A Land in Shadow

by Daniel Whitman

  SmibSmob scratched his head, his brow furrowed in thought. “Well, I remember that hulking, armored demon. Then there was a blinding light, and a shining woman. Two emerald eyes appeared, and a soft voice began speaking in my head,” SmibSmob said. “Before I knew it, abyssal tentacles shot from the shadows and pummeled the undead. Two mighty tentacles collapsed upon the armored demon and ripped it down into a fiery inferno. After that … black butterflies?”

  Andromeda studied the gnome, her thoughts a swirling storm of intrigue.

  We all saw the woman, and heard the voice, it seems. But shadowy tentacles? Hardly. And what of these black butterflies?

  Andromeda had no answers. Frustration mounting within her, she turned away from SmibSmob, leaving him to his thoughts.

  “Ah, come to think o’ it,” Nalgene said, approaching his brother. “I saw the durned woman too. What did she say? Somthin' about a Shadow and some kind o’ signal light?”

  Nalgene scratched his head, trying to remember.

  “But there ain’t be no tentacles. Just a lot o’ bloody water. I be thinkin' I was gonna drown, but before I could, some durned butterflies appeared, and then I was here. I dunno. Spooky stuff, I be thinkin'.”

  Andromeda studied Nalgene for a moment, her tail twitching irritably. She did not understand how they all managed to see something different. Shaking her head, Andromeda turned to see Fasto approaching her, Margaret and Ro trailing close behind.

  Fasto had a curious look on his face, and he was studying the ground at the others' feet.

  “Fasto see fire,” he said. He began to speak again, but his words caught in his throat. His eyes widening in alarm, and he pointed a shaky finger at Nalgene.

  “Fire,” he choked.

  “Eh? where's the fire?” Nalgene exclaimed, looking around frantically. Seeing no danger, the gnome turned a hard eye on Fasto. “So ye be thinkin’ yer funny, eh? I just be wantin’ to know where the bloody hell we are and yer over there scarin' me with talk of fire.”

  Nalgene was interrupted as small flame burst to life under his feet. The gnome’s gaze shot down to the fire, and then back up to Fasto, confused. Perhaps the dull orc knew a thing or two.

  “What in the bloody hell?” Nalgene mumbled, stumbling away from the mysterious flame.

  Before Nalgene could finish, the small fire grew into a massive inferno, basking the area in a warm light. The companions rushed away from the raging flames, while Andromeda quickly vanished into the darkness.

  As quickly as it came, the swirling inferno vanished, leaving a smoldering patch of dirt in its wake. Standing where the flame monolith disappeared was a gorgeous woman with fiery-red hair that cascaded over her back in an orange waterfall. Fierce, orange eyes shone on her smooth, olive skin. A gruesome scar cut across her left cheek, but it seemed to only accentuate her beauty. The woman looked around at the companions, fatigue showing in her bright eyes. Though beautiful, the woman appeared ragged, like a person desperately in need of sleep. Her left eye was bloodshot.

  “Good. I found you at last,” she said in a most melodious voice. Turning, her eyes locked onto Andromeda. “Come, there’s no need to hide away in the shadows.”

  Andromeda froze. She should be invisible.

  Unsettled, Andromeda emerged from her hiding place. The other companions studied the woman with uneasy expressions.

  Nalgene took a step forward, his fists raised menacingly. “Alright there, pretty. Ye best be havin' a good reason to be interruptin' our merry gatherin' with yer durned fires and stuff,” he fumed, water forming in his hands. “Now, unless ye be wantin’ some of me water in yer face ye better …”

  Nalgene quieted as the woman cast her fiery gaze upon him.

  “Patience, my good gnome,” she said, smiling. “Nalgene, is it?”

  Nalgene returned a blank stare.

  “Aye, that be me name,” he said after a moment, breaking the silence. “And who ye be? And how in the bloody hell do ye be knowin’ me name?”

  The woman laughed a moment, but quickly composed herself.

  “I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Mariah,” she said, her voice growing softer as she studied the companions. “I know all of you, my good gnome. But it is troubling that you don’t know me.”

  “It would be hard to forget someone like you,” SmibSmob chimed in in an effort to lighten the heavy mood.

