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The Arbiters

Prologue

In a time before stars and planets ruled the heavens, a single planet existed. It was known as Kales, the first world in the universe. It was a lush world filled with many wonders both great and small. Animals and plants coexisted then in peaceful harmony and the balance was maintained. Eventually over time two new species came into being on Kales. One species known as the Fawna were born, they were a curious race who were bipedal creatures that walked upright. That is to say they were animals with anthropomorphic like qualities. Sentient beings who stood on two legs unlike their feral counterparts.

Then there were the Demons. Who seemed to be the polar opposites of the Fawna. Like their counterparts they were bipedal creatures but where the Fawna were creatures such as foxes, birds and other species of animals. Demons took on more corrupted forms of these creatures. Where the Fawna's fur, feathers or scales were usually brighter in coloration. Demons were far darker, the majority of which having their skin being the color of coal with horns and other vile traits decorating their skin. The red pupil-less eyes of the demons haunting many Fawna's darkest nightmares.

The Fawna on a whole were a peaceful species, content to enjoy their lives to the best of their abilities in the towns and cities which they built for themselves. However this peace would not last long. Demons, as they came to be known intruded on their peaceful existence and sought to enslave or destroy the Fawna. They saw the passive race as their natural food source and pursued them as such, causing much devastation in their wake. Due to the Demons inherent strength and resilience to pain, they quickly proved to be the Fawna's better in combat, driving many towns and cities to extinction and forcing most of the Fawna to gather in secluded places away from prying eyes.

When all seemed lost, four beings were born into the world with wondrous abilities over the world itself, each being was given a power, the four powers they controlled was Nature, Space, Time and Sun. These four beings, one born to each of the four lands of Kales began fighting back against the Demons and helped to turn the tide of the war. Using their four powers the arbiters united the four lands of the world into an army capable of taking on the demons. Due to their abilities, they were able to win a number of key victories and drove the Demons back to their own land and ended the war once and for all. Thus ending a war which had spanned thirty years.

This came at great cost however, two of the arbiters gave their lives to end the violence and much of the Fawna's armies were destroyed just like their cities and towns. Those that survived dedicated their lives to peace and settled down creating new places for people to live in this new time of peace. The remaining arbiters, the arbiter of time and the arbiter of nature went back to their own land and ensured that the peace was maintained.

During this time, Fawna learned to wield a great power known as magic. Using this magic their technology increased significantly. Now by simply infusing magic into crystals, Fawna's were able to create objects that could store food and keep it cool or by using fire crystals were able to cook food without much effort. This new technology allowed the Fawna to stop using the planet as a resource. Magical energy now filled the air and infused the lands and animals with power causing strange creatures to come into existence.

Now, two hundred years later Demons are once again pushing on the borders of the four lands of Kales and threaten to wage war on the Fawna once more. Walls are built and Fawna are trained how to live and die by the sword as more and more towns and cities are lost on the borders of the demon lands. As more and more of the Fawna are killed, others look to their walls for safety praying to the planet that they might once again be gifted with those able to help halt the violence. The arbiter of time however left the Fawna with some measure of hope before she passed in the form of a prophecy.

When darkness falls and blood has been shed.

Powers will be born anew to each land.

Out of the darkness shall rise beacons of hope,

to bring light into this darkening world

Untold power will be under their will and

will bring peace out of the destruction.

None shall forget them and none shall fear them

as they are the Arbiters.

The heroes of all that is good in this world.

With this prophecy in hand, the Fawna pray for the return of the Arbiters in this darkening world so that they once again will be able to live in peace and enjoy life as it was meant to be.

Chapter One

A midst the rolling green plains of Risgrawl, a lone carriage trundles down the dusty path at a steady pace. Two fiery maned stallions wicker loudly as the ground beneath their hooves faded into the distance with each canter along the road. Two riders, rode alongside the carriage on midnight steeds. Their green cloaks covering their body, only the hilts of their swords betraying the armaments they wore beneath. The carriage driver unlike his horse riding counterparts wore a full suit of plate armor. The red and gold coloration shining brightly in the sun's beaming light, matching the carriage's decal along with an emblazoned sun on both the door and the driver's shield.

