Ragnarök
The First Ragnarok began in an ancient age, when Ansemund diverged into Asier and Athanasius. It seeds sprouted in that event as it led to the Eternals feuding with one another and then eventually going to war with one another. This battle led to the near ruin of all Nine Worlds, the deaths of unnumbered minor Eternals, gods, Titans, and mortals alike. It was the first battle for the survival of the beings of Ether against the forces of Ginnungagap.
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Ragnarok would not begin with the Titans striking at the Eternals, but it would begin with the Eternals striking at one another. Erebus Mephistopheles sought to establish himself as the leader of the Eternals by using his power in an attempt to overthrow Phanes Acmon. He believed he was better off fighting the Titans due to their close proximity to Helheim, his World, and believed the Titans would not be allowed to rise once more after he was through with them. Aion Chronos and Exousia Nyx were quick to join Erebus Mephistopheles in his plight for the throne as they too were from the Nether Worlds below Midgard. The worlds they reigned over suffered the most from Titan attacks and the other eldritch horrors that rose from Ginnungagap. When Phanes Acmon refused to give up the throne, the Nether Faction attacked Jotunnheim in shock and awe to the universe. Maka Gaia was brought into the war as she fought to reclaim her world, but it was to no avail. Thus, Jotunnheim fell to the Nether Faction and in swarmed the demons of Muspellheim. After this, the Aether Faction led by Adonai Messiah stood alongside Praxia Hesporos to ensure Midgard would not fall. It was there that the bloodiest battles raged with the Battle of Midgard that lasted for generations with no pause to the bloodshed. Mortals, gods, and Eternals alike fought alongside one another in opposition to one another. Planets cracked, moons crashed, and suns exploded in fiery screams all throughout those years without end. It was at Mars, a once luxurious and advanced planet, where the heart of the battle occurred. It was only when Ginnungagap finally stirred that the battle came to a close with no victor.
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The Battle of Midgard, lasting 10 years without end with warriors from all over meeting in arms to decide the fate of the universe on Mars. This was during a time when humans had not come into existence, but their genetic ancestors were. The race of Maiar resided in Mars, the Red Planet of Sol, commanding a broad power over the Physical Plane with some ascending to godhood. The Maiar ("The Beautiful") were one of the first race of mortals created by the gods and on Mars they were opposed by another ancient race of mortals, the Bauglir ("The Tyrant"). The Bauglir came from a now destroyed planet known as Kosomot ("uncivilized man") and held broad command over the Astral Plane. After Ragnarok, both races were driven to near extinction and their planets became wastelands. They came to Arda and established peace with one another there, setting up colony. Their races intermingled and thus came the race of Men, mortals with both the powers of the Astral Plane and the Physical Plane. The race of men still lives within Arda as an extremely powerful race, albeit a warring race who have yet to establish their own true government. Even though the race of men thrives, there still lives the clans of Bauglir and the Maiar in their pure forms in the outer reaches of Arda. To the left are the Bauglir, to the right are the Maiar. In the background, the Titan Ancalagon and Praxia Hesporos do battle.
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While battles raged in Midgard, Asier and Athanasius sought their purpose in this seemingly endless war. Athanasius had been given a philosophy by the force that existed within Ginnungagap; that the universe created by Ansemund was naturally chaotic and would never last without a chief power always having command over all. Athanasius sensed the intent behind the words that came into his mind, that it was all to sway him into destroying everything that had been built by Ansemund. Athanasius resisted...but the wars became more furious and suffering ran throughout all the Nine Worlds as steadfast as the River of Hope. Witnessing this sorrow, he took the philosophy that corrupted his heart and made it his own. He did not seek to destroy all Nine Worlds nor destroy the nameless innocents that lived in those worlds. What he sought was the empty throne left by Ansemund, to claim it once more and abolish the system of Eternals and gods so that there would only be one true almighty being. In his eyes, the Eternals were the source of the world's suffering due to their conflict and they could not be trusted with upholding Ansemund's will. And so Athanasius held to this will, claiming the power of Ginnungagap as his, staining his once marvelous white armor a pure black. Then one by one visited each Titan that resided in the Nether Realms that had been sealed and bound by his forefather...and released each: Nidhogg, Surtr, Ratatosk, Hrungnir, Hela, and Loki. All tried to oppose his power, but all were beaten for Athanasius was the mightiest of all the Titans. The Titans gathered in Nastrond and then arose through Helheim, Muspellheim, Niflheim, and finally reaching Svartalfheim where they met proper resistance: the Dwarves of Nidavellir.
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Svartalfheim is a world of darkness on both the surface and the cavernous mountains and underground realms. Dense forests occupy the surface where the dark elves claim territory, but the endless chain of vast mountain ranges, hellishly deep chasms, and labyrinth tunnels of Nidavellir were claimed by the dwarves. When the Titans came to Svartalfheim, they easily rolled over the armies of the dark elves and forced them to retreat into Nidavellir. The Titans attempted to pass through Nidavellir to reach Utgard and thus Jotunnheim. Instead, what they met were the strongest race of mortals to have ever existed and to exist today: the Dwarves of Nidavellir. The clans of dwarves - the Firebeards, the Ironhorns, and the Thundercrushers - all united behind the Dvergatal dwarf family led by Grimnir the Almighty Firebeard. The dwarven clans did not fall against the Titans that encroached on their land nor did they lose many of their people as would come to befall the other races who met the Titans on the battlefield. It was Grimnir who slayed the Titan Garmr and the Titan Hrungnir with his great-axe, Azram, sending them straight back to Helheim and forcing the Titans to find another way into Jotunnheim. It was here that the dwarves proved themselves to be the strongest race when met on the battlefield.
