Shadow strolled into the town of Swarzaria unmasked, the outfit used to guise Shadow’s true identity was stored in a case. Shadow’s long blond hair and baby blue eyes were enough to give anyone the wrong impression. Shadow approached the blacksmith who had made all of Shadow’s weapons and made him jump “Oh its you” he said slightly trembling “What do you want this time”.
“Its time” said Shadow “Things are getting out of hand, the time has come for me to call in the favour”. Shadow had saved the man’s life many years ago, he had been indebted to Shadow ever since and made the odd sword, dagger or anything Shadow requested, but one day the man new that Shadow would one day ask for a much greater weapon, the weapon he had found as a young man. The weapon in question was the Sword of Drakahor, the blacksmith never could work out what was so special about it, it seemed like an ordinary blade, but no sword he ever crafted felt like the sword of Drakahor. He always knew Shadow new he had it, but he wanted to keep it and learn what was so special about it. “I will return the sword once I am done, you have served me well, this is the least I can do”
“Thank you....” said the man “what is your name?” he added.
“Shadow, now fetch me my sword” Shadow said coldly. The blacksmith then went into a back room and emerged with a huge blade, almost as big as Shadow, who was quite tall anyway. The handle of the sword was golden and even though the sword was ages old, it still had a shine. This was the first time Shadow had actually cast his eyes on the weapon. “What‘s that” said Shadow, referring to the small image of a dragon upon the handle of the sword. The blacksmith studied the sword intensely “I do not know Shadow, I have often wondered myself”. Shadow took hold of the blade.
“Good day to you, I will return with the blade when I am done”
“Good day” said the man, watching Shadow leave, who was confident of Shadow’s return, as he knew what an expert warrior Shadow was.
The afternoon sun was declining when compared with the intense heat encountered earlier in the day. The captain of the Legia army, Raiguarde rode alone through the trees and forests where the legendary Shadow had last been seen. `If he is such a good warrior, why does he not want to be seen ? and why does he keep getting spotted ? he is getting lazy` Raiguarde thought to himself in a flurry of thoughts. Raiguarde's horse sped through the forest close to the small town of Tuerak. Five thieves had earlier stolen from a carriage and headed into this forest, one of the many scouts Raiguarde sent out saw their bodies, it was said to be work of the Shadow. Raiguarde’s horse came to a clearing and then frightened went up on two legs, they had come across the five bodies. Raiguarde held the reins tight and managed to steady the horse before dismounting. He examined the bodies carefully, one had a dagger in its throat, another had been shot by two crossbow bolts, the other three were different. There was dried blood around them and on their bodies, it appears they had bled from the mouth, but there was no sign of any sword entry, no sign of any weapon used whatsoever. `This Shadow is very brutal, and very intelligent` thought Raiguarde as he studied the corpses. He scratched his head in thought `why kill two with weapons when he clearly knows some form of killing using no weapons?` thought Raiguarde, adding to the allready huge list of questions he had piled up. The story of Goreoth then briefly flicked into his mind but he discarded it `I refuse to just answer questions with mysteries and legends` he thought to himself `Goreoth was something created to scare people, a fable` he thought, upset at the fact that he had let himself get worked up about something he didn’t believe in. “Deep in thought as always” Raiguarde heard a familiar voice behind him, it was Astral, he ran up and hugged her. Astral and Raiguarde had known each other since childhood and became like brother and sister. “How did things go with Valandt, I hope he wasn’t too rude” she smiled at this.
“No no, he was quite pleasant, sweet boy really”.
“Any news on Gyraicus?” he asked her
“No, nothing I‘m afraid” she said softly, letting him down gently.
“oh” said Raiguarde, clearly crestfallen “What are you doing here?” he said changing the subject.
“There is something I need to tell you, something important”
“Oh?” said Raiguarde as he walked with her to the stream close by, and they sat on the grass floor.
“I” she calmed her breathing and looked Raiguarde in the eyes and found the confidence she needed to speak in them “I‘ve been having these visions” she said.
“Well you always were gifted” Raiguarde said, to which she blushed slightly.
“And you always were too sweet to me”. She paused then continued “These visions of Paix, the goddess of peace” Astral took another short pause and continued before Raiguarde had a chance to say anything “I know you‘re not a religious man Raiguarde, and you only believe what you can see. But she told me, she told me...”
“Yes?” said Raiguarde, prompting her.
“She told me that you would be king” she said, revealing it. Raiguarde was clearly blown away and stood up immediately. “I- I do not know what to say, I cannot believe it” he said eventually.
“You do believe me, don’t you?” she asked him, getting up.
“Yes, you know I do, I trust you with my life Astral, you know that” he paused “Gyraicus has been gone a little too long and the people do need a leader, we cant conceal it forever”. Raiguarde then went to get on his horse. “My apologies, but I have matters to attend to” he said as he rode off into the distance. The slender form of the elf queen Astral then altered to that of Kaiazal, one of the disciples of Goreoth. Kaiazal laughed softly. “Foolish humans, they will kill each other before Goreoth has a chance to slaughter them” he said to himself as he created a portal and disappeared into it.
