Curse

Flopjack · Oct 03, 2006, 05:24 AM // 05:24

I began writing this a while back, but didn't have the courage to post it. I think I got rid of (most) the spelling errors! I hope it matches the stuff I have read so far!

"Across the Lands of Kryta"

The little girl barely dressed in a few layers of tattered clothes kneeled over her father’s lifeless body weeping and hoping to see him move again. Her would be white face is covered in soot and dirt. She buried her face into his chest and the body’s shirt began to soak up her tears. In the broken doorway, a shadowy figure stood tall but crooked holding onto a sharp object. It was a man.

A maniacal voice which went from a whisper from a crackle came from the figure; “What is the matter my dear?”

The little girl turned quickly as her hair covered half of her face. She stopped crying for a moment and squinted slightly to try and make out the mysterious figure.

“Do not worry about your father. You cannot save him now.” The figure choked out. The figure begins to lightly crunch his hands and release his grip over and over, making a small cracking sound from his old bones and sharp object.

The girl, about 5 years of age, begins to cry at the sounds of the figure’s words. She was then interrupted by a movement caught by her eye. She looked down at her father’s face, and then noticed another spark of movement again. Her eye’s bolted down to his chest and noticed a strange bulge. It shivered slightly. She breathed in heavily and fell back on her hands. A muffled crack and low sounding tearing began to erupt from deep within in the dead body. More cracking and deep thuds followed as the bulge began to grow and expand. The shirts began to tear and bones broke out of the flesh. Blood was running out and pooling around the body. A moan of pain was emitted from within a newly developed hole inside the chest but was muffled and choked out because of all the blood. Suddenly, a horrid mass of flesh and bones broke free from its lifeless cage. The horror from beyond the grave let loose a soul wrenching gag and stood still as the now petrified girl was starring in a mix of fright and awe.

“Mary, I am a Necromancer, but I will not hurt you. Come, I want to teach you the ways of Grenth.” The monster loomed over the girl and had it been given a chance, would have torn her apart. However the Necromancer’s power was great enough to control the beast.

The little girl, from astonishment and fear, lost her thoughts about her father and mother being dead, and the assault on their village. She was so confused and desperate, she ran to the Necromancer and buried her face into his black cloak in the hope that he would give out some sympathy. She begin to cry again. The girl stopped and looked up to ask a question.

“H-h-how… did you know… my name?” she barely squeaked out. She wiped away some tears from her face and swallowed.

The man kneeled down to get face to face with the little girl. His dark hood slid back and revealed a scarred face with seemingly normal features. The skin on his face was becoming wrinkled to reveal his age, and a light pigment from spending so much time indoors. He had a chip out of his left ear and deep scar around his neck. A necklace made from some sort of twine and decorated with old teeth from various creatures, separated by tiny black beads hung around his neck.

“I know a lot of things about you, Mary. In fact, I want to teach you some very special things. You, my little girl, are going to become very powerful… Yes.”

.

*About 20 years later.*

“Line up men! Look lively!” A voice boomed over the clanking of armor and readying of weapons.

Nakuuj double checked his partner’s armor, making sure no vulnerable places would be easily accessed by an enemy’s weapon. Nakuuj was 37 years of age and a well built man. His skin was darker toned and he had a scar that ran up his right arm from when a bull injured him when he was 17 years old. He weapon of choice was the sword, and he had a deadly riposte which none of his friends could replicate. His sword was of medium weight, just how he liked it. It was light enough to be quick, and heavy enough to bring down hard on his enemies. He was good with his weapon and he knew it. He was confident and well educated for his social status, which was a part of the Lion Guard sentry. His partner turned back and half of his face shifted through his lose helmet.

“Thanks, Nakuuj! You’re here to keep me safe, right?” Zach voiced over the various preparation noises.

Zach was a smaller man then Nakuuj, but darker in skin color. His short curly hair was always a favorite of the younger girls at their village celebrations because of how smooth and shiny it was. He also used a sword, though his was not as big as his friend, Nakuuj’s sword. He became friends with Nakuuj when he was 18 years of age. Zach is 22.

“Don’t count on it.” Nakuuj said with a smile, revealing his yellow tinted teeth. Though this smile was a friendly in appearance, they both knew it was merely an attempt to cover up the nervousness and doubt they both felt.

