-Sabre-

Sabre stopped his march under a beam of light that the trees did not capture. He flipped a crudely drawn map out, scowling down at it. Brom stepped beside him to peer down at the map as well, snorting at the scribbles scrawled along the bottom of the map.

“Your brother has the penmanship of a child.” Sabre grumbled, irritated.

Dawn was upon them, breaking over the trees and lighting their path. They were not alone, they knew, and whatever was lurking in the trees was massive. They heard it howling all morning, stomping around and crashing through brush nearer E’letaesi, but they did not seem to be hunted, not yet. At least he didn’t think they were.

Maddox would have left the village by now, even if Varia was still asleep. He planned to carry him, if needed, certain that Varia was important to his mission. Sabre argued, but he knew it was in vain. Brom took the map from him, snapping him from his thoughts and began to walk again. Sabre followed after him, brushing his hand against the bark of a tree. It was oddly warm against his palm.

“How close would you reckon we are to the edge of the forest?” He asked after several long moments of silence.

“Quite close, if the map is to be believed.” Brom rarely spoke above a whisper to Sabre, but this time it seemed quieter than usual, anxious. Sabre wondered if it was because he was so far from Varia.

It was a fight convincing Brom to go ahead without Varia. He and Maddox had a furious, whispered argument about it, but as usual, Maddox’s logic won out. That didn’t stop Brom from dragging his feet leaving, though.

“He’s changing things.” Brom spoke again, turning his gaze to Sabre. Sabre cocked an eyebrow, but felt immediately tense at Broms tone, the look in his eye.

Sabre wasn’t ignorant to Broms feelings regarding both Varia and Maddox. Brom was devoted to Varia, like many in Legion, but in ways and for reasons Sabre was not comfortable speaking of, even to Maddox. Not yet, at least. Varia was still Sabre’s enemy, but he was not unwise. He knew Varia would not kill Maddox, not now. Brom though, Brom did everything for Varia, even things Varia may not speak nor want. If Brom believed it to help Varia, then he would do so. And Brom was jealous, oh was he jealous of Maddox and the attention Varia gave him. And Maddox was useful to Varia, in ways that Brom was not, especially in Er Rai, especially with the elves, especially with the Demon. Varia responded to Maddox well, and allowed Maddox to linger close by.

Brom could do little to nothing if the demon in Varia decided to resurface. He could do little to convince the elves to save Varia a second time. The one thing that Brom did that he felt only he could do was no longer only his task. Brom could stop Varia’s episodes, or take the brunt of them, direct that irrational anger in a certain direction until Varia wore himself to exhaustion. Maddox was perhaps more effective at fighting Varia’s episodes, at least from the one time they witnessed. He didn’t just redirect his anger, he faced it head on, and he calmed Varia down on a conscious level. It was impressive, and it made Brom feel useless, like Maddox was taking everything from him, even the one thing he thought would keep him at Varias side.

He would try to kill Maddox, Sabre knew this. He did not know when, or how, or even if Brom felt he could stand to Maddox to begin with, but he would try. Sabre opened his mouth to speak, to question what he meant, but before words could leave him, the trees around them bowed inwards, the air growing heavy, all heat stripped from around them.

Sabre turned his gaze around, and Brom did as well, both stopped walking. Brom tilted his head, and held his hand to Sabre, as if he needed to do so to silence him. Sabre didn’t even breathe. It was in that moment he realized that the normal sounds of the forest had ceased. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, growing louder and louder. It was almost a moment too late that he realized the forest was trembling, and the thumping he was hearing was not the sound of his own heart, but sounds of something large moving in their direction.

Sabre did not move for a moment, but when the ground below his feet pulsed, and the crashing grew louder, he turned, immediately darting into the dark forest, no longer concerned with their heading.

“Run!!” Brom shouted, but Sabre was already doing that!

