Vhadrah- Evolution of HiSkale

by Ambear Shellea

  We made it as far as the opening. Just as I thought we were safe, the army was closing in. If we left this cave, we would meet them in the field.

  I shook me head.

  Is this another trick?

  I forced my eyes shut, blocking out everything around me. The Battle cries of the enemy, the laughter of the witches, and soft whispers of death in my ears.

  I found that small quiet place of tranquility that held peace, and clear skies. I sought the cliff hidden behind the veil of water pouring down the mountain, lunging into the deep water of Baylor Lake.

  I was there, curled up on a fur blanket, a mug of ale in my hand, and Odin's sweet voice in my ear, chasing away my fear. I could feel the cool Summer breeze along my face as I smiled at him. I voiced my concern.

  “Odin. Father, I need your help. I fear that I have taken on too much. An illusion has my heart in a race like the scrambling rabbit evading a wolf on the hunt. It speeds, while my mind is stuck in a state of illogical rationality. I am trapped in a bubble of confusion and doubt. I cannot decipher fact from fiction. Please, I ask, guide me and help me.”

  The calm washed over me like stepping into sun when your skin is cold, warm and comforting. My muscles relaxed, my mind, and heart slowed to a gallop as I opened my eyes. The answer I sought standing right before me.

  Thank you, Odin.

  A mass of frayed, gray and white hair attached to a small head loomed just above me. Slack and patchy slate colored flesh hung from an old skull. Pulsing bright, white eyes staring me straight in the face. I barely noticed the gore-soaked rags that covered his frame.

  I had time to swallow my fear, grab my sword, and swing.

  Somehow, I knew this was not The Priest the witches spoke of, but rather a low level aspiree hoping to one day fill the brocade of the man he worshiped. It was a sad day for this animate being. When I swung, my sword slid right through, covering everything within ten feet in sinew and flesh.

  I wasted no time in finishing it.

  The creature's unnatural spirit fought the hold of my sword, screeching wails of sorrow, as I plunged my blade into the ground. The dry land split and rumbled, as it opened to me, and my call. The withering soul of the newly departed, dripped slowly from my steel before finally disappearing into the cleansing hellfire of the pits below. It was gone, and so was the wicked magic surrounding us.

  The cave lay barren, and empty now. Only I, and Lalynn remained.

  The fires, the gore, the smell, the witches...all of it was but a magical scheme spirited up by one twisted soul, for the sake of stealing another. With him now in forever flames, his power, and illusions dismantled, there was nothing left of his existence here. This once morbid dwelling, now as bland as the sand beneath my feet.

  It was time to go. Though his vision was made up, the calling to the enemy was not. Nor were the words spoken. In my gut I knew, the things I had seen, might have been created by magic, the truth behind him was very real. The story weaved by the witches rang true.

  A truth, perhaps, I wasn't supposed to know. The decimated bodies of my kin, left dead and hanging, was a true vision embedded into magical realism, meant to anger and ensnare me.

  It came at a hefty price, for me, and for them. Both sides now aware of the capabilities of the other. This game was far from over, it was just the opening hand.

  There was nothing left for me to do here. We had lingered too long already, while the enemy was quickly closing that gap.

  Dellnar Forrest

  We sat camped outside the cave, hidden within a batch of shrubs untouched by moonlight. I wasn't completely certain, but sure that it wouldn't take long for the High Priest to be informed of the death of his comrade. I didn't hesitiate in grabbing Lalynn and getting out of there.

  We ran until we were both gasping for air and begging for rest. I pulled us into the darkness, and into this bramble of a hideout.

  The two us sat huddled in silence, our minds racing as fast as our hearts. Fear, adrenaline, and confusion had done a number on me. I could only imagine what it had done to the mortal next to me. I was never the kind to be pushy about feelings, but I wondered how she was doing. I had to remove the sword from her shaking hands, as the constant movement from the tip of the blade was starting to carve away some of our cover.

