The Last Runestones: Prologue

[Throndir]

Long time ago I once fancied writing a story. Had outlines that covered the first few chapters, as well as notes on the whole story. Was aiming for around 6500 words per chapter, started writing it in my senior year of high school I think, and stopped writing shortly after. One day I'll finish it. Ah well.



Prologue - Past
The end came not at night, but right before sunset. Nor were the skies dark and gloomy as bards once sang. It was a warm, and for the most part, a seemingly peaceful summer day, with the sun a few hours from setting. Kaladar, the last city of the ancient ones, was burning. The heavy smog from the fires hung heavily in the air, giving the once proud city an almost surreal and foreboding look.

Eldrich Adelin stood tiredly on top of the broken remains of the castle walls, looking toward the enemies that brought down many of his close friends and kin. Thousands of strange, near-ethereal, ghoul-like creatures covered the lands that were once the birth right of every clan. Each of the strange humanoid creatures had lifeless faces, expressions devoid of any emotion, be it love or hate. They stood there, far enough to be out of the range of catapult, and close enough to keep a watchful eye on the rubble-strewn city. Eldrich didn?t know what to make of them, and even the other high mages couldn?t discern from whence they came from, or how they came into being. Some believed they were ghosts from eras long past, brought into the world through unholy means. Others say that they are reincarnations of spirits who are doomed to roam the land given a physical form. However, through all the rumors and mysteries regarding the creatures, all that was known for certain was that they came to destroy. And were lead by a renegade mage who was once a great and noble person in a past era.

After the first reports of an attack from the creatures, Eldrich, along with the other high mages, were stationed to defend the empire. There were once many of them, including all the races, even some of the goblin and troll. Each commanded unfathomable power, but slowly and surely, each mage was overwhelmed, and slowly but surely, the nation crumbled away from the mad wizard and his army of ghouls. Under the command of the Council, armies upon armies were sent to stop the relentless plague that overwhelmed the empires. Each army had a dozen high mages accompany them. But with each army lost, a dozen more high mages fell to the dusts of battle. With each fall of a high mage, the army comes ever closer to the heart of the empire. Now here they are. After razing most of the kingdom, after pillaging most of the empire, they've finally arrived at Kaladar, the last bastion of defense.

Eldrich scanned the rubble of walls that he stood upon. It seemed only yesterday that he was enjoying the summer festivities with his friends and kin, spending hours admiring the tall and spired buildings of the city, from along the higher, outer walls. And now all that was left of the once proud walls, was the charred earth, burned towers and rubble. Once the scouts reported of the wizard's march toward Kaladar, Eldrich and all other remaining high mages were stationed at various points along the very same walls. Accompanying them, were all the remaining soldiers and guardsmen who have been lucky enough to not get sent away to action. Each mage and their guard fought to the last. Denying the inevitable outcome, they kept fighting even when they were surrounded by the hoards of the creatures. Using every bit of their arcane knowledge, and every bit of their survival skills. The men and women, the mages and soldiers, the brightest and best fought the tides of creatures that swarmed them. Thus the defense of Kaladar was broken. After destroying the outer walls, only the inner walls of the city prevented the onslaught of the ghouls. He was the last of the high mages, and only a handful of guards were left to protect the women and children who were deep within the Kaladar Keep, protected only by the meager defenses of the inner walls.

* * * * *

"We've lost too much, haven't we?" the winged faerie sitting on Eldrich?s shoulder said. Lost in his thoughts, Eldrich almost forgot about his small companion. Keeping his eyes toward the creatures, he answered.

"Too much." Eldrich replied. The faerie expected more from the wizard, his short response sparking a curiosity within the faerie. She gave her attention to him, but Eldrich was already back in his ponderings, and after a moment of hesitation, the faerie shrugged, and diverted her attention back to the barricade of creatures far away, but still discernable with her eyes. She shivered as she watched the creatures stare back at her. Turning her head and looking at Eldrich again, she wondered why Eldrich wanted to be here.

* * * * *

Eldrich sighed in grief, he knew, even with his help and the last few fighting men, that they did not have the power to stop the creatures. Even if somehow every single women and child were miraculously converted to warriors, the chances were still grim.

