Far to the north, in the land many have referred to as the northern wastes, there existed a cavern of unimaginable size. This cavern rested deep below the frozen rocky wastes, and within this cavern were crystalline pillars that rivaled any structure one could even dream of building. A tiered city could be seen filling this cavern, each level decreasing in width as it rose towards the ceiling of the cavern.
Neighborhoods and streets were layered across the bottom of this caver, utilizing the pillars for support and crawling up and across them. Massive gaps were evenly spaced along each level of the city where light from the numerous glowing crystals embedded into the ceiling could shine through. Light from the crystals focused around the peak of the pillars traveled through the large crystal towers and helped spread the light to the lower levels so that even those at the bottom could be graced by light.
Within the top few levels of the city, a group of soldiers wearing heavy plate armor that practically radiated magic ran as fast as they could. Metal boots crashed against the stone walkways as the ten knights tore across the courtyard and up the wide stairs that would take them to the next level. Everyone who saw them coming hastily got out of their way, and those who failed to move fast enough were either bowled over, or dodged entirely.
Not much time passed before the squad arrived at the foot of the palace that rested at the very top of the city. The squad was led by a man whose armor was a paler sheen of white compared to the brilliant platinum of the others, and without a moment of hesitation, he stepped forward and knocked as politely, yet firmly as he dared. Stepping back to stand before his squad, all they could do now was wait, none daring to so much as blink as they stood at attention.
Luckily for them, barely a few moments passed before the large stone doors gently swung inwards of the opulent palace. As one, the knights stepped into the interior, ignoring the lavish decorations and the beautiful artwork that filled the wide hallway. Pedestals that held busts of ancient leaders and nobles lined the walkway, each one displaying a different figure. Rich tapestries of deep purple, oranges black hung across the hallway, each one depicting a design that they had all been taught to be what was called the night sky.
Just like all the other decorations and designs, the knights ignored them and marched along. Doorways and other hallways were passed by without a second glance, it soon became clear they knew precisely where they were going. A wide extravagant staircase led them up past multiple levels of the palace, branching hallways and large open floors being passed by.
At the very top of the stairs, when it climbed no higher, the knights came to a rest before a much simpler wooden door that bore no markings or decorations. In fact. The door looked so old, none would be surprised to learn it was amongst the oldest items in the entire city. This time, the same head knight showed hesitation before knocking on this door, with much more care to the point it barely made a noise.
Despite the barely audible knock, the head knight had barely taken a step back towards his men before a firm voice croaked out, “Enter”
Once more there existed that brief moment of hesitation, however this wasn’t a hesitation born of fear of the person behind the door. No, this was a hesitation born of a long held hope, one that was feared to be lost. None-the-less, the squad of knights marched confidently through the now open door in single file. For most of them, this was the first time they have ever had the grace to see what lay beyond. For the man at the lead, this was only his second time, yet he shared in the awe displayed by the rest.
The room they emerged into was nothing short of truly gorgeous. Where there should have been a ceiling, was instead a vast empty darkness that stretched farther than the mind could comprehend. Yet that darkness was not empty as brilliant shining lights filled the space, many different intensities and colors. Most who saw the sight would describe it as a dark sea on which an unimaginable amount of jewels of various sizes and colors rested peacefully.
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Those who followed the teachings of the church would easily recognize the sight as what they were taught to be the night sky. Most would only ever see it through depictions and drawings, while only the chosen few would ever be blessed with the sight before them now. As much as the squad of knights would love nothing more than to stare up at the brilliant night sky that was this room, they were there for a reason, for their duty.
As one, they all dropped to a knee and bowed their heads forward as they touched their chest with their right hands. The practice movement had been done so flawlessly, one would think it was a single mind moving all the bodies as one.
“You have called for us, Oh great Speaker.” The lead knight said, his voice full of reverence and hope.
Standing in the center of the modest sized room, dressed in elegant dark robes that bore the same pattern as the tapestries, was a man who looked far older than anyone had the right to be. His robes hung loosely on his gaunt frame, the brilliant silver etching of a half closed eye on its back barely visible from all the folds and ripples. His hair was little more than white wisps desperately clutching to the sides of his age spotted head, yet he stood with the strength and confidence of a man less than thrice his age.
His brilliant, nearly solid looking, golden eyes gazed upwards at the brilliant ceiling, the many shining lights reflecting upon them. He stood there for a long moment, a look of deep satisfaction upon his ancient face as a soft smile creased his lips. Finally he slowly lowered his head until his golden eyes fell upon the squad of knights that knelt before him, barely ten feet away.
“For countless years, our people have survived in the depths of the world, only due to the grace and power of our lord,” he started, his voice raspy yet still strong and full of untamed power as he spoke, “For countless years, he has stayed by our side, guided us, protected us, and offered us a path of survival.”
There was another long pause as the ancient looking man stood, staring back up into the endless, speckled dark. The lead knight wanted to once more ask as to the purpose of them being called for, as well as the urgency behind it, but he kept his head low and voice silent.
“For countless years we have taught our youth the truth of the past,” The old man continued, as if he had never paused his speech, “The truth of the world, of our history and the atrocities committed against us. How our world had been lost to the hubris of the other gods, and those who claim the surface as their own. We have taught them how through the kindness of our lord, we have both survived and thrived, never to be found by the usurpers above.” A hint of anger had entered the speaker's voice, his smile fading as a tremble passed through the stone all around the room.
“Yet we have also taught them we shall not be bound beneath the stone forever.” he continued, the anger vanishing as if it never existed, “And that one day, there shall come a time when the sole obstacle in our path will vanish, leading us forward to fulfill our destiny.” There was another long pause, only this time his soft smile crept back across his face before he spoke again, his eyes once more turning back down to look upon the knights kneeling before him.
“Our lord has spoken with me on this day.” he announced, his tone exuding a sense of satisfaction and longing.
The lead knight fought the urge to look up in both joy and surprise at the words, gaining a feeling for the direction they were taking. While it was not unheard of for the speaker to hear the voice of their lord, for them to be called here after such a thing to happen and on such short notice, along with the speech given by the Speaker, it could only mean…
“Our lord has revealed to me our path,” The speaker continued, his soft smile growing slightly, “He has revealed to me that our path now shines free of its one obstacle. He has revealed to me that after all this patiently waiting, it is time.”
This time the lead knight could not hold back his shock and he looked up at the speaker, too dumbfounded to care about professionalism.
“You mean to say…?” He started, too afraid to finish his words in case he were to be wrong.
“Yes Knight Commander, It is finally time for us to retake what truly belongs to us.” The Speaker announced, his voice rising in both volume and power along with his arms. “Today is the day, we as a people, the true denizens of this world, will take back our home!” The speaker's voice boomed, the words themselves shaking the very air around the entirety of the city. His voice being heard by all who lived there.
Almost as one, the people of the city shouted in triumph and glee, their excitement unable to be contained as they all roared into the air, “Praise the lord! Praise the God of Magic Laktice!”
