The sky bled ash. Crimson lightning split the bruised clouds, and a ceaseless rain of black soot fell on *Eldar*, the once‑glorious city now a skeleton of shattered towers and cracked streets. Fires roared from collapsed buildings, water surged through broken aqueducts, and the wind carried the wail of a dying world. From the *Abyssal Gates* burst demons—skin of flame, eyes like molten iron—clawing, devouring anything that moved.
The abyssal gates had just opened last month, and the demon out roars were intense, several families lost their loved ones as these primal beasts ate up people. people escaped, fled for their lives with a heavy heart, Screaming in a single, endless howl for a saviour that never came.
Raven *Cold* huddled behind a cracked wall of his modest home, eyes wide, black as obsidian, his oval jaw trembling. His parents lay on the floor, throats torn, blood staining the rug that still held the scent of last night's soup. A demon, its jaws dripping ichor, lunged. Raven scrambled, heart pounding, tears cutting rivers through the grime on his cheeks. He slipped through a collapsing doorway just as the beast sank its fangs into his mother's shoulder, her scream cut short. The house collapsed in a roar of timber and dust.
Why her? Why us? He thought. He cringed back in anger squeezing his arms. His mom's voice echoed like a distant song behind him. He clung to the shawl with intent, falling to the floor and jerking in pain as his knee released blood. He closed his eyes and bit his lips. Pain flooding to the break in skin gap at his lips. He swallowed rising, hearing the cawings behind him as the demons ate his parents. His legs began it's journey, stumbling past shards of destroyed building and dead bodies. Bile rose in his throat as his chest tightened. How are they here? Why had the demon rush begin just when he was about to start a fresh new life?
From the smoke emerged *the Legion*. Their armor—etched with runic sigils—glowed faint violet, a shield of psychic wind pushing back the horde. At their helm rode *Commander Salem Drew*, scarred jaw set, eyes like cold steel. He lifted a blade that sang with a low hum, and the ground trembled as psychic shockwaves shattered demons into ash. Beside him, Mira*, a wind weaver, twirled a vortex that flung monsters into the abyss; Jax, a fire kissed scribe, traced flaming glyphs that melted flesh. Their battle was a symphony of explosions, shattering stone and bone, while the survivors—children, elders—were dragged to the *Impenetrable Fortress*, a mountain citadel carved from solid rock, the only refuge left.
Inside the fortress walls, Salem gathered the rescued. The hall echoed with ragged breaths, the stench of burnt flesh lingering. He spoke, voice hollow yet steady:
"We die here, but the world still burns. The pain you feel—let it forge you. We take youths with a spark, for the darkness needs a light it cannot swallow."
Raven, clutching a torn piece of his mother's shawl, was pulled into the ranks. Not for strength he had none but for vengeance. The legion's recruiters saw the fire in his eyes, the stubborn set of his jaw. He was assigned to squad 7, a mix of misfits and prodigies.
Victor haden, tall, smirk tipped, already glowing with an invisible shimmer, sneered.
"Look at the orphan. Think you'll be a hero? You'll die before you learn to hide."
Victor could turn invisible at will, his laughter a whisper in the barracks. He shoved Raven into the mess hall, slamming his tray to the floor. Laughter erupted, a chorus of jeers. Raven's fists clenched, eyes burning with grief.
"Enough!" Commander Salem's voice cut through. "You all think power is given. It is taken. Victor, you will fight Raven. No abilities, just strength. Let the world see what hides beneath that fear."
The arena was a crater of black stone, the sky still roaring. Victor's grin faded as he vanished. Raven stood alone, breath ragged, the weight of his parents' deaths crushing his chest. He swung a rusted blade, each strike echoing his loss. Victor reappeared behind him, blade flashing. A cut opened across Raven's forearm; blood dripped, hot, stinging.
Suddenly, the ground shook. A new wave of demons burst through the fortress walls, their roars shaking dust from the ceiling. Something was intensely wrong, the demons had appeared just when the recruitment started, as if they knew that a rebellion was forging against them. Their roars tore through space, breaking the courageous spirits of these new recruits. The legion fought, arrows of light, fireballs, psychic screams. Raven was knocked down, head hitting stone. Victor stood over him, invisible hand gripping a dagger.
"You're dead, little boy." victor cooed. He gulped down in anger. He could still hear their taunting. Victor haden had not chosen to be this way. He had been that sweet little kid every one made fun of. " Give that back!" Victor yelled. His eyes twitched, holding back the hot tears in his eyes. He had been bullied so much, cried for help but no one was there. Had ever even been, to start with. Now here is his chance to make another soul unfortunate, he wouldn't lose it. He clenched his fists, anger over flooding every rational thoughts he had.
He reappeared, digging the dagger deep into Raven's hand.
Raven's vision blurred. He heard his mother's last whisper: "Fight. " A surge of cold raced through his veins. His blue eyes snapped black, a rune of ancient flame igniting on his chest, burning violet. It had twirling parts and revealed can lettering that was ancient. Eyes burned at it. It was the rune of alchemy conjuration and abjuration. A guttural roar erupted from within, shaking the arena. The monster inside stirred, hungry.
Victor's eyes widened, fear cracking his smirk. He stumbled back, the invisible veil dropping.
"What…?"victor stunned. His eyes shaking with fear.
Raven rose, the rune pulsing, a low thrum matching the demons' cries. Power crackled, the air splintered, and for a heartbeat the world held its breath.