Amongst all the chaos and destruction was an assembly called the Lyte. Practiced and followed by many, the Lyte was the opposing force that stood for good and order. An elite force called the Knights of the Lyte emerged from this group and formed a sovereignty. It was their allegiance to not only preserve order, but to protect the Lytian faith from the dark forces of Athana and it’s growing armies.
Our story began in the dark midst of the black abyss where a minion named Rasul waited with eternal patience. Minions were the arteries and veins of Athana, roaming the Earth with their unique ability to morph themselves into other creatures, thus providing Athana with eyes into the mortal world. Suddenly an orange pulsating sphere appeared and a powerful voice penetrated the cold blackness. “What is your bidding my master?” Rasul asked.
“You have been chosen to deliver a seed of prodigious proportions,” it said. Then the sphere became an orange ball of fire, which only radiated light within itself, as once again the voice cut through the darkness, “You must find a host that will assure a safe haven and provide access to a powerful throne.” Floating ominously about the darkness the sphere swelled even larger. With an enormous surge of energy and an alluring voice it commanded Rasul, “Guard the boy and his identity with your life. For on his 19th birthday, under a full harvest moon, I will reveal to him his true identity and purpose on Earth.” The sphere encircled Rasul with a growing intensity that felt as if it was melting his soul. “Yes, my Lord, it shall be done” he replied. Bursting in a sudden flash of energy, the sphere discharged shards of tormenting anguish through Rasul’s trembling body. Grief, suffering, agony, torture, sorrow, and pain all combined into a single sensation which lasted only for a moment but felt like an eternity. The voice continued, “Fail us and what your anguished soul just experienced will be measured in millenniums.” A shaken Rasul responded, “I will abide your will, my Lord.” The glowing, hot mass went cool, and as it lowered itself from the blackness, transformed itself into a seed and was placed into the hand of its caretaker. A soft, sinister voice whispered it’s final warning, “Choose wisely.”
Rasul gave long and thoughtful consideration to his task before he began the quest to find a host for the dark seed that was now in his possession. His search began when he realized there was just one person who could perform such a prodigious task, and quickly set out on his long journey to seek her assistance.
A beacon of hope in the world rested high up on a mountainside overlooking the west valleys, a kingdom of great prominence and beauty. The king and queen of this fine, virtuous land were kind and loved by all. Wealth was found in abundance and the prosperous lands were rich and fertile for as far as the eye could see. The ruling king and his beautiful queen seemingly had everything. However, what they longed for the most was a child and heir to the throne. They tried everything, but to no avail; and leaning on their Lytian faith they sought the answer to their prayers.
At the base of the mountain lived an old sorceress named Medea, who was once highly respected and employed to serve the king and queen as their advisor and holistic healer through medicine and magic. Accused of unloyal acts and greed, Medea was banished to live outside the castle’s walls where she was forced to endure the life of a peasant. She continued her conjuring and dark magic by rendering various hexes and curses for a small community while, in her bitter heart, she secretly hoped to one day return the “favor” to their majesties.
One day as Medea was concocting a potion for a local common dweller in her lair, Rasul, disguised as a black spider, descended down a silken thread over her boiling cauldron. With all of his 16 eyes, he quietly looked straight into the black soul of the sorceress. Medea inspected the spider with cold, grey eyes. “I feel you demon,” she said, “reveal and make yourself known.” Rasul then morphed into a wild boar and began thrashing about the room as if to confirm that there was nothing there that could compromise his intentions with the sorceress.
“I bring with me something of great proportions and possibly the vengeance you seek,” he said. Outside the window the sorceress took notice of the sentinels that accompanied the minion and realized that his visit must be of great value to the Dark Lords. She listened intently as the minion continued, “Your powers are required by my Lord master.” Rasul went on to reveal the plan to Medea with the understanding that it would be necessary for her to impregnate the queen with the seed given to him by way of some form of magic or spell. “It is the only way that the Dark Prince will be safe and obtain a true place of prominence,” he informed her.
The minion and sorceress devised a plan to enter the castle under cover to poison the queen. Soon after, the queen became deathly ill, confounding all the great physicians in the kingdom. Unable to find a healer to successfully diagnose the ailing the queen, in desperation, the king summoned Medea to the castle to aid in her recovery. Rasul and Medea found the opportunity they were looking for, and in the queen’s weakened state, implanted the dark seed of the chosen.