Prologue
At the very edge of the Outer World, there is a palace far larger than any palace has a right to be. It towers over the landscape, a testament to its creator's power. And to death. For the entire structure is made of bones. Spinal cords and femurs support its unwieldy base--passing through the gateway, one goes through a set of ribs so colossal, one might be tempted to speculate as to their owner. And then one might think better of it. As one passes through hallways large enough for an elephant to walkthrough, you would see that even the floors and furniture are made out of bones. Passing chandeliers made of arm bones, one would come to tables carved out of the pinions of dragons, and goblets of human skulls. The entire thing is a hymn to death. And a hymn to death's master. To Thanatos, Dark Reaper of Souls, and Lord of the Charnal House.
At the moment, if you could see him, you would see a man clad in a large dark robe. You would perhaps catch the occasional glance of a pair of burning eyes. You would not see his face. The Lord of the Charnal House does not permit that sort of familiarity, not even to his servants. This man would be staring into a vast pool of blood, held in the skull of a dragon. The skull is that of Anakires, King of Dragons, Firstborn of Sebera, who Thanatos slew. The blood is the blood of a god, whose name has been all but forgotten, who Thanatos also slew. Thanatos stares at this blood intensely as if it holds great significance. And perhaps to the burning eyes of Thanatos, it does. At length, Thanatos turns away from the Pool of Blood. "Melkys--attend me." The voice of Thanatos is a dark, quiet thing that can not be denied. He does not shout. And yet he is never unheard.
Melkys Verminlord creeps out of the corners of the chamber. He has many shapes. At the moment, he takes the form of grimy old man, with a face not unlike a toad. "Of course, great lord." he mutters nervously. "I live to serve. And I serve to live..." Melkys is not loyal to Thanatos. He would overthrow him if he could. But Melkys is a coward, and Thanatos is beyond his ability to overthrow. And so he serves.
Thanatos turns to him, something akin to disgust apparent in his bearing towards Melkys. "It is beginning." he says. There is something close to satisfaction in Dark Reaper's voice. It is not satisfaction, for Thanatos will not be satisfied until he has quenched all life. But it is close enough.
Melkys supplicates himself at Thanatos's feet. "That is marvelous, great master. Soon then, we will be avenged on the Aellari..."
Thanatos glances at Melkys. "I will be avenged on the Aellari..."
Melkys gives a nervous laugh. "Of course. I mispoke myself. You will be avenged, and I will recieve the pleasure of seeing you avenged..."
Thanatos raises his hand. "Enough." Melkys immediately quiets. Millennia of experience have taught him that it wisest not to press one's luck with the Lord of the Charnal House. At length, Thanatos speaks again. "Prepare your servants, Melkys. I will do the same. The hour is nigh. The balance that has kept us in check for so long is about to be undone..." He pauses there relish in his voice. "They cannot hold us back now."
Melkys bows deeply. "Of course master. I go... immediately." With that he creeps away. Thanatos turns back to the pool. None see the face of Thanatos. Not even servants, for the Lord of the Charnal House does not permit that sort of familiarity. But if it could be seen...
It would be smiling...
