Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Retribution

Chapter One: Dusk Approaches
Michael Edwards awoke, fevered, drenched in sweat. His dreams were filled with horrible visions. Wretched creatures writhed, slashed, gorged themselves on the flesh of the living. Creatures that pierced his mind, hollowing out his very soul. To a normal man this would just seem like twisted nightmares, to one of the chosen, they were dark reminders of the sacrifice made for all of mankind.

He sat up in his small ratty hotel bed, throwing the sheets on the floor. He put his hands on his head and stared up on the ceiling, recalling the darkness. He remembered Patterson, his flesh horribly burned from the brutal explosion, his eyes still frozen in the terrified visage of his abrupt death. Too much darkness to cope with. He remember the pillar, he couldn't' imagine a construction by man being much more evil. So many soul extinguished by tons of crushing stone. One of them had spoke to him, surprising, it had felt warm, inviting. It had given him an object giving off rays of unspeakable evil. Then the dark beasts had come.

Rotting corpses with gnashing teeth, freakish grim reapers with penetrating green eyes, Behemoths, with three heads, sending out bolts of piercing energy, they had all sought to steal his soul. Despite all of this, despite the impending darkness, he had triumphed, he had made it back to the light, and he had fulfilled his duty, and somehow in the back of his mind, he knew the ancients were defeated, he could feel the insidious shadows they cast were diminished. The premonitions that he was being hunted, had ended the night before.

He had enjoyed his first day in 6 months free from fear. He walked the down by the pier, looking at all the people, free from paranoia that a vicious claw wielding beast would burst from their innards spraying their body outward like a popped water balloon. He was able to watch a beautiful, vibrant sunset without the fear that it would never raise again. It had almost felt like it was over. But he had to know, he had to be positive that the darkness had ceased. There was only one way to figure that out.

Two nights ago, when he completed his duty by dropping off the sword and the essence at the Roivas Estate, he had been unable to shake the feeling that if he crossed the threshold of that estate, he would never cross back. But now, that feeling was gone, and he was ready to meet another chosen, and hear the stories he was sure were to be told. It was only way he could put an end to the story and put it out of his mind, he had to go back to the Roivas estate. With the story ended, his mind cleansed of the 2000 year war for humanity, he could finally return Alberta, and pick up his life where he left off.

Charged by his sudden decisiveness, Mike hopped out bed and started to get ready. After a shower and a shave, and the crappy little continental breakfast the hotel offered, Mike grabbed his trusty pistol that he had been through so much with, out of the bedside drawer and headed out into the cool Rhode Island morning.

When Michael arrived in Rhode Island, he decided to not get a rental car. After the ordeal he had been through, he felt blessed to be alive, let alone able to walk, so he felt that he would take full advantage of that, by walking everywhere he could. The morning was cool, crisp and inviting. It was fully overcast, but the morning didn't feel gloomy , it was more cozy than anything.

He walked past row after row of quaint victorian houses nestled on gently rolling hills, swaying weeping willow trees and the occasional chirping bid. It was so beautiful, so poetic, it made his triumph that much more significant. An image flashed into his mind of what would have happened if Chat'urgga, Ulayoth, or Xel' Otath had succeeded in there devious desires. Houses as far as the eye can see wreathed in flame, utter chaos in the streets as teaming masses of the undead wrought their insidious damage on anything living and pure. The collective scream of a billion dying souls. The image sent a slight tingle down his spine.
The Ancients are gone mikey-boy, we did it, that's not going to happen he said to himself in a soft reassuring voice.

After that, the brisk, two hour stroll was over in no time and he was standing in front of the massive Roivas estate that he had read about so much in the Tome, well read would probably not be the most accurate way to say it, experienced, would be more accurate. He looked down at his watch, it read 11:30, that seemed like a good time to show up unannounced, although he had feeling the chosen would know he was coming.

