The Paragons

Prologue, Part 1: Darkness on the Horizon

-2020-

The alternate dimension of the Shimmering Plane is typically hidden from the people of Earth, with very few exceptions. Its inhabitants, known as the Enlightened Ones, are similar in physical appearance to humans, with most of them possessing slight modifications, such as eyes that occasionally flicker to a solid white, as well as a somewhat blue tint to their color. However, arguably their most defining trait was their long lifespan; if left alone, they could potentially live for several eons on end. Under their king's rule, they live a life mostly consisting of normality, paying no mind to the electric-blue energy currents that commonly rocketed through the perpetually clouded sky, which were a commonality in the Plane. 

Their ruler, Malcorchus, cared deeply for his people with all of his heart, and would do anything to ensure the survival of both himself and his species. His ensemble also made his kingly status obvious to everyone, and he was easy to pick out from a crowd. His eyes were a solid, glowing light-blue with no visible pupils or irises, and his dark hair was mostly concealed by his crown which was adorned with an ornate, glimmering, circular headpiece. He had both a dark mustache and beard, his body was enveloped in a robe decked out with equal parts light-blue and dark-blue colors, and all ten of his fingers had gold rings on them. An ethereal glow perpetually surrounded his person, making him appear similar to a ghost. Additionally, he usually wielded a staff, but it was some distance away from him at the moment, leaning against a nearby wall.   

As he sat on the balcony of his palace and gazed out at the azure expanse below, he was approached by one of his most important advisors. This man appeared to be somewhat younger than the king, and wore a full-body suit of armor with a light-blue, white, and gold paint job. Strapped to his back were both a one-handed sword and a shield, granting him the perfect combination of both offense and defense; a bag was also slung over his shoulder.

"Caspian, First Blade of the King, reporting for duty, sire," the informant said. "I come bearing tragic news." 

The king turned towards his confidant with a concerned expression. "What is it, Caspian?" 

"Your Majesty.....the scientist Nic'qura and her team have all perished at the hands of The Viper."

"Oh.....?" 

"I'm afraid so, my lord. The meddlesome girl disposed of all of them as if they were nothing; she seems to have been drawing power from our dimension itself," Caspian continued, pulling out a tablet from his bag and showing footage of The Viper killing Sin'lazo, Gor'bari, and Mal'tin---and Nic'qura as well, albeit indirectly---in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii. "She seems to be very powerful indeed.....who knows if there are other enhanced individuals such as her on Earth.....?" 

Malcorchus remained silent for the time being, feeling a slight tinge of regret. About two centuries prior, in 1840, he had first exiled Nic'qura and her crew---then consisting of Mal'tin, Gor'bari, Sal'terra, and Sin'lazo---to Earth in an attempt to get rid of them, having held them in great contempt for their scientific advances, which he perceived would be detrimental to the Enlightened Ones as a people. As the years passed, however, he had begun to miss them, and started to develop a little remorse for his decision. Sometimes, he would pay visits to Nic'qura's old lab in the Shimmering Plane alongside Caspian and gaze longingly at her abandoned projects.....projects that would now forever remain unfinished due to her untimely death. Caspian further revealing that Nic'qura and her team died in a failed attempt to make it back to the Shimmering Plane only devastated him further. 

"The people of Earth are very determined indeed.....even to a fault, I might add," the king stated. "Their tenacity could serve the people of the Shimmering Plane very well....." 

Caspian perked his head up and his eyes widened. "Does that mean that.....?" 

"Indeed. It's time we put our own plan into action, First Blade. Head to Nic'qura's old lab and pick up our 'precious cargo', then come back to me swiftly." 

His assistant bowed, and then departed at once. 

***********************************************************************************************

A few hours later, Caspian regrouped with Malcorchus in the throne room of his palace, carrying a rolled-up cloth under his shoulder. 

"As requested, Your Majesty, I have returned with what you've requested." 

As both he and the king bent down in the center of the room, Caspian took out the cloth and laid it out to reveal four pylon-like devices that were wrapped within it, with one larger pylon in the center. All of them were small enough to be held by hand, yet appeared to be able to hold immense power. 

"It was smart of you to begin working on these during the Opulent's absence," the First Blade remarked. "A sort of.....'backup plan', if you will." 

"Nic'qura died as a result of closing the Shroud.....she was weak, opting to save Earth's people rather than her own," Malcorchus admonished. "Still....there was no doubt that her work had potential. With the equipment in her laboratory, we were able to create these." 

"The 'Pylons'....." Caspian mused. "Five of them, including one 'Control Pylon'. Together, these devices should be able to form an 'interdimensional bridge' capable of transporting the entire Shimmering Plane within range of Earth, without any need for the Shroud." 

"Yes.....a 'teleportation device', in other words," the king added. "For resources, refugees....." He then paused briefly. "It's time we expanded our reach. Nic'qura and the Opulent have paid the ultimate price for their dismal failure to conquer this planet.....we shall not make the same mistakes. But.....before we put our plans into action, we will need some help."

"What do you mean, sire?" 

"The Viper is responsible for Nic'qura and the Opulent's deaths, is she not? Imagine how satisfying it would be to see her fall by the hands of everyone she had crossed up until now." 

".....Everyone?" 

Malcorchus nodded. "Everyone. We're going to put together a band of villains who all have their own reasons for wanting to destroy The Viper.....she will be helpless under our combined might." 

"But my lord.....she wields the power of the Shimmering Plane itself....I don't see how we can possibly take her on." 

"Sorry, say that again? Where do her abilities come from?" 

"The energy of the Shimmering Plane. Our home dimension." 

"And who rules that dimension?" 

Caspian came to a realization. "You do....." 

"Indeed. I know how to master its magic currents.....even more than she does. She may have immense capabilities, but she has grown overconfident. She has forgotten that those powers are not her own; that they are effectively on loan from us. If all else fails.....I can take care of her. The Shimmering Plane gave her those abilities.....and as its king, I can take them away." 

The First Blade slowly put two and two together. "You're right, Your Majesty.....I never thought of it like that....it does make some sense." 

"Roll the pylons back up in their cloth; keep them safe today," the king commanded as he tapped his staff on the floor twice to open a wormhole near them. "As for you and I.....we're going to go on a brief tour of Mercury Heights to begin gathering our allies." 

"Where will we go first.....?" 

Malcorchus smiled. "The city's power grid."