I know its long, but if you could take the time to read and give feedback that would be awesome. Enjoy

Prologue

Maximus stared into the fire, which was crackling merrily reflecting the High King's feelings. Everything was going according to plan. The years had been prosperous, and the many kingdoms were finally united behind one leader. The Forever Kingdom people were calling it. Maximus liked the sound of it. Maybe he could convince his mages to make him immortal, and he would be High King forever. No he chided himself, that was the pathway to corruption and tyranny, the very thing he had started this conquest to end... “And now it is” he muttered to himself.

“What was that my Lord?” Goldre, the only other person in the room asked.

“I was just thinking how far we had come. It was so many years ago that we decided to unite the world.”

“It's true your highness, you have done well.” The other man agreed, nodding his head his wavy golden hair bouncing with the motion.

“WE, Goldre. We did this, not me. We've been together from the beginning, and I would never have made it this far without you. Even if I had, I would have lost myself somewhere along the way and become the very thing we sought to overthrow.” Goldre finally dropped the stuffy steward facade with a sigh.

“Those years spent talking late into the night, the plans we made, the things we discovered. I almost started to loose hope. You brought me through my despair. When I was going to quit, you brought me back. For that I owe you everything I have my friend.” Discovered, Maximus thought, stroking his cleanly shaven face. He and Goldre had met their first day in the Academy of Mages. Goldre was there because a local landowner discovered his magical ability and wanted him taught so he could have his own mage. Maximus was there because his father demanded that he learn the arcane arts, even though he had no magical ability whatsoever. His father refused to believe that his money and prestige would grant his son magical ability. They had become fast friends, and spent much of their free time together. The only thing they had in common was that they both believed that magic could be used to build, not only destroy. There had to be more. Warring kings would use powerful mages, and genies, mages bonded to a single person, to get vengeance, take land that wasn't theirs, of just cause chaos in general. Becoming a well trained mage was one of the most sought after positions in the world.

The two friends studied for years in secret while they looked for the source of constructive magic. Within the Academy they only found magical philosophers scoffing at the idea of a counter force to the dark arcane powers. Eventually their persistence had paid off. They had discovered the Great Secret. With that knowledge they had reshaped the world.

“I needed you. If it hadn't been for you, I'd be dead. Your ability protected me.” The High King said with a smile, knowing it would bother his friend.

“I'm not taking the bait this time my old friend, I know you're trying to annoy me. You know as well as I that you're a natural leader, and you would've found someone just like me.” Goldre retorted.

“Never just like you.” Maximus muttered, a smile coming to his face. Still staring into the flames, he awaited his partners retort. When nothing was forthcoming, he sighed, back to matters of the High King. “I was thinking of going to Bri'Da, King Dra'Kette has asked for assistance with some judicial matters, I'd like to see how our old homeland is doing as well.” Still Goldre didn't answer. High King Maximus finally turned in his elaborate chair to face his friend. What he saw shocked him.

Goldre's face was one of horror, his eyes spun rapidly, seeing things that were invisible to Maximus. His mouth was open in a look of horror. His arms were held in front of him defensively, his flexed fingers resembling claws. This was the number one reason that the both of them were alive. Goldre was seeing into the future. The events to come would appear before him, and afterword he would enter a trance-like state and describe the events and consequences to come. From their research they had discovered that certain people that were exposed to the Great Secret would develop exceptional gifts. Strength, Knowledge, the ability to hear the thoughts of others, seeing the future, and others. Maximus however, had never seen Goldre look so scared during one of his visions. It worried him. “Scribe!” Maximus yelled, knowing that there was one standing just outside the door. A moment later a small man walked through the door on the other side of the room ready to note whatever the High King needed. He noticed Goldre and knew immediately what was happening. They only had to wait a few more moments before Goldre started to speak.

“The time soon approaches. The end of an era is nigh. Though short, the effects of it will define the future for generations to come. All that has been discovered will be lost.” Goldre looked right into the High King's eyes, something that he had never done before while speaking the future. The pain and sorrow that Maximus saw in them shook him to the core. More so than anything before had. “Your reign draws to a swift and violent close. Everything that you have sought to attain will break before your view. Nothing you do can stop it.” Maximus' blood froze. Never had Goldre been wrong before, and, staring into his friend's unblinking eyes, the certainty of his words seemed to speak right to his heart. “The world will rip itself to pieces at the demise of its High King. War will destroy this land in a way never before imagined.” At this point Goldre raised his arm and pointed right at the other man's chest, “The knowledge you brought to the world will destroy it, Wars will ravage nations, people, and the very land itself because you sought what should be known to all.” The King hadn't thought the terror filling his heart could worsen, but Goldre's declaration that the Great Secret would cause to much pain coupled his pain with total despair. He started to shake, cowering before the declarations of his closest and oldest friend. “The world will be broken for generations to come. The light of the world will have gone out. There is nothing you can to do stop it.” Tears sprang to Maximus' eyes, and he finally tore his gaze away from the man accusing him of destroying the world.

For a few moments all was silent, except for the scratching of the scribes quill on paper. Maximus waited for his friend to speak, thinking that the prophecy was complete. After a moment however, Goldre started to speak again, Maximus didn't think he could bear to hear more, but he couldn't help but listen.

“But do not loose hope. A new and better age that any could have imagined will cover this land.”

Maximus finally dared look up. What he saw shocked him. Goldre was once again looking off toward something only he could see, and there was a smile on his face, and tears rolling down his face.

