Other Worlds: Enter the Darkness

Dedication

This book, hopefully the first of many is dedicated to Melissa Gasaway, without her this story would never have come to fruition. I started off on this story and it paled in comparison to what it has become, before it was a first person piece of chronological mess and failing as a story in my eyes. Melissa introduced me to a new world under a year ago and so after development I came to create a world called Tamead and from it many, many ideas yet still they keep coming to me even after this adventure has come to its end.

Acknowledgements

In no particular order I thank my mother Tina whom I cannot thank enough for giving me the support only a mother can. Melissa, as she helped in more ways then I can describe, even reading draft after draft of mess and unintelligent drivel. I thank my very good friend who also supported me during the first steps of Tamead: James Hall. My sister Emma: for typing up some of my writings despite my horrendous handwriting.

Thank you all, you have been great.

Other Worlds

Part one:

Enter The Darkness

Prologue

In every great tale there is a wonderful story to be told; one of excitement and mystery, with a love that knows no bounds.

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I couldn’t stop him, I tried but could not. The lady wept, she knelt at his side hands clutching his shirt, stuck on this distant world far from their home she sat sobbing and watching her love of ages past die before her eyes. The foul being had released the last of his energy into a concentrated shot which seemed to have punctured the fallen man’s heart. Her tears ran freely down her face as she watched his life slowly drain from his eyes.

She gathered what remained of her power it may be able to save him she thought. But even if it does not she has to try. Without him her life felt pointless empty and incomplete. She gathered her strength and almost immediately felt herself draining away, her life ebbing from existence. Damn she thought to herself, she needs more power. The power she had been born to was draining, she hadn’t had the training that she had required from birth, in truth she probably should not have been gifted with the strength that she had.

Contents

Chapter One

Lessons

Chapter Two

conTune

Chapter Three

Old Lore

Chapter Four

Archer’s Run

Chapter Five

Spy’s Calling

Chapter Six

Assault

Chapter Seven

Reality

Chapter Eight

Enter The Darkness

Chapter Nine

Trials

Chapter Ten

Tales

Chapter Eleven

Fall

Chapter Twelve

Clan Death

Chapter Thirteen

Survival

Chapter Fourteen

Wizards Chamber

Chapter Fifteen

To Be Your Goddess

Chapter One

Lessons

"Rialgal conTune travelled north in hopes of finding the power to break free from constant war and oppression his people laboured through daily. Rulers of Drummond from east to west vied for power and control all the while they fought against each other, they had to fend of the tribes who worshipped their totems like Gods and Goddesses. Northbound he searched as south laid thick mountains with deadfalls and giant black birds that preyed on people.

After months of searching; Rialgal finally came to a small valley beautiful to behold. It settled snugly within the harsh winds and constant snows and the deadly avalanches that seemed to never end. Always in the distant you could hear rumbling. But here settled nicely within all the turmoil, a lake surrounded by green grass. But what caught Rialgal’s attention the most was a golden statue at the end of the valley. Water from above cascaded down and around its wings and flowing majestically over its head and long slender neck. It was a marvel to behold and for an unknown reason the waterfall never froze over despite the cold climate

I find it hard to believe you know this for certain. Scepticism resonated from the young mans clear calm voice. The interruption caused the old man: Haffburn Chollont to stop, he had taught kings and queens and not one had ever been as demanding as this one boy. He had found a hefty amount of gold lying in wait with the promise of more if he taught the orphan Voltalys or Talys, as he preferred, as he had many others. Haffburn didn’t want to of course and with just three basic lessons sent the boy out to prove he had a right to learn from him. The boy had come back in less then an hour with an armload of books he had somehow managed to remove from Selthfree castle. All but one of the books spoke of the beginning and so beating the ‘tutor to kings’ as Talys put it in only a slightly mocking way at his own game. Haffburn had given him three hours to get there and return with two books of detail, yet he came back with six.

Listen boy I’ve taken a switch to the bottom of the entire royal family of House Brealan! What makes you think you are free from it?

Well simply put sir, if you was Wikker then I would expect to feel some pain but you most defiantly are not, with what could only be described as an evil grin you have been paid more by me then by your king and so if you want the promised extra then you have to earn it. Back to work. Sir. He put all the command into his voice he could muster trying his best to sound like his other teacher the retired general Boltarn. As expected, Haffburn shied away slightly then regained his composure and smacked the ground with his walking staff signalling the end to Talys’ interruption.

