10.000 years ago.

*Boom*

*Boom*

*Boom*

The blacksmith’s hammer continued to hit, creating the gnashing of the metal. A mysterious, gigantic eye on the long robe followed his every movement. The blacksmith was a man in his prime, but with each new hit, his skin slowly dried while he shared his life energy with objects he was creating.

Even though he slowly died, the blacksmith continued, while the sounds of distant battles outside slowly approached his smithy. Soon, the prime-looking man did not differ from the eldest sage; his skin dried, a wide figure shrank, and arms started trembling.

However, it couldn’t stop him; and soon, he finished creating his last twelve objects, inclining to his seat. Pain and agony stormed his mind while his once strong and young body shivered from fatigue. But the ritual wasn’t over yet.

“It’s a pity I failed,” said the old man, raising his trembling hand and pointing at his creations. “But I am leaving hope for the future. My successors will accomplish what I failed.”

New bids of life energy appeared and moved to the artifacts, while a slight smile appeared on his already old face.

“My pride, the twelve primal artifacts,” said the old man, pointing at them one by one. “I hope their unique attributes will be enough.”

Soon, the naming ceremony began.

“The Chaos needle.

“Time Lord and Space Lord,

“Light Wings, and Dark armor.

“Tiare of nature, and Cloak of Shadows.

“Blood Claws, and Runic Hammer.

“Earring of reincarnation, and Poisonous Pearl.”

With each new name, mysterious transformations followed while he kept aging further. Even though he already looked no different from the man a step away from the grave, a stubborn smile appeared on his lips when he took his ring with the same gigantic eye insignia on it.

“Finally, the Ring of Succession,” said the old man as he watched how his last creation devoured his life energy, passing through the transformation.

Soon, all twelve primal artifacts stopped glowing, returning the dim atmosphere to the smithy. Only then, the old man released a tired sigh, inclining to his seat. It was a rare, satisfactory moment, followed by a huge success. However, it didn’t last long because a few moments later, the door opened, and the bloody and dirty figure appeared in the forge.

It was a tall and broad man who once wore rare armor and clothes, which were now no different from the tramp rags on his body. However, he was already used to his new appearance, paying no attention to it. His worry and hope-filled glance looked for a certain figure instead. However, his expression turned pale when he saw his master. He knew there was only one way left.

“Fate Lord, the outer city has fallen,” cried the man with clear signs of despair in his voice. “We can’t hold on any longer. Enemy forces will be here at any moment, milord. The escape route is ready; please join our prodigies.”

Only a meaningful silence was an answer for the rider. A shock and utter despair appeared on his face when he realized his Lord kept aging. It could mean only one thing, the price for using one of the most forbidden techniques of vitality sacrifice. Now, Lord’s death was inevitable.

The rider only clenched his fists while many negative emotions and memories flashed through his eyes.

“Don’t worry, Karlos. This is my fate. Nobody can live forever,” said the old man, smiling at his loyal subordinate.

Karlos looked reluctant when he heard his decision, but his Lord’s fate was already inevitable. Hence, he could only release a defeated sigh, realizing that they lost the war. Race survival was now the top priority.

“Milord, what about our race? We have no chance against our enemies. They will hunt us down sooner or later.”

“Just hide on the Fate Island. Demons and angels won’t reach you there,” said the old man with a slight smile on his lips. “Here is my ring. It will choose the next patriarch of the Fate Shrine. Protect and teach him well, Karlos. He will show the way for our race in the future.”

“By the way, these two creations are for the elves and dwarves. Send it to them as fast as possible,” said the old man, sending the Ring of Succession, Tiare of Nature, and Runic Hammer to his subordinate’s hands.

Though a slight reluctance appeared in his eyes, Lord’s orders were sacred for Karlos. Hence, he only nodded, covering three creations in a cloth before moving his glance at his Lord.

“Milord...” said Karlos, making his last attempt.

“Leave, Karlos. You are running out of time. The Cataclysm won’t wait until you arrive at the Fate Island.” said the old man while Karlos paled before bowing for the last time to his master.

...

..

.

Ten hours later.

A group of heavily armed angels and demons appeared in the forge. They all were tall and strong. Angels had wings on their backs, while demons had horns on their heads. Though they all differed, like light and dark, they had one thing in common. It was the blood that covered their bodies, the blood of the Fate city’s citizens.

At first, those groups just stayed vigilant, encircling the old man, but soon few figures appeared in the forge. They were commanders who organized and led this three-year-long siege.

“Merlin looks like rumors were true. You are truly not like you were several thousand years ago,” said the devil, throwing a mocking glance at his aged body. “Back then, just a sole gesture of your hand was enough to obliterate such an army. Looks like there won’t be your irritating World Order anymore.”

“If only you agreed. Our Empires were worthy of the primal artifacts you were working on,” said the angel. “This conflict would have never started. So many lives ended because of your stubbornness.”

Only now, Merlin showed some reaction, narrowing his eyes. Disdain was clear in them.

“No need for such jokes, angel. I long ago knew about your empires’ ambitions and hate your emperors and nobles had for my World Order,” said Merlin, raising his arm and showing nine primal artifacts behind him. “This is what you wanted to get, right?”

As soon as both angels and demons saw those creations, shock, lust for power, and desire appeared on their faces. Just a glance was enough to feel how strong they were.

“Looks like you can feel their power,” said Merlin with a slight smile on his lips. “It’s a pity you won’t get them.”

An invisible pressure appeared immediately, pinning everyone inside the forge to their places, while Merlin kept releasing more and more power. Soon, two similar-looking magic staffs started glowing.

“Space Lord and Time Lord, you know the order. Send my creations to the different periods and different locations, away from these angelic and demonic bastards,” said Merlin with clear hate while glowing only intensified.

“Fate Lord, stop! We still have thousands of captives and we are ready to exchange them if you change your mind.” cried the angel.

“I promise I will kill all of them if you continue and then hunt down all your race members till you go extinct. Think about it, old man,” added the demon.

However, their words couldn’t stop him, and moments later, two similar-looking staffs released huge undulations and disappeared together with the other seven creations in the tide of time.

“Fate lord, what have you done?” asked the angel with a bitter expression.

“You have sealed your fate,” said the devil with an angered expression.

Only now, Merlin finally showed a triumphant expression on his face. Even though he knew his death was approaching, Merlin still had a fighting spirit. Even when the pressure binding his enemies disappeared, nothing changed on his face.

“Alright, capture him. We might learn something if we get access to his memories,” said the angel commander, while the demon nodded.

Soon, several groups of warriors moved out, approaching Merlin.

“It’s useless. You will never get them,” said Merlin with a sly smile on his lips while both angel and demon changed their expressions.

“Stop him!” cried the angel.

“It’s too late. Activ...” started the demon.

It was already late because a moment later, much stronger pressure appeared in the forge, and soon manifested above the city, stopping everything. The large explosion appeared the next moment, engulfing the whole city, enemy armies, and a huge area around it. Only a weak voice kept sounding in the air.

“It’s a pity. I won’t see how they reach my goal.”

When the dust settled, the strongest member of the Ancient Guard perished. The deep, empty cavity appeared in the city's place. Local river immediately started filling it while the last traces of the city, known as the “Gem of the world” disappeared.

With the death of the strongest ancient guardian, the last shield protecting the plane shattered. Space and chaos energy started mixing with the plane’s energy. That was the first herald of the incoming changes. They made a move, and now, no emperor or wise man could ever imagine the consequences of their actions or their inactions...