Kaiba Aelarion

''Kaiba Aelarion (GhostKaiba), is the Lord of Tenebris and the Hand of the King of the Realms of Evermore. Kaiba was the heir of the noble Dandelion family, and is now one of the founders of the Aelarion family.''

Early Life
Kaiba (Azurov) Dandelion, later Kaiba Aelarion, was born in New Dorasterrock to Shanks Azurov-Dandelion, the chancellor of Bardonia, and Therese Volusania, a Lhûren refugee of the Second Ryzani Civil War. His father told Kaiba stories about the war heroes of Bardonia who fought brave in the Great Golden War. His Lhûren mother taught him the Aurlûnoren language and their customs. Kaiba lived in New Dorasterrock until it was destroyed in the Siege of New Dorasterrock. His father fought fiercely, but his mother died during the first hours of the battle. He fled the city and roamed through the wilderness of Bardonia, until he heard from an old man that the capital Dorasterrock always welcomes skilled people. So he started his long journey towards the greatest city of Bardonia.

Arriving in Dorasterrock
Kaiba was out of breath and very weak when he saw the city walls of Dorasterrock, but he knew that this city was his destiny. He was welcomed by his uncle the Autarch Unic0rnb0i who immediately gave him food and shelter in the Halls of Dorasterrock. After getting back on his feet, Kaiba swore his allegiance to Unic0rnb0i and started some small assignments for him. Later, he became good friends with his cousin Keane Azurov, the son of Unic0rnb0i while they were working together on a task given by Unic0rnb0i. Keane had an accident during this job that sent him into a two week coma, when he woke up he introduced Kaiba to MyCrackedNuts who had a big political vision, and Kaiba was curious.

Political Ambition
MyCrackedNuts and Keane Azurov started a new political party in Bardonia. The Bardonian National Dandelist Party. Kaiba was one of the first members and started to work for the success of the party and his friends. Kaiba signed up voluntarily to build the headquarters of the party in Dorasterrock, which he finished quickly alongside propaganda material that was used to recruit new members. MyCrackedNuts said to him: "Your devotion scares me, in a good way". Shortly after that, MyCrackedNuts and Keane Azurov promoted Kaiba to the rank of a Party Official, and he was given the position of Head of Propaganda. His propaganda was used to recruit dozens of new members. He left the party shortly after the Eastmarch war ended.

A New Opportunity
Unic0rnb0i noticed the new headquarters of the B.N.D.P quickly and was truly astonished with the design. After he found out that Kaiba was the one who build this building, he knew what had to be done. He quickly contacted MyCrackedNuts and Keane Azurov and said he wanted to give Kaiba a new job. Kaibas friends told him about the offer Unic0rnb0i made to him, and he was at first restrained because he feared that this might conflict with his tasks in the B.N.D.P, but after a conversation with MyCrackedNuts he accepted the offer and Unic0rnb0i promoted Kaiba to the new Main Builder in Dorasterrock. Kaiba started to study architecture and politics after his promotion at the UIA university in Baronov. He learned advanced Bardonian history and understood the political climate the country was in at that stage. His studies were of significant importance for his future career as the Main Builder of Dorasterrock and his efforts in the B.N.D.P.

The Relevation
Kaiba moved to the city of Trost where his father Shanks Azruvo Dandelion resides. After setting up his house, he decided to go on a pilgrimage with Shanks. They were both headed to the old city of Bardonia, which has been abandoned for years. Arriving in Bardonia City, both of them started to hear unintelligible whispers coming from a cave in the northeast of the city. While exploring the cave, they were both transported into a dreamlike state. In their vision, they see an old Unic0rnb0i Dandelion. He sits in his office during the Ferrymen War. Knowing his time was coming to an end, Unic0rnb0i ordered the best scholars in Bardonia to keep the Dandelion family line documented after his death. He said to the scholars: "Keep it hidden until the common point returns." The scholars were confused by Unic0rnb0i's cryptic formulation, but they kept their promise. Shanks and Kaiba awoke from the vision and heard the whispers one last time. "The tree's roots have grown apart but will eventually reconnect." They were at first not sure what this meant, but they knew they had to confront the scholars in Dorasterrock. They immediately went to the high scholars and asked them about Unic0rnb0i's last order. At first, the scholars were acting as if they didn’t know what they were talking about, until Shanks quoted the whispers' last sentence. The scholars couldn't believe it had finally come time for this 143-year-old secret to be revealed. A high scholar opened the secret cabinet, revealing documents inscribed with the names of all of Unic0rnb0i Dandelion's descendants. Kaiba notices something strange after looking through them for hours with his father. According to the Bardonian inheritance law and the now-revealed secret documents, would Shanks be the current head of the families Dandelion, Azurov and de’ Medici. His father, Shanks Azurov Dandelion is the common point, which Unic0rnb0i mentioned all these years ago, where the roots meet again and the three families merge back into one after splitting up for generations, making Kaiba the heir of all three families

