Awakening (Telindell Book 1)

by Darren Lee

  Eva struggled to keep laughing, feeling his cold icy grip tighten around her throat, “Because you can’t kill me, you can only free me…” Eva’s words faded into laughter.

  Dreathous tightened his grip, finally stopping her laughter. “The only thing I’m going to free is that old withered head from the rest of your body,” he screamed.

  Dreathous squeezed tighter, feeling her bones beginning to crack. Eva felt the life beginning to leave her body. She started to close her eyes and welcome death’s cold embrace.

  Chapter 4: Blood of the Innocent

  Lian and Elder Marrow ran down the mountain path as quickly as they could. They reached the end of the path, seeing fires raging throughout the forest, along with monstrous armored soldiers tearing trees from the ground.

  Marrow looked to a horrified Lian. “We have to stay hidden from them and get to the village before it is too late. Maybe the walls can keep them at bay.”

  Lian slowly nodded at Marrow’s words. “The walls won’t stop them,” he thought.

  Marrow looked ahead into the forest. “Now follow me and stay close.”

  They began their journey into the smoky forest, taking care not to be seen, and made their away around various fires and toppled trees blocking their path.

  Marrow glanced back to Lian. “Come, Lian. We’re almost there.”

  Lian followed the elder closely. Suddenly, they heard a nearby tree splinter and crash against the ground. Marrow grabbed Lian and took cover in a nearby thicket. Peering from inside the brush, Marrow watched as an Enforcer made his way through the forest seemingly starting fires by waving his hand.

  Marrow’s eyes widened. “What kind of demonic creatures are these?” he said to himself.

  The Enforcer stopped at the edge of the thicket concealing Lian and Marrow. He looked around slowly and then continued through the forest past Lian and Marrow. A crack of thunder echoed through the valley. They looked up through the smoke and broken canopy to see black clouds forming and beginning to blanket the valley sky.

  Lian observed the clouds emitting a green hue. Flashes of green lightning struck down into the village. Lian’s eyes widened. “What is going on?” he thought.

  Thunder continued to crack loudly as gusts of wind violently shook the burning forest. Leaves and cinders riddled the air, accompanied by the choking scent of smoke.

  Marrow looked to Lian. “Now, boy, you stay in this thicket. I am going to make sure that thing is gone before we proceed. The village is just over there.”

  Lian nodded to the elder. Marrow slowly crept out of the thicket, being as quiet as he could. Twigs snapped under his feet as he cautiously stepped farther away from Lian. Sweat born of nervousness and fear began to creep down Marrow’s face. Lian watched tentatively as Marrow took each step. Marrow traveled fifteen slow, lightly placed paces from the thicket that concealed the nervous, fearful boy. Tree branches creaked in the wind as the sound of the leaves flapping pierced his ears. Marrow looked around, searching for any traces of nearby danger. Feeling that the danger had passed for the time being, he turned back toward the thicket.

  Lian’s eyes widened as he saw a dark figure approaching Marrow from behind. He opened his mouth to warn Marrow, but no words came. Fear had paralyzed the boy.

  Marrow opened his mouth and began to speak, “Lia--” Before he could finish calling to Lian, he was violently interrupted.

  Lian watched as the dark figure’s hand pierced through Marrow’s chest. Marrow looked down to see the black armored hand dripping with his blood. Unable to speak or cry out in agony, he simply looked back toward Lian. Tears seeped from the boy’s eyes, knowing that he was witnessing the brutal murder of Elder Marrow. With an agonizingly slow motion, the hand retreated back through the wound. With blood gushing from the hole, he staggered forward before turning around to face his killer, the monstrous Enforcer they had witnessed moments before. Then, a crash of thunder carried a strange voice throughout the valley. Marrow looked up, seeing the green hue amongst the clouds and knowing his time had come. Laughing in a deep, devilish tone, the Enforcer reached forth and grabbed the elder through his wound. The remaining color in the elder’s skin were quickly fading to the pale shade of death. Continuing to laugh, the Enforcer raised him into the air. With a violent stroke, the Enforcer’s second hand pierced into Marrow’s body.

