Prologue

Long ago, when the world was still young, order and chaos ruled the cosmos as darkness and light. Together order and chaos created the various worlds that existed within us. Order known as Atlas took the form of a fire dragon whose flame can create magic. Disorder, known as Vertigo, took the form of a dark phoenix whose shadows can develop souls. Thus, Atlas and Vertigo represented the balance of good and evil throughout the universe. Atlas and Vertigo created day and night, sea and sky, earth and life during their journey.

At the end of their journies, Atlas and Vertigo wanted someone to protect the life that they had created. So, Vertigo and Atlas used the earth and molded it into humans. As a token of protection, the humans decided to devote their lives to serving the gods. As thanks, Vertigo and Atlas gave the magic to the humans. Vertigo gave humans the power of shadows and communication with spirits. Atlas gave humans the power of fire and contact with nature. Pleased with everything they have created, Atlas and Vertigo went their separate ways and founded their homes. Atlas rested near a field that would become known as Branica. Vertigo rested near the mountains that would become known as the Highlands. Over time, both Vertigo and Atlas began to merge with the Earth. Vertigo and Altas's act moved humans so much that many traveled to the location where they rested and began to serve them. These migrants were called priests and priestesses who served to protect their homes. The priests and priestesses began to teach respect, both light and dark, to the next generations.

Centuries have passed, kingdoms formed, and life was plentiful. However, the people of Branica began to think about why darkness should be a good thing. Ideas were developed and turn into actions. People grew jealous of the priests and priestesses and wanted the darkness erased forever. The empire of Branica was sought as a beacon of good, while the Highlands was considered to be the root of all evil. The king of Branica, King Nerren, feared a riot in his kingdom, ordered a meeting with all the members of the Highland royal family. As both parties planned to discuss what to do with the people's outcry, Nerren secretly called the guards to search the premises of Highland castle for examination of the source of Vertigo's power. Inside the walls of Highland Castle lies the Scarlet Sword, a divine sword that destroyed all of Atlas's magic. At the center of the blade lies the Phoenix Stone, the source of Vertigo's power. The guards stole the sword and brought it back to Branica Castle. The guard quickly informed the king of the relics as the meeting adjourned. Outraged for the Highland family's possession of a powerful tool, he orders the royal guards to unleash an attack on the Highlands.

Without the relics of the Highlands family, the Highlands were weakened by the might of Branica's magic. Many priests and priestesses were powerless against the royal army, many of which draw power from the Sword and Stone. Many people were murdered, villages burned to the ground, and survivors were forced to retreat. As a final conquest, the Highland Castle where the royal family slept burned to the ground. One survivor, a fifteen-year-old boy, named Darius escaped the massacre by the castle's secret tunnels and passages. Horrified by the trauma of losing his family, he set out to find three ancient elders to help find the sword and stone. The elders of the Highlands agreed to help out Darius, but it comes at a cost. The elders told Darius to help find the flame inside of the Vertigo's Cave, the very location where Vertigo was last seen. There, he will draw power from the phoenix ashes and become the new ruler of the Highlands. In return, he will have to give up what is most important to him.

Without any options and no people to back him up, Darius agreed to the elders' deal. The elders gave Darius a map to lead him to Vertigo's cave, and Darius set off. Darius trekked long and hard towards Vertigo's Cave, fighting off against hydras, forest creatures, and rough wilderness. Finally, he arrived at Vertigo's Cave. he approached the cave with fear but was determined to find the stone and sword at any cost.

He walked toward the altar of Vertigo and prayed to her for his sorrow.

"Oh, Great Mother Vertigo. It is I, Darius of the Highland family, who come to seek your eternal power. My family was slain by the family of Atlas, whom you have journeyed together to create this world. Branica's king, Nerren, stole the sacred sword and stone and destroyed the very home that you now rest. As the last of the Highlanders, I pray that you may bestow upon me the very power that you have, so that I may help restore our homeland and end its violence forever."

The cave shook with a mighty force as if an explosion was released inside where Darius was standing. Darius was pushed back toward the cave's walls and landed with a thud. When the smoke cleared, and Darius woke up to an urn on a stone pedestal.

"Darius of the Highland family." a woman's voice echoed throughout the cavern walls. Darius was startled to hear someone calling out. He looked around the cave's walls looking for someone who called out to him, but there was no one.

"Is it you, Vertigo? Have you heard my plea?" said Darius.

"Yes, my child. It is I, Vertigo. Mother of all darkness and goddess of chaos. I have heard your call for comfort and will be able to give you the power to help reclaim the sword and stone from Branica." said Vertigo.

Darius couldn't believe that the spirit of Vertigo has heard his need and wishes to help him get his families' heirlooms back.

"However you must do something for me." said Vertigo.

"Anything, Great Mother. I will do whatever it takes to get the sword and stone back from Branica." said Darius.

'I have come too far and suffered too long to retreat now. Whatever Vertigo said, I'll do it.' he thought.