An ear splitting roar echoed around them, almost human in nature, but loud. Whatever it was, it was on them in a second. Sabre leapt to the side, and in that exact moment, one of the trees was split down the center. Sabre turned wide eyes, watching as the tree, though halved, twisted and sealed itself. He felt Broms hand grasp his arm and he was suddenly sprinting through the forest again, leaping over roots that seemed to rise to meet them.

Sabre felt air near his cheek, and he used his size to suddenly yank Brom to the side, throwing the both of them into some bushes as a clawed hand raked the ground where they had been seconds ago. Brom cursed in Arcturian, and though Sabre didn’t understand, he felt that he was cursing Maddox. Sabre was cursing Maddox, for this was surly his fault.

But he did not have time to be angry with Maddox, not yet. He was developing a stitch in his side, and the creature was still behind them. He thought the forest seemed brighter suddenly, and he felt Brom surge quicker, clearly seeing the same thing. But before they could reach their salvation, another creature stepped between them and the safety outside of the graves. Sabre slid to a halt, as did Brom, nearly toppling over in their hurry.

Only then did he finally get to gaze upon the creature before them. It was massive, its head brushing the canopy above them. It had a vaguely human shape, but its arms were too long, and brown, stippled with greys and twisted like bark. Its fingers brushed the tops of the dirt under its feet, sharpened like spear tips. Its face was twisted, long like an elk, but with vines and branches making the shape of it. It had deep, black chasms where its eyes should be, and an orange glow, illuminating the hollowness between woven branches of its entire form. Its torso was broad, curving inward where its legs met the rest of it. Like its face, it was hollow, the branches creating a form, but that of a skeleton, not of something whole.

It stood before them, and the first stopped behind them, threatening. They were not breathing, and the heat they radiated was so hot Sabre was sweating from it. The hand Brom had on his arm was tight, painfully so, and Sabres hand dropped to rest on the hilt of his axe.

The creature in front of them dropped to all fours, its gaping maw opening wide and that same, deep, human roar left it. It was hollow, like its body, echoing against the branches. He flinched, and his eyes dropped to where the branches created its rib cage, realizing then that there were skulls inside of it, humanoid skulls.

Suddenly, the creature rose to stand on its hind-legs once more, its head whipping to the deeper parts of the forest. Without even looking at Sabre or Brom, the creature stepped past them, loping off with the other next to it.

Sabre let out a heavy breath that he hadn’t been aware he was holding, dropping his hands to his knees and doubling over in exhaustion. “Gods… what are those things?” He asked finally, turning to look at Brom, who was turned to watch the creatures disappear into the darkness behind them. Brom did not have an answer for him, and even if he did, Sabre wouldn’t accept it. The edge of the forest was so close, and they needed to escape. He knew the creatures were going after Maddox, and he would have to trust that Maddox would somehow live, as he always did.

-Varia-

Varia’s strength returned relatively quickly. Maddox stated that was likely due to Dor’Goths presence inside of him, but Varia would concern himself with that another time. There was something in the trees, and they needed to move quickly. He was concerned for Brom, but Brom was smart, spry. He would have escaped. No doubt whatever lurked in the trees was waiting for Maddox and himself.

The tall trees seemed more foreboding than usual, hunched close together as if for protection. The forest was quieter than Varia knew it to be, and though the sun rose, it seemed darker than before. Maddox warned him against drawing his weapons, though he did not mention using their powers. Varia already knew that the forest itself would attack them if it saw them as a threat, and he would not tempt anything else to attack them.

The village also caused him to raise his guard. There was not a single moment since they arrived there that he was not under heavy guard, until today. The guard was gone, as were all signs of life in E’letaesi. His instincts warned him of an attack, the strange silence that enveloped the village, even at dawn, was unnerving. He followed Maddox silently, forcing himself to be thankful that none of the elves tried to stop them despite his feelings that this was a trap.

He was not alone in his thoughts, Maddox all but confirmed that whatever they heard in the forest the night before was likely there to kill them, or to prevent them from leaving. Varia was not afraid of anything larger than him, and whatever was out there was most certainly larger than he and Maddox both. Varia was smaller than many things, and certainly smaller than many, if not all, warriors he ever faced. Perhaps Maddox was not used to fighting with those larger than him, but Varia was.

