[Solo Quest] Lorenor Chapter Zero.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

There were many elements of the plan that did not fall into place just yet.

As he stood there, on the hills of Concordia Forest, Lorenor felt a certain sense of dread.

He'd trained by himself for many months, honing the skills that the old Ixian Knights gave him many life times ago.

Now he was ready, as a servant and follower of The Holy Light. Lorenor had sacrificed much to obtain his current status. Further, he'd given up the old ways as a follower of N'Jal. The Dark Lady had forsaken him and betrayed him. Seeking Reformation with The Ixian Knights gave Lorenor a new meaning in life. That happened hundreds of years ago with the fall of the old organization. Lorenor had awoken in the ruins of the Ixian Knight's castle and found himself with a new purpose. I must destroy N'Jal. And her followers. To Lorenor, N'Jal had become the enemy. A manipulator in the shadows. He thought of his plan to enact revenge, as he paced across the grassy hill. He was on the outskirts of Concordia Forest. He ventured there often those days carefully preparing a plan to strike fear into the undead legions of N'Jal. I am alone, fighting a losing war... Lorenor knew he would need to be stronger than he had ever been. As he considered the situation at hand, Lorenor drew his sword.

The iron weapon would need to be fashioned into a holy blade for the light.

At that precise moment, Lorenor swore his oath to destroy N'Jal.

But that was the long term goal, and a means to an end.

He needed to start small and work his way up to the top of the food chain.

Lorenor's cloak was emblazoned with the marks of the old Ixian Knights. It swished about him like a hungry, caged beast. Once, Lorenor was a servant of N'Jal. He'd gotten deep into her culture and society and was as one of them. He knew where the dens were, he knew where to strike. He only needed to muster up the courage needed to start his crusade. Lorenor thought of the man who had given him his purpose back in life. Sei Orlouge. I will finish the work that you and the Ixian Knights started back then. In your name, by your honour. I will strike with the powers of justice by my side. This I swear to you. Lorenor held the sword at a forty-five degree angle, casting a shadow on the ground. N'Jal betrayed me. For that she's fucking dead... Lorenor then suddenly became extremely angry, and was mustering up all the rage and hatred he could as only he knew how.

He would become The Holy Light's weapon of retribution.

It was night, the time of evil and dark things.

But Lorenor was there to shine a light upon the darkness, and declare war...on N'Jal herself.

His body began to glow with the light, and he would use the radiance to walk through the shadows of death.

At first, his steps were slow, boots crunching into the ground, hatred swelling in his eyes.

Hatred for one of the most dangerous foes in Althanas history...

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Meanwhile-

Drake prepared the newly initiated Forsaken in the den.

There were many such dens throughout Concordia Forest, and all over Althanas as the minions of the dark grew in power.

Drake had a small group of about twenty Forsaken at his disposal, and nearby, were Spider Mage resting in hungry silence.

Drake trained the newcomers...he'd seen several generations of Forsaken and Spider Magi make their way through that den undisturbed and become fine editions to N'Jal's growing legions.

Drake was always a very serious creature. He trained the recruits...even the one that betrayed them. The one called Lorenor. Whispers were present in the dark that told a new incarnation of the old leader of The Forsaken. One day, he would come for them. The boogeyman of Althanas. Stories were told of the once great Forsaken's king. He'd fully embraced N'Jal and turned his back on her. The Master. At least that's what they were all lead to believe. Drake simply cared about keeping the initiates powerful, and in line. Ready for their march against Radasanth itself. Drake was training several initiates when there was a sudden and loud interruption. A scout rushed into the den with a completely shocked, and panicked expression on his face.

"Sire! Forgive the interruption but there's a huge problem." The Forsaken scout caught his breath and spoke in an agitated sort of way. "A stranger bearing marks of an unknown origins has begun to siege the den...Many dead."

Drake suddenly looked up from what he was doing and stared at the scout. "What do you mean dead?"

"The Stranger is using some sort of power, command of an energy that we've never seen before...it burns our kind..." The Scout said. "I barely escaped with my own life intact to bring you this information. Our guards are engaging the stranger as we speak..." The scout said.

