Hello everyone!
I present to all of you my first story in a very, very long time that I've been planning for quite a while.
Dusting off my fanfic coat leaves me feeling a bit raw, but hot damn my ideas compared to back then are so much better now. That said, I would appreciate constructive criticism. No really, bring it. At me, you come bro.
The Blackened One
Prologue: Shadow of War
I used to enjoy more simpler times as a boy sitting on my father's lap on cool nights. His face illuminated by the soft, warm glow of the lantern as he read me stories at the backyard porch of a small, hidden cabin. It was a place where dad wouldn't have to worry about his title of "king" nor mine as "prince". It was just Dad and I. Though it was entertaining, it was also his way of gauging my progress in my studies. If I spent more time trying to comprehend vocabulary or grammar than enjoying the chapter he would move to a story he deemed easier and likely one read before. Other nights he would teach me the star constellations and the history and legends behind them. Or we would just gaze into the spring night sky blissfully enjoying our time together as we laid on cool grass, feeling the crisp breeze against our faces and watching the leaves rustle in the moonlight.
I used to wish for those simpler times to return. But if they did, I wouldn't have met my lover.
My forbidden lover.
My Father said to me that a few years after the summoning, "Son, it's forbidden to love her." Well, he was right-still right. It introduced many complications, but they only strengthened our bond. In the end, Father was still the wise man I knew him though condoning our relationship really surprised us. I can't find fault in him, I honestly can't. Father was a good man-faithful husband and dependable patriarch.
Oh how much shame I have brought upon our family.
Could you still find it in your heart to forgive me? Forgive us?
My dishonor is your dishonor, my wise and noble Father. Forever will I exalt you. I wonder if there truly is an afterlife where you are looking at me right now, if you are able. Or if such a place exists at all. Regardless, I find myself unwilling to stop loving her. Nay, I refuse to stop. No force on this world will make me stop. I refuse!
But my love, would you?
No, don't question her.
She is unyielding, enduring, loyal and perceptive. It's how we have gotten this far.
But right now, I must focus on the next step of the plan.
In space there are many spectacular and terrifying things. Many cosmic bodies, celestial objects and all-consuming supermassive black holes. Planetoids harboring bacteria able to survive in extreme conditions devoid of any atmosphere. Alien worlds filled with water and submarine caverns, covered with lush forests and plains, bathing in fire and scorched rock and many, many other environments.
In space the question of extraterrestrial life was always present for those who wade through the vacuum. The truth is that there are many realities that can be traversed. Many civilizations had the opportunity to rise to the technological level to achieve such a feat. However…
Too many realities are now devoid of life.
Entire galaxies lost their natural order: planets and stars sent adrift, ecosystem destruction, stars once bright are now darkened, hard rocks with large cracks that let their former glory peek through as if they were looking in fear of what brought this twisted fate. If one was persistent you would see wreckage of ships. Maybe they belonged to different factions, maybe they didn't, but now they will remain here forever.
Forever in this dead space where there is no more life. No semblance of Mother Nature's touch. Nothing to exist in Father Time's watchful gaze. There are only graves.
Yet, there has been something that drifted through some of these patches of dead space.
Something that aimlessly drifts with intention. It's not lost: it's where it wants to be, as intended.
A meteor rushes through a patch of dead space with purpose. It's made up of extraterrestrial metals, molten rock and something else inside: a man. An extraordinary man that shouldn't be alive, yet here he is in a frozen slumber inside the meteor. Though it seems to be a simple meteor, it was extensively engineered to be a thermal and electrical battery for when he wakes he will have energy to draw upon and begin the first hunt.
I fought back with fiery ferocity. And now you run…
If you map the trajectory of the meteor you will see several stars, moons, planets and asteroids big enough to pull his humble meteor in.
I have chased you into a corner, as I have planned. I watch you back yourself into a little space and I have only the faintest curiosity waiting to be entertained. How will you fight back now? You thought you were the victor, but only now do you realize my superiority.
But he's not headed to a moon or a planetoid.
I took a few steps forward. These steady steps grew into longer strides and I break into a sprint. You open your mouth to spit your venom and I duck, pivoting forward to transition into running on all fours. My armored hands dig into the ground just enough for to give me sufficient grip for a quick feint.
He won't be swallowed by a star.
I feel a gust of wind rush through this alien forest. Though the pores in my molten armor I can feel the wind drop the temperature on the surface of my armor. My feral ears atop my head orient themselves toward my prey.
My heart beats faster and faster in anticipation of the kill.
I charge at my prey, my eyes shining red and bathing my target in my light.
As I close the distance I smile wider and wider. A few lunges more and I'll be sinking my teeth into that bone armor. Three lunges distance. I open my mouth. I'm salivating. I want to taste your flesh. I feel a primal joy as I begin to savor the last moments before the kill. Without thinking I scream at my prey.
He will land on a new planet filled with life. A foreign planet where humanity exists. A world that harbors civilization and peoples wielding fantastical powers and abilities. Nations, territories and mere ideals divide the land in addition to the natural boundaries and their respective biomes.