Though whatever they would face was likely not human. Varia was sick of facing non-humans. The forest was another issue entirely. It was quiet, yet screamed of danger. It was calm, yet frantic. Once they drew closer, the trees seemed to part for them, spreading aside and creating a path. They seemed to close behind them once they stepped inside, bowing inwards.

An unsettling feeling washed through Varia, and caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end. Perhaps he just wasn’t focused enough. Despite his strength returning to him quickly, he felt… off. Thin. Exhausted. He grew used to Dor’Goth inside of his mind, and now there was quiet. Even his own dark thoughts were quiet. Dor’Goths presence was always there, pressing at the edge of his consciousness, even when he slept, reminding him that he was not safe. And now there was silence. It was odd, and he felt almost lonely.

His mind lingered on the quiet, and the forest responded. The trees began to creak, groaning as if speaking. Varia turned his eyes up towards the tree tops, a small tendril of light filtering down and splashing across his face.

“Where is Brom?” He asked suddenly, his gaze turning to level on Maddox. As if responding to his question, a deep, guttural roar sounded from ahead of them. Varia and Maddox both stopped, and Varia’s hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword.

“Hopefully far from that and rested more than we are.” Maddox responded, then turned his eyes to Varia, his face serious. “It shouldn’t be far. Run.”

Varia sucked his teeth in annoyance, but when Maddox began to run, Varia sprinted behind him. He was still without his powers, and still dependent on Maddox. Whatever that creature was, he wanted to lure it out of the forest, to kill it. To remind himself, and fucking Maddox that he was not some maiden who needed protection. But for now, and for weeks, he was out of his element.

Sooner than he would have liked, the roar that seemed so far away was crashing just behind them. Maddox grasped Varia’s arm and pulled him behind a tree, and a strong gust of wind flew past them. The area was once again eerily quiet, besides the distant crashing of whatever chased them.

“You’re a fucking beacon for those things…” Maddox grumbled, letting his head flop back against a nearby tree.

“What are those things?” Varia asked, leaning around the tree to squint out towards the forest.

“The Guards of the Graves…. I think.” Maddox responded, running a hand through his hair and pushing from the tree, gazing out from over Varia’s head. “I’ve only heard of them from legends. I can’t be sure.”

That was an almost pleasing thought, that Maddox, for fucking once, didn’t know something. Varia shot a cocky look back to him, which Maddox scowled in response to, before he stepped out from behind the tree, confident that the Guard was no longer near.

“Why do the Graves need a guard if they defend themselves?” Varia asked, stopping near the trail they were chased from, his eyes lowering to the indented ground.

“For Demons, mostly.” Maddox replied, moving behind Varia. “I’m not sure how many still exist… but I would bet two silver coins that there are others.” Maddox shot Varia a smirk.

Varia rolled his eyes, beginning to walk once again. “Er Rian coin means little.” He was a bit concerned with these ancient Guards of the Graves. He didn’t get a good look at the creature now hunting them, but he was not sure it would be an easy fight. Likely not, if these creatures were meant to protect against ancient demons. As much as he wanted to fight, to remind himself that he was a warrior and not some useless child in need of protecting, he knew it would not be wise to seek a battle.

A brief flash of malice was all the warning Varia had before they were running again, quite suddenly. A deep gouge was left in the earth where the pair had stood moments before, followed by an angry, stretched face that glared at them from the gloom.

They were intercepted in their sprint by the first guard, and they peeled in different directions, no longer using the path. Varia crashed through the trees, leaping upturned roots, his hand grasping at his sword, though he did not draw it. He knew to keep heading west, and the edge of the forest should be less than a mile away. He trusted that Maddox would be able to keep himself alive, and would find him once both were out of the trees.

