Adroit Comics, Max Norton, New Sienna

There was a legend
Told long ago
About a Flower
Made of glowing gold.
But of course,
This was no
Ordinary stone.
For it many have died
But it has also saved
Many Souls . . .

Many centuries ago, The Great War raged across Nuzar’Eil as the forces of Light and Darkness battled for control of our realm. There was a brave man named Aapo Gabor who fought with valor against forces of Darkness.

When the war was won by Divinity’s greatest warriors, they lauded the valiant humans who fought on the side of Light. Because of his righteousness and fearlessness in battle, Aapo Gabor was appointed a king of his land.

The Heavens bestowed upon him an intricately carved stone that glowed an enchanting shade of gold. It’s shine beamed like the sun. I was encased in a beautifully crafted amulet on a golden chain.

The newly appointed King Aapo could feel the warmth radiating from the glowing amulet as the Guardian’s leader placed it around his neck.

“This amulet will always radiate the truth of the heart of whosoever wears it. As long as the bearer lives a life of truth, love and benevolence, the land will prosper and radiate hope throughout the world. But if the heart of the bearer turns towards Darkness, the stone will slowly turn from gold to silver – casting a cold and toxic light on all within its reach.”

King Aapo vowed to remain steadfast and true to The Heavens for the rest of his days, and that he would teach his future heirs to do the same. And he did. King Aapo remained true to his word. He taught his sons and daughters to live a life of truth and righteousness. As the years passed on, the Sungold Gem was passed on from generation to generation, until fourteen generations and had come and gone. It was then things began to change.

The Young King Ishtak’s now held the throne. He was different. Ishtak’s heart that was different from his father’s, and his father’s before him. His thought’s concerned only himself, his comfort, and his power. He began to make decisions that were not in the kingdom’s best interest so that his riches could grow. Then came the year, of the terrible tragedy.

A deadly plague consumed the kingdom leaving many dead. One of the lives lost was Ishtak’s beautiful queen. In sorrow and rage, the heart of King Ishtak turned even darker He became untrusting and vengeful. The bitter cold that resided in his heart was passed on to his son, and so on, and son for fourteen more generations. With each new king, the land grew darker and the people’s despair grew thicker and thicker.

What were once bountiful fields overflowing with crops, had now become barren land. The crystal river that once flowed through the kingdom, providing fresh water and an abundance of fish, now murkily trickled across the devastated land. And all of the creeks dried up. It seemed as if the very rain had ceased to fall.

As the land stopped producing, the people’s suffering continued to grow. The royal family had fallen far from their patriarch King Aapo Gabor, who had taken the oath to serve The Heavens and care for his people. Their kingdom had turned from one of peace and prosperity, to one of war and hunger.

With no crops, the newest heir, King Cadmael, had turned to mining and weaponry to attack other kingdoms for the food and goods he needed. But when things became unbearable, the people decided they had had enough and it was time to leave.

Hoping to find a new place to settle and forge a life of freedom, many people anxiously began their exodus. However the dark-hearted King knew that his subjects were the only assets of any value he had left. With the lands barren and creeks dry, the people had to stay to work his mines and make his weapons.

So he refused to let them leave. Those hoping to escape were met by the King’s army. The one’s brave enough to fight were either killed or imprisoned. Terrified, the families returned to their homes and cried out to The Heavens for deliverance from the cold-hearted King Cadmael’s reign of darkness.

Their cries were heard and Divinity sent Thirteen Adroit Warriors to set the good people free. The Warriors made their way into the kingdom under the cloak of night. With the speed, finesse and powers of The Light, they quickly bound the kings army and transported the people to safety.

With the subjects now safely away from the dark kingdom, the warriors turned their attention to the king’s palace to take back the amulet that the Guardians had gifted to his ancestor centuries ago.

The king’s guards fought tooth and nail to protect their leader. But they were no match for The Warriors of The Light. In a final attempt to save his life and the amulet, the wicked King called on the Forces of Darkness to fight for him.

Unbeknownst to his kingdom, King Cadmael had fully turned to Darkness and lost all sight of The Light his forefathers had pledged their lives to so very long ago.

A ferocious battle ensued as The Thirteen fought their way to complete the mission.The Warriors’ leader retrieved the amulet by swiftly ending the king’s life with one bold slash of the sword.

Immediately their leader signaled for The Warriors to retreat. They followed his order and only a few moments later he activated the amulet’s self-destruct mechanism. A piercing explosion of light that erupted from the amulet destroying all evil in its path. Their leader was lost in the explosion. But the twelve warriors who remained never forgot what happened that day. Neither did the people who were rescued from the earth of the wicked king Cadmael.

The legend goes on to say that the glowing stone that lied at the center of the amulet was known as the Sungold Gem. Many believe that it could never be destroyed. It was too important and too powerful. It is believed that upon the explosion, it flew high into the sky and landed far, far away. Now hidden, it waits for a soul that bears a heart of gold to be its next keeper…

Max Norton sits at his desk contemplating what the day would hold in store. There was always an adventure waiting and another mystery to solve. But honestly, he wouldn’t mind just a bit of peace and quiet.

Perhaps today would be that day. A day filled with nothing but the New Arkton bears game on television tonight. Shoot, he might even spring for a pair of tickets. He hadn’t treated himself to any fun in a while. He went to pick up the phone, going to the game didn’t sound too bad. Maybe they still had a few tickets left.

Just then, a knock came at his door. . .