The Sword and the Shadows_The First Chronicle

by Patrick Kriener

  “No, this spell pushed us far off from track, which means we could be anywhere. Someone had to do this; someone was up to it. There could be no way the spell could’ve done something like this...”

  “Unless the creator of it changed our location…”

  “Tell me it isn’t so....” Kullian hoped.

  “Yes, Zoran had to be a part of it.” Vormis feared the worst out of this. He did not believe what he was saying.

  “That... it cannot be possible, he is our lord. Being our sovereign, he has the responsibility to ensure his servants’ safety.”

  Kullian and Vormis sprinted downhill. They searched the land with the farthest view of their eyes. “This place…I do not remember it.” Vormis looked to Kullian. “You still have your map?”

  “I must have misplaced it, for I had it before this happened. Whatever happened with the teleportation, it took my map and my weapon.”

  “As well as I. Listen Kullian, we have to find shelter. These hills don’t look safe and the ground appears to be heating up the more we stand.” Vormis saw a black rock. “It’s coal.”

  “This insidious rock, it will blaze in fire, we must move!” Kullian pulled Vormis’ arm as they charged to the center of the stony grounds, away from the fiery zone.

  They sat on the ground, out of breath. “I cannot imagine what happened with Yuri. He was left with those men.”

  “What about the temple? Why are we not at the temple?” Kullian was careless of the others.

  “One thing is different in my conscience...”

  “Yeah, what’s that?” Kullian expected an ignorant answer.

  “At least we are still alive. Look, Hulio is gone too... forever! We have to be thankful for our health and our survival. Also Tablitha, she could be anywhere.”

  “Well we won’t be alive for long. Curses, who do you think you are, Vormis? We are not heroes. Our lives and body are as fragile as any other person.”

  Vormis did not respond. He changed the subject quickly. “We should search for shelter quickly. See if there is any other survivors in this dirty, spit of land.”

  “I see nothing... no one, just miles of extended and deserted land,” said Kullian.

  “Not quite!” muttered Vormis pointing southward. “I see a scout tower; it looks occupied.”

  “We should be careful, for they are probably ordered to kill anything that moves in a distance.”

  “Ye of little faith, Kullian, I believe they would happy to see live souls. Come!”

  They ran closer to the small, wooden tower. While they ran, Kullian could notice a change in the weather. “Aye Vormis, do you notice a change in the sky?”

  “Instead of the blood red color? No.”

  “Yes, but it looks like there are portals of some sort coming out of the sky.”

  “The ground too!” Vormis came to a stop; he saw a huge fiery portal in front of him. A wave of heat hit them like solid walls. They both flew back.

  “What are they?” Kullian looked around for a weapon only finding a thick, long stick. He picked it up and saw another, throwing it to Vormis.

  The portal stood tall, and the view of it was too bright for the human eye to see. Vormis, averting his eyes, saw nothing, even from behind.

  “We are surrounded! Portals from behind, too!” Kullian tried to find a way out, but his vision was too dim. He had to keep his eyes half-closed.

  “Follow me, Kullian!” Vormis ran to the right of the circular attack.

  Nothing came from the portals. Vormis found the way out of the surrounding portals; he looked behind, seeing about five fiery gates. As Vormis turned back around, his head bumped into a thick, iron breastplate. Vormis fell, bleeding from the forehead, as he turned seeing Kullian in shock from the view ahead of them.

  Vormis slowly turned his head to the front direction. He looked up, seeing a dark red face. Yellow eyes and a dark, atrocious smell came from it.

  “The... Baelmora?” Kullian stood tall, as he could not stop staring at the thirty Baelmora who stood in front.

  “By Drahk’s name, we are in the plane of...”

  A fist whacked Vormis in the head. He fell backwards, knocked-out. The Baelmora were twice the size of a regular human. They were strong warriors and had heavy armor, if they were chosen to fight in battles. As Kullian could no longer observe, he knew he couldn’t leave Vormis behind.

  “Fight me then! Dark beings of evil, you are locked in with my Lord Drahk! Yes, it is he who shall deliver me!”

  Kullian then saw one of the Baelmora step closer.