"Sir! We are just crossing over the border now!" One of the riders, a black and white border collie with short trimmed hair and a longbow strapped to his back shouted out to the carriage. His watchful gaze eyeing both up and down the road for any signs of movement. In the distance before them a small woods branched out on either side of the path covering the path in a welcoming shade.

"Carry on, don't stop till we reach the forest of Risgrawl!" A deep baritone voice answered from within the depths of the carriage, slight impatience emanating from the tone. "I want to get my family to safety as soon as possible Alex!"

"Yes Sir! We should get there before evening if we are lucky!" The canine named Alex announced, urging his horse on wards to overtake the carriage as the trees approaching them forced the two riders to move from the side of the carriage.

"Maxwell, Cover the back of the carriage, I have the front." Alex barked out his order as the other rider, a burly bodied stag moved to the back of the carriage and trotted behind it.

As the sun emblazoned carriage passed beneath the boughs of the trees, a dull creaking could be heard from within the depths of the woods. Alex galloped forward to cover the front of the carriage. However just as he passed by the first few trees, a loud snap echoed around the group and from the depths of the woods came a large tree trunk swinging on two vines which narrowly missed Alex and hurtled at speed towards the carriage.

The trunk smashed into the fiery maned stallions and kept going, crashing into the carriage. The sheer force of the impact flipping the carriage down the small incline of the path and back out of the tree's shade. As the dust settled the carnage was revealed.

Both horses were dead, their manes once full of fire now dying down to embers. The impact sending them out of this life instantly. Likewise the carriage driver lay strewn in the grass beside the path, his plated body hunched upon itself and non moving.

Alex rode down from the woods in horror at the scne before him. Maxwell rode up to the fox, having evidently dodged the carriage in it's free fall. As fast as his limbs could manage both Fawna overcame their shock and leaped from there steeds breaking into a sprint towards the carriage. The front of the transport having taken most of the impact, was severely dented with it's paint peeling off from the site of impact. Now on it's side the carriage showed no signs of life inside.

"Fenris! Maeven! Speak to me! Are you alright in there?!?" Alex roared as he climbed the carriage in panic, pulling the carriage door open from the now top of the carriage. Below Maxwell drew his sword and shield and stood watch as his superior checked out the transport. His yellow eyes darting to each tree in the woods searching for the slightest movement beneath the treacherous shade of the branches.

From the top of the carriage, Alex lay belly first his outstretched hand reaching into the depths of the red and gold transport. Putting strain on his body Alex began to stretch back up, pulling his arm from within the carriage. His arm emerged back into the light, his hand gripping a slender black furred hand strongly. Rising slowly to his feet the fox pulled a Demon wolf out from the carriage.

Her black fur like midnight in stark contrast to the long shimmering silver dress she wore. Flowing down her shoulders her raven colored hair caught the slight breeze and she regained her footing atop the carriage, a small red bundle of blankets held tightly clutched to her bosom. Folded feathered wings poked out from her shoulder blades as she stretched them out from her body and jumped from atop the carriage. The strong wings catching the air and slowed her fall from the carriage.

"Oh damn, they must have known we were coming!" The winged demon wolf known as Maeven spoke up to no one in particular. Approaching Maxwell from behind she stood holding the bundle of blankets while her pupil-less ruby eyes signature for all demons scanned beneath the boughs of the woods with Maxwell. "Any signs soldier?".

"None your majesty, they may just be grouping for the attack however so be on your guard. We won't go down without a fight." Maxwell smiled at his queen, before returning his attention back to the trees. "Is everyone all right?"

"We are demons soldier, we won't pass from this world so easily. Not that I can say the same for our driver. If we survive his remains shall be returned to Astin where his spirit might find peace." Maeven's eyes flickered towards the crumpled Fawna a midst the horses bodies. Her facial features softening as they did. Death never had a good outcome for the Fawna in these times.

Maeven glanced back to see her husband being pulled from the carriage a similar bundle of blankets resting in the male wolf demon's arms. The short demon leaped down from the carriage with Alex. His short unkempt hair bounced as his booted feet sunk into the soft earth. The coal colored hair matching his suit of black leather armor to a t. Approaching his wife the demon smiled, his pointed white fangs glistening in the sunlight. His smile soon became a grimace however as with a loud battle cry thirty odd figures sprang out from beneath the tree's dark embrace and in the direction of the overturned carriage.

