Elric: The Dreaming City #1 — Julien Blondel

Elric of Melniboné sat high on the ruby throne in the great city of Imrryr as Emperor, but not all were satisfied with his rule. As an albino, Elric was mistrusted and weak, using the blood of human slaves to give him strength. Cymoril, his cousin, lover and queen, ruled by his side, though her brother Yyrkoon was full of contempt for Elric and plotted to overthrow him. Failing to do so, Yyrkoon kidnapped Cymoril, and in his rage, Elric summoned the Lord of Chaos, Arioch, paying for his service with the souls of his slaughtered people. Using Arioch to guide him, Elric took an army across the Young Kingdoms to search for Yyrkoon and his beloved Cymoril. But their party was manipulated by the elemental Kings of the Sea and the Earth, and most died at their hands. Resolute in his goal, and intent on defying prophecies that he would destroy his people and kill the woman he loves, Elric found Yyrkoon, who immediately murdered Cymoril. To save her life, Elric defeated Yyrkoon with the sword Stormbringer, given to him by Arioch. But there was a price. Elric was consumed by the cursed sword, needing souls to feed on. Fearing the prophecy would now come true, he left Melniboné in the hands of Yyrkoon, with Cymoril distraught and cursing his name. For years, the White Wolf lived in a self-imposed exile. With his trusted companion, Smiorgan, Elric sought to reunite two ancient spirits, which led him to a desolate and destroyed Melniboné. Before he could understand what had happened, the arrival of dragons revealed the oncoming fleet of the new Empress, his former love, Cymoril…