  Our silence was broken when Lalynn’s soft, but shaky voice whispered in my ear.

  “That thing you did...the thing with the sword...Is that what you were created for?”

  I nodded, then realized she couldn't see it.

  “Yes. That is what I was created to do. That is my purpose.”

  I could almost hear the proverbial wheels in her head turning.

  “I have watched you kill before now. What was different from the battle? You slaughtered so many of the HiSkale and the soldiers of the Army of Darkness. I didn't see you do that fancy sword work over them. Why?”

  “Of all things about my kind, that is the easiest to answer...and understand. The HiSkale and most of the Army of Darkness bare no souls. They are devoid of them. They are nothing but walking, fighting shells of a creature. They are no more, and they are no less, than that. The low-level priest back there, he had a soul. A dark and twisted one, but he had one. A soul he had committed and sacrificed to the Darkness. Those are the souls I am created to gather and destroy in the pits of HellFire.”

  I assumed this was the easiest part to understand, yet now we were back to silence once more. It was too quiet. Concentrating on the sounds, or lack there of, around me, I tried to listen for any signs of movement or rustling.

  This was the thickest part of the Dellnar Forrest. It is known for the creatures that lurk within the darkness. I strained but still heard nothing. Only the soft breaths of Lalynn and myself.

  It was all wrong.

  It was nerve-racking.

  It was time to go.

  I nudged Lalynn, “Time to go. We cannot stay here.”

  She seemed surprised and scared, but I had to make her push passed the whimpers of uncertainty, and fear. Neither of us could defend ourselves from inside this tomb of vines. Should we be found, that's exactly what it would become.

  I crawled out first, my gaze sweeping the area, looking for movement or sound. Nothing. We may as well have been the last two folks in this realm. I knew that was false. We were not alone. Of that, I was certain.

  “Stay close.” I warned when I felt Lalynn emerge from behind me. “Have your weapon drawn and ready.”

  Her voice seemed to find some strength, her voice, steadier. “It already is.”

  “Great. Hopefully, we won't need it, but I fear it will be put to it's full use by dawn.”

  I crept as quietly as I could, given my night vision was not up to par since the run in with the low-level priest. With each snapping of a twig or branch, I cringed. Every break echoed off the trees, sounding like an explosion. If we were being hunted, it wouldn't take long to find us.

  I skirted us around the edges of moonlight, keeping us in the dark, but in the small span of space illuminated by light to see our way.

  “We should be reaching the ledge soon. I believe there is a small cave there, we should be safe enough to rest there.”

  “Nowhere is safe.” Lalynn's voice broke, “Not anymore.”

  I kept us walking.

  “Maybe that is the case, but if we stop, they win. As long we draw breath, and our swords, we have hope for a better day. A day bathed in the light of a vanquished darkness.”

  I waited for her to argue. Waited for her fear to lash out and disagree. She was quiet, I took that to mean the issue was settled. We walked on in silence for several miles. The terrain becoming more treacherous as we scaled the side of the mountain with just a small sliver of light for guidance.

  It had been a few hours since we fled our shelter, and nothing had happened, but I couldn't shake the feeling something was out there.

  Just beyond the light.

  Buying time.

  Plotti
ng attack.

  It made my skin crawl.

  I worked to keep my focus on the task at hand. My hands were cut and scratched from the jagged rocks, and thorny weeds, as I scaled the mountainside. Each hand hold offered me a step forward, but at the cost of my flesh and blood. As if I were having to sacrifice a part of myself just to advance. I gritted my teeth and pushed on. It wasn't just my life at stake, or Lalynn's, it was the innocents of this realm. Not to mention, I could never face Odin if I failed.

  I knew, from the start, that this journey would either be successful or a death sentence. Both outcomes, I embraced. If I failed, death would be easier to handle. With those haunting thoughts, I said a small prayer to Odin, asking for protection, guidance and strength.

  I glanced up, quickly, checking how much further we needed to go. I was relieved.

