A Land in Shadow

by Daniel Whitman

  The barrier cracked.

  ♦♦♦

  The gnome paraded through the cheering crowd, elevated atop a swirling platform of the purest of water. To his right was his brother, the mighty Gnome of the White Shadow, who brought about peace and tranquility to warring kingdoms across the lands. To his left was his dear friend, the chivalrous Dragon of Hope. Flowing out behind the gnome, his blue cloak shone bright in the brilliant morning light, leading a procession of battle-worn soldiers from the forsaken battlefield. The gnome waved to the surrounding crowd, sending cheerful showers raining down upon the sea of citizens, and bringing about an ever louder roar of excitement. This was his, and only his, moment of glory.

  The city around them rose up to meet the very heavens, the buildings brushing against the sky like colossal obelisks of power. Rows of marvelous buildings lined the sides of the winding street, and dancing flames billowed about the area, basking the crowd in a warm embrace. An aura of exhilaration filled the air with a tangible fire, but a suppressed undertone of hardship cut deep. Newfound widows and orphans lined the streets, hoping for a glimpse of the one they knew had not returned. Yet none noticed, or cared to notice, for the heroes had arrived, marking the end of the terrible war.

  The gnome led the triumphant procession through the winding streets of the grand city. As the shining sun crested its zenith, they came upon a massive square opening in the heart of the city. Four, twisting spires rose up from the corners, each holding aloft the weight of the heavens. Standing strong at the back of the square was a mighty granite cathedral shaped to withstand the biting test of time. Rising proudly in front of the great cathedral doors was an enchanting fountain, forged from the purest of marble from another time. Magnificent figures and etchings adorned the crystalline surface, yet the fountain ran empty, its water lost to the brutal ages.

  The crowd grew ever denser near the fountain, and an excess of various wagons and stands dotted the area, all filled with hopeful merchants eager to sell their exotic goods. Pushing past the bustling crowd, the gnome had only one goal — one, final challenge to overcome. Upon arriving to the beautiful fountain, he reached into the billowing folds of his cloak, pulling out a shimmering bottle, sparkling with the mesmerizing dance of the water within. He held it out in front of him, holding it high as if it were a sacred offering. To his right, his brother’s eyes sparkled, and he gave the gnome an assuring nod. To his left, his dear friend smiled with approval, urging the gnome to finish the task. The gnome turned back to the fountain, and then turned to face the cheering crowd. This was it. The pinnacle of his triumph. Ushering from his lips poured out a grand speech, the words of which have long since been forgotten. Time seemed a blur for the gnome. Was he talking for a minute or an hour? He knew not. His only focus was the crystalline bottle he held in his rough hands, the white fountain rising behind him, and the glory this would bring him. Completing his speech, the crowd sang exuberantly. He turned back to the fountain, and after one final glance at his dear brother, he opened the glass bottle.

  A rush of ecstasy washed over the gnome, basking him in a warm embrace. Rising from the narrow opening was the shimmering water, swaying in a tantalizing dance. He poured his very lifeblood into this water, sacrificing a part of his Inner Fire to unite them in unbreakable bonds. Raising his hands, the water poured out in a seemingly endless supply, forming a swirling orb above the gnome’s head. The orb pulsed with the promise of life, and the crowd fell to an eerie silence, lost in the miraculous display. The gnome did not notice. Fully enveloped in the true potential of his power, the gnome cast the mighty orb down upon the fragile fountain.

  But it stood strong.

  As the water crashed down upon the marble fountain, it rushed into the inner workings, sending not a single splash over the lip. The crowd gazed on with uncertainty, unsure how to react. But then, as if born from some heavenly miracle, the fountain came back to life. Shimmering, pure water flowed over its surface, cascading in myriad waterfalls to land gently in the basin below. The crowd cheered with a new respect, rushing forward to embrace their savior.

  The gnome fell back, exhaustion falling across his body. He did it. His time-lost legacy had been revived, never to fall again to the unforgiving clutches of time. He turned, casting his eyes upon the dense crowd, a smile beaming on his gnarled face. This was his glory. He did it.

