Mountains tower in the sky. White blankets caress the jagged curves of the looming stone structures. Slopes born of heavy dirt drag down to a small town. Flame vomit pillars of ashy, black smoke into the broken air.

Some walls hold firm, while others lay broken in the wake of destruction. Red lashes leap from smoldering ruins. Orange pockets crash into murky, white and brown soil. Dirty bodies scatter across the frozen terrain. Shattered weapons wrap within welcoming slivers of snow.

Cold air bites at the sides of my face. Frosty tendrils permeate through thin layers of weak clothing. Icy fingers flick the depths of my senses and pluck at the strength of my nerves. All strike at my might. All attack my will. All…drive my sight forward…

Once again, I am alone.

Ahead is a mangled corpse at the feet of the dark evil. Black armor hangs heavily on the shoulders of the sinister construct. A finely blade rests firmly in the snow. Blue pukes from all pores of the being.

The Lich King.

His borders appear hazy and broken. It is as if he is the background of some unfocused eye. It must be some black magic. It must be some horrible evil! He is mocking me! He is trying to fool me.

My fingers grip against the wooden shaft of my shovel. My eyes lock with the dark being before me. Muscles tighten for the attack. Thoughts burn a raging fire for his destruction. I will end him!

Feet dig through firm pockets of matted snow. Legs pull forward and guide the motivated body forward. Arms lift the might of my weapon. Eyes burn against his cloudy figure. I will destroy him!

I near him. His figure draws larger and closer as I barrel forward. Hate courses my narrow veins. Rage rattles my normally calm figure. Revenge guides me perfectly. I will kill him!

Silence sweeps across the two of us. Only the sounds of my thudding feet fill the air. Only the sounds of my rumbling heart destroy any hopes for tranquility. Only the crackling of fire distracts us…

I will end you, Lich King!

Arms lift high. I can feel his frosty chill wash over me, but it will not stop my anger. It will not stop my rage! Metal sweeps air. Rage crushes a calm soul. Nothing will stop me! Nothing! You will bow to me, false King!

Nothing but a surge of darkness.

Everything vanishes into a black abyss. My arms sink to the weightless dark matter. Where did he go?! Where is he?! Stop this! I will not let you get away with this! I will not let you…

A deep voice shatters the dark void and ceases all thought, "Rage will guide you. Follow it; bring the dark shroud to your light. "

His words so close. His words are so bitter. Show your face, coward! Show me, so I can end you!

Suddenly the bellow returns, "Return, Hope. Obey…your master…"

Show yourself!

Warm washes across my face. Instantly the utter darkness falls from my sight, as the once heavy lids break apart. Sadly, the room is not any brighter than my wonderful dream. I fidget upon a coarse, flimsy surface. Strange pockets of unpleasant strands stick to my clothing and tangle in my air. You are lying in hay. He is a tiny horse.

There is barely any light here. I extend my arms and find nothing but air. Finger outstretch in attempts to find anything. My body flops forward, and my knees hit the ground with a hard thud. Ouch. You should not have done that. He got a booboo.

Am I dead? You are not. He is somewhere much worse…

Crawling across hard stone, I feel bits of my clothing rib and warm sensations burn on my knees. Arms continue to sweep. Sadly, they continue to find nothing…

TING

Fingers crack horrifically while a sharp pain trickles down my arm. Retracting my arm, I grip the throbbing fingers and pull my face forward. What was that? I squint and after a second a gray blur fills my sight. Actually, it would seem that a good dozen of these shadowy objects fill my vision.

Thick, gray cylinder is what rests before me. I carefully draw my hands forward and let my fingers wrap around the cold metal. Dozens of these…lined next to each other. It takes only a second for me to realize where I am…

A prison.

Really? How did I end up in the prison? That doesn't even make sense. What kind of terrible plot twist is this? You are lucky to be alive. He is lucky to be a tiny horse that is still breathing. Will you stop calling me a tiny horse! Wait, what does that even mean? No, I do not care. Where am I?

You already know that. He is in a prison, duh? Yes, but where is the prison that I know I am located inside of? You have no idea. He is alone on that one.

You guys are helpful. Really. You know we try. He knows we sometimes do. Bah, I will figure this out on my own. I shuffle upon the rustling hay. Pricks poke my knees and palms of my hands. Bars bump my wriggling hips and shoulders.