"Back to where I left off then Talys. In short Rialgal found the statue and made his way past the small pond that gathered in the centre of the valley and up to stand before the golden statue. A few men charged into the valley proper with wagons following, these men challenged Rialgal in order to carve up the golden statue, which stood twenty feet tall. Meaning to cart it off and sell it bit by bit. Rialgal conTune stood tall and refused to budge, he saw the statue as a part of the valley and even though with it he could save his people he would not, instead choosing to preserve it within its place of rest and solitude.

After fighting off five men the wagon drivers left fleeing back out of the valley. Rialgal sat heavily removing his jerkin to reveal deep cuts along back and chest. His wrists were sliced badly. He looked up and felt a power resonate from the dragon. It fused into conTune a power that sealed up all his cuts. Leaving behind in a deep crimson mark upon both wrists that shone gold in the sun and blackened at night. Upon both wrist he bore the dragons maw, it seemed to be his wrist spewing forth Rialgal’s hands. In his mind it is said he was told to march forth climb the tallest tower with his kinsmen and step out three nights hence. Rialgal did as he was told, standing on the tallest tower with the king of Taffner and his closest brethren. Rialgal looked south seeing both ends of the mountain range that blocked passage south. Raising both hands and pointing out to the eastern and western ends. He called forth power of unimaginable proportions. Magic in those days was weak and barely given any heed. The mountins seemed to be blown down and witnesses who lived closer say dragons flew down and destroyed them. Haffburn sighed, he had taught this lesson to many future leaders; nearing eighty he had taught King Troffusin and his predecessor along with a number of royal cousins all had listen well and studied hard. But Talys sat with almost no interest but drank in the knowledge with ease, seeming to be far more able to recognise all points. In the second lesson of reading and writing Haffburn watched as the orphan absorbed everything within a few hours that took most students more then two days to learn. Despite this ability Talys waited eagerly to move onto his other tutors who taught him sword work and tactics. What a waste.

Talys tell me what happened next and be quick my bones need to end this lesson to get some rest.

Well sir, the conTune man moved south with many people from outlining cities and country and founded Contune castle. He died un-expectantly but his child named after the man came of age to take over. He to apparently bore the dragon symbols on his wrist but they were of a lighter colour, almost invisible to the naked eye. Talys raised his eyebrow to Haffburn checking if he was correct. With a nod from Haffburn Talys continued the old rulers from Drummond came south and Rialgal the Second moved east to cut them off. He won and erected a new castle which was dubbed Rialgate in his honour. Talys took a deep breath and wondered if he would have more time with Wikker Sassh, he enjoyed the old blade champions company as he treated Talys as the man he was becoming rather then the boy he is. Sir I think that would be the end of the rise of conTune as from there they just grew.

Recount what came next boy then you can run off. Finding no use arguing to get away sooner Talys ran into it quickly. First telling how a fleet came from across the Blackened Sea heralding the arrival of Brealan, and from the deserts southeast came RanKarn settling in the mountains themselves. Haffburn dismissed the boy and wondered over to his tent. The gold he earned for teaching the orphan would keep his daughter and her husband for a long time and his grandchildren would now be able to take to any craft they choose. An abandoned old castle walls ruined by age and no source of food unless you ventured out into the Balan swamps. Wikker Sassh, Haffburn Chollont and Vashner Boltarn; all given what they or their families needed in order to train an orphan; Voltalys. Blade champion, expert tutor and renowned retired general, experts in their fields teaching a very capable student who came from nowhere. Haffburn chuckled to himself what is the world coming to?

