Arsha and Delselii walked along the edge of the Vorsholstein estate. \u201cYour Black Disc is missing?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cWhy do you have that evil thing in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt serves as a constant reminder to my family,\u201d explained Delselii. \u201cIf we ever take the easy way out to get information, it will unravel our soul.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s never been used?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot since the days Homunculi were adopted into the Divine Ones\u2019 watchful gaze.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain!\u201d called a voice. The voice\u2019s owner, Malak, then approached them. \u201cCaptain, has there been any word from Dalengor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid not,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cIf this goes any longer, we\u2019ll send someone to retrieve her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain!\u201d called Bashoon as she approached them. \u201cTo the North! A Shadow Dragon and their Drow rider!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDalengor was supposed to come from the north,\u201d recalled Arsha. \u201cHas the Shadow Dragon given any sign?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt used Realmfleet Hand Code to give us the serial number. It matches Dalengor\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFlying along the northern shores.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go meet her, then. I\u2019ve never seen her bestial form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arsha and her group found the Shadow Dragon and Realmfleet soldiers training their wands on her just in case. Arsha motioned for the soldiers to stand down and allow the Shadow Dragon to land. The Shadow Dragon took the hint and landed as the Rider dismounted. Arsha fixed her gaze on the Shadow Dragon. The Shadow Dragon then tucked its forearms. Arsha did the same, then they touched elbows and then performed jazz-hands. Arsha grinned at the Shadow Dragon. \u201cSo, were you successful, Dalengor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMore than that!\u201d replied the Shadow Dragon, Dalengor. \u201cI managed to start a coup against Ank-tu! Turns out he was a bastard child and his second-in-command, Dotan, seized command according to ancient law. Ank-tu lost support when he revealed his origins to Tanta and now both Drows and Shadow Dragons are joining us against Oyed!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen the time to retake Realmgate City is now!\u201d cheered Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalak, Bashoon, inform our forces that\u2026\u201d Arsha\u2019s order was interrupted by Mordek coming up to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?!\u201d demanded the Fire God. \u201cWhat is that snake doing here?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTelling everyone that the plan worked,\u201d answered Dalengor as she shrunk down. \u201cThe Shadow Dragons and Drows are now against Oyed! They never liked the idea of eternal war and they\u2019re uneasy working with Revenants! The plan also has an added benefit of gaining a weapon to return the Revenants to a strictly-living state!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you have proof of that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I only have my word and the word of Tantu, my rider.\u201d Tantu waved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe word of a Shadow Dragon and a Drow is worthless!\u201d Mordek summoned his hammer. \u201cWhen I created your races and gave you my commandments, I trusted you to follow them, and you betrayed me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur ancestors did, yes. But, we\u2019ve long sought redemption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLies, Lizard! You are a puppet and Oyed is your master!\u201d Tantu then stepped between Mordek and Dalengor, her eyes conveying her plea for Mordek to listen. \u201cSpout your falsehoods elsewhere, Drow! Oyed will not entrap us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no trap!\u201d said Dalengor. \u201cThe Shadow Dragons and Drows await us at Realmgate City!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLord Mordek, please!\u201d begged Malak. \u201cWe should listen to her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDalengor\u2019s legendary for telling the truth!\u201d supplied Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is only one way to be sure!\u201d Mordek then took out a disc of black crystal from his pocket and thrust if forward, firing black lightning from it and shocking Dalengor and Tantu. The pain was excruciating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy family\u2019s Black Disc!\u201d called Delselii. \u201cYou took it?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m the only one who can wield it safely! Now, lizard! The truth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMordek, stop this!\u201d protested Arsha as she got between Mordek and his targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStep aside, Arsha!\u201d Mordek shoved her aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPut that thing down! It\u2019s been banned for a reason! It\u2019s too dark for anyone! It\u2019s an illegal torture\u2026!\u201d Arsha\u2019s pleas were interrupted as Mordek fired the Black Disc on her. As she writhed in pain, Mordek stood over her in a wrathful manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur time has run out! I do what I must to save the Realms!\u201d Once the treatment ended, Arsha started picking herself up, only for Mordek to interrupt by blasting the ground near her with fire. \u201cStay down!\u201d For once, Arsha disobeyed a God and stood up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not the way! Dalengor is not the enemy here, Oyed is!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha, do NOT interfere!\u201d Unfortunately, Arsha did nothing BUT interfere. She charged at Mordek, firing magic blasts left, right, and center to knock Mordek off his feet. Mordek leapt into the air, summoned his hammer, and slammed it to the ground, creating a shockwave that knocked everyone down. \u201cDo not force my hand, Arsha Royana! The Realms hang in the balance! To defend them, I MUST command order from all races!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never thought I would get to this point,\u201d hissed Arsha, \u201cbut now I understand why the Shadow Dragons and Drows broke faith with you! You can\u2019t be trusted!