Seracy

Prologue: Legend of the Archfiend

Feeling the cold yet soothing window in my Grandfather's common room, I watched as snow flurries transitioned into hail through the window. My Grandfather's raggedy voice paused mid-sentence to cough. "So, you want to hear the story of the Archfiend again boy?" He continued. Turning towards him I replied, "Of course, Grandfather! It's my favorite." His mind seemed to drift off slightly before he began. "Well, there was once a country called Livateo. Now Livateo wasn't an ordinary country. It was a very advanced civilization. At least for its time. Sadly, that didn't mean much because of what was to come."

The fire place in the common room crackled in agreement.

"People began to disappear. In some cases their entire homes disappeared." He paused before he started his next sentence to cough. "But, finally, it came to light what was happening. Beast-like creatures were hunting humans. They even went as far to call them Demons. And, eventually, Archfiends." Looking up at him as he told the story, my fingers began to twitch with excitement. "Are you sure you want me to continue?" He asked. "It's almost bedtime and I wouldn't want to give you any nightmares." Once he noticed me nodding, he continued.

"So, the leaders of Livateo, decided to send out military forces to assault the Archfiends before any more innocent people died. This led to the battle known as the "Archfiend Massacre." Meaning the entire army sent to fight the Archfiend was annihilated. Other armies were sent as well. But they were also wiped ou-," He coughed hard, several times. Then he started up again. "But they were also wiped out.

"Afterwards, the Livateo's Military was weakened to but a few battalions. The Archfiend had also exterminated close to half of the Livateo's population and were closing in on the rest. At that point, they headed for the capital. The extravagant City of Tilvana."

"In a last defense effort, the leaders of Livateo sent out its remaining battalions and began to prepare the evacuation of Tilvana's citizens. When the battalions engaged the Archfiend in combat, they never expected to defeat them. But, when they fought, something happened that seemed ridiculous at the time. An Archfiend was killed. And then many more were killed. News of this had reached the capital. And they determined that, along with our executioners, came our salvation."

Grandfather's eyes glistened as the moon began to shine brightly outside. "Now that the people of Livateo had a means to fight the Archfiends, they decided to decimate the monsters. And so came the '50 Year War.' Where after many years, all Archfiend were purged from Livateo."

"Now that the enemy was gone, there was a fight for control of Livateo. So two powerful soldiers, veterans from the War, decided to form a pact as the two benevolent leaders of New Livateo. In which, they focused on organizing what enabled them to defeat the Archfiend: 'Seracy.'" He smiled. "And, with that in mind, I'd say it's bedtime for you, boy."

Annoyed by the incomplete story, I pleaded. "But the story is all but finished!"

Grandfather replied. "Yeah? "Well it's past time for you to sleep. And my word is final." He chuckled. "I'll finish it tomorrow for you." So I headed into my bedroom. I was ready for the rest of the story. But, truth is, I was more tired than I was willing to admit. With that admission of defeat, I slid under the sheets of my bed to sleep.