Chronicles of Elysia, page 1
Chronicles of Elysia: Redemption
Yuri Jean-Baptiste
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Copyright © 2023 by Yuri Jean-Baptiste
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Cover designed by MiblArt.
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This book is dedicated to God, above all else, my amazing wife, and two incredible daughters. To the growing brotherhood of Unparalleled and All4One, thanks for enforcing my purpose.
Contents
Elysia World Map
The Perfections of Comtuna
Prologue
Part One: Nelgra's Return
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Part Two: Rise of the Beastbane
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Part Three: Mysteries in the Mist
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Interlude: The Ties That Bind Us
Chapter One
Interlude: A Broken Man
Chapter One
Part Four: What Lies Beneath
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Part Five: Champion Reborn
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Epilogue
Afterword
The Perfections of Comtuna
The Perfection of Comtuna was originally written by the great and well revered Haranaen prophet Moisés Comtuna, or Moisés the First, during the first century. One of the original prophets, Moisés oversaw the design and teachings of the first temple within the Scorched Frontier. The elder Haranae received the commands of the book from Elyon Himself while dreaming. The original manuscript was a far cry from the massive text the Perfections have grown into, but the heart of the message remains the same: how to live a life that reflects the heart of Elyon.
Following the death of Moisés, the Perfections developed from a declaration of laws into a prominent text with the addition of passages from many prominent prophets, including Tomas the Bold and Ezra the Enlightened. Along with the original ten commands, the Perfections grew to include historical accounts, parables, songs, and rituals, all designed to glorify Elyon and encourage a lifestyle of righteousness. These distinct styles were separated into eight sections and are reviewed every century to preserve the accuracy and reaffirm the meanings behind the text. If any additional material is to be included, one of the chief prophets or high priests must declare it before undergoing a strenuous process of review. As of 501, no new material has been added, though whether this is because of Elyon’s silence, or the dwindling of our true prophets remains to be seen.
As it stands, the current text is separated into the following framework:
I. The Perfections
II. The Origins of the Holy Three and the Creation of the World
III. The Fields of Euphoria, Underworld, and the Realm of the Dead
IV. Nature of Soulcraft and the Corruption of the Soul
V. The History of the Freedpeople (as told by the prophets) and the Judgement of Elyon
VI. Parables of Instruction
VII. Worship
VIII. Rituals and Practices of the Righteous
Though The Perfection of Comtuna was created by Moisés the First for the benefit of his people, these teachings are essential reading for all Freedpeople, regardless of their species. Unfortunately, this has fallen out of practice over time, and following the rise of the Traitor King, much of the world has fallen into depravity. The Haranaes, however, still hold true to this text and continue to center their society around it. Their culture revolves around the Perfections, and the promise of the last prophecy: that one day, The Last Prophet, will arise and herald the coming of a new age. He will accompany the Scion of Elyon and help pave the path for the reclamation of the world. He will be the guardian of the Champion and restore Elysia to its intended glory.
In summary, the Perfection of Comtuna is more than just a sacred book, held in the highest regard by the Haranaes and devoted Freedpeople across the land. It is a way of life, a text that should be applied in every aspect of our lives. The book details the history of our world, how we are to live and conduct ourselves, and provides ways for us to worship through song and dedicated practices. It is vital to understand the words of this book if we are to truly understand the nature of our Great Creator.
— Teremun Aswad, Khantan scholar, 678, Introduction to the Perfections
The Perfections (as transcribed by Moisés the First)
I. I will not remain complacent when action is necessary; evil triumphs when the righteous refuse to act
II. I will honor my family, leading them in the ways of Elyon, and strengthen my community in their relationship with our Holy Father
III. I will keep holy the temple and places of worship, reserving days and times to give honor to the Divine Trinity
IV. I will not commit the murder of any living being that bears a soul, as we are all reflections and children of Elyon
V. I will keep sacred the marriage union, refusing to submit to the temptations of the flesh; the bond forged will be for eternity and marked upon us as a symbol of our love
VI. I will not take what does not belong to me, nor allow my earthly desires to compromise my honor
VII. I will keep my tongue pure, refraining from false testimony and slander
VIII. I will demonstrate forgiveness to those who have wronged me and seek it from those whom I have wronged
IX. I will be courageous in my faith and strive to demonstrate integrity in all that I do
X. I will revere the Holy Three with all my heart and soul, placing no other false idols before them; I will honor them with my lips, speaking no ill or false word in their name
These are the Perfections, as commanded by Elyon. They are to be a guidepost for our people, so that we may not be led astray by the forces of Chaos. They were given to me by Elyon Himself and are meant to be passed down from generation to generation. May we always remember the wisdom of these commands. To Him belongs the glory and honor forever.