  “Lalynn, we are almost there. Just a bit further. Are you alright?”

  When I didn't get a response from her, I looked down to see how she was doing. Perhaps, she hadn't heard me. I just about lost my grip when the light hit her.

  Dammit

  Lalynn was there, limp, over the shoulder of a HiSkale who was gaining ground on me. I climbed faster, pushing my muscles to their limits. I knew I had to make sure she was safe. I also knew they would follow me. I would reach the top first, which normally would give me the advantage. However, with my friend draped over the shoulder of my pursuer, I would have to wait until she was laid upon the ground before I could strike. This Hiskale wasn't alone. It had brought friends.

  I would be fighting this battle by myself.

  Once I gripped the cliff base, I quickly pushed myself the final few inches. The minute my boots hit the cliff, I lunged into the darkness, making sure I had a clear shot when they reached the top. Sword in hand, I stood, waiting for the first one to ascend.

  Off where I stood, the HiSkale's back would be to me when it made it to the top. This would be the only advantage I would get, and I intended to make the best of it.

  When I heard the dagger like claws scratch where my feet had been just moments ago, I took a deep breath, and prepared to make my move.

  It was time.

  Once the creature righted itself, I lunged, grabbing Lalynn's shoulder. I pulled her from the creature with my left hand and decapitated the HiSkale with the right. I dared not take the time to see if Lalynn was OK.

  I had to keep swinging, or we both died.

  One by one, I hacked and slashed as they came crawling over the cliff. For a bit, I had the upper hand. Ten dead bodies later, they remembered they could fly, and it quickly turned.I may have drawn first blood, but they were intent on the kill.

  In a span of seconds, I had lost all ground. My back against the wall, I kept swinging. As I was taught in my training, each strike made contact and was not wasted. Because I was fighting flying foes, all I manged to cleave were legs and toes.

  They were taking serious damage, but it only made things worse for me. The bled acid that could burn right through metal. My skin didn't stand a chance, and my armour could only withstand it for a few minutes. I needed to make contact with vital organs.

  I don't tire as quickly as humans, but even I knew, they could outlast me. They did not need rest to recoup. The HiSkale moved, flew, fought, and caused chaos until death took them. They were a formidable opponent. That is the way they were designed. They were more like tools, than creatures.

  I was losing ground.

  My armour and boots adorned with scorch marks, and holes from the saliva dripping from their fangs. I had taken my last step. I had no where else to go. It only made me fight harder, swing quicker.

  I never missed my mark.

  They never stopped coming.

  Odin was on my side, as always, and came to my aid. The sun began to rise, and bathe the land in it's glorious light, revealing a new day and a new blessing. When the first light of the sun beat against the skin of the HiSkale, they exploded.

  All of them.

  I was covered in blood, scales and gore but it was over. Finally. I stood for long moments, staring out passed the destroyed shack we fled from and seen nothing of the enemy. This high up, I could see out quite far. I scanned the rising rock face and the woods beneath, nothing.

  For the moment, we were safe.

  I slid my sword back into the sheath and ran to check on Lalynn. She was breathing, but unresponsive. I scanned her frame for bites, scratches, or any other wound and found nothing. Yet, here she lay, as if she were sleeping and refusing to wake. Her skin was cool to the touch. I laid her in the rays of the sun, praying Odin would forgive my failure, and save this woman from whatever ailment had befallen her.

  Odin, always wise and full of love, answered in a sweet whisper.

  “You have not failed, my warrior. She sleeps.”

  “But why does she sleep? I cannot wake her, and I did not find any wounds.”

  “My warrior, she was hit with a dart just above her hairline, at the nap of her neck. Her full head of hair hid the small pin prick of a hole. You were looking for a more substantial wound. Something that stood out. Not all wounds can be seen at first glance. Some wounds take knowledge of where to look, eyes to see passed the obvious, and a heart to feel the pain of it before they can be found.”

