The Hell Gate Cataclyysm

The two torches are thrown simultaneously onto the enormous wood pile. The fire ignites instantly, basking the courtyard in a warm glow. Lord Darren of Canderdale takes the hand of Lady Allura of Lendelind as the fire they started grows , mirroring the cheering of the crowd around it. The two had been wed at sunrise in Canderdale and now, at sunset, the final celebration has begun. The unity of the two territories mark the beginning of a united Linearia. Many of the smaller territories have pledged to follow suite. The flames, symbolizing the hope for the future, reach higher and higher for the starlit heavens, and it almost seems as though they shall reach them. The hope is short lived.
All at once, the cheerful orange fire becomes an ominous red, all warmth gone. A hush falls over the crowd. Darren steps protectively in front of Allura, facing the now heatless flames. A pair of yellow eyes lock with his. An infernal leaps out of the blaze at Darren, claws glinting in the firelight. The lord instinctively reaches for the sword at his side, forgetting in the moment that he is unarmed. He is tackled and goes down to the ground with his assailant. Allura rushes to her husband but he shouts at her to flee. As if on cue, scores of the red skinned humanoids charge from the fire, some as small as children while others are as large as bears. Wielding two pronged spears, curved axes, or just their claws, teeth, and horns, the demonic horde throws themselves into the crowds. Screams fill the air along with bat winged infernals that dive upon their prey like hawks. The ones on the ground clash with the few ceremonial guards, which are taken down quickly by the blades and burning breath of the creatures. Darren, having managed to dispatch his adversary with his bare hands, grabs a sword from a fallen guard and begins cutting down any infernal near him.
The castle bell rings an alarm, and soldiers begin streaming into the fray. Batwing infernals begin dropping as archers form ranks. Before the main bulk of the reinforcements can arrive, one of the larger infernals barks an order in its guttural language. The monsters begin to retreat back into the red flames, many carrying townsfolk with them. Darren hears Allura's scream and turns in time to see her disappear into the inferno. He runs after her and the last of the infernals into the flames. He reaches after her into the fire just as it returns to its natural state. He springs back, mutilated, and rolls onto the ground, his screams of pain and despair join the cries of the dying.
Everything changed that night. Cheerful fires that warmed families' homes are now only lit when absolutely necessary while a father or son stands watch with a weapon in hand. Children who were afraid of sleeping in the dark are now too frightened to sleep by candlelight. The disappearance of Lendelind's lady and citizens has dismantled any unity between it and Canderdale. Surrounding territories are beginning to pick sides. The embers of hope have died, and the flames of war are close at hand.

Type

Metaphysical, Demonic