The Sanctum Sword

The Wood and The Grave

Three nights and three days the two walked across the Duam Plain. They were heading for the Aruan Forest, where they would seek the help of the Aruani, a people who live long lives, are very tall and only use the power of light.
Cael and Variam stood at the edge of the forest, witch was alive with color, teeming with life and rich with magic holier and more saturating than any other the wanderers had ever felt.
After soaking in the task ahead of them Cael and Variam stepped into the forest. Hour after hour they ventured through thick underbrush and, soon, wadding through a swamp. It was nearing dusk when they settled down at a dry spot in the center of the swamp.
"This will be a good place to sleep Variam said "Cael go get water to boil over the fire"
Cael departed back towards the central stream the cut through the swamp. Within sight of the water he found a mossy grave, calling to him. He ripped off some of the surrounding vines and revealed the name: VAGNARAK. Cael ignored it, thinking it was a traveler or a Aruani. But when he stepped away it let out a low, nasty hum that called for Cael to dig below it. When he dug below the grave Cael found a onyx tablet having words in the demon tongue. Repulsed by this find he threw the item into swamp. Immediately, fog rose from the spot the tablet had sunk, and the joy and magic of the forest retreated. Cael got the water and returned back to camp. After feeding there exhausted bodies, they fell asleep.
Awoken by the rush of Variam packing things up, Cael began to feel choked. He grabbed Variam but Variam already saw the horrid amount of black energy around Cael, and fled for the Aruani city, where he could get help. Cael followed in a panic, but got lost.
That's when he saw him; a shadowy immense tall black cloaked figure, standing in the swamp where the tablet had landed. The fog had spread and now it was impossible to see very far ahead of you. But when Cael looked back at the Figure it was gone. While running he looked all around him for the thing. After looking to his right, he turned again to the front. There, standing in the grass, was the figure. The only thing Cael could hear was: "Vagnarak" "Vagenarak." Over and over again.
Cael bolted in any way he could go, trying to get away from the fiend. When he had finally collapsed, he started to fall asleep and the last thing he saw was the figure and its shadowy smile. An Aruani assassin bolted from a nearby bush, spraying light everywhere banishing the evil aura that surrounded the shadow. It was like lightning, light, graceful, swift, and precise, when the assassin struck down the shadow with a single blow. Cael started to black out, but he saw the assassin first, a beautiful Aruani maiden wearing white and gold, Aruani assassin robes. Then, Cael fell into a deep slumber.