In the universe that the Smiting Chamber has designated HV33, there is a planet known as Halfyn that has a woodland landscape on all of its habitable continents and it is known for its intense gravity. The Fyns who evolved there are sturdy humanoids with wide shoulders and feet, and strong muscled legs to support their solid stature.
All Fyns of the planet, and of the Halfyn Empire that spans the universe, are ruled by the Royals, a monarchy that is based on the planet Halfyn in an extremely large fortified city with advanced technology that is powered by arcane sources. The Halfyns are Masters of Elemental Arcana and draw their powers from the land, the air, the water, and things like fire and lightning. The Royals are said to be chosen by the elements because they are able to demonstrate commiseration with all of the elements and are able to wield all known elemental powers. In its history, the Halfyn Empire has been ruled by many different family lines from all over the universe who come to Halfyn during the coronation of the Royals that is held regularly and demonstrate a mastery of the elements that exceeds the current Royals. The Royals are always a diad, a couple who between the two of them can wield all powers of the elements.
The current Royals of the Halfyn Empire are Tati, Wynd and Dirth Ryder and Weather Sorceress, and Dawey, Fyre Wrangler and Watir Danzer skilled in the Two Arts. Tati and Dawey were both born on the planet Halfyn, Tati the daughter of the Wynd Ryder General who commanded the forces in charge of a previous Royals protection, and Dawey the daughter of the High Jester Troupe leader who coordinated a traveling circus and carnival that was the prize of Halfyn and had other licensed Troupes that performed on planets of the Empire.
Tati and Dawey have been the celebrated Royals of the Halfyn Empire for over a quarter century, the longest tenure of any Royal diad that has ruled the Empire; it happens often that the elements choose new avatars of their power and Royals usually reign for half a decade before a new diad attends the coronation to take part in the official challenge that is issued to all attendees. In their time, Tati and Dawey have demonstrated the superiority of their mastery over the elements in a presentation of their powers, and then battle against challengers who do their presentation before the battle. The challenge is usually the longest portion of the coronation, but it depends on the number of challengers. Tati and Dawey are the most challenged Royal diad in the history of Halfyn because many have underestimated their ability because of their family lines that have seemingly specialized in a single elemental skill.
But the Royals Tati and Dawey are favored by the elements and there is talk that their son, Tot, would be a single master of all elemental arcana, though that was a rare thing to occur in the Empire. Tot was a little boy when Tati and Dawey were named Royals and everyone around the Empire knew him affectionately as Tot; his real name wasn’t public knowledge but everyone thought the nickname was appropriate, he was everyone’s son or little brother. The Empire was happy to watch him grow over his mothers’ tenure as Royals, and even as an adult, he is known as Tot, though many have come to refer to him as the Halfyn Heir because tales of his adventures around the Empire prove that he is a complete Elemental Arcana Master, with a specialty in Lyghtning Arcana that most associate with him. He is a fierce defender of innocents and he has traveled the Empire to stamp out injustice against those who can’t protect themselves from powerful oppressors.
In his recent history, while returning to Halfyn, Tot was ambushed by Flouro, the strongest member of the Asid Gang and archnemesis of the Halfyn Heir. The battle was fierce and raged across the stars until they crashed on a little known world of ice known as Juoil. Flouro had managed to throw acid onto half of Tot’s face and Tot struggled with just one good eye. He was nearly defeated until the Ice Prince emerged and he froze Flouro in a jagged block of ice that is still on Juoil, hidden from the Asid Gang.
The Ice Prince nursed Tot back to health in his home hidden in the ice mountains of Juoil, healing his right eye in the process, though the Halfyn Heir was left with a permanent scar that stretched from his forehead down to his cheek and resembled a lightning bolt.
“Flouro couldn’t have killed me,” Tot said between large mouthfuls of the food the Ice Prince had prepared for him once he awoke after his battle. “But thank you for taking care of me. And your food is amazing, I never would have thought something lifeless could taste so good.”
“Maybe he couldn’t have killed you, but it’s a shame what he did to your body, to your face. I did all I could to restore you, I know that you are the Halfyn Heir and your impeccable good looks are important to the tales of your greatness.” The Ice Prince spoke sincerely, but he also made fun of Tot often to temper his reference for the most admired Fyn in the universe.
