The Demonlord Chronicles

Chapter III – The Darkness of Light
30.
It was a stray emotion, a mere thought. And yet she know it was the truth, quickly spinning around, dropping the basket she had been carrying, dashing forwards. Passing bushes, trees and canopy, she jumped forwards, onto the wide clearing. And she saw him.
“ARDAN!” Launching herself into his arms, Srazih laid her head against his chest. “Finally... you’re back...”
“Sort of...” Ardan responded, slowly. And instantly, the Wolven realized the strange tone in his voice.
“What... what do you mean... Ardan?!” She raised her head, trying to catch his glare. She gasped when she saw his eyes, similar to white stars, filled with a distant, yet infinitely powerful light. It felt as if she was staring into the eyes of everything itself. And everything stared back into her eyes, her heart, her soul.
Ardan closed his eyes, smiling warmly. “A lot of things have happened... and right now, I may don’t have the time to explain them all. But don’t worry, we will have a lot of time in future...” His claw caressed along her head and Srazih couldn’t but feel comfortable. Whatever Ardan had done this time, he was still, definitely, her murr...
“Come, I’ve to attend to a few things before... well.. you will see...” He reached for her hand, pulling her forwards. And as Srazih stepped after him, she merely had a moment to notice the sudden uproar of magic energy surrounding them.

The world went silent. Not just the sound of weapons, warcrys and pained screams. Even the wind ceased, the previously whirling snow flakes gently gliding to the ground. Countless figures, locked in different fighting positions, all paused. And slowly, ever so slowly, everyone turned his head, towards... it...
Everyone, demon, angel and even mortals felt it’s sudden appearance. An emission beyond the limits of immortality. Hemlat’s sword, Bloodhowl’s blade right next to an angels neck, slowly lowered down as he stared at the figure on the nearby hill, overwatching the battlefield. And right now, he knew everyone else was doing so as well.
“The war is over.” The voice halled, not across the plains, but in Hemlat’s very mind and heart, the tone of the voice itself filled with deep understanding and never-ending grace. He knew the person that voice belonged to... and yet... it was utterly different...
Metal hit the ground. Again. And again. Weapons were dropped, shields were dropped. Noone doubted or wanted to doubt the words: The war is over.
“We fought. You fought. Everyone fought. And the world won. But now the war is over...” Ardan’s voiced echoed across the plains and through the hearts of everyone nearby. “Return to your realms, immortals, guardians. Your duty is done, you protected this world. Recover. Regrow. Restrength. And when the time has come... emerge again and fight united, against the one and only threat to this world. For now... begone...”
Hemlat blinked, seeing Ardan right in front of him. A thump next to him sounded and, turning around, he saw Myrahathika who had stumbled backwards into the snow. “What the..” the Wolven gasped. “How... weren’t we just...”
Srazih blinked in surprise. Everyone... was gone... well, every of those fighting angels and demons, that was. They all disappeared as if they have bever been here, though the countless scars on the battlefiled clearly indicated there definitely has been a battle of epic proportions.
But whilst those immortals have disappeared, a few choosen ones had appeared, right in front of Ardan and her, visibly surprised by the sudden change as well. Rihukan shook his head in confusion, stepping back and forth confusedly, Cyra was staring around, visibly stunned, and neither the Flamewolves, nor the beast hunters seemed to be much different.
“O-K...” Cyra started slowly, her talons shrinking back into her claws. “What... the hell... did just... happen...”
Ardan smiled. “A lot and nothing. But to say it this way: Today is the beginning of a new age for Daina. The wheel of fate has spun and is running again. Well, nearly... there are still a few things I’ll have to do... Everyone here, listen closely... we are about to reshape this world into a better place... and every single one here, regardless whether mortal or immortal, has a place in that plan.”

