Have you ever wondered how different things would be If certain things in history just never came to be? What if the Threshold Abyss never took place? What if Ayridion still stood tall, Ascended God from the mortal race? I sometimes wondered, ideas coming to light If the powers of the Immanidivinus were still within our sight How would the second have gone with Godhood on the line? Let me tell this story through means of imagination and rhyme Our story begins with the events leading to Ayridion's fall Except here, that very thing never happens at all Instead, eight divine join at Ayridion's side As the Dread Lord breaches the Domoths where he tries to hide Each links Their essence to one of the Seals Nine Tethering it with Their power, saying "This Seal is Mine." Lisaera to Nature which She holds dear Isune to that of Beauty She does draw near Terentia claims Justice, Her tenets ringing true Eventru tethers Harmony, His essence hazing blue Next is Roark, the Seal of Knowledge claimed by Him While Lyreth lassoes War, His choice made on a whim The claimant of Death comes as a surprise As Auseklis steps forth, His essence joining the other ties "Since Life is Yours, I take Chaos as Mine" the Creatrix decrees Ayridion joins in with the last, bringing the Contagion to his knees The final blow is dealt by the first Chosen of the White Flame Called forth by her Lord, Azrai Peulus be her name Wielding the Dawnblade, a gift from her Divine Patron A gift given to Ayridion from Terentia, New Celest's Divine Matron Through the Dread Lord's chest did this blade go His scream of agony far worse than any would know As the Contagion fell, the Creatrix spoke to the mortals of this land "In stopping the Dread Lord, the Seals weakened at Our hands "Another must ascend from you mortals as Ayridion has done "Which one of you mortals shall be our Chosen One?" When the call came for the Trials to begin Mortals clamored towards the Peak, their hearts set to win Amongst them was Azrai, Champion of the White Flame The youngest to be knighted as a Paladin Dame Whilst mortals fought valiantly over every Seal in play Azrai decided to do this in her own way When the next call came for the Death Seal The wielder of the Dawnblade rushed forth in fevered zeal For the next day, she slew everything in sight Adventurer, denizen and creature all fell to her might Flanked by a grand squad of Celestians by her side Her bid for Death was met with fervent shouts of pride Across the land, bloodshed raged forth in zest As every mortal gave it their best In the end, as the dust began to settle Dame Azrai stood victorious through sheer might and mettle "New Celest, I place My faith in Azrai to Ascend at My side "I ask you all to join her and become an unstoppable tide The words of Ayridion were met with many cheers However through such joyous noise were heard a few jeers Though a group opposed, Azrai was selected to represent the Light As time drew close and the land prepared for that final fight As the Astral Plane turned into a bloodied field of war And mortals stood behind the Sealbearers they did adore Blades rang out, spells called forward as the battle raged on Many did fall, but all return, the fight heralding the morning dawn Though nine bore seals, only three stood to claim the prize Each organization choosing one to endure this historical ride In the end, Azrai and New Celest persevered, winning the day Ayridion at their side, Himself even joining the fray You would think my story would indeed end right here But all does not end well. Indeed there is more, I fear Ascending as Tiana, Blade of Dawn, Azrai took up Her new form Then looked upon her once Lord in utter scorn "My goal is reached, I no longer need You to strengthen Me "Unlike You, My mortal memories remain as vivid as can be! "Do You recall the one time I was deeply in love "With a Magnagoran ur'Marshal, the one with eyes like a dove? "It was You who told me such love can never happen at all "And those words ultimately led to his own fall? "I have resented You from that day, choosing to bide My time "Pretending that all was well, everything was just fine "And now, ascended anew, for My love I do so now "Magnagora gains a new divine, this be My eternal vow." At those words, the new goddess struck fierce and hard The Dawnblade in Her grasp warping rapidly, shard by shard Saddened by the turn of events, Ayridion simply walked away Never expecting His first Champion to ever be led astray And thus was the start of the Hundred Year War The White Flame against She who left Him emotionally scarred The war ended with Her death at His hand during Ascension six As Her Chosen faced His, the White Flame attuned to Her tricks Advised His Champion on how to become the next Ascended God As He felled She who betrayed Him, He gave Her a final nod With that, sadly, this story has come to an end Please remember, all is fiction, not meaning to offend But just consider the "what if" in everything you read and see And maybe you'll have your own story, just like me!