1 Of Blood

Welcome to the world of Ardaia, a land full of magic, mystery, and wonder. Here, demons and supernatural powers exist alongside humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, Dragonborn, tieflings, and all the other races found in dungeons and dragons.

The land of Ardaia is divided into several kingdoms, each ruled by powerful clans. The clans are composed of members of all races and are united by common interests or ideals. Each clan has its own unique abilities, passed down from generation to generation, and guarded with their lives. Magic is everywhere in Ardaia. It flows through the very air, and those with the power to wield it are respected and feared. There are several different types of magic, including elemental magic, necromancy, illusion, and many more. The most powerful mages are able to harness multiple types of magic and are known as archmages.

Demons also roam the land of Ardaia, and they are a constant threat to the kingdoms. They come in all shapes and sizes, and their powers are often beyond comprehension. The demon lords are the most feared of all, and their mere presence can cause entire armies to flee in terror. In Ardaia, supernatural powers are not limited to just mages and demons. Many of the races possess innate abilities that are unique to their kind. Elves have heightened senses and are able to move through the forests without making a sound. Dwarves are incredibly tough and are able to withstand blows that would kill a human. Tieflings are able to see in the dark and can summon minor demons to do their bidding.

Despite the many dangers that lurk in Ardaia, the people have learned to live alongside them. The clans protect their members and work together to keep their lands safe. The kingdoms trade with each other and often form alliances to protect against common threats.

But there are always those who seek to upset the balance of power.

I also grew up there as a Disspartan, raised in the Nara clan, a group of people living in the great mountains known as barbarians to outsiders. But to those who knew the truth, they were a holy and accepting community. However, my father never bought into the happiness of the clan. He never smiled or laughed and always looked at me with a cold stare. One day, after days and months of prayer, he couldn't feel any sort of holy presence inside him. And so later that night, a woman's voice whispered in his ear,

"Why are you so angry? What are they hiding from you? They pity you and hate you. PROVE YOURSELF TO ME."

Virgil's father picked up his ax and began a killing spree, starting with his wife and grabbing his son, whom he forced to watch. Virgil's father heard a voice say,

"Good feed me more souls," and then "You know what to do now, don't you."

He walked towards the center of the town with Virgil, His father unleashed a roar louder than any animal, shaking the very cells in the body of men. All the men and women came out with weapons, asking,

"What is the meaning of this? We are brothers."

Virgil's father didn't respond. He looked to Virgil and said,

"Watch, boy."

He walked towards the crowd, and with every step, you could feel the ground shake. Virgil heard the women's voice as his child's brain started to mentally break down.

"I will protect you, my king. Just say the words. TRANSFORM!!"

Demons from hell were running wild that night because Virgil's father was absorbing them.

"Boy...What did I say? Watch, don't be scared. You got my blood in your veins hahahhahahahah. You are my son and the heir to my throne,"

said Virgil's father. The woman said,

"My king, he's not ready. He's the son of his mother, after all."

Virgil's father replied,

"NO NO NO!! HE'S MY SON, MY SON, THE FIRST-BORN HEIR TO MY THRONE."

The woman said,

"But my King, he's six years old. His powers, if they are there, will come at the age of 16."

Virgil's father responded,

"NO, THEY WILL COME NOW."

Virgil's father walked towards Virgil, his son, with murder in his eyes, hatred, and disgust.

"I will end your shame to me, boy,"

he said. An intense amount of fear hit Virgil as his father got closer, and then his mind broke. Virgil came out laughing, and his father watched, handing Virgil a tomahawk. It felt like a great ax to little Virgil.

"Now, my son, send your first soul to me,"

said Virgil's father.

Virgil walked towards one of his friends without thought and cut the boy down. As the father chanted an incantation, he slowly rose from his knees and walked to Virgil.

"Now, let loose your true powers,"

he said. Virgil's first call was

"Transform,"

and wings of darkness came out, his hair white as snow, built like a youth god. With nothing but murderous intent, Virgil went on to kill two more people before passing out from the strain this form put on him. Before he fell and passed out, the demon woman caught him and said,

"Nicely done, my prince, but we aren't done yet."

Virgil's father snapped and killed the rest of the clan before turning to Virgil and ending his son's life, sending him to one of the 9 hells he would soon control. As Virgil's lifeless body hit the ground, his father heard the voice in his head once more, merging with his own son's and crying

"HEADS!"

The voice echoed in his mind as he looked upon the destruction he had caused. The once-happy village of the Nara clan was now in ruins, with bodies littering the ground and buildings ablaze. Virgil's father felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him, but it was quickly replaced by a feeling of emptiness. He had lost everything, and all that remained was the voice in his head.

The demon woman appeared before him once more, her eyes glowing with malevolence.

"Well done, my king,"

she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

"But we're not done yet."

Virgil's father looked at her, his eyes full of rage.

"What more could they want? Have I not proven myself to them yet?" he asked.

The demon woman smirked.

"You've only just begun to tap into your powers,"

she said.

"There's so much more you can do."

She stepped closer to him, her fingers tracing a path down his arm.

"But you'll need to be stronger,"

she whispered.

"And I can help you with that."

Virgil's father hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

"Anything,"

he said.

"Just tell me what I need to do."

The demon woman grinned, her eyes blazing with dark energy.

"We're going to make you immortal,"

she said.

"And then, you'll be able to control the nine hells."

She began to chant an incantation, and Virgil's father felt his body being consumed by dark energy. He screamed in agony as his skin turned black and his eyes began to glow red. When the transformation was complete, he looked like a demon himself, his body covered in dark scales and his wings spread wide.

The demon woman grinned, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

"Now, my king,"

she said.

"It's time to take your place as ruler of the nine hells."

Virgil's father nodded, his mind consumed by a lust for power. He spread his wings and took flight, his demonic form trailing black smoke. As he flew towards the gates of the underworld, he heard the voice in his head once more, merging with his own and chanting

"HEADS! HEADS! HEADS!"

And so, Virgil's father descended into the nine hells, his soul consumed by darkness and his mind filled with the insatiable desire for power. He ruled over the underworld for centuries, his name whispered in fear by demons and mortals alike.

But even as he sat upon his throne of bone and fire, he couldn't help but think of his son, the boy who had been taken from him so long ago. He wondered if he had made the right choice if he had been consumed by darkness for nothing.

And as he sat there, his mind filled with doubt, he heard a voice in his head. It was the voice of his son, merged with the demon woman's, and it whispered a single word:

"Revenge."

As the years went by, the voice grew louder and more persistent. It consumed his every thought, driving him to the brink of madness. But despite his pain and suffering, Virgil's spirit refused to break.