  “Tell me this... does your god save you? Or keep you to do his will... till death?” The Baelmora pulled out a head, as chains were dug in the head. Blood seeped to the floor; the face was not even able to be recognized. Kullian however, knew the face. “No... It can’t be…Hulio?”

  “It seems your god failed you, for we are part of him now. We are the defense of Drahk; by his blood we shall crush the resistance that opposes our plane of Furyion. The blood of a god is not a reward. By birth it is chosen; it is a symbol of this living world.” The voice was gruff, and very deep. Kullian feared even the voice of the creature. It had human form, though its knowledge and physique seemed impossible for any man to have.

  “Then if you tell the truth, let me see my god. Let him tell the real side of it all!” Kullian was ready to strike with the stick.

  “Our god will stay in his place. You and your friend will die in here. If yet, Drahk chooses this, it will be slowly and painful.”

  The Baelmora looked to the others. “Get these two to the grinding factory. Let them taste the metal-crushing flavor of human flesh!”

  “I dare not go!” Kullian waved his stick and it hit the Baelmora. It unsheathed its blade and sliced Kullian in the leg. Blood flew from the wound. He fell to the ground; he would not move another muscle.

  The Baelmora saw a pike nearby, and began sticking to the ground. He went to it and stabbed Hulio’s head onto the pike, leaving a more disturbed sight. Kullian saw Vormis, as it took three Baelmora to lift up the heavy warrior. He closed his eyes and hoped for a miracle.

  Chapter Forty: The Path to the Temple

  “W

  e will head down south and then east near the Silver Road," replied Yuri.

  "Pass over the Heartlands?” demanded Berek. “Are you mad Yuri? There is much evil in those parts; I dare not sacrifice my group on such a journey." Berek seemed to recover more and more from the death of Jarem.

  “Something seems to be the matter."

  "Well yes, a man that trained me and that I knew a great deal of my life... is dead!"

  "Look, you are not the only one who lost loved ones or got separated from friends and people you care that much about." Yuri put his hand on Berek's shoulder, as Berek looked up to him. “Worry not, I tell you we will have vengeance on Seraph. As so, the Blood Shadows will rise to its triumph, and we shall slay the Ancients and claim victory." Berek nodded in strength and took Yuri's shoulder.

  "Throughout all Alundiel!" Aleazar made a sudden entrance as he overheard the discussion. Yuri and Berek spoke no more after this, leaving Aleazar to his folly. Helen and Roark were seen outside waiting.

  "All of you come!" Berek yelled. He saw Yuri, Roark, and Helen at attention. "I said, all of you!" Aleazar walked into the cold snow, exiting the cabin.

  "We are listening,” spoke Helen. “Go on." Helen had a soft heart toward Berek, and much emotion was filled in her heart.

  "We lived our lives for a purpose. Everyone has a purpose indeed. This power we possess shall be known by many. We shall claim back which was once the Shieldvanes’, and we shall bring the Blood Shadows to understanding and they shall fight by our side. We will have hope, we will have strength in this daring time, and we will have victory!" Berek unsheathed Dawnfrost waving it high in the air. Yuri, Aleazar, Roark, and Helen did the same and they made their victory cry loud and clear throughout the mountains, as echoes were heard throughout.

&nb
sp; "Now we head through the Heartlands, for Yuri shall lead us. He knows the way to the main temple. Found at..." Berek waited for Yuri’s response.

  "Um, yes,” spoke Yuri, “Mothdew Caves. I know a path to take us there directly." Yuri smiled as he knew he was important to the mission.

  "We ride now! Follow, and if danger follows our road, fear not and strike with pleasure."

  Yuri saw his horse near the stable and recovered it. As so the others did too. They regrouped in the middle of the destruction and began to ride near the exit of the Spine. The journey began as Yuri was in front of the four.

  Berek caught up with Yuri as they were in the middle of the County of Belmar. "So, you were separated." Berek saw only Yuri determined to return to the temple.

  "I know not how it happened, it was so fast. That teleportation spell I received was gone. I wouldn't dare forget it before the mission."

  "So once we return, they should be settled safely, right?"

  "That tends to be the purpose of the spell, yes." Yuri saw piles of logs and stone covering the path of the Silver Road. This was near the middle.

  "Some sort of blockage,” surmised Roark, coming up to join them. “It seems to be a set up; no natural cause could have created it in such form." Roark came closer.

