Prologue - The Secrets Beneath

 

 

 

Prologue: The Secrets Beneath

 

      Dust and rocks exploded out from the cavern wall as another burst of flames struck, just barely missing his head. Dropping to the ground, he prayed to the Creator that he lived to regret ever coming here. Had he known their fool plan was to fail, he would have told them to keep their doomed adventure for themselves. He sure didn't want any part of it...not of this, anyway.

     But she had asked him. Her, the type of woman you want to hold close and protect from the cruelties of the world. Her, with that innocent smile and pale green eyes, and soft, raven black hair.

     “Innocent smile, indeed,” he laughed, not caring who heard. It was she who was doing most of the killing as she brought lightning down on the black robed men. If it weren't for her, their fool mission would have failed hours ago.

     He couldn't help but think to himself. Lightning, in a cavern? He just shook his head. After all he'd seen in the passed few days, this would only add to the confusion.

     The many fires that burned throughout the cavern seemed to hold the darkness at bay, casting looming shadows in all directions. Realizing he had nowhere to hide, he jumped to his feet and started for the only tunnel at hand...the one leading further back into the Pit of Lost Kings. Few people ever dared go this way, for fear of what might be waiting beyond. After all, there were many rumors told of the place, and he couldn't help but fear what might be lurking just ahead.

     Out of the corner of his eye he saw her glance towards him, all emotion gone from her face as when the attack had began. Behind him, another man screamed as he was struck down by her lightning. But even as the man died, another burst of flames struck from out of nowhere, nearly cutting him off. Merely glancing one last time at the Lady, he darted for the tunnel, watching her fade out of sight as he started into the ancient tomb.

     Again he wondered why he was here. He certainly was no wizard, nor even a warrior. He was but the son of a farmer, nearing his twenty-first year and wanting nothing more than to settle down with Reanna and start a family. That was, or so he had tried to believe, up until the moment the Lady and her men had arrived in Culivon. Hearing their tales of adventure and learning about the quest they were on, he then knew he longed for so much more.

     “But not this,” he told himself as he propped himself up against the side of the old tunnel. “Never did I want this.”

     Thinking back on that seemingly distant night, he couldn't help but remember the Lady's words as she told him of the quest.

     “The fate of the world lies within this crystal. If they are to get their hands on it...,” the woman had said, letting her words trail off. Still, he knew what she meant. If these men got their hands on the stone they sought, then everyone's fate would be decided. Knowing he couldn't allow this, he had then decided to guide the woman and her men through the mountains. And now...

     “They've got the Stone!” he heard a man shout from not too far down the tunnel. Drawing his sword, an old broadsword that his father said his great grandfather once wielded, he hurried on towards the rising commotion. He didn't know what he was supposed to do, but knew he had to try and help the others. After all, he couldn't allow the robed men to do any more harm.

     Coming to the end of the tunnel, he but only stared out at the carnage before him. The large tomb was covered with dead bodies, all fresh and splayed about in a haphazard mess of blood and burning flesh. Whether the remains were friend or foe, he still couldn't help but cringe at the sight. So many people lost this day, and so few left standing. How could it have come to this...?

     “The Stone!” the Lady said in a worried voice, now standing beside him. He was thankful it was her and not one of the robed men, for he hadn't even noticed her approach.

     Looking at where she stared, he noticed the cold, gray altar at the back of the tomb, a large, glowing green stone pulsating near its center. Two men stood just behind it, one of them chanting an unnatural sounding prayer or incantation. The other man, his black hood deeply covering his pale features, seemed to just stand witness to it all, as if nothing more than a bystander to what was playing out before him.

     “My Lady...!” Masuma called, running over from the battle he'd just won. He looked rather unsure, seeming to stare over worriedly at the altar.