Varia’s body was moving on pure instinct, despite the painful protests of his muscles. A branch swung low suddenly, and nearly too late he realized that it was a hand, with clawed fingers on the end, swiping at him. He dropped to the ground, slipping in mud and leaves to duck under it. The guard that slashed at him clashed with the one behind him, and the two collided in a shrieking heap of branches and glowing orange. Varia glanced over his shoulder, but continued on. There was light ahead of him, but the trees seemed to bow inwards again, threatening to trap him and hold him for the guards even though they continued to struggle to stand.

The trees managed to slow him, closing in around him as he tried so desperately to reach the light. Branches tightened around his arms, his legs, scratching his face, trying to pry his fingers from the hilt of his sword. He dug his heels into the mud, forcing himself to move further, closer, so close to the light. He was moving at a crawl now, and he could hear the crash behind him, and he knew a guard was closing in.

If he died here, after all of the trouble he went through… if he died before he could rain hell down on Arcturus, if he died after he defeated Dor’Goth, after everything….

He felt his anger bubble in his chest, and felt his power surge. It seemed like so long since he felt that. Minus his trip into the caves, his powers had not been accessible to him for several weeks, nearly an entire moon. Feeling the power, that electric tingle in his fingertips, the excitement that tightened in his chest and the adrenaline that caused his heart to quicken…. He was elated. For a moment he forgot he was in danger and that he could barely move. He forgot that for a moment that he shouldn’t be able to access his powers, at all. Before he had little use even near the forest, and once in the Graves he had no access at all. This shouldn’t happen, but it was, and it didn’t seem like his powers were weaker than usual.

He focused on the branches, and answering his mental command, the shadows of the trees darkened, then burst forth as if they were blades, slicing and severing the branches holding him. Behind him, he heard a terrible roar with a wail echoed inside. He didn’t look back. He pushed forward instead, the trees splintering and bowing away from him, unused to such an assault.

And then he was in the light.

He drew a deep breath, his eyes closing and his head tilting towards the sun that was hidden from him for so long. A vast, open field stretched out before them, hills rolling off into the horizon. The Graves stretched down, beyond his line of sight, darkness scarred across golden grass.

Though he could hear the Guard behind him, he turned his eyes to his hands, stretching them out. He didn’t care about the mud and grime on his worn gloves, instead he focused on the shadows wrapping around his fingers like dark smoke, wisping up from the ground and embracing his legs. The shadow he cast in the early sun blackened and stretched forward, imposing and darker than the other shadows in the meadow.

Another crash behind him returned his attention to the fight. The Guard was just in the tree line, clawed hand grasping for him, but not quite able to reach him.

“You will need to step from the trees if you wish to kill me.” Varia spoke to it, unsure if it would understand, though the growl he received in return told him it did. The Guard studied him, its molten eyes glowing from the darkness of the trees. For a moment, Varia thought how easy it would be to take those shadows and to crush all sentience from the monster.

“You should not taunt it.” Maddox’s voice came from Varia’s right, though he could not see Maddox. Varia glanced to the Guard once more, before stepping carefully towards the place he heard Maddox speak. He found him lying flat on his back in the tall grass, blood blossoming over the linen shirt he wore, his armor discarded nearby.

“If every creature we will ever come across didn’t hate you so, we would not be having these issues, and I would not need to worry about taunting ancient… Tree-Beast.” Varia snapped, though his eyes focused on the blood.

“I think you could give me a run for my money, at least when it comes to people who hate us.” Maddox sat up properly with a wince. “You are hurt.” Varia said, matter of fact, as if Maddox was not aware.

Maddox rolled his eyes to Varia instead. “Aye, one of the Guards snagged me. I’ll be fine, though perhaps it bruised a rib or two.” Varia hummed, turning his head back to watch the Guard retreat finally.

“Where are we meant to be meeting Brom and Sabre?” Varia asked, eyeing Maddox when he drew a deep breath, immediately seeming to regret that decision as he grabbed at his side with a pitiful look on his face.

