Royal Report on the fire at Silverleaf Forest – Initial
Your highness in accordance with your orders we have arrived at the region of Silverleaf. The fire that has raged here has largely burned itself out. My lord everything has been destroyed the forest and the town of Silverleaf.
We are beginning to investigate the cause of the fire, but I am not hopeful of finding much as we comb through the ashes. Though there is good news my lord. As we approached, we discovered two young males their clothing looked soot stained and tattered. One of the males came to me asked if I was the commander. I confirmed and he handed me a manuscript he told me it was the personal record of a slayer named Seth. The man then left and rejoined his companion, and they walk off in the direction of we came from. I was rather shocked that he had given me the manuscript, and they were off before I could call him back. I did note the young man who gave me the manuscript had an exceptionally handsome face though it was covered in ash, and I saw a medallion that was unmistakably that of a slayer's medallion. I did not feel a need to have them brought back when I began to read the manuscript.
I have attached the manuscript to this report for highnesses consideration. I have read the manuscript, and it seem to shed some light on what occurred. We will continue to investigate to ascertain the validity of the event depicted in the manuscript.
Preface
To the investigators who come here and discover this. I am leaving this manuscript to ensure some record of the events that have occurred in this place. My name is Seth I am a one of the hunters who was part of the company. The other members of the company are dead as are the survivors that we tried to save. We are the last me and Jay one of the survivors and we will likely be dead soon to. I am leaving a record of my thoughts as this investigation has gone forward and a record of the deaths of the others. I do this so that the families of those who have fallen at this place will know how they fell and so that the king will know that when all was said and done, we gave our all and managed to eliminate the evil in this place. I pray that we survive but we likely will not the purifying fire rages, and we must make sure nothing escapes the cleansing flame. I hope that from the ashes of this place a new forest can grow free of the corruption that consumed the old. For now, we stand vigil and give the last of our strength to ensure and end to this threat.
Recruitment and Preparations
Well, I am having a very irritating evening. Some fool messenger was very looking to deliver a message to me. So instead of leaving his message with the inn keep he came up to my room to deliver the message personally. He barged into my room without knocking while I was entertaining an admirer. I had to take the message and push him out of my room as he was staring at my body and could not seem to speak. The fool did not tell me the message was from the king, and I considered throwing it out but opened the message. I thought I was being summoned to the capital, but the message said to appear at the manor of a lord that was several days away on horseback. I do not know if I will go but I do not care right now I am going back to my admirer for the night. I decided to go I paid my bill and left the inn this morning and began my journey.
It been several days of camping out, but I have arrived the manor. I did not know what to expect from the summons but not this. There were many people who were also summoned to this meeting. I saw at least 2 squads of regular soldiers led by champion knights with overall command being with a paladin. There were also 4 rangers, 3 priest, and at least 2 spellcasters after talking to them one specialized in attack magic and another in healing magics. There were also 4 other creature hunters besides me and only 1 other had reached Slayer rank. I was shocked by the gathering and a bit disgusted when I saw the other slayer since I knew him and hated him.
Luckily when I saw him, and he saw me the meeting began so I did not have to interact with him. The meeting was about what I expected a lot of pomp to announce the lord before we could find out what we were there for. The meeting was for an investigation of a part of the lord territory. Apparently, the town of Silverleaf was reporting trouble and now no reports have come from the region. The lord asked us to investigate the trouble and figure out why the town stopped reporting. We were tasked with investigating and dealing with the problem.
After the lord gave us our mission we began speaking and make preparation. The paladin Garrett set himself as the overall leader of the company with his captains Archer a tactician and strategist and Jax a weapons master acting as his seconds. The 28 men that made up the 2 military units were considered elite royal soldiers. Veterans of dozens of battles and skilled in a variety of weapons. Only one Ranger gave me his name of Kage he was the leader and most experienced of the ranger group. The Priest where an eclectic group one named Rune was a master of runes and runic powers. Warden was a master of wards and warding powers. Atlas was a scholar of a variety of other arcane subjects. The spellcasters Ignis and Alethea, Ignis was the elemental spellcaster capable of attack and defense magics. Alethea was a healer capable of healing most wounds that the company would suffer. I spent some time getting to know the other members of the company when he decided to make his presence known. The only other slayer in the group Asher and I had a history we both studied under the same master. At the time I had a deep connection with Asher. He seemed kind and I in my youth and naivety though we could have a deeper relationship than friends. It was when in a time of vulnerability, I chose to share with him a secret of myself. That I was Nephilim; the blood of the angels having been past in my family since before the catastrophe that destroyed the first world. That the angelic blood gave me special power and even enhanced my appearance giving me more angelic features. It was after I told him this that Asher’s personality became clearer. He showed himself to be a self-entitled narcissist. He laid claim to me, calling me his property and that he would take me. I told him that I was not his and I would never be his. We had a falling out after that, but it did not become a problem until he tried to force his claim on me. It was then that I threatened him and told him if he ever tried to force a claim, I would kill him. Yet for some reason Asher and 4 other hunters who I knew to be his cronies were called to be a part of this company.
It was while the company was making preparation of if we discovered people still in the town and how long the investigation make take. When Asher came up to me, he said he missed me, and he hoped I missed him. Then he said, “I will make you mine Seth make no mistake, you belong to me and before this is over, I will claim you”. While he said this, he tried to lay his hands on me. I was forced to pull a knife and remind him what I had told him. “I am not your property Asher I will never be yours and you will not touch me, or I will end you”. He gave a predatory smile before he walked away, and we continued our preparations.
Setting out
It took several days to gather the necessary resources for the journey to Silverleaf. It was a two-day journey to travel to the town of Silverleaf and while we waited to get everything ready there was a period of waiting. During this time, I checked the quality of the weapons and armor that I keep. Among my arsenal I had a rune sword a hand and a half sword with angelic runes to make the sword more powerful. The blade was an ancient heirloom of my family another was a bow made of Yew inscribed with elvish runes. My bow was made by an elf that I had befriended he gave it to me as a gift. I also have a staff made of ash grown in a fairy grove and containing a fairy stone giving it a power to manipulate it shape. The staff was given by a fey in payment for a service I gave to them. I also had 3 knifes that I kept one was a long thin knife that looked like it was made of crystal it was a seraph knife a weapon of angels, and it was ancient coming out of the ruins of the first world. Another was a knife that looked had the aspect of a tooth. The dagger was in fact the tooth of a dragon and held some of the powers of the dragon. The last was simple dagger of dwarven make and was the main dagger I made use of. My armor was padded leather underlaid with special mail providing effective protection and flexibility. My armor was inlaid with protective ward.
It was after I had checked the condition of my equipment, I spent time watching the soldier's train. It gave me a good idea of their skills it was during this time that I was challenged by Jax the weapons master. I took a training weapon; a wooden staff and we sparred. Jax was more than up to his title he drove in and put me on the defensive. It took all my skill to fend him off and get in a few counter attacks. I managed to fight him to a draw, and he even complimented me on my skills.
