Fall Of A Guardian

[dandan1350 479]

 

 

Daniel flung off his hood, looking about the travelled tracks as he continued his stroll. Letting out a slight sigh he began to think of the past few weeks that had occurred, the death of his child Alyssia, found cold in her cot. The sudden reappearance of his father once again back into his life, even his brother Grant had come back into his life, the loss of one family member and the gaining of two others confused him. He wasn’t a sociable person but he wasn’t an outcast, he wasn’t sure how to react to gaining a few new friends around his town. His connection to the patron had now solidified, Tahariae knew him well but sadly he didn’t grant Daniel the power he needed to defend the lights will, this left him also confused. He was conflicted and confused about how an all powerful being could allow such pain and death to exist while he persists for purity, his faith was being tested and it was indeed faltering. He shook his head of the thoughts, looking from his worn boots up to the path only to be met with the sight of leaves, his thoughts had let him wander astray, leading himself into the depths of a forest within the unknown lands. He grumbled, letting his frustration out in a flow of curses to himself, sighing once again he looked about his surroundings. Daniel could see no sign of the nearby road he once travelled upon, nor any sign of light. He was simply surrounded by the darkness, like always it seems. The leaves and branches blocking his view every couple of feet as he scanned for a way out, none came to him, he sighed once again now growing increasingly frustrated. Without thought he began his walk once again, passing through and ducking under the many obstacles and branches blocking his path, his ears twitching slightly as he tried to block out the howl of wolves and the chatter of other beasts and creatures within the woods, his pace began to increase, not from fear but simply wanted to escape and see the light once again. He only found himself deeper in the forest now, giant pine tree’s sprouting out as far as his elven eyes could see. Not even the sunlight could pierce through the thick bush of leaves as he continued his path through the forest.

 

“Well, Daniel. You’ve landed yourself in the shitter now, lost in a forest at night with howling wolves. Well done…”

 

He muttered to himself, pressing now further into the woods till he met a clearing, he stopped in his tracks, looking about at the surveying tree line before slowly stepping into the middle of the clearing. His eyes darting over the shadows for the signs of what howled in the night. He was met with a deadly and eerie silence as the forest fell silent. Daniel continued to mutter insult after insult to himself as he paced in a circle, his eyes running over the darkness that was the forest but no sign of life or anything for that matter could be seen in the dim forest. He bowed his head, slowly muttering a prayer inaudible to most as he balled his left fist, as his volume slowly raised a slight illumination came from his left hand, lighting up the surrounding area.

 

“Tahariae guide by path and grant me with the blessing mistook by most men that is light..”

 

He finished his prayer, cut off as the dim illumination shone over a few shadowed figures as a bead of sweat fell from his brow, a heavy breath escaping him as he pushed himself for such a simple illumination, a growl following shortly after as Daniel only looked up to see the body of a wolf leap towards him. He stumbled back, tripping onto the floor with a grunt as a large amount of drool was flung from the snarling and biting wolf on top of him. The only thing parting them being his right arm pressed against the wolfs neck. He swung his balled left fist up into the side of the wolf, sending it sprawling off him with a slight whimper, scrambling back from the pack that stood waiting to lurch upon him. “I’m in trouble…” He stopped his crawling, his hand grasping around the battle axe slung in its sheath upon his back, quickly flinging it out he took to brandish it in one hand, swinging it out idly at the wolves to hold them back as he moved to bring himself back to his feet, a small growl escaping his throat as he stood off against the pack. Continuing to swing the ax around wildly he slowly stepped back, then without warning he dug his heels into the ground and pushed off, with that the first wolf lurched and met its end in a swift second with a harsh whimper as the ax slammed into its side, sending it off course and into the tree trunk nearby. Daniel didn't stop his advance, drawing back the ax he readied for the next pounce of the nearest wolf, swinging the pommel of the ax shaft into its nose and once again halting the wolves attack, another one down on the floor whimpering in pain. “Next on-” He was cut short, letting out  cry of agony as he suddenly felt a sharp pain run up his leg, the third wolf who had snuck around him had dug its teeth into the flesh of his left leg. He fell to a knee, swinging the ax round behind him with as little strength as he could muster, slowly beginning to get worn out, the axe’s blunt head connected to the third wolf and sent him sprawling off to the side and into the shadows. With a ragged breath, Daniel planted his ax into the ground and pushed himself up with it, ignoring the otherwise agonizing pain that was his left leg, he let out another ragged breath, grunting in pain as he stood up. Looking about he thought that to be the end, a simple pack of three that had attacked him, only to be quickly wronged as he heard a loud growl escape the shadows of the tree line, a glint of red eyes and the snap of teeth as the large alpha male of pack rammed into Daniel, sending him sprawling onto his back, his grip faltering around the ax as it was sent flying into the woods. He slammed his arm up quickly against the wolves throat, holding it back as the powerful jaw snapped at his face, the teeth inches away from him as he frantically tried to push the beast back, his strength slowly began to falter as the teeth drew nearer to his face, growling and barking filling his ears as his other hand fumbled around for an object to hit the wolf with. Finally his hand clasped around a rock, quickly bringing it up he smacked the stone into the neck of the wolf, sending it back a few inches before he rammed the stone at the wolf again, sending it off him. He quickly moved forwards, swinging the rock one more time for the wolf, however his swing was intercepted as the flash of teeth dug into his arm, instantly causing him to drop the rock. The wolf now happy with its sitting thrashed its head around manically, tearing up his right arm with each swing of its head. Daniel panicked, kicking his leg wildly at the untamed beast, blood pouring from his arm as he began to score blows into the wolf's side. With a few more successful kicks he sent the wolf off him, its teeth ripping apart the flesh as they dragged away from Daniel’s arm. Daniel let out a swiftly cry of pain as he fell back, his vision blurring as he fell back against the dried leaves, looking up to the star filled night sky in the opening. He heard another growl, a snap of teeth and a shadow looming over him as his consciousness was lost, his vision black as he passed out. Alone in the forest, with what seemingly would be an angered wolf his fate was all but sealed. The last thing he remembered was a thick dwarven accent and a flash of white before darkness again.

 

His presence noticed by most, his body gone and his ax taken. All that lays at his final place that he was seen was the three fallen wolves, the fourth one no where to be seen.

[Dizzy771 900]

*The Grand King whistles a dwarven tune whilst walking through the snow*

[Moot 1719]

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