"Coldfire Pursuits"

BY;Fjm

 A long time ago, a peace had fallen upon the land of Menoria. A millennia of war had stricken the land, craters left from explosions and poison still rises from their depths as the magic left in them decays. The world was deprived of its resources, including water and materials needed to live such as precious metals, like iron. The trees were barren; the animals were gone to seek new pastures to feed, if they could find any. For a while, the humans had struggled to survive, each band of them isolated from each other from the scars of war. Each soon developed its own new culture, to live for themselves and their fellow kin. This young raced developed into an age of science and did their best to heal the land. Mankind had soon learned its part in the world’s destruction, and now he is doing his part in the world’s resurrection.


Scientists of this early age had moved away from ancient magics and made breakthrough experiments advancing the human race through this Dark Age. The people soon spread out once again, to explore the world, to meet the people they once hated, sharing cultures. This peace spread out throughout the world, no war and no crime. It was a utopia for all of the humans, where science ruled their lives, where beliefs were gone, and the human race was indifferent towards one another. Though their cultures were different through the world, they all believed in one thing only, science. They lived happy and peaceful lives, no war ravaged the land, and this lasted for 200 years.


During these 200 years, the land was healed; only minor scars were left, bearing the memories of the past war. The trees were now fully grown, bearing beautiful flowers and laden with fruit. The birds of peace fly over the land, spreading their wonderful beauty. The farms were fertile and settlements spread. Menoria was a magnificent sight from a far, the plains were lush with green grass and trees, flowers bloomed in a seemingly infinite number, giving a glowing radiance from far away. Groups of horses ran through the plain, healthy as ever, their beautiful manes long and sheen, these black, brown, and white creatures were the pride of Menoria. The settlements of humans were magnificent, each with its own unique structure, but none are better than the last. This was the golden age of man, and it would go on for another 100 years. Where the land prospered, and so did the Earth’s creatures.


Soon, the old magics were forgotten, those of the dark, the light, those of peace and war. Magics that give the life-blood to all of the Earth’s creatures, including the humans, and magics that take it. The old prophecies were forgotten, those that tell of mankind’s ascension, and those that tell doom. One prophecy should soon come true, one that reminds of them of the power that brought the world together, and one that could rip it apart.


White crystals of frozen water fall, covering the ground in thick blankets of its frozen embrace. The townspeople of Aristona prepare to huddle away in their homes as the snow starts to become thick. Outside its protective walls lies a black and dead forest, thought to be cursed, filled with animals from the dark. This day will be forever marked, as the ground ripples with unnatural force, dark energies bursting forth in mountains of magic. Far away, a quiet town shakes to its foundations, a crack forming in the middle of town, small and unnoticeable... A mark for what is to become, a warning for what will happen, a warning for what is happening...


The demons have come…


Leave no survivors…


A distant rumbling is heard in the distance, footsteps are heard just a few feet away, dead branches crumbling under the heavy steps. A figure comes into view, his face masked my several sheets of emerald crystals going from his chin up to his emerald green eyes, his black and red hair covering them. A black blood stained cloak concealing the armor beneath it, frost forming in patches on his cloak and armor, a mist of ice trailing him. A warm summer night breeze passes through the trees. How strange, the air is warm, it is mid-summer, but snow covers the ground. “Something is happening, and it doesn’t feel right…”


The moon shines through holes in the canopy above, the dead limbs of trees stretching out, hiding the Reaper from view. They try to take him into the darkness, but soon retreat, their efforts futile. His magic is too strong, his will, all too similar. “Can it be? Perhaps… He shall soon know the powers of the Goddess, the forest obeys, and the animals as well. No trespassers, no survivors.”


Creatures stalk him amongst the trees, quiet as the night, invisible as the wind. They keep an eye out for him, waiting for their Goddess’ command, to tear him to shreds, to rip him open. The thought of his meat makes them drool. The wolves gone mad with dark energy, they thirst for blood, they hunger for meat. Their fur a scorched black, decaying patches of flesh dripping with diseased fluids on their bodies. These energies compel the wolves to the Reaper, but his force them away. “Why?” They can smell something. But it’s not meat, it’s not blood, there is no scent, but the scent of death itself.