Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Prologue

A Lost Temple: Outskirts of Calradia

In a lost temple, two clocked figures stood near the walls, legends etched into them. The taller of these two held a torch out in front of him, while his companion stood slightly behind him.

???1:
Are you sure this will tell us anything?

The the man with the torch spoke in a rather gruff voice. His shorter companion came behind him, holding a map.

???2:
Of course, there's no place in Calradia with more information than here.

???1:
Then I suppose I should take your word for it.

The two then then entered another hallway of the temple. The taller of the two used his free hand and lowered his hood, revealing his rather aged appearance; his scruffy grey hair shown and beard, and pale, wrinkled skin. His dark brown eyes shown past his bushy eyebrows, with a long scar going across his face. The other man also lowered his hood, showing himself as the much younger of the two, with short brown hair and small brown eyes. The two men reached chamber, and found the walls completely etched in drawings, depicting a long battle and war.

???1:
I have found nothing, only the Dark War. Are you completely sure here, Falconus?

The younger man, Falconus, came into another section, depicting a temple of some sorts.

Falconus:
Just look right here, Galdores.

Galdores looked to the depiction of the tower, and could only stare in shock. His grizzled face widened in shock, and his fingers twitched around the torch.

Falconus:
It says here that after Balcodor was defeated, his followers took him to this very temple, and are awaiting his return.

Galdores:
It has been years since we have lost their trail. We must investigate this temple, and find out if the rumors are true.

Galdores and Falconus travel deeper into the temple, the torch lighting their way. The stone floors of the temple seemed to go on forever, but soon, a staircase met it's presence.

Falconus:
I don't suppose we're going up there.

Galdores:
Of course we are. Now come on!

Galdores walked up the stairs, his cloak sweeping behind him as he walked. Falconus, though still hesitant, followed the old man up the stairs. The two men walked up the seemingly endless staircase, until they finally reached a massive room. In the center was a stone catafalque in the middle. The two men made their way to the catafalque, and mound the body placed on it, a tall and lean man, with pale skin, and no hair throughout his whole body. The man was also seen wearing a long black robe and a golden necklace with a pendant displaying a symbol of a skull with sword through it. The man was recognized as Balcodor, the sorcerer who had captured and enslaved innocents so long ago.

Falconus:
How peculiar. Why would they just leave him here.

As that question was asked, Galdores heard the sound of many sets of footsteps approaching them.

Galdores:
They didn't.

Galdores unsheathed his sword and turned to see many figures in black cloaks and skull masks surround them. One man stepped up to them, he wore a black robe like the , and a mask, resembling a skull, much like the others, but with the same symbol painted on it as the on on Balcodor's necklace. On his left him was a sword with a peculiar looking handle.

???:
You must be Galbores, a soldier of the Calradian Empire. I have heard many things about you.

The man's voice was very deep, yet quiet, almost remnant of a demon's. His tall and lean figure stood tall, almost unnatural for any height. Galdores than looked to the others, and sow through their masks that their eyes had gone completely black, not even scleras were shown.

Galdores:
Who are you?

???:
I go by many names, but you may call me, the Shadow.

The shadow then unsheathed his sword, and held it to Galdores. He then took his free hand, and conjured a fireball into the palm of his hand.

Shadow:
As for you, I will not let you leave this temple alive. You have seen my fallen master, so you have seen too much!

The Shadow casted his fireball towards the two men and they jumped out of the way. The Shadow then swung down his sword, only for it to be countered to Galdores' own sword. Galdores got to his feet, and began a sword duel against the Shadow. The shadow threw Galdores back, drawing his sword the the old man in the process. Galdores through down his traveling cloak, completely revealing a set of worn down armor, and got into a battle stance. Galdores and the Shadow then tan up to each other and clashed their swords together. Galdores tries to land strikes, but the shadow walks backwards and blocks every one of them. The shadow then dodged a last strike and slashes across Galdores' shoulder. Galdores looks to the wound on his shoulder, and saw that the Shadow's sword had even slashed through his armor. Regardless of the wound, Galdores held up his sword and attacked the Shadow yet again. The Shadow, however, manifested a ball of dark purple energy, and through it, this time striking Galdores in the chest. The Shadow then walked up to Galdores, and placed his black boot to the man's chest.

Shadow:
I'm impressed with your ability, old man, but I'm afraid it wasn't enough.

The shadow then raises his sword, ready to strike down the Galdores, only for it not meet another sword. It is shown that Falconus had taken his sword to defend Galdores. Falconus then pushes the Shadow back, buying Galdores time to pick up his sword. Galdores managed to reequip his sword and stagger to his feet. Unfortunately, he saw that he was two late, and the shadow's sword was in Falconus' chest. The Shadow then pulled his sword, and Falconus hade fallen to the ground. Galdores could only stare in horror as Falconus' body falls to the floor.

Shadow:
A pity, I was hoping to kill you, but now you are exactly what I need. Get him!

The others then drew their own swords and slowly walked towards Galdores. Though when they reached, Galdores slashed one of them across the stomach, opening a path to where he could run towards the stairs.

Shadow:
After him!

Galdores ran down the stairs and made his way out of the temple. The man then left to temple and dashed down the stone stairs towards the horses at the bottom. Galdores pulled himself onto his horse and rode it away from the temple. The horse rode away as fast it's four legs could go, and Galdores rode as far away from the temple as he could.

To be continued