Matchi Walker began his life with the tribe of the Horse; time came and he ventured forth with four others to claim their manhood trophies. All strode forth once they made manhood they would be allowed to find their partner horse and then begin life as adults. Matchi left at the age of twelve all others were sent around sixteen and three of the five would die trying to bring glory to their names. The five of them had ventured east and been ambushed by another tribe, the lizards. All fell by Matchi as he had trained against them from ten years at his father’s side. Already he had collected many ears but due to tradition the earliest he could become a man was at twelve. With his fathers two daggers he collected the ears from the lizards and returned victorious. None could question his manhood and so he became the youngest man within his clan. Matchi quickly rose through their ranks and soon was second to the clan leader. His status as a warrior was unquestionable as he led raids upon other tribes and the people of Drummond. By seventeen he was called to become clan leader. His first act broke tradition of manhood and he made a bold move and set up a new home for his clan outside Tannet Pass. In order to raise to manhood and woman hood all members of the clan had to serve in a patrol guarding their new home. At twenty with his fully-grown black stallion; Dasher, Matchi Walker called a tribe gathering. All horse clans proceeded to meet at the small woods just outside of the forest of the tribes Matchi arrived first with five of his strongest most capable warriors, as was the custom. He stood at the top of the mound his men waiting at each entrance where a horse could still move in. At noon the first arrived his five standing men standing close, hands close to their sabres, a calling of the tribe hadn’t happened in more then three generations and a new clan leader was making the call, it was unheard of to say the least. Soon more came into the clearing gathering around the mound where Mitachi stood his horse Dasher barely moving behind him. Mitachi watched and waited the silence was eerie and deafening. The other leaders stood waiting for Mitachi, as he wanted them to. After an hour gleaming all he could from the clan leaders; all four of them he came to a conclusion.

Leaders of our tribe he began just looking at our numbers it is clear we are a fallen people. Noticing their reaction Mitachi continued uninterrupted "we once held all other clans by their manes and thundered our herds from here all the way to Chimera Gateway.

It is time to bring about a change in how we do things, the lizard, falcon and squittar tribes have reduced ours to a pittance of what we once were!

Why have you called us youngling? the contempt spewed from the man’s mouth reverberated over the clearing.

You are here to join my clan fools Mitachi called out with laughter and make our tribe whole, voiced objections rang loud. And Mitachi waited calmly.

A man in his late forties stepped forward and Dasher instantly reared its front legs in warning. You dare he said, this is not a meeting for war and submission. This is a holy place your demand cannot be made here of all places. Fear in his voice spoke volumes. Mitachi spat at the man for showing it.

I will not watch as you waste your lives and children to tradition. My clan is the strongest and as such I am calling you all to challenge. Join me now and you may rule under me. Pointedly he stared down at the man who spoke but don’t and I will destroy you and your families line. Then take those who stand with you and they to will perish for following a coward. Returning his view to the others he continued; pulling them each into his speech with a gaze we need to take back what is ours. My clan is now the largest as I have ceased the rites to manhood and moved south clearing out the rat clan and forcing the birds to fly west. I have hardened warriors aplenty and one by one I can decimate each of you. Letting what he said sink in he drew his ceremonial blade, passed down to each leader of his clan, a thin blade deadly sharp; it could cut through anything that it had been tested on. The scabbard and handle was a dark purple almost black, the blade itself was etched with symbols the meanings lost to time. Gasps sounded as he drew the magnificent blade no more waiting he called. You shall not be given time to consider. You shall not be allowed to confer with the elders of your clans. At each word his voice rose until he was shouting as if in battle calling orders. And you’re clans shall bow down to me one way or another!

Mitachi rode Dasher through the thick forest heading back to his clan to increase the patrols and spread them further out. He gave them the news that the other clans would be joining and as such they were now a part of one clan. The tribe of the horse as it should have always been. As one clan; one tribe together their numbers increased rapidly and soon they were given a wide birth by all other tribes close enough to be decimated and destroyed. Mitachi’s plan had worked so far and without the need to kill off the other clan leaders ensuring complete authority over them all.

Mitachi moved north with an armed escort of three hundred strong to the city Matting. He could see the soldiers on the walls, they looked ready to flee and surrender their home to the force arrayed before them. Mitachi rode forth on Dasher and called for their leader to come forth. The queen of Matting came to the gate as it opened and stepped just outside, using all of her court bred training and etiquette she strode forth to stand three metres from the massive horse.

Greetings neighbour Mitachi climbed down from his horse and bowed a slight bow that one of the other rulers would give to her. I come here in peace lady king.

I welcome you in peace she stuttered and forced a bow of her own unsure of what honorific she should give to tribesman.