  Lian watched in horror as the blood gushed from the elder. The Enforcer let out a bone chilling roar. Lian closed his eyes as the Enforcer ripped Marrow’s body to shreds. His stomach churned at the sound of rending flesh and breaking bones. Blood soaked the forest floor. Lian heard a thud right outside the thicket. He opened his eyes and peered out to see part of Marrow’s torso. Lian was speechless. Marrow’s head was still attached to that part of his body, his cold lifeless eyes stared right at Lian.

  The Enforcer walked toward Marrow’s head, laughing. “Lesser human filth!” he shouted.

  He let out another terrifying roar and crushed the elder’s head with a swift stomp. Blood and brain splattered, coating the thicket and covering Lian’s face. The Enforcer turned from the thicket and retreated deeper into the forest.

  Lian sat in the thicket for what seemed an eternity. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend what he had just seen. “He… he… he’s gone…” Lian thought.

  Trembling with fear, Lian stepped forth, the elder’s blood dampening his new boots. He quickly looked around. In the distance, he could see the village walls. Lian started off ferociously in the village’s direction. He slipped on the blood soaked forest floor and crashed to the ground, soaking himself in Marrow’s blood. Lian quickly stood, looking down at his blood soaked clothes before once again starting to run toward the walls. He ran through the forest separating him from his destination quickly, weaving between trees and leaping across well-planted boulders. As Lian drew near the village walls, he noticed a bright green light shining from within. He slowed to a walk, then came to a halt, observing the light. Then, a violent crash brought down the walls. Lian’s eyes widened at the sight. As quickly as the walls crashed down, a shockwave from the collapse lifted Lian from his feet and tossed him to his back. Lian’s head smacked against the ground, causing his vision to blur and his ears to ring, filled with echoes. In shock, Lian laid on the ground for a few moments. When his vision began to clear and the ringing subsided, Lian climbed to his feet and staggered toward the rubble that was left of the wall.

  The time to warn the villagers had passed. He had failed to get there in time. Lian climbed on top of the rubble, peering into the village.

  Lian looked toward the rear gates, seeing the Battle Sages standing still, “What are they?” he thought. “And what do they want?”

  Lian looked farther into the village to see a terrifying being holding Eva by the throat. As he watched, he could Dreathous’ grip tighten around her throat.

  Lian’s eyes widened. “No…” he thought. “No, no, no, no! Not her!” Lian closed his eyes and clenched his fists. Tears streamed down his face once again, and he screamed with all his might, “No! Miss Eva!”

  Eva shifted her eyes to the terrified boy. “He should have fled…” muttered Eva to herself.

  Dreathous looked to the boy, then back to Eva. “That’s him, isn’t it?” he said in a low tone. “The descendent of the bastard who matched my power?”

  Eva smiled slowly, staring into the monsters glowing red eyes.

  Dreathous snarled. “Answer me, you bitch!” he screamed.

  Eva struggled to speak, his grip still hard on her throat. “He will kill you all!”

  Dreathous roared in her face. “Not this time!”

  Eva’s neck cracked as her leathery skin tore. Blood squirted from Dreathous’ hand as he squeezed it into a fist. He had severed Eva’s head from her body. Lian once again watched as someone who had cared for him was viciously murdered. He watched her lifeless body and head fell toward the ground. Before the body or head could touch the ground, they began emitting the same gr
een light Lian had seen earlier. In an instant, her body turned to dust. A gust of wind carried the dust toward Lian, fluttering his hair as the dust moved past him.

  Suddenly, Eva’s voice filled his mind. “Run Lian,” whispered the voice. “Get the sword… Get to Shana’s Pass. You must escape…”

  Thunder cracked heavily, shaking the valley itself. Gusts of wind howled, bending the trees of the forest to its will.

  Dreathous looked to Lian, his red glowing red eyes glaring with malice. “Get him!” he commanded. “I want his head, and I want it now!”

  Dreathous moved toward Lian. The Battle Sages broke their formation and ran toward the boy as well. Nearly petrified with fear, Lian took a step back. Lightning struck the ground within the village. Magical energy spread across the ground and erupted into a transparent dome with the same green hue as the cloud covered sky.

