Dis-Chord: Prologue

As the man walked into the shady tavern, he could immediately smell the faint odor of alcohol and sweat. There were some bystanders sitting in one corner, with a few drunks singing wildly on the far side. He was a silent as a shadow, hiding under the protection of his hood as he slid onto one of the barstools.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.

The stranger smiled and replied, "Only a name." His voice was raspy and dry, with a cough now and then.

"Ah, a name. Now who might you 'be lookin' for? There's been talk of strange folk abroad."

The stranger smirked, and simply sipped from his flagon. As it reached the countertop, immediately the stranger slid back a few feet and pulled out a enshrouded object.

"What's the meaning of this?!" the bartender said in outrage. Suddenly all the people inside when strangely silent. The stranger removed the shroud, and revealed a black lute with golden trim and silver strings. It had ancient runes scribbled onto it, with a few dents and scratches on the body of the lute. The neck was made of obsidian, and the fretboard of wood. It was a threatining piece of craftsmanship, despite it being an instrument.

Two large men started to get behind the stranger, who played an intoxicating melody of notes, instantly discombobulating the both of them. Their minds were fuzzy with strange colours, and they struggled to stand. The stranger then played a chord on his lute, sending them flying through the wooden walls.

In a panic, the barman reached for the rifle under his winerack. He shoved shells into the gun and fired. The stranger ducked with grace and played another haunting melody. The attack instead caused the barman to crumple to the ground in pain. Blood raced through his veins until he died of a heart attack.

The innocent people cleared away as the local guards came bursting in the tavern.

"In the name of His Majesty the King, you are to be arrested for murder and disruptance in this town! Unhand your instrument this instant!" one of the guards shouted.

They drew their swords, but to no avail as the stranger disarmed them with a single strum of his lute. With another distorted string of harmony, the guards uncontrollaby turned against each other, trying to hack their limbs off. One stabbed another in the heart, while the other had disemboweled the Captain of the Guard.

Writhing in pain, the Captain uttered his last words. "W-who... are you..?" he asked in a mix of fear and wonder.

The stranger removed his hood, revealing his purple eyes and silvery hair. "My name is Caelum, son of Discordia."