THE REBIRTH OF THE ALPHA KING

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.