Ekleipsis

by Pordlaw LaRue

  “He recently died leaving his son, now Emperor Penuh Harap, to reign in his stead. Although Emperor Oviss was a wise dwarf, he was most afraid of what lay outside of the Valtava Forest, within the central parts of Erde. Emperor Penuh Harap is less fearful than his father, but from what I have seen most recently, there may be warrant to Emperor Oviss’ fears.

  “Since Emperor Penuh Harap has overridden his father’s law of travel outside of Hozekan, most have not been brave enough to venture outside of our commune. Me wife had heard through idle chat that far west from Hozekan there was a city called Trachten, that held markets twice a year, where all were allowed to come and sell their items. There are many precious and beautiful stones in Hozekan, so me wife and me decided to travel the great distance this time to see if we could sell our stones. It was also a time to see that which we have never been allowed to,” Wiltzer explained.

  “Why were you not allowed to leave your city?” Kayla questioned.

  “Legend claims, as did Emperor Oviss attest, along with the council that once lived, that many moons ago the dwarfs were but a few among many giants – which I now wonder if he meant merely your kind. Yet now, I further wonder if we are really different kinds at all; for there seems to be hardly much diversity but in size.

  “They told us of a wicked giant and a righteous giant, and that the wicked giant had slain the righteous giant. We were told that the wicked giant had power over many evil creatures and spirits that roamed freely in Erde, because the righteous giant no longer lived to battle them. Which I now assume must be these Gottlos and Ubils I heard the people speak of.

  “They insisted that Emperor Oviss had gathered all of the dwarfs that he could find, and traveled secretly through the Valtava Forest into what is now known as Hozekan. He immediately passed the law that none were to venture past the Valtava Forest into the nether parts of Erde. The lands outside of Hozekan were seen as an evil place of wickedness. For fear that it would lead outsiders to override us in Hozekan if we were found out, it was simply determined as forbidden to leave.

  “When Emperor Penuh Harap took leadership, he sent spies into Erde, who reported back to him. Upon testimony of the spies, the council claimed that Erde was not as bad as his father had claimed. Not doubting his father, Penuh Harap assumed the wickedness that Oviss had spoken of had now past, but it appears that it has not.

  “Further teaching also told of the righteous king one day returning to cleanse the Land of Erde of all wickedness, and all those who oppose good. Although no righteous king had been found by any of the spies, Emperor Penuh Harap assumed this king may have yet returned and was the reason for the spies not seeing the total wickedness his father had spoken of in Erde.”

  “Pardon me for asking, but why then did you call us thieves, and what interest do you have in this here sword and the man which gave it to me?”

  Vandor found what Wiltzer said most interesting, as it was so similar to what had actually taken place in Erde, but from a perspective of people who were hidden from the actual events while they took place. Vandor began to expound, “My name is Vandor and this is Kayla. The sword which you bear is my grandfather’s most prized work. His name is MaZak, and the name of that sword he called Reflection. We were on our way to Trachten to meet him, when I saw the glimmer of his blade that you carry.”

  “We are sorry to be the bearer of your loss, but we are most grateful for him saving our lives,” Damaris softly added.

  Vandor continued to push the idea of the death of his grandfather further from his mind. By all accounts, this perished soul could have been Dartego, which would hurt almost as much as if it were his grandfather. But even yet, it could have been another person who his grandfather had only lent his sword to in the battle. “I believe your story is very similar to the truth of what has actually happened here in Erde.”

  Vandor could see the dwarf’s face wrinkle as if to say, You are calling Emperor Oviss a liar?, so he quickly added, “I mean no disrespect, but my grandfather has lived quite some time through the struggles of the Land of Erde, and there are many who bear record of the same accounts. I am by no means saying that your Emperor Oviss’ stories are made up, but they appear to be more legend and parable based on the truth of how he saw or heard it.”

  Vandor saw a relaxed look from Wiltzer, so he continued. Vandor told of King Salvare, of his Book of Wisdom, and how he loved and helped the people of Erde. He ensured Wiltzer that this must be the righteous king that his emperor had spoken of. And this righteous king had established a voluntary group called the Sealed to follow his lead, proclaim his truth, and serve in the Land of Erde with a godly standard of honesty and love for things that were right.