There has to be something of significance here. You are looking for what? He is looking for a friend? Suddenly I feel something icy cold upon my left palm. My body locks while my hand carefully grips around the frosty object. It is slender and rather smooth, yet rough. What in the world? You should put that down. He doesn't need that.

Slowly I lift to my face. I can barely see through this annoyingly thick shroud. A little closer I draw it. What could it possibly be? Wait….gah! A loud clank follows as I drop the disgusting item to the floor. The sound echoes across the hollowed walls as I scoot backwards in a bit of a panic.

That…was a bone! A bone…leg, ah! You heard us. He should have listened.

CAAAAAAHLING

Metal clawing against claw fills the air. A high-pitched, unnerving hiss follows after. With it comes a burst of light that pours down a now visible staircase with ease. My eyes lock upon the shifting, playful light with utter determination.

A second passes and a black blotch fills the beautiful void. The shadow bares the shape of a man, yet is thick and misshapen. Is some sort of monster? You twit, the shadow is bulgy because of a robe. He is a tool. Oh…that makes sense…

"Where are you going?!" A voice radiates down the stairwell and booms into the tiny room. "Vrykul have attacked the main gates! We have no time for useless prisoners!"

There is a brief silence before the now distant voice shouts again, "Fools!"

Another voice replies, "Forget them, to the gates! To the gates." The sound seems to travel quickly and fades just as fast.

Footsteps rattle overhead. The steps cease in seconds, but the shadows still lurk at the same location as before. One shifts back a bit, and once again I hear voices. This time, however, they are whispers coming from the unseen lurkers.

Feet pound heavily on the planks and in a flash the shadows elongate, shorten, and almost disappear as two cloaked figures rush down the steps and to a partially opened gate. The leading figure knocks the door open with ease and sweeps across the murky floor. The other rests at the base of the stairs and stands firmly.

Dust scatters at the base of the individual shifting towards me. Rats skitter from their once unknown hiding places to new ones. Hay drags back as the heavy cloak knocks it from its path.

In a flash the figure looms over my door. A blackened hood shrouds all facial features of the individual, but I can still feel its glare. Oddly the figure shakes and whips its head down. It glances at something at its side before a limb grips something.

Metal scratches metal as a long blade is revealed. Light glints from the sides of the blade as it twirls in the air. My unknown guest holds it firmly in its hand before whipping it over its head and thrashing it downward.

CAAAHCLING

Sparks shoot from the side of a collapsing lock. The door screeches maddeningly as the mysterious figure slides the heavy object outwards. Robes rustle at the edges of the figure, and shuffle as an arm extends for me.

An unexpected, soft, sweet feminine voice erupts, "Hope Blackwood, come, we must leave."

I do not move. Muscles in my neck tighten, but my eyes dart side to side as well as up and down. Impatiently the arm shakes a bit violently, but I still cannot move. What if it is a trick? You really don't have any better options. He might as well get killed by wandering cloaked figures.

Again the voice booms, but this time much harder, "Champion, get to your feet! We must move!"

Without hesitation I whip my right arm upward and grip the firm hand. She tugs me rather hard, and I fly to my feet. I cannot help but stumble for a bit. The figure grabs my arm and spins to the other robed individual.

Quickly she drags me forward, and all three of us dart up the stairs. Wooden planks creak with every step taken. Walls whisper a strange nothing as the robes whip against them. Light warms my cold skin and burns that horrible image of that bone from my mind. You sissy. He has seen worse.

We shoot past a stony courtyard and through a pair of heavy steel gates. Once through, the sounds of battle blare against my once calm mind. My eyes dart upward at the flickering flames of the building tops and torched towers.

Warriors mass at the parapets while giants appear and fall with their assault. Overhead I make out the red, armored flesh of the sickeningly familiar drakes. The beasts attempt to rain hell upon the warriors, but beautiful, winged birds guide the might of tiny soldiers to the Drakes' demise.

Wait…giant white bird. That is what I saw from earlier! You are correct. He saw a Gryphon, not a giant white bird.

A sharp force jerks at my arm, and I look back down. Soldiers scurry in the background of my sight as I peer into the new visible face of the young woman. I cannot make out much of the appearance, but I can see a pair of bright green eyes that burn rather fiercely at me. You do have a tendency to enrage the opposite sex. He makes women angry.

She gives me one last tug before she lasts go and yells at me, "What are you standing around for? We need to move!"

