BOOK 1

Acumen’s Prelude

Too many crosses - before my eyes...sun hitting each one against their white...the stories they could have told for freedom is what we’re sold...brothers resting side by side...their mothers weeping; father’s pride...Mem’ries livin’ in the minds of the children left behind.  The war was fought in distant lands...their souls to rest by foreign hands...honor bestowed to those...who will fight the cause...Who will fight the cause?

Peace spreads her wings across the land...the facade of victory brings great plans...the defeated stand; await the call...Do they live?   Do they fall?  Eternal peace amongst each side...she’s indifferent to wrong or right...Solemn cries in corner walls...remember lives before the wars...the war…

Once upon a time in an age of long ago, the Land of Virtus was a just and prosperous kingdom.   King Acumen and Queen Mercy bore their wisdom, compassion, and strength into the kingdom.   Great leaders and warriors by their own right, the royal couple encouraged justice to be forthright. Their justice fueled loyalty, and respect from their subjects, and their virtues were a reflection in their own child, the Princess Justicia.

The Land of Virtus was lush and full of life, with a forest of trees that reached to the sky.   The sun’s rays cut through the trees, showering just enough sunlight upon the living creatures and plantlife of the forest.   Natural lakes fed by underground springs sustained all life. This rich and dense forest provided a natural barrier against enemies to the kingdom.

On the border of Virtus was the Land of Cremesin , a dark, shadowed land that reflected its ruler.   Legerdemain was a harsh and cruel wizard king.   His kingdom suffered by the ravages of greed, overindulgence, and injustice. Once a luxuriant and thriving forest, Cremesin was now a wasteland:   brutal, cold, and dead.  

Legerdemain set his eyes upon the plentiful Land of Virtus .   He desired Mercy and his sword pointed towards Acumen’s heart.   And so, his plan to destroy Acumen, gain new territory, and rule over Mercy took shape.   He called upon his evil forces to invade Acumen’s kingdom and destroy everything in their path.   Acumen’s soldiers fought bravely to protect the kingdom, but the Cremesin Soldiers fought with supernatural strength. The evil soldiers could not be stopped from the fated invasion of Acumen’s Castle.

When the slaughter was over, vast amounts of still bodies lay across open fields, and rivers of spilt blood clogged the streams, and filled the lakes.   Virtan Soldiers fought to their bitter end, and in so dying, their children’s hope for freedom and justice died as well.

And now, Legerdemain stood over the fatally wounded King Acumen, his glimmering sword dripping with the blood of the good, wise king. Holding back tears of anguish, Queen Mercy slumped over her beloved husband, and disdainfully cried out to Legerdemain, “I will never submit to your evil power!” Legerdemain turned on his heel and disappeared into the black of night.

As the good King lay dying, he reminded Mercy of their beloved child, the Princess Justicia, who was safely hidden in the catacombs of the castle with the other children of the kingdom.   He said to her, “You must go on, my dear Mercy…for Justicia.   She must be your Rose of Hope…”, and he breathed his last breath.  

Rose of Hope

Walked down the tunnel, I saw the funeral pyres...down the hall saw a briar, left the room of shadows...came across silence that matters...you came, you gave, you flattered...evil shadows roam the halls...giving chase through live walls... (In the) Realm of the dead I wasn’t scared...(In the) Realm of the dead left you behind...(In the) Realm of the dead you made the sacrifice...(In the) Realm of the dead.

Left the darkness behind - crossed the threshold to life...you stopped at the door - you gave me your rose of life...can’t touch your hand, can’t touch your face...your body and mind - I can’t, I can’t replace...the veil separates our souls...destiny escaped my hand...(In the) Realm of the dead…

Gone back to your place, recalled our last embrace...I heard your voice when you made, made the choice...eternal love for you, one dream came true...left at rest your soul brought you one last rose of hope...(In the) Realm of the dead…

Realm of the dead/Realm of the dead
We will meet again---

Legerdemain retreated to his castle to finalize his plot of subduing Mercy and overtaking the Kingdom of Virtus .   Blinded by his arrogance, the Wizard King was not discouraged by Mercy’s resistance. Time was on his side, and he knew she would eventually weaken.  

More troubles lay ahead for Queen Mercy, for now she was widowed, and her hand was forcefully offered to the victor of the battle, by law of the country. The Land of Virtus lay vulnerable to other invaders who now battled Cremesin and the few remaining Virtan Soldiers.   Mercy was fighting not only for the freedom of her people, but also for the freedom to remain the sole ruler of her kingdom.

