The Release of the Four Bane

The Release of the Four Bane

Spells of darkness were finally overcome by the Light elves with spells of light. Wizards could not perform nearly enough light energy to counterattack the vile magic of the Mori`Quessir, and so it was left to the bishops and prophets. These were not used to offensive or defensive magics, and so called upon the god Anaron for aid.

"Mother, I was guiding the second sun across the sky when I heard my people call. They speak of a defense against magic unheard of to them," Anaron had come across the heavens to give this urgent message to his mother goddess.

Iva`na looked at Her three-faced son with pupiless eyes of shining white. "I have seen it. We will grant your race the power to fight evil magics."

"But what evil? Surely it is not Ithila."

Nav`ean raised a hand to his mate's shoulder. His eyes were deep and empty. "You will tell our children of the others."

Iva`na could only nod, knowing they could not hide the original children from the other gods any longer. They all gathered together, even the elder four who were busy tending to the other continent. She explained her four first births, and the gods decided it would be best to give divine power to Anaron's race to battle the Four Bane's leaked power.

Through practice and prayer, the healers of the Me`a`Quessir learned how to defeat the undead and monsters of the Mori`Quessir with greater strength. However, with this gain, there seemed to be no winning on either side. The fighters were all equal in skill and strength. The strategists all knew the same tricks. Exhaustion and death continued, and neither side would give in. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. The elves were slowly exterminating themselves.

Finally, Anaron became sick of watching his people die. He would have destroyed the tainted race of Ithila if it was not for the thought of her and their first collaborations. Anaron consulted his parents again. Iva`na looked to Her mate Nav`ean.

"Both races must be destroyed if their war continues."

"What? They were trying to defend themselves against Ithila's people. We gave them divine power - "

"They initiated a war. Your race believes they have the right to destroy Ithila's. They will both be destroyed for their faults," Nav`ean repeated with an expressionless gaze. Iva`na agreed and looked to the crestfallen Anaron. "You can create a new race, my son."

Nav`ean left the heavens not long after. He smiled grimly at his plans.

Ithila stared as her father appeared before the Four. He had the power to enter their chambers at will, but He had never visited them. "Father!"

Nav`ean looked slightly surprised to find his daughter in chains, sitting in a corner, her form still beautiful but quite different than she had looked when He last saw her. "Ithila, you have taken league with your sisters and brothers?"

"Of course not!" she yelled and held up her obsidian chains. The Four Bane heard and entered the main cavern.

"Ah, Father!" Wrath opened his reddish arms wide to greet Nav`ean.

"Decided to visit us after all this time?" Pain asked offensively.

"But you are certainly welcome here," Plague gave Pain a sharp look, implying something to him.

"You know your mother would never allow me here. I doubt it will be much longer before she understands where I've gone. But stay, look how you all have matured," he said this as a proud father with a secret adoration for his misbegotten children.

Famine grinned ghoulishly at her father god. "You wish something of us?"

Without acknowledging Ithila, Nav`ean spoke to the Four. "Yes. I hereby temporarily release you, Wrath, Famine, Plague and Pain, under these conditions: You are to destroy the mortal races of Anaron and Ithila."

Ithila could not believe what she was hearing. "What? Father! No!" She strained in her chains, her red eyes becoming brighter.

The Four Bane thanked their father, ignoring Ithila's desperate screams.

"You will return here when the deed is done. Or Iva`na and I will drain you of your every power."

"We honor your will, Father," they said in unison and bowed their heads.

Still not saying a word to Ithila, Nav`ean swept his great hand through the cavern and disappeared.

"Hah!" Wrath exclaimed in excitement. "The bonds are broken. There is work to be done!"

"I will not return here by bondage, brother," Plague said.

"I've no intention of returning by force," Wrath grinned. He smirked over at Ithila. "Say goodbye to your Mori`Quessir."

"No!" Ithila screamed. The only thing she had left was her people. Without them she would be nothing.

A smiling Pain brought a blindfold to her face and tightened her chains so she could no longer reach the back of her head. "And now you have nothing to look at but your mind's eye, little sister."

"You're monsters! I will defeat you!" Ithila cried, sensing in which direction the Four stood. They laughed in response. Plague replied, "I will make sure to poison the rivers and cloud the air for the children."

The Queen of the Abyss screamed again then grit her teeth and wrenched her wrists against the rock chains. She wailed and wept as she felt the presence of the Four Bane leave her.