The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  Looking at a large number of enemies fast approaching as Scruff said this, Boldin sarcastically yelled back to his friend.

  Boldin: "It's ready?! Well don't mind us! Take all the time you’d like!-" He said obnoxious while stopping a strike from several opponents at once, before yelling out again in frustration, “-But if you don't mind, SHOOT THE BLOODY WEAPON!"

  The hairy dwarf heard the message loud and clear. With a confident grin, Scruff kicked some knobs, pulled some levers, and with a loud jolting action the weapon had fired.

  ────────

  Back in the tower, The Darkness assumed full control of Ira’s lifeless husk as it rose to stand. Taking care of some nuisances, the twisted entity violently snapped its host’s neck back into place before slowing dislodging the katana from its stomach

  Looking back at the monster, Theo started to speak through strained breaths.

  Theo: "You've lost…" He said smiling, before letting out a slight chuckle.

  The Darkness confidently laughed back before it tauntingly proclaimed anew.

  Sin: "DELUDED FOOL, YOU CLING TO HOPE WHEN THERE IS NONE! THE LIGHT HAS ABANDONED YOU!!" The malicious entity paused, and continued with its sinister laugh before saying further.

  Sin: "I’VE DECIDED I'LL LET YOU LIVE FOR THE MOMENT, SO YOU CAN BARE WITNESS TILL THE VERY END, THAT EVERYTHING YOU FOUGHT FOR IS LOST!" It stated triumphantly before turning its attention to the orb, and outstretching its hand over the flames, only inches from its prize.

  All the while, Theo looked back out the same opening in the tower to see a bright light shining through from above. The glaring light enveloped all around him before it continued spreading rapidly, piercing through the very rock of the tower’s stone walls and ceiling. The light seeped through solid stone, directly over the Darkness, burning the monster like a hot flame and making it recoil in pain, but the fiend still stood.

  With an infuriated glance to Theo, the Darkness screamed in defiance.

  Sin: "IT'S TOO LATE!!!" The foul beast said before reaching back towards the orb.

  In a fraction of a second, the entity’s eyes widened, as it witnessed something just outside another of the tower’s window to the west. A large boulder was barreling straight towards the upper floor. And with an enormous burst of power, the boulder crashed through the tower’s wall flinging stones’ everywhere before slamming itself upon the Darkness lifeless husk of a body. The inhuman being was thrust into the air, as it helplessly was flung back. The boulder carried the Darkness until it made impact with the opposing tower’s wall, and with a loud crash, it pinned the sinister entity down.

  The massive blow of the boulder against the tower also made the orb fall from its pedestal, landing only a few feet from where it was placed, and rolling closer to the Darkness but just out of its reach. Although in Ira's lifeless husk, the entity started to use its unnatural strength to frantically push the boulders and fallen stones aside to reach the orb.

  After seeing all this transpire, with a small laugh and smile, the young champion looked down and said silently to himself.

  Theo: "Took them long enough." He said happily before trying to look back up fully towards the Darkness, but being unable to do so, as his strength was failing him.

  As the Darkness was frantically pulling the boulders and stones aside, it caught wind of Theo's comforted smile. The supernatural evil was livid after seeing his reaction, as it yelled back in in a fearsome roaring frustration.

  Sin: "IT'S NOT OVER! I’LL BE WHOLE ONCE MORE, AND ALL THAT YOU CHERISH AND HOLD DEAR WILL BECOME RUIN!!"

  The monstrous creature screams continued as it was pulling itself free, all while the piercing light was still scorching the fiend’s flesh. As yet another boulder hit the side of the tower, frantically shaking the upper floor.

  With the vision of his tear stained eyes going black, and his hearing also failing him, even if he wanted to, Theo couldn't hear the Darkness anymore. He looked down at his hand, which still held onto his small yet precious object.

  His strength had finally failed him. Theo’s eyes started slowly closing, and with a hopeful smile, he spoke through trembled breaths.

  Theo: "Cherise, Ira, I'm coming home…" After saying this, his hopeful smile gave way to a long, and soft exhaling of breath.

  His head began slumping forward, as his grip on his precious item he held so dearly loosened. The life left in him had gone, but the hint of his last smile was the proof he went in peace. The object he held was released from his hand, as it rolled out onto the floor beside him. A little beaten up over the years, but it was nothing more than a modest but decent looking acorn.

  The Darkness had finally broken free from the rubble it was trapped under, and with a victorious grin it reached out towards the orb. Before its prize was in its grasp, the tower shook violently again, sending the orb bouncing from side to side of the upper floor, as it barely remained just out of reach of the malicious entity. With a loud cry of frustration, the Darkness lunged at the orb, but yet again a loud crash hit the side of the tower from the continued bombardment.

  The upper floor was now slanted, as it continued to lean towards the east over the endless sea below. From the outside it was clear the tower had sustained more damage than it could possibly manage. The tower’s upper floor started collapsing into the rushing waters beneath it.

