+Prologue+
Rain hammered relentlessly against blood-splattered stones, casting a grim scarlet shade upon the river’s waters. The night had claimed numerous young sorcerers’ lives, both aligned with the light and drawn to the dark. Though the battle had been won, the price paid was incalculable.
Amidst the desolation and death, a circle of five sorcerers stood, the mightiest of the light mages in this realm. Finrod, bearing a shimmering silver sword marred with the crimson evidence of a battle, voiced the anguished sentiment shared by all.
“Enough of this senseless fighting! Behold the seas of death, caused by us and our enemies!” His words hung heavily in the air, and the others, whose expressions were full of despair and fury, acknowledged the undeniable truth in Finrod’s plea.
As the rain continued to pound against the bloody battlefield, Finrod’s impassioned words resonated among the circle of sorcerers. Their eyes reflected on the horrors they had witnessed befall them. The once-green fields layed destroyed and the river had become a crimson red to the toll of their magical clash.
“We’ve vanquished our foes but, what remains?” Finrod continued, his voice croaking with resolve.
“Families are torn apart. Futures stolen, and a world forever scarred. We, the bearers of light, must now gaze upon a different path.”
Sorina, a sorceress with hair as white as freshly laid snow, stepped forward, her voice soft but, with a commanding tone.
“Finrod speaks the truth. Our powers were meant to protect, to heal, and to illuminate. We must channel this brilliance into restoring what has been lost.” Finrod raised his sword, throwing it to the side, it clanged against the sharp rocks of the crimson river. “No more fighting! From now on, only serenity and peace.” Another sorcerer stepped up, this was Hayes. “We can’t just fix this! It will happen again!” Sorina interrupted him, “Do you have a plan, Hayes?”
“We need to ensure 5 runestones across the land, they can be used for good or bad. They will spread across the realm and create harmony. Unless…” He paused, understanding that the others knew what he was trying to say.
One by one, they stepped up, giving their life force to make a runestone. Sullivan came first, his strong and muscular arms stretched high and he clapped them together. He created the first of the Runestones, the Aetherite Cylinder. Second, Evangel came, her long ginger hair cascading down her shoulders. The cleverness in her eyes as she brought her hands together. She whispered the ancient words and a shimmering light shone, she screamed as she disappeared in a blaze, mastering the Eclipse Prism. Hayes came next. He looked back at Finrod and Sorina, giving a sad smile, knowing this was his gracious end. Hayes then clasped his hands together, light shining within them. In a flash Hayes was gone and in his place like the others stood, his life force, now the Mystic Conduit. Finrod was next, the most powerful of the sorcerers therefore the most powerful runestone, he closed his eyes, ready for the fate that he deserved. Finrod knew this was his brave end. He collapsed into light, in his place was a beautiful stone, the Celestial Spire. Sorina looked up at the twinkling sky, the brightness shining down on the clearing. Her heart swelled with pain. What if this plan failed? What if the world spiraled into chaos again, Somebody, just like us, will fix it…Her breath trembled, She needed to have faith. She stood at the end of the lined-up stones, her hair flowed, and her eyes glowed like the moon that hung above. Her hands came together and she disappeared in a flash, creating the final runestone, the Lumnia shard.
The Runestone is then shot in 5 different directions, each finding a hidden place. With the Runestones' powers, they built a sanctuary to protect themselves, filled with traps and fatal creatures that could lead to death. This was to make sure of the peace that would run throughout the realm.
The Lumnia shard landed in the massive desert, The runestone built itself a high and mighty pyramid surrounded by heavy magic. There are mirages with tricks, an Oasis of death. Many try but, care only for themselves to live. Only the absolutely compassionate can get in.
The Aetherite Cylinder landed in the icy tundra, building a vast cave system. Monsters lurked in the desolated plains that surrounded it. Only the strongest could get in, their screams of pain echo throughout the cave. Nobody has ever left, alive.
The Eclipse Prism flew far, eventually landing in a forest, forming a mossy and spiraling castle, it is shrouded with vines and mazes within. Only the most clever can find the way out. With the puzzles and riddles that lie within this runestone is the trickiest to retrieve.
The Mystic conduit flew south, a short length away, landing in the plains. It grew a tree with many temptations and riches, golden leaves hanging upon the stone branches. The roots of the tree hold many treasures and gifts. Jewels line the side of the massive tree. Only the most gracious and generous can leave its branches unharmed.
Finally, the Celestial Spire. Fallen north, into the treacherous mountains of Landow. It is full of ginormous monsters and death calls you everywhere you step. Only the bravest and boldest can dare enter. Most never return, consumed by the darkness that lives within. They must go in alone and face it without anybody to guide them. This is the task of the bravest.
This is how the runestones became, how they scattered across the land.
The story has been retold for generations, never changed, never the same. One day, the darkness will return and war will come again, but 5 sorcerers, just like before, will stop it or die trying.