It was the night before we set out that an Asher decided to rear his head. I had booked a room in a tavern in town. I was in the common room and had a tavern girl on my knee. She was enjoying my attentions, and we were going to retire for some more personal fun. I was at this time that Asher made himself known. He gave me a cruel smile and asked “Where are you going Seth with this woman” I responded that it was none of his business who I spend my night with. He smiled wider “It is my business Seth, I have claimed you and I will not see you spend time these tavern wenches”. I responded, “Asher you do not and never have had a claim on me so get out of my way we are going to my room”. He looked a me with his grey eyes filled with humorless mirth. “You mean our room don’t you”. i stopped “No I mean my room Asher”. He laughed “No Seth I had them give your room away and had your stuff moved to our room. We won’t need the wench for tonight Seth”. I will admit my anger almost got the better of me. I made him tell me where my stuff was and went to collect my equipment. When I entered the room, I heard the door close and found Asher by he door. I knew what he wanted but I was tired of him by this time, and I let my anger to take over before I was fully aware Asher was on the floor moaning and bleeding from the nose. I collected my stuff and no longer desiring to be accosted by Asher I left the town and found a place near the town gates. At dawn I spotted the company as it set out and rode to join them. I will admit that when I saw Asher sporting a black eye and swollen nose, I did have a small amount of joy.
Day 1
It took a day of travel to reach the Silverleaf region. The travel was slow going with the people and the supplies. During the traveling I could feel Ashers eyes on me. When I looked at him, I could see him glaring at me. In the glare I could see Anger and Desire fighting for control. During the travel I spent most of my time scouting ahead of the company or talking with Garrett. It was when we entered the region that an air of oppression became apparent.
I was scouting ahead when I saw the guard tower. The silverleaf forest and it town were in a valley that was almost fully enclosed. The guard tower was set on a hill in the open region and protected the approach to the valley. I decided to go to the tower and see if any guards were present. As I approached the tower, I could see something was wrong. I entered the tower courtyard, and I got off my horse and pulled out my sword and slowly approached the tower. There were no guards in evident and the tower doors were hanging open. I entered the tower, and I could see signs that something happened in that place. The place was ransacked, and I could see sprays of dried blood on the wall. I investigated but could find no evident of bodies just broken furniture and dried blood. I traveled up to the tower and looked around I could see the town in the distance and the forest itself. The forest looked wrong a red tint as though the leaves were changing color though the leaves of this forest did not turn red, and it was out of season. I came down out of the tower and exited the building. I was mounting my horse when I my eyes caught the movement. I looked around and saw it. It was standing near a stand of trees, and it was in the shape of a large stag. The creature looked like a stag, but it could not be. The creature had the look of having been skinned. It had no visible hide and it skin was shining and red as though coated in blood. The creature was staring at me it eyes black. We stared at each other, and I got a sense of perversion from the creature. The creature pulled back its muzzle and I can only say it smiled. It showed a mouth full of sharp teeth. I was frozen in shock and dread when I saw whatever that thing was. It was the wind coming from the direction of the creature carrying the smell of death and decay that broke me out of my shock. I almost immediately went for my bow but by the time I got it out the creature was gone. I saw it running in the direction of the forest.
I returned to the company and reported to Garrett what I experienced. He considered what I had told him. “It is going to get dark soon and if there are more of these creatures and they are inhabiting the forest. Then we don’t need to be out in dark. Can the tower be made defensible” Asked Garrett. “Yes, it can there is a lot of broken furniture but there should be enough room for everyone” I replied. So, we traveled back to the guard tower. The tower was easy enough to set back in order and make the tower defensible. We set up ward and put up barriers. I watched the others settle in as I made my way to the top of the tower. I set up my watch on the top of the tower. As the night began, I stared out into the valley there was only darkness and silence. The town remained dark not a single light shining out and there were no forest sounds to be heard. I did note movement in the dark as though something was there. On occasion I could points of red as though eyes shining out in the darkness. This was how I passed the watches of the night.
Day 2
The night passed to an uneventful dawn. I saw as I came down the look of tension on the others in the company. As the others got ready to finish moving towards town, I took my horse and went out to the places I saw the lights and movement in the dark. I saw the tracks on the ground places where creatures had moved or stood. I knew that they had been there, but it was still disturbing to see such signs that they had been. I rejoined the others and told Garrett about what I seen in the night and just found. He considered what I had told him while the company began to travel. It took our group 2 hours or so to make our way to the town. As we got close, I could truly see what was wrong with the forest. I began with a growing miasma. A stench of death, decay, and corruption that grew stronger as we got closer to the forest. Then we could see the forest the trees on the edge looked diseased the bark becoming discolored and showing black veins of corruption. The leaves showing shades of blood red or black. The forest stood silent and lifeless not even the smallest sounds of life. We saw nothing as we approached the forest and the town. It was as we approached the town's main gate that we I saw movement near the edge of the forest. I looked but did not see any creatures just the signs of movement.
When we arrived at the town, we feared me may be too late to help the people. The town's main gates were wide open, and we could see signs of violence and stains of blood in the area near the gate. Garrett quickly issued orders to investigate and find a location to set up an initial base. He also asked the hunters and I to investigate further in town to see if anyone was still alive. Asher led the other hunters into the town, and I began investigating alone into the town. I wandered through the streets I was at an intersection when a bolt landed at my feet. I looked in the direction the bolt came from, and I saw a boy holding a crossbow. He could not have been more than 15. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” asked the boy. “My name is Seth; I am here at the request of the king to investigate what happened to this town and provide help if possible.” I responded. The boy had an expression of mixed hope and disbelief. He came closer and I could see elvish feature that made me think he was of mixed blood. “How do I know you can be trusted. You could be lying and only want to cause us more trouble.” He asked. I knew I had no letter or orders with the royal seal to prove my intentions, but I thought I might have another way. I recalled a sign taught to me by some elves that I had befriended, and I repeated it to the boy. The boy's disbelief melted away as he saw the sign. “You have met elves before” He asked. Before I could answer we heard shouts from nearby. We looked at each other with apprehension and sped in the direction of the shouting.
We came on a scene of confusion. I saw the other hunters near Asher as he picked himself off the ground. Standing in front of them were two boys. One had features like the boy I met but he was much younger only 9 and he was standing behind the older boy. The older boy was closer to my age he stood with an aura of power, and he had his hand extended out. From his hand was a ball of bright energy. I was not sure what was going on until I saw Asher he was angry and not thinking rationally. He charged at the boys and before I could step in the older guy let loose with the energy. It hit Asher and threw him backward into the air he landed on the ground insensate and did not rise. “What is going on?” I asked the hunters. They began to tell me a story of how they saw the younger boy and tried to speak to him. How he ran and the older guy attacked them out of nowhere when they tried to pursue. I knew I could not fully believe them since i was more likely they tried to pursue the boy and freighted him and the older stepped in to protect him. ‘Okay you take Asher back to the others and asked Alethea to look at him, and report to Garrett that we found some survivor, make sure you tell him that due to misunderstandings I will not be dragging them back to the camp ask if he can come here and lead him if necessary.” I told them. One of the hunters gave me a look and said, “You don’t give us orders”. I looked at him and responded “Yes, I can, Garrett maybe the leader of the group, but I am still a Slayer just like Asher and like him I have the authority of the master hunter. I am telling you follow my orders, or you will risk never advancing in or being banished from the Order or worse” The threat worked, and the hunter gathered up their ringleader and fled back to the others. I turned around and saw the survivors staring at me but there were only two. The boy around my age came forward and introduced them both "My name is Jay, and you have already met Rowan the other boy is Sky, and I have sent him to tell grandfather that we have new people.” I introduced myself “I am Seth, and I am sorry you had the misfortune of meeting Asher and the other hunters.” It was not long after our introductions that the Sky reappeared leading an old man “I am Merin the leader of the remaining people in this town.” I introduced myself to him and told him the mission of our company I said, “I am sure our leader Garrett will be on his way before long”. Merin smiled at me and said we should head that way, and we might meet him on the way. We began to walk as I led them to our camp at the gate. As we arrived, I noticed that the company had secured the square in front of the gate. The cargo had been unloaded, and it seemed that they were securing stabling for the horses. I managed to find out where Garrett was and that the other hunters had failed to tell him what had happened. I led Merin and the others to Garrett and they began to talk. We did not get much past the introduction when we began to hear a commotion. We went to the gate where the commotion was occurring. Orders were shouted for all men to come inside and to secure and close the gates. Garrett stopped a frantic soldier and demanded a report. The soldier said that they had left the horses outside the gate to graze as they secured stabling for them. As they were bringing the horses in a few at a time and there were only 5 packhorses to bring inside. When out of the forest came one of the creatures. It seemed to stare at the town and when it spotted the horses it charged at them. The horses broke there leads and bolted in terror at the presents of the creature. Now there were multiple creatures emerging from the forest to pursue the horses and some were heading towards the gates.
