The joyous nature of the Festival of the Lights was contagious. Everyone that wanted to be seen was having a good time and those that seemed to visit the Holy Kingdom for other means were still able to have their needs accommodated and their businesses handled. The Festival may have been the biggest event in the Holy Kingdom’s history, but it did not interrupt matters deemed important. The gathering of the land’s great rulers that met a few days prior to the Festival enjoyed themselves as well and kept important matters to a minimum. Almost all of them had parted ways with the King of the Holy Kingdom and made their way back to their respective lands under the cover of regular citizens as to avoid drawing attention to themselves. The only one that had stayed was the Heir to the Strand of the Sands. The desert land of Sweym Sma and the Holy Kingdom shared a bong forged in the fires of war. The story differs depending on if you believe in the legend of the Seraph or not…
If you do believe in the Legend of the Seraph then you understand the notion that when Mal’Goxon and his malicious cult ravaged the land and sought to bring darkness to every corner of the earth, Sweym Sma was the first place the Seraph visited in his quest. There he befriended a notable sword master who agreed to travel with him so long as he helped her with something first. It was a simple task: The rise of Mal’Goxon had amplified the demon spawn and monsters in the desert region and a particularly powerful Monster had been created. It was a terrible sand wrym capable of swallowing two to three soldiers in a single motion. Or so the tale states… Regardless the Sand Wyrm was bested by the sword master and the Seraph and the two returned as heroes. It is said the Seraph sought no reward for his hard work and the sword master in turn refused any monetary or status from such a feat. Instead the two pleaded with the current Heir to reinforce relations with the Holy Kingdom. To strengthen a bond that could not be broken by darkness for they would need it to vanquish the darkness. So, Sweym Sma did as the Seraph and his first notable companion asked and it felt like every month from that point had an envoy from the Holy Kingdom in the desert city or vice versa.
If you do not believe in the Seraph then you also know of the Sand Wyrm that plagued the lands. It was never said to be brought about by the rise of Mal’Goxon, but that it had existed since the first few bricks of Sweym Sma had been planted. The Sand Wyrm was a dangerous beast and plagued the land of Sweym Sma for generations. Sweym Sma had its fair share of dangerous monsters so this sand wyrm was not the only true threat. Regardless, the story goes that a large group of bandits and brigands had someone managed to tame such a creature. They used it to bring havoc to the city and the desert once more until an illustrious sword master stepped forth. She beat back the bandits but the sand wyrm still lived. The story continues to state that a battalion of Holy Kingdom soldiers was requested and the High King somehow managed to fulfill their request. Not nearly as flashy sounding as the tale of the Seraph and this version of the story is mainly believed by skeptics.
[hr]
The sun had started to set. The evening was coming and the time of the true meaning of the Festival was at hand. The festivities calmed down and as quickly as it had been set up by the Guild of the Bards the stage they performed on was taken down to make room for what they knew would be a big event. A large clearing had been made, almost like a parting of the sea waves from the Sanctum up to the steps of the Braziers and the statue of the Seraph. Conversations among the many festival goers continued as things seemed to have a tension in the air. Some minutes passed and nothing happened… even more minutes passed before what felt like an eternity of waiting. After more time passed, a light in the twilight sparked from the Sanctum. A bright yellow shined amidst the crowded city and the light shined the symbol of the Holy Kingdom.
Seconds later the double doors to the Sanctum opened up and the High Priest along with four other priest made their way through the city towards the steps to the statue and the braziers. Behind them was a young man. He walked behind them at a slightly slower pace and his gaze was… strange. If one caught a glimpse of him they would see his eyes seemed glazed over and his expression blank. His hair down to his shoulders and the back part pulled up into a short, messy ponytail. He was wearing a long sleeve shirt to go with his matching leathers and his right arm had a solid black band around it. The group of five continued through the city before they stopped at the steps of the Braziers and the statue. Conversations continued but they had died down significantly. The young man amidst the group of priests seemed to sway to the right a bit before one of them caught him by the arm and gave him a stern look.
