by C S Harrop
“Gods,” thought Asha aloud. “Why are the gods not stopping this surly they can’t be happy with the dead walking amongst the living? Secondly how is a relic of this kind in such existence in the first place?”
“The story of the gods is for another day Asha when we have more time. If the gods went to war with each other, the very existence of everything and everyone could be destroyed. In short, the gods came to an agreement not to get directly involved with the living or the dead that would sway the world to their own beliefs and ideals. They can however interfere in indirect ways for example take possession of someone’s body,” explained Elder Fallon looking at Asha in a way that gave her a sudden recollection of the time in the Arch when Elder Fallon became embodied with another life force.
“How many gods are there?”
“Just two left that we know of, the Dark Bloods have only one god and it goes by the name Plagis. It was probably the God Plagis himself that created the relic hoping to indirectly cause a great war, which is now unfolding in our lifetime. Then there is our god – Aldor. I believe he engineered the Seers to give them foresight knowing Plagis would interfere with the balance of the world, hence the prophecy the Seers foresaw to warn us. Elder Jorik came to the same conclusion, Aldor need a defence of what dark plan Plagis may have.”
“Well that’s just what I needed to hear,” Asha said sarcastically. “The gods are the cause of all this and we have to clean up their mess, great! Then there is only one path I can now take Elder Fallon.”
“Which path is that Asha?
“To gather an army from Darkshore and attack the Dark Isle. If what I understand is correct Onyxia will find the relic and she will open the gateway no matter what, as mentioned in the prophecy”, answered Asha.
“If this was even a little plausible you would have to convince the souls of Darkshore to fight and possibly lose the peace they have earned in life. Also not to put a dampener on your idea but you have no way of travelling to the Dark Isle to wage this war,” signed Elder Jorik with a sceptical look on his face.
“You have to remember Jorik the souls of Darkshore are all there because they gave a selfless act to protect, heal or nourish the lands and with their lives if necessary. I don’t think convincing them would be them problem, travelling to the Dark Isle with an army is another question,” pondered Elder Fallon.
“I am a Shade, I except that now. I can travel to Darkshore with just the will to do so what is stopping me going to the Dark Isle. I will figure out a way to get an army there I promise and when Onyxia opens that gateway she will have the shock of her life when I am stood there waiting for her and not her army,” Asha said with a passion that would rally a nation.
“Then it looks like we have a plan. You have grown so much in such a short period of time, Aunt Elora would be proud,” stated Elder Fallon.
“She is. She was the one waiting for me when I arrived.”
“How is she?” Questioned Elder Fallon his heart a little lighter knowing his old friend who he cared for deeply is at peace.
“She is just the same warm and caring person I knew. I have to say though everything in Darkshore has a slight colourless haze, I mean ever so slightly it’s like the colour has been drained a little,” explained Asha.
“Probably because you’re not dead Asha,” replied Elder Jorik. “There are texts that states the same thing from a previous Shade like yourself. If I remember correctly it also stated the souls of Darkshore mentioned the colours they see are more vibrant then they had ever seen in life.”
“That would make sense. I have the ability to travel between realms what would I have to look forward to if I can see it all now. I will grab a bite to eat and pack some supplies then I will be on my way,” Asha said looking at Elder Fallon like it was the last time she will see him.
“Remember Asha you are not alone,” Elder Fallon taking Asha by the shoulders.
“When Onyxia opens that gateway and if you’re standing at the other side you will see an army this world as never seen to fight by your side, along with your father.
“My father, will he really be there?”
“I have dispatched your friends Willow and Riven to Isle of Angar to advise your father of the situation. If they can convince him that they speak the truth, he will move mountains for you that I know. He had searched for Onyxia for a long time after your mother’s death but she always eluded him, hiding in the shadows. The chance for revenge is too much of a good opportunity to miss for all the pain she has caused him and you for that matter,” comforted Elder Fallon giving Asha a mental boost.
“So Onyxia is actually scared of my father?”
