The Fallen Prophet (The Dark Prophecy Book 1)

by Cody Loewen

  I casually return my sword to my belt, hardly out of breath, and walk back the way I have come, like I have done so many times in the last four years. I reflect back to the time when I couldn't hope to win these fights and needed the help of another warrior beside me—it seems like a lifetime ago. I was weak and unskilled, but not anymore. With the help of the gem’s power, and five years of nonstop training to hone my skills and my reflexes, I have become the perfect warrior. At 21, I am at the peak of my physical abilities, even without the gem’s aid, and I have yet to find an enemy that can stand against me. who can stand against me.

  As I move away from my two kills, I search inside my conscious for that subtle urging toward my next target, and the sense of purpose that comes with it, but come up empty-handed. I put my hand on the pommel of my sword attached to my belt, hoping that the contact will reinforce the mental connection I have with the ruby. I search once more, but no direction becomes clear before me, and I stop in my tracks. For the last five years, I have done nothing but follow the mental commands from the artifact, and its sudden silence leaves me dumbfounded. It takes me many minutes to come out of the confusion before I finally realize that this mission I have been on must be complete; the gem’s endless hunger for the lives of evil beings must have been sated.

  I guess that answers Rayfe’s question so many years ago. I now have all of the power the gem has to offer me.

  I think back five years ago to the very start of this journey, when I first acquired the ruby in the dragon's home and his intricate explanation of its powers regarding the balance of the world, and what I was meant to do with it. I remember him telling me that once this part of the quest was complete to return to him, and he would guide me on the next leg of my journey. I smile widely at that thought, suddenly feeling so much closer to the vengeance I have been dreaming of. Having covered what feels like every inch of the continent in my years of hunting, I easily orient myself in the direction I need to travel back to the mountain that reaches up into the sky. I take in my surroundings, giving myself an idea of the amount of time the journey back to the dragon’s home will take, in order to tally up the amount of supplies I will need for the long trip back. Right now, I'm only a day’s walk from the city where Rayfe and I killed the tyrannical governor years ago.

  I have avoided the place for years, worried at the repercussions that would come with murdering their leader, but I have heard from fellow travelers that the city has returned to a place of happiness and comfort. It will be as good a place as any to gather food and other necessary supplies for my trip. If the citizens even remember who I am, hopefully they will not look on me unkindly for having killed that evil man. I do not carry anything on me besides the bag of coins that I've collected in my travels, the clothes on my back, and a small assortment of weapons, so I travel as quickly as possible ready for a much-needed meal.

  When I finally arrive at Shady Grove, night has taken hold, and the moon hangs high in the sky. A single guard at the gate lets me in, and I make my way to the bar that I know will be open, despite the late hour. There are not many customers inside, but the few that remain make it quite clear of the drastic changes that have come over this place since I was here last.

  The bar is clean, the tables seeming to shine without the layer of dust that covered everything last time. The few patrons that remain in the building, while dressed simply, seem to be much healthier than before. The gaunt, almost starving look in their bodies is gone, replaced by a sense of contentment and happiness. As I make eye contact with the other customers, I receive a friendly smile devoid of any recognition, which I gladly return. The bartender, who looks much the same as he did five years ago, approaches the table I have chosen, and I see a spark of surprise in his expression.

  “I remember you,” he says to me quietly, only allowing his words to carry as far as they need to for me to hear. “You were in here the night that the governor was killed in his home. I had heard rumors that a pair of strangers were the ones who ended his life. Is it true? Was it you and your friend?”

  I study his expression carefully, not wanting to stir up any trouble in this place. Once I am satisfied of his attitude toward that bloody deed, I give him a slight nod, confirming his suspicions.

  “This whole city thanks you,” he responds with a wide smile, but keeps his voice low, sensing my disinterest in any more attention. “No one here may remember your face, but your actions live on in all of our memories. This city has returned to a place that people actually enjoy living in and don’t just expect to die at some point. Shady Grove has become a flourishing hub of trade once more. You, my friend, order whatever you like. Your food and drink are on me tonight.

  “That's too kind,” I say to him simply. After he insists, I give in and order a simple meal of meat and vegetables, along with a tall glass of ale to quench my thirst. He quickly moves away from the table and returns shortly with what I requested. I scarf down my food, hardly tasting it before swallowing, and empty the mug in one large gulp. I leave a few coins on the table against his wishes and exit the bar without another word.

  The shops that I need to gather my traveling supplies from won't be open until the sun rises, but I have grown accustomed to sleeping outdoors under the open sky and make my way back out of the city. A short distance from the wall, I remove my weapons and pile them on the ground beside me and lay down for a few hours of sleep. The sun's light bursting over the horizon wakes me from my slumber, and without preamble I enter the city, hoping to finish my shopping before the merchant’s square fills with other customers. With my focus purely on the mission before me, I only stop at the carts I need, efficiently gathering food, thick clothes for the cold climb ahead, and a new pair of durable boots to replace the ones I have been wearing for the past few years.

