10 Minute Tales

Jul 7 - The Awakening

He would have gasped for breath if he wasn't dead. He sat upright, panicking as he reached for his hip. His noble blade was missing. He looked around, confused. Where was he? Why was it so cold? He struggled to his feet and looked around. He was in a dark room, cold stone on the floor and cold stone in the walls. There was a torch in a sconce nearby, but it wasn't lit. A pale blue light flitted in through the window near the ceiling. He tried to see through it, but it was too high and he couldn't. He grunted and looked around again. He couldn't see the door in this pale light...

"... Benedict." a voice suddenly echoed in his mind. He recoiled, gripping his head. The voice was deep, much more so than any human he had heard. The voice echoed with power, nearly driving him mad from its very existence. The voice demanded his respect and obedience.

"M-my lord?" he found himself asking. He had never heard his deity before, but to hear this voice directly... it just made sense to obey.

"Your body is now mine." the voice echoed in his mind. "You will follow my every word."

"Y... yes, my lord." he found himself obeying without even thinking about it. "What would you have me do?"

"You are to leave this morgue you find yourself in."

"Yes, my lord." he nodded, looking around for a door again. Now he was instructed, he could see a door he hadn't before. It glowed as though the sun was behind it. How had he missed it before? He walked over to the door and examined it, trying to find a handle. He couldn't.

"Break it." the voice commanded. He felt a sort of power welling up within him, a surge of might that he couldn't control. He eventually thrust his fist out. In one fell swoop, he had destroyed the secret door, leaving so much dust and rubble. He looked at his fist, stunned. He had been strong, yes, but to punch through solid stone? "Leave."

"Yes, lord." he muttered, advancing again. He felt his limbs pushing him forth, sluggish and lazy. This wasn't him...! "What's happening to me?"

"Your body is succumbing to my will. Obey."

"Yes, lord." he felt himself moving. He watched himself walk with growing determination towards the armoury. Of course, if this was an enemy's castle, he would need to fight his way out. He marched in and looked around. He didn't remember seeing any guards. Curious.

"Find my armour."

"Yes, lord." he nodded, looking around. He found his armour, the blessed plate that had brought him here... but the very sight now repulsed him. He kept looking, and eventually found a jet-black suit of armour that seemed to fit him. He took some time to adjust it to fit, spinning his arm as he tested his agility. It wasn't much different, thankfully. He took a sword next, a large blade that he needed both hands to hold. It wasn't his usual blade, but he felt his lord's approval.