The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  Raddington: "If nothing else, we can at least have hope that they'll aid us." He said before leaving to make the preparations he spoke of.

  While atop his horse, Obi looked down at Cherise with a concerned expression after seeing that she was still just standing there. He just kept staring at her with the same worried expression, without saying anything for a few seconds, until Theo felt obligated to speak on Obi’s behalf.

  Theo: "Cherise, I think I speak for Obi and myself when I say this; please, for our sakes, go west. Maybe even Valenor, just go somewhere far from the coming battle." And Cherise had a mixture of disappointment and worry when she answered.

  Cherise: "But I want to help!"

  Obi: "Please, do this for us.-“ And pausing for a moment, he continued, “-Do I have to say it? You know how much we both care for you, and we just want to make sure that you're safe." She wouldn’t leave it as is, and protested further.

  Cherise: "I won't be a burden! If not for me being there that one time, Theo, you may have bled out. I don't want to lose either of you two like that…" And recollecting the memory, her eyes were starting to glaze over as she continued to speak while almost sobbing.

  Cherise: “It’s not fair! I also care about what happens to you two!... What if something like that happens again while I'm gone? What if something were to befall you both, because I’m not there to help?" And seeing her heartfelt plea, the others didn’t immediately answer.

  Feeling sorry for Cherise, but adamant in his position, Theo started walking backwards, displaying the surrounding Army of the West around him, as he said.

  Theo: "Things are different now, Cherise. It’s no longer just us against the world anymore. Both me and Obi now have all these men, standing side by side with us.” Still worried and wanting to help, she looked down, trying to hide her tears when she spoke back.

  Cherise: "I just want you two to be safe. I can’t bear the thought of either of you dying.” Theo put a hand on her shoulder to console her, as he said wholeheartedly.

  Theo: "I’m sorry, but not this time…"

  Wiping away her tears, Cherise looked back at him before deciding to scold him one last time by saying.

  Cherise: "Promise me you won't do anything reckless!-" And seeing Theo's uncertain reaction, she persisted, "-Promise me, Theo! Or I'm not leaving!" And noticing that she was fully intending on following through with her threat, with a defeated sigh, Theo earnestly said in return.

  Theo: "Okay, you win. I'll try not to do anything reckless…"

  By the Light, I think he actually means it!

  After having herself a small victory, Cherise was able to smile through her worry.

  Cherise: “Good, because I was serious too!”

  Theo: “Oh, I know you were!” She smiled back mischievously before finishing her thoughts.

  Cherise: “I know how you have a tendency to try and act like a hero sometimes. But try to remember, the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders, okay?...”

  It seemed that Theo was seriously under that impression, as he took too long to respond. But eventually when he did, he just smiled back and nodded in agreement.

  Fearing this may also be the last time she may ever see the two, Cherise looked over to Obi. Before he was about to set out, she spoke loudly but with sincerity to him.

  Cherise: "Obi, before you go, I wanted to tell you something...-" And getting a little embarrassed, she twiddled her fingers, as she continued saying, "When I call you Uncle, I really mean it you know... Since that time you found us, and took us in, I’ve considered you to have been family! So I also want you to promise me something too. I want you to promise me that you're also going to try and be safe!" Smiling solemnly back, Obi brought his horse around beside Cherise before ruffling her hair slightly, and saying.

  Obi: "What's all this? You're making it sound like it may be the last time we get to talk.-" After seeing her clear disapproval of him making a joke out of the situation, he sighed before continuing, "-You know me, I'm the only level headed one of the bunch. And I have no intention of dying anytime soon! And you can be confident that I'll also make sure that Theo keeps his word." He said while giving her a comforting smile.

  After seeing Cherise's cheerful smile in return to his parting words, Obi felt content with leaving things there. Whipping up his horse, he started heading out towards the Dwarven kingdom, which lie in the furthest reaches of the north east.

