For MrKnify's Deck Story Challenge
deck-large:most-entertaining-deck
The raging winds swept through the Flagstones of Trokair. Dust swirled through the air creating a haze that dulled the radiance of the sun. Life was nonexistent, not even the tiniest of Saproling Clusters were found in the area.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion, as she was later to be known, stood on a ledge overlooking the plains of Trokair. Her cloak, covered in gold leaf of ancient symbols glimmered in the little sun that peeked through the waves of dust. Elspeth, looked out over the plains and knew in her heart that this would be the last battle of this world. Whether it meant that this would be the final battle of this war or if it would mean the end of all life, she did not know.
A Sakura-Tribe Scout named Kalika risked her life and penetrated the camps of Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. Known for her insurmountable knowledge of the land that helped during the Kami War, Kalika offered her services to Sorin to gain access to his strategies. After gaining Sorin's trust during the battle in the Karplusan Forest, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of her tribe and fellow allies, she became involved in assisting Sorin and his commanders during strategic meetings. Over the past few weeks, Kalika would send a Courier Hawk to Elspeth informing her of any major advancements by Sorin and his army.
It was already known that Sorin greatly desired to be in possession of the five Moxen. The Mox Sapphire, Mox Jet, Mox Ruby, Mox Pearl & Mox Emerald when together gave the holder unlimited power to cast creatures of unknowing strength. However no one knew except for Sorin himself how many Moxen he was already in possession of. It was assumed he already possessed Mox Jet, said to be held by his family for generations. The goblins, the holders of Mox Ruby, have become strong allies to Sorin and can only guess have turned over the Mox Ruby to him.
Five rotations of the sun ago Elpseth received a Courier Hawk from Kalika informing her that Sorin possessed three Moxen in total. Unknown to Elspeth, the Mox Sapphire was heavily guarded in the dungeons of Oboro, Palace in the Clouds. Oboro fell to Sorin a little over a four moon phases ago. If Elspeth would have known that Oboro was as important as this, she would have committed more soldiers to the battle. It was a blow to her spirit and her confidence in making the right decision.
In this same letter containing the dreadful news of the third Moxen being recovered by Sorin, Kalika also wrote of news that Sorin was advancing towards Trokair. It is rumored that the Ruins of Trokair are where access to the fabled Temple Garden is hidden. The Temple Garden was built many generations ago and is said to contain the Mox Pearl. It is written that only a human can access the Temple Garden while in possession of the Mox Emerald. As far as Elspeth knew the Mox Emerald had not been found and no human clans had become allies to Sorin.
A pair of Femeref Scouts approached Elspeth from behind. "My lady, Sorin's army has been spotted a half day's march East of the Ruins of Trokair."
"Thank you Forega, is that all?"
"A Courier Hawk also arrived a few moments ago, here is the message." Forega handed over the rolled up parchment and turned to leave with the other scout.
Elspeth stopped him, "Forega, please find Garruk and inform him I request to see him."
"Right away, my lady."
Elspeth looked at the parchment and saw the symbol of the Black Lotus. It was from Kalika, she unbound the tie around the scroll and unrolled the parchment. Spots of blood covered the parchment from top to bottom. She starred in terror and read.
"My dearest Elspeth, I am afraid that my true allegiance has been discovered. I am writing this with a blade held to my throat. Sorin has demanded I write to you a letter of goodbye. I am also writing this to beg for forgiveness in what I have done. Sorin is now in possession of the Mox Emerald because of me. During my studies I discovered that the the Mox Emerald was held in the Grove of the Guardians. I regret not informing you of this but it was demanded by my elders that this information not be shared with anyone even in matters of life and death. To my shock, Sorin was in control of a Mindslaver and there was nothing I could do. He used it to control me and draw all the knowledge I had gained throughout my lifetime including the secret hiding place of the Mox Emerald. I am ready to die for I have disappointed you and my elders. My life no longer has any meaning and I cannot bear the guilt of what I have done. Forgive me my...." The remaining portion was cut off and changed to a different handwriting.
