The Travels - The First Tale of My Purge
By. K.S. Anderson
Inspired by S.E. Anderson
'Thanks, this is truly your legacy, Dad....'
'The Epic Journey begins, for shadow shall rise once more, and the light shall dim.'
A special thanks to Alex McCord & Matthew Bartley.
Chapter 1: Tales of the Old
Eons ago, before any man or elf drew breath, before any other being dragged itself into existence and glimpsed the world around them, a great being consumed the universe. The great god Ara, a bringer of Life....and...a taker. From this entity, billions of creatures were spawned from its thought, his "Mira"(Angels) took shape and conquered the lifeless rocks surrounding them; spreading like a disease unchecked throughout the universe. The domain of Earth was once a refuge for the angels of Ara(God), governing, influencing, and guiding the new races of Earth. Men, the warriors of Ara, the pride and strength of God, his glory and his justice. And the Elves, the immortals of Earth, the sublime of Ara himself. The angels took forms of men, elves, eagles, and other things of that nature. They were stunning and beautiful, always a wondrous sight to behold. There was Ela, King of the Mira, Aren, Champion of Ara, Elenar, Lord of the Skies, Unra, King of the Seas, Malach, Keeper of the Dead, Eolim, Guardian of Men, Elren, Guardian of the Elves, Ealar, Guardians of the Dwarves, and Haeus, Watcher of the Void and strongest of the Mira. Haeus, chosen Mira of God to forever watch the Void, eternally bound to oversee its acts of darkness. The Void thundered to life, it spat clouds of shadow and brewed flames of immense size. A great disturbance filled the universe, Haeus stood before the void and drew his sword, but an ill wind blew and a voice beckoned from the twisting nether. 'Od ton raef em Haeus. Rehctaw fo eht Void. Ohw sah lytaerg derednow dna thguoht fo eht Void.' A devious speech, spoken only by the fallen....the "Dira"(Demons). It spoke again for the angel, in a common tongue. 'Do not fear me Haeus. Watcher of the Void. Who has greatly wondered and thought of the Void.' Haeus knew his purpose, he must warn Ara and the Mira. Warn them of the Void and its devilry. He tried to escape but the blackness surrounded everywhere, he could not run. The Watcher of the Void drew up his sword and spear, he stood face to face with the shadow, an abyss opened before him and it roared for him. 'Haeus! Do not hinder me. For I mean no harm....only....enlightenment.' Haeus lowered his blade but kept his spear, he stepped forth and the darkness consumed him. Eternally condemning him lost from the light.
'I am Draka.' It spoke to him openly. 'I am a lost soul, trapped within this abyss. For ages I have dwell alone in this realm. Your god left me here to suffer. For an eternity. But now I shall have my revenge. Will you serve me?' Corrupted by its cunning words, the Watcher of the Void willingly gave himself to the creature. Once more the shadow has crept itself back into the world and dark portents wax nigh. The first ages of earth were passing, the world was peaceful with the guidance of the Mira and no evil lurked in any realm. The clear skies of earth began to rip and tear and the very foundations of the world shook. A dark abyss gathered in the sky and all silence was interrupted. Thunder boomed throughout the skies and cracks of lighting swept down and struck the ground. A great vacuum filled the skies over the eastern hemisphere and consumed all life. Trees were ripped from their very roots, grass torn from the ground, leaving nothing but a gray plain. The skies were black, covered in a fog of shadow...leaving nothing but desolate lands....black lands. A great dark being came through the abyss before it closed and left the world. It was clad in great armor, as black as the night. It bore a helm of wicked design and a mace of immense size. It stood higher then the long skies of the world, and was like a mountain itself. Cold and crowned in shadow, it began its masters work....the work of the void. Ela, the King of the Mira stared out into the world, his thought and his will bent on the mysterious works in the east. Ela gathered all his companions to Kessiah, the Realm of Kings. A great white city that laid deep in the mountains, and far away from any other dominion. A council was called, a council of the angels and the races of god. Elves, men, dwarves, and Mira alike, all answered the call of Ela. 'My fellow brothers and sisters, the kings and lords of the creations of god have all been summoned here for one reason. The shadow has returned... and its power has become greater then any of ours. We must combine our powers and fight this growing darkness.' The Mira has been foretold of these events, of the coming of the shadow, of the return of evil. The elves, men, and dwarves had no idea and were in awe. King Ileldur, the Lord of the Nera(Elves in the West), stood before the council. 'Ela, you have the Nera.' King Folulm, the King of Gondeth(King of Men in the North), also stood before the council. 'You have the strength of men with you.' The dwarven kingdoms did the same and all who pledge to the Mira, gained the blessings of them and eternal life in the holy lands of Evermoure(Heaven).
