The skies are glowing red in these parts. Part of the world that had been lost over time. The land the Red Mages once called home. Now it is nothing more than the Land of the Elites. Xivaac's enormous castle was built along the ruins of the capital city, whose name has been forgotten. Sammi marveled at the height of the towers. They seemed to disappear into view before one could see the top. Instinctly she knows this has got to be the domain of the God of Darkness. The smell of death and burning rock fill the air. Kraag he been keeping to himself this entire walk from the labyrinth. Is it because she had physically aged four years in what seemed like a few seconds to Kraag?
"We're here. You will soon be meeting with the Dark Lord," Kraag finally spoke.
"Alright. To be honest Kraag.... I'm a little nervous," Sammi admitted bashfully.
"It's understandable that you would be kid. It's not every day a mortal gets to see the great deity. I was nervous too when I first met Xivaac. Even after all these years."
"It's not about seeing that makes me nervous.... it's the torment of not knowing if I'll be able to leave here of my own free will or not."
"Sammi. No need to think like that. Xivaac gives you his word you can leave at anytime you wish. No questions asked."
"Good."
As soon as Sammi looks up the staircase that spiraled up into the known, her jaw dropped open. She couldn't help but say, "Holy shit that's a long way up."
"Yeah! I'd be lying if I told you aaaany different," Kraag joked.
Sometime later ~
The top is finally drawing near. Never in her life has her legs burned so much. Sammi feels like a zombie by the time they reach the top floor. It seems like the Dark Lord has to be as high above the mortals as possible. She is simply too tired now to be nervous anymore, until the door to his chambers open.
Sammi locks up stiff with fear at the site of God of Darkness. His pale white skin showing bright against his dark clothing. The darkness in his eyes is enough to make Sammi feel weak at her knees. The numbness makes her drop to the floor. Almost like her legs just decided to not work anymore. Her chest feels tight and she finds herself struggling for air. This being has so much rage that it radiates in the air, making it feel cold.
"Samantha Kirkwood," Xivaac started, "I was almost surprised you actually accepted my gift."
"I'm like my father and my brother. Great power interests me," Sammi smiles.
"I know. Kraag," Xivaac commands, "Go wait in the stairwell."
"Yes Sire," Kraag states as he leaves the room.
Sammi walks over to a desk and sits down in the chair. Her eyes staring at this tyrant deity before her. It was because of this god that this world has suffered so much loss. The planet of Gaia is grieving for the loss of so many lives. Thoughts of how much the balance has suffered because of the lost deities race in Sammi's mind. The nervousness she had been feeling soon vanished and her body was adjusting to the evil she felt coming from Xivaac.
"You have a choice to make mortal," Xivaac tells her, "You can join the Elites as my personal futureseer, or you can leave here and miss out on what you'll learn from me. You'll miss out at the chance to become.. an immortal. The choice is yours."
Instantly, Sammi knows what she wants to say, but her mind wanders to the possibilities if what she could learn. The thought if immortality intrigued her. All thoughts of her brother slip away. She is only focusing her attention to becoming an Elite. These thoughts consume her mind. Sammi stands up, then soon falls to her knees in pain. Hatred and darkness begins to overtake her. Her body is covered in a black transparent aura. Her eyes glow red and her clothes start to change. Her mother's robes grow black in color and the Fire crests turn into the crest of the God of Darkness.
"I think my choice is clear Sire," Sammi says straightforward as she stands back up.
"Excellent choice. I want you see into the future and tell me what you see," Xivaac orders.
"Yes Lord Xivaac," Sammi obeys.
She lets her mind go blank and the silver tiara glows white. In the matter of seconds, Sammi feels lightheaded and almost like she is sinking. Flashes of white light fill her vision as she closes her eyes tight.
~Drayk and Roku are sitting around a campfire. A giant fish is on a spit over the flames. The words they are saying are fuzzy and cannot be made out.
~~~~
The remains of Froz are gathering snow in the endless blizzard. Roku is walking ahead of Drayk as they enter palace ruins. As soon as they walk in, the sight of Karleigh standing in the center of the foyer surprises the Bringers of Hope.
~~~~
Roku is layed out on the floor covered in slash marks and blood. She is trying heal herself while Drayk is blasting the Mistress of Darkness with Storm Magic.
~~~~
Sammi is standing in room that was given to her within the castle walls. Kraag is raising his voice, but is fuzzy like the voices before. He draws his weapon on her and she strikes with fire.
~~~~
Xivaac starts throwing the furniture about in his chambers. Rage has taken over the Dark Lord. He almost seems like he is stricken with sorrow. Is that possible for a deity?~
Sammi's head jerks for a moment as the images of the future dissipate. Her vision starts to get clear once again. Xivaac is standing directly in front of her, just a few feet away. A look of curiosity is written in the deity's face.
"It will take some time for me to make sense of what I have just seen. If you'll excuse me," Sammi states nervously and walks out of the room to meet Kraag on the stairs.
She shuts the door behind her and looks at Kraag with a smile. He looks back at her in shock that she is dressed the way she is. Xivaac had made an offer she couldn't refuse and he consumed her. She was now an Elite. Sorrow overcomes him for a second then he snaps out of it.
"Lemme show you to your new quarters Lady Samantha," Kraag gestures to walk her down the many flights of stairs.
"Thank you General. Much appreciated," Sammi smiles, "I have much to think about before I speak with the Dark Lord again."
YOU ARE READING
Legend of Parocaav: The Quest for Redemption (First Draft)
FantasyA world cast into war, light versus dark. The Goddess of Life has been betrayed. The Dark Lord has shun her aside, enveloping the world in darkness. A few centuries have gone by, and the darkness is winning. A prophecy has been told of two heroes th...