Battle for Mercy

Distant lands in a time long ago...wizards, witches fighting for it all...warriors and kings preserving the laws...but majority fighting to survive...women and children living for the day...don’t know when your next meal comes...you fight and search and pray...getting ahead only with the sword...soldiers coming, fighting for our lands...soldiers coming, fighting for our lives...soldiers leaving, disaster all around...soldiers leaving, only a few survive.

A time of peace and justice at hand...the ruler a Godsend to this land...this queen rules with an iron fist...compassion, wisdom given on request...she fashions glory upon our heads...around her soldiers waiting for their bread ...wizards, witches fighting for her land...warriors and kings fighting for her hand

Soldiers coming…  

Queen Mercy battled on, oblivious at first to the betrayal and treason that was unfolding on the battle fields. Prior to Legerdemain’s retreat, he had offered mercy upon the Virtan Soldiers in return for loyalty towards him.   Despite their initial resistance, they were helpless to the supernatural forces that would overtake them.

Mercy’s Loss

Change the rhythm of laughter...the meaning of the sound...record the volume of anger embedded in my crown...the servants choose alliance...loyalty nowhere around...everywhere there’s only hatred...love’s forgotten in this crown...mercy has no chance...she has no magic lance...no potions, spells will work...all fighting is by hand.

Wizard’s making promises...to those that follow suit...eternal life is gained for a piece of mortals’ loot...war rages in this land...the battle is at hand...powers clash; flash flood...heaven’s tainted with their blood...Mercy has no chance…

Warring factions fight to the death...two parties clash ‘til one is left...immortal life at such a cost...Queen Mother Mercy - has finally lost 

Suddenly, darkness fell upon the entire land, for the Wizard King   Legerdemain's arrival was marked.   With the sweep of his hand, he conjured his evil spirits to conclude the battle, and all but the Cremesin soldiers fell to the ground. Death blanketed the countryside and women, young and old, scoured it for their husbands, sons, and brothers.  And atop the mountain at the height of the Land of Virtus , one figure was left standing, helpless, defeated…

Standing Alone

Darkness all around the lonely field...coldness, distance, fear felt at once...loneliness, anxiety, confusion I feel time standing still...have I missed life’s chance?   I remember standing alone, facing the world...standing alone, not knowing which way to go...running away, my reality, my disgrace...open my eyes to see an empty face...sorrow, gladness, in that place...vision with confusion, others help the illusion

Time standing still...have I missed life’s chance?  I remember standing alone…my mind is playing tricks, I can’t feel the hurt...is my end here?  I can feel the cold...I remember standing alone…my disgrace---

Although all was lost, Queen Mercy vowed vengeance upon the Wizard King Legerdemain – for the sake of the lost Land of Virtus , but most of all, for Justicia.   As the evil king of sorcery approached her, she courageously stood her ground.

Wizard’s Triumph

Mercy:   The ruins of my life can be seen by all the world...the threads of time tear at my soul...vengeance my demise...my city left in haste...there is no time to waste...invaders walk upon these tombs...try not to succumb...take charge of my life...vengeance will be mine...hatred in my heart...will rise again, no doubt.  Legerdemain:   Your will as strong as mine...fate’s hidden in the stars...my strength you will endure...my power grows just like a cure...your life is mine to hold “my love”...I will take control...you beg and plead, dear Mercy...I have you now - no mercy!   Take charge…

Legerdemain tossed his head back, releasing a bellowing, malicious laugh in mockery of Mercy’s defiance.   With a slight of hand, out of the darkened night appeared his wicked soldiers, the precious Justicia in their custody.   As Mercy rushed to rescue her only child, the sorcerer shackled her ankles and she fell to her knees.   “This is the last time you will see your princess daughter.   Say good-bye!”, he scoffed, and he placed a spell upon mother and daughter, that they would forget their bonds of blood.   “And now I plant the seed of love for me in your heart, my fatefully betrothed.”

Legerdemain

You changed my laughter into pain...you made sorrow into shame...my gladness turned to hate...you left me without haste...darkness turns to light...can’t manage these fearful nights...break my chains from you...I can’t - I am subdued...I am not afraid, I am not afraid, I am not afraid to die...I am not afraid, I am not afraid, I am not afraid to die.