The horde of demons, for that is what they were howled and screeched in enraged voices. Their guttural cries causing the two remaining horses to bolt in terror, running off across the emerald plains. The demons bore darkened armor of unknown origin, the metal black as night as it seemed to reflect the evil within most of their hearts.

Horns, fangs and red tattoos adorned the demons bodies, many seemed feral in nature with only blood lust visible in their hollow scarlet eyes. They converged on the small group who had now backed away with weapons drawn. The group of four using the overturned carriage as cover while some of the demons began feeding on the corpses strewn on the soil.

"There's too many of them Fenris! We can't hope to defeat all of them!" Alex shouted a midst the snarls as he notched an arrow to his longbow and loosed it into the head of a demon. Another arrow notched as the demon's body hit the ground. "Go with Maeven! Fly away and survive with your family Fenris!"

"It won't work, they have archers on the hill! We'll be dead before we leave the ground. If we are to meet our end. I rather burn them to cinders before they harm those I love!" Maeven screamed defiantly as she jumped atop the carriage brandishing her hands out in front on her like shields while the small bundle of blankets rested beneath her feet. Flames sprang up around her body, her fur dulled like charcoal as her ruby eyes glistened like like a newborn flame. Brandishing the flames which swirled violently around her body and poured into her hands to form spheres of fire she drew forth all her strength.

With a hiss and a burst of heat flames flew forth from her hands and down at the demons below. Her fire dousing everything in flame as if the sun had been summoned straight to Kalean soils. Chaos erupted among the demons as fur caught fire and spread from one demon to another as they panicked and ran into each other. Maeven's hell fire purging all her enemies as soon after the entire group fled in terror, the remaining few quickly being mopped up by Alex and company. A devilish smile sneaked upon the female demons face, her fires residing as the last few demons collapsed to form burning smolders of ash and seared flesh upon the ground.

Just as the group thought they were safe, a group of ten more demons strode out from the woods. Unlike the previous feral demons, these held intelligence and confidence in their pupil-less eyes. As they approached the carriage and Maeven's threatening glare, lightning swirled around half of the group, cracking through the air wildly. Maeven's own fire rose up to counter their own magic as the air filled with the fierce sound of crackling and intense heat. Alex summoning some of his own magic as a few boulders rose from the ground and floated around the carriage protectively.

For a few moments neither side moved in a strange standoff. fourteen red, an ocean blue and an olive green pairs of eyes twitched in the daylight waiting for someone to move first. As one Maeven's fire and Alex's earth flew forwards in a rush of heated stone smashing into the line of demons and knocking four to the ground un-moving as flames and stone crushed or burnt their bodies. The remaining demons sent cracking their lightning, it pierced through the boulders and struck down Maxwell, his shocked gaze fading as his body hit the ground. Maeven whipped up another lashing of fire which she sent forth, the bolts of lightning meant for her just missing as they were deflected by Alex's floating boulders.

As her flames gushed forth through the air, a bolt of lightning skimmed the flames and missed the boulders as it followed the path of her fire and struck Maeven through the chest bursting out from her back. The fist sized hole left in its wake charred and sizzled as Maeven's scarlet eyes dimmed, her coal like fur turned gray by the lightning as she fell onto her side. Her dulled eyes gazing into the small ruby eyes of her son as her spirit passed from this world and into whatever world the universe had in store for her. A crying wail echoed loudly around the carriage. The little demon boy's lungs emptied into a sorrowful wail that guided Maeven's life force into the next life.

"MAAAAVEN!!!" Fenris' howls of agony pierced the heavens as he leapt onto the carriage and held his wife within his arms. Her lifeless body hung limp as her glass eyes stared back into the face of her husband, their dull glaze reflected his grizzled tear strewn face.

Alex fought back tears as with a grand display of strength and emotional outlet, a ten foot high wall of earth and stone rose from the ground between the demons and the carriage. The earthen wall shielding Fenris and company from harm. for the moment. Glancing over at his fellow soldier's body, Alex wiped the tears from his olive eyes with his leather clad arm.

