The fall of Kurast

[Bacon]

Prologue:

In the beginning there was light and darkness, two existences which could not exist without the other. Those who dwelled in the light favored an orderly existence, seeking perfection and balance. in the darkness, they were more emotionally driven and sought out ways to fulfill themselves beyond their basic needs.

In time the two sides began to forge their identities of being heaven and hell, angels and demons. With these identities came the necessary elements for war. For countless centuries the opposing sides clashed with one another both openly and covertly. Each trying to deceive one another to ultimately achieve their goals domination of all existence.

In this process they visited small spheres of life, worlds as they called them. The light would do their best to bring order and perfection to the denizens, almost an attempt to convert them as if they were gods. The Darkness would use force to get their way,but more often than not the denizens would not give in. Countless souls are still suffering at the hands of the demons, some being force to breed for generations. While others were were simply annihilated inadvertently. Make no MISTAKE, there was no good or bad side. For whatever world was too corrupt in the eyes of the angels, that world would be incinerated. Whatever world would not welcome the demons, they were be put to slavery until the angels annihilated their sphere of existence.

While the majority of both sides were single minded in their way of thinking, both sides had pragmatic beings. It is unfortunate to say that their numbers were dwindling due to ostracizations for the lucky, and death for the unfortunate. Many of the rationale banned together and sacrificed themselves to become guardians of the remaining worlds. So it had come to pass that the once seemingly infinite amount of resources for heaven and hell, were now suddenly scarce.

Nevertheless the fighting did continue. Although both sides started to feel the effects of their current conditions with an ever greater awareness. The light became stagnant and apathetic, with no room to improve themselves. They started to decay at a rapid pace. The darkness, who went so far to fulfill their needs were now dying off. So malformed from all the dark magic coursing through their veins, that their rationality was almost gone. So it was that the last vestiges of pragmatism rose from the ranks of both sides. From the light emerged Tyreal and his high council, from the darkness arised the diablo and his followers known as the prime evils. Both sides had come across a peculiar world to say the least...

The spawn of Demon and Angel, the people of sanctuary had an unlimited potential to sway the tides of the never ending war. For you see, not even the Prime evils themselves could fully subjugate and obliterate its inhabitants. The light was stuck at a dead end too, its denizens were not easily swayed by their power. Thus heaven and hell made a truce to allow sanctuary's existence. Rather than obliterate them, both sides sought their allegiance in many ways shapes and forms.

In this timeless struggle there was one unfortunate settlement which fell prey as a result; Kurast the shining temple on the hill.

[Bacon]

Chapter 1: The Festering Secret


Sanctuary long the battlegrounds for the influence of men, has been wrought with peril on and off since its inception. In recent years the angels and demons who once to coexist openly with the denizens of sanctuary, were becoming myth. What becomes myth then becomes legend; the memory of their existence being buried with the aging mage clan ancients. The only true connection to these seemingly mythical creatures was the church of the zakirum. A church so vast, no man or woman alive could go without being influenced by its stories. Tales of valor,justice, and great sacrifice for the sake of all peoples. Yet these were merely tales of a forgotten age, there were holes skewering their scriptures; Unexplained events and half truths. Despite the scripture's seeming lack of coherency in some places, the faith of many has not wavered in the slightest.

For every devout follower there was a sham. The zakirum's widespread proliferation has allowed them to become the true masters of entire kingdoms, where even the kings and parliamentary bodies could not go against the church. While the scriptures were lacking, the arcane power they wielded was all too real. It is said that many settlements were wiped off the face of the earth because of the church. Tales of plagues ravaging entire kingdoms, bringing its peoples to its knees. Others told stories of possessions, mothers feeding the crocodiles their children and devout captains slaying their own men. Despite being possessed, these hapless people were still conscious. Forced to watch their own hands commit sins of their own accord.

