Acceptance

"I am not afeared to die in this place. But I would not wish this fate on any other."

I am bled deep. The cold stone floor, soaked with my blood, glistens black in the moonlight. The shadows lengthen and form dark wisps, like fingers, reaching for my soul. I can hear shrieks and awful groans that grow louder as they approach, and the light from my lantern slowly fails. I try to remember the sun, the feeling of warmth on my skin, the light in my eyes, the glitter on the sea…

I'm cold, it seeps into my bones and I have forgotten what it is like to be warm. Far above I can see light. But it is not daylight, but the rays from the ever present moon reaching through the rock. The white light illuminates the tall tower which stands and the end of a crumbling bridge I see before me. A bridge I will now never cross.

Where is my pawn? Of course she died before me. Died trying to save my life before the creatures of the night devoured her, ripping her to pieces. I didn't stay to watch, I ran with her screams echoing in my ears. I hear her still, her voice cuts through the other disturbing noises in this place. She had been been my constant companion, my faithful helper through all our adventures. Without her I wouldn't have been able to face him.

The dragon...what's it for? Why has the Maker in his wisdom decided to curse our kind with this beast? Is it some sort of test?

Questions become less important as each beat of my hard won heart brings me closer to oblivion. They are close now, the creatures that inhabit this place, I see their red eyes glowing in the shadows, the rays of moonlight touching their glittering grinning teeth. Why do they hold back? They must know I cannot now stand against them. Why do they wait?

Then I see him. He appears by some conjuring trick, smoke billowing from his body. His cloak looks as though it is made from wisps of shadow given form. The whispers of forgotten voices trick my senses and make me believe for a moment that he is behind me. I see the light of his lantern grow brighter as he approaches. The scythe is closer still.

What happened to the sun? I left it behind to come here. I heeded the pleas of a mysterious woman who begged me for help. Was she a trap too? Is she no more than the servant of the master of this place?

There was a point I held out hope of rescue. But the woman, whether servant or prisoner, doesn't venture into this black, cursed playground. Then there was the man. I thought his help would be invaluable. He has lived here, he knows the ways of this place. But neither my poor pawn or myself could sway him. Even now, were he to appear, he would only stop briefly to gloat at my misfortune and carry on with the 'work' he dedicates his 'un'-life to.

The creatures here are unlike any I have ever encountered. They are attracted to the rotting carcasses of their comrades, glorifying in their death. Legion upon legion set on us as soon as we entered this place so soon we had no choice but to run. We should have run away, back to the little boat that brought us and put this island far behind us. Yet I felt something, from the depths, something that called to me and knew my name.

I should have heeded the other voices. The voices of the dead, warning me to turn back, to cut my losses and run. I do not doubt that my voice soon will join their choir.

The whispering becomes louder. I no longer seem to hear it solely through my ears. It echoes through my mind, mocking me. My vision blurs, yet I see clearly the light of his lantern grow brighter, the only other source of light in this dim place. Soon I can see nothing but his shadowy form getting ever closer. He swings back his scythe...

I am not afeared to die in this place. But I would not wish this fate on any other.