Chapter 10: Rage of Darkness. Bloodstained tears.
Opening 3: Casey Edwards - Bury the Light
Shadow and Mary were exhausted after finally reaching Ailwi's hoverbike. Unable to stay awake for long, they both fell into a dreamless sleep. The duo were somehow huddled together as they slept. Ailwi noticed them and smiled, knowing how drained they were.
'They risked their lives to help the people of Dawn's Touch… Their actions alone are proof of their endeavors to bring hope in these dark times.' The male elf thought with admiration.
The drive was quiet for the group as the sun began to set. Ailwi didn't attempt to rouse them from their much needed sleep.
Shadow was in deep sleep for a while. Mary was using his body as a pillow while they slept. Soon, Ailwi woke them up from their sleep. The sun was now down.
"We are here in Dawn's Touch." Ailwi spoke.
Shadow yawned quietly, covering his mouth. He soon saw Mary sleeping on his body, much to his surprise.
'I guess she must have used me as a body pillow subconsciously while asleep. Though I find it endearing, this is not the time for distractions.' Shadow thought.
Shadow soon woke Mary from her sleep, gently nudging her body. He soon wiped her eyes, which appeared tear stained. This roused her from sleep, though her eyes were still spewing tears. This got the Gandálfr to be concerned.
"You're dreaming about something sad, weren't you?" He reluctantly asked.
Mary realized her eyes were stoned with tears. She wiped them off her eyes and tried to show a calm expression.
"Yes… It was memories of former friends whom ventured in the Vanvid Ravine to search for the same flower we were looking for. I'm still in disbelief that we made it." Mary admitted.
Shadow understood and his expression calmed down. He soon hugged the elven girl, much to her surprise.
"I'm sure your friends are now at peace that you managed to recover the Gradient Flower. They were congratulating you perhaps?" Shadow inquired.
"It look like they were… They all had smiles on their faces." Mary answered.
Shadow had a relaxed smile in response. It was a foreign, yet welcoming feeling for him. A sense of parental love soon overcame his thoughts. Mary, whom was leaning on Shadow through his hug, felt reassured.
'It's like I might have found something I've lost. It feels warm and comforting.' The elven girl thought in peace.
The group made their way to meet with Alysia. Upon seeing the pair, the elf queen was overjoyed. They soon presented the Gradient Flowers to the Queen in response.
"Thank the heavens you two made it back in one piece. What is also best, you two managed to overcome the Vanvid Ravine and retrieve the Gradient Flower. With its essence from the pollen and nectar, I can create a cure for the disease." The elf queen spoke.
"The flower itself managed to help me cure a condition caused by the Crann Lofa that roamed out there. Their stones, the Lobhadh Brainse, were the cause. The progenitor was also destroyed when we were making our way out, especially during the Hellbound." Shadow spoke.
"That's the miracle healing of the flower. Not even the darkwind creatures can hope to approach it." Alysia revealed.
"This herb is like a warding of evil presences. It managed to help with ailments and evil possessions." Shadow deduced.
"Precisely. Please let me lead you to the family whom is stricken with the illness." Alysia noted.
Shadow and Mary were led by Alysia to witness a family of elves stricken with an unknown disease. It left visible vein marks that glowed with a mint green color. The family was a father, mother, a daughter and a son. All had blonde hair with different shades.
"What is this condition?" Shadow questioned.
"Darkwind poisoning. It's caused by some darkwind creatures that can inflict the illness. Even we are unsure as to how the monsters are capable of poisoning its victims, despite appearing the same." Alysia answered with a glum tone.
The elf queen began to use a medical bowl with a stone grinder.
"A mortar and a pestle? Surely the medicine can be prepared with all the abundant technology." Shadow spoke with confusion.
"This medicine can only be prepared this way. For some reason, the machines can sap off the mana from the flower. It has to be prepared this way." Alysia explained.