"It wouldn't surprise me if those bastards dig a hole deep enough to wait out the end of the world, because those damn Titans sure as shit aren't digging them out. Ever seen a drunk dwarf stand above you with his hammer raised and his beard caught with the foam of his roar? Fucking terrifying I tell you. Fucking terrifying."
-Hazad the Scourge Draugr, who clearly saw that.
"It wouldn't surprise me if those bastards dig a hole deep enough to wait out the end of the world, because those damn Titans sure as shit aren't digging them out. Ever seen a drunk dwarf stand above you with his hammer raised and his beard caught with the foam of his roar? Fucking terrifying I tell you. Fucking terrifying."
-Hazad the Scourge Draugr, who clearly saw that.
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The dwarves are by far the strongest race of mortals, even more so than the High Elves, the Bauglir, and the Maiar. They are completely independent and secretive, residing within Nidavellir. They worship no true gods but the very work they create and the masters who created such masterful works, such as Sindri who forged Gungnir and Mjolnir. They are the original creators of Magitek and it is through this power that they forged the weapons of the Iron Thanes.
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As these events would come to unfold, other significant occurrences were on the World of Light, Alfheim. A young boy would seek the philosophy of the Ljosalfar (Light Elves) and Angels to find his role in the wars to come. None knew who he was except for the Lord of the Gods, Adonai Messiah, who took the boy under his wing and named him Asier as if he were his child. Asier trained arduously among the honed soldiers of Alfheim and learned of the importance of life. When he ventured on expeditions throughout the Nine Worlds in the numerous military bases at Alfheim's disposal, he also learned of life's fragility. When the war between the Eternals came, he did not seek to align himself with any faction, but chose to defend the innocent who suffered the most from the wars. It wasn't until he found himself in the Battle of Midgard where his innocence came to be broken as he was forced to slay the forces of the Nether Factions. The boy's guilt caused him to run and seek his own answers deep within Yggdrasil's groves. In doing so, the Nine Worlds had no guardian to defend it as the Titans lay waste to everything before them. Or so it was thought to be believed.
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The Eternals now knew of the Titan's encroachment upon their worlds, but were too weak to prevent it at this point. The Titans had ventured past Niflheim's barren, icy wastelands into Jotunnheim and marched through without significant resistance. Fimbulventr had already begun to choke the life from all Nine Worlds and the gods knew that the last bastion of hope was in Asgard, which lay further away from the Titan armies. Even so, the Eternals were not united and some sought to protect their worlds to the bitter end. Praxia Hesporos and Maka Gaia rallied their remaining troops to defend Midgard from what was to come. So came to be the Battle of a Thousand Suns, a continuation of the Battle of Midgard, its name deriving from the thousands of solar systems that were annihilated until the two Eternals were defeated and captured by the Titan army. Stars collapsed, planets shattered, and galaxies were broken by the end of this battle. Even places that weren't in the battle's theaters were scathed by stray blasts of energy or the hurling of planets into other planets. The loss in this battle led to Jormungandr rising from the Sea of Midgard and Fenrir breaking loose from his bonds. While Jormungandr joined his Titan brethren, Fenrir disappeared for the duration of the war.
Midgard had fallen and the next target was Alfheim, World of Light. The campaigns against Alfheim were some of the most glorious and hard-fought battles in the history of the universe. In the battles that came, no time in history had so many angels and light elves, or any group for that matter, arisen to Valhalla. The Titans and their forces also experienced the greatest crippling to their advancement, not since their embarrassment against the dwarves. What would ultimately be the downfall of Alfheim was the constant resurrection of the Eoten by Hela. This was the War in Heaven.
Midgard had fallen and the next target was Alfheim, World of Light. The campaigns against Alfheim were some of the most glorious and hard-fought battles in the history of the universe. In the battles that came, no time in history had so many angels and light elves, or any group for that matter, arisen to Valhalla. The Titans and their forces also experienced the greatest crippling to their advancement, not since their embarrassment against the dwarves. What would ultimately be the downfall of Alfheim was the constant resurrection of the Eoten by Hela. This was the War in Heaven.
The War in Heaven saw immortals clash against the forces of ruin. Adonai Messiah personally fought in the battles that came against all the Titans. However, the Titans and their Eoten had mastered their powers over Ginnungagap. They used the element of Chaos to corrupt the defeated Eternals and their pantheons to the will of Abraxas. Thus, Adonai Messiah and his immortal warriors found themselves faced against Aion Chronos, Exousia Nyx, Erebus Mephistopheles, and even the pure Maka Gaia. The odds were insurmountably against The First Hero, but nonetheless he fought valiantly. Alfheim's golden skies were dyed red and its gracious winds came as storms. Despite his defeat, Adonai Messiah managed to purify the corruption that gripped the Eternals and bathed them in impenetrable starlight to commence their restoration. The same was to be for his forces. The Titans could do nothing but walk past their defeated foes, unable to attain the spoils of war. Finally, the Titans would reach the High Realms of Power: Asgard and Vanaheim.
