"Birth of The Elementals" Fanfiction!

[BP JinT]

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“As gods among the living, the Elementals strike terror in the hearts of all who meet their soulless gaze. But all gods have a story, and all stories have a beginning.”

A series of shorts chronicling how the discovery of Shadow Crystals changed one world forever, setting in motion a chain of events that created a race of beings unlike any other. Based before the events of Balor, on what later becomes one of many worlds enslaved to the Man of Shadow, Birth of the Elementals is divided into two stages. The years before ascension (BA), and after (AA).

I'll be releasing part every couple days over the next weeks to support my Lore Competition Entry.

Hope you enjoy,

BP JinT

[BP JinT]

--------------Birth of the Elementals: Part 1 - "A Simpler Time"--------------
10 BA (Before Ascension), Shale Village

The crisp spring air washed over the school yard creating soft ripples in the long grass. A warm day, the children played outside in their shirts and shorts enjoying the time between lessons. Miss Harkness never let them doddle however and swiftly rang the bell at 12:15 signalling the children back inside.

The village’s small school house only ever need to house 10-15 children at a time. Most of which only attended school 4 days a week, balancing the work load with farm work and chores. Zaladar hated school. At 14 he was one of the eldest in the class, but struggled with the basics of maths and language. He just didn't see the point in learning things he'd never use.

"Zal!" Miss Harkness yelled disturbing his daydream. “Stop staring out the window and do you equations!"
He straightened his posture over the desk and looked again at the mess of numbers printed on the paper in front of him. His expression dropped. None of this made any sense to him. Looking up at Miss Harkness, now writing the A, B, C's on the chalk board for some younger students to practice, he considered guessing the answers and sneaking out before she noticed. Last time she caught him, but this time...

"Zal!" Miss Harkness yelled again as if reading his thoughts. "I know what you’re thinking and you won't be leaving today until I've personally marked each of those questions correct." Zal squirmed uncomfortably in his seat thinking how much trouble he'd be in getting home late again.

He looked over his shoulder to Sussie who was giggling with her friends at his telling off. He'd always loved her cute giggle; so playful. She was the only girl in the village close to his age, and they'd become good friends because of it. Often sneaking off to go fishing in the local lake. How he wished he was there now.

"Miss, Zal isn't working." Sussie said pointing in his direction with a smile on her face.

"That does it Zal! Come to the front of the class now!" Zal slowly stood up, his face blushing as everyone in the class stared at him. He walked over to her, his eyes firmly fixed on her shoes. "As you don't seem content doing maths sums, you've just volunteered to read this week’s headlines to the class." A groan escaped his lips. He hated reading, and hated reading in front of people even more. "Now, now class. I'd like to have all your attention on Zal while he reads to us" a wry smile crossed Miss Harkness's face. She likes seeing me suffer Zal thought.

"The Eruti Times published on the 18th of April.

Prime Minister Aldas spurs drive to develop local indus... indus... indust..."

"in-dust-ries" Miss Harkness gently pronounced each syllable for him to repeat.

"Thanks, Prime Minister Aldas spurs drive to develop local industries making Eruti the workshop of the world.

Peoples of Afger produce bumper crop of Elk root destined for our dinner tables.

New material discovered in local mine hailed as replacement to coal.

Summer harvest to begin in earnest.
New motor... motori.... motorisssd vehicles to replace horse in 20 years"

"That’s motorized. The z works like an s in this word"

"Ah" Zal did his best to give the appearance of caring “and, Eruti forces achieve land mark victory in north Quilnada province."

"Thank you Zal, very well done. Now class what article would you like to hear?" A mess of adolescent voices started shouting, no one distinguishable from the other. "Alright class, settle down, settle down. Marko, what article would you like to hear?"

"I'd like the one on coal. Let’s give Zal a challenge" The rest of the class laughed and Zaladars face turned bright red.

"Alright Zal you heard him. Article three please"

"Sure" he said casting a seething glare in Marko’s direction.

