For what seemed like an eternity, the time has come that I may at last exact the revenge denied to me. I can just see it now, as I stand over his body with my sword held high. Good bye Vaalic, I would say, enjoy the hell you had wrought upon me. The thought of him going through the tortures I experienced is comforting. Why is it though that such a long waited moment, makes me sick to my stomach? Why when I think of taking something away that she loves, do I feel wrong? I know I had once experienced this feeling, but too long have I been removed from it. ShadowRune sighed when he got to this point.
I never have a choice. I never have control.
Shadow’s contemplation of discontent was interrupted as he felt the presence of others around him. He sat up on the stone bench and looked at the two men who were there, sure that they were part of his task force. Obviously because none of the soldiers here were stupid enough to approach Shadow, regardless of whom they worked for.
“
And you are?†Shadow said raising an eyebrow, looking between the two.
“
Kalco,†The one on the right pointed to himself, then to his friend, “
Jermane.â€Â
“
And what of the others?â€Â
“
They should be arriving soon,†Kalco was quick to add after.
Shadow lied back down folding his arms and gazed up into the night sky, his mind began to wander listlessly on what had to be done for the next few days. Shadow’s mind had been active for so long, his personal thoughts were getting tired and slow. When he moved towards thinking of rest, the screams of his curse immediately brought itself to attention, which demanded no rest could be had. Shadow’s throat echoed quietly a moan of sorrow from his blight. He couldn’t help it, he wanted some rest, he wanted some peace.
The remaining soldiers approached the designated area, but they did not want to announce their arrival. Apparently the mission leader was under a lot of stress; lying on a stone bench, a frown planted across his face, his one arm covering his eyes from all, his other arm hanging over the side motionless. Under a lot of stress, or said stress had already broken him, and that was someone they did not want telling them what to do.
“
What’s wrong with him?†One of the newcomers asked Jermane. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in reply. “
Who knows, and frankly who cares,†Kalco in turn replied.
“
Well, I hope he isn’t suicidal or anything. I want to come home after this.†Shadow shifted his body away from everyone and continued the position he was in. This of course worried the soldiers a little, as they may have just offended the man that their lives were entrusted to. Which as most if not all knew was an extremely bad move if they valued their lives. Shadow closed his eyes, as though that action would make the world pause in its place and grant him a moment’s reprieve. He tried to drive the unbearable noise to the back of his mind where it belonged. It was an increasing difficulty, but at last he managed to do it and sighed.
Fate, why have you cursed me so? What did I do to deserve this and such a long line of punishment? Why?
I’m cold. The world of light I knew begins to grow dark. I feel strange inside. Why is there so much blood? It is on my hands, surrounding my feet, creeping ever closer threatening to swallow me whole. I dedicate my re-life to him, and he betrays me, demanding my soul be destroyed. I can’t, no more, go on. I feel… wrong. I feel… cold… alone now…
Shadow’s eyes snapped open and looked troubled, his head was swimming and his eyes were bobbing about in a stupor. This feeling was very disconcerting. Unfamiliar memories were being thrust on to him. It was too much to handle, so he let himself slip off the side of the bench. Shadow began to make raspy noises in his throat as it slowly inflated like a frogs. When the pressure was too much, he opened his mouth to expel foul smelling foam that started to eat away to stone walkway. Afterwards he collapsed to the side unaware of his surroundings.
The mage took this moment to arrive as Shadow lay prone on the ground semi-relieved. He stood a few paces away covering his nose waiting for him to respond.
“
Excuse me sire. I am Nett… Netton of Drek’lin.. ‘lin’sen. I-am-the-last-of-your-team,†The mage had to be quick as even breathing through the mouth he could smell the foul substance. He and all the soldiers nearby wanted to gag, and move away, but they were paralyzed there. Once the remaining foam had disappeared into the half inch pit it burnt away, the people around Shadow managed to back off. Shadow slowly picked himself up and drearily walked away from the pit, far enough that the smell was no longer nauseating.