A loud voice broke their attention towards each other. The noises quickly quieted and all eyes focused on the new person in front.

“Today we have a fight which we must meet. A terror has been untouched and is allowed to wreak whatever havoc it sees fit among our lands and our families. These vile creatures will stop at nothing to get what they want! I say we give them our blades instead!”

A roar of approval emitted from the ranks of soldiers at they reached towards the sky with their weapons. They began to make noise by stomping and clanging their armor with their weapons, anything to sound intimidating.

A few thousand paces away, a solitary figure approached on the horizon. It was dusk and a cool breeze set in as if on cue with the figure. The soldiers began to look upon the figure as to wait for something to happen. Then another figure revealed itself beside the first one and took its place standing to side. A third, fourth and fifth came. Soon tens, then hundreds of black silhouettes began to line up. The opposing army had arrived.

“Fear not these creatures my brethren! They may be strong, but I say we are stronger!”

The soldiers began to shift nervously in their ranks. Nakuuj looked earnestly at the oncoming army. They had began their charge towards the Lion guard soldiers. He began to breath more heavily. He gripped his sword and tightened his hold on his shield. The figures started to become bigger as they ran fast at him. He thought for a second he was the only soldier fighting for Kryta. His vision became tunneled, his target was set. All he needed now was the order.

“Charge!”

The entire rank of soldier exploded into a blood thirsty craze as they ran towards the opposing threat. It was personal now. Each soldier had already forgotten the speech made by their officer. They were now fighting for their family, wives, children or whatever else they held dear to them. For Nakuuj, it was his friends back home. He continued to run. The sound of war was all that filled the air. Both armies were in a collision course and metal and flesh were the only two elements to soften the impact.

Nakuuj, all of the sudden felt something hard hit his foot. He looked down just in time to see a rock about the size of his fist catch his foot, but didn’t give way. He fell through the air, losing his grip on his sword and shield. He tried to put his hands down to catch himself but ended up coming down hard on his head. He felt soldiers run past him and the cool breeze again. The sounds of the battle became strangely muffled and the day time seemed to quickly fade away. He was passing out. He lifted his hand to his head to feel his helmet. It wasn’t there. Did he strap it down? Of course he did. Didn’t he? He has never forgotten to strap it down before. Why would today be any different? His eye drifted down and soon his head followed. I need to rest. He thought. His world darkened. He pulled his hands back so he could see them. Blood.

*About 20 years ago.*

Mary awoke at the sound of mice chewing at her clothes. She sat up quickly and looked around. She couldn’t see anything. It was pitch black. Her eyes darted around in hopes of finding some sort of light, but all they found was darkness.

“You…”, that same scratchy whispering voice grabbed her attention violently. “…will learn to embrace this sort of thing, Mary. You see, as a Necromancer, darkness isn’t such a bad thing. I for one, come down here to pray to Grenth occasionally. It’s probably less then I should, but who’s really counting?”

Mary’s fear began to subdue once a small glimmering speck grabbed her attention. Light, or at least she hoped. She hadn’t noticed it before. Her eyes adjusted to the newly found hope and she could tell she was in a square room, probably underground, made of stone. She sat perched on a stone and noticed her companion sitting beside her a few feet away. She shivered and held her arms. She didn’t notice how cold it was until now.

“Many Necromancers prefer solitude, you know. I only prefer such an atmosphere when I am… testing.”

“Where am I?” she squeeked.
“You are in a tomb, Mary.”

Mary’s eyes widened and she shuffled back against the wall. “Why am I here?” she whispered.

“Because, Mary, you are going to learn the black arts. I had a dream in which I found a wounded fox. I nursed it back to health using my own life and taught it what I knew. I died, but the fox went on to do great things.”
Mary was now interested in what the Necromancer had to say. She sat perched on her stone, holding her legs looking in the direction in which she thought the voice was coming from.

“I believe this is a sign from Grenth and that you are that fox. My time will soon come, but I have things I would like to pass onto someone. I think you are just the right person to give it too. Don’t you think, Mary?”
Mary sat back and leaned her head against the stone and breathed heavily. “I guess so.” She muttered, not confident of what she just heard.

“You see, I have mastered many magics, but never truly satisfied with what I have accomplished. However, now, I believe I can achieve my satisfaction through you. Do you understand, Mary?”
Mary’s eyes drifted around the room again in hopes of determining an exit or window. She couldn’t see enough with the dim light.