  Seeing Obi leave in the distance, with a disheartened expression on his face, Theo put his hand on her shoulder. Cherise instinctively knew exactly what Theo was implying, as he looked at her with his saddened expression. He was saying goodbye.

  Cherise: "Theo, when it's all over. When it's all finally said and done, I’ll keep the promise I made to you. We'll find some place new where we can belong someday. A place we can all call home." She said with an uplifting smile before turning to walk towards her horse.

  Without her noticing, Theo just grinned at the prospect. He'd nearly given up all hope on finding a new place to rest his head before saying loudly in return to his sister’s back.

  Theo: "It's a promise! We’ll meet again soon!" He said with a relieved smile on his face before leaving her.

  Comforted in the fact that he knew at the very least that she'd be somewhere safe.

  Wanting to leave it on that parting note as well, Cherise got atop her horse, and was about to head out. When she was about to get her horse to move, a hand suddenly grabbed ahold of her robes sleeve. A little shaken, Cherise looked back down to see it was the elven princess who’d had grabbed her.

  Almahiel: "Pride comes before the fall.” The elf said her forewarning mysteriously.

  Perturbed and understandably confused, she questioned the elf back.

  Cherise: “What?...” And the princess replied in a similarly cryptic answer.

  Almahiel: “We all have our own part to play in the greater scheme of things.” Her words did little to make Cherise understand, as she continued.

  Almahiel: “Before you go child, I want you to keep my following words in mind. Wherever your path may lead you; do not lose heart, and never lose faith." The elf said with genuine concern before letting go of Cherise’s sleeve.

  I don’t understand…

  Cherise: "Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be all right." She said nervously before excusing herself, and taking her leave.

  Almahiel appeared to have more on her mind, but seemed conflicted, as if she were deliberately withholding the urge to speak.

  ────────

  As Cherise headed out, for the next few minutes, she couldn't seem to get Almahiel's serious expression out of her mind. Before she knew it, she was now alone on a path heading west, which would eventually head directly into the heart of Valenor.

  She found herself worrying about everything that had transpired up until this point, and all the worst possible outcomes. Cherise couldn’t help but think of the Darkness escaping and its further plans, to Ira's disappearance and his unknown fate, as well as Obi's and Theo's safety among other many other concerns.

  As Cherise thought on about this, she felt helpless. Then a thought crossed her mind.

  What am I doing? I know I promised to head west, but I'm just running away again! I have to be able to help somehow! There must be something I can do!

  As these thoughts flooded her mind, Cherise considered her unique ability to see the Darkness, and all that she had learned of its nature through her gift.

  Why would I have this gift if I wasn’t meant to use it? There must be a reason, as I did before, maybe I can resist the Darkness. Maybe I can even overcome it?...

  She paused for a moment, as even that particular thought sounded too outlandish to give much consideration.

  If nothing else, I should be able to get to the temple in time to help evacuate the non-combatants in harm’s way. And if no one else is coming to help, then only I can do this!

  Now emboldened, Cherise turned
back to look to the east.

  Cherise: "I know what I must do!" She said to inspire herself before bringing her horse around.

  The young woman boldly led her horse off the path before heading straight in the direction of the north eastern temple.

  CHAPTER 49 – THE SHADOW OF DEATH

  A few days later, Cherise continued on her way to the Order’s north western temple grounds. Eventually she came across a small Aelaan town. From the ever decreasing distance, it was a quaint and peaceful looking home. But contrary to its pleasant appearances, a troublesome thought came across her mind.

  This town’s directly in the path to the temple, and the Darkness… They're in danger! And they don't even know it! I have to warn them before it’s too late!

  She thought to herself while having her horse in full gallop, heading to the unsuspecting town. Even though she may be part of the Order, Cherise was a little worried her Aelaan hosts may not be so welcoming to foreigners. But the thought was quickly dismissed, as she wouldn’t allow her misgivings to hold her back from savings their lives.