These acts had many potential culprits, which did include corrupt bishops. However, there were a small group of the church who knew the true source of the corruption. Their hands tied and legs shackled figuratively, the zakirium were forced to coexist with demons. Beings they could not destroy,but instead contain in the depths of their temples. Honor bound, they selflessly sacrificed many to contain the prime evils. Who in turn committed unimaginable sins in the guise of the priests and knights. A thankless existence, to be both loved and abhorred by the very people you were protecting....

For months my people were dreading this day. As I sat upon at the roundtable of parliament, a expression of uncertainty washed upon the faces of my fellow council members. Their confidence shot, eyes which expressed the deepest of troubles. For months my people have petitioned us to have the artifact shipped somewhere else. Their pleas were met with sincere apologies. We were always questioned as to why our city had to host the abhorred artifact,but all we could say was, " It's our duty". The protesters always lashed back in angry, sometimes with tears coursing down their cheeks. Again we were obligated to give the same answer time and time again, " it's our duty". on the outside we always put up an infallible facade,but on the inside we it was killing us. We loved our people, for we could anyone in kurast with our lives. Yet, we could not even comfort them by answering their questions as to why it must be done.

Nightfall, we marched in a single file line toward the docks of our fair city. The air was warm with a sight ocean breeze. The streets were empty tonight,but one could sense the peering eyes from the surrounding houses. Normally the streets were lively with street performers and small outdoors feasts. This was especially so when we were about. The people of kurast normally recognized us their protectors,but unlike any other settlements to the east; they trusted us as family. Tonight we were given the cold shoulder. No illumination to speak of, we traveled down the lonely cobblestone paths toward the sea.

All of a sudden the pitter patter of steps resounded behind us. We all stopped out of curiosity as to why this lone child came to greet us, or perhaps it was out of relief. She was a cute little girl with brown eyes and an innocent demeanor. Holding a flower up to me she said, " Don't be said mister, mother and father are just scared of the scary thing". I kneeled down and asked her, " Why is it scary my dear"? She broke eye contact before replying, " Cuz it makes people bad. I don't want you guys to be bad". Placing one hand on her shoulder I said, " Don't you worry little one, I won't let anything happen". Although she looked more relieved just as you would expect from a child, she asked, " Do you promise mister"? I held my hand out for the flower and surprisingly she caught on fast. I closed my eyes momentarily while reciting a short prayer:

My heart belongs to thee
My mind belongs to thee
Please watch over me

2;17

Placing my hands at both ends of the flower, I squeezed it until my hands clasped together. The little girl's eyes started to tear up until she saw a soothing blue array of light exuding from my hands. In its place was a small amulet. I said with much confidence, " Take this child and never let it go. For as long as you believe in my words, it will protect you". She closed her eyes and held the amulet close to her heart, enjoying the warmth it gave off. The sound of footsteps was evident,but so I asked one final question, " What might your name be" with a slight smile. She instantly cheered up and said, " Cynthia". Once her mother came running up she hugged her while letting out a sigh of relief, " don't you ever do that again"!
Cynthia replied, " It's ok mommy, I have a guardian angel now".

[Bacon]

Chapter two: The artifact

"The artifact" is what the people called the dreaded stone. Impossible to destroy and too malevolent to bury, the zakirum moved it every generation to a new resting place. The stone itself was an enigma because the magi who sealed it away were gone. To make matters worse, their descendents were worthless by comparison; greedy wretched bastards who abandoned their posts because of infighting. So now the only ones left to deal with the accursed objects were the zakirum church.

The untrained person could not move the stone because it was said to be cursed. The untrained person was said to have lost their soul in a boundless abyss, leaving behind a vessel for demons and other ancient spirits to inhabit. It is for this very reason that its transport is conducted by temporarily removing the spirit of holder. From a safe haven riddled with barriers to protect the body, the soul would venture out to move the stone. ...

My right hand man ezriel asked, " How did the little girl see us,but not the mother"? I solemnly said, " She is gifted to say the least,even if children are more aware of the unnatural; that woman was a full fledged zealot". Ezreil was from the west, so he was not aware of many customs here. I could tell he was stumped as we began our march once more because he was not focused. " Did you see the tatoo over her bosom"? Flustered he said, " Aye I did sir". " It is nothing to be ashamed, she wear her insignia with pride. Now then, get yourself together because it is time".

