Lore of Dread – Part 2

Part 2

 Here is the next part to Lore of Dread. Things start getting intense from here on out. If you have not read part 1 yet, I recommend you read it first. You will love it!

Estrid led a difficult life. She lost her parents at a young age when they were out hunting. Or at least this is how Dread knew it to be. He was never quite certain, because even though Estrid could ramble on for days about the weaponry used in Ancient Atromitos, she couldn’t bring herself to talk about her past. This left Dread’s knowledge of Estrid hazy. As if a piece of his mind was locked in a cage by a sentinel that forbade him to unlock it and find the truth. He could only gaze into the translucent walls.

Dread did know a lot about Ancient Atromitan weaponry, though.

Dread sat down on a desk in the corner. Estrid paced back and forth around the room. Eventually she began to file through a shelf of books and assorted papers. Her motions were rushed and reckless, knocking over quills and papers as she moved.

A wave of discomfort washed over Dread. He felt Estrid s fear and anger. For a moment he felt overwhelmed by uncertainty.

This was an ability of the Hallows. They could judge other’s fears. This was supposed to be an advantage to the Hallows. To be able to discern a weakness of an opponent could be an ultimate gift, or a curse, if you couldn’t control the feeling. For Hallows also underwent the psychological torture of the fear.

As Dread came to a relaxed state, and the seemingly unceasing ache in his mind began to relent, he noticed that Estrid relocated a scroll from its dusty spot at the back of a bookcase onto a wooden table.

Dread walked over to the table as Estrid was unrolling the scroll. Dread recognized the picture on the parchment to be a map of Atromitos. Estrid moved her finger over the archaic and brittle scroll until it stopped on a single point marked by the ink of a quill. The ink read the words: The Spires of Mortal.

This was their destination. The next location on the map that Dread caught out of the corner of his eye was adjacent to the Spires. The Forest of Zoticus, as marked on the map, was a place Dread was more familiar with. They had to travel through this forest.

“Erebus’ vigilante will be anticipating our arrival. That soulless scum of a man Phrix could destroy us. He waits patiently to satisfy his bloodlust. We have to stop the Monarch’s inhumane scheme. Are you prepared to venture through the forest of even with the knowledge that an assassin is eagerly anticipating his target?”

Without answering the question, Estrid walked to the edge of the table and lifted up a knife with strange markings. After staring at it intently for a moment she sheathed it in her pocket.

Estrid opened the door that led to the outside world and the two stepped out.

Dread did not require an answer to his previous question. He knew despite some of her self-centered traits, she would do anything to save Atromitos.

From here they would proceed to their destination.

Now Dread started to think. What possibly in the seemingly mundane Atromitos could lead a man to this moment? He was about to risk his life to save a world that had done nothing but be cruel to him, that cast him out from society and leave to fend for himself. Why? Why must he be the man to sacrifice himself for all other living beings?

Dread knew the answer, but he hated to admit it. The answer had plagued him all his life. It was a shadow hanging over him everywhere he traveled. And no matter how far he ran or where he hid, without fail, it would always find him.

Because he was a Hallow. That’s why.

But being what he is did have some merits. Hallows have an ability that allows them to recall and almost mentally relive their memories. This was the only ability Dread had that ever used. He was constantly trying to grapes the situation he was in, and he always wanted to know what he could do to improve upon his actions if that ever happened again. He did this so that he could overcome any memory. No matter how heart wrenching it was. He would never let a memory haunt him.

What better time to make use of this ability than The Eve of Reckoning.

Dread wanted to know what happened today. Because Dread had a suspicion tonight he would mark his place in history.

Now that Estrid had a knife and they were running to the Forest of Zoticus, he could relax for a moment and centre his thoughts.

Dread slowed his heartbeat and allowed his pace to slow along with it. His head became clouded and mind was split in two, partially controlling his memory, partially keeping him running.

Dread felt his consciousness fully return. The first thing he saw himself leaving his small bungalow on the outskirts of Eos, the capital of Atromitos.

Next he saw the concrete walls of the Atromitan Training Facility at the edge of the city. He envisioned the swords that he had practiced with lying on the training mat.

This was routine for Kyros Dread. He and his friend Cadman sharpened their combat skills here.

Dread pictured Cadman’s coat hanging up on the rack in the foyer. He remembered the badge that was pinned to it that signified Cadman’s job as a representative to the Atromitan Government.

Cadman traveled to distant cities in Atromitos arranging armistices and peace agreements in attempt to keep the any frets that could disturb the peace at bay. This was a decision made by the Monarch, and he was so far was successful. He often talked about his travels to other lands.

But he said nothing of The Eve of Reckoning though, and Dread was not quick to mention it. Because Cadman was not in the slightest bit aware of Dread’s identity as a Hallow. He was keen on keeping it hidden from a government member.

Even though they were friends, Hallows were considered dishonorable, and Dread needed the respect of a friend.

Not many people did talk about The Eve of Reckoning or the Hallows. It was unimportant to most.

Just how the government wanted it. The government did not want anyone to think of how they used to be responsible for the oppression of the Atromitans until the Hallows liberated them.

As Dread walked out of the facility he was approached by two men dressed in suits. Dread could hear the muttering of a few other men waiting in the car the man stepped out of. He believed he heard the words “Hallow” and “other realm” and end”.

The men seized hold of his arms. As Dread struggled to break free of their gaze they led him into a motorized vehicle.

Once he was in the car drove along the streets of Eos. Cars were rarely used in Eos. Nobody had need for them other than the government.

Out of the window of the vehicle Dread viewed a cyclopean edifice. A tower surmounted all the other buildings in Atromitos. It overlooked the city with an almighty impression.

Dread knew where he was going now. The car was driving to the Citadel of the Monarch. He was summoned by Erebus Marrow.

Erebus Marrow was the Monarch of Atromitos. He governed Eos with an iron fist.

Atromitos was a democracy, or at least it was supposed to be. Even the election of the Monarch fell to the Council of Eos. They chose who they believed to be to most intelligent member.

When the Hallows ruled they kept all Atromitans equal. The times had changed now, and Erebus would do anything for power.

The title of the Monarch stayed though. It was passed down from old times.

Erebus Marrow was the most corrupt Monarch Dread have ever met. And Dread would know, as the two used to be close friends. Erebus trained Dread as a soldier when he was younger, and Erebus was the only one other than Estrid who knew that Dread was a Hallow.

Most Monarchs had two simple rules. Both were obvious. The first was well known. The second: unspoken. The rules, as Dread knew them, were:

1: Obey the Monarch

2: Do not question the legitimacy of the Monarch.

Everyone obeyed these rules. Some out of respect, others out of fear.

Did you enjoy it? Let me know what you think will happen next. I will post Part 3 shortly.

-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.