Independent Republic of Runemecia, outskirts of Teiro: Spring of the Red Moon.

Two men sat in a horse drawn carriage bound to the city of Teiro. Everything about them suggested nobility. From the convoy that was escorting them to the Flame insignia of Prince Sylens riders carried, the two men were clearly diplomats. Teiro was part of the independent lands that refused to pledge fealty to the Auruun Empire.

Prince Sylens sent two of his most trusted advisors to discuss a delicate matter with the Chancellor of Teiro. “The prince has lost his mind,” one of the men inside the carriage spoke.

“We’ve been through this Dima,” the other replied. There was a hint of reprimand in his tone. “Let’s not speak of the matter further. The prince must have his own reasons for sending us here.”

“Yes and I’ll tell you what his bloody reasons are Nico,” the man named Dima said. He leaned towards Nico then whispered. “All the men who are escorting us here? They’re here to deliver us to that crazy chancellor. Sylens is handing us over to him!”

Nico looked at his friend, compassion filled his heart. “My poor Dima, you were always the stupid kind.”

“What’d you say?” Dima asked, infuriated.

“You always act on your emotions. If you feel that something’s not right, you immediately assume that it is. Who did you talk to before we were sent to this mission Dima?” Nicholas Trebias was a wealthy tailor. He held contracts for military uniforms from most countries in the east. “Who did you talk to Dima?” he asked again.

“There was a man the other night in the tavern,” Dima started. “He told me about Sylens, how he lost his mind!”

“This man you met,” Nico said after a long sigh. “How did he come upon such an accusation?”

Before Dima could speak, a horn was blown outside. And the carriage came to an abrupt stop. “Are we under attack?” Dima asked.

“Driver! What’s happening out there?” it was Nico who spoke this time.

There was no answer. The horn was blown a second time. “What the hell is happening? Oy Driver!” Dima shouted. The driver seemed like a complete mute. In fact, there was no sound emanating from the world outside the carriage except for the horn and the occasional neighing of the horses.

“To hell with this, I’m going outside!” Nico stood up then opened the door. The moment he stepped outside, the tailor saw all soldiers looking west fixatedly. “What’s the meaning of this?” Nico asked. He had hired mercenaries to take them to Teiro. They were the best money could buy. At that moment, all the well-equipped soldiers were stuck in place, looking at something behind Nico.

The wealthy tailor looked around. They were at the bottom of Drach Valley. The setting sun was in front of them. Tall cliffs surrounded them and the only way forward was to cross the Tack Trench. A road that signaled the end of Tinrian territory and the beginning of the Runic one.

Despite the road being described as narrow by most cartographers, it could allow a hundred men to stand side by side without hindering their movements. When Nico looked at the trench, he saw a single file of armed men blocking their way. One of the men was slowly advancing towards them. The horns were the first signals used to warn soldiers then urge them to prepare for an attack.

Nico smiled then got back to his carriage. “This’ll be over in a minute. Some bandits want to play heroes,” he announced to his worrisome travelling companion. The third horn was blown, then soldiers screamed in unison, a war cry that was supposed to intimidate the enemy.

“So tell me friend,” Nico addressed the scared Dima. “Who was your source? There’s no one to hear us now with all the shouting and killing out there.”

“He didn’t give me a name,” Dima started. “He calls himself Darkstar. Funny name if you ask me. But he knows things. Some you don’t even know Nicholas.”

The wealthy tailor smiled. He pitied the naivety of his friend. Dima on the other hand scowled. Nico’s white teeth and clean shaven face always irritated him. “How do you always keep a calm demeanor? And what’s up with those extravagant clothes you wear for a long journey?” Dima was now shouting.

Nico could see that the man was frightened out of his wits. Dima suddenly jumped at Nico, grabbed him by the collar then continued shouting. “He promised me he’ll kill you with his own hands Nico! He threatened my family brother, I’m sorry!” Dima fell back down to his seat then covered his face in shame.

“This man you say,” Nico spoke, his pitying smile had turned to a mocking one. “He calls himself Darkstar, is that right?”

Dima nodded. His face was still buried behind his enormous hands.

“Oh Dima, you poor bastard,” Nico put both his hands on his friend’s shoulders. “Are the men outside here for my head?”

Dima nodded again.

“I’ve hired the best mercenaries in the east.” Nico was trying to comfort his distressed friend. “They won’t be defeated so easily. Listen to them outside, they’re holding their ground.”

The two men extended their ears. There were but a few clashes of swords and thumps that could be heard outside. “It sounds like it’s almost over,” Nico announced. “Care to have a look outside?”

“No brother, don’t go out yet,” Dima pleaded. “That man, you know not of his might.”

