Realm

Part 4

The long-awaited Part 4 of Lore of Dread! Could Erebus’ scheme mean the end of Atromitos? When Dread’s loyalties become questioned, he must decide between safety and honor.

Dread’s anger swelled to what seemed to be a point of no return. His mind was clouded with confusion and frustration.

“I will never lower myself to help a fool like you. Leave the human world untouched. Do not tarnish the name of Creed with the blood of the innocent.”

Just at that exact moment Dread felt a rush of fear strike its way into him. He sensed the fear of the Monarch. In his mind he saw what Erebus feared.

He saw himself.

He saw himself and all the other Hallows that preceded him standing in union, representing solidarity. Behind them were the citizens of Atromitos lined up standing stoic.

Now he knew Erebus Marrow’s only fear: Erebus feared anyone who could oppose him.

This gave Dread the answer to his earlier question. He was the only one who was in this situation because he was the only man in this realm who refused to fear the Monarch.

Erebus spoke again; this time he made no attempt to mask his passion. “Allow me to re-word my question Kyros: will you obey my command, or die by the blade of your ancestor?”

Erebus raised his sword and approached Dread menacingly. The way the setting sun shined into the window gave Erebus a brooding appearance.

“And just so you don’t intend to escape and try your futile effort to stop me, I should inform you that I have convinced Phrix to guard the Spires. I assume you’re familiar with his work, yes?”

Dread nodded slowly in response.

“He seemed to be quite keen on my ideals. I must say, he is much more agreeable than you.”

Phrix, the name struck down whatever courage Dread had maintained. Phrix had a reputation that represented all that is dark in Atromitos. Phrix was infamous in Atromitos for being a vigilante with his own corrupt ideals. He would exterminate anyone who didn’t agree with him and would create gangs to serve him. Some say he was dogmatic, some say he was a terrorist, some say he was a freedom fighter.

Many people formulated ideas that Phrix conspired with the government to eliminate specific suspects for crimes. This was never proven, the government would never lower themselves to work with such a cruel man, would they?

Clearly they would.

Phrix specialized in killing Hallows though, and was greatly responsible for the rapid decline in the Hallow population over the last few decades. He killed Hallows like they were animals. They were endangered like animals. They meant nothing to anyone.

“So what is your decision than?” Life and honor, or death?” The words came out of Erebus’ mouth quickly and hit Dread painfully with a sudden impact, like the sting of a bee.

A rush of adrenaline jolted through Dread’s body. Without thinking, he lunged himself into the belly of the beast, and knocked Erebus to the ground as he clung to the sword. As Dread tried to regain his balance, he felt Erebus’ blade skin his side. Not with enough strength to inflict damage, but enough to inflict pain.

Dread had no choice left. He could not stay after attacking the Monarch. He would be tortured, possibly murdered, or worse, enslaved. Crimes against a Monarch, no matter how heinous the Monarch was, did not go unpunished.

And he could not wait and watch Erebus carry out his nefarious scheme. He must act now.

Dread bolted out of the room through a different entrance at the back of the room as the Monarch was still on the ground. He traveled down a winding staircase he came to a metal door. Dread pushed the door open and an alarm began to sound. Ignoring the incessant wail of the alarm he ran into the street the door led to.

Dread recalled the only thought he had at the time. “Foolish man, you can’t harness the power of the Hallow.”

From here Dread remembered running to Estrid’s home and telling her of the situation. He begged for help, as she was the only one who would be able and willing to show him the way to the Spires.

Estrid lent him an arrow and a bow, and they left to The Spires of Mortal…

Now Dread‘s memory ended, and all he could think of then was the assassin awaiting his next victim.

Another thought came into Dread’s mind. Did Phrix know that if he succeeded at killing Dread, the Hallow race might be completely extinct? Dread could not allow that to happen.

As the duo finally entered The Forest of Zoticus, Dread noticed the change in the landscape around him. The Forest was unaffected by seasons. The trees around him were full of life. He wondered where his new-found love for nature came from.

Maybe it was the knowledge his end might be near…

On a normal night Dread would be able to see the nature around him. He recalled sitting down on a tree stump on a cold autumn day and watching the birds of Zoticus fly from the forest to distant parts of the realm. He would contemplate to himself anything that was on his mind, whether it would be the next journey he would make in the woods of Atromitos, or simply his hunting skills.

But tonight was not like those earlier nights long ago. There was an eerie mist encapsulating the forest. This obscured his vision dramatically, causing him to trip a couple of times as he got deeper into the forest.

Now they were nearing The Spires of Mortal. The fog was becoming thinner, and the oak trees were becoming less common.

They entered a clearing. Oaks still enveloped the glade on all sides.

Just as the mysterious feeling the glade gave him was increasing, Dread heard the snap of an arrow being released.

