Oblivion: Part Five of the Redemption Cycle

by J. R. Lawrence

  “If your presence in the world had never come to be, than what do you think would have come of the lives of Eladrid Woodhaven, Skifel, and all others you have crossed paths with?” Ezila asked.

  “They would all have been that much more content,” he answered plainly.

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Oh, and you do?” he asked, his tone suddenly bitter. He cast an annoyed glance her way. “Neither do you!”

  Ezila shook her head slowly. “No,” she replied, “I do not.”

  “So stop pretending to,” he said irritably. “I shouldn’t have followed my father. None of this should have happened. None!”

  “But you were just a child, Neth’tek Vulzdagg,” Ezila replied, “You didn’t know any better. You couldn’t have.”

  “Yes,” Neth’tek said, “I was just a child... Just like all the children I murdered were! They got the death I deserve! Them, Dril’ead, everyone! I’m alone, abandoned on the edge of fate, with no one. I’ve awoken into a nightmare.”

  Ezila shook her head again. “You still have your friends.”

  Neth’tek shook his head. “They cannot help me,” he replied, “and I cannot help them.”

  Ezila blinked, the only emotion Neth’tek had ever gotten out of her, and said nothing. She usually didn’t when throwing such blanket statements at her. Hardly, for all the life Neth’tek had spent with her, had she shown any sign of feeling for anything it seemed.

  He scoffed at her. “So you won’t say anything?” he demanded, but gave her no time to respond. “Not that it really matters. Your words hardly mean anything. I mean, look at you, you’re so unconcerned with everything happening around you. Sometimes I wonder what you came here for, except to torment the minds of such people as me, looking for someone to share sympathy with. The only service you’ve lent me was saving my life. And now, standing here with nothing left, I’m beginning to wish such service had never come to be.”

  He paused, then, waiting for the spirit to reply. But a minute passed by without a single word from either of them. Neth’tek, for a moment, felt as if he had said to much. However, his anger overruled his regret, his frustration shoving it aside, and he waved his hand dismissively at her.

  “You cannot blame any of us for the death of your brother,” Ezila said. “Not even yourself, Neth’tek Vulzdagg.”

  “He saved our lives!” Neth’tek fumed, “He died for us! The least we could have done was try to save his. But we failed.”

  “We did not fail at anything.”

  “What do you know about it?” Neth’tek demanded, his words hissing from his mouth. He tasted blood, his lip splitting at last. “What do you know about anything? For more years than I care to count, I’ve been stuck with you following me, and still to this day I hardly know anything about you.”

  Ezila seemed hesitant in her response. “You wish to know?” she asked.

  “I want to know the truth,” Neth’tek replied. “Where did you come from?”

  The spirit turned away from him, facing the western skyline, stars shining above its edge. “I am a spirit of the Emerald Tree, a servant of The Beloved,” she said slowly, her voice sounding distant, almost faraway on some mountain breeze.

  Neth’tek shook his head. “I already know this.”

  The spirit ignored his remark. “In the beginning, when the Adya arose from the ashes of this world, Muari, the youngest of the First Born, set forth a plan and a promise for all who followed him. But there was another, an offspring of the same roots of Muari, who came forward unto the Adya, offering a different plan and a different promise.”

  Neth’tek shifted his weight to one leg, staring at the horizon, stars disappearing one by one as the dawn approached. “So where do you come into all of this,” he asked, trying to sound impatient.

  Again she seemed to ignore him, and carried on with her tale as if he had never spoken, or wasn’t even there. “Their plans were different; Muari’s offering a chance for the Adya to seek peace and happiness in Aldabaar, whilst the other would make certain of their peace and prosperity.”

  “Who was the other?” Neth’tek asked, interrupting as soon as she paused.

