• The battle raged. The cries of war and pain filed the air, the stench of blood and sweat was so thick you could taste it. Figures fought. Some human, some not and then some in between. The two armies fought against one another with such ferocity that they tore each other to pieces. A creature bigger then two horses and as black as night tore a man in two and immediately turned to his next victim. A human soldier and a were-cat fought side by side like kindred against a two headed horse. On a white Pegasus stained red with blood, a young girl with ash-blonde hair and flashing hazel eyes garbed in a golden armor, drove her sword through a Minotaur. As the corpse fell the horse leaped over it and ran deeper onto the battle, the girl screamed a war cry. Behind her, a horse blacker then the shadows reared onto its hind legs and slashed with hooves sharpened to pierce metal at a man taller than the horse itself. The rider of that horse lashed out as well but not with a sword, but a giant battle ax and whip. The whip made of black basilisk leather, fanning out into nine separate entities each tipped with rows of jagged, poison dipped blades. As it wrapped around the man's sword arm keeping him from harming her steed, it's blades dug deep into his flesh like a spiked snake. She held the battle ax with such ease and skill as if it was made air. The black ridged handle made of a dragon horn was as light and smooth as silk but as hard as iron. The curving blade edge was as thin as a sliver of ice and would never dull or break being made of a silver white dragon scale. The battle ax swung dismembering the head from the body. As the man fell, the whip seemed to release of its own will and return to the hand that held it. The black horse turned and followed the Pegasus with speed as fast as an arrow. The black horse stopped and stood beside the winged horse and bared long curving fangs bloodied from its enemies. The hood of the rider fell back to reveal a young girl with bright fiery red hair, light-colored skin and eyes a brilliant emerald green. A clipped voice low and husky came from her,“Neoma, have you seen him? Because unless we kill him this battle will be meaningless.” Neoma nodded, “I know Alayla, I've been following him as best I can. But whenever I get close he slips away.” her voice was soft though stressed and gave the impression of a voice more used for singing then for talking. Just then the black horse gave a snarl and laid back his ears. “Vasyl, says that Thanatos is close by.” Alayla said. Neoma stiffened, “If he is then I shall kill him” Alayla nodded her lips pulled back into a silent snarl. As Neoma straightened up to ride back into battle Alayla stared incredulously at the winged horse, “Your horse has wings and yet you don't fly? I say that surprise is your only chance of victory without you getting your head lopped off as well.” Neoma glared at her before yelling, “Fly Aldara, fly!” In response the Pegasus Aldara spread his wings and thrust himself into the sky. At that, the flesh eating horse, Vasyl, threw back his head with a bloodcurdling war cry and leaped into the battle with obvious glee, his rider Alayla no less elated.

    It could have been minutes, it could have been hours, it could even have been days. But through a gap in the battle one could see a young girl garbed in bloody gold, stab the great and terrible demon king Thanatos through the heart and another girl half hidden by shadow and a black cloak, behead him with a battle ax. And thus the reign of death and terror will have ended for the land of Wind and Wave, Thalassa. And a new era will begin with hope and peace. To be ruled by the great Neoma Vilmaris, Protector From the Sea. Who had come with her friend from another world across the ocean. But it shall not be for unrest will begin anew, created by Desdemona, Wife of Thanatos. But in this war of shadows a different hero will arise. One that was mistrusted and feared. She shall be known by the name of Nemesis, the Warrior of Vengeance. But we will call her Alayla, for this is the beginning of her story, simply the best friend of the new queen of Thalassa.