Nightrope: A D&D story.

Chapter 1: New World? - Alakai

Alakai-

Alakai could remember he was floating. Even Aramina and Tanda were floating. Then he was being yanked into the portal against his will. A quick flash of blue, black and white. The next thing he knew, stars shined brightly in front of him. But they got smaller and smaller.

Ok, I'm falling now.

He tried to shout but it was stuck in his throat. The wind ruffled his hair and clothes as he continued to plummet. Finally, he landed with a squash. A rotten smell clogged his nose. Alakai could taste it. Fish.

He yelped and scrambled up out of the dead pile. Stumbling out of the tub and on the ground. His skin and clothes were now sticky and slimy. Trying not to vomit, Alakai staggered away. Finally noticing his companions weren't with him.

"Tanda? Aramina!" He yelled.

He seemed to be in a pit, surrounded by rocky walls. A sharp pain throbbed at the back of his head as it started to whirl. He winced against the pain. The fall finally started to impact him, Alakai knew he had to find his friends and fast.

To his left, something moved. He snapped his head, hand on his sword. A tall body, with a long white robe, covered its entire body from the head to the ground. With a strange black symbol on the face. Shaped in the middle looked like a 'U'. With one dot on each side, and a small line at the top.

"Hello?" Alakai cautiously stepped towards the hooded man.

Alakai knew he really shouldn't walk towards the stranger. But the fact remains, he had no idea where he was or Aramina and Tanda. He had to make sure they were ok.

"I'm sorry, but did you happen to see my friends walk through here? You couldn't miss them. One's seven foot tall with long pointy ears, the other has black horns on their head." He chuckled, wobbling over to the stranger.

The hooded man remained silent. He continued to stand there and stare at Alakai.

Now, what am I meant to do?

In the corner of Alakai's eye, the hooded man turned and walked straight. Disappearing through another path.

"Wait!" Alakai stumbled after them. He rounded the corner. Seeing the hooded man's robe turn and disappear around another wall. Alakai followed. He wasn't familiar with this place.

Where did that portal take us?

Alakai breathed heavily as he rounded the last corner. Almost slipping on the muddy ground. Seeing the same hooded man standing in the centre of a room. You could still see the moon and stars above. Feeling a presence behind him, Alakai ripped the sword from his waist. But it was knocked from his grasp as two other men with the same symbols grabbed him. Alakai feeling weak from the fall, reluctantly put his hands up surrendering.

That's just great.

The robed men escorted Alakai with chains cuffed to his wrist through what could only be described as ruins. The wet floors and cracked walls ran deep. Over time they passed more robed people. Who ended up quietly following behind his escorts.

Great. Of course, I'm the one who stumbles across a cult and gets captured.

By now more than twenty people were following. Alakai could see a large clearing where they were headed. A low humming from the group vibrated across the walls. Alakai knew he'd be taken to their leader. Maybe they would know if they saw his friends.

Coming into the clearing, Alakai saw rusted old walls and buildings. Poles sticking out from the muddy walls. This place screamed destruction. Along the walls stood many members, humming along as well. The humming now felt like a chant. They stomped their feet along, the beat now going faster. Alakai prepared himself. If this was his last night, he wouldn't go without a fight.