  He then told the two dwarfs of Judarius. How he had betrayed King Salvare, and had slain him. Vandor shared that even though Judarius was never a true king, this must have been the wicked king the dwarf emperor had proclaimed. He explained how Judarius and his seed, the wicked Galtare, along with Jagare who followed, had warriors: the Gottlos, evil creatures which some claimed used to be men; and the Ubils, evil spirits which were able to persecute men unseen.

  Vandor went on the explain that Judarius had moved the Land of Erde into dark times, but at his death his son Galtare had pushed Erde into the Dark Ages trying to remove all remembrance of King Salvare, his Book of Wisdom, and all that was good. He further spoke of the failing years of Galtare, whereby the Sealed were reborn and Kirche was established in Signum, for the purpose of bringing the light back to the Land of Erde.

  Vandor told of the death of Galtare and the rise of his son Jagare, who desired to tear down what the Sealed had built in Signum, while his father Galtare lay sick or mentally disabled. He entailed that an unknown person had struck a deadly blow to Jagare’s head with an arrow, which had given the occasion of somewhat rest in Erde. He assumed the dwarfs must have missed the Great Awakening while they hid in Hozekan.

  Vandor gave regard to the telling of the pale Piradad, who had ridden a dragon name Rubicund into Oscuridad, the kingdom of Darkness past the Shadow Lands on the edge of Erde. Rubicund, which most had never seen but only heard of, from the land down under called Kriminala Pasaule, apparently had the power to revive Jagare from his deadly wound, but Jagare had yet to be seen or heard from. He explained how he believed this to be the flying beast which Wiltzer spoke of seeing in Trachten.

  Most importantly, Vandor spoke of the power of King Salvare’s father, King Allmachtig, who dwelt in the far kingdom of Himmel, and how this mighty king had the power to raise his martyred son from the grave. He told of how King Salvare had left to go to his father’s kingdom, but promised to return with an army to defeat all that was wicked in the Land of Erde. King Salvare also promised a kingdom of rest called Scimerian to the faithful.

  Vandor continued his story to Wiltzer and Damaris, up until the present dismay of things. He told of the mark which he had seen upon the Gottlos, on Labo, and the dagger which Labo had used. Though he refrained from speaking of Kayla’s father, who they feared also had one such dagger and could possibility bear the mark of the Wicked One. He explained how it all made sense – the mark, the attack in Trachten, the graven image, and the army of Gottlos and Ubils which Wiltzer had claimed to see.

  Vandor explained that all the signs pointed to what Judarius had claimed as the Ekleipsis. This would be the day in which all good would be taken from the Land of Erde, as the Darkness would rule, slaying all who opposed it. Yet he was confident in King Salvare and his Book of Wisdom, whereby it was written that he indeed would return and save his people from the Wicked One.

  When Vandor was finished, the dwarfs sat silently as if soaking in all of that which he spoke. He had tried to share that which the Book of Wisdom and his grandfather had often spoke of, placing it into the context with what he believed concerning the recent events he had experienced, added with those Wiltzer had mentioned. He feared the worst, but refused to give doubt the advantage over his belief that indeed King Salvare woul
d return before Jagare would be able to destroy all that was good in Erde.

  “You have persuaded me to believe that which you say. Knowing that which Emperor Oviss spoke, and trusting what you have told us here to be true, indeed the stories tell of the same evil that seems to be once again taking hold of the Land of Erde. I only fear that now since we have the freedom to venture from the Hozekan, we may no longer be safe from it,” Wiltzer acknowledged. “How can I know more of this King Salvare and his book?”

  Vandor stood, leaving his sword, and walked to his saddle bags upon Korb. From the bag he pulled a book. He walked back and held it out to Wiltzer. Wiltzer took the book with both hands. Its cover was made of black leather, somewhat faded, with tattered edges. The pages looked dirty and used. The inscription was worn, but the title could still be faintly seen, King Salvare’s Book of Wisdom. Wiltzer took the book, holding it in awe; it was a history and a revelation of which he had never read.

