"Darkness Comes" by Meghan Engele (Apocalypse)

‘Darkness? Some people think that it’s just a word, but it’s real, and it visits me up here. Cold winds whip my hair, and I can see for miles and miles to the mountains across the plain of redwood trees that seem endless. But beyond them, the darkness seems to surpass even their greatness.

I am closer to my goal then I had ever been. The red eyes burst from the nothingness of my fragmented memory. Then, there were screams, and a cloaked fighter, but nothing else could I recall.

My guardians were killed the night I was born. This I know only because of him.

A whistle echoed through the trees, resounding in my ears with perfect accuracy. That night, he had saved me, the fighter that took me in and taught me how to live in these dangerous times.

Now, he was looking for me, expecting me to return to him. He had never expected anything else of me, which I found surprising. All he did was ask that I do something, and remind me that it would help me. Presently, he wanted me to climb down this three hundred foot pole and run back to his arena. That was what he always wanted after I took the time to climb.

The clearing that he claimed as his own was a little over mile from the base of the pole. I hated descending the pole. That is what took me the longest to achieve.

I laughed slightly, recalling the time I jumped off and used my cape as a parachute. That day, he made me climb up and down the pole ten times and run twenty times to and from it. It was the only time he made me do anything.

Today though, I didn’t want to climb, I didn’t care if he made me climb it one hundred times because I knew how. I jumped from the pole and fell several feet before catching my cape around my legs. The air caught it and I began to coast down towards the trees.

Instantly, another whistle sounded in my ears. I could never tell where he was when he did that, and I didn’t care either. At that moment, I had other problems. The trees were getting closer.

Last time I had somehow glided all the way to his clearing. That wasn’t going to be the case this time though. The best thing to do would be to fall, fast, and I did. My hands released my cape and I fell through the trees like a rock.

Now I had another problem. The ground was another hundred feet down and getting closer. I tried grabbing branches, then spotted one just below that I was going to hit. Just before I smashed into the large branch, I jerked backwards. Apparently, my cape had caught a stray branch.

So there I was…’

“So, writing in your journal again so soon?” A young man’s voice inquired sarcastically. “You’ve finished running your laps again. It’s been the third time this week. Perhaps you should just do them all for the years and be done.”

“It was you Lindil that said I should keep a journal. I’m putting it into a more, interesting version.”

The dark elf raised an eyebrow before kneeling beside her. This girl had always been blunt, but he couldn’t help but wonder if she were slightly sarcastic as well. It would be the one thing he had managed to hand down to her.

“I need to introduce you to someone.” Lindil began quietly. He was uncomfortable about something, she noticed. “Gather your weapons, and little else. I will leave soon.”

He always spoke like that, saying that he’d leave, never that she would. Always, he just wanted her to follow, but never expected her to do so. One time she didn’t, and all he did was remind her of the dangers of being away from him too long. He did protect her she supposed. However, he would never say her name, or why. The only rule he had was to never mention it anywhere, never why. She didn’t care really. It was only she that he had to talk to, and Lindil was the only one she knew.

That wasn’t entirely true though. She knew that the elves lived in the forest, and that they kept to themselves. From what Lindil had told her, there was a war between a demon and the elves. He wouldn’t mention why on this either. From that day it began though, the elves had hidden themselves in the woods, and protected themselves magically. She could tell that Lindil didn’t like them, and that the feeling was probably mutual.

“Matil, we need to hurry.” Lindil urged her. The name he used for her was Matil, instead of her real name Lanall. Secrets seemed to have no end when it came to him. She came to the conclusion that he simply wanted a name for her, that he could use for himself.

Lindil always found ways to make her do what he asked without actually making her. His threats of not staying near him he left unexplained. The one thing he did do was make sure she knew the dangers of the ancient forest, and the dangers of what was beyond them. He told her of the war, and how nearly half the forest was destroyed mere hours after he had found her. Why he had bothered to rescue her from the seemingly innocent flames of the house he found her in, he had also left a mystery. He simply said that the answers would come when they were meant to.

So, she just followed him into the forest, hoping against hope that he would lead her to the answers of her past so that she may finally understand his need for secrecy, and why she was alone.

For many minutes she followed him silently as she always had. Soon, the trees seemed less dense and smaller. The forest here seemed thin, in majesty and the magic as well. Her eyes scanned them in disbelief. It’s like they were killed from the inside out.

Lindil had never brought her this far. It made her wonder what he had planned this time, or if he had planned anything at all.

A blurred figure swept past her line of vision. She had to wonder if she actually saw something. Then, there were more. No longer did she deny that they were alone in this dead forest.