Very shortly after this small gathering trumpets and drums began to play. The royal procession began and the King and his trusted guard emerged from a parting crowd. The High King was not shy around his people. An elderly man with a long white beard and matching eyebrows and hair. He walked just fine for his age and he was not wearing any jewels or his crown. He had donned a white robe just as the Priests had but with different symbols and a large crest of his family along the chest. As he walked through the crowd he would every so often step out of line of his guard and shake hands with those who would reach for him and even say a few words to the commoners. The music continued up until he and his guard reached the steps to the braziers as well. There he and the High Priest exchanged a few words before working their way up the steps. The priests started to gather a few things and prepare the braziers and the simply had the young man before them stand next to the High Priest who seemed to have a tight grip on his left arm. The High King cleared his throat before raising his hands to address his people. [color=yellow][b]”Honored Guests, citizens of every corner of Ruyunae I thank you for visiting our great Kingdom for this momentous occasion. It is not every day a Festival of such nature is held and to attend one and repeat the details to a younger generation is truly marvelous. Given we are differing races, we humans do not particularly live long lives like most of you. This will be my first and only Festival of the Lights to host and I cannot thank you all enough for making it one of the best the Holy Kingdom has ever seen.”[/b][/color]
The High Priest quickly whispered something into the High King’s ear before moving over to the Braziers. The High King cleared his throat before continuing.
[color=yellow][b]”We remember today the sacrifice of a brave band of heroes who went through unimaginable horrors all for our sake. They fought for one thing in mind: Peace for all of Ruyunae. In the darkest hour in this great land’s history our beloved Mother-Goddess sent us one of her own. A child blessed with her divine power. One we came to call the Seraph. He gathered fierce and talented heroes and together they reunited Ruyunae and brought back the light and sent the evil that plagued our land back to the cesspool it emerged from.”[/b][/color]
The High King paused a moment to gather his breath and a few claps and sounds of approval for his message could be heard. [color=yellow][b]”We live in different times now. We do not know what the future will hold but as long as we remember the sacrifice of those of old and keep the bonds the Seraph kindled in our hearts strong we head into the future with our head’s high. For this land is…-“[/b][/color] A low rumble emerged from an unknown location. At first it sounded like the rumbling of thunder… but no lightning could be seen. The sky was cloudy but the clouds were white and fluffy. The High King turned behind him and looked past the statue as another rumble was heard. Shortly after a loud crackle of what sounded like glass breaking pierced the ears of everyone who could hear and a beam of dark purple and black energy shot up into the sky in the distance. Its location was coming from the Land Betrayed. Amidst the chaos the High Priest began to act.
In a flash he released the young man who simply fell to his knees and began to clutch his right arm. The High Priest held the High King in a hold and he began to struggle with him. Panic erupted and the King’s guard sprung to action. A dignified man who appeared to be the captain stepped forward with his gallant blade drawn. 
“High Priest! What is the meaning of this!? Release your King this instant!”
 
The High Priest gave no quarter and let loose a shrill laugh. From his right hand emerged a dagger cloaked in shadow. In the same manner he appeared he provided the High King a swift stab to his lower abdomen. Immediate panic erupted from the crowd as the High Priest let the King slowly fall to his knees before him. The guards advanced but the Priest held his right hand up and the dagger disappeared. Spheres of dark magic emerged and cascaded among the guards to send them tumbling down the marble steps.
The priests behind the High Priest seemed to stagger back in shock at this sudden turn of events. The pillar of dark magic booming from the ground in the Land Betrayed was not emitting a low hum. The High Priest took in a deep breath and let out a rather exasperated sigh as he seemed to relish the moment. 
[b]”Every corner of this world will soon know our name. What better day to announce our presence than on this ACCURSED day of lights. You ignorant fools know nothing. Where Mal’Goxon failed my new master shall succeed. And this time…”[/b]
The High Priest manifested that same shadowy dagger he had used to wound the King minutes ago and raised it against the young man who stood before him. A sinister grin encroached along his sunken, pale cheeks. Without hesitation he thrust the dagger into the young man’s abdomen. More gasps emerged from the crowd as many people started to leave the scene and turn to safety. The guards had regained their composure and the knight captain reclaimed his blade and stood at the base of the steps. 
