a certain weight, as if he were someone of great importance, or perhaps great danger," Vyraghast mumbled to himself, his voice hushed and wary.
Morfinale's expression grew dark and heavy as he considered how to best explain this to him. "It is not a tale for the faint of heart, son. The Relzars had a history that dated back to when primordials still walked the earth." Vyraghast's eyes widened once again at this new information.
From how Morfinale spoke of these beings, they surely are on the high side, and the domineering name further solidified that resolve.
"In the old era, all races lived together and this world was thriving. The primordials had their fair share of dealings with the others.
The energy of the universe was very much pure and dense.
Just like every thriving world, there is always a struggle for power and dominance, but it always ends with a balance at the end of every attempt."
It had always been so till the rise of a single man known as Victor Plataea. He was the son of the human king at the time, the Human race's strongest being, Andrew Plataea. This single man brought the reign of the primordials to a shaking stop, leaving this world without primordials as the surviving ones fled while the unlucky ones were killed by him.
He stayed his hand after that, but his name had gone down in the history books as the strongest being, as none had the strength to take on a primordial, let alone kill one. He began his reign as the ruler of the world, and no one dared challenge him, bringing humans to the top of the power chain. Centuries later, he disappeared, leaving the throne vacant.
After the disappearance of Victor Plataea, the world was plunged into chaos as every race vied for control. But without the primordials to keep the balance, the world was thrown into a cycle of war and destruction. The humans, led by Victor's descendants, tried to maintain the peace he had brought, but it was an impossible task. Every race wanted to rule the world, and the humans were not strong enough to keep them all in check.
In this time of turmoil, a new power emerged. A dark power born from the fear and hatred that consumed the world. This power took the form of an Umbra who had stumbled upon something Victor left behind, hidden away from the eyes of everyone. It was an artifact known as the Crown of Entropy. Victor Plataea always wore this Crown when he was alive, but not much was thought about it as many powerful artifacts existed back then.
But this one was different because just like Victor, Umbra gained power to subdue the world and brought it to its knees. He defeated the present Daemon King and took his throne, leading the Daemon army on a conquest that almost ended the entire world. For years, the world was at the mercy of Umbra and his army of Daemons.
The humans and other races fought bravely, but they were no match for the power of the Crown of Entropy. Countless battles were fought, and countless lives were lost, but it seemed that nothing could stop Umbra and his reign of terror.
Then, one day, a young girl from a small village rose up to challenge Umbra. Her name was Aurelia, and she was a human with extraordinary power. She had been training since she was a child, honing her skills and developing her proficiency with weapons.
This action angered Umbra, who sought her out and publicly slew her to set an example and instill fear in the hearts of anyone else who dared to go against him. What he didn't expect was for the girl's father, who was away on an adventure despite the tough situation in the world, to return and find out what had happened.
This man's name was Arthas Relzar. When he learned of what had happened, all hell broke loose, for Aurelia was his only child at the time. Arthas Relzar was consumed by rage and grief, he swore revenge against Umbra and set out to track down the creature and destroy him.
Arthas sought to bring an end to Umbra's reign of terror and retrieve his family heirloom lent to Victor Plataea ages ago by his ancestor. Arthas tracked Umbra to his lair and battled against him with his mighty strength. Just like his daughter, he too was killed, but that was what he intended unknowingly to Umbra. Because his return brought the world to an even worse state than Umbra had placed it.
People died at his hands like insects, especially the Daemon race that was totally eliminated from the surface of the world. The world would have ended if not for his wife, who was bold enough to stand up to him, notifying him of her being pregnant with his child. Arthas' wife's words struck a chord in his heart, and for a moment, he remembered who he was and what he stood for.
He remembered his love for his wife and the child they had created together.
With a final burst of energy, he banished the darkness that had taken hold of him, and in doing so, the world was saved.
As for Umbra, he was sealed away in a dimension he wouldn't be able to escape from without external help, which no one would be foolish enough to render.
But Arthas' victory came at a great cost. The lands had been devastated by the conflict, and many lives had been lost.
The people of the world looked to Arthas for leadership, but he knew that he was no longer the man he once was. To bring peace to the world, he placed restrictions that sealed it from the universe's bountiful energy, causing all transcendent beings and aspects to abandon the world, as I've told you before.
As for the artifact, it was sealed away using the bloodline of the leaders of all the surviving races.
The very reason Umbra didn't kill you all back then, he needed your blood to unseal the crown.
With the world sealed away from the universe and the crown safely protected, Arthas and his wife retired to a peaceful life in a secluded valley.
They had their child, a boy, who they called Adrian. Adrian grew up to be a kind and compassionate young man, who had the best qualities of both his parents.
With the human race separated from the other races, left in the hands of the Relzar who left it alone and went into seclusion away from everything.
The human race, with the passage of time, lost its heritage which should have existed the way it was before the event you mentioned occurred a hundred years ago."
Vyraghast was beyond astounded when he listened to the tale just told to him.
"What is this Crown of Entropy like?" he asked after he had recollected himself.
Morfinael stood in silence for a while as if recalling its entire detail. "An obsidian crown with a shimmering metal base adorned with intricate ancient runes and sigils symbolizing power and authority.
At the top, shimmering crystals emit an otherworldly light, creating a sense of mystery and foreboding.
Delicate silver branches and leaves cascade down from the crystals, moving and twisting as if alive, exuding an ethereal and mystical aura around the wearer.
Dominating the front of the crown are a pair of majestic horns encased in pure crystal, radiating a pure, radiant light symbolizing immortality and purity, reminiscent of the strength and mystique of an unrivaled king.
This mesmerizing blend of dark and light, power and purity, creates an awe-inspiring presence that commands respect and instills fear in all who lay eyes upon it."
Vyraghast's eyes widened in shock as he listened to the description of the crown. It sounded like something out of a storybook, something far beyond the realm of possibility.
But Morfinael spoke with such conviction that he could not help but believe him.
"That is an incredible artifact," Vyraghast said, his voice full of wonder. "But why would such a powerful item be created?" He still doesn't understand why such an artifact is made and gifted to someone else.
"The crown was created for a purpose that was lost to time," Morfinael said, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "If my speculation is right, aside for Umbra wanting to gain his strength back, the crown would be his next target. So I ask you again, what would you be willing to do to save your people?"
Morfinael turned to him this time with a serious look, one Vyraghast could immediately understand what it implied. He couldn't help but gulp at the thought of it alone.
Thanks to all those that had been following up till now and thanks for the power stone supports, we come to the end of the first which deal majorly on ground setting and all
I'll like to get you reviews and opinion on the book so far, thanks