"Eldrich, sir", a voice behind him spoke. Tearing his gaze from the charred battlefields and the waiting creatures beyond, he turned around and looked upon a man no more than twenty years of age, wearing the wing and sword emblem of a soldier of Kaladar. Eldrich remembered the call to arms and he vividly recalled the many jubilant young men who readily took up the sword to fight the invading army. He then remembered of the losses of their own armies, losing every single one of them except for the last regiment daily patrolling what is left of the city. The soldier's haggard features and the sorrow in his eyes told Eldrich that it was a fact not lost on the young man. Eldrich knew the soldier before him must have lost his youth as he lost his friends and family.

"The Council wants you back at the inner walls?" the young soldier said. He then paused, as if searching for the right words. "?There's nothing left here".

Eldrich thought about the words. Of course he knew there was nothing left here in the outer walls, of course he knew that everything beyond the inner wall gates were destroyed. But he wanted to see the place himself. Not through the scout's and sentry's reports, nor to see the destruction from a far, but to feel the desolation of the ruins himself.

Not long ago, the strange army of ghouls laid waste to these outer walls, many of the few remaining defenders died. And when the ghouls finished burning and blasting apart the buildings outside the inner walls, they slowly retreated back, forming a circular ring, like a siege, around the city.

Now there they were; a dark blot, blemishing the fields of Kaladar. Eldrich didn't know why they stopped their relentless destruction, halting just before the inner walls, and he doubted if anyone else knew the reason other than the shadow, the manifestation the army of ghouls seems to follow. But he knew it wasn't over. Everyone knew it wasn't over.

Eldrich lifted his weary eyes toward the young soldier. With a nod, he motioned for the soldier to carry on by giving a quick hand gesture toward the city. The soldier nodded once, paying his respect to the mage and his winged companion, and turned around, heading back toward the city?s inner wall gates. Eldrich watched the soldier make his way through the rubble of houses and buildings that were unlucky enough to have been built outside the inner walls. He watched the soldier carry himself as if he had a great fatigue that he just couldn?t shake off. Eldrich felt the same. Even the slow raising of the inner wall gates seemed slow and tired, as it was slowly cranked up to let the soldier pass through.

"Come Winelly, I'll await you at the gates." Eldrich said as he regarded his faerie friend still sitting on his shoulder, looking apparently bored at the uneventful time of late. The faerie stood up, and fluttered her wings a bit before lifting herself from Eldrich. She smiled, a joyous grin that seemed to contrast with the desolate landscape and the prevailing dour aura that he seemed to feel where ever he went. He was glad for her company, and he suspected that every other high mage who was honored enough to have a faerie guide them through life felt the same. He still remembered the first time he met Winel, or Winelly, the name he's given to her, he was just promoted to a high mage, when from seemingly out of no where, the faerie appeared declaring that from now on she will be his "life guide". At the time, he didn't know what that meant, only accepting the strange creature as every other high mage has done. But now, he knew what the faerie meant, through all the battles they've been through, Winel was always there casting her own enchantments and spells to aid him in battle, and after a close friend of Eldrich fell down in battle, Winel was always there to encourage him, always advising him the best courses of action.

The faerie suspended in the air with her wings, closed her eyes. And through Eldrich's trained vision, he saw ripples of magical energies, or magicks, appear around the faerie. He recognized the patterns of the energy as a teleporting spell, and quickly following after, he closed his own eyes.

Focusing his thoughts on the city?s inner wall gate. Eldrich pictured the stone carved entrance, he pictured the many layers of stone that were neatly stacked up one on top of the other to form the gate, he pictured the iron grate, spanning almost twenty feet horizontally, and likewise vertically, he pictured the sets of iron chains that opened and closed the gate. Eldrich then imagined the gate as if it was before him, mentally placing the details of the gate so that it seemed to tower over him. And with the thought of the inner wall gates, Eldrich reached for those energies within him, around him, beside him in the world. Like a tailor, Eldrich fashioned those threads of energies, forming them, and bending them to his will. Keeping the image of the gate in his thoughts, Eldrich opened his eyes. Before him, was the gates itself, Winel fluttering nearby, and the same young soldier looking at him in disbelief. The soldier shook his head, and as if nothing ever happened, he went on ahead, probably toward his superior for new orders.