“You will stand down High Priest! Step away from the King and the young man!” 
Again the High Priest simply chuckled as his gaze was stuck on the young man he had stabbed. The young man was now grasping at the Priest’s arms and clenching them as the dagger was turned in his abdomen. A loud groan of pain echoed through the streets as the man threw his head back and clenched his teeth to try and subdue the pain. 
[b]”What’s the matter?”[/b] The high priest whispered in his raspy voice. [b]”I know what you are. I will not allow you to kindle your strength or the powers of those you are destined to meet. You will not stand in the way of my master’s plan.”[/b]
Minutes later he tore the dagger out of the young man and he slowly fell to his knees and tumbled partly down the steps before the knight captain caught up and raised him to his feet before handing him off to the guards behind him. Rage filling the knight captain as he held his blade high. 
“You… fiend! You will pay for this!” 
Just as soon as he started to charge up the steps the High Priest waved his left hand and a dense black smoke filled the area. The smoke billowed forth and covered the entire central area and deemed visibility immensely low. It was difficult to see one’s own hand in front of them. The only thing that could be seen vaguely was the pillar of dark magic off in the distance that had now grown in size. Panic was amplified as the guards did their best to create some sense of order. 
Then, just as darkness had sprung upon the Holy Kingdom, a light made itself know. A strange light. One unknown to common citizens and even unchosen nobles, but not uncommon to you. Ones who had received the visions. In the darkness a faint light sparked and steadily grew brighter and brighter still. Brighter until it would cause one to look away. The light seemed to be a strange series of markings and they were raised about mid-way amidst the dark cloud. Seconds passed the lights in the dark moved to the right a bit and billowed forth a soothing, warm essence. The essence of light itself. The black smoke was cleared and the source of the light was none other than the young man himself. His eyes were shining with a piercing white and blue hue and the markings all along his right arm followed the same mannerism. He held his right hand aloft for a few more seconds until the smoke had all but vanished and then he lowered it with a soft sigh. His eyes lost the glow and the markings dimmed down but they remained. The clothing along his right arm had all but been burned away it would seem. 
The high priest showed obvious displeasure at this. [b]”Impossible. You were not permitted to train such power. It was meant to lay dormant and die with you, accursed child! Feh… No matter. You are still weak. I tire of this guise and these games.”[/b]
With twisted magic the High Priest shifted his appearance to that of demonic nature. He had revealed his true nature it would seem. His skin now much darker and his bones visible in some parts of his body. Large horns protruded from his malformed skull and his eyes were a solid black. He snapped his skinny fingers and several other demon spawn appeared before the young man at the bottom of the steps. 
The guards around him were panicking and drawing their weapons and the Knight Captain was growing more and more agitated. The King lay by this demon’s feet and the Knight Captain was torn. 
“Horrid demon. You WILL pay for this!” 
The now shown demon rolled his eyes and pointed to his underlings. [b]”Kill the young man. Make sure he dies here and NOW. When he is dead you may kill as many as you like. My Master must know of this…” 
With that the demon skulked into the shadows of a portal and vanished from sight. The grotesque demonic underlings inched closer to the wounded young man and the sparingly few knights before him. The Knight Captain rushed up the remainder of the steps to aid the King. 
One of the guards clutched the young man on the shoulder. “Can you fight?!” He asked before handing him a small dagger even before he got an answer. The young man had one hand still on his wound in his abdomen and the other now clutching this small dagger. The demons before them itching for a fight. Seconds later the first blow was drawn. One of the guards leaped forward and gave one a good slash across the chest before going back to a defensive stance. Many of the citizens in the area had all but vanished, leaving the area to fight quite large. The young man held his dagger close and eventually charged forward with the knights around him to hopefully make it out of this battle alive. It looked bleak. Extra forces would be needed for this bout.