Shadow soon realized why. The technology was a mix of science and magic. Though confusing at first, the mention of mana became an evident clue as to why the medicine was prepared traditionally.
"Now that the plant is used to create a powerful salve, we just need to add some water and it should form the medicine called Ambrosia." Alysia said.
The salve was made into a mint green color. The color was a relaxing sight for those whom see it. Alysia began applying the medicine to the elf family. A miracle happened as the illness began to fade from their bodies. Shadow and Mary felt a sense of relief, seeing a family finally regaining the strength to live.
'We've managed to save a family… I don't know how to describe it, but it is comforting… Maybe this is what I have longed for… A familial love…' Shadow thought, thinking of Tiffania.
He soon recalled Tiffania when she showed signs of expecting. They weren't evident, but there was another life force he sensed prior to leaving her in a tearful goodbye. The image of her carrying his child renewed his desire to go back.
'Tiffania… I intend to go back to you. Just please… Hold on for a bit till I come back.' Shadow thought in a silent prayer.
The elf family soon looked around. They wondered as to why they were feeling weightless, no longer feeling the illness afflicting them.
"What happened? The sickness has disappeared." The male elf spoke in wonder.
"The darkwind poisoning… It's gone. Our children are also cured." The female elf followed.
"You have two brave individuals whom ventured into…the ravine to acquire the cure. They were willing to go deep into the Hellbound to secure the Gradient Flowers." Alysia spoke to the family.
The queen soon pointed to Shadow and Mary. The family were forever grateful to the pair.
"Words cannot convey how thankful I am. My wife and kids were saved thanks to you two." The male elf spoke with gratitude.
"It may have not been a simple matter, but we chose to help. It wasn't by whim that made the decision, nor was it a hasty one. We chose to help out of desire to helping others." Shadow spoke.
"Truer words were never spoken nor shared." Mary followed.
"Regardless, you have our thanks. Without your aid, we wouldn't survived another day with the darkwind poisoning…" The male elf spoke.
"I'm grateful myself that I had a chance to help you and the people of Dawn's Touch. Though my lover is half-elf, I wouldn't mind, even if she was an elf, regardless of who she was." Shadow spoke.
"You had a lover? What happened?" The male elf asked with sympathy.
"She's awaiting my return. Right now, my reach seems too far, but I have a way to return to her. Let's just say I've been marooned and lost touch with time. I've been sent here from the distant past, far beyond the timeline I've known of these lands." Shadow explained.
"I wish you the best, young man. I can see that you truly care for her and the elves by extension. Good luck and may your journey finally reach her." The male elf spoke.
The two elf children soon came to Shadow, clinging on to his pants. They were staring at him with wonder. This got the Gandálfr to pay attention to them. The kids soon have a shy hug to him.
"Thank you mister. You saved us from the terrible cold." The son spoke.
"I was willing to help you after what I heard from Her Majesty herself. It was a chance to redeem myself." Shadow spoke, hinting a sad tone.
"Redeem? What does that mean?" The elf daughter asked.
"It means to pay back for bad actions. I'm no hero, despite what stories of me were once told." Shadow admitted.
"But you are a hero. You saved us." The elf daughter reassured.
"Maybe, but I don't want to ruin the image you have of me. I've only taken the task to heal you to pay back the actions from what happened a long time ago." Shadow spoke.
"What happened?" The elf daughter asked.
"A question for a time when you grow wiser. Right now, you're too young to understand. Just know this, keep your heart pure." Shadow dismissed, gently petting the girl's head.
The girl pouted, but Shadow's touch was as soft as a feather. It was comforting to her, though she couldn't put it into words.
'It feels so warm… Why does mister look and feel so sad?' She thought.
It was a bittersweet time for Shadow, but Mary thought differently. She watched the Gandálfr's interaction with the young elf girl. It made felt a sense of ease, knowing his actions. Even his manner of speech, though foreboding, had a sense of protection and reassurance.
