Awareness: Part 2

[Smaw 2376]

"What is left when your brothers die?"
 

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Slowly but surely, Kharak made his way to the surface. The great winds of the Uzg welcomed him with a chilling embrace as he stepped out into the upper area of the fort. The cramped surface was essentially a ruin, the stone walls tarnished beyond repair. Whether intentionally or otherwise, the entrance to the fort had remained this way for decades; perhaps a symbol of the neglect the Raguk had for the surface.

 

Kharak looked to his left, to the enormous pile of coal that was resting upon the cracked stone wall. He edged closer to it, picking the larger pieces out of the pile and setting them down upon the entrance to the stairwell. When he had adequately blocked it, he nodded to himself and made his way out into the open expanse of the desert. He strolled briefly along the biting sands of the mountainside, observing as the sand slid down with every foot print. When he was far enough from the ruins, he sat himself down upon the dune. He placed the items he was carrying between his legs and reached for the pouch. A great amount of cactus green sprung forth as he untied it. Adding the contents to the aged pipe, he lit it for consumption, proceeding to take a great many puffs from it before reclining himself into the sand, rolling his focus upward, toward the night sky.

 

The breathtaking, celestial display above him encapsulated his senses as he lost himself among the stars. Those dazzling lights and formations drawing all activity from his mind, as if an open canvas for his thoughts to place themselves. He lay there in silence, an overwhelming sense of peace ushering through his very core. He had not often witnessed the night sky, being so often reclined to his chambers within the clan fort.

 

The life of a Raguk was one of service, a great labour that took place beneath the scorching sands of the Uzg. Ordinarily he would live and die beneath the land, in the burning catacombs of the Raguk industry; but he was a Wargoth, a raider at heart. He was destined to die in combat, something he had accepted openly from his conception. This notion was drilled into many of the Uruk that found themselves within the War Uzg. It was noble to die in battle, to show your strength until the very end. Your last breath would be a roar, an act of defiance against the inevitable darkness.

 

Suddenly, the wind broke, ushering a great silence as Kharak continued to look up at the stars that danced before his eyes. Some shot across his view, flashing for a brief moment before disappearing into the abyss. He took in a deep breath, sitting himself up as he looked out upon the vastness of the Uzg. A lonesome creature appeared to be walking along the sands, edging closer toward him with every passing moment. Kharak squinted at it, trying to assess what the figure was. Strangely, it appeared to be a bear, walking along a foreign environment at a languid pace. The Orc rose to his feet, sliding down the duneside to approach the bear.

 

When the beast came closer, Kharak clutched onto his dagger in anticipation. The bear appeared to be drowsy, its eyes half shut and swaying from left to right in a slow movement. It looked to be assessing Kharak, and it began to walk circles around him, grunting every so often. The Orc followed its movements, holding his weapon outward in anticipation of an attack. Suddenly, it turned to face him completely, and slumped itself down upon the sands, sitting and glaring at him in an absolute reticence. Kharak reclined his head in confusion, returning the silent stare for a time before too sitting himself down upon the sand. He crossed his legs, glaring into the bear's tired eyes.

 

It was a near impossibility that a bear could have made its way into the Uzg unless it had been brought in by another Uruk. Perhaps it had escaped from some other Orc. Why did it appear so relaxed? It wasn't exactly fatigued, more in a state of narcotic influence than anything else. The bear simply watched Kharak for a time; a time lost to Kharak himself as he caught himself up in a state of confusion and interest. Suddenly, the bear let out a gaping yawn before its lower half began to collapse, turning into grains of falling sand before the Orc's very eyes. Soon the rest of the bear followed suit, it's entire form becoming one with the sands of the Uzg. Kharak gasped in astonishment, rising to his feet as he searched for the source of this great magic. 

 

 

Safety in Numbers

 

Kharak was alone, utterly and completely. The Uzg seemed different to him. It was inherently the same, everything appeared to be where it should, but he could not shake the niggling feeling that something was amiss. His heart pounded against his chest as he looked toward the sand where the bear once was. As he began to walk backward in a brisk pace, he turned on his heel and dashed onward, making his way to Laz'Dur; the great Orcish capital. When he broke out into the first plateau, he saw no life around him. It was the dead of night, and the Uruk were usually sleeping. He called out for help in a great effort, proclaiming that someone was using magic.

 

When he received no response, he frantically rushed to each tent surrounding the campfire. As he burst through every entrance, he saw nothing within the homes. No decorations or idols, nor food or weapons. They were all eerily similar to his own room; devoid of life, perhaps devoid of meaning. He turned back to the fire, sitting himself down upon a nearby log. Resting his elbows upon his knees, he cradled his head in his hands, rubbing his forehead in a state of desperation. As he sat there, a horrible realisation shook him. He turned his attention to the fire before him, yet it did not crackle as it had done so often in the past. The Uzg had fallen deaf, empty of any sound. Kharak rose to his feet in alarm, and suddenly the ground beneath him began to rumble.

 

The plateau he was on began to fall upon itself, the lower region being much smaller and weaker than the upper. As such, it began to tumble sideways. Kharak attempted to rush to the edge, but was helpless against the angle the plateau was quickly falling at. He began to slide along the floor, crashing into the tents as they too fell. A clear view of the body of water beneath him opened up as he flailed through the air. The heavier debris would be the first to crash into the waters, with Kharak himself following suit.

 

As the waters enveloped his senses, something large smashed against his skull. He lost sight of his surroundings, falling into darkness.

[Angmarzku 1251]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.