There was once a time when the world knew nothing of magic, not as a concept nor even as a supernatural possibility.
Many would call it the Viking era, others gave it various names, some quite pleasing to the ears, others not so much.
It was an age in which only strength mattered, strength and nothing else but more strength.
Not many records of those days remain, but of what does remain is the mention of the existence of kingdoms numbering well over ten. Many would find this ridiculous given what actually remains of them now, but this is the truth: thirteen kingdoms did exist once upon a time, the last three being the catalyst for what changed the course of history forever.
Year 1506, Chronos Calendar.
"Your Highness, it's the truth! It's been barely hours since the last gate appeared. The intervals at which these diabolical things are making their appearance keeps shrinking every single day."
"Three years ago it would take two, sometimes even three months for a single gate to appear, on rare occasions two within that time frame, but now this has gone beyond explanation. In the space of 48 hours two of these gates have appeared. TWO!"
A man clad in the finest of silk, dressed so regally that even the most unredeemable of degenerates would recognize him as upper echelon without having to be told, slammed the table as he rose to his feet, his eyes fixed on the man at the far center of the table who simply stared.
"Sit down, Herion."
The man's voice carried no force at all. It was somewhat likened to a whisper with how calmly he said it, but the authority behind those words was unmistakable.
Arrayed in a garb fit for none but royalty sat the man who was perhaps the most important person in this room. The golden crown on his head, riddled with precious stones, said enough of who he was.
The moment the words left his lips, the addressed speaker grunted before begrudgingly taking his seat.
"Your Highness, I mean no disrespect, but I urge we take serious measures to handle this before it escalates any further than it already has."
The woman seated across from him at the elegant, polished artistry of wood in the form of a circular table countered before he could go on.
"If I recall clearly, I tabled this very same complaint six months ago at a meeting much like this, but a certain enormous bearded fool ruled out my concerns as inconsequential in comparison to..."
The lady with blonde hair and green eyes, an ageless beauty who had an unbroken streak of making those who mentioned her real age disappear, placed a finger on her chin in mock thought before a smile graced those plump lips and she leaned forward.
"Ah, yes. The festival, right?"
"Now though, I just cannot help but wonder, what has that very same man so riled up? Is anything the matter, Duke Ironforge?" she asked in a sultry tone, the amusement in her voice unmistakable.
"This is why I will never permit a woman to handle such delicate positions as governing. Is this the time for petty revenge, you foolish woman?!"
The Duke was beyond enraged.
"The casualties in my territory number above one hundred and counting. In case that doesn't make sense to a simpleton like you, let me spell it out: the current number of casualties accounted for, for both men, women, and children, exceeds a hundred people, and counting!"
He roared, glaring daggers at her.
"Should I perhaps care?"
A vein appeared on the Duke's forehead at her response, thick and almost green.
"I still don't quite understand what you're asking for in this meeting. Compassion? Pity? Warm hugs? Kisses? Well wishes?"
"Just in case your brain didn't come with a memory function, let me remind you: when I appeared for this meeting six months ago, it was strictly to find a solution to the gates, as you all were very much aware. A gate had appeared in a distant part of my territory and wiped out literally every single thing that breathed before help could arrive."
"You're talking about a few hundred."
"I AM TALKING OF DEATHS NUMBERING INTO THE THOUSANDS!"
She slammed her palm against the table, her expression one of unconcealed fury.
In that instant the temperature of the room plummeted to such extreme degrees that a splash of water would instantly solidify mid-air.
"Is this why I was summoned? To watch old men and women bicker like children?"
The question came from a man with sparse facial hair, red eyes, and an apathetic expression that showed precisely how much he cared about this meeting.
None, apparently.
The moment those words left his lips the woman's eyes turned to him. If death had a face, it would most certainly be hers right now, but the man seemed utterly unbothered in the face of this undisguised animosity.
In fact, if one looked closer, it seemed this was his aim, as though he reveled in her directed rage knowing she could do nothing in the presence of the king.
That was if she could do anything to him at all.
"It seems the calamity has been treating you rather nicely, my friend."
The laugh came from a man dressed in what many would call an antiquated fashion, though the air of nobility he exuded was unmistakable. He was, in fact, an aristocrat through and through.
"I reckon the same for you, old friend. Must be nice lording over a territory nowhere near the pillars," said the red-haired man.
"I'm quite blessed, that I cannot deny, but surely not as much as the children of dragons."
At this the red-haired man grinned, raising both hands in surrender.
"True, true. It is in fact the greatest fortune of House Ignile, that I must admit, but no father could be more proud than one with a son of such monstrous talents as yours."
"I see you've gained quite the honeyed tongue."
"I try."
"Perhaps we could discuss the engagement?"
"I would"
"I always thought you a great fool, Stormborn, but never did I imagine the day I would encounter one greater than you," seethed Duke Ironforge.
"What? Herion? You?"
Stormborn let out a short laugh.
"Is losing your son to the gates not misfortune enough? I almost thought you would be a different man by now. Perhaps more... humble?"
"HOW DARE YOU, YOU WASTE OF SPACE?!"
A horrifying surge of ether erupted from the gruff-looking man, but before the situation could escalate any further, a pressure, unique to only one man in this room, descended.
Just like that, every eye turned to him.
The king sat still, not an iota of emotion on his expression.
"I didn't summon you all here to make fools of yourselves. Control yourselves, or I will help you do that."
With that alone the situation cooled, though the tense atmosphere remained.
After a prolonged silence, the king spoke.
"I've just returned from a meeting with the Six, mere hours ago."
Those words alone were enough to command the attention of everyone seated at the round table.
The next moment servants came through the double oak doors, each carrying a document, which they distributed to the six nobles seated.
"A storm is brewing."
The king leaned forward, both elbows against the table, fingers clasped together.
"With the appearance of the gates now a constant, there is no more denying it. The First Calamity is on its way."
Every eye widened.
"Is there no word from the oracle, Your Highness?" asked another woman.
The king gestured toward the documents before them. They all reached for theirs and opened them, flipping through the first two pages before they saw it: the insignia of a dragon, griffin, and stallion, all merged to create a majestic banner with the word "Avalon" written boldly below it.
"Ten years? Your Highness, this..."
"The matter is not up for discussion. You will have to make do with the information I've given."
"According to the oracle, the appearance of the gates is the first sign of the prophesied End, which also means the Avatars are soon to begin making their appearance. For this we must be ready. We must do everything within our power, everything virtually possible, to find and prepare them for the war that is coming."
"...The Unification?"
Duke Ignile's blurt drew the king's gaze across every face seated at the table before he spoke.
"A new age is coming."
He settled back into his seat, expression unreadable.
"You all had best be ready."