The shadow began to have a stranglehold across the lands in the east and it had a new dominion. Morthul, the Black Land. It had built a great dark tower, Gargoth; and to defend the black land and its tower, a gate was built, Gharung: The Great Wall of Morthul. The being of the Void created and spawned abominations, orcs bred from corrupted men, goblins and gremlins bred from elves, trolls and ogres, dragons, wolves, and the worst of them all...Dira(Demons). It created many dark and strong fortresses, many lands were ripped from their beauty and turned into dark lands that held no comfort. The shadow raised legions of creatures under its banner and had a growing influence and tight grip around the lands of the east. No other dominions laid in the east but ones of darkness. Ela had no content of war and wanted nothing but peace throughout the lands of earth. The King of the Mira had decided to meet with the shadow once and for all, to see who serves the void. Ela rode in on a brown horse in a gray robe. He carried a sword and shield. 'Let the one who commands these foul creatures come forth and face me! Come hither! One who serves the Void!' Gharung slid open and it stepped before him in black armor. Its helm was as black as his armor and seven large spikes came from its top. 'Od uoy ton ezingocer em Ela?' The King of the Mira lowered his sword but kept his shield up. 'Not many use that foul speech. Who are you? Whom do you serve?' The shadow chuckled and raised his mace. 'It is I Ela. Haeus. The Watcher of the Void. Od ton raef em Ela. I do not wish to hurt you. For I serve the Void now.' Ela was in a state of awe, one of his own, one of his greatest, fell....into shadow. 'Haeus. Turn from the shadow. Come to the light. Hear my voice and find the light.' The once Watcher of the Void swung his mighty mace and missed. 'I am Dragul now. Fi uoy od ton nioj em....you will fall.' The Mira King drew up his shield and sword and engaged the monster, but the shadow was too great, and he too fell. Dragul slammed his mace into the chest of Ela. 'Only now do you see. I hold all power. I am the greatest. The ultimate. The immortal. Eht tnavres fo eht Void. I am the new Lord of the Earth.' The shadow ended the King of the Mira with one swift blow. Now....war....was to be.
The War of the Amulets most called it, for Dragul wanted to possess the amulets of the three races. The amulets of elves, men, and dwarves. A great war ensued between the forces of evil and the forces of good. It lasted for an entire age. Until the forces of evil turned the tide of the war. The fight had reached the very white gates of Gondeth. The entire world had seem lost. An ill wind took to the air, the shadow crept into every heart and thought of men, Gondeth was the last hope, the last beacon of light. If the Kingdom of Gondeth fell.....the world would be lost, forever tangled in darkness. The Black King of Sarvesh, an ancient demon of the underworld, the black lieutenant of Dragul sat upon a large and black wyrm, draped in black robes it carried a large sword and bore a black helm. Its gaze was heavy and was locked on Gondeth, ready to break the will of men. An orc approached the Black King, his skin darker then other orcs, his eyes thirst for blood, a true orc of war, but before it could open its wretched mouth, the Black King lifted its hand and pointed at Gondeth, 'Let fire and shadow fall upon them, no mercy tonight.' Skûm the Orc Lord ascends the hillside to Gondeth, his legions of orcs bellow a cheer in his honor. A breeze blows across the hilltop and his helm traces in the wind, his cloak trailing towards Gondeth. Now was his chance to show his prowess to the Dark Master with the hope of joining their ranks. His creepy looking spear in his hands, he turns his spear down and stabs it into the ground and removes his helm. His cold stare focused on Gondeth, three miles ahead of them. Skûm had led legions of orcs in battles that were claimed impossible and he had brought victory from defeat. Now was his chance to lead the Black Legions against the last bastion of the High King. Victory here would win the war... he could not fail.
The skies grew black as if a storm was brewing, the "Apocalypse" some called it. Skûm fixed his gaze toward Gondeth, his strong hand grasping his black spear, he lifted the spear into the air, the signal of war, flags are raised and waved in the air, flags bearing the symbol of Dragul, the Black Dragon. The legions of orcs marched forward as their artillery was prepped. When the catapults were loaded and aimed, Skûm laughed and raised his fist into the air. The large devices swung, hurling massive stones and burning spheres through the sky. The legions march to the city gates and watched in their sinister armor as the stones slammed into the city gates, men screamed as stones fell around them. More and more fiery spheres sail towards the top of the wall, where Gondethan archers sat ready to fire upon the evil army marching at them. One burning ball strikes the wall and shatters, crushing the group of the archers. Others run and scream in agony as they burn to death, dozens more of the burning spheres rain down upon their wall and into the heart of the city, engulfing buildings and people in fire and choking smoke. All the while the legions of orcs march closer to the city gates to the two thousand man army awaiting at the entrance to the city as the bridge is raised and the massive gates are closed. The orcs enter the range of the archers, the remaining defenders send desperate volleys down upon them. Many of the arrows simple break and bounce off their heavy armor but a few here and there score flesh and drop their victims. The High King of Gondeth, King Folulm gathered his greatest men, atop of his white horse he rode through the city, trying to flee to his stronghold. But he was halted, a mighty roar of a dragon and a cloud of shadow towered over him.
