7 Stones of Atlantis (Chapter 26)

Chapter 261

The warriors approached the great city wall in full gallop when the Bat pulled his horses reigns and brought the horse to a sudden stop. The other warriors also stopped and stared inquisitively at Bat. Staring at the walls ahead of them the other warriors wondered why the sudden stop but none of them were to eager to interrupt the thoughts of the Bat. His eyes wandered across the horizon ahead of them and finally settled on a small patch of trees to the south. He spurred his horse and rode to the patch of trees. He got off his horse with a force that only could be seen as frustration. He tied his horse to one of the trees and began to walk a few paces. He turned and looked at the others then he plopped down against a tree.2

“We will take rest here for the rest of the day and through the night. In the morning we will travel around the city of Cardimain.” He said with out any expressions of emotion in his voice. 3

“That is the legendary city of Cardimain?” The Black Wolf responded with a hint of fear in his throat.4

“What’s the big deal we have sacked bigger cities then that one before.” Raptor said with disappointment echoing in her words.5

“Do you know what Cardimain is? I do! It is a city that was built for the sole purpose of destroying evil in the lands. The walls are lined with cannons and with crossbows that launch trees as bolts. It is not a place the seven of us will ever be able to enter. The King of Cardimain seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to the ways of evil men. He would smell our deceit before we even asked to enter the city walls. What would follow would be our deaths if we were lucky enough to die. The one thing people do not know about Cardimain and her King is that inside the walls and below the city streets is the most grueling torture chamber and dungeons anyone could ever imagine. In the depths of those underground passages are some of the worse beasts you will ever see. Trolls that have been crossed with the Orc and storm giants are the keepers of the torture chambers and with a ruthless hand they could make the most innocent and stubborn of men confess to things they had never heard of. Then there is the pit the sides are covered in a sticky substance that holds the crushed glass in place. Small holes in the bottom of the pit allow what ever they decide to let feast on your flesh in. It could be rats or snakes but it does not really matter because your death is slow and painful no matter what they let in there.” The Serpent responded.6

“You know of this how?” Raptor said with contempt in her voice.7

“The last life I led brought me to this place. I can remember it as if it were yesterday. I was thrown in the pit after with standing all of the torture they could dish out. The pit began to fill with water, which did not bother me, however the piranhas they let in with the water were quite a different story. They tore at my flesh a little at a time. The more blood that spilled the more they attacked me. I tried to climb out of the pit but the glass shredded my hands so bad that I could not grip anything and fell back into the water to my death. I will add that my death was painful and very slow.” Serpent said as he hung his head.8

Silence fell on the group as the words of the serpent penetrated their ears. Nothing more was said as they prepared to make their camp for the night. They kept the fire as low as possible so they would not be noticed by the city guards. Panther and Buzzard kept watch as the others slept. They were suddenly startled by a noise to the left where they caught a glimpse of a dark figure. The dark figure danced from shadow to shadow in his quiet hunt. The prey he stalked was the most dangerous of all; it killed without mercy, yet pretended to be an ally while drawing the dagger from its sheath to stab from behind. The dark figure's race had many times tried to make peace with the deadly ones, but every attempt ended in the death of the ambassadors, the leaders, and even the commoners. Just because of one small difference in habit, they were killed. They died honorably, but they died nevertheless. Armies of evil death swept through the homes of the dark figure's race, killing women and children mercilessly, putting them on spikes, alive, so that they would look and see their intestines seeping out as they slid down the pole. Only a few of the race now survived. Many wanted peace, but a few, a very select few, warriors all, wanted revenge. So they trained. They learned to kill, to fight, and to die. As they trained, their hate intensified, until there was nothing left but to exterminate the evil beings. When this happened, their souls darkened. When you look into the soul of one of these forsaken, you see nothing but blackness. Hence, they bear the title of the Shadow Race. The dark figure was a tall being, with eyes the shade of the full moon at midnight. The skin contrasted the color of the eyes by being the shade of the sky at night around the full moon. He was tall; nearly seven feet in height, yet could disappear in a empty field in autumn. His cloak, the color of dried blood, ran smoothly down to his knees, flowing down like a snowflake from a cloud in a snowstorm. He wore arm-less plate mail and no helm, letting his dove white hair hang behind him in the many braids he wore, the black beads clicking softly if he was not careful. Each forearm was wrapped in soft leather, with a long shining blade sticking out about a fists width. The blade, made of silver, ran parallel to his forearm, with the point slightly above his elbow. It was slightly curved, 9

