Post by makvhug on May 2, 2012 19:37:08 GMT -1
WARNING: Some of the content of this story may be disturbing for readers. If you don't like a really horrible ending, stop reading.[/color]
87,000,000 BCE (Closest estimate)
The planet Zeench, far in the outer reaches of the Galaxy. A backwater world, and thankfully to this point, totally undisturbed by the war against Baelze. Its people are simple, living in an abundant world, but only at a Medieval tech level.
He awoke to the bright sunlight shining through the window of their modest home. The birds outside were chirping loudly, and the gulls could be heard overhead, heading out to sea for the day.
"You're awake at last. Always oversleeping."
Makael looked up to see his wife smiling at him, holding a tray with some toasted bread. "Well, what can I say. I sleep in, dreaming of you."
She chuckled at him, passing him the tray. "Liar. But at least you make the effort."
Makael took a bite out of his breakfast, sitting up and rubbing his head. "Has Beralla gone to school already?"
"She just left before you woke. Kissed you on the cheek, but you didn't budge."
Makael felt sick to his stomach, but couldn't bear to tell her the truth. He'd been having trouble sleeping, after what the elders told him...
The day before:
Makael entered the Elder temple in the village. For some reason he had received an urgent letter to attend a session with the elder council.
"Go right in sir, they are expecting you." One of the attendants noted, before pointing to a large stone door. Makael paced inside slowly, feeling anxious. The stone doors slammed shut behind him, leaving the room feeling very dark.
There were candles on the other side of the room, and Makael walked towards them, now making out the shapes of the elder council, sitting in the darkness.
"As you know, Makael of the hunter clans, our people were gifted with foresight as we grow older. The young see nothing, but as we grow older, we see all."
"We know that you have been seeing visions already, at so young an age. You are an exceptional case... and we have already seen what you will become."
"Know this, Makael the hunter. Soon you will have to make a decision. The most dreadful decision. But you will accept it. For the survival of the universe will hinge on your choice. If you do not commit your terrible deed, and burn your own soul, the souls of others will never rise. And those that exist will become nothing."
"Makael, hunter and father. Do not grieve for us. Do what must be done. Or the universe will not end with a bang, but in darkness."
Makael looked horrified and puzzled. "What are you saying? That I will have to..."
"You do not have to do anything. But you must make a choice. Destroy everything that matters to you, or be responsible for the total destruction of all life. Look into yourself. You know this is the truth."
Makael was almost in tears, turning to run from the Elders.
"You cannot run from your destiny, Makael the repentant..."
He ran. Deep into the forest, tears streaming down his face, terror in his chest and his heart pounding like a jackhammer. Eventually he came to sit under a tree, sobbing to himself.
He had seen the images himself as he slept in the past, but had never been able to understand them... and now, the Elders had revealed the terrible truth he had been running from.
A man suddenly walked out of the underbrush as if from nowhere, sitting himself next to Makael. He wore a simple green robe, and carried a wooden walking stick, though he didn't seem to need it.
"Lovely weather today, isn't it?"
"What does it matter... its all going to be gone."
The man smirked a little, patting Makael on the shoulder. He pulled back from the strange man, as if considering the move rude.
"Oh, of course. Everything dies, or disappears one day. Its just the way the universe works. After all, can't fight nature. But whats got you so bothered?"
"...I don't know why I'm telling you this. But what if you had to make a choice, the most terrible choice to lose everything you love, or everything else is lost?"
The man frowned, them gave him a reassuring smile. "Then I think the choice is already made. We all do what we have to do, eh? But we also remember that nothing is truly lost if it remains in our memories. I have faith that you will make the correct decision and do what you must, Makael of the Hunter clans."
The man got back on his feet, swinging his walking stick back and forth as he slowly walked away. "Hey... who are you? How do you know me?"
He turned, and smiled one last time. "Me? I'm just an... inventor of sorts, checking on his inventions, and hoping that they work correctly. And now I have my answer. Goodbye, Makael of the Hunter clans."
