Knights of Relana

The Tower and The Beast (Extra// Unfinished Chapter)

The brilliant blue sky was slowly turning a shade of soft yellow and orange. The sun peaking out from behind the snow capped mountains made the air around me a bit warm. It was still getting chilly with every passing minute though as I walked towards my night shift. The remaining rays of light poked through the forest, illuminating the path before me without me falling to my face. I was trying to not let my clumsiness get the best of me and glad nature was on my side a bit.

I enjoyed night shifts sometimes, especially when I got the chance to work with my friends occasionally. Meeting them there was the only time I got to see them during the war and I've missed them quite a bit since our schedules were rearranged. Tonight was one of my free nights though, even if I treated it as 'normal shift'. I needed some extra hours for guild credits and had nothing to do, so, might as well take a shift up for 'fun'. I had something to do though and I didn't know what to expect as I looked towards my pocket.

I was excited and eager to see the runes the guys supposedly left for me inside to work on while I guarded this place tonight; makes nights more interesting and not so dull. I patted the note inside my pocket and continued down the trail; the feel of the familiar path greeting my footsteps, keeping me at ease as I approached.

' I wonder who else is on duty tonight nearby.. No one told me anything when I left the guild and I'm pretty sure I'm actually stuck out here by all myself in this small valley. Great.. Leave the witch alone during a crazy war, it's totally fine.. I didn't want anyone here anyway, they'll just be in the way of my studies.. UGHH..' I sighed softly and made a small whimper noise. 

Before I knew it, I reached the clearing; the towers huge stone presence laid out in front of me, the red banner flapping furiously in the wind. The fire wasn't burning, above or below, in the stone pillar pits that stood on both sides of the stairs; which meant, no one was here and it really was just me tonight from what I was seeing. I sighed again.

'Why can't people take a joke during these times, I mean shit, sure we're at war and all, but don't let it affect your humor and common sense too.. I mean, I didn't really want to be here all myself, like, why would I? ESPECIALLY, at night?? NO WAYYY!! Sure, I'm one of the courts most recognized sorceress and all, but damn, doesn't mean I should be alone at ALL times.'

I looked up at the tower again, it's huge shadow covering the small valley and me in the process. ' Great, I guess it's just you and me tonight, tower. Prepare to be guarded well.'

The air turned colder then, a slight breeze blew the remaining leaves off of the trees leaving them completely bare; their branches like giant claws above me. I heard the autumn leaves crunch under my boots as I kept to the path. I rubbed my hands together and breathed some warmth on them. I could see the moisture in the air and wrapped my cloak around me more.

'I really hate snow. Especially at this time of the year. UGHH..WHYYY meeee...'

I turned to look at the remaining sunset before I went in for duty. The colors of the sky slowly melted into the pitch black darkness that was on the far left side of the mountains; making the valley even more darker and more colder by the second. It was night now, the moon sat high above me and was surrounded by millions of glistening stars; their companionship keeping her safe and sound in the dark and cloudy sky. I think we're expecting rain too, I could feel an occasional drop or two on me as I moved ahead. I stopped mid stride, to generate a small glowing orb using a light manipulation spell. It's unwavering aura beside me, it's luminosity making the trees shadow's appear even more taller and creepier as I went onward.

The path in front of me was now a bit easier to navigate on though, even if the encroaching darkness was starting to engulf parts of the skeleton like forest with heavy dark shadows that were pitch black. Lucky for me, I had a steady bright source of light to guide me out of that damn place if I got lost in those shadows, but instead I picked up my pace a bit more because I was starting to make myself nervous and I also had a tower to guard. I looked up again at the sky before turning around.