  Suddenly, a man standing in the back of the crowd caught his attention. Narrowing his eyes, he gazed upon the strange man. He had long, shaggy hair colored to an inky black, and a bushy mustache that curled across his gentle face. A flowing, blue cape waved out behind him, a stark contrast to the man’s otherwise ordinary clothes. The man gave the gnome a smile, his teeth sparkling with the purest of white. He gave the gnome a wave, raising an armored hand in greeting. But in that hand, he held a mysterious hammer, of the likes the gnome had never seen. It twisted in gold and silver, catching the sun in a brilliant light. The gnome smiled back at the man, and turned, gesturing to his brother and friend to follow him down into the crowd. It was time to leave. It was time to gather the others, and prepare for the end, for the final battle. As he took a step forward, a dark haze fell over his vision. His mind grew muddled, and his legs grew weary. As he gazed upon the grand city, gazed upon the roaring crowd, he saw the strange man. He saw the marvelous hammer …

  ♦♦♦

  Nalgene fell back, the vivid memories already fading from his mind. Gasping for breath, he looked around, his eyes darting wildly.

  “What in the bloody hell?”

  Not a heartbeat had since passed, yet to Nalgene it had felt like an eternity. The rain still solemnly drummed on the stone streets. The others had finished rummaging through their little belongings and had their newly acquired bedrolls packed and ready for travel. Nalgene turned back to the fountain, but he felt nothing. No persistent itch at the back of his mind, no piercing spear penetrating his thoughts. Something seemed missing — something vital, some key piece of history, but Nalgene could not place it. He tried to grasp the fading strands of the tangible memory to no avail. It was gone, not even a fragment of the past remaining in the gnome’s mind.

  Regaining his composure, Nalgene slowly shook his head, turning away from the white fountain, turning away from the forgotten memories of the past.

  Durned fountain.

  Rejoining the others, Nalgene still felt a jarring hatred for Captain Osann, but now it was more controlled, more a deep, simmering rage than a fiery outburst of emotions.

  I’ll be watching ye. Don’t ye worry, ye bloody traitor.

  The sun had just crested above the fallen buildings, basking the camp in a pale light. The Captain beckoned the companions to gather around, his face a hard mask of steel.

  “It is time,” he said stoically. “The sun is past its quarter. We should be off. I would like to reach the southern crossroads with all haste.”

  Ro nodded in agreement, eager to leave the ruined city.

  “Lead the way,” SmibSmob said, shooting a sideways glance at his brother.

  Nalgene only growled, fixing the Captain with an icy glare.

  The Captain led the companions through the winding streets, leading them to where the mighty southern gate had once proudly stood. They proceeded with caution, constantly monitoring the area around them, watching for any signs of the Shadow. Nalgene thought it to be a bluff, a false front from the Captain, yet still he watched, his deep eyes studying every flickering shadow. As they trekked through the grand city, the rain began to lighten up to a light drizzle.

  When the companions finally arrived at the once-mighty southern gate, they found it had been reduced to a pile of rubble and debris. No one dared break the grim silence. As they passed through the devastation, Nalgene say a dark form flutter at the edges of his vision. Whipping his head around, his gaze locked onto the blazing purple eyes of a black cloaked figure. He was not the only one to notice the shadowy stalker. The cloaked form let out a silent chuckle, raising its hand, be
fore disappearing into the surrounding shadows. Before Nalgene could react, before he could unleash a devastating torrent of boiling water, an arrow streaked past his face, just missing a fatal blow.

  Nalgene fell back, letting out an alarmed cry. Rising out from among the rubble and debris of the gate was a legion of undead, their soulless eyes eager to kill. Mobs of deathly zombies trudged forward from the shadows. Ranks of armored skeletons poured out from the ruins, armed with razor-sharp swords and axes, pointed spears and reinforced shields, and powerful longbows nocked with arrows. Behind Nalgene, the others scrambled into position, raising their arms against their nightmarish foes. SmibSmob rushed up to his brother’s side, ready to devastate the undead horde in a torrent of water and shadow.

  “We have no hope of outrunning them,” Ro observed, trying to take control of the dire situation. “They have bows. They'll shoot us down as we turn.”