The Second West March War
The Second West March War was raging through Syltör. The forces of the Pheonixian Imperium planned an attack on Dorasterrock, Prata and Lobopolis. During the defense preparations, Kaiba was promoted to Imperial Advisor.The situation was dire; the Imperial Armory was empty, and the government was out of resources. Unic0rnb0i III Azurov stepped down and handed the emperorship to Kaibas' father, Shanks Azurov-Dandelion. Everything seemed lost, but Amaro Medici, Wingsauce, Tundroo Agra and other brave soldiers stood their ground and repelled the attack that was meant to destroy the empire. Bardonia was able to see the next day because of the heroic sacrifices that were made during this battle. With the next battle already on the horizon, all of Bardonia went to work. Kaiba was tasked with overseeing the production of armor and weapons. After weeks of production, the hard work paid off. The Bardonian Armory was again stacked up, and the soldiers were ready for deployment. The day that would change the history of Syltör started with Penguin, Nikolaks, Empreror Shanks and Kaiba handing out armor and weapons for the soldiers. Soon, the screams of battle were heard throughout all of Bardonia and Ryzan. An attack on Prata was successfully repelled, and the counteroffensive on Tossagrod began. A group of enemies managed to infiltrate the war camp in Oda, where all the war supplies were located. Kaiba was one of the defenders that managed to eliminate the infiltrators. The counteroffensive on Tossagrod led to one of the biggest battles the war has seen. Cries and the smell of blood filled the air, but in the end victory was achieved. After the dust settled, Kaiba was granted the city of Carthya and he got promoted to the Imperial Court.

The Unforgivable Ritual
In year 214 TE, Kaiba went on an exploration trip with his father, Emperor Shanks I Azurov-Dandelion, to the Ruined Cathedral located north of the Medici Mounds built by the Druids that had once inhabited the land prior to the Bardonians' original settlement. While exploring the area, they discovered a wall inscribed with drawings of a ritual and text below in an unknown language that neither of them could understand. The only word that was able to be translated was the old druid word for "darkness".

After this discovery, they traveled back to Trost to further examine and study what they had found in the Trost Laboratory. They had come to the conclusion that the ritual was used to banish evil from the soul and place it into a gemstone in order to purify one's soul. They decided to perform this ritual in order to create a better version of themselves and relinquish all evil from their souls in order to serve their home nation of Bardonia in the most righteous way possible.

In order to prepare for the ritual, they gathered all the materials that were inscribed in the ruins. They gathered two white diamonds, vials with one's own blood, and the pure druid runes. Once all of the pieces were collected, they set up the ritual in the Azalea Forest in the north of Trost. They followed the instructions below:Ritual:

- Draw a hexagon on the ground with the blood of those performing the ritual.

- Add druid runes and place the gemstones in the center of the blood hexagon.

- Say the ancient druid words inscribed below the ruin drawings.

On their first attempt, the ritual led to nothing. Shanks and Kaiba would visit the ruins one final time. After a second examination, they noticed a red circle in the upper right of the drawing. This led them to believe that the ritual was only effective during a full blood moon at its peak hour. They once again awaited the chance to perform the ritual and calculated when the next blood moon was to come.