  “Perhaps,” Mariah replied; her gaze shadowed by doubt.

  “How did you find us?” Ro asked, a hint of distrust clear in his voice.

  Mariah sighed. “I have been searching for you ever since you were freed from the prison, and it seems I have finally found you.”

  “So, you know what happened?” Ro asked. “And where we are?”

  “Yes, I know what happened,” Mariah continued. Gathering up her red and golden dress, she sat on the ground, unconcerned that she might dirty the luxurious cloth. “Come, gather around. I have much to discuss.”

  The companions formed a semi-circle around Mariah — all except Margaret, who was pretending to ignore the fiery woman. Cautiously, Andromeda moved closer to Mariah, thoughts racing through her mind.

  How does she know us? And why would we know her? If only I could remember …

  “Currently, we are in the north of Anland,” Mariah started, her voice soft.

  “Anland, ye say? How in the bloody hell did we get here? Weren’t we just in the Heartland?” Nalgene asked.

  “Indeed, you were,” Mariah said. “As for how you got here, I’m afraid I cannot say.”

  She paused, and her crystal gaze darted around the clearing, as if seeing haunting specters.

  “Listen closely, for I have not much time,” she continued. “This isn’t the same Anland you might’ve known before. A great Shadow has been cast over the realm. The land around you has fallen, becoming nothing more than a vile and dead place, full of unearthly horrors of the night. Dreadful gates of the Shadow have opened across the lands, drawing in the very land’s life force and twisting it to darkness. The Shadow has but one purpose. To Destroy. What truly terrifies me is those who wish to use the Shadow for their own gains. For over two centuries the Light has been fighting against the horrid legions of the Shadow, and I fear the worst is still yet to come. But worry not, for there is still hope.”

  Mariah stood up, and gestured behind the companions, a flame rising from her palm. Andromeda whirled around, only to face a billowing flame. But the inferno was not hot. Instead, it enveloped her body in a comforting warmth. From behind her, Mariah spoke in a strong, commanding voice. “I give to each of you the means to survive in this twisted land. From within my flames you shall find your weapons once used to battle against the Shadow. Let them taste the darkness once again.” The warm fires vanished, leaving a smoldering arc on the ground. From within the ashes, objects began to rise and form like the birthing of a phoenix.

  Materializing before Andromeda was a mighty halberd; a shining ax-head perched upon a strong wooden shaft. Alongside the weapon was wondrous leather armor, made of the finest materials and blackened like the darkness of night. Some memory pricked at the back of Andromeda’s mind, but it was buried in her amazement.

  Eyeing her companions, Andromeda saw that they were similarly amazed, and were holding various weapons and armors.

  “Take back your weapons, strike back against the Shadow, and bring hope back to the Light,” Mariah beseeched the group. “Travel east, there you will reunite with the Flame. Now go. Save the lands of Ansalon! Remember, I will be there, always, watching over you, my Beacon.”

  As Mariah finished, she began to smolder away, as if she were a burning sheet of paper.

  “Wait!” Andromeda cried. “Where are you going?”

  Mariah glanced up, her eyes shining bright. “There is another I must find. Now go!”

  With those words, Mariah fell into ashes, blowing away into the dark forest.

  Andromeda could only stare, her thoughts a surging storm.
/>   Beacon … That is what the other woman said.

  An image of the beautiful woman from the prison and the enchanting emerald gaze once again appeared in her mind.

  If only …

  Shaking the image away, Andromeda turned to her companions, each now brandishing their equipment to face the Shadow. Ro donned shining plate mail. In his hand was a mighty greatsword and strapped across his back was a sturdy shield and fierce longsword. Noticing Andromeda’s gaze, Ro nodded to her, a new fire of determination burning within his eyes. Fasto wore tough leather armor, and in his hands he held a longbow of shining, white wood. Hanging at his side was a golden quiver of arrows. But it had been attached upside down, so all the arrows had spilled across the ground. Margaret equipped a marvelous plate mail, similar to what Ro was wearing except that it seemed to shimmer like a crystal sheet of ice. Lastly, there were the two brothers. Each now wore a flowing robe of smooth silk; Nalgene’s was a light blue while SmibSmob’s was a dark purple. In Nalgene’s hands was a glass bottle full of shimmering water, and atop SmibSmob’s head sat a massive, pointed hat, which fell across the small gnome’s eyes.

