Return of the Darkness

by Andrew G. Wood

  “It is a dragon,” Finley said out of the blue. All those sat at the table turned their attention his direction. “How could you know that? You haven’t even seen it yet,” Galdrac asked looking somewhat bemused.

  “At one with the beast of fire,” Finley added, telling them what the inscription on the ring said.

  “How could you possibly know that?” Galdrac said placing his cup down on the table and looking directly at him. Finley just shrugged, “I don’t know.”

  “We don’t know for certain that is right. I’m sure this means bird,” he heard his mother say.

  “No, I also think it’s dragon. There is a picture of one on the parchment,” Galdrac told her.

  The old mage had an idea and suggested they try something. After asking for the ring back, he then passed it over the table to Finley, “Try rubbing the stone and tell me what you feel,” he said. Finley nodded although he was quite certain nothing any different would happen to him. In fact, he actually went one better and placed the finger on the forefinger of his right hand. The ring was far too big, but it remained in place as he did as was originally asked. With his other forefinger he rubbed gently at the stone, and as he had predicted absolutely nothing of note happened. Although it was clearly this that intrigued Galdrac, “No burning feeling?” he asked. Finley merely shook his head, “No, nothing at all,” he added removing the ring and offering back.

  Galdrac went to take it, but stopped his hand, “No you keep it. If the gods are indeed talking to you, then you are meant to have it.” Finley thanked the old mage, thinking and wondering why the old man was giving him a strange look. Knowing the ring would likely slip off his finger at the first possible chance, he thought of a safe place to keep it. The chain around his neck, which he unclipped at the back before slipping the ring on it, before replacing it. He noticed his mother looking at the necklace as he tucked it back inside his shirt. “My old charm,” she said. “It is a druid charm, to ward off evil spirits,” she added explaining its purpose.

  Chapter 26.

  Finley had spent a rather uncomfortable night in one of the beds at the barracks. Not that the bedding was particularly uncomfortable, but down to the fact that his dreams as he had feared they would do, continued in earnest. On one side he had Abalyon taunting and teasing him, suggesting he should fight for him. On the other was the more serene, calming figure of Heralin, the elven goddess. While she did not try to attack or harm him, she was no less annoying in her presence. Abalyon had once more been joined by his hordes of ravaging beasts, and although aware it was only a dream, Finley no longer felt the need to run. As a result, the dark figures and shapes remained a few paces away, as if unable or perhaps unwilling to get too close.

  With the warnings from Abalyon that he was coming, still fresh in his mind from his dreams, Finley sat up rubbing his eyes. Others in the barracks clearly had no consideration for those trying to sleep, as he watched a dozen or more elves and a few humans gather their things and rush out of the door. A few seconds passed by before he realised he could hear the sound of horns blaring outside, and cottoned on that something was afoot, as several more guards hurried past his bed and out of the door.

  Finley looked over to the bed to his left to where Karesh had been sleeping, only to see he had already vacated it. Feeling a little foolish for being the last one up, especially with something major going on, he threw back his blanket and dressed as quickly as he could. Without thinking of collecting his staff, and still trying to stomp his feet down into his boots, while pulling his shirt over his head he made his way to the door of the barracks. Making his way outside, the sound of the horns grew louder, as dozens of more soldiers ran past him towards the outer wall. In amongst all the chaos, he spotted his mother with Karesh and headed directly for them.

  “We’re under attack,” she said fearfully as he ran up to them, as Sessi walked up beside him. Still feeling a little sleepy and not yet fully alert, the words took a few moments to sink in. “From whom?” he eventually asked.

  “Beasts of the darkness,” Karesh interrupted, sounding far more excited about the entire thing than he probably should be. “I might get to fight,” he added with a grin.

  “I’ve told you no. Leave the fighting to those who are trained to do so,” his mother replied tartly pointing her finger at the orc. Karesh looked somewhat deflated by the admonishment and stood there grumbling under his breath about how unfair everything was.

  While Leyna did not want either of her children fighting, she also wanted to see for herself what opposed them beyond the walls. After making sure Sessi was kept locked indoors, the three headed for the north end of the outer wall where there were fewer guards positioned. With the sound of the horns blowing finally ceasing, they reached the top of the steep stone steps that gave access to the ramparts at the top.

  The enemy appeared to be amassing west of their position, lining up in ranks as soldiers would do. He noticed to the far right a tall, dark shape stood off to one side, “Abalyon!” he uttered. As if saying those words had given him a way, the figure appeared to turn and peer straight back at him.

  “He is here?” he heard his mother ask.

  “Him there,” Finley pointed to the larger figure stood away from the main force. His mother quickly hushed him, asking him not to mention that name again. He looked a little blankly at her as if to ask why, but she explained herself anyway. If people knew just who it was that opposed them, they might well panic. Having an army of powerful, ferocious creatures outside your gates was bad enough if people knew there was a god, albeit a fallen one, watching on, they might decide to turn and flee rather than fight.

