(Andraus)<br/><br/>Zion could not process the scene before him.<br/><br/>A Goddess.....one of his Goddesses were before him! The very presence of her made him freeze in pure terror. Would she judge him for his failure? Would she torture him for his weakness? These thoughts were erased as her words washed over him like a wave of calm. He sat down, his weary body and soul attempting to recover from their torture on the mortal coil. He could still feel the flames around his skin, the branding over his heart, the betrayal....as the image of them standing by and watching as the person that fought beside them was put to death, Zion felt nothing more than a bridling, unchained fury in his heart. He had given up EVERYTHING for them- His inheritance, his home, his tribe, his birthright....yet, when push came to shove, when his own honor was at stake, they threw him to the wolves.<br/><br/>When she called him '<i>Her Love'</i>and admired his figure, Zion felt his freshly beating heart quicken to the point where it felt like it would explode. It was one thing to be allowed to behold one of his deities, another to be treated with such respect and revived by them, but to be admired by them.....Zion did could not process it within his consciousness properly. He barely registered the clothes that laid before him, but managed to regain his sense to place them on. He was present before one of his deities, the least he could do was show respect and be appreciative of what was given him! The clothes felt almost ethereal, like they were made of a substance outside of his understanding. When he felt the Goddesses hand over his heart, it thrummed with a quiet energy, before he watched the mark of shame he bore vanish.<br/><br/>When she laid her lips on his, his soul felt like it was set ablaze! He wanted nothing more than to continue the kiss. spoke of challenging him, Zion would speak up for the first time. "<b>To please you, My Lady, I will accept any challenge."</b><br/><br/>When he heard her mention that the Queen was not entirely to blame, It relieved Zion somewhat, but it did not quell the raging fire in him- Why did they not defend him when his death was assured? Ignoring his own personal feelings, he listened as she mentioned the dark mage in the court. This woman was responsible for his execution?! She would pay with her life! But....Zion felt compelled not to just assassinate her. No....no no no, why do that? She played him like a fool. She was probably enjoying the high life in the world of the living. While it would be satisfying to cut her down, Zion felt....compelled not too.<br/><br/>Wouldn't it be better, to destroy all of her hard-work before her, and leave her begging on her knees for his forgiveness?<br/><br/>Zion would let out a breath, before opening his eyes. Seeing her with her hands on his thighs, her kneeling before him, Zion felt gripped the hilt of his blade, before taking the belt and moving it in a way to that it hung from his back. His clothes matched the colors of the Empire, the very same his ancestors helped build.....That his father was apart of. Zion did not want to become a tyrant, But...He could use his blood-line. There were likely still those loyal to him in his world, loyal to the Empire. If he could gain their support, He could have an army. If what the Goddess said was true, he doubted the Kingdom was in any position to defend itself.<br/><br/>Zion would look towards the Goddess, before taking her hands, and trying to be as confident as he could. She was giving him a chance to reforge his fates and illuminate the path through all of this darkness! Zion Aoiros was dead.....only one person knew of his existence. Looking at the waters below, he saw his features were different- His body had a darker shade, he was leaner and more muscular, his hair was slightly darker, and his eyes were a deep shade of purple, not a blue. Other than that, one could take him and his former self as twins.<br/><br/>He couldn't do this as Zion Aoiros....He would take a new name,<br/><br/>"<b>I swear, my Goddess, I will prevent this worlds destruction.....and prove myself worthy of your love. You will not regret this chance you gave me." </b>He said. He would then close his eyes, before opening them. "<b>I am ready, my Goddess....."<br/>
<br/>
<i>~~~Castle Dredgion, City of Amalar, Kingdom of Tekatus~~~</i><br/>
<br/>
Inside the castle, <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2Fb4%2F72%2Fbb%2Fb472bba4bc086094204a2dd98c055714.jpg&amp;hash=47ed1f50b84283d7043f2850fffbe9a0" href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b4/72/bb/b472bba4bc086094204a2dd98c055714.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Oscar Mandra</a>, one of the five heroes (Now four) to topple the Empire, and current Knight-Commander to the Queen, was watching the skies outside. The weather had been odd today- It started out sunny, but had quickly turned dark and grim. Not only that, but there was an unseasonably chill in the air, the kind that made you feel like a ghost was creeping up your spine. Oscar himself had been busied trying to maintain order and Amalar. It was one of the few places that the Kingdom could still properly control.<br/>
<br/>
Things had been going on a downward spiral for the last year. The Imperial Remnants in the Northern Mountains of Sun-spire, or as they preferred to be called '<i>The Empire in Exile' </i>had been launching attacks on their outermost villages and territories. They had expected this to last for a year, then the Imperial remnants would dissolve, but the reports stated that they were simple growing stronger by the day. The people were losing faith that the Kingdom could remain strong in this time of crisis, and truthfully, Oscar was running out of good answers for them.<br/>
<br/>
Things like this had been spiraling to hell since....No, Oscar refused to think about it. What happened needed to be done, there was no doubt about it.<br/>
<br/>
Oscar would begin making his way to the Queen's throne room, to deliver the current military reports to her and her adviser. Honestly? He didn't trust the Archmage, but she was needed. She was the only other person that Oscar and the Queen could rely on for help during this time of need. With so much happening, Oscar couldn't risk upsetting her, in fear of driving her away when he and the Queen needed her most. Stepping into the throne room and kneeling, Oscar would look at both the Queen and the Archmage, before pulling out his report, and reading it clearly.</b><br/><br/><b>"<b><i>~Ahem~</i>.....The Village of Mandra and the surroundings lands have declared support for the Imperial Remnants. Raiding has continued in the Temika fields and the farmers there report a...total loss of crops at both Lostlight farm and Pepara Vineyard." </b>Oscar said, rubbing his eyes. "<b>The Duke of Temika, Lord <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2Fde%2Fed%2F59%2Fdeed59f7d0312b416c4cfd1fe5bdbeb2.jpg&amp;hash=e38036335a2e34e7f44ffab80cdd6377" href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/de/ed/59/deed59f7d0312b416c4cfd1fe5bdbeb2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Ashur Vitalus</a>, has stated if this happens again, He is switching sides to the Empire in Exile. Prices for food are going to have to go up again, to deal with the scarcity of supplies. We're reporting that less than a hundred new recruits have applied to join the army...." </b>Oscar said, putting the scroll away.<br/>
<br/>
"<b>I am sorry, My Queen. I wish I had good news for you."</b><br/>
</b>