  ────────

  When she reached the town’s outskirts, Cherise noticed something was strange, amiss. No one in sight. Tools were left out on the fields. Belongings seemingly abandoned in the streets, and there were no rustling sounds of a town, not even so much as a whisper, nothing.

  Unsettled by the unusual scene, Cherise cautiously approached, readying her horse bolt off in a moment’s notice. And as she was making her way through the empty streets, she spotted a horrendous scene that immediately justified her anxiety.

  Oh, no…

  Fear started to creep into her heart, as Cherise saw bloodstains on the ground, and on the sides of the town’s buildings. The further she entered the town, the more it became clear that blood had been spilled all over.

  After seeing this, Cherise got off her horse, and ran over from door to door, yelling.

  Cherise: "Hello! Can anyone hear me?!... Is anybody still here?! I can help!" She said desperately with no answer being returned.

  In a frenzy, she continued checking door to door, until she saw something terrible inside of one of the homes. Her face instantly became pale, as she realized the truth of what she saw.

  Lying on the floor, deliberately set aside in the corner, were lifeless bodies of the most innocent. Their lives robbed short before they were lied to rest over a small pool of crimson red. Cherise could hardly believe what she was seeing, as her eyes swelled up with tears and her legs became unsteady.

  Cherise: "Who could have done such a thing?!" She said despairingly, as her legs gave in.

  Falling onto her knees, she began weeping bitterly at the gut wrenching sight.

  I was too late… I failed them… The Darkness must’ve already have been here, what else could commit such an atrocity?

  There was nothing that could be done to help. As she had earlier said in her heart; she was too late. After a few minutes of letting what occurred sink in, Cherise got back atop her horse.

  If the Darkness regains its full power, how many other towns and villages will suffer a similar fate?...

  Her internal question seemed to light a fire within her.

  Seeing firsthand the horrors of what’s left after the monster’s wake, Cherise found a new determination rise up, as she looked back to her path before bringing her steed to a gallop. After she had her fill of mourning the lost, the terrible experience in the Aelaan town only furthered her resolve to press forward. And any lingering curiosity she had regarding the missing townsfolk was simply an afterthought she cast aside.

  After witnessing the aftermath of the tragedy, Cherise was set on saving anyone that she possibly could from this fate.

  ────────

  A few days after Cherise set out from the Aelaan town, she found herself in an unfamiliar forest. The surrounding scenery in this strange land was that of ample bushes and shrubs. The forest also had an abundance of small strange trees, scattered all around, almost as if they were meticulous placed alongside one another, about fifteen feet apart. The leaves and branches of the tress were hanging overhead like umbrellas, as they touched the tips of other trees. It was a mysterious but wondrous looking place, as the amber colored leaves continued to fall down from above and all around her, like a gentle snowfall.

  And almost as if they were intended to light her path, the sun peered down on top of Cherise through the pockets of openings from the canopy above. All of these sights she beheld were accompanied with a constant chorus of the chirping of the birds coming from every which way.

  As Cherise continued on her lonely way through this forest floor, almost a week in time had passed since she had last seen Obi and Theo. In this mysterious but unfamiliar land, she tried to find comfort by enjoying the wondrous surrounding. Looking on in awe, and amazement, Cherise found it a pleasant distraction from her task at hand.

  As Cherise continued gazing at the surroundings, she finally found what she’d been looking for. Just ahead, as she peered up through a gap in the forest canopy above, was a large temple, perched proudly atop the side of a towering cliff. The sight was uncannily similar to that of her own temple, which she’d come to know over the years. There was no mistaking it. By its placement and similar design, she had found another of the Order’s temple grounds.

  Pleasantly relieved, she smiled as she looked up to her destination.

  Cherise: "I’ve finally made it! And it looks like I’m not too late. I’ll still be able to warn them in time!" She said to herself with sincere optimism, but it would not go unanswered.

