The Red Moon Chronicles Book 1: The Crown Of Xenthos

The Embodiment of War

In Xenthos, Lemos stood in his throne room, awaiting for his battle with Keenio, preparing himself, ready to face him in 3 months time. He knew Keenio would be his strongest, so he too, had to prepare. He entertained himself with dark ritual after dark ritual. Looking for a way to give him the power he felt he needed. Lemos was obsessed with facing his nephew. He was willing to do anything that would give him and edge over him. He was so obsessed that dark shadows seemed to cload his lonely throne room.

"Armedes!!" He called out, "come, I seek to train!!"

Form the distance, a middle aged man came to him, he wore a blue cloak.

"Yes my lord.. I will spar with you..."

"Good .."

Lemos stood up from his throne, and drew his sword, immediately the two of them locked blades, holding each other to a stalemate.

After hours of sparing, Lemos and Armedes finished, they were sweating and panting, they fought hard, yet Lemos wasn't satisfied.

"Damn it I'm still too slow..."

"Why not use the Spirit Burst like your brother did?"

"My Spirit Burst isn't nearly as perfect as his, I need to find my own strength, otherwise, I won't defeat Keenio.."

"I see... I understand my lord... Why not pray to the dark one? I'm sure he will appear before you..."

"Lord Ahriman may give me power, but how will I use it?"

"I am sure he would show you.."

"That is true .. I am his most loyal servant.. "

"Yes my lord, and kef none question your faith in him.."

They sheathed their blades, and Armedes left the throne room.

"I guess I will pray..."

He kneeled down before his own throne.

"My lord Ahriman.. please hear my plea..." He prayed, "give me the power I need to slay Keenio... I fear that when I see him, he will be to powerful for as I am now .. and I fear the power he hides inside of him..."

He prayed with all his faith, and heard no answer, but yet, he still felt he would get what he seeked. After praying, he left, and made his way to the forge.

Meanwhile, Keenio found himself standing before Deimos, the hero of legend, the greatest hero to ever exist. The temple shaped itself around them, molding into something else entirely, Keenio found himself standing on top of a large flat landmass, it was a road, made form gold and silver, inforjt of him Deimos continued to stand, but behind the great warrior was a large golden gate, and Keenio could sence a powerful force form behind them. A raw power, it felt like chi, but it also felt strange, as if it had blended with magic as well, yet everyone knew magic and chi couldn't work in such sync, it felt like the blend was perfect. The gate itself was magnificent as well, there were waht appeared to be slots, 6 slots enciecakking a 7th, Keenio didn't understand it.

Deimos looked directly into Keenio's eyes. Deimos's deep blue eyes appeared to gaze deep within the soul of whoever he looked at, the stare appeared to freeze Keenio in place, paralyzed, the sheer force of just his eyes, there was a powerful magic within them. Keenio couldn't remain standing on Deimos's presence, and he felt his legs give way, and next thing he knew, Keenio was on in the ground. Deimos definitely was as the legends depicted him. Truly there was no equal.

"...hmmm..." Deimos moved forward, "...so you are the one..."

"..th-the one?..." Keenio's words quivered, "what do you mean by 'The One', what is that?"