Chapter 1

Kane sat slumped at the bar, shoulders heavy with an unseen weight. Outside, a blizzard was stirring, yet Kane hadn't come inside to escape the cold. Instead, he raised his mug, downing half his drink in a single gulp; he was trying to escape his memories. Kane closed his eyes as he set his drink down, but he could still seem them. The faces of those he had lost, the accusing eyes of his wife, and in the silence of the bar, he could hear their voices, "this is all your fault."

"These darned storms and the Northern war are going to put me out of business." The bartender's unbidden attempt at small talk pulled Kane from his memories. He looked at the bartender, but didn't respond. The bartender took this as an opportunity to continue. "Pointless things, these wars. Nothing good comes from them, and they cost me my business." He chuckled darkly as he placed another mug in front of Kane. Kane took it, and downed the entire drink.

"I've had enough war for one lifetime." No matter how much he drank, he couldn't escape the images, and the screams.

"You hear that?" The bartender's comment caused Kane to pause, and he turned towards the door. A scream, nearly muffled by the strong winds, tore through the night. "Who would be fool enough to be out in this storm?" The bartender shook his head, and took a drink from his own mug. The scream came again.

"You just going to sit there?" Kane asked as even more scream filled the air.

"It's not my business, messing with that type of business. I've got my inn to look out for, and the customers within, not without." He took Kane's empty mug, and began to fill it. Kane closed his eyes for a moment, and again the images flashed by. He growled as he stood.

"Get me a meal cooking, something warm. I'll want it when I come back." Kane grabbed his sword as he headed towards the door. He was jealous of the innkeeper, if he could, he would have just ignored the cries as well. However, he knew if he turned a blind eye again, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.

"You better come back. You're my only customer!" Kane raised a hand in acknowledgement as he stepped out into the icy storm. The cold caress of the snow was nothing compared to the ice in his heart.

By now, the air was filled with multiple screams, both of fear and agony, and Kane hurried towards the source. He held his swords scabbard tightly in one hand, knuckles raw from the wind. He couldn't help but grin, the pain made him feel alive. His eyes caught the dance of torches, and his pace slowed.

It only took Kane a moment to take in the scene before him. In that moment, the darkness in his heart told him to flee. Before him, the bodies of half a dozen men, freshly killed judging by the steam coming from their wounds, were strewn about. Two misshapen forms had their backs to Kane, and Kane was grateful the storm had kept his approach silent. He crept closer, fighting the urge to flee, curious what had the forms attention.

A flash of silver, followed by an arc of lighting and the clap of thunder, pushed one of the creatures back. In that moment, Kane saw a small woman, standing defiantly against her foes. One hand held a silver blade, the other crackled with dancing energy...magic.

Kane stopped his approach, and immediately took a step back. This was not his fight. The flash of lightning had revealed the full form of the two creatures, they were shadowkin. Humans who had become feral monsters after being consumed by the darkness of the void. Each was said to be able to best a dozen men in a fight. The fact the defiant woman was still alive wasn't a testament to her skill, but due to the fact they were toying with her. Even armed with magic, it was nearly impossible for a single human to kill a shadow-kin, much less two.

Darkness tore into Kane's heart, and with one last look, he turned away. This was not his fight.

Just going to run again? A voice in his head caused him to pause, as everything, time itself, seemed to stop around him. Is that what you have become, oh mighty warrior? Have you fallen so far that you avoid a fight, and turn your back on one in need? The frozen snowflakes before him began to take form, solidifying into the shape of an artic fox. The fox's eyes sparkled like stars.

"What do you know?" Kane replied gruffly, but as he tried to take another step, he found his body was unresponsive.

I know more than you, though that's not saying much. The fox's voice echoed with laughter. I know who you are, what you've done, and what you were about to do. It leapt at him, landing lightly on his shoulder. He flicked Kane's nose with his tail. You were going to leave her.

"It's not my fight-"

It's never your fight...till it is. Are you going to let the darkness win, without raising a hand to stop it? Kane could feel a slight warmth from the fox as it drew its body closer to his.

"I fought my fight. All that came from it was pain and suffering...." Kane's voice cracked. "I can't go through that again."

That was then, this is now. Same enemy, yet it is a different fight. Perhaps this time, you will see a different outcome? The fox chuckled. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?

"My-"

Your life? We both know you aren't living right now, simply existing. There is a large difference.The fox leapt to the ground, pushing pas frozen snowflakes in the motionless world. Give it a shot Kane, humor me. And with those words, the fox disappeared, and the world began moving again. Kane raised his hand to his neck, feeling the lingering warmth from the fox.

"Damned fox." He growled as he turned back towards the shadowkin, and the woman. Neither appeared to have noticed the time freeze, and Kane could only guess the fox was one of the lesser gods that inhabited the land. He knew ignoring a demi-god was even more foolish than charging alone against two shadowkin. "You better be watching!" He called out. Then, without another thought, he closed his eyes, calling upon powers which had slumbered within for far too long as he drew his sword.