At hearing this news, we all made for the nearest stair and went up on the wall. I saw dozens of the creatures and the horses out in front of the town. Some of the creatures were approaching the gate. I and a few soldiers began to shoot arrows at the creatures and managed to bring the creatures near the gates down. We could not save the horses, however. The creatures pursued the horses, and we watched them bringing each horse down. I do not think there are word to describe what happened next. It was like watching starved wolves eat. The horses screamed as the creatures ripped into them. It was horrible to hear the horses screaming and then go silent as the things ate. Jay had been standing near me when we came on the wall and as we watched what was happening. Jay slipped a hand into mine and came closer as if seeking comfort form me. I admit it felt right at that time. It did not take long for the creatures to finish the horses and then they charged and began to eat the creature that we had shot at from the walls. By the time the creatures had finished, and we saw them make back for the forest. Some even sporting distended and deformed bellies from there gorging. We could look out from the wall and could see nothing was left of the bodies they had eaten everything including the bones. Only blood stains were left where the bodies had laid. I looked around and saw that many of the others who were watching had gone pale and a few had even been sick. Rowan and Sky I saw had their eyes shut and ears covered and were being comforted by Merin and Jay had his hand in mine and even put his head on my shoulder. The only one who did not seem to be affected by the carnage we had experience was Asher. Asher was looking in my direction a look of rage and Jealousy on his face. I was thinking that something would have to be done with Asher before something else happened when my thought was derailed by Garrett. “Okay Merin I think it's time we heard the story about what is going on here”
Day 2 Flashback
After the incident we gathered to hear Merin’s story. He began by telling us that he was the leader of a few dozen survivors. That these survivors were staying in the fortified buildings near the heart of the city and had served as the government center of the town. That these survivors were the last of a thousand souls that had lived in the region. The trouble had begun several weeks ago. There was a grove near the center of the forest that had served as a holy site for a group of men calling themselves druids. One day dark clouds suddenly appeared over the forest and a bloody rain fell upon the forest. Merin and others saw the strange rain fall over the forest. This was the beginning of the trouble it was after this strange event that strange events began. The first strange event was the appearance of a druid coming out of the forest. He came to the village looking tired and disheveled. He told them of something happening in the forest. That the forest had become dangerous that the animals had become hostile and attacked the grove. He also said that some new disease was spreading through the forest and could be seen on the hostile animals. The druid disappeared soon after no one was sure where he went. Most think that he ran away and was wise for the horrors that followed. The days that followed saw and increase in strangeness. The corruption began to spread the trees once strong and tall their silvered leaves began to take the red tint and began showed signs of decay. Soon sounds of animal screams and howls began to emanate from the forest and hunters who ventured in began to disappear. At the time Merin was serving as a counselor to the towns lord and as the town's mage. He tried to investigate the corruption but could not come to the forest without being repulsed by the smell of decay and death and a feeling of unending malice flowing from forest. It was several days more when the first abominations were seen. They came in many shapes and forms akin to animals from the forest. At first, they did little but watch the town, but one night the disaster came. The gates were closed at night but were not barred unless the town was in an emergency. The abominations came in the dark some coming over the wall and opening the gate they entered the town. It began with the screams and soon chaos reigned. The abomination smashed through homes and attacked people. Town guards tried to protect the people but few prevailed to stop the abominations. The only place that was safe from the chaos was the lord's stronghold. Protected by powerful wards and the best warriors set to guard it the abominations could not get in. Merin used his power to try and help the citizens to try and get to the stronghold and safety. The chaos lasted for hours the abominations storming through the town and indiscriminately killing. It was with the dawn that the screaming stopped, and the abominations went back to the forest. Of the almost thousand souls who lived in the town only about 200 had made it to safety and only a hundred that made it through. It was after this that the lord who had survived the attack decided to leave the valley. Many wished to leave with him, but Merin cautioned them not to go that they did not truly know the full extent of the danger. Yet they spent a day in preparation and then over 200 of the survivors left the town. Merin and those who remained only about 20 who chose not to leave at that time hoped that the party would make it. It was not to be, it was dusk when a group of 5 survivors returned to the town. They were wounded and torn; they spoke of how the group had been traveling cross country making for the fortress at the mouth of the valley. It was then that the abominations appeared suddenly they were all around and among the group. They began to tear into the group killing everyone they encountered. The five who made it out dd so only because of the abominations were so preoccupied. Of the five who made it out 4 died of their wounds. Merin concluded his story by saying that the abominations were wholly evil. They did not discriminate by man, woman, or even child they would kill everyone, and they left nothing but blood stains behind. As Merin told his story I watched the others who were in the room. Garrett, Archer, and Jax faces were stony, and I could see the anger just underneath. Kage, the spellcasters, and the priests just looked sick. Jay was next to me, and I could see he looked sad and there was even a tear was in his eye. I put my hand near his and he put his hand in mine. I could see a smile come to his face even in his sadness. I could also see archer across the room. He seemed profoundly unimpressed by the story his eyes never straying from me I saw the rage and jealousy in his face. As the story ended, we all sat or stood there thinking on the story.