"Elspeth, forgive the splatter on this letter, I hope it does not affect the legibility of what your spy wrote. When I cut her throat it created more of a spray than I was expecting. It may be careless of me to allow this letter to be delivered to you divulging one of my secret weapons but I have no doubt that once I gain control of the Mox Pearl it won't make a difference. I will cast upon your army a number of creatures so overwhelming that there will be nothing you can do except kneel and wait for certain death. You and your pathetic army do not concern me. The Mox Pearl will be mine and so will this world.
"Oh and if the legend is true that the Temple Garden can only be accessed by a human, I have that covered. I was of great surprise when a human greeted me one evening inside my tent offering his services of tactics. It was a challenge keeping him out of sight of your spy. But I have a feeling you will be just as surprised if you ever get to witness who this person is. He means a great deal to you." -Sorin
Elspeth crumpled up the letter in anger. Garruk, Primal Hunter approached her. "You requested my presence my lady."
"Garruk, you know you can call me Elspeth. No formalities are needed in private." Garruk bowed. "I received a letter from Kalika."
"Good news I hope?"
"I'm afraid not. Sorin found out she was an ally with us and killed her. He was careless and let Kalika write in the letter that he now holds the Mox Emerald and a human has become an ally to him. Where is Kaho at in discovering the whereabouts to the entrance of the Temple Garden."
Kaho, Minamo Historian joined Elspeth's army after the destruction of her home, Oboro. She wanted to do as much as she could to get revenge on Sorin for what he did to her people.
"She has concluded as you have that it is in the Ruins of Trokair. The Priests of Norn rode ahead and are there now assisting the Norwood Priestess & Willow Priestess in their search for any writings at the ruins that may lead to the entrance."
"Thank you Garruk, you have been a great friend and leader of this army. How far are the ruins from our current location?"
"They are still a half day's march to the East."
"The gods have not been kind to us this war and it seems they are continuing that path. I just received word from the scouts that Sorin's army is a half day's march from the ruins as well but from the other direction."
"Garruk, gather your horde and packleaders hastily, we march for the ruins tonight. We must get there before Sorin's army."
Garruk's Horde & Garruk's Packleader's numbered in the thousands. They marched behind and alongside Garruk and Garruk's Companion, Garratook who was always at his side in battle. Elspeth called to her commanders to Assemble the Legion. While Elspeth's army did not have the strength of Garruk's army they possessed the numbers. Almost double the size of Garruk's army, the soldiers and knights marched with boars, wurms and other creatures of the land towards the Ruins of Trokair. They marched through the night, most nervous of the upcoming battle that they knew was to come.
At dawn, Heliod, God of the Sun graced the ruins with his radiance. At the top of the ridge to Elspeth's horror Sorin's army was already upon the ruins. The plains surrounding the ruins were engulfed in a sea of of destruction and filth. Goblins of all sorts including Bloodcrazed Goblins stood in formation with Bleak Coven Vampires and other terrifying beings. They surrounded the ruins in massive numbers. Closer to the entryway of the ruins stood the feared Army of the Damned.
Elspeth came out of her trance as she stared at the army below. She turned her Ebony Horse and rode along the front lines. She called upon the Voice of Grace to project what she was saying to thousands of members of the army behind her.
"Soldiers and creatures of this world. You have fought with me in many battles. We have all lost a lot over the many seasons of this war. Today is the day where we make our final stand. Let us charge together and take back our world from the death and filth that stand in the plains below!"
Roars from Brindle Boars, Balduvian Bears and other creatures of Garruk's Horde called out with the screams of Foot Soldiers, Crusading Knights and other humans.
Sorin heard the roars and screams and ran to the top of the Ruins of Trokair. "Nice of them to finally arrive. Liliana I believe it is time we take care of these pests that have been following me every step of the way."
Liliana of the Dark Realms turned and nodded to Sorin. "I believe you are right my Lord."
