1 Prologue

Etris 100 C.D

A heavy downpour culls the atmosphere of the budding city of Etris the streets flow with water mixed in mud and grime. There are few citizens to look out for in such weather and the ones that are around doing so out of sheer necessity. Amidst the dark with a candle in hand walks a figure obscured by their surroundings yet the candle in their hand is of utmost brilliance. The face of the person comes to light above the candle, a blue glow can be seen right under the darkness of the figure's hood, she is the Precipina the First Light of Etris. For 15 years she has lit the central light of the city devoutly in the name of the god Agni, today was no different, be it a downpour or scorching heat, Precipina never fails in her duties towards Agni.

"It seems there shall be no end to these rains, may we see true light after the darkness.", Precipina continued her walk towards the central light, the few people that saw her figure bowed to her as she passed by. Her existence in the city was a representation of God being in the city, for she was a divine oracle chosen by Agni to guide Etris in these difficult times after long-reigning chaos.

Precipina was by no means an aged figure while she looked to be in her 30s she was in fact nearing her 60s, yet God had given her a lifespan far surpassing her species allowing her to retain youth. 'How great it would be if my Lord would show me the reason for staying in this backwater city for the past 20 years, sometimes your mysterious ways certainly perplex this humble one', lamented Precipina as she marched on towards the central light. Unlike many oracles she was not fearful of her Lord rather she was playful and liked to make these remarks often for she was more closely connected to Agni than anyone else who followed the God.

As she reaches the central light Precipina climbs the stairs to reach the Holy Flame, standing before it Precipina recites a prayer and offers the candle to the mighty flame that burns in the massive cauldron the size of 8 humans. After the candle is accepted by the flame a voice seeps out of its burning embers, 'A little longer young one, the purpose of your life shall be fulfilled, thousands will bathe in blood and the one born of such chaos and agony shall be the harbinger…'.

"This one awaits the Harbinger eagerly my Lord", states Precipina in a playful tone as she begins to descend the stairs of the central light. If one attempts they could see an imperceptible smile on her face, the tidings of which only time will tell.

…

Junia 100 C.D

"AAAAAAAaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHH"

Emmanuel the Lord of Junia is dressed in military attire as he walks back and forth outside a massive door, behind which one can hear the cries of a woman. Another man enters the hallway walking towards Emmanuel, he wears a white tunic laced at the ends with red, a knowing smile on his aged face but the shine in his dark eyes show wisdom beyond comparison. "The signs of an anxious father-to-be suit you splendidly my lord, but alas you need not worry the lady shall give birth to a healthy baby and the city shall have its young lordling soon".

Emmanuel looks at the man and speaks, "You cannot expect me to not worry after hearing her cries of pain in such proximity Matthias. I cannot help but let my mind ponder on the possibility of something going wrong as it stands she is giving birth two weeks earlier than expected".

"Be that as it may my lord you have something much more important to do, something that was meant to be both a present to your child and stability to your people. The culling of the tribal population in Gallia is necessary for the city to be free of an imminent invasion. The barbarians are not going to remain calm for long"

Emmanuel developed a frown on his face on Matthias' words, "If I were, to be honest with you Matthias I would much rather stay here with my wife than be out there shedding blood but a part of me is also the lord and it won't allow me to stay here for long, just until I hear the first cries of my child.", Matthias looks at the lord and sighs accepting his decision. As time passes by the screams of the woman slowly die down and are replaced by the cries of what can only be termed as a baby. Yet there is not one but two cries, Emmanuel opens the door as soon as he hears the babies. Walking in he sees a white wall of sheets covering his wife on the bed and from behind it walk two maidens holding in their arms two babies one with shining blue eyes while the other with dark brown.

"You have been blessed with two children my lord, Varuna looks kindly upon you, the storm outside is symbolic of such", praises the maid holding the blue-eyed child. As Emmanuel takes the child in his arms the signs of a Lord escape, leaving behind only the tenderness of a father. "This is the boy my lord the other is a girl, the Lady has already named her as Evangelina. She asks that you pick a name for the young lord".

'A name huh…what shall I name you little one, something symbolic of greatness or of humility or…', a glint appears in Emmanuel's eyes as if a revelation dawned on him he raises the child to his eye level and says, "You shall be called Maximus for you truly shall be the GREATEST".

The proclamation to the heavens and the earth had been made and only time will tell of what is to come in the future. Whether the child would live up to their name or not is all in the hands of fate. Emmanuel after placing the child back in the hands of the maid walks away, walking into a plaza where armed troops stand upright even as the rain continuously torrents them. "MEEEENNNN MARCH FORRRRWAAARRRD"