With that, he turned to walk away once more, whistling a merry tune as he suddenly faded into nothing.
Back to the day after, a few hours later:
Makael waved his goodbyes to his wife, closing their nice wooden gate behind him. He walked away without looking back. He couldn't bear to. His bow and arrows on his back, he proceeded into the forest for his daily hunt, but went off the trail, knowing exactly where he had to go.
The day started well. He killed a deer and a giant Squirrel. Makael lost himself in the hunt, trying to enjoy his remaining time.
Then he found it.
The stone slab, with the symbol of a snake. Behind it, a huge wall covered in vines. Makael swallowed the dread in his throat, and pulled the vines, revealing a door. He slowly took a few steps inside, lighting the torch he kept in his pouch. Some skeletons on the floor were the first thing he noticed, some with holes in their rib cages, some with daggers between their ribs. It looked like some sort of battle had happened here.
Some ancient writing adorned the walls. Old, but still understandable.
"Praise the Darkness! He shall cover the universe in the truth."
"The hunter shall extinguish the light and bring forth the darkness."
"For a good time call-" The writing on this one seemed to be cut short.
He proceeded deeper into the temple. The passage was narrow, and still more skeletons littered the floor, as if a massacre once happened here.
He found another, giant stone slab, in front of a massive, solid metal door. The slab was carved with odd runes, that seemed to form words as Makael drew his torch near.
We, the 100 Knights of the forbidden light, did seal the Lord of Oblivion here, as described in the prophecy of the Redeemer. Though our numbers were decimated by the forces of darkness, our task is done, and the beast shall not arise again until the bringer of prophecy comes.
The prophecy was written on the same slab, which Makael intently read. He looked up at the stone door, now knowing he had to do this.
"In the name of the Redeemer, open this door."
The giant metal door shuddered, a horrible metal scraping sound echoing through the ruins as the giant metal door opened. Makael walked inside, his heart pounding. His torch extinguished by a sudden gust of ice-cold wind.
"WHO ISSS THISSSS THAT SSSSTANDSSSS BEFORE ME."
Makael swallowed hard, before replying. "...I... It is I, Makael of the Hunter clans.
The dark presence filled his heart with dread, now beating at a thunderous pace. Cold sweat dripped down his chest.
"SSSSSERVE ME, MAKAEL OF THE HUNTER CLANSSSSS... AND I WILL GRANT YOU ULTIMATE POWER AS MY AVATAR OF DEATH."
Makael closes his eyes for a moment, thinking of his wife and daughter one last time. And knowing he would never see them again.
But. In the end. This seemed right.
"I accept your offer... I will be your Avatar."
The presence said nothing. For a moment the room was totally quiet... but so very cold.
A dark presence suddenly hit Makael, and darkness took him.
-----------------------------------------------------------
He awoke. The room was dark, but it seemed familiar. There was an image... some face? But he could not remember it. His memories seemed coated in cloud, lost to him.
He opened his eyes fully. Dark eyes, black as sin itself. His body cracked with purple energy. His hunter outfit was gone, instead he was clad in black armour, covered in snake engravings.
"YOU WILL BE FOREVER KNOWN ASSSS... MAKVHUG. THE AVATAR OF OBLIVION. MY SSSSSSERVANT.
"Yes, Master. What is your wish?
"I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE UPON THISSSS PLANET, AND THOSSSE THAT IMPRISSSSIONED ME. KILL THEM ALL. LEAVE NOTHING SSSSSSTANDING.
Makvhug did not even feel the least bit compelled to disobey.
"I shall do as you ask."
He took a battle axe from the altar in the darkened room, Its head emblazoned with a Snake head. He walked from the room, though he could now sense the presence within his head. While it remained trapped in the void, its presence in the mortal realm was now within him.
"NO MERCY MY SSSSSERVANT. NO MERCY."
It took a few hours to get back to the village from the temple. He did not stop to rest, think or even look around. He just set himself right on course for the village. And when he arrived...
