Dark Earth Anthology

All Falls Down

Part 1: The World Echoes With The Cries Of The Desperate

Bristleby 1833

It is upon help which the world turns.

All was still but happiness was in the air. In every step Clarissa took was a bounce, both on her way to the flower shop in the town square and back. In her hand she held a little note and though it may not be her greatest work of literature she felt it was perfect. She ordered a single poppy for it was considered by Ashallalah to be the holiest of flowers and why they are considered common. She carefully unfolded the note and left it and the poppy on the second living throne beside hers. She read the note once again: My dearest Anna, I will love you until the sun burns away. Turning her eyes to her own throne she was surprised to find that there was also a single poppy and a note. The note read: My dearest Clarissa, I will love you until the sun burns away. She laughed, they had always been so synchronized, that's what you get when you have been married for... has it been 2 years now? She turned to see her partner with a wide smile on her face. They ran towards each other and embraced forehead to forehead and nose to nose. The thoughts that passed between them in that moment are for them and them only because love is supposed to be intimate and they wouldn't ever sell this moment to a single other soul in 1000 years.

There was a pounding on one of the numerous entrances to the Sisterhood of Light's sanctuary. It was swiftly answered by a young Faeling who had joined not a week ago. Her mundane expression turned to confusion as before her stood a 6'7'' man with a long intricate braid of auburn hair which ran down the left side of his white leather coat. Most of his face, except for his gracious smile, was obscured by a wide brim white hat. "It is imperative that I speak to your Mother immediately." He spoke with a silver tongue. She shook her head "Sorry, we don't entertain outsiders..." She went to shut the door when the man's hand flew and caught it. "No is not an answer." His whisper was calm yet commanded such power that she was not about to refuse. "Sorry to interrupt, Mothers..." "Faeling Joanne...I told you not to interrupt our business." Clarissa spoke her lips inches from Anna's "Faeling you are dismissed..." "But Mothers, I think you will find this is of the utmost importance..." Clarissa carefully got off of Anna's lap when the sight that caught her eye almost forced her to fall right back down. "I apologize for interrupting your sacred moment mistresses, but I have something you may want to hear, I apologize, know." Anna's eyes became wide and her thoughts frantic. What could he possibly be doing here? Why would the faeling let him in? How did he get past the barrier? What does he want? Her head began to swim with the possibilities. Clarissa put a hand on her partner's shoulder and told her to stay calm because he could smell weakness and hesitation. "What is it that you want? Because last I recall you were trying to lure us to our death." His smile began to fade away "Those were simpler times... before we continue on allow me to formally introduce myself with no twists or lies. I have held many names over my extremely long period on this earth. Of the most prevalent, you may call me Djævel or Javel. From the beginning of time till today I have faithfully and dutifully served the lord of all that is dark and of the dead, Mol. Both as his judge, executioner, and leader of his forces on this mortal realm, but I have grown to love this earth as it is where I have lived for so long." "What is that you wish to tell us?" "I came to tell you that I can no longer serve Mol due to this love of the earth. It is his unjust and cruel plan to destroy his and Ashallalah's creation. What frightens me is that the goddess of light has been silent about the whole affair and I fear it may already be too late, Mol is beginning to amass an undead army at the border of dreams and reality. You are my first connection but I indeed intend to tell every gathering of Ashallalah worshippers and any other magical being in order to combat this horrible evil. Will you help me in this quest?" Clarissa's eyes were wide as she sat mouth open and motionless, she simply could not believe what had been just told to her. Her stunned silence was broken by Anna tugging on her ear. "Um, uh yeah t...that is very very bad but um what do you want us to do?" He stared her in the eyes "I want you to contact your former Coven and tell them of this crisis...tell them that Mol has forsaken this plane of existence."