Prologue

Lionel cursed as he tripped over the uneven flooring of the tavern. While he managed to stay up on his feet, the tankards of ale he held spilled a noticeable amount. He let out a low growl as the ale splashed onto the dusty wood below. A man couldn’t endure much more of this. Months out in the Void Barrens, searching for a ghost. Countless hours in the blistering heat, looking for a man who has made it a point not to be found, in a place known for being an empty wasteland. No wonder the rumors were starting to circulate. The men were getting testy. They could only find solace in the occasional tavern in the occasional town. And Lionel had just spilled that solace all over the floor. He sighed and continued on to his table.

Piers, Hammond, and someone Lionel didn’t recognize glanced towards him as he set the partially empty tankards on the table. Normally not recognizing a man within your army was a bad thing, it was a good way to have enemy spies slip in. However, with how Velda structured her army, it was fairly common to not recognize your own brother. Every soldier was made to wear the same suit of armor. From grunt to officer, each man had the same style of plate armor. It was distinct from their enemies, so there was little room for confusion on friend versus foe, but the lack of decoration made everything else a pain. You started telling men apart by the specific battle scars on the armor. Scratch across the forehead, that’s Piers. Dent in the left shoulder, that’s Hammond. And if someone got a new set, pray the Helsons bless you. That’s probably why Lionel didn’t recognize the last man at the table. His armor was pristine, like it had never been touched. It was likely Gryffen, that oaf.

Lionel kicked out the last chair at the table and sat down. It made an audible creak as he did. The damn thing was probably made back before the Great Cleanse. He smiled faintly beneath his helm, grateful for Miss Rosa’s discovery. Without it, he wouldn’t have the perfect phrase to describe his frustrations. Lionel steeled himself and removed him helm. Two of the other men followed; they were indeed Piers and Hammond. The last man kept his helm on. Lionel scratched at his scraggly blonde beard and took a sip of his ale. Piers and Hammond again followed. And again the last man didn’t. He waited a few moments after the others finished their first drink. Hammond, of course, was already nearly done with his ale. The husky man wiped his mouth with his cape. Seemingly satisfied, the last man moved to remove his helmet and take a drink of his own.

“So.” Hammond suddenly began. “You hear the rumors?” His voice was low, but not as low as it should’ve been for such a conversation. Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing. Hammond was a bit dull, but they didn’t think he would ask such a stupid question. For one, yes, they have heard of the rumors. Everyone had. There was no point in asking so. But also, why in oblivion would he bring them up?! Why here, in such a public space? Any one of these men could turn and tattle on Hammond for an easy promotion. Velda herself could overhear him!

“Hamm, are you insane?” Lionel asked plainly. He stared down at his ale. Hammond initially frowned at the question, but a cheeky grin soon crept across his face.

“Maybe. But I know someone who is.” Piers choked on his drink at this remark. Hammond chuckled lightly.

“You don’t really think that’s true, do you?” Piers asked, recovering.

“She’s been different lately, you know this.” Hammond attempted to explain. Lionel continued to keep his head down. Hopefully this will stop soon. “She’s got us on a wild fetch quest looking for a man I’m sure doesn’t even exist. We’re getting cooked alive chasing a local myth! I’m certain she’s gone mad. I’ve even heard she’s hearing voices!”

“That voice is the real one leading the army.” Piers added. “We’re only here because it told Velda to bring us here.”

“I bet I could lead us better.” Hammond laughed.

“That’s enough, Hamm.” Lionel quickly said. He finally mustered up the courage to look Hammond in the eyes. “You know we shouldn’t be talking about this. If Miss Richter catches us she’ll-“

“She’ll what?” Hammond interrupted. “She’s losing her edge, along with her mind! You know what? I say we mutiny and finally get out of this gods forsaken desert!” Suddenly, the unknown man stood. He moved to remove his helm once again. The helm was gently sat atop the table and Hammond grew pale.

“Miss Richter!” Lionel gasped. Piers nearly fell out his chair. Velda Richter, commander of their army, stared down at Hammond. Her cold gaze sent a shiver down the brash man’s spine. Her short, silvery hair fluttered slightly as if caught on a breeze.