“What do you mean? Don’t you hear them outside? They’ve lost!” Nico was starting to get irritated. He was a calculating man. If he’d let a stranger talk to the weakest link in his entourage, it was to eliminate the threat from its root.

“That man knew,” Dima spoke again. “He knew I was your weakness. He knew you let him speak to me. Nico, brother I’m sorry.” Dima’s eyes were watery. At that moment, a sinister feeling enveloped the wealthy tailor. “What’s up with that look brother?” Nico asked.

“Black Eyes is here for us!” Dima shouted.

The door was sprung open. Nico looked at the men outside. They were wearing simple leather armor unlike his steel clad warriors. “Zedd we’ve got ‘em ‘ere!” a man with a bony face shouted. His helmet almost hid his eyes. Nico could see that the man’s thin nature wouldn’t allow for any standard helmet or armor to fit. It looked like a scrawny teenager tried his lord father’s armor for the first time.

“Ah Mr Trebias, what an honor!” a man’s voice reached Nico’s ears. “Get him out here!”

Nicholas Trebias was forcefully drawn out of his fancy carriage then thrown to the ground. His velvet kaftan was stained in blood and mud. His silk socks were wet and sticky. “Get him to his feet!” the man named Zedd shouted. The scrawny little man obeyed and pulled the tailor up with surprising strength.

Nico looked around. He had hired three hundred men to escort him to Teiro. None of them survived that day. “I must say Nico,” the man named Zedd spoke again. “I was disappointed by Julio’s Band. Are you sure they’re the best in east?”

Nico was still confused. He didn’t expect the soldiers he’d spent a fortune on to be decimated. “Who are you?” was the only sentence he could muster.

“I’m your worst nightmare Mr Trebias,” Zedd answered. “Or your divine blessing, today you have an important choice to make Nico.” The leader of the bandits approached the tailor. “Look at me Nico!” he ordered.

Nicholas Trebias raised his head and looked at the man who managed to defeat and trap him easily. “What are you is the question you should be asking Nico!” Zedd said.

The tailors pupils got wider, his heartbeat faster. The man’s palms got suddenly sweaty and his knees felt weak. In front of him stood a man with the strangest eyes, his irises were pitch black. Where people had round dark pupils, Zedd had rectangular golden ones. Just looking at him would unsettle anybody.

“I’m Zedd Darkstar,” he said. “What’s happening Nico? Cat’s got your tongue?” Zedd asked as he gave a mocking smile to his shocked interlocutor.

“What do you want from me?” Nico asked, his voice breaking in between words.

“Bring the other one out!” Zedd ordered. The man named Dima was dragged out as well. “Look at you!” Zedd mockingly shouted. “You’ve gone and wet your pants!” All the soldiers exploded in laughter.

“Don’t worry Dima, I won’t hurt you,” Zedd approached the scared man. “Unless you lie to me that is!” Zedd lifted Dima’s face towards his. As soon as the poor man looked at Zedd in the eyes, he let out a frightened squeal.

“Take them! No need to clean up!” Zedd ordered as he whistled for his horse.

“Where are you taking us?” Nico shouted at Zedd as the bandits pulled him away.

“I’m taking you back home Mr. Trebias,” Zedd answered. “There’s much for us to discuss.”

The next day, the wealthy tailor and the minister of defense were brought to a secluded mansion in Bairn, one of the wealthiest cities in the Kingdom of Tinria. Zedd was munching on an apple while the two were tied to chairs opposite to him. There was no piece of furniture in the room save for the three chairs.

“How did you get us inside Bairn without being noticed?” Nico asked. He’d been confined in the empty room ever since they arrived to the city. The man with black eyes hadn’t spoken to them since they met in the valley. “Every crate, every keg is inspected before being allowed inside Bairn,” Nico went on.

“Here’s the thing Mr. Trebias,” Zedd interjected. “I’m the one asking questions here, and I intend to get answers. On the other hand, you won’t get any from me.”

“I won’t tell you anything you piece of scum!” Nico shouted. “You think you can intimidate me like poor Dima here?”

“Oh no, I don’t Mr. Trebias,” Zedd answered. “I’m planning to put fear in your heart. You’ll see soon enough.”

A knock at the door then a man entered. “We’re ready Zedd,” the man announced.

“Thanks Tristan. Bring the boy in,” Zedd ordered.

Tristan disappeared behind the door then reappeared shortly, a young man at his heels. “Christopher Trebias, do you recognize the man in front of you?” Black Eyes asked.

Christopher nodded. “Thanks, you may leave.” Zedd ordered again. Tristan pulled the boy and led him outside.

“What are you planning to do with my kids, Black Eyes?” Nico asked.

