´óÏó´«Ã½

Prologue

"Havien! We are betrayed, the Eldritch Gates have been opened!"

"Wake my Lord, assist us with the Sealing!"

Visai Lenti High Adept Havien Meqine, was unceremoniously roused from his sleep and found him self staring at his Elder Council.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, " what is it you all want?" Elina Rjarvik, a fiesty red head, pushed to the front of the group and gave a perfunctory bow. strong in her power and in herself, it was odd to see her this flustered, Havien thought.

"My Lord, the Eldritch Gates have been unSealed, and as we speak vile creatures fly from the gate and do wrongs upon us!", wearily Elina spoke
again, " we must try and re-Seal the gate, whether fully or not."

Even before she had finished speaking, Lord Havien had tapped the source of his and all other Visai Lenti's power;the Well allowed the user to draw upon the same power that held the world in check and bend it to their will. Incandesent with power Havien rose.

"Come my council," Haviens voices rumbled with power that was barely in check, " we have matters to see to". He stepped frm the room and walked sedately throught the wide corridors of the Visai Lenti Grand Hall. throught the long floor-ceiling windows, he could see the once idyllic Visai Lenti island, was now a nightmare born. Hastening their stride, the Visai Lenti Elder Council all but ran through the corridors of the Hall, that were chock full off initiates and adepts. A boy in the grey robes of a first level initiate ran toward the council, his pale face drawn and pinched. Sketching a hasty bow he addressed the High Adept.

" Lord!, a missive from the Battle Commander!", pausing to draw a ragged breath, " he bids you come my Lord...." he trailed off, gulping down more air.

"Boy, there is more, and i have not the time, it is imperative you tell us," Havien frowend slightly, sensing the boys ever-increasing dread. The boy flinched, and gathered his wits to speak again. "My Lord, the Commander..." he faltered again, this time drawing a hiss of vexation from Elina, " he says the entire Guard have been turned into daemons, my Lord." Gasps followed they boys story, many even wailing in despair.

Havien flexed his power, bending and shaping the air around him, so as to amplify his voice. " All and Adepts are summoned to the Hall," his sonorus voice boomed all over the island, drawing the attention of all, "make haste and do not delay!" Dispelling his magic, Haiven began down a flight of white gold-veined marble stairs, that led to the entrance hall,and the exit. Striding purposefully towards the great ravenwood doors of the entrance hall, he flicked his hand, opening the doors with a touch of his power. Several minutes of walking from the Hall's grounds brought the Council to a flat measure of land. Twelve massive standing stones ringed an even larger monolith, carved with sigils of Warding and Sealing.

"Gods above..." Elina whispered, staring at the massive monolith that now directed a beam of reddish light into the other standing stones, holding the Eldritch Gate open.

" We must try and Seal it, or die in the process," a council member said, " but who will deal with that deal with the Nightling army from the Gate?"

Before any one could answer, a dull boom thundered around the council members, heralding the arrival of a mass of Volucris Adepts. Truly a wonder to behold, Vulocris were sometimes known as Winged Ones, for the gorgeous white wings that spread from their backs. Landing before the council, the Volucris' leader addressed the Havien. "my Lord if you will allow it," he gestured at the rest of the winged Adepts, " we will see to the Nightling threat." even as he uttered the words a grim wailing filled the air; The Eldritch Gates were open. The banished denzens of the Abyss spilled out, lusting after blood and violence.

"My Lord, we must go, we have a duty," the tall winged man paused, wings poised for flight, " my name is Dhien Tallaer, remeber me. Remember us." with that he and the rest of the Volucris flung themselves into the sky. Havien stared at them for a moment, before returning to the problme at hand. " Surround the gate, each of us at a stone; draw deeply on the Well", he gazed hard at them all. " we have work to do. Following the Lord, the council members approached a standing stone, drawing deeply on the Well. Their features reflected grim determination. "When you are ready, meld the power and bind the stones," Havien called, " good luck, and gods blessing on you all!". The Elder Council and the Visai Lenti High Adpet conjured their seal, magic blazing to incandescence.