“I told Brom to stay close to the tree line, and to monitor the area. They will find us, if we wait.” Maddox grumbled, shifting slowly to his feet, waving away Varia when he stepped forward to assist him.

Varia glanced to the forest again, watching as the Guard slowly pulled its hand back into the sanctuary of the trees, then disappeared into the shadows. Soft thumping growing distant signaled its retreated back into the Graves.

“We will wait here. I don’t think the Guard will be coming out of there.” Varia muttered, moving after Maddox who led him towards a small cluster of trees. He immediately sat back down, propping his back against the trunk of one. Maddox grunted in response, turning to pull his shirt up to inspect.

A dark, ugly bruise crawled up his side already. Though he bled a fair amount, the cut itself was superficial, though it was quite long. It was not deep enough to be an actual issue, so long as it was taken care of.

“Perhaps I should put you down, like an old mule.” Varia piped, eyeing Maddox with murder in his gaze. He enjoyed the brief look of panic that gave way to playful annoyance.

“You are certainly eager for bloodshed.” Maddox drawled, gesturing to his wound. “It’s just a sprain. I won’t die before you can kill me.”

Varia snorted through his nose, but turned his head to gaze out over the lands again, quiet. The mountains that spread in the distance weren't nearly as cold and uninviting as the mountains in Arcturus. They were nearly welcoming him, beckoning him to disappear beneath them, never to be seen again. His wanderlust returned the moment he emerged from the trees. Now he could see what lay ahead. Vast, open fields of flowers and tall, golden grass. Rivers and lakes cut through the land, and in the far distance, smoke billowed up from small villages dotted along the banks of the water. Er Rai was beautiful.

But he missed Arcturus. He missed the ice, the snow. The sun here beat down on his neck. It wasn’t particularly hot in Er Rai, but Varia felt himself beginning to grow uncomfortable regardless. He spent much of his life in Nihal, which was hotter, the sun much more unforgiving. It did nothing except remind him of the overcast days on the ice, the cold, the comfort of a bed and furs. He felt a pang of sadness suddenly, realizing that if he returned to Arcturus, it would be as an enemy.

He turned his head, feeling Maddox’s eyes on him. Maddox offered him a smile he did not return, and Varia snorted. “You’re thinking of Arcturus?” Maddox asked softly.

Varia was quiet for a moment, then looked back to Maddox, his face set in stone. “We’ve skirted by without much attention drawn to either of us here in Er Rai, but in Nihal we will not be so lucky.” Varia himself absolutely ravaged the southern half of the country. It was safe to assume that he would be recognized there, and Maddox was their champion. They would have a difficult time moving through Nihal, at least on the surface.

He knew Nihal. Nihal served as a second home for him for many years and despite the stark contrast between the sands and the ice, he was comfortable there. Besides that, there were vast cave systems that ran underground throughout most of the country. Er Rian caves were ripe with demons, but Nihalian caves were different. He had been in many before, moving troops through the caves rather than trekking through the unforgiving sands.

And there were Dwarven ruins. The ancient race once called Nihal their home. Somewhere in Varia’s imagination, the dwarves still lived, simply moved deeper into the underground and left all the worries of the surface world behind. He was rather excited to go back. Despite having a goal, or rather, despite Maddox having a goal, he certainly would have more freedom this time in Nihal.

“Sabre will find someone we can trust. A lot of people owe him favors.” Maddox tried to reassure, closing his eyes and leaning his head back on the tree. Varia hummed, but did not respond again.

Instead he gazed out over the meadow, his eyes following a river and focusing on a distant village, tucked behind some trees, but enough docks and tiny boats in the water told him it was thriving. He stood there for a long while, a breeze brushing past them, carrying on it scents of flowers, and rain. Distant sulfur and blood…

“Into what dark underground hole is my little demon dreaming of crawling?” Maddox’s voice was soft, and when Varia turned to look at him again, he wore a faint smile.