Drake slammed his fist against the table. An energy that burns...? A Paladin....? In this time of history...? Drake shook his head. He looked at the initiates. "Your training will have to wait." Drake said. He looked at the scout. "Escort the initiates to a safer den. I will see to this threat." Drake said. "You've done well to bring me this information. But now you have a new mission. Go."

The Scout saluted, in the ways of The Forsaken.

He gathered the initiates and they left the den...

Drake awoke the two spider magi.

"Warriors. N'Jal has a new enemy..." Drake said.

"What does Darkness command...?" The more powerful of the two Spider Mage said calmly.

"We must destroy this upstart...come with me Warriors." Drake ordered, and the three left the den to confront the unknown assailant.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

There were several skilled Forsaken attacking.

Lorenor knew the moment he entered there territory, it would begin.

I must hold nothing back... There were two branches of followers in N'Jal's fold. One sect were the Spider Magi. The others were a type of undead called The Forsaken, of which Lorenor was once a part of. He once lead them. As he stood there fighting, he was intending to take as many of them down as he could. Hunter. He'd become their Hunter. Up ahead, Lorenor noticed that the den had opened up and three figures emerged after a group left initially. The larger group, he would hunt down later. He struck another of The Forsaken down, there were two that surrounded him. Many bodies already lay burning in their own ash. Lorenor's own body glowed with the power of The Holy Light that he would use to burn every last one of The Forsaken. Suddenly, the two Forsaken surrounding him broke off their attack. Three more arrived, one he recognized. Drake. The Forsaken that once trained him in the ways of N'Jal.

Lorenor stared at Drake for a long moment, and the two hesitated...

"Who are you, why have you launched this attack on our den?" Drake demanded.

For a long moment, Lorenor wanted to embrace his old instructor...but then he remembered that the front lines of the war were now decided. "Who am I...?" Lorenor did not find that amusing. Have I changed that much in their eyes...? Has it been so long...? Lorenor shook his head. "You've forgotten me. The very servant you made here so many years ago..." Lorenor said carefully choosing his words.

Though Drake and the other Forsaken did not know him...

One of the two Spider Magi present apparently did, and his face twisted with a ferocious rage. The Spider Magi spoke to Drake and Lorenor. "Tyrant Lorenor..." The Spider Magi hissed. "The one who betrayed us...!" It said.

That struck a chord with Lorenor and he looked at the five gathered. "Betrayed...?! Is that what N'Jal told you...?" Lorenor was starting to get furious...

"Don't play innocent. You destroyed the Necronomicon in front of many followers. In front of that bastard, Sei Orlouge and then vanished..." The Spider Magi was looking about nervously for some strange reason. "That was hundreds of years ago...but The Master has not forgotten your sin."

"My sin...!? How dare you all. I served faithfully for years. Then I found out that so called book was little more than a toy. An empty tome. The pages, once so alive to my eyes became blank. A forgery. Your ilk follows a forgery of all things. There was never a Necronomicon. The knowledge was always up here you dumb bastards!" Lorenor forcibly tapped the side of his head, and was openly crying at that point despite the uncontrollable rage he currently felt. Lorenor narrowed his eyes as he cried. Their judgment was already at hand. "My sin? It was N'Jal who took what was not hers to take. She's the traitor! And I am going to make her pay for what she has done to me!" Lorenor did not know exactly what he was saying, only that he had declared war on N'Jal. One day they will tell stories and sing songs of this silent war...from an unknown Hero. A Hero who was once a Tyrant. Lorenor began to slowly walk towards the three fellows, his eyes still crying.

"You know not what you speak! We must obey N'Jal! Attack!!!" Drake suddenly yelled in hysterical madness...

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Lorenor remained calm.

As Drake approached, the two Spider Magi present also did not attack right away.

Something is wrong...they are hesitating. The Paladin thought to himself as he stared at the three present. Several more Forsaken were present, guards and scouts that were observing the unfolding events. Lorenor already killed roughly five or six Forsaken on his own. His eyes narrowed when Drake was standing roughly a few paces away. Lorenor noticed that the man's face was twisted with hatred and rage. It showed how ugly the nature of N'Jal was. Lorenor held his sword so that the tip was pointing towards the ground at a forty five degree angle. The blade was glowing with pure light. Lorenor saw that Drake stopped approximately four paces directly in front of Lorenor. It was then, that the Forsaken realized exactly what Lorenor was.

