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Chapter 11

On their way back to Gran Soren they came across many monsters that seemed somehow different. Not just from their appearance but their abilities, too. A mere goblin was now causing problems to them and they struggled on their way back. Dark and strong creatures covered their way to the Capital of Gransys and no matter if it was day or night, the sky remained the same. Fortunately no one was badly injured.

As they reached the city, they noticed the changes. The streets were flooded by darkness and misery and half of the city was missing, leaving behind a yawning black hole. None of thee citizens dared to go near it as it seemed, and felt, like it would grab your body and pull you down into cold nothingness. Luan and Zane made their way over to the castle to speak to the Duke. They had to inform him of their well... victory, if you could name it that. Zane was, like always, not allowed into the castle so his Arisen made his way inside alone.

Luan was walking slowly. Very slowly and warily. Looking around, scanning his surroundings with care as a bad feeling spread in his stomach. He asked one of the servants where the Duke was and was told he should be resting in his chamber so he made his way over there. As he arrived he knocked two times on the dark wooden door but even after knocking a second time there was no answer but he could hear a panting voice inside.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" He asked through the door in a worried tone before slowly opening the door to step inside. The sight he came across shocked him and he had to look twice to make sure he was seeing right. The Duke. With white hair and wrinkles on his face. Trembling and coughing as he panted, almost collapsing to the ground. THAT was the Duke? Nothing was left from the strong and noble crowned man sitting on his throne with his head raised. No. This was just an old man, whining over his lost might and strength.

"You." He groaned out in a coarse tone as he pointed at the Arisen with one trembling thin finger and raised his head just to frown at him what caused even more wrinkles to form on his forehead. "You should not be here." He continued in the same coarse tone as before. Luan just frowned questioningly at the Duke, not knowing how to respond to that with words. But the now old man noticed this of course. "You... the dragon cannot be defeated by a mere human! Either you die or..." He paused as he sucked in his breath and his rage filled expression slowly changed into a horrified one. "You have accepted his bargain." His voice a mere whisper. "You have accepted it so you could take my place as a Duke and rule this land!" The trembling man was now yelling as he drew his sword from his waist. "But I will not give it up to you this easily."

"Your Majesty! Please calm down!" Luan begged with a raised voice but couldn't say more as the Duke was now leaping forward, or more falling, with his weapon raised above his head. Luan didn't intend on hurting him so he just dodged the slowly coming blows or blogged them. "Your Majesty!" He tried once more. Their fight did not go unnoticed though as suddenly guards came through the door and stared at the both of them before storming to the Duke's side.

"Your Majesty! What is happening here?" One of the guards asked concerned.

"That... traitor has signed a contract with the dragon and poisoned me with a curse! Just look at the sad sky that doesn't even know the difference between day and night anymore and that hole growling with darkness and evil were once my wonderful city was and tell me that this is not the work of the dragon's evil magic." The guards were now staring at the Arisen in a deep frown, ready to slice his throat if needed. "Seize this traitor at once!" And the men leaped forward as the Duke had ordered.

Luan wasn't an idiot so he didn't intend to fight against so many guards in such a small places so his only chance was to run for now. He looked to his right and spotted the balcony and so he took off into a sprint and jumped down. He quickly neared the gate but found it blocked by a few more guards. (Even more?) He complained silently as he looked around for another way out. (Zane! Where is he?!) He remembered in shock that he was waiting outside the gate but that was blocked now. Were they going after him, too? He just hoped he was alright. Unfortunately he didn't have the time to think about that any longer as the guards catched up and spotted him already. (Damn it!)

"Luan!" An all too familiar voice yelled at him and he whipped around to search for the source he already knew. (Thank god.) He had found his Pawn standing in front of the castle walls that separated the castle from the city. When they stood together again they exchanged a short smile before glancing at the fastly nearing guards.

"Come! Jump!" Zane ordered as he folded his fingers together for Luan to step on them so he could throw him over the wall. Luan didn't hesitate to do as ordered and let himself being catapulted towards the wall and landed on top of them. He then turned around and half laid down as he reached out one hand for his Pawn to grab it so he could help him up but the black-haired warrior wasn't moving.

"Zane! Hurry!" He yelled at him in an ordering ut pleading voice as he reached his hand out even further.

"No! They are already here!" He yelled back as he drew his big sword from his back to ready himself for battle as the guards already started to surround him.

"Zane!" His voice got more ordering as he didn't give up.

"There's no time! I'll hold them back! Go!" The taller man yelled in a determined tone as he already started fighting the men.

"No! Don't you dare!"

"Don't worry! We've already fought worse things than a few guards! Now Go!" Right then two more guards joined the force with a bow and aimed at the Arisen.

"Ah shit!" He cursed aloud as he finally jumped down the walls and took off into a sprint again. (Please let him be safe!) He prayed to God.

Unfortunately it seemed he took the wrong route as he had to stop at the yawning hole that was screaming dangerous darkness. (What now?) He heard footsteps and turned around as he saw the guards approaching, swords already raised and bows strained. He turned towards the hole again and stared into it for a moment as he remembered the dragon's words.

"You don't even know what unknown threat is smiling at you from the depths of the world."

(Did he mean...) There was no time to translate those words. He stood there on the gaping abyss waiting for a miracle that would save him. He raised his shield to block the incoming blows. Just when one blow landed on his shield, he lost his balance and felt gravity pull him backwards. Right into the arms of darkness. He creamed in fear as he prepared himself for the hard and painful landing that never came. He tried to look around but couldn't see anything back black so he reached his arms out in hope to find anything to grab onto.

After falling what felt like ours he saw a light blue shimmer. And without even realizing what had happened he wasn't falling anymore. As he looked up he saw a woman in leather armor smile down at him as she was holding him by the arm and after a few seconds pulled him up on some sort of platform it seemed. And there were... humans? Maybe two or three were walking aimlessly around as if waiting for someone.

Luan's savior stared at him a while before opening her mouth to speak in a gentle voice. Just then did Luan notice that there was some sort of... music here. It didn't sound like someone was playing a song or something. It sounded like it wasn't from this world. And he was sure it wasn't. It seemed to reflect in the people here and even the place, which looked like ruins of some ancient temple. It sounded sad and longing but gentle, too.

"We welcome you here, Arisen. We have been waiting for a long time for you." The woman said gently and with a smile, which looked more sad than happy.

"Why?" Was all he could breathe out at that moment. How could a place hold so much sadness that even the walls seemed to cry? It was hard breathing here since it felt like it would choke you.

"You have killed the great dragon and have come so far. And to end your mission you have to go meet the Seneschal. But first you'll need something. Please bring me some of those." She hold out a red stone. It looked beautiful like a giant rub and was shimmering with a strong energy. He didn't ask what that stone was or what he did since he felt it would have a long story and he didn't want to remain in this saddening place longer than needed.

"What is this place? And why are here humans? Or are you...?" The realization came late.

"Yes. We are Pawns. Every one of us here has lost his or her Master. We are helping the Arisens that come here to complete their missions but as you see..." She pointed her hand out to their surroundings. "We have failed many times."

Chapter 12 is next!