“When the World is darkest, the light of knowledge will save it. While the land is ravished in war, it will be healed. When corruption rages, the pure in hear will flourish. And though those that betray the King had been banished to the dark and cold places of the world, they shall unite with those that hate them. There shall be two, whose unity will cause devastation heretofore unknown, one will rise amidst the conflict, and save the world. Though all was lost, the Great Secret of Ages will grace the land with knowledge once again. The Darkness of Generations is upon us though.”

The hope that had been blossoming in Maximus went cold at that last statement, and his pleading eyes remained glued to his friend, aching to hear more. Goldres eyes however clouded over, and he slumped to the floor. Stunned silence filled the room. Even the crackling of the fire seemed to have stopped for just a moment. The High King blinked a full three times before realizing that Goldre wasn't breathing.

The King hastened over to his friends side, knowing what he would find before he could check Goldre for signs of life. “He's dead.” The King declared, his voice hollow of emotion. The scratching of the quill stopped. “How?” the scribe finally managed to ask.

“The shock of what he saw must have been too overwhelming for his body.” Replied the King, still numb from the torment of recent emotions. He looked at the cooling body of his oldest friend, he had barely seen forty summers, and was only Maximus' senior by two years. Remarkably the gray that had begun to paint the temples of the King hadn't even touched Goldre. For a moment Maximus seemed to be seeing the same man who had started his campaign for peace over fifteen years ago. Through the numbness and nostalgia the King realized that the scribe was no longer writing, and looked up. The young elf's eyes were still wide in shock. “Finish writing what you heard, before the words fade.”

The next ten minutes passed like as many hours while the High King waited for his scribe to finish, he couldn't risk disturbing his concentration. During that time the shock started to wear off. After all these years, and all these battles, Goldre had died in a quiet room during peace time.

Peace time Maximus laughed mirthlessly to himself. He couldn't shake the feeling that the time of peace that he had worked his whole life for was on the verge of ending.

Almost as he finished the very thought, shouts started up from below.

“Run!” Maximus commanded the scribe. The young elven scribe tried to stammer that he should stay, but the High King interrupted him, “I believe that what you hold may just be the key to saving the future. You heard Goldre, my time has come. Flee from here, and remember forever what you learned.” The scribe hesitated for only a moment more before deciding that the King was right. If there was any chance that what the two of them had just witnessed could save the future, a simple scribe could escape notice. He dropped to one knee, and bowed his head low.

“It has been an honor to know and to serve you. Whatever else happens my Lord, know that your subjects loved you, and believed in your cause, and if you asked, I would die for you.”

The words lacked decorum, but then again, there was no precedent or ceremony for this type of situation, and the words sounded as good as any, and nearly brought a smile to the King's face.

The shouts had stopped halfway down the hallway, and had now turned into sounds of battle.

“I thank you for your words, and willingness, but it is my turn to die for my subjects. My final command is that you live for your King.” He replied, moving to open the door hidden under a simple carpet. “This stairwell will take you to the wall of the castle complex. Now go.”

The door opened, and the members of the Torch Guard entered.

“I will” were the last words the scribe said to his King before he escaped swiftly through the hidden door.

“A group of rebels disguised as servants has started to attack from within the walls, and I recommend that we escape as well your Excellency.” Tinlar, the Torch Guards captain said, gesturing toward the door the elf had just used. His heavy mace was out, a dire sign, for by the large trolls own rules, none were to have their weapons out near the King, except his personal guard during an emergency. Maximus looked into the dark searching eyes of his friend, who had shown an unmatched loyalty. Dark, intimidating tattoos ran from his wrists to his shoulders, most warriors would turn and run after getting a good look at him. His hair was done in the same style as his less civilized kin, rolled into small, long braids. The only thing more frightening than seeing an angry Tinlar was fighting him.

“Not this time Captain. I need my sword.” The High King replied. Tinlar gestured to the cooling form of Goldre and asked; “Does your reluctance have to do with this?”

“Yes” Maximus replied evenly, trying to keep his voice from choking, “they will hunt me till the end. I'd rather not see another war start on my behalf.” One of the Guard members brought the King his weapon, which he grasped in his strong hand. “I won't ask you to stay and die with me, though I would be lying if I didn't say I would rather die fighting shoulder to shoulder with my men, but do as you will. My time as King has ended, and with it, I fear that the Forever Kingdom does as well.”

Almost as one the men moved in a protective ring about their King facing the sounds of battle, which were now right outside the door. Maximus blinked a tear out of his eye. “No, I am no longer king, my reign ends now, I will not cower from death at the backs of my friends. We will face it together.”

With that Maximus elbowed his way out of the circle, moving in front of Tinlar, who had been at its head.

The door broke.

Six men burst into the room, there was still fighting going on in the wide hallway behind them, these were just the ones who had broken through. For a moment there was silence. The smaller invading force consisting of mostly trolls and dwarves, and one man, stared down the King and his guard, fully armored in gold leafed adamant plate mail. It was unbreakable and light. The invaders wore simple steel chain mail. A particularly large dwarf stepped forward, pointed a thick finger at Tinlar. “Now it is time to fulfill your promise.” (I'll need to translate this later) He said in rough tones. Maxmimus' dwarvish was weak, but he understood the meaning.

“What promise?” he asked, turning to Tinlar. He gasped as something sharp pierced his armor, into his heart. His surprise was only matched by that of seeing the hatred in his captains eyes

“You killed my family and enslaved my kin, you now pay for your crimes.” The silence that followed seemed to echo throughout the entire castle complex, as though everyone inside could feel the lifeblood draining from the man who had united the world under a single banner.