In the old and empty corridors of Center Point, or Klinsa Gre as it was known in the old times, echoed the sounds of life again. There was talk again. People speaking, four voices only but five occupants. Three of them human, one cat and one… Imp.
They stood in the grand hall, which was rich in history, many grand occasions had taken place in that hall. And this occasion was no different, although the people in there did not know about it yet.
They stood near the altar of equality and one of them had his hands on the altars crystal mirror.
“So, you getting anything?” Asked Xanatos from the one holding the mirror. “You’ve been at it for quite some time.”
“And your interruptions are not helping at all. You can not expect me to master this in just few minutes.” Lamyn, the new high priest of the gather of equality and the guardian of Klinsa Gre, replied.
“Youngsters these days. I swear, when I was your age…” Xanatos started but was cut short by the third human.
“Yes yes. When you were young, apprentices became masters in mere days and porn was on wooden pages. Can we now get on with it?” Said Ville, or Kolossi as he is known by his other name. On his right shoulder sat the grey cat, Mosse, and on his left shoulder sat the imp, Darky/Darkie.
Darkie had the tendency to get bored fast, so he secretly took a cigar out of his pocket and was ready to light it. But Ville gave him the “Do it and you’ll be smoking it through your nose”-look, and so he put the cigar back in his pocket. During that time, Mosse just sat there, looking at the mirror.
The mirror itself was empty, not even reflecting anything back. It’s real trick was that the mirror could be used in a variety of ways or in this case, it could be used to show places far beyond.
For it was not easy matter to use the mirror, or let alone access the Center Point temple. Only ones that knew the way there were the members of the gather of equality. The members of the gather had dimished in ages. Lamyn was the only one left.
But the reason why Xanatos wanted to use the skills of Lamyn was must urgent and grave. For the dreaded Xanroar, “brother” of Xanatos had escaped his confinement.
Xanroar was strong, intelligent and bent on revenge upon his hated nemesis, Xanatos. But after escaping, he had not engaged Xanatos in battle like usually. This small matter was most puzzling, because always before had he attacked Xanatos in order to finally destroy him. But not this time.
“I am searching, but do not find anything.” Lamyn said after a while.
“Keep at it. He must be somewhere.” Xanatos assured and placed a hand on his swords hilt. The old katana still was as sharp as in the day it was first forged, if not even sharper. Long had it served Xanatos, through countless battles, dark times and beyond. He had a feeling that the blade would have to drawn from its sheath again.
“Xana. No.” Ville said, interrupting Xanatos’ thinking.
“What? I haven’t done nothing yet.”
“Yeah. But you were planning to. We know you. You were planning to leave us here once we’d find Xanroar, and fight him on your own. You always hog the fun for yourself.” Ville explained. “I forbid it now. This time you’re waiting for us and we’ll go together. Comprende?”
Xanatos sighed.
“You’re as stubborn as always. Alright. then You’re coming with me when we find him, if we find him. Lamyn?”
Lamyn opened his eyes and shaked his head.
“I can not feel anything.”
Xanatos scratched his chin and walked to the mirror.
“You sure you’re using this thing like it’s supposed to?”
“Yes, I am. I am the only one of us who knows how to use it. But my grandfather did not tell much of these. Or if he did, I most probably was not listening.”
Xanatos frowned upon him.
“I was 8. I had more interest in playing with friends than listening to old tales of a dying church.” Lamyn explained and sighed. “Although, now I wish I would have listened more carefully.”
Truly, the gather of equality was in charge of protecting the old temple, which was located beyond everything, at the cross section between realities. It was abandoned over 100 years ago under suspicious circumstances. There were rumours of traitors, witch hunts, trials and executions by some unknown organization.
“How about… You find Xanatos?” Ville suggested and all of them turned to him.
“What?” Lamyn asked.
“What I mean is that Xanroar and Xanatos are ‘brothers’. So, they might have similar kinds of energy signatures, right?”  He suggest. “First, find Xanatos for practice and then search for a signature similar to him.”
Both of them thought about the suggestion for a while.
“Actually, that is not a bad idea. I shall try it.” Lamyn said with a definite change in his attitude.
“Well I’ll be… You’re not as stupid as you look.” Xanatos said to Ville.
“Oi. Don’t make punch you.”
“You? With what muscles?” Xanatos taunted him jokingly.
“You damn old…”
“I have something.” Lamyn interrupted their quarrel and both of them looked at the mirror again.
Slowly, but surely something appeared in the mirror. After a while they were looking at their own backs staring at the mirror. Ville moved his hand just to see the same happening in the mirror. Darkie looked behind and grinned. There was nothing behind them and yet the mirror showed their images.
