A misbegotten world rotted in war and chaos caused by contenders to achieve absolute godhood. Destruction and suffering. Demigods against demigods, kings against kings.
Upon entering, Flaminanus beheld a cathedral in ruins, where faded paintings whispered tales of a forgotten demigod. The entrance sealed behind him, yet he felt no trepidation. His eyes were drawn to a resplendent white orchid, nourished by a soft celestial glow. The flower's enchanting scent enveloped him, reviving memories of his childhood.
As he approached, a dying apostle came into view, attired in a golden-embroidered robe. Though his flesh was decaying, an otherworldly aura preserved his body, defying the ravages of mortality.
The apostle's dying grasp held a golden egg, containing a demigod on the cusp of birth. Flaminanus, familiar with such miraculous births, gingerly took the egg. His knowledge stemmed from witnessing Karley's emergence, Garvath's sister, who had been born from a similarly celestial-nourished egg, lovingly tended by their mother.
Now, Flaminanus was torn, uncertain how to proceed. Removing the egg from the apostle's dying body would seal the demigod's fate, causing the egg to crack and the infant to perish.
With a gentle touch, Flaminanus placed his hand on the apostle's fading form, channeling his own celestial aura into the dying body. Combining the orchid's lingering essence with his own, merging it with the orchid's residual essence. This selfless act, though deemed heresy by his demigod patron, was driven by Flaminanus' empathy.
Defying the Golden Heritage's rigid codes, he chose compassion over valor, revealing a heart softer than any warrior's. His actions, a testament to his character, transcended the boundaries of duty and dogma.
Flaminanus' spirit became inextricably linked to the orchid, mirroring the apostle's prior connection. Though his physical form remained immobile, his essence vigilantly guarded the orchid and the precious egg. As a result, the entire ruined cathedral, including the entrance, was hermetically sealed.
Reinforced by potent illusionary magic, this barrier was capable of deceiving even a demigod, ensuring the sanctuary's secrets remained concealed.
For sixteen relentless days, Flaviatas' company, bolstered by Ogryth's forces, combed the cave, vanquishing the lingering colossal worms and dragonites. Though they retrieved the drake's remains, Flaminanus' fate remained a mystery. As hope waned, Flaviatas and Ogryth conceded their friend's loss.
Years turned into a century, and Ogryth's leadership earned him Praetorian status, commanding a revered cohort of War Heralds. Meanwhile, Flaviatas and his group achieved distinguished status as veteran Praetoris Halberdiers, Garvath's protector guardians of his domain.
Demigods, blessed with immortality, can only be severed by being felled. As time passes, demigods become stronger, much like fine wine matures with age. However, their heralds, who swore an oath to them, do not share their immortality.
Heralds weaken significantly by the time they reach two hundred years of age. Flaviatas passed away at the remarkable age of three hundred eighty-eight years old.
Vinidus and Bakar the Wise was felled in a heretic outbreak in a Sofian fortress, killed by Garkus, who had turned heretic and sworn oath to the Blood Heritage. Ogryth disappeared after participating in the pivotal Battle of Denaden, where Sonar's armies clashed with those of Voltar.
By the time Yvan's rot rose bloomed in the southern snows of central Sofnar, the land had transformed into a dying, decaying, and barren wasteland. It wasn't long after that the original forty members of the band had fallen, too.
Only six out of the original forty managed to survive and fight alongside Yvan in her confrontation against the twin brothers of the Blood Heritage. Only Inquisitor Asthran, one of the original leaders, lived to tell the tale, passing away later in the City of Blooms after fleeing the siege of Vendel.
As for Vykar the old, stories tell he had turned heretic after the massacre of Sofan. At present day Southern snow Sofnar, Flaminanus remained undiscovered after thousands of years.
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