Burnfort, Emirulore.

Just like today, Cain Morfran could often be found in the great library of the Burnfort. The ancient castle on the edge of Baal Berith. Leather bound, mostly thick books, were stacked on top of each other in humongous piles. There were even more on tables too. Not to mention the many bookcases filled with history. In truth, there was little room to manoeuvre in the library. This was just fine seeing as he was the only one in the room. As someone who disliked to much noise the library offered a certain tranquillity.

It was not strange to see him with his big nose planted in some book. He liked nothing better than reading up about history and escaping the mundane reality. He was often teased by his fellow brothers and sisters for being odd that way. He had earned the nickname among his siblings as the "Black Sheep." Too few said this nickname to his face. The last person who mocked him, ended up in the physician's room and was getting treated for numerous broken bones in various parts of his body.

Standing tall at six-foot he was deceivingly muscular, deceptively agile, quick too for a man his size. He had ruby red eyes - eyes that looked very self-assured but spoke loudly of a fraught man with the weight of the world on his aching shoulders. His once white hair had now all but turned black. His permanent frown would lead one to believe he was depressed; he would not hide this fact. Often, he could be seen about the castle moping. He tended to wear black to identify with the downtrodden.

He was reading an interesting article in a book called "Rarities" about the Ethereal Chests the coveted keys. "Fascinating," he mumbled as he turned the page being delicate with the book as if it were his own spawn. He read it all, the beginning at least, and all this information was stored in a brilliant yet often troubled mind. There were thirteen relics in all. "The Divine Relics," he silently mumbled once more as keen eyes scanned the page from top to bottom. These items were created and owned at one stage by the First Divine, Hope. Out of all the items which included the Blade of Destiny, the Ring of Absolute Power and an integral part of the coveted Time Travellers Pocket Watch to name but a few of the thirteen items. Cain longed for the cloak that could not only make one invisible but immortal and invincible as well. "If I had that cloak there is no way he would find me," Cain once again mumbled to no one in particular. Curiously, It was as if "he" was a looming disaster.

It was at that moment did the bell toll twelve at night and Cain knew he had to attend a special ceremony.

closing the book firmly with a gentle thud he jumped of the chair. He made his way out of the library and turned right and hurried along down the turret stairwell, each flight was lit with a torch as were the quiet and quaint corridors. All that could be heard were his footsteps hurrying along. He made his way to the throne room via the great southern courtyard.

The throne room was the second largest of the castle's audience halls the largest being the ball room hall. The walls were lined with bas relief decoration depicting the Divines. Impressive tapestries depicting the great castle were hanging from the askew ceiling, while sculptures and statuettes of Enlighted Beings were looking down at him and the flagstone floor that was cold and dark. Upon turning right Cain could see two people up ahead. He was sure one was male, and one was female. Huge black braziers were at the bottom of each of the ten basalt columns. These braziers lit up the entire hall of which was bathed in an orange glow.

Several soldiers were in the darkest part of the room, they were standing stationary and watching ominously. They were equipped with mail armour and iron spears. They wore cloaks made of heavy wool. Fine leather boots. These soldiers were handpicked by Draven himself to guard the throne room and guard it they did. More of these soldiers were before the steps that led to the throne itself. Also present was the captain of the guard a one Ser Hugh Artaith.

Aside from the elephant in the room which was obviously the throne which we will get to in a moment keen eyes were drawn to the many banners that had on them the coat of arms of Draven's design. The most notable fixture of the coat of arms was the shield. Standing above the torse is the crest which so happens to be a viper curled up and ready to strike. The supporters are found on either side of the shield and depict a bear, tall, proud, brave and fierce. The motto which sits beneath the shield reads "Live and Learn." a fitting name and spoke volumes of Draven Morfrans character.

