One Hallow’s Eve
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: One Hallow's Eve
Author: Lady Sae'rwyn
The night was unnaturally eerie, the sky as black as the ink us scribes use to fill our quills. Nary a star could be seen in the sky as the rain that night blocked what little Heavenly light that did shine down upon us.
I happened to glance out the tavern window to a horrific scene unfolding before my very eyes.
Instantly, a tale my parents had told my siblings and I came to mind, one of those that parents tell to make their children mind. Once grown into a young adult, you begin to realize what they said about creatures so evil and foul was simply that, a tale to scare the wits and ensure good behavior in their children. My father's favorite tale was that of the Stealer of Souls, or better known as the Elder Daemon himself. My father had described him down to the littlest detail. What I saw that night, out the window was this very creature. Loose upon the world and in Wilmeth.
I'm not ashamed to say that I kneeled there by the tables and prayed that he would not turn his glowing red eyes in my direction. Nae, I was not ready to give up my own soul. As I knelt there I was still able to see his movements and his voracious actions. Every living beast within reach of his grasp was doomed. He effortlessly grabbed the nearest helpless creature within his razor sharp claws, the animals pitiful cries could be heard over the driving storm.
With his gaping maw he devoured the beast only to catch up another and repeat the carnage. Balanced upon his two hooved feet, his strength equal if not greater than any dragons, he turned, scanning the area, the nights blackness not hampering his vision, he looked for his next prey. My fear, now grown to terror the likes I have never known, I ducked low. My head below the window, praying for a chance of luck, perhaps he did not see me or mayhaps I would wake up in my bed and this be all a dream, I also asked that if this was the end, that it be swift and my passing near painless. He let out a bloodthirsty roar and I knew that he had seen me and his roar was of victory practically at his grasp. His footsteps I could hear through the substantial plaster walls of the tavern.
With each step that he took closer, I renewed my prayers to the "Gods that Be" to save my poor wretched soul from the type of death headed my way.
"Thump... Thump..." I heard him upon the porch as he stepped up onto the pavers. He continued moving closer. His steps rattling the walls and windows, the floor shook beneath me. I was alone and cornered. None had come out into the gloom of the night except myself, the rain had seen to that.
I heard his claws upon the doors as he grasped it and pulled one side open ripping it off its hinges.
"Thump... Thump..." I quickly rose to my feet, his bloodied maw open in a feral grin. I uttered one last prayer and closed my eyes. Before my mind could register what was happening a magical gate opened up and I was pulled through to safety.
My last vision of the Elder Daemon was that of surprise equal to my own. He let out an ear shattering bellow and his eyes promised that someday he would find me, that he had already claimed my soul. In his eyes, I was walking dead.
Until then, I thank the mage who opened the gate and pulled me through to safety. I did not catch his name, in fact, my time with him was brief, in fact, mere minutes. He left me at the hospice in Magincia, in the care of healers.
Before he left though, he told me it was his life's mission to save as many souls as he could from the Balron, until one day there would be one with the skill and strength and would bring about its demise.
I know not where this foul creature has journeyed too, but I know he is still out there, I can feel him at times. Other times it is as if his eyes bore into the back of my head, but when I turn he is not there. I know, someday he and I shall meet again, I fear my fate will not be so fortunate a second time.
I caution thee, do not spend a dark, starless rainy night alone. He is bound to be some where near...
Lady Sae'rwyn
Wandering Scribe