  Turning away from her companions, Andromeda narrowed her eyes, her thoughts rushing back to what Mariah had said.

  The Shadow has been covering the land for over two centuries? How could we have not known about it? Why can’t I remember before the prison? She knows more than what she told us.

  Twitching her tail irritably, she shot back around to face the others, who were all watching her with concern. Once again, she found herself thinking of the beautiful woman at the prison.

  If only … no, it’s not important. Focus on the hunt at hand.

  Andromeda’s eyes gleamed with a devilish light.

  “To the east, shall we?” she said.

  Nodding, Ro started off to the east, a wary look in his eyes. Mustering themselves, the rest of the companions followed behind him, caution marking their steps.

  “Take care now,” Ro muttered. “We are venturing forth into the Shadow.”

  “Ah, get over it, ye durned dragon, it just be a bunch of spooky trees, that’s all,” Nalgene jabbed, a triumphant smile spread wide across his face. A renewed energy seemed to radiate from the gnome, and he marched forward with a steady stride. “Nothin' to be scared o’ …”

  Not caring what else Nalgene said, not even caring if the others followed, Andromeda stalked into the black, twisted forest, her newfound halberd clutched tightly in her hand.

  The companions trekked east through the forsaken forest, slowly making their way between the interwoven limbs of the crooked, ancient trees. Ro took the lead and was hacking a path through the twisted branches with his sharp longsword. The others were similarly on edge, slashing at the dark trees whenever they found a chance. As they marched onward, they began to hear unnatural sounds echoing among the blackened trunks like a mournful river of despair. Shadows flickered in and out of existence at the corners of their vision, and the sounds of unearthly groans and snarls crept ever closer.

  “Undead near,” Fasto said, studying the surrounding forest. “Many undead near. Fasto knows.”

  SmibSmob nodded in agreement. “I don’t mean to be the obvious one,” he said, a quiver in his voice. “But I reckon we’re being followed.”

  “Just more undead,” Margaret replied nonchalantly. “Nothing that we haven’t handled before.”

  Andromeda eyed the dark forest around her, her feline eyes having little trouble seeing the undead shambling around in the dim light.

  “No, we're not being not followed,” she started.

  “We’re being surrounded,” Ro finished for her, his eyes darting around, similarly watching the undead move about in the shadows. Sheathing his longsword, he pulled out his mighty greatsword. Planting his feet firmly on the ground, he rose his sword up into a steady guard. “Ready,” he hissed, still vigilantly eyeing the shadows.

  Let them come.

  Without hesitation, Andromeda faded back into the darkness of the woods, letting the shadows of the night embrace her. Gripping her halberd steadily in her right hand, she placed her left hand on the ground, tensing her muscles to pounce on the nearest enemy. Her eyes gleamed with a toxic fire.

  Let them come.

  The hordes of undead rushed at the companions, zombies and skeletons alike boring in to drown them in a sea of death. But the companions were ready.

  With a raging battle-cry, Ro hurled himself into the mob of undead, his greatsword cleaving back-and-forth, splintering the looming trees and decimating the vile ranks of the unholy creatures. Nalgene and SmibSmob once again fought side-by-side, raining down their terrifying spells in a vortex of water and shadow. Their cloaks flowed around them in a furious grace, blue and purple flowing together against the black of darkness. At one point, SmibSmob reach into his massive, pointed hat, only to pull out from within a black, steel mace, which he used to smash any undead that wandered too near. Margaret dashed among the trees, crushing undead into oblivion with decimating punches from her demonic arm, and sending devastating waves of frost showering out from her fist, laying waste to the foul horde. Fasto stood between the inky trunks of two, massive trees, and was hailing a seemingly endless supply of streaking arrows down upon the undead with remarkable accuracy, striking down any who ventured too close to his friends. A snarl twisted his face into a terrifying mask of rage.

  Andromeda dashed among the shadows, pouncing at an unsuspecting target and tearing it down into the darkness. She felt stronger and more powerful than before, as if the equipment from Mariah had somehow enhanced her abilities.

