Empires rise and fall, their legacies indelibly etched into the annals of history. The mighty Thorenzia Empire, once a beacon of power and innovation, would eventually succumb to the inexorable march of time. To comprehend the circumstances surrounding its downfall, we must venture back to an age when the empire basked in the glory of its golden era.
In the grand city of Eldrida, the heart of the Thorenzia Empire, dusk descended as if painted with strokes of gold and crimson. Majestic spires, adorned with crystal and gold, pierced the sky like radiant shards of light, their facets glimmering like celestial bodies in the fading twilight. With the advent of night, the city's vibrancy only intensified.
The streets of Eldrida pulsed with life, teeming with merchants, scholars, and adventurers from distant lands. They flocked to the empire's sprawling markets and renowned academies, drawn by Thorenzia's reputation as a bastion of innovation and learning. The air hummed with the electricity of intellectual curiosity and the exhilaration of discovery.
Within a bustling market, a scholar's eyes widened in awe as he held a rare book. "Whoa!!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. "I've scoured the world in search of this tome. I heard it could only be found in Thorenzia, and I'm thrilled I took the chance. I'll purchase it in bulk, no matter the cost!" The scholar's fervor was a testament to the empire's magnetic pull and the value placed on knowledge within its boundaries.
Within Eldrida's bustling streets, an adventurer found himself captivated by the Thorenzian charm. "Such a beautiful realm," he marveled. "I can't believe I stand within Thorenzia's borders. The divine aroma of cuisine, the captivating sight and scent of roses, the enchanting women… I feel compelled to become a citizen of this paradise."
A visiting merchant, entranced by the expansive market, couldn't help but envision a prosperous future. "This marketplace is immense," he observed, his eyes gleaming with opportunity. "Thorenzia's economic stability is nothing short of astounding. No wonder they've become a global power. I must invest heavily in this nation."
For centuries, the Thorenzia Empire had basked in unparalleled wealth and influence, its rulers revered and feared in equal measure. The empire's indomitable military prowess stood unrivaled, bolstered by legions of highly trained soldiers garrisoned within their barracks. The Thorenzian war machine had remained undefeated for nearly nine centuries—an enduring symbol of the empire's ironclad supremacy. In every way, Thorenzia was a peerless superpower, unrivaled and unchallenged.
Deep within a sacred forest training ground, soldiers and knights honed their battle prowess. The cacophony of clashing swords, whistling bullets, and the hiss of arrows echoed through the air, each strike and shot executed with deadly precision despite the setting being merely a training session.
An adventurer observing the intense regimen was awestruck. "Their training is truly fearsome," he commented, his voice tinged with awe. "It's as if they're engaged in a real battle. No wonder Thorenzia has emerged victorious in every conflict for over 900 years."
A nearby scholar nodded in agreement, adding a note of caution. "Ascending to the pinnacle of power is no easy feat and comes at a great cost. Thorenzia's nine centuries of dominance is unprecedented, but it has undoubtedly demanded significant sacrifice."
In the tranquil city of Zha'thik, nestled within Thorenzia's northern reaches, the rhythms of daily life unfolded with an air of normalcy. Students ambled to school, their backpacks swaying with each step, while adults navigated the familiar routes to work, savoring their morning beverages. Pedestrians crossed the streets, exchanging friendly greetings, as the city hummed along to its usual cadence.
A warm sunlight bathed the vibrant cityscape, casting a golden hue over its bustling streets. However, this serene scene was suddenly and irrevocably shattered. A torrent of flaming arrows rained down from the heavens, streaking through the sky like lethal comets. Upon impact, they ignited buildings and streets, unleashing hungry flames that devoured all in their path. Panic gripped the citizens as they struggled to process the unfolding chaos.
As the first wave of destruction swept through the city, a second onslaught followed close behind. Fireballs hurtled through the air, detonating with deafening explosions, reducing everything within their reach to smoldering ruins. The cacophony of terror echoed through the streets as buildings crumbled, and once-peaceful avenues transformed into nightmarish battlefields. Caught in the conflagration, humans, animals, and all else that stood in the city's path were consumed, leaving behind only charred remnants of a life now lost.
Simultaneously, within the ever-bustling city of Aethonox, a massive tidal wave crashed upon its shores, washing away everything in its wake. The towering structures that once stood proudly were reduced to desolate ruins, while countless lives were lost and countless more suffered grievous injuries.