“
The force is moving soon, which means we must be brief in our stealthy travels. I trust all of you know what is involved in stealth movements, as you were chosen for this particular job. If you don’t, it is fairly simple. We move at night only. Since our size is small, two men will guide the others path on ground that is silent. If any of you fails to follow the path set by the man in front, you will not live long enough to repeat that mistake.†Shadow turned around and grabbed Jermane by the collar, “
You’re the second, get moving.†He said dragging Jermane for a foot or so towards the exit.
Shadow sat up against the wall of the palace waiting for his entire team to disappear into the shadows of the city. For the first in a very long time, he blinked his eyes changing to the ultraviolet spectrum. He surveyed the closest city wall location for a second, and then casually walked towards it. As he got close he reflexively executed with ease rebounding off the wall onto the roof of a warehouse, and continued to the top of the wall. A good side, if anything was to be found, to being a cursed demon.
Shadow remained crouched on the edge of the wall for a moment, trying to spot the location he told everyone to meet by. A blink and a little wait later, his eyes were again attuned to the dark world. He almost instantly found the slightly darker blotch of black amongst the sea of similar shapes and shades. His target was the very tip of a corner of the woods not too far away from the city. When everyone got there, for the rest of the night, they would travel around the forest to the Censillia mines.
And so with fresh determination, I vowed to myself that I would protect he who would grant me such a rare gift. My mother thought that I should just be happy with this gift, that I had no debt to repay. How I wish I had listened to her then, but instead I just threw it back in her face.
“I want to fight for you, and for dad. I want to fight for our lord because he has given me so much, and asks for so little.â€Â
Just thinking about it makes me ill. When I woke in the fields of light, I should have been glad that my dying wish was granted. I could continue to live on, to breathe the air, and see all that there was to see. Instead I had to question, and it led me to this point. I now felt obligated to fight for him… to die for him… My goal was to become one of his guardian angels.
Shadow collapsed to his hands and knee’s, only taking slight notice that he was no longer on the wall of Freeport, but rather at the waiting spot just inside the forest. He felt like throwing up again as his mind was being assaulted by memories not his own. Breathing deeply he swallowed the raw emotions those thoughts brought to surface, with the blinding hate his curse had given him an over abundance of. As a sign that it was beginning to work, he stood up and continued breathing deep swallowing the bile in his throat.
His meditation was finished after five minutes of controlling the anger and feeling of unease. Opening his eyes anew to the world Shadow instantly went into predator mode, scanning the surrounding area for anything. In moments like these, his senses were sharper than his blades. He could hear the soft movements of tiny creatures, even the gentle flapping of birds or bats alike. Every variation of life in the forest was being selectively tracked waiting for the telltale signs of human interruption. The sign came with what sounded like the jerky movements of clothing being tugged by bushes. Whoever it was, was a hundred or so meters away and closing. Shadow climbed up the closest tree and waited for a visual on his prey. One of his assigned soldiers finally made it to the area, and looked like he was actually making an effort to keep quiet and an eye open. Shadow thought this a perfect time to play a little game called ‘know your place’.
Waiting for his prey to move a little ahead of him, he jumped across a small gap which made a slight rustling sound. The soldier began to look around nervously, his paranoia getting the best of him. The soldier’s neck wrenched to every possible angle looking for the noise. When he made the mistake of turning around, Shadow threw a nut from the tree he was in at the soldiers head. He instinctively snapped around and started to search for what was there. Shadow finished the game with a dramatic effect of letting the moonlight dance across his face, precisely when the soldier was looking in his direction. The look of terror was delicious, and should generate a few stories amongst him and his fellows. Not that Shadow required any more. Slaughtering two dozen soldiers and prisoners alike, decorating the dungeon with their entrails, is enough of a story for most.
Was that man ever glad Shadow did not wish to speak with him. He was quite content to just lean up against a tree, keeping his gaze averted from the animal sitting in the tree. To him and his fellows’ satisfaction, they did not have to feel apprehensive for long. The bulk of the group showed up almost at once, a little more then curious why the demon was not here. Of course they were pointed in the direction of where Shadow was perched. Shadow was now lying on the branch he took residence in, eyes closed, trying to find meaning to the memories imposed on him.
Jermane walked up to the tree and cleared his throat loudly to gain Shadow’s attention. In response Shadow threw his feet out and landed uncomfortably close to Jermane’s front. The size difference between the two was laughable when seen up close. One was a bit below six feet, while the other was just over six.
