Cyael strode down the dark corridor, his boot footfalls breaking the still silence. Magical torches sparking to life as he passed, their dim blue light shimmering across his armor. If any were around he would seem to be an apparition haunting the ancient halls. Cyael’s eyes fixed on the door at the end of the hall lost in the thoughts that had lead him here. He had come down this path before over the centuries, but rarely this late and never alone, yet did so tonight with grim determination. Something was wrong, he could feel it all around him as if the air was tainted by evil. The feeling had been plaguing his mind for days until at last, he had sensed its source below the very center of the Qivar fortress. What could have awoken the stone? Did the council not feel it its power growing?

The last of the magical torches sparked to life on either side of the stone door. Cyael stopped in front of the entryway raising his hand and pressing it to the stone. What seemed like harden stone gave way, melting around his hand like a thick liquid before solidifying again around his wrist, locking him to its surface. A brief moment passed before runes of power appeared on its surface their magic identifying him as Qivar commander and deactivating the spells that guarded his way. As their magic faded the door vanished revealing a dark tunnel beyond. The light from the torches did nothing to pierce the deep unnatural darkness ahead, which seemed to creep closer without the barrier of the door. He stepped forward into the narrow tunnel the door reforming as he passed, cutting off the remaining light.

The tunnel descended deep under the fortress and into the mountain that it resided upon. At the end lay one of the Qivar’s most guarded secrets, The Emberheart, the ancient artifact of a shadow demon that had threatened to destroy the material plane. It has remained locked in its chamber for a millennium, only disturbed when a high ranking Qivar checked on the barriers that held it or sought to study it. Each step confirmed Cyael’s fear that it was causing the disturbance he felt. The shadows closed in pulling against him to draw on the arcane energy inside him, if he wasn’t a seasoned Qivar warrior, it would have threatened to drain him of all his strength. Cyael had been through this before though having dedicated his life to fighting beings of the dark. His eyes were suited for the dark just as much as they were for the light and he had walked these tunnels enough to know his way without the need for sight. It still worried him however for the tunnel should have been lit as soon as he had opened the gateway.

His path wound further and further into the deepest reaches of the mountain until at last, he stood before his destination. He took just a moment to unlock the barriers guarding his way just as he had above before stepping into the chamber. The chamber was massive with several large pillars along the left and right side. The walls were adorned with large murals that displayed the story of the evil stone. Towards the front of the room it showed the demons invasion through a portal and it’s decimation of the armies that rose up against it. The middle saw the arrival of the Qivar, the legendary warrior pushing back the tide. The walls closest to the stone showed the end of the terrible fight. When Cyael’s own father had stuck the monster down with his dying breath. The stone, which the demon had absorbed into its giant body to fuel his power, was torn from the beast’s chest forcing it back to its own plane of existence in order to save itself. Though the center lay a raised smooth path of unblemished marble white that rose into great steps. At their peak rested an altar, the Emberheart resting atop it suspended a few inches in the air by a magical barrier. When he had come here before the pedestal had been illuminated by an unrelenting pale light from the ceiling, a construction designed to weaken the artifact of shadow. The sight before him now, however, was much different. Though the stone was still suspended in midair Cyael felt no trace of the magical barriers that had bound it for so long. No trace of light shone upon the stone, instead black smoke flowed from it and spread throughout the room, the cause of the unnatural dark around him. Yet, from within the stone, a fire burned red hot a beacon in the gloom.

Cyael walked down the path towards the Emberheart, his eyes never leaving its blaze. Impossible, nothing should have been able to awaken its power. he thought as he climbed the marble steps. Not two days had passed since, at his urging, the council had checked the spells within the fortress including this very chamber. No sign of weakness or tampering of any kind had been found, yet clearly that had been mistaken. Like a moth drawn to flame, he closed in on the stone so lost in his worries he almost didn’t sense the large form swooping down upon him.

Silent and swift it dove down at him undetectable to even to most trained swordsmen. Cyael was more than merely a swordsmen.In an instant his sword was out, the curved thin blade catching the beast’s first strike at the last moment. Its claws were stopped cold by the blade but its second strike was already coming. Punching low, Cyael had no defense, having only barely recovered from the stones distraction. The blow hit him hard in the gut, the air leaving his lungs as he was thrown backwards off the steps to hit the hard surface below. Gasping for air and cursing himself for letting his guard down, he rolled back to his feet sword at the ready and got his first look at his attacker.

 Looming on the steps above stood a massive creature, hide black as night with eyes of raging fire. Wings of black smoke folded behind it as its tail slid across the floor. It raised its large claws for another strike. Cyael had fought demons and other evil creatures before but the being in front of him was something far more ancient. The power emitting from within it left little doubt there was more to the beast than Cyael could see.   

