Onius was born into darkness, the son of cultists dedicated to the Dark One. From his earliest memories, he was steeped in shadow, raised in hidden sanctuaries where the faithful gathered to worship the imprisoned god. Unlike those who might have turned to the Dark One out of desperation or disillusionment, Onius was never burdened by anything but pure devotion. He was shaped from the beginning by the malevolent whispers of his dark god and the teachings of the cult’s elders.

As a youth, Onius displayed a natural talent for manipulation and cruelty, which made him a favorite among the cult’s leaders. His parents, both low-ranking members, recognized his potential and pushed him toward the priesthood. Onius quickly rose through the ranks, showing an exceptional aptitude for the dark rituals and an unwavering loyalty to the Dark One’s cause.

Despite his loyalty, Onius was never blinded by fanaticism. He was a master strategist, carefully observing the cult’s internal politics and the weaknesses of those above him. The high priest at the time, Dalkor, was a zealous and brutal leader, revered for his devotion but feared for his madness. Dalkor believed that only through constant blood sacrifices could the cult maintain the favor of the Dark One, and his increasingly erratic demands began to strain the cult’s resources and patience.

Onius saw in Dalkor’s instability the perfect opportunity to claim power for himself. He began quietly sowing dissent among the cult’s ranks, gathering a faction of followers who valued survival and pragmatism over blind devotion. He promised them strength and stability under his leadership, and they, weary of Dalkor’s reckless ways, swore their loyalty to Onius.

The night of the coup was meticulously planned. During a grand ritual meant to honor the Dark One, Onius and his allies turned on Dalkor, overpowering the high priest and spilling his blood upon the altar. Onius performed the final rites himself, declaring that Dalkor’s sacrifice would bring them closer to freeing their dark god. The display of power and control solidified his position as the new high priest.

Once in power, Onius reshaped the cult to reflect his own vision. He established strict routines and disciplined hierarchies, ensuring that his followers were both loyal and capable. He reduced the frequency of reckless blood sacrifices, replacing them with more calculated rituals that advanced their dark purpose without drawing unwanted attention. Onius understood that subtlety was the key to survival; the Dark One’s return could not be rushed, and the cult’s existence needed to be preserved in secret until the time was right.

Under his guidance, the cult thrives in the shadows, spreading its tendrils into the world beyond through espionage and manipulation. Onius has cultivated alliances with powerful individuals who had no knowledge of the cult’s true purpose, using them as pawns in his larger scheme. Though he dreams of the day when the Dark One will be freed and the world cast into eternal night, Onius knows that the path to that future requires patience, discipline, and an iron will.

Now, as the high priest of the Dark One’s cult, Onius stands as the embodiment of his god’s malevolence, guiding his followers with cold pragmatism and ruthless efficiency toward their ultimate goal—the end of all things.

FIRST APPEARANCE

Onius first appears in The Assassin's Blade (Assassin Without a Name Book One).