  “The Watcher,” Ezila replied, “And many of the Adya left the side of Muari to follow the other into another place, and another realm. They became lost in time. They became fallen. The Fallen People of Muari, they were later called. Diamoad, the one who your people called the Urden’Dagg, was one who joined with them. And Anuel, the Shadow Queen, was the other. Because of their downfall, the whole of the world of the Adya was thrown off balance, and thousands upon thousands of The Followers of Muari were pulled down by them. And so Muari was forced to construct a new plan, a way of redemption for those who had become The Fallen. Through this plan, those who still remained loyal to Muari’s ways would have a chance to claim their ancient glories, and rise unto Him before falling. He would receive them, though, just as He promised.

  “And so the beginning of Aldabaar was over, and the Cycle of Redemption begun. When Duoreod turned to war against his brother, Muari led his son through darkness into the woodlands of Narthanger, into the very forest of Stonewood that you see behind you. There, taking a piece of Euxa’s life and giving it unto the half-life’s that create the trees and all other such things that grow, Muari made my kind – the Woodlanders. I was one of the first to walk among the half-life’s of Stonewood. It was while I was in awe of the world around me, my mind but that of a child’s, did The Beloved come unto me and six others. He said He needed our help, that there was work to be had in other parts of the world, and that only through our ability to converse with the inhabitants of those parts of the world could such work be done. They would not listen to Him, you see. They would not heed his council to cease their struggles against one another, and unite under one banner as he had originally intended. Their pride, and their hatred for one another, blinded them.”

  She stopped, and seemed as if she wouldn’t say more. But even as Neth’tek thought to ask one more question, she looked up into the heavens and said with a distant tone, “That is why I am with you, Neth’tek Vulzdagg. That is why you are here, on the face of the world instead of beneath it. You are my task.”

  Neth’tek hesitated for a moment, uncertain. “For what purpose?” he wondered aloud.

  “To redeem your people,” she answered, “to reach those who have fallen.”

  “But what of The Watcher?” Neth’tek asked, looking at her with a pleading expression, desperate for the answers now.

  “What of him?” she asked in return. “He is gone. He abandoned those who went to follow him. He lied, and so the world is at war. They feel they are following him by killing those who will not, when in reality they are acting on their own foolish merits. They were all mistaken. The Followers of Muari fought back for vengeance, to spill blood for those whose blood had been spilt, even when Muari pleaded for them to stop...” Her expression hardened, then. “There was seven of us appointed to serve Muari, but now there are only six. One of us, Azila by the name Muari gave him, was lost when he and I entered the Shadow Realms in search of one such as you. I tried to find him, but the Shadow Queen and her allies found him first, and they took control of his mind through lies and deceits, causing him to forget the promises of Muari.

  “I tried to save him, even battled armies of the Shadow Queen until I at last passed into the dungeons of the Lesser Realm, but only to find that he had completely changed into a monster of the Shadow Queen herself. That was when I was taken and imprisoned in the service of one of the followers of the Urden’Dagg.”

  Neth’tek nodded. “Maaha Zurdagg,” he said.

  Ezila, though, did not respond. She was looking out over the landscape with a distant expression, her thoughts obviously reflecting on some time long ago. But in this moment of silence, Neth’tek was able to reflect on his own past, his own life and childhood, memories that had been hid behind the grief he now felt for Dril’ead and the people of Even
star. Consequently, he felt a weak smile itch onto his face.

  Ezila stirred, however, and still looking out over the land she said to him, “You’ve met the new form of Azila already, Neth’tek Vulzdagg.”

  Neth’tek looked at her oddly. “I have?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said, “he is the demon Gorroth.”

  Neth’tek’s expression went stark, and he looked out at the skyline once again. “The demon,” he said to himself, “The servant of shadows.”

  “I am sorry,” Ezila said to him. “I wouldn’t have shared such things with you if you hadn’t asked.”

  Neth’tek sighed. “Why is that?” he asked, “Why wouldn’t you have told me these things?”

  “Because of the overpowering sense of knowledge behind them,” she answered. “With so much logic at your disposal, it is almost impossible to believe in anything.”

  “But now I understand so much,” he said.

  “And yet you will understand so little when the time for reckoning comes,” Ezila replied.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, and I wish to be precise in my explanation, that there will be a time for reckoning in the way that you choose to follow,” she answered. “The way is yet before you, but remember this... There is no middle ground, Neth’tek Vulzdagg.”