Two lunges distance. My warcry reverberates against the thick, dark orange roots and the purple foliage. Blotches of their faded colors indicate decay or territory markings. It bounces back at me, doesn't sound normal to my species but it's normal to me. At this moment my prey decides to burst from its corner. We are lunging at each other. Our maws opened as wide as we can muster. Seems like it wants to repeat this mistake again.
It's a healthy planet.
So be it.
A world that will soon see history repeat itself and unfold itself in a new path.
I drop the metal shell into the volcano. The flames lick it as it falls as if to claim the shell as its own. I watch it sink into the magma and then I jump in.
And here he is as intended. The lone survivor continues to survive against all odds in spite of the difficulties-here he is. He shall continue to adapt until he dies. It his blessing, it is his curse.
Hours later, well into the evening I told Osmand to meet me at our...usual location.
"It wasn't magic, Osmand."
"Are you sure? You didn't mention that earlier."
"I suspect our secretary isn't who she claims to be."
"You caught on to that, hm?"
"Yes. No woman would tolerate your perversions without a greater reason. Or, she's into you: unlikely." A trace of a smirk creeps onto my face.
Osmond chuckles before saying, "Very astute of you, Jean." It makes me giggle a little bit. Just a little. Despite our age we're like two school boys enjoying our inside jokes. But now I must return to our discussion.
With a regretful tone I say, "Osmand, about Louise…" I watch his shoulders droop and deeply sigh.
"She must be expelled." He says slowly, his voice quivering.
We both stand in the darkness in silence and I speak softly, "She is a great student nonetheless."
"Indeed." As he replies with a sagely nod and says, "Could have had a bright future…"
"Such a disappointment that she may never begin her path to reach even a fraction of her potential."
He clears his throat before speaking again, "She will likely be married off to a nobleman like a commoner."
"If she's lucky."
"She won't be respected to the same degree."
"Unfortunate."
"Very."
It's a grim fate for a female mage especially at Louse's age. She will never have any opportunities for careers. Won't be recognized by the courts except in official capacity when Duchess Karin is involved. Can't receive any honors from the crown. Never have any political influence. She will be just another woman and her royal status will exist only as a hollowed title.
"I'll never believe she's not a mage. She is a mage. But…" I tilt my head down in shame.
"I failed her as a Instructor, Osmand. I should have tried other things instead of going by the policies of this joint program."
"You suspect she was a Void mage?"
"It would have been the most obvious thing to try."
There is a pregnant pause before Osman speaks again.
"Even if you were right, she has little power in the courts to protect herself." His tone was comforting, but firm.
I tell him, "Even if she was a Void mage, she wouldn't be able to handle the elevated position that would be bestowed upon her nowadays. She's too young and inexperienced"
"What have they done now?"
"You said it yourself. As we had predicted, it came true."
The mood became somber. But I perked up right away.
"I still have students."
"Lots of them. They're spoiled, stubborn, but still young and impressionable."
"There's still hope. I have to try harder."
"You mean we have to try harder."
He brings up a hand to grasp my shoulder and firmly squeezes as he looks me in the eye with fierce determination. "Let's not lose any more."
I return the gesture with fire in my eyes.
"Absolutely. Good night, Osmand."
"Good night, Jean."
Elsewhere, in a deep hole there is a man in blackened armor sleeping. He dreams of past hunts, wonders and horrors. Recalling his experiences but not forming new plans for he has several courses of action he can take right away when he wakes. He is sure of himself and rightly so for he has lived in harsher environments than this.
Before the morning had started he went on his first hunt. When the sun's light breaches the delicate nocturnal tapestry the man will be far away. He will have melted and buried his meteorite and covered up as much trail as he could of his crash landing. The soil may seem to be a bit burned from him heating the earth and manipulating it so he covered it with more topsoil and rearranged the debris. Nobody will know what happened.
For now, his instinct will be enough...
Aye, thee people of false gods. Thee who is't berattle thy owneth and liveth in feareth, misprise and ign'rance. Prayeth in thy false faiths f'r the shadow of war hast ov'rtaken thee. Aye, prayeth to thy false gods because thee shall nev'r seeth thy w'rld the same way again.
Thee daws.
S'rpents.
Reap'rs of the earth and souls of thy neighb'r! Thee squand'r'd thy timeth and so instead of m'rcy 'r justice th're shalt beest retribution!
Author's Notes:
Yes, I used exposition to set up the stage. You damn well bet I'm gonna show much more than what I told. Now for those who can't read Shakespere or can but detect errors I used a website to translate from modern English to Shakespere. I saved the English version:
Yes, you people of false gods. You who abuse your own and live in fear, hate and ignorance. Pray in your false faiths for the Shadow of War has overtaken you. Yes, pray to your false gods because you will never see your world the same way again.
You fools.
Serpents.
Reapers of the earth and souls of your neighbor! You squandered your time and so instead of mercy or justice there shall be retribution!