“
Take point, Second.†Shadow warned, looking up to meet Jermane’s gaze. He in turn stood his place and challenged Shadow’s gaze for a moment, then backed away. An odd show of brevity, but the message was received. He knew Jermane was not a stupid man, he could see it in his eyes. That moment there told Shadow that Jermane had to be one of Vental’s trusted, therefore he could trust him.
Shadow and Jermane each designated half of the men to follow them in single file the entire trip to the mines. They had to be quick, and above all quiet. At this moment the rebels probably have spies around and about looking for just such a group moving. Of course the major advantage was the small size. The rebels would be expecting a large group to be moving for the mines. Regardless of this, a group being sent at all would be enough to cause major distress, possibly even the cancellation of the attack.
The new target was the forest edge just in sight of the mines. This trip took the better part of the morning to complete, the sun just rose by the time they arrived. The mines, or rather the village with palisades, were still standing with nary a disturbance.
We are early, Shadow thought surveying the horizon, and listening intently for any movements in the forest.
“
Why are we just standing here? Let’s head for the fort!†The man named Kalco exclaimed getting nervous and eager to move. Shadow grabbed his neck and began to crush his throat, slowly pulling him down to his knees.
“
Shut up or I will rip your throat out,†He snarled in a soft tone, releasing Kalco’s throat after he spoke. He naturally started a coughing storm, which really annoyed Shadow because of the noise they were making.
“
We need to move from here…†Shadow began speaking to himself. He looked over at the mage with unfocused calculating eyes. “
Can your magic hide us from sight and sound?†Shadow was unsure about his request. He had never worked with mages or magic beyond the memories of himself with their power. However those memories are now little more then still frame shots, headaches, and the howling of his sins.
“
It can be done… But I have only tried it once, and that was many years ago.†He spoke slowly, a sign that he too was unsure. Shadow’s ear twitched as he heard the sounds of someone nearby coming closer.
“
We have no time. Work your magic, and quickly.†Shadow whispered hastily. Netton gathered everyone close to him and begun by closing his eyes. After a couple seconds Shadow felt a cold chill run up his spine, then down his body. Looking around Shadow saw that everyone received the same treatment, which ended with the caster. Not entirely sure if it had worked, Shadow placed his finger to his mouth giving everyone there the no talking signal.
The timing could not have been more perfect. Shadow noticed from behind the group a strange man walking slowly, looking carefully around, and trying to avoid making any fast movements and loud noises. The expression on the scouts face suggested that we truly were invisible to him. And so he continued to move forward, right towards the group. Shadow urged the group to move away from the scout at all times. When they moved, the scout would stop briefly and look in their direction, but then he would continue. The temptation to tease him was high when Shadow realized this, but he told himself to grow up and leave it be.
They quickly moved out of the forest trying to stay as close as they could to the caster without hampering movement. This slowed their speed some, but this was much more desirable then announcing their presence to friend or foe. They moved for a thick grouping of trees behind the fort, and chose a spot where they could see their previous location, and the gate to the fort. And once Shadow gave the signal, the mage dropped his spell. Shadow noticed a warm feeling circle around him and then disappeared.
“
We stay here until the attack. Stay quiet and don’t move much. Once the initial attack has finished and the main bulk of the forces move into the mines, we move in. Netton, I want you to try and put them to sleep if you can. If not, then prevent them from entering the mines. As for the rest of us, knock them out, or kill them. We must do this quick so don’t think about which to do.†Shadow gave his speech, everyone nodded their heads agreeing. It was time to wait, and this is exactly what Shadow feared most. He was all alone with his thoughts for that time, and they were becoming more vivid and disturbing. But on the good side he no longer heard the screaming, he no longer felt the pain of his current existence. All he felt was sadness, betrayal and angst.
Nothing happened however. For the remainder of the day and night he was blissfully unassaulted by memory or howl. Glad with this break he continued to scan over the mines and the forest line, formulating his plan of attack.
