The Fall of the Demon Sarat

Foreword
This is a story of good versus evil, and of the beginnings of the mighty city of K'saret. It is a tale from the Age of Myths, but some would say that it begins long before that, with the creation of the world itself.

Prologue
At the end of the Ages, Yith Shaggoth, Destroyer of Worlds finally succeeded in its goal of devouring Airth. In this brief moment, when its appetite was sated, Aonn, The Lightbringer once again recreated our world- starting anew with the hopes that perhaps the Last Age may be obtainable.

As Yith once again hungrily eyed the world which became our home, Aonn and his newly-created wife Arziel, Goddess of Captivity began the assault to stop and contain Yith, while bearing children which also took up the noble fight.

Yith saw the many deities brought forth and created spawn of its own. Some were Deities, such as the cruel Vorbus, God of Disease, but others were demons sent to consume the world while the fight raged across the planes. Sarat was one such demon, created in this iteration of our world in the Age of Light and given abilities on par with that of a demigod.

The Ravaging of Brythenia
Long before our continent was united under one crown, the beastly demon Sarat roamed the land, consuming anything and everything in its path. The only reprieve the people of our world had was that the monstrosity was slow, but like the passage of time, its visit to every corner of the land was inevitable.

For over 10,000 years the people lived in fear, whispering of the terrible Sarat and dreading its next appearance. None could slay it, though many tried- even angels fell before its maw. It was thought that only Aonn had the power, and his fight with Yith had stretched on so long that even Dragons could not remember the beginning.

The horror reshaped the land, creating valleys where it chewed through the earth, deserts where it ate the plants, and craters where it burrowed for sleep. Those few who saw the demon and survived told of claws the size of mountains and horns covered in thorns, a tail that could clear the land for miles with one swing, and jaws able to unhinge and swallow an entire town in one bite.

These tales commonly conflicted with one another, but perhaps it was that the sight of Sarat drew many to madness out of fear, or perhaps it was an entropic gift given by Yith- none can say for certain.

The Rise of Legends
But whatever Sarat's true shape, there were those that chose not to be afraid. Aonn knew that though He could not spare the forces to fight, there were those on Airth who would fight on his behalf. He empowered those he could, and asked for favors from his fellow deities, of which there were now many.

As the God of Magic, Aonn made the creature weak to certain spells. His son, Bardanther, the God of Healing kept the demon from repairing its wounds. Suldra, Goddses of Pain turned the demons spread of fear upon itself, and Korthos, God of Strength, gave power to those heroes who rose up, while Arziel held the creature chained in place. Still, the Heralds could only do so much. Many armies perished, and more than one avatar of the gods were slain as well. Those that stood their ground were rewarded, however. The demon Sarat was finally slain by the heralds of Arziel and that of his other son Tyrian, God of War. With one final blow, the land was wiped clear for miles, but as the dust settled the monster fell to the earth, finally dead, to never plague our lands. The handful of survivors cried in relief, but also at the loss of so many companions. So great was their sorrow that Sargona, Goddess of Loss was overwhelmed by their prayers. Thus, this Mythical demon's terror faded and the Legendary heroes were born.

The Start of a City
The body of Sarat was buried where it fell, a task that would take many hands and many years, and buildings sprung up for the Heralds that remained and those that took on this burdensome task with them. Those who had felt suffering at Sarat's hands made pilgrimage to see the corpse for themselves. They all traveled to the place where the heroes had "Killed Sarat."

The word spread of the feat, and soon supplies were being sent to those who toiled day after day to bury the unholy beast. Heroes and laborers alike found gifts on their doorsteps, and what they could not use, they sold. Merchants began to pop up. Soon, it was told that goods from all over Brythenia could be found at "the place where they killed Sarat." Soldiers turned laborers and lauded as heroes started families, and took up noble titles- but they did not cease their work until the work was done.

After decades, the grave was complete. Atop it was built a grave marker, in the shape of the demons horns, as a symbol of pride, or perhaps as a trophy showing the might of the heroes and to make sure the legend was not forgotten. A castle was also built atop it, wherein the Heralds could live their days in peace after such a momentous victory, but never forget the cost. From there they could see the land, decimated by the battle. They could also see that many were beginning to prosper in the monster's defeat, telling them that the price of victory had been worth the end result.

Epilogue
With more and more visitors turning to residents in the shadows of the dead fiend's grave, such a name felt like a mouthful. Soon, it was that they called it Killed Sarat, and over time that shortened more and more, until the common folk came to know it as we do now- as K'saret.

Afterword
This is what we now call home. K'Saret, symbol of the triumph of the mortal over the seemingly immortal, a major trade hub of the world, and the place where many with conflicting paradigms came together for one goal. K'saret, the Horned City, built on top of the grave of a demon as an affront to Yith and the forces of destruction it commands.