Schard had been working hard all day, after the eventual deliverance of the second book of Lijitman he spent most of the afternoon trying to decipher the ancient language which it was written in. Lijitman was the first wizard in Legia, when he died there were no more, until recently. It was a mystery to all how he untapped his magical powers. It was said that he kept diaries, of spells cast and potions made and some thought that this would be the key to finding out Lijitman’s secret but the books had never been recovered, until now. `Surprisingly good condition for centuries old` thought Schard as he examined the fragile pages. Schard’s translation of ancient Legian was not as good as it once was, and he was struggling his way though the books. “dark...” he said to himself out loud as he came across a word he recognised `light” he said as he recognised another close by. “Dark...light?” said a confused Schard desperate to make out the words in front of him. The next passage from what Schard could work out described three figures coming from the supposed dark light. Schard thought he recognised a word, but it turned out to be a name, a name he knew. Schard stood up and walked from his table to his extensive bookcase. “Malvagatia....” he said as he examined the spines of the books, searching for the right one “.... here we are” said Schard as he took a book off the shelf and walked back to his table with it. As Schard sat down again he felt strange, as if he were being watched. Schard looked all around his room, there was no-one there. Schard gazed out of his window, nothing there either. `Stupid paranoia` Schard thought as he sat back down. The moment Schard sat down he felt excruciating pain derive from his heart as it had done earlier in the morning. Schard clutched at his chest and fell off his chair. Summoning all his strength he tried to crawl over to his bookcase and take some perfect heath formula but unable to reach it, he plunged into darkness.
Schard opened his eyes, he could feel intense heat and extreme cold at the same time. His feet were not on the ground, he was floating. He was surrounded by complete darkness. Schard tried to run but his muscles wouldn't move, he kept attempting to run from this invisible prison which he was inside until his legs could not move. “Stop!” came a booming voice from behind him and with that Schard relinquished any hope of leaving of his own accord. “You are the wizard Schard, greatest sorcerer in all of Legia are you not?”
“Yes” answered Schard “Who are you? What do you want with me?” Schard then blurted out. The voice laughed softly.
“You wish to know about Lijitman? You wish to become more powerful than he ever could be?” said the voice, asking instead of answering.
“Answer my questions and I will yours” replied Schard, who was surprised at his own confidence.
“I am Schard, the greatest sorcerer in all of Legia” the voice was Schard’s but he did not speak.
“That is good magic but you still do not answer my question, who are you?” said Schard persistently.
“My true name is Malvagatia” said the voice, to which Schard shivered with fear “But on earth I am Schard. I have transported you here to help you”.
“How can you be me?” asked a confused Schard.
“Come come, we had an agreement, you shall answer my questions now”
“Very well” with that Schard sighed “I wish to become the most powerful wizard of all time, and to do that I must first discover how Lijitman came across magic. That is the answer to both of your questions, now answer mine”
“When you awake you will have your answer, I give you my word” Malvagatia paused. “I can give you what you desire. I can shape the future my friend”
“Prove it” Schard said sharply.
“It is done” Malvagatia said.
“What is done? you haven't done anything”.
“I read your mind Schard, you and I are the same so it is not hard. You thought of becoming king, it is done” he then paused very quickly. “When you return to the land of Legia you will become king”.
“What do I have to do for you in return?” said a smiling Schard.
“This you will know when you revive, you will forget this conversation ever took place but you will know what to do. I will take care of the rest”.
“Very well” said Schard. “And thank you”. By this time Malvagatia had gone. Schard paused in emptiness for a while and then he felt something overcome him, like power. Schard gloried in its wake and then it was gone, and he fell into darkness once more.
