Striking Of The Moon

[Gladuos 869]

All around him the library lies dark and empty, books stacked on top of each other and papers scattered across the floor. He looks up to see a faintly lit torch before him next to a window, the fire crackling and dancing for him, as if it were there as an entertainer to soothe him in his time of torture. Gladius looks down at his pumpkin wine glass and takes a small sip before setting it down next to him again.

As he sits there in a finely carved seat with thin leather at the spot where he sits, a faint whisper is heard in his left ear. A terrible sensation of fear and familiarity spirals down Gladius' spine, yet he sits still, trying his utmost to ignore the words. He instead begins to think of his brother, "Ulric, oh poor Ulric.." he thinks. He remembers the note left at the base of his tower, covered in water and blood. It would detail to him what became of Ulric. "Poor Ulric, how he died coming for me.." Gladius thought again.

For a moment, Gladius thinks he can feel a weak breath on his left shoulder, he feels the same sensation of fear and familiarity. He begins to think of his friends, "I wish they were here.." Gladius closes his eyes. "I wonder if they are dead now.." he thinks solemnly. As he is thinking this, the pumpkin wine comes upward again, pressing against his lips as he takes another sip.

A feeling of presence and claustrophobia is felt all around him, the books and darkness of its shelves seem to suffocate him. He hears more whispers, "Send them forth, allow lamentations.. You will not deny me..." Gladius sits in his chair, murky grey eyes staring blankly at his staircase beyond the books. A tear pours out from his left eye, spreading slowly down his cheek. Gladius' hand loosely forgets about the wine glass as it slips and falls to the floor, shattering into pieces, liquid coating the floor. Gladius ignores this and instead begins to think of his wife Fira. He wondered how she died, did she die in agony all those years ago? He imagines an arrow crashing into her as fire burns the sky by dragons. He imagines her dying in agony as his young son watches helplessly. "Was she wondering why I wasn't there?" He thought. Another tear runs down his right cheek.

Gladius' fist clenches as the sound of bones crack in his knuckles. He looks at where the wine glass was as he sighs. He looks up to see a darkness all around the room, a hulking beast in the darkness, his breath is like death and his presence is fear incarnate. Gladius' heart drops as he stares at the monster. Reality warps and stirs as it slowly dissipates from his vision, Gladius' heart begins to slow down as he calms down from what he had just seen. This feeling was still familiar to Gladius, he forgets the ordeal and begins to think about his grandson. "Merek, how I wish I could have met you.." he thinks. "I wonder if you'll fully take my message and succeed in where I've failed.." Gladius' muscles tingle as he feels his chin tremble, more tears falling from his eyes. He looks up, his breath condensing before him.

The torch continues to dance for Gladius in a vain attempt at soothing his aching heart, or so Gladius was thinking. Gladius looks out the window, seeing snow flakes falling downward, spiraling and dancing beside the flames. Gladius only begins to think of the people. He thinks of the people in Aegis, thinking of the terror in their eyes. He remembers seeing the monsters, the undead. He remembers lightning and zombies, killing and killing. He remembers it ever still in Asulon, the constant and irregular lightning storms, the constant killing of the creatures of the night. "The blood.." Gladius thinks. He continues looking blankly at the flame of the torch and the snow flakes out the window. Gladius can remember the tortured and fearful faces, he remembers cutting them down, "The blood.." he thinks again. "The poor one.." Gladius sobs quietly. He remembers smashing one's head in, the blood and soft skull rushing around his armed hands. He remembers slashing some and letting them drain as they die the most painful of deaths. The tears continue streaming down his face, he remembers drowning them.. And of burning them.

"And now.." Gladius finally says aloud. "All I want to do is see my Fira again.. and maybe see my friends again.. But I cannot forget it, it is seared in my mind." he continues. Finally, Gladius stands from his chair, grabbing his brilliantly carved staff from the ground. "No, it will never be forgiven nor forgotten..." Gladius pauses speaking as he eases down the spiraling staircase of his tower. "Is this what you wanted of me!? When you found me so long ago!?" Gladius begins to bring up his voice as he reaches the bottom of his tower.

Gladius bursts from the door of his tower, speed-walking towards the incline on the small mountain on top of which the tower stands. Gladius turns into a full sprint as he runs into the forest just away from his mountain home. "Why would you save me if I were to be in the same place again!?" He screams into the forest as he bolts towards it. The cape of Gladius' hood snags on a branch and it tears as he runs into the darkness, snow falling all around him. He continues to run as fast as he can, staff in hand, all sorts of emotion upon his face. He feels fear, he feels pain, he feels frustration, he feels remorse.. And yet, he feels purpose.

Gladius stumbles and falls onto the leaf covered forest floor, tears down his face. A cut is deep into Gladius' knees as he is hunched over on the floor, it feels as if his whole body is going to fall apart. Gladius just sits there as he sobs, tears flowing from his face. After what seems like hours, Gladius stops this and sits staring at the forest floor on his hands and knees. "And if I were to die today, my story would be just one of many thousands.." Gladius finally says in a solemn tone. Gladius looks up quickly as a sound is heard from the nearby brush.

Before him the sounds of many groans and many cracking bones is heard behind the brush. In moments, many zombies and many skeletons rush from the woods, snow falling delicately before them. Gladius stands straight up with his jeweled staff hanging beside him, only the small glint of the moon strikes against his hooded face.

Click

here for part two.

[brvhrt1005 86]

((That was...Amazing))

[Gladuos 869]

((That was...Amazing))

((Thanks, thought you'd like it. :) ))

[Emenzi 1069]

((Just .. Stunning))

[SteelMarshall 190]

((Epic should have this as one of its definitions. Very well-written and emotional. Great job!))

[Gladuos 869]

((Epic should have this as one of its definitions. Very well-written and emotional. Great job!))

((Thanks so much, I tried my best. :D

I neglected to say this, by the way, but the tower in my picture is Gladius' tower if that can be of any visual aid to anyone. :) ))

[Aluaethner 17]

((Could you write a book and send me a copy? :P ))

[Gladuos 869]

((Could you write a book and send me a copy? :P ))

((If only I had the patience. xD))

[dandan1350 479]

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