Edge and the Blood Curse

Edgar Phoenixus and the Blood Curse

The 189th day, year of 1594 within the Egilian calendar. At 6:59 PM, the moon Lu was setting on the western horizon following the sun. The moon Na was rising from the east as this happen. There was a distant light that flashed these two moon on a straight line and caused a bounce of light that created a mirage on the center sky only the land of Egilian can see. This mirage turned into a Blood Moon, and tainted the skies to blood.

Edgar Phoenixus was born under the red light of the Blood Moon. An ancient and random phenomena that happened only twice in the whole history of Egilian. Blood Moons signify the rebirth of a Blood Lord, a powerful and eternal entity that has no end or beginning in reality. Edgar Phoenixus, being born under that phenomena, had his eyes turned crimson and black. This would mean he is marked with the Blood Curse. When one is marked with a Blood Curse, would mean that he is the chosen vessel of a particular Blood Lord. The Blood Lord that slumbered within Edgar was Crimson.

During the night of the Blood Moon. It caused the Crimson Inferno, that took a lot of lives in Egilian. Anyone who got themselves exposed too much by the red light, would slowly burn in inextinguishable flames, save for a few. It was found out that its actually a mystical virus, and it was deadly.
The Blood Moon would have caused the collapse of the Egilian nation, if not for Marquess Feras' sacrifice, Edgar's father. Few Egilians having the Phoenixus blood has the forbidden ability to summon Death and make an exchange that evens its costs and gains. Edgar's father, Edwin Phoenixus, was able to do that. He gave up his life and soul to destroy the Blood Moon and save his son from the Blood Curse. But Death explained to him that the Blood Moon is caused by his brother horseman, War, and though he is apart of the Four Horsemen, cannot undo what his brother has made. So instead, Death stopped the Blood Moon, and sealed Edgar's Blood Curse, in exchange for Edwin's life only. Edgar as an infant, was left to be taken care off by his brother Ace Phoenixus. The last words of his father tells him that though the Blood Curse is sealed, it can anytime break if Edgar's wrong emotions takes the best of him. Edwin Phoenixus died that night, without a trace of his body but his clothing. The wife Ililia Phoenixus followed after another was born.

The Phoenixus children were left parentless. Ace Phoenixus, a twelve year old, became the Marquess of Feras, and pledged himself as representative of Egilian. He also becomes guardian of his infant brother Edgar Phoenixus. Majority of Egilian hated the infant for being born, but at least Feras held its loyalty to the Phoenixus family. It was a dangerous time of rebellion and inner conflicts, so Ace Phoenixus was forced to send his infant sister, Iris Phoenixus, to Lanceline and be taken care of by the royal family there whom he trusts. He and Edgar Phoenixus were the only Phoenixus left in Egilian. Ace hated Edgar too for taking away a lot of lives, and instill terror to their homeland. But he hated himself too, for blaming it to a child who only ever did was born.
It was indeed dangerous times. Assassinations happened suddenly, all straight for the infant Edgar. Luckily it all ended in failure. Ace did what he can to convince the people. And time passed, their hatred passed away as the infant grew older. Edgar was raised strictly by his brother, he was trained to read and write when he was two. He trained him of swordsmanship as early as he was five. Learned to fire gun at six and accurately use it. Yet he grew properly and with the right amount of loyalty and without hate. He was scorned quietly and silently by many, either going inside Vangarde or out. Yet he ignored this until he was fully accepted.

The 85th day, year of 1611. Egilian was at peace and on a stable diplomatic relations with Gryphonus. It was at this day that the ancient order of royals, called the Icarians, shall land from the sacred flying Icarus City to the grounds of Erecillia. A large fiesta to celebrate the founding of the nation, shall gather the many Egilians at the Feras capital city Vangarde. In rough communications with the Summer Isle Egilians, the Seven Marquesses went absent to attend a meeting including Ace Phoenixus. And caused an opening and weakening of defenses.
That night, 16 year-old Edgar Phoenixus, the cursed child that have grown and accepted by the Egilians, admits his true feelings to a certain young girl, whom was the same age as him and a childhood friend, that was also the daughter of the High Priest of the Icarians. On that moment, was when Gryphonus launched their attack. A firestorm forms at the middle of the Feras capital lit by Gryphonus soldiers and spreads, and it wasn't only there, but also three other State capitals. As if it wasn't enough, Gryphonus soldiers that have infiltrated the cities, striked.
At midnight, the Seven Marquesses returned to their states and manage to drive away the Gryphonus soldiers, pushed them back to the coastlines and even finished them without mercy. On another perspective, Edgar fights a losing duel with the commander of the Gryphonus attack, Krukov Gouze, the Grand Marshall of the Union of Gryphonus. He was about to be stabbed, until the daughter of the Icarian High Priest took the hit, and died. Enraged, Edgar's Red Eye partially awakened, causing a bloodlust fury and cuts Krukov's left leg. The man managed to escape by a Gryphon, but Edge cried in vengeance. That night he sweared, to slay that man and avenge the girl he was about to admit his love.

