In a dark cave only dimly lit by a purple hue coming from a mysterious lake. Three figures cloaked in darkness walked over to the edge of the lake.

The tallest of the figures raised his right hand. Suddenly the center of the lake started violently bubbling as something started slowly rising to the surface.

Eventually a large glowing purple orb emerged from the lake. The figure lowered his hand and put it down by his side.

The cave was now completely lit up by the purple glow coming from the orb.

"Silas why have you bought us here?" one of the figures asked.

"I have sensed something that hasn't been sensed in many years," Silas replied.

"What did you sense Silas?" the other figure asked.

Silas quietly sighed to himself he then crouched down and placed his hand in the water and started swirling it around. The sound of the water splashing echoed throughout the cave.

After a couple of minutes projections of six compasses appeared around the purple orb. Silas then stood up and gazed at the projections.

"You sensed the magic coming from one of the First Guardians compasses?" one of the figures asked.

"Yes one of the compasses is active again," Silas replied.

"I thought they were all destroyed," one of the figures said.

"No only four of them were destroyed. The one that has just became active hasn't been active in 45 years," Silas replied. "While the other hasn't been active in almost two centuries. Since this certain King of England used it."

Four of the projections vanished while the other two began to slowly spin around the orb. The two other figures gazed down at the lake then a few minutes later they glanced up at the spinning projections.

Silas then raised both of his hands and a couple of minutes later the projections stopped spinning around the orb. Lowering his hands down to his side he then calmly sighed.

"Silas do you know who is possibly coming to this place?" one of the figures asked.

"I sense the former Lord Protector," Silas replied. "Oliver Cromwell is going to come here."

"Oliver Cromwell? How is that pos-"

"I don't know how it's possible Alastair."

Silas stepped away from the edge of the lake and wandered behind Alastair and the other figure. He then started to pace back and forth. Alastair and the other figure turned around and glanced at Silas with concern.

Silas thought to himself with concern. "How has Oliver Cromwell returned? I sensed him die. Yet I also sensed him some how return to this world. I don't understand how this is possible."

"Silas do you know why Oliver Cromwell would come here?" Alastair asked with curiosity and slight concern.

Silas stayed silent and continued to pace back and forth. Multiple thoughts were swirling in his head and he was trying to understand what was going on.

Eventually after a few minutes Silas stopped pacing and took a deep breath and shut his eyes. Blocking out his surroundings he began to focus on his thoughts and tried to piece everything together.

Silas thought to himself with curiosity. "Oddly I sense that Oliver Cromwell's powers have been drained a lot. I remember when he was one of the most powerful users of dark magic. His powers would have almost been able to rival mine at one point. Now they are at the point where they are almost unusable."

"Silas?" the other figure asked with concern. "Why would the former Lord Protector come here?"

"He wants power Cornelius," Silas replied as he opened his eyes. "He possibly wants to overthrow the King and regain his power over this land."

"It seems that he does have a history with Kings," Alistair said. "A dark one. He ordered the previous King to be slain."

"Do you think that he is out for blood once more?" Cornelius asked with concern.

Silas sighed feeling concerned wishing he knew Oliver Cromwell's true intentions for wanting to come here. Alistair and Cornelius both glanced at each other with concern then they looked back at Silas who gazing down at the ground.

"I don't know what his true intentions on coming here are," he said trying to hide his concern. "All I know is that he wants to possibly regain his power over this land."

"Silas do you possibly know where the other compass is?" Cornelius asked with curiosity.

"It was passed down through all the Kings and Queens of England," he replied. "Yet I don't sense it's location anymore. This is possibly due to it not being used in almost two centuries."

Silas wandered back over to the edge of lake. Raising both of his hands he began to lower the purple orb.

The last two projections disappeared as the orb began to slowly submerge back into the lake. Causing the cave to become dimmer the light from the orb slowly faded due to it plunging into the dark depths of the lake.

Silas then turned around and noticed Alistair and Cornelius awkwardly staring at him.

"Do you think that the King will come here?" Cornelius asked with curiosity and slight concern.