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need trust! I demand obedience!\u201d Mordek was surrounded by fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard enough! If I must break faith with you to save the Realms\u2026so be it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSound\u2026familiar\u2026Mordek?\u201d strained Dalengor. Mordek snarled\u2026then his memory went to different fights. His first ever fight against his children was when they were threatened by famine. The only way back then was to use a gem known as the Stone of Bounty to replenish their lands. Mordek tried to get a Shadow Dragon and Drow to stop their approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTan-ku, Rekta, do not interfere! The Stone is not ready yet!\u201d The two mortals weren\u2019t listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur people starve, and you would deny us the chance to save them?!\u201d roared the Shadow Dragon, Tan-ku. He and the Drow, Priestess Rekta, summoned their darkest energies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTan-ku! Rekta! Stop! Your people WILL be\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019f heart enough!\u201d snarled Rekta. \u201cIf we must break fait wit you to safe our people, so be it!\u201d The two then charged at Mordek, then the scene changed to Mortak Royana, Arsha\u2019s first ancestor and the Queen of the Mid-realm. Mortak and those of her skin tone were suppressed for too long in the Mid-realm. Mordek was trying to dissuade Mortak from the revolution she had organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMortak, do not interfere! I\u2019m still giving my testimony to the Mid-realm Council!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy brothers and sisters toil in their fields and only get the scraps,\u201d snarled Mortak, \u201cand you would ignore us like this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis revolt will only cause despair across the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard enough! If I must break faith with you to save my friends and family, so be it!\u201d Mortak charged at the Fire God, making the scene change one last time to when a male Zephyr was fighting against a horde of Depths-spawn as the War of the Depths began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZemfar, do not interfere! You must allow us to handle this!\u201d Mordek ordered the Zephyr. Zemfar wasn\u2019t listening as he generated lightning. \u201cZemfar! No! You\u2019ll die if you do this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Depths have opened up and you would let its spawn ravage the Realms?\u201d snarled Zemfar. \u201cThat would make your father\u2019s job easier!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZemfar, I beg you! There is no chance of you sending even one of them back to the Depths! Let us\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard enough! If I must break faith with you to save the Over-realm, so be it!\u201d Zemfar charged at Mordek, causing the scene to return to the present as Mordek collapsed. He panted heavily as he tried to make sense of it all\u2026then horror at what he did and said washed over his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Lord Mordek?\u201d asked Delselii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Dr. Vorsholstein, take this back,\u201d mumbled the Fire God as he handed the Black Disc back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLord Mordek, what\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Arsha tentatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha Royana, you and your friends are the first to hear me acknowledge my sins,\u201d answered Mordek. This surprised everyone. \u201cI\u2019ve been a fool, a puppet to rash actions. Arsha, I have personally wronged your family when they led other Black people in a revolt against those that enslaved them. I have wronged Zemfar when he died for his people. \u2026I have wronged the Shadow Dragons and Drows by not helping them through their famine. I simply turned my backs to them all because they didn\u2019t follow my orders. \u2026I am a terrible father to my children.\u201d He turned to Dalengor and Tantu, still on the ground, hurting from the Black Disc. Mordek got up and summoned fire in his hands. \u201cI must save them!\u201d He stretched his arms out and let the fire envelop the two. Surprisingly, the fire didn\u2019t burn them, they only felt warmth as their pain and injuries were washed away. The fire then went out and Mordek helped them up. \u201cDalengor Mardem, I was wrong to doubt you. I have allowed my old prejudices to interfere with my judgement. It was wrong of me to break faith with your people when their leaders tried to save them from disaster. It was wrong of me to call you failures when I have been failing the Realms by breaking faith with them too many times. I was wrong\u2026I was wrong. \u2026I\u2026I don\u2019t know how I can make it up to the Drows and Shadow Dragons and\u2026and I understand if you feel I am undeserving of worship in your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you wish to atone,\u201d answered Dalengor, \u201cthen help us retake Realmgate City!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I will be on the front lines for the battle,\u201d promised Mordek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBashoon, Malak, as I\u2019ve said before, inform our forces that we\u2019re moving out,\u201d ordered Arsha. \u201cDelselii, the paperwork to stay on the Endeavor<\/em> has been approved. Elmar extends his eagerness to work with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I, him!\u201d chuckled Delselii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone, move out!\u201d ordered Arsha. They all returned to the Endeavor<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arsha and Delselii walked along the edge of the Vorsholstein estate. \u201cYour Black Disc is missing?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cWhy do you have that evil thing in the first place?\u201d \u201cIt serves as a constant reminder to my family,\u201d explained Delselii. \u201cIf we ever take the easy way out to get information, it will unravel our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,237],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-3279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-4-trials-of-light-and-dark","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3279"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3280,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279\/revisions\/3280"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}