As Eldrich braced himself against the waves of nausea that was expected from his teleportation spell, he couldn?t help but remember the picture of the Kaladar inner city gate he conjured for his teleportation. When once the Kaladar city was the envy of the entire world, even the gates were one of the most prized possessions the city could ever acquire. And now, when Eldrich looked upon the once magnificent gate, he can?t help but a feel a sense of dread, lost, and grief for how far the city has fallen. Even now, many burn marks, and deep punctures through the wall can be visibly seen. Entering through the gate, and acknowledging the many startled guards gaping in awe at the mage who magically appeared before them, it was a fact not lost on Eldrich.

?How much longer?? Eldrich thought to himself.

It was always in his mind, like a gathering darkness threatening to overwhelm him and his entire world. It was a rhetorical question, but it seemed to Eldrich that the question seemed more like a foretelling of the future rather than a harmless question. Eldrich knew that he should hold on to hope, hold to hope like every person in the city clings onto. But deep within his heart, he knew that it would soon be over. The ghoul army was just a doorstep away, and if the mad wizard just took the last step, Eldrich knew it would all be lost. All that the kingdom has worked for will be destroyed in the final conflict, and Eldrich knew that many people would die.

Shaking away the malignant thoughts, Eldrich and Winel guided themselves toward the Kaladar Keep. The keep was once the living quarters for the king, as well as a small section barracks built for guests and their guards. But because of recent events, the keep was converted to more of a shelter for the refugees of the war. However, it was also the place where the Council, military advisers and commanders issue their orders. And it was there where Eldrich hoped to find what his next assignment was. Eldrich wasn?t excited however; he knew that it would either be more patrolling, or more magically scouting the enemy?s lines. It was all because of formality, Eldrich knew. Did the Council really believe they could fight back against the army that lay in wait for them? Eldrich chuckled at himself. Remembering past times, Eldrich recalled the times when he himself boasted that the mad wizard?s ghoul-like army would fall quickly. He recalled the many times when he defended the Council?s reputation when his friends joked about the rulers. He remembered them, but he did not see himself or the Council with much regard anymore. To him, the patrolling, scouting, and training were all for naught.

Sighting the bridge that was the walkway to the keep, surrounded by a deep moat, Eldrich couldn?t suppress his admiration. Even though the rest of the city was burning or piles of rubble, the Kaladar Keep was always the sign of hope for many the remaining peoples. Although a few visible scars mar the beauty of the keep, the walls still look as new as ever. The gardens and flowery growing at the base of the keep are also well tended, giving the formidable defensive structure an almost opposite gentler look. The tall and graceful spires reach the skies, almost proclaiming the might of the kingdom. When once the tall spires signaled strength of the city, now it was a sight of hope. Eldrich thought about it longer. No, not a sight of hope, a target for doom, as the ghoul-like armies will surely have the keep and its tall spires as the first targets to go down.

Quickly making his way across the bridge over the moat surrounding the keep, Eldrich greeted the guards. The guards knew him, and with their customary salute of their hand over their hearts, they nodded at Eldrich. Pausing, Eldrich was about to ask how their days were. But a glance backwards toward the ruined outer city, quickly had Eldrich change his mind. Why bother? He already knew the answer. Quickly passing by the guards, and motioning for Winel to keep up, he decided not to remind them of how their days were.

Now inside the walls of the keep, Eldrich slowly made his way to the flight of stairs that will take him to the Council's audience hall. Passing by and admiring the many decorative spears, and the magnificently tiled floor, he spotted a bright wispy, almost ghost-like figure of a woman dressed in a flowing blue robe. The strange creature nodded at the two, and then quickly disappeared, almost as if the wind and air consumed her. But Eldrich knew that was not the case. Just like the ghoul-like army that was no more than a doorstep away from the city, the strange apparition he saw appeared just at the same time that the ghouls appeared. Eldrich inwardly smiled despite his current moody thoughts, he remembered the first time that this woman ghost creature appeared in Kaladar, right here, inside the Kaladar Keep. He recalled the assembly of the Council running around in their fear of a "ghost". Later, as it was proven that the apparition wasn't going to do anything, the Council, trying to salvage what was left of their pride, ordered the removal of the ghost woman. Thrusting swords into the ghost didn't work, and blasting spells didn't work either. Even the local priests and monks came by the keep to attempt to "send away the ghost back to its resting place". But in the end, all that was futile, for some reason, even though everyone could see the ghost, nothing could be done shoo her away. Soon however, after the reports of the ghoul-like army and their relentless march, the ghost was soon forgotten due to the more pressing problems. Eldrich would have really liked to study that ghost sometime, and so would have all other high mages. Why did the ghost appear? Why could we see her even though she was definitely not a part of their world? Climbing up the stairs, Eldrich decided that for the sake of all his fallen high mage companions, he would spend his remaining time studying the apparition.