“Wow. Spaceballs reference, anyone?” Ville said.
“Maybe later we’ll get some canned air. But now we’re making progress.” Xanatos said contently.
“I am searching for Xanroar now… I am sensing… Something similar… It is faint but clearly similar.” Lamyn said while concentrating. “Showing it now…”
Suddenly a large space was shown on the mirror. Clearly it was a hall of some sort, big and round with red clothing hanging from the walls and torches providing light. Also there was some light coming from the ceiling, from crystals of some sort. The hall was filled with people.
With a quick glance, there were at least a hundred persons in it, and none of them looked very friendly. Like straight from the past there were people who looked like Vikings on steroids, closer to two and a half meters tall, dressed in leather and fur, wielding axes and swords.
Then there were thugs who looked like they belonged more to the darker streets of New York. Golden chains and jewellery, firearms and such on them.
Then there were people who looked very goth-like. They wore black leather, had pale skin and disturbingly red eyes.
Then there were a number of people dressed in dark robes with red sashes and unknown markings.
There were more people in there, all seemed like they shouldn’t be there, but still they were and all of them stared at the center of the room. The center of the room was higher than the rest, so that all could see there clearly.
There stood a big chair, possible throne, made out of black stone which had vein-like blue parts all over it. On that chair, sat a person who looked familiar, and yet so unfamiliar. It was no other than Xanroar.
It was true that there was some resemblance between Xanatos and Xanroar, but the differences were clear. Xanroar had longer hair and the color was lighter, his skin was also slightly lighter and eyes blue instead of brown. The most striking distinction between those two was Xanroars scar on his left cheek. If a person would have seen Xanroar without knowing anything about him, they would have called him handsome, honourable and kind looking. Except for the handsome part, the truth was quite far from this assumption. Xanroar was evil to the bone. Few had angered him and were left to tell about it.
There were also two other persons on that clearing. Other one big in size, muscular and wore a white vest and white baggy pants. In his wrists he had golden bracers and a band on his head. This one clearly was not a human. The first clue for that would be the horns he had on his head and then the dimmed metallic skin color. All that time he smiled, looking at the people around him like they were unworthy of his attention. Especially he directed all of his loath towards the one standing on the other side of the clearing.
The other one was in contrast to the other. He stood on the opposite side of the clearing. His skin and face was like any humans, but his ears were pointy and eyes had a deep blue color and his hair was white and short. He wore a dark green military looking coat, black gloves and medals and assorted insignias. He just stood there, stoic and showing no emotion at all.

“Shit. That’s not good at all” Xanatos said when he noticed the two on the clearing.
“What? What’s with those two?” Ville asked. Xanatos sighed and pointed at the one on the left.
“That’s Moren of Bloodslaught. He has been a prominent figure in the demonic circles for almost a century now. He achieved that by destroying a great and old family line. He slaughtered every single member of the family, every servant and soldier. That event was named by historians as Bloodslaught.” He told.
“Damn. He truly does sound like a man we wouldn’t want working with Xanroar.” Ville admitted.
“Yes. Their combined power would be unwanted.” Lamyn said.
“Yeah. And furthermore, see the man on the right? The man in that coat? I’m more worried about his presence there.” Xanatos said and nodded towards the man.
“What do you mean?” Lamyn asked
“That, my friends, is the last remaining member of a great and old family line that was destroyed almost century ago. Meet Blacgof Cruóm, only survivor of the Cruóm family and the Bloodslaught.” Xanatos explained.
After a while, Ville broke the silence.
“Damn… Now that’s something.”
“Wait. Something is happening now.” Xanatos said and pointed at the mirror.

Xanroar had stood up and raised his hands towards the people in there.
“Friends, colleagues and allies of some degree. Welcome to this historic event. For too long has the world mistreated you. The weak have always had their organizations and champions to help them. But what about us? Who tends the wounds of the evil ones? Who shelters the destroyers? Who feeds the ones with strength? Those are good questions and now, we have an answer.” Xanroar announced. His voice had the greatness of a leader and the power of a priest trying to bring fear of god to people.
“The answer, my friends, is me. I shall create a new world order. An order where the strong do not only stand against the weak, but destroy what they create. An order that destroys the champions of the weak and let’s the hard working men and women of evil enjoy what they have pillaged!” Xanroar shouted and the crowd roared and applauded at him.
“Sounds like a band of raiders? There must be obedience amongst us. From obedience there must rewards. Rewards will be great, so will the battles be great. But alas, there must be an order, a hierarchy, a command to quide you. If you let me, I shall lead you to glory. What say you?” Xanatos asked and was his proposal was met with even greater shouts and other sounds of acceptance.