Screaming. The terrified inhabitants ran from the ghastly monster, cutting down the population left and right without mercy. He was beheading them, cleaving them in two, or burning them to death with unholy magics. Men, woman, and children. He showed no remorse, no mercy, and no care.
The attendants at the Elder temple tried in vain to bar the doors, but with a magical shockwave, they were blasted apart like loose timbers. An unrepentant Makvhug boldly made his way into the temple, confronting the Elders.
"Do what you must, foul creature." The Elders said nothing after that. Not even trying to run.
"THE ELDER COUNCIL... THEIR ANCESSSSSTORSSSSS DID THISSSSS TO ME. KILL THEM ALL... I COMMAND IT!"
Makvhug summoned an unholy fire, setting all of them alight. The magic fire burned slowly, causing them the maximum level of pain, while keeping them alive for a long time.
He walked out of the now-burning temple, the screams of the Elder council echoing into the night.
The village was in ruins. His eyes now cast to the hunter clan, and their huts on the outskirts.
Houses were alight, the hunters trying in vain to fight off the monster. But he couldn't be stopped. No one would be spared. The master demanded it.
Arrows pinged harmlessly off his armour, as he cleaved heads, ripped up torso's, and disemboweled the unfortunate.
Only the last house remained. It looked... familiar. Like he had been here before. But, that didn't matter. Not right now. He kicked the gate off its hinges, before knocking down the door.
"KILL THEM. KILL THEM PAINFULLY. I DEMAND IT."
Makvhug raises his hand, ready to unleash holy fire. But then he noticed a young woman, cradling a screaming girl in her arms. They both huddled in the corner as they saw him, whimpering.
"Please... please don't kill us! We'll do anything!"
Makvhug lowered his arm. These two... looked familiar. "Who... who are you?"
"Makael... why? Why are you doing this?!"
The child was still screaming, her head buried in her mothers chest, not wanting to see the monster that stood before them. Makvhug simply stood there, not sure what to do. He didn't want to kill them. Every fibre of his being told him not to do this... and then the terrible pain wracked his body.
"YOU ARE MINE. DO MY BIDDING... KILL THEM. PAINFULLY! DO THISSSSS... OR SSSSSUFFER!
Makvhug knew what he had to do... but he couldn't bring himself to do it. But he heard another voice in his head, at that moment. It wasn't the master.
"I have faith that you will make the correct decision and do what you must."
He denied his master his twisted pleasure.
One swing of his battle axe, and the screaming stopped. The planet fell silent.
He fell to his knees, screaming as his masters punishment tore through him.
"YOU SSSSSHHHHHALL LEARN NOT TO DEFY ME, SSSSSSLAVE!"
"Forgive me master! I shall not do it again!"
"IT WASSSS NOT HOW I WANTED IT... BUT YOU HAVE DONE MY BIDDING... PREPARE TO LEAVE THIS WASSSSTELAND. WE HAVE A TASSSSK AHEAD OF USSSSSS... AND A BOOK TO RECOVER."
Makvhug walked slowly from the ruined house, taking one look back. He felt something... odd. Water in his eye. He didn't understand why. But it didn't matter anymore. He had a task to complete.
A few days later:
The man in green strode through the ashen surface that used to be the village. He frowned at the destruction, his head bowed in respect.
"You have made a sacrifice which shall never be forgotten, my friend... and one day, I will give you the chance to redeem yourself.
He walked from the village, fading to nothing once more.
One building had survived the destruction, that had left the planet barren and lifeless. The old temple. Still with the old slab. Still with the prophecy of the Redeemer.
The hunter shall sacrifice everything, and give up his soul to protect the chosen, and he will be freed.
He will find allies, he will bind them together, and they shall become the Silent Dragon, the protector of all.
He shall bring an end to the war, and reveal the true darkness. He will keep his allies together and burn the darkness clean.
He shall become the grey winged angel, the vengeful Redeemer. He will face his master one last time, and triumph over him.
His ultimate sacrifice will free him from his burden, and the white winged angel shall rise, and he shall rule over a new golden age.
