Doomed Empire

Prince Astraeus of Caiphul schemes to usurp the throne of his father, King Darius. Seduced by his step-mother and an evil magician named Gucumatz, his plan includes the sacrificial death of an innocent young woman, Princess Asparis.

Astraeus' plans change when he meets Asparis and falls in love. The story follows his struggle to free himself from the influence of his step-mother and Gucumatz, face torture by his father's assassins and battle his way through to a vision of his ultimate destiny.