Experimental Failure

Chapter 3: The Runes

I woke up from my place on the cold ground staring at the canopy and wondering, Why? Why me? Was it something I did in a past life that I'm being punished for?

But like always the answers never came.

I checked my supplies, making sure I would have enough for the journey ahead, so I could make as few stops as possible. I picked up the worn bag and cleared any and all traces of my being in the clearing, strapping my bow to the pack, and sword to my waist. I hoped to find another good campsite/hiding spot before daylight hit.

I moved quickly and silently, my lithe body moving gracefully through the thick woods, my ears perked, listening for anything out of the ordinary, my hand on the hilt of my sword, ready for anything.

I kept walking all through the night, and as the first tendrils of dawn light seeped into the valley that I walked through, I finally spotted where I would spend my day. A deceptively large cavern with a relatively small and hidden entrance would be my 'home' for the next few hours. I crawled into the cavern, going as far back as to where I could see the entrance, but just barely.

I quickly ate some of the berries I had in my pack, piling everything in a neat pile next to me, in easy reach if I had to make a quick escape. I made a quick check of the rest of the cave, but when I saw weird glowing runes in the back, I decided to explore later, because after a night of walking, I need some sleep. I fell asleep faster than normal, and had wonderful dreams of days long past.

I woke up, well rested and wanting to explore. I made sure all my equipment was there and strapped on me securely. I made my way down the tunnel, and to where I saw the runes around dawn.

As I drew nearer to the runes, I heard strange noises: the sound of feet scrabbling on rock, a quiet chittering sound, and... the buzzing of tiny wings? Now I was just confused, I don't think that there are any bees or flies in here, so what could be making such a noise? I finally found the runes again, and now that I have a better look at them, they seem... familiar somehow, like I've seen these before, and just don't remember it.

All of a sudden, memories come flooding back into my mind, making me collapse to my knees from the shock.

I call a name, running after them, they turn around.

I'm in a kitchen, helping a woman prepare dinner.

I'm running after a boy, who seems to be a few years younger than me.

A terrible screeching noise, and then— darkness engulfs me.

All of a sudden the visions stop, are these my memories? I ask myself. I look back up at the runes, which I can now understand easily. They told a story, a sad and terrible story, which I figured was a prophecy of some sort:

Two brothers, separated by time and space

Must reunite to save their race,

Light and dark, once again

Must fight again at world's end

Until the dawn of a new era brings in a new hope.

Cunning and Clever, fighting hand in hand

One must be sacrificed to see its end.

Beware however of those who wait beyond the Veil,

For they would surely see you fail.

I look at the prophecy again, confused, Two brothers? Time and space? Those who wait beyond the Veil? I write down the ancient runes, hoping to decipher their meaning later. I continue walking along the rune filled wall, not seeing anything particularly eye-catching until— is that really? I think to myself. I run over to the corner of the wall, where I saw the shimmer of light, I run my fingers along the wall hoping to find a small gap to prove my theory.

Click.

I'm in— I've always wanted to say that. A small boulder on the other side of the cave moves to the side, revealing a small opening, which I could easily fit through, thankfully. I make my way towards the opening when I hear it: footsteps.

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