“It is settled then. I shall lead you. I shall be your commander in this great journey. But, like any other commander, I need subordinates, generals.” He pointed his hands towards Blacgof and Moren. “Here we have two men of power, honor and strength. Both of them are qualified to be generals. But, there can be only one first general. What should we do?” He asked from everyone in there. But before anyone could answer, Moren stepped up.
“I am more qualified to lead than that dirty blooded whelp. Allow me to remove him from your presence. At the same time, I could do something that I’ve longed for so long. To finally cleanse the world of those creatures of cursed blood!” Moren announced with an evil grin on his face.
Blacgof turned his head and looked at Moren. No emotion was seen on his face. Then he spoke up. In where Moren’s voice sounded evil and repulsive, Blacgof’s voice had elegance and determination in it.
“Lord Xanroar. I humbly ask your permission to prove my worthiness to be your general, by killing this insufferable oaf.”
“My permission I can grant, but what of the permission of Daemonus? Does he not have a treaty with Moren, placing him outside of your jurisdiction, Lord Daemon Blacgof?” Xanroar asked them.

“Daemonus? Lord Daemon? What’s this?” Ville asked Xanatos.
“Daemonus is the leader of a demonic military organization. Very old and more respected than any other. Think of it like a mix between the Vatican and Dalai Lama. And Lord Daemon is a rank in it, third highest that anyone can obtain.” Xanatos explained.
“I have read of it in my grandfathers books. They speak of it in great admiration and respect. It seems like they have been the military geniuses of the demonic world for a long time.” Lamyn told.
“Something tells me you’ve been involved with them.” Ville said to Xanatos.
“That’s a story for another time. Let’s focus now.” Xanatos said and stared at the mirror.

Blacgof looked at Xanroar.
“That is true. The Daemonus has made a treaty with Moren, forbidding anyone from attacking him. But…” He said and ripped off an medal from his coat and two marks from his collar.
“The treaty only applies to those whom serve the Daemonus and I denounce my membership and rank. Now, I’m not bound by the treaty no longer.”
Xanroar looked at him and then turned to Moren.
“Moren. Blacgof has denounced his rank, his membership and affiliation with the Daemonus. Do you stand as witness to this?” He asked him. Moren laughed.
His booming laughter echoed throughout the hall. Then he stopped and looked at Xanroar.
“Yes. I fully acknowledge his decision. And I welcome his upcoming death.” Moren said
“Then, I have nothing against your fight.” Xanroar said and walked to the throne. He picked up a bastard sword from beside it. He looked at the sword, pointed it at both of them, walked to between them and pointed the blade towards the floor. Then he plunged the sword through the rock floor and left it there. Then he walked to the throne and sat down. The crowd waited in silence.
“To the death. Victorious one will be my new general.” He announced.
“To the death!” Xanroar shouted and both Moren and Blacgof began their attacks.
Possibly thinking that Xanroar would appreciate the sentiment, Moren went straight for the blade. Although he was a large man, his movements were a lot faster than anticipated. He grabbed the swords handle and with one fast swing, the sword lifted from the ground. He then took a good grip of the handle with his both hands and pointed it at Blacgof.
Blacgof used his training and stood by while observing his opponent. He knew that Moren relied heavily upon his strength and experience, so he was no easy man to defeat. Under normal circumstances he would not attack Moren, but these were not normal circumstances. The battle was not about becoming Xanroar’s general, but also about avenging his family’s slaughter, to fulfil his destiny. He assumed the pose he was taught from his training, right foot before the left, both hands in front, and readied himself for the fight.
They both circled one another as the crowd roared at them. Then Moren decided to attack, he ran to Blacgof and swinged the sword at him. Blacgof took a step back, avoiding the blade.
Then Moren did a series of fast stabs. Blacgof dodged all of them. Then Moren took the blade above his head and swung it directly towards Blacgof and Blacgof stepped out of its way. But then the blade turned right and made a shard turn left towards Blacgof’s head. Blacgof noticed this in time and jumped backwards, avoiding most of the blade, having it only scrape his cheek.
“So, you’re better than I thought.” Moren said and smiled widely. “Too bad I can’t enjoy this fight as long as I would like to. Would be nice to have you bleeding and screaming on the floor, just like your family before you. Oh, the good times.” He taunted and laughed.