  Grasping at the floor to remain upright, the Darkness had finally caught the orb that was flung beside it, before it was thrown out one of the tower's openings.

  Sin: "YEEEESSSS!! IT'S ALL OVER!!" It cried out victoriously.

  And as the dark essence inside the orb was pouring back into its original host to make itself whole again, the room’s ceiling gave way.

  Stones and mortar rained down onto the Darkness, who cried out in agony, as it released the orb from its grasp, and out of the tower’s opening behind it. The upper floor of the structure was now in a freefall as the Darkness fell out of the tower, screaming in agony and frustration, as it desperately tried to reach the falling orb to reclaim its full power. The burning light from the sky above honed in on the foul entity, as it continued to follow the Darkness in its descent.

  As the fiend was in a freefall writhing in pain, it was shrieking out unnatural sounds that echoed across the lands for miles before looking in the direction of the light above, and defiantly crying out.

  Sin: "IT'S NOT OVER! I AM THE DARKNESS IN THE HEARTS OF MANKIND!! AS LONG AS THEY EXIST!!... I-WILL-NEVER-DIE!!!" And with a loud crash, the malicious entity landed on its back as it slammed itself against the waters.

  The pain stunned the creature only for a moment, as its eyes widened in terror as it looked above the surface of the disturbed waters, seeing the massive upper portion of the stone tower was now falling directly towards it. The giant structure of stone hit the water with a loud crash, and a giant surge of water burst forth from the impact.

  Like molten flame, the blinding light peered down more intensely on the scene, as the supernatural burst of light exploded below the water’s surface. The expanding light rapidly spread out, both far and wide, reaching farther then the furthest reaches of the battlefield. In that one moment, the dark clouds and fogs dispersed, as all the minions of the Darkness suddenly collapsed. Everyone on the battlefield stood still in awe and wonder of the supernatural light beaming in every direction, originating from the defeated Darkness.

  But as the unnatural fog cleared, the beast in the open fields glared back before vanishing into the wind. It was a supernatural entity of an entirely different kind, to be dealt with at a later time. But until then, it will continue to roam the world like a roaring lion, seeking who it may devour.

  ────────

  The unnatural beam of light shined brightly above upon the Darkness’s ruin, and still remained even after the unnatural explosion. And with a loud cry, the army of the Free Peoples of the West cheered on victoriously, as they witnessed the glorious sight.

  ───�
��────

  The reaction was vastly different in the Aelaan side, with all the soldiers on edge seeing the unnatural events unfolding.

  Some of the Aelaans cried out what all the others among them were already thinking, as they said, "What's going on?! This wasn't foretold! This isn't the work of our gods’!!"

  Dumbfounded, their Chosen was unable to answer them, as he looked on in a similar fear of the unnatural Light. Even Mesolum looked at Razkaul, hoping for some sort of encouragement that would never come.

  As the Chosen was looking on at the tower's ruins in disbelief, he heard one of his men yell out in dismay, saying, "The elves have come! The gods’ have abandoned us!"

  And looking back towards the west, Razkaul saw the entire might of the elven armies had gathered, led by Aidelin.

  The Aelaans morale had all but crumbled. Their Emperor was no exception, as he frantically yelled out to his men.

  Mesolum: "Retreat! Retreat!!" His terrified words sent his army into complete disarray, and into full retreat.

  Each of them scrambled in their own unorganized way in a mad frenzy, as they all fled.

  As the chaos ensued Razkaul's horse was somehow injured in all the mayhem, thrusting him off and onto the ground before racing away. In a heated frustration, the Chosen looked up and yelled out to his men.

  Razkaul: "Cowards! I'll see that you're all gutted!” And standing up, he continued to yell aloud.

  Razkaul: "I am Chosen by the gods’! Our victory is assured as long as I am here!" His words would go unheeded, as the soldiers continued to frantically run passed him.

  Looking at his men fleeing all around him, and back at the unnatural light beaming down, Razkaul was overcome with an overwhelming dread. As fear set in, he ran with all his might in the opposite direction of the light, fleeing alongside his soldiers who were all around him.

  Looking back at the light the entire time, he paid no heed to what lied ahead. As Razkaul continued running for his life while still looking back, he passed Obi, who had been standing beside his chosen path.

  Before Razkaul knew it, his vision was seeming to become blurred, as his running was slowing to a jog, and his jog slowed to struggled walking, and his walking slowed to a stop. Looking down, Razkaul saw that blood was pouring out of his gut while behind him was Obi, who was looking back at the Chosen, saying nothing, and carrying with him his recently bloodied spear.

  The Aelaans Chosen reached down before pulling his bloodied hand up to inspect it, as he spoke in anger and disappointment.

  Razkaul: "What's this?!... I am the Chosen one! Was I not promised by the gods’ both glory, and riches beyond counting!?-" And he looked skywards, before continuing to speak with bitter disappointment, “-Am I not Chosen?!... Where were you?...” And with nothing to answer in return, as he began sputtering blood from his mouth, filled with resentment and hate, he spoke further.