Enough of this foolishness lady king. My grasp of your tongue is still un-complete and so I must speak plainly. He stepped forth and called to his captain to ride forward. The captain halted his horse behind Mitachi and lowered a long piece of folded linen. Lady I offer you a truce the surprise upon her face was laughable and the followed collective sigh of relief could be heard from the castle behind her as well. I have stopped my clans rite to manhood. Saving more of your innocents. I have moved further south and kept my tribe in the forests and open plains outside. Using this small troop I could seize your country lands and then you and all within your brick home. As is your way I would then rule all that I had captured. Instead you will protect the plains south of your bricks and I will hold the other tribes south-east. He drew the ceremonial sword at its sight many showed awed faces due to its uniqueness and remarkable beauty. The queen had fear evident in her eyes and trembled at the muscles the man showed when drawing the blade. You will rule as you see fit but I will rule you. outrage and fear took over the lady’s demeanour and she almost called for her archers to strike before her head recognised what the tribe man was doing.

Erm Sir please understand her words were quiet and un-comprehendible to anyone else. If I agree to this the other rulers will storm my province at that word Mitachi tilted his head not understanding, interpreting correctly she tried to continue my brick home and surrounding lands. Mitachi gestured that he understood so she continued. I will respect the peace you offer but I cannot abide by your terms if I’m to keep the bloodshed to a minimum.

Chuckling Mitachi knelt down and reversed the blade. Knight me, and claim to the world that you have bargained for my support. But never forget Lady King you are mine to command. The queen had no choice but to accept as the alternative was to be obliterated or overrun. At least this way she kept a hold upon the power she had come to love. For a moment before ‘knighting’ the tribesman the queen marvelled at his timing, he could easily go out and destroy each patrol two at a time and then come back to finish off the castle. If only he had waited a few more hours, then she would have had a bigger army to fight with and this horseman would have been destroyed.

With that in place Mitachi grew his tribe twofold and used the plains and lands up to the castle as a way to keep the herds nurtured. This agreement had the queen prospering as well thanks to the added trade from the horse tribe and the added protection traders from other cities had when they reached the land protected by her guard and the tribe warriors. Once they were settled in over three years later. Mitachi Walker rode Dasher this time with eight hundred horsemen at his back eastward to secure Halger as a vassal as he had with Matting. Unbeknownst to him the lizards moved first and got word to King Kanter of Halger to ready his troops with the aid of lizards bear and somehow the falcon clan. Using the bear tribe and falcon; the lizard tribe eliminated all traces of the horse within the forest and plains of Matting. King Kanter waited for Mitachi’s arrival as the other tribes together brought down all women children horses and warriors all around the city Matting. He stared hard from his walls at Mitachi and his eight hundred. Kanter had had to many troubles with the tribes most of his life but when his intelligence reports came in he felt inclined to believe what the lizards had told him. Even though they said it was a vision from their God Dramadrin the supposed half man half lizard creature; it was never the less true. Let him come forth as he did with Matting and we will laugh he spoke quietly to his forces leader and smirked at the eight hundred lined up. Before Mitachi even called out to speak with this king his men towards the back of the line called out from an ambush. An army had launched itself at Mitachi and he couldn’t believe how easily half his escort had been crushed in a matter of moments. Making a daring last push he and a handful of men punched through the army at his back and raced back to safer lands. Matchi fled the battle only to find that his tribe had been slaughtered to the last child, Matchi vowed to destroy the Lizards.

Seeing the complete destruction of his people left Mitachi distraught and almost lifeless. On a patrol soldiers from Matting passed by and hauled him before their queen.

I have thanks for you Mitachi Walker and as such I have over four hundred soldiers ready to ride under you’re leadership. Bowing low the queen moved off to one side signalling four officers to step forward each bowing their heads to Mitachi. Rising as if reborn he saw a way to avenge his people. From the oldest elder to the smallest baby, all had been killed and Mitachi now ruled alone with nothing, no one by his side. Revenge cleared his sight and pushed back the thoughts he couldn’t bare to think. All to be remembered after he finishes off those responsible; the lizards.

With four hundred in tow Mitachi drove them first to Chimera Gateway and finding the falcon tribe had returned he led charges, killing from horseback as the falcon warriors fled for higher ground where their archers would be effective. His thirst for revenge seemed to hold no bounds as he led a group of fifty soldiers up the mountains clearing out what was left of the tribe. He would have stayed and killed the children of the tribe but his hands needed to close around the throats of lizard scum.

