“And so the palest of riders strode off his horse and approached the dying child with fists outstretched:

“In one palm I hold life and salvation, in the other I hold only death and damnation.”

Without batting an eyelid, the child wrapped their hands around both:

“I care not for life or death. All I seek is to scour the lands. Enough life to see it through and enough death to deliver.” The child rasped.

The Palest Rider smiled knowingly, and with a nod so started the beginning of the end.”

Maujurinn Myth of the First Dark Tide and origins of the First Demon

An unexpected guest, it would seem.

The creature trilled in front of her and she fell backwards onto the ground, pain shooting up from her stump.

A horrifying mass of darkness, leathery skin marked with gelatinous pustules and blobs that seemed to phase in and out of reality burst out of the bright blue flash. Dozens of tentacles protruded from the hovering mass and as each gnarled length uncoiled itself, splashes of strange dark liquid splattered across the floors and corpses as they spun the entity by propelling it forward. Like a monstrous leviathan, swimming through the air.

Dread filled the inside of her soul as the creature's leathery exterior retracted a man-sized opening to reveal a gigantic sickly yellow eye the size of a person flanked by dozens of smaller eyes all attached in random positions. The giant eye consisting of five smaller eyes, all as dark as the darkest of nights, bounced around the giant orb, as if each portion wanted to assess a separate section of the ruin. Diseased and rotted membrane fluttered to the floor as it turned and focused all the eyes on her, the protective layer shed as another quickly formed over it. A chill ran down her spine and she could only gulp down her fear as the monster inched ever closer, clenching her eyes shut and trying to pretend it didn't exist.

She winced as her thoughts caught up with her. Thoughts about how she had watched the half elf duel one of the larger skinwalkers and struggled to help. Yet, this hesitation saw Sophie get pummelled and despite eventually pulling herself into a shooting position and shattering part of the creature’s skull it still wasn’t enough. Before Sophie had come and when all was silent, she remembered seeing Sara’s slumped over corpse, Gil lying down peacefully and remnants of Thulgrim’s armour, all because she had hesitated or was just not good enough. She had killed less than a handful, her panic had meant she failed to score critical hits against the lich or the larger skinwalkers, her arrows were useless, her skills were useless. Because of her misjudgements, her errors, her failures, all her friends had perished. When Riza came with a sudden gaggle of reinforcements, she had also failed, and could only watch as they were decimated before the charred skinwalker absconded with the cat. Even when she had managed the best shot she could and shattered the skull of a creature, it still didn’t save Sophie, she was useless.

And now, the monster in her friend’s nightmare had come, to claim her perhaps, or to punish her. Yet even though her mind screamed for her to fight, to run, she could only slump down and meet the creature’s gaze. She wanted to cry, to shout, to rage, or even just to rewind time and try everything again, she wanted to be anywhere but here, to have just left all of it behind. But most of all, she was tired, so very tired. She had bandaged her wound to the best of her meagre abilities but before being able to secure it further the skinwalker returned, lost and hungry, it greedily devoured the corpses and she played dead. Silently praying for it to leave while it found another survivor. She did not know how much time had passed when Sophie arrived, but her hope turned to despair as the creature began overwhelming the half elf. Again, she was slow to react, assuming that somehow all would be well, that somehow it would just die in a slice. And now Sophie lay there, another amongst the many.

The giant eye’s five pupils spread out and then coalesced as one large misshapen fleshy orb at the center as it studied her. She was certain she would have wept tears of sorrow and fear at this moment as she trembled under its stoic gaze. Every instinct screamed for her to run, or at the very least stab it in the eye. But turning her gaze to the arrow in her hand, she had no intention of moving. There was no point.

With fleshy squelches the slimy tentacles pulled the creature closer and now the eye was barely a breath away from her face. A sense of coolness and a shiver ran up her spine as a profound sense of emptiness emanated from its vast body. Another mucus-like membrane protected its eye and she could hear the surrounding tentacles draw closer to her. Her lips trembled as she cried out silently but no tears flowed. A wet slimy leather ran itself over the back of her neck and she shuddered.

Truly, one guides the champions

It trilled again and the world groaned under its weight, the mass bobbing up and down in an inquisitive fashion.