  Waiting for the right time to reveal itself, Cherise felt a malicious presence as soon as her words crossed her lips. Like a cold finger running down her spine, an unsettling entity felt eerily close by. Frantically looking around, Cherise tried to make sense of the situation, as she hoped to find what was responsible for this unnerving feeling. As she darted her gaze around, she noticed something else was amiss.

  Cherise: "Where did the sound of the birds go?..." She asked with dread after finding the constant chorus of the birds suddenly ceased.

  The ice like cold was one thing, but the unending sound of the animals abruptly going silent was another. It was the unsettling proof that the uneasy feeling inside her wasn't just her imagination going wild.

  Alone, Cherise found herself with no sound outside of her horses nervous neighing, and its restless pattering of hooves on the forest floor. As she desperately tried to make sense of the situation, Cherise now also found herself tasked with constantly trying to restrain her panicking horse from taking off in a fright from an unknown presence.

  What’s going on?!... What’s is this feeling?!...

  She glanced in every which way, seeing nothing.

  Something’s out there!... And it wants to hurt me. No!! It wants to kill me!! This sensation… This malice… I can feel it out there… I can feel it eyes on me!!

  Any hint of her lingering bravery gave way to fear, as unexplainable events started to unfold. The sun’s light started to dim at the same time as the worldly colors from the surrounding forest seemed to disappear, almost turning into tones of lifeless shades of grey. A swift icy wind rushed by, as Cherise looked out with a sudden overwhelming fright filled with uncertainty. Trying to make sense of this unnatural event, she asked aloud, hoping for a comforting answer.

  Cherise: "What's happening?!"

  Answering her, a loud violent rustling came from a large bush not far from her. The continued movement was almost taunting, as it lingered on with the culprit refusing to reveal itself just yet, as if the anticipation was solely meant to stoke fear into the young woman’s heart. Then suddenly, the swishing of the branches abruptly stopped, as a deafening and terrifying roar surrounded Cherise, coming from every which angle.

  Holding onto her ears, Cherise screamed in terror. To her amazement, her hands blocking her ears offered no relief. As the unseen beast roared, Cherise’s horse bucked her
off in a frightened panic. After hitting the ground, Cherise found herself now lying on the forest floor. She looked up to see her horse fleeing in terror into the brush, abandoning her.

  Don’t leave me!!...

  She thought to herself, as she saw her horse gallop off, too terrified to speak aloud.

  As she looked in dismay, seeing her horse take off beyond the bushes without her. Immediately afterward, Cherise heard the sound of large approaching steps closing in from behind her. Looking back in horror, Cherise caught a glimpse of a large black figure making a tremendous leap over her. The dark creature jumped passed her as it headed into the brush where her horse galloped through.

  Trying to follow the figure with her eyes, Cherise looked back towards the brush. Her legs frozen stiff in fear, as she heard the beast’s roars accompanied by the horses frantic neighing. A gruesome scene was unfolding just behind the foliage, barely out of her sight. As if toying with its prey, scraps, and fragments of flesh were thrown violently in every direction until the horse’s neighing finally fell silent. After catching glimpses of the carnage, Cherise was now in absolute terror.

  The unsettling silence after the beast seemed to have had its fun was quickly broken. The brush started to shake violently, as if the creature was walking through the branches, and heading straight towards Cherise on the other side.

  I have to get out of here!

  Shaking off her fear, Cherise quickly picked herself up, and ran for her life.

  As soon as she started running, a loud rustling from the bushes came up from behind her before she was violently knocked down to the ground, and forced to face the dirt. Not quick on giving up, Cherise turned to face upright to stand. To her dismay, she was pinned down by two strong limbs of the beast that stood over her. She looked on in horror to see an unnatural creature stared directly back down onto her, looking her in the eyes.

  Not of this world, the malicious entity took the form of a gigantic lion. Cloaked in darkness with piercing, glowing white eyes. It was the very same foul creature Theo had once contended with.