This is very interesting, thought Asher.
The group entered a dimly lit corridor. On the walls were depictions of tall humanoid creatures, at least ten feet tall, carved on both sides. It was a story — an ancient history.
Various creatures were shown bowing to an elite group of individuals, each the same towering height, their bodies gray and lizard-like. Multitudes of humanoid and other beings, alien to this world, were depicted kneeling before them. The conquerors of worlds.
The further the group went, the more the story unfolded. It began with a single nomad camp. The camp settled and became more prosperous. From there it expanded into a medieval castle. From the castle, the species grew stronger and began conquering the neighboring nomads.
Eventually, they spread across the continent of that world. One great power arose, and as the eons passed the creatures advanced—first technologically, then magically—until they discovered other worlds.
Six others, to be exact.
The species had the technology to create rifts for instant transportation. It was their crowning achievement. They began collecting species from other worlds to study and understand before launching their conquest.
They had a full invasion planned out.
However, something went wrong. While they gathered species from different worlds, they were discovered. A great cataclysm followed. A beast—indescribable—emerged from one of the scouted worlds and tore through one of the main gateways.
It was described as a god-like creature, completely indestructible. It caused massive chaos.
The civilization was forced to flee.
This place was one of their shelters.
Gia's voice whispered inside Asher's mind, cold and venomous:
"They had it coming."
Asher said nothing.
The further the group traveled, the deeper the darkness became.
"Do you think they're still here?" asked Tiffany.
"Most likely not," answered Raven. "The Warden who created this place must have known about them. I mean, this is his archive."
"So you think he was working with the creatures? As what—a spy?" Juno asked.
"I don't know," Raven said. "Could they be responsible for the invasion of our world? I mean, the Void monsters that almost destroyed everything came through the same rifts."
"We'll find out," Ryvak said quietly.
Asher remained silent, deep in thought.
Gia, he thought. You know them?
"Yes," Gia replied. "They were monsters—conquerors. They planned to rule all worlds. They were the trigger that began everything that has happened—everything you see now. They caused it all."
Her tone turned melancholic.
"I was hoping to test you, to see if you were worthy of power. But now that you know, I'll tell you everything I can.
There were once seven worlds, each with a different protector. You would call them gods.
The Cotor were the first to discover rift travel. Each world was given limitations.
Anchor—the god of Libian—after eons grew complacent. He became too distant, too uninvolved in his domain. He allowed the mages to grow unchecked in power until they discovered rift travel.
My world is Earth. My domain was one where technology thrived, and magic was repressed.
Anchor was the first god to fall.
We—all gods—gathered. All five of us. But the last of us was missing from the meeting. We thought something must have happened to him after millions of years of isolation. Or perhaps he simply didn't take the summons seriously.
Little did we know, he had grown resentful of his duties. We all became complacent, but he—he was bitter. We didn't understand the depths of his resentment. Even his name carries power. Better never to speak it.
He became the enemy.
When we finally realized what had happened, it was too late. The enemy was prepared.
And then came the great war.
All of the gods perished.