Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 8: Voices In The Dark

"What? Who's there" I said aloud drawing the attention of some villagers walking past.
  "You need only follow the sound of my voice, little one. Come to me, and everything will be okay," the mysterious presence replied.
  "Who are you? And how can I believe you when you say nothing will happen?"
  "Without trying, without taking that leap of faith, you won't know. It's up to you alone to come to me. In this field outside of the village, where the wood has burned to char."

  I begin searching the village for someone who might know where what has burned to become char. As I search, a voice keeps calling out to me, urging me to come to him and promise that everything will make sense soon.
  After a short while of walking, I come across a man sitting outside admiring the moons above and I ask him where I might go in search of burning wood that has burned to char.
  "Hmm, do you mean the Lumber and Charcoal Field? It's not too far from here."
  "Yes that's exactly what I'm looking for, sorry had a little too much to drink at the feast."
  "No problem young man, just be safe on your walk."
 
  The elderly gentleman points me in the direction of the field and I quickly make my way there. I move through what appears to be a market area, surrounded by stalls and stores.
  Finally, I stumble upon a signpost, showing the path to the coal and lumber field just a mere quarter mile away from the village. no sooner do I set foot on the forest trail, the persistent beckoning voice, calling me to him, grows stronger and fills my surroundings.
  I begin to race through the winding trail, my ears throbbing as he speaks to me, Despite the darkness engulfing the surroundings, I continue ahead, stumbling over the tree roots and hidden stones that lie in my path.
  The moon's feeble glow provides the only guidance, struggling to break free from the looming shadows cast by the towering trees.
  As I emerge from the trail into the open field I look around to find the one who was calling for me. there, in the distance, perched atop what was the wood-cutting building, stands a lone figure and Without hesitation, I call out.

  "Hello? Are you the one that's been speaking to me in my head?"
  As the mysterious being slowly turns to face me, I catch a glimpse of ethereal black wings, glimmering in the moonlight and a sleek tail following behind.
  Without warning, He leaps down from the rooftop gliding toward me but keeping enough distance for the darkness to cloak his face from my view.
  "I apologize to the young Lord of Darkness for being slightly rude by talking through your thoughts, but please understand that there was no other way to get you here without causing a spectacle." He says this while giving me a bow.
  "Young lord of Darkness? You must have me confused, My name is Rune, and I don't even know you." I say this but somewhere in my mind I know I met this person before but I'm not sure where.
  "Ah, right, my sincerest apologies once again. It has truly been quite some time since I last laid eyes upon you, or so it may seem from your perspective - perhaps a good fifteen years have passed.
  But let me take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Eserth, Lord of the Black, and I work for your father the Lord of Darkness."

  "You coming here and telling me you work for my father when I've never even met him, much less know who he is at all, doesn't exactly make me feel at ease, Oh lord of Black. It's as if you expect me to trust you blindly."
  "I understand the confusion; it seems the Lord hasn't been able to see you just yet, but he will in due course. To help you on your future journey, I just want to share a little bit of information with you now."
  "And what information would that be?"
  "That cloak that you received as a gift from your father, there's more to it than what lies with the visible eye, seek to unravel its mysteries, to uncover the hidden depths that lay concealed beneath."
  "Do you even have the slightest clue of to the fuck that means? I didn't come all this way to be bombarded with perplexing riddles. And, truth be told right now, I can feel a subtle bit of a buzz coming on thanks to this delightful Spirit Ale.
  "Young Lord Rune, I do believe our paths will cross yet again. Regrettably, I have to leave and punish the one who escaped and caused such havoc earlier today and I sincerely regret my not being able to do more when you saw me earlier today."
  "Wait that was you?"
 
  At that very moment, our attention was abruptly diverted to the far end of the field Eserth, began to spin around taking on the stance of someone ready to pounce at a moment's notice.
  At first glance, nothing but an immense surge of energy seemed to be approaching us. But then two figures materialized into view locked in a fierce battle.
  The first, with black hair and what appeared to be a katana in his hand emanating a purple aura that pulsed with every strike of his blade.
  The other had long, silver locks cascading down their back, eerily resembling mine. He brandished gleaming silver chains that he swung gracefully in the moonlight.

  "Are they with you?"
  "I have never seen such individuals in my life I'm not sure who they are but I will go find out"
  I take out my Knives and get into position as Eserth, propels himself forward As he soars through the air something perplexing happens.
  In a blink of an eye, they disappeared, leaving Eserth hanging mid-air. Everything had disappeared leaving nothing but the memory and feeling of them being there within our own minds.
  Soon after he took off into the night sky disappearing within the glow of the moon's light. I asked myself if it was just the alcohol doing something to me or if it was actually real.
  I quickly return to town, passing through the Market district to the Square, where a few individuals are still there attempting to clear up some of the trash.
  I rush past, grabbing a piece of jerky for myself, before heading over to our tent to grab my cloak and see what I can find.