"No I don't sense any darkness within him," Silas replied. "Although I do sense some sort of power within him. But it's not a dark kind of power. It's something that would be considered harmless."

"What should we do now Silas?" Alistair asked with slight concern.

"We wait for the Lord Protector to come here. But for now we need to disperse and try and find out what he wants." Silas replied. "We must keep the orb of pure dark magic safe. It's power in the wrong hands could possibly cause immense destruction."

Alistair and Cornelius nodded and dark magic surrounded them both causing a loud crackling noise that echoed throughout the cave. Suddenly they both disappeared leaving Silas alone in the darkness of the cave. He then placed his hand on his heart.

Silas deeply pondered to himself. "Dear ancestor who stood here where I stand now after over 1600 years. I solemnly swear that I will continue to protect what you started as a Guardian of Darkness. As the leader of the guardians. I Silas Wakefield will continue to keep my promise."

Silas then took his hand off his heart and he closed his eyes dark magic violently crackled around him. Then he disappeared from the cave. Leaving only the sound of the occasional splashing of the lake.

***

Oliver Cromwell sat at his desk in his study gazing at the open compass. Wondering what to do about his situation. Suddenly he noticed some small words inscribed around the compass.

Reaching his hand out in front of the black curtains he then flicked his wrist and the curtains opened. But with out them almost being flung off the wooden rod.

Oliver thought to himself with a lot of frustration. "These accursed powers! At this rate I'm possibly going to be hurt by my own powers!"

Placing his hands on the desk he clenched his fists feeling his nails digging into his skin and causing his knuckles to go white.

After a few minutes Oliver took a deep breath and unclenched his fists allowing his hands to flatly rest on the edge of the desk. Oliver then went back to reading what was inscribed in the compass.

Upon carefully reading the language inscribed in the compass he noticed that it made no sense to him.

He felt the frustration inside him starting to boil once more as if a fire inside him was about to ignite. Dark magic started to crackle from his fingers leaving small scorch marks on his desk.

Oliver thought to himself out of growing anger. "I thought that this would have given me a clue to where I have to go. But it's given me absolutely nothing! I don't understand this language at all. I'm going to have to figure this out. I have to."

Oliver suddenly heard a loud yet familiar sound of metal clanging against each other.

Grabbing the compass and closing it he then put it in his pocket. Carefully he rose from his desk and wandered over to the door. Upon opening the door he walked down the hallway with haste.

Once he got close to the bottom of the stairs he accidentally stumbled down the stairs and landed on the hard wooden floor with a loud thud. Upon landing on the floor he heard a loud snap.

Oliver quietly grunted out of pain and slight annoyance. Slowly he got up off the floor and tried to walk but once he went to put weight on his left ankle he winced due to the amount of pain rushing through his ankle.

Limping over to the wooden railings he leaned against them and took a deep breath. After a couple of minutes he limped over to the armchair and sat in it.

Oliver thought to himself out of slight concern. "Why is my body just so fragile for some reason? Like I've been in multiple battles and I've had to deal with being injured many times. I thought that I would be use to the pain by now."

Suddenly Richard and Henry enter the house with their helmets on. Richard closed the door and he noticed the pained expression on his fathers face. Henry also noticed this and immediately took his helmet off and placed it on the table.

Henry then hastily walked over to his father. Richard also took his helmet off and placed it on the table and immediately walked over to his father. He stood beside Henry who was looking equally worried.

"Father what happened are you alright?" Henry asked his voice full of concern.

"I'm fine Henry I can assure you of that," Oliver replied trying to hide his pain. "Nothing is wrong."

"I don't think-"

"Henry I'm fine!" he said with slight irritation.

Oliver tried to stand up but he almost ended up stumbling over. Richard and Henry both stopped him from falling over. Oliver quietly whimpered due to the pain.

"Shall we help you get back to your room?" Richard asked with slight concern.

"Fine but please be careful I don't want to exacerbate this injury any further," he said still trying to hide his pain.

Richard and Henry carefully helped their father upstairs. Eventually they reached Olivers bedroom and Richard opened the door which quietly creaked as it was pushed open.

Walking over to the bed the two brothers helped their father sit down on the bed. Both of them sat down next to their father.

