In the dark times, when kingdoms burned and hope bled dry, Darian, son of Vale, rose as the war chief of the southern continent.
Under his command, the neighboring kingdoms cowered, their banners lowered before his war host.
His praises were sung throughout the Ellis Empire, and even the gods themselves turned envious.
He was counted among the closest friends of the Ellis King, a bond of loyalty that bound crown and war chief in the age of ruin.
Today the war chief returned from war, and the Ellis King himself came forth to welcome him.
The gates of the capital thundered open, and the people poured into the streets, crying his name.
Banners of victory streamed above the walls, yet all eyes turned to the bond between king and war chief — the crown bowing in honor of the sword.
High pomp and jubilation rang out to greet the great arm of the Ellis Empire.
The people sang his praises with every step he took, their voices rising like thunder across the streets.
"For all the world's praise, the war chief's heart was heavy. He had failed — for the first time — and the taste of it was bitterer than blood."
"The great strategist had failed — and with him, the legend of his infallibility cracked."