So shall the Redeemer go from ultimate darkness to the brightest light.[/color]
87,000,000 BCE (Closest estimate)
The planet Zeench, far in the outer reaches of the Galaxy. A backwater world, and thankfully to this point, totally undisturbed by the war against Baelze. Its people are simple, living in an abundant world, but only at a Medieval tech level.
He awoke to the bright sunlight shining through the window of their modest home. The birds outside were chirping loudly, and the gulls could be heard overhead, heading out to sea for the day.
"You're awake at last. Always oversleeping."
Makael looked up to see his wife smiling at him, holding a tray with some toasted bread. "Well, what can I say. I sleep in, dreaming of you."
She chuckled at him, passing him the tray. "Liar. But at least you make the effort."
Makael took a bite out of his breakfast, sitting up and rubbing his head. "Has Beralla gone to school already?"
"She just left before you woke. Kissed you on the cheek, but you didn't budge."
Makael felt sick to his stomach, but couldn't bear to tell her the truth. He'd been having trouble sleeping, after what the elders told him...
The day before:
Makael entered the Elder temple in the village. For some reason he had received an urgent letter to attend a session with the elder council.
"Go right in sir, they are expecting you." One of the attendants noted, before pointing to a large stone door. Makael paced inside slowly, feeling anxious. The stone doors slammed shut behind him, leaving the room feeling very dark.
There were candles on the other side of the room, and Makael walked towards them, now making out the shapes of the elder council, sitting in the darkness.
"As you know, Makael of the hunter clans, our people were gifted with foresight as we grow older. The young see nothing, but as we grow older, we see all."
"We know that you have been seeing visions already, at so young an age. You are an exceptional case... and we have already seen what you will become."
"Know this, Makael the hunter. Soon you will have to make a decision. The most dreadful decision. But you will accept it. For the survival of the universe will hinge on your choice. If you do not commit your terrible deed, and burn your own soul, the souls of others will never rise. And those that exist will become nothing."
"Makael, hunter and father. Do not grieve for us. Do what must be done. Or the universe will not end with a bang, but in darkness."
Makael looked horrified and puzzled. "What are you saying? That I will have to..."
"You do not have to do anything. But you must make a choice. Destroy everything that matters to you, or be responsible for the total destruction of all life. Look into yourself. You know this is the truth."
Makael was almost in tears, turning to run from the Elders.
"You cannot run from your destiny, Makael the repentant..."
He ran. Deep into the forest, tears streaming down his face, terror in his chest and his heart pounding like a jackhammer. Eventually he came to sit under a tree, sobbing to himself.
He had seen the images himself as he slept in the past, but had never been able to understand them... and now, the Elders had revealed the terrible truth he had been running from.
A man suddenly walked out of the underbrush as if from nowhere, sitting himself next to Makael. He wore a simple green robe, and carried a wooden walking stick, though he didn't seem to need it.
"Lovely weather today, isn't it?"
"What does it matter... its all going to be gone."
The man smirked a little, patting Makael on the shoulder. He pulled back from the strange man, as if considering the move rude.
"Oh, of course. Everything dies, or disappears one day. Its just the way the universe works. After all, can't fight nature. But whats got you so bothered?"
"...I don't know why I'm telling you this. But what if you had to make a choice, the most terrible choice to lose everything you love, or everything else is lost?"
The man frowned, them gave him a reassuring smile. "Then I think the choice is already made. We all do what we have to do, eh? But we also remember that nothing is truly lost if it remains in our memories. I have faith that you will make the correct decision and do what you must, Makael of the Hunter clans."
The man got back on his feet, swinging his walking stick back and forth as he slowly walked away. "Hey... who are you? How do you know me?"
He turned, and smiled one last time. "Me? I'm just an... inventor of sorts, checking on his inventions, and hoping that they work correctly. And now I have my answer. Goodbye, Makael of the Hunter clans."
With that, he turned to walk away once more, whistling a merry tune as he suddenly faded into nothing.