Yesterday. Egilian faced a great lost, they call it the Infernal Massacre. A lot of Egilians died from the fire, and by the hands of Gryphonus. Raged and furious, the entire nation declared a full-scale war with the Union of Gryphonus. They armed every soldier, prepared every weapons, and ready every ships to sail, for war. Likewise for the rival nation. The War of the Four Wings has begun. The National Army of Egilian was formed, reared by proclaimed General Ace Phoenixus. He and his brother goes to the Summer Isles and take back what Gryphonus have taken from them.
Six years of a stalemate war. Both nations have suffered a lot of loss in the Summer Islands. Unable to make pushes from every sea and islands. 55 plus warships of both nations sail for battle at Egorigas Sea where a typhoon will cover both of their approaches, the Battle of the Stormy Seas. That night, they exchange cannon fire, sinking ships and sailing around the maelstrom. Three days of sea warfare, the flagship of Egilian, The Falconeer, battled one-on-one with the flagship of Gryphonus, The Reckoneer, at the center of the storm. The Reckoneer collided with the latter and boarded it. The entire crew of both side skirmished at each other, Edgar Phoenixus was included in them. The captain of both flagship, Ace Phoenixus and Krukov Gouze, fought one-on-one. But with a deceptive and cunning move, Krukov crippled Ace from behind, and cuts his right leg. Seeing the trickery, Edgar enraged and dueled Krukov, but was losing. At the tip of the blade, Krukov was about to slice Edgar's throat, but was stopped barely by Ace, but he himself got finished by Krukov's stab. Edgar's Red Eye fully awakened, and fought Krukov at insane speed and power, cutting his enemy's left hand and wounded the left eye, and plunged him to the waters.
At that time, the medieval ships used gas for its weapons. The Reckoner was sunked beside the barely floating Falconeer, and all the crew, be it Egilian or Gryphonus, was either dead or barely alive yet crippled. With the ship on fire and its oil and gas leaking, it was only a matter of time before it explodes. Left with few seconds, Edgar hears the last words of his dying brother. And the ship exploded, as he tooked his brother's blade and runs. Jumping to the sea, Edgar barely escaped.
That night, the typhoon was getting stronger. But it was redirecting to the Gryphonus fleet, tearing their sails and hulls. Thunder roared and lightings set the Gryphonus ships ablaze. The typhoon glowed red in blood, and was strangely favoring the Egilians. A creature came out of the water, glowing in awe crimson fire, it was a Phoenix. It teared and destroyed the whole Gryphonus fleet without any survivors. The Phoenix's flames died out to the waters thereafter, and emerged was Edgar. The entire Egilians were all at the same victorious and terrified.

The 248th day, year of 1617. Edgar Phoenixus became the new Marquess of Feras and the General of the Egilian National Army. He leads the Egilians on an onward assault passed their borders to the Gryphonus-controlled Summer Islands.
A year passes. Through Edgar Phoenixus' leadership, the Egilians have almost controlled the Gryphonus-controlled Summer Islands. Making their last attack on the final base and the Gryphonus capital within the Summer Islands - Caribbia. In the midst of the battle, it was found out that Grand Marshall of the Gryphonus Union, Krukov Gouze, was still alive. Seeing him on his own eyes, Edgar's vengeance got the best of him, causing reckless moves and unneeded casualties. Eventually ended up losing the battle and retreated. Causing the Gryphonus to retaliate and pushed back the Egilians to their territory of the Summer Islands.
The 319th day, year of 1618. The Steam Revolution have reached the parts of Elias, causing a great changed in Egilian and Gryphonus technology, and the founding of iron-hull dreadnoughts and warships.

