Prologue

The laws of this world are iron and blood.

Here, it is not the strongest who survive -

but those who can see beyond themselves.

And now - I see.

I stand before the throne, and the whole world holds its breath.

Just yesterday, I dined in the shadows -

a stranger among the mighty.

Today, all await my word.

The crown was never mine.

But now - it is mine alone.

The world waits to be changed.

But what is more terrifying -

to change the world…

or to let it break you?

I never sought power.

I sought truth.

But truth demands power.

And power - sacrifice.

And years later, when all was done,

and the world dared not speak his name aloud -

a chronicle recorded this…

And there was Prince Alexander.

He did not march upon what was not his -

he held what was,

as a lion holds the earth.

He cast no shadow -

he became the sun.

And beneath that sun,

Rus' bloomed.

And became Slavia.

An empire - built not by sword, but by honor.

But the sun warms... and burns.

From "The Tale of Prince Alexander,"

first spoken on the lips of the people,

and later set to parchment by a chronicler.

1034 - 1115

Lived 81 years. Reigned 61.

Became a legend in life - 

and a shadow that fell even on those who dreamed of rising above him.

Recorded by Nestor the Chronicler,

in the Monastery of the Caves of Kiev, in the year 1116.