The sky over Nacrosia bled shadows as the three lands descended into a most foul and absolute pandemonium. Woe! For the cries of the mourning drowned the heavens, and the coin of the realm withered into worthlessness. Men, driven by frantic terror, didst flee with their kin and earthly spoils, boarding iron chariots to destinations unknown. The taverns stood in riot, the granaries were picked bare, and the great vaults of the usurers gathered naught but the gray dust of neglect. All the world was turned heels-over-head.
Then, a thunderous crack rent the air at the high bridge! Amidst the swirling fog and choking soot, a baleful crimson light didst flicker. From the gloom leapt the Lindron beast—a misshapen titan of malice—to lay waste to the innocent. But Jacob, a soul of iron, thrust us aside and stood fast.
Jacob: "Thou wouldst seek a quarrel? O, 'tis a pitiable sight to behold thee sparring with those of lesser stature. If thou cravest a contest, find one whose shadow matches thine own!"
The Beast: "Dost thou dare? Then come, mortal! Meet thy quietus!"
With a roar, the monster unleashed its celestial fires—great cannons of plasma that scorched the very earth. Jacob was hurled like a leaf in a gale, tossed into the high firmament and dashed back to the stones with such violence that the ground itself groaned and cracked into a crater. The beast, believing the deed done, brushed the dust from its hide and turned to depart.
But soft! What figure rises from the ruin?
With eyes flashing like Mars himself, Jacob surged through the debris. In the twinkling of an eye, he fell upon the beast with a blow of such vigor it shook the foundations of the street. The mutant, enraged, answered with a beam of crimson fury, bathing the spot in fire until the stones turned to steam. Yet, when the vapor cleared, the mark was gone.
A tap upon the shoulder! The beast turned, only to be met by a fist of righteous thunder. Back and forth the tides of battle surged, until the mutant, gaining a cruel advantage, seized Jacob by the locks of his head. He rained blows upon the hero's countenance until teeth fell like hail and his visage was marred with the blood of his labor.
The monster cast him aside as one would refuse. But Jacob, rising upon his knees, whispered: "Art thou finished so soon?"
Infuriated, the beast charged to deliver a final, crushing blow. Yet Jacob, nimble as Mercury, caught the limb in mid-flight! He delivered a stinging blow to the jaw, swept the creature's feet from the earth, and with a wrath most holy, shattered its bones. He forced a slab of cold stone into the monster's maw and struck it home, ending the creature's wretched breath upon that very spot.
Through the broken junction, he dragged the carcass. The common folk, their hearts heavy with vengeance, looked upon him and let out a shout that shook the stars. This victory was but the first petal of a blooming justice. As the tidings spread throughout the realm, Jacob stood before the multitude and spoke:
Jacob: "The final straw is broken! This is no mere riot of disgruntled souls; 'tis a holy war! I devote my life, my sword, and my spirit to this cause."
Thus, Jacob declared his defiance against the tyranny of the Lindron Lords.
THURSDAY
The sun rose upon a weary company treading toward the front of battle. As they paused to draw breath, a sudden boom shook the firmament, followed by a succession of cracks like the breaking of the world. A great and sudden wind whistled past their ears. When the dust settled and they raised their eyes to the heavens, they beheld a terrifying sight: a legion of mutants, an army of darkness, descending upon them with fires of plasma ablaze.