Descending, Winel landed on Eldrich?s shoulder. Pausing and tapping his foot, Eldrich waited for an explanation.

?I just feel tired, that?s all.? Winel sighed. Eldrich forced a smile and resumed going up the staircase.

?What do you think they?ll have us do next?? Winel asked, when they neared the top of the stairs.

?Whatever they feel like. Those old fools don?t know what they?re doing.? Eldrich quickly replied. Winel chuckled, and a moment after, they found themselves reaching the last step of the staircase.

An assembly of well-dressed and old men greeted Eldrich as he appeared from the stairs, each of them seated in their own magnificent chairs with a long table in front of them. Eldrich was met with a somber aura, as if the men were discussing grave news. The men gave him only a cursory glance, and went back to their own discussions and mutterings. Striding toward the Council, and appearing like the mage he was suppose to be, he waved his hands in attempt to gather attention. At first the Council ignored him, but with a combination of Eldrich's patient waiting and steady glare, the Council quieted and directed their attention to him. An old and aged figure stood up from the crowd of men.

"Eldrich and Winel, I see you two have come back from your wanderings out there," the man motioned toward the outer walls, ?we?ve been discussing important matters.?

?Important matters?? Eldrich wondered out loud, under his breath he added, ?can?t choose which skin lotion to use, eh?? on his shoulder, Winel chuckled.

?Careful mathil, you don?t want to anger the old poops now.? She said. Eldrich chuckled in reply. Apparently oblivious to the exchange, the old man continued.

?Yes, tell me Eldrich, do you think we can last another attack?? the council member queried. Eldrich wondered why the man asked the question, everyone already knew the answer.

?No.? Eldrich spoke bluntly. The old man nodded his head slowly, as if confirming a lingering fear.

?And Winel?? the man said as Winel pricked up her ears, ?did not the faeries decide not to take part of this war?? Winel nodded, but she stopped as she figured that the men probably did not pick up the motion.

?No, my people have decided not to interfere, except to honor past ties.? Winel said. The man nodded.

?Like how you are with Eldrich.? The man said acknowledging Winel?s statement. ?we?ve thought long for what you, the last high mage, and you, Winel, can do.? Another old man from the council stood up, and he motioned the first speaker down. Both Eldrich and Winel focused their attention to the new speaker.

"We have a new task for you two to do. We want ?"
Eldrich raised an eyebrow as he looked at the new speaker. Task after task all they told him to do were unimportant things. He already spent countless hours doing the Council's necessary work, which included patrolling the empty walls, scrying the enemy with his spells, and guarding the Kaladar Keep. It was a dull routine, jobs that Eldrich knew any person with eyes can do. But Eldrich saw through the Council's persistent watchfulness, the reason why he did menial task after menial task, Eldrich knew that the Council wanted to give every guard and soldier hope, no matter if the work was useless; a false facade designed to keep every able person moving and the hope that everything will be alright. Thus Eldrich was surprised when the old man asked him to do a task unlike the other ones they would usually dish out.

"?to guard the Inner Chamber." Those words alone struck both Eldrich and Winel with confusion. The Inner Chamber was guarded well enough with countless enchantments put forth by past mages throughout the eras. As well as once enchanted by Winel?s kin and folk. Why would the Council need them there? Did they want him or Winel to put even more defensive enchantments on the chamber?

"There are enough enchantments on and around the chamber," the man said as he seemingly read his mind, staring deeply into Eldrich?s eyes, "you're job there is simple. Protect the chamber".  Baffled, and a little disturbed, Eldrich met the man's stare. Why would they need to send him and Winel into that chamber? He asked a simply question.