  As a steady stream of the city’s inhabits stream into the square for a day of trade, I make my way out, exiting through the northern gate, subconsciously fingering the ruby in my sword, half expecting to receive directions from it again, but it remains silent. My journey north is mostly uneventful, covering as much distance as possible during the day and sleeping off to the side of the trail when darkness falls. I eat while I walk and fill my water skin whenever I come upon a source of running water. Having grown accustomed to traveling and living alone for so long, the journey is easy, and after many days of walking, the massive peak becomes visible in the distance.

  It starts as a triangular-shaped haze, barely noticeable in front of me, but quickly darkens into the shape of the mass of the mountain. As it continues to become clearer, the sheer size of it shows itself before me. As I stand at the base of the mound of rock, I stare up the path that Rayfe and I walked five years ago, winding its way up the face of the mountain, seemingly disappearing into the clouds. I remember the secret passage Valerius showed us when we left and look for that hidden pathway, knowing how much shorter and easier that climb will be.

  After searching for a short time, I stumble upon the cleverly hidden steps and begin the climb. As the top of the stairway comes into view, the wall of rock that abruptly marks its end appears unbroken and impassable. Valerius had opened this from the inside when we were here before, so I am not sure how I am supposed to open it this time. My eyes rove over the surface, looking for any indention or crack that would serve as a latch. Nothing.

  What if I have to climb back down and go up the original path? I will lose an entire day.

  After exhausting everything I can think of to get the door to open, I turn, resigning myself to the long climb back down to start my ascent all over again. As I swing my body around, my sword brushes the stone wall, and the gem flares a bright red. With a click, the doorway that I knew was there appears, swinging out toward me of its own accord.

  Beyond the door at the end of the dark corridor and the stairway lies the information that I have been waiting on for so long. According to Valerius, with the help of the gem I should be strong enough to finally defeat Kromm. Now that m
y five years of fighting evil has ended, he should be able to tell me how to finally achieve my vengeance. I practically run up the stone stairway, taking only a moment to gather myself before I push open the door that I know lies beyond. I enter the chamber from the opposite end as the last time with Rayfe, but the features inside the room remain the same.

  The pool of water in the center of the room dominates the area, providing light. I stand facing the back of the chair in which Valerius is currently sitting, his head and shoulders rising over the top of it. He smoothly stands and turns to face me, his expression making it clear that he was expecting my presence. Everything about his appearance is exactly as it was before, except his draconic eyes now hold my gaze. The reptilian orbs focus on me, and the dragon smiles and walks toward me.

  “The time has finally come,” he announces when he stands right in front of me. “I know you have been waiting on this moment for a long, long time, Lykara.”

  I give him a brief nod in response, a combination of my lack of interaction for the past decade and the darkness within the gem keeping me quiet and focused. He doesn't respond to my lack of verbal response and continues talking.

  “I have been able to watch you from a distance using the powers of the gem to channel my conscious through your adventures. It's a shame that your elven friend wasn't as passionate about this mission as you are, but you flourished on your own, tipping the scales toward good and gathering the power that you need.”

  “Many of your victories were quite impressive,” he continues talking. I let out a little smile as I think about all of the evil creatures I have destroyed. I reflect on the excitement and the bloodlust that accompanied each of those battles and the strength and speed I was able to harness with the slaughter of the creatures of darkness.

  “None of them really matter,” I reply simply. “They were only a means to an end. Now where is Kromm?”

  He chuckles at the straightforward question, shaking his head.

  “Oh, Lykara,” he replies, still grinning. “Always straight to the point with you. Never any time to slow down and enjoy yourself. Very well. If you insist.”

  He takes me by the shoulder and gently guide me toward the pool of water in the center of the room.

  “Now I must admit,” he says as we stand in front of the water. “I wasn't completely honest with you about the identity of the one you seek.”

  I look at him, suddenly suspicious, and impatiently gesture for him to continue. He holds his hands up in defense and quickly responds.

  “Don't worry, the mission is still for the same reason. To reset the scales to balance, but I didn’t tell you everything about Kromm. He isn’t just a greater evil being. He is actually a dragon. My counterpart.”

  My eyes widen as the magnitude of what he's saying sets in. Remembering everything Rayfe told me about dragons—their cunning, strength ruthlessness, not to mention their magical abilities--I begin to feel afraid and nervous, unsure of my chances of ever besting a dragon. Valerius must sense my apprehension because he places his hand back on my shoulder comfortingly.

  “You are prepared for this fight, Lykara,” he says, guiding my eyes down to the handle of my sword with his own. “With that gem, you are powerful enough to defeat him. I will show you where he is, and you can finally get your vengeance. Even though your enemy is stronger than I had originally led you to believe, you are much more powerful than you realize. The gem senses evil, as you know, and provides power to defeat it. An enemy of this magnitude will require the gem to grant you more strength than it has before. It will sense the ultimate evil power of Kromm, and now the full power of the ruby will be yours to harness. Trust in yourself and vanquish this enemy. The world depends on you.”

