⚔️ Lumina's War ⚔️
The March on Nexus - The Betrayal of Order
"She wouldn't dare march on Nexus."
— Xanther, moments before seeing Lumina's army
100 Nexus Years of Peace
For roughly a hundred years, there was peace throughout the lands.
That all changed when Lumina made her preparations for war known.
The Approach
Diaglo and Relana's heels clicked against the hard marble walkway, echoing through the grand hall adorned with ancient tapestries and glowing runes.
To Xanther's throne they were headed.
Diaglo: "Relana, how do you think he is going to take this?"
Relana: "I do not know. He has become attached to his two sons."
Diaglo: "How long have you two been married now?"
Relana: "Long enough to have two adult children." (She shrugged.)
He laughed—a sound both warm and mocking.
Diaglo: "You really are more cold-hearted than me."
Relana: "That's ironic coming from someone with no heart."
She laughed too—a rare sound that softened her usually stern demeanor.
Diaglo: "You hurt me..." (He grabbed his chest in mock wounded actions.)
Relana: "Haha, after what you did the other day, I highly doubt that."
His expression turned serious.
Diaglo: "Lumina's warriors had it coming. They dared to attack my children out of spite."
Relana: "Well, I do not know what she was trying to gain by that stupid move anyway. She needs Nexus to win this war—which we must ensure she never gets."
Diaglo: "I mean, does she not realize my children are Ventari?"
Relana: "Aww, maybe you do still have a heart."
Diaglo: "Only for my children. Let us get this over with."
The Throne Room
They pushed the massive, ornate doors to the throne room open together. The room was vast, with high ceilings and walls lined with intricate carvings depicting Xanther's reign.
Xanther was misbehaving. There were two women in his throne room with him, their presence a stark contrast to the solemnity of the place.
Diaglo growled.
Diaglo: "This is going to be easier than I thought."
He ran up to both women and, with swift, precise movements, ran his blade through them.
Xanther: "What was that for?"
Diaglo: "For being irresponsible. You do not deserve Talveran."
Diaglo pulled his blade from the woman's chest as blood spilled onto the pristine marble floor. He used Xanther's cape to clean his blade.
Diaglo: "I have brought you a weapon, my king." (He smirked.)
Xanther: "Guards, come clean up this mess."
Five guards entered and took the bodies away, their faces expressionless.
Xanther: "Now, Diaglo, I think I liked you better with a conscience."
Diaglo: "I still have one, Xanther. It just doesn't haunt me. Now, follow me."
The Balcony - The Truth Revealed
The three of them walked out onto the balcony of the castle. The view was breathtaking—the sprawling kingdom below, distant mountains shrouded in mist.
And then they looked out.
Lumina's army was marching up.
A dark and formidable force that seemed to stretch to the horizon.
Xanther: "She wouldn't dare march on Nexus."
Diaglo laughed.
Diaglo: "I have been trying to tell you. She has been taking all of your outlier cities. Only Nexus is free from her control. Well, Nexus and Farendale."
Xanther cocked his head to the side.
Diaglo: "My children live there. We will just say she learned the might of the Ventari..."
Xanther: "So the rumors are true?"
Diaglo's expression turned grim.
Diaglo: "You have forsaken your lands, and all have fallen except your immediate kingdom. Your advisor has been lying to you for years, telling you that everything is okay and the rumors are not true."
The Betrayal
For a hundred years, Xanther's advisor—Balthazar Wavelander—had told him everything was fine.
For a hundred years, the God of the Obsidian Cabal hid his rebellion under the guise of "good."
For a hundred years, Lumina had been conquering Xanther's outer cities one by one.
And now she stood at the gates of Nexus itself.
The Goddess of Order had come to enforce her will.
And Diaglo had been right all along.