Since the dawning of time, the world has needed heroes. The people were suppressed by monsters whose only desire was to kill and destroy. Led by the lizard like Gorgon, the monsters brought death and destruction to all they cam across. The people cried out for someone, anyone to save them. But no one had both the bravery and the skill to survive an encounter with any of the monsters. Anyone who was brave enough to stand against them fell, dying horrible and painful deaths. Until Aquarius arose. Imbued with powerful magic of Water, Fire and Earth, he defeated the lesser monsters easily. But he knew he could not keep fighting alone. And he could not hope to face the more powerful monsters and survive, despite his skill with the sword and shield and magic. Thus he searched the lands and recruited anyone with the smallest hint of magic. Aquarius’ warriors became known as the Magical Warriors, as each one could control the elements. Each Warrior was trained in their element, the more talented ones having the ability to change their very forms, much like Aquarius himself. The Warriors hunted down every monster that threatened the people and they received fame and respect in return. As their numbers grew, a fortress was built to house the Warriors in one place. Asgardia, as it came to be known as, was a city all its own. For all the fame he and his Warriors had garnered, Aquarius’ heart began to turn. As the first, he was the most famous and had the most respect. But he wanted more. At this time, he was ambushed by some of the monsters. Outnumbered, he was taken captive. Or so he thought. He was brought through a series of caverns and into a large room carved out of the rock itself. And before Gorgon himself. He was seated on what looked to the Warrior to be a crude throne.
“Glad you could join us, Aquarius,” he said. His body was covered in scales black as a moonless night and his eyes were red as blood. Spines ran down his back and ended in spikes on his tail. Many lives had been ended by those spikes. His claws were weapons in themselves. He had a leg thrown over the arm of the throne. Aquarius knew he was going to have to rely on words instead of might if he was going to leave this place alive and in mostly one piece.
“Not that I had much of a choice,” Aquarius answered, eyeing the monsters around him. “You brought me here. What do you want? Revenge?” Gorgon only smiled a fangy smile and gave a laugh before sitting upright. It sent chills down the Warrior’s spine.
“Quite the opposite. I weary of being hunted. I can see into your heart. You wish for more than a life of killing my kind. You wish for more than fame and respect. More than being a leader of witches and sorcerers,”
“What are you getting at?”
“You wish for fortune as well. Power. Influence,”
“And you can give that to me,” Aquarius folded his arms across his chest. “What’s the catch?”
“Asgardia is impenetrable. Leave us a way in,” Aquarius couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.
“What!? You wish for me to betray my men?”
“Your Magical Warriors are hunting my kind to extinction! What happens when the last of us fall? What purpose will your Warriors have then? The people will resent you when they no longer need you. They will forget all of your great deeds. Your battles will only be children’s tales. They will turn from you and look upon you will fear and hate. You can save them from that fate,” A snake like creature slithered up to Gorgon and whispered into his ear. He nodded. “Your men have found us and are coming to your rescue. Consider what I offer, Aquarius. That is all I ask,” The monsters’ leader grinned as he stood. The Warriors’ leader didn’t like that. “We wouldn’t want them to think we were having a peaceful discussion, now do we?” Aquarius knew what was about to come next, but before he could draw his shield or call upon his magic to defend himself, Gorgon sent a powerful blast at him that knocked him across the room. When he landed he rolled several feet before coming to a stop on his stomach, pain wracking through his body. He heard battle cries as a group of the Warriors charged into the room.
“Aquarius!” he heard a man cry but could not place who. His awareness was dimming. He struggled to rise. “Don’t move. We’ll get you out of here,” He heard a drake’s roar and a wolf’s howl before Aquarius collapsed and lost all consciousness.