“Kneel.” She spoke, her voice just as chilling as her eyes. Lionel and Piers did so immediately, but Hammond hesitated. Not from insubordination, but from genuine shock. The air shifted. Suddenly Hammond was brought to his knees. His body involuntarily collapsed to the ground. It felt like a great weight was now chained to his back. To his horror, it was growing stronger. “I’m disappointed.” Velda continued. “Evidently you are not as well trained as I hoped.” The floorboards beneath Hammond started to crack as the weight grew stronger. He couldn’t move. He could barely keep his head up. Velda turned towards the others. “Let this be a lesson to you all! I will not tolerate such behavior in my army! We stand together as one! Petty gossip about myself, or any soldier for that matter, only distracts and divides us! We are fighting for a better world, a unified world! We should seek to lead by example!” With that the weight became too intense. Hammond’s body broke through the floor and plummeted into the tavern basement. There was a loud crash. Velda downed her ale and walked away while Lionel and Piers cautiously looked over the side of the newly made hole in the floor. Hammond’s body was nothing more than red paste.

That was certainly dramatic. The voice echoed inside Velda’s head. Do you think the brutality was necessary? I’m not complaining, I just hate losing precious resources.

“I did what I thought was right.” Velda argued, seemingly to herself. “I can’t have them questioning my judgment. Not when we’re this close to victory.”

And not when you have Lucina breathing down your neck. The voice pointed out. Its tone was jovial, annoyingly as always. Velda groaned. Come now! Don’t look so glum! This is all for a better future remember? Velda stopped walking. She was now several feet away from the back of the tavern, the spot the voice had instructed her previously to go before she got thirsty.

“Remind me how Lucina thinks this is for a better future.” Velda grumbled to herself.

This? Oh this is more of a me thing than a them thing. Help set some things into motion, you know? Velda didn’t reply. The air became charged with an unfamiliar arcana. It wasn’t like anything she had ever felt before. There was a crack of energy, and the fabric of space tore open before her. Besides, I thought it would be fun to give a new toy to play with! If the voice had a physical body, Velda was sure it would be winking. She sighed and approached the tear. As she stepped through, she was transported to a different realm. It was oddly tranquil. What she could only describe as the sky was a swirling cloud of blue and silver. Deep grey stone quickly flew into place to form a path as she walked. Once she stepped past and away from the stone, it would fly back out into the endless void. Velda approached a large, circular island that floated within the realm. There sat her apparent target. Lord Cassius Chiroptera glanced up as she stepped onto the island.

“Well now! This is a surprise!” He smiled. “I don’t get many visitors these days.”

“I have to admit, you were pretty difficult to find. And this wasn’t exactly what I imagined oblivion to be like.” Cassius stood chained to a large stone in the center of the island. He couldn’t move; he could only reflect.

“Some faiths believe that paradise and oblivion change based on the person sent there. I’ve never been the religious type, but if that’s true then, well, the gods have done a pretty decent job I’d say!” He laughed. “I was expecting brimstone and torture, you know, fun things! Turns out I get to enjoy an eternity of absolute boredom!”

“Then how about some entertainment?” Velda asked. She drew her maul with one hand, a shield in the other. Cassius raised an eyebrow.

“You came all this way to fight a dead man?” Cassius asked. “Not very lady like I must say.”

“I came to do my job.”

Speaking of which. The voice interrupted in Velda’s mind. Say the word and I’ll get this show started.

“I’m ready.” Velda said.

“Are you now?” Cassius asked. He could feel his chains suddenly start to loosen. He didn’t think much of it though. Why question it when good things come your way? “Do you know who you’re messing with?”

“I know exactly who you are.” Velda growled. “You’re the kind of person I hate most in this world.” Cassius smiled. He rubbed his wrists.

“Good! Because I thought it would be unfair if I was the only one who knew my opponent.” Velda didn’t react. “I’m a little surprised, Miss Richter, that the rumors are true.” Cassius eyed Velda’s maul. Then he focused on her hair, then back to her face. “If those are true, I wonder what else they say about you is.” He grinned. He made a v-shape with two of his fingers and stuck his tongue between them. Velda blushed, then gritted her teeth in anger. Cassius laughed again and took a step forward. “Let’s see what the Steel Suns taught you?”