Day 3-4
In the days after we discovered the survivors, Garrett went with Merin to the to the place where the survivors were staying. He came back and made order to move the camp up to the fortress. He left 6 men to keep watch at the gate and ordered the gates barred for now. We moved the camp up to the fort. The fort was a strong area that served as the administrative heart of the town. It had its own wall and gate and was protected with powerful wards The fort stood at the heart of the town. It rose three stories tall and had two tall towers. Within the fort there was a guard barracks and command post, a great hall and several rooms and apartments for the running of the town and the lord's pleasures. The supplies in the fort were ample and with our own supplies added we had enough for several days if not several weeks. Garrett found the command post for the towns guard. He took it over and began to set up the command post for himself. The Soldiers took over the guard barracks and they ask took among them the villagers who served as guards. Garrett had a guard post set up at the main gate and would have soldiers there during the day and would have them retreat to the fort at night. The horses were moved up to the fort to ensure their safety and space was made to house them. The villagers stayed within the great hall a place that could be barricaded and easily defended. The others found rooms that they could set to their uses. I found an apartment near the tower from which I could out over the main gate and the forest. It was shortly after I set up in the apartment that Jay, Rowan, and Sky came in. They said that they wished to stay in apartment with to. Before they had been in the great hall with Merin and the other survivors. “Grandfather said we could come and stay with you if we wanted and we do,” said Jay. They chose rooms in the apartment, and we all settled in for the night. We talked into the night; I discovered Jay was also a hybrid of a sort. He had used his power to hide the signs of fact that he was part fey. When I could see through the glamour it saw the shifting color of his eyes and the etheric beauty of his face. I also saw a strange amulet he wore shaped like Tri force symbol with colored stones in the center of the triangles. I told them some about me how I was Nephilim and some about my travels. How I saved a young fay from slavery and how I help a village of elves. After a while the others went to their rooms, and I stayed up thinking of on what I had learned.
The next day Garrett called the company together and laid out his plan. There were in the valley 4 homestead that were kept by families that farmed and kept animals and other things. He tasked me, Jax, Kage, and Asher to lead teams. The teams consisted of 3 soldiers and a ranger. With Kage leading a team of 4 soldiers. The teams will go out and explore the 4 homesteads and determine if anyone was still alive.
We set out that day. I led my group out from town, and we traveled north for about an hour and then we came in sight of the homestead. I told the others to be vigilant, and we entered the homestead. The homestead was a small walled villa there was a central courtyard with a few outbuildings. We could see the evident the abominations had been their smashed structures and bloodstains. We moved through the villa as we looked for anyone. I was walked out towards one of the outbuildings when I saw an abomination. The abomination was in the form of a wolf creature. It was sniffing around the outbuilding that I was moving toward. It did not see me, so I took out my bow and was able to get a shot off and it went down before it was even aware of me. I called out to my team and told them we were going back to the town. There was no one alive in the homestead. We had to get out before anymore abominations showed up. We made it back to town with no other appearance of the abominations. We arrived back at the town at about the same time as Jax and his group. Jax told me they saw no abominations at their site. Jax went up to the fort and I stayed near the gate and stood on watch with the soldiers at the gates. Jay came down from the fort and stood at the gate with me as we waited for the other groups. Soon Garrett, Jax, and Ignis also came down from the fort and joined us at the watch waiting for Kage and Ashers group. It was then that we saw both the groups come into view and then behind them we saw a group of abominations appear behind them. We watched in horror as the abominations chase the groups. Two of the horses staggered when they hit uneven ground and before they could get back, they were overwhelmed by abominations. The abominations dragged the horses and the soldiers down and began to feed. The others could not do anything and kept going toward the town. Some abominations continued to feed while others continued to purse the others. When they came into range, we began to fire arrows into the abominations. Soon balls of fire flashed out form the wall as Ignis brought his powers against abominations to bear. The abominations came on, Kage and 2 men managed to get into the gate, and we provided cover as Ashers, and the rest of the men rode for the gate. Of the four men who were coming on suddenly two more horses went down again. The men were thrown and quickly pounced on by the abominations. The last 2 managed to get through the gates and the gates had to be closed. We listened to the screams of the horses and the men as the abominations ripped into them. One of the men managed to get his feet and was stabbing out at the abominations but he was quickly brought down again before he could go anywhere. While we listened, the men lashed out at the abominations with arrows. It was while in the screaming and ripping that I felt Jay press into me. I looked down at him and notice the fear I put my hand around him providing him comfort while the abominations fed. I turned leading Jay away from the wall and the bloodshed outside. I saw Asher looking at me again he faces stone I could tell nothing from his face. Though I could feel the rage rolling off him as he looked at me. It was after the screaming and tearing stopped that Garrett went to find out what happened and why 4 men had died.
Kage told his story that he found a dead homestead and saw only one abomination that he killed quickly form a distance. It was then that they started back, and they saw Ashers group coming quickly being pursued by the abominations. Asher said he also found an empty homestead and saw abomination. He went out and killed the abomination but shortly after a large group of abominations began to pursue them. Garrett became very angry listening to Asher. “Why did you not kill the abomination from a distance like the others,” Garrett asked. “Because it is not my way” Asher responded. I saw Garrett become incensed and storm off towards the fort while Asher stared at me and Jay.
Day 5
The day following the scouting of the outlying compounds and the death of the men saw a storm come into the valley. Rain fell in sheets across the land obscuring the view of the forest and the creatures within. In response Garrett pulled out all the soldiers on the outer defenses into the fortress. He set the men to other duties within the fortress and began to lay out a plan for the next steps. I made began my own preparations during this time. I went to through my pack and pullout a pouch with some special items and went to the armory and brought back some arrows and began to inscribe them with runes. I was in the room working when Jay came in. “What are you doing?” Jay asked. “I am inscribing these arrows with runes to make them more effective against those creatures” I said. “How is does it work” Jay asked. “When the arrow hits the rune activates and causes a small explosion that will hurt or better yet kill the creature and set fire to others” I told him. “I did not know you could do magic” Jay said. I smiled at him and said, “I learned runic magic from my mentor years ago.” “Is runic magic the only magic you know?” Jay asked. “No but it is the magic I am most powerful with since I have learned many runes from different groups” I told him “I know you do magic do you use incantation or just use an object to channel your power?” I asked. Jay smiled at me this time and reached under his shirt and brought out the amulet. Made of a dark medal and set in the shape of a tri force I noted four small gems a ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond each set in the center of each triangle formed. “This is the object I channel my power though” Jay said “I got it from my parents before they died, they said the amulet was an heirloom and was made of star metal. The gem are fey stones for each element to help channel my powers”. I was impressed by the amulet it was powerful, and I had a though since he channeled his power. I went over and grabbed my staff and handed it to him. It reacted as if made for him shaping itself to his will forming sharp thorns like blades and then shifting back to a simple staff. There was also a glow as if the staff hummed with power. “It seems like it was made for you” I said. He looked at me a little shocked and said, “I guess so”. He moved to hand it back to me. “You should keep that you will have need of it before this is over, I think” I told him. I smiled “You can give it back when we are safe and away from this place”. Jay smiled back and me and thanked me and fingered the staff. I went back to making the arrows and Jay watched me as I worked for a minute then he saw the pouch. “What is in the pouch” He asked. I stopped working and touch the pouch. “Just some useful pieces I keep around” I told him. I took out some gems and a ring. “The gems are rune stones that I inherited from my family. They are inscribed with angelic runes and can be used for channeling power.” I told him. “What about the ring?” He asked. “That is a bond ring used for a claiming” I told him “I inherited this as well. I have the other here.” I moved my slayer medallion so he could see the other ring on the chain. “What do they do?” Jay asked. “They strengthen the bond of two people who have a claim on each other” I told him. “Do you not have a claim?” Jay asked. “No, I thought I did once, but he did not really want me, only the power and glory I could give him” I said with some anger. “Was it Asher?” Jay asked. I smiled at him without answering and he surprised me by leaning in and kissing me. I was surprised at first but then leaned into it and felt a heat build in my chest near my heart. We broke apart and he smiled at me. He told me he was tired and went to his bed to rest. I smiled and went to a mirror pulling my tunic up I saw a mark on my chest. It was a claiming mark.
