Prologue

The Vaurus empire, once a small nation that claimed independence and broke away from its motherland. Led by Alamgir Vaurus, only known by his first name at the time and the son of a slave. He hailed from a small village and spearheaded the fight for their independence.

Under his rule the country saw great development, newfound knowledge and prosperity. Under his reign- slavery was abolished, those enslaved were set free and aided in finding a new life. Soon after the budding empire found itself targeted by neighboring countries. These countries possessed jealousy and animosity over the new empire's developments and natural resources. The ever abundant mineral deposits, fertile lands and lush forests made Vaurus an ideal target. These countries wanted nothing more than to plunder and claim it for themselves. In the end, no matter the attempts...they ultimately met with failure.

Vaurus only saw more growth. Conquest and unity under the first emperor whose surname had been given after the empire he toiled away for. The role was soon taken over by his first son, the second emperor of the Vaurus empire. Various small settlements, even countries came to be governed under the singular flag of Vaurus. More than violent domination, they wanted to unite under amicable terms. Violence was only the last possible resort. For generations the emperors of Vaurus were reputed as wise, fair and strong.

All known as model leaders that left nothing to be desired in the one chosen to guide the empire to new heights. However in the present day, the long lineage of respectable leaders had come to an end with the crowning of Vincente VIII Vaurus.

Vincente VIII Vaurus, the second prince of the empire rose to power. Becoming the emperor after an unfortunate accident befell the crown prince, Nicodemus Segen Vaurus. The accident had failed in taking the crown prince's life, consequently leaving him disabled and bed ridden.

Early in his rule, the country came to a standstill. Neither growing nor declining. The age of idleness and peace is preserved. Vincente could be considered a competent rule, unknown to many of the small fractures that formed in the foundation of the empire. The fractures steadily turned into cracks and the cogs of heinous decline turned in earnest.

When the emperor began to change, so did everything else. His decisions grew prevalent in unspeakable cowardice and paranoid of an unseen enemy. The fear steadily poisoned his mind, made him rash and emotional in judgement. Vincente fell into hedonistic habits; completely selfish and apathetic to the preservation of his own people.

The once beautiful and flourishing lands grew riddled with famine and disease. Crops could no longer grow in the desolate soil, and devastated those who relied on the land. Poison ravaged the water, people maddened by hunger, thirst and fear of the imperial family formed mobs and committed violence. They cried for desperate change, and all the pleas fell upon deafened ears.

The searing flames of revolution roared and were forcefully quelled by the emperor and those loyal to him. The capital city, Luz Das Estrelas thrived without issue; a city where only nobles favored by the imperial family could reside comfortably. In this beautiful city, the lights never ceased. It came to be known as the 'City of Starlight.'

Preservation for the sake of the city's beauty led to ruin elsewhere. The emperor narrowed his vision and blocked out anything that he did not want to hear nor see. He had locked himself within his own illusion.

The land forgotten and abandoned became lawless. One could fault everything to the emperor, a fellow human. Yet behind it all the true evil lurked. Demons. Entities as old as time, clever and sly creatures who sought to entice and seduce people with fear and desire.

Giving everything to the fools who believe in them, in exchange for the ultimate price. In a mere moment, the weakness of a foolish emperor brought the empire to its knees.

The castle stirs with unrest, buzzing with the sound of various knights running through the palace corridors in an organized fashion. Searching amongst the many rooms that line the hall. The commotion causes disarray, kicking in the doors and knocking maids out of the way. The castle is thrown into a chaotic mess. The emperor impatiently taps the armrest of his throne. Leaning his head on the other hand, he looks annoyed and disgusted by the disturbance.

Narrowed golden eyes and brunette hair identical to that of his brother and father. Vincente possesses a stern face with hardened features. His eyes express the exhaustion of his late night gallivanting. The only time he is seen with a smile is when indulging his personal pleasures. Objectively he's considered to be a very handsome man.

"Have you not found them yet?" Vincente griped.

The nervous squire stepped forth and hesitant to speak. "I-I'm very sorry your majesty...We're still searching."

Dipilli, a snake-like advisor, stands at the emperor's side casting a glare down to the frightened squire. A sly smirk spreads across his lips when his eyes light up with something devious. "Rest assured your majesty, they will be caught."

Vincente settled with Dipilli's words. He is the only man seemingly equipped to cope with his majesty's childlike temperament. The momentary peace is disrupted by another servant who announces the arrival of the commander of the knights.

Marching in with wide strides he immediately lowers his head and kneels before the throne. "Your majesty, I'm here to report that we have found the traitors. They are being brought in as we speak."

On cue of the commander's words, the knights enter the throne room. Hauling in two shadowed figures who bear the same insignia on their clothing. Forced to their knees before the throne and rough hands forcefully keep their heads bowed in front of the emperor.

"Rhetta Edevane and Khio Ditka of the imperial army are hereby under arrest for the crime of having planned treasonous intent upon the throne."

The squire continues to list their rumored acts of treason, stripping their names of any official title and formality. The somewhat polite form of address drops quickly. Being replaced by calling them by their given names with disrespect. A true pity to the two knights who faithfully served the empire.

Khio struggles against the oppressive grips that hold her in place. Breaking free from one side before using the top of her head to smash into the jaw of the other knight. A silent rage seethed from her, unable to speak in the presence of everyone. Even in the height of outburst, Khio's well aware that every word would only seal their condemnation.

Rhetta remained completely calm, resigning to the situation. She lacked the evident hostility that Khio displayed. She turned to Khio, their eyes met and Khio carefully read the words Rhetta mouthed. "Calm down. Fighting here won't get us anywhere. It's better to go along for now."

Reluctantly Khio allowed herself to be overpowered by the angered knights. She settles under a tightened grip next to Rhetta. Her words were correct, no matter how bitter. Fighting would have been futile and the odds were stacked against them.

'It's better to discover who orchestrated this whole farce. We need to find out who framed us and how.' Rhetta remains silent even while her thoughts try to find a reasonable conclusion. She glances up to see Dipilli whispering in Vincente's ear.

"His majesty will now deliver the verdict."

Vincente stands, lifting his hand as if to show they were beneath him. "Anyone who dares to look down upon this empire or me and further conspire to commit treason will be put to death without mercy."

Dipilli whispers something else to him, and Vincente gazes down towards the two traitors with cold eyes. "I sentence Rhetta and Khio to be beheaded."

The verdict rang throughout the throne room. Only the rattling chains disturb the heavy silence. Rhetta and Khio hang their heads while being pulled along.

The two prisoners are harshly thrown into the dungeon cell. Landing on the heavy stone floors with little recovery before the iron bars are slammed shut.

"Get back here you bastards! I'm going to wring your necks when I get out!" Khio hits her chains against the bars violently. Those who imprisoned them pay no mind and leave without listening to her protest.

The clanging of the chains against the bars continues, loud echoes sound throughout the dungeon. She falls back to the ground in exhaustion. Rhetta continues to ponder, trying to formulate some method of escape or proof of their innocence to no avail. "Save your energy. We're going to need it if we are to escape."