War comes, darkness to smother thine light

Its eye grinned unnerving the pupils moving to form a slight smile as they jiggled inside the giant globule. Thin splashes of membrane fluid and some viscous liquid poured out every time it blinked in front of her, coating her leg and wound with a cool but uncomfortable feeling as it hovered in front of her.

Seek now the stolen dawn, return to One what belongs

The tentacles waved up and down in a rhythmic fashion, as if some invisible force were pushing against it. The entity seemed nonplussed and continued staring at her silent but fearful form.

Enter the temple of ages, the refuge of ancients, high above the withered roots and set right what was wronged

It shook in a flurry, covering her in its tar like substance. But Annalise was still frozen, awaiting nothing but the final blow to come. Yet, the entity seemed to grow increasingly agitated.

What more does the Chosen of the Soil desire? Wealth? Power?

It asked in anger, only now did Annalise realise the creature had no orifice with which to speak with and felt another knot tighten within her as it was now close enough to lick. The sense of unease and emptiness only increased exponentially as she felt its presence wash over her.

Speak!

It seemed to roar and Annalise shrieked at the violent noise. “Friends! I only want my friends and for this to end!” She pleaded as her heart raced from the panic and her breathing grew rapid. “Please, if you’re gonna to end me, end me. But save her if you can, I can’t do this anymore.” She sobbed weakly, but again no tears escaped, for there were none left.

To her shock, the creature recoiled backwards as if disgusted. Before the most uncomfortably guttural laugh shook the entire ruin, sending loose pieces of dust and debris landing around them.

Truly, the guide chooses well, so kindly selfish. But only the Gods can bring back the displaced, only the keeper may return what was taken.

It rumbled as its voice seemed to age, the loud low booming now interspersed by a raspy grunt here or there.

But for this one, a boon. Behold! The Power of the Void! The Essence of Life! Unbound!

Annalise gasped in pain as it viciously wrapped a fleshy appendage around her and yanked her into the air before a jolt of pain reverberated from her wound. Frozen from the pain, she could only stare as the entity pierced into her wound and an electrifying feeling coursed through her body. Her head buzzed in agony from the bone shaking roar of the creature as all its appendages jittered triumphantly around her.

Her gaze shifted to the thud next to her and watched in horror as it yanked the spear out of Sophie’s chest, the half elf slamming into the ground as blood spurted out of the open wound. She would’ve screamed if not for the paralysing feeling that coursed throughout her and only widened her eyes as a tentacle slammed into her friend’s chest, only pulling away after leaving behind the strange tar like substance. As if it wanted to impress her, a dull sense of nothingness filled the entire room before a burst of darkness blinded her.

Beware the traitor king, Chosen of the Soil. The champions, the guide shall gather, and together, as darkness extinguishes light, and light expels the dark, the Nothingness shall save all.

With its message delivered, it rumbled in laughter and just as suddenly as it appeared, a cracking noise echoed throughout the hall and with one last pulse of blue light, Annalise slammed into the floor. The entity vanished completely with only the laughter echoing in her mind. A searing pain split her skull as esoteric words etched themselves onto her mind and a burst of incoherent words and images invaded her brain. Struggling for breath, she crawled forward to Sophie and heard a soft rasp escape her lips.

What in the saint damned hells? Annalise managed to think before the pressure overwhelmed her and she fainted.

The pressure grew unmanageable, her bones groaned in agony as her muscles faltered. With a start, Sophie awoke and greedily sucked in mouthfuls of air as the agonising feeling of not being able to breathe slowly faded. Is this the heavenly courts? The hells below? She blinked rapidly and looked around.

Dull, blood covered stones still stood unmoving, the stench of rot and iron still unbearably potent as the sea of corpses around her repulsed her stomach. But before her stomach could contract she turned to lift the pressure off of her before she had to do a double take.

Laying peacefully across her was a tousled and messy lump of now dusty dark brown hair. Fearful, Sophie carefully shifted the sleeping girl’s head and checked her for a pulse, the small short breaths indicated some sign of light. Grateful and afraid she quickly shifted her position and cradled the ranger only to be horrified at the sight of her missing leg. By the Gods, what did I miss? What happened here?

Looking down she also patted at her own chest, lifting her shirt to reveal a strange scar in between her breasts. What? How? I remember everything so clearly, the fight, the stab…no, I should be dead, my heart…it stabbed my heart. But then how…A sudden cough startled her and she felt Annalise break out into a coughing fit as the girl choked on something and retched.