Day 6
The next day the rain was still coming down and Garrett did not want people venturing out of the protection of the ward. One of the soldiers came to me with a message from Garrett to attend a strategy meeting. I followed him to the room that Garrett was using as his command post. I saw that included in the meeting was the three Preist Rune, Warden, and Atlas, the two spell casters Ignis and Aletheia, and Archer and Merrin. As I took a seat and Garrett began “I have called this meeting so we can discuss how we can resolve this problem before it can spread. We cannot wait here for them to send reinforcements.” He said “We likely can’t solve this with force. Judging by the extent of the corruption and the presence of whatever these creatures are. Can magic provide any solutions?” I noted the others looking around and Ignis said “We could try to destroy the forest outright, but no one here can summon that kind of power. I doubt fire will be of much use as I cannot guarantee it will spread.” I saw the other nodding as Ignis spoke after he finished. Merrin spoke “I have studied many uses and types of magic. The kinds of magic we would need to resolve this issue would border on the arcane.” Garrett stirred as he heard this “So there is no hope that we can solve this with magic. What do you think priests or you Seth.” The priest looked at each other and said there was nothing that could be done. “We could try using a magical array using runes.” I said. “I have never heard of using runes in a magical array” Rune said. “It is possible I have done it before, if we can set up a series of runic arrays in the proper pattern, we can use it amplify whatever power we decide to use. I would recommend not using destructive magic”. “Why not?” asked Garrett “It would be best to destroy the forest and all the corruption with it”. “No” I said “It would be best if we could purify the forest and everything around it. That way we could ensure we get all the corruption. The corruption might survive the destructive magic”. I laid out my plan for the array and were the individual parts should be set up. After several hours of talking, we left the room to return to our own rooms. As I approached my suite that I shared with the others I heard movement and muffled grunts on the other room. I burst into the room and was shocked with what I saw. Rowan and Sky were being restrained by two of the hunters and Jay was being held against the wall by Asher. “Glad to see you Seth,” said Asher “You have been spending a lot of time with these three. I can see why this one is quite pretty”. “Let him go and leave Asher.” I told him my voice low with rage. “No, Seth I don’t think I will you have been avoiding me for too long, and I am getting tired of your rejections. You are mine.” Asher said with a sneer “I think that since you seem to like this one so much, I might claim him too”. He pushed against Jay, and I heard him groan. My anger grew as I saw Asher hurting him. I felt power building in me as Asher continued. “I might even take those elves when they are older you can all be mine.” Asher let out a laugh at his plan. My anger broke then, and I lashed out with my power. With lashing force, I grab the other hunters with power, and they flew out of the door and the door slammed shut. Asher was thrown and pinned against a wall. “I am not and never will be yours Asher” I told him “I have been and have a claim on another.” I raised my tunic and showed him the claim mark. I saw Asher face go slack and a look of deep pain came on his face. The look passed quickly and was replaced by a look of rage. “Who” he asked, “It is him”. He looked at Jay with a look of livid rage. “You do not need to know who” I said, “You will leave me and them alone from no on”. “You are still mine it is only a matter of time” he said in his rage. “Goodbye Asher forever” I told him. I drew on the power and the door opened and he was thrown out of the room. After Asher was gone, I went up to Jay and took out the rings. I put one on him and let him put the other on me and we kissed again sealing our claim on each other.
Day 7
The morning came with an end to the storm, and it was time to move. As soon as light began to come into town Garrett had groups of men searching the town and resecuring the gates. The wards that were supposed to signal if any creatures came over the wall or messed with the gates were all working. After the town was secure, I met some others near the gate to begin implementing our plan. The plan as it was called for Rune and I both having experience in using rune magic to travel down the borders of the wood and place special amplifying runes. As we prepared for this expedition Garrett detailed men to go with each person in two teams going in along both directions along the forest. My group consisted of one of the other hunters, a ranger, and 4 soldiers. The other group was Rune, a hunter, a ranger, and 4 soldiers. We would each choose one direction and go to predetermined locations and set up the runes. Asher was told to remain with the other hunters Garrett was not going to trust him yet. As we prepared to set out, Jay came down from the fort. He was clothed in light flexible pieces of armor and i could see he held the staff I had given him. He said he wanted to with the team going out toward the forest. There as a short argument where we all tried to dissuade him from going. Merrin even came down looking for Jay and tried to talk him out of going. He was adamant he was going on the mission, and he was joining my group. I had to smile as reluctantly the objections stopped and a horse was brought to Jay. We set out and turning right we moved towards the eves of the forest. It rode for several hours with sporadic stops to set up the runes. The runes were set in the form of a magic circle designed to amplify the power of purifying magic. While we travelled, we watched the forest on alert for any creatures. We occasionally saw movement deep in the gloom of the crimson trees. The smell of corruption and death was strong from the forest, but we saw none of the creatures directly. As we travelled Jay rode next to me and we talked mostly small talk. It was as we were finishing with the last rune and turning back to town that he asked about the nature of the bond we now shared. I told him that the bond created a connection between us the strength of the connection depended on the nature of our relationship. At the most powerful the bond allowed the participates to draw on the strengths of their partner as well as to sense where they are and the shape they are in. When he asked if our bond was that strong, I smiled at him and told him almost before I and kissed him.
As we approached town we saw a scene of chaos. A horde of creatures were at the gate. From atop the walls men were watching the horde and shooting arrows down at them with an occasional blast of fire from Ignis or Merrin. I saw several individuals out from the main horde milling around and I had a thought we did not see any of these things on our trip out and now I knew why. So, they knew we left and decided to trap us outside so they can get us. I saw nothing of the other group they may be hunkered down on the other side of the horde, or they may already be dead. I was sure if we did not get back inside soon more creatures would come and drive us into the horde. Since we had not been noticed yet I got our group together and began planning. I pulled from my pack a bundle of runic arrows that I had prepared and handed them out to the people who had bows. I looked down at the rune stones I had on placed on a Lether strap on my wrist. We all got into position Jay, and I launch fiery magic and the archers loosed the arrows and all along the horde near us explosions went off. The horde broke with the explosions, and I could hear the shouts from the men at the walls. We loosed another wave of explosive arrows and magics into the horde. The horde was turning to come against us when we saw the other group appear they moved quickly to loose arrows from their side but could not bring the level of destruction we could. The horde milled in confusion for a time until the gates open and a group of soldiers with pikes and long spears moved out and the attacks from the walls were renewed. The horde routed and sped back into the forest in the face of the attack. As we came to the gate we saw that the men who had come out were looking at some of the bodies of the creatures and a group were trying to contain a trashing creature that had been brought down but not killed. They managed to pin it down and were discussing how to move it when I saw archer come to them. He was sneering as he inspected the creature it had the shape of a wolf instead of a deer but still had the bloody skinned look to it. Asher bent close to inspect the creature saying it did not look so scary now when the creature reared and spat a glob of black blood at Asher. It took him full in the face, and he fell back sputtering as he tried to clear his face. There were joking laughs that he should not get to close that were stopped the Garrett came out. He ordered the live specimen brought in and confined in a cell in the prison building attached to the fort. He also ordered that several of the more intact bodies be brought in also. Apparently, Atlas desired to study the creature to better understand what they were. We went to Garrett and told him of our mission success. He told us that the creatures came shortly after we left and they thought us dead. He told us that there were some injuries during the fight but no deaths. I saw the hunter go and help Asher up and gave me a clean cloth to clean his face and we retreated into town.
