Year of Event: 610
Buildup to Betrayal
Xer, a high priest of Lazu, had lived within the Labyrinth since its inception and was a member of its clergy. She provided guidance and counseling for the Labyrinth's many denizens. Over time, she grew concerned that the Labyrinth's long-reigning queen, Chikara Nadir, had developed a cult of personality that began to eclipse the worship of Lazu. Xer eventually decided that Chikara would need to be removed from power -- to keep the Labyrinth from falling further out of favor with their chaotic deity.
At the same time, Sarael, a powerful celestial holding the title of "the Sword of Diel" within the Hegemony, had similar goals. Sarael was convinced that Chikara Nadir had kidnapped her daughter, Selena, and turned her to evil. She desired to rescue her daughter and kill the queen. But dark wards and profane Hallow spells prevented celestials from entering the Labyrinth.
Likewise, one of Sarael's major goals was to destroy the Labyrinth completely, but even she feared that the warriors there were collectively too powerful to bring down so easily.
Though Xer and Sarael would have normally been enemies, this became an alliance of convenience. Sarael provided Xer with the materials needed to open rifts to the Nine Hells -- a plane that had long waged a war against the demonic Abyss, which the Labyrinth was an extension of. For Sarael, this was letting two enemies weaken each other over time.
If Chikara could be caught by surprise by an infernal invasion, that could be a swift end for her. Selena could be apprehended and turned over to Sarael and the Hegemony. The Labyrinth would engage in a long war with devils until it eventually collapsed, at which point Sarael and her allies would swoop in and seal the rifts.
The Invasion
Xer chose to enact the plan in the year 610, when Selena was preparing to launch a major offensive against Olimandias. Selena and Chikara were in a heated argument about what should be done about the invasion. Selena felt it was necessary. Chikara felt it was a trap -- or at least felt like something was wrong. Selena stormed off in a huff, but Chikara followed her down into a seldom used chamber to continue the debate.
And that was when Xer opened the rifts. Chikara, Selena, and the royal guard were all caught by surprise as the first wave of devils entered the Labyrinth. They held their ground for a long time. But the royal guards slowly fell, one after the other. Chikara began to ran low on magical power. Selena was quickly becoming overwhelmed on the front lines.
But something happened that neither Xer nor Sarael predicted: that Chikara Nadir would commit to altruism in a moment of crisis.
Chikara cast Imprisonment on Selena, sealing her in an impervious sphere to spare her from death. The sphere likewise covered up the initial rift and prevented further devils from passing through it. She then began to retreat back to the main palace complex, intending to warn her allies and seek aid. Xer managed to cut her off and open a second rift -- though Chikara finally caught a glimpse of Xer betraying her first hand. A Pit Fiend and its escorts emerged
Chikara then knew she had no way to reach her allies. So she chose to stop this second wave using any means necessary. She cast Earthquake on the tunnel complex, causing it to collapse. Xer teleported to safety, but every devil in the tunnel the Pit Fiend included, died in the resulting cave-in. But so did Chikara Nadir, ending her long reign.
The Ongoing War
Chikara's sacrifice allowed the Labyrinth time enough to realize something was wrong and prepare for additional waves of infernal troops. As a result of her actions, the elite warriors of the Labyrinth were spared.
But a long war began.
Wisp Contras had been co-ruling the Labyrinth with Chikara and Selena, and had previously held the title of "Countess." She was crowned the Queen of the Labyrinth as the last known leader standing. Wisp has since devoted all of her time and energy into fighting the endless infernal legions, unable to spare any warriors to support Alliance activities against the Hegemony.
The Labyrinth has been fighting this war for 122 years (by the start of the campaign).
According to Kassan, a Labyrinth scout who had been working for Gertie in Hatena, there are mixed stories on the fates of Chikara and Selena, indicating that most do not know the true story of what happened. This likewise implies that no one knows Selena is still safely trapped within the Imprisonment sphere at the location of the initial invasion.
Xer and Sarael watch events unfold safely from afar.
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