To those who have stood by Soul Fall, watched, read, and waited... thank you. I do not know what the future holds right now for this lore and story but- I am going to offer this up for right now as something I worked on but didn't entirely finish.

Stage III- From Dusk To Dawn

Act 1

Co-Starring: Markus Blackheart

Time: Unknown

Location: Riverdale, New Waconia

A city built into the descending hillside. From the peaks up top down level after level, rolling across the earth stretching fairly far. Old fashion, wood and brick buildings mostly of that classic architecture of the Salem Witch Trials era. Down down down into the harbor below, a huge bay mouth where docks roared all over.

As if carved into the earth itself- that was the setting of this city. Near the water there were multiple sections: beach front, dock front, and harbor front. The beach front, the place of tourists and having fun. The harbor, the place of business primarily and for arrivals.

The docks while essentially the same as the harbor front, far far smaller and more local for the likes of fishing and recreational boats. It was near one of these sections of dock, between harbor and dock, where one of many warehouse districts sat. Rows and rows of large buildings with some empty and others stocked & locked. And it was in one such warehouse where nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be, where it would all begin…

SHATTER!!

The explosion of a window, shards of glass blasting through the air and raining down upon the ground many many lengths below. A single black blur flew forth, followed by another, and yet another ambiguous form, and a forth. Four shadowy figures leaping from the upper floor of the warehouse out through the coarse night air under the moonlight, arching up and over coming down upon yet another warehouse.

1- “YAHOOOOOO- WE FRICKEN GOT IT MAN!!”

Glass crunched from behind, two figures bolting to the window within, eyes scanning out-

“They’re moving away! Don’t let them fucking escape or we’re dead!!”

“Call in reinforcements, NOW!!”

Their steps scrambling while along the rooftop the collective of four ran, soon joined by other flapping cloaks and hoods. The lot of them jetting along.

1- “HEH HEH HEH YEAAAAAAAAAAH HAHAHAHAAA!!! I FRIGGEN TOLD YOU MAN, I TOLD YOU!!!”

2- “HA, alright alright so you were right I get it! Don’t let it go to your head!”

3- “Boss is gonna be happy about this one. Really stuck it to those bourgeois bozos this time!”

Pop pop pop pop pop pop pop ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta rapa ta ta TA!!

Flashes behind from the window, unseen projectiles soaring through the air. Rifles unleashing their loads at the escaping shadows as they reached the rooftop end and launched through the air to yet another. Through the air and down without much else. Downward they soon dipped, wall kicking and descending to the streets below as they burst from the warehouse area over the metal fence and into the housing district.

1 (psycho male)- “Heh heh heh. Those guys didn’t know what they were up against!”

3 (flamboyant male)- “Well of course not. Against us like what were they going to even hope to do?”

2 (lax male)- “My my, so confident are we? I will admit they really couldn’t do much; but one never knows.”

4 (serious female)- “You guys went overboard.”

1 (psycho male)- “Naaaaah it was an appropriate level of board.”

5 (uncertain female)- “I… I mean a little restraint couldn’t have hurt, right?”

2 (lax male)- “Heh. Easy guys. The situation was well under control. As if I’d let anything happen to any of you.”

4 (serious female)- “Well boss, what’s next?”

2 (lax male)- “Well… I suppose we should group back up with Monika and the others and fill them in.”

The second individual held up a small black box, etched with white runes. His barely visible smile shown through.

“I am sure that she and the others will be pleased,” he spoke with a chuckle; though soon that smile of his would fade back, “Hrmm?”

Loud howls and snarls came, inhuman neigh-otherworldly in nature. Very considerable snarls with the approach of beasts, some humanoid in appearance and others monstrous. Walking bird-men, reptilian lions, horses of mutilated flesh and fire, bipedal insect abominations. All very different and a good number of them came approaching the group.

4 (serious female)- “Pfffahhhhh when did the Syndicate get such ugly beasts?”

2 (lax male)- “Huh- unexpected.”

Behind the group came the rush of feet. Boots on the ground tearing around the corner. Weapons raised and clicking and clacking. Those in shrouds spun with arms raised, attention shifting all over- well, all except for the position of the second man and the uncertain female.

The faint glow of magenta-colored eyes behind the dark shroud that cloaked the second man’s face.

“We’ve got you fuckers now!” one of the grunts called out, “Surrender the artifact!”

3 (flamboyant male)- “Shiiiiiit-”

1 (psycho male)- “Ooooo fun fun, lets go!!”

4 (serious female)- “You guys be sure to not get yourselves hurt now or else!”

The second man would smirk, stepping forward. The slight shimmer of his gaze as it sat upon the beasts.

“You guys are too much~” he chuckled.

Time: A Considerable Time After

Location: Unknown Location in Nihilo Vaust

Bubbling magma and a dark dusty atmosphere. The glow but none of the heat. A waft of gray dead land and pitch black petrified tree corpses. Dry air with very visible clouds of fog that seemed like ash.

Welcome to hell!!

Or so it seemed- the realm of Nihilo Vaust, one of many demon realms of the known chain. And it was here where a platoon of Stormtroopers of Galactic Imperial design were moving amongst the trees. A good dozen and a half of them weaving in and out of trees. They moved on guard but certainly not in formation.

As if hunting, scoping, moving slow though efficient. Their blasters all raised, half heartedly in some cases. Chatter crackled across the comms as they went along, the squad leader taking the head. Just back behind the main unit, two strangles hobbled along with one tripping over some branches.