“Ardan... is that... really necessary...” Srazih asked, cautiously pulling on his right arm.
“Don’t worry, my dear lady.” Hemlat answered instead of Ardan. “I can’t but feel I had seen this coming countless years ago... And I’m fine with the way fate has determined for me... there’s but one regret... to never have laid in your arms, probably.” Hemlat added a low chuckle before leaning back again, resting on the broad stone table.
Every of the nine was. It were all Darag-Ur who survived the battle, every of them laying on a stone table. And next to every beast hunter, there was one of the Flamewolves standing, each of the Wolven carrying a white, bone-like dagger, as Ardan did, being the one who stood next to Hemlat’s table.
“I’m sorry it had to come like this, Hemlat... You don’t dese...”
“HEY! Don’t you dare offending me, Ardan! To die like this...” he breathed out and closed his eyes. “I’m a beast slayer, Ardan. We are born to, one day, fight for the higher good. Usually to save someone or to kill a beast... but... I never imagined I would, someday, die for the opposite cause... It’s fine... It’s the best death I can imagine.”
Ardan nodded, just once. His hand reaching below his coat, he slowly unwrapped his bone dagger from it’s sheath, as he said: “Srazih. Better step back.” Hesitantly, the Wolven did as she was told, stepping backwards, until she had left the wide circle the tables were forming around Hemlat and Ardan.
Closing his eyes, Ardan started to speak, his voice clear filled with a cold, previously unknown to anyone, and with an innate power that could have made people die, just like that, if he desired so: “Seraphim. Gaia. Brother and sister. Aid me in our task. Death will come, life will come. Life will leave, death will leave. Trade the lives of those who freely offer it against the lives of those who will resurrect this world!”
The dagger striked down, right into the warrior’s left chest, impaling his heart, as it happened eight further times all around Ardan, the Wolven performing their duty with cold precision. Hemlat’s body twitched for a second, before going limb.
One second passed... two... three... then a wind started to form, a breeze, becoming stronger and stronger, whirling around, surrounding the ritual circle. Srazih took a couple more steps back, the wind pushing her, literally, off. A gust of dust and smoke forced her to turn around, averting her eyes. About one minute later, she felt how the sudden storm ceased and she, slowly, dared to turn around.
What...
Oho?
This... this wasn’t exactly what I exspected...
Uhm... hello?
Hi there!
Sorry if I ask.. is this hell?
Pff, retarded reptile, can’t you feel your own blood and your heartbeat?! 
Srazih stood there in utter amazement. Not because of the voices suddenly filling her head. But because of the things in front of her... Scales sparkled in the sunlight. Wings were folded and unfolded, stretched and flapped. Tails trashed about, purrs, growls and hisses sounded.
“D... d... dragons...” she whispered.
“Beasts of the ancients, hear me. Look down to those tables, and honour your most loyal followers with your attention, as they did sacrifice their very lives for you!” Ardan spoke up and the large reptiles turned their heads, mustering him and the stone tables surrounding him.
One of the dragons growled. Oh, fuck it... I HATE Necromancy... Suddenly his claw lashed forwards, the lethal talons aiming for Ardan’s head. Raising a hand, the Draken intercepted the strike, standing firm.
“I’m sorry to disturb your peace... but there was no other way... to revive your race.”
Revive... our race? the dragon asked in slight confusion, his claw slowly pulling back though.
“The dragons have fallen. Centurys ago. This was the only way to bring them back. Bring you back. This worlds, Daina, needs you. Without the dragons, the eternal balance cannot be sustained. Yet, even with the help of life and death itself and the sacrifice of those brave Darag-Ur... I can’t but grant twelve of you more then five years.
A rough, yet audible giggling came from one of the dragons, her mental voice clearly designating her as a female of her kind. Ow, that sounds like fun... her tail trashed sidewards, dragging along the flank of the dragon who was standing next to her. Don’t you like that idea, dear? We get five more years to make plenty of hatchies...
The dragon growled lowly, pressing against the ground. Gods... why did I choose this dragoness as my mate...
Ardan couldn’t but smile. “To be exact, there is one last of your kind, though only a half-blood, still alive. And he will, so I hope, be alive for many more years. He will be there to watch over your children as they grow up. And he will protect those who will resurrect the old legends of the golden city.” Ardan gestured and Srazih felt a storm of pictures rushing into her mind. She closed her eyes trying to sort them and realized they were... some sort of travel route? “I’ve sent him up ahead. There is a large mountain, a volcano, suitable of being the new home of the dragon race. That’s all I could do... the rest is up to you...” He smiled as the dragoness started rubbing herself against her mate’s flanked. “Have fun...”
One by one, the twelve dragons unfolded her wings, raising into the sky, gathering up amongst the clouds and then turning towards the west, flying in a broad formation.
Myrahathika stepped up to Ardan, as Srazih and Cyraminon did. The younger Wolven smiled visibly. “Is it allright to revive a bunch of dragons just for them to mate? I don’t think something useful can be created by throwing a bunch of reptiles at each and tasking them to repopulate their race...”
Ardan smiled lowly. “Don’t worry. Amongst those twelve are exactly six couples, every of them which had at least one child already, even if thousands of years ago. I’ve choosen those who will take pride in their... well... task... don’t worry, the dragon race will regrow, slowly. Probably even to your lifetime.”
Ardan turned to Cyra. “I’m sorry for seperating you from your brother this soon again... And I predict you won’t be able to spend much time with him in future.” Stepping forward, he reached out for her head, the demoness not pulling back, but merely closing her eyes. The contact lasted mere seconds, before she opened them with a sly smile.
“Oh, I like that idea... Don’t worry Ardan, I will not fail.” Her smile took on a slightly more sinister note. “Actually it means I will be the only immortal in this realm, doesn’t it?”
Ardan frowned. “Just don’t overdo it, will ya?” Then he turned around to Srazih, offering her his hand.