The excitement is building. Will they make it to the Spires? Will Dread be able to stop the Monarch, or is his effort futile, just as the Monarch predicted it would be. Remember to like, comment, and follow. Let me know what you think!

-D.K. Phoenix

© D.K. Phoenix and dkphoenix, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to D.K. Phoenix and dkphoenix with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Part 3

Part 3 of Lore of Dread! I hope all of my amazing readers of Lore of Dread will enjoy it. Remember, if you have not read part 1 of Lore of Dread yet, check it out.

The car parked on a paved boulevard. Dread was marched out of the vehicle by the same two guards as before, only this time they did not grab hold of him. They knew he had nowhere to go even if he did want to flee.

They led him up a path with topiary plants on either side. The front of this rarefied building must have been designed to look appealing and friendly. What other need would the Monarch possibly have for the variety of extravagances found outside this tower?

Dread was not even sure he would turn back now if he could, he was determined to find out why he was summoned. As much as he hated Erebus, he knew he needed to confront him one final time. After all Dread had been through, could he have still had a part of him that demanded closure for an old quarrel?

The guards stayed at Dread’s sides as Dread walked to the doors of the Citadel, a hint of pace in his step.

This was the main entrance to the Citadel. There were other doors in this buildings. The main doors were used by officials and guests and led to the lobby. He wasn’t an official, and by no means a guest. Other doors led to rooms of congress, interrogation rooms and rooms that belonged to Erebus Marrow’s excessive supply of weaponry. He was using none of these doors. This must have meant Dread was going to be treated as a guest. This only raised Dread’s suspicion.

What could Erebus Marrow have planned?

The guards led him through the lobby. The floor was decorated with leather furniture and had a marble floor. It appeared welcoming. The guards directed him to an elevator. The guard on his right pressed a button on the wall and the door of the elevator gradually opened.

Dread stepped inside the glass elevator. A man in the corner of the elevator pressed the highest button on a set of many, each leading to a different destination.

The elevator ascended to the top floor. The door opened and Dread stepped out.

The room he stepped into looked in every way different from the lobby. This room had a much darker appearance, with none of the useless decorations the lobby had. For a moment Dread questioned if he was still in the same tower.

A desk was placed in the middle of the room. On the walls hung a myriad of swords and other sharp weaponry.

Behind the desk sat a man who wore a long shadowy cloak. He had an unkempt brown haircut and rugged features.

Dread instantly recognized the man behind the desk as Erebus Marrow. Erebus gazed at Dread with the unwavering grimace Dread knew all too well.

Dread did not hesitate to consider his next action. He stepped closer to Erebus and raised his voice to ensure the sound would hit Erebus’ ears with the impact Dread desired.

“Why have you summoned me here?” Dread asked most aggressively. Spite was detectable in his voice.

After seconds had passed with no answer, Dread pressed on.

“Who do you believe you are? Summoning me hear after threatening to exile me? You have no right to talk to me. Or even to live for that matter!”

“Silence Kyros!” The Monarch stood up.

For a brief second a grin came across the Monarch’s face. “Only you would ever dare speak to your leader like that.”

“I am not a citizen of Eos, therefore you are not my leader. I am unlike all those other mindless automatons that obey you.” The anger that was in Dread’s voice was growing.

“Shall we get onto business Kyros?” The question was rhetorical. Though he worded the sentence like a question, Dread knew he had no say in the matter.

Though Erebus attempted to act professional, Dread could still see through the veil of commonplace behaviour, and saw the malevolent ruler he truly was.

Erebus continued. “You of all people would know tonight is The Eve of Reckoning. You are aware of the unfathomable power you and only you can unlock tonight. This means only you can aid me.”

For a moment Dread pondered what Erebus could be asking

“You see, Dread. The Hallows have a connection to the Earthly Realm. They were the first to travel there. Their powers allowed them to travel to it through the energy that radiates off The Spires of Mortal. When the Hallow race was becoming scarce, one of the Hallows that remained strong had been Creed. Creed placed his strength into his sword so that Hallows for generations to come would remain strong. You probably know that already though.”

A smirk grew on Erebus’ face as he continued to speak. “What you don’t know is that the sword was never passed down to another generation and was lost in history.”

Erebus unsheathed his sword from his scabbard.

“This is that sword. I found it on one of my recent expeditions,” Erebus spoke smugly. “You may know of my hatred toward the Earthly Realm. And I believe we need to expand our territory. Tonight my comrades and I intend on crossing over and eliminating the inhabitants with the strength of Creed.” Erebus looked at the sword he was brandishing. “I shall banish any Atromitan who is not a citizen of Eos to the ruins of the Earthly Realm. Then Eos will be powerful and safe. I ask you to help me in my task, in return for your safety and prosperity.”

The word ‘comrades’ echoed in Dread mind.

What did you think? Erebus’ plan will be put into motion in Part 4. It will be up soon.

-D.K. Phoenix