  Neth’tek glanced over his shoulder at the glow of the small fire Hakal had built in their chosen campsite, and breathed out another sigh, a billow of steam leaving his mouth. “Than I must stop the fighting, the warring that this world has grown accustom to. I see that such traditions are not only in my own land. But if not for the worlds sake, than I do it for theirs.”

  “Then it is to the fortress under the mountains, even Grindle, that your path will lead you,” Ezila spoke quietly, her face toward the northeast of the land, where the fortress of darkness lay in the shadow of night.

  Looking directly to Ezila Neth’tek said, “Remember what I say this day; for when I die, I wish to die grasping for my glory and the glory of my people. For their redemption. For their protection. For Muari’s love of us.”

  “Yes,” Ezila said, “I will remember.”

  28

  Where Paths Cross and Others Part

  That morning, Eladrid Woodhaven watched the camp from a ledge on the side of the mountain above them. The forested valley stretched before him, grey under the dim morning light, dew still clinging to the tops of the trees of Furnost away to the west. He held a dagger in one hand, the same that he had used to fight Dril’ead. The same that had pierced The Fallen’s heart. But it had not been his hand that pushed it into his breast, he realized as he thought back on that black night. Although Eladrid’s mind had not been his own, he knew that he could not have so easily defeated the mighty warrior with a single dagger. Instead, Eladrid decided that Dril had taken his own life using Eladrid’s hand.

  “To what end, though, friend?” he asked the morning breeze that swept his hair across his face.

  “You cannot hide from me, woodlander,” said a familiar voice from behind, and Eladrid tensed and closed his eyes, recognizing the shadow of Neth’tek Vulzdagg fall over him.

  “Go ahead,” said Eladrid. “Kill me, if that is why you sought me.”

  Neth’tek was silent, and Eladrid kept his eyes closed, waiting for The Fallen to strike or give some word as to his motives. He would not blame him for desiring to take his life in place of his brothers. For what Eladrid had committed, it was a punishment worthy of his actions.

  “No,” said Neth’tek, and he seemed to breath a sigh of relief with the word, as if speaking it was releasing some heavy burden. “Eladrid, we are friends. It may have been your blade that took his life, but it was Dril’ead’s arm that moved yours. There is a greater power that stirs our hears, and perhaps Dril was able to glance upon it for a brief moment, and see beyond the sight that we see, and know that it would mean the salvation of us all if he perished.”

  Eladrid kept his eye on the camp below, watching one of the hunters stir and roll over. “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “I have spoken with Ezila about it,” Neth’tek replied, “And my eyes have been opened to some possibilities. It was revealed to us that three of the people of Evenstar would die prior to the Shadow Queen’s return, and both me and Dril’ead watched helplessly as two were taken from us despite how hard we fought to save them. Last night, either of the three of us were meant to die to fill the last piece that would awaken the power of the Shadow Queen. Dril’ead took that liberty upon himself, and now the Shadow Queen is risen. However, just as she has come to power, so has she come to meet her doom. It is as the First Born have envisioned.”

  Eladrid nodded, understanding. “So you go to meet her, then?” he asked.

  “I go to fulfill what Dril’ead and the two others died for,” replied Neth’tek. “Either I or the Shadow Queen will perish!”

  “I will go with you,” said Eladrid, and he stood and faced The Fallen. “As ever I have followed you into perils wake, so shall I pass into oblivion at your side.”

  Neth’tek shook his head, however. “I’m afraid this is my fight,” he said, “and mine alone. I will take the three hunters with me, but I need you to keep Helen safe for me. Please, you must keep her safe.”

  He looked over the side of the ledge where she lay wrapped in a fur blanket the hunters had made. Helen was still, although he could make out her side as it slowly rose and fell with each breath.

  “I’m afraid she won’t understand.”

  “It is well,” said Eladrid, “I will take her into the woodlands of Stonewood. The power of my people will keep her safe.”

