Elemental Blitz

1

The coastal city of Orleanspire is never quiet. Known not only for being the largest port on the Sapphire Empire’s southern coast, but it is also known for its parties. Tonight’s party is the biggest of them all. It is Freedom Rise, the day commemorating the Fall of the Devil Empress ten years earlier. The celebration has been going on all week, but tonight is its peak. The ruler of the city, Duke Hirum Douglas, watches from the balcony overlooking the backyard of his sprawling estate, which is now filled with the creme of his domain’s First Seat all dressed in their finest to attend his Ball of the Fall.

The Seats are a system of Empire society that has been in place since its founding. The First Seat is made up of nobles of the highest standing, the rulers of their great society. The Second seat is made up of nobles of lesser standing and those in positions not as exalted but still important. The Third Seat is the commoners, which makes it the largest Seat by far. It has grown since, with the fall of the Throne and the rise of the Senate, the Forth Seat was abolished. The Forth Seat belonged to the slaves, people with no right except to work until they died. Those of the Forth Seat were freed and absorbed into the Third Seat in the decade following the Fall of the Devil Empress.

His speech has been given, and now the band is playing at full blast, and alcohol and food are flowing like water. Once the midnight bell tolls, they would all move inside, and the orgy would begin. This has been a holiday tradition in Orleanspire since its founding. Once celebrated yearly on Throne Day, which ceased when the throne fell. Those who don't wish to participate and those not of age yet will start to excuse themselves, while those who do will pick their targets. Once the clothes come off, no one is off-limits.

Hirum pulls out his jewel-encrusted gold pocket watch to check the time just as the clock strikes 10 PM. The first of the explosions tear through the night. Hirum’s estate overlooks the city, and he looks up just in time to see the Bell Tower, Orleanspore’s tallest structure, being ripped apart as fireballs explode from every window. The explosions work their way up the tower until they reach the great Golden Bell at its peak. Hirum and all his guests watch in horror as the top of the tower erupts in fire like a volcano, sending the Golden Bell flying into the night sky. Then, more explosions rock the city. In the first minute of the night that would become known as the Opening, Orleanspire goes from celebrating to fighting for their lives because each of the dozen explosions that rip through it is the opening of gates that have been closed since the end of the Age of Immortals. Gates that lead to a prison that has held the beings that ushered in the end of that mythical age. Devils pour from the gates to tear into humanity with a bloodlust that is a thing of legend.

These beasts are not unknown to humanity. Devils have been appearing throughout the Empire and the lands beyond for generations. These are the beasts that the Elemental Ring Bearers stand against. The beast that entire orders of warriors and mages stand against. Now, emerging in numbers that none have seen since before the current time of written history began. Hirum knows none of this however, he only knows about the bed of utter chaos that his house becomes as First Seat nobles begin to scream and run like panicked cattle. He only knows the rough hands of his houseguards as they pull him from the balcony and start bundling him and his family down to the estate’s safe room. They never make it.

He is running with his youngest daughter, Abigal, in his arms, surrounded by his wife, three other children, and a squad of his houseguards, when the masked killers arrive. They are dressed in all black with red masks carved into the faces of Devils of legend. They block all the exits and start unleashing magic on any and everyone not apart of their unholy number. Guests and houseguards alike are cut down by flying blades of energy, roasted by fireballs, and crushed by invisible hands. The houseguards protecting him and his family lead them back upstairs and prepare to make a stand on the staircase. The Devilmasks, as they would become none, aren't even slowed. The guards on the stairs are dismembered by just one of them. One wearing a golden mask. This one being obliterates anyone who stands in their way as they hunt down the Duke and his family. They find them cowering together in the library.

The first time Hirum lays eyes on the golden-masked Devilmask is when he watches the captain of his houseguards, Apollo Mance, being lazily eviscerated in the air without the being ever touching him, just holding out a hand with a glowing red ring on one finger. When he is done with Apollo and the other houseguards there to defend them, he starts on Hirum’s family. He can only scream, cry, and try to shield Abigal as Gold Mask slaughters his wife and three other children in the most gruesome ways. His wife is flayed alive and left to bleed out. His son Winston has every bone in his body, starting with his toes, crushed by an invisible force. His daughter Fran is burned alive. His son Hyman is dismembered piece by piece. All of this happened without Good Mask touching them or saying a word, just holding out the hand with that glowing ring. When the screams stop and Hirum opens his eyes, Gold Mask is standing over him, looking down at him through the slits of his mask with glowing red eyes.

“Hello, Duke Douglas,” says Gold Mask; his voice is surprisingly rich, and it is obvious he is of First Seat stock, “Happy Fall to you and your family.”

“Who are you,” sobs Hirum, his face covered in snot and tears, “Why are you doing this?”

“My name is Galen,” replies Galen with a smile in his voice, “I am one of the high priests of this world’s true masters. As for why this is happening, well, it is ordained. The true masters of this world have returned, and they are not pleased. They are not pleased at all. They demand immediate punishment be issued. They demand blood, and they demand pain. Every life within Orleanspire and the towns and villages within fifty miles should be enough to calm them, but I make no promises. They could demand every unfaithful like in the Sapphire Empire if they wished. And they will have them. Now, honor your masters with your screams.”

He raises his hand, and the ring glows again. Hirum and Abigal both scream as they both slowly melt like candle wax before Galen. The last sound they hear before death finally claims them is his laughter.