"I'll be fine boys," he said with a slight smile. "I've had to face much worse."

"Do you want us to help you with your injury father?" Richard asked still sounding concerned.

"You do know that it's rare that I ask for help Richard," he declared. "But I will accept yours and Henry's help."

Oliver sighed deeply and carefully took his boots off. Upon taking his left boot off he noticed this large bruise on his left ankle. Carefully Oliver lay down on the bed and gazed at the ceiling.

Both Richard and Henry got up and wandered to the front of the bed and looked at their father with grave concern. Both of their eyes were faintly glowing a deep purple.

Henry exited the room and Richard went to follow him. But he stopped himself when he heard Oliver clearing his throat.

"Before you two decide to start probing my injury. I need you to do something for me Richard since I'm currently incapacitated," he said.

"What do you need me to do father?" he asked with slight curiosity.

"I need you to get my book about dark magic. I need to translate something important," he replied.

"I see I shall do that," he said with a proud smile.

Richard exited the room and Oliver slowly closed his eyes and began to lose himself in his thoughts. His mind was as calm as the ocean on a clear and sunny day.

Oliver thought to himself while feeling a sense of peace. "Once I regain my powers I shall regain what was once truly mine. I will perhaps gain more power once I reach The Well of Darkness."

A few minutes pass and Oliver suddenly heard quiet footsteps creaking on the floorboards. His eyes slowly opened and he noticed Richard holding the dark magic book in his hands.

Richard placed the book on the bedside table and Oliver smiled a little feeling thankful for Richards help. Oliver grabbed the book and began to flick through multiple pages. Richard watched his father searching through the pages with curiosity.

After a couple of minutes Oliver noticed that Richard was still watching him search through the multiple pages. He stopped flicking through the pages and placed the book down beside him. Upon gazing into Richards eyes he noticed the growing curiosity in them.

"What are you looking for father?" Richard asked with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Something that doesn't concern you or Henry," he replied sternly. "Although it is a way for me to regain full control of my powers. Possibly more than that."

"Why does it not–"

"Because the place where I need to go is a dangerous place. I don't want you or Henry to be involved," he said with slight irritation. "Now please allow me to find what I need Richard. Just go help your brother."

Richard awkwardly yet politely nodded and left the room shutting the door behind him. Oliver grabbed the book once more and continued flicking through the pages. Eventually he found a page which had a picture of the compass and the translation of the inscription inside the compass.

Go to where the white cliffs meet the ocean. You will find a dagger. Make a blood sacrifice. We shall be summoned by blood.

Oliver thought to himself with curiosity. "White cliffs. The Well of Darkness is somewhere in Dover. But who is this "we"? Who will I have to summon? Will these things that I have to summon be human or some other being that can use dark magic?"

Oliver closed the book and placed it on the bedside table then he grabbed the compass out of his pocket. Upon opening the compass he gazed at the faint purple glow of the needle inside the compass.

He continued to stare at the compass wondering what kinds of things he will have to deal with at The Well of Darkness.

Suddenly the door creaked open and Henry entered the room with a lot of bandages along with something wooden that could be used as a splint. Walking over to the nearby desk he carefully placed everything on it. After placing everything on the desk Henry glanced over at his father who was still gazing at the compass.

"Father is everything alright?" he asked with concern.

"Yes Henry everything is alright," he replied while hastily putting the compass back in his pocket.

"Why were you staring at that thing you have father?" he asked his concern fading away and being replaced with curiosity.

"It doesn't concern you Henry," he replied sternly. "It's for your own good that you don't know about that object I have. Besides I prefer to keep most of my thoughts to myself."

"I understand father," he said.

Richard also entered the room and prepared to help Henry. Oliver looked at them both with a small smile. He felt a warm and slightly fuzzy feeling inside him a feeling that was familiar yet also one that he hadn't felt in many years.

"Sorry but we might have to do something painful and difficult father," Richard said trying to stay calm.

"We are going to have to set the bone back into place," Henry added.

"Wait do you know what your doing?" Oliver asked with concern.

"Yes. We know what we are doing." Richard replied with a smile.

