The Day the Shadows Came

Prologue

Ashenthorne was once a prosperous country; they had little feuds with their neighbors and their people were taken care of and enjoyed life under the Caehart's rule. It was a lively place—was is the keyword here. A hundred years ago, this had all changed. The veil between our realm and the shadow realm was ripped open and the fabric of reality started to fall apart. Weak points appeared around the world, with a high concentration in Ashenthorne. These weak points caused rifts between the realms and monstrosities started to pour through from the other side. The world started to fall apart as the shadows started taking over.

New heroes were born, they were called 'The Slayers.' They brought peace back to the world and to the kingdom of Ashenthorne. The shadows weren't completely eradicated, of course, as the weak points were still around, but what soon became known as 'The Shadow Plague' was over. The country prospered once more, but word of their weak points made it to their neighboring kingdom of Nasith.

***

Prolis—the king of Nasith—sat on his throne, visibly bored. There were no reports to read, no paperwork to sign, and no one to yell at about their incompetence. This boredom was broken by a woman bursting through the throne room doors and running to the king's side.

"Sir," Gwenyth—the guardsman to King Prolis—spoke.

"What," the king spoke flatly.

"There's news for you," the young woman stated, "It's about Ashenthorne."

"Ashenthorne? Why would I care about that good-for-nothing country?"

"I know you hate them, but this is important sir," Gwenyth said in a firm tone. The king sighed.

"Fine," he spoke, annoyed.

"The weak points, sir," the guardsman started in a happier tone, "They're in Ashenthorne."

"They're everywhere Gwenyth," the king said with a sigh.

"No, you don't understand sir, the weak points, the ones that could summon him." The king turned to the side to look at his guardsman. He chuckled.

"Well, why didn't you say that in the first place?" he stated with a cruel smile on his face, "It seems we need to pay Ashenthorne a visit and have a friendly chat."

"Just a chat, sir?"

"No Gwenyth, not just a chat," he turned to the knights scattered throughout the throne room as he stood, "Ready the men. Tonight, we go to war."

***

Prince Romilius Caehart of Ashenthorne sat comfortably in his room, unaware of the horrors to come.