Varia’s lips flickered into a brief smirk, but it did not last. “Am I your little demon, or is Dor’Goth?” Varia asked, before he turned to sit near Maddox, folding his legs beneath himself. “As silly as it may sound, traveling under the sands of Nihal is ideal for more than one reason. The caves are strategic, as I’m sure you, who used to march armies opposite me, understand well. The sun will not reach us, we will stay out of the site of many who would do us harm.” Varia chewed on his lip, and reached a small hand out to press near Maddox’s wound briefly, his brow creasing at the hiss of pain, though he did not let up.

“Besides… there’s… Dwarven things down there. Pots, cutlery… buildings, entire cities even. I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of it… but we would be safe there.” Varia felt along Maddox’s side, then leant forward to position his ear closer to Maddox’s chest. “Breathe in.” He instructed. The soft crackle in Maddox’s chest, despite the whine of protest, confirmed that Maddox had indeed broken a rib or two.

“Inconvenient…” Maddox grumbled, his eyes closed tightly and head leant back against the tree, brow creased in pain. Varia hummed in agreement, then sat back. “We’ll make for the village near the river once Sabre and Brom find us. You need a healer, something for the pain.”

Maddox was quiet for a long moment, and Varia allowed that quiet to sink in. He enjoyed the silence between them, listening instead to the sounds of Er Rai. He never made land here before, not this far in, at least. The very southernmost point of Er Rai had been the sight of many clashes, but the standing military in Er Rai was vicious on their own land, coupled with ample supplies and facing a worn and hungry troop from Arcturus was cause for a failure.

“Tell me about the caves in Nihal. I tried not to follow you down there. I didn’t want to face you in the dark.” Maddox spoke suddenly, and Varia cocked an eyebrow at him. “That is wise, especially for you.” Varia said, then sighed, leaning back on his arms and considering what he could say.

“There is a place called Vumdarh… The Deep. It seems to be where many of the southern cave systems lead. It’s a city, or was a city. The fungi there glows, illuminates the entire cavern. There are animals, a massive lake with all the fish you could eat… an artificial sun, still mostly in-tact, though it does not shed light any longer. I spent many days in The Deep, wandering, walking the same path that the ancient Dwarves did. There are homes still, many buildings that have the belongings of those who lived there still. Books, though I cannot understand the language, art, weapons.”

Varia realized he missed Nihal, even above the sands. He missed the sky, the vast expanse of darkness, wisps of distant galaxies splattered with stars. He missed the underground, the welcoming cool, the smell of moss and stone, and the icy blue and deep purple glow of the fungi. The underground was a vast and labyrinthine places that it took more than a good sense of direction to navigate.

“I can’t say I understand your obsession with the underground, but it is promising to see that you enjoy things other than murder and pillage. Though only me and Brom would believe it…” Maddox closed his eyes against the sun and pain for a moment, and Varia stared at him for a long while.

“Murder and pillage… I commanded an army, as did you. If you were able to get to Arcturus, it would have looked the same as my campaign in Nihal. If my campaign was enough for those opposed to fear me, then I did exactly what I intended to do.” It was unfair to paint Varia as a villain when Maddox killed many himself. Maddox razed farms, destroyed Nihalian cities in an effort to deny Varia’s men food and shelter, and Varia was certain there were Nihalians who fell victim to Maddox.

But if Varia was to be the villain, then so be it. He was accustomed to it, he was not on this earth to save people, but to kill. To further the ambitions of men greater than he with extreme violence, this is what Varia did.

Varia turned his eyes to Maddox, opening his mouth to speak, but realizing that Maddox was no longer conscious. Varia leant forward, pressing a hand to Maddox’s forehead, then sighing and flopping back to sit proper. He was exhausted, he knew. He stayed with Varia while Varia slept after the binding and he was now wounded from the Guard.

Varia would let him sleep. The ice was calling to them, and they would soon make a decision to return to Arcturus. He would need the rest while he could take it, for the Demons of Er Rai were nothing compared to what awaited them on the ice.