  “I fear evil is already marching against your people,” Neth’tek replied. “In time, before this is over, all will come to the battlefield and fight for what they live for. There will be no middle ground.”

  “Then, before this is over, we shall meet again,” said Eladrid, and he put a hand on Neth’tek’s shoulder as he smiled. “Back to back, old friend.”

  Neth’tek laid his hand on his arm and nodded to him, though his eyes were fierce and steadfast. “Back to back,” he said. “Do not seek me out when this is over. If I am successful in dispelling the shadows from this realm, I will find you in my own time. But for the time being, stay with Helen, fight the battle of your people, and all will be revealed in time.”

  Eladrid nodded his agreement and stepped back from the ledge. He put his dagger into its sheath, and together they looked down at the camp.

  “I’m sorry for what happened,” the woodlander said with remorse, “I do not believe I’ll ever come to forgive the power that stole my heart.”

  “Neither will I,” said Neth’tek.

  Eladrid was alarmed to see the fire in Neth’tek’s eyes, the shadow that overcame his face as he looked upon his friends, and felt the darkness that was consuming them one by one.

  “Mark my words, woodlander,” Neth’tek said slowly, darkly, “the Shadow Queen will pay for what she did. The Watcher will not laugh, but cower in fear as he beholds the fury of the basilisk. Before this is over, her blood, and the blood of her servants, will stain my blade in the place of these people. An atonement, if you will. Her death to redeem the entire race of The Fallen. And the time is nigh.”

  He swept back down the mountainside the way he had come up, dodging between rocky clefts and outcroppings. “Do not look for me!” he called to Eladrid as he departed, and the woodlander held to his word.

  He learned, then, that it was unwise to cross a Vulzdagg.

  *****

  When Helen awoke, Eladrid knew he was unprepared for the explanation he knew he had to give her. Neth’tek was gone, moving out into the wilderness with the three hunters as his only company, though he believed that the strange woodland spirit would be with him as well. But he sat on a rock beside the empty fire pit, the ashes having gone cold overnight, and began carving strips off of a small piece of wood with one of his slender daggers to build up a new fire.r />
  Helen yawned, stretched, and sat up against the rock she had been lying under. She looked around, undoubtedly searching for Neth’tek, and Eladrid pretended not to notice her as he idly continued to cut strips from the wood block.

  “Has Neth’tek not returned since last night?” she asked slowly, curiously. She hadn’t expected to see Eladrid there, but knowing he was a friend of The Fallen and one who had helped rescue her, she had learned to trust him despite what she had seen. “I thought I heard him come back into camp while I was asleep, but perhaps I was mistaken in that late hour of the night.”

  “You were not mistaken.” Eladrid shifted on his rock, glancing up to look at the cold, pink face of the young woman. “He returned late last night, though I do not think he slept at all.”

  Helen tilted her head in confusion. “Where is he, then?”

  Eladrid cut a long, thin strip out of the wood, sighed and looked off into the green. “He left early this morning, to fulfill the task he has been appointed.” And then shaking his head, he turned back to his knife and the chunk of wood.

  Helen gaped at the woodlander, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “You let him go?” she said slowly, uncertainly. “You let Neth’tek leave, all alone into the wild?”

  “Yes, I let him go,” Eladrid answered matter-of-factly. “But not alone, mind you! The hunters went with him, and his spirit companion. After all, he knows what he’s doing, and he asked me to keep you safe as long as he is away. And safe is where I shall keep you, Helen, daughter of Skifel. Now, if you will be so kind as to stay with me throughout all of this, I will gladly take you into the heart of my land where no danger will be able to strike unknowingly. But first, we must eat. It is already half passed noon, so we best get moving as soon as we can.”

  Eladrid knelt beside the fire pit and carefully placed the strips of wood he had cut, organizing them into a neat pile in the center of the small ring of stones. From his pouch he took two stones – one flint and the other steel – and careful smacked them together over the pile of tinder until a spark leaped forth and ignited one of the dry leaves. He built up the blaze until it was a reasonable size, and then began to cook strips of meat from his supplies on the stones outlining it.