1 Prologue: The Meeting of the Seven

The Seven gathered together. Alciphus, the king of the day, had gathered them in the Sacred Chamber. The six others murmured amongst themselves as they took their seats at the ancient round table until Alciphus spoke.

"Gentlemen," Alciphus began. "We know our universe is under attack. Corruption plagues the world that were to be stewards and caretakers of. Ever since the recent awakening of the Elder Things, the mortals have been experiencing the hellhounds and the unspeakable terrors of the Void. Our sky grows darkers and the stars quickly vanish."

"Yes, we already know that. Just get to the point already," Rameus, the king of the night, interjected. "My worshippers have been constantly asking for my protection. And no matter how many times I slay them, another arises. If you have a solution just spit it out already."

"You're as rude as ever since we held our last gathering one thousand years ago, I see," Alciphus replied. "I wouldn't have called us here if I hadn't thought of something. As I pondered upon an answer, I first thought of imbuing my power into one of the humans, but they're too weak to withhold even a sliver of my mana. And then, I looked to the stars, which came before us. I looked closely and saw that some of them contain the souls of fallen warriors."

"Impossible! All warriors go to the heaven we created for them!" Garam, the king of the forest, exclaimed. He banged his burly fist onto the table.

"Ah, that's what I thought, but then I saw that these were no ordinary souls. They were merely resting, regaining their former strength so they could once again fight upon the soil which they had shed the blood of countless enemies. They were no longer human. In a sense, they were almost divine beings like us."

The other six began murmuring again.

"But that isn't a solution," Rameus said. "These souls might overthrow us like we had done with the Elder Things in the ancient times."

"Oh my dear Rameus, but it is. These souls are sleeping and have forgotten who they are. And their number is so few, even we could deal with them. I suggest we take some and mold their minds into heroes. Ones that can become powerful enough to defeat the Elder Things. We'll whisper to them, and they'll listen. For those who are resting cannot defend themselves against such thoughts."

It was clear that the others disapproved of this plan. For the idea of souls becoming self-exalted into godhood scared them. Well, it scared all but one.

"Opho, what do you think?" Alciphus asked.

The king of the sea smiled. He was the oldest of the seven and the most respected. Until now, he had said nothing.

"I will follow this plan," he said. "Even if the other won't be willing to work with you, I will."