Lanall wanted to alert Lindil, but she found that he had already stopped. He knew something was there, but he had not drawn any weapons. Questions built in her mind along with the feeling that they were about to be killed. Why was he so calm?

Before she could think her two swords were in her hands, and she heard archers in the trees ready to shoot. Only the elves could have so easily accomplished this.

“Perhaps we should have waited a little longer to retrieve her Lindil.” An elves voice stated sarcastically.

He was between her and Lindil as though he was somehow superior. A slight mocking smile parted his face when he saw the two swords Lanall held. Why was this funny to him? What was going on here that was so amusing? She wanted to wipe that smirk right off his face.

“Personally Faerma, I think you should leave the sarcasm to me.” Lindil turned to face the one he addressed as Faerma. “It doesn’t suit one of your, kind.” He stated somewhat bitterly.

Lanall’s mind just blared with thought. This, Faerma, was undoubtedly an elf. What did that have to do with her? How did her mentor know him? Why weren’t they already at each others throats? She stopped there. There were only so many questions she could ask. The last time she let them get out of control Lindil had her serve three months of silence.

“Who…” She began. Lindil hushed her instantly.

The archers were shooting at something. Lanall scanned the forest. She expected to see nothing. The eyes of the elves were far better then hers. Whatever it was that they were trying to kill though, she sensed to not be very nice.

Lindil had drawn two swords and grasped her attention.

“Follow Faerma, he will keep you safe.”

She almost wanted to question him, but the dark elf was gone into the trees before she could register what he said. He wanted her to follow this stuck up, smirking elf that he clearly didn’t like.

Lanall glared at the elf, still not knowing what to make of him. As he ran into the forest though, she didn’t hesitate to follow. Though she left the sounds of a fight far behind, she still ran.

“What is back there?” She asked seconds later.

The elf was ignored her question. Why would he? Were the creatures back there so dangerous? If so then why could she not fight?

Lanall sprung ahead so she was running beside him. Her eyes flamed when they met his.

“What is back there?”

Faerma replied hesitantly. “Kobolds…”

Lanall didn’t let him finish. How could she be leaving her mentor to fight kobolds alone? She turned on a dime with both her swords drawn bent on the returning to the fight she fled from with an elf that was supposed to protect her.

As she turned, she heard Faerma chanting. Before she could silence him, she fell limp in his waiting arms. She saw the forest behind her, and heard the skirmish clearly before she could sense nothing more.



*



Lanall jolted upright from her magical slumber. Thoughts of Lindil, Faerma, and the kobolds assaulted her mind instantly.

As her eyes darted in every direction to discern where she was though, she found nothing familiar. It was a very dark room. Black stone seemed to be everywhere.

She only realized the door when two elves seemed to drift in. One, she knew was Faerma. The other seemed as though he were older then the trees she left long behind with Lindil.

After a few moments of pure tension, she decided to speak. The questions seemed to pour from her lips.

“Who are you? Where’s Lindil? Where am I? Why am I here? Why isn’t Lindil here?” She stopped, remembering the fight. “What happened?” She barely whispered.

As she rose her head spun. Faerma was at her side, steadying her in an instant. He hand was clutching her head. A pounding from within seemed almost unbearable. She made an effort to ignore the elf.

“You have asked so many questions.” The older elf stated thoughtfully.

“I think I’ve earned them.” Lanall replied darkly, now standing on her own. Faerma took a few steps back, ready if she needed him. That thought almost made her laugh. She didn’t need any help, especially from him. She didn’t know why she didn’t like him, and she didn’t really care either.

Nodding, the elf replied. “Indeed you have, and I shall try my best to answer them. I am Tiranael, leader of the elves. Presently, you are safe within the walls of our temple. You are here to hopefully complete your training and receive the answers to most of your questions.”

Lanall laughed. “So I see. I also see how you just seemed to forget about Lindil.” She replied coldly. “You may think me irrational but I would very much like to know if he’s alive.” The chill in her voice shook with anger. Why would they not tell her of him?

Suddenly the large doors blew open. Lindil stood; if slightly limp, in the doorway. His eyes fell on her and she almost wished they hadn’t. They were a solid unnatural red, similar to the thin line surrounding hers.

Several elves ran up behind him.

The one bowed shortly.

“Forgive us King Tiranael, we could not stop him. He has been touched.” The elf stopped there. It’s like he nearly choked on the last word.

“You scouting party is dead, Faerma. I was the only one to…” He laughed. It didn’t sound like him though. His laugh was harsh. Lanall only stared in disbelief. He had almost died. “I was the only one to live.”

The King’s head seemed to droop.

“Take him away.”

