As the sun set, dusk approached.
The lights in the hall roared to life as blue fire lit up the throne room.
King Kenius sat on his throne, closing his eyes to rest, while awaiting the arrival of the Dark Dwarven Prince.
Mensarius also sat on his seat, reading his tome.
Suddenly, the silence was broken.
One of the Royal Guards announced the following: “Presenting his highness, Prince Clock-Gear-Grind, for his audience!” The dwarf walked into the hall, his mechanical grafts rippling with gear movements and sparks.
The imposing beard waft through the air as the dwarf walked up towards the center dias.
Upon reaching, he knelt down.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.
Grand Vizier.
I am here to answer your summons.” King Kenius opened his eyes.
“Arise, my prince.” The dwarf stood up and remained at attention.
“I summon you here as something was brought to my attention.
I was selecting members for my inner council and came across a technomancer by the name of Karnok.” “Aye, that wee lad is my student before.
Heard he made a name for he-self out there?” The dwarf remarked proudly.
“Indeed, that is why the Grand Vizier brought him to me as a candidate.
I will like to ask though, what was he working on with you before he left to make a name for himself?” The king questioned further.
“My King, perhaps you have an interest in the technical advances we have made for our dark faction eh?
You should drop by me lab sometime.
To tell the truth, we were working on a secret project.” Mensarius’ ear perked up.
“Oh?
Do enlighten us, what is this secret project.” The dwarf prince seems a little hesistant, almost borderline reluctant.
However, higher authority are now before him, asking about this.
This is not a mere social call or taking of interest, its an interrogation.
“Fine, fine…
I will tell ya.
Its a secret project by the Duergar.
After all, we reside in the deep caverns, with no sun.
Our aim is to make an energy source.
An alternate sun, if ya will.
Before ya came and ascended thee throne, we researched on the Obsidian Spire, trying to replicate it, but failed.
This magic, created by the Primordial Dark one, absorbs souls from this plane and converts it to energy.
One soul can provide power to a whole being’s body for a lifetime.
The quality of the soul, the racial traits, and many factors can contribute to how powerful the soul can be.
Many races have tried to research the soul, but even ye Kings of Old are not able to master it.” Mensarius stepped in.
“I have a feeling, you are venturing into forbidden territory.” “Aye, the lost magic – Soul Magic.
Basically the manipulation of souls.
Races like the undead, placed souls back into a catalyst, be it skeletons, dead cadavers, ectoplasm but its not the true usage of the soul.
We did our research and realized that a single soul can be used to power our cannons for five thousand shots continuously.
With our current fuel reserves, we can fire maybe 200 shots with all the cannons?
Imagine the possibilities if we tap into the soul.” King Kenius interjected: “To use the souls that has been harnessed for energy, while it is what the obsidian spire is doing to energize our floating ziggurat, it is more than that.
By using the soul like what you said, it will cease to exist and will not return back to the cycle of rebirth.
Meaning more and more beings will be born with partial or incomplete souls, leading to horrible complications.
It will impact not only the Dark Faction, but the world.” Statecraft and laws now came smoothly now to King Kenius.
While it was initially force fed, like a geese being force fed to fatten its liver, King Kenius has used his dark magic to rewrite and compartmentalize all the crude magics that were done to him.
He has refined the wisdom that his father and his dark mages has given him, being the only thankful thing that King Kenius can be grateful for during his time as a puppet.
“Exactly, my king.
We have to account the usage of the soul and the depletion of the source.
How do we make it renewable?
While this was very advanced research, we mainly focus on one thing first.
Storing the souls.
There are many souls in this world, in the very air, under the depths of the sea, even in the abyssal pits and the heavens above.
We were designing a contraption to seize and store the souls.” Prince Clock-Gear-Grind then pressed a button on his mechanical arm.
The machine on his chest hiss and sizzle, emitting steam, before opening to reveal a small golden pyramid.
The dwarf took it out and let it float on its palm.
“A prototype.
We call it the soul prison.
A storage device that holds souls.” The dwarf prince continues his explanation.
“This is only one part of three.
