Albel Lionet
.:| Prelude |:.
I’m numb to you - numb and deaf and blind.
You give me all but the reason why.
I reach but I feel only air at night.
Not you, not love, just nothing.


“Brother…”

Albel stared out at the village. He imagined they were trembling, the gigantic sandstorm brewing on their edge. Truth was, it was churning and choking only a few feet behind from where he stood. Yet no one on the Matria’s side tremble, no one dare take a step without consulting her first. Albel growled softly, they were lead by a damned magician, and nothing more. It had been surprising when she had rose up the ranks and taken control, blessed by the twin moons to control the sands of the plains. And now she stirred them, only to cast a shadow on their enemy, nothing more.

“Brother…”

“Hmm?” He didn’t look at his sister, only acknowledge her presence. Albel turned his head only slightly at the feel of her hand grasping his wrist.

“What’s wrong?” She sounded worried; Albel finally looked at Aurelia completely. “I thought this day would make you happy?”

Albel didn’t know how to reply exactly, he was aware that Aurelia knew of his growing distaste for the Matria; yet, he’d never reveal the full extent to her. She didn’t need to be bothered by his simple grudges, he shrugged and looked over his should at the Matria who was discussing some nonsense with the Versa.

“She makes us wait; for the sun to completely set.”

Aurelia looked up into the sky; it was nightfall, yet the sun still managed to peak out from around the swirling sands and the mountain. Complete darkness is what she wanted, and soon enough the Matria would get it.

Albel just hated waiting.

“Albel.”

Turning from his sister, Albel saw the Versa approaching, and he mentally groaned. She brought ‘orders’ from Zephys, and the gods knew that the queen loved to make Albel’s life a living hell.

“Yes?”

“She says we must take some prisoners.” Alvena spoke, taking a step back as Albel’s eyes became consumed by darkness.

Alvena showed promise, and Albel was quite aware she wanted to be on his ‘special’ battalion; which was only kept around because they were damn good at their job. However, most had begun to show signs of over-confidence, arrogance, and the idea they were somewhere close to being at Albel’s level. Morons. He thought coldly, Albel would never teach them everything; that would be a mistake. Only Aurelia would come to learn everything the desert taught him. And then they would answer to her when she was older. The fools weren’t even aware that Aurelia already could beat most of them, which this battle provided the greatest opportunity to dispose of them.

“And her reason?”

“She suggested that they could provide us with information about other villages. And access to the mountain pass.”

Albel’s anger swelled again; that damned pass wasn’t important! So they went through the Cisil Mountains, they could always go around, or over. They didn’t have to go through, no, the Matria probably just got greedy.

“Alvena, your main priority is to find the lowlife miner who knows the magicks to get in there and bring him to me. Any miner you see, catch them.”

Alvena nodded, “and the rest?”

Albel ignored that question, and turned to his sister. If he didn’t have to communicate with others, than he wouldn’t. Aurelia looked up at him with a weak smile, and tilted her head. He waited until Alvena walked away before continuing.

“I want you to eliminate Ret, Nami and Sesu.”

“Why?”

He smirked. “Because they’re no longer needed; and they make me… Unhappy.”

Aurelia nodded; eager to try and make Albel happy. “Just make sure you make it appear as if they were killed in battle with the enemy.”

“Okay.”

“Sir,” One of the lower awakeners mumbled, barely loud enough for Albel to hear. The Domin turned, looking ready to slaughter the man. “What about the younglings?”

Younglings: a term for the newest recruits and most inexperienced soldiers. Honestly, Albel hadn’t even glanced at them, considering them not worth his time; if they wanted training Alvena could do it. Yet she had been wrapped up with carrying out orders that the Matria had personally given her. Albel stepped over to the edge of the hill point and looked down at them.

“After the sand smothers the village… Send them in first.”

“Sir, none of them have ever been in combat-“

“Do they have weapons?”

“Yes…”

Albel smirked, turning from the younglings and back to his sister who was eager for the battle to commence.

“Whoever survives is worth training.”

The sun was gone now; disappearing completely behind the sandstorm and the mountains. Albel felt the wind pick up, and small particles of sand fell from the sky as the majority of the raging sandstorm was forced into a concentrated funnel, that swept from the air and flew at the village. Impressive… He had to give Zephys credit on that. Her magick ability made the sandstorm easy for her to control, other Matria’s had enough trouble summoning a funnel of sand, rather than a raging wall of sand. And now, she kept up the wall while sending a massive amount of rock, debris and Lumiun sand toppling down on the villagers. It looked almost like an hourglass, the sand pouring down on the houses and people.

“Won’t that bury them all?” Alvena questioned, appearing by Albel’s side again.

Albel looked glanced at her; his incarta had begun to spread rapidly; Cerus was eager to slaughter anyone that got in the way.

“Bury most, leave the ones worth fighting alive.” He growled, unable to control it really; the sand stream was almost gone, the excess was beginning to swirl around the village itself. Albel only let Cerus transform him half way, with most of his body covered in gleaming obsidian black and four raven wings burst from his back. “Do not fail me Alvena.”

She only nodded as he let out an inhuman and terrifying roar. The younglings cheered, charging hastily towards the village.

“Albel!”

He snarled, turning to see the Matria staring at him.

“What about the Continental Command?” She paused, slightly taken back by his form.

“Surely they’ve taken notice your highness, any of the soldiers close by might come to fight us and our sand.” Albel clenched his fist and smiled. “Let them come, they will drown in our sandstorm before they ever get to us.”

~ . ~


The Awakeners have begun their assault on the White Emperor’s lands. King Dandis has just received word of this strange and terrifying sandstorm that has launched a part of itself at the village. While most of the high council say it is a form of forbidden witchcraft, others, such as the captains and General cry out Awakeners. The spirits have long been on edge as the sandstorm appeared, and now they tremble.

A TRAGIC TALE
The Dandis Dynasty

Part one: Opposition