Back to the day after, a few hours later:
Makael waved his goodbyes to his wife, closing their nice wooden gate behind him. He walked away without looking back. He couldn't bear to. His bow and arrows on his back, he proceeded into the forest for his daily hunt, but went off the trail, knowing exactly where he had to go.
The day started well. He killed a deer and a giant Squirrel. Makael lost himself in the hunt, trying to enjoy his remaining time.
Then he found it.
The stone slab, with the symbol of a snake. Behind it, a huge wall covered in vines. Makael swallowed the dread in his throat, and pulled the vines, revealing a door. He slowly took a few steps inside, lighting the torch he kept in his pouch. Some skeletons on the floor were the first thing he noticed, some with holes in their rib cages, some with daggers between their ribs. It looked like some sort of battle had happened here.
Some ancient writing adorned the walls. Old, but still understandable.
"Praise the Darkness! He shall cover the universe in the truth."
"The hunter shall extinguish the light and bring forth the darkness."
"For a good time call-" The writing on this one seemed to be cut short.
He proceeded deeper into the temple. The passage was narrow, and still more skeletons littered the floor, as if a massacre once happened here.
He found another, giant stone slab, in front of a massive, solid metal door. The slab was carved with odd runes, that seemed to form words as Makael drew his torch near.
We, the 100 Knights of the forbidden light, did seal the Lord of Oblivion here, as described in the prophecy of the Redeemer. Though our numbers were decimated by the forces of darkness, our task is done, and the beast shall not arise again until the bringer of prophecy comes.
The prophecy was written on the same slab, which Makael intently read. He looked up at the stone door, now knowing he had to do this.
"In the name of the Redeemer, open this door."
The giant metal door shuddered, a horrible metal scraping sound echoing through the ruins as the giant metal door opened. Makael walked inside, his heart pounding. His torch extinguished by a sudden gust of ice-cold wind.
"WHO ISSS THISSSS THAT SSSSTANDSSSS BEFORE ME."
Makael swallowed hard, before replying. "...I... It is I, Makael of the Hunter clans.
The dark presence filled his heart with dread, now beating at a thunderous pace. Cold sweat dripped down his chest.
"SSSSSERVE ME, MAKAEL OF THE HUNTER CLANSSSSS... AND I WILL GRANT YOU ULTIMATE POWER AS MY AVATAR OF DEATH."
Makael closes his eyes for a moment, thinking of his wife and daughter one last time. And knowing he would never see them again.
But. In the end. This seemed right.
"I accept your offer... I will be your Avatar."
The presence said nothing. For a moment the room was totally quiet... but so very cold.
A dark presence suddenly hit Makael, and darkness took him.
-----------------------------------------------------------
He awoke. The room was dark, but it seemed familiar. There was an image... some face? But he could not remember it. His memories seemed coated in cloud, lost to him.
He opened his eyes fully. Dark eyes, black as sin itself. His body cracked with purple energy. His hunter outfit was gone, instead he was clad in black armour, covered in snake engravings.
"YOU WILL BE FOREVER KNOWN ASSSS... MAKVHUG. THE AVATAR OF OBLIVION. MY SSSSSSERVANT.
"Yes, Master. What is your wish?
"I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE UPON THISSSS PLANET, AND THOSSSE THAT IMPRISSSSIONED ME. KILL THEM ALL. LEAVE NOTHING SSSSSSTANDING.
Makvhug did not even feel the least bit compelled to disobey.
"I shall do as you ask."
He took a battle axe from the altar in the darkened room, Its head emblazoned with a Snake head. He walked from the room, though he could now sense the presence within his head. While it remained trapped in the void, its presence in the mortal realm was now within him.
"NO MERCY MY SSSSSERVANT. NO MERCY."
It took a few hours to get back to the village from the temple. He did not stop to rest, think or even look around. He just set himself right on course for the village. And when he arrived...
Screaming. The terrified inhabitants ran from the ghastly monster, cutting down the population left and right without mercy. He was beheading them, cleaving them in two, or burning them to death with unholy magics. Men, woman, and children. He showed no remorse, no mercy, and no care.