Thirteen steps led up to the throne off the Burnfort. The throne itself was crafted out of black steal and was built by the last ruler Sinrathor and some of his more skilled craftsman. The throne has an air of menace and dread it was purposefully designed this way. If a throne resided in the Abyss, Cain would bet it looked like this. In any case he had an appointment with the Master of Death a one Marwoleath "The Grim" Elohim. The throne sits surrounded by flammable liquid and this flammable liquid is ignited when the ruler is absent from his seat.

Still Cain looked forward with his head held high. He knew he would be named today. This basically meant that he would receive a nickname just like the two who from afar he could not make out, but now as he was approaching the steps that led up to the throne he knew them; the albino Dante and the nightmare Lilly.

Dante had whiter than white hair and light skin too. He had a snub nose and eyes that were wide apart. If Cain had to pick one out of his brothers and sisters to somewhat like it would probably be Dante. His elder brother had it all and then some, in terms of talent at least. He had a few gifts to name, but perhaps the most impressive of his gifts was his family's bloodline trait he was an emotional manipulator. If his joke fell flat, he could rouse a laugh. Also, Dante was quick, like lightning fast. To see him dance with a training sword in hand was a remarkable sight. Cain found it curious when Dante called it dancing, but when half a dozen soldiers of the Burnfort tested his prowess with a blade Cain saw why Dante referred to it as a dance. The albino would move this way, then that. He would duck an assault and then swing and mount an attack. It was beautiful to witness pure finesse with a blunt blade. Cain had obviously partaking in some sparring sessions with his brother and he would lose each time within minutes. Still, at least he mounted some offence the albino's solo duels rarely lasted long, mere seconds in some cases.

Lilith was a cunt. No more no less. She was not a nice person. She tormented everyone usually when they were in a deep sleep. Lilly could do anything to a person when they were asleep.

In not as many words, the siblings greeted one another with a subtle nod of the head and a fierce connection of eyes. The pale grey eyes of Dante met Cain's red and intense stare and off course the stunning sea blue eyes of Lilly's met Cain's.

"Evening," a respectful Cain then broke the stare down and the moment of silence. Beads of sweat ran down his brow. He had made the first move to be courteous. He fidgeted with his finger.

Before Dante could reply in kind Lilly immediately taunted Cain by calling him the worst two words you could possibly say. "How be the Black Sheep?" Lilly pulled a face of disgust that was masked with a snide smile.

"I told you not to call me that," he calmly snapped as his fingers curled into his palm as he formed a tight fist.

Lilly picked up on this and was quick to add, "you wouldn't harm me would you Blacky? I am a female after all - "

"A vile cunt is what I would have said."

"I think you both need to calm down," Dante sternly told them. "Agreed?"

Cain's thin lips parted, he knew he was being immature when he was tempted to say, "she started it," but thought them unwise words. "Rise above the hate;" he then thought for these words were once the words of his clan.

"Are we done?" Dante then said and the two at loggerheads seemed finished. "So, Lilly and I were speculating what kind of assignment we might be put on."

"I am hoping not to be paired with you," Lilly paid him a dirty look. She was really rubbing him up the wrong way this night. "I want to be teamed up with Dante he is so powerful he might eclipse our own father."

"That'll be the day," Dante quipped.

"Where is he anyways?"

"You know father."

"Always late," Lilly cut Dante's words dead with her own interjection. "He is always late. Remember the wedding? It's usually the bride who turns up late not the groom."

"We have no choice," Dante mused aloud. "We must wait. Father will come when he is ready, always does. For now, we can talk - "

"I'm in no mood to talk."

"Whole lot of fun you are Blacky."

"Well . . . you can opt to listen if you like. Patience is a virtue. They are the words of my house."

"Indeed, we just wait for father to come," Cain admitted.

"That is fine by me," Lilly said in a typical cheeky manner.

"And me," Dante added.

He now bore a somewhat sincere smile. "Finally, something the three of us agree upon."

The throne room slowly packed out with the many children of Draven Morfran. Now we must learn why we have been gathered.