The Hundred Year War

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!