“I wondered when you’d come” its deep voice roaring like a raging inferno before it leapt off the steps. This time, Cyael was ready.With a spell already on his lips he lunged forward. His blade was a blur as it swung up catching the beast’s claw again, but his spells finishing before it could react with the second claw. A flash of radiant sunlight burst from his blade blinding his foe with searing pain. The spell spread through to the rest of his body as his pressed his advantage. It swung its second claw out blindly, but Cyael deflected it and forced its arm out wide before pivoting back and slashing his blade up, too tall to strike at his body, he brought it across the beast’s thigh. The blade did little but the spells light cut deep into its shadowy form invoking a loud roar before it came on again. Cyael had intended to follow his strike up with another, however; the beast moved with a speed surprising for its size and as he cut his blade back it was deflected harmlessly away. Already recovering from the spell’s effect it charged forward with unrivaled ferocity, claws slicing down at him. Cyael had lived by the sword all his life and was the greatest of his kin, but it was all he could do to keep their deadly tips at bay. Forced back with every exchange, Cyael desperately needed an opening. He found one as his foe came in high on his right. He dived right in gliding under it the claw tearing through the air just above his head. Continuing the forward movement he slid past its leg bringing his blade across and cutting a gash across the side of its calf. The ensuring howl shook the cavern, yet Cyael didn’t slow, rolling forward to bring himself behind his foe his sword slicing down over its back before it could respond. Roaring again it twisted back with a backswing intent on knocking him off his feet. Cyael had expected the strike however and had already back off, whispering another spell as the monster’s blow swung over where he had been just moments before. Snarling the entity faced him and stepped towards him rearing up to crush him, just as his spell finished. A green bolt of energy coursing over his fingertips lanced out striking the hulking beast in the chest. The blast knocked it off its feet hurtling it into the air where it impacted hard into the wall above the door before crumpling to the floor, smoldering. 

For the first time in his life, Cyael was frozen in disbelief. He had blasted dragons apart with a similar blow, yet not only did his foe remain intact it still stirred. It slowly rose to its feet stretching out its wings as Cyael tried to recover from his shock. Its black hide didn’t even seem damaged as the smoke faded. There could be no doubt now. The beast that was rising up before him now was Umvorithiss, the ancient master of the Emberheart itself. When the beast first attacked Cyael had thought it was some ancient minion secretly awakening the Emberheart for its master. Now it was apparent the truth was much worse. He now realized that even though he had held off its attack, he was lucky to still be alive. The Emberheart’s master himself had come for it’s prize.

“Only now do you sense your doom...” mocked the demon every word showed the burning glow of fire inside its maw. Its deep chilling laughter echoed throughout the chamber yet he did not advance.

“How did you get in here demon” Cyael questioned more for a stall for time then expecting a real answer. He knew that Umvorithiss possessed a power far stronger than he was displaying. Though he was easily 12 feet tall the legends had placed him as much larger. He also would have been able to end this fight long ago and despite Cyael’s skill, there should have been nothing he could have done. The demon had not achieved his full strength which meant he was only partially on this plane. This also limited what Cyael could do to the beast. He needed a new tactic if he was going to survive this encounter.

“Your kind grows weak… they cannot hold me much longer their world decays around them and with each day my power grows.” the demon sneered flames flaring off him to emphasize his point.

“Yet you still can barely handle one of us” Cyael shot back. “We banished you before when you were at your peak beast...we can do so again.” Cyael smiled confidently. Though Cyael knew he was in a dangerous spot he was confident in his own powers. He would not die tonight and knew the demon would need time before he could hope to challenge them. Time Cyael would not let him haveget.

“Fool...do you believe that.” It mocked “The alliances that defeated me have dissolved, your kind grows smaller with each passing day they are blind to the growing shadow. You know it…that’s why you came here alone.” With every word the demon took another step flames erupting where he stepped. His words rang true too often lately did wars break out and racial prejudices erupt in violence. Separated they stood no chance without the Qivar. His own people, however, didn’t want to get involved in their affairs making it easier for evil to fester.

“You’re right…. The people of this world are weak pitiful beings.” Cyael smiled as he spoke his words inciting a sinister smile from the demon. “But I am not and I will do whatever it takes to make sure you never corrupt this plane again” He stated before suddenly spinning towards the stone his hands up already casting as he moved. The stone was the shadows anchor to this world but the fight had sapped Cyael’s strength so he had kept Umvorithiss talking while he recovered. The beast had been drawing close though and he didn’t have any more time. He brought his hand up pouring the rest of his energy into the spell before he muttered the last word of power, finishing the spell. The same radiant beam that had covered him and his sword fired out over stone dispelling its dark smoke. With a roar of anger, Umvorithiss charged forward his tie to this world still too fragile to defend against that kind of attack. He reached his target just as his form started to fade his claw coming down across Cyael’s back slicing deep into his skin. Searing pain shot through the warrior ending his spell as he fell to his knees, but the damage had already been done. The stone was now surrounded in sunlight. Weak and in pain Cyael Umvorithiss’s last words echoed through Cyael mind as he fell from consciousness.

“I will destroy you…”


********

“Cyael….Cyael wake up are you ok?” a voice called rising him from his slumber. Cyael was back in his room laying over the floor in full armor with his sword resting against the wall. Knelt next to him was second in command Jadrix. The dark haired human was studying him closely as he rose.

“What happened how did I get here?” Cyael groaned.

“What do you mean? I found you here… no one has seen you all morning.” Jadrix answered.

“How is that possible...? “Cyael muttered. Had he dreamed it all? Trying to rise he groaned as pain shot through his back reminding him of his wound and confirming that the events of last night had indeed been real.

“Are you hurt? “Jadrix asked noticing his pain but Cyael waved him off.

“Later...we must check the Emberheart…”Cyael grumbled raising to his feet and hurrying out the door. The two hurried back down to the chamber Jadrix knowing better than to question him. When they arrived everything was as it should have been. The magical light was again shining upon the artifact, the unnatural darkness was gone and there were no signs of the fight that had ensued during the night. Cyael still bore the pain of his wound though and knew even if it happened mentally it was all very real. The world was not ready for this threat but Cyael was determined to prepare it no matter the cost. When you return demon….I’ll be ready he thought to himself as he stared up at the Emberheart.

“What is it Cyael? What did you see down here?” Jadrix asked.

“The shadow’s rebirth “Cyael answered turning back towards Jadrix. “Umvorithiss has awakened.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 1