Ironfisted Rule

[CurledSpiral]

---

The Shadowmire has been ruled by Nanzo for years, after he took absolute control following the death of Torgon. For years he has led the Shadowmire in a resurgence but in that time he himself has barely avoided death. Failure was on the horizon as the monster's direction became aimless. 

It was this mindset that left him reeling when his Horde was cast asunder at the battle of Eos' Temple. Bested and bloodied by the Lightbringer at the doors of the temple. He retreated with his horde back to their castle where he would hope to regroupd. That was proven a fanciful belief as Claudette arrived soon after the loss of the combined forces.

There was a speech given, accolades laid out before the Tyrant and finally at the end a simple request. A simple demand. Step down and relinquish the Mire to the synthetic. The flat out denial of the demand lead to a challenge for control. 

A deadly duel was joined. 

Bloodied and wounded Nanzo met Claudette upon the field. The conflict swayed back and forth until they each stood opposite the other. Wounds from the failed attack on Eos causing the Half-Ogre to falter, to lose. It was then, in the midst of the battle, that the Primordial Nyx reached out and touched her champion. 

With a body restored and freed of pain; the mighty Nanzo's rage boiled over into a berserk fury. When it was said and done the Vanreth was seen escaping in fear from the Mire. Her chest torn open and the artificial core at the center of her being exposed to the world.

"I am the Mire's Tyrant; such will be true so long as my heart pumps blood. So long as Mother Nyx's eyes remain upon me. You have learned too late that my title is not a false-hood. Now let's see how long you can escape my wrath."

A declaration has been given to all those of the Shadowmire and those allied there-in. Drag the Synthetic kicking and screaming back to the Tyrant. To do so will absolve any crimes against the Mire and bring a fortune upon the collector.

[Ashclout]

"Let's call it pretty, close our eyes,
and count to five!

1..
2..
3..
4..
5..

And if we've been good?
It should arrive!"

But, this time, the ritual is met with silence.

There was an attempt.

An attempt to take over the monster nation-- to take over the Mire. Sweet words coated in honey used to sway hearts. Promises and oaths made. Descriptions of thriving, powerful nation under the Abomination's rule, given to the inhabitants of the tainted world.

But, the Primordial and her chosen one saw through the lies, through the pampered up facade that was Claudette Vanreth. Yes, they both understood that this was no benefactor that had knocked at their door but The Parasite.

The Mire and its inhabitants were never the goal nor the reason for its visit. It was all a lie, a manipulation for the true dream they desired-- Nyx, the Mother, herself. There never was an attempt nor a desire to rule over the corrupted lands. No, it never was a battle for succession...

But an assault directed towards the Primordial herself.
She saw the threat and sought to destroy it.

But ultimately, Nyx failed.

The Unchained still lives somewhere in this world. Critically wounded, weakened, on the brink of death-- yet she knows it, they all know it. That they didn't defeat the abomination but only bought themselves a little more time to prepare-- prepare for the inevitable that will come to them. The one they called the Devourer would come back. Insatiable, it shall not stop until the world is consumed...

 Until Eternia is destroyed.

"Let's see how much time you can buy for Esshar.."

A monster Tyrant who acted as the sole wall between life and death. The leader of the Mire-- a hero in spite of himself. How ironic.

1...

2...

3...

4...

5...

It falls into a deep slumber.

Yes, for a time, the world is freed from its madness.

But don't get too comfortable just yet.. it is not over..

: )