I look into her eyes and let my curious thoughts search her sight for answers. She glares at me angrily than before, but I cannot bring myself to move. I have no idea what is going on, and I need some answers before I can keep going.

Up righting myself, I gather my courage and speak confidently, "Who are you? And why are you so pretty?!"

You are really special. He needs to stop doing that! I am sorry, I snapped! You both know I am terrible under pressure.

Instantly the frustration fades from her face and her eyes dart upwards. She leaps forward grips my shoulders firmly and shouts, "Look out!"

In a blurred moment I fall forward with the tugging, tiny individual. A booming rumble shakes the world. Pressure sweeps the sides of my body. Heat hugs the course of my body. Dirt sprinkles all edges of my figure and I feel the young individual drag me close.

It ends.

I open my eyes and look upwards. Eyes sweep forward and then to the side. A small burning and crackling crater rests at the foot of the entrance, yards away from where we were standing. Sweeping back, I see the other cloaked figure pull to it's feet and dust its robe.

Before I can look, a squeaky, near muffled voice speaks, "Are you alright, Hope?"

Instantly I throw my vision down at the woman. She rests under my crushing weight and I instantly flinch. My arms slam to the side and push off the ground to let her breath. She draws air and coughs a bit.

Rather awkwardly I speak, "Um, I am good." I clear my throat, "How about yourself?"

She coughs again and looks at me, "Nothing ignorance cannot fix." She pauses briefly to glance downwards. Her eyes fly back up to me and she smirks oddly, "Could you…get up?"

You sly dog, you! He is a player after all.

Again a strange awkward feeling flushes my flesh, and I fall to the side. I scamper to my feet and reach down to her. With a tug I get her to her feet. She shakes herself clean, and her red hair bounces as it does.

Her hood obviously fell during the strange little romp, and her face is completely illuminated by the dull light allowed through the clouds. Her red hair clings to the sides of her young face, and her green eyes seem brighter now. Smooth skin is interrupted by specs of dirt that she swiftly sweeps away.

She almost seems familiar…

The other figure shouts a manly, firm voice, "Come, you two, we haven't much time!"

My head twists and I see the man standing near a cracked portion of wall. The both of us scurry forward as the growing sounds of engagement seem to travel towards us. We slip past the broken barricade and slide onto a firm, sloping mud cliff. Ahead of us are a couple properly positioned horses wait patiently.

As we jog I hear the man speak again, "Thank the light, they are still here."

It would seem my friends here put these beasts here. You are quick. He is the master of observation, remember?

We reach the animals in no time. The man leaps on to the back of a rather beautiful, white creature, while the young woman slides onto the back of a black one. Sadly, there is no animal for me. You are hoofing it. He needs the exercise.

The young woman looks back at me and slaps the beast's back, "You ride with me, Champion."

You are really a beast! He is a smooth, suave, he-beast. Shut it! In a hurry I rush to the horse, foolishly reach for whatever you use to get on one of these, and stumble clumsily. Thankfully the girl grabs me and gives me the aid I need.

Once I am fitted on the saddle…thing…she whips the reins and the three of us take off. We navigate down a narrow dirt path that would be almost impossible to see from most directions.

To our right the giants fight with the furious tiny warriors and humans. That had to be an alliance outpost. You are one step behind on that one. He is a whole block behind. To the left is a deep jagged chasm that seems to go on forever. What a terrific spot.

Suddenly a hard object bangs my leg and I painfully glance down. There, bouncing against my calf is a long, metallic object and a wooden instrument for digging. I smile, reach to the weapon and pull it to my chest.

My gun.

I have no idea where they got it, or how, but hell, it is back in my hands again. Good enough. Reaching down again, I grab a few rounds and shove them in my pant pockets. I rock a bit as the horse slows to let the other rider move ahead. It would seem that the pass is getting narrower.

As we continue forward, I take one round and jerk the bolt back. The metal item of destruction glides easily into its chamber before I ram the bolt forward. I smile a bit. Sadly, the sense of satisfaction instantly slides from my being.

Rumbling rips across the skies. Before I can even turn, a whoosh of air ripples fiercely against my face. A flash of black slams into the wall next to me and vanishes out of sight. Spinning to my left, I let the red behemoth fill my vision.

Heavy wings pummel the air. Long legs sweep side to side. Bony scales run the length of the body and line parallel to a narrow dirt path. Upon its back is a tall, golden haired giant. It's dreadlocks bounce against its back as it draws its bow to its face.