"What the fuck are you?" Drake suddenly asked. "You're not the same as you were before..."

Lorenor shook his head. "Sei Orlouge saved me from an eternity as a slave of N'Jal. I am in charged of my own destiny now. I am free from N'Jal's influence." Lorenor continued. "If someone like myself can find redemption, it is possible for you all as well."

Lorenor saw the confusion on Drake's face.

But...the Spider Magi were sincerely listening.

That is something unexpected... Lorenor thought to himself as he looked at the Spider Magi for a moment.

Lorenor returned his attention towards Drake. Drake was unsure of the situation at hand. "So what do you say Drake?" Lorenor did not know if Reformation would work for them too. It worked for me though, and I was fully immersed in the teachings of N'Jal. It should work for them too... Lorenor wanted to weaken N'Jal's influence as much as possible before he directed his assault on her. Lorenor lacked the power at that precise moment to face N'Jal...but he would have it someday. For now, I will face her followers and destroy them one at a time if I must. Lorenor kept his combat stance relaxed, but the Forsaken were not attacking. Lorenor's eyes kept moving from side to side as he looked at the positions of the gathered. When Drake spoke, Lorenor listened.

"Free from N'Jal's influence..." Drake said.

Lorenor knew the man was thinking heavily at that moment.

The Spider Magi suddenly approached Lorenor and Drake.

They kept a respectful few paces away from the Paladin.

"You speak false words. Whatever trickery Sei Orlouge used on you...will not save them. N'Jal's grip is complete." All at once, the Spider Magi killed Drake. The undead's body burned into ash. The Spider Magi looked at Lorenor and spoke to him directly. "Lorenor...your crusade against N'Jal will be your undoing." The Spider Magi threatened.

Lorenor prepared himself to fight the dangerous creature.

Remember...one of them killed Ithermoss... Lorenor recalled the famous Hero from ages ago. Ithermoss, in Lorenor's life time had been one of the main followers of The Thayne Codex.

Lorenor readied his weapon. "I would not step much closer if I were you." Lorenor said.

The Spider Magi, the leader began to approach the glowing Paladin very slowly. "Your power is not unknown to me and my people. Lorenor. Your power is impressive, but your Crusade ends here." The Spider Magi walked within Lorenor's glowing aura, and began to slowly get burned. "Interesting...the burn is exquisite. You've changed from your time in our fold. But make no mistake...you are going to die." The Spider Magi said.

The Spider Magi was now well within reach of Lorenor's blade.

It's in pain...I can kill it. Lorenor thought to himself. I can't make any mistakes here. Lorenor readied his combat stance, and focuses his concentration on his aura, making the light glow brighter. "No." Lorenor said. "The Crusade has only just begun. I will march against your entire race, and destroy N'Jal." Lorenor noticed that The Spider Magi struck forward with one of it's many limbs. The humanoid portion of the creature, reached forward with it's main arm, claws extended. The Paladin reacted much faster. He was already swinging before The Spider Magi ever had a chance to connect. In a fell moment, The Paladin's weapon struck at the creature's arm and cut it evenly in two halves. The forearm section of the arm he cut fell on the ground, hands still twitching, and burnt to ash before it ever landed. Lorenor's eyes locked on the monster's eyes before him.

"You will remember me, on the way to The After!" Lorenor yelled and attacked with his full might.

The Spider Magi reacted equally fast, with all the power of darkness it could muster.

***

A few moments later, Lorenor stood over the fallen body of the Spider Magi. The Paladin had acquired several injuries in the battle, but the important point was that The Spider Magi lay dying on the ground, clutching the severe injury on it's chest. It was bleeding black blood everywhere. Lorenor removed his sword from the creature's chest, and he could see that the other Forsaken that were gathered were shocked by the sudden death. The second Spider Magi was already approaching Lorenor. The Paladin saw that the body of the first Spider Magi began to reach upwards towards Lorenor's neck. The second humanoid arm. Lorenor swung his glowing weapon in an angry swing, catching the attacking arm. He cut it evenly off, creating another stump. Lorenor stepped forwards towards the dying Spider Magi and pressed his mud-caked boots against the chest of the creature. He pressed down.