“I told you Nico, I’m the one asking questions here. Shall we begin?” Zedd stood then walked towards the tailor. He stood behind him then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. Using the piece of cloth Zedd gagged the tailor. “Now you won’t disturb us with your endless questions!” he said as Nico shouted inaudible words.

“Tell me Dima,” Zedd turned towards the minister of defense. “Your prince, have you found what he’s hiding yet?”

Dima looked at Nico with pitiful eyes. “Please Black Eyes, I can’t tell you. They’ll kill me for it!”

“You’re a dead man anyway. If you don’t tell me, I’ll slaughter all your family then I’ll kill you. This is a serious matter Dima,” Zedd warned. “Don’t play with powers you can’t comprehend.”

“Please Black Eyes-“ a punch sent Dima’s head bobbing sideways.

“Let me be clear Dima. You are a dead man!” Zedd said with a wide smile. “If you wish to save yourself the trouble of watching your family die in front of your eyes, then you’d better talk.” Zedd took out a knife then plunged it deep into Dima’s kneecap.

Dima’s screams filled the mansion. “I bet you’ve never felt such pain in your life eh, minister of defense? I told you, your prince has gone soft. He’d put people like you in charge of military operations?” Zedd slapped the unconscious Dima.

“Get up softy. We still have things to discuss. What’s your prince hiding?”

Dima looked once more at the shouting Nico. Perhaps the tailor was urging him to keep his mouth shut. Perhaps he was urging him to talk and spare himself the pain. A sharp pain brought the minister of defense back to his torturer. Zedd had inserted another knife between Dima’s shoulder blades.

“Don’t look at him, he can’t help you!” Zedd shouted. “What’s Sylens hiding?”

“I don’t know the details,” Dima shouted. The pain he was experiencing was far more than what he could handle. “But I heard that he’s found something under the castle. A weapon they say. Something even Emperor Avourel would kill to get.”

“Good boy,” Zedd praised. “So the prince won’t leave the castle until he finds out more about this weapon underneath the castle. Is that why he sent you to Teiro?”

“Yes!” Dima said in between pants and cries of agony.

“That wasn’t so hard was it Dima?” Zedd asked. “You could’ve saved yourself all the torture and spilled the beans.” Zedd took another knife then slit the man’s throat. Blood gushed out to the floor. Nico shouted as he watched his good friend’s life being extinguished.

“Now your turn Nico!” Zedd announced as he turned towards the tailor. He dragged his chair opposite Nico then sat. “I’ll take your gag off now. Do you promise to be a bit quieter?”

Nico nodded. Black Eyes took the gag off and let the tailor catch his breath.

“You killed him in cold blood you son of a bitch!” Nico shouted.

Zedd let out a long sigh then put his sharp hunting knife into the tailor’s right eye. “I asked you to be quiet. But since you like elevating your voice, why don’t you do it properly?”

Nico let out a harrowing scream. His right eye was stuck to Zedd’s knife. Zedd jerked the knife towards him. The eye followed and Nico screamed even further. The eye came out, attached to knife. Blood poured out and sinew dangled from the empty socket. “Skoot!” Zedd said as he waved his right hand in front of Nico’s face.

The tailor was instantly petrified. He couldn’t move or scream. He could feel the pain in his eye, his head, but he couldn’t move or utter a word. “I can cast some spells Nico. The one I’ve cast on you immobilizes you. You can still feel everything, but you can’t react or faint from the pain inflicted upon you.”

Nico tried to fight the spell but that only resulted in a sharp pain in his brain. “The more you resist, the more it hurts. I can soothe your wound so we can talk. Would you agree to this Nico?” Zedd asked. Nico tried to nod but only experienced more pain.

“Oh silly me!” Zedd said then slapped his forehead. “Of course you want the pain to subside.” Zedd took a small pouch from his belt then took a glass vial. A crimson liquid filled the vial that Zedd poured on Nico’s eyes. Soon after, the man’s eye socket was covered in flesh and the bleeding stopped.

“This should stop the bleeding for the moment. You’ll still experience some pain in your head, but that’s to be expected.” Zedd waved his hand once more and the paralysis spell was released. “Now let’s talk calmly, or your nether regions are next.”

“I’ll tell you everything you want,” Nico said, panting heavily.

“I’ve heard everything from your friend Dima,” Zedd said. “You have nothing of value to me, do you?”

“I know what kind of weapon Sylens is hiding,” Nico said.

“No you don’t,” Zedd interrupted. “He wouldn’t have sent you to Teiro if you knew. I wasn’t even planning on abducting you. Truth is Nico, you’re useless to me.”

“What do you want from me then?” Nico asked, his trousers were wet and stank of excrement, his feet were shaking heavily.