“Hey, what about me?” Myrahathika complained.
Cyraminon chuckled. “Don’t worry, he didn’t forget about you... you will be the first of many generations of Firewolves. I will tell you about your role later, Ardan gave me everything I need to know.” She turned her head to face Ardan again. “Don’t worry brother, I’ll be this world’s warden. You can leave without regrets.”
“Wait... leave... Ardan?” Srazih muttered as Ardan pulled her close to himself. He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, the sudden gesture not exactly reducing her sudden doubts. “Ardan?! You are not going to...”
“Don’t worry, my murr, I will not leave you. I will never leave you alone again. And yet... I’ve seen too much... felt too much... I know too much... I cannot remain in this world anymore. I must go. And you will come with me.”
Srazih shrieked in surprise when she was suddenly lifed off the ground, a white glow surrounding her feet, as she and Ardan started to levitate, slowly rising. “ARDAN?!”
“Don’t worry... I’m here.”
“I... I... are we... is this... death?” Srazih whispered, pressing herself against Ardan.
“No, Srazih. And yet it won’t be much different: Death itself is only one of many gates on the path of life we can take... You will see for yourself... just trust me... And keep in mind...
I will always love you.”

Epilog
Now, after you have read this document, you will probably admire the fantasy of it’s author, which would be me. But, as much as a written word can do, I beg you to consider that this story may could be true. I’ve been there, seen Ardan and he has told me about his life and all those details I didn’t live through with him by myself. This is his legacy. The story of how one age ended and a new one began.
Spread the words and the content of this story across Daina, carry it into all directions, for noone ever to make the same mistakes again. This world is filled with luck and joy, but only as long as its fragile balance is intact.
If you are a person of power, even if the power is ever so little, keep in mind what causes your actions can have and rethink your life accordingly. Always keep in mind: Everyone, even the most powerful demonlord this world has ever known, started, once, as a small, crying, human mortal...
This is the end of them...
The Demonlord Chronicles.

--- Cyraminon, the last immortal

Be greeted, high priest Teresep

If you read to this point, you probably have already run through the same thoughts as I did. I’ve found this manuscript in the librarys of New Darakeyn and figured it could be interesting for our cause. Gladly the Draken permitted me to copy it and after weeks of tedious work, I can finally send you this message.

Whilst the book does not explicitely label the existance of the Eternal One, it does give a plausible explanation for the old myths of the ‘dark age’ and all the legends about demons and angels. 

However, more importantly and why I think this story could be a true report, at the very least in it’s core, is the fact there are those legends about the first followers of the Eternal One: Specifically, the first prophet of our holy religion, who named himself ‘El’.
It could be just coincedence... but what if those mentioned beings, Dar and El, actually are a form of the Eternal One? It would explain a lot.

Whatever actions you may take, I advise to take this book, re-edit non-religious flaws in it’s content, and then add it’s passages to the holy book of eternity, for our brothers and sisters to read and learn from.

Looking forward to your response,
Glory to the Eternal One,
Ulridan Bluefeather, librarian and theologist