Praise Elyon.
— Moisés the First, from the opening page of The Perfection of Comtuna
Prologue
Omari rose from the sheets, drenched in sweat. His ragged breaths came out in weak pants as he gasped for air. His heart pounded in his chest until the ranger thought it might soon give out. The haunting images of the nightmare continued to sear through his memory and forced the traumatized warrior to relive the horrors that had plagued him for years. As a child, there had always been a comforting voice, a reassuring warmth to draw back the chill of the night. But now, no supernatural strength rose within him, nothing to settle Omari’s heart with the promise of a better tomorrow.
Now, only silence remained and the cool breeze passing through the open window beside his bed.
Eloa was gone, and Omari only had the darkness to comfort him.
Omari swung his skinny legs over the side of the bed and placed his calloused feet on the wooden floorboards. He forced his frail body from the cot and walked over to the nearby desk to grab his wool robe from the chair. The ranger slipped into the warm garment before walking over to the open window and gazing out at the city beyond. His breath still came out in short, excited wheezes, but the serene view beyond the frame helped stave off his anxiety. Omari looked up at the moons above, allowing their pale, golden light to wash down upon him. His eyes fell to the opulent city surrounding his treetop cabin, and he soaked in the beauty of Asakonai.
Gazing over the magnificent city, Omari marveled at the wonders of the Faeyries and considered himself fortunate to be among the few to set foot within their capital. Omari stood within a cabin constructed among the mighty redwood trees of Agraven, his residence among the outer edge of the vast metropolis. The Faeyries built platforms around the tops of the trees, and each housed a variety of different homes, shops, and structures that helped form the lifeblood of the ever-expanding city. The enormous trees had a firm foundation and though they towered tens of feet above the ground, they never buckled beneath the passing winds or falling rains. Wooden bridges spanned the impressive city and connected each platform.
The ageless redwoods formed a circle around the heart of the city, crystalline structures that rose from the forest bed down below. The dazzling citadels, buildings, and spires were constructed
Located just beside the gorgeous city resided the World Tree, the famed redwood that almost eclipsed the city itself in size. Omari had long heard tales of its legendary girth and height, but these all paled when compared to the actual sight. Like the crystal structures below, the World Tree gave off a unique glow that brightened the night in a spectacle of brilliant color.
Omari took in a deep breath, allowing the crisp evening air to fill his lungs. Weather in this country was often pleasant, not like the constant flux of the Hallowed Plains. Here, one might find a small slice of paradise. It was no wonder why the Faeyries secluded themselves in their homeland. In Agraven, one could ignore the grisly dealings of the world and allow peace to settle in their restless heart.
But paradise never found Omari. On the contrary, this seemed like an eternal torment equal to the Underworld. Everywhere he looked, there was beauty and peace. Yet the fear and shame raging within his soul was immeasurable and unrelenting. Not even in the splendor of Agraven could the broken ranger find rest.
Despite the bleakness of his soul, Omari harbored no negativity toward the wondrous land before him. He would not complain about the hospitality with which they had welcomed the Virtues to Agraven, especially given the circumstances. They were a rebel group on the run from the forces of Chaos, destitute and reeling following their failed attempt to defeat the Downfall known as Ulaka. They had nearly lost the Armor of God during the confrontation and nursed severe wounds of their own.
I nearly cost us the Armor, Omari corrected. The ranger was under no illusion as to how they had gotten themselves in this predicament. As the leader of the Virtues and the prophesied Champion of the Freedpeople, Omari had blindly guided his companions through the foolhardy mission and allowed his emotions to get the better of him. Omari thought he was in control, but Ulaka had been playing the man like a marionette the entire time. By the time Omari realized the extent of his mistake, the Downfall had broken his body and captured his friends.
For months they were tortured, beaten, and starved by the Tainted denizens of the prison, who did their master’s bidding with great relish. Omari endured unspeakable torment under Ulaka himself, and the experience had shattered the once proud ranger. His physical, mental, and emotional strength had all been reduced to ashes, leaving him unable to walk or function on his own.
But the Downfall had managed to inflict the greatest damage on Omari’s spiritual strongholds. After giving in to the influence of Ulaka, Omari had forsaken the One Who gave him strength and power. Elyon was displeased with the ranger and had removed Eloa’s protection over the Human. Omari no longer sensed the Spirit’s presence. There was only silence, the void of his empty soul.