My short, matted hair clings to my face as my gun rises to meet his. His arm drags back the heavy string. My hand grips the handle. His eyes lock with mine. Mine lock with his.

TWANG, TITHBURSH

Another flash of black. Dirt bounces against my right side, but I do not care. The rider jerks back, drops his bow. He leans forward, but slaps his beast once before he goes limp.

Instantly, the beast opens its mouth. Flame flicks from the corners of jaws. Heat distorts the air as it flies. Tendrils reach in all directions as the unstable ball of destruction gathers.

Reload!

Bolt back, round in, bolt forward. To my shoulder. Fire!

TITHBURSH

Sparks fly from the side of the beast's head as the round harmlessly bounces away. The creature jerks oddly before opening its mouth completely. A hurling ball of flame burns air as it soars. Dirt flies in all directions as a pillar of fire shoots a blast of destruction yards ahead of us.

Pockets of burning mud slap against the sides of my face. The horses stumble, but keep firm. In a flash we enter the churning abyss, and leave it.

Instantly the man shouts, "To the bridge, young crusader! We must make it!"

My eyes dart upward. The path winds only a bit more before swerving into the deep chasm. There a wooden bridge guides for a safe route away from this hellish town. Sadly, we are not the only one aiming for it.

Again the beast roars, and I look back to it. The rider tugs the reins of the beast and laughs loudly. Finally he pulls the rope before slumping backwards. Life escapes him at last, but not before he provoked his beast. That jerk! You tell him! He shouts angrily!

The monster's black eyes yell all the tales of terror and declares damnation for it's victims. Flames bite the finely crafted fangs. The tongue whips the calm sparks into frenzy. It's wings beat the air with little mercy.

Its body is still aligned with the rocky walls of the vertical drop. It flies directly for the bridge ahead. I lift my gun, but I know the futility behind it. I continue to aim while the beast takes its target.

Ahead the front rider cracks the reins and yells back, "It must not beat us! We must make it over that bridge!"

He leans forward and cracks the reins again. Slowly the animal gains speed. It gathers distance on us in seconds, and the young woman does not hesitate any longer to lift and let fall her controls.

I can feel the horse below move, but my eyes divert back to the beast. It has slowed considerably, but the fire building continues on. Our animals shoot around the bend. We near the bridge quickly. From the corner of my eye I see the monster ceases all movement.

My heart sinks, yet lets its beat known. Ripples of anxiety flow through the confines of my body. Eyes lock ahead yet stay firmly toned to assaulting creature. The sounds of war escape any acknowledgement.

We round the bend. Dirt slowly fades to bundled rope and wood. Muscles in my arm loosen to let the gun slide back into the holder. They tighten again as my fingers find the cold wood of my shovel.

I raise the weapon and bring it to my chest. Curious eyes scan all ends of the item before I lift it and aim it at the beast. Again the orbs scan the blade, but this time I align the tip with the monster.

I have no idea if this is going to work. You hope it does. He prays it does.

A sweet voice screams from near by, "A shovel?! What in the world are you going to do with a shovel?!"

I ignore her. My eyes lock and my eyebrows drag down. A massive ball of fire claws feverishly to escape the cage of bone and molten saliva. Thudthudthudthud. Clanking hooves slam against wooden planks.

Focus, Hope, focus. You have the idea. He has learned well. You must now remember all the heroes of this world. He must remember the all those living to die and those dying to live.

Remember the wounded and broken. Remember the lost and crushed. Remember the heroes and the villains. Remember the dead. Remember the heroes. Remember.

Light sparks from the runes at the tip of the blade. Whipping flares of glowing light bounces from the end of the weapon. Thudthudthudthud. We move to the center of the bridge.

The beast opens its jaws, letting forth the orb of chaos. Energy built from depths of hell burns through the air. It moves at untold speed. It moves directly towards us. We will not beat it.

Focus.

Waves of bright energy waft from the front of my blade. Humming vibrations blurt loudly from the crafted tool. My eyes locked firmly on my target. Focus, Hope.

Fire nears the rope structure. The calls from the riders are dwarfed by the calls within my head. Only the orb. Only my weapon. Only my focus.

Flames boom loudly. Fire blocks all vision. Only my weapon. Only my focus. Only me.

Ahead one voice breaks through. "Let the light guide you!"

And so it shall.

Flash. A massive, sight-shattering ball of light breaks from my weapon and barrels outward.

And it may it guide the beast.