The Time of Great Loss is the 'Rising when the original lineage of VisionWalker Kings was wiped out by virtually simultaneous coordinated assassinations throughout the Haka'am as well as the several 'Risings during which the Royal Advisory Council searched in vain for survivors to inherit the throne. In common practice, it also includes the many 'Risings of uncertainty before the new King was crowned. No one ever discovered who was behind the assassinations. Some speculated that the assassins suicided after taking out their target(s) and would be found among the dead disguised as royal retainers or guards who died in the attack.
It was not just the VisionWalker King's immediate family who were wiped out, but VisionWalkers and their families in auxiliary branches of the line as well. VisionWalker Rhejhen and their families were also assassinated at this time, though no one beyond the Rhejhen's direct family were targeted. The assassinations were bloody and merciless, extending also to retainers and guards who were immediately accessible, regardless of age. This and the fact that no killers were apprehended fleeing any of the locations leant credence to the speculation that the assassins suicided and disguised themselves among the dead, in spite of the fact that such suicide attacks were beyond rare. There simply seemed to be no other reasonable explanation given the complete lack of other evidence and the fact that even the most outspoken factions against the King did not take credit. The entire population of the Haka'am was stunned and horrified.
Not widely known, even among the Royal Family that followed, is the fact that the Twin Guardians' Shrine was demolished the morning before the assassinations began and remained in ruin until the Seventh Generation spoken of in the Prophecy.
The Conflict
Prelude
It is presumed most likely that the assassination of the Original VisionWalker King's lineage was carried out by elements opposed to the amount of influence the Twinned Guardians Samiel and Khernrhos had over their Chosen Kings due to the message found at nearly every assassination site: "Let the 8th Generation be the last," but no one really knows for sure. Though objections were periodically raised in regard to being governed by Guardians rather than haka'a'manem of Araela'a there were no notable large scale protests or incidents leading up to the 'Rising of the assassinations. In general the Twinned Guardians were seen as benevolent and supportive. This is one of the reasons that the killings were so shocking--they seemed to come out of the blue and the average hake'a'manem could not fathom what could have provoked such a bloody crime.
Comments