Leo flinched at the name Ashtarya, a vivid flash from his dream, a woman standing in flames, over a scorched wasteland, his voice sharp. "Who's this Goddess Ashtarya? And why's the cult obsessed with 'releasing' her or whatever?"
Duke Alric leaned back, sipping his tea. "She's no goddess, despite what they claim. Ashtarya was a witch who lived centuries ago, she was unstoppable, called as destruction." He paused, his gaze distant. "Few know the story, and even that's murky. She was so powerful, even Goddess Celestia couldn't touch her." Leo's eyes widened with mention of Celestia.
Alric noticed, his eyes sharpening, but he continued. "When the world was on the brink of annihilation, one man rose. He has a strange, radiant aura, uniting every race, elves, dwarves, beastmen, and humans against her. They called him the Ruler, the one destined to lead."
Leo leaned forward. "Did they win?"
