Chapter 4

The gang and I have been walking in the forest for quite a while, much shorter than my walk from the cave to the river I think. Earlier I was really underestimating the color green, leaves, grass, all of it green even Mald’s armor seems to be made of some sort of green snake. I really need to figure out how to see in more colors.

“I must say Kels you're getting taller every day. Keep growing like this and you’ll only be able to marry Talion” Vedoah says slapping Akalia

“Shut up Vedoah the elder said I’m done growing anyway,” Akalia says, even without the color red I can tell a blush when I see it.

Vedoah continues to poke and prod at Akalia, clearly knowing what buttons to press. Walking up to the stream that I was stopped at before, a small shiver slips down my spine. For what reasons I’m clueless but I am weary, something just feels wrong. The wind begins to swirl, not gently like before but excitedly. I feel it press against my back and force me to shut my eyes. Slowly I bend to the wind’s will and step forward.

Keshat, still on Talion’s shoulders, spotting me, interrupts the squabbling of the Vedoah, Akalia, and now Meld “You kids shut up, It's time for the trespasser to get to guidin’.”

The wind seemingly so loud I step into the stream, the water sticking to my leg with each step. I feel like if I were to stop moving I’d be pulled by the weak stream. From the sounds I can make out from the others there having no problem crossing the stream. Crossing as quickly as possible I exit soaked up to my waist despite it being knee height.

“Damn, boy, did you drown” I hear Keshat laugh from the Talion express, dryer than his humor. Ignoring him I continue following the roaring wind. Leading us deeper and deeper into the forest. I slowly pick up the pace as the wind seems more and more urgent, rushing me forward. Eventually, it’s panic seeps into me, I begin to sprint as the wind reaches its fever pitch. Even though I’m running in the dark, the wind guides me perfectly. Eventually, the grass becomes stone, and the surprised gasps of my party fill my ears. Having no time to slow down I open my eyes and see the cause of their excitement. A series of ruined stone buildings intertwined with nature and far away in the distance is some sort of gigantic church ‘Esque’ castle.

With out talking, I follow the wind as it pushes me forward once more, towards the castle. Passed what used to be the ancient wall, standing tall above our group. Through the ruined steel gate and into the town plaza. Nature has reclaimed grass growing out of the stone like weeds, trees busting through buildings, and animals scampering around. The architecture of this town is leagues above the wooden fortress-like village. Moving past the town square we make our way to the castle gates swung open and destroyed.

Moving deeper into the castle we see a distorted luxury, torn and decayed paintings lining the walls, pieces of once clearly expensive pots, vases, and other ornaments, all shattered or rotted. It seems like despite the nature intertwining outside it refuses to touch this place. It's stone walls crumbling creating blocks and new pathways inside the castle. Despite my unease, I follow the wind and the party follows me. Our pace slowing down as we walk deeper into the castle.

“Hey, guys keep your guard up” I yell back in a weak attempt to alleviate my unease.

“Don’t worry, we’ve had our guard up since we entered the town” Akalia’s voice rings out to confirm

“Your the only one without a weapon anyway, we’ve all drawn ours!” Vedoah nastily shouts out, clearly on edge just as much as me

Walking deeper into the castle we see a grand staircase leading not only up but also deeper, clearly, the wind demands we descend. The torches that once lined the stairs have either went out or fell from the wall burning the carpet. Keshat being incredibly resourceful pulls a jar from the bag on Talion’s back, the one that is twice his size. Shaking the jar causes a group of insects to light up, illuminating the path ahead, not that I needed it anyway.

As we descend, the air around us turns thick and purplish color, there is an energy in the air. The purple miasma floats within eyesight twirling around us and clinging to us as we walk forward. We enter into a large hall looking at a huge theater with pews lining its side. Towards the back is an altar, the miasma oozing from it. We walk closer and closer, suddenly the wind swirls kicking up the miasma forming a wall between my companions and I. Turning back I see them banging on the wall, yet I can’t hear them. The wind begins to swirl the miasma up into a frenzy as it takes the form of some woman. A ghostly body her features barely formed on her body, only forming from the waist up.

She is the wind.

She pushes my back with the wind while guiding me by the hand with her physical manifestation. In the corner of my eyes, I see flashing lights banging against the barrier. As I turn my head to get a better look, She pulls my head forward, to the altar upon is a busted crown, cracked and in disrepair. To it’s right is a blade rough and jagged. The miasma seeps out of these two objects. Popping up behind the alter She grabs both my hands, leading them to the objects.

With a huge explosion, I hear screaming behind me and hurried steps

“STOP BOY, DON’T TOUCH THAT!” Keshat yells to me, I can barely make out his voice from the roaring wind.

Suddenly I am pulled by the wind and grab onto the crown and blade. A deathly silence fills the theater. Then screaming, screaming so loud it drowns out everything, behind me our my companions writhing in pain on the floor. I begin to rush towards them my head clear of the wind’s influence suddenly I feel the burning. Screaming I scratch at my head, something is trying to burst out. The markings across my body begin to glow and burn, and my eyes feel like they are melting inside my head. I banged my head against the ground as I struggle to handle the pain.

BANG

The skin on my head rips

BANG

My skull fractures

BANG

The ground cracks before my head collides with it.

I raise my head and rise to my feet, inside me a powerful energy is stirring. I need to get it out. In my hysteria, I let loose a monstrous roar. The world seems to flip upside down at my scream, or maybe that’s me falling.

The last thing I see before I pass out is Talion and Meld slowly getting up. Who knows, maybe this is the last time I pass out, I hear third times the charm.