Under The Sun
In the center of a flower filled grassland, stretching for a 100 miles in all directions, sat a peaceful ordinary village. This village had houses made of wood and thatch and streets topped with cobblestones. It traded wool and bread with it's neighbors who were all on friendly terms. One dark night, a man broke into the temple and stole the sacred artifact protecting the village, the Spirit of the Sun. With the artifact gone, the village began it's slow descent into eternal darkness.
Locals who once visited the peaceful village stopped visiting. It became known as the village of Halflite, the place shadows ruled.
On the 14th day after the theft, the village elder gathered everyone to make plans to save the Halflite. They decided to send out a message, asking for a hero to help their cause and retrieve the lost artifact. On the 21st day, only one man had answered.
"Thank you for coming to our village, it must have been a difficult journey across the grasslands for you to make so quickly," said the elder.
"No," replied the gruff baritone voice of a man with no time for pleasantries. He shifted his muscular dark skinned torso in the creaky wooden chair the elder had offered him after inviting him to his office.
"I see," said the elder, feeling uneasy at the unflinching nature of the man's gaze. "You said your name was Bare Shift?"
"B-e-a-r-s-h-a-f-t," said the man, barely holding back his indignation.
"My apologies, Bearshaft." The village elder summarized the story of the theft and explained the danger that the village was facing.
"We must get the Spirit of the Sun back before the next circle moon or our village will enter a state of eternal darkness."
He gathered his strength and said "If we are in darkness, the Wolves of Moria will descend on our village and feast on the flesh of our families and friends. So goes the legend passed down through the generations." The elder sighed and collapsed back into his chair, like a weight had dropped on his shoulders.
"Do you know where the symbol is and who has taken it?" asked Bearshaft.
"Yes, we know who stole it but we don't know it's exact location," said the elder. "The thief's name is Waxpole. He left behind a scroll bearing a message."
Upon hearing the name, Bearshaft's body stiffened and his gaze took on a distant look. His mind began to flood with dark thoughts. It was 4 years ago, and he was on a hunt to find the Golden Chalice of Ur for the King of Urland. In the last chamber of a deep cavern system filled with hazardous yellow acid pools and red rocks, he saw it. In the center, a soft white light beaming down from the ceiling, illuminated a stone pedestal, on which rested the Golden Chalice of Ur. To the right of the pedestal, a wiry man stood, covered in shadows and malice. Without saying a word, a wicked dagger appeared in his hand, the silver blade gleaming as it quickly slashed through the beam of light, towards Bearshaft's neck.
Caught by surprise, Bearshaft barely avoided the mortal strike, managing to block it with his forearm. It cut through his flesh like butter, stopping only when it had reached bone. Another slash followed aiming for his throat, and once again he had no time, just barely blocking it with his other arm.
This continued until Bearshaft collapsed to the ground, bleeding heavily. He was unable to move, all of his muscles had been cut to shreds.
Waxpole leaned over him, with a smirk on his face, "Tsk tsk, such a shame. You wanted this?" He dangled the Chalice of Ur in front of Bearshaft's face like he was toying with a cat. "Here kitty kitty," he said mockingly. Bearshaft gritted his teeth and sunk his face into the soft earthen floor, the only thing he could do to block out the torments of his enemy.
"Well, it's been fun," said Waxpole, "but I have to go now..." He turned away but stopped before taking a step. "Who are you? In all this excitement, I din't manage to catch your name." He laughed as he thought back to their introduction.
"Bearshaft is my name." Through gritted teeth he growled "Remember it, because one day it will be the last thing you hear."
"Oooooh, that sent shivers down my spine." Waxpole's eyes took on a menacing look, "How about we reverse that and make... hmmm... MY name the last thing YOU hear!" And with that he cocked back his leg, shouting his name and releasing mighty kicks to Bearshaft's temple until he no longer moved.
Having nearly died in a battle with Waxpole, Bearshaft feels fear and refuses to help.
Waxpole hears of this and taunts Bearshaft - inciting him to act to save his reputation
middle
Waxpole journeys across the desert wastes to find Waxpole's tower
He encounters cowardly creatures called Scaredies
He follows to their village and learns they subjugate to Waxpole
Disgusted, he vows to not only destroy Waxpole but teach him a lesson
He continues his journey following their directions
The harsh sun and lack of water begins to drain his will so he stops for the night in a cave
Inside the cave a fever takes hold and he begins to have a hallucination of his past failure
He wakes up with, his body wrecked but with a new resolve to win
Continuing on, he sees a tower in the distance, wondering if a mirage
As he gets closer, an old man stops him on the trail, it's Waxpole in disguise!
The old man taunts him, attacks him and defeats him, leaving him barely conscious in the desert wastes
Bearshaft revives and calls upon the will of his ancestors to give him all their strength, a brutal magic that kills the summoner on expiry but gives them legendary stats
With this boost Bearshaft powers off to the tower and easily works his way up to the top
At the top he faces Waxpole who transforms from the old man back to himself and taunts Bearshaft again
climax
Bearshaft lunges at Waxpole surprising him, wiping the smugness away
Bearshaft battled ferociously with Waxpole, beating him decisively and consuming his soul and freeing the sun spirit
The people of Halflite regained the spirit of the sun along with their vision
Bearshaft died from the magic but the statue they built inspired a mysterious woman - is it his daughter?!
