The Ancient One

Prologue

The stench of death and iron from the blood which flowed like a river on the barren wastes of the Shadow Realm; the bodies of creatures said only to exist in lore left to rot while the living still fought gallantly against their foes. Elves, Centaurs, and Dryads were fighting a seemingly endless battle against the Dark One's forces which are aptly named the Dark Plague.

The Shadow Realm was a barren waste; no light is to be had as the dark, ominous clouds blotted out any sunlight which tried to get through. As the Creatures of Lore fought outside around a massive castle which seemed to be in a great state of disrepair, two legends were finishing their battle, a battle which has lasted for days and has cost many innocent lives.  

The Dark One, a malevolent spirit whose name has been lost, a spirit who fed on the fear people exude, reveled in the darkness, and is in fact reminiscent of darkness itself as that is all to be seen minus its demonic red, sulfur tinted eyes.  

Across from the Dark One, in tattered regal robes which looked like the forest, was the Ancient One; the protector of the island in which they resided. In his right hand was a gnarled wooden staff with a blue gem fastened on top with what looked like tree branches and gave off a soft blue glow. The Ancient's eyes were a soothing emerald green; his gray hair reached his shoulders with a goatee to match. His skin was tan and showed signs of age but both he and the Dark One stood about the same height, around six foot tall.  

"You honestly think you can best me Ancient One, look around at what your petty invasion force has become." The Dark One's raspy and deep demonic voice said. "The screams of the dying, the fear oozing from the pores of every being...these things are from which I feed, from which I grow stronger! The darkness is where you will stay oh Ancient One." 

Said man gripped his staff tight and spoke in a calming, angelic like voice, "Light always prevails over the dark. No matter how many lives must be sacrificed, no matter how much blood must be shed...your reign of terror will always come to an end."  

A slight breeze whipped through the desolate halls of the castle which created a whistling sound like those of the dying outside. The Ancient One had enough, the battle would end today.

With a yell of determination, the Ancient raised his staff in the air where a bolt of lightning descended from the sky and struck the staff energizing it. At the same time, the Dark One put its hands, more like talons, together and created a ball of darkness then let out a maniacal laugh. In perfect synchronization, both let their attacks fly at each other; the Ancient One brought his staff in a sweeping motion to guide the lightning while the ball of darkness threatened to end the savior of this world.  

The attacks clashed and created an explosion which sent dust and debris high into the air; no movement could be seen between them, only the crack of lightning and the occasional explosion of where the attacks missed or met head on. The Ancient One tried everything in his arsenal, fire, earth, water, wind, and lightning; even the combination of them did not end the evil incarnate which stood in his way. As the battle raged on, the Ancient One knew what he must do but in doing so would be a great consequence.  

"So, I must use my final act, my final card...unless." The guardian thought then looked at the blue gem on his staff and smirked, "Yes, I now know what I must do."  

Distracted from his thoughts, the Ancient One failed to see the Dark One's claw like hand reach out toward him; a choking sound is heard as the Ancient is lifted into the air and forced to stare into two demonic eyes. When the Dark One spoke, its breath smelled like that of decay.  

"And now you will die here alone where my minions will feast upon your flesh and gnaw upon those which lie dead in my domain." The Dark One brought its right hand back ready to impale the Ancient. "Any last words creature of the light?"  

The Ancient One smirked then shouted his mantra, "Darkness grips my very heart, this world I must protect I cannot depart, may the Gods help me as I am all alone...turn this wretched beast into stone!" 

Before the Dark One could react, the Ancient One plunged his staff gem first into its heart. The king of the Shadow Realm dropped its foe and staggered back in pain and gripped the staff in hopes of dislodging it but it held steadfast. A blue glow outlined the Dark One and as it looked down, it could see its feet starting to turn to stone; the demonic eyes showed a hint of fear. 

"W-What have you done to me?"  

"Light always prevails over darkness...now begone from my sight vile creature!"  

A flash of blue illuminated the castle and a spire of the energy shot into the air parting the dark clouds for a brief moment. The Creatures of Lore who were fighting and helping the wounded cried out in victory as the Dark Plague in front of them suddenly screeched in pain and vanished in a black mist; victory at last. The Ancient One gazed upon the stone figure in front of him; a blue gem was socketed where the heart would be. The Ancient reached for the gem and took it out.  

The guardian took a breath and smiled, "And now to end this farce so that the Dark One cannot rise from its slumber."  

He placed the gem upon the ground and imbued earth and lightning mana into his staff and brought it down which made it split into two pieces. One gem piece went to the leader of the elves, Elune, while the Ancient One personally hid the other half somewhere on the island. As the Ancient One's followers left the Shadow Realm hours later, a crack formed in the stone statue and a black mist started to collect on the ground.