The attendants at the Elder temple tried in vain to bar the doors, but with a magical shockwave, they were blasted apart like loose timbers. An unrepentant Makvhug boldly made his way into the temple, confronting the Elders.
"Do what you must, foul creature." The Elders said nothing after that. Not even trying to run.
"THE ELDER COUNCIL... THEIR ANCESSSSSTORSSSSS DID THISSSSS TO ME. KILL THEM ALL... I COMMAND IT!"
Makvhug summoned an unholy fire, setting all of them alight. The magic fire burned slowly, causing them the maximum level of pain, while keeping them alive for a long time.
He walked out of the now-burning temple, the screams of the Elder council echoing into the night.
The village was in ruins. His eyes now cast to the hunter clan, and their huts on the outskirts.
Houses were alight, the hunters trying in vain to fight off the monster. But he couldn't be stopped. No one would be spared. The master demanded it.
Arrows pinged harmlessly off his armour, as he cleaved heads, ripped up torso's, and disemboweled the unfortunate.
Only the last house remained. It looked... familiar. Like he had been here before. But, that didn't matter. Not right now. He kicked the gate off its hinges, before knocking down the door.
"KILL THEM. KILL THEM PAINFULLY. I DEMAND IT."
Makvhug raises his hand, ready to unleash holy fire. But then he noticed a young woman, cradling a screaming girl in her arms. They both huddled in the corner as they saw him, whimpering.
"Please... please don't kill us! We'll do anything!"
Makvhug lowered his arm. These two... looked familiar. "Who... who are you?"
"Makael... why? Why are you doing this?!"
The child was still screaming, her head buried in her mothers chest, not wanting to see the monster that stood before them. Makvhug simply stood there, not sure what to do. He didn't want to kill them. Every fibre of his being told him not to do this... and then the terrible pain wracked his body.
"YOU ARE MINE. DO MY BIDDING... KILL THEM. PAINFULLY! DO THISSSSS... OR SSSSSUFFER!
Makvhug knew what he had to do... but he couldn't bring himself to do it. But he heard another voice in his head, at that moment. It wasn't the master.
"I have faith that you will make the correct decision and do what you must."
He denied his master his twisted pleasure.
One swing of his battle axe, and the screaming stopped. The planet fell silent.
He fell to his knees, screaming as his masters punishment tore through him.
"YOU SSSSSHHHHHALL LEARN NOT TO DEFY ME, SSSSSSLAVE!"
"Forgive me master! I shall not do it again!"
"IT WASSSS NOT HOW I WANTED IT... BUT YOU HAVE DONE MY BIDDING... PREPARE TO LEAVE THIS WASSSSTELAND. WE HAVE A TASSSSK AHEAD OF USSSSSS... AND A BOOK TO RECOVER."
Makvhug walked slowly from the ruined house, taking one look back. He felt something... odd. Water in his eye. He didn't understand why. But it didn't matter anymore. He had a task to complete.
A few days later:
The man in green strode through the ashen surface that used to be the village. He frowned at the destruction, his head bowed in respect.
"You have made a sacrifice which shall never be forgotten, my friend... and one day, I will give you the chance to redeem yourself.
He walked from the village, fading to nothing once more.
One building had survived the destruction, that had left the planet barren and lifeless. The old temple. Still with the old slab. Still with the prophecy of the Redeemer.
The hunter shall sacrifice everything, and give up his soul to protect the chosen, and he will be freed.
He will find allies, he will bind them together, and they shall become the Silent Dragon, the protector of all.
He shall bring an end to the war, and reveal the true darkness. He will keep his allies together and burn the darkness clean.
He shall become the grey winged angel, the vengeful Redeemer. He will face his master one last time, and triumph over him.
His ultimate sacrifice will free him from his burden, and the white winged angel shall rise, and he shall rule over a new golden age.
So shall the Redeemer go from ultimate darkness to the brightest light.[/color]