  I hung my head in shame. Yes, this was all true and I knew all of it. Amid all that had been going on, I had forgotten my training, and the experiences I endured.

  “Forgive me, Odin. For I have failed. I have forgotten all that you taught me.”

  “No, my warrior. You have not failed. You are succeeding wonderfully. No one is perfect. It is within these moments of what you consider failure, that your true lessons are learned. I am most proud of, not just the Valkyrie you have become, but of the person you are turning into. Remember my warrior, you are more than the job I given you.”

  The sun's rays hot my back and I couldn't help but feel like that was Odin, wrapping me in his warm embrace, ensuring I knew just how much he loved me. I sat with my eyes closed, soaking it in. One of my favorite things about being on this realm had always been the feel of the sun upon my skin. Now, with happy tears in my eyes, I have that sensation, and action of love, reminding me I am enough.

  My heart was full.

  I was at peace.

  It was a nice moment.

  Blessing from Valhalla

  I was lurched back into the here and now by the high-pitched screams of Lalynn. I rushed to her side, assuring her, all was well. I ran my hands down her cheek, looking her in the eyes, keeping her attention until she quieted. After a few moments, she too was sobbing.

  “Are you alright, Lalynn? If you're hurt, please tell me where.”

  She lay there, her eyes darting from my face to her surroundings. I could tell she was confused.

  “Lalynn, we're safe. Remember we are at the top of Khantur Mountain. We came here as we ran from the witches. Then we were ambushed by HiSkale...”

  at the mention of HISkale, she became very uneasy. “...They are gone now. We are safe.” I assure her.

  When she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, I knew she had finally caught up and was calling the calmness within. A few more breaths and she found her voice. I thanked Odin once more for his assistance.

  “How did you get rid of them? There were so many.” She asked.

  I propped her against the rock, so she could sit up while she regained all her faculties and explained.

  I motioned to the red graphic bits that had splattered the cliff and beyond, “As you can see, I put up quite a fight, but it was the rising sun that finished them off. “

  I had never witnessed a face scrunch up the way hers just did when she asked, “The rising sun? Is that a move you do when you're fighting?”

  I laughed, at the thought and her confused face, “No. The actual sunrise. I am not sure of all of it, but I assume it has something to do with the amount of light hitting the surface of this realm. When the sun hits this realm, to start the
day, it is like holy fire blessing the land.

  In that span of time, the light touches everything from the ground to the Valhalla. It is the only time during the day, we have the most light that close to us. That's why priests of my time, pray for healing at such an early hour.

  As it rises, it pulls some of the light with it, therefore leaving less heat and more shadow...less healing”

  “So, what your saying is that the morning rays are Holy Light from Odin and Valhalla?”

  “Yes, that is what I am saying. Which is why the HiSkale were killed. They are born of the darkness, and devoid of the any light, let alone divine light.”

  She sat for a second, letting it process.

  “That is a handy piece of information to have.”

  I nodded my agreement. “Yes, it is. One I just learned as well. It took me a moment to figure it out. I have the basics. I don't really need the entire explanation. Dead is dead.

  Now, I know a bit more of when they will be out and active. So, right now, we should be safe for travel. It will be after mid-day, before they advance on us again.”

  “Why mid-day?" She questioned.

  “Like Sunrise, the sun is at it's highest point and basks the realm in it's light chasing away shadows. The difference at mid-day, is that though there is just as much as sunrise, but it is less intense. Plus, with the sun straight up, it creates room for more shadows, and places for Darkness to hide.

  At Sunrise, there is very few small spaces, scattered about, for Darkness to hide. So, they could move around during the mid-day sun, but it would cost them, unless they stay within the shadows devoid of light.”

  She seemed to be catching on.

  “So, you're saying that the sun would not kill them, but it would still hurt?”

  “Yes.” I sat down beside her, “Here is the best I can work out. Since the Holy Heat is less intense during mid-day, they can be out in it, but the heat itself will scorch the skin.”