The faint grinding sound of stone on metal drew my eyes to my leader. He sat on the ground a few paces away from me, staring intently ahead into the darkness. He unconsciously drew the stone slowly up the length of his atlan sword, polishing the nearly flawless edge, his face subtly lighted by the soft blue atlan glow. The stone slid off the tip of the blade and he paused to listen to the pure tone of the ringing weapon. “It won’t be long now,” Karnak said, applying the stone to the blade once more.

Sitting next to Karnak was Lauryn Schurmad. A cute little Alluvian girl I had grown up with near Rithwic. I had witnessed her sword skill on many adventures back home, but Mayoi was a long way from Rithwic. I was very protective of her and I tried, unsuccessfully, to not let it show too much. But this night, of all nights, I wished for her safety even more than I wished for valor. I pondered over this and many other thoughts for what seemed like an eternity. Preparing, reflecting, waiting.

I snapped out of my brooding, Karnak’s stone and blade were silent. Instead his sword was wielded and his shield at the ready. He rose silently to his feet as I followed his gaze into the darkness. A sharp chill rode up my spine to the hair on the back of my neck. The glowing red eyes blinked. It was close…very close. I quietly wielded my nekode and tried not to notice the persistent shake in my hands. Another pair of eyes burned through the fog, followed quickly by 3 more. I looked over towards Lauryn to wish her good luck, when an intensely bright light ripped through the darkness. A volley of lightning tore through the night and annihilated an unprepared warrior a mere stone’s throw away. Karnak called out a charge; the fight had begun.

Fierce battle cries splashed the seaside and mixed fluidly with spell chants, clanging metal and explosions of magical energy. Darkness gave way to constant spell flashes and sparking weapons. The strange lighting illuminated friend and foe alike in the battlefield before us. We outnumbered them greatly, but their power was evident. The acrid smell of their magic filled the air, as we engaged in what seemed to be slow motion.

Warriors swarmed the black figure in front of me. My nekode furiously whipped at its legs, but seemed to have no more effect than a few scratches. The surroundings seemed to slow even more as the creature cast a powerful spell. Horrified, I saw a glittering gold blade home in on a fighter and tear its way through his leather armor, shredding his clothing and skin, crumbling his bones and completely demolishing his body. Though I was doing very little damage, I nearly threw my arm out of its socket from the force I was exerting through my weapon. Another magical blast in slow motion, another warrior fallen. Another blast, another partial body hit the ground. The Shadow turned and charged, slicing through bodies and rendering many brave fellows lifeless. It seemed to have no care for its own health as it hacked insanely at my comrades. Had it lost its mind? Did it even have one?

My shield buckled under the blow as I stumbled to the ground, a mass of bodies, shadow and human littered the beach. I was one on one with the crazed shadow now. The absolute hatred in his glowing eyes chilled my soul. I had no time to react; I was knocked back as the Shadow’s blade tore at my armor and lacerated my chest. I would not last long. I needed a safe place to heal. I scrambled to my feet and ran up the beach, fumbling for my life wand.

Which spell made that sound? I could not remember, but I had to protect myself! I turned to see a river of lightning hurtling towards me. Too late. The world went white as my body crashed to the ground in a fit of convulsion. My muscles stiffened like granite as I barely held on to consciousness. I dragged my shaking body forwards just a little more and collapsed behind the cover of a large stone. Just in time. Another streak of lightning sailed over my head. It was so close I could smell the metallic burn in the air just as strong as the burn from my own body.

I franticly groped for my wand, barely able to see anything. I knew I did not have much time. “Can anyone help me heal?” I yelled out. No answer. No one could hear me over the noise of battle anyway. Intense fear began to take hold of my mind. I grappled with unconsciousness as I finally fished the wand out of my pack. I heard a faint noise. “Lauryn?” I turned. Intense crimson eyes greeted me.

I sat up with a violent start. My breathing was ragged and sweat rolled down my brow despite the still cool air. The same dream again, but no ending. I looked over at the charred body nearby as I gained my bearings. I slid my flaming nekode back into its protective sheath and rose to my feet. My rest had restored my stamina, but my heart was still pounding from the dream. The Shadow’s pack was smoking and its contents littered the ground around me. I kicked through the remains to find something salvageable. Two birch talismans, only one usable, a very curious bracelet, and a few pyreals. Everything else was much too badly burned.