Vaalic… How I want you to suffer… But I cannot even bring myself to do that… I will give you the pleasure of a quick death and, Shadow’s thoughts were interrupted by pain streaking throughout his head. It passed quickly, leaving him dumbfounded as to why it came at all. Forgetting that, he suddenly felt himself awash in a sea of sadness and loneliness. The more he thought of death, the more he would drift away succumbing to the waves. Shadow tried shaking his head when things got bad, but that didn’t work. He also tried his technique he used with the howls to no avail. He simply had to drift, deeper and deeper.
The sound of cracking wood woke ShadowRune up from his self-induced trance, and brought his attention to the field between the forest and the mines. Soldiers began to pour out from the woods along with siege machines. The battle commenced within seconds and explosions of sound began.
Magic, he thought shaking his head,
Such an awesome force that has no purpose in our world except to destroy. Sad.
Shadow began to scan the crowds looking for his friends. Sure enough he saw Vaalic huddled with a group of soldiers, Dravven also with another group, and… a dark elf? Besides trying to think why a dark elf would be with the rebel forces, Shadow strained his eyes to try get a better look at this mans face. It seems familiar to him, something from a time too long ago. A hunter of sorts who tried to bring, ShadowRune the assassin of Twin Peaks, in for heresy. Shadow smirked thinking of the encounter, which was fun albeit annoying. However that was just shy a hundred years ago, and he had to have improved since then.
Once the main forces had managed to enter the camp, Shadow took this time to go over some things with his group.
“
Queue up your hiding magic Netton. I’m sure all of you managed to discern who the generals of this small army are. The over armored individual is Dravven. He will most likely be left outside to guard the entrance once the main force enters. Someone will assist me in knocking him out. He is a tough old man and can turn into a dragon at will,†Shadow paused for dramatic effect of the revelation, “
Once he and anyone with him has been taken care of, we will use him as bait to bring the second general out from hiding. His name is Vaalic. NO ONE will touch him, or those who exit the mines. They will not leave without him, and I will have the pleasure of killing him in front of them all,†Pausing again, Shadow looked into each of there eyes with hate, expressing he was quite serious on that matter.
“
All of you will hide after the sentry is taken care of, and you will not reveal yourselves until I give the signal. As a precautionary matter, the next targets we want taken out are their mage and the dark elf. I know only what I have seen regarding their mage, and the dark elf I believe I have faced before. I cannot be bothered to remember his name, but he has some skill with an elven blade, and has the ability to use magic that affects the body… Questions?â€Â
“
What if you decide to kill them all or leave and don’t call us?†Shadow rolled his eyes and shook his head at Kalco’s question.
“
If I don’t call you, then you stand your ground and don’t move. If I leave, then you just stand there like an idiot and starve to death.†He tried his best to make the latter sentence dripping with sarcasm. That being said no more questions were to be had, and the wait for silence began, which didn’t take as long as Shadow thought. Only ten or so minutes passed and the sounds of combat shifted to one area, then slowly muffled as it went deeper into earth.
Netton hopped into action with Shadow’s signal, and the familiar feeling crept down everyone’s spine. They moved quickly for the entrance of the mines. Fires were blazing everywhere, and some wooden structures were shattered. This was a haunting reminder of the night Shadow fought those mages to recover the ring on his hand. Exactly why Shadow thought magic had no good purpose in the world. Regardless as expected, Dravven and the cadre of men he was with stood just a little outside the mine entrance.
Looking around for other sentries, Shadow spotted a couple hiding behind debris near the towers looking out. Shadow had a couple of his team move away and for those sentries. The rest moved for the large group and positioned them around, ready to charge in. With the command given by Shadow, Netton dropped his spell hiding everyone, and cast his sleep spell. Half of Dravven’s men dropped right away, the others went down after Shadow moved in.
“
ShadowRune!†Dravven managed to spit out before being clubbed several times and sent sprawling to the ground. Shadow moved just a little further inside giving everyone behind him the no talking signal again. He knew they would keep someone close to the entrance in case there was activity outside, and Shadow was listening for him and if they may have heard any commotion. Satisfied with the silence, Shadow moved back out and began to whisper orders. The bodies were to be dragged into random buildings except for Dravven. He was dragged by Shadow a little further from the mine entrance and left prone. Afterwards Shadow moved back to the entrance and removed the drag marks and his soldier’s footprints. With that, Shadow and his group hid.
Come out and play Vaalic. I’m here and waiting for you.