"Alright but please do try and be as gentle as you can be," Oliver said with a small smile. "I am your father after all."

Both of the brothers nodded and they prepared to do their work. Oliver prepared himself for the amount of pain he was going to feel.

Richard and Henry placed their hands on Oliver's injured foot and prepared to set the bone. Oliver quietly whimpered due to the pain from his sons touching his injury. Slowly both of the brothers began to realign the broken bone. Oliver began to tightly grip the bedsheets due to feeling the pain rushing through him.

After a few minutes Oliver's vision began to blur due to the amount of unshed tears in his eyes along with the amount of pain he was feeling. Finally there was a loud and sickening crunch as the bone realigned. Oliver then immediately blacked out from the pain.

Henry walked over to the left side of the bed and gently shook Oliver's shoulder trying to wake him. Oliver didn't respond and Henry continued desperately trying to wake him.

"Henry he's alright. He's just in shock," he said calmly. "Come help me put the bandages and the splint on."

"Are you sure that he's alright?" he asked while looking at Richard with deep concern in his eyes.

"Yes Henry he's alright," he assured.

Both brothers walked over to the desk Richard grabbed the wooden splint and Henry grabbed some bandages and they prepared to carefully dress Oliver's injury.

***

A few hours passed and Oliver wakes up to the sound of rain gently pattering on the roof. Upon opening his eyes he noticed his left foot was wrapped in multiple bandages. He tried to move his left foot but he noticed that it was immobilized by something.

The door then quietly creaked open and Richard entered the room. Richard looked at Oliver with slight concern Oliver noticed this concern in Richards eyes and sighed deeply.

"Are you alright father? You have been out for awhile," he said with slight concern.

"I'm fine I was expecting that to be so painful," he replied while still looking into Richards eyes.

"Father I have a question," he said with a hint of curiosity.

"Ask away Richard," he replied.

"Why couldn't you heal your injuries with your powers? Like your magic is quite powerful," he asked with curiosity.

Oliver sighed and gazed up at the ceiling while Richard wandered over to the window.

"My magic Richard is currently unstable and I have found a way to restablize it," he said.

"Yes but why can't you just heal your injury?" he asked with slight confusion.

"My magic even though it's powerful can't mend bones. I don't even know if any powerful dark magic user can mend bones," he replied.

Richard then wandered over to Oliver's bedside and he glanced down at his fathers hands. Upon noticing that the burns were gone Richard looked up and stared deeply into his fathers eyes. Oliver sensed Richards growing curiosity and smiled a little.

"How did you heal your burns then? Did you use your powers?" he asked with growing curiosity.

"No Richard dark magic burns can't be healed with more dark magic. It makes the burns worse," he explained. "I had to use a potion that heals dark magic burns."

"I understand father," he noted.

Oliver thought to himself. "I really should ask him about Fairfax. I just don't sense Fairfax's powers at all and it's odd. I feel like that the one I call loyal has forgotten about me."

Oliver carefully sat up and looked at Richard with a serious look on his face. Richard sensed the seriousness in his father and he felt a slight heaviness in the atmosphere. The room was quiet for a couple of minutes only being accompanied by the sound of calm breathing and the patter of the rain. Oliver took a deep breath preparing himself for whatever answer awaited him.

"Richard do you know what happened to Lord Fairfax? I haven't sense his presence and I'm wondering why that is," he asked his voice full of seriousness.

"Lord Fairfax joined the new King and now serves under him father," Richard replied with a hint of awkwardness. "He helped the new King reclaim his throne."

"Fairfax betrayed me," he grumbled as his eyes started to faintly glow. "How dare he do this and then hide his presence."

"What will you do with him?" he asked with curiosity.

"Nothing for now. But when I do get my powers back I shall punish him for betraying me," he replied coldly.

Richard nodded and Oliver sighed and lay back down and gazed at the ceiling. He then shut his eyes and allowed his anger to slowly diminish like the flame of a candle slowly burning down until the last bit of wax. Oliver opened his eyes and noticed that Richard had wandered back over to the window.

"I know that you are wanting to protect me and Henry. But what are you looking for father?" Richard asked.