"Why?"

The speaker sighed as he met the glances of the other council members. Worry creased his aged features. But all he did was nod, a strange slow nod that seemed to portray more than the man allowed.

"Do you not already know?" he said.

"What?" Eldrich replied, the cryptic answer inadequate for him. This time the whole of the council stood up.

"Do you now already know?" they said in harmony, and with that, the Council sat back down, one by one, and continued their quiet discussions. Taking that as his cue to leave, Eldrich bowed once and headed back down toward the stairs; questions running through his mind.

?Those poops are getting weirder as they get older.? Winel commented as they descended down the stairs. Eldrich couldn?t agree more. It was an unexpected question for Eldrich. And he pondered about its meaning as they descended down the flight of stairs. The manner of the Council surprised even himself, somehow, the council members did not act like themselves. They didn't appear to be the fat, lazy, pompous old men they were, but more regal in their stature. Having no definite answers come to him, he instead decided to think about the Inner Chamber. From his past teachings from mentors long dead, he knew that the Inner Chamber was actually a series of chambers within each other, forming almost a multi-walled room. From its design one can conclude that it was created to securely contain something. According to rumors, the chamber holds three powerful magical runestones created at a time long past. But other than that little bit of information, all that Eldrich had left was speculation.

Eldrich passed by a guard as he reached the bottom of the stairs, and once again he saw the ghostly figure of the woman, strangely with a sad expression on her face. At any other time, he might have stopped and examined the spectral figure and her different visage, but he was in a hurry to reach the Inner Chamber and once there, collect his wandering thoughts. With his goal in mind he absently brushed aside the guard as the soldier wearily saluted and acknowledged the mage. A few more strides brought him to an open corridor, where a gathering of townsfolk was socializing. They were talking about light things, and already they were discussing of matters of the future when the ghoul armies were defeated. But even with their hopefully thinking, their eyes betrayed their words. Eldrich knew it was just a facade.

The townsfolk parted as they made a way for the mage to go through. The townsfolk respected him, as they respected every person willing to defend him or her from the army that lay just outside their walls. As he passed the group behind him, he felt a sensation of hopelessness. Once, what seemed like a lifetime ago, he was given as much respect as the next person, whether he was or a mage or no. Eldrich nodded sadly as it occurred to him that the townsfolk?s respect came not from genuine admiration, but from an elusive hope; a denial of fear for the events to come.

Eldrich casually raised his left hand on the Kaladar Keep's wall to his left, touching its smooth surface, while he looked on at the pitiful state of Kaladar to his right. The sun was about to set, the glow of the rays already turning into an orange-colored hue. With the near setting of the sun, he had mixed feelings. He felt a little bit of hope as he knew that the city of Kaladar survived one more day, yet he also felt dismay, at the thought that this may be the last night of the city. And if not it's very last, then close to that inevitable end. His thoughts soon came to an end however.

?Mathil! Watch where you?re going why don?t you?? Winel exclaimed, as she simultaneously fluttered away from his shoulder, while a little girl no more than nine years old, crashed into the mage.

She had a white cloth wrapped around her head covering her right eye, but still leaving her hair. A single crutch, a short makeshift stick-like object, supported her. The girl smiled as she tried to pick herself up. Ignoring Winel, Eldrich gently helped the girl recover her footing, and kneeled down to look at her at an even level. Staring into those blue orbs filled with curiosity and wonder, Eldrich felt grief, as well as a bit of lost. Making sure the little girl was all right, Eldrich stood back up. The girl watched as Winel flew closer.

?Don?t worry, he?s in a rather dull mood today. I?m sure he?ll make it up to you some time.? Winel said. Eldrich must have noticed the emphasis, for he stopped in his tracks, and turned around. Halting only once he was in front of the girl, a smile slowly played on his lips.

Rummaging for an object within his robe, he pulled out a circular object with a crescent moon engraved on its surface and pressed it into the hands of the girl. Winel stared at the object, a mixture of curiosity and surprise splayed across her face as she watched her mathil give the girl the object. The little girl stared at wonder at the curious item as Eldrich smiled again, stood up, and went back on his way, Winel bowing once, and followed right after. Whether it was curiosity or gratitude, the little girl started following the mage.

