Book 01: Prologue, Part I

The sky burned a dark crimson as the sun set over the border town of Tyn'dar, smoke rose from the buildings as fire spreading from rooftop to rooftop as if it had an intelligence of its own. Women and children huddled together screaming for there loved ones as there lives drew closer to there end, it was a sight that Gabriel had seen many times before as a brother of the Gauntlet assigned to assist the members of the Order of Paladins in there crusade against the Tainted.

The Tainted were a human family that was altered by the Wraith an evil race of shadow creatures intent in conquest, luckily for the humans there world cannot support the complex form of the Wraith and so these vile creatures of the underworld must infect humans with there dark energy's so that they can become hosts to the Wraith. One family in particular was altered to have the abilities of both the members of the Brotherhood of the Gauntlet and the Order of Paladins, but not only were these powers incorporated into this family but also some of the Wraith innate powers were also left dormant inside them only to be awakened when the Wraith took hold of the victim, this would give the Wraith a superior tactical advantage in this war and so it was decided to cull the Tainted family for the greater good, most soldiers took comfort in this some like Gabriel had doubts but still followed there superiors orders as it was not there place to question them.

“Surround the village there are to be no survivors, this is there last safe haven, these Tainted dogs will be lambs to the slaughter, I want them all killed!” The General bellowed to his men as they began to encircle the town.

A volley of fire bolts blast from a regiment of Gauntlet Warriors showering the town with more fiery destruction attempting to force the buildings occupants out into the open where they could be cut down by the waiting Paladins.

“You boy! what's your name?” A Paladin called back to Gabriel after he cut down one of the running Tainted women with his large blood stained axe.

“Me sir?” Gabriel Enquired, the Paladin nodded “G... Gabriel Sir, Acolyte 2^nd class”

“Ah good help me clear out this building i saw someone go in for cover whilst you lot blasted that farmhouse over there” The Paladin heaved his axe onto his shoulder and gestured Gabriel over to him as he approached the door to the building.

Gabriel approached slowly holding his gauntlet arm up to his chest, he survived the scene before walking on checking for any waiting tainted that may surprise him. The building before him seemed to stick out more than the others most notably due to the lack of damage from the battle that raged on around it, the Paladin waited at the doorway the door was slightly ajar and the Paladin was looking through the narrow gap, as Gabriel got close to the door the Paladin held up his hand in a stop gesture then pointed to his eyes and then into the room indicating that he has spotted something.

The Paladin readied his axe and kicked open the door splintering it from the power of his kick, Gabriel ran in shortly after the Paladin to see an empty room slightly illuminated from the faint blue glow off the paladins angelic energy wings the room appeared to be some form of communal room with cushions on the floor and a large rectangular table with food and drink placed in front of the seating positions.

“Gabriel” The Paladin whispered and then pointed over to a door to his right “Check that out, I'll check this one” The Paladin then pointed to the door on his left.

Gabriel nodded and turned to the door to his right then slowly advanced, the floorboards creaked under his steps as he approached the door he turned back to check on the Paladin who was just about to open the door he too turned back to face Gabriel and nodded as he opened it and walked in. Gabriel opened the door before him and walked in the room appeared to be a kitchen of roughly the same size as the room behind him sparsely equipped with the basics but appeared mostly empty. Suddenly Gabriel heard a small clang he instantly turned to face the sound but there was nothing but a rack of pots and pans hanging from hooks on the wall, Gabriel turned back and continued his search the table in the centre of the room was covered with a dirty table cloth it fluttered slightly as if something moved from behind it, Gabriel readied his Gauntlet poised for a strike as he raised the cloth to check underneath.

“Meeoooww!” A cat jumped from under the table right over Gabriel's right shoulder.

The surprise caused Gabriel to fall back onto the floor knocking over the table in the process.

“By the Gods” Gabriel clutched his chest, and looked at the cat that was sitting next to the now trashed kitchen table “You scared me half to death”