Day 8
The next day we gathered near the gate and looked out to see the area where the fighting took place was now clear of the bodies of the creatures. Only blood and torn earth marking where the fighting had occurred. Atlas had spent the night studying the bodies that had been taken inside and the living specimen that had been captured. From what he had observed to that point the creatures looked like someone had tried to make a living thing but did not know what they were supposed to look like. None of it internal organs seem to function as they were supposed to it did not even need to eat or drink. This created the question of why the creatures always seemed to eat the dead.
We prepared for the next part of our mission we needed to place a central purifying rune near the heart of the forest to get to the heart of the forest we would need a special team. Garrett chose the rangers and the hunters to enter the wood. I was place in charge of the team with Kage as the second in command. Asher and the other hunters and the rangers were all brought to enter the forest. Asher was angry and sullen as was expected when he learned he was serving under me, and I could feel his anger and Jealousy radiating off him when he looked at me. This time Jay did not come to demand that he be allowed to come but only to see me off. We left town and headed for the forest. When we entered the forest and came under the red canopy and gloom we felt a foreboding presents. Its attention was not focused on us, but we could feel it bearing on us. Even Asher became intent due to this presents. We found the path that was supposed to lead to the grove of the druids and moved down it. We lost a ranger before we even got to the grove. It was an unexpected event. Even with the caution we proceeded with it was when he brushed against some scarlet vines that hung down form the treetops. The ranger brushed against on of the vines and suddenly the vine moved wrapping around the ranger and drawing him up into the canopy. He screamed when he was caught and dragged up. Then his screams cut off and the sound of wet ripping told us the ranger was dead. It was slow going since we had to avoid the trees and plants to avoid any further problems.
When we arrived at the grove i cannot even accurately describe what we saw. At the center rose a great tree it trunk black and its leaves blood red. At the feet of the tree a pool of blood red liquid. Around the pool were large plants they looked diseased they had large growths that seemed to shift as though something was inside. Around the pool was a host of the abominable creatures. I could see the shapes of deer, wolves, and other creatures and I saw near the edge I could see a creature that looked like a man. All bore the signature features of red skin that looked as if the creature had its skin removed and all who faces I could see had large fangs for ripping and tearing. I saw one of the creatures with a large protruding stomach that I had seen on the creatures who had recently fed. I saw it from a distance, and it seemed to come before the pool and regurgitate everything in it stomach into the pool. I did not see what became of the material that went into the pool. What was most terrible was the presents of a giant creature it looked almost like a man but with huge muscle and standing 9 feet tall it towered over the other creature. A goliath among them. I told the others to keep watch and provide a distraction if necessary and I moved into the grove I saw a spot near the edge of the grove by a broken hut that I could place the rune. It took several minutes to get the rune finished and as I was preparing to head back to the others I heard a roar. Asher and the hunters had decided to try and kill the giant. They tried shooting it while it had its back to them, but the arrows failed, and the giant turned to them. It came at them the rangers jumped into action and tried to distract the creature. The others in the grove simple watched as though the giant was commanding them not to interfere with it battle. As I moved to aid the rangers, I saw the giant move quickly and lashed out with a clawed hand at one of the rangers and he fell to the ground gutted. Another he grabbed and with little effort ripped him in two this ranger he tossed to the other creatures, and he was quickly ripped apart. The giant was bearing down on Kage when I got to them. I had not seen Asher or the other hunters in the fight. I grab on to the giant and drew my dragon tooth knife. The giant had knock Kage on his back when I jump on its grab and held onto it. I stab at it with the dragon knife, and I felt burning magic move from the knife into the giant. The giant screamed and grabbed me. I felt its claws stab into my side when it grabbed me and then it threw me. I felt my body turn as it flew and out of the grove and then felt myself slam into a tree and everything went black.
Day Unknown
For a long time, I floated in darkness, and then I became aware of lights floating in front of me. The lights took on the form of a body and I was sure though not why it was my own body. There was little detail, but I could see in the chest where my heart is I could see a bright golden light. Along different parts of my body were small lights of red, and I deduced that they were places of injury. At my side though was a deep black place the location where the giant's claws had gone in. I saw at the golden light of my heart veins of gold spread out and tried to touch red places and heal them but from the black spot veins of black spread out and moved toward my heart. The golden light moved to defend itself and to heal my body. I saw quickly that I gold light would lose this fight but suddenly I saw a silver light appear it seemed to surround the gold light of my heart, and a light purple light appear over the red places and try to heal them. I saw the golden light flare and no longer needing to devote itself to defense or healing it surged down blackened veins and brought the fight to the darkness. In an unknown amount of time, I saw the golden light break into and dispel the darkness healing the dark spot. The light then moved and healed the red places after the healing the purple light fade away. For a time, the silver light lingered as though giving a soft embrace then it to faded and I felt myself moving back toward consciousness.
Day 11
I awoke to find myself in the bed I had taken in apartments. It was a moment before I noticed that laying close to my body his head on my chest was Jay. I felt Jay stir as i moved and he looked up to see me wake. He smiled at me and called for his brothers to go and find Alethea. She came and gave me an inspection she told me that the healing that had been performed was successful, but I would be weak for at least two more days. I asked Jay and his brothers what happened to me and how long I had been asleep. Jay told me I had been asleep for three days. Awhile after we left Jay said he had felt something like an echo of pain and then an hour after that he saw the Hunters come out of the forest and make for town. The hunters were Asher and two others. They rushed in but did not tell anyone where the others were or what happened. It was another hour before others came out. It was the other two hunters one carrying an injured me and the other supporting Kage. They took me to Alethea for healing and told of what happened. The going into the forest and the battle with the giant. I had apparently managed to injure the giant and keep ahold of my knife but had been thrown and hit and tree. I was mainly saved from dying because of wards against physical damage. The wards help keep every bone in my body from shattering but not from losing consciousness or getting injuries. The worst injury was deep claw wounds in my side that seemed to be infected. For a while Alethea despaired no matter what she did nothing seemed to help the claw marks began to turn black and it was spreading. It was not until Jay came and used his power to bolster me and Alethea tried to heal that I started to heal. After I started to heal, I was moved to my rooms and Jay had hardly left my side. The two hunters who had help me bring me back had decided not to follow Asher anymore and had been guarding the door to the apartment since I was brought back. It was a good thing they did for several time since I was brought back to my rooms Asher had been by demanding to enter. He still claimed I was his and he needed to check on me. I asked what else had happened since I had been unconscious, but Jay told me to relax, and I would hear about it in tomorrow.