  Wiltzer offered Vandor back his grandfather’s sword, but Vandor asked him to keep it. “Regardless of the circumstances, if indeed my grandfather gave you the sword, then it is yours. It may also serve as proof to what you must tell your emperor and people regarding the coming threat to all of Erde.”

  Wiltzer acknowledged Vandor’s words and agreed. Wiltzer stood, as did Damaris, and spoke. “We must be on our way to Hozekan to warn our people and share this book with Emperor Penuh Harap. I will share with him the story of the man and his sword, and your story of Erde and what you have recently seen. There is much preparation that must be made and I fear we have no time.”

  Wiltzer paused, taking a glance at Kayla, then returning to Vandor, “Where are you two headed?”

  “We were on our way to see my grandfather in Trachten. I feel I must continue that direction to see if indeed it was he of whom you speak, or if by chance it was his friend Dartego, or yet even another,” Vandor answered.

  “Dear Sir, Trachten is no place for the likes of you two. It is crawling with detestable creatures that cannot be numbered. I am fearful that even the flying beast frequently returns there. If you are captured you will surely be tortured and lose your life for naught. Do you not fear death? If by chance your grandfather or friend were yet alive in Trachten, they most likely would have perished by now,” Wiltzer begged.

  “I shall only pass along the outskirts of Trachten, and turn upward toward Signum where the Sealed dwell in Kirche. It may be that my grandfather and or Dartego were able to escape the attack, and made it there to warn them. If they have not, then I shall share the news of Trachten and that of Nesal to the Auctoritas, Ciafus. The Sealed will be our only chance if we are to survive an attack of an army, which may have only been growing while sitting in silence. There are also some questions we have for them there,” Vandor told.

  “I must say I fear for your safety, but we have no time to stand here arguing over what must be done. May the Creator grant you protection against those wicked souls. I pray we shall meet again as friends, and that our people may know one another. Perhaps at the return of this righteous king of yours, it may be so,” Wiltzer replied.

  Within such a short time, seemingly foes became friends, with a common desire: to save the souls of Erde (and Hozekan) from the Darkness. Wiltzer and Damaris headed toward Hozekan upon their ponies, with Vandor and Kayla riding their mustangs toward Trachten. Over their shoulders, they wished each other well upon their journeys.

  Meeting of the Gibborims

  It was a chilly, dark night when the Gibborims met under the full moon inside the halls of the castle of their eldest brother. Jagare was the totalitarian over them and their surrounding lesser kingdoms, upon Mount Dauthus in Oscuridad. It was not so much that they submitted to his rule full-heartedly with gladness, but more so by an instilled fear from childhood. His dominance and demand for prominence had been since birth.

  § § § §

  Born of the wives and concubines of Galtare were these. Jagare was born of Galtare’s first wife Elinora, who Galtare slew in anger. Essen, his second wife, bore him Desgosto, yet died of consumption when he was but three. Of the concubine Mayaton were born the twins Baitrs and Begeren. Most beloved, she also bore him Zolba his youngest child of eleven. Gniew, his fifth child, coming after Begeren, was born of the concubine Salena. Taken against her will from Nikoden, she bore him in disgust, so Galtare gave her over to his Gottlos as a prostitute. Karlami, yet another concubine, bore him his second twins Hatan and Himo. His third wife Vira bore him yet a third set of twins, Abejoti and Ahnews, along with his tenth child before Zolba, named Pyktis.

  Eldest, Jagare was a most hateful child. Each of the brothers could clearly remember the times that Jagare caused them pain and sufferings for his mere pleasure. Most were emotional scars tucked deep away, which made them grow angered and terrible toward all creatures. But there were also those who bore the physical marks of their brother’s torments upon them; such as Pyktis’ missing little finger upon his left hand, and the scar across the cheek of Gniew. Fear of Jagare caused them to lash out happily upon all else that was, merely venting their frustrations which drew from another source.

