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 Eight: Trials of the Shadow Knight

The physical bringers of the darkness are called Shadow Knights. They know some necromancy, but they focus mostly on swordplay. Victor hissed, "Ravenblood told me about you. He says good things about your skill in the magick of the Evoker, let's see your talents in physical battle." His voice dripped with cruelty. He wore a suit of magick Drako-Weave Clothes. Enchanted to be as strong as Dragon Scales and even more freeing. In his hands were a great sword.

"I will teach you a lesson in humiliation, Lich," I cried out as I charged at him My blade in hand, with ease he parried. His unnatural dexterity was astonishing. With a mighty blow I felt my flesh being severed from the bone.

"Child, you're skill in true swordplay is weak. The Order taught you the Way of the Dragon Sword-Style. Use this way," he commanded. Suddenly his blade weaved through the air like a dancer. It was a blur.

"How did you do that?" I questioned. "Was that a secretive lich-only teaching?"

"All Shadow Knights have learned how to use the Way of the Fallen," he stated. "It involves channeling your spirit to become one with all who have fallen to you. And remembering their agony internally, while you add more to the list externally."

"Shall I try?" I asked.

He nodded. Suddenly I let my mind think about all the times I took life. From the gladiator fights to the Elementals of the Plane of the Elements. I focused on their agony and it was as if I was having an out-of-body experience. My sword flew through the air as if I was a master of the blade. "Excellent," he exclaimed.

"Milord, I would like to learn the language of the dead," I said. "The Necromancers say it allows them to cast necromantic spells."

"Not yet," he shook his head. "Deathspeak can kill a learner if they aren't ready mentally. I can sense your innocence, due to your young age."

I growled, "The Order also taught us how the Shadow Knights and Necromancers never needed to rest, care to explain?"

"Tap into your inner darkness," he commanded. "Feel the manipulation and domination. Leave the rage and hatred."

Obediently, I did. I felt unholy vigor surround my body. As if I had slept for several hours. "How does this technique work?" I questioned.

"The Shadow Knights and Necromancers use dark arts. We're the very essence of death, just as the Order of the Dragon and the Angels of Skyhaven are the very essence of life," he explained. "The Angels can be re-energized by focusing all the times they've protected others so can the Order."

"More lies," I grumbled. "Milord, is this the end of our lesson?"

"Yes, you still have years of knowledge to learn young student. Years," he continued. "Go to your quarters and I want you to meditate by focusing on your inner darkness for twenty-four hours. Do this and you'll feel your flesh heal from the agony."

Gladly, I did. I was embracing the darkness fully and completely...