Post by Crystal on Dec 31, 2007 6:00:08 GMT -5
In a wide span of grass, where the sun shone brightly and jovial creatures lived, in the illusion of peace and harmony, was what could only be called a sliver of the Paradise tucked among the clouds. The lives of those who resided there, in the plains, the forests, the caverns, lakes, mountains, were structured to almost perfection. You could have never known there'd been a war, unless you observed them closely, saw that when the children stopped in their laugh and play, there was a haunted cast in their eyes, as they gazed wistfully into the setting sun, into the days of tragedy their parents had faced.
Many were not quite as human as you'd think. Some had a greenish tinge to their skin, others had large round odd-colored eyes, or pointed ears, or small sharp teeth. Each of them were different, but they were accepting of that, and they lived in peace.
***
If they were to be grouped into two, so that the sides were poles apart, you would notice that generally, the ones who fought for the great city of Lumai were mostly human, dotted with a few fairies, angels, and other odd species, and the others, who raged against the city walls, led by Ares, a fierce young elf in his prime, were solely creature. Ares loathed being called a creature, as if anything inhuman just wasn't good enough for the proud city-dwelling people. He admired the human cities, how civilized they were, how well-structured, yet he could never fully be one of them on account of his not being human.
Jealousy grew in his heart, and he was determined to override them. The humans, though advanced, were highly prejudiced against other races, and blind to the fact that they were people as well, sometimes treating them nastily, with name-calling, fancying them savage beasts and coarse wild animals. King L'Ume was rather oblivious to this, as he had so much else to attend to, so you can imagine his shock - and great injury, when Ares launched his first attack.
That was the most successful skirmish Ares had planned, with the element of surprise assisting him. He killed many a human soldier that day, all caught unaware. So began a bloody war. Not a single cheerful soul remained. All were stripped of innocence, trained for battle. They learned to read people, mask their emotions with harshly set faces, and to not trust in anything other than the fact that others will always look out for themselves first. It grew into a grim time, where the heart of the city essentially...died.
But the defense forces were strong, despite the humans' lack of magic in comparison, and within the decade, Ares had to admit defeat. His army was rounded up, his generals - one for each species - executed, and he, himself, hanged. L'Ume knew not to underestimate, or maltreat the creatures this time around, and most not in the rebellion - for they were good people - were welcomed back with open arms as long as they understood that he ruled over them.
***
More creatures moved into the city of Lumai, though many chose to remain in their childhood homes, now that peace was restored. You'd think that it would end. But L'Ume had a strange feeling in his bones, an instinct that it wasn't over yet. People declared that he was paranoid, and maybe they were right, because though it wasn't over, no trouble stirred during his rein. It was only a millennium later that problems arose, which was around the time a new king, Darius, inherited the throne.
The laws have slackened over time. The creatures that live outside the city are free to do as they please, and humans have once again picked up old biased ways. That would have been all if not for a young elf named Lilian. Though it is believed that all of Ares' descendants were obliterated, it seems she remained. And where Ares was a fool, she was smart. She gathered a band of creatures, poisoning them with sly and persuasive comments, honeyed speeches. These creatures, who call themselves Arians, believe that it is their right to take the city, take their own. Lilian is their ringleader, bent only on revenge for Ares, on Darius' line.
King Darius has heard tale of Lilian's rallies and is determined not to make her dream of seeing Lumai fall a reality. He is now handpicking generals, soldiers in order to fortify his city, fixed on abolishing this threat before it becomes a full-out war. Tension is running high, patience is running low. Lilian is ruthless and won't stop until the city is destroyed.
And you?
Are you going to fight for what's right, or has she already gotten to you and your family and friends?
There it is, the prelude to the end. The prelude which marks this...
Tale of Tragedy
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