There was a slight breeze in the dry air. It moved small grains of sand from time to time but amidst the heat of the baking sun in the endless sea of dunes it made little impression on the landscape. There was, however, one feature standing out on the landscape. One solitary, low flying cloud hovered like a spirit over the bleak desert. Its shadow cast against the hills of sand giving them a small break from the scorching sun.
Soon its shadow hovered slowly over cracked columns and bricks that were slowly returning to the earth as though they followed the cycle of time and decay. The sand encompassed much of the ruins. There had once been a structure of some sort in the area. The sand sloped off to an empty river bed next to a cliff edge. At a prior millennia it would have been a waterfall and a paradisiacal glen. The only life now amidst the ruins was a tall, slender man. In that moment it would not have been apparent that he was defined, skilled, and hansom. His chiseled features were now hid beneath a cowl; a large cloak that covered his entire person except his brown boots. He crouched atop a certain fallen spire with his hands crossed. Soon the clouds shadow fell on him and he raised his head slightly upwards.
The silence was shattered after a moment. A low hum echoed through the dry river bed and off the torn and fallen columns. The cloaked man did not move. Soon a low flying aircraft glinted in the sun as it crested the closest dune. Its hull was silver and with black veins running along its different facets. It seemed to be armored and out of its back side was a blue fire that propelled it forward like a jet engine only smaller.
The craft landed like a dragonfly amidst the ruins and its cock pit slowly opened revealing two heads. The two people stepped out of the craft and crunched onto the sand floor. The first was a man in his late 40’s. He boasted a scruffy chin and wore goggles. The second was a woman. Her name was Victoria. She had long flowing black hair and wore a business suit with a skirt that was just as black as her hair; the skirt barely made it to her mid thighs. Upon landing in the sand she removed her high-heels and proceeded forward barefoot.
The man in goggles followed Victoria towards the fallen columns.
“You’re late.” The man under the cowl spoke in a gravelly voice. One would perhaps have thought he was ill from his voice but the man and woman both knew better. They were aware that the man under the cloak had recently awoken from a 200 year sleep. They knew it wasn’t his first either. He had survived millennia upon millennia on this earth making his age countless. They knew very well that he had just accomplished a journey into the heart of the earth and back to retrieve something… some artifact. But what artifact exactly? They had hoped to find out.
“Late?” spoke the man. He sounded tired but steady. “We are here on the precise day and time you commanded.”
“I’ve been here for 2 days now. If you had listened to the whisperings of the Bleak you would have known to come earlier.” The cloaked man said bitterly.
The woman gave almost a snort in response. “We leave most of that up to you Emperor...”
“Don’t be a fool.” He said before she could finish his title. A hand protruded from within the folds of heavy cloth and tossed a shiny item that looked somewhat like a dingy brooch attached to leather belts. The scruffy man caught it in his left hand. He immediately began examining the artifact.
“Is this…it? Is this what you went to Marinthe to…”
“It is an artifact that has survived the tests of time.” The cloaked man cut him off before he could finish the question. “It is called a crutch. It’s a gruesome item my Glass Blower of over 10,000 years created…Rajagal was his name. One of the few human souls I truly miss since my time on earth. He was the most talented with glass and the bleak. But seeing how you, Mr. Cannon are the only Glass Blower I can trust at this disdainful time, it must be you who recharges the crutch. And then I will be able to return to normal.”
“When will you want it back? How much time do I have?” Mr. Cannon said holding the crutch up to the light. It was a flattened sphere of perfectly clear glass attached to small leather belts and buckles. The center piece was so clear that it appeared more like a drop of water than glass.
The Emperor arose at this point and approached Mr. Cannon. He walked with a limp and grunted with each step. “I want you to do it…now.”
A brief look of fear flashed across Mr. Cannon’s face. He doubted his abilities and perhaps supposed once the task was complete his purpose to the Emperor would be fulfilled thus making him a unneeded liability. Cannon breathed deep and regained his resolute disposition. “What must I do.”
Beneath the cowl a grin slowly formed.
An hour later Mr. Cannon and Victoria left in the same craft that had brought them. Timing could not have been more perfect for as the jet disappeared into the horizon 2 more figures appeared with the now setting sun to their backs. It cast long shadows from their bodies as they marched towards the Emperor.
“Giacov! Sophacles!” the Emperor called their names. Upon hearing it they ran towards the fallen monument.
When they reached him both Giacov and Sophacles fell to one knee. “Chenzira.” They whispered ominously. Both were dressed for the trek across the desert. Giacov was defined by a head of white hair that was brilliant in the sun. Sophocles was shorter and stocky. His pectoral muscles protruded from his chest and his arms were like over filled sausages that he folded across his front.
“Arise.” The Emperor spoke. His voice was no longer gruff but smooth and enchanting. Giacov reached out and put a hand on the Emperor’s shoulder. “Master. You seem… well. Once more.”
The Emperor put a hand over his chest and heaved a large breath. “Things will be different this time around. The name Amun Chenzira will be known once more across the earth.” Amun turned and faced the ruined monument. “Do you know what this is?” he asked loudly. He walked forward and his limp was gone as well. The crutch was working. “This was the once great Tower of Idune. Time has crumbled it to the ground just as Demetri Idero Idune himself was lost. I am the only thing on this EARTH that has out done the cycles. I am greater than any other. You two will be princes of the Bleak.” Amun turned and smiled at Giacov and Sophocles. “Do you see that cloud fading into the north?”
Giacov and Sophocles both gazed into the northern horizon. “It is a Mage of the Bleak. It will guide us to the next phase in our assault of the Mariner world. Come, we must not lose pace.”
Emperor Chenzira moved to the far side of the ruins. Giacov and Sophocles followed to find 3 horses tied to a large stone. The three mounted and rode north.