  Finley nodded his understanding, but that did not stop him feeling uncomfortable knowing who was stood just a half mile away. He had not thought a god could take a physical form, yet here he was. Letting his mind wander, he pondered why the gods did not take the form of those they had been responsible for creating. He thought they all looked more human-like, although much bigger, and even Heralin, the goddess of the elves did not appear very elf-like. Perhaps the gods took whatever shape they pleased and only appeared to be human because they chose to be.

  His pensive moment was interrupted as everything fell silent for just a few moments. A loud roar echoed all around as the creatures started to advance in ranks as if drilled in the art of warfare. Finley however, made sure he kept one eye on Abalyon, thinking that if he were indeed a god why did he need others to attack for him. A question he thought for another time, as his mother tried to usher them back down the steps. Neither boy wanted to go anywhere, and after having to wait for several more soldiers moving up the stone steps, their mother had seemingly moved on, staring out at the advancing force instead.

  The call was given for the archers to make ready, and Finley watched on wishing he still had his bow. The army of darkness moved nearer, marching in long ranks, before stopping just short of the archer’s range. A strange situation developed whereby each side seemed to be waiting for the other to make that first aggressive move. The army of Barilyn lined the walls, archers, infantry and those able to wield magical powers, stood waiting for the army of darkness. Huge hulking beasts, covered in fur standing six or seven feet in height, armed with nothing more than their powerful claws and the large teeth set in their powerful jaws. Even from this range, Finley could see the variation in creatures. Some resembled boars, and had a face resembling as such, with long tusks protruding outwards, while others looked more wolf and bear-like. As to why this was the case he did not know, he even afforded himself a smile as he thought to ask Abalyon next time they spoke in his dream world.

  “What are they waiting for?” Karesh said impatiently clutching a large two-handed sword, despite having the smaller one given to him by Finley strapped at his waist. “Where did you get that from?” his mother gasped turning her head to notice her two sons taking up positions with the other soldiers on the wall. Despite wanting to protect them both, she knew that if the army att
acked en mass as it appeared to be doing, then every able-bodied person would need to help, including herself. While druids were not deemed as a powerful offensive class, they could call on the power of the sun and moon, to produce a force of energy making them capable fighters.

  “I’m scared!” Karesh said quietly looking over to his brother. Finley gave him a smile and a pat on the shoulder, “You and me both. Stick close, and we’ll be okay,” he replied hoping it gave some reassurance to the young orc. He actually hoped that the invaders would get stuck at the steep rocks and walls that gave Barilyn its good defensive structure. The attackers carried no ladders or climbing gear, so unless they grew wings and flew up, he hoped those defending the outpost would remain safe where they were. From what he had seen of these beasts so far, they would prove hard to kill in such numbers, and if they did manage to find a way up the walls, then they would probably over-run Barilyn.

  Finley watched as Abalyon simply evaporated away, before reappearing ten or fifteen paces nearer. Was he trying to show off his power to him? If so Finley had to admit it looked impressive, and he doubted anything he could do could match it. The dark god simply waved an arm outwards, and the hordes under his command roared out as one. The front rank then sprinted forward, followed by the second just a few seconds later, but leaving a gap between them making it harder for the archers atop the walls now launching their first volley of arrows.

  The first of these white feathered shafts had landed before the front rank of attackers reached the sloping rocks. All but a couple missed their targets, and by the time the second volley was firing, the beasts at the front were making short work of the rocky incline. The order was quickly changed for the archers to fire at will, leaving each man and elf with a bow to select their own targets. Despite scoring many hits, only a few of the creatures were killed. Several did reel around letting out the most awful cry, but in general many merely stood with arrows protruding out from them.

  The front rank appeared to come to a halt, and their purpose was soon realised as the second row scrambled up behind them. Using the fallen and those still alive for a leg up, the second rank jumped upwards gaining a lift. Such was the spring in their jump, a few managed to grab a clawed hand onto the top of the battlements. The soldiers defending quickly jumped into action, slashing down at the beasts as they tried to clamber up.

  Just fifty paces away from them, the first of the creatures managed to do just that. Although its thick black-furred body was riddled with arrows, it succeeded in lashing out its huge powerful claws, sending several defenders sprawling in just one ferocious swoop. In the confusion several more beasts managed to clamber up behind it, gaining the forces of darkness a small foothold on the wall. Two of the beasts were immediately dispatched as several blasts of bluish energy surged from two arcanists positioned the other side of the breach.

  Karesh, noticing two soldiers get thrown aside, charged forward with his sword held upright in front of him. His mother’s call for him to come back fell upon deaf ears as he stormed forward, bringing the blade down as hard as he could down the back of the nearest balgraf to him. His mother immediately hurried forward, and after raising a hand skywards thrust her staff outwards striking the same creature, effectively ending what little life it had left.

  If Leyna thought for one moment that Karesh was about to retreat now he had played his small part, she was very wrong. With Karesh being an orc, she knew fighting would be in his blood, in the very makeup of who he was, and while she would have preferred to wrap him up and kept away from any danger, she could not stop what he really was. Finley was forced to watch on as both Karesh, and his mother surged forward, downing one of the beasts now just thirty paces away. He cursed himself for not thinking of bringing a weapon with him and looked around for something he might be able to use.

