Prelude

I remember nothing beyond my encasing.

I see nothing, hear nothing.

I am trapped in a world of darkness from which I cannot escape.

But I will.

For now, I wait. And think.

I try to remember.

I try to reach back to the beginning, when I was encased in a prison such as this. Far back, millions and millions of years ago.

I was a child then.

I am old, but that has made me even stronger. I do not diminish with age, I grow brighter.

Until I shine like a thousand suns and my power cannot be equaled.

How did it start?

With a thought.

A tear.

An omen.

A promise, a wish, a dream.

I was born of war and the dark blood of my people. Of hunger and longing and the taste of freedom. I was created to be the greatest of all. And so I was.

But something happened. Something I cannot remember.

I was struck.

But before. Oh, before I had thousands, millions at my command.

I could kill with a single glance and bend minds with a mere thought.

I was powerful and terrible.

Now, I stay in the shadows.

But when the time comes, I will rise again.

I will destroy all in my way, and the world will remember the name of Azaela.

Oh yes, they will.