Fable: Jack is Back

His foot steps echoed around the cavern, bouncing off the walls. Dust was thick in the air and each breath stuck in his throat, but if what he was looking for was here this was more than worth the prize. He had lost all sense of time, had he been down here for hours, days, months? He no longer knew. All that mattered was the prize, he would find it and the years of searching will have all paid off.

Was that? Yes a light at the end of the cavern, this might be it, this must be it. He wasnt sure how long he could last down here, his flask was almost empty and there wasnt much food left. He'd been forced to kill his partner already... No none of that mattered he must go on HE MUST. The prize was all that mattered, all that mattered...

Suddenly he was in front of the door, this was wrong he musnt allow himself to relax he, couldent afford to. Nothing could be seen past the doorway, the light was blinding. Was it sunlight? No it was an unnatural light, an.. other worldly light. This was it! he could feel it in his blood, the feeling throbbed through his veins, it was... salvation.

He steeled himself and stepped through the door. He found himself in a large square room iluminated by one solitary object in the middle of the room, a small oval shape on an ancient altar .Voices seemed to be floating from the object, familiar voices. He took a step closer and voices became louder, they where encouraging him. He stepped up to the altar and lifted the object from the stone. As soon as the it left the stone the light dimmed. Now the mask could be clearly distinguished. He looked into the eye holes, they seemed to suck him down into them - into their past. Memories flooded the man's mind, blinding light filled his vision. He tried to fight it but it was useless, the mask had already siezed his mind and was forcing him out of his body. the light in his eyes faded until all that was left was... darkness.

The man's body was quickly being rebuilt, changing, being prepared for its new host. The new body got to his feet and brought up the mask. The feel of the ebony on his face was familiar, it fitted perfectly to his new face.

Jack of Blades has returned...

Eldon slammed down his sixth empty pint, the hot and sweaty tavern was packed this evening. Nobody wanted to be out in the fog, this was balverine weather. There'd be dozens of them prowling around Dark Wood tonight. Only the stupid or suicidal would set foot outside Oakvale today. Eldon checked his money bag, 11 gold left, he had over spent again, but after another workless day he had felt he deserved a few pints. Nobody needed a hero anymore. The golden age they call it, not for heroes. no trouble ment no work.

It wasnt like the legends anymore, like the days of the heroes guild and of all powerful will users and monstorous warriors. But of course evil was conquered and peace came to albion, peace and unemployment. Eldon sighed, with so little gold it looked like he would be sleeping with the stars again tonight. He looked up to see the the tavern owner giving him dirty looks, time to leave. Eldon squeezed himself past the sweaty, sticky people of Oakvale and out into the foggy cold night. If the fog had gone by tomorow he could head off through dark wood, see if there was any work in Bowerstone City, fat chance.

Eldons foot steps echoed into the distance as he walked down the cobblestone path looking around for somewhere to kip. His leather armor was becoming sodden from the thick fog, it was quiet this evening the only sounds were his foot steps and the sound of his sword banging against his thigh. The master-forged katana had been his fathers, though it hadn't been out of its sheath for a while.

A woman's scream broke the silence, Eldon whipped round, the scream had come from the other side of the town and he set of at a gallop down the street. Wooden houses rushed by on either side, curious heads popping out of windows, and people were pouring into the street. Eldon turned a corner and there in front of him were five armoured creatures, each holding a double bladed sword. One of these swords had the limp body of a young woman impaled on it.

It was difficult to see the creatures in the fog but one of them was acting strangly. Eldon stepped forward for a better look but one of the creatures lifted its head and saw him. It let out a blood chilling growl and rushed toward him. Eldon quickly drew his sword and brought it up just in time to parry the creature's first slash. The sound of steel on steel ran down the street, it was strong, very strong, the first blow would have chopped him in half if he had not been so quick. The creature did not stay staitionary for long it drew back its sword and took another swing at Eldon's left thigh, but this time he was ready for it and bashed the blade away putting the creature off balance. Quickly, before it could recover, Eldon sliced off the thing's head and kicked its body to the floor.

Eldon looked up at the rest of the creatures. Angered by the death of their comrade they all rushed toward Eldon with superhuman speed, all but one . Summoning energy from within him, Eldon directed it to his fist and slammed it into the ground. A wall of flame flew from his fist and collided with the monsters, leaving only their charred armour and bones. The one left had finished its ritual, its hands glowing with power it let out a blood curdling scream to the sky, and pillars of fire crashed into many of the houses nearby, completely obliterating them.

Eldon rushed towards the creature and decapatated it. He turned away, his blade and armour soaked in blood, and turned his eyes to the sky. . The clouds had taken on a blood red hue and the fog had lifted during his fight. Holes began to open up in the clouds and from these more pillars of flame erupted, destroying half the town in an instant. There had been more, not just these five creatures but many more, and yet now even more holes where opening up. This town was lost and Eldon fled to dark wood.

Darkness had come to Albion