  Dreathous and his sages were sealed within. Dreathous roared, then looked to his forces. “That fucking bitch! This is her doing! Get this damn barrier down before he gets away!”

  Remaining silent, the Battle Sages spread out and held their staffs forward in unison. They all grunted as red beams of light shot from their staffs. Green and red light shimmered from the conflict of energies.

  Lian stared in fearful awe. “Go Lian, I can’t hold them for long,” whispered Eva’s voice once again. “The forest will guide you.”

  Lian turned and ran from the village. He jumped through thickets and weaved through the forest swiftly, making his way toward the mountain path. He felt a tug at his right foot. It had gotten stuck on a root protruding from the ground. He crashed to the ground, letting out a grunt. Lian turned and freed his foot promptly. He stood amongst the smoke filled forest and took another step. Before he could finish that step, a howl pierced his ears. A black wolf stepped from behind the tree and approached Lian. The wolf’s fur was black as coal, it’s piercing green eyes stared intently upon Lian. Lian watched the wolf approach, baring its incredibly sharp fangs. He could hear other snaps and growls around him as well.

  Lian looked to his left and right, seeing numerous wolves closing in. “I’m surrounded,” he thought. “There must be twenty of them…”

  Lian was petrified. The wolf stopped close enough to be touched. The green eyes of the four-legged terror met Lian’s. Lian’s breath was coming in shallow gulps, and he attempted to take a step backward. The wolf snapped and growled at him.

  Lian stopped moving and looked to the other wolves that had surrounded him. “Why aren’t they getting closer?” he wondered. “Why hasn’t this one attacked me?” Lian looked closely at the black wolf. “What… What do you want?”

  The wolf answered with a snarl and growl but slowly looked towards the mountain path. It stepped toward the path and raised a paw. The wolf looked back, lowered its ears, and closed its mouth, motioning its head toward the path.

  Lian looked around at the other wolves slowly walking toward him, all with their mouths closed. “He must be the pack leader,” thought Lian. He looked at the wolf. “Do you… Do you want me to follow you?”

  The leader nodded his head at Lian.

  Lian nodded in return. “Alright,” he said. “I’ll follow you.” The wolves around Lian began to howl as they surrounded him closely. “Are they protecting me?” he wondered, puzzled.

  The pack leader trotted toward the mountain path. He snapped and let out a growl. Lian followed, starting to run as the wolves ran all around him. The pack escorted Lian through the burning forest, drawing closer to the mountain path. The leader let out a growl followed by a brief bark. Lian noticed five of the wolves break off from the pack and start running adjacent to it. He watched them in the distance as they leapt into the air. An Enforcer emerged from the forest and was immediately tackled by the attacking wolves. The Enforcer let out a roar that echoed through the forest and grabbed one of the wolves by its bushy black tail. He slung the wolf into a tree with devastating force, and it let out a brief, high-pitched yip before falling to the forest floor, lifeless.

  Lian closed his eyes tightly at the scene. “They are dying for me…” he thought.

  Lian’s steps began to slow. Remorse for the wolves’ sacrifice gripped his heart. The leader let out a growl, followed by a loud bark to urge Lian on. He picked up his pace once again.

  Lian and the wolves reached the mountain path. The pack leader came to a stop and turned to the remaining wolves. He let out a howl, followed by a snap and a growl. The wolves snapped and growled in return. All but five of the wolves dispersed and hid within the bushes and thickets next to the path. The pack leader and his four followers all growled and barked at Lian.

  Lian looked to the pack leader. “Are they staying behind?” he asked.

  The pack leader whimpered and nodded at Lian.

  Lian stared at the pack leader. “He must know they are going to die… for me.”

  Lian tried to fight the tears back but was unsuccessful. He walked to the pack leader and dropped to his knees as they streamed down his face.

  Lian wrapped his arms around the wolf’s neck. “You don’t have to do this!” said Lian. “You don’t have to die for me! They don’t have to die for me! I’m sorry!”

  The wolf rubbed the side of his furry head against Lian’s and pulled away. He licked the tears from Lian’s cheeks, then simply nodded his head at Lian and gripped his shirt with his teeth, tugging him back toward the mountain path. Lian stood and looked to the other four wolves surrounding him. They all nodded their heads at him as well.

