Xerx skellington is just your average skeleton soldier. He works in the army and defends his town. On a other thought he is a little different. Because he have a army of rats as his pets. They help him protect the town. Xerx dreams of having a life that is different from this. And as a opertunity for him and his rats to grow arise. He took it and didn't look back. This is the tale of Xerx and his rats as they rise in the necromancers faction their army. The story is the back story for a couple of cards I am designing for manacrest. Manacrest is now on kickstarter for who is interested Manacrest, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/timelapsegames/manacrest?ref=android_project_share This is their discord for if you have any questions. https://discord.gg/zajUWsV

here story begins

Chapter 1: Chapter 1 A normal evening

It was another normal evening for the skeleton Xerx.

He had just finished feeding his pets they were a variety of rats.

To name a few species let's begin with the twenty giant eater rats.

They were twice the size of a normal man, Are pitch black and have razor-sharp teeth, Also, their claws are metallic black with a dark aura surrounding them.

Their species are known to be great mounts.

He also has some shadow devouring rats.

They are known to be great at using shadow magic.

It's also their most nutritional food.

If you find a trained shadow devouring rat in the dark.

Then you know you gonna die a horrible death.

But we are drifting off-topic.

After finishing feeding his pets Xerx started training with them.

He picked up his sword unsheathed it.

Then he began hitting the trading dummy outside his house.

While coordinating with the shadow devouring rats.

Afterward, he started doing shooting practice both mounted and on foot.

Just as he wanted to start sparring with the sword claw Rats.

He heard the sound of the alarm.

The town was under attack it was time for work.

As soon as Xerx heard the alarm he and the rats started getting ready.

As soon as Xerx his group arrived at the gate.

They saw an army of frogs attacking the townspeople.

The army ranged from flaming acid giants to glutinous tree swallowers.

From thunderstorm magi toads to chaotic dagger froglings.

Just when Xerx wanted to get help the army noticed him.

Xerx immediately ordered his rats to attack. And readied his bow and started shooting some frogs while mounted on Xia his first giant eater rat and the leader of their pack.

The giant eater rats started fighting the flaming acid giant.

while one group of shadow devouring rats fought as a group of assassins.

Another supported them with shadow magic and summoning shadow clones.

When Xerx his arrows were gone he switched to his bone-shattering Halbert.

Charging with Xia through the battlefield and destroying numerous froglings.

While Xerx was destroying the froglings he heard out of nowhere an extremely loud sound.

When Xerx looked in the direction of the sound he saw the reinforcements of the frog army.

It existed of boom burst giants, venomous lightning rats, swift fire devourers to name a few.

When he saw them he immediately blew the horn for reinforcements.

then he called Leo to tell him that he should get the rest of Xerx rats.

And after that should ask help from the local rat tribes.

Leo is the first of his species.

Leo is a hybrid born of a giant thunderous lioness and darkness wandering rat.

His species is known as dark thunder giants they have the speed and size of giant thunderous lions.

And the ability to travel in the shadows from the darkness wandering rats.

His ability to control lightning and darkness merged into a special kind of lightning known as dark thunder.

Giving him the ability to travel not only in the shadows but also in lightning.

As soon Leo was on his way Xerx ordered his remaining rats to attack.

Then he rallied the villagers to help fight the army.

After ten minutes the rest of the rats arrived even some Xerx did not recognize.

The frogs kept on coming but with the help of the villagers and his rats.

Xerx managed to defeat them he then thanked the local rats for their help.

As he wanted to turn to the villagers some of the rats approached him.

And expressed the willingness to join his team.

He then said, of course, you can join.

Because of how more friends I have the more there survived.

He told them to follow Leo to his house after cleaning up.

The rats existed of some plague eaters, swift wave surfers, dark ice stalkers and gentle healing embraces.

Xerx was then thanked by the villagers for saving them.

They then started helping the injured and collecting the corpses.

The gentle healing embraces were a big help with their healing powers.

Just as they were almost done with the cleaning the reinforcements arrived.

When the commander of the reinforcements saw the corpses of the frogs.

And the army of rats helping the villagers he was really surprised.

Till the commander saw Xerx because of what he heard from reports.

Xerx as soon as he saw the commander started walking to him.

The commander then asked if he was the one who called for reinforcements.

To which Xerx replied yes sir I am Xerx of the shadow bringer squad.

The rats are my pets so don't attack them, please.

He then began giving his report after the commander promised that they wouldn't attack them.

The commander was impressed by what he heard in the report.

And said to Xerx to come to the Barracks tomorrow for his rewards.

And that he will send somebody to collect the corpses.

Xerx team and the villagers then finished the cleaning.

As Xerx got home he finished his training and even began training the new rats.

As the day came to an end Xerx thought it was another productive evening.

And said to his rats tomorrow we will be extremely busy so get a good night's rest. Xerx then started planning the training for tomorrow.

And began getting things ready for the morning training.