"Kalastria Highborn believes she has found the entrance to the Temple Garden and is translating the final symbols."
"Great news my Lord, I will eradicate these pests so they will not disturb you."
Sorin sent Liliana off with a wave of his hand. Shortly after, Sorin heard the Demon's Horn calling for the charge. He smiled and turned and went back into the ruins.
As the sound of the Demon's Horn dissipated, Garruk pulled the Horn of Deafening from his side and gave it a mighty blow. The sound reverberated throughout the land in front of him as his army began to charge down the ridge. As they were charging down the ridge Armada Wurms erupted from the ground underneath the middle of Sorin's army. Their pointed helmets sent vampires and goblins flying into the air before diving back into the ground. The Advent of the Wurms sent the rear of Sorin's army scrambling in all directions. The Armada Wurms erupted again along with a Bellowing Tanglewurm that engulfed a small pack of goblins in its mouth of razor sharp teeth on the way back underground.
The front lines of Sorin's army had no idea what was going on behind them as they continued to charge towards the massive army that was coming down the ridge. Vampires, goblins and imps collided with boars, bears, wolves and humans as the battle began. Razorclaw Bears swipped at goblins and imps decapitating them with a single blow sending blackened blood into the air. The humans charged with swords and axes and slashed at the goblins with ease. The vampires proved more challenging for the humans as a Vampire's Bite turned a human into a Gravebane Zombie within seconds. By the time you killed one Gravebane Zombie another was already human was already being transformed. It was the duty of the Elite Inquisitors to kill the Vampires. They wore special armor and carried spells that protected them from Vampires.
As the battle raged on, Elspeth's task was to get to the ruins and stop Sorin. She reached into her garments and pulled out the Sapphire Medallion that Kaho, Minamo Historian gave her. She chanted the spell needed which activated the medallion and it Teleported her inside the Ruins of Trokair.
She could hear people talking down the grand atrium of the ruins. She followed the voices and peeked around the wall and starred in awe at the remains of the Great Hall of Trokair. It was a massive room. Most of the ceiling had caved in letting in the sun's brilliance that illuminated marble statues of the gods. Erebos, God of the Dead, Nylea, God of the Hunt, Purphoros, God of the Forge & Thassa, God of the Sea lined the outer edges of the Great Hall. The marvelous statue of Heliod, God of the Sun holding its iconic spear stood behind the grand altar at the far end of the hall.
Elspeth saw Sorin standing behind the grand altar with Kalastria Highborn when out from behind the statue of Heliod walked a human. She couldn't believe her eyes, the human that Sorin mentioned in his letter did have great meaning to her. It was unmistakable that the man with the white hair and dark black streaks was her father, Odric, Master Tactician. Odric hadn't been heard from in many seasons and she assumed her father was dead.
Emotion overwhelmed Elspeth and she lost the presence of her surroundings and felt a spear point jab her in the side. It drew blood but was not deadly. Standing behind her was Liliana of the Dark Realms. Liliana spoke, "Get in there. You know I can easily take care of you with one of my spells so don't do anything careless."
Elspeth walked into the Great Hall with Liliana behind her. Liliana called out, "My Lord, it seems we have another spy.
Sorin looked up from what he was holding in his hands. "Elspeth, what a surprise! A part of me was hoping you would get a chance to meet my new ally but I never thought it would come true. I believe you two know each other?"
Elspeth looked at her father with tears in her eyes, "Father, words fail me in this moment of betrayal."
Odric walked down to Elspeth, "What I did was for us Elspeth. For our future. Once I heard Sorin got possessed the Mox Emerald I took the chance to bargain a deal with Sorin. I knew he needed a human to open the Temple Garden so I bargained to be his human in return for our safety."
"How can you trust him?"
"I don't but out of all scenarios I could think of this was the only one that gave us the best chance of survival."
Sorin spoke up, "Such a charming moment between father and daughter but I have business to take care of. Liliana you know what to do."