"Something that not many people dare to seek out," he replied. "Something that you and Henry should not seek out."

"It's dangerous isn't it father?" Richard asked with worry.

"Yes and I don't want you or Henry to follow me," he replied. "Now please go sharpen my sword and don't ask any more questions."

Richard turned to look at his father and he went to speak. But he knew that what other questions that were swirling in his mind would go unanswered. Richard went to exit the room but he stopped and silently stood in the hallway staring at Oliver with a look of worry.

"No more questions Richard," he declared. "Now go do what I told you."

Richard politely nodded and exited the room quietly closing the door behind him. Suddenly there was a mysterious bright purple flash that streamed in through the window from outside along with a loud crackling sound.

Oliver sensed the immense amount of power that was far greater than anything he had ever felt before. Feeling threatened by this he prepared to defend himself.

Suddenly he began to hear unintelligible whispers. Glancing around the room he noticed that there was no one in the room except himself.

Suddenly there was another bright purple flash but instead of outside it was in the room this time. Oliver covered his eyes due to the brightness of the flash. After a couple of minutes he removed his hands from his eyes and he noticed a tall dark cloaked figure standing in front of him.

He went to move but the figure held out his hand and Oliver noticed that he couldn't move as if some invisible force had bound him to the bed. Oliver's eyes began to faintly glow and his heart started pounding in his chest like a drum due to the growing fear inside him.

Suddenly the unintelligible whispers that he had been hearing turned into one clear voice.

"Lord Protector. Or should I say former Lord Protector," Silas greeted.

"Who are you and why are you here?" Oliver asked.

"My name is of no importance to you yet. I am just the Archmage of Darkness but I am mainly known for being a Guardian to the place you seek," he said. "I want to know why you seek the place that I have sworn to protect." 

"Why should I tell you my purpose for seeking out The Well of Darkness?" he asked trying to hide his fear.

"You do realize that I am the more powerful one in this situation," he replied coldly. "I am not afraid to harm you or even destroy you if I wish." 

Silas raised his other hand and dark magic surrounded his hand and began quietly crackling. Oliver wanted to scream and alert his children but he knew that staying silent was the safer option. 

"I only want to restore my powers. Nothing else. Now get out of my head and release me at once and go back to where you came from!" he snapped.

The magic around Silas' other hand disappeared and Oliver felt a small sense of relief knowing that he was not going to possibly be destroyed.

"I hope that you are telling the truth," he said his voice still as cold as ice.

"I can assure you that I'm not lying. Now get out of my head and release me then leave this place," he said sternly. 

A faint smile appeared across Silas' face and Oliver noticed this. Oliver also sensed that the coldness of Silas had been replaced by a small amount of warmth.

"Fine but promise me that you won't tell anyone of my existence. Don't ask another question just promise me this," he replied.

"Alright I won't tell anyone about your existence I promise you that," he said.

"Farewell former Lord Protector and may we meet sometime in the future," he replied.

Silas lowered his hand down to his side and Oliver carefully sat up and stared at Silas his eyes still glowing. Silas nodded and dark magic formed around him and with a bright flash he disappeared. After sensing that Silas had left Oliver opened his eyes and took a deep breath in order to calm himself. 

Laying back down on the bed he began to gaze up at the ceiling and listen to the loud yet serene sound of the rain hitting the roof. Oliver squeezed his eyes shut desperately hoping that sleep would claim him. Suddenly he felt like he was being watched and he immediately opened his eyes.

Upon opening his eyes he noticed that three dark shadow like figures with glowing purple eyes were staring at him. He went to scream but nothing came out. Desperately he tried to move but he couldn't as he was frozen with fear. His eyes started to glow brighter out of increasing fear.

Raising his hand he felt an intense tingling sensation in his fingers and suddenly multiple bolts of dark energy came from his fingers. Upon being hit by the bolts the figures turned into a mysterious black mist which slowly faded away. He then slowly lowered his hand and the glow in his eyes slowly faded away.

Oliver took a quick glance around the room and noticed that he was the only one in the room once more. He lay awake his mind still filled with dread.