A Beast's Curse

by EditedCopycat

In Shadow of Mordor, The Ranger Talion was cursed with undeath and bound to a elven wraith. But what if instead, he had a curse of a different sort? With challenges of a different kind, how will Talion survive the wilds of Mordor, hunt down the Black Captains to avenge his family, and ultimately break his curse? (rated T until stated otherwise) (in collaboration with chrisoman)

Prologue – Waking up

Long ago, a great war raged all across Middle Earth. It lasted for ages until Sauron was defeated and the free races could finally enjoy an era of peace. Time had passed since then, until one day, an assault at the black gate caught the forces stationed there off guard, the only outpost on land that stood between both Gondor and Mordor.

It was at this time that a ranger called Talion was stationed there. Many uruks and orcs swarmed towards the black gate, killing one soldier after another without any mercy as some of Sauron's most dangerous servants, the Black Captains, finally revealed themselves. They quickly seized the gate, sacrificing both of his family and remaining kin in effort to try and summon a powerful spirit, only to end in vain to their frustration. Enraged, they turned their gaze to the remaining captive ranger. Unfortunately for Talion, he wasn't killed, no... he was cursed. Ensuring that their nefarious deed would be remembered, they cast their foul magic on him, altering his form to that of a beast.

He wakes up to find himself alone with what remains of the black gate. Everything hurts all over his body, and he finds it hard to breathe from the shock. Rain continued to pour down on him as he starts to run away from the now ruined outpost. His heart pounding in his chest. Ringing in his ears. Menacing red eyes looking back at him…

'In the end you will see that the only thing you can do is pick at the bones of your doomed kings.'

Talion snarled then, the haunting words still echoing in his mind as anger rose deep from his core. Anger pointing at the damned uruks that attacked him and his kin. At the Black Captains murdering his family -

Anger at himself for not being able to stop them…

He slipped on the wet ground and tumbled, rolling a foot or two forward before slumping against the earth, muzzle in the mud. After managing to detangle his unfamiliar limbs, Talion got himself back on his feet and continued to wander again, walking this time.

Looking down at the ground as he walked, Talion watched as one paw move in front of the other, until he slowed down to a halt. He left his sword behind. It would have been useless in the state he was in anyhow. The clouds rumbled above him as his chest tightened painfully. He no longer had any kin to stand with, no family to nurture and protect, and was terribly far away from his homeland. He was completely alone.

He could not stop the pitiful whine coming out as his body trembled in despair.