Imperial High

Prologue

Cedar, 1980

Thunder rumbled across the sky. The wind howled and lightning flashed, illuminating the lone figure on the field. The figure stood still, the shadows seeming to move around him. The storm continued, blowing its path across the field. A path in which the figure was directly in the middle of. The storm continued, lightning flashing as though warning the stranger of his fast-approaching demise. The figure ignored the storm and stood. Right before the storm hit, the figure raised his hand. Everything was still. Leaves froze midair, the flailing insects that had been hanging on to it for dear life as still as statues.

With his hand held high, the figure began to chant in a deep but clear voice. As he chanted, glowing sigils appeared in the air before him. They continued glowing till they filled the field with a fiery and blinding light. As suddenly as they had glowed, they darkened. The figure looked around. He was no longer on the field. Black and green flames burned all around him. Terror filled screams filled the air.

As he started to move forward, a tremendous roar filled the air.

"Stop! You're lucky I didn't turn your bones to ash the minute you started to summon the Gate. Who exactly are you to have access to such ancient magic anyways?"

The figure smiled. "It seems you're still as arrogant and brash as ever, Askomos. Your puny flames wouldn't singe my suit, much less...turn my bones to ashes was it?"

Askomos growled. "You're five seconds away from being sent to the Last Layer, boy. Insulting The Infernal Dragon in his den is to ask for death. Now, tell me, so I may have the pleasure of knowing who I killed. Who are you?"

The figure smiled again and tilted his face towards the light. "Recognize me now, old friend?"

The dragon shifted uncomfortably. "I have seen millions of faces in the last century alone. What makes yours so special?"

The figure nodded. "Good point. Well then, allow me to demonstrate." Before the dragon could move, let alone inhale to fire, he was pinned to the floor by an unseen force. The figure flicked his hand and suddenly, the dragon smashed into the cavern's wall, buried by tons of rock.

The figure started to turn. "Well, I guess I wasted my time here then." There was a muffled roar from beneath the rubble right before everything in a mile's radius was incinerated. The dragon drew itself up from the flames and roared.

"I am Askomos, The Infernal Dragon and King of Hell's Seven Layers! I shall not be defeated by a measly human."

The figure turned back. "Human? Whoever said I was human? Tell me Askomos, surely you can't have so easily forgotten who you stole that ridiculous title from?"

The dragon made a sound very close to fear. "I-i-impossible. He is dead. Long gone. He was defeated by the Trio over a thousand years ago."

The figure smiled. "Oh no, I wasn't defeated, old friend. I was simply put to sleep. I've had time to realize my mistakes and grow my power exponentially. Now, the TRUE King of Hell's Seven Layers is back and I find I am thirsty for revenge."

The dragon bowed. "Of course, m-m-master. I was simply keeping things in check and waiti- "

"Spare me your pitiful lies, Askomos. I have no time for that. While I was away, I heard a particularly...disturbing rumor. The Clairvoyant- "

"Cassandra?" The dragon snorted. "I heard she's living underground now and talks to mushrooms".

"Regardless of what you've heard, a reliable source of mine tells me she hosted a prophecy about a hundred years back. A major one in fact. It speaks about seven warriors who come together to lead a nation against a dark and terrible evil. Now, I'm sure it's pretty presumptuous of me to assume that prophecy is about me but I'm not taking any risks. I need them out of the question. And there's where you come in."

The dragon snarled. "What would you have me do?"

"Well, all I know is that they're kids and- "

"Kids?! You're afraid of a bunch of kids ganging up on you?"

The figure's smile tightened. "Askomos, the next time you interrupt me will be your last. Also, let's not forget the last time we underestimated a 'bunch of kids'. All I know is that fool spotted them first and is on his way to them. I need you to take them out before they get to the school."

The dragon snorted. "I don't need to take care of the kids personally. I'll have my best to do it. She's been pining for an assignment anyway. But on the other hand, why not let them get into the school? That way, when we get them, we'll gather information on the students, staff and layouts. Let's take down Imperial High once and for all."

The figure sighed. "Do it as you will, Askomos. Just take care of them."

As he turned to leave, he stopped. "Oh, and Askomos? Do not disappoint me." With that and a wave of his hands, he disappeared into thin air.

The dragon chuckled. "Hecate! I have an assignment for you."

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