  “Oh, isn’t that just perfect,” Margaret sighed, frustration weighing her voice down.

  “No worry, friend,” Fasto jumped in. “Fasto has white bow. Fasto shoot other bow. Fasto protect friend.”

  “Don’t call me that,” Margaret growled, her black, demonic arm swirling with a vortex of ice. “Just shoot them.”

  “Ready!” Ro shouted, his shining longsword held at his side defensively, and his iron shield held out like an impenetrable wall.

  Captain Osann said nothing as he raised his now flaming greatsword in front of him. Searing heat radiated from the mighty weapon in a sharp wave, basking the companions in warmth.

  Nalgene let out a vicious growl, throwing one final glare at the masked traitor. He had a simmering rage to quench.

  Suddenly, a massive zombie burst forward from the rest of the horde. Rippling muscles roped across its rotting flesh, and a wide mouth hung open, displaying rows of razor teeth. The unearthly creature propelled itself forward, every pulse of its bulging legs sending it soaring toward its target. A guttural scream thundered out from its maw, and it locked its empty eyes upon Nalgene.

  Andromeda leaped out of the shadows, tearing into the mighty zombie with a terrifying ferocity. Her toxic eyes glowed with a devilish light, and she rent chunks of flesh from the undead abomination. Her claws sunk into the creature's burly shoulders, and with a surprising surge of strength, she tore the zombie's head off, its skull locked firmly in her deadly jaws. She whipped around, leaping off the gruesome carcass, her mighty halberd appearing in her hand. As suddenly as she came, she was lost in the shadows, no doubt seeking her next target.

  Nalgene shook his head in wonder. A lone raindrop splashed across his face and he let out a silent chuckle.

  The remaining horde surged forward, oblivious to the dreadful fate of the first zombie. Roaring, the companions rushed forward to meet them. Nalgene raised his hands, unleashing a barrage of devastating orbs of water upon the back lines. Beside him, SmibSmob had already succumbed to his dark power, and his demonic eyes shone eager for blood. Blasts of shadow crashed into the ranks of undead, only to be followed up by a hail of water.

  Turning away from his brother, Nalgene focused on the oncoming storm of undead, a wild growl escaping his lips. He raised his hands, sending a deadly stream of water piercing into a zombie that had wandered too close.

  Rushing forward, he called forth a massive wave of water, sending it pummeling down upon the undead legion. Arrows streaked past him, both from Fasto and the skeleton archers, but he ignored them. His mind was too far invested in his boiling rage. Swirling orbs of water shot forth from his rough hands, smashing the undead with frightening force. From the corner of his eye he saw Ro locked in combat with a host of undead, a pile of rotting bodies already forming about the fearsome draconian. Noticing a zombie charging for the draconian’s exposed back, Nalgene blasted it down with a piercing stream of water, before turning away, not waiting for the draconian’s thanks. A massive pillar of fire shot forth from the ground, disintegrating many undead in a searing rush of flame. Nalgene ignored it. He felt the soft touch of the rain fall across him. His eyes darted about wildly, and he sent forth a mighty orb of swirling water at any undead he saw.

  Suddenly, a crushing pain exploded in Nalgene’s side, and he was sent staggering back, crashing into the muddy ground. His breath was blasted from his lungs, and he curled up on the ground, trying to clear his hazy vision.

  Bloody zombie er somethin' got me!

  Coughing, he pushed himself up to stand shakily on his feet. Another explosion of pain surged through his body, and he went soaring back, landing upon the wet ground. A massive zombie threw itself on top of him, blasting away whatever composure he still had. The stench of rotting flesh overwhelmed the gnome and he felt razor teeth tear into his shoulder, ripping across the bone with an unbearable pain.

  His vision grew black.

  He tried to conjure up a vortex of water, tried to summon up anything that would free himself from the hulking abomination tearing into him. All he got was a pitiful squirt of water. With another explosion of wrenching pain, the putrid teeth sank back into him, crushing his ribs under their immense power. Nalgene felt his ribs fracture under the pressure, felt his small lung collapse under the weight of the monstrous teeth. He tried to reach for the crystalline bottle, but it was beyond his grasp. His mind started to fade. Images of Captain Osann, the traitor, and SmibSmob, his dear brother, filled his black vision.

