The Awakening, Part 3
By Mark Piggott (MidKnights Son, Protector Server) His father killed by Hellions, Marcus Gates learns the secret of the Illuminati and the Sons of MidKnight.
But the Illuminati are just a legend, a myth, Marcus questions. No theyre not, Gregor interjects. The Illuminati is a secret society of mystics who have been influencing everything from politics to monarchies since the Pharaohs ruled Egypt. Their mystical powers allowed them to see the future and move forces in the right direction for a more peaceful world.
So how do these Sons of MidKnight fit into all this? he asks. They were the protectors of the Illuminati, Azuria explains. Armed with magical powers and weapons, their job was to ensure the Illuminati and their secrets remain safe and secure.
It was during the Rikti Invasion that the last of the Illuminati were killed, Azuria interjected, but their secret treasure years of mystical research, collections of artifacts and spells were hidden away. The only one who knows its location was the last of the Sons of MidKnight your father.
He came to M.A.G.I. for help, Azuria continued. The danger of the secret treasure of the Illuminati falling into the wrong hands was a chance we could not take. We offered him sanctuary changed his name, gave him a home, a job in something besides magic.
Sort of a M.A.G.I. witness protection program, Gregor added. Though the information has been helpful, Marcus is still confused. I still dont understand what that has to do with me, Marcus asks.
A member of the Circle of Thorns infiltrated M.A.G.I. and found out about your father and the secret treasure of the Illuminati, Gregor explained. They sent the Hellions to get your father to take them it. He refused and died protecting those secrets. He fulfilled his duty to the very end.
Now, that duty falls upon you, Azuria interjects. You must protect the secrets of the Illuminati as the last of the Sons of MidKnight.
But I dont know where it is, Marcus says. My father didnt tell me anything about any of this. Im supposed to graduate in May and leave Paragon City. Azuria steps up to Marcus and puts her hands on his shoulders. Marcus, please understand, your father didnt want you to take up the mantle as protector, but his death changes everything, she explains. Ive spoken with the M.A.G.I. High Council. Were working on a special storage vault to contain all of the Illuminatis magical treasure, but its going to take time. The problem is that the Circle of Thorns, the Hellions and, by now, probably most of the villains within Paragon City know who you are. They will come after you no matter where you go and make you lead them to the location of the treasure.
I cant show them what I dont know, Marcus shouts, frustrated and mad. Azuria touches his birthmark. It glows with a dark magical energy. You wont have to. Your birthmark will. You see, youre both the compass and the key to the treasure. The only way to protect it is to protect yourself.
The power lies within you, she explains. The dark power of the Netherworld has been passed from generation to generation of the Sons of MidKnight. M.A.G.I. can teach you to use that power.
Marcus thinks about what shes asking of him. Years of his life, his dreams Gone, to protect something his father his family has been protecting for thousands of years. How could he be selfish and refuse.
What do I have to do? he asks. Azuria smiles and hugs Marcus. For the first time since his father died, Marcus feels a sense of relief and understanding, as well as a ton of responsibility.
Well, if youre going to ward of evil, youre going to need these, Gregor says, handing Marcus two long swords. Marcus takes the swords in his hands. They feel like an extension of his body, as if hes held them before. All those years of fencing, something his father insisted Marcus participate in, are about to come in handy.
What are they? he asks. These were your fathers. He asked me to keep them safe, just in case he needed them again, Gregor says. Theyre made of oricalcum, a metal with magical properties, forged in the fires of Atlantis. Marcus looks shocked. Atlantis? Youre kidding me right, he asks. Both Azuria and Gregor get a dead serious look on their face. We dont kid in M.A.G.I., Azuria says.
Marcus continues to look over the swords in amazement. You are the last Son of MidKnight, Azuria says. No! Marcus immediately corrects her. Azuria and Gregor are stunned.
My father was last of the Sons of MidKnight, he says. I am MidKnights Son.