  I take a breath and steel myself, gathering my resolve. I have experienced the power that the gem has already granted me, and if there is more to be had, I don't see an enemy that could possibly stand against me. I look at Valerius expectantly, waiting on him to finally provide the information that he has promised. He turns and faces the pool of water, and I follow suit. Extending his hands, he mutters under his breath and the water begins to bubble as if it were boiling. The bubbling grows stronger in front of us, and as the water’s turmoil seems to reach a climax, it is suddenly still, it's crystal clear surface displaying an image of what I recognize to be a map of the continent.

  As I watch, the image seems to zoom in, focusing on a progressively smaller area far to the south, past the forest that houses the elves’ home city. I watch as it continues to zoom in, the image now a huge expanse of long grass on a flat field. It focuses in further, until we are staring at a single, simple home. It zooms in once more and we are inside of the single room structure, staring at a man dressed in simple leathers.

  I watch the man in the picture closely for a couple of minutes, waiting for any signs that he is in fact the monster that I am after. But all I see is a simple man. I turn away from the scene and back to Valerius, who nods knowingly at me.

  “He possesses most of the same abilities that I do,” the dragon begins to explain. “He is able to change his form to suit his needs, like the form of Kromm when he wants to lead a troll army to destroy masses of good people. He is obviously trying to hide from curious eyes as a simple human man right now. Let me see if I can give you a glimpse of his true form.”

  Valerius takes his hand, still held in the air out toward the water, and places it on the side of my head, slightly pushing in toward my eye. My vision begins to swim, getting blurry as my eyes water, and I blink rapidly to clear the moisture. Once my vision clears enough for me to see, I look back at the water, to the scene before me, to see a quite different figure. The man standing there now, if he can even be called that, sports a large white tail, lizard eyes much like Valerius, but red and black in color, and two horns rising from his head, coming a full foot out from his hair. I gasp at what stands before me.

  “He is strong enough to hide his truest dragon form from prying eyes, but you see that he is not what he appears.”

  Valerius drops his hand, and I blink again, the dragon retuning to its more mundane appearance. He begins to chant again, and the picture in the water fades away, leaving nothing but the still pool. I turn to him, and he looks back at me.

  “So, do you know where you are going?” he asks me simply. I picture the map in the water in my mind and mentally map my route through the continent that I have traversed over and over through this long journey. I nod confidently at him, sure that I will find the small cottage in the south. He gives me an encouraging squeeze on the arm. “Then good luck, Lykara. The entire world is counting on you.”

  Without another word, I turn back to the door, pushing through it, and then the second one leading outside the mountain, and make my descent to the base of the mountain without turning back, my course set.

  Nothing will stop me now.

  Chapter 25

  As I travel across the countryside, covering ground quickly, heading south on the last and only hunt that really matters, I have never felt surer of anything in my life. Even compared to my previous hunts guided by the gem to destroy evil, this journey to kill the monster who destroyed my home, murdered my father and killed countless valiant soldiers, this one leaves absolutely no doubt in my mind. This is what I have been preparing for, what I have spent five years spilling blood for. Unlike my previous hunts though, the time on the road drags on unbearably. I can see my victory so close in front of me, making the long journey south seem to stretch on forever. Every time I must stop to sleep feels like I am wasting time and every step feels like I get nowhere.

  After days of travel, I arrive at the edge of the Evershade Forest, where the start of my journey toward my vengeance truly began. I have avoided entering the forest over the last five years, unsure if my presence would be accepted by Rayfe and his community. This time is no exception as I opt to lengthen my trip by going around the massive forest versus having to face the people who live inside of it. Know
ing that my final destination lies far south of the forest, I decide to skirt it completely, walking along the outer line of trees, all the way around the massive area. I don’t know what the future will bring after this quest, but for now I know that I have no interest in diving into the past by seeing Rayfe in the middle of this journey.

  Several days later, I start to put distance between myself and the trees, finally on the southern end of the Evershade. Pulling the mental image of my map of the continent to the front of my brain, I estimate that I will reach the area that I have been aiming for within a few more days. I already have my weapons on my person and enough food for the remainder of the trip, so all I need to do is get there, resting enough to keep my energy up for this momentous fight.

  The flat, fertile ground all around gives me the sensation of wading through a sea of green. There is no road to walk on, civilization seeming to end behind me, and I tread through the grass extending up to my waist, my eyes constantly scanning the land in front of me. I hear the scurry of rodents around me, and the chirp of insects as they flit among the grass. Because of the flat terrain, I spot the cottage long before I reach it, and I speed up my pace in excitement. A twinge of fear comes over me at the impending battle with this creature that I really know nothing about, but I place my hand on the ruby in my sword’s handle to steady myself, pulling strength from its touch. I force my emotions to remain in check and slow my pace as I approach the building, not wanting to get caught by my enemy unawares.