Those words hit Blacgof right into his core and a glimpse of anger was shown on his face. Then he closed his eyes and brought his hands together. Then he punched thin air with his right fist and placed his right foot forward, while turning his left foot left and placing it a bit backwards. Then he placed his left hand close to his chest, forming an advanced battle stance.
“It’s about time you get serious.” Moren said and waved at him, taunting him to attack. And attack he did. This time he moved faster and his movements were more precise. He ran to Moren and began his offence, but Moren was ready for him. Moren began his stabs again but this time faster. Blacgof dodged them all again and with every dodge, he went a bit closer to Moren. When he was close enough he began his own barrage of stabs, his fists moved almost faster than the eye could see. He placed all of his attacks towards Moren’s left side, focusing on his ribs. Moren had no time to retaliate from it and he took the full force of the attack. Then he suddenly swung his left hand towards Blacgof, in an attempt to hit him. Blacgof dodged it but did not see Moren’s next attack. He used the sword as balancing support and kicked Blacgof. The kick landed on his chest and he was thrown a few feet back. He changed his position in mid-flight and landed on his feet. Then he attacked again, running towards Moren. This time Moren decided to cut him in half and swung the sword just when he was close enough. But Blacgof jumped before that, avoiding the blade. He landed a kick on Morens face first, then another on his neck. Moren roared in rage and tried to grab Blacgof when behind his back, but Blacgof was ready for him. He grabbed Morens hand, pulled him in order to break his balance and then took a good grip of his wrist. Then he did an open palm punch on Moren’s elbow, dislocating it and causing a large crack to be heard. Moren made no sound and tried to hit Blacgof with the sword again. This time Blacgof kicked him on his knee, causing another cracking sound. Now Moren fell on his other knee.
Blacgof wasted no time. He let go of Morens hand and kept on punching his face. This time his punches were not fast, but strong. With every punch Morens face got purple from his blood.
Then Blacgof kicked Moren on his neck, causing him to fall down. As he fell, he released his hand from the sword and just laid there. Blacgof breathed for a while and saw that Moren was still alive. He walked to the sword in order to correct that. As he reached for the sword, Moren grabbed his hand with his right hand and looked at him.
“It’s not over yet!” He shouted and twisted his left arm, causing his elbow to relocate. Then he grabbed Blacgof by his collar with his both hands and pulled him closer and hit him hard with his head. Blacgof did not see this one coming and couldn’t guard himself. He took the blow and was send backwards, but Moren grabbed him again. This time he punched him in the gut, causing the air to disappear from his lungs. Moren then punched him again, again and again, causing him to spit blood. He then took Blacgof by his hair, pulled his right hand backwards and landed an open palm hit on his face. Blacgof fell on the floor hitting his head badly and unable to breath properly. Moren laughed at this and shaked his leg a bit, causing his knee to relocate again. He spit on Blacgof and walked to the sword and picked it up. He walked to Blacgof who still was gasping for air and plunged the sword into his chest, right below his left ribcage. Blacgof grunted in pain.
“Kill me? You? Hah” Moren said as he twisted the sword, causing more pain.
“You can’t even defend against me. You fight like a soldier, that’s your mistake. For I fight like I live, dirty.” He said, pulled the sword from Blacgof and plunged it into him again, this time on his left side. Blacgof bit his lip, not making any sound.
“Can take the pain, can you? Just like your father before you. You know, I did the same with him. Toyed with him like, killing him slowly.” Moren said and laughed. “But this time is different. You see, theres no loved ones of yours to witness this. With your father, your mother watched the whole thing.” He whispered to him. This time a full blown rage could be seen in Blacgofs eyes.
“Good. Nice eyes you have now. Just like your brother after I told him what I did to your mother, after I dealt with your mother.” Moren laughed. Then he pulled the sword from Blacgof and raised it higher, above Blacgofs heart.
“Any last words? Maybe the same curses your family used?” He asked mockingly. Blacgof raised his gloved hand towards him.
“Defending yourself now? With just your hand? Oh please, I’m so scared. Not even your father had so much courage in him to defend himself, that bag of shit just…Just…Ouch…” Moren mocked him but was cut short when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He stared at his chest and saw five long spear like objects going through his chest and out of his back. Upon closer examination, the objects revealed to originate from Blacgofs hand. His fingers had extended and pierced Morens thick skin.
“You bastard. You’re not supposed to know how to do that…” Moren whispered and dropped the sword to his side.
“The knowledge, has always been in my blood. Thanks to you, I now have learned it.” Blacgof said. Then he stood up, with his fingers still inside Moren.
“In your blood? How ironic… Hahaha. To think you’d doom yourself, just to kill me?” Moren laughed, with every laughter causing him pain.