The fog was thicker than usual tonight. I suppose its because we were out of our bodies, so our senses were warped. As we approached the loading dock, I was entranced by the ghostly vessel. Its mast was tattered, showing signs of wear and tear. The haul was rotting, festering with bugs the size of a fist. A ghostly figure stood on his perch, gazing down upon us with faint blue eyes. After hearing a momentary grunt, a draw bridge shot over the side and slammed into the dock's deck. Although it was massive in size, upon closer examination it was merely a large plank. In a coarse voice the figure said, " Come get this wretched stone already".

I along with 3 others boarded the ghostly ship to notice it was that of the barbarians. Stout statuesque in nature, they towered over us. With their size came the natural need to defend the weak. Not a single one was without horrific scars and crude stitching. Shifting my attention from them, I saw the simple box used to contain the stone. The four of use stood at our own respective corners and readied ourselves to lift the container when something screeched out.

The massive shipped rocked to its very core so easily. From the water spout four massive appendages which whipped upon the ship's deck. I presumed the beast was after the stone, drawn to its malevolence. Suddenly in a fit of rage the barbarian told us to make haste. Although the box seemed ordinary, it weighed a ton. What was a mere 5 feet seemed to be 5 leagues. Slowly but surely we were able to set it upon the drawbridge and sent it sliding inland.

Just as I was gonna leave the ship, I heard the sound of planks being torn apart. There was a barbarian hanging on for dear life with his blade thrust into the deck below. Temporarily anchored he held on for dear life.However, the longer he held on, the more enraged the beast became. His breathing became labored as the beast started to crush his chest. I stood there waiting for the captain to do something,but he stood there without giving a second glance to his ship mate. As I threw myself into the situation, I became uneasy as he and his crew's gaze became fixated upon me.

I immediately fastened a rope around my palm while tying the other end on a nearby arrow. The monster was using its weight to try and drag its prey into the water which in turn caused it to reel itself onto the deck. It was a groteque swamp lurker, consisting of a round torso with a large beak for a mouth. It's eyes were strange though, as if they were glazed over with a homogenous veil of black. It's body soaked by the salt water from the bay, thus its body was showing burning and dehydration.

When it opened its mouth to roar, I fired an enchanted arrow into the roof of its mouth. It's pupils dilated before narrowing on me with renewed fervor. As I expected it dropped back down after working so hard to reel itself up. Although it was worse than I had expected because now I was anchoring its entire body. From the side the captain of the ship asked, " is this what you wanted, fool"?

" Why isn't anyone else helping him"? "He came aboard knowing the risks you sanctimonious fool! My men aren't doing anything because a lurker only takes what it needs and recedes into the depths below". The pain in my arm was growing worse, even becoming black as a result of the pulling. " So you sacrifice a man everytime this beast hungers"!

"Nonsense, he was caught. In order to minimize casualties we allow the captured to perish. That is not to say we die so willingly... but nevertheless he came of his own accord and failed his people". My blood began to boil momentarily until I noticed a change in his tone, " The ship will capsize if you continue this any further; sacrificing himself is how he redeems himself".

Staring into the his eyes I noticed a sense of regret. He had anchored himself out of panic and was not supposed to. Meanwhile the ship began to ominously creak once an incline began to form. My footing had begun to fail; all the while the captured barbarian started to excrete blood. "Ezreil end his life"!

He hesitated for a moment, wondering what I was talking about. " End his suffering, please". Suddenly the young upstart from the west suddenly lost his nerve. After making the sign of the cross, he plunged his blade into the man's heart. Although he lacked the capacity to say it, his eyes said thank you.

The pain in my arm ravaged my entire self. The captain of the ship turned away saying, " Your business is done here, begone before you are considered trespassers".Happily leaving the ship, we began the arduous task of transporting the container to the temple of light.