ARISE, MY HARBINGER

Vora awoke in a cold sweat as the familiar voice crashed into her mind, the first time since the corruption began. It had been weeks since the sealing of Yagorath, yet the whispers reached her despite her humanity pushing them away. With the Devourer locked away, she had lost everything, again. All these visions would do is remind her of how far she fell. Hiding away from it all; the Pyre, the Realm, the pain, it was all she could do.

PATIENCE, YOUNG ONE

As Azaan seemed prepared to destroy the Realm, the reformed Magistrate fought the Resistance. Still lusting for power, still pretending they care for the innocent. Despite her appetite, Vora sat alone in her caves. She made a choice long ago to embrace chaos, to be a part of the end of all suffering. However, she felt there was no place for her in these battles, she wished to see it all cease to exist.

THE FIRST CRACK SHOWS ITSELF.

She had watched in horror as the seals she lost her loved one to protect – gave up everything to break – were rebuilt by Azaan in mere moments. These new seals, created within the flames of the Dawnforge, left no hope of breaking them any sooner than those Io had set prior. Her fellow guardians had sacrificed themselves for nothing, as they looked to the moon for nothing. A broken goddess was no match for Yagorath, as was Yagorath no match for the Pyre. She had sacrificed herself for nothing.

I AM NO DEITY. I AM SO MUCH GREATER.

She rarely traveled outside, for the Darkness consuming her was difficult to conceal. However, she hungered. So, at night as villagers slept, she took what she needed to survive from those who had more than they needed. Their lives would be lost soon enough, she felt pity and didn’t wish to expedite that. However, on these evenings, she found herself looking back up into the sky, at the moon she once pledged herself to. Its glow, dimmed by the shattered pieces it had lost, had always filled her with purpose. Hope, dread…now, fear. A piece of her always feared that she had always been wrong, that she should’ve never strayed from her path. That piece grows louder, but it is too late now, redemption too far gone.

YOUR NATURE IS TO SURVIVE.

As with all conflicts, the Pyre’s return incites the Abyss back into the Realm. Rumors of Nyx make their way to the village Vora haunts; another who had fallen from the heights of faith, embraced a power to save them. The wars never-ending, the Realm always on the brink of chaos. She feels the pull to be the one to push it over into destruction, but deep within her concern over the village rose above, and she stayed.

EVERYONE WHO ISN’T US IS AN ENEMY.

One night, as she returned to her dwelling, her hunger grew. She knew this feeling well, the feeling she had when she accepted the offer that defined her, the power she holds and the purpose she lost. The seals had worn, the light of the Pyre slightly faded. She placed her hand against their runes, starving for hope. For the first time beyond her dreams, she could hear her clear as day.

WE ARE THE MAW, WE SHALL FEAST.

She stood still, frozen by fright and conflict, for the first time since the day she lost her home. She had resigned herself to watch the Realm slip out of her grasp, to watch her dreams taken, to accept that the only fate for her is one chosen by others. If there was still a chance at vengeance…this time she would be more than a harbinger. She would be a part of the destruction itself, immune to the failure she suffered prior. She left her cave one final time, knowing if she returns it would be victorious.

She is the Maw, she hungers, and she will feast.

Paladins Chronicles are short stories meant to enrich the world of Paladins & serve as context for future events. This is part of the first series, please provide us your feedback on socials!