This is the bottom storage, there is the top pyramid capstone which releases the soul, and a frame to join these two parts, acting as a regulator.
The whole form will look like a gem with a band.
For now, we have developed the storage device.
The other two are still in development.” Mensarius, shocked at this sudden revelation, speaks to the dark dwarf.
“What you have done here, is true blasphemy.
A remarkable technological advancement, but blasphemy none the less.
To try and recreate the powers of our founder, and wield it for the sake of energy.
My King, you cannot condone this.
This research has to be stopped.” King Kenius glared at Mensarius.
“Grand Vizier, I did not know you were a man of such zealotry.
We have to give credit where credit is due, but alas, we have digress much.
A bigger concern now comes at hand.
Prince Clock-Gear-Grind, the reason we summoned you, is because we have arrested Karnok.
He was found to have sold secrets to a group of beings belonging to the metal empire and woodland realm.
Now, we have reason to suspect that they may have gotten hands of the soul prison technology that you were working with Karnok on.” With the sudden revelation, Prince Clock-Gear-Grind’s face flushed with anger.
“You mean my stupid disciple, is a treasonous traitor!?
I will murder that brat, where is he!
BRING HIM OUT NOW!” King Kenius gripped the side on the Obsidian throne, the souls circling around the Obsidian spire behind swirls with even more rage.
This caused Mensarius and the Duergar Prince to be hit with a wave of suppressing dark aura.
“Calm down, gentlemen.
Firstly, we have to investigate what the metal empire and the woodland realms know.
Grand Vizier, send envoys to visit and conduct these diplomatic meetings.
Secondly, this technology will not be penalized, but you will do so under supervision.
It will be immediately transferred to the Royal Palace, where the research will continue.
Once we have a full set and working, then we will decide what we can do with it.
The limitless possibilities.
Lastly, we will send some spies to infiltrate both of these nations.
Find out what they can, sabotage if required and destroy all copies.
A two prong attack, one of diplomacy and one of subterfuge.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” Both the Grand Vizier and Prince Clock-Gear-Grind responded.
“If you will excuse me now, Your Majesty, I will like to have a word with my disciple.
I got so angry that me accent was gone for a sec.” King Kenius dismiss the Prince, and the dwarf hurried head to the dungeons.
“My King, this is no laughing matter.
A technology such as this invites only trouble.
I fear that the balance of the world will be- ” Mensarius spoked to his nephew, for being interrupted by the King raising his hand.
“Uncle, the Great Phastasm Bat appearing, the trials and tribulations to get here, and the disasters ahead that is coming.
Perhaps we need a weapon of our own to deal with it.
Besides, the Duergar are merely copying existing technology, of the spire behind me.
We have little understanding of what our obsidian spire can do, perhaps this research can also shed some light on it.” Mensarius argued back.
“But this is the magic of our founder.
Its like claiming the act of creation.
Once we claim that, have we truly ascended and become god?” King Kenius looked back and smiled.
“Don’t be a fool, Uncle.
There are no gods in this world.” ——- It is true.
While there are many powerful beings, like Dragonius and the great phantasm, they are merely powerful beings.
Not omnipotent, not omniscience.
Dragonius, is part of the planet’s will to survive.
Each element has their own primordial being, like the great phantasm, which we will explore in the stories down the line.
The question begets: “Who created this universe?
Can there truly be a god?” What makes a god, a god?
That question will be answered in due time.
——- The next day arrived, and King Kenius is attending his morning court with the dark council.
Things that has been laid out: 1.
The afternoon will be the trial of the former Prince John and the 3 dark mages.
2.
Discussed before the court started, plans are in place and begun to send envoys and spies to the 2 kingdoms to investigate the case of the missing technology.
3.
Other miscellaneous stuffs of day to day affairs.
As the court is about to be dismissed, King Kenius snapped his fingers.
“As part of the announced changes, I have reviewed the candidacy for the 4 extra members of my inner council.
So far, I have selected 3.
Grand Vizier, summon them and introduce them to the rest.” Mensarius nodded and opened his tome.
“At once, your majesty.
First, we have Lord Styx.
He will be in charge of the administrative tasks of the Kingdom.