'He wants to protect those he cares for, despite his outward appearance. Now I see why… If only we can return you to where you belong, Shadow…' Mary thought.
The dark elf girl knew of Shadow's wounded soul. He hid it well from his cold exterior when the situation demands it. Even when chatting casually, he kept his guard up, fearing for others around him.
The scene was soon interrupted by a male elf soldier, whom looked to have ran a marathon. His voice was constantly panting, trying to regain his stamina.
"Your Majesty! We have trouble at the outskirts of Dawn's Touch! The village of Eos was raided by the elf hunters just now!" The soldier reported.
Alysia was shocked to hear of the recent development. Maintaining a calm but serious expression, she demanded to hear of the current events.
"Speak at once, soldier. What is happening now?" She ordered.
"We barely managed to escape with most of the villagers. However, we couldn't get them all. The survivors were taken and I fear the worst…" The soldier spoke.
Something stirred within Shadow's mind. It was a fiery anger that began to boil within his mind. Hien was noticeably blazing, shooting small puffs of fire with increased ferocity. Mary and the others heard the noise and looked to Shadow, noticing his quiet stance.
"Where is Eos located from here…?" The Gandálfr asked in an eerily calm tone.
Alysia and Mary knew Shadow was desperately holding on to reason in order to keep his rage on hold. However, the tone from his voice sounded so fearfully controlled they shivered.
"E-Eos is located North from Dawn's Touch. There's a caravan with some of the survivors. We're trying to evade the hunters since they're chasing us." The soldier reported.
"Very well." Shadow spoke.
The elf family noticed a dark red energy swirling on Shadow's body. Mary noticed it as well, also seeing the Chaos Emerald Shadow held glowing in a dark color. She was now afraid of him losing control.
'Oh no… Shadow…' Mary thought in realization.
Fearing for what could happen, Mary quickly rushed to him.
(Play Akame ga Kill OST - Yami o Kiru)
Shadow was seen rushing to the north side of Dawn's Touch. There, he witnessed a caravan filled with the elf villagers of Eos. They were quickly vacating the vehicle.
"Are there additional caravans coming in?" Shadow asked to one of the guards.
"Yes. We got two more on their way." The male guard responded.
"Leave the guard duty to me. Just ensure the survivors make it back safely. Relay this to our comrades." Shadow spoke.
Mary followed Shadow's trail. She could see his visage as he dashed forward. The elf girl soon noticed an approaching caravan that had seen a battle. Behind it, a group of 7 humans were wielding various guns and swords, ready to make a raid.
"Those bastards…" Shadow spoke with resentment.
Dark red chaos energy began to surge throughout his body. His eyes began to glow a bright white.
"Raid the caravans! The elves must die so we can live!" One of the hunters spoke.
This ignited Shadow's rage. Immediately, he dashed forward in a blaze. His skating caused the ground to ignite. Upon reaching the elf hunters, they noticed Shadow already on the verge of his dark transformation.
"By the Lord, what is that being?" One of the hunters spoke.
"Death and rage personified…" Shadow spoke, his voice turning into an eerie echo.
"Try and slay us if you dare." One of the hunters provoked.
Holding Zenyōso in its fire elemental form, Shadow performed a swift series of attacks. He quickly sliced the provocateur in various angles. The person stood still as his body didn't register the attacks. However, Shadow was finished as he slowly slid Zenyōso back in its scabbard.
"What the hell was that?" The second hunter questioned.
"His death." Shadow replied.
Upon the sound of the sword's click, lines of blood were soon shown. They began slowly, but soon form themselves. By then, the various cuts were fully shown. Blood soon erupted in a crimson fountain as the body of the first hunter was literally cut into bloody confetti. Surprisingly, the eyes were left intact, though they slipped out of the skull. They rolled to Shadow's shoes, where he casted a cold gaze to them. Raising his feet, he stomped the eyes, causing a gory splash.
"Who's next?" He growled.