"New Material discovered in local mine hailed as replacement to coal.
Six weeks ago a group of explorers came across a new crystal form... formation growing in a subterranean mine north of Goluen. Dubbed Shadow Crystals, mainly for their tendency to be found in darkened places emitting a soft blue glow; they produce a weak electric field scientists believe could be used to create power. This cleaner energy would reduce the mounting pollution caused by existing coal plants and greatly increase the availa... ability of electricity to rural communities helping spread the gift of electric lights now enjoyed in almost every city in this fair country of ours. Since its discovery, three other sites have been identified in Eruti. Local author... authori... "

"Authorities" Again Miss Harkness calmly helped him.

"Local authorities are urging members of the community to come forward if they know of additional crystal locations and are offering generous finder’s fees to confirmed sources. Happy Crystal Hunting Folks!"

"Thank you Zal, can we have a round of applause class" The class started clapping and laughing, again turning Zaladar’s face bright red. "Zal, because you read so well you can take your sums home tonight, but I want to see that completed first thing tomorrow morning. Understood?"

"Yes Miss" Zal replied sheepishly.

"Excellent, well done everybody. Class dismissed." A ruckus of sliding chairs and tables followed as the class emptied into the playground.

Zal ran over to Marko and punched him in the arm. "That was mean of you to pick a story you thought I'd struggle with."

"Haha, well that and it will be relevant to your future as a digger." Marko joked rubbing his arm.
"Shut up! I'm not gonna be a digger!"

"Sorry, I figured if you’re not interested in school you had your heart set on digging holes for the rest of your life"

"Real funny Marko, but I'm going to the city, get a real job, and get out this village forever!"

"Whatever Zal" Marko said, still chuckling "you and your dreams. We better get going. I told Sussie we'd meet her at the lake before we go home."

"What!? Why?"

"You'll see" Marko replied with a smile.

[BP JinT]

--------------Road to Balor: Part 2 - “A Hero Falls "--------------
2 AA (After Ascension), Gardrin Beach, EL Headquarters
Zaladar forced his palms toward the EL fortifications, deflecting the hail of projectiles raining down on him. Elemental forces advanced toward the colossal structure housing the EL's headquarters and last of the Eruti resistance. Sparks and Zontonite worriers crashed into the human defences, energy meeting steel and wood. The mile long battle front surged with conflict as Zaladar began his push. Sparks and Flares softened the human defences considerably easing his advance, burning or killing living flesh as they whipped from target to target. Despite significant improvements in EL armour since the first elemental attacks over two years ago, blasts defected by ceramic plating caused mass confusion. Whilst not directly fatal, heat generated by the repeated impacts was enough to incapacitate most human troops, ultimately cooking them alive and igniting ordinance they possessed.

Zaladars pace quickened, each step charring the ground under his feet. On a ridge to his left, three Zantonites clashed with several EL vanguard, metal limbs suspended in a purple clouds of energy deflecting repeating vanguard blows. Raising Shadowvein; Zaladar charged a distracted ELA soldier with an overhand swing, smashing him to the ground, killing him instantly. Blue bolts of shadow energy drown from the victim’s soul, ripped from his body toward the legendary blade, fuelling Zaladars rampage. The spectacle gained the attention of an ELA bunker to his right; resulting in a swift bombardment of musket fire, supported by three huge flaming catapult rounds. Through the smoke and dust Zaladar released his now infamous lightning strike blasting the bunker from existence; killing most its occupants, leavening the others easy prey for the sparks which zipped through moments after.

Turning his attention back to the Zantonites, now at his rear, Zaladars gaze was meet by another. The heavily armoured soldier wielding two staffs stood surrounded by Afger archers; a beacon to all Eruti troops, a beacon Zaladar intended to shatter. Turning from Zaladar the Champion lunged toward an injured Zantonite piercing is spectral core destabilising its energy into a cloud of light, sending its armour collapsing to the dirt- lifeless. A chill went through Zaladar as a fellow ascended being was released from physical form. Charging forward he forced his palms toward his target; not the armoured solider but the sole remaining Zantonite warrior to his side. Drawing its essence with his will, a bright light began to condense in Zaladars core. Feeling its memories as he extinguished the Zantonites life, Zaladar’s energy discharge rippled across the Eruti defences. Blinding light, followed by a sonic boom; the shockwave swept across the front line killing every soldier in sight. Only the Champion remained unscathed, firmly angled in Zaladars direction attempting to understand what had occurred.