As if orchestrated by some malevolent force, the city of Kyrennei was struck by devastating bolts of lightning at the very same moment. Citizens and properties alike were reduced to ash, as the heavens unleashed their fury upon the once-vibrant metropolis.
Meanwhile, in the city of Elyriwyn, the earth itself trembled with violent force. The ensuing earthquake claimed numerous lives and left many more crippled, their limbs lost to the calamitous fissures that rent the ground beneath their feet.
As these cataclysms unfolded, the cruel laughter of a foreign soldier rang out, rife with malice. "Hahahahahaha! It's almost too easy. Did the Thorenzians truly reign over the world for nine centuries?" he mocked, his words dripping with contempt.
Throughout the afflicted cities, the air was filled with the anguished cries of women and children, their once-peaceful lives now shattered. Men fought valiantly to protect their homes and families, but their efforts were no match for the overwhelming might of their adversaries. The once-mighty Thorenzia Empire now stood on the precipice of collapse, its future hanging in the balance as the chaos consumed all that lay in its path.
Amid the opulence of his grand palace, Emperor Rufrius of Thorenzia luxuriated in the spoils of his empire's centuries-long reign. Surrounded by scantily-clad women adorned in golden finery, he indulged in exotic fruits and wines from his lofty throne, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing beyond his gilded confines.
A frantic palace guard burst into the chamber, disrupting the emperor's hedonistic revelry. Rufrius' irritation was palpable as he demanded, "Why did you barge in without knocking?"
The breathless guard bowed deeply, his voice tinged with urgency. "My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I bring dire news – Zha'thik has fallen!"
Disbelief clouded the emperor's face as he dismissed his concubines. Before he could question the guard further, three more guards rushed into the throne room, each bearing their own grim message.
"Aethonox has fallen!" "Kyrennei has fallen!" "Elyriwyn has fallen!"
Panic rose in Rufrius' voice as the magnitude of the reports sank in. "What is the meaning of this? Someone tell me what is happening here!"
Desperate for answers, the emperor hastily dispatched a total of four million soldiers, dividing them equally among the fallen regions. Yet, his efforts would prove futile, as an unexpected intrusion disrupted the chaos.
A calm, collected voice emanated from the window, startling Rufrius. "Your Majesty."
Turning to face the stranger, the emperor demanded, "Who are you, and how did you gain entry?"
"I am Prince Theron, a Prince of the Vylonia Empire," the stranger replied nonchalantly. "As for my entry, I merely climbed the walls."
"What is it you seek?" Rufrius asked, unease seeping into his voice.
Theron stepped forward, a sneer curling his lips. "For a powerless emperor, you certainly talk a lot."
Before Rufrius could respond, a swift blow struck his head, sending him crashing to the ground. As blood trickled down his forehead and his crown tumbled away, the prince loomed over the fallen emperor.
"How the mighty have fallen," Theron mused. "Nine hundred years of dominance, crumbling to nothing within a mere hour. How pitiful. The reign of the Thorenzia Empire is finally over!"
Outside the palace, the soldiers of the Vylonia Empire erupted in jubilant celebration, their victory on full display before the captured Thorenzian soldiers – including those Rufrius had sent to the fallen cities. The once-invincible Thorenzia Empire now teetered on the precipice of collapse, its future uncertain as its foes reveled in their triumph.
The scene returned to the present day, where the Shield members sat alongside Luisa and Princess Athena, their attention riveted as Luisa continued to narrate the tale of the great fall.
"The devastation was immense," Luisa recounted, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Countless lives were lost – men, women, children, their homes reduced to ashes. The survivors were taken to Vylonia and forced to serve our people, the Vylonians."
Isolde's eyes welled up with tears, her voice barely a whisper. "No matter how many times I hear this story, it still breaks my heart."
Elara nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Me too."
Princess Alexandra, her patience wearing thin, interjected with a snap. "You certainly have a talent for straying from the subject at hand. We're already aware of our fall! What we need to know is the reason behind your beast-like hands and your presence outside the palace walls. And how did you come to know our history, anyway?"
"Ozan, your grandfather, confided in me," Luisa replied, her voice steady.
"Grandpa did?" Princess Alexandra questioned, her eyes wide with shock.