While atop Dasher Mitachi rode invincible, slashing left and right while the cavalry fell in behind as a wedge cutting through the lizard tribe heading for their sacred home. Mitachi’s tribe never held a totem of a lost God but each clan ruled with a ceremonial sword. Without that sword that clan could not live as they did, in harmony with the wild horses that they ride. Other tribes like the lizard and bear hold a totem in reverence that gives them a power, unfortunately no other tribe knew what power the totem tribes received. He charged Dasher into the forest the stallion fearlessly trampled three tribesmen before having to rear up to defend; Mitachi dealt swift blows either side as Dasher led him into a group. His soldiers were finally catching up, the youngest officer had been led into an ambush and his hundred lost completely, another officer had his troops at the edge of the forest to defend against any interruptions, while the most senior and her troops were plied throughout defending the route taken. Finding a well-travelled trail, Mitachi followed finding it led to a clearing, at the far edge stood a statue. Made from lizard scales it stood twelve feet tall and looked human roughly human in shape, but with a long tail and a protruding mouth filled with sharp pointed teeth. The soldiers who had lived and followed seemed ready to flee, dark magic could be felt radiating from the totem. Mitachi climbed down from Dasher and looked at the monstrosity that stood before him, as he approached a wave shimmered in the air and a force slammed against him causing him to fly through the air. The soldiers seeing Mitachi being hit by nothing fled without warning, some even screaming in terror. Gathering himself back up he studied his footing and where he had got to before the totem had sent the wave of power at him.

Fool horse! You cannot fight against my Gods power. A lizard elder stepped out from the opposite side of the clearing, holding a double bladed sword. Deadly in close quarters few are able to wield them efficiently and those have to rely upon speed as the weapon itself was fragile. Had to be used for slicing and parrying, blocking and chopping attacks could cause the blades to shatter.

Lizard Mitachi hissed through clenched teeth are you behind the destruction of my tribe?

I used the power granted me by Dramadrin, you are useless against us and our power. Enough talk time to die horseless one Charging with surprising speed for a man who looked over eighty, the lizard closed the gap spinning the double blade over his head. Mitachi rolled on his shoulder underneath the blade feeling the air split behind his head as the lizard span down after him. Rolling to his feet Mitachi picked up his sword from where it had dropped when the totem had blasted him. The lizard approached slowly, double blade spinning in circles as he came. Spinning around left to right above his head. Mitachi watched he had risen high in his short span and could have been said to be the strongest most powerful man of his tribe. Thinking about it made his heart harden his throat dry up, all are dead and for revenge he must kill this thing before him and the totem behind. Fear of the power, which still radiated from the statue, gripped him tight if he moved within ten feet again Mitachi was sure another blast would come his way. As he stood he was two feet from the perimeter of the blast and from the gleam he saw in the lizard’s eye, he knew it also. Leaping the small distance the lizard spun his blade from over the left shoulder coming at an arc that could cut Mitachi’s neck. Taking a step back Mitachi brought up his sword to parry the blade, as he did the other half spun round. If not for Mitachi’s quick reflexes the second end of the double sword would have bitten clean into his neck, Mitachi ducked at the last second and to balance moved a foot back into the totems range. The energy build up was instantaneous Leaping backward Mitachi swung a foot and took the lizard in the chest knocking him off his feet. Whilst in mid leap Mitachi swung so he could face the totem and again saw the energy shimmering through the air towards him. Not knowing why Mitachi brought up his blade and swung two handed through the blast as it reached him. He could feel the force blow past on either side, he had survived. Turning back to the lizard he saw confusion in his eyes.

Well lizard seems you’re Gods power cannot even best my sword Mitachi laughed with triumph as he moved on towards the totem, twice more it tried to blow Mitachi off his feet and twice more he sliced through the wave of power with his ceremonial sword. The tribesman fell to his knees sword slipped out of his grasp, the force of the blast at such close a range caused him to feel dizziness; Mitachi swept the blade back up and span on the floor one foot sweeping out to take the lizard’s legs out from under him as he tried to sneak up. With two steps Mitachi spun full circle his sword crashing through the neck of the lizards statue of their God Dramadrin. As the sword sliced through like a blade slashing through water, the symbols shined, blackness seemed to emanate from both the totem and Mitachi’s sword. The lizard behind him cried out in pain as the shroud speed out towards him, His hand clutching at his chest. Seeming unable to stand once the sword passed through its target Mitachi fell, the shroud continued expanding engulfing everything.

Ah Mitachi heard a voice in his head revelling with joy, "my