Day 12 part 1
I awoke in the morning to find Jay was still in my arms. I was still weak from the injuries done to me in the forest. As I stirred so did Jay he looked up and gave me a kiss. For a time i was content to let this situation continue but I knew I would have to know the truth soon enough. I asked Jay to tell me what had been happening while I was unconscious. He frowned and looked sad at me. “I cannot tell you everything” he said “at least not yet.” He told me that there had been losses and that we were now effectively trapped in the fort the creatures held back only by the wards Merrin had set up. He told me he would tell me after the others had come to see me. I spent most of the morning talking to Jay, Rowan, and Sky. Others came in to see me and ask after my health. It was about mid-day that I felt strong enough the other hunter and Jay helped me down to the main war room that was being used by Garrett. I saw that Garrett had gather some of the others, but I did not see Ignis, Rune, or Warden among those that were present. Garrett looked at me and began to lay out the story of what had been happening while I was unconscious.
Day 8-10 Flashback
It was shorty after we left to go into the forest that Warden and Rune came to Garrett and talked to him about the possibility that some creatures might escape the valley. They told him about the fortressed at the opening of the valley and the defenses around the fort. They wanted to go and ensure that the magic protecting the fort, and the opening were still in place. They left town with 6 soldiers for protection. It was after that we came back out of the forest injured. Kage and I were taken to the room Alethea was using as an infirmary. For the rest of that day Asher ranted and raved still declaring I was his. He tried to break into the infirmary until Garrett had him confined until he calmed down. Nothing was heard from the other expedition going to the fort and it could only be hoped they made it to.
It was the next day that disaster struck. The morning came with some hope Archer and Ignis were watching the defenses on the gate. When out of the forest surged the giant and a a host of abomination. They moved quickly against the town gates. The giant breaking the gates open and the creatures coming through. An intense battle was fought to try and hold the gate but the soldiers were forced to give way and retreat. As the soldiers were force into retreat Ignis decided to perform a powerful spell to thin the numbers of the creatures. He gathered as much magic as he could hold while the soldiers slowly retreated with archer directing the retreat. When the soldiers were a safe distance Ignis released the power, he had been holding. A massive fire ball expanded out from him and consumed everything around him. The explosion of magic destroyed the gates and the nearby buildings as well as many of the creatures. Archer and his remainer of his soldiers managed to retreat back to the fort. The results saw 6 soldiers being killed and 2 others severally wounded. We had to settle into a siege now the creatures now prowled the town and with the gate destroyed there was no security. The defenses on the fort held back the abominations for that time and the giant seemed to have disappeared after the death of Ignis. During this time everyone was on high alert. Asher seemed to be going mad during this time. He would appear at the door of our apartments and demand to see me. The only reason he was held back was because of the presence of the two hunters who were now guarding my doors. When he wasn’t trying to get into me,he was wandering around the fort aimlessly or he was in the cells he seemed to be fascinated by the living specimen that had been captured. Atlas had been studying the creature and the dead specimens. From his studies he found out that the creatures were made from a mix of organic materials, and a foreign substance.
Garrett, Archer, Jax, and Merrin spent much of this time together to try and figure out what to we could do now. With the town being lost and we being besieged in the fort we did not know if we were going to be able to escape. Jay spent all the time tending to me while I was unconscious and receiving dark looks from Asher whenever they were within sight of each other. There was a heightened state of anxiety and tension among the survivors as they heard of the new siege.
Day 12 part 2
After hearing about what had occurred. I was tired and depressed they helped me to go back to the apartments. I spent time talking to my fellow hunters and spending time with Rowan and Sky. I look out of a window and saw the burned ruins near the gates but I did not see any visible creatures moving around but could see the red eyes in the deep shadows as they watched the fort. As the darkness came we went to bed. I awoke a few hours after darkness fell. I was not sure what awoke me. I felt Jay next to me stir. Then I heard what had awoken me a thump as though something had fallen. Jay woke up and got out of the bed to see what was going on. It was then that the room to our bedroom open up. A wash of torch light came into the dark room and Asher came in. He was followed by his hunters. Asher held a bloodied knife in his hands. I could see in the main room of the apartment a body on the floor. Asher and his cronies did not say anything but barged into the room. Asher grabbed Jay and pushed him against a wall. Jay was only dressed in a white undershirt and a loin cloth. “I would have loved to have some time with you” Asher said, “but we are out of time, and you tried to take what is mine”. I saw the knife flash in the torch light and Jay grunted. I saw Jay fall a red stain growing on his shirt. The Asher came to me. “Take him” Asher said to his cronies “We are almost out of time”. I saw one of the hunters come up to me and put a cloth over my mouth. I could smell the chemical and began to hear shouts and screams from outside as my mind went dark.
Day 13
I awoke this time from a chemical stupor. I was in a tent a thin blanket was covering me and I was lying on the ground. I heard movement and looked around. I was Asher he was smiling a self-satisfied smile. “Good morning, Seth” Asher said. “What did you do Asher” I asked him. “I thought that was obvious Seth I am taking what is rightfully mine. I have delt with those interlopers and now i will take you Seth.” He told me about how he interfered with the circle of ward protecting the fort and how he came to the apartment and slit the throats of the two hunters and stabbed Jay. Then he kidnapped be and escape though the escape tunnels while the abominations came into the fort and killed everyone. I asked what he did to Rowan and Sky. He said he lock them in their bedroom so that they could wait for the creatures to find them. I could not mourn for them, and I wanted to but I would not let Asher see me mourn for Jay and the others. After telling me this Asher took a rod metal that looked like a brand. “It is time for me to claim you Seth and this will help” Asher told me. “You cannot claim me Asher I have nothing but contempt and hatred for you Asher” I told him. “I don’t think it will matter” he said. He let me see the symbol and I recognized it a slave bond. “You recognize it, if you will not be mine willingly then you leave me no choice” he said. He heated the metal and placed the brand against my chest on the spot where Jay’s claim mark was still visible. I felt the hot metal against my skin and pain exploded from the point of contact.
I faded in and out of consciousness for while the searing and freezing pain radiating from the point of the brand. In the moments of consciousness, I would see Asher staring at me a look of unveiled lust and joy as he watched me suffer. At one point I gave Asher a look of hate and he smiled more “The pain will stop when you give in Seth” he laughed “You can always keep fighting I am enjoying it.” After this I faded back into unconsciousness the only thing that allowed me to keep fighting against the slave bond was the memory of Jay.
After a while I awoke again the pain was less, but I felt no pull to toward Asher. He looked at me and seemed upset. “You are strong willed to resist the slave bond Seth, but I have plenty of time and we will keep up until you give in” he said. He heated the brand again and pressed it to the same place and I fell into unconsciousness again.
The next time I came back into consciousness, I heard shouts from outside and then I saw the tent top get ripped away. The giant stared down at me it reached it hand out and grabbed me while I faded back into unconsciousness.
Day 14
When I awoke next, I was in the grove I tried to move but I saw that I was tangled in one of the plants around the large pool. I saw movement and turned to see Asher but grossly changed it was like he was turning into one of those abominations. His skin had begun to take a reddish tint, and his eyes had turned scarlet. He smiled and his teeth were sharpened to points. “Your awake Seth” he said. “What happened to you Asher” I asked. “I have awakened, I have bathed in the pool and received the blessings of the Crimson King” He said “fear not Seth soon you will awaken too, and we will rule over a realm in the name of our crimson king. For now, I give you this glimpse of your awakening.” He touched me on my forehead, and I felt something invade my mind. What passed through my mind was a series of terrible violent scenes of violent, death, and desecration. Visions that I cannot and will not go into details about but near the end of the visions I saw and felt a terrible presents of indescribable power and evil. The present seemed to be emanating from a place a deep endless fog. I could feel the presents focus on me and I was drawn towards it. A crimson light was around me and a giant shadow form looked at me with points of bright scarlet for eyes. I screamed and my sanity broke in the presents of this monstrous entity. It was then everything went black.
