"Spero…", a deep raspy voice calls his name, but he can't locate the source.
"Daeva...one of us!"
The sands beneath his feet began to sink slowly as the voice begins to shout, "Your anger! Your darkness! YOUR HATRED!"
Spero desperately claws at the walls of sand. His fingers dig deep grasping for any semblance of a solid hold, yet the sands and dark presence drags him further into its clutches. As his body sinks deeper, a veil of grains blankets his face, he gasps for an ounce of breath. Spero launches one final, valiant attempt to hoist himself out of the suffocating pit. But his efforts are in vain, he plunges into the depths of a pitch-black abyss. Within the chilling darkness, a flicker of warm light steers him forward. Echoes of familiar voices whisper his name. He goes towards the warm glow.
FLASH
A wall of scorching flames appears before him, a frenzy of intense heat engulfs the air around him. He shields his eyes from the searing blaze, the heat pressing against his skin. As the inferno gradually wanes, he cautiously lowers his hands, only to discover them stained lukewarm blood.
A lifeless body lays before him, battered and beaten. Spero kneels in front of the body. He places his bloodied hands on the body, as turns over the corpse. Speros hands begin to tremble as his stomach sinks deeper inside.
"No!", Spero bellows out.
The body is suddenly grabbed by the shadows, pulling him into their depths. Spero chases after it, sprinting through the shadows until he emerges in a Persian city engulfed in flames. It is a city unknown to him, these damaged stone buildings contain architecture that surpasses even those in Anshan.
The streets are filled panicked citizens, their voices screaming out in fear as they rush past Spero, jostling him about like a leaf in a fierce storm. A forceful shove sends him sprawling to the hard dirt ground, his gaze is drawn to a gleaming pool of crimson. He stares into the pool of blood; it reflects childhood version of himself.
The demonic voice returns, "You did this! You will do this! Everything is caused by you!"
Darkness and red energy burst out of him vigorously and his chaos symbol appears irradicably in his eyes. Tremors of searing agony flow through his veins, igniting a kaleidoscope of visions that flicker in his mind; scenes of pure devastation and deaths of innocents.
The voice pierced through his ears, "YOUR POWER WILL BE MINE!"
Cyrus shakes Spero awake, "Are you feeling, okay? You wouldn’t wake no matter how much I tried”
“Um... yes, I think so”
Cyrus gives Spero an uncertain glare, “It's daylight. Time to head home"
Spero touches his forehead and feels the cold sweat tickle is fingertips. He surveys his surroundings and sees his fellow soldiers dismantling their tents and gathering their weapons to prepare for the journey back to the kingdom. Spero checks his hands, relieved to find them clean of blood. However, a sharp pain pricks his eyes as he rises to his feet. When he tries to gather his belongings, he notices slight sharp pain in his eyes. Struggling to gather his belongings, Spero senses a pulse in his eyes. He draws his sword and stares at his reflection, only to witness a small burst of red and black energy emanating from the depths of his puplis.
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*****
Once they arrive in the kingdom, Spero breaks off from the group to a secluded location.
He casts a bright blue spell, "Astral."
The symbol flickers in his hand and a calm voice appears, "Yes, old friend."
Spero turns.
"I had an odd dream... or at least I think it was a dream.”
“Explain” Astral urges.
Spero hesitates for a moment before continuing, "It didn’t feel normal. It was uneasily vivid. Like a memory or a glimpse into the future that I cannot place."
Astral's eyes widen as Spero reveals more, "The voice seemed to know me, showing me parts of my past or future that I have no memory of."
Astral's demeanor shifts, his expression growing serious as he quickly approaches Spero. "Do not heed that voice, Spero. It is imperative that you ignore it at all costs, do not engage with it.”
Taken aback by Astral's urgency, Spero questions, "Why? Who - or what - was that presence?"
"You say its name, and they will find you. The less you know, the safer you'll be.", Astral disappears.
Spero, frustrated by the lack of information provided to him, delves deep into his mind in search of answers. In a moment of recollection, he is transported back to a dinner with his father.
"There are daevas out there who feed on dark energy. Your power, they are attracted to it. Do not let them corrupt you, stay far away. If the voice finds you, block your mind and fight back if you can. I have tried to kill as many as I could, but he will be looking for you."
Spero regains awareness,
*****
King Cambyses, ruler of the kingdom, stands tall on his balcony, overlooking the vast expanse of his land under the tranquil night sky. As his loyal servants depart from the throne room after their discussion.
Spero speaks, "My King."
Turning away from the view, Cambyses is met with the sight of Spero, kneeling before him.
The king moved gracefully to his throne and took his seat, "Excellent. On time as always. Your mission against the Orc General was an astounding success. Their forces have weakened, and they are fearful of our strength, especially with the last assault. As you know our meeting with my informant from the Median Empire is approaching, but this one will be a bit different. An official is delivering some classified information to the King in Medes, and I want you to intercept that scroll and deliver it to my informant. Make sure you kill the official. I will provide you with the location and time where the carriage will be at a later date."
"Yes, my King."
Before rising to make his departure, Cambyses calls out, "Do not let my son, Cyrus, know of our meetings. I do not need him getting into any political quarrels at this time."
Spero acknowledges the king's command and leaves the room.
*****
In the mighty desert sun, a two-horse carriage rattles down a dusty trail, its wooden wheels crunching over scattered pebbles. Inside, an official accompanied by two guards ride and c converse among themselves. Spero is concealed behind foliage, spots the approaching carriage and springs into action. As the carriage passes, he lunges forward and seizes the undercarriage, hauling himself stealthily onto the back. Pressing his ear against the worn wood, he listens intently to the hushed conversation within. Detecting subtle nuances in tone and distance, he identifies his target and strikes. He drives his sword through the wood and into the official. Spero slides through the carriage doors, guards started desperately reach for their weapons. In a flurry of movement, he slays them and rummages through the official's garments, uncovering the scroll. With the item in hand, Spero vanishes from the carriage, leaving no trace of his presence as the driver remains oblivious to what inspired.
Later that same day, Spero approached the secluded meeting spot, surrounded by thick trees and bushes full of leaves he spots the informant.
"Greetings, Spero, it has been long." The informant greets.
Spero hands him the scroll. "What information can you share about this, Harpagus?"
"The King of Medes was sending this official to the Elves of Old Elam. He attempted to bridge an alliance with their minor clans. If the surprise you left them arrives, this allegiance will be severed before it even started."
"It seems the tension between your king and ours is beginning to rise. Cambyses is steadily advancing his plan."
Harpagus perks up, "That is great to hear. King Astyages has become quite wary of your King, and was hoping the Elves would be able to breach your walls."
"Does he really think we would come begging for his help? Anyways, thank you. I will be sure to inform Cambyses.", Spero states.
"Will Cyrus be joining our next meeting?"
Spero takes a moment to respond. "No, if he learns what happened to your son, he will blame himself. It would cause a problem with our plans, so best to leave him in the dark for now."
Harpagus moves closer, touching his chest, "He is not to blame, I chose to spare his life."
Spero, with a grave expression, emphasizes, "When the time is right, maybe, but for the time being he must not know."
"I...I understand."
Spero retraces his steps to the Kingdom of Anshan, sharing the vital information to the king.