"Fragments - The Broken Bonds" - Chapter 12 - The Inofrii's Search (unfinished)

Lander's form materialized at the base of the mountains. He sensed the medallion nearby¦the medallion of Tiber, mark of the throne's keeper. The moonlit skies were peaceful that night, and the inofrii looked up to watch the events of the past wash over him like a flood. Ten summers ago, when the battle against the inofrii was just beginning, he was prince Lander of Tiber, keeper of the holy land's throne, commander of the phoenix knights.

Asphenaz and its goodly emperor Jethro had struck an alliance to vanquish the growing threat of the vampiric ilk created by the demon Kimohr. Tiber was at the forefront, being the best equipped for battle against the undead, supported by the church of Ansha. The phoenix knights were well trained in the holy arts by the high priest Clarion Elderblood, and he instructed them in arts of war. They were indeed the best paladins in all Asperah.

But there was no escaping corruption among the human kingdoms. A certain Troy Eisenhart rose into power and gained the second highest rank of Highlord in Asphenaz, thus, placing him in command of the entire Lion Army, the Phoenix knights included. Little did Lander know of Troy's growing interest in the resources of Tiber. Never did he once suspect a betrayal that would soon be the beginning of his eternal torment.

A summon came to Castle Crystallion, home to the keeper of Tiber's throne, his lovely bride Celandine and his only son, Artus, still a child by chronological measurements. Lander was to lead a small force to penetrate the lines of Mount Gerion, paving the way for an all-out attack on the land of the dead. Foolish he thought, yet he was trained to obey supreme rule without question, and his loyalty to the empire came above all. Entrusting the medallion which marked him as keeper of the throne to its one and only heir, Artus, he journeyed to Asphenaz and rallied his army towards the fortress of Kimohr.

The battle was bloody and many souls were sacrificed in the name of peace, yet they were winning. His prayers to the lady Ansha were answered when the last ranks of the defending phalanx began to retreat. They have won, and he knew it. It was now time for the rest of the armies to move into the land of the dead. Lander gave the signal and proceeded to launch his attack. No armies came. The few remaining paladins and the prince of Tiber were captured, and slaughtered like animals caught in a trap. Troy had won his victory.

Yet all was not finished, and Lander's soul was not allowed to journey into Ansha's bosom. Lander's skill in battle amused Kimohr greatly that he chose him to be his vessel of death, reviving him as an inofrii and training him personally in the dark arts. Lander obeyed, hoping against hope for a chance to escape Kimohr's influence. But the inofrii grew too many, and though none became as skilled as he was in the arts of spiritual combat, he knew he could not overcome them all. He waited for a chance, performing his duties to kill in Kimohr's name while he was the demon's subject. He grew in power, yet refused to succumb to it, abhorring the very essence of his existence, keeping his heart pure and constantly praying to the lady Ansha to deliver him from the torment.

Today, that prayer was answered, and he has returned to the lands of the living. The inofrii shall give chase, and he would be killed yet again. But with the recent devastation of the land of the dead by the Crystal Dragon, he would have enough time to secure the throne of Tiber and its rightful heir.