?Why did you give that away?? Winel asked as she dropped down on Eldrich?s shoulder.

Eldrich regarded her words. If it were some past time, Eldrich wouldn't even considered giving away the precious item, for it was a magical runestone, or to be more specific, a part of a talisman. It was a precious runestone, rarely crafted, as years of enchanting was required to create such a runestone. It was probably the only thing of value that the mage now carried with him, but he knew that the little girl with a brighter future would find it more useful than him. Every runestone carried its own essence, and the crescent moon symbolized longevity and health. Eldrich only hoped that those elements would help the girl as it helped him survive for this long to be the last mage.

But his hopes were soon crushed as the warning bells were sounded. A loud clanging sound filled the air, screaming and confusion followed moments after. The war was here. From far away he heard the first clangs of sword against sword as the guard's weapons clashed with the more ethereal weapons of the ghouls.

Alarmed, Winel took to the wing, as she surveyed the area. Seeing no apparent danger, she closed her eyes and started forming the energy needed for her spell. Releasing the bound energies, she was able to see the first of the encounters between the ghoul-like creatures and the guard.

?They?re here!? Winel said when she finally released the magical sight. It didn?t any explaining to Eldrich for who the object of they was. He knew it was the ghouls. His heart pounded, his breathing steadily increasing in speed.

The little girl pulled on Eldrich?s robe, an appearance of terror in her eyes. Eldrich knew that the girl has been through many things, like every other survivor. Eldrich felt pity just then as he grabbed the girl?s hand.

?Winel! Let?s go quickly, we need to find her safety.? Eldrich said.

He knew he had to go help in the front lines rather than lead this little girl to a safer place. He was the last mage, he had the obligation to help out the guards fight to the very last. But something held him in his actions. It wasn't fear, doubt or hesitance that held him in place, for he knew he was more than ready to die in battle, but something else. He felt a warm glow behind his back, a calming feeling ill placed in a time of battle. As he turned around he saw the familiar face of the ghostly woman. But instead of the sadness that he once saw in her eyes and face, Eldrich saw a grim determination like that of every other warrior defending their right to live.

Behind him the little girl tugged again on Eldrich's robe, as she started to whimper. Turning around to see what was wrong, he saw a dark colored cloud, like a flowing and visible wind, appear a few paces behind the girl. Within its depths he felt the coldness creep up to him ? slow, and foreboding. He didn?t know what it was, nor did Winel as he shifted his gaze to the confused look of his winged companion.

?M-Mathil... Let?s go.? Winel started, but Eldrich already knew that they had to get away from whatever it was. Eyeing his companion?s worried features, he couldn?t agree more. Holding the little girl's hand and beckoning her to run, Eldrich and the young girl ran toward the ghostly woman as Winel fluttered closely behind, urging the two to hurry up.

Whether it was fate or coincidence, the trio was running toward the ghostly figure of the woman, which also happened to be where the entrance to the chamber was located. But Eldrich didn?t have time to ponder on such things as the entrance appeared. It was still meters ahead of them, but behind them, they heard the screeching of the dark cloud, a chilling scream that penetrated down to their very hearts. It felt cold, so very cold, that Eldrich felt that his very warmth and essence was sucked away from him at that very instant. The girl tightened her grip on Eldrich?s hand, as Winel sped her pace in front of the two hoping to get farther away from the dark shadow-like creature that chased them.

Ahead, the ghostly woman seemed to be saying something, but with the drumming in Eldrich?s head, he was only able to discern movements of the ghostly woman?s lips. Just then, another scream echoed from behind. But unlike before, the screeching wasn?t as surprising, but it was still terrifying.

Fifteen meters away from the entrance, and the ghostly woman, Eldrich started reciting the words to open the Inner Chamber's sliding door, but to his surprise the ghostly woman seemed to be doing the same, but his training as a mage never let chance to come, and so he kept on reciting the words to open the door.

Elanos fi'ltheera sei'orl ao?

As he watched on however, the ghostly woman finished her chanting and to his even greater surprise, the door to the Inner Chamber opened, rising the big slab of stone upwards by magic. A door that was specifically enchanted to only open at a command of a high mage some how opened for the spectral figure of a woman. Eldrich stopped his now useless spell, and once again decided that he must study this spectral figure.

