Chaos: Genesis

After days of cutting down monsters, traveling across hostile lands, and slipping past Babylonian guards, Spero stands atop the mountain. He inspects the rock walls around him in pursuit of a concealed entrance just as the druid had described. He closes his eyes and concentrates on the energy that permeates the air. He feels a strange presence to his top left and looks up, his gaze resting on a rune carved into the stone. Without hesitation, Spero stretches out his hand and whispers an activation spell under his breath. The rune glows with a blinding white light as the rock wall in front of him vibrates and shifts before him. The rocks form into triangles as they rotate out in a spiraling motion, opening up like an iris to reveal a gate of solid bronze. As Spero approaches the door, it creaks open. Torches suddenly ignite and line the corridor, guiding him forward as he steps inside.

Spero follows the flickering fire until he reaches a desolate plaza. The ceiling above him opens up, allowing a sliver of sunlight to infiltrate and awaken the runes that edge the room.

"What brings you here traveler?", A dark eerie voice announces.

"I was told you hold knowledge of daevas."

The being materializes before Spero, its large and slim figure swathed in a tattered black robe. Its four bat-like wings are ripped and torn, its slender arms each ending in four bony fingers. Its head is crowned with twisted elk antlers, and the pallor of its ghostly face stares down at Spero.

"You wish to learn about daevas, what an odd request. Especially from a Divinian, a race blessed with eternal youth, immune to all disease. Your people have a deep fear towards such beings."

The spirit draws nearer to Spero, a cold finger grazing against his neck and uncovering a symbol that confirms him as a Divinian. It glows from his skin as Spero hastily covers it with his hand and stares at the creature, full of courage.

"What is a shadow spirit doing in this realm without a medium?"

The spirit is taken aback, emitting a chuckle of disbelief, "How perceptive. These chambers are my medium, the runes provide enough mana for me to stay in this realm for centuries to come."

Before Spero can ask his question again the spirit approaches him quickly, face to face.

"Spero of the Red Sand, raised by a fantastic warrior, one who had a great deal with daevas, but sadly could not rid them all."

Spero's eyes light up, "Do not speak ill of my father."

"I would never, he was one of the few gods I admired. You wish to learn about daevas, the rejected gods, these evil spirits who haunt the mortal realm, yes?"

As the spirit imparts this knowledge, a hazy mist swirls around them, displaying visions of past events and timeless tales that have been passed down for generations.

"The two elder gods, Ahura Mazda and Ahriman, a battle between good and evil. Ahura Mazda created this realm amidst his struggle against his twin brother. In a rage, Ahriman conjured up an army of dark spirits and daevas. Ahura Mazda harnessed his power to assemble an army of Yazatas and spirits of light to battle against evil forces. The brothers have fought endlessly, and you wish to be a part of this battle that has gone on for countless millennia?"

"I was brought into this battle the day I woke into the world, a daeva has already made contact."

"Ah yes...a demon god has caught an interest in you."

"Who is this demon god?"

The spirit backs away, "I cannot say, this demon god is one of the personal warriors of Ahriman. Say thy name and your mind is lost to them."

"I need to know any details of this being, why do they want my power, what is my power exactly?"

"Your power is unlike any I have sensed, it is not of a demon, it is far more...sinister. These demons are attracted to your aura, they believe that your power holds significance to aiding Ahriman, and has similar characteristics to their lord. Have the gods of Azura Mazda not aided you? Your father was highly regarded within their ranks."

"Ha, the gods...they're but mortal beings who use their powers to lie to the weak. A few attempted to kill me believing I was a threat. They never assisted me, they even abandoned my father when he took me in."

"I may not be able to give you the names of those who search for you but I may know of a tool that will assist you. However, it will require some sacrifice, you must pass three trials, and this artifact will be yours."

"What is this tool exactly?"

"It is one of legends, one that will be very useful."

Spero pauses for a moment, weighing his options, before finally accepting the offer. The spirit gestures towards a door in the wall, spreading its hands wide open in an inviting gesture. Spero crosses the threshold and prepares himself for the first trial that awaits him.