The Release of Ardün from the Cage

Celestial

The dawning of War.

In the years since the imprisonment of Nimagos and Ardün, the bodies of the two prisoners had been gifted very different treatments. Ardün's remains had been laid in state alongside Ellastrophel, while Nimagos's body had been thrown deep into the furthest reaches of the ocean, where it would begin to spawn lashing storms and dark creatures as time went on.

In the meantime, the fruits of Nimagos's last grand experiment had been taken under the divine wing of the newly christened Elder Gods. Though they knew that humanity had been spawned from Nimagos, they recognized the authentic touch of Ellastrophel on their composition. As such, the Adelphas Sisters willingly released the Dhaphén from their charges, telling them that these humans needed their help and guidance more than they did and that it was time for them to live their own adventures.

The gods were eager to heed their mentors' advice and took to nurturing humanity with surprising care and gentleness. Only Mora found it difficult to engage with these young and awkward creatures, for she still saw in them a painful reminder of her lost mentor.

Yet even as the world entered a new era of growth and discovery, not every entity was dedicated to such ends.

The creature calling itself Obarion had taken to the shadows in the time since its master had been imprisoned, but as a projection of its master's darkest impulses, it was bent on vengeance. In the intervening years, it had been biding its time, waiting for an opportunity to begin its quest to release Nimagos from the Cage. An opportunity that eventually presented itself in the form of Mora.

Adopting a much more innocent guise, the Shadow approached Mora and began suggesting to her that they work together to free her brother from his undeserved imprisonment. Though Mora was wary of this unknown entity, she was hungry for the opportunity to free her brother whom she knew was undeserving of his incarceration. Such was her conviction that it was this unlikely union that discovered the possibility that a human might successfully breach the Cage due to their immunity to iron and their touch of Ellastrophel.

Eventually, Mora managed to find a willing acolyte who not only felt compassion for Ardün's fate but also possessed the spirital fortitude to pierce the Gate. This woman was Rhuel, and from her line sprang the blood of every monarch who would ever sit the Stone Chair.

On the Summer Solstice of 4032 BC, one of only two days each year that the Gate could be permeated, Rhuel entered the Tomb of Stars and extended her hand through the iron barrier surrounding the body of Ellastrophel. Resisting the immense pull of the astral void within that so desperately called to the spark of life within her, Rhuel withdrew from beyond the tattered spirit of Ardün, worn and wearied by uncountable ages within the howling void. Yet as soon as she had breached the Gate, the Elder Gods sensed the break and descended upon the cave in fury. Without bothering to stop or ask questions, the Gods struck Rhuel where she stood, holding the hand of the newly returned God.

There ensued a great argument as Mora angrily reprimanded her siblings for their wanton violence while the rest of the Gods scolded her for her dangerous gamble. As the Gods argued over what to do with humanity now that it was known that some could pierce the Gate, it was suggested that they simply eradicate the threat and return to their former appointments with the Sisters. At that, Mora was surprised to find herself defending the creatures she had initially denounced by vouching for their potential. Instead of assuming their nature, she argued that the Gods should give humanity a reason to defend the Gate rather than destroy it.

Surprised at her position but receptive to the idea, the Gods relented on their bloodlust and instead turned to welcome their lost brother home. Though startled with his sudden return, they welcomed him joyously back into the fold without question, but unbeknownst to them, Ardün had learned a new allegiance in the Cage and had brought with him new teachings to match.