Upon Ansemund's new creation, the Eternals called upon the wisdom of Ansemund to create servants who would heed the will of their masters and hold the glory of their patrons. Ansemund created nine beings from the dew and bark of Yggdrasil who would serve under the patronage of the nine Eternals, each with unique capabilities and characteristics that would benefit the master they served. Holding no other allegiance but their masters and no formal name, legend went on to refer to them as the Nine Iron Thanes.
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With the passing of Ansemund, the Nine Iron Thanes took it upon themselves to band together to protect the worlds against the encroaching forces of turmoil rising throughout the realms. Their powers deriving from Yggdrasil itself, they were capable of powerful feats such as the connection to the Planes of Existence, although minorly, and the major benefit of the powers granted to them by their masters, the Eternals. Aldebaran, the servant of Phanes Acmon, was seen as the leader of the phalanx due to his master being the King of the Eternals. The Nine Sagas held every victory at the beginning of their collaboration, but as the might of Athanasius grew, the will of the sagas and their masters withered.
Each victory was counted for they were scarce. As each victory was counted, they began to turn on each other due to the diverging goals their masters had. A civil war between the Eternals broke out and the servants were also forced to turn on each other.
Each victory was counted for they were scarce. As each victory was counted, they began to turn on each other due to the diverging goals their masters had. A civil war between the Eternals broke out and the servants were also forced to turn on each other.
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Messiah and Mephistopheles were the first to quarrel as Mephistopheles understood the powers of the Titans greatly and empathized with them. Thanatos turned his scythe upon Phanes Acmon, followed by Nyx who also joined the faction Thanatos was creating. Both bore a deep-rooted dislike of Phanes Acmon, who had depraved both of any real power due to their fierce capability. Chronos turned on Ananke, who were once conjoined by their powers. They took the opportunity of the chaos building across the realms to split apart and dominate over the other. Only Hesporos and Gaia were left out of the quarrels, both understood the consequences of the impending war and joined forces to attempt to destroy the chaos, making Rigel and Carinae an unlikely duo. The beginning of Fimbulventr had swept over the Nine Worlds and there was no longer a way to stop it.
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The Titans began their march within Niflheim, which lay close to Ginnungagap. While Thanatos waged war against Phanes Acmon across Asgard, the Titans rode through Niflheim, enslaving any beings that stood in their way. They passed Helheim, where Mephistopheles allowed them passage because of Athanasius the First's sheer might. The Titans lay siege upon Muspellheim in their journey as Chronos battled Ananke, where Chronos was forced to retreat to reassemble his legion of Fire Jotunn. The Titans made their stop within Svartalfheim, Nyx falling before the blades of the Titan, Hel. Within the encroaching darkness, Phanes Acmon ordered Heimdall to sound the Gjallarhorn, stirring the hearts of men and ethereals alike as they knew Ragnarok had arrived.
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The sound of the Gjallarhorn rallied the Eternals once more as its power was felt across the Nine Worlds and deep within the Yawning Abyss. Asier traveled into the darkness beyond Alfheim and into Svartalfheim to rally the lost armies of the Eternals. Asier ordered the Eternals to send their servants to defend the remaining worlds while he helped restore them. The Nine Sagas led the armies of light against the armies of darkness that lay at the borders of Alfheim.
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All Nine Sagas knew they would not be able to emerge victorious in their battles, but that did not wither their courage to halt the Titans that approached Asgard. They bore heavy hearts and so did the warriors in their armies, for they knew the outcome of this great defense. Yggdrasil shivered as the sun began to sink low, behind it a pure canvas of darkness. The sun fell early that day as the armies of darkness surrounded the horizon, the light only replaced by the fearful power of Athanasius that shook even Yggdrasil. The Nine's strategy was simple. Hold a direct line outside of Asgard and if the armies began to sink forward, the line would bend back from the middle to form a V. Aldebaran stood at the middle, as such he was the one who needed to stand at the final battle. Arcturus and Antares stood at the edges where the points of the V would be. Behind Arcturus' line, Camilla, Rigel, and Carinae. Behind Antares' line, Cephei, Pollux, and Ursae. Nine Pillars stood in defense of the final world in the end of days, where only their willpower and courage could vindicate all. Seven Orders of Titans stood in offense of the final world, in the fields of Vigrid did they fight.
Aldebaran-Shield of Phanes Acmon
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Camilla-Crown of Ananke
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Arcturus-Armor of Messiah
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Rigel-Sentinel of Gaia
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Antares-Chariot of Mephistopheles
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Cephei-Veil of Nyx
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Pollux-Shadow of Thanatos
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Carinae-Torch of Hesporos
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Ursae-Eye of Chronos
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