with the outer edge razor-sharp. It had two bars, perpendicular to the blade on the inner edge, attaching the blade at the warrior's wrist and just below the elbow joint. The warrior was deadly with one or both blades, and with the many throwing knives he carried upon his person. With those blades, he had killed many of his enemies, and he was prepared, if necessary, to kill himself with. The two Warriors had a hard time keeping their eyes fixed on this being. Without warning he sprang from a near by tree swinging his blades through the air past the two warriors heads. Blood splattered across the two women as the blades penetrated the werewolf’s throat. The cry of the wounded Werewolf carried through the night air making the guards of the city shiver with fear and anticipation. The other five warriors were now awake and armed ready for battle. They would have killed the dark being if the two warriors who had just been saved by him had not stopped the rest of them from killing him. They explained what had happened and gave thanks to the new being they were now facing.10

“Do not thank me! I did not come here to save you pathetic mortals. I came to have my revenge on this murdering bastard. He killed my entire family.” The dark being retorted with a deep and demonic sounding voice. 11

Raptor stepped forward. “None the less we would have been killed too had you not come along when you did. For that I am grateful and am in debt to you.” She said as she fell to one knee and bowed her head.12

“Rise up from your knee and dwell not on the deed that took place here tonight. Had you not been here the result would have been the same. You just added a touch of bait for this creature.” He replied.13

“Who are you?” Buzzard asked14

“I am Obeli Zento of the Shadow Race, Prince of the Banashu clan and keeper of the dark blades.” He answered with a noble but evil raspy voice.15

“And who might I ask is this Shadow Race?” She asked again.16

“We are the last of a long since dead race, warriors of the night sky and destroyers of the wretched beasts that lay before you. They have killed our kind since the dawn of the first moon rise. Although peace was discussed our people were still slaughtered and war fell on our clans. Those who sought out the path of peace are no longer among those in this realm. Those of us who chose the path of war are few and will continue this war until there is either no longer an enemy to fight or we are extinct like our peaceful brothers and sisters.” As he finished speaking he smiled baring two long pointed fangs he turned to his fallen adversary and sank his teeth into the creatures flesh. The warriors could hear him suck the blood from the beast. After he had finished his victory feast the sky opened and let the rain fall on them.17

“Come with me I shall give you shelter from the storm this night and when the sun shines on the mother again you shall continue your journey.” Obeli said as he picked up a blade that had missed the beast.18

“Sounds good to me.” Raptor said as she grabbed her stuff and got on her horse. 19

Even though the warriors were hesitant at first they followed Obeli through the fields and rocks until they reached a cave that opened into a small hillside. Obeli showed his guests into the cave which lead down at a slight incline for almost three hundred feet where it finally leveled out. They walked another hundred feet to a door which opened with out anyone reaching for the knob. When they entered the walls were layered in gold. The warriors let out a gasp as they saw the glittering gold reflect the light that was artificially made. 20

“Please do not scratch my walls as I have carvings I am working on in this gold. If you need gold I will gladly give you each a bag full from the carvings I have already done.” Obeli said.21

He motioned for them to follow him into the next room. This room was also lined with gold the only difference was the walls had massive carvings on them. The wall on the left was a scene of angels and devils at war. On the wall ahead of them was a carving of mountains with wild life scattered about. The wall on the right was a carving of many people that looked similar to Obeli so it was assumed these people were fallen comrades of his race they also noticed much of the wall was not touched. Behind them was a full wall carving of the heavens both day and night. Obeli offered them food and drink and when they accepted his offer he moved across the room and opened another door. 22

“I will be back as soon as it is finished please make yourselves at home and the bags of gold are next to the stone fire place.” Obeli said as he stepped out of the room.23