Nobody dare of life or death. Even so she will be the one to decide if the purpose of waking her is worth it. If she deemed it unworthy for her to be disturbed then the pyre downstairs may receive a other victim. Such is the power of the serpentine queen. When the guard arrived the queen's chamber with his narration of an intruder, the two body slaves of the queen were prised from dreamland by the guard on duty and the narrative repeated. It took time before one of her body slaves decided to take the risk of waking the queen, giving Sarzan ample time to fight off his asailants. When the queen woke up, heard what had happened, unlike the guards her mind went to the Wan-bissaka chain in the adjoining rooms along with other ancient ornaments expected to wild some magical powers but with purpose yet unknown. Quickly she changed her night dress, putting on an outdoor robe which she then gathered around her as she ran downstairs to the fifth floor and the central hall trailed behind by her two body slaves and the reporting guard. She entered the hall and was welcomed by the sight of a dead guard. Fearing the worst she barged into the adjoining room beckoning for light.

Chapter 1 01

The Midlands was still for the next few days. All was quiet with palpable tension in the air; as the news of the rise to power of Lord Karius slowly permeated the land. Will his reign be worse? Will he brandish his now seemingly endless might like Scott did? Time will tell.

Days slowly run into weeks and then months as the tension in the Midlands ease, paving way for an athmosphere of uncertainty. The wide gulf between the Midlands and the real underworld prevent a first hand knowledge of possible activities going on behind the shadows.

The possibility of a rebirth of the former Lord of the land slowly disippated into oblivion as his followers began to lose hope. The Kraakans who had stood firm behind him and supported him through out his reign however remained resolute. The rebirth will come. Their Lord will rise again and when he returns the Kraakan army will be ready to fight on his side.

The underworld slowly adjusted to the new power over the land. Man, beasts and half beasts troop to pay homage to the new master of all. As his power grew, so his followership. Soon his rule will know no end nor his kingdom know any boundary. It is indeed the dawn of a new era- the final era. Soon he will gain full status of immortality and will rule forever.

As the land shapes to the will of Lord Karius, the followers of the former Lord go further into hiding. Unlike the Kraakans of the Midlands, they love too close to seat of the opposing power to dare declare their belief in a certain rebirth. Such was the dread with a stranglehold on their pitiable souls.

Lord Karius reigned supreme. Brandishing less of his power, reigning in his devilish side in wait of the full moon when he shall attain full immortality. Daily his eyes he sets on mountain Versuvius, in anticipation of the expected erruption of its peak at full moon. The erruption will not fail, immortality shall be attained and the power of the Lord of the land shall know no end; unless the unthinkable happens, unless the dead to life come again.

When on the twenty eight day the dark world was awaken by a trembling seemingly emanating from mount versuvius, and spreading fast to the Midlands and beyond; it became apparent that the deed shall be done. Lord Karius will indeed reign forever.

All was set for the new order. The pockets of followers of Lord Scott are in full mourning while untold fear of the unknown gripped the Midlands until the sign darken the Eastern skies.

Several miles away on a boat plying the Cordan waterways, the only waterway link to the Midlands; Sarzan the bounty hunter laid swinging lazily in a hammock. The rocking deck underneath, the wafting salty tang of the river water and the gentle breeze lulled him into a light midday siesta. Suddenly he shot up from the hammock with a look of worry written all over him. It was as if he had seen a ghost. Captain Haeler standing close by noticed and motion at him with a wave of his hand.

"Seen a ghost or something? There are stories that these area is haunted" Captain Haeler said.

" I have seen a sight or two myself that has baffled my eyes" he continued.

Sarzan remained quiet, staring into nothingness. Then he turned towards Captain Haeler with a worrying look.

"I have lived my life guided by visions. It is a gift my mother bestowed on me" he began

" And my visions have never failed me. What I have just seen will change everything forever" Sarzan said, almost as if forcing breath from his lungs.

"And what have you seen if I may ask?" Captain Haeler retorted, with a bemuse look on his face.

"I see the beginning of the end, I see the death of a nascent reign... I see a phoenix rising from the ashes of a ruin... I see embers of fire flaming into a deadly inferno... Captain, the rebirth is on the way"

Now obviously confused, Captain Haeler stared at his friend and old travel client, wondering what to make of what he just heard. He had not finished composing his response when he heard it. A loud noise from nowhere and everywhere. Ripping through the mod day air. Then the greenish hue of the Eastern aky, spreading overhead right before their eyes. Not even the shouts of the sailors on a close by boat could force Captain Haeler's eyes away from the strange sight.

As the green sky thicken and the sun disappeared, fresh fear spread over all living. Then the moon appeared at midday with an accompanying six stars shaped like a bear. It is the sign of the much contested rebirth. The obvious can no longer be hidden, the future has finally come, the unthinkable is happening, the rebirth has begun.