“Oh yes. The lands of Mordrath have been scarred for an eternity with what your father did next. He and around two hundred Angarian followers along with a couple of dragons attacked Mordrath. They overcame waves of orc and goblin searching for Onyxia until they learnt she was in hiding in the Temple of Da’Karr, which is located in Draknar. Your father sent the dragons first to try shake her out of the temple with their fire but the temple is carved into the very mountain so as you can imagine they did little damage to the solid rock. Your father in his rage underestimated Onyxia’s forces, she sent legion after legion of orc and trolls with packs of goblin archers firing from the rear darkening the sky as the arrows rained down on them. Your father had little choice but to retreat with only a around forty of his followers,” told Elder Fallon always enjoyed telling a good story.
“She is a coward, hiding away letting her minions do the fighting for her,” stated Asha.
“The sad thing is he never even saw her face once the whole time to look her in the eyes.”
“Hopefully this time he will get the opportunity,” Asha said with the sudden realisation of the task ahead. She has been running and hiding from this woman her whole life, doubt drifted into her thoughts as she headed for the door if she would be powerful enough to challenge Onyxia when the time comes. Looking back over her shoulders at both Elders, Asha knew in her heart she would not be alone, and when that time does come, Onyxia will be facing an army of light fighting by her side.
Chapter 17
Watchers of the Woods
Deep in the green rolling hills of the northern lands in an area known as Strathmere Dale, smoke rose high through the heavy rain from a small village of Holme that blended into the dark grey clouds. Men, women and children ran through the wet mud screaming in panic, fleeing into the surrounding fields and farmlands from a legion of armoured orc charging through their village like wild animals. Stone building, stable and barns were been ransacked and the timber-thatched roofs set alight. A handful of brave but foolish men armed with mere pitch folks and shovels tried in vain to defend the village at the cost of their lives as the orcs cut them down with little effort or remorse.
A young scared girl lost in all the commotion hid in the tall wet grass atop a small mound on the outskirts of the village holding her breath trying not to make a sound. Fortunately for her the air was masked by the thick grey smoke of the burning timbers and straw as it is widely known orc have a very good sense of smell especially the smell of man flesh as it’s their favourite meal. Her eyes were fixated and barely blinking watching the orcs enter each building smashing the interior to pieces whilst another orc with a lit torch set the buildings alight when they had finished. The girl soon concluded the orcs seemed to be a searching for something that was clearly important to them. It looked as though the orcs were setting buildings ablaze in a way to show the remaining horde that the building had already been searched. One building remained that differed to the rest with a circular exterior nestled within a group of already lit building that had a domed stone roof. The door itself was been made from solid northern oak and reinforced with steel plates, and to the annoyance of the orcs barred from the inside. The young girl knew the building’s purpose, the villagers stored the more valuable items for trade, which they have gathered over time with the thought they could get a bet
ter price.
A black horse appeared through the rain coming to a halt in the centre of the burning village. Sat atop wearing a distinguishable burnt mask hiding beneath a hooded robe was a Dark Priest of Draknar, followed closely by another group of orc that sent chills up the young girl’s spine. Orcs had been hacking at the door with axes and large blunt weapons making a mess of it but the wood was tough and thick.
“Out of my way,” ordered the Dark Priest in a quiet but menacing voice. The orcs instantly moved to one side barging each other out of the way. The Dark Priest outstretched his arm showing the marking on his palm that started not to glow but produce a dark grey mist. The young girl couldn’t see what the person in the mask was doing as his back was turned towards her but to her shock the wooded door of the round building began to splinter like it was been pulled apart, then with an almighty bang the door imploded. The surrounding orcs stepped back for a moment registering what has just taken place and the fact that there is no longer a door stopping them entering.