  A council of hatred this was: hatred for all that was right and good in the sight of the people of Erde, and their precious missed King Salvare. Jagare was well-voiced in playing this hatred of all, which he himself had caused to form within the bosoms of his kin, to his favor and desires. His brothers were easily persuaded and he looked at them as evolutionary lesser, as delinquent handicaps. To him, they were none other than obedient fools, no greater than the Gottlos they commanded, yet he told them not. Jagare had always played their egos and madness against them, to easily persuade their allegiance to his causes.

  § § § §

  This night was important, as the Gibborims arrived at Jagare’s castle to discuss the ideals of their brother. Enormous stone walls encompassed the banquet hall, which was large enough to hold at least a hundred mighty men. Centered in the room were a row of two solid twelve-foot wooden tables covered in wild game and domestic meats, fresh and preserved vegetables and fruits, variety of breads, with bitter wines and strong drink to fill their rages. A splendid feast had been prepared, with cushioned chairs and golden steins awaiting their arrival.

  Oscuridad, being home to Jagare and all of his kin, they were soon gathered together at the center atop Mount Dauthus. Hatan, Baitrs, Gniew, Pyktis, and Zolba from the north arrived first. Soon to follow were Desgosto, Abejoti, Himo, Ahnews, and Begeren from the south. They merely awaited Jagare’s presence.

  These mighty men towered above the normal people of Erde, in height and depth. Some said they were possessed by Ubils, the evil spirits, giving them supernatural ability. Some went as far back as Judarius, claiming he was the offspring of a fallen Malaikat (a spiritual messenger of the Great Creator, God, whereby a Malaikat became an Ubil when fallen from obedience). They believed his mother Bailite, who claimed she was overtaken by an invisible oppressor, brought forth from her womb the seed of mankind and Malaikat (Ubil) unto all his kindred. Yet there were also those who gave no credence to supernatural ideas, saying it was merely evolutionary natural selection at work. By whatever means, they were feared indeed, and were known throughout Erde as the Gibborims.

  From the time of the piercing of Jagare, which brought him beyond the veil of death, only to be returned to the living by the power of Rubicund, that dragon from Kriminala Pasaule, with the pale Piradad, they remained still. Whereas Erde was able to rest for a season, they had grown weary of rest and desired to fill their evil lusts. They waited only for the permission of their eldest brother Jagare, to delight themselves in the acting out their vain imaginations upon the people of Erde.

  Dressed in a mixture of fur, leather, and metal armory, there were helmets, swords, daggers, shields and the like, hung on the walls, worn on their sides, and laid around the room as they waited in anticipation. They dared not disrespect Jagare by tasting that which lay upon the tables while he was not among them
. They knew he was merely testing them and by no means did any wish to endure his wrath.

  The room was filled with derogatory talk of the vilest things. Chat of kidnapping children for slaves, taking young maidens as concubines, slaying the old and crippling the young men, and what to do about Kirche and the Sealed. Once in their grasp, they believed all light would vanish in their grip. They did not realize they were merely pawns in the hands of their brother the Wicked One, and if successful in their banishment of light, what then should they have? For in Darkness, what then could be seen?

  A cracking sound came as the door opened. All twisted to the entrance, quieting their grumblings of violence. Frozen as statues, refusing to blink, they expected their brother to appear. Piradad entered the room, allowing the brothers’ stony hearts to briefly relax.

  Piradad was but a small skeleton to these brothers, yet they listened to him speak, for they knew Jagare must be most near. “Dear brothers of Jagare, ye Gibborims take heed. The time of your wait is now over. Now enters the days of the fulfillment of your lusts by lord Jagare Morte. Him shall ye serve. Him shall ye obey, that your desires may be fulfilled throughout all of Erde.”

  A voice of cheers, with the pounding of fists upon the tables, the Gibborims’ blood thirsty souls united. Then there was silence as Jagare entered the room, with Piradad stepping aside to give way.

  “My dear brothers,” Jagare called, walking toward the tables, opening his arms as if to embrace them. “I have long awaited this reunion of the children of our father Galtare, seed of our grandfather Judarius, son of the chosen Bailite and the power of Darkness.”