A dark figure leaned against a tree listening as its leaves rustled in a gentle breeze, the sound of it joining with the rest of the forest creating a chorus of trees singing in the cool night air. The moon was full that night easily illuminating the empty field separating the tree line and the town. Even though the river was easily half a mile away on the opposite side of the town, from the tree line he could easily hear the sound of the raging river. Peering out from under a hood the dark figure studied the town, to the average eye this town was of little value nothing more then a way stop along the main trade route in Trowian but to the dark figures inspired eye it was the perfect holding point. The Bridge spanning the river was the only way to move anything larger then a small wagon and with Trowians capital Piru and main army on the other side of the river this was the perfect first strike on Falnir and the gods they worshiped.<br/><br/>A sadistic grin spread across the hooded mans face the occasional rustling of foliage and armor told him his troops were in place and ready for his signal to attack. This would be his first strike, his demonstration, his deceleration of war on the gods and he was going to make it spectacular. Kneeling down the hooded figure closed his eyes and concentrated forcing his energy outward slowly  filling the empty field with a thick layer of mist. Opening his eyes the man looked over his work with satisfaction he never was good with the subtle stuff luckily this next part was anything but subtle.<br/><br/>Holding his hand up the dark figure focused his mind on the other side of the town building up his energy. Slowly the sounds of the rushing water halted as the current itself came to a stop, the surface of the now still river started to bubble and steam. Suddenly to the surprise of the sleeping towns folk and even to some of his own men a geyser of flame erupted from the river the water around it instantly vaporizing with a hiss as the fire rose and swirled to a peak of thirty feet creating a beacon of light, heat, and destruction easily grabbing the attention of the now awake villagers. As the geyser of flame reached its peak the hooded man brought his arm down signalling his men to charge in and take the town.<br/><br/>The roar of his men rose up as they charged out of the forest seemingly forming out of the mist fell upon the town systematically charging into each house and pulling out the occupants killing any who fought back. Gavin casually strolled from the forest int the town square where he raised up a wall of earth in the shape of a crescent. As the townspeople were pulled out of their homes they were taken to the wall and grouped together. Over seeing the townspeople one of Gains men came up to him.<br/><br/>The roar of his men rose up as they charged out of the forest seemingly forming out of the mist as they fell upon the town. The sound of smashing wood and screams filled the air as his men systematically charged into each house and pulled out the occupants killing any who fought back. Where his men charged the hooded man walked, listening to the sounds of doors breaking, furniture smashing, and the fearful screams as families were dragged out of their beds. Once he arrived in the town square the man focused his mind on the ground. The sounds of groaning earth mixed in to the rest of the cacophony of the night. Slowly he raised up a wall of earth in the shape of a crescent. As the townspeople were pulled out of their homes they were taken to the wall and grouped together. One of the men overseeing the moving of the townspeople waited until the hooded man was done raising the wall and then walked over to him the sound of dirt crunching under his feet lost in the chaos of the night.<br/><br/>"My lord this is all the townspeople, they are ready for you." Smiling the man patted the acolyte on the shoulder.<br/><br/>"Excellent work acolyte you have proved yourself a good soldier but now comes the hard part let us see if you have the stomach to stand by me after this night is over." Pulling his hand away he walked in front of the gathered people huddling together some afraid and trying to find comfort, others angry and trying to keep their families safe. With a wave of his hand the earth rumbled and a podium slowly rose from the earth, casually stepping onto it the man pulled back his hood and slowly looked across each of them.<br/><br/>Standing six feet tall he was topped by shaggy reddish black hair that fell down to his shoulders. His blue eyes seemed to pierce every slow as he scanned his new audience. Resting his hands on the podium the man spoke his voice deep and hypnotic.<br/><br/>"Where are your gods?" Gavin's voiced seemed to reach across the whole town in the silence. "I do not see them. Are they here when you need them? No! They are off somewhere demanding homage while doing nothing in return! And what of their champions?! Pawns in their desire for power." Pausing for a second a slight murmur rose from the audience gently fading away as he continued speaking.<br/><br/>"But I, I look out for those who follow me and I look out for their families. My name is Gavin and I am waging war on the gods and once they are dead I will step upon that threshold and wear that mantle of responsibility. None of my followers shall know sorrow when I am god, none of my followers shall know hunger while I am god, I shall bring about a time of peace and prosperity that shall never be vanquished." Gavin's voice steadily raised as he spoke but as he finished the last word his voice dropped back to normal.<br/><br/>"Now I know how you must see me. An invader, someone who threatened your children. I would like to show you all another side of me. Any of those who choose to join me now shall have  you and your family taken care of you shall keep your home and your business and I shall help keep you clothed and fed where you are left wanting. If you wish to join me step to the right if you wish to ignore my offer of kindness step to the left." Gavin watched as some quickly went to the right easily joining Gavin some families stood arguing split on the decision until they finally made a choice. Finally everyone had chosen a side. Counting, it seemed like two thirds had chosen to join Gavin the other third deciding they preferred their gods or no god at all. Gavin looked over at the new members and smiled.<br/><br/>"Welcome my children to my warm embrace follow the acolytes and they will help you get situated back in your old houses, your schooling begins tomorrow. As for you who rejected me and my kind offer I am truly sorry but now is not the time for mercy but the time for a message. I will unite this land, I will kill the gods, I will love my children, and I will not tolerate my enemies. Men take the children away and make them watch this." Gavin watched his face grim but with a sadistic twinkle in his eye as a few of the acolytes dragged the screaming children away from the parents and forced them to stand facing them while the other acolytes held back the families struggling to get their children back. Stepping off the podium Gavin slowly walked over to the line of children some crying, some fighting, but most of them just cowered where they were. Slowly walking Gavin made sure each child got a good look at his face.<br/><br/>"Remember this face children for you shall be my messengers tell the world Gavin is going to kill the gods and take their place, tell them that if they join me they will be treated well, but if they choose to rise against me... well you will see." With this Gavin snapped his fingers a burst of flame rose from the ground and engulfed the families of the children. As the dying screams and smell of burning flesh grew stronger a few of the burning townspeople ran out of the fire flailing in panic trying to run the fire out. A vicious sound of scraping metal rang through the air as Gavin drew his sword purposefully walking towards the flaming townspeople Gavin quickly and easily killed each one by one. One particular stroke of his blade sent a flaming decapitated head rolling to the ground in front of the now orphaned children.<br/><br/>______________________________________<br/><br/>The smell of smoke grew stronger suddenly and a rush of wind swept through the chamber rustling his clothes and hair. Opening his eyes the head priest shuddered it had begun and amazingly violent at that. Slowly getting up the head monk walked out of the chamber and into the main temple where the mass meditation was being held. One of the monks looked up and seeing his face quickly rose to his feet.<br/><br/>"Master Merric what is the matter?" Merric sadly looked at the monk and replied.<br/><br/>"It has begun after twenty long years, Gavin has finally reappeared in a haze of fire and destruction." Even for a room of meditation a silence fell over the room. Looking over his precious students Merric spoke again.<br/><br/>"We must send our monks for the new champions immediately I was hoping to wait a little while longer but they are sixteen now and it is time. I want a large carriage to fit all the champions in and sixteen of our finest monks get each champion one by one do not split up and do not leave a champion alone until you bring them back here. Gods help us all." With that Merric walked back into the inner meditation chamber intent on speaking with the gods. As Merric went back to his meditations the other monk started organizing the group to be sent out by that morning.