"By The Light, be judged." Lorenor taunted, and severed the head from the body.

At that point, the Spider Magi burned up into ash as most undead usually did.

The Second Spider Magi was already attacking. Lorenor jumped forward, and rolled across the ground, evading a deadly strike. Be more aggressive than they are...avenge Ithermoss...avenge the Ixian Knights... And that's how The Crusade all started. In one dark night, with one dark purpose. Lorenor rolled forward, his weapon at the ready. He then looked at the Spider Magi, it had already quickly reacted. Turning towards Lorenor, The Spider Magi was already reaching with it's deadly claws. The second creature was playing it much safer than it's master had. Whilst on the ground...Lorenor reacted.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Suddenly, Lorenor found himself hoisted up and off the ground.

The creature had reacted with supernatural speed, and had not held anything back.

Lorenor was lifted up and off the ground, by his neck, grabbed by a dark hand.

Lorenor noticed The Spider Magi was staring with cold, hateful eyes.

"You are going to die." The Spider Magi said calmly. "That is a promise."

As Lorenor was held, something happened. A memory flashed into the forefront of his brain of a time far away. Another life time, a different Lorenor and yet the same Lorenor. The Paladin recalled the time he was first turned into a Vampire and betrayed by the soldiers of Corone during the Demon War of Althanas antiquity. Lorenor saw the final moments he was turned into a Vampire, and his destiny was forever torn from him. Lorenor recalled that he was once a Vampire's champion...and had become a Tyrant in N'Jal's fold. On the verge of death, Lorenor recalled how N'Jal had betrayed him. Then, he opened his eyes, feeling the powerful hold around his neck. Attempting to suck the very life out of his body. Lorenor, suddenly yelled very loudly, and his power flared outward.

"Not today!" Lorenor swore, and he tightened his grip on his weapon. He saw the Spider Magi moving quickly to finish him off, but Lorenor had already sealed it's fate. Lorenor's glowing weapon released the power of a smiting slash, as he struck upward, the weapon connected. The Spider Magi shrieked in pain, and was chopped in two pieces. Lorenor continued the attack. Going to take you with me! He thought to himself, angry tears flowing down his face. He rotated his weapon mid-swing and sent it back towards The Spider Magi. As he'd cut the thing in half, he chopped off the upper portion of the creature's body. The part connecting the neck to the head. The head came cleanly off because of Lorenor's growing skill with The Holy Light. Black blood spilled everywhere and landed on Lorenor's face. The Spider Magi immediately burnt up into ash.

Lorenor yelled as he landed on the ground, feeling the weight of his bloody weapon.

He watched the Spider Magi slowly burn up into ash and fade away into the night.

There was a moment where Lorenor sat there, coughing and catching his breath.

It was draining my life force...my very will to live... Lorenor shook his head. Then, he slammed his fist on the ground. Lorenor's clothing was covered in black blood. Black blood also dripped down his face. Lorenor waited a moment and finally rallied himself to stand up. He watched the remaining Forsaken warriors gathering around his person. One of the Forsaken approached Lorenor.

"We will withdraw for now." The Forsaken said calmly. "You have the night, Lorenor. But know this. You cannot stop us all." The Forsaken waved towards his companions and they vanished off into the night.

Lorenor pondered chasing them down. I'll track them later... He learned one major thing that night. I can fight them...I can kill their champions... But there was another matter. Lorenor turned his attention towards the den's entrance which lay just ahead. I have to learn what their current plans are. And disrupt them anyway I can. I killed Drake but there are other leaders... Lorenor recalled from his time as a follower of N'Jal that there were several dens in Concordia Forest and throughout the wilderness of Corone. I will burn them all. Lorenor began to prepare for the work at hand.

It would be a long, silent, and bloody war.

One that would not make the history books.