The 139th day, year of 1619. Egilian was pushed back to their homeland of Ericillia and was losing the State of Riorche's capital Victoria City.

The 182th day, year of 1619. Edgar Phoenixus changed, and became back the thoughtful leader he was once rather than the man letting his vengeance get to him. Egilian launched a counter-offensive and surrounded the Gryphonus fleet at Victoria City. Almost at the finish, the Gryphonus Vice-admiral - Griego Ygyslov gives the order to surrender, but they expected to be decimated without mercy. They were spared though, honoring their surrender than a fight to the death.

The 247th day, year of 1619. Egilian reclaimed the Summer Islands including the Gryphonus side, and launched their final onslaught at Gryphonus' front door.

The 250th day, year of 1619. Egilian reached the Bay of Grypthon and besieged the capital of the opposing side. The furious Grand Marshal Krukov Gouze, duelled Edgar Phoenixus one-on-one. Edgar won, and spared Krukov, but the man died by his own hands after litting up an explosion that will take him and the Egilian General together.

The 252th day, year of 1619. The Union of Gryphonus surrendered, and crumbled, leading to the victory of the Egilian Federation, and the end of the War of the Four Wings.

The 256th day, year of 1619. Egilian demilitarized Gryphonus, and took control of its government temporarily until it is reestablished.

The 327th day, year of 1619. The Aristocratic Federation of Egilian was reformed and became the United States of Egilian, and forming the Egilian Federation Force, which united the armies of every states, including the ones in the Summer Islands, under the control of the General.

The 353th day, year of 1619. The Egilian settled peace terms and reassemble diplomatic relations with the new Confederal Union of Gryphonus. With its representative being the new Grand Marshal Griego Ygyslov.

The 001st day, year of 1620. For the first time in many years, Egilian have finally felt peace. And with the new constitution, the Federation leans on development for technology and pre-modernization.

The 161th day, year of 1621. Egilians have developed the first semi-automatic rifles and the new Solar Energy, which enabled them to rebuild their ancient weapons, the Gunships.

The 009th day, year of 1622. A new enemy approaches from the northwest... the Shadow Legion...

After the War of the Four Wings. The Shadow Legion invaded both Egilian and Gryphonus. Just fresh after the war, Egilians countered the black armies and went on fighting evenly. The Gryphonus military under the Egilians took care of the Summer Islands front, while the actual Egilian National Army under the leadership of Edgar Phoenixus, takes the battle to the mainland. They eventually meet up with the Resistance, and have gotten to know more of a friendly, independent bunch. Changing Edgar and removing him of hatred by little.

(Timeleap)

Years have passed, the time of the Resistance and the Crusade, is behind. It's an era of peace. But peace don't last. The outbreak and advancement of technology led to further creations of arms administration for self-defense. This is what Edgar Phoenixus hears of Articia. The situation in Egorigas Sea is getting unstable as Articia slowly expands their territories without them realizing it.
Gryphonus was just recently recovered and gained independence from Egilian, though hatred is behind them, there are still few who keeps it pure. Gryphonus is also affected by Articia, but they can do little due to their government. Lanceline on the otherhand, had a good diplomatic relation with Egilian. The ambassador being Edgar's sister Iris Phoenixus. They too at Lanceline have been troubled by Articia.

By this time, Edgar is at his 70s. Though old, apparently his looks changed little by a whitening hair. He has four children, his firstborn and heir Edward Phoenixus, and other three daughters. The youngest of his daughters, Elissa Phoenixus, was the young ambassador to Articia. A time came when Edgar and his armies lost contact with the ambassodorial ship sent to Articia. They found out that it was capsized by Artician ships and captured its crew, including his ambassador daughter.
Deploying the entire fleet would take days and also risky, so a rescue team was the only solution for quicker actions. Led by Edgar himself, accompanied by his son and forty-five elite soldiers or Vanguards. They rode four prototype yet sophisticated fast submarines. They make a dangerous move heading into the inside territory of Articia. They saw the whole nation preparing for war, and they're gonna use the crew as hostages. Four submarines hidden from sight, and they try to rescue the hostage crew who was aboard a ship right outside the largest base of Articia.

