Prologue

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Athlos... You see me here during a time of darkness... However, I am here to inform you of some light." The Supreme raised his hand as five people walked into view. "These people here are the guards of Athlos... They completed the ritual and the blessing of the creator is upon them all."

"YYYYYEEEAHHHHHHHHH! GUARDS! FINALLY!"

The Supreme waited for the crowds of people around the Capital to settle down. He lifted his arms. "These five will be leading our armies to fight those who try and destroy our way of living peacefully on Athlos... Athlos is our home..." He hit the stone with his fist in front of him. "No one can tell us that we can't live this way... Nor can they stop us from living this way... For the Creator and for Athlos!" He lifted his hands and touched his chest.

"FOR ATHLOS! FOR THE CREATOR!"

He once again raised his hands to silence the crowds. "Cough... Cough..." He looked at his bloody hands cursing, and took a step back. He watched as an attendant took to the stage. "The Supreme is going to retire for rest... May the guard and the blessing of the Creator be on you all!"

He smiled as he walked past the guard, he smiled as the blood dripped from his fingers onto the ground. "Nice move there my Supreme... We got them where we need them, and now they also see the blood." He nodded in thought. "I'll add a bit more into it, to make sure they notice... Especially the families. "Cough... cough... cough... cough..." He leaned on one of the attendants as they slowed their pace. "Lean on me Supreme... We get the finest doctors for you,, so you'll be up and running around the keep again."

He nodded. "Thank you attendant... Lets go to the throne room... I have duties I must attend too." He saw the attendant shake his head. "No my Supreme... They can wait... Let's return to your room. Its better to get some rest." He nodded. "As you see fit..." He turned and looked at the guards following him. "Forgive me... I must go and rest... Cough..." He coughed up a large amount of blood, wiping it with his sleeve. "My attendant will give you your mission to start leading the men of Athlos... May the Creator blessing be on you." He looked at his blood on the ground, and on the back of the attendant's clothing. He smiled as he held onto the attendant.

"My Supreme... Excellent... Now I'm sure all families will know, and they'll be taking the attention of the guards... We'll be able to move around without their knowledge..." The Supreme nodded and heard the door close behind him. He stood up and wiped the blood of his mouth. "Sorry about your clothes Marcule... I hope you don't do anything silly with the blood?"

"Don't worry about me Supreme... We're family after all. Our blood is identical..." The Supreme raised an eyebrow at him. "I can see what you've been doing to that body... I don't think there is much human blood left inside."

"Ahhh... I can't hide from the Supreme... Yes, do you remember the last guard, that had all those things inside her?" The Supreme nodded. "I remember her screams, as you pulled them out one by one."

"Well. I found out how she did it, and I made it my own..." The Supreme smiled. "Should I start calling you alpha?" He watched as Marcule waved his hands in front of him. "I may be alpha to the trolaiths, but in my eyes your the real alpha." The Supreme smiled and sat on a chair in his room. He watched as the shadows started to fly around him. He waved his hand at them. "Start looking for a replacement body... This one will be finished soon."

"Yesss, my brother... We'll find a suitable body. You don't have to worry about that." The Supreme nodded. "Have the others started moving?" He watched as Marcule stepped forward. "They left already... The queen is already there, and is about to start her work... The drones have started in the firelands, and the island chains." He looked up. "The sea burrower?"

"It is awake, and on the move... It'll take a few days to reach the location, but when it does everyone will hear about it." The Supreme rubbed his hands together... Excellent... Everything is moving according to plan... Now we just have to see what the guard does next..." The Supreme stood up and looked out the window at the crowds of people walking around Athlos. He shook his head. "What is it my Supreme?" He pointed at the people. "They don't know why we're doing all this work... It has taken a long time, and many attempts, but this attempt is the last time..." The Supreme turned and looked at Marcule. "It is almost over..."

"Completion is at hand." The Supreme nodded. "I would feel more comfortable if the shades didn't fail, but if we play our cards right, they'll be easier to move about than first thought."

"Excellent thoughts my Supreme." He turned and looked at Marcule. "Don't you have some experiments to do, or something to add to your collection?" The Supreme pointed to Marcule's body. "Hahaha... My Supreme... This body is almost perfect... I have a few more things I want to do... I'll let you enjoy your time alone." The Supreme waved at him. "Take the shades... Let them run around in your pets for a while, since you'll be needing some generals to lead their armies, since the alphas are busy with other things."

"Understood... Come shades... I'll have the alphas make special pack leader bodies just for you."

"Thank you brother... We will push the guards hard... We'll make them open the doors. All for you." The Supreme felt the room become empty and sat back in the chair sighing. "Finally some quiet..."