“I don’t like that name,” Tot admitted after he cleaned his plate and was loading it up with more food. He had been unable to eat solid food for days on Juoil as he healed and he was definitely making up for lost time. “I have no desire to be a solo Royal. If I am lucky enough to be chosen by the elements, I pray that they give me someone else to share in the awesome responsibility. My mothers are the longest serving Royals because they love one another. They care for one another. Like you care for me.”
Tot looked at the Ice Prince who sat near him at the table that had more food than even Tot could eat in his ravenous state. He smiled at him and the Ice Prince’s dark skin grew darker with embarrassment.
“I couldn’t be the one who neglected the Halfyn Heir,” the Ice Prince said to deflect from the obvious tension between the two of them. “Even if you don’t like the name, it is how the universe knows you. And you are important.” He put a hand on Tot’s.
“Who are you?” Tot asked and he grabbed the Ice Prince’s hand. “Are you here all alone?”
“I come here to be alone. Most of the original inhabitants of this planet left a long time ago, there’s not much here but ice and rock. There’s not a lot of resources here that the Empire needs so there’s not a lot of business here. Even I left, but I come back because it’s my home. It’s quiet.”
“Wait, are you the Ice Prince of Ayfyn? My mothers said that the Ayfyn Kings had a son my age, but you never take part in Royal proceedings.”
“I have the power to heal, and there are many in the universe who need healing. I come here to rest up until I am needed. Lucky for you that I was here.”
“Truly lucky,” Tot said. “Please, Ice Prince, call me by my true name…”
“No!” the Ice Prince was startled. “You have only known me for a short time since you awoke. You are too important to trust me with something so intimate.”
“Mikael,” Tot said and then he kissed the Ice Prince.
“Davin,” the Ice Prince said. “My name is Davin.”
The Ice Prince was saying goodbye when Tot received a psychic message that surprised him. The Ice Prince was going on a mission to heal a planet after war and the two were standing in the kitchen of the home they shared on Halfyn when Tot started to yell in response to a voice that the Ice Prince couldn’t hear.
“Who are you talking to?” the Ice Prince asked with concern, and then he, too, heard it.
“Sorry,” the voice said, “we thought that we had caught you in a moment when you were alone. But we have expanded the range of this missive so that the other with you can understand. This is not an attack. We are reaching out to ask you, Tot, the Halfyn Heir, for help.”
The voice explained a dire situation that threatened the existence that Tot knew, and as they both listened, he held the Ice Prince very close to his chest. When the voice was done, the two looked at one another in the eyes.
“I love you,” the Ice Prince said. “I guess we are both saying goodbye. Come back to me.”
“I promise you that I will return when existence is safe. And we will love one another passionately and vigorously.”
Tot was wowed by the vision through the portal he had used to travel from his home on Halfyn. It was like the view of the cosmos but there were platforms in varying shapes and sizes moving in seemingly random directions. The surface that he emerged onto from the portal was moving and he didn’t even notice the portal disappear behind him because he was wowed by the sights of beings the likes of which he had never seen before. Tot would have been content to wander around wide-eyed taking in the exotic sights, but he heard a familiar voice call his name.
“Thank you for joining us,” a tall, thin black man in a suit of black said as he emerged from the chaos of bodies. He introduced himself as Owuo.
“I recognize that voice,” Tot said and he half bowed. “I am excited to do what I can to protect against the nameless horror.”
“Follow me, I would like to introduce you to Adofo,” Owuo said and they walked a short distance, hopping from one of the floating platforms to another where there were beings clad in shades of yellow and gold. An armored warrior walked over to greet Owuo and he extended a hand to Tot, who stared at it and then looked between Adofo and Owuo confused. Owuo slapped Adofo’s hand away. “Do that when I’m not here. This is Tot, the Halfyn Heir. The two of you will colead the yellow force that is going into Talj. Talk, get to know one another. Find me with any questions that aren’t dumb.”
Owuo left them and Adofo extended his hand.
“This is a greeting,” Adofo explained. “It is an honor to meet you. Now, let’s talk about how we intend to kill an unkillable horror.”
Tot shook his hand and Adofo began to fill him in on the strategy for the battle to come.
PRL Serials 