The darkness receded and he collapsed to his knees, breathing raggedly. After stepping through the door, he was sent floating into oblivion for what seemed eternity. Before he'd been able to panic he saw light and he felt the wooden ground underneath him. "Fucking hell." He groaned as he forced his eyes open.
The gathered Folkin all watched in shock as the lightning disappeared and Cassius collapsed to his knees in a smoking heap. His body was layered in sweat and the crimson runes on his body shone brightly. Chief Yu'Ma shook off his shock first and approached Cassius, "You have passed, as expected. Please accept my apologies, Ancient One."
Cassius took a deep breath and smiled in relief, "No need to apologize. I'm just glad to get that over with." His thoughts wandered back to the wise old man in the library. The name Talyn sounded so familiar. He also thought about the beautiful woman he'd met, something about her just resonated in his heart.
The Chief noticed Cassius's faraway look and cleared us throat, "You look exhausted, I believe it'd be best if you follow me to rest and we will speak more in the morning." Cassius nodded absently and followed the Chief back to the place he'd spent the previous night.
"Thank you." Cassius mumbled as he walked in. He walked over to the wash tub and began to clean himself with a rag. He ran his hands across the crimson runes that identified him as an Ancient One. "What other purpose did they serve?" He thought as he washed the grime from his hair and body. After he was clean, he walked over to his bedding and laid down.
A sigh escaped his lips as he finally relaxed. A gentle night breeze scraped against the wooden walls of his temporary housing. Thoughts of the woman plagued him, until he drifted off into sleep. "It was as I said, you have completed the Rite. Come morning, you must set off for the White Mountains. We have more enemies then you know; I am at the last of my power, this is the last time I shall speak to you." The grey fog shimmered and shifted. Cassius was now looking at the peaks of the distant White Mountains, his view shifted and he looked upon a crumbled spire.
"The Bastion is the key to the sword, but you must hurry. If you do not reach the sword before our enemies, then their is no hope. Darker things wait in the shadows. The Undead God pales in comparison." The view shifted again, this time he saw a dark skinned man with a scarred face. At one time he would of been extraordinarily handsome; emerald green eyes stared back at him. The man looked down upon a desolate wasteland. His eyes watched a giant, black creature, soaring through the air above an endless army. The man's black hair rippled in the wind. "The Emerald Prince must hold, Cassius. You must retrieve the sword and head for Pelemonte, the Great Wyrm is just the beginning."
The familiar voice began to fade and his mind returned to the foggy landscape, "You are the key, the Crimson God. With the sword retrieved, our power will return." The voice faded to a whisper, "Hurry Cassius, Telon's fate is in your hands."
Cassius jerked up, the dream fresh in his mind. Memories of the past dreams finally returned, and he realized his destination. A terrible sense of dread clenched his heart, with a curse he stood and through on his cloak. He hurried to the heavy door and opened it, he looked around and spotted a Folkin guard. "Hurry, take me to the Chief." He growled and gripped the man by his shoulders. The warrior gulped, the news of Cassius's success in the Rite has spread through the village like wildfire. Their hearts stirred with a mix of fear and reverence when they recalled the terrifying thunder that shook the earth, and the magnificent crimson lightning that shot across the skies.
The guard nodded and quickly led Cassius to the Chief's home. Sh'Ma joined them along the way, a bright smile dancing across her lips. They slipped away when she saw Cassius's grim expression, "What's wrong?"
"I have to leave, now. It's a matter of life and death." Sh'Ma shivered upon hearing the resolve and power in his hard voice.
"Is it the White Mountains?" She asked, recalling his interest every time she had mentioned the ancient mountain range. Cassius nodded and resumed his pace. Sh'Ma watched the handsome beside her, his blonde hair cascading down his shoulders; the crimson runes shining brightly on his body. He looked like a God, someone capable of destroying the world with a thought. She swore she saw flames in his blue eyes. A shiver ran down the small of her back, this was a man who would change the world.
A guard ran ahead and alerted the Chief that Cassius was on his way; something seemed to be wrong. As they approached the Chief's home, Cassius was awed by it's beauty. Two evergreen trees grew at the top of the stairs and acted as the home's supports. From that, several branches led off in many directions. Beautifully carved murals spread out across the wooden walls. The roof was made of tightly intertwined branches, the Chief's house had been grown. Sh'Ma shook off her worry and smiled, "The mother-tree was responsible for this."
"What exactly is the mother tree?" Cassius asked as they climbed up the stairwell.
"The embodiment of the forest, she is an elemental and lives within every tree." She waved around, motioning to the Great-Wood. "Her true body is within a realm us mortals cannot access, the Planes of Reality." She thought, "She is a natural immortal."
Cassius wasn't able to respond as they entered the Chief's beautiful home. He met them at the door and looked at Cassius gravely, "I'm assuming you're leaving then?" Cassius nodded and followed Yu'Ma as he led them to a table and seated them.
The Chief poured them tea and sat down at the table to join them, "It's necessary, I have to reach the White Mountains. Too much lies on my arrival there." The Chief listened intently.
"Is it your soul-bound item?" He asked carefully, he knew that Cassius was no ordinary immortal.
Cassius hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Yes, something that cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands."
The Chief frowned, "Will you return?"
Cassius shook his head, "I don't think so. Maybe someday, but not for a very long time." He thought for a moment, "I warn you Chief Yu'Ma, prepare yourself and people. I believe grim things are on the horizon, and I fear it's something the Gods themselves can't handle."