  "Roark is right,” said Helen. “Berek, we should cross another way. It could be a trap."

  "Right; Yuri, explain yourself." Berek looked to Yuri.

  "I cannot promise a wide, clear and safe road the whole way. There will be some sort of interference." Yuri said this in defense. Aleazar thought different.

  "A trap… this Dwa’iin brought us to a trap!" cried out Aleazar.

  "Speak no more!" Helen demanded, quieting Aleazar as he got off the horse. She moved closer to the blockage. "So it seems the whole path is cut off, as there is no way around." Berek came close to Helen, bringing Yuri with him.

  "I could've sworn this was not here before. This was nowhere near the path I was ambushed."

  "So, is there another way?" Suddenly the sound of leaves cracking and metal feet running was heard.

  "To arms, now!" Berek whispered in an intense tone. The entire group unsheathed their blades. "We are near an attack."

  Yuri came near Roark and Aleazar. "Hurry, we must stick together, no one is left alone."

  The five looked all around. All they saw were trees and the opposite path behind them.

  "It looks clear... Berek?" Yuri was trying to see out Berek's plan.

  "Quiet," Berek commanded, moving closer to the pile of stone and wood. There was a gap near the bottom of it. Berek told them all to stay; he walked closer to the hole. He pulled Dawnfrost back with one hand, ready for a stabbing attack. "Ah!" Berek stabbed in the hole, but an arm reached from the hole and blocked the attack with a dagger.

  "Hold! Hold!" Yuri came to Berek and pulled him back. "Wait... Tablitha?"

  "Oh, my Yuri!" Tablitha jumped into Yuri's arms. He held her close. Tears flew down her cheek.

  "So, who are all...?" Berek stared at the trees, as many men in red hoods and robes came out. They had bows and blades to the side. They crossed the path from the forest, coming closer to the group.

  "The Blood Shadows,” stated Aleazar. “Well it is about time." Aleazar smirked to himself. Roark dismounted and walked to the group with Aleazar, happy of the moment.

  Yuri looked over Tablitha's shoulder. He saw a man exit the hole, with a beard hanging from the open space of the hood. He looked mysterious and had a blade, similar to a man he knew.

  "Dalkreen!" Yuri ran to him and hugged him dearly. Yuri cried, for Dalkreen saved his life many times, and was as a father to him.

  "Oh, dear Yuri... you are safe." Dalkreen smiled and looked to Tablitha, seeing this as one of her happiest moments.

  "But… how, or when?" Yuri wondered aloud.

  Berek then said in the midst of all the conversing, "Everyone, listen here!" Everyone looked to Berek. "We are looking for the main temple of the Blood Shadows, and you came at the right time, now..."

  "How did you know we pass down this road?" Yuri had to know, for he was too excited to speak more.

  Dalkreen walked up to the center of the crowd. "When Tablitha returned to the temple safely..."

  Yuri spoke out suddenly, "But where are Vormis and Kullian?"

  Tablitha then said, "They never returned, using the spell never worked. It transported them to some other location, but we know not where. But we do know that you are safe and we continue our search for those two." Tablitha smiled at Yuri, as he returned it to her.

  "As I was saying," replied Dalkreen looking to the left and right, "after this occurred we had sent out a search team. Now since we have found you, we can return to the temple safely. We also knew the direction of your travel, as Tablitha was a big help in this. So we set up a path that blocked the road, and now you reached us here."

  "On whose authority was the search team sent?" Yuri asked.

  "Mine.” Dalkreen then said, "Zoran had other things to deal with. He seemed careless so I had to act."

  Yuri nodded, saying, "It is great you did." Dalkreen took out an over-sized emerald, as he waved it to the air.

  "What is it?" Berek had to ask.

  "This, good sir, is our way back to the temple." Dalkreen then added, "This has a surrounding radius of ninety to a hundred feet. It teleports anything in its area back to the temple."

  Yuri then came to Dalkreen as all the others were conversing of their travels. Tablitha was with Yuri. "So, Dalkreen knows everything, I guess."

  "Yes, Yuri, I told him everything." Tablitha could not release her arms around Yuri. "So... what of the Maldark Santorium?" she asked. Yuri had a disappointed look. Dalkreen frowned as he rubbed his beard roughly with his hands.