But the thought went clean away from his mind as the little girl holding on to Eldrich's hand momentarily lost her grip, but she kept running forward, pumping as hard as her legs could take her. A moment of alarm crossed Eldrich's face, but as he turned around and saw that the girl was doing fine, he kept running forward toward Winel, who was already ahead of them and the ghostly woman and the entrance to the Inner Chamber. All he needed was a few more meters, but the inhuman sounds of the dark cloud was growing, a quick inspection revealed that the dark figure was no more than an arm's length away from the girl who was trying hard to keep up to the mage who was already a few meters ahead of her. When it seemed like the girl was within reach of the dark cloud ? a shadow, the ghostly woman suddenly moved forward at such speed that surprised both Eldrich and Winel. Hesitating just a moment to see the ghostly woman go completely through Winel and himself.

But paying the unexpected feeling no mind, he ran on toward the entrance. Just when Eldrich was past the entrance to the Inner Chamber, he heard the shadow's snarl of refusal as it clashed with the ghostly woman. Looking back, he saw the little girl behind him on the ground, covering her ears as the two spectral figures whirled around each other, right above the girl. Winel, who was already perched on Eldrich?s shoulder cried an alarm as Eldrich was about ready to run back for the girl.

Clang! But it was too late, suddenly the entrance collapsed at a single word from the spectral figure of the woman, with her power to open the chamber?s door; she also had the power to close it. The stone slab that made up the door, fell quick and loudly. The deafening sound of the door, drowned in with the screams of the shadow and the whimpering of the little girl did little to placate the loud throbbing of Eldrich?s heart.

And just like that, Eldrich found himself alone in a cold dark room, completely isolated from the outside world save the company of his companion Winel. He curled his fists and pounded them on the stone door, even reciting the words for them to open. But to no avail. The commands would not obey, the stone slab would not move. And at that same despairing moment, he heard again the clashes of sword against sword. He heard the screaming of people as they were methodically killed. And at that same time he cursed the ghostly woman and her command of the stone door of the Inner Chamber. Eldrich knew he could have been there with the girl in time. Now that option was lost.

He felt the emotion of grief well up inside him, but like the trained mage he was, he tried to ignore the feeling. But even with his training as a mage, he could not completely ignore the lost. As if a part of himself died with the closing of the stone door.

Winel was not better off, as she hurriedly flew near the surface of slab of stone that just fell. Searching frantically for any signs or tracings of the command to lift the stone, she kept her unique eyes roving around the door. Even when she found no such traces, she kept on fluttering about, denying that they were trapped. She kept on fluttering about, denying the outcome of their home, Kaladar ? the very embodiment of her life with humans. But seeing her mathil, head down, and the palm of his hands against the wall, Winel stopped her frantic search, and slowly descended toward Eldrich?s shoulder.

But even before she made it, a glitter caught her eye. Turning around to the source, she saw the source of the sparkling.

?Look? she said. Even though her words of awe were barely audible, the admiration in her voice took Eldrich away from his thoughts and grief, and he turned around to see what has captured his companion?s attention so readily.

At the center of the room, he saw three floating objects suspended in mid-air. They were the three runestones, not half the size of a person's palm, the very objects that were protected by Kaladar for all these years, centuries, and eras.

And then it occurred to him the answer to the Council's question; the reason why he was sent here to guard the three objects. He stared with hatred at the runestones, as if they were the cause of all this trouble. But with the feeling also came a faint elation. There was a hope that they would live on through these three runestones. They would be a legacy for the future. And with that thought in mind, he took out the remaining runestones from his pouch and dropped them into his hands. Quietly he whispered the words to his spell, drawing upon the runestones within his hands and directing them to the three suspended in air. His chanting soon came into a crescendo, as if he was screaming to whatever gods that will listen to the unfairness of it all.

He held his tears since the first death of a high mage, he held them when the first city was annihilated, and he even held them when his family and friends died. But as he spoke the last word to his spell, his years of training as a stoic mage came to naught. Finishing his spell, Eldrich kneeled, the first of many tear drops splattered on the cold and hard floor.