After a four-month wait, the blood moon was finally arriving. Shanks and Kaiba prepared for the ritual once more, gathering the same materials as before. They went back to the Azalea Forest, north of Trost, and attempted the ritual once again. This time, dark fog and black sparks erupted from within the gemstones, absorbing all the dark energy from their souls. The intense power and energy being emitted were too much for their physical bodies to handle, so they lost consciousness during the middle of the ritual. When they finally awoke, the grass surrounding them was burned to dust, and the trees around them had all died. All that was left on the scene were the now red glowing gemstones that were once pure and transparent prior to the ritual.

Shanks and Kaiba were surprised and confused at the success of the ritual and decided to keep the gemstones as a reminder of their former selves and to show their transformation. Both of them would turn their gemstones into a necklace and wear it at all times. However, there was a slow change inside both of them after the ritual. Kaiba would begin to show signs of lunacy and unpredictability. He began to make irrational decisions and act in ways others would describe as monstrous. At times, he was caught torturing criminals with the razor-sharp edges of the gemstone while laughing in excitement. Over time, these signs would continue to corrupt him and change his personality. This corruption would begin to be physically visible, with his first symptoms being blood-red eyes and pale skin.

The Dark Pact
After months of wearing the gemstone necklace, Kaiba's physical health started to deteriorate. He was so weak that he couldn't even walk by himself. At this point, he heard whispers coming from the gemstone. "What are your greatest desires, mortal?" Kaiba was confused but not scared. He answered "Knowledge... no, everything". The gemstone answered, "Face my trail, and you should have it. Make the Dark Realm of Annwyn yours, and I will give you what you desire". As soon as the gemstone finished the sentence, a portal formed before him. He was too tempted to enter, and he was sent to the Dark Realm of Annwyn.

Once he stood on the ground in Annwyn, he felt energy flowing towards his body. His fragile body started to grow stronger and stronger. He noticed that he was able to control a sort of magic that he had never seen before. While examining his new powers, he was interrupted by dark figures that are indescribable to the human mind. He noticed that they were not harmful but curious, and they wanted to learn who he was. Seeing that he remembered the trail, he complied with the strange-looking beings and went to their settlement. He started to learn their ways and the magic they themselves called "Dark Magic". The Gemstone started to speak to Kaiba again. "100 years here are just one hour in your mortal realm. Take your time, learn, and gain their trust." 400 years go by, and Kaiba has mastered the Dark Arts and gained the trust of every single Annwyni.Once he mastered the dark magic, he felt a surge of power within him, a newfound strength that he had never felt before. He knew that he could manipulate these creatures and control them to do his bidding. And so he did. He started to spread mischief between them for 100 years. These gullible creatures trusted him and didn't foresee his malevolent plan. After their minds got weak enough, he cast out one final dark curse, and he had full control. He commanded them to fight each other and destroy one another until there was nothing left. He watched with glee as they tore each other apart, their blood splattering across the ground. As the last of the creatures fell, Kaiba felt an enormous amount of dark energy coursing through his veins. He knew that he had become something more than human, something ancient and powerful. He was an Aeonian.

The Return
Upon his reappearance in Rathnir, Kaiba presented himself as he had before, concealing the extraordinary powers he had gained in Annwyn. Those close to him, however, began to notice subtle changes in his demeanor and behavior. There was an air of ancient wisdom about him, and his eyes held a glimmer of an otherworldly power. While he endeavored to imitate his former self, some sensed an underlying darkness in his presence.

As Kaiba reacquainted himself with the people and politics of Bardonia, a war had been ravaging the land between the formidable Parahands mercenary group and the powerful Bardonian Empire. The conflict had reached a critical juncture when the Parahands launched a devastating assault on the capital city of Dorasterrock. In the face of this dire threat, Kaiba made the decision to stand alongside his fellow Bardonians and volunteer for the battle, despite his lack of experience as a fighter.

During the Battle of Dorasterrock, Kaiba found himself in the midst of chaos and turmoil. The Parahands' ferocity and military prowess were overwhelming, pushing the Bardonian forces to the brink of collapse. While Kaiba possessed immense power within him, he resisted the temptation to unleash it openly, realizing that doing so would expose his true nature. Instead, Kaiba fought with all the skill and courage he could muster, relying on his limited combat abilities and strategic thinking. He aimed to blend in with his fellow soldiers, avoiding drawing attention to himself while silently observing the battle's unfolding events. It was a delicate balancing act, as he had to suppress the surge of dark energy coursing through his veins, ensuring that his actions remained within the realm of mortal capabilities.