Shadow awoke from a recurring dream in sweat. Being careful not to fall from the tree Shadow had slept in, Shadow climbed down the tree carefully. There was a stream near by and Shadow went to it. Shadow looked at the face that stared back, and felt almost disgusted with what was there. Shadows hands dove into the water and as they came out splashed some water onto Shadow’s sweaty face. It was getting late, the sun was just about ready to set, its last rays of heat bore down on the land of Legia as the moon and the stars got ready to dominate the sky. Shadow didn’t like to sleep, it had became all to familiar, always having the same dream. Shadow’s father’s last moments, or at least what Shadow had presumed them to be. Shadow wondered if he thought of the child that was Shadow at the time. Shadow was early twenties at the time. In the dream Shadow would have to watch everything. Shadow would always try something to stop it from happening, but always in vain. Shadow thought it was ironic that in the dream no-one could be killed, whereas in reality everyone cowered in fear at the mention of The Shadow. Shadow began to walk around, trying to discard the memories of it all, but failed. The sky grew darker and Shadow drew the blade that the blacksmith once had, but would now be the chosen weapon of the Shadow. `Tis a fine weapon` thought Shadow looking at it `it will serve me well`. The sword began to get hot in Shadow’s hands, but this was not detected as Shadow heard movement and clambered back up the tree which had once served as a bed. Shadow sheathed the sword silently and watched as a family rode through. Shadow breathed a slight sigh of relief as Shadow felt too much blood had been spilt that day. Shadow looked above briefly and noticed that the sky was getting darker, much like the sky right before the thieves were slaughtered. Shadow put on the black mask in silence and sighed `When will the killing stop?` Shadow thought just before hitting the ground, the jump was made sure as to not give away Shadow’s position. Shadow crept up behind the family, moving from tree to tree like a ghost. Shadow saw the teenage son and daughter that rode along with their parents and tried not to think of the fate that awaited them. Shadow unsheathed the Sword of Drakahor and felt though gloved hands that the golden handle was blistering hot. Shadow ignored the heat and saw a demon go for one of the mother’s horse. Shadow dived on the ground and threw three daggers sharply into the chest of the demon but must have missed as the horse toppled suddenly and the mother was now in fear on the floor. The father of the family dismounted quickly and told the teenage boy to hide his sisters in the trees. Shadow looked around for anything as the boy took hold of his young sister and helped his other sister dismount. Shadow saw a demon go for the elder sister but the boy quickly put down his other sister and jumped in front of it, making it go into his body instead of hers. Moments later the boy was dead. The father unsheathed a sword and swung at the demon going for his youngest daughter. Shadow was convinced the blade went straight threw the monster before it entered the body of the girl. Shadow closed his eyes as the girl screamed and wanted to be back asleep, dreaming again. Shadow sped at the demon coming toward the daughter, the parent’s only child now. The sword of Drakahor sliced the demon in two before it could get to its victim, Shadow felt a lot better for it. Another scream made Shadow dive for the mother, but it was too late, the demon entered her and she was dead before Shadow got there. Another demon went for the girl again, Shadow saw the father go for it and saw the blade enter the demon’s body just as the Sword of Drakahor had, but this time the demon didn't die and the father had to watch as the last of his family died. The masked Shadow ran over and stood guard over the man to see if any demons were going to come for him, but they were all gone. The father started to cry and didn't pay any attention to the fact that the land’s greatest killer stood before him. Shadow helped the father to his feet, the father pushed at Shadow and fell back on the muddy floor, cradling the corpse of his youngest daughter. Shadow began to walk away, feeling worse than in the dream, feeling worse than he had ever felt. Shadow looked to the sky and spoke it “I watch as my father dies and yet here I can only save the father” shouted Shadow at the heavens aware of the irony. Shadow started to walk away, leaving the father to grieve when the father’s voice came from behind. “You‘re the Shadow Of Death” shouted the father
“That is correct” said Shadow, walking back toward the father.
“You can kill the demons”
“It appears the Sword of Drakahor is the only which will” said Shadow, drawing the blade and staring into it. “They can avoid all other weapons” Shadow said, looking at the reflection of the masked killer.
“Let me go with you, we can kill the demons together”
“I see your quest for vengeance is strong. Let me tell you once you start the killing it will never stop” said Shadow bluntly. “Only I can kill the demons, it is pointless you coming with me”
“I am to meet with Zvíre..” started the man.
“The beast lord of the forest?” added Shadow.
“Yes. We are to storm the castle and appoint a new king, you could be that king, with you in power we could easily defeat the demons” the man continued. “No-one can match your killing skills and you work alone, think how good you could be when you have a whole army protecting you, you’d be unstoppable. At least come with me to meet Zvire and then you can accept” the man then bowed in front of Shadow “Your majesty” said the father to Shadow, feeding his ego more. Shadow smiled underneath the mask for the first time in about a year. “I will come with you to meet Zvire”. The father then looked down at the bodies around him that once was his family. Shadow put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “First you bury your family, pay your respects properly. It is what I would have done had I had the chance”. The man nodded and Shadow saw a tear fall down his eye again. Shadow watched as the father piled all the bodies up beside each other, kissing each one on the shoulder as he did. The man then started to dig the graves “Would you like some help ?” Shadow asked the father when he saw how weak he was becoming.
“No thank you” said the father, who did not break concentration as he dug. “This is something I need to do, alone” replied the man. Shadow nodded and started to walk off “I will return soon” Shadow said to the man, with no reply. Shadow sat down by a tree and thought about what the man had said `If I were the ruler of this land, I could do good for a change` Shadow thought as the night breeze passed through the cape fastened to the huge black shoulder pads worn to give the impression Shadow’s muscles were stronger than they actually were. Shadow stood up and strolled over to the river again. Shadow removed the mask and looked at the face that just stared back. “The Shadow of Death, ruler of Legia” Shadow said out loud. “Has quite a ring to it” Shadow smiled and laughed softly. Shadow then lay against a tree and pondered what his first act as the new sovereign