Liliana smiled, "With pleasure, my Lord." Her hands started to glow and pointed her hands at Elspeth. Just before she could cast her spell, Odric grabbed his sword and swung it at Liliana sending the spell up and over the heads of everyone striking the statue of Heliod behind the altar. Marble fragments of the statue blew out everywhere striking parts of the ceiling causing the rest of the roof to cave in.
Once the dust settled she could see most of the altar was covered in fallen rocks and marble. She looked around and saw her Father on the ground his legs crushed under a chunk of rock and the spear from the statue of Heliod sticking out of his chest. She ran over to him and knew he was dead. She would never forgive him for what he did but the pain of having to have lost her Father twice was overwhelming.
At that moment, the ground began to shake violently. She thought more of the ruins were caving in but this was way too intense. As the earthquake continued on a large segment of the outer wall of the ruins collapsed. She could see the two massive armies continuing to fight outside. She began to hear laughter behind her and turned to see Sorin climbing out from under the rubble. Around his neck where the five Moxen. Her Father had already been into the Temple Garden and acquired the Mox Pearl for him. The entrance must have been behind the statue, she was too late.
Sorin looked down at Elspeth from the top of the rubble, "Such a pity your Father isn't around to see what his betrayal has brought upon this world."
Before Sorin could continue on, a terrifying and deafening roar was heard as it echoed all throughout the plains surrounding the ruins. She could see out of the collapsed wall that both armies stopped in the middle of battle and looked to the horizon off in the East. Behind the dusty haze created from the winds surrounding the Flagstones of Trokair she saw massive dragon-like heads swaying hundreds of feet into the air. She counted five heads in total as their long necks moved in a frightening rhythm of terror. She turned to Sorin in fear, "Progenitus is real!"
Sorin looked at her with diabolical eyes. Elspeth continued, "Why would you cast such a destructive creature? Nothing of this world can destroy Progenitus. How can you possibly take over this world with that roaming freely, it will destroy everything in its path including you!"
Sorin responded, "My goal all along was to acquire the five Moxen and retreat to another world of the Multiverse. I had no intention of ruling this world. This world was the protector of the five Moxen whose power thrives in all worlds of the Multiverse. Progenitus will destroy this world that I no longer need or care about. Do try to enjoy this world you have fought so nobly to keep as your home."
Elspeth grabbed her Father's sword and was ready to charge at Sorin. At the same moment, Sorin closed his eyes and chanted a spell. The rock and dust began to swirl around him. With a bright flash of light, Sorin was gone. Elspeth knew Sorin was a Planeswalker. She knew he would travel to another world in the Multiverse at some point and was hoping to stop him before he did. Elspeth stood there with her Father's sword in hand. The earth trembled beneath her feet as the deafening roar of Progenitus reverberated throughout the plains. She fell over and the sword struck the spear from the statue of Heliod that pierced her Father's chest. A fragment of the marble fell off revealing a sparkling shaft beneath. She pulled the spear out of her Father, placed it on the ground and began to strike it with her sword. The pieces of marble continued to fragment off until all that was left was a magnificent spear that sparkled in the sunlight and whose spear tip glowed as bright as the sun. She shielded her eyes and fell to her knees beside the spear. It was the Spear of Heliod.
She looked up into the sky, "Thank you Heliod, my god almighty. I have never lost hope that you have forgotten us."
As she brought her head down, tears in her eyes. She saw a brilliant stag standing in front of her. Its antlers were as big as it was tall. The stag spoke, "Elspeth, I am Heliod's Emissary. I speak on behalf of Heliod, God of the Sun. Heliod has bestowed upon you the Spear of Heliod, one of his most prized possessions. He has taken great interest in you for how you have led your army to protect this world called Theros. He has kept his eye on you ever since you single handily defeated the Mistcutter Hydra a couple seasons past. He has challenged you at multiple points of your journey and you have proven to be worthy of being considered his champion. You do not have a choice to accept or deny this consideration.