“You mean, I can do things you could not do?

“Precisely, Mary!” chuckled the old man, rearing his head back and smiling to the darkness.

“You will be viewed as powerful and influential all across the lands of Kryta.”

The man paused and arranged a serious look on his face. He leaned closer to Mary. She leaned back as he leaned in even though she could not see him.

“But it will be hard and painful. The path of a Necromancer is not easy, by any means.”

The Necromancer stood up and began his steady pace into the darkness. His footsteps were regularly getting quieter as Mary gazed into the darkness eager to follow, but hesitant to test her courage. The man stopped and produced a small flame. He then brought his flame towards a torch and lit it. Mary could see him near perfect now, down a corridor and standing in a small square cavity among the stone walls. She stood up and waited for his approval. With a proper gesture of invitation and a small bow, he motioned for her to come to him. She held her arms and began to walk very slowly down the corridor. She was more interested to get closer to the light then getting closer to the man. Her instincts of wanting light took over and she quickened her pace. She arrived before the man with her eyes locked on his.

“What lies down these stairs will forever change you. Once you take a walk down these stairs, you path to become a Necromancer will begin. Are you prepared to take that path, Mary?”

Mary nervously looked around and stepped on her own feet. Squinting her eyes and swallowing in a fidget trying to come up with an answer.

“…………..yes…….. I am ready to take those steps.”

*About 20 years later*

Nakuuj’s eyes slowly opened and light began to bring him back to his senses. He was laying face up looking in the sky while regaining his state of awareness. He looked around up at the sky and noticed how gray it was. He began to try and make out shapes of the clouds. He noticed something smelled. Something smelled bad. Something smelled rotten. Smoke. Smoke and flesh then filled his nostrils. A fire? He squinted his eyes and thought. The battle! Wide eyed, he quickly shot up and looked around. For about 400 paces, all he could see was bodies and dirt. He quickly stood up and reached for his sword. It was gone. He looked around on the ground franticly. It was right where he dropped it. His shield was there too. He picked them up and began to feel light headed. He stood up too fast. He dropped to one knee and propped himself up with his sword, sharp side in the ground. He pivoted his torso around to absorb in the sight. Had they lost? No. There weren’t enough bodies of his regiment on the ground. He pressed his lips together and sighed. Maybe they retreated. He quickly looked up again with wide eyes. He then let out a sigh again and figured it wouldn’t matter anyways, they probably think he is dead. He stood up and got a better look at the field. There were people walking around in the field. Ah, there they are, he thought. A smile came over his face and he sighed one final sigh. He began to walk to the figures. He was looking intently to try and pierce through a fog which was beginning to set in. The fog was thickening, fast. He kept walking towards his companions. They became mere silhouettes in the fog. Thicker and thicker it became as he quickened his pace. He started to jog. He should have met them by now. He couldn’t see anything at all. The fog was too thick. How could this fog be here? There was nothing here one second and the next second he couldn’t see anything! He began to retrace his steps, running frantically around, desperately trying to meet his friends. He kept bolting around with his eyes trying to go one way and his body moving another way. He was breathing heavily and had to stop to take a rest.
He looked up as the sound of footsteps. He looked every way he could without losing his helmet. He began to sweat. He tightened his grip on his sword and raised his shield. The footsteps became louder and louder, as the sound of small feet ruffled through the dirt. A figure though the fog caught his attention and he looked at it with half closed eyes.

“Who goes there?” He said with a strong voice.
There was no answer.

“I said; who goes there?!” He raised his voice this time and the figure stopped.

“I am here to negotiate.” A woman’s voice pierced through the fog and met Nakuuj’s ears.

“Negotiate what?” He said in a questioning tone yet trying to instill authority.

“About these lands and how you should get off of them, if you know what’s good for you.”

“These lands belong to the Lion Guard. Who are you and under whose authority do you claim this?” He waved his hands in an attempt to clear the fog between them. This attempt failed.

“I come on my own accord, but you are indeed trespassing. These lands didn’t used to belong to the Lion Guard, and now you claim them as your own. Remove your men from these lands, or you will suffer. This is your only warning.”

Nakuuj’s head slid back. He didn’t expect such a direct response from this mysterious woman. He took a few steps forward in an attempt to get a better look at her. He slowly made his way through the fog and her details became apparent.