Her own horror only grew as she spied a black tar like liquid spill out of her friend’s mouth. Just like the nightmare…no, no surely it can’t?! Looking around the walls she could feel her own mind racing with the conjectures as more and more evidence points to the creature having manifested. She turned her attention back to Annalise and felt her stomach sink, surely it couldn’t have? No, no, no!

“Ugh…So…Sophie?” A weak voice escaped from in front of her and all concerns were thrown to the wayside.

“Annalise, Anna, I’m here, I’m here.” She reassured her friend and gently tightened her embrace around Annalise, trying her best to hide her rising concern.

“Hah…so…you’re…ugh…okay?” Annalise asked as she tried to turn her head back towards Sophie, only for the half elf to immediately press her cheek closer and stop her movements.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just rest Anna, I’ve got you. I’ve…”

“I…saw it Sophie…the weird slimy fucker…”

“The weird…” Her face paled even further than corpse as she processed her friends words. No, it cannot be real.

“The thing you always…have nightmares…”

“The thing I…” No.

“Yeah…and it…talked…”

“Talked…” Sophie trembled at the thought and what could’ve happened to make Annalise expel that black liquid.

“Yeah, talked…so…so…fucking creepy.” Annalise rasped, and fell silent for a moment before bursting into a giggle at the absurdity. "So damn loud."

Despite the situation, Sophie couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort from Annalise's smile, “Seek the dawn.” Sophie tried imitating and coughed from the effort, causing Annalise to burst out laughing before wincing from pain.

“Heheh, shit, massive headache and don’t do that, my stomach feels like kobald asses. Can’t…laugh.” The ranger wheezed and Sophie immediately found herself dragged back to reality, the pain in her friend's voice was clear.

“Anna…then did everyone…” The unspoken suggestion was clear, but Annalsie shut her up nonetheless.

“Shhh…just let…let me have this moment.” Annalise said as Sophie felt the other girl’s weight lean into her, she instinctively wrapped her arms around the ranger. The other girl held onto them fearfully, as if they would just disappear the moment she wasn’t looking.

Sophie rested against the platform and waited for her friend to settle down, her own grip tightening slightly. “Yeah…yeah that sounds good. I could use a moment too.” She whispered back and sighed exhaustedly.

For a brief moment, the two just sat there and only their breathing and the silent echoes of the ruined castle remained.

Sophie struggled to bring the last body over and nearly retched as she placed the bloodied helmet on the ground, trying her best to avoid looking at what remained within the crumpled metal. She felt numb and cold, the events of the day washing over her like a deluge of shit, overwhelmingly foul.

Sara, Gil, Thulgrim, and the countless others that perished here, far below the stars above.

“Though we have taken an oath and bound ourselves with the bonds of camaraderie. We have faced countless dangers, joys and sorrows together.” Annalise bowed her head and recited, her voice shaky as she clenched her fists.

To think that Arnold would just run away, not that I blame him but still. To just leave everyone behind, hells, to leave Sara behind at her weakest.

“Through numerous trials, missions, quests and odd jobs, we stood side by side. First comrades, then as allies, and then as friends…” Annalise let out a small whimper and Sophie quickly rushed over to steady her.

And how did it even take Riza, no why did it take Riza? Was she special? Could she also be…Sophie glanced at Annalise…what the creature dubbed as a chosen? And how the hells did the traitors and undead know that?

“So my dear friends. Our journey comes to an end, my only regret being that…I was not good enough to save you, to protect you…or…or…”

“It’s okay, just keep going.” Sophie whispered sombrely and Annalise squeezed her hand.

“I…I want to thank all of you for being with me for so long…for…uweh…for supporting me and for being…a…my…for being a family to me. And…and so as we swore together at the start. ‘In service for the people, in service to the greater good, and in service to a hefty profit.” She snuck in a chuckle, “May our words be witnessed in these runes, and may our bonds be bound as tightly as they are. Tesadus, gaze upon the ones who fought so valiantly for you, and may you forgive their sins as they join your tables at the court of stars…”

Sophie spied the tears running down Annalise’s face and quietly brushed a few away. Her friend heaving as she tried her best to contain her emotions. Sophie gave her a small nod and flashed a sad smile.