  She thought back to the elegant woman from the prison, and her eyes burned ever more brightly.

  Embrace the power.

  Leaping into the throng of enemies, Andromeda heaved her halberd around effortlessly, splitting skulls and spilling the dark, oozing blood of her enemies. Invigorated, she leaped atop the nearest one, sinking her deadly fangs deep into its throat. With a hiss of delight, she ripped the unfortunate creature's throat out, releasing a spray of black blood, and matting down her black fur with streaks of oozing gore.

  Embrace it.

  Ignoring the foul taste of the rotten blood in her mouth, Andromeda scanned for another target. Fading back into the darkness, she stalked between the dusky trees, her eyes locked on her next prey. A zombie about to pounce on an unsuspecting Fasto.

  A roar escaping her mouth, Andromeda lunged at the target, hauling it into the shadows and away from vulnerable back of Fasto. Plunging her halberd deep into the creature's chest, she finished it with a sickening crunch of bones and rotting flesh. Whirling around, she tore the halberd out from her fallen prey, her eyes already searching for her next target.

  Flexing her powerful hind legs, she sprung over the growling form of Fasto, landing among the trees next to an enraged Margaret, who was gleefully pummeling one of the vile creatures into a shower of gore. Warily glancing at her vicious companion, Andromeda noticed a small cut shining out on the orc’s delicate face. Shaking her head, Andromeda faded back into the shadows, her halberd ready to embrace another target.

  Andromeda’s focus was interrupted by a shout from Ro, who had made his way over to the gnomes. Lightning shot from his maw, illuminating the dim woods in a blinding flash.

  “Follow me!” he cried. “The way is cleared, let’s escape this forest!” Gesturing his mighty greatsword to the east, he charged through the trees, leveling any that dared stand in his way.

  Glancing toward Ro, Nalgene smiled. “Now yer talkin' some sense, ye durned dragon. C’mon, me brother, let’s get outta this bloody forest.”

  Nodding his head in agreement, SmibSmob placed the black mace back in his hat, and with an exuberant gesture, flipped the hat up into the air to land upon his head.

  “Fasto, Margaret — follow us!” SmibSmob called back to his companions.

  Smiling with delight, Andromeda bounded off to catch the others, Fasto dragging a bloodthirsty Margar
et along after her.

  The companions pushed along through the twisting branches of the forest, the haunting sounds of the undead trailing close behind. Andromeda remained at the back of the party, alongside Fasto, and dispatched any undead that followed to closely.

  As they ran, a faint shimmer of a dim light began to shine through the shadows of the forest. With a renewed sense of hope, the companions redoubled their efforts, crashing through the woods with a growing sense of determination. As the pale light of freedom grew closer, the pursuing hordes of undead fell farther behind, disappearing into the shadows of the gloomy trees. With one, final surge of resolve, the companions burst through the black, twisting trees, escaping into the fading light of the open lands. As the companions glanced up to observe the lands, their sparks of hope were smothered by the brutal landscape before them.

  The very earth around them seemed empty, devoid of its very life-force. The grass was gray and wilted, and any bushes or shrubs that dotted the land were twisted mockeries of their previous selves. To the north and distant south loomed great mountain ranges, watching over them like dark guardians of the night. To the east the sun was rising over the horizon, but it was dim and bleak, as if some terrible shadow had devoured all its light.

  “What do ye make of that?” Nalgene grunted, taken aback by the withering sight of the land.

  “Mariah was right,” SmibSmob gasped, his eyes filled with horror. “The land is … has been … decimated.”

  Andromeda glanced back to the forest, wishing she could escape. Somberly, she gazed into the murky depths of the woods. A shadow flickered. Before Andromeda could move, two billowing purple eyes came to life in the thick shadows like two fiery chasms of death. Andromeda froze, a terrible sense of fright washing over her. But as quickly as they came, the two demonic eyes vanished, leaving nothing but the empty forest.

  Andromeda shook her head, unwilling to admit to her lapse of terror. “It was nothing,” she mumbled to herself, regaining her composure. Her mind started to drift once more to the beautiful woman, but her thoughts were interrupted by the annoying voice of Nalgene.