She stood about 5 feet tall and was dressed in tattered black garments, almost as if they were wrappings. She had dark brown hair which laid behind her shoulders and a very white skin complexion. Small tassels dangled beside each eye and decorative beads were fitted in her hair locks on her head. She held a small object with a sharp blade pointing down and a rock on the top side. It must have been some sort of dagger. In her other hand she held a very old and tattered stuffed bear. Its stuffing was poking out slightly in numerous places and it had stains all over it. It’s right eye was torn out and over it’s mouth was a black stitched “x”.

“Do you own these lands?” asked Nakuuj.

“For lack of better words, yes, I do. I don’t have time for idle chatter. Get out of this place now.”

Nakuuj tilted his head and let out a laugh. He tighten his armor in various places and took a few steps forward and stood tall.

“I’m sorry m’lady. I don’t think you have much of a say in the matter. You see, there are barbaric people living out here and they intent to hurt our people. We simply cannot allow this. We are out here to disperse of this evil and-“

“Barbaric? You really don’t know who you are dealing with do you?”

“Nakuuj’s patience was wearing thin. He took another step forward and reached his arm out pointing at her with his glove.

“No, I don’t know who I am dealing with. But you are dealing with the Lion Guard, the protectors of Lions Arch. If you mess with us, you are going to get hurt, I can guarantee you that.”

They were both glaring each other. A small emission of green began to form around her hand that held the small stuffed bear. Nakuuj didn’t notice it. He always kept eye contact with his opponents. He could tell if they were about to strike by the way they moved their eyes and flinched their muscles. He couldn’t see anything in her eyes, which pressed him to concentrate on them all the harder. Her hand now emitted a soft green glow as she slowly raised the bear in the air. He then noticed it.

Behind Nakuuj a sound erupted. He ignored it. The persistent sound came again followed by a tearing of fabric. This time it demanded his attention. He spun around to look at a body, which he thought was dead twitching violently. A bone protruded out of the chest and blood began to spill everywhere. A mass of flesh broke free and began to find something to grab unto. The body began to painfully open up and a monstrosity emerged with blood running off of it.

Nakuuj looked with such fear he forgot about the lady looking at him. He drew his sword and shield and prepared to defend himself.

“Demon!” he turned around and shouted at where the lady was. She was gone now. He quickly spun around to meet eye contact with the horror. It didn’t have any eyes, but knew where to face.
The monster jumped surprisingly far off the corpse and lunged at Nakuuj with what looked to be an arm. The appendage came down hard on his shield and knocked Nakuuj’s balance off. He took a few steps back and prepared himself for a fight. He put himself in a defensive stance with his sword over his shield, leaving a small place for him to look at his new found foe. The horror then took another lunge at Nakuuj. With a graceful spin he dodged the attack and brought his sword along the side of it with a clean slice. He replaced his sword back on top of his shield and noticed some blood on it. The blood dripped a few times on the ground. The horror with his new found wound and a pace which was slowed turned around. It let lose a high pitched growl and ran back after Nakuuj and swung its arm violently. Nakuuj extended his foot while holding his weapons and tripped his foe. With a heavy thrust, he came down on the horror with his sword and used his body weight to push it in as far as he could. He pierced through the monster and into the ground. The horror lay weakened and dying. The last movement of life left its body and it lay motionless. Nakuuj stood up in disgust of how revolting it looked. A small sense of pity befell him as he cleaned off his sword and placed it gently back into its proper position beside his waist. He looked up to notice the fog was now cleared and the strange lady was no where to be found. He turned to see some of his friends within the regiment rushing to him.

“Are you ok?” “There is one over here! Still alive!” “What happened?
A stream of questions brushed around him as he had a perplexed look about his face. He looked around trying to find the lady, but could not see her.

“Nakuuj, are you ok? Look at me. Are you ok?” Nakuuj made eye contact with his companion and shook his head yes.

“Zach, where is Zach, is he ok?” Nakuuj suddenly asked.
A silence befell the group as eyes looked to the ground. A voice came from somewhere with the people.

“No, Zach didn’t make it. He was killed in the battle.”

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I kept trying to get the story into paragraphs, the best I could do was spacing. If it's any good, I'll try to post more! (Be gentle in your reviews!)