The cows mooed in the distance they were hungry. Ariel shook off her dream and headed down to the pen to feed the cows their daily corn and wheat. Ariel dumped the bucket in and watched the cows as they came to eat. Ariel looked into the distance; there stood the Pillars of Nosgoth. She was always amazed at their beauty and at the power that they stood for. 

The sound of horses clogging down the road took her mind off the pillars. Ariel looked and was excited. It was the messengers of Nosgoth. Perhaps her beloved Nupraptor had written to her again. It would be another year before she would see him again, so they had taken to writing to one another. She left her cows feeding as she ran to her porch to await the messengers.

A smile grew across her face as the messengers got closer and closer to her home. As they passed each home her heart skipped a beat. If they were to take any longer, she felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest. Then the man walked up her front steps with a scroll in hand.

“Excuse me, my lady. You wouldn’t by chance be Ariel?” He asked in a kindly manner.

“Yes, I am good sir;” her could hardly contain her enthusiasm.

“I have a message for you.” 

The man handed her the scroll in his hand to Ariel. Ariel took it and examined it. The wax seal was unfamiliar to her. She looked back to the man.

“Pray tell from whom was this sent?”

“I am sorry my lady but the markings are unfamiliar to my associates and me. Is that a problem?”

Ariel looked back at the scroll. Then to man once more.

“No, I am sure that it is of no consequence.”

The man tipped his hat and was on his way. Ariel hurried quickly inside her home to open this strange letter from an unknown person. Taking a knife from the kitchen she broke the wax seal and unrolled the letter. She sat down at her desk and read aloud.

Dear Ariel,

It is of the utmost importance that you heed my words. The times are changing. We are at the dawn of a new aeon, it will become necessary to speak a new word, for the world will be soaked in old blood. Watch the Pillars. There will come a shift in power, when this occurs your presence will be needed.

Regards, 

Moebius 

Ariel was dumb founded. Moebius, The Guardian of the Pillar of Time, had written her, a poor country girl, for what purpose? He spoke to her in riddles, what change would occur in Nosgoth that would require her presence. She did not know, but she would watch the Pillars. As she glanced out the windows she could see the Pillars shinning in distance.

“Pray tell Moebius. What does destiny hold for me?” 

Ariel got up and put the scroll away up on a shelf and went out to tend to the rest of her duties for the day. She couldn’t help but feel the Pillars watching her, as if they were waiting for her. 

Weeks passed with no change. The Pillars stood strong and unwavering. She would watch the morning light reflex the power of the pillars in the morning. And she would watch the sunset upon them as she had for many days now. Ariel followed with blind faith. She did not know what to expect but she would know once she saw it. The day would come that would change her life forever. 

Ariel had just gone to sleep when a terrible earthquake over took the land. She heard the screams come from inside her small village of Coorhagen. Ariel shot out of bed and quickly ran to the window. It had happen. What Ariel had been waiting for occurred. She looked at the Pillars and seven of the nine had completely collapsed. To make matters worst she smelled smoke. Ariel ran outside and to her horror Coorhagen was set a blaze. 

Ariel heard the evil laughter come from the town square; it burned in her ear like acid. A huge horned demon lead a small army of fire breathing monsters. 

“Give us the one called Ariel!” The demon bellowed.

Ariel was shaken, why her? Moebius must have known, that’s why he sent the letter she thought. How she wished to be in the arms of Nupraptor at that moment. Then from behind Ariel felt arms wrap around her. With the shock of it all she fainted in the arms of her assailant. 

A cool breeze blew across Ariel’s face causing her to awaken. She rested at the foot of the Pillars of Nosgoth or that, which was left of them. She stood and walked to the ruins of the Pillars tears filling her eyes. Then a familiar voice resounded.

“Ariel?”

She turned and saw it was her beloved.

“Nupraptor?” 

She ran into his arms and kissed him.

“What happened?” She asked.

Before Nupraptor could answer, Another voice interjected.

“The dawn of the new aeon.” 

“Moebius?” Ariel asked. She turned again to see the time streamer standing by the two remaining Pillars. 

“My dear Ariel I am glad that Nupraptor found you in time. I know you have a lot of questions and I will try to explain them all. The Circle of Nine was attacked by a demon known as Hash ak gik, the same demon that destroyed your village a few days ago.” 

“But why am I here, what do I have that the Pillars require?” Ariel asked in fear.

“You are chosen to replace The Guardian of The Pillar of Balance.”

Ariel is shocked, “Me, I am but a simple peasant girl. Not the future leader of the Circle Nine. I believe you have chosen wrong Moebius.”

“Dear woman, I did not choose you. It is the Pillars that chose their replacements. It is your destiny. As it is your beloveds.”

Ariel looked over to Nupraptor. Nupraptor sighed and took Ariel by the hand. “The Pillar’s have chosen me to be the new Guardian of the Pillar of The Mind. I have also received a letter from Moebius explaining it.”

Ariel looked back to Moebius, “What about the others, will they becoming shortly?”

Moebius shook his head, “Sadly the demon horde of Hash ak gik killed the remaining messengers. It is you, Nupraptor, Mortanious The Guardian of the Pillar of Death, and myself who remain. But if you and your beloved join us we can begin to restore the Pillars once again by finding their replacements. Will you join us?”

Ariel and Nupraptor exchanged glances. They knew what they had to do it would be a long road, but a road that fate would let them travel together. They took each other hands and Ariel spoke. “Yes Moebius we will join the Circle of Nine.”

Moebius smiled; “There will be much training as your powers start to show. You must follow my every instruction, heed every word. And we must hurry; Hash ak gik is already seeking the other five.” 

Moebius lead Ariel and Nupraptor to their Pillars, they placed their hands upon it and recited a chant after Moebius, thus their Pillars were restored. Now they would plunge to the depth to retrieve The Necromancer, Mortanious and begin their search for the remaining Guardians and their fight against The Unspoken Hash ak gik.