Behind the Fourth Incursion

The cries of men and beasts, the clash of sword against claw, the clamors of war. A great battle was being fought, in the plains in the shadow of a burning city…
Amidst this battle, a man, clad in ornate armor clearly not indicating a mere recruit or junior officer, drove his sword into a beast of war. With a grunt of effort, he drove his sword down into the foe he had just bested-a beast of war, appearing like a sort of mockery of the horse, which had, among other things, a pair of horns jutting from its head. As for the man who had just slain it, both his sword and his armor were covered with blood, some dried, some still running. His exposed head, as he was wearing no helmet, showed that he was sweating heavily and breathing hard. Though bravery and resilience showed in his eyes and expression, it was also clear that he was…distracted, as much as a man focused on fighting could be. He took a moment to pause, catch his breath, and survey the battle and the burning city. He stood there, and for a moment, seemed to be contemplating…
The bodies of many slain were around him-other men, clad in armor similar to his own, and the corpses of many creatures they fought-mockeries or mutations or some such, it would appear, of animals. Or was it humans they were meant to be a mockery of? Many of them looked humanoid, perhaps, even despite their various animal features;
It was at this moment that a pair of creatures that looked as if they were humanoid wolves of a sort approached, snarling.
One jumped forward, as the man brought his heavy sword about, and slashed! With a yelp, the "wolf" hit the ground, its throat cut wide open, and the man sidestepped and drove his blade forward into the chest of the other foe, withdrawing it as it also dropped. Suddenly, he heard it.

Pounding footsteps. A big one was coming. He turned to face it…and saw it. Tall as a small house, a figure, as if made of earth and flame, was approaching. He actually paused…then reached with one hand to his neck, and grabbed a locket…without looking inside, he clenched his fist, ripped the locket off of his neck, and threw it away, then, quickly, nodded upwards…

"BEGONE!", he flung himself forward at the malevolent being before him, which raised its hand to strike!

We all know this story;how Wulfhelm fell. How so many heroes died…so many of the Elders of my Order…the First Hunter…the emperor himself, even…and how Prince Uriel and the rest of the army arrived while the battle was finishing up, how the battle spilled out into fields around the fortress-city...how Uriel himself fell, valiantly in battle…

Around the field, however, it's clear-the ranks of the beasts are thinning, and the creatures seemingly comprised of earth, flame, water, and even air are being vanquished, as an army of men gradually beats them back, and, finally, breaks them, surrounding and killing many while putting a small remnant to rout.

…and how, by the grace of God, the Forth Beast Incursion finally ended there, on that day. At least, the tide turned. As I write this, I'm sure that stragglers and pockets or packs of resistance are still being mopped up in the Empire's borders…but the fact is, that is the legendary battle that ended, for all intents and purposes, the Fourth Incursion. Uriel was hailed as the last "hero" to fall, to give his life so that the Empire and the human race could survive. I was, like many of my Order, there.

A young man in a white robe wanders the battlefield, his expression showing a strange mix of happiness and sadness as he surveys the carnage. He kneels by a slain soldier, and, whispering a prayer, runs his fingers down the face of soldier, closing the eyes.

But I learned something, by that strange happenstance I've come to think increasingly is how He operates sometimes, that the public doesn't know…

The man in the robe looks up, and sees something strange. A woman is kneeling next to another corpse-that of the man who made his stand earlier. A tear runs down her cheek, and she looks as if she has lost not just one, but many things as she looks over the dead man-she looks around his neck, and, finding nothing, hangs her head. The man in the robe takes notice, as she is strangely dressed, at least, as if she doesn't wish to be recognized. He begins to walk closer, and the woman, seeing him, turns to flee. The man runs, gaining on her, but the woman suddenly turns into a bird!

Why He would not rebuke the sorcery then through me, I was not sure…but now I think I know. It was so I would investigate. So I would learn.

In a cathedral, the man in the robe kneels, then, arises, and turns, walking out with purpose.

Uriel was a popular prince. I've met him. He was handsome enough to make most women swoon, he was brave, and had a common touch that people say those of his office lack. But something always felt off…now, I think I know why. Elders who are blessed by our Lord, I believe that there are powerful interests that would very much wish to silence me and bury what I have uncovered. I pray I shall see you at the council soon, but I write this to you now and have sent it on ahead of myself so as to ensure that what I know might still be revealed should something happen to me before then.

The man steps outside the cathedral, into the streets, and instantly he's on alert, his hand flying to and drawing the sword at his waist. It glows with a blessed light, as some men gradually surround him…

In any case, Elders, and any and all who may read this, please: hear my account. Heed my warning. The son of Prince Uriel MUST NOT be granted the throne.