A Shrouded Ring of Hope
By Huepow00
CHAPTER 3
"He's going to be just fine sir…"
Words slipped in and out of a non-existent plane, too distorted and far away for his brain to make connections between the noises and what it remembered was speech. Darkness, cold and heavy and all too familiar surrounded his thoughts, and there was a faint glow that seemed like a blurred and twisted idea of what reality might be. The image was fuzzy and too far away to remember what it was supposed to look like, but at this depth, his brain didn't care anymore, it was busy now.
It grew constantly; taking no shape at all and having nothing in its way to conform to. It moved slowly like a large creature with only the will to dominate and nothing else. This wasn't the first time his brain had encountered such a complete darkness. There were memories that it searched for frantically of other such moments.
I'm awake?
"Really Kaze', we must stop seeing each other like this."
That voice! It's so familiar.
"I'm afraid I don't have much time Kaze', I really must speak with you."
"I'm sorry Lord Huepow, There's nothing I can do about it, unless you know a way to treat Brain Tunnel Syndrome.
"Yes, very funny, perhaps you can come with me now? I don't have time for the usual games dear friend."
Something must be seriously troubling him; he hasn't been this stern in a long time. Then again, I haven't seen him in a few years, who knows what might have happened.
Kaze' followed him down a short hallway; the echoing of their footsteps led them in their direction. The walls were covered on both sides by large paintings given as gifts to the Moon Kingdom. He noticed one of the late king, Huepow I. He stood next to a group of explorers of some kind, somewhere in Forlock Forest. Below them, inside a cage, was a strange creature with large ears. It was covered in fur and clothed in rags, but for some reason, had a strangely calm look on its face. He had asked years ago to have the painting removed, taken down and destroyed. That was the age his kind had been discovered by the inhabitants of this world.
Things must have been so different, so peaceful, before the war.
The footsteps stopped, it was Artemis Hall, the golden glow surrounding them. Before he had a chance to ask why they were here, something flickered in midair. He glanced at Huepow who did nothing but stare straight ahead as he saw another flicker of light. Again it happened, this time larger than before; and again, even larger. He stood in quite horror as it began to take shape. First a tail, then wings, they were massive. He couldn't move, frozen in time, every hair on his body stood on edge as a cold chill swept down the back of his spine. An enormous creature, covered in shadows as black as night.
He flinched as two sets of eyes flew open, glowing a devilish red the likes he had never before seen.
It stared back at him, cold and heartless, and wanting, filling the room with its intent. He took a step back, staring in disbelief at the malicious entity towering over them.
What the hell is that thing!
"Kaze', there is a situation we must discuss."