“Search it,” ordered the Dark Priest backing his horse away. At that point, an axe-wielding woman covered in splinters and cuts came running and screaming out of the building embedding her axe into the closest orc. She embedded the axe so deep in the orc’s chest she could not pull it back out for another swing. By this time, the young girl saw a much larger orc wearing an armoured shoulder guard step from behind the orc pack wielding with what seemed a large blunt metallic weapon. The orc swung with great force striking the woman to the back of head killing her on the spot with satisfactory cries from the horde. With a grunt and nudge from the large orc, a handful of Dark Bloods started searching the round building throwing crates of potteries and cloth and an array of various tradeable items worthless to the orc kind. A loud cry bellowed from the building and all searching stopped abruptly. An orc came wandering out holding what the young girl could see from her position and distance a kind of statue but too far away so see any detail. The large orc took the object and handed it carefully to the Dark Priest. The Dark Priest examined the statue for a moment taking note of the two serpents coiled around a hooded figurine with ancient circular symbols engraved at the base. He took the weight of the statue in one palm, his marking once again began to create a dark grey mist then with aloud crack the statue broke into pieces falling to the wet muddy ground leaving behind a decorative carved bone cylinder case.
“Send word to the queen, we have found the relic,” spoke the Dark Priest to the large orc in an echoing tone.
The young girl let out a long deep breath followed by an interval of short breaths trying to calm her palpitating heart as the last remnants of the orc legion left the village. Fortunate villagers lucky enough to have escaped the onslaught appeared in dribs and drabs from the surrounding farmlands breaking down in tears at the destruction and deaths the Dark Bloods had caused. From the corner of the young girl’s eye, a middle- aged greying haired man appeared from the long grass holding his infant son in his arms. She picked herself up and sprang towards them in floods of tears shouting at the top of her voice.
“Father! Father! I’m over here.”
“Josie, I’m so glad you are OK,” comforted her father in a one armed bear hug whilst holding her younger brother in the other.
“Have you seen your mother? Asked Josie’s father in a worried tone. Josie slowly rose her finger and pointed towards the round stone building. It took her father a moment or two to realise what Josie was actually pointing towards through the smoke of the fires. He walked further into the village stopping at the body of a woman that lay in the wet mud next to a dead orc with an axe embedded in its chest. He passed his infant son to a crying Josie and dropped to his knees; he carefully lifted his wife’s head and torso then cradled her in his arms, which broke a dam of emotions with floods of tears running down his face.
The Sanctuary was still as active now as when Asha first arrived here before her sudden vanishing act back to the world of the living. A variety of different races came and went from the woodland surrounding the ancient monastery with all eyes glancing towards Asha as she faded back into their world. She walked amongst the ruins feeling the rough surface of the stone as she passed taking note the stonework were very similar to that of Arch within Myst. Asha stopped in the centre of a small grassy area with large stones arranged in a circular formation forming three rings going from inner to outer. Asha felt a sudden gush of an unnatural wind rising from the ground surround her body causing an unburdening release of all her built up trepidations to a feeling of absolute freedom and relief. The wind disappeared just as fast has it came, along with it the weight of the world had lifted from her heavy shoulders.
“Welcome back Asha. I believe you have just received a gift from the gods,” said Aunt Elora leaning against a stone column.
“I feel Great Aunt Elora; I mean I don’t feel the pressure anymore from the worries constantly on my mind. I mean they are still there just in the back of my mind not feeling so intense,” explained Asha with a look of a euphoria on her face and in her voice.
“It’s rare to receive a gift from the gods but not unheard of in Darkshore, Aldor must have thought you require it to continue along your path,” Aunt Elora said giving Asha a huge hug.
“Elder Fallon was asking after you Aunt Elora, he seemed please to know you were here,” Asha replied with a cheeky smile.
“I think that wind has shaken something inside your head. We are good friends is all and lets leave that there shall we,” replied Aunt Elora slightly embarrassed.
“OK, I was just saying,” continued Asha with a smile on her face led away by Aunt Elora towards the domed building.
