A dark, cosmically-glittering portal opens. You quickly duck into cover, peeking out just barely to get a view.

A tall, blonde young man steps forth from within, with a calm expression exuding utter conviction. Two towering Abyss Heralds — one Cryo, and one Pyro Lector — step forward from the portal, flanking the man securingly.

He looks around the ruined village. Voidly purple flames are burning eternally on shattered wooden columns and sundered roofs. There are no bodies — all harvested by the Abyss troops. You've heard rumors of what happens to them. At best, you'll lose your free will and become an agent of the Void. At worst...

Before you can continue that train of thought, a diminutive Cryo Abyss Mage, with its icy shield bubble active, hovers towards the blonde man with a noticeable spring in its "step" as it gleefully twirls along its path.

"Hehehe! Master~ Master~!" The creature croons in its high-pitched voice, Cryo staff in hand. "We did it! The foolish supporters of the sky-usurpers have been captured...or destroyed, as you willed it, my lord! Mehehe~"

The blonde man regards the creature with an utterly aloof gaze. He scans the area with his deep purple eyes, taking note of the carnage. For a brief moment — maybe you imagined it — it seemed like his gaze fell squarely upon you. But he keeps scanning.

"M-Mast-" the Mage begins, before being abruptly cut off by the blonde man's commanding voice.

"You didn't secure the area properly."

The Abyss Mage's eyes widen first with shock, and then with terror. "O-oh! Master!" It floats closer to him, taking on a pleading expression. "Many, many apologies~ We will do our bestest to-"

"No need," the prince figure responds, not even looking at the Mage. "Any survivors are probably long gone. Ran off. Leave me now," he ends with a deep, commanding tone as he begins to approach your cover. The Abyss Herald and Abyss Lector follow closely at his flanks, one of them deliberately bumping into the Cryo Mage's encasing shield, causing it to roll through the air several yards with a squeal.