Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had never occurred before and that still to this day, I cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before you now.
GLOSSARY
The Aegis––Society of human warriors dedicated to protecting the world from evil. Recent dissension among its ranks reduced its numbers and sent The Aegis in a new direction.
Emim––The wingless offspring of two fallen angels. Emim possess a variety of fallen angel powers, although the powers are generally weaker and more limited in scope.
Fallen Angel––Believed to be evil by most humans, fallen angels can be grouped into two categories: True Fallen and Unfallen. Unfallen angels have been cast from Heaven and are earthbound, living a life in which they are neither truly good nor truly evil. In this state, they can, rarely, earn their way back into Heaven. Or they can choose to enter Sheoul, the demon realm, in order to complete their fall and become True Fallens, taking their places as demons at Satan’s side.
Harrowgate––Vertical portals, invisible to humans, which demons use to travel between locations on Earth and Sheoul. A very few beings can summon their own personal Harrowgates.
Inner Sanctum––A realm within Sheoul-gra that consists of 5 Rings, each containing the souls of demons categorized by their level of evil as defined by the Ufelskala. The Inner Sanctum is run by the fallen angel Hades and his staff of wardens, all fallen angels. Access to the Inner Sanctum is strictly limited, as the demons contained inside can take advantage of any outside object or living person in order to escape.
Memitim––Earthbound angels assigned to protect important humans called Primori. Memitim remain earthbound until they complete their duties, at which time they Ascend, earning their wings and entry into Heaven. See: Primori
Primori––Humans and demons whose lives are fated to affect the world in some crucial way.
Radiant––The most powerful class of Heavenly angel in existence. Unlike other angels, a Radiant can wield unlimited power in all realms and can travel freely through Sheoul with very few exceptions. The designation is awarded only to one angel at a time. Two can never exist simultaneously, and they cannot be destroyed except by God or Satan.
Sheoul––Demon realm. Located on its own plane deep in the bowels of the Earth, accessible to most only by Harrowgates and hellmouths.
Sheoul-gra––A holding tank for demon souls. A realm that exists independently of Sheoul, it is overseen by Azagoth, also known as the Grim Reaper. Within Sheoul-gra is the Inner Sanctum, where demon souls go to be kept in torturous limbo until they can be reborn.
Sheoulic––Universal demon language spoken by all, although many species also speak their own language.
Shrowd––When angels travel through time, they exist within an impenetrable bubble known as a shrowd. While in the shrowd, angels are invisible and cannot interact with anyone –– human, demon, or angel –– outside the shrowd. Breaking out of the shrowd is a serious transgression that can, and has, resulted in execution.
Ter’taceo––Demons who can pass as human, either because their species is naturally human in appearance, or because they can shapeshift into human form.
Vyrm––The winged offspring of an angel and a fallen angel. More powerful than emim, vyrm also possess an ability that makes their very existence a threat to angels and fallen angels alike. With a mere second of eye contact, a vyrm can wipe out a fallen angel or an angel’s entire immediate family. Once hunted ruthlessly, they are now a protected class, by mutual agreement between Sheoul and Heaven, so long as none harm others with their unique power.