Prologue -The Vision
Lightning crashed against a farm house that had already been set ablaze. Even with the storm's curtains of rain, it could not extinguish the raging inferno wrought by the fires that had spread throughout the village. Fires, caused by a source unimaginable - monstrous, wicked lizards that roamed the paths, terrorizing those who tried to find cover. Their mutated forms, some grotesque and slimy, others muscular and thorny, all of them with the intent of total destruction.
Nearby, on top of a shadowy mountain, stood an all-powerful tyrant and a villain. He was the man responsible for all the spawned monstrosities across the lands, and the one who stood in the way of peace. The vile lizards mutated by this man were cruel, unmerciful, and deadly. He overlooked the scene going on below him, and laughed maniacally. To him, everything was going as planned. He yelled to the skies, claiming that there was nothing they could do to stop him and his forces, and that the world was his to dominate.
The sky above had an answer for the villain.
Beams of light broke out of the clouds in the stormy sky. From these beams, magnificent flying beasts, known as winged sphinxes, descended into the battle. The sphinxes swooped down and began their attack against the creatures. As wicked as the lizards were, they were no match for a sphinx in single combat. However, the fights weren't fair as it was usually four or five of them against one sphinx.
The diabolical mastermind scoffed, and blew a vile horn, summoning winged versions of his land-based creations. Their raging screams alerted the newfound allies below. Knowing they were outnumbered, the sphinxes separated and charged upward. Their speed was great and their attacks were fierce against the monstrous flying mutations.
Satisfied, the evil corrupter proceeded with the next phase of his evil scheme. With a flash of lightning he began changing his form from human to monster. Wings formed at his shoulder blades and stretched out far, his face contorted, sprouting fangs and horns. His tongue became that of a serpent, while his fingers grew to enormous claws. Then his body spawned another set of arms, and a spiky tail slithered down behind him.
Suddenly, a column of wondrous light shot down at the transformed human. A blinding light that caused the great foe to wince and cover his eyes with his leathery bat-like wings. He turned away for a second, and once he turned back, there stood a magnificent winged lion-sphinx. His name was Leo and he glowed with raw power, as he walked toward the evil villain.
The dark master grinned wickedly, and began to harness the evils that surrounded them. Throwing everything he had at the creature that spawned from the radiant light, his attacks were deflected off the lion-sphinx - as if protected by a shield of power. The villain began to question himself. Could it be? Has there always been someone that could stop him? With a thunderous boom that seemed to have echoed throughout all the land, the lion-sphinx spoke out, but it was directed toward another. "It is time," his gaze piercing at the one having the vision, awakening him abruptly.
Rising from his slumber, the sphinx ruler knew it was time to fulfill the prophecy, and to find the one known as Leo. He glanced toward the sky, and as if to reassure him, the stars that had aligned themselves that night were no longer in the same order as before. Voral must know of this, he thought, and with the reflex only given to that of the cat family, he leaped gracefully across the sky chamber toward the archway, leading to the Hall of Kings. Moving past the hall, he roared, signaling to his personal guards and giving them orders to summon the Council of Five. It was time to bring the vision to the Oracle, to his close allies, and to his people, that perhaps peace at last would be coming soon to the world of Kendara.
