• Graybeard, the great Arc Sage of the Antherios Empire, sat silently in a lavish wooden chair at the head of a gigantic, twenty foot long table in the palace of Omigot. He watched as the representatives of the three other empires walked in through the huge double doors and entered the room. Graybeard cleared his throat once everyone sat down around the table, “Thank you all for coming.” He began, “As some of you may already know, the black legions that wreak havoc on our lands are slowly taking key areas and pushing us back with their overwhelming numbers. It is my belief that the black legions are being led by none other that the dark wizard, Canilus.”

    Everybody in the room exchanged glances, “You defeated Canilus years ago.” Tanir, king of the Torst Empire, spoke up.

    “So it would seem.” Graybeard said with a frown, “It appears as if the dark wizard has created a new army and allied himself with the pirates and corsairs from the south, giving him an army large enough to challenge his enemies.”

    Nilvar, king of the Cylon Empire, nodded, “And challenge us he did. In the past several weeks, the Great Plains region has fallen, along with Zinon and Giltar. I fear that we will lose much more very soon.”

    “I agree.” Said Selerin, king of the Avalon Empire, “We must find a way to defeat this powerful foe before more lives are lost.”

    “Yes.” Graybeard agreed, “The Voliun Stone is the only way.”

    “The Voliun Stone?” Denethir, commander of the Torst Empire Army, asked, “What is that?”

    Graybeard stood up, “Thousands of years ago,” He began, “a legendary wizard, named Whitebeard the Old, magically created an artifact in the shape of a stone. It was said that the stone contained the power to destroy all darkness and bring light to the world. The Voliun Stone was once housed in a secret chamber in the great castle of Old Tyre, but has long since disappeared.”

    “Do we know where the stone is now?” Voran, prince of the Avalon Empire, asked.

    “Legend says that when Old Tyre was attacked for the first time by an alliance of pirates, led by the dark wizard, Canilus, the Voliun Stone was stolen from its chamber. Whitebeard attempted to recover the stone but was struck down by Canilus in an epic wizard duel. It is not known for sure where the pirates had hidden the stone, but my best guess is that it is located somewhere in the Black Lands, beyond the southern seas.” Graybeard answered.

    Murmurs were heard around the room, “The Black Lands?!” Nilvar exclaimed, “It would be suicide to venture there.”

    “Yes, I know.” Graybeard said, “However, I will search for it nonetheless. Who will join me?”

    The room was silent for a moment, then Voran spoke up, “I will go.”

    King Selerin looked at his son in shock, “What? Have you not heard the tales of the Black Lands, son? You will die the moment you set foot on that cursed ground.”

    “I would rather die attempting to save millions of lives than in vain, father.” Voran replied.

    “Aye.” Denethir agreed, “I will go also.”

    “So will I.” A voice said from a dark corner.

    All turned towards the source of the sound, “It took you long enough.” King Nilvar said to the shadow.

    “My apologies.” The shadow remarked, “I was held up.”

    Graybeard turned to King Nilvar, “Who is this newcomer?”

    Nilvar smiled, “My loyal bodyguard named Ashlar. I ordered him to join us as soon as he could from the Great Plains campaign.”

    Ashlar walked into the light, his hazel eyes gleaming, “It is an honor to finally meet you, Graybeard.” He bowed.

    Graybeard bowed in return, “It is an honor meeting you as well, Ashlar. I have heard much about you.”

    “Good or bad?”

    Graybeard thought for a moment, “I’m not quite sure.”

    “Lovely.” Ashlar laughed.

    Graybeard turned back to the table, “It is settled then. Voran, Denethir, Ashlar, and I will take a ship south and into the Black Lands in search of the Voliun Stone. Good luck to us all.”