“You wanted to end my family. It is only fitting that you die by my familys techniques. Then he grabbed his right wrist with his left hand and closed his eyes. Moren screamed in pain, like an stabbed animal. His skin lost it’s color, the burn in his eyes faded and turned white, his muscles shrinked and bones were revealed. In seconds he was just a fraction of his former self. Weak and patchetic looking creature. Blacgof opened his eyes and looked at him in disgust.
“More…” He whispered and closed his eyes again. This time Moren just gasped for air for the last time as his skin turned grey and body shrinked even more. Then he stopped moving at all. He just stood there. Blacgof opened his eyes and looked at the formerly great demon. Then his fingers shrinked back to their normal size, causing the empty husk of Moren break down into grey ash on to the floor.

“Question. What the hell happened?” Ville asked.
“I have heard of this, but never seen it in books or real life.” Lamyn said.
Xanatos cursed and sighed.
“This is why the Cruóm family was so feared. Their ability to suck blood, no, not only blood but life itself. They sucked life from their victims, gaining their power.” Xanroar told.
Now Darkie jumped off of Ville’s shoulder and took the cigar out of his pocket. With shaking hands he lighted it up and took a long inhale of it to calm his nerves down. This time, Ville said nothing about it.
“You are what you eat, I quess.” Ville said.
“Indeed.” Lamyn replied.

Blacgof felt the newly found power coursing through his veins, wanting to be released again. His heart pounded like never before, his breathing heavy as though after a long run, his eyes seeked for new victims and his fingers twitched. His eyes saw the sword, he walked to it and picked it up. Then he saw Xanroar. While dragging the sword on his other hand, he walked to the throne. When he was near Xanroar, he took the blade in his both hands and stroke it on the floor. Then he kneeled down and bowed his head.
“I am in your dept, my master.” He announced.
Xanroar rose from his seat, placed his hand on Blacgofs head and smiled.
“I announce you as my general. Rise, first general Blacgof!” He commanded. Blacgof rose and gave the sword to Xanroar. He took it and nodded. Then Blacgof turned around, raised his fist and shouted.
“For Xanroar! For power!”
“For Xanroar! For power!” The crowd replied and chanted it. Xanatos walked closer to the crowd, raised his hands to silence them.
“Now, my minions. We shall set out for a quest to find what we need! Power, wealth, conquest and battle. For it cannot be found in this world, thus we must go to the next. We shall depart in….” Xanroar spoke, but his speech could not be heard after a while. Then the image disappeared completely, everything just vanished.

“Alright, Lamyn. What the hell did you do this time?” Xanatos said.
“I did not do anything. The mirror is still showing the specific spot and the signal is strong.” Lamyn explained.
“And yet we see nothing. Great…” Xanatos sighed.
“Wait, there’s something there. On the left.” Ville noticed.
Indeed there was something there. A stone pillar just hanging in the sky. It was about two meters in length and a half meter in diameter, blue and covered with white markings.
“That is a message stone.” Lamyn said.
“A message stone?” Ville asked.
“Yes. I have never seen one so big before but it must be one. Long ago, people used them to record messages for their relatives, subjects, students and so on. One size of a pen should be enough to record an hour of someone’s speaking. It then projects what has been recorded in it to other people.” Lamyn explained.
“I think we just witnessed it.” Xanatos said.
“So. We just witnessed something that happened some time ago. In other words, Xanroar has already left?” Ville asked.
“It appears so.” Lamyn said.
“So the question remains, what now?” Lamyn asked.
“Well that’s easy. We’ll go after him.” Xanatos stated.
“After him? Did you see how much people he had in there? You’re proposing that we three go after Xanroar, who’s protected by those we saw and most probably more by now.” Ville said.
“So it’s quantity you’re worried about? Well let’s get more people too.” Xanatos proposed.
“More people? And where should we have them live? We’re not using my cottage this time.” Ville protested.
“Gentlemen. Where are standing right now?” Xanatos asked.
“On the altar?” Lamyn asked without knowing where this was leading.
“You’re not suggesting what I think you are?” Ville asked, somewhat knowing where this was leading to.
“We’re standing in an empty hall, inside an empty temple that has been known to harbour hundreds, closer to thousand persons at a time. What better place?” Xanroar explained.
“Oh dear…” Lamyn whispered.
“Sounds good to me. But, whom shall we take here?” Ville asked.
“Whom ever we want to. Whom ever we want to.” Xanatos said and smiled.
The halls of Center Point were content, they wouldn’t be lonely again. There’d be life in it’s halls again. The Center Point was content, and slightly eager.