Kallista

Vengeance is all Kallista knows.

It was the first thought when Kallista opened her eyes to the thick, choking mists. Carnage strewn all around her, bodies of her fallen comrades and enemies alike. Slowly raising her head, she saw the pure destruction of the central tower and the surrounding city. From the tower's core, now splintered during the explosion and frozen in time, vibrant green and black smoke billowed to the sky.

Her head craned to check herself. Her scales and body glowed with an etheral blue, her armor faded and cracked. Going to use her wings to push herself up, she stopped, seeing the tips of spears poking through her chest. There was no pain, only faint pressure to alert her that they were even there. A quick turn of her head revealed the glowing blue spear shafts sticking out from her back, between her ribs. Wobbly, the Banescale steadied herself and continued to look around at the carnage surrounding her. A dragon she swore she knew lay beside her, covered in glowing slash marks and scars, but yet, he did not rise. The way his body was splayed beside her showed his grief. Had he mourned her?...

Faint memories stirred within. Deep within, Kallista knew that she had been betrayed. By who?... The memories were like a physical pain, searing her as they pushed to the front of her mind. Her betrothed. What was his name...

Hecarim.

The name came into focus like a whisper, followed by a bitter taste. A snarl played on her jaws. He had been the one to run these spears into her. What had been his reason? She had bested him, and his battalion--he had surrendered! As did his troops! Betrayer.

The word, whispered within her mind, nearly made her flinch. Hecarim had not been the only one to betray her. Her own kin. Her own uncle, Viego, king of Camavor, had done this. He had been the one to order the invasion of this beautiful place. All in a vain attempt to bring his beloved wife and mate, back to life. Viego, in his desperation, had sent her away to seek a cure for the poison inflicted upon his beloved. In the time she had been away, the politicians, and her betrothed had weaseled into his mind. Peace had never been an option with those war hungry fools. All Kallista had wanted was peace and to save her queen and king.

When she had returned, Viego had seized the small vial of supposed 'blessed water' from her. The existence of the waters proved his suspicions, and he brought a small group with him to plead the people of the Blessed Isles for their aide... To bring his wife back to health. Isolde had long since passed away, so when they brought her body and casket with them, the people of the Isles were rightfully angry. Viego gave their council time to deliberate, to decide to help them. When they refused...

Viego and Hecarim sailed their army right through their defenses. The overwhelming show of force overwhelmed the people of the Blessed Isles. Despite Kallista and her heavily trained and armed troop trying to defend the peaceful people, Viego and his honor guard breached the defenses into the tower and descended below.

While her nephew was descending to the waters, Kallista and her squad defended for as long as they could, down to the last man. Her second in command, Ledros, fought as long as he could as well. After getting the upper hand on Hecarim, he pleaded to her mercy. She granted him his life, knowing that being defeated in battle would wound his pride far more than death on the battlefield would. So, she turned her back.

It was her fatal mistake.

Hecarim had run her through. In her fading strength, Kallista had witnessed Ledros welcome the rage and fury into his heart. He alone nearly destroyed Hecarim after that, but as she was fading into the darkness, the tower they defended disappeared into a blinding light, and the ensuing explosion tore the Blessed Isles apart.

Kallista, having recalled her demise, welcomed the anger and thirst for retribution to take hold. Now, she, and any other soul that cried out for vengeance would get their wish. Nothing would stop her until her mission was complete. Even as she accepted more and more souls to become part of her, a spectre seeking revenge, she marched onward.

The never ending cycle of vengeance had begun.