Indeemed: Tale of the Warlock.

An unforetold truth

Winter rolled into Spring as the birds filled the air with their cries, snow melting off the landscape under the bright sun. Within the Imperial crystal palace Indeem gazed upon the view, children playing and running around, merchants busy as always with their stools and shops and everyone overall talking as they enjoyed the day. 'I feel really out of place' ran through his mind as he ran his hand over the birth mark scar on his forehead. The Empress stirred as she woke up gazing at him after rubbing her eye with a smile.

"Good morning my love." she said stretching her arms in the air. Moment after a Maid entered the room bowing to the two notifying them breakfast was ready, upon the Maids exit the Empress looked over at Indeem seeming more husk like then normal, "What troubles you my love?" she asked shuffling off the bed to her feet in her night gown.

"You remember when I mentioned Demonic energy in the mountains?" he uttered turning his head to face her, with her nodding in acknowledgement he continued. "This mark upon my head has felt like an inferno since, it concerns me."

"Hmmm, best we head to the Magi in charge of research and development then." the Empress simply responded heading to her wardrobe taking out a dress to wear, with that sight Indeem took his leave to respect her privacy.

Later that day the pair headed down into an underground cavern leading from the palace basement outward towards the cliffs overlooking the sea. Behind a simply looking wooden door was a room containing books stacked high as the ceiling, alongside astronomy tools such as telescopes and charts.

"Well this is a first for me." Indeem said as his eyes scanned the room before resting their focus upon the lead researcher, a tall elderly teenage girl with a larger then average bust shaped in an hourglass figure covered by her attire, a cross between a Mage robe and a lab-coat. Like most her age the face was smooth a pair of multi-lens goggles rested on her forehead and dark brown hair going to her waist in weaving spirals turned around like water waves.

"Good morning Mel... AH!" she screamed noticing the Empress wasn't alone "I erm... wasn't expecting a third Melina." she added seeming uneasy letting out a nervous chuckle rubbing her cheek with her index finger. Giving an overall bubbly attitude and persona.

"Lari, this is Indeem. The Warlock I've told you so much about." the Empress explained holding her hand in his general direction in a formal introductory manner to which he only bowed his head. Unexpected was that Lari automatically zoomed into him observing him head to toe.

"He sure is an interesting specimen, wait... that mark on his head? No, NO IT CAN'T BE!" her voice altering between interest at first to absolute panic at the end.

"What is it Lari?" The Empress asked seeming uneasy now herself.

"That.... that is the mark of the...."

"The what Lari?"

"De....demonic Dragon Prince..." Lari finally stuttered shaking as she spoke.

"Demonic Dragon Prince? Do those even exist?" Indeem asked in ponder as he lowered his hood. This only caused Lari to faint on the spot but luckily enough the Empress was able to catch her and place her in a chair close by. Whilst the Empress tended to the researcher Indeem peered across the vast books before picking up one, after flicking through book after book he found the very thing Lari was so panicky about.

'A Prince who's lust for power lead to his downfall when his chosen path as a Dragon-rider was highly praised, for his sins the Prince was cast into the Realm of the Void. Since that unfaithful day his spirit lurked apon naturally powerful Mages cursing their life to misery and suffering'.

"So, that's the cause of all this. I'm a monster incarnate." Indeem uttered to himself placing the book down on the table leaning on his hands resting them beside the book. The Empress approached him placing her hand on his right one.

"You're not like him Indeem, you've dedicated your life to safeguarding others. He didn't care who got hurt, long as he got what he desired." she said trying to comfort him resting her head onto his arm.

"Then I know what I must do." he said with a hint of determination.

"If I can help in anyway please tell me." the Empress said clinging on even more to his arm.

"I must open a portal to the Realm of Void and destroy him, he's most likely the central point of the whole Mage/Warlock war." Indeem explained turning his head looking at her. "I don't know what will happen to me within there, but should I fall-." his sentence being silenced by the Empress placing a finger on his lips.

"Please, don't say such things. I will pray for you and for your safe return."

Two weeks past since learning the truth of his birth-mark Indeem, Lari, the Empress and a few Mages stood in front of an ancient portal gateway used by the earliest Elven Mages, as the Mages and Lari prepared it for use, Indeem stood idle with his eyes closed before the Empress approached him clearing her throat to get his attention with his eyes reopening following suit.

"Indeem, take this with you. To remember I'm always with you." she said handing him a small violet pearl with a string threaded through it "It'll bring you luck."

"If that is what you wish." he simply replied tying it around his neck as the violet orb resting against his tattered robes the portal began to pulsate from the magical energies re-surging around it. As Indeem slowly approached the portal he took a final gaze back the Empress was almost in tears at the sight.

"Indeem!" she shouted as he stood idle focused on her, "I love you!" this shout from her rang through his mind causing his eyes to widen feeling something he hadn't before, a reason to live. Moment later he lowered his head turning around before entering the portal with it sealing behind him.

The Realm of the Void, a vast darkness appearing almost like the land Indeem came from, only instead of green lush grass, blossoming trees and clear skies. The landscape was rotten and wasteland-ish with the grass was black and flat, the trees crooked and the sky pitch black and heavy. A voice echoed through his mind shortly after causing him to draw his Soulblade as a flash of light formed into the blade.

"Hahaha, so another foolish mortal wishes to slay me. Come, come to face your doom." After those words faded away with more dark laughter demonic creatures flooded the area around Indeem.

The battle started as they charged at him, the pulsing Soulblade vibrating the air around it as he hurled it into demon after demon with a spell blast of the dark arts coming into play every now and then. This was only the beginning.