The slaughter of the Scions was commanded by Emperor Arcann of the Eternal Empire not long after his ascension to the Eternal Throne. Arcann, holding the Scions of Zakuul in contempt due to their faith in prophecies and a predetermined structure of existence, gave the order to the Knights of Zakuul to eradicate them. The majority of Knights, demonstrating their allegiance to the new Emperor, executed the command, frequently resulting in Knights and Exarchs killing the very Scions they had previously fought alongside. However, a contingent of Scions, under the leadership of Heskal, successfully evaded the massacre and went into hiding.