Life-Like

They moved through passageways that were adorned with graphic murals that depicted scenes of gore. Casimir had seen something similar within a library of the awakened society on its campus, it was a depiction of the Greatest war. He often thought the name was the arrogance of those before them that believed nothing greater would ever come after them, but seeing an even more detailed version of it before his eyes he couldn't help but wonder. Was not this war the stuff of nightmares? On one mural he two saw giant beings locked in combat, their fierce battle laying waste to the world around them. One of the mighty giants was a humanoid being with four arms, in one arm was a scimitar, while two held shields that resembled weapons of Camelot and in his remaining arm was a great rod made of lightning. The other giant was a great beast, a tiger with powerful wings, breathing a stream of black flames toward the mighty titan. All around them was devastation and chaos. The sickly man noticing Casimir's wonderous gaze took the chance to give a history lesson.

"Although' "the tiger that stole the river" lost this battle it was a very telling point in the war, those that possessed Fables although stronger, had grown arrogant so when Hero Cashmere slew him, the nation of Azoraoth did not manage to recover after losing their only imperial thus Cashmere being awarded the title of hero."

Casimir did not like that there were currently beings capable of such destruction back home, especially if they possessed Fables or an Aura. The strongest beings he knew were the seven imperials, the only humans in realm[V], and his country of residence possessed two of them, making them four on his current continent. The remaining three occupied the two other continents.

"of course, your arrogant people wouldn't know this, pardon me fallen but you are a very barbaric people."

He didn't know why that made him mad but he felt that deep down he felt like his arrogance was justified, he just didn't know why. After another eternity of walking and more frightening murals they stopped at a large and ancient door. The door was decorated with weird inscriptions but Casimir was surprised he understood what they meant. His heart thundered as he read them.

'Nagid shall fall when the moon sends its reapers, and only then shall the sun weep its estranged child.'

His name, he did not know why it was his name, the one he wasn't familiar with at that.

'That can't be me, right? It doesn't make sense it's not me.'

Casimir tried to convince himself it was a coincidence, it had to be. He had never heard of the name Nagid till today. The sickly man noticed his distress and followed his line of sight and realized what the cause of it was and a smile played on his lips as he spoke.

"It seems you are familiar with our text; we are honoured that you'd find time to learn it oh mighty fallen."

His reply wreaked of sarcasm but Casimir was still stuck in his stupor.

"This prophecy was written by one of our oracles thirty full moons prior to today, and it seems your mighty king shall meet his end soon."

Hearing this he realized it wasn't him, but rather the king of wherever he was from. Alas, it did little to calm his mind, it was glaringly obvious there was some connection. He just didn't know where.

'And why does he keep calling me fallen?'

The ancient door groaned as the began to open, revealing a large and lavishly adorned temple room. Pillars of ivory held up a roof with even more murals, these murals depicting celebrations and festivals. The floor was made of marble like every other room of this great labyrinthine structure he knew only from the inside. In the centre of the room, was a great depression that had several runes, he assumed this would be an altar. Surrounding this 'altar' were several thrones of gold and what looked like platinum or silver, he really couldn't tell the difference between the two. On the ten thrones, were people seated with veils of black and gold. They awaited his arrival he assumed. One of the beings spoke.

"We do not have as much time as you think we do servant; this war will not end as long as the mad king rages on, the sooner the weapon is created, the sooner we can put an end to this."

The sickly man who had been pompous up until now was now on his knees in deference to the veiled figures.

"Yes, thrones forgive me, however, the fallen had only awoken a few moments ago."

He was met by silence. It was uncomfortable for Casimir but he now knew why the more fortunate folks used the [realitywalker] artefact. if the more powerful a person was destined to be was related to the difficulty of their trial whatever it may be then he knew a lot of sheltered sixteen-year-olds would not succeed.

"Then place the man on the altar let the process begin."

This time voice was feminine but carried the same level of authority as the first one. Casimir was then unceremoniously shoved off of the edge and landed into the depression. He fell on his shoulder and it hurt. It hurt more than it should have for such a measly distance from the bottom to the top where he had been standing. Beneath him the ground began to rumble and the runes began glowing.

'Damn not even going to give me a supervillain speech.'

His mind once again went into overdrive. What was even the purpose of these life-like visions? Were they even still visions? Would he truly die if he died here? The rumbling stopped and the runes changed colour. They turned red.

He felt pain for the first time in a while, and it was nothing short of excruciating.