The rest of the hunters had their weapons ready to fight. Shadow casted a cold glare, one filled with hate and anger. The gaze to the hunters was strong enough to briefly freeze them in fear.
"You shall die…" The Gandálfr spoke.
Mary soon arrive only to gaze at Shadow before he dashed in afterimages, slashing in the horizon in front. He soon reappeared, holding Zenyōso out with the sword slowly sliding back in its sheathe. The hunters all froze in response, knowing they will die. Upon hearing the click of the sword's rainguard, a rainfall of blood soon came. The hunters were all chopped into a fine confetti, causing their bodies to be lifted from the pressure of the attacks before exploding in a gory, bloody rain. All but one hunter survived the onslaught. With panic now overtaking the remaining hunter, he attempted to flee, only to meet with Shadow's piercing gaze in his dark form.
"Did you think I will spare any survivors?" He questioned with an eerily calm tone.
The last hunter was now panicking with fear overtaking his reasoning. He made a futile attempt to stab Shadow with his sword, only for the blade to bend from the pressure of the Chaos energy aura surrounding the Gandálfr. The pressure was so strong, it forced the blade to be bent unnaturally. It was rendered useless as the blade soon began to crack before exploding in fragments away from Shadow and the hunter. However, a few managed to impale the human.
"This is only the beginning of your torment in life and your afterlife." Shadow spoke.
He soon grasped the hunter, whom was cowering in the Gandálfr's grip. Mary watched with fear as Shadow began to cause the hunter to be physically torn apart without moving. Flesh was heard being torn apart in a sickly noise before the sounds of blood splattering the ground was heard. The only remaining part of the hunter was his head, distorted and warped in fear from the final moments of life.
(Yami o Kiru OST ends here)
"Bastards…" Shadow remarked coldly.
Shadow soon checked the caravan. The remaining elves were all in one piece, save for a male elf, whom appeared psychologically broken. Several wounds were shown in decay around the limbs. This prompted Shadow to cast Chaos Heal but to no avail. The elf in question was a young child whom was breathing erratically and malnourished.
"Please don't give up…! You're almost there! Chaos Heal! Chaos Heal! CHAOS HEAL!!!" Shadow shouted, frantically casting Chaos Heal.
Though each cast was successful, it didn't help the elven boy. This got Shadow down to his knees as Mary watched with sadness. Soon, though in a weak voice, he said words that would haunt the Gandálfr.
"You did…your best… Please… Just let me die." The elf boy spoke.
This finally broke Shadow down as he was forced to make a choice. Mary knew the boy was not going to make it for long. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the final moments. Hien spoke to Shadow in an effort to reassure the Gandálfr.
"It's okay, Shadow. You did your best to help him." The flame spirit spoke with a somber tone.
Shadow, with heavy remorse, stabbed his sword in the elven boy. The boy casted a look of relief, now given to him. A smile etched in his face as he departed from the world of the living. Sadness overtook the Gandálfr for a moment. His eyes were stained with blood from the hunters before they were flowing with tears. Mary was in shock to see Shadow's current mentality. Soon, a rush of frigid air began to fill in the surroundings. Water began to form in the air before forming spears of ice.
"Shadow…?" Mary questioned with uncertainty.
The Gandálfr soon walked to one of the survivors. It was an elven male, whom was scared from the hunters.
"How far is Eos from here?" Shadow questioned.
"It's not far… About 38 minutes away via hover bike. Just follow that direction. The male spoke with some fright, pointing north.
Shadow soon held an unsettling expression. This wasn't a calm tone he was exerting. The visage he showed was a man whom was broken beyond hope with revenge now acting as a sole driving moment.
(Play Music for Pure Vengeance OST - An Eye For An Eye)
"I will go find the hunters and the one leading them. When I do, I'll be sticking their FUCKING HEADS ON A PIKE WHILE THEY WISH FOR DEATH!!" Shadow bellowed.