I came back to consciousness when I felt myself being lifted. I looked around and saw Asher had lifted me and was carrying me towards the bloody pool. “Now you will bath in the pool Seth and We will be together forever.” He said. I was still not entirely sure what was happening when I heard noises from behind Asher. He spun around and I could see a small group of people had appeared. I was sure that I was hallucinating for the people I saw were surly dead. Jax and Kage were covering Jay, Rowan, and Sky. Jay was carrying the staff and was lashing out with destructive magic. Rowan was carrying my rune sword and he and Jax was slashing and stabbing at any creatures that came near. Sky was carrying my bow and was shooting rune arrows with Kage. I heard them shouting about me and trying to get to Asher, but he seemed to float up and moved above the pool. “So, you're not dead Jay but your too late Seth is mine. He will go in the waters and rise as a new being.” Asher said. I knew he was going to drop me into the pool I looked a Jay and thought I saw a bright glimmer from him. The glimmer amplified into a bright orb that seemed to rise from Jay and speed towards me. I could see through the light and saw the glimmering shape of the Seraphim blade. I stretched out my hand and the hilt slapped into my hand. All this happened in a blink of the eye. As Asher shift from the bright flash, I lashed out and buried the blade into Ashers chest. Asher screamed and I felt a bolt of power flow into him. Asher body shone for a moment, and I was thrown from him keeping ahold of the blade. I flew out and landed on the ground just before the pool. Asher kept screaming as he fire burst from his wound and consumed him. He fell into the pool and the flames did not die but seemed to spread across the pool. The creatures in the grove all scattered when Asher screamed all except for the Giant who became disorient. Kage moved quickly and put several rune arrows into the giant. The explosive fire severally damaged the Giant, but it managed to grab Kage, and it looked like it was going to eat him when Kage put a last arrow into its mouth and managed to kill the giant. When the giant fell Kage was released and he fell broken and wounded. Jay, Rowan, and Sky came to me they went over me and made sure I was okay and gave me a clean set of clothing. Jax went to Kage and then came to us. He shook his head telling us that Kage was gone. We moved out of the burning grove and made for the path. We were forced to stop when we saw that several of the creatures were surrounding us. I felt power pulsing in the seraphim blade and in another flash of light a dome of light surrounded us. The dome drove back the creatures, and none could get close to us. Another pulse of power and a tunnel extended from the dome heading to the edge of the forest. I told everyone to move down the tunnel as it would not last long. As we moved down the tunnel Jay told me about what happened.
Day 13 Flashback
Asher had disrupted the fort defenses, and the Abominations had come in. Archer and his soldiers were overwhelmed trying to stop the creatures from getting inside. Once in they killed indiscriminately. Merrin came to the apartment when the creatures first started to attack and discovered what had happened there. He used his power to help heal Jay and released Rowan and Sky. They gathered what they could of my gear and clothing from the apartment and he led them toward the escape tunnel to get out of the town. They met Garrett and Jax leading men to try and save who they could and Merrin told them of what happened in apartment. Garrett sent Jax to aid them and he led his men to try and save who they could and get them to the escape tunnel. When Merrin brought them to the escape tunnel he told Jax to take Jay and the other down the tunnel and he would follow with as many as they could save. Jay, Rowan, and Sky gave Merrin a hug before they moved down the tunnel with Jax. They moved to the end of the tunnel and finding a view of the town they watched and waited but only Kage emerged from the tunnel. He said that Garrett and his soldiers fell trying to defend the villagers as they ran for their lives and Alethea fell defending the infirmary. Merrin was still standing guard at the entrance with the intent of guiding anyone else to the escape tunnel. They knew the end came when the ground began to shake and the fort and most of the surrounding town collapsed leaving the entire area buried in rubble.
Kage led the others and managed to find the destroyed campsite and the tracks going back into the forest. Jay managed to convince the others that I might still be alive and got them to enter the forest where they managed to save me.
Day 14 cont.
We continued down the tunnel. When we started hearing movement in the tunnel behind us. I told them the creatures were in the tunnel since the dome had failed. Jax fell back and decided to hold off any of the creatures that managed to get close. As we moved down the tunnel, we would occasionally hear a shout and the thuds as Jax struck out. Eventually Jax’s shouts became softer, and he soon fell silent. We came to the end of the tunnel and the edge of the forest. I turned around knowing that Jax had fallen covering the rear. I raised my hand with the Seraphim Blade still in it and golden fire shot down the tunnel consuming everything in the tunnel. We turned and we began running away from the forest. I felt power pulsing for the angel blade and a golden glow surrounding our little group and in almost record time we had past the ruins of the town over the plains, and we came to the fort at the opening of the valley. We stopped and entered the fort. I lead the others up to the top of the watch tower on the fort. We looked out from the tower, and we could see the fire still burning at the heart of the forest grove. I let a tear fall for I could feel across the valley and there was nothing alive accept us in the valley. I raised the Seraphim Blade up above my head and a blinding golden light flared out and banished the coming night. A golden dome form over the fort and a wall of light flashed out to enclose the valley. Then golden orbs formed above the dome and flew into the valley. Where they landed golden flames flared up and spread until the valley was awash in purifying golden fire.
I lowered the seraphim blade and turned to my new little family. I suggested we all go to bed, and we found rooms inside the tower. I looked through the gear that the boys had brought it was all of the essential gear that I had brought. I also saw they saved some personal things that were important to them. We then went to the room and settled into rest.
Day 15 - 20
The next morning, we looked out at the scared burning ruins of the valley. The purifying flames had already burned and cleansed the land. I sent the two younger boys out to a location I knew was safe to gather some provision and wait for us. Jay and I did some searching of the valley to try and make sure nothing of the abomination survived. We then went to join Rowan and Sky. We spent the next few days resting and I prepared this manuscript. I will leave it were someone is sure to find it.
Royal Report on the fire at Silverleaf Forest – Final
Your Grace and my lords
We have concluded our investigation of Silverleaf Forest. We can verify several things depicted in the manuscript was true. The town ruins show signs of much destructive magic being used and the destruction of main fort inside the town. We have also seen signs of some strange elements including bones purged in flames near the suspected center of the forest.
It is my opinion that the events in the manuscript are true. I also believe that the slayer Seth is a hero, and every attempt should be made to honor him.
Addendum from the royal Scholar,
Your grace
Having reviewed the manuscript. I can safely say that the creatures described seem to be related to a being described in the mage Malik’s work “The Old Ones”. If someone has discovered how to summon such creatures into the world, we must be very vigilant and may the Archons save us.
Addendum from the Grand master of the Hunters
Your Grace and My lords
I have reviewed the Manuscript and after having discussed this with the other Masters it has been decided that Seth is absolved of any crimes related to this incident. We have chosen to honor him with a promotion to master slayer and have given him the title of the “Golden Slayer”. We have let it be known among our order aa well as the knowledge that Asher had become corrupt and has had his name and memory struck from the roles of the honored dead.
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