     However, the Lady didn't wait for him to approach, instead running headlong into the large tomb, giving a loud battle-cry as she thrust her hands out towards the two men ahead. Electric blue lightning shot forth from her outstretched palms, illuminating the dismal cavern with its glow as the twin bolts shot blazingly towards their targets. However, that was when he learned the purpose for the second man...

     The man, standing calmly to the right of the other, watched with mere indifference as he raised a single hand, and with a brilliant sizzle, a purplish wall of energy enveloped the two, nullifying the spell the woman had cast.

     “Damn them...,” the Lady breathed, watching as the second man just gave her a wry smirk.

     “My Lady, what just happened?” he asked, stepping up beside her. But instead of her answering, it was Masuma who spoke.

     “They cast a magic barrier around themselves. It will likely protect them from anything we do, now,” the dark skinned man said, seeming rather thoughtful. He could tell the man was thinking up a way passed it.

     “Don't worry, General,” the Lady spoke, looking confidant as she stared down the two ahead, “It's not over yet.” And with that, she thrust out her hands again, sending an ongoing bolt of white lightning towards the two ahead. It seemed as if everyone around became entranced by the light shooting forth, for no one seemed to move as it launched for the men at the altar...

     ...Save for the one chanting before the Shadreth Stone. Seeming to end his incantation, the man held his sword upright over his head, and just as the lightning began to shatter the barrier, he brought it down atop the glowing orb...

     And then madness rode upon the very air around them. It encircled them like a storm, filling their ears with hysterical laughter that seemed to come from everywhere but yet belonging to no one at all. It seemed to steal their very breaths, blind their very eyes, and shroud their every thought. And just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore...it was gone.

     Falling to his knees, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a shaking, trembling hand. Never had he suffered such an ordeal, and yet, he knew not what it was. Surely it was all in his mind, but yet...

     He looked over, seeing Masuma as he helped the Lady to her feet. Both of them were shaking as well, and he could almost taste their worry in the air. Something had just happened here, something bad. But what was it that had crippled them all this way?

     “My Lady...?” he spoke, slowly rising to is feet.

     As he spoke, though, he saw her eyes turn to the altar. The two men behind it now lay dead in the same fashion as nearly everyone else, sprawled out in a haphazardly grim sort of way. But it was the broken shards atop the altar that truly caught their sight.

     The Shadreth Stone had been shattered, and the darkness that laid captive inside was now free. That must have been what had crippled them so. But...if it were loose, than what were they to do now?

     “He's free!” a robed soldier shouted, his voice sounding joyful and maniacal all in one. Noticing as they all turned to him, he started to make his way for the tunnel out.

     Before Masuma could start after him, the Lady launched another bolt of lightning at the robed man's retreating form. Twisting convulsively from the energy shooting through him, the man crumpled to his knees before falling lifeless to the ground. Then, and only then, did the Lady let him be.

     “My Lady?” he asked again, looking over at her. He could see the uncertainty on the others' faces, and knew it must be written on his as well.

     Letting her hand fall to her side, she just lowered her head as she took a deep breath.

     “We failed...,” she spoke, her voice weak and unsteady. He couldn't see the fearful tears in her eyes, but he could clearly hear it in her words.

     “But...I thought...,” he began, not sure what to make of it. Even Masuma looked small now, seeming at a loss for words. “If this thing was so dangerous than why didn't the Gods do something?”

     The Lady didn't seem to hear him, seeming to question the very room for an answer as to what to do now. This was her quest, her duty...and she had failed it. Not only that, but now the entire world may be at risk. It was almost as if the cycle had meant to be repeated...

     “I tried...we tried. But now...now it's in the hands of another, just as prophecy foretold it would be.” Dusting off her elegant yet tattered blue dress, she turned to him. “The Time of Destiny is upon us. Pray the Light prevails.”

 

Reviews

[S.J.Floreen]

Nicely written and leaving one wondering what will happen next.

[Titus McGuire]

Very well written, you have a way with words and description that almost brings the events to life in the mind's eye. The prologue is catchy and does have me interested in what is to follow.