Omari placed his weary head in his weathered hands as he leaned on the window frame. He imagined what the Faeyries had thought of him when they first entered Agraven. Here was the heralded Human destined to usher in an age of salvation upon the land. Not only was he pitiful to look upon, Omari had arrived with his tail between his legs after igniting the next great war. It was only by the grace of Elyon and Queen Ndasi’s insistence that the Faeyries relented and allowed for the safe passage of the Virtues.
For centuries, the Faeyries had cut the magnificent land of Agraven off from the residents of Elysia following the Great Betrayal. After the Traitor King murdered King Jabali and assumed the throne, the Faeyries had foreseen the devastation that would come next. They retreated to their forested land, rejecting the ancient pact between the First Four, and rebuked the fickle Humans who had fallen under the influence of Chaos. Without the aid of the Faeyries, the Hallowed Plains wouldn’t survive the tide of the enemy. It was only a matter of time before the land fell beneath the might of Vehdite.
Unmoved, Agraven proved to be an almost impenetrable fortress for the Faeyries. Buffered along the south by the Human realm of the Hallowed Plains and to the east by the Fallen Borderlands, the densely packed forest of the Faeyries was also bolstered by the frigid waters of the Frosted Tides to keep the Fallen at bay. The Emerald Guard were among the fiercest military forces in the land, and they enforced the borders, slaying any who attempted to pass without express permission from their ruling council. Without their approval, none stepped foot in these lands.
But even the secluded land of Agraven was not impervious to the growing rumors from the south. Talks had spread regarding the rebel group known as the Virtues. When the Downfall Tamaa fell by their hands, the victory held even the proud Faeyries speechless. As the years went on, the group’s success stoked the flames of rebellion across the Hallowed Plains, and the Faeyries started to suspect there was more to these rebels than just mere luck. So, it came as no surprise when the Faeyries discovered that the fabled Champion of old led the motley crew and carried the legendary Armor of God.
For several years, things appeared to be going well for the resistance, and the Faeyries wondered whether the time was right for old alliances to be reforged. Thus, when messengers from the Rose Queen rode to their border to beg asylum for the Virtues, the Council saw this as a clear sign from Elyon that the moment had arrived. It had been ages since a Champion walked among them, and they were interested in seeing the truth with their own eyes. Omari suspected they were also keen on having the holy Armor within their grasp to leverage such power in their favor.
Omari didn’t need to imagine the Faeyries’ surprise when the Virtues arrived at the southern border of Agraven. They had snuck in under the watchful eyes of the Rose Guard, all eight companions huddled beneath the sheets of a homely wagon. There was no fanfare for the returned Champion when he reached Asakonai, no cheering crowds of hopeful citizens. Only confused looks and whispers of concern at the pitiful state of the rebel group. Omari lay on his back, unable to prop himself up without experiencing significant pain shooting down his back and legs. The group looked famished, and they were bruised and swollen from the myriad of beatings they had suffered at the hands of the guards. Chidea’s arm was bandaged after the severe burns she had suffered, and they all appeared disheveled and unkempt. It was a far cry from the picturesque vision the Faeyries had conjured of the rebels over the years.
Despite this setback, they welcomed the Virtues into the Faeyran society, escorting them into the capital city where their expert healers had treated the companions. They separated Omari and Chidea from the group because of the severity of their injuries, and the ranger remembered little from that period. It took several months before the group seemed nourished and rested enough to stand before the High Council.
Even then, Omari remained a shell of his former self. He left it to Céleste to recount their adventures to the esteemed Council and answer any questions the elders held regarding what had befallen the group. The East had expressed an official declaration of war, and any information the Faeyries might gleam from the Hallowed Plains was vital.
After much debate, the Virtues were allowed to remain in Agraven for as long as they desired. The enemy was unaware of their location, and the Faeyries were confident in the forest’s defense. Though they weren’t pleased about harboring fugitives, the Faeyries acknowledged they were in the Virtues’ debt following the defeat of Tamaa. The Downfall’s demise had been a great boon to the realm, and their exploits helped free many of Agraven’s residents, especially those along the southern border.
Despite the welcome news, their newfound position frustrated Omari and his companions. The land may have been breathtaking, but remaining in the forest was not a viable option. They desired to return to the Plains and offer aid to the war effort. This was their doing after all, and the Rose Queen would need their help.