He made his way up the winding front walk flanked by lavish, finely groomed hedges. As he did, he noticed a brand new Aston Martin Vanquish parked in the drive way, shining in the morning sun like a green jewel. Apparently being the chosen had it's perks. Michael now stood on the front doorstep, where he stood two nights before, virtually paralyzed with fear, how much had changed in those two days, he was about to find out. He reached out and knocked on the solid wooden door. Surprisingly quickly, he heard fleet footsteps coming down the stairs. The door swung open, and Michael was greeted by a beautiful young girl.

Instantly he could tell she was a Roivas, she had allot of the features of Max and Edward. Looking in her eyes, he felt an instant connection with her, he could tell that she had seen things as bad, or worse than the horrors he had witnessed. He reached out his hand and began to introduce himself, Hello, my name is.. . Michael Edwards she finished. She looked at him as if she had known him for years. Have we met before? he asked, visibly puzzled. Well, I've met you she said with a quirky grin. Alex Roivas, nice to meet you she said cordially. I'm sure you've got allot of questions to ask, come in and have a drink, there's someone I think you'll want to meet.
Somewhat surprised by her kindness, Michael followed her in.

Alex led the way into the warm and cozy Roivas Family library. As they entered a robust looking man in his early sixties came up to greet them. He was easily six feet tall and radiated vigor. Michael noticed he had a giant, gaudy gold necklace that looked far older than any of them, for some reason, Michael felt like he remember that necklace from somewhere. The man reached out and took Michael's hand in a surprisingly firm handshake. Dr Edwin Lindsey's the name, you must be the Firefighter i've heard so much about for a moment, Michael was speechless, two chosen in one day, it was so much more than he could of asked for. i can tell by your silence that you recognize me, that book truly is amazing isn't it?

Both Alex and Michael nodded in agreement. Alex gestured toward three cozy looking lounger chairs facing the fireplace, Why don't we all have a seat, I'm sure your both want to know the fate of the ancients They all sat down, and Alex pulled out a clear bottle full of a dark purple liquid and three fine wine glasses. She poured for Michael and Edward, then held her glass up in the air. To all the brave souls, who made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could be here today then, they all drank to the lives lost. Dr Edwin piped in excitedly, Where did you find such a fantastic port Ms. Roivas? Alex smiled wistfully. It was my grandfather's, there are barrels of it down in the basement I'll have to add Wine connoisseur to my list of praises for Edward.

Idle chitchat aside, Alex launched into the tale of the end of the ancients. She recounted all of the events, the discovery of the entrance to the ancient city of Eng'ha, the way she reactivated the massive 9 point spell array in an attempt to bring an ancient into the world to battle Pious's. Then her battle with Pious leading to the destruction of his ancient's essence and ultimately Pious's demise. Then the final climactic battle between ancients, as they all eventually, destroyed each other, leaving only the slowly dying corpse god, Mantarok.

Michael and Dr. Edwin stared at each other in amazement. So, Chat'urgga, Ulayoth, and Xel' otath are dead? Michael said with excitement. Gone, forever Alex finished.

Michael sat back in his chair. That was it, it was all over. The darkness has permanently receded, and he could finally go back to living, and put all of this terror, all of this evil, all of this darkness, far, far behind him. Dr. Edwin looked as if he was having similar feelings. They all sat in silence for a moment letting all of the events sink in, the reality of it, so reassuring.

Suddenly, echoing through the walls, only barely audible through the silence, was the sound of the front door, slowly creaking open. The three chosen quickly jumped to attention, reverting to a sense of alertness they had all become accustomed too. Are you expecting anybody Alex? Dr. Edwin whispered. No one else even knows were here

Michael rose to his feet and pulled his Glock pistol out of his hip holster, disengaged the safety then made his way to the door leading into the foyer. Dr Edwin drew a pistol of his own and quickly followed. He looked back at Alex and spoke, You should stay here, we'll go check things out. Alex looked at him slightly miffed, Like hell you will she reached up on the mantle and grabbed a loaded winchester shotgun. She gripped it by the slide throwing the stock down towards the floor hammering a shell into the chamber with a sharp click, Lets do this she growled.