The Awakening, Part 3
By Mark Piggott (MidKnights Son, Protector Server)
His father killed by Hellions, Marcus Gates learns the secret of the Illuminati and the Sons of MidKnight.
But the Illuminati are just a legend, a myth, Marcus questions. No theyre not, Gregor interjects. The Illuminati is a secret society of mystics who have been influencing everything from politics to monarchies since the Pharaohs ruled Egypt. Their mystical powers allowed them to see the future and move forces in the right direction for a more peaceful world.
So how do these Sons of MidKnight fit into all this? he asks. They were the protectors of the Illuminati, Azuria explains. Armed with magical powers and weapons, their job was to ensure the Illuminati and their secrets remain safe and secure.
It was during the Rikti Invasion that the last of the Illuminati were killed, Azuria interjected, but their secret treasure years of mystical research, collections of artifacts and spells were hidden away. The only one who knows its location was the last of the Sons of MidKnight your father.
He came to M.A.G.I. for help, Azuria continued. The danger of the secret treasure of the Illuminati falling into the wrong hands was a chance we could not take. We offered him sanctuary changed his name, gave him a home, a job in something besides magic.
Sort of a M.A.G.I. witness protection program, Gregor added. Though the information has been helpful, Marcus is still confused. I still dont understand what that has to do with me, Marcus asks.
A member of the Circle of Thorns infiltrated M.A.G.I. and found out about your father and the secret treasure of the Illuminati, Gregor explained. They sent the Hellions to get your father to take them it. He refused and died protecting those secrets. He fulfilled his duty to the very end.
Now, that duty falls upon you, Azuria interjects. You must protect the secrets of the Illuminati as the last of the Sons of MidKnight.
But I dont know where it is, Marcus says. My father didnt tell me anything about any of this. Im supposed to graduate in May and leave Paragon City. Azuria steps up to Marcus and puts her hands on his shoulders. Marcus, please understand, your father didnt want you to take up the mantle as protector, but his death changes everything, she explains. Ive spoken with the M.A.G.I. High Council. Were working on a special storage vault to contain all of the Illuminatis magical treasure, but its going to take time. The problem is that the Circle of Thorns, the Hellions and, by now, probably most of the villains within Paragon City know who you are. They will come after you no matter where you go and make you lead them to the location of the treasure.
I cant show them what I dont know, Marcus shouts, frustrated and mad. Azuria touches his birthmark. It glows with a dark magical energy. You wont have to. Your birthmark will. You see, youre both the compass and the key to the treasure. The only way to protect it is to protect yourself.
The power lies within you, she explains. The dark power of the Netherworld has been passed from generation to generation of the Sons of MidKnight. M.A.G.I. can teach you to use that power.
Marcus thinks about what shes asking of him. Years of his life, his dreams Gone, to protect something his father his family has been protecting for thousands of years. How could he be selfish and refuse.
What do I have to do? he asks. Azuria smiles and hugs Marcus. For the first time since his father died, Marcus feels a sense of relief and understanding, as well as a ton of responsibility.
Well, if youre going to ward of evil, youre going to need these, Gregor says, handing Marcus two long swords. Marcus takes the swords in his hands. They feel like an extension of his body, as if hes held them before. All those years of fencing, something his father insisted Marcus participate in, are about to come in handy.
What are they? he asks. These were your fathers. He asked me to keep them safe, just in case he needed them again, Gregor says. Theyre made of oricalcum, a metal with magical properties, forged in the fires of Atlantis. Marcus looks shocked. Atlantis? Youre kidding me right, he asks. Both Azuria and Gregor get a dead serious look on their face. We dont kid in M.A.G.I., Azuria says.
Marcus continues to look over the swords in amazement. You are the last Son of MidKnight, Azuria says. No! Marcus immediately corrects her. Azuria and Gregor are stunned.
My father was last of the Sons of MidKnight, he says. I am MidKnights Son.