The Black King of Sarvesh landed his great beast in front of the king, cutting his escape short, the king drew his sword and faced the demon. 'You have failed great demon! The bloodline does not end with me! You cannot succeed in this battle!' The Black King drew up his heavy sword, his ill words flew upon the king like rain. 'Do you not see it? The Fall of Man has begun... and it will end with you! Fall before me man!'. Waves of shadow, collecting and tearing from the very air hindered from all around to his blade. The king of men lowered his sword before his adversary. Silence crept around all, and the Black King roared, letting go a dark energy and shattering the kings sword. King Folulm flew back from his horse and his men departed at the sight, the Black Kings beast gave a low growl and stepped closer to him. 'Finish him my pet.' The King fell helplessly before the great beast, and the black wyrm sank its teeth into the king and tossed him aside. The legions of orcs continue to march forward, the hail of arrows ceases from them coming to close to their own troops. An orc fires an arrow from a great distance and catches the bridge keeper in the neck, releasing the bridge and orcs pile in, swinging like madmen. One of the last captains of Gondeth leading his garrison against the legions of orcs catches a flash of movement coming toward him, it was a spear sailing straight to him. Before he could react to defend himself the heavy weapon slams into his breastplate punching through his armor. The staff of the spear slammed clean through his heart and penetrating the armor on his back. The impact of the heavy spear tosses him off his horse and to the floor. He was dead before he hit the floor as his armor gave a dull thud upon hitting the stone floor. Gondeth had fallen... and the world was to be burned.
Skûm the Orc Lord handed over a small blue diamond to the Black King of Sarvesh. It sat in his black hand and the light that had once shine within it....dimmed. Snapping his whip, the great black pet spread its long wings and flew away from the white city and toward the black mountain of Dragul, Amon Dauthmog. Which was spewing flames and great rocks of fire, and smoke from it covered the skies in complete blackness. The Black King stepped from his pet and crept inside the mountain. A cavern within the great mountain held a black throne and on it, the Helm of the Black Master. The Black King of Sarvesh stood before the black throne of his great master, kneeling before it he set the blue diamond onto the throne and stepped from it. A bright light thrust before the Black King and encircled the throne. 'Emoc htrof ym retsaam! Drol fo eht dlrow! Esir ecno erom!' Come forth my master! Lord of the world! Rise once more! Then a faint yell from behind him, 'Face me demon! For this is your end!' The Black King lowered his sword and faced the fool, he roared and swung his heavy blade at the man, missing by a hair the Black King of Sarvesh swung again and again. The man threw up his sword in defense but it was no match for the might of the servant of Dragul. In a last offense the man thrust his sword into the helm of the Black King. It shrieked in horror and the man let go of his sword, the Black King of Sarvesh tore the blade from his helm and a burst of darkness came from within the armor, ending the mighty demon. The man stumbled toward the black throne and took three diamonds from it....a blue one, a white one, and a purple one. Grabbing his sword and placing each diamond in his pocket, he set off in another quest.
The Elven Kingdom of Edsel, realm of the Mira. Surrounded with a wall of mountains draped in white and clear blue skies for miles. Eagles flew throughout the skies above Edsel and a great healthy forest sitting behind and in front of the kingdom. A wondrous and stunning realm of pureness and glory. A man rode in on a horse wrapped in a green cloak. The stranger stepped from his steed and lowered his hood, revealing himself to be a friend of the elves. Ileldur the King of the Mira, Elven Lord of Edsel and a great friend of men gave a great smile and hugged the man. 'Thaeron have you come to tell me how you defeated the Black King of Sarvesh?' The Elven King chuckled and welcomed his friend in for some wine. Thaeron had no content on staying and set down a white diamond. The elven lord stared deep into the diamons, as if he could see within it. 'The Amulet of the Elves(white diamond), How did you?' Thaeron chuckled and before he could leave Ileldur placed his hand on him, ceasing him to leave. 'I see that the Amulet of Men has been lost. I am sorry.' Thaeron got back on his horse and gave a nod, riding away he placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small diamond, a blue one(The Amulet of Men). The days went on longer and time forgot the days of battle and adventure and everyday seemed more alike the other. The Elven Kingdom of Edsel, realm of the Mira. Surrounded with a wall of mountains draped in white and clear blue skies for miles. Eagles flew throughout the skies above Edsel and a great healthy forest sitting behind and in front of the kingdom. A wondrous and stunning realm of pureness and glory. A man rode in on a horse wrapped in a green cloak. The stranger stepped from his steed and lowered his hood, revealing himself to be a friend of the elves. Ileldur the King of the Mira, Elven Lord of Edsel and a great friend of men gave a great smile and hugged the man. 