  Feeling more anxious and worthless by the second, he glanced up to see both his mother and Karesh become embroiled in a real scrap for survival. Two creatures, one of which was so huge, it made Karesh look like a small child, moved along the battlements. A group of infantry with shields were merely barged aside as the larger beast lunged straight into them. A fireball cast from somewhere further along hit one of the beasts, but it did not down it. Instead, the strike appeared to make it even more aggressive.

  Karesh swung his blade around rather awkwardly but managed to catch a creature around the thigh area, causing a spray of oil-like blood to fly up into the air. The beast cried out, but before the young orc could bring his blade around for another strike, he was himself struck by a large clawed hand sending him crashing down with a thump. Finley watched as his mother screamed, and thrust her staff outwards sending forth a stream of white light that almost cut one of the beasts clean in half, such was the intensity. However, he then felt his heart race as he witnessed her slump to her knees, exhausted from the channelling of such a spell.

  Finley stepped forward calmly, with no weapon in hand nor staff through which he could channel a magical spell he held one hand skyward with the other out in front of him. This was his body, and the scenes before him were very real, yet from somewhere in his mind it appeared as if he had seen all this kind of thing before. He glanced out into the distance at the dark shape still positioned to one of the rampaging hordes, “Not this time Abalyon,” he uttered in a defiant tone. He felt a strange sensation, almost as if he were watching on from within his own body, and although he had no idea what he was doing, something within him did.

  A crackle of lightning came down from what was a clear sky. The forks of light streamed down to Finley’s raised hand. However, this lightening did not strike him down as might have been expected, the energy from it was summoned to him, under his control. With his other hand still stretched out in front of him he targeted two beasts nearing his mother. Both were struck as he expelled the power within him, zig-zagging streaks of lightening from one to the other, downing both instantly.

  He fired at another group near to where Karesh lay on the ground injured, before walking to the edge of the wall to where hundreds of creatures were clambering around beneath him. With the energy he had left, he cast his free hand downwards, calmly letting the magical force flow through him and out to those beasts below. Streams of thick smoke poured upwards as dozens of the beasts were felled in one awesome display of real power.

  Finley stepped back away from the wall and went to check on his brother, but everything suddenly changed. The small battles still going on along the wall and around its base slowed to a stop, as if everything in time was frozen. Finley, although confused was not afraid, at least not anymore. He could still move, and yet nobody else appeared to be doing so. He looked over to where he had seen Abalyon and noticed him gone, vanished from view.

  A strange, surreal scene remained frozen before his eyes, as a dark, thin swirling mist started to envelop around him. Despite him knowing who it was, there was nothing he could do to stop it, as it swirled upwards, engulfing him completely. The inevitable human-like face appeared in the mist, “Zerus Maldhor. Join me, and together we can rule these lands,” it said making an offer he felt he had been made before.

  “Join me, as you once did. This time we shall succeed.”

  “Never!” Finley found himself shouting defiantly, despite the feeling he was helpless to do anything at that moment.

  The swirling face laughed out loudly, “I will give you time to consider Zerus Maldhor. You will join me again; it is your destiny to do so.” Finley cried out, swinging his arms around using the force of the air around him, to dispel the blanket of swirling mist. The face of Abalyon blended away into it, as his magical spell cleared the space about him. “This was just a test of strength Zerus Maldhor…” the voice added as it faded away into the mist.

  Finley felt uneasy on his feet, swaying slightly, as he watched the hordes of creatures, turn about and retreat off back into the distance. Everything around him moved once more as it should do, and the figure of Abalyon was nowhere to be seen. The balg
raf upon the battlements gave up the foothold they had gained, jumping down and dashing off to re-join the others, some of whom were already some distance away. He was not entirely sure what had just happened, or for that matter what part he might have played in it, but without dwelling on it he hurried over to check on his mother.

  He helped her up to her feet, as she just stared vacantly at him. He looked around to see others doing likewise, but he ignored the looks and made his way to where Karesh had been struck. The young orc looked up at him with a smile on his face, “Ouch!” he said before squinting and grimacing, clearly in pain. “Did we win?” he added, as their mother quickly kneeled down beside him to check he was okay.

  Realising Karesh’s injuries were just superficial and not life threatening, her persona changed considerably from one of a caring parent to one showing her anger and annoyance. Although she was clearly not Karesh’s natural mother, the love and care she afforded him were every bit as strong as if she were. “You foolish orc,” she snapped with tearful eyes, “You nearly got yourself killed,” she added slamming her hand down on to Karesh’s chest. The young orc winced slightly as she did, although clearly trying not to make it look as if he were in any pain.

  Galdrac stepped up beside her, and between them, they aided Karesh to his feet. “Just knocked the wind out of me I think,” he said looking rather nervously at his mother for any further admonishment. “What happened?” He asked looking out at the last of the creatures running off into the distance. “Not quite sure,” Galdrac replied glancing over to Finley.