Wyseforge: Temptation of Time

Prologue In the heavenly palace were endless sounds and an assembled multitude. In that moment, a young woman with an unsullied face filled with unwavering determination was clenching her fist and roaring her frustrations. Her name was Qu Eiríni, and she was the empress of Helguard. "Our people gave you a home when you had none, yet you've brought your people here and committed some of the most heinous acts imaginable in service of another lord?! The gods will not let your treachery go unpunished!" Empress Eiríni said, her voice filled with anger and disappointment. Kal, a man infamous for his cunning, scoffed at her words. "This is pathetic. These people worship you as a god among immortals in the upper realms. But you lack the power to restrain a few forbidden cultivators. Is this how you planned to keep your people safe?" he sneered. Empress Eiríni's eyes blazed with fury. "You're nothing but a traitor seeking power you'll never obtain, you'll face obstacles the likes of you could never overcome. Those who follow the forbidden faction are the enemies of existence! I won't allow any of you to harm my people no matter the cost!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the grand hall. The next moment, a blood-curling, oppressive aura—so overwhelming that it could shred the skies and fissure the lands— ferociously gushed in the palace. Out of nowhere, the wind violently swirled in the palace while a blue rune glowed from the source, revealing a portal. With that, the crowd’s gazes simultaneously fell upon the man standing at the center of the space, who was looking at Kal, observing the previous event. And that man was none other than Victor Temporis himself! He donned a powersuit blacker than ebony, with a black garb around his torso. There seemed to be a layer of fog shielding his brown-skinned face, his piercing blue eyes looking down on everyone like they were nothing more than ants. "Kal Mar-Zel, to think a man could commit treason against his homeland. You're truly a despicable asshole, but I'd expect nothing less from someone who was sought after by the forbidden faction, so why are you here?" Victor said, his voice cold and direct Empress Eiríni was taken aback. "Victor! How are you able to enter the palace after he used an inner domain?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "All of you are still traveling through your paths in time, so I can easily reach you using my tech," Victor replied arrogantly. As the conversation continued, Victor's mind raced. He had been waiting for this moment, to confront someone from the faction, but he couldn't help but feel as if something was off... "I've been waiting years to meet you, Victor Temporis! Now I can finally complete my mission and it's all thanks to you two. It seems she was right, people who love someone are the easiest to manipulate." Kal taunted Kal pulled a red crystal looking artifact out of his pocket, he slammed the artifact on the floor, causing it to shatter, but nothing happened. Kal flew towards Victor at full speed, he launched a flurry of strikes, but his fists were blocked by Victor's hand easily. "What the hell was that crystal you just destroyed?! Answer me!" Victor yelled "Don't worry about that my dear conqueror, you'll find out in time, but my task is done here now it's time to wrap up." Kal taunted Kal, activated his spell, summoning the Final Blades of Light. Five long light swords shot towards Victor at high speeds, their form warping as they reached the target. But Victor easily dodged all five of the light blades, swiftly moving towards Kal, Kal attempted to use another incantation but Victor summoned his katana, delivering a swift stab to Kal's stomach. "How did you dodge the Final Bla..." Kal murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. Before Kal could finish his words, Victor decapitated him, Victor conjured blue flames from his armor that burned away Kal's body. Victor, now free from the threat of Kal, turned his attention to the remaining forbidden cultivators. With blinding speed, he killed them all, their bodies falling lifelessly to the ground while burning. "Where are all of the children?" Victor asked, his voice filled with concern. "The children were recovered by my sacred guards," Eiríni replied "That's good to hear. I'll be taking my leave for now, I'll leave a few of my soldiers behind just in case but besides that we should be clear." Victor said Before he could leave, Empress Eiríni stopped him. "Wait, before you go, I've had my men search the mountaintops of the dragons to find the relic you've been searching for and we found it as of last month." she said her voice slightly condescending Victor chuckled, his eyes filled with amusement. "I need that relic so I can return home empress, do you believe that is some kind of bargaining chip...?" he replied, his voice gentle yet firm. "Considering you know how I feel but you still want to return home, I think saying, bargaining chip, is putting it mildly." Eiríni responded, annoyance evident in her voice. Victor sighed. "I'll give it some thought but I have some things to do first..." Victor said with a slight smile, before jumping through his portal. Empress Eiríni clenched her fist, causing her palm to bleed, as she stared at the traces of his aura. "Do you really think you'll be able to resist me forever, Victor. Sooner or later..." she murmured, her determination unwavering. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE YEARS LATER