* * * * * * * *
Alone in a pitch black room with the only light coming from the cracks in the ceiling sat an unbelievably old man. He had lived since what he called his rebirth or second life but he regretted his decision nearly every day since He wondered about the world, about what was outside these walls, about all the things he’d like to experience but knew he never could. Trapped to this life he asked for.
The man had snow white hair and a mane like beard. He had watery pale blue eyes that looked untouched by age; however, the same could not be said for the rest of his face. Everything his face was shrivelled up and his features were distorted so they could be barely made out but this man was a powerful man with lots of followers who would die for his cause or were loyal because of the thing that awaited the most skilled. Eternal life until they decided to end it.
The room itself had things in the corner but unrecognisable in the darkness. The room also had gold statues and objects that had little use covered thick with cobwebs he enjoyed the darkness it reminded him that it was is affliction and no-one else’s until he decided to pass it on, it also reminded him of the hell of what was to come after he did. The huge cobwebs trapped flies quickly and easily they hung in myriads the spiders devoured them as easily as this man devoured humans. He turned slowly knowing it was time to pay a visit to the village even though he didn’t want to. The transformation began.
* * * * * * * *
The man with the jet black hair walked back to his home furious at David’s arrogance but knew that the monster needed killing before he worked out the next part of the puzzle. He also knew that to kill the monster that he must die with it he didn’t want David to die as he sympathized with his problems. He thought back to a younger version of himself then thought of that terrible day, when his family’s successor was named and the day when they all but him lost their lives.
He thought in his head of what he must do to succeed. He knew it was going into the lions den and ultimately not worth the risk but it had to be stopped now because if it was stopped now another successor couldn’t be name as there wouldn’t be a legacy to hand over. He also knew that if the monster got hold of him the planet would cower before the monster or at least until the monster learned to swim.
David knew it was time to prove the old man and the legend wrong. He awoke with a new determination; he walked out of the house without hesitation and began his journey over the seemingly endless fields to the castle. He saw the same raven or crow again, but his doubts had evaporated and he continued on un-wavered by the omen
The sun reflected off the snow making it brighter than it was, farms were scattered around. The sky was a pale blue with barely any clouds. Butterflies danced around weaving in and out together he wondered what could make people think this joyful scene was in any way evil
There was a definite change of mood atop the last hill. The remains of the castle jammed out the sun and imposed itself on the cowering village below everything in its shadow seemed to be dead. Trees were bare and twisted. The houses were desolated and dilapidated the endless monotony of blacks and greys intoxicating me, the once joyful scene had been turned into this. His resolve was still strong. He continued forward into the castle.
* * * * * * * *
The old man sat again some fifty years later, surrounded by his family if you could call them family, snakes who had lead his victims to him. He wanted it to end, he wanted rest. It was time to name a successor his three most trusted stood in front of him. A tall young man who was very pale without a doubt the most loyal he shook at his masters every word but was strong in the thick of action. A stout well built man with jet black hair and grey eyes easily the most ruthless leading even children to the slaughter but was at the same time the one that deserved the job the most. A much older man with wispy grey hair and pale blue eyes the most intelligent warding off nosy people with gentle persuasion. He picked the most ruthless and regretted it immediately as not one person in the room was spared when he transformed for the first and last time choosing to remain in this form forever.
The village itself was still more or less full. The late monster left enough people alive for them to be able to stay and enough to keep him alive. The knew one however was in a blind rage for the way he was treated over the years. He burst through the castle walls smashing them into fragments. Dammed to an eternity in hell and he was glad. He wanted revenge on the people that shunned him, the people that forced him into this life, his family.
The village wasn’t abandoned by the people, the people were massacred by the monster. Who wasn’t satisfied. He didn’t find the person he wanted the most. The only survivor, his own brother. He was needed as a sacrifice for the monster to be able to get out of the shadow of the castle without being killed instantly. He didn’t know why he didn’t know how but knew what must be done.
The man who was chosen was pacing up and down, everything gold was gleaming
was in the room with his most essential possession.. He wondered what to do. After the massacre the village he’d relied on stray sheep and animals and he knew he couldn’t go past the village as he'd die, he decided to wait to see if anyone comes back he'd use his brother. Killing him with the knife he'd been given by his late master, exchanging his brothers soul for his own freedom to travel beyond the borders. He also knew the only other thing that could send him to his
ultimate fate was also the knife; he also knew that the opposite of what he wanted to happen could happen.
He had relied on stray sheep and animals as he knew he couldn’t go past the village as he'd die, he decided to wait to see if anyone comes back he'd use his brother killing him with the knife he'd been given my his late master, exchanging his brothers soul for his own freedom to travel beyond the borders. He also knew the only other thing that could send him to his ultimate fate was also the knife; he also knew that the opposite to what he wanted to happen could happen. He could if struck by the knife be killed also
* * * * * * * *
In the air the very essence of evil hung in the air, the endless darkness sweeping forward devouring everything in its path. Cobwebs hung everywhere filled with decaying flies; the only light came in from the holes in the walls piercing the darkness. The small of centuries of decomposition stung the nostrils and the throat. The only sound was the drip
of water and the occasional settling of giant spiders; the cobwebs snared the skin hoping to catch the person as if he was a fly. It was startling the in contrast with the cold air in the hills.
He was anxious, he’d reached his objective, and half knew the old man was right. It was suicide.
The man with jet black hair stooped low moving surprisingly quickly and quietly for a man his age following David to stop the worst thing that could ever happen, happen by doing he risked the worlds safety. David’s worst fears were realized stood in front of him but facing the other was the monster, he was like a huge upright wolf with huge black eagle like wings. The dark hair that covered his body was like needles, he looked that he could destroy anything. He flew out of the window, looking for stray sheep or so he thought. He ran through endless rooms and corridors before finally stopping in a room. A room filled with gold it gleamed newly polished beyond perfection. A room that within its walls tucked into a corner was a blood red handled knife. He took it just incase and ran until he came across someone, or something.
The old man with jet black hair stumbled in agony; the monster had just caught him! Breathing both of his legs unable to move he sat and waited, waited for the inevitable for the knife to pierce
him. He knew he was making a mistake, but if he did die, the worst possible thing couldn’t happen, this thought calmed him, as he slipped into unconsciousness.
The monster searched and searched for thee knife knocking over wall after wall trying to find it. He was excited the time had come and the world would pay. He saw out of the corner of his eye he saw David stooped low shaking in fear. He snatched the knife off him. Then slammed him into one of the castle walls, not killing him but David were wise enough to pretend to be.
David waited till the monster as a distance away then thought of what he had just seen. The monster had big red inflamed eyes, razor like teeth and two gleaming fangs. He stood on two legs not all fours and looked as powerful as he was deadly. David decide to get out while he could, he sprinted to the exit.
The monster loomed over the old man with the knife. Stabbed him. His blood splashed on the ground forming a crimson puddle. The knife itself seemed to glow, the blood on the blade instantly congealed. A wisp of grey crossed from body to blade, sealing the world’s fate.
David saw this hiding in one of the corners. He knew he should run but his legs would not allow it he wondered why the monster never had the time to kill him. Now he knew. He was taken over by something he sprinted over to the monster that was taken by surprise. He then reached out a hand a jumped almost horizontally through the air. In all one move he took the dagger and plunged it deep into the monsters neck.
He landed. The ground below him started to shake soon the ground gave way but not before the monster erupted into an inferno instantly killing David. His last thought was one of relief that the monster was dead and pride that it was he that had done it.
The castle collapsed into itself. The knife and the two bodies buried under the ruins with them the knife, waiting for a new master to control it.