'Thaeron have you come to tell me how you defeated the Black King of Sarvesh?' The Elven King chuckled and welcomed his friend in for some wine. Thaeron had no content on staying and set down a white diamond. The elven lord stared deep into the diamons, as if he could see within it. 'The Amulet of the Elves(white diamond), How did you?' Thaeron chuckled and before he could leave Ileldur placed his hand on him, ceasing him to leave. 'I see that the Amulet of Men has been lost. I am sorry.' Thaeron got back on his horse and gave a nod, riding away he placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small diamond, a blue one(The Amulet of Men). The days went on longer and time forgot the days of battle and adventure and everyday seemed more alike the other. Until one day, an elderly chap rode in on a horse, he had a long cloak and a pointy hat. He bore a staff, a shield, and a sword. He stopped by an old wooden house, in good shape and a well cut grass. The old man stepped from his horse and went up to the door, he knocked ever so softly. Nothing was heard but birds chirping in the morning sky. The old chap took his staff and slammed it against the door and a yell came from inside. 'It better not be the mail! I said leave it on the step!' The door slid open and another elderly man answered, he was dressed in red cloak with an symbol of a sword through a circle pinned near his neck, he had long grey hair and a grey gotee. 'Yes, yes what is it? Oh! Oh, Gaerwn! How are you my dear Gaerwn!' Welcoming him in Gaerwn smiled with joy. 'Thaeron it would seem age has caught up with you. Oh how it has been long my friend.' Both of them go into the kitchen and sat down, Thaeron grabbed two mugs filled with ale and both of the old men spark their pipes, Gaerwn sparking a long wooden pipe and Thaeron sparking his own smaller size pipe.
Conversation picked up over time, both mugs of ale were empty and Thaeron packed both pipes to the top. 'Gaerwn I tell you this is the finest weed in all the land....my old friend. You have yet to tell me why you came for this wondrous visit.' Gaerwn chuckled as he exhaled smoke from his pipe. 'Thaeron I am afraid my visit is not as wondrous as you would have. Evil has risen once more. The shadow has regained much power in the darkness....under our very eyes.' Thaeron choked on his pipe and blew out smoke. 'What? How can that be? I finished it ages ago!' Gaerwn responded quickly and quietly. 'He found a new disciple. One to continue his work. Morkresh....a fallen angel.' Thaeron began to pace and ceased, he slowly reached in his pocket and pulled out a small blue diamond. 'Gaerwn. This is why you came? You need the Amulet of Men.' Gaerwn stood up and smiled. 'I knew you kept it! Thaeron I need to take it to Edsel and there we shall call a council and decide how to go about this.' Then a young boy, about seventeen of age, he was Elohim the grandson of Thaeron. He stepped through the door in a brown cloak, along with his uncle Torbin who was draped in a knights uniform. 'Grandfather....are you here?,' spoke Elohim. Thaeron and Gaerwn stood up welcoming them both inside. Torbin grabbed a mug and filled it to the top with ale. 'What are the both of you conversing about in here?,' said Torbin who had finished his ale quickly. 'I have come to request your grandfather to accompany me to Edsel.', answered Gaerwn, who had finished his pipe and was finishing his ale. 'He cannot go without his favorite grandson!,' yelped Elohim. 'I cannot burden to watch you. And the long road is no longer safe.', protested Gaerwn. 'I can burden him!', said Torbin, who was angering the old wizard. 'Then it is settled! Torbin and Elohim shall join us to Edsel.', spoke Thaeron, who was quite giddy of the fact. Night came fast, Gaerwn fell asleep on a chair, Thaeron slept peacefully in his bed, Torbin slept in the guest bed and Elohim had spent his night on the floor. Morning came and Elohim was the last to wake up, but when he did, he woke up to a big breakfast. A breakfast of kings some would say. Thaeron grabbed his sword, his shield, and his pipe. Food, drink, and pipe weed all was packed for the journey. Torbin was suited in a knights uniform, a knight of Rall. Which was the kingdom of men that Elohim, Torbin, and Thaeron were from. Elohim was given a sword from Thaeron and a new elven cloak. Before they set out, Gaerwn gathered his things and was set to go on another path. 'Gaerwn. Where are you going? Edsel is this way.', spoke Thaeron who knew the way as much as Gaerwn did. 'My dear Thaeron, I am afraid I must go. I have things to attend to, but go to the Pub in Erenal. I will meet you there in two days.', said Gaerwn who was sad by the fact. But with no choice, he left in the other direction, and Thaeron lead the way to Erenal with his two companions