"Sir... Sir!" Alex stumbled on his words, his feelings cracking his voice and slurring his speech. "We have to move now while we have the chance. Your family can't die here! Not with your people waiting!"

"She's... gone Alex. Gone. Just like that, she is everything I have. I'm not strong enough to do this alone." Fenris' grizzled voice had broken down to a pitiful whimper as his fur was matted down in streaks from his overflowing eyes.

"You are not alone Fenris." Alex nodded to him staring straight into the demons eyes with a stern gaze. "No giving up. Not till your family is safe. Maeven wouldn't want you to just quit, not after everything that has happened."

Fenris tore away from his piercing gaze, the wolf's red tinged eyes falling on the red bundles of blankets atop the carriage. His son's wailing voice still filling the air around them. Laying Maeven's body down gently onto her back, Fenris rested his lips upon her forehead for the final time. Drawing back and closing her eyes, the coal furred lupine rose to his feet and took the bundles back into his arms before hopping down from the carriage with a squelch as boots hit mud. Into the fox's arms he gave the bundle of blankets holding his son, the little demons cries having died down to a dull murmur.

"Protect him Alex, keep him safe from harm at all costs understood?" Fenris' glare penetrated Alex's very soul as the sentiment behind his words weighed heavy with the importance they carried.

"With my life and soul my friend." Alex cradled the baby protectively in his left arm as his right grasped Fenris' in a gesture of friendship and trust. Starting together, the duo turned their backs on the wall and began to run away from the earthen wall and back down the track they had came from toward safety.

Before they could reach more than a trot, the wall of stone and hardened dirt blasted inwards sending chunks and boulders in their direction narrowly missing the two remaining souls still on their feet. As the dust cleared, six demons strode from a midst the debris. The only remaining attackers left standing. Lightning cracked through the air and along their black polished armor as they drew their swords from sheaths at their waists in unison.

"Flee!" Fenris roared from just behind the collie, before they could take a step past the carriage however, five more demons strode out from behind the overturned transport.

Having used the carriage as cover they had closed in around then and tightened the noose. Nowhere to run and trapped between armored demons, all hope was lost. Alex's panicked gaze flitted back and forth, trying to find a way out, some way to escape the impossible. Anything to prevent it ending like this. His face came upon the eyes of his age old friend, as the demon's friendly smile twinged slightly from the desperate situation.

"Goodbye old friend." Fenris parted ways with a sigh as he broke eye contact with Alex and instead turned his gaze upon the waiting demons before him. His friendly face twisting into a gnarled expression of pure crazed malice. Darkened boots dug into the soft dirt as Fenris launched forwards with a manic smile, arm outstretched with his sword firmly held within his grasp. Surprized by his sudden tenacity, the demons reacted too slow to save themselves as he smashed into them like a charging rhino. Slicing through the air his sword rang out loud and clear as it cleaved through demon flesh before spinning around and ending the demon either side of Fenris.

With a snarl the other demons swarmed Fenris, no mercy was shown as four razor sharp points of steel embedded themselves in the brave wolf's body, ending his life almost instantly as Fenris' sword fell to the ground. Alex stood still. His breath caught in his chest as he could only watch as his friend fell to his knees before him. Fenris' blood spilling out around the demonic swords he was pierced by and coloring the soil upon which it fell. A demon ripped his sword from the blood covered demon's body and snarled at his corpse as he swung the sword towards his neck. Alex blinked slowly, his body frozen in shock as his friend of many years was decapitated before his eyes.

Alex screamed in emotional turmoil as he regained control of his body as the demons kicked Fenris' body aside and advanced toward the green cloaked ranger. His screams of anguish causing the year old demon in his arms to start wailing. As the demons neared to finish off the armored collie, black waves of energy resembling fire and lightning began to swirl around Alex and the child. The waves intensified until with a blast of dark energy,

Alex and the baby he held were swallowed up by the darkness and vanished. The stunned demons stood upon the blood stained soil unsure of what to do as the ranger and child seemed to seize to exist leaving only a patch of blackened grass remaining to show that they were even their in the first place.