  Lian closed his eyes tightly and shook his head. “Alright. Let’s get out of here then.”

  The wolves howled and yapped in agreement, ready to set off along the mountain path.

  Lian and the wolves journeyed up the mountain path quickly.

  Lian looked back to the forest to see it all ablaze. “It’s all going to be destroyed…” he said quietly before raising his voice to a shout, “They are burning it all!”

  The pack leader whimpered and howled as they ran farther along the path. The skies grew darker. The green hue from the clouds and the glow from the fires below lit the valley. Lian looked to the village, seeing the green orb and the bright lights clashing within it. The path began to narrow the farther up they climbed. The temperature began to drop as well.

  Lian took note of the narrowed path and cooler air. “We’re nearing the cave,” he thought.

  Lian and his unlikely companions heard a deafening boom that vibrated the mountains themselves. The ground quivered beneath their feet. Lian looked back to the village to see the barrier completely dispersed. A beastly roar from the village echoed throughout the valley. Dreathous was free.

  Lian and the wolves reached the crack in the mountain wall that led to the ancient chamber. The leader stopped at the entrance and turned to face Lian and his protectors. He snapped and snarled, then let out a whimper as if he was commanding them for the last time and saying goodbye. Nodding their furry heads, they all let out a whine and turned to face back down the mountain path. They trotted a short way back down the path and laid down, watching the path for signs of any who would pursue Lian. The pack leader trotted over to the crevice in the wall and started squeeze in. Lian waited patiently for his protector to enter. In the distance, faint howls could be heard. Lian looked down the path. The wolves at the base of the mountain were about to engage an enemy. Lian stared into the distance, straining to see. He heard a snap and a growl. The pack leader was motioning for him to enter the cave. Lian nodded and squeezed into the crevice.

  He emerged into darkness, unable to see anything. The pack leader brushed his long, bushy tail against Lian’s hand and let out a yap.

  Lian slowly gripped the wolf’s tail. “Do you want me to hold onto your tail?”

  The wolf barked briefly in agreement.

  Lian smiled slightly. “I understand. You can see in here. Alright. I trust you.”

  The wolf walked slowly, leading Lian through the darkness. His long
, razor-like claws clicked against the rock floor of the cave. The wolf slowly led Lian onto the narrow stone bridge. A cool breeze traveled up from the pits of the chasm, caressing Lian’s skin.

  Lian stopped as a cold chill paralyzed his body. “We…” he stuttered. “We are over the bottomless pit, aren’t we?”

  The wolf whined a bit and stepped forward, tugging at Lian.

  Lian stood still. “I’m scared, I can’t see.”

  The wolf howled and tugged again. Lian slowly took a step, feeling the rock beneath his boots.

  Lian slowly continued walking “I can do this…” he thought.

  Finally, they reached the other side. The wolf jumped up and rested his front paws against the wall of the cave. He whimpered and tapped his paw against the rock.

  Lian nodded. “Ok… I gotta find that switch.”

  Lian ran his hands across the cold, damp rock until he found the plate. He pushed it in, causing a satisfying click to echo through the cave. Once again, the cave walls began to tremble as the door to the chamber slid open.

  Lian entered the chamber with the wolf following behind closely. “I can’t see anything. If only I had a torch, then I could light the room like Elder Marrow did…” Lian’s words trailed off into silence as he remembered Marrow’s fate. “Elder Marrow, you didn’t deserve that.”

  The wolf let out a bark and ran off.

  Lian turned toward the sound of the wolf’s steps. “Where are you going?” he shouted.

  A few moments later, Lian heard the click of the wolf’s claws drawing near. He dropped a stick at the boy’s feet. The sound of the stick bouncing against the rock floor echoed slightly through the chamber.

  Lian smiled slightly. “Now, I need a rock or something.” Lian knelt down and started feeling around on the floor. “If only it wasn’t so dark!” He felt a small stone on the tips of his fingertips. “Yes! This might work!”

  Lian struck the stone against the floor. Sparks bounced with each strike but the stick refused to ignite.