"As your first duty as Heliod's champion you are to use this spear to cast the O-Kagachi. Heliod is fond of this world and does not want to see it destroyed by Progenitus. You have fought hard to save this world and Heliod wants to see you succeed but at a price. As punishment for your failure in stopping Sorin from casting Progenitus, the O-Kagachi will be the Final Judgment for all creatures of this world. All creatures included Progenitus and everyone you know will be destroyed along with it but the world and land will begin anew."
A hand touched Elspeth's shoulder and surprised her. The stag continued, "This is Helina, a Devoted Caretaker for Heliod. She will protect you after O-Kagachi is summoned."
Elspeth spoke up, "What is the purpose of me to stay alive in this world with no other creatures."
"Just like Sorin, you are also a planeswalker. You do not know it yet but the events of your life leading up to this point have ignited your ability to become one."
Elspeth could not comprehend the news she was just given. The stag broke her trance, "Go now and do as you have been summoned. If you do not set forth and complete your duty as champion to Heliod, he will cast O-Kagachi himself and you will be destroyed with your fellow creatures of this world."
In a flash of light the Heliod's Emissary was gone. Elspeth stood up and looked into the eyes of Helina. Her eyes shined brilliantly in the sun. Elspeth was torn on the decision she had to made, she could live on and continue to hunt down Sorin to avenge the creatures of this world that are going to die because of him. She could also stop fighting and go with the land she fought so hard to protect. Violence followed Elspeth wherever she went and she grew tired of constantly fighting.
She walked to the collapsed wall that looked out over the open plains. Progenitus grew every closer to the ruins, its size did not compare to anything of this world. She lifted the Spear of Heliod above her head and struck the shaft of the spear against the ground. The spear tip shined brighter than any light she ever saw in her life. She let go of the spear and shielded her eyes. The spear stood in place as Helina, the Devoted Caretaker came up to Elspeth and embraced her in a hug.
The ground began to shake more violently than when Progenitus was summoned. She could the now recognizable roar of Progenitus but there was also another roar, a roar of unheard power. Elspeth turned her head to look out across the plains. The bright light from the spear was gone and as the ground continued to shake she was engulfed in shadow as she looked above her and saw the great O'Kagachi working its way towards Progenitus. Its main head was as massive as Progenitus was tall. In O'Kagachi's path there was nothing but death and destruction. The remaining members of the two massive armies that were running away from Progenitus now lay out in the plains motionless.
Elspeth stood there in the arms of Helina crying as O'Kagachi attacked Progenitus. It didn't have a chance and was soon killed after engaging in battle. After taking care of Progenitus, O'Kagachi continued on over the ridge and out of sight. Its mighty roars heard in the distance.
Elspeth looked up at Helina, "Did I make the right decision?"
Helina looked down at the youthful knight, "The creatures of Theros were lost regardless of the decision you made. Once O'Kagachi has completed what it was cast upon this world to do, it will leave this world and it will become a peaceful world once again. Your decision may seem selfish to you now but there are other worlds of the Multiverse that need your protection. Sorin will continue to gain power and knowledge and must be stopped. Theros will be your safe haven if ever you need it."
Helina pointed out to the plains surrounding the ruins. As Elspeth looked out, the hundreds of dead bodies of creatures of all kinds that once inhabited the plains were now gone. The plains looked more alive than ever before.
Helina continued, "This world will regenerate in the wake of O'Kagachi. New creatures will soon graze upon the lands and it will be a magnificent sight when you return."
Elspeth turned to thank Helina but she was gone. She was sad that all her friends including Garruk were now gone. Even though she lost the ones she cared about most she did save this world. There were others in other worlds that would need her protection.
From that point on, Elspeth vowed to protect the ones that needed her help and would not rest until Sorin was killed.
As the sun departed beyond the horizon it illuminated the sky in a sea of red. Elspeth looked out over the horizon and raised the Spear of Heliod above her head. After chanting a few words she striked the spear shaft to the ground and with a flash of light was sent traveling through the Blind Eternities to another world of the Multiverse in search of Sorin.
