Mage Grendel the Really Old was sitting outside his house, the Ellinia Library, and watching the stars as they rearranged themselves into patterns.

Interesting , he mused. The stars had never behaved in this manner before. Suddenly, it struck him. Oh no…Is it time already? He sighed. That was the one problem about being Really Old. Time passed so fast for him. It seemed only yesterday when he sealed Zakum in the diamond prison. Though he had told his friends, the 3 masters of Victoria Island, that there was no problem with the plan, that the brothers would never have a chance to escape, he knew that they could escape. They had all elected to do use the prisons as it had meant that there was to be no bloodshed yet they would have done their duty. But if that child was to free them, they would be at the peak of their power and not even the combined forces of the 4 masters would be able to defeat them. I have to do this alone.

***

The constellation of the Two Swords was high in the sky when the child was born. The child did not come out covered in blood, screaming and kicking. Instead, the child was born with a peaceful and serene expression on his face. The instant the baby opened his eyes, the whole room was filled with the smell of rose blossoms. His mother said one word before collapsing into an everlasting slumber.

***

The mother of the human child has been killed. Thank you my brother. Our plan is proceeding as normal. Everyone who had or will have contact with the boy will be killed, so as to ensure a minimum number of protectors.

Brother Zakum, my scouts have informed me that there has been a slight problem with the plan.

What is it?

The mother has given him a name.

Hmm…that will make our plan difficult. It is a good thing his father died exactly one year before his birth, thanks to you, or he would have an extra protector. A name can mean many things. If his name is one of good, then he will be hard to manipulate directly, but easy to manipulate through others. If his name is one of evil, he will be easy to control directly, but he will never be trusting.

Brother Zakum, I think the boy’s mother knew about his birth and his destiny.

Why do you say so?

The boy’s name means: The black star.

Zakum was astonished.

His name is neither means good nor evil. Then our plan will be very difficult. His name is neutral…

***

As the nursemaid carried the child, a blue thunderbolt struck the floor just outside the hospital. Grendel the Really Old walked through the doorway and asked for the child. The nursemaid refused, but Grendel touched her forehead and she knew. “Does this boy have a name?” Grendel asked. “Yes. His name is Ashugaren.” Grendel was amazed.

Ashugaren…the name I would have given him, but a name given by the mother gives him more power. Ashugaren…It means: the black star.

“Thank you.” In a blue flash, he was gone.

***

The nursemaid woke up, convinced it was all a dream. She heard a rustle. Before she could even raise her dagger, a red claw slashed down. She was dead instantly. Its work done, the Jr. Balrog flew to the cave that the two brothers were in.