[BP JinT]

Wounded by the discharge, fuelled by the energy of combat; a fire ignited in Zaladars eyes. The champion changed his stance, waited, then charged Zaladar with both staffs, creating a frenzied shield of gliding timber. Taking a step backward Zaladar raised his arms from his side, static electricity from the earth leaped into his body growing his form. Using Shadow Font he charged his lightning attack and cast it on the attacker, bolts cascaded across spinning staffs, decimating the surrounding terrain but did nothing to slow the man down. Shocked by deflection, Zaladar tried to raise Shadowvein in defence, but was too late, a staff plunged into his lightning flesh staggering him to the side. Three sparks came rushing to his aid, the first swiftly extinguished by a leaping staff blow, the remaining two hovering just outside the champions range pestering him from a distance. Regaining his footing Zaladar quickly scanned the horizon, two Crystal Titans marched through the ELA flank absorbing continues catapult fire while Zantonite worriers charged through the gaps, slaughtering the defenders inside.
Extinguishing the final spark, the champion’s attention returned to Zaladar once again. Spinning his staffs he leapt at the lightning god for a second time. Zaladar was ready for it, Shadowdvein erupted with light, scorching the wooden staff with shadow energy as they clashed, forcing both combatants past each other. The champion spun to face Zaladar, placing his back to the ELA defences, taking a moment to indulge in the same landscape Zaladar witnessed moments before. Succumbing to extensive bombardment, a Crystal Titan crashed to the earth destroying several ELA bunkers in its path, multiple sparks rushed the trenches striking the uprooted troops while they attempted retreat, screams of pain and terror echoed across the battlefield. Watching his men die a steely expression washed over the champions face.

"This ends now." he commanded. Two Quilnada Honour Guard ran to his assistance. Zaladar prepared for another assault, again the staffs clashed with Shadowvein charging his shadow energy; a neive mistake. He released a devastating bolt of lightning blasting the champion and honour guards to the ground. Capitalising he swung Shadowvein ferociously into a downed Honour guards skull; ending his life instantly with a flurry of blue and white light.
The champion let out a blood curdling roar before rushing Zaladar again. Barley defecting the first trust, as a second staff swung into his ribs, Zaladar dropped to one knee. The champion followed with a quick overhand swing forcing Zaladar to fall backward, losing his grip on Shadowvein. Draped in the scorched remains of his armour, the middays sun beating down on his exposed chest; the hero raised his staff striking a clean blow to Zaladars face sending the lightning god’s body limp. Defenceless, heartless eyes gazed up at the champion, who in kind starred back, deep into the lightning creature’s soul.

Had it not been for the final Quilnada Honour Guard Zaladars death would have been a certainty. The rusty blade entered the Champions back, gliding cleanly toward his heart. Zaladar returned to his body confronted by the face of the man he'd just murdered. Shock broke the champion’s composure falling to his knees, desperately searching for an answer. With his final breath he looked up toward the blackened eyes of the Mind Controlled Honour Guard looming above him, still holding the fatal blade, then feel to the bloody dirt defeated.

Zaladar collected Shadowvein, raising to his feet slowly, surveying the smouldering mound of scorched earth Gardrin Beach had become. To the south, Elementalis’s push with the bulk of the Elemental army had breached the human defences completely, leaving nothing but flames and bodies in their wake. To the north, Markovis continued his push through the maze of trenches and explosions, caring more about death then progress. To the west, Zaladar stood alone, the red and blue standard once signifying the Eruti Vanguard’s coat of arms lay half buried at his feet. Scorched, torn and blood-stained it lay forgotten, with only the dead for company.