Prologue
"Hey, Boss. You'd better have a look at this." Jack turned to see his assistant standing in the opening of the tent.
"What is it, Mike?" He asked running a hand through his salt and pepper hair. He was just getting used to getting older.
"I don't know. It's … strange." Jack stood up and grabbed his hat. It was a dusty old black Stetson that had been his father's, and would be his son's in turn. The thought of Dylan brought a smile to his face. The kid was six years old and the best thing that had ever happened to Jack. The murmurs of worker nearby woke him from his reverie.
"I think it's some kind of tomb, but the way it was designed… it's like whoever built it was trying to keep someone in instead of out." One said.
"Yeah, but that makes no sense, unless it wasn't a tomb," Retorted his friend. Jack was interested now. He sped up to keep pace with Mike. The wind had picked up and dark clouds filled the sky. The worker rushed to cover the dig site with tarps and to pack the tools under the shelters.
"We found it while we were digging in the area you thought would have the more valuable pieces" Mike said pointing toward an area where men and women were huddled around what looked like a door.
"Okay, okay, everyone move back let the doctor through." Mike called as Jack stopped just short of the door, and just looked. The designs on the surface were unlike anything he had seen before. It was far older than Jack had imagined. He slid his fingers over the intricate carvings with care. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
"Mike, go back to my tent and grab that big leather-bound book off the cot." Mike nodded and rushed off. After he was gone Jack turned back to the door, he was now convinced that it was a door, and continued his study of it. The carvings seemed to take on new shapes as his eyes searched. They seemed to be beckoning him. He shook his head just as Mike returned. Jack took the book and opened it gently. "Here, this symbol," he said indicating a symbol above the door. It was a crescent with a sword jutting out from the center. "It's the crest of the Dark King." A wave of murmurs rushed through the crowd.
"Isn't that just a legend?" One of onlookers asked, looking a bit amused.
"I thought so too, but now we are looking at the proof." Jack replied with an indulging smile. He reached up and touched the crest. Suddenly the door shuddered and slid inward, then to the side. The cavern within was pitch black. Jack smiled. "Nothing left to do but go in." he said, digging into a nearby bag for a flashlight. Before he could find it, a horrible screech filled the air. Everyone screamed as a creature leaped out of the cavern, followed by three more.
Each was covered in black fur, except around their faces which were bare. Their flesh was red and they bore twisted faces reminiscent of a cat. They were bipedal and bulky. Each creature grabbed one of the onlookers and dragged them into the tunnel. Jack was closest to the door and was gabbed first. The beasts forced them to run along the tunnel, and growled viscously if they strayed from the prescribed path. Jack felt something as they made their way down the tunnel, though he could not tell if it was excitement or dread. Far down the tunnel Jack could see a small gleam of light, and a rumbling. The Beasts shoved them through the opening in the tunnel, and they found themselves in a large chamber. It was circular and bore symbols similar to the ones on the door. Lit torches lined the walls, giving off an eerie glow.
"Incredible, it's some kind of shrine, dedicated to the Dark King." Jack said with wonder. He turned to the center of the chamber. There was a throne set up on a high dais. Seated on it was the figure of a man he was dressed in royal robes, and had a crown on his head, and a mask covered his face. Jack climbed up to the throne. He slowly reached up to the seated figure. His fingertips only brushed the mask, when an arc of dark lightning threw him back. He hit the wall with a thud. One of the women, that had been taken, screamed. Jack slowly stood up. As a malevolent voice said: "Freedom. The Dark King lives again, after thousands of years I may resume my conquest."
Jack looked up and saw the royal figure standing beside the throne.
"My servants have served well. You four shall lead my armies into battle as generals. You," He looked directly at Mike, who backed away. "shall be called Mortix, Master of Decay." Lightning shot from his hand and Mike was transformed into a creature different from the ones that had taken them but altogether inhuman. The Dark King turned to one of the women and the lightning appeared again. "You shall be known as Serpentia." He said. He then turned to Jack. "You shall be the greatest of my generals. Master of Poisons, Atoxis." As the lightning coursed through his body Jack screamed in pain, but no sound was heard. Soon it stopped and in Jack's place stood another inhuman creature. The final women broke free of her captors and fled.
"After her, Trogs!" Atoxis bellowed causing the beast nearby to jump up and pursue the fleeing woman. The general were not far behind them. They reached the door, and saw that the Trogs had stopped. The door was closed. "Move!" Atoxis bellowed, as he moved to the door. He tried to force the door open, but an unknown force threw him back. The Dark King walked up behind the small group. The general kneeled as the Trogs prostrated themselves. "Master she escaped and sealed the door as well."
"It is no matter. I have awakened, and the seal will not hold for ever. Come, there is much to be done." The Dark King said turning with a flourish.