Absolution Of The Black Wyrm

[Kahzo1 218]

The sound of feet marching ringed through the tiny town of Sabrinsky as a crowd of men and women marched towards the Northgate, the pitter-patter of robed men mixed with the stomping of those whom were armored. The entourage was just as impressive, having picked up the Archmages Crumena and Orbos, with the garrison being led by Lorethos Basileus, Baron of Sabrinsky. The group stopped upon reaching the corrupted and tainted soil of the north, they saw and heard nothing other than the howling of the Northern winds. The silence was quickly broken by Jack, he commanded the group to push forward reminding the bunch that they could turn back now. None broke off from the pack and they continued on, carefully walking over the swaying bridge as they passed through the broken gatehouse.

 

 

They marched huddled together, sharing eachother's warmth as the frigid winds within the deep north began to pick up. They had lost track of time, hours had passed since they first entered the wasteland yet their efforts seemed useless. None opposed nor complained as they remained vigilant, following in suit with Jack as he continued to move ahead. Ice and snow lined to their knees as they trudged forward unknown of what or whom they were marching towards. Somewhere within the deep north, lies the clues to the final key. The final puzzle to opening the door, the gateway that determines the fate of both the mortals and the Scourge. Their footsteps froze as all of them grew quiet, a deafening sound rang through the air louder than the howling of the wind.

 

The group continued to freeze, many grabbed their ears covering it from the piercing noise. The screeching continued as Jack began to march towards it, drawing out his golden shortsword. Others drew their weapons as well, armed with their staves and steel the group pushed forward determined to fight whatever screamed in the frigid winds. The sound of snow crunching under their feet quickly turned to stomping as they stumbled over a stone bridge. The wind's howling halted as the storm began to die down allowing the group to see a bit further into the wasteland. Their following of the screeching had led them to a large stone wall, it had looked cracked and crumbled as if it were an ancient site. Admist the wall there was a hole allowing them to pass but before they could do so they heard the screeching once more, this time within the walls.

 

 

The deafening screeches quickly turned into a voice that echoed across the frozen mountains and hillsides around them. "You trespass upon ground of which does not belong to you mortals, heed my warning and turn back." The voice rang from a tower of which looked barely standing, a figure stood atop it an icy staff in it's ethereal hand as it continued to speak. "You will find nothing in these ruins but your deaths, once more I tell you turn around." The Harbinger continued to bark demands at them but Jack told the followers to move on into the city. As they did the Harbinger spoke once more his voice booming into the ruins. "Merciless I stand, you will all perish, there will be no more mistakes like the Bloody Pith." A staff rose into the air as the figure began to mutter dark words beneath his breath. The staff circled with a thick smog as it glowed, aimed towards the group a dark ball of matter flew towards them halting before reaching them. It stopped midair, ripping a tear in the skies as horrific beasts and fallen soldiers began to flow out of it falling down upon the group.

 

The pack split up, each of them running and fighting for their lives admist the tight space of the ruined city. The group fought the scourge valiantly, their efforts proved useless until the rift closed and the Scourge force's numbers began to dwindle. They glanced around, ignoring the chanting ringing out from the Harbinger's mouth. Jack saw two bodies of adventurer's he had gathered and bent to the knee, closing their eyelids. There was no time for prayer nor sorrow, the group pushed on through the city towards the tower to confront the Harbinger. Their breaths quickly turned into gasps for air as they grew weary and tired of fighting mixed with the climbing of stairs, they did not rest but rather continued forward until they were quickly ambushed by the Harbinger's magic.

 

An armored man's gauntlets began to freeze before the large frostfire ball even hit them. Upon impact it froze the man in place his armor and flesh shattering as his body fell upon the ground. An expression of fear still remained on the frozen corpse of the man. Jack quickly rushed towards the tower with the pack following right behind him. Spells flung down from above as some of the group was picked off, they rushed up the hill of snow towards the being, anger and fear fueling their actions. The Harbinger was quickly outnumbered and surrounded, the glacial staff continued to fling spells at them but the staff flew from it's hands as a man jumped on the Harbinger knocking him to the floor. The man ripped the helmet from the Harbinger, the group in unison swung and kicked at the being until the armor began to bend and unequip from the Harbinger. A black ethereal mist made its way up from the armor as it tore away from the ancient metal into the frozen sky. 

 

The wizened old man's tattoo flickered to life, his eyes glowing with blue energy. He slashed his staff into the air, energy crackling from it. "You will not escape this time Daink, you must be punished for your actions!" He swung his sword into the air as his palm extended forward. A light condensed from it as it surrounded the black ethereal being. His sword pointed towards the now floating mist and looked determined as he watched a blinding light begin to glow within the black mist. The light began to tear at the ethereal form, it convulsed as it flew around screeching but did not make it far. The screeching continued, the form began to stretch and then suddenly it all stopped and nothing remained but a black dust. Jack looked down upon what remained of the dead Harbinger and turned back to the group. A few cheered, others mourned those who had fallen, but all of Anthos could hear the dying screeches of yet another Harbinger's death. Some hope still remains for those fighting for it. Before their departure Jack murmured quietly "Xan embrace thy, Jared Blackfoot. May he be at rest."