It went succesful, but the rescued crew didn't include Edgar's daughter Elissa. She was held captive on an aircraft that left a while ago and towards Articia's base. Though reckless, Edgar would do anything just to save her. So he tells everyone to leave and return to Egilian. But his son, the entire rescue team and the crew refused and considered coming along to the death. Nothing can be done there and so they all went towards Articia's largest island base of Olnor located just near the territories of Lanceline and Articia. The forces of Articia was a lot, a team with one of the four submarines was sent to Lanceline to call for help and contact the Egilian army. While they the rest silently charges inside the Artician base and rescue the ambassador at this late night.
There, a firefight ensured with the Articians completely hit by suprised and at disadvantage due to the battle being inside their harbor where their ships are currently ported. It took hours, and Articians were hardly kept at bay as Edgar Phoenixus accompanied by his son and the forty-five Vanguards rescue Elissa. They were succesful, but one of Articia's main armies arrived and landed, crippling two submarines and left with only one. The forty-five Vanguards were losing their numbers. Yet each one of them that falls more they take from the enemy's side. Little time left, the remaining heads for the last submarine. Edgar was hit through the shoulder and leg, crippled and barely able to move. The remains of the forty-five Vanguards died out. Elissa was able to reach the last submarine. But her father and brother remained stuck and barely able to move due to the overwhelming Articians. Edgar told his son to use him as a shield and get to the submarine. But Edward refused, saying he must use his father's powers and destroy the Articians, he would die nonetheless together with his father.

Edgar is reminded of the time when there was peace. When he said his farewells to the Resistance, he once meet up with the diety of Egilian - The Firebird. She gave him two visions of the future.
The first a future of how he lived through, yet see how his son died. And his daughter and his men died too, all of them, in vain. They were all killed, by his own hands, by his Blood Curse. The second showed how he and his son died, and his daughter and survivors failed to escape, everything they did was in vain. Eventually, both visions ended with a bad future, and the Firebird gave no other clues nor words, only he can decide his future. The Firebird disappeared. Through those visions, Edgar learns that he still can't control the Blood Curse.

Edgar knew this day would come. A day before their rescue operation. Edgar made a deal with Death. Just like his father, he is one of the few Phoenixus to possess this forbidden ability. Edgar dialogue with Death a bit regarding the Blood Curse. After that, Edgar asked for immortality, Death said he cannot give eternal life, so Edgar asked for temporary immortality, and for that Death wanted his Blood Curse. His Blood Curse for a day of immortality. But Death knew as well his doomed future, he warns that even if he can save his son through immortality, they and the survivors woudn't survive as they escape. Referring to the second vision. Death warned that offering his Blood Curse would mean he won't be able to use it. So Edgar made the true offer, the Blood Curse for a day of immortality, and his life, to use the Blood Curse the moment his loved ones are safe from him. Edgar knew that Death wouldn't agree to the deal if he offers his life to save his son, his daughter, and the survivors in their escape. Death agreed and mentions is cleverness, saying he will meet him when the sun's light touches him.

The present time, Edgar knocked his son to unconscious. He carried him in front, and protected him from bullet fire of the Articians. Although immortal, he is able to feel its pain and its effect. Yet he continued. Acting as a backshield until they reached the submarine slowly heading down to submerge. Edgar said his farewells and throwed his son to the waters, and let him be retrieved by the remaining crew. He doesn't want to kill him, by his own hands. Edgar turned to the horrified Articians. Only minutes until the sunlight touches him as he bathed in bullets. He used his Blood Curse and turned to Phoenix form. The entire Artician gave their full attention to him as he wrecks their base.

Edward, Elissa, and the surviving crew of the submarine escaped successfully and survived. But greatly saddened by the sacrifices.

The sunlight finally touched Edgar in Phoenix form. Who is unconscious and has no control. The flames died out and he as a Phoenix fades into ashes, leaving a scorched, smoking and heavily damaged Orlon.
Edgar has reached the end of his life. And Death meets him, as his personal guide to his judgment.
Death tells Edgar, that he (Edgar) had made strange effects to his curse. Like he made an imprint of himself to it. Highly unusual. Death plans on reviving Crimson as his servant. But Edgar merely thanked him. Saying to name him instead as... Edge.
"So it ends." Was the last word Edgar said and the first word Death spoke to his spawned Reaper... Edge.