Next, Lord Cocytus, in charge of relations and war.
Finally, Lord Acheron, in charge of internal affairs and protection.” The three figures walked up, decked out in their appropriate attire, looking the part.
Lord Styx, aka Leo, dressed in a formal wear, with long sleeves and even a side mantle.
He bowed, as his spectacles reflect the glint of the light of the room.
Lord Cocytus, aka Milanor, has his hair spiked, with two fringes drooping off the sides of each temple.
He smiled to reveal a single sharp fang.
Donning his white Fenrir fur cloak, the bushy sides provides warmth, while the back of the neck has 5 white fur spikes protruding out, just like how a fenrir would look if its alive, while the cape extend out to the floor, breaking into sharp points at the end of the seams.
He wore leather armor beneath it all, and perched on his hip, his fanged dagger rest.
Prince Ryggatigris seems elated that his son is now a part of the King’s retinue, and dreams of how it can advanced his own political position.
Lord Acheron, aka the unbound shadow, wore fine robed garments, with a brand new rope sash to hold it all on its waist.
Its shoulders are sharp and well formed, given the impression of a broad stock.
The interesting part is, its hood is pulled back, instead, a whole masked helmet with hair to mimic a human head.
The mask looks like a skull with four long sharp spikes, two on each side, protruding at the top of the head.
The hair burst out like a frill with spikes, followed by a long spiky pony tail.
Mensarius looked at him, and smiled.
King Kenius now addressed the council.
“Court shall only be held with me for the most important of events.
If not, day to day matters are to go through these members.
This group, named after the rivers of hades, will break forth and guide the dark faction to a new era.” The beings in the hall answered: “All Hail Your Majesty!” The three took their place, seats have been prepared in advance.
“Before I close this court session, I will like to address that later, we will have the trial for Prince John and his dark mages.
I advise everyone to exercise restraint as matters come to light.
The royal guards have been briefed to contain any outbreaks or any attempts to try and free the convict.
There are still those loyal to the ex-prince, and we are prepared to do what it takes to pass judgement.” King Kenius commented.
Prince Ryggatigris stood up, and thank his majesty for his wisdom.
“I hope that your judgement will grant justice to the denizens of the Dark Faction.
Praise, Your Majesty!” While Prince Ryggatigris has recovered his influence, other princes still showed disdain towards him.
The headmaster of Marshgrave school, with his son now serving the king directly, and him seemingly acquiring a favorable attitude from the king, has been despised by the other princes.
“Look at that bootlicker go” “Runaway Prince has now becoming the Servant Prince” “Grow a spine, you weak feline” Princes mutter insults under their breath.
Mensarius stepped in and announced that court is dismissed.
The princes left, leaving behind the 3 newly appointed members and the Grand Vizier.
The three members stood in front of the King.
“Now, with my dark magic, I will grant each of you a talent.
It is uncommon that a being can awaken two talents naturally, but being me, I will grant another seed inside you.
How it shapes and forms is entirely up to you.
Do note that it will be of the dark nature though, so if you were hoping for lets say, fire magic, I doubt that will come true.
It is merely to augment your existing talent, and to power you up to fit the position that you are now in.” All three bowed and answered.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Kenius raised his hand and three black orbs swirled out.
They then each flew into each of the three lords.
As the orb entered their core, all three were flushed with power.
Then, they all let the black orb settle within them, determined to develop it into a strong power worthy of the King.
“Develop them well, and I hope the powers will be of use to you and the Dark Faction, dismissed” The three of them thank the King once again and left.
“Uncle, that was a good suggestion.
While they had the political powers from their position, their battle prowess would lose to any of the other princes.
Hopefully with this, they can stand on their own against the Princes should the need come to pass.” “Exactly, your majesty.
I only wish to lighten your load.
I will do everything in my power to think and fight for the betterment for the King.
As I promised you and your mother long ago, I will always protect and save you, should the need come to pass.” Mensarius answered the king with mellowness.
“Thank you, Uncle.
Now, lets have lunch before the afternoon comes.
We got things to do.” With that, the King and his Grand Vizier left the throne room, preparing for the trial ahead.