Mark my words, I’ll survive...you challenged me, took my pride...you are my master, I your slave...once again, you betray...I want to break from your spell...I made my choice to this hell...I need your laugh, I need your pain...don’t turn your back from my shame...I am not afraid…

Mercy’s will was strong, and she continued to fight within herself.   Because of her strength, Legerdemain was forced to cast spell upon spell, each stronger than before, until Mercy’s thoughts at last became clouded.   She no longer knew reality from a dream. But worst of all, Queen Mercy was falling under the Wizard’s Spell of Charm.

The Charms of Fire

Beware the flame that binds you...he will twist and burn your soul...beware the flame that feeds you...he will change your mortal soul, oh - your mortal soul...the spark that feeds the fire...can begin with a simple word...the flame, it cuts like wire...can reshape your inner world – your inner world...don’t touch the light, I can feel it burn...don’t touch my heart, I can feel it turn...don’t touch the fire, let it burn my soul

The flames keep climbing higher...the heat intense with anger...as I approach, desire...the warmth, the lie, my lover, oh - my lover...knowledge, my sweet savior...release me from my bonds...heal my wounds of anger...stop his hateful charms, oh - his hateful charms...don’t touch the light…

I , the Queen

Image of a girl upon a horse...I wave good-bye, she starts to cry...remember the days long gone?   Does she know me, does she cry?
Does she live, does she fight?  I lost my King...I, the Queen...I lost my land, I did not follow...I lost my daughter, I have no other...the sands of time drain so slow...each day I wait; I’m alone...I long to hold my love...my crown, I no longer bother...my despair; his laughter...lost my King…                       

These days and years of sorrow...will it end?   Does it matter?  His touch a fatal poison...drains my soul; corrosion...what could have been love is hate...lost my King…Baby, where are you now?   I see you in my dreams...I didn’t want to let you go, beloved one...forgive me, forgive me please...

Remember Me

Woke up today, dreamed of yesterday...still see your face, thoughts I can’t erase...memories of days gone by...emptiness in my heart tonight...was that a tear in your eye or sweat from your brow...we never said good-bye...too late to turn back now...will you remember me (remember me) long after the music’s gone?  Will you remember me (remember me) when the night turns into dawn?  Will you remember me (remember me) when the muses play our song?  Will you remember me (remember me) I can’t believe it’s been so long.

Road is long, many thoughts are abound...cherish the times when you were around...maybe someday, some other time...woh, I’ll see your smile if just for awhile...was that a tear…will you remember me…was that a tear…will you remember me…

Queen Mercy’s love for Acumen and Justicia created visions and dreams that slowly weakened the spells.   She learned through her dreams that she could summon the spirits of the beloved deceased, for on one such night, King Acumen appeared.

He Said

(He said) “Don’t be afraid, I will not harm you...don’t be afraid, let me gaze upon you.”   He said, “Don’t be afraid.”

“I can see your pain through to your soul...you’re not alone, don’t lose control...the confusion you feel – it has an end...trust your soul, don’t pretend...you are alone in your mind’s chamber...unlock the door, and remember.”  ( He said) “Don’t be afraid…                 

“You know that I am not an illusion...his power is weaker with each vision...take my hand and don’t look back...don’t fear his gaze or his wrath
You are stronger; you are the key...clear your thoughts and you will see.”  (He said) “Don’t be afraid… take control and reach for the light
I won’t let go; learn to fight...search for the truths, shake loose the spell that binds you to him...don’t trust the image before you or me...give yourself completely, and trust me!”  ( He said) “Don’t be afraid…

And so Legerdemain continued his quest to control Mercy and rule the Land of Virtus .   Once again, the Wizard King had time on his side and one other important factor:   Justicia.

Interlude

The Eve of Saints

I can see the harbor lights in the distance...the beacon lights beckon my ship to shore...the air is heavy with the smell of strangeness...the harbor is empty:   no breathing souls...I can see the flames and smoke from the village as my ship approaches the empty docks...the men expecting to be hailed as heroes...the shock, the pain of such an image...turning our lives upside down...stomping the truth to the ground...turning the anger inside out (by)...kneeling beside those fallen down.

No questions asked as the swords come down...innocent and slayer becoming one...no chance to react to this mayhem...old and young become the victims...the bloody fight has finally come to its end now...we look around and see the error of our ways...the innocent village engulfed in our flames was - It was celebrating - the eve of saints...turning our lives…

Celebrating the eve of saints
Old and young become the same
Victims of our mayhem, victims of our mayhem...