  Durned Osann.

  He saw the cloaked figure mocking him in his mind, taunting him with its glowing purple eyes. A red haze started to seep over the edge of the gnome’s mind. He saw his brother, twisted by his dark power, decimate all that which they held dear. He saw the others, even Ro, being overwhelmed in an endless tide of undead, all while Osann stood laughing in the background. The burning red haze filled his mind.

  One, final raindrop fell upon him, washing over his fragile form.

  A roaring geyser burst from beneath the gnome, blasting apart the hulking being tearing into the gnome’s flesh. The gnome placed his hand upon his chest, releasing a rush of soothing water over his broken body. The torn flesh wove itself back together, the punctured lung breathed with a new life, and the shattered bones reformed themselves with a newfound strength. The gnome shot to his feet. Raising his rough hands, a swirling tide of water rose up to meet him, conjuring into a mighty vortex beneath his feet. Throwing his hands to the boiling sky, he rose up into the air upon his new perch. His blue cloaked flapped about wildly, even though the wind stood calm. His eyes glowed a fiery blue.

  With a thunderous crash, the gnome ripped his hands down, bringing down the very might of the heavens. Lightning streaked across the sky, crashing into the surrounding horde with terrifying precision. Torrents of rain unleashed from the heavens, covering the area in a torrential downpour. Arrows shot up at the elevated gnome, but he paid them no heed, for he was beyond their reach now. Tendrils of water shot forward to meet the oncoming hail of arrows, tearing them out of the sky. The gnome smiled.

  Gazing around, he saw the forms of others battling against the horde. There was a she-orc, obliterating undead with ruthless brutality. Sharp fragments of ice covered the area about her, and a dozen frozen bodies lay scattered at her feet. Then there was the feline, assassinating undead with a shadowy grace. She now fought against a host of shielded skeletons, and desperately seeking to bypass their iron defenses. Next was another orc, raining down an endless volley of arrows upon the unearthly creatures. A broken shaft protruded from the orc’s arm, but he growled it off, as he was focused more on the others than his own well-being. There was also a draconian, who cleaved through the undead with mythical strength, and blasted them down with his breath of lightning. Blood oozed down his armor, although whether it was his or the enemies, the gnome could not tell. Finally, there was another gnome. A purple cloak flowed about him, and devastating spells of shadow shot forth from his hands, ripping the surrounding undeads’ very life force for his own use. A wide smile twisted the shadowy gnome’s face into a cra
zed mask of glee.

  The red haze faltered.

  Brother ...

  Shaking his head, the gnome quickly turned away from the others. He knew there should have been another fighting against the vile legion, but he brushed the thought away. He had an unholy legion to destroy. Raising his hands, a swirling vortex of water enveloped the gnome, creating a mighty pillar of destruction in his wake. He clenched his gnarled fists, and the surrounding water swirled about ever faster, gaining power from the torrential downpour, expanding out into an unstoppable wave of death. Lightning streaked across the sky with ever more fury. The others stared up at him in wonder, then cried out in alarm. He saw the others turn away in panic, desperation clear in their eyes. The orcs, the feline, the draconian, all but the shadowy gnome fleeing in terror before his presence.

  The gnome smiled, and he opened his hands, unleashing the surging wave of devastation.

  ♦♦♦

  Nalgene awoke to the scaled face of Ro hovering over him. The draconian was vigorously shaking him, and a look of desperation twisted his face. Nalgene’s whole body ached, and his mind was muddled and cloudy.

  What in the bloody hell happened?

  He could not remember. Ro was speaking to him, but the gnome did not register it. Shrugging the draconian off, he slowly rose to his feet, his legs shaking with the effort. He gazed around, absorbing the surrounding carnage with horror.

  Mountains of rotting bodies littered the area, and the earth was shattered, the very ground torn and tossed about. A heavy dampness hung about in the air, and pools of water shimmered across the area. Looking closer, Nalgene saw a purple cloaked form upon the muddy ground.

  No! It can’t be!

  Frantic, Nalgene rushed over to his brother, tears beginning to form at the corners of his eyes.