Shadow soon dashed forward in a sonic boom, uncaring of what he ran into. Anything that caught his path was pushed aside or destroyed. Hien was noticeably turning into a darker color. Mary, worried for Shadow descending into madness, quickly followed along.
After a quick speed, Shadow soon stumbled upon the village of Eos, ravaged and torn apart by the elf hunters. Several bodies of the elves were shown, some were horrifically mutilated. There was no discrimination of age or gender. Children and adults were all shown with their last visages of life, screaming silently before being killed.
"Those bastards…" Hien spoke with anger.
Shadow soon gripped his sword tightly, finding the sight to be a nightmare. His eyes slowly lost their irises and pupils as red Chaos energy began to glow around his body. Soon, several voices were heard. A squad of five people were shown wearing a robe with a symbol. The insignia depicts the death of elves.
"Can't you believe the leader scheduled this hunt down without notice?" Male hunter #1 spoke.
"Can it. We were lucky we didn't get much resistance. It's another victory for us." Female hunter #1 followed.
"The squad pursuing the survivors leaving the village haven't reported back. What happened?" Male hunter #2 questioned.
"Who knows? We'll find out once we talk with the leader whom is scouting out for the rest of the survivors." Female hunter #2 answered.
Soon, the loud crunch of twigs alerted the hunters. They turned to see Shadow, now consumed in dark red Chaos energy.
"By the Founder, what is that!?" Female hunter #1 asked in shock.
"Revengeance." Shadow spoke with a hollow tone that echoed.
Not letting them have a chance to get ready, Shadow swiftly appeared and grabbed the second female hunter. Holding a spear of ice, he stabbed her through the heart, ending her life.
"What the!?" Male hunter #2 questioned.
Shadow soon teleported to the same hunter whom spoke. He had Zenyōso in its earth elemental form, raised above his head. The sword was swung with a mighty heave, cleaving through the male hunter in two. By the time the blade exited the body from below, it caused a shockwave of the earth elemental, instantly separating the body in two. Organs and blood flew into the air, splattering the ground with a sickening squelch. The Gandálfr didn't finish as he soon stomped the both halves of the head in a bloody mess. The last three hunters grimaced in disgust and fright.
"M-monster…" Female hunter #3 commented.
Shadow soon arrived to her. He gave an earth elemental infused punch, knocking her down to the ground. The Gandálfr created a spike that lifted the hunter up to his eye level. Mary arrived to see the hunters being slaughtered brutally. Though she grimaced, it was oddly a sense of relief that the elves were given a sense of revenge. However, she still found the action to be nightmarish.
"Monster? You are the monsters…" Shadow spoke with quiet fury.
He soon began slamming the female's face into the ground. He slammed the face so quickly and repeatedly, the face was peeled off. Shadow soon called a rain of ice spears that pierced the woman's body, ending her life. The last hunter cowered in fright, not wanting to provoke the angered Gandálfr. Seeing his ruthless abilities overtook her reasonings with fear.
"You're the last one. Leave this village and never return. If more of you hunters threaten more elves, the bloodshed you've witnessed will be but a small torrent compared to what I have prepared for every group." Shadow warned.
The last female hunter nodded, running with her life. Soon, her leader arrived to see the others were brutally slaughtered. He was wearing a tough silver armor with draconic motifs. He had sandy blond hair with green eyes. His face was rough from battles and had facial hair coating.
"By the Founder… Are you the one responsible for hunting down my squad?" The leader questioned.
"And if I am?" Shadow retorted in question.
"Then you will perish!" The leader shouted.
Shadow merely sidestepped, avoiding the sword attack. The blade that was aimed at him missed by a few centimeters, but the breeze it made was strong enough to be noticed. This prompted the Gandálfr to respond by counterattacking. He soon noticed another sword flying to him.
"So you're using magic from the wind to guide that sword. Too bad for you." Shadow mocked in a cold tone.
"How do you know I've been using wind elemental magic?" The leader questioned.
"Easy to know for me." Shadow replied.