They came into the shadow of the cracked tall structure this time close enough to look inside. A mosaic covered the whole floor of a fancifully design of an array of colours which even showed vivid through the slight colourless environment of the afterlife. As they entered with the watchful eyes of the many residents of Darkshore they rounded a large stone column that opened up to a large wide room with an arch shaped frameless window cut out from the far wall. By the far wall on a raised stone platform were two detailed statues of two large deer made from thousands of strips of wood that stood on either side with huge outspreading antlers that gave them the presence they were guarding or watching over something. Asha suddenly had the thought of her friend Riven and how they looked to be of the same size, then a thought of Willow crept into her head realising she had not thought of her friends for such a long time with all that had been happening lately, she missed their company very much indeed.
“They are known as the Watchers of the Woods,” explained Valen gesturing towards the two mighty stags as she stepped from behind Asha. “They are the protectors of Darkshore if need should arise. You may see them wandering around the woodland from time to time, do you see something else Asha when you look at them?”
“No Valen,” Asha said respectfully, searching the Watchers for some missed detail.
“Look closer, look between them Asha towards the rear. Now what do you see?”
“There is nothing… Wait, yes. Yes, I can see a book. It’s resting on top a spiral column of black mist,” replied Asha blinking a few time making sure what she sees is actually real and not a figment of her imagination.
“Founder Valen kindly explained to me the book you see is possibly one of the most powerful objects ever created. It’s called the Book of Shariel; the mist protects the book from prying eyes. Only a Shade or a trained can see it and only a Shade could ever take it. The Watchers you see are also its guardians and they would not let the likes of me or Founder Valen get close enough to take the book,” explained Aunt Elora with respect to Valen.
“Not just any Shade Asha, they have to be pure of heart,” said Valen. “The last Shade to wield the book is said to have happened over a thousand years ago which has now grown into myth. The few rare Shades that have come and gone since have failed to claim it.”
“What do you m
ean failed to claim it?” Asked Asha.
“As Elora explained Asha the column of black mist you see hides the book from all but a Shade and the Watchers. If you try to claim the book but you are not pure of heart the Watchers will not let you pass. I have only seen one Shade in what now seems a fragment of a moment for me in the living world. He was just a teenage boy when he tried to take the Book of Shariel; he explained to me what you see now on his return from Darkshore. He did not say but I believe he did not take it there and then because the Watchers had most likely refused him. His pride a little hurt he came looking for advice from both Kaldern and me. We both knew being a Shade does not change who you are and I remember he was an arrogant boy his parents had spoilt him from birth. We advised to leave the book alone for both his sake and ours. Obviously, he ignored our advice, which was to be expected, as it was in his nature he wanted the book and he would do anything to get. Therefore, that is what he did he went back to Darkshore and stood where you are now in this room. In his mind that book belonged to him it was his property and he was going to take it no matter what, so he stepped up to the Watchers then arrogantly went for the book. He return to Myst gored and covered in blood, the Watchers deemed him not worthy. Not long after he died of his wounds with me at his side, even with his last breath he could not understand why he was not allowed to take the book.
“The Book of Shariel is yours to be claimed Asha,” Aunt Elora stated. “The power to help rid Onyxia is in your grasp.”
Asha stood contemplating looking at the two motionless stags knowing Valen’s story of the boy was a warning to herself. The temptation for Asha to take the book was little to none but the trepidation was too overwhelming. Therefore, in her mind it was a risk not worth taking. Aunt Elora gave her gentle nudge and a whisper of encouragement in her ear, without thinking, Asha took a step forward then another before she knew it she stood centre in full view of the Watchers of the Woods. Her heart rate gained speed expecting something to happen but nothing materialised just silence and a perfectly good view of the book that is no more than twenty steps away. She took a more confident step this time then another. On the third step, the movements of the stags were quick and sharp facing their huge outspread antlers towards Asha and smashing their hooves on the stone floor as a warning. Asha jumped back with her palms glowing in a defensive stance with an impressive look from both Aunt Elora and Valen. The Watchers returned to their original positions as Asha backed away she was not going to be gored herself for the sake of any book no matter how powerful.