  Razkaul: "Curse you!... I deserved more!!" He said spitefully before falling face forward to the ground, dead.

  Seeing that the Chosen was now vanquished, Obi's serious expression changed to that of remorse. Looking back towards the beaming light that had vanished just as abruptly as it had seemed to have arrived, he noticed the tower had completely collapsed.

  Obi: "Theo…-" He said remorsefully, and after a few seconds later, he continued to say with concern.

  Obi: “What am I going to tell the others?"

  After Obi said this, he thought to himself on the matter, as his eyes started swelling up with tears. Before he knew it, he had a slight smile on his face, full of pride after seeing the man Theo became.

  CHAPTER 63 – WHERE I BELONG

  All was silent, as Theo was alone and resting. He was surrounded by an empty, and flat terrain that was a perfect snow white as far as the eye could see. From the ground, and even to the sky above, there showed no hint of any different color or change in texture. The young champion was resting on the ground, still bruised and bloodied in his armor, with his sword lying beside him. And although his eyes were shut, he very clearly heard the sound of his sister’s voice giddily saying.

  Cherise: "Wake up, sleepyhead!" And with Theo offering no response, her voice spoke even more cheerfully.

  Cherise: "Didn't I promise you that no matter how long it takes, that we'd find a place we could call home?!... Well, when I make my promises, I keep them!-" And now asking in an anxious voice, she said to her brother, "-So open your eyes already!" Theo was still fast asleep, but as if hearing her words, he stirred only just a little.

  He seemed too comfortable to get up, as he heard yet another familiar voice which belonged to Ira, as it approached ever closer, playfully saying.

  Ira: "Don't worry, Cherise, I'll wake him up for you!"

  And with a thud sound, Theo groaned along with the sound of Cherise audibly gasping before complaining.

  Cherise: "I don't believe you just kicked him!"

  Ira: "What? He’ll get over it. Besides it worked didn’t it?" He said innocently in return, and as Ira implied, it seemed that did the trick, as Theo started to awake, opening his eyes slowly.

  Before Theo had opened his eyes, he heard the sound of Ira's voice once again excitedly saying.

  Ira: "Come on, Theo! Don't keep us waiting!" Rubbing his eyes, the young champion pulled himself to sit upright before asking in disbelief.

  Theo: "Cherise, Ira?..." And looking towards where the voices came from, he was surprised to see nothing there but pure white.

  In amazement, Theo started looking to his other side before glancing all over, and gazing in disbelief after seeing this unfamiliar landscape of nothing but white.

  While his back had turned away from where he had first heard the voices, Theo once again heard the sound of his sister's voice, matching Ira in his excitement when she said.

  Cherise: "Come on!" And Theo looked back once again quickly, but to his astonishment, he saw nothing.

  Theo: "What on Ehya is going on?..." He said curiously before grabbing his sword, and starting to stand.

  Once up, Theo looked around confused, trying to make sense of his situation with nothing discernable in sight. As he continued looking around, he noticed a staircase ascending upward where he perceived he had earlier heard Cherise's and Ira's voice.

  Theo gazed on in confusion, as he had just looked there only just second’s ago, seeing nothing. And in front of his eyes, a bright light came from just higher up the flight of stairs before dimming, revealing a golden gate that was slowly cracking open.

  Staring in awe and wonder, Theo saw a figure of a man appear just beyond the now completely opened gate. The man’s features were obstructed by the light that radiated off him. The man then started outstretching a welcoming hand to Theo. And even though there was a great distance between the two, the man didn't yell out, but said softly with a comforting voice that Theo could still somehow hear very clearly. The entity’s words were a shock to the young champion, as it knew his name.

  The Entity: "Come, Theo."

  And after hearing this, Theo felt a strange comfort in the sea of his emotions.

  Theo couldn’t help but think; was he finally done with all the fighting? Would all the strife, and heartache of all that had befallen him end? Would his weary heart finally find rest? After taking a moment to ponder this, Theo had a hopeful smile, as he released his sword to the ground before he started walking towards the man.

  When Theo reached the stairs, he looked up in astonishment at the man, and wondered if this was the Light itself. With each step up the flight of stairs, Theo gazed in bewilderment, completely oblivious that with every passing step he took, his bruises faded, his cuts were mended, his blood stains vanished, and his armor was replaced with that of a white robe, as he kept looking up at the entity beaming in a magnificent white light. With a comforting smile, the man then to Theo.

  The Light: "Welcome home, my son."

  And Theo eyes swelled up with tears of joy, as he grabbed ahold of the Light’s ou
tstretched hand.

  Looking down for a moment as if to make sense if this was all real, Theo looked back up at the man, crying openly with a smile filled with joy, and replying back.

  Theo: "I'm home." And in that moment, a soft light enveloped Theo, the man in light, and the stairs.

  After all the strife in life, Theo's weary heart had finally found rest.