Lindil shoved the two guards away and fell to the ground. His eyes fell on Lanall. Those horrid eyes would eventually kill him. It was the curse of those wretched kobolds.

“I’m sorry.” The doors closed, leaving her alone with Faerma and the elf King.

She wanted to run out the door to him. She had so many questions. Something told her that he wasn’t quite going to live much longer. Soon, the curse would kill him.

“There is much we need to tell you.” Tiranael stalled his eyes questioned Faerma. The elf nodded slowly. “We must tell you everything, and you must allow yourself to accept it. Can you do that?”

Lanall didn’t answer. Her only friend, the only one she had ever known was going to die or live cursed to die, and he wanted to tell her everything, right now.

She could tell the elves were impatient. Why were they? The elves were a calm race, always understanding and patient. The urgency in the air was undeniable.

“You have waited your entire life to hear answers Lindil was never permitted to answer. Now, you have a chance to know what happened to your family, to know the truth about what’s happening. You can’t be telling us you do not care.” The kings’ last words weighed heavily on her. Did he have no clue what had just transpired?

“Care?” She asked coldly, her voice quivering with pain. “How can I possibly care? The only person I have ever known is damned! Have you no idea how that is tearing me?” She had exploded. She had let everything inside of her out in the last few seconds.

She smirked. “You are right though. I don’t care any more. How could I? There’s nothing else worth hearing.”

Her mind was screaming. It was as though she had split into two pieces. One side was totally resigned. It wanted nothing more than to kill every last kobold the world had to offer. The other side, wanted to know. She knew it was the one she had to listen to if she ever planned to survive on her own. The elves wanted to train her. She wanted to know why.

Both elves could tell she had calmed down. She had surprised both of them.

“Why train me? What would that accomplish?” She asked after a few moments.

“The answers leading to that question require me to explain…”

“WHY TRAIN ME?” Lanall snapped. She didn’t care what happened before. At the moment she was more concerned with what was going to happen.

Tiranael sighed resignedly. “You have learned much, but we can perfect your skills so that you may fulfill your destiny.” He stopped, expecting Lanall to explode again. He continued when he was certain she would not. “Your destiny is to bring about the destruction of the demon we have been fighting since before you were born.”

Now Lanall wished she had let him explain everything to her. Lindil had always told her she was meant for greatness. She had to wonder if he knew all of this.

Then, she actually understood what he had told her. Kill a demon? He couldn’t be serious. Kobolds were bad enough even in small numbers but the demon in charge of them… Lanall let that thought hang. Her eyes questioned Tiranael.

“You can’t be serious.” She breathed.

He nodded. “May I explain to you why now?” He asked not masking the impatience in his voice.

She nodded.

“Your family lived in a small village near the mountains now cursed by darkness. That is where you were born. The village seer was present at every birth to predict something about the child. The night you were born, your seer spoke these words.” Tiranael tossed her a folded piece of paper. “Those are her very symbols written the very first night you opened you eyes.

Lanall unrolled the page.



‘This girl of separate lines, and spiral red eyes,

In the future she shall see, our world filled with war,

The curse upon our land shall be cause for fear,

But as she ages, as does his death near.’



“The demon’s name is Raeycriff. In his cursed tongue it means ‘fear bringer.’ A messenger fled the village with that page, and arrive her with it three days later. After he arrived, smoke from your village rose with the sun. The nearest we come to knowing what happened, is that your mother died in the village that night, and that you were spirited away by Lindil.”

“He saw your eyes, and their red line. He thought you to be cursed by those wretched kobolds. Despite our differences, he brought you to us, and told us what he saw. He never told us why he saved you though.” His eyes deepened in thought before he began again. “With war quite literally at our doorstep, we knew we couldn’t keep you here without putting you in danger. So we allowed Lindil to raise you in a sacred part of the forest, where the trees still stand tall and proud.” He seemed to lament about the trees. Lanall understood that, this war had likely destroyed most of the valleys natural beauty. The trees she had seen had clearly lost their vitality.

“We have been holding them off for years. It has been easier then we first thought it would be. Then, we realized that they were looking for something in particular. Of course, you were the first one that entered our minds. Though, how would the enemy know of you, and care? We thought for months before arriving at a conclusion.” The elf was walking around her now, remembering everything, telling her as though it were a great legend. “As with every coin there are two sides. It is the same principle with a seer. Somewhere else, some other fortune teller must have foreseen this demons’ destruction. That individual must have singled you out from everyone else somehow. What else could they be looking for? We chewed over that for several more years. The possibilities are truly endless. This appears to be the most likely though, why else would they be so careful to kill everything in their path?” The question was more for him then her, she could tell. Lanall didn’t care though.

