Hellboy II: The Golden Army - Prologue

In the early 1950s, amidst the chaos and devastation of World War II, an ancient prophecy began to unfold. The earth's equilibrium was disrupted as the fragile truce between humans and the magical realms teetered on the brink of collapse. The fragile balance between both worlds was further threatened by the war between them. This delicate equilibrium had its roots in a far more ancient time, dating back to the dawn of humanity when humans and magical creatures coexisted without conflict. As the years passed, however, the relationship between humans and magical creatures began to deteriorate. The once harmonious coexistence turned into a tumultuous era of conflict. In an effort to restore balance and protect humans from magical threats, Prince Nuada, a powerful elf lord with the blessing of the forest, turned to a radical solution. He conceived of an indestructible mechanical army, forged from the very essence of the earth itself. The Golden Army was said to be invincible, an unstoppable force capable of ending the war between humans and magical creatures once and for all. Prince Nuada envisioned this army as a means to restore order to a chaotic world and ensure the survival of both humans and magical beings. However, the true intentions behind the prince's grand design were far more complex and malevolent. Deep within the heart of the forest, a secret workshop thrived, hidden from prying human eyes. Here, Prince Nuada's engineers toiled tirelessly to bring life to his mechanized creations. The Golden Army was forged from the same earthy material that comprised the forest's heart. Grown from seeds infused with the essence of life, these mechanical warriors were brought into existence. The earth itself gave birth to a legion of indestructible soldiers, driven solely by the will of their elven master. Prince Nuada envisioned that once the Golden Army rose, it would be unstoppable and bring him the power to impose order onto the world. He had no qualms about crushing entire cities or civilizations, erasing entire cultures and histories in his quest for what he believed was a more harmonious world. His vision of peace came at a great cost, a cost that Prince Nuada and his followers were unwilling to pay. As the prophecy foretold, the delicate balance between humans and magical realms continued to fray, leaving the world teetering on the edge of catastrophe. It was amidst this treacherous backdrop that young Hellboy first learned the tale of the Golden Army. This epic story would change the course of Hellboy's life forever, setting the stage for a future conflict that would test the very boundaries between good and evil.