  "By the Ancients, it was taken from us," spoke Yuri. "As I traveled to the Spine after the ambush, there was an attack. These Ancients possess more power than I thought." Dalkreen seemed to not be surprised.

  "Come we will discuss these matters later." Dalkreen turned to the convention and shouted, "Everyone... everyone please!" Berek and his group looked to Dalkreen, as all of the warriors settled. "I will now activate the spell; make sure you are close enough, ere you are left behind."

  Dalkreen put both his hands on the device; he concentrated with his mind as a bluish bubble surrounded the perimeter around the crowd. Berek looked at Yuri; he had more trust with him now.

  "I thank you..." spoke Berek, "for helping us."

  Yuri turned to Berek and they shook hands. "Thank you for coming along," replied Yuri, "we need the extra power. You bring happiness to all you trust and slay those who oppose the cause. So I thank you, good Berek." Berek smiled and he stood close to Helen, as Yuri did with Tablitha. The force-field zapped in mid-air and all of them disappeared in the blink of an eye.

  A blue mist flew all around near the cavern. The sentry guards from the top of the cave looked at all of them.

  "What business is this of? Speak quickly!" About eight guards pointed arrows at them.

  Dalkreen and Yuri stood in front of the warriors and friends. "We are here, by the will of Drahk, and you shall let us pass." Dalkreen took authority but Yuri felt the need to explain.

  "I was on a previous mission, out to retrieve the Maldark Santorium. These were orders of Zoran, his own will." The guard seemed to recognize this reason.

  "I see... come, Zoran would be happy to hear of the hero's return." After this, a few guards with pikes cleared the way. All of the Blood scouts who were from the search team marched back to the cave. Being about fifty, they cleared out the entrance of the cave.

  Berek looked at Yuri and Dalkreen. Yuri nodded to Berek and began to walk in.

  "So... we trust them, right?" Helen asked Berek.

  "We have no other road to take, so stay close to me. I know not much of this location."

  It seemed Roark and Aleazar were speechless. "By Gerthian Elantius! I have never been to such place."

  Roa
rk had a slight angry look, muttering, "Listen here, we should stay with Berek on this one. He is the only one I trust." They all entered the cave. They knew not what awaited them.

  Chapter Forty-One: The Appeal

  B erek was led inside the Blood Temple in the Mothdew Caves. Helen stayed close to him, for she feared the Blood Agents standing by her. Although Dalkreen had comforted her with his words, she still felt the same disturbing presence she felt when she first met Yuri. Berek saw her disdainful stare toward the Blood Shadows and pulled her close to him. She felt safe by his side, as though nothing could harm her.

  Dalkreen and Yuri were in front of the group as they led them into dark tunnels. Torches and other instruments providing light were along the walls. Several times, Berek noticed to his right and left, guards standing by small doors, perhaps trying to protect something secret. Berek did not much like it here, but he knew he had to endure. Berek walked close to Yuri and tapped him on shoulder.

  "Where exactly are we going?" whispered Berek.

  "I think Dalkreen is taking us to Zoran, my Lord and Master of the Shadows," replied Yuri. "Be careful around him. Watch what you say. He is a powerful man, and even now, your presence upsets some of the Agents."

  Berek shuddered and looked at another guard, seeing him glare. Berek quickly looked away and walked even faster. Behind him, Roark and Aleazar walked together, giving nasty looks to all.

  "I do not trust these Shadows agents," muttered Roark. "Not in the slightest."

  "Indeed," replied Aleazar. "But the two Dwa’iin imbeciles up there led us into this. We shall have to be careful all around."

  "Yes," said Roark. "The Shadows have one goal, and that is to resurrect Bael Drahk."

  "Then what is the fool doing?" hissed Aleazar.

  "Silence. Berek is only trying to gain extra assistance for the final battle. Although the Shadows may be untrustworthy, they are skilled in swordsmanship and archery."

  Aleazar muttered indistinctly. Dalkreen led them across a narrow passageway; the ceiling was low, in which case Aleazar had to lower his head, for he stood taller than the rest. Perhaps it was his proud nature that made him tall. Dalkreen led them to another twisting tunnel. Finally they reached a large stone door.