An uneasy feeling settled upon Yu'Ma's fearless heart, "Thank you, Cassius. Many Ancient Ones would have destroyed us in a heartbeat for asking what we did of you." He placed a wooden box on the table. "This is a gift and apology to you, from myself. It is something I treasure greatly in my youth. I wish for you to have it."
Sh'Ma smiled, glad that her father was finally making use of his ancient weapon. Cassius slowly opened the box and his eyes glimmered as they fell upon a beautiful, sword. Much like the one's the guards carried, only more beautiful; it was lined with intricate runes. "T-this is too much." He murmured as his fingers ran across the sword.
The Chief chuckled, his laugh filled with amusement, "Nonsense, my daughter hates bladed weapons and I have no use for it anymore."
Cassius looked at the Chief with respect and admiration in his eyes, "Thank you, Chief Yu'Ma. This gift is more than I could ever ask for."
Sh'Ma spoke out, breaking the silence. "Will you leave by yourself?" She asked Cassius with a hopeful look.
Cassius smiled sadly at the woman who'd helped him so much, all of it out of the kindness of her heart. "I am afraid I have to Sh'Ma, this is something that I must do on my own accord. I thank you so much for everything you've done for me. I will never be able to repay your kindness." He spoke in sincerity.
Sh'Ma blushed and looked away. She was disappointed, but she knew in her heart; the path of an Ancient One, was not one she could follow.
"Thank you Chief and Sh'Ma. You and your people have my thanks, but I fear it is time for me to go. Time is not something I have to spare."
"I understand, my daughter will show you to the path of the White Mountains." The Chief stood and motioned for his daughter to leave. He stopped Cassius before he could exit, "Take these supplies, you will need them." Cassius smiled and took them.
"Thank you, I will never forget your people." Cassius exited the building and looked into the bag. It was a lot larger then it appeared, he suspected an enchantment of sorts. Inside were several sets of clothing and boots; as well as a water flask and dried meats.
"This way." Sh'Ma motioned for Cassius to follow.
They walked through the tree village and Cassius was greeted with reverent gazes. Many even bowed in worship to him; Cassius found himself uncomfortable by these gestures. He didn't view himself as above these people or a God, but they looked at him as such. Sh'Ma saw his discomfort and smiled knowingly, "I'm afraid you will always experience this, as long as people know you're an Ancient One. You are a God to people."
Cassius sighed, "I didn't ask for this, but my life never changes. I am always dealt and unwanted hand."
Sh'Ma listened to Cassius, his voice laced with bitterness and sorrow. They finally reached the outskirts of the village, and climbed down the stairwell; past the guards. The guards bowed to them respectfully, their eyes full of admiration. Cassius nodded; they then turned right and circled around the village. They then proceeded North, until Sh'Ma stopped. "The White Mountain path is just that way." She said pointing forward, a sad expression was on her face.
Cassius smiled sadly, but surprised her when he pulled her into a tight embrace, "Thank you, Sh'Ma. I would have been lost without you, stumbling blindly through the Great-Wood."
Sh'Ma laughed, "No thanks are necessary, Cassius. Just promise you will visit again one day."
"Of course I will, take care Sh'Ma." He said and took one last look at her, then proceeded forward; into his destiny.
****
Emerald City, Capitol of Pelemonte.
Dante say rigidly on the marble throne, his emerald eyes scanning the gathering before him. "We have come to a crossroads; we are surrounded on all sides by wolves. The Wyrmkin and the Great Black Wyrm in the Wastelands; the beast hordes rapidly approach the Ancient Wall." He took a deep breath and looked down at his generals. "If we don't act, and consolidate our forces; we will be overrun, and the secret we guard, lost."
The generals of Pelemonte were all gathered at a oval table below the throne. They were each prominent political figures, and great warriors; unlike most countries, these military leaders, warned their rank based off merit. A large, dark skinned General, named Marlon Stak. "My Prince, how do we fight a Wyrm, especially Great Black?" He asked earnestly, "We will be destroyed; if the stories of his might are true, we cannot win." Several other Generals nodded in agreement, and soon the room was speaking amongst themselves.
Before Dante could act, Commander Locke slammed his gauntleted fist down on the table. "Silence! Now is the not the time for despair! If we don't act, not only will our people be enslaved, raped, and tortured; the whole fucking continent will fall under the wrath of Great Black." He took a deep breath to calm his anger, "The beast hordes already ravage the land, killing innocent."
Dante nodded his thanks at Locke and stared at his Generals, "I will not have dissent, my orders are clear; gather your individual battalions here in two weeks. Dismissed." With that, Dante stood and exited the beautiful marble room. Commander Locke followed him; Dante walked into his study and collapsed into a chair with a dejected sigh, "What can I do, Locke?"
Commander Locke streaked his thin, manicured beard. "These are hard times, my Prince. I fear the only thing we can do is press forward."
Dante nodded his head and waved Locke away, he stood and walked over to his desk. He pulled out a bottle of aged wine and uncorked it. He immediately pulled it to his lips and took a long swing. He blew out the candle and sat back down in his soft chair. He drank himself to sleep.
His sleep was plagued by dreams of a land of the undead, and a muscular man with long blonde hair. His eyes were piercingly blue, and crimson runes lined his body. The man marched through a beautiful forest full of evergreens to the legendary White Mountains. The man stopped in his tracks and turned; his eyes stared directly into Dante, "Who are you?"