As the battle raged on, the Bardonian forces struggled to hold their ground. Kaiba fought with determination and resilience; he focused on supporting his comrades, offering assistance where he could without revealing his true potential. It was a subtle dance as he maneuvered through the chaos, his secret powers held in check. Despite the valor and sacrifice displayed by the Bardonians, the Battle of Dorasterrock ended in a resounding victory for the Parahands. The Bardonian forces were overwhelmed, their ranks decimated, and the city lay in ruins. The defeat cast a dark shadow over Bardonia, and the people grappled with despair and uncertainty.

Vessel
Amidst the aftermath of the intense battle of Dorasterrock, Kaiba Aelarion and the Bardonian forces strategically retreat from the city. On their somber journey, they pass by a scorched village situated near the city's outskirts. It is here that Kaiba's sharp gaze catches sight of a young girl, her white hair contrasting against her piercing yellow eyes. Approaching the girl, Kaiba discovers the tragic truth that her family did not survive the battle, leaving her utterly alone. Despite harboring no sorrow for the girl, Kaiba makes the decision to adopt her as his own daughter. He envisions her as a potential safeguard, a valuable vessel, in case his own body is ever grievously wounded. With this in mind, Kaiba diligently imparts his knowledge of the dark arts upon her, ensuring the continuation of this esoteric wisdom should his spirit require a new sanctuary. Yet Kaiba wasn’t concerned about teaching her about the Aeonians and their religion, as he expects to keep his memories once the spirit transition is completed.With this intention in mind, Kaiba undertook the responsibility of training the young girl, now known as Cyra Aelarion, in the ways of the dark arts. However, he soon realized that Cyra possessed a natural talent for the forbidden arts, displaying an innate aptitude that surpassed even his own expectations. Her potential to become a formidable sorceress was evident, yet something troubled Kaiba deeply. As Cyra delved further into the world of the dark arts under Kaiba's tutelage, it became increasingly apparent that her true passion lay elsewhere. Despite her undeniable talent, Cyra did not share Kaiba's fervor for the esoteric and the power it offered. She found solace in the beauty of nature, the simplicity of everyday life, and the connections she formed with those around her. The dark arts, with their ominous aura and destructive potential, held little appeal to her gentle spirit. Once Kaiba completed her training, he granted Cyra the freedom to carve her own path, as long as she remained protected and her body remained unharmed for the moment of the spirit transference.

Exodus
In the midst of a war-ravaged land with an uncertain future, House Aelarion made the decision to depart from Bardonia, embarking on an extensive two-year exploration of the vast expanses of Rathnir. Their exhausting journey was fraught with threats, but it culminated on the shores of Lumaire, a city characterized by its towering buildings that seemingly touched the heavens. It was here that the Lorentish guards received Kaiba and the rest of House Aelarion, presenting them before the eminent figures of the Second Lorentish Empire, Salen de Consau II and Faern Vièn de Relmont, the empire's leadership.

During their stay in Lorent, House Aelarion forged a remarkable alliance with the mysterious vampires, cementing their friendship. After a period of much-needed respite, the time came for House Aelarion to resume their journey. With aspirations of discovering a new homeland, they ventured to the easternmost reaches of the continent, Sørligste. Here, they encountered seemingly untamed and unoccupied lands.

Dividing their efforts, Shanks, accompanied by Aero, Kenny, and Juno, embarked on an expedition into the frigid eastern territories, while Kaiba and Cyra chose to settle in the border regions of the icy tundra, founding the city of Tenebris. To their surprise, these lands were not as desolate as they had initially appeared; instead, they were shared by two ancient nations: the Jarldom of Frostmarch and the Featherian Kingdom, longstanding rivals with centuries of enmity between them. Undeterred, Shanks and Kaiba initiated diplomatic negotiations with both factions. The newfound cities of Tenebris and Evermore chose to align themselves with Featheria and Frostmarch, respectively. This strategic move was a calculated part of House Aelarion's overarching plan, aimed at infiltrating the governments of both nations and laying the groundwork for the establishment of their own future realm.