Sky Piercer

Prologue

   The exact origin of the Repentance is veiled in mystery, and no one truly knows what causes it, or why it exists. Those who follow the religious principles of the Eternal believe it to be the manifestations of man's sins, a curse placed upon them for their disobedience towards their higher power, known only as the One Being. The more scholarly and scientific of men believe it to be the product of an experimental substance gone awry, creating a virus that causes drastic mutations within the blood of living creatures. Though these views, among others, continue to clash against one another, there is one basic fact all sides can agree on: It is a growing menace, one that threatens to eradicate all known life, and the cure, if there is one, remains unknown.

   Despite this grim reality, the common people continue to live their lives as well as they can, farming and growing crops, selling items as merchants, tending to their families, and occasionally holding jolly celebrations. When night falls, however, there are times when creatures of the Repentance prowl their cities, searching for their next meals. These invasions are constant, and leaves every life at risk. Because of these relentless, ongoing hunts, some people begin to go mad, falling victim to the effects of the Repentance. These effects cause them to become a part of the Repentance itself, regardless of whether or not they turn into beasts. It will instead make them maniacal, attacking anything brazenly and resorting to cannibalism to sate their hungers.

   In order to prevent more of this corruption from infecting the most populated areas of the world, the greater cities formed individual covenants of Wardens, men and women who volunteer to take up arms against the Repentance's abominations and stave off its miasma of insanity. Among the most well known of these covenants are the Midnight Blue of Chanderlain, the Sun Setters of the Lanthyrr Valley, the Golden Hand of Geveria, and the Sky Piercers of Varcilli. Many of the families who are a part of these covenants encourage their children to become Wardens, often letting them attend their respective academies and training camps at a young age. Such was the case for a boy by the name of Luthien LaRance. Born into the Sky Piercers covenant, Luthien was always considered a shy and introverted child, who had a tendency to bring along a large, stuffed toy bear with him wherever he went. His physical appearance confused many who first met him, as his facial appearance and physicality were almost entirely feminine. This appearance would carry on to his teenage years, as well as his toy bear companion. Despite his oddities, nothing would prevent him from achieving his dreams of joining the ranks of the Sky Piercers. He began his academic studies at just five years of age, and then began his combat training four years later. His first taste of true battle against the Repentance came when he was thirteen. Using all of his known training, he was able to slay a total of six beasts, of which they were among the largest. He suffered several wounds, but they were all eventually treated. For this impressive showing, he was counted among the most established and experienced of young Wardens. Luthien believed that the Sky Piercers' determination and ability would be unbeatable against the Repentance, and carried this belief two years later at his current age of fifteen.

   But he was soon to learn otherwise...