The Gandálfr conjured a storm of wind blades. They spread out in wide arcs, slicing through solid stone with ease, evident by the deep crevasses they caused. The leader realized too late of what he was facing.
'By the Founder…! He's…!' He thought in fear.
Shadow raised Zenyōso up in its wind elemental form. It soon began gathering wind elemental energy, that coalesced to the blade, causing it to glow a mint green color. He soon condensed the wind to extend the reach of his next attack. The leader was forced to dodge the attack, narrowly dodging the condensed wind blade. The howling wind was strong enough to grind the ground it hit to dust, creating a large gnash.
'If I didn't dodge that attack, I would have been dead right now…' The leader thought with dread.
Soon, he found the sharp end of Shadow's sword pointing at his neck. The leader knew he was within the Gandálfr's mercy.
"You and the rest of your groups and subgroups will perish… I'll ensure that, starting by your death." Shadow spoke ominously.
He soon stomped on the ground, creating a forest of ice crystals. The crystals converged on to the leader's legs, freezing him in place. Knowing he won't be able to escape, he could only cower in fright.
"More of the elf hunters will come… They will label you as a monster…" The leader forewarned in fear.
"I'll let them come so I can slay them in return for the lives they've taken. This village was just minding its business, not engaging in anything that threatened others. People like you hunters are the reason why humanity has stagnated…! For that reason, your group's bloodshed will be your downfall, starting HERE!" Shadow bellowed.
Tuning into his water elemental abilities, Shadow soon turned Zenyōso into its water form. He swiftly performed a quick slice, easily cleaving the leader in half from top to bottom. The leader's eyes were frozen in fright as his body soon sprayed blood. The spilled life liquid soon froze into a ruby ice.
"Bastards…" Shadow coldly remarked.
(An Eye For An Eye OST ends here)
He punched the body, shattering it into an icy, bloody confetti. There was no remorse in Shadow's face as he killed the hunter leader.
(Play Borderlands 3 OST - Enter Floodmoor Basin)
A downpour soon befell to the ravaged village of Eos. It was as though the anguish from the fallen elves was materialized from the heavy rainfall. Shadow paid no mind to the rain as it washed off the blood off of his body. He looked around for any survivors from the village. Sadly, there were none.
"Let's give them a proper burial… I really don't want them to be exhumed by the hunters." Mary said.
With a silent agreement, Shadow buried the bodies in a deep burrow, thanks to his earth elemental abilities. Though it brought a sense of relief, it didn't wash away the guilt in his mind. He was overburdened by his inability of saving the elves. Mary sympathized with the Gandálfr, whom felt his pain.
'He really does carry a lot on his shoulders… I can't bear to think of such a heavy burden weighing deep on my soul, yet he continues moving despite the pain.' Mary thought.
She helped in digging the burrows up for the dead elves. Though physically taxing, she buried some in the ground. The melancholy mood was further increased when Shadow spotted a family with three children, a mother, and father, lying dead on the ground with a baby cloth stained in blood. An infant elf was seen crying in its death, having been stabbed by a spear. This proved too much for Shadow to handle, forcing him to collapse to his knees.
"Why have they become so barbaric…? Have they lost their reasoning and resort to such debauchery of violence? Killing families in cold blood and blood drunk in a berserker rage… How stagnant of humanity." Shadow commented coldly, squeezing his hands into fists.
The sound of cracking joints echoed in the silent landscape. The sound of the rain was prevalent amongst the pair. Soon, lightning began to strike with fierce might. Patches of the ground were turned black by the lightning strikes.
"These elf hunters will perish. Mark my words, you hunters. You bastards all deserve to die." Shadow spoke with rage.
The rain was able to soften the dirt for the burial mounds, allowing them to be hidden from plain sight. The bodies of the dead elves now slept eternally in the ground undisturbed.
(Enter Floodmoor Basin OST ends here)
(Ending 3: Play Cold Bullet Blues by Kurosaki Maon)