“Oh, look what you’ve done Nico!” Zedd exclaimed. “That’s unbecoming of a wealthy tailor such as yourself!”

Zedd stood then walked behind the tailor. He bent towards the man’s left ear then whispered. “I lied when I said you were useless to me Nico. I need your largely connected organization to run a certain coup. But you’re not the cooperating type, are you Nico? You’re a loyal dog, to the end.”

Nico shook his head, which resulted in even more pain. “Black Eyes, I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Please, enough of this!”

“I’ll tell you a nice story Nico,” Zedd went on, not paying any heed to the tailor’s pleas. “In the western continents, they speak of a powerful Hunter God who invited people to hunt in his realm. You’ve surely heard of the Great Hunt of Ulmir, haven’t you?”

“Where’s this going Black Eyes?” Nico asked.

“Answer the question Nico,” Zedd urged, his knife aimed at the man’s nether region.

“Yes, yes I’ve heard of it,” Nico replied.

“Ulmir hid something terrible in his realm, intended only for a certain chosen one. Nobody knows what it is, but rumor has it that it’s a legendary weapon, capable of wiping out all life.” Zedd went back to his basket then picked up another apple. Nico, the most powerful merchant in the eastern continents was reduced to a sorry state. He didn’t know what the crazy man with black eyes had in store for him.

“To protect the secret,” Zedd went on. “Ulmir had entrusted the key to his vault to a terrible monster. People call him the Watchdog of Ulmir. But do you know what’s the funny part?” he asked his captive.

“What?” Nico asked.

“That’s a question I’m willing to answer Nico. The Watchdog is no dog, it’s a terrible Faery. You’ve heard of these monsters right? They’d eat your flesh before consuming your Life Force as well. And when they find nothing to hunt or eat, they fight each other.”

“I don’t get your analogy here Black Eyes,” Nico said.

“The Watchdog is the king of Faeries. He’s bigger and stronger than all of them. But he’s not invulnerable. If all the Faeries decided to team up on him, they’d easily take him out. But they’ve never done that, do you know why Nico?”

“Loyalty?” Nico asked.

“Fuck loyalty,” Zedd answered. “The creatures are all linked to their king. If one tries as much as put a scratch on him, he’d know it beforehand. The king will then summon said usurper and suck the Life Force out of him.

“Fear is the answer Nico. The creatures fear their king. To them, he’s as strong as a God. They worship him. You worship Dhobor, don’t you Nico?”

“Yes,” the defeated man answered.

“Your stubborn ideals about loyalty to your cause, to your God, brought here today Nico. Christopher, your son-“

“Don’t you dare harm him!” Nico shouted.

“The hit to your nether regions will come soon Nico. Just let me clarify this to you. Your son is the one who wanted you dead. I allowed him a last look before I took your life.”

“No,” the tailor said, shock apparent in his face.

“He’ll be more useful to me. Your son’s crooked. But he’s also a coward. He hired me to kill you so he’d take over the family business.”

Zedd approached his victim once more and leaned to look at his remaining eye. “Greed, Dhobor warns against it,” Zedd whispered. “It seems you haven’t educated your son in the right way Nico. The Faery finally got rid of its fear and devoured the king! Any last words?”

“I know what’s in Ulmir’s Domain!” Nico shouted before Black Eyes inserted his hunting knife between his legs. “I know what the Watchdog is guarding.”

“Good for you,” Zedd commented then proceeded to cut the man’s manhood. The mansion was filled with horrible screams as Zedd finished his victim off, slowly but effectively.

An hour later, Zedd met with young Christopher Trebias. “You’re now the new owner of Trebias Entreprise. Serve us well, or I’ll get creative in my ways to punish you Chris.”

“Thank you Zedd,” Christopher answered. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that the old fart is dead. This won’t be traced back to me, will it?”

“Relax,” Zedd answered. “The only one who could spill the beans is you. If word reaches Sylens, I’ll come for you. Stick to the plan and you won’t have to worry about me. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” Christopher answered.

“Goodbye for now,” Zedd said. “We’ll contact you when we need you. Tristan, escort this gentleman to his house.”

The next day, news of the ambush in the valley and the disappearance of Dima and Nico reached the world. “Black Eyes Strikes Again,” newspaper headlines said. “Prince Sylens Orders a Nationwide Manhunt on Black Eyes.”

Days went on, then months. Zedd was nowhere to be found in the entire eastern continent. He had vanished without a trace. The rumor about the man with black eyes died out, until it resurfaced in the western continents a few months later.

Zedd Darkstar was a man with a plan. He would stop at nothing until his wish came true. By venturing west, Zedd was about to start a series of events the likes of which Planet Hera has never witnessed. The starting point was at Ulmir’s Domain, four months after his abduction of Nicholas Trebias.