Luisa nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, he sought my help. He begged me to plead with my husband to release Thorenzia from Vylonia's grasp. I did as he asked, entreating Absalom repeatedly, but he refused."
"You did that for us?" Princess Alexandra asked, disbelief coloring her voice.
"Yes," Luisa affirmed. "I will never forsake my friends, no matter the cost. As for the reason behind my beast-like hands and my exile from the palace, the answers are woven into the very story I have just shared."
"How?" Orion questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"How were the Thorenzians defeated?" Luisa inquired, her tone laced with sorrow.
"Hera," Valerus declared. "The manipulation of various elements in your story led me to suspect Hera's involvement."
"What's Hera?" Isolde asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Hera is a technique that melds magic with one's spirit, or will," Athena explained, "Simply put, it is a magical ability that uses one's lifeforce to manipulate elements."
"Yes, Valerus, your instincts are correct. They did indeed employ Hera in the war. May I ask how you came to know of this technique?" Luisa asked
"During his battle with Blackthorn, Blackthorn utilized Hera against him," Princess Athena revealed.
"I see," Luisa acknowledged. "While it is true that Vylonia wielded Hera, it was not the sole weapon employed against the Thorenzians…"
A hush settled over the entire hideout as the weight of Luisa's words hung heavily in the air. After a moment, she continued, "Project Paragon."
Caius, his curiosity piqued, inquired, "What is this Project Paragon?"
"It's a chemical experiment designed to enhance human strength, granting supernatural abilities," Luisa explained.
Thane, his brow furrowed, asked, "Are you saying the Vylonians employed some kind of cheat code against the Thorenzians?"
"Precisely," Luisa nodded, her expression grave.
The Shield members exchanged stunned glances, the revelation shaking them to their core.
"If successful, Project Paragon renders a person impervious to physical attacks, rendering all weapons of war useless against them," Luisa revealed. "However, should the experiment fail, the subject contracts a disease known as Kraelosis."
Princess Athena, her voice laced with concern, asked, "What exactly is Kraelosis?"
Princess Alexandra questioned, "You're unfamiliar with it? I thought you were one of Vylonia's top officers."
"It's not like I'm privy to every Vylonian secret," Princess Athena replied defensively.
"Yes, your strained relationship with Queen Sariel certainly keeps you out of the loop," Luisa said.
"Her?" Princess Athena questioned, her tone a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"Indeed," Luisa confirmed. "But before we discuss Queen Sariel, allow me to elaborate on Kraelosis. The disease transforms the infected into a beast within a year, ultimately claiming their life. Kraelosis is responsible for my beast-like hands. I only survived thanks to Ozan, who utilized his medical expertise to develop an antidote. He managed to eradicate the virus from my body, but the scars, as you can see, remain," she explained, holding up her bandaged hands, "And of course, my superhuman strength are from these beast-like hands."
Princess Athena's eyes welled up with tears of joy, grateful to Lord Ozan for saving her mother's life.
"The Vylonians harnessed Project Paragon to enhance their physical prowess, rendering the Thorenzians' attacks futile," Luisa continued. "However, there was an emperor who banned the project, recognizing its potential danger. He was Absalom's great-great-great-grandfather. Four years ago, I caught Sariel conducting the same forbidden experiment on the Emperor's Day, after she had been chosen to accompany Absalom to his chambers following the ritualistic dance with the maidens. I attempted to stop her, but she pushed me, causing me to fall into the chemicals she was using. Rather than granting me supernatural strength, my body began to change. When Absalom arrived, Sariel claimed that she had caught me concocting a slow-acting poison to kill him. I was too weak to defend myself due to the chemicals in my system. Absalom subsequently banished me and took Sariel as his wife. I would have perished had Ozan not found and saved me."
The Shield members listened, their hearts heavy with sympathy for Luisa's plight.
"We must stop Sariel before she brings ruin to the world," Luisa declared, her voice filled with determination.
Valerus, his brow furrowed, asked, "But how can we fight them if physical attacks are rendered useless?"
"A valid question," Luisa acknowledged. "Hera can harm them. I will teach you all how to harness its power. With Athena's assistance, we will guide you in mastering Hera. Prepare yourselves, for tomorrow marks the beginning of an arduous journey."
"Thank you so much, ma'am!" the Shield chorused, their gratitude palpable as they prepared to face the challenges ahead.