• Seven years ago...

    The trek back to Pharis’s capitol Elesis was a long one, especially since horses couldn’t walk well on the loose sand. Klaus was found by his best friend Draco in the caravan’s tent. He was admiring the blade he had picked up from Alcard’s corpse. “Klaus, what the hell are you doing back here?” He asked. Klaus snapped out of his trance and glanced at Draco. "What do you want?” Klaus replied. “I’m just wondering why you’re so obsessed with that sword.” Draco stated. Klaus paused for a moment, then going back to staring at the sword, he answers, “I’m not sure. Something about it just catches my attention. I’m not even sure I want to sell it.” “Not want to sell it! It’s a magic blade you bloody fool!” Draco shouted. Klaus thought he heard a buzzing, but there wasn’t a dayfly in sight. Draco grew impatient. “Klaus, what are doing?!” he exclaimed. Draco threw up his hands in rage as he said this, hitting Klaus across the face. Klaus stopped an inch away from the tip of the blade. “WATCH WHAT YOU’RE DOING YOU b*****d! You want to impale me on this sword?!” Klaus shouted as he sheathed the blade. “Sorry captain. I’ll be going back to the front now.” Draco apologized. “Blasted idiot. What was that buzzing though? Probably nothing.” Klaus thought as he jumped out of the covered wagon.

    Trumpets flared and crowds cheered as their glorious leader had returned with the authority and riches, mostly the riches, of Bruma. Klaus had always loved attention, so this was definitely a pleasant welcome. On the way toward the Bandit Headquarters, Klaus tripped and fell to the ground, getting a face-full of sand. As he stood up, a single glare stopped the light laughter that had started. As he entered the Headquarters, Klaus heard a buzzing sound again, louder than before. Thinking it was just the dayflies that were often found inside the Headquarters, Klaus took a step forward, taking a fall down the stairs.

    After his men helped Klaus up, we wondered why all this bad luck was happening. He recalled Alcard yelling about a noise during their battle. “He was a senile old man, it was probably nothing.” Still, Klaus started to wonder about the sword. “Captain, are you listening?” one of the bandits asked. “Sorry, I was thinking about something else, what were you saying?” Klaus replied. The bandit rolled his eyes and said “That weirdo Reign is here for his payment again.” “Great, as if I don’t have enough problems right now.” Klaus thought. Klaus was not, in fact, the true leader of Pharis. A strange man calling himself Reign was actually the ruler. None of the Bandits knew who he was, since he always covered his face, but he required a payment every month if Klaus wanted to retain his status. As Klaus walked towards the central room of the Headquarters, he broke or knocked down several of the treasures they had collected over the years. “What is going on?!” Klaus thought. Suddenly, a loud humming was heard, and he turned to the bandit that was accompanying him. “Did you hear that?” Klaus asked. The bandit eyed his leader and replied “No… Not a thing sir.”

    Klaus knew something was amiss, especially since that bandit heard nothing, but he had more important things to worry about. As he was waiting for Reign, he unsheathed Alcard’s sword again. Klaus was shocked to find it was now glowing a dark green instead of the gold it had before. “Nice sword. Arcian steel, correct?” Klaus looked up and saw Reign standing before him. “It looks like it’s enchanted with something. I love the decorated hilt.” Reign commented. Klaus simply glared at him. “Same stone-faced demeanor, huh? No matter, I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided to up the ante. I want double what you’ve been paying me.” Reign declared. Klaus was furious. “You can’t do that!” Reign chuckled and stated “I think you’re forgetting who really holds power here.” Reign moved his cloak to reveal an amulet. It was the Amulet of Rolith, the first king of Pharis. Whoever possessed it was the true ruler of Pharis. It had not been seen for over a century though. “With this I can cause the people to overthrow you easily.” Reign taunted. Klaus glared at Reign with an intense hatred. “Do your worst. I’m not paying you anymore.” Klaus said. Reign sighed and said “Fine then. You’ve sealed your fate. Say hello to God for me.” Reign disappeared using the power of the Amulet and the bandits stared at Klaus with an unfathomable fear.

    Klaus had decided to sleep after that little ordeal, only to be awoken by a loud crash. Draco burst into Klaus’ room. “Klaus, Reign is back with practically all of Pharis, we’ve lost at least five men already!” Before Klaus could reply he heard odd whispering, then an ear-splitting sound. Covering his ears, Klaus cowered on his bed until it stopped. As he looked up, he stared in horror as a scimitar burst through his friend’s chest. As Draco fell onto the ground, Reign was standing in the doorway. Klaus drew his blade, throwing it to the ground after he saw it. It glowed black, almost giving off an aura. Reign laughed and spoke to Klaus. “You’ve never heard of the Harbinger legend? Ha, I feel so sorry for you. Well, not really, but you know what I mean.” Reign turned to leave. “By the way, you should know I had some bombs imported from Tilfrosset. I told you your fate was sealed." Reign vanished, and the blade began to speak. "Legends never die. I have grown in power. Now, your fate is mine."

    Klaus gaped at the blade in fear. "What do you want from me?!" "All this POWER! I never thought it could be this glorious! Now to try it out. Those bombs the masked man mentioned are set to detonate after you escape. Let's start a little chain reaction, shall we?" the Harbinger cried out in a thunderous voice. A noise so loud, it nearly shattered Klaus' eardrums rang in his head. "NO! STOP THIS! THE SOUND IS UNBEARABLE!" he screamed. Finally, he had realized what had happened to Alcard. "Stop it, you say? FINE THEN!" the Harbinger declared. A large rumbling was heard throughout the Bandit Headquarters as the entire underground structure collapsed in on itself...