The second cackled just slightly, the ire of the tripper growing, “Hey I told you to cut it out ST-15069!”

“Learn to walk then. Now hurry up we’re falling behind,” he chirped back.

“Don’t blame me! It’s this dang helmet. I didn’t get it calibrated in time before we left, can’t see a damn thing!”

“Uh huh, a likely story.”

“Can it- ugh dammit. Why did they drag us all the way out here anyway?!”

“Who knows… the command comes from higher up.”

“Nyehhhhhhh-”

“Hey quiet. Do you want to get caught?!”

Both looked to each other, the dominant of the two shaking their helmet before looking back ahead. A cloaked figure stood there in front of them, staring back. Mulberry purple sclera, silvery white iris, and golden crosshair pupils. A pale face, gold tears streaked down their cheeks running from the eyes.

The duo straightened up posthaste as the hooded figure stared them both down.

“…”

“S-sir, s-sorry sir. My partner is having some uh- technical issues with his equipment,” the dominate trooper spoke.

“… very well,” the man spoke low.

The figure shifted and proceeded back forward, the two troopers lagging behind. Sighs of relief dripped, whilst further up ahead the troopers continued. A group of Stormtroopers in black armor moved to either side of a commander, a young one. Coat over his uniform with golden dragon symbols, the badges themselves red.

Ash gray hair, somewhat shiny, mostly lopped to the side with a little dreg over his right amber eye. The Death Troopers moved in sync with their commander, while the platoon captain closed in with a few of the regs. The young lad’s brows shrunk with a face closing in. A clearing lay up ahead, a presence looming ahead.

“Be ready for anything,” the young commander instructed as they moved through.

The group passed into the clearing, the commander at the head with his guards. Behind came the platoon of troopers. Out of sight for that period was the hooded figure from earlier though the two stragglers did catch up. Grouped up and facing only a single point with their chatter ceasing.

Across the way on a fallen trunk a figure shifted. Head pulling back and up. A black hood, a black and purple set of robes.

“It would appear that I have company,” the individual spoke with their back still to the forces.

The commander of the group stepped forward with his right arm and hand raised. The troops did not move, standing only at attention as the young man paced forward.

“Lord Blackheart- or rather Lord Markus. He has sent us,” he spoke with a little amount of shake.

Though his back remained to them the figure did finally open his eyes, a slight shimmering magenta to them, “Markus eh?”

“Please Lord Alexander, your brother has gone to great lengths to track you down!” he called aloud.

“Mehhhhh,” Alexander grumbled, rising up to his feet, “I told those suits years ago that I would not return. You think I will return now just because my younger brother wishes it? Your war is not my war.”

“This isn’t about the war anymore Lord Alexander. The Great War has reached a stalemate. A cold war if you will. There are other matters that your brother needs you for!”

“Pfeh. A stalemate. Such utter bullshit,” he chuckled with a slight smirk, “More like everyone has pushed themselves out of money and resources, so they have to choose their battles carefully. Still- an even playing field is relatively nice. Less noise that way.”

“Except it isn’t staying that way Lord!!”

“Do tell-”

“Twenty years ago the wars began. Little by little all of the factions involved drained their reserves; while others have stood idly by waiting. You know who I mean- parasites from the Dusk Wars,” the commander began, “Cadeus, Gorgon, Calius even. And the list goes on.”

“Life is life. When you try to control it you’ll inevitably break something. That is the curse of-”

“All due respect lord, it isn’t about taking control this time,” the commander interrupted.

“… hoh?” Alexander retorted, half stepping and turning about to face the young man, “That hardly sounds like Markus.”

“Lord Markus has given this a lot of thought… he states that he is not your father, rest Lord Shadow’s Soul. Shadow Dominions will never return to the power and status it once held. There is no way to hold the peace through force as there once was. That time has passed. Now it’s simply trying to make sure things do not spiral into untold chaos ever again.”

“Reinforcing the barricades rather than trying to steer the storm? Well my my… color me curious.”

“Much has changed as I said Lord Alexander- Lord Markus wishes to try something new. He has learned from your brothers how to not handle these matters. Please sir- with your knowledge we can help prevent even greater disasters from befalling!”

“… your offer does intrigue me somewhat. After all,” he said with a swivel spin all the way around now to face them in full, “It has been quite some time since I’ve seen my little shit brother. Last time I believe he was still trying to… nehhhh. Well whatever the case, I might just give that some consideration.”

“Th-thank you, Lord Alexander!”

“Where can I find Markus? Should I decide to go forth with this idea of his that is.”

“The Realm of Aether in a region known as Waconia. You might find it somewhat reminiscent of another realm you were once very familiar with.”

“New Waconia eh? I have heard of it~”

“I will inform Lord Markus to expect your arrival. I thank you again, Lord Alexander.”

“We will be in touch,” Alexander concluded with but a single nod.

Without another word the platoon turned about. Again not marching so much as they were moving casually. The cloaked figure, the Death Troopers with their commander, the duo of Stormtroopers of whom the one just walked straight into a tree with a mighty smack.

“BLEHFARGA- stupid helmet!” he blurt out with a stumble.

They all moved out leaving the lone Blackheart. His blank expression, soon shifting. A grin lay upon him, his eyes sparking with a slight of mischief.

“Well well- I wonder how the ages have weathered you my dear brother. Heh heh heh~”