“Kobolds are known to be ruthless. Perhaps this demon doesn’t want anyone cutting in from behind.” It was quite a simple scenario. It was hardly likely though. Somehow, she felt that the elf was right.

Tiranael just nodded. Though she could tell he knew the reason for that statement. The thought of killing a demon nearly made her choke.

“You now understand your significance, and why Lindil can no longer be a part of your life.” Tiranael placed his hand on her shoulder. “You must banish him from your thoughts, no matter how difficult. Your life will undoubtedly be harder still.”

Lanall just glared at him. How was she going to simply forget Lindil?

He just smiled knowingly. “Faerma, show her to her room. She needs rest. When she wakes, begin training her.”

“Of course my king.” Faerma said automatically as Tiranael left.

“What training would possibly prepare me for what is to come?” Lanall asked aloud, not expecting Faerma to answer.

He didn’t reply to her question. “Do not think you are alone in this fight.” Lanall turned on him, her eyes cold and questioning. The elf just stood there, exposed. “I am training you because Lindil trusted me to take care of you, to take his place if need be. Don’t think his death affects only you.”

Lanall shook her head.

“Perhaps before you make accusations you should gather fact first, or perhaps give me them.” The elf’s anger seemed to be replaced by shock. “I have only been able to assume how you and he knew each other. Do not assume anything about me Faerma. You will be wrong.

His eyes fell and his arms hung at his sides. What had he been thinking when he said those things to her? He knew they weren’t true.

“Lindil was a very good friend of mine.” He smiled. “It is quite odd, considering our backgrounds. It must seem stranger to you when we spoke briefly in the forest. But yes, his death, if indeed that is his fate, is affecting me as well.” He wasn’t going to admit that Lindil was damned to death until he was dead. “Come, I’ll show you to your room. You will need rest. We have a lot of work to do.”



*



During the next year Faerma had perfected her fighting technique. He arranged for three elves to fight her, and she won with ease.

One thing that they found during her training though, she hadn’t expected. Apparently, she had some magical abilities as well that she never would have imagined having. The first one was actually kind of a surprise, to her and Faerma.

One day, when they were fighting, she had jumped fifteen feet into the air. He said that she somehow she used the air around her to levitate. Later that day he consulted Tiranael. He said nothing of use. It made Lanall wonder how much he actually knew about her.

So, secretly, Faerma began teaching her what little he knew of elemental magic. When the time came to test it though, they found that her power over the elements was very slim. Faerma was convinced that with time, she could manipulate them easily.

They had become good friends.

However, time for training was becoming scarce. Soon, a move had to be made against the enemy, or the whole forest would be in greater danger then it was. The kobolds were beginning to move on the elves. It had become apparent that the demons’ army or he himself had grown tired of their man hunt, and were now more concerned with destroying the valley.

“Today, we are going to do something slightly different.” Faerma was saying to her as he strapped on his leather armor. “Today, we are going to hunt.”

A wide grin formed on her face. She had heard that the elves at the front were few now, and that the enemy was greater then anyone had expected.

“More specifically I suppose though, we are going to hunt kobolds.” Now Lanall could tell he was stalling. Faerma drew a map of the valley in the dirt of their concealed clearing. “This is where they are all coming from.” He drew an arrow from the darkened mountains in the direction of the elf city. “These cliffs are simply inaccessible.” He gestured was referring to every other side of the valley. “However, there is one passage that was once used by merchants. It would lead us straight to their main camp.”

“You want to sneak around the enemy.” Lanall said. “Sneak up on the demon,” She emphasized the demon part. “And then what? Do I kill him in his sleep so we have little else to worry about? We aren’t going to be able to get around with even a scout party that would be too obvious.”

Faerma averted his eyes.

“You and I are the only ones that will be going. As you said, even taking a scout party would be too obvious.”

“Does Tiranael know what you’ve planned?” Lanall asked, already assuming the answer.

Faerma shook his head. “He wouldn’t have approved only us two. He would have ordered at least five more to accompany us. You do understand that you don’t have to do this, but that we are running out of time. He needs to die, and quickly. We estimate maybe a week before the kobolds annihilate our sentries and run undaunted in our trees.”

Lanall laughed. “You thought I would say no?” She asked incredulously. “No, Faerma, I understand perfectly well.”

The truth actually was that she was planning on leaving by herself this very night. She left that little detail out though. She didn’t think Faerma would like that she had decided to go alone to kill Raeycriff. He was her protector now, in Lindil’s stead. She had forgotten about him completely, as Tiranael said. She did wonder if he was still alive though, somewhere in the vast elfish temple.