“And when you…look back…remember me…and I’ll...I’ll finish what we started, I’ll see it all through.” Annalise paused as an almost hollow look snuck onto her face before she took in another breath, “Fair winds and light guide you, for…for certainly…you have all fought honourably…and with glory. May your final journey to the keepers be blessed by the stars.” She finished with a whisper before breaking down into an emotional wreck and weeping openly.

“Blessed by the stars.” Sophie quietly echoed and knelt down beside the ranger, unsure of what to say or do besides giving her a reassuring hug.

They were kind and caring in their own way, they deserved better than this. Better than being consigned to some underground ruin. Better than being ripped apart by those monsters. She looked around at the command centre and wondered what their last thoughts had been, to have thought that they had another exit only for more monsters to flood through and surround them. How more than two dozen people fought and died here, how many likely struggled to the bitter end watching their closest friends die.

She looked down at their corpses and cursed the monsters that did this. She knew there was a greater plan somewhere, that this was all part of something more, it had to be. Otherwise this, all of this loss, this heartache and pain, all of it would be for nothing. She clenched her fist and felt a small flame spark to life in the pit of her stomach, a feeling she never really missed or found a use for, anger.

When they were recovering Annalise had recounted the events to her with a resigned acceptance and it stung to see the ranger so broken down. But one key detail stuck out to her and it was the expedition’s Professor, the man who had clutched onto the largest remaining crystal fragment. Betrayed and shot by a mysterious Direktor of the expedition, a dangerous sign that not only was there a traitor, but someone high up in the exploration guild was compromised, meaning there could always be more. But then that bellies the question, what the saint damned hells are they after and what did they want? They seemed to also know about the crystals somewhat, seeing as how they tinkered and destroyed it. But then why did my nightmare come alive when I touched the crystal…could it be…? She thought back to the dreams about the dead and dying, the towns and towers that burned beneath her feet and shook her head, concerns for later.

For now she had a baser more simplistic goal in mind. To punish those who had done this and to save Riza from their clutches. As she gave Annalise a quick rub on the back to steady her, she also ran her fingers over the worn and leathery book in her pocket. Whilst they prepared for the quick ritual, she had snuck over and looted the Professor and his assistant’s corpses, taking what notes or diaries they had in hopes of better understanding the Myndir and their foes. But the first priority is getting Anna to safety and saving Riza, beyond that the rest of the traitors and undead can eat fat kobald ass later.

She faced her friend again and a stab of pain radiated from her chest, the sight of her so broken hurt. Though they had only been companions for a month if not more, Annalise had always been go-lucky and acted as her guide. Though I doubt she'll ever feel like herself again, she lowered herself and ruffled the crying ranger’s hair.

“Anna…” She whispered softly and her friend stiffened the sniffling slowing down.

“Yeah?”

“I…never mind.” Sophie shrunk away, her chest ached at the thought of rushing her grieving, but the need to follow what little might be left of Riza’s trail gnawed at her.

Annalise held back another sniffle and turned her teary eyes to meet Sophie’s. The moisture gave the ranger’s hazel eyes an almost glistening sheen as her sorrowful gaze turned slowly to one of determination.

“You’re thinking about Riza. How they might be taking her farther away as we wait.” She asked and Sophie nodded, her own emotions frozen until the crisis could be resolved. “Then let’s…,” Annalise gave another solemn nod to the bodies of her comrades and looked back at her, “Let’s go then, I’ll be right beside you. I’m not going to be much help, but I doubt you can track anything worth a damn.”

“But I…” can do this on my own, and you’re injured to hell, I need to get you to safety. Sophie wanted to protest, but Annalise was right to some extent. Motivation aside, Sophie didn’t know much about the wilderness nor what paths might lay hidden between the underbrush. Furthermore, to travel to Eichafen and then heading back out might just prove impossible if the city was in fact under siege. Responding to Annalise with another nod she stood up and found the other girl looking at her expectantly, a hint of frustration in her eye.

“Well? It’s…it’s not like I’m going to be doing much walking on my own for a while. Care to help me up?” Annalise chuckled darkly, and Sophie could hear the newfound fear in her voice.

Sparing no time, she quickly helped Annalise up and slung her arm over her shoulder and despite the two spending another moment over the bodies, Annalise resignedly grit her teeth and gestured for them to go. Silently, the two left the room behind and made their way through the empty halls, not a peep between them as the weight of loss hung heavy over them. For you and for them, Anna. I'll make these bastards pay.