The Dragon's Tome, An Original Fantasy Story Options

[Zalphon]

Prologue

They called me the Prince of All that is wrong in this world. In Mathoc. The land of magick and wonder. The frozen north known as the Frostblood Tundra. The southern deserts of Sunskar. The eastern jungles of Sythariss. The western mountains of Star-Reach. The Ocean of Souls and the Sea of Arcana... The Northeastern bogs and swamps of the Black Marsh. The Northwestern Forests of Dragonwood. The Southeastern plains of Shadow's Meadow. The Southwestern Deadlands of the Dread Plains...

They say I am all that is foul in the world... They called me a being of the Abyss itself. They called me the Lord of Unlife, the Master of Necromancy, the King of the Undead... They were right... My name is Zalphon Shadowheart Broodikus, Emperor of Mathoc... I am the Arch-Lich and the God of Necromancy and Unlife. I rule over the lands with an iron fist.

My empire is strong and built of the dead. Unlike previous liches and necromancers, those ressurected by me or students of the New Ways of Necromancy retain their intelligence if we so-choose. Mathoc is ruled by the living dead, for the living dead. Our foes are the paladins of Lightius Star, the Arch-Angel and Queen of Skyhaven, Realm of the Angels...

We constantly fight to conquer all who oppose us. The only threat to us, was the dragons... The Guardians of Mathoc, they called themselves. And their immortal followers (ageless), the Order of the Dragon. I once was a member, but after I learned the truth about what power they hid from us, it began...

If you've picked up this tome, you must be expecting a story... My story... My name is Emperor Zalphon Broodikus, and it begins thousands of years ago, during the Era of the Everlight Kingdom. My father's kingdom...

[Zalphon]

Chapter Five: The Plane of the Elements

I scanned the tome for any more information. It had been a week since I last spoke with my mentor. During this time, I practiced with fellow squires and kept my nose in spellbooks of previous spellcasters. His voice entered my mind, "My squire, enter the Portal Room and whisper 'The Tower of Lord Ravenblood' and enter the portal. Time is of the essence, young student."

I nodded. I suited up in my steel-platemail and donned my tabard. It was white and had a red dragon on it. With all the speed I could manage to summon, I sprinted to the portal room. Obediently, almost thrall-like I whispered the words and walked into the Gate-Way.

I stood at the top of his tower. To the North, I saw a sea of living fire. To the West, I saw mountains floating in air. To the East, I saw clouds of pure lightning over a mountain with an endless waterfall. To the South, I saw a grand city. Suddenly, my master said, "Welcome to the Plane of the Elements. Each of the Elemental Gods make their home here. This is where my tower is. The Elemental Deities are at constant war with each other, but I stay here nevertheless to study in peace."

"Master, why am I here?" I blurted out. "I read about this place in one of the tomes in the Library." My mind was imagining the inhabitants of this place. Most likely elementals and their followers.

"The High Council has asked that you study here in the Plane of the Elements. They believe that you can learn to harnass the raw power of this place," he stated. "The raw power of this place rivals the power of Drako-Sanctum, the Realm of the Dragons. However, ours is much more refined. This is pure power, untamed by anyone."

"Should I leave the tower?" I questioned. My curiousity ran wild. Perhaps due to the power of this place. I felt it. It rippled through my flesh.

"Under no circumstances, Magick-Born," he commanded. "The Tower is a safe-haven from the Elemental Gods and their followers. Leaving here would be almost certain death. The only portals back to Mathoc is in the Grand Palace of Lord Flamikus, the Grand Citadel of Lady Frostblood, the Grand Keep of Lord Stone, and the Grand Castle of Lord Aeros. Entrance to those places is insanely difficult, almost impossible unless you're of at least demi-god status or a high-cleric or high-priest of said deity."

"I see."

"Leave this place under no circumstances, unless commanded. Understood," he said. "If so, then head down to the Training Room. For six hours, you'll fight against magickally-animated suits of armor. For six hours, you'll study in tomes and spellbooks. For six hours, you'll sleep. For the remainder of your time, you can do as you wish."

"Understood, Lord Ravenblood," I responded.

"Excellent, Squire Zalphon," the Champion nodded. "Begin your training... Immediately..."