The dark Ancients had saved the worst for last. They channeled their powers one more time into the spell, this time using one final component of the incantation. The forming mass of dark energy suddenly began sucking power from them uncontrollably. Before it could completely drain the Ancients' of their power, they desperately unleashed it upon their intended victim. With its full power unleashed, it streaked hungrily toward Jhuntara as she knelt over Graminyre's weak form.

The dark energy struck her with a violent, otherworldly howl. Considerably weakened by her efforts to save Granimyre's life, she could not fend off the attack, and its dark swirling mass enveloped her quickly. To her own horror, she found it was much more than energy. There was a powerful, malevolent consciousness within it, an eternal hunger determined to consume the life-force of anyone and anything it was unleashed upon. It attacked relentlessly, invading upon her mind as it continued to feed on her energy.

With the dark energy quickly devouring her powers and life force, she fought it off just long enough to retreat to her sanctuary, deep in an enchanted forest -- a physical reproduction of her place of birth. There, she drew upon the residual energies of the sanctuary, which she had stored before her exile from the spiritual realm. As she began focusing the energy to regain her strength, the entity found her and attacked. With a sudden surge of power, she struck out at the dark entity, her holy fury manifested in a bolt of bright energy. The bolt struck at the heart of the dark entity, exploding in a brilliant light seen for miles. The explosion tore the entity to shreds, destroying every trace of the dark magic that had created it.

Jhuntara had won, but the battle had taken its toll. She had used up the last of the natural energy in the surrounding forest, and had lost nearly all her own power in the process. Exhausted and near death, she plunged to the bottom of the deep pond of spring-water from which she drew her power, and withdrew herself into a type of hibernation. There, she remained with the hope that she could eventually heal herself, and that Tarias would not be lost now that she was powerless to help. But she was so weakened that in her hibernating state, the other Ancients could no longer sense her presence. Everyone was convinced she had died that day. Her loss marked the beginning of the first Dark Age.

The battle had left the dark Ancients severely drained, for the spell had consumed most of their power in defeating Jhuntara. They quickly retreated from the battles to return to their own sanctuaries, and concentrated solely on regaining their lost powers. Granimyre, his spirit broken from witnessing Jhuntara's apparent death, retreated to a secluded cave and hid there in remorse and guilt. However, Dramar and his minions remained, and they quickly overcame the Guardian army, ushering in the first Dark Age of the realm. Over the next few years, the elder dragons would be reduced to defending small pockets of civilization from the sporadic attacks of the Overlords' minions.

During this time, a young paladin named Ronan rose in rank and reputation among the diminishing Guardian armies. Possessed of great skill and power, rumors claim he was an off-worlder, arriving in this realm by accident through one of the realm's numerous portals. Exactly where he came from is not known, but many believe his arrival may not have been as accidental as it at first seemed. He first appeared in the realm when he was only 17, a squire in title, but already a skilled swordsman. He began studying the religious teachings surrounding Jhuntara, and joined the Guardian army upon completing some brief training.

His life was changed forever on the day of Jhuntara's death. When the Overlord minions attacked, his unit was among the first to engage the enemy. The scream of a mighty dragon caught both armies completely off-guard, and the fighting stopped momentarily as Granimyre fell from the sky and crashed into the battlefield. Ronan bore witness to Jhuntara's demise only moments later as she tended to the injured dragon. As Jhuntara vanished, locked in a fatal battle with the dark entity, the Overlord armies resumed their assault. Ronan charged headlong into the fray, and although the battle would be lost, Ronan's valor shined. While the rest of the Guardian army retreated, he stayed behind long enough to retrieve his injured unit commander, an act which nearly cost him his own life.

He was officially granted his Paladinhood later that same month, and dedicated his service to Jhuntara's memory. He had been so moved by her sacrifice that he set out on a personal quest to find her sanctuary. He spent months searching for it, guided only by fragments of legend and his own steadfast determination. When he finally reached the sanctuary 6 months later, he knelt reverently before the crystal blue water and vowed on that day to forever honor her memory and champion her cause. As long as he lived, he would ensure that the people of Tarias would never forget the sacrifice she made, or the hope she had inspired within him.

After a long prayer, he left to return to his duties with a renewed sense of strength and purpose. Upon his departure, the trees surrounding the sanctuary began silently repeating his words, in a manner only Jhuntara could hear. Through her slumber, his prayers washed over her and lighted a new spark of strength within her. It was the most precious gift she had ever received, and for that she would be forever grateful. In the last of his prayers, he made a promise that he would one day return. Until that fateful day, she would silently wait for his return...

Continued in Part 3

"Stones"
unknown author