Night’s Terrors, Dusk of Dawn

It was indeed her father.  He was the chief of his village (since he was the oldest male), and shortly after Ajara’s and her sister’s death, the whole village was taken by the mark and destroyed. He seemed happy to see her but Ajara kept going back and forth between smiles and tears as they talked, well as Isaac translated what each one was saying. It was a short conversation. The shadow man, whose name was Achmath Eloirakn, was asked which way the Village was and he pointed it out to Isaac on the map. He gave one warning before hiding back in Isaac’s shadow. “Whatever you do, do not travel at night.” A flash of the night on the tiny island, shoot through Rekka’s mind.

  With the direction in which to travel on, the group made their way through the forest. It would take about six weeks to get there at their speed. Watching the dark forest, Rekka saw creatures of magical nature roamed around and flew overhead.  She was unfamiliar with most of them, but since they seem to be keeping their distance, the group didn't feel threatened.  Dust settled upon them as they reached a hill. Looking around they saw more giant’s “sleeping holes” surrounding them on all sides. It was a wonder they didn’t run into any of them while walking. Taking the warning seriously, they enlarged the flying brick and got inside. Isaac set up the barrier and sunk the fortress under the ground. Giving them more cover and keeping them hidden.  Those who didn’t need to sleep kept watch over the ceiling overhead. The creatures seemed to know that they were there but had no idea exactly where they were.

   Isaac wanting more information sent the shadow to find someone who could answer his questions. It took some time but during the second week of traveling the shadow returned and brought something with it. A NIGHTMARE is all that Rekka could use to describe it. She hid herself not wanting to be seen by this Huge Creature. It was tall, standing in the courtyard its head reached the tower where Isaac stood and then still towered over it. It was slender with elongated limbs but seem strong somehow.  It had a cruel face; Rekka couldn’t bear to look at it.

  The creature agreed to answer question but if they bored him or didn’t ask him interesting questions he would eat them all. Rekka’s eyes were wide with fear; she knew it would do it. "this is crazy" she thought. Isaac asked a lot of the question, mainly ones to confirm what we already know, but the creature seems bored by them.  

  It turned out that Erythnul and Heironious were one now.  Malfeiya whom controlled the combined Deities, were these creatures mother, and there were many of them. The giants that we saw were the day formed of these creatures.  Erythnul after taking over this land used his magic to change it so that the evidence of his presents would be hidden from the outside world.  During the day the creature would be under influence of Heironious but the night belonged to Erythnul. He seemed to think that this band of people couldn’t do anything to stop them. He even seem to know who Isaac was but seemed unimpressed and  he was losing interest fast. 

Jessica decided to ask it how it was, the creature stooped down, so that his face was level with Jessica’s body. It said “hungry.”

“I as well,” she agreed with it, Trying to intimidate it.

Rekka stood only a short distance off, too scared to move unless it spots her.  Her heart beat thumbed in her ears making it hard to hear what was going on, but she heard someone ask about Sangrails. It kept saying it didn’t matter since they were all dead.  Someone let it drop that not all of them were dead. The creature turned on Jessica and places a finger on her. Jessica went all weird and the creature left.

  Rekka fell to her knees, breathing hard. She had been holding it for so long that she felt like she was about to pass out. She shook uncontrollably as coldness of fear refused to leave her. “What the hell did she do to have so many people hate her?”

Isaac said, “It would seem that we gave up more information than what we got.”

       Once the night was almost done, Ajara awoke and came to Rekka. “A word if you please, in private.”  Suddenly Rekka felt uncomfortable. It seems to never go well when Ajara wanted to talk to her without the others around. They both always ended up more…depressed? Confused? But she still followed Ajara in the Barracks.

“I'm correct…” she started off, “Did you know the deities are scared of you? Mainly Erythnul and Heironious?”

“Scared of me?” Rekka said, she didn’t think they like her but scared?

“ Yep... Something to do with the Sangrails usurping the Gods... What is it exactly you're supposed to fix?”

“I don't know.” Rekka said honestly, “Something about 'saving' Gods but it seemed to finish the quest, though what quest is I don't know.”

Rekka was feeling dumb. She was sounding totally clueless as to what was going on. Her mind just wouldn’t work right now. Ajara was depressed. Whatever happened when she was gone from the group was very bad.

Ajara sighed, “ That's something we ought to figure out... All I know is Erythnul and Heironious do not like the 'sangrail' and I want to aid you in taking them down.” She said this solemnly. There seems to be a lot on her mind that she isn’t yet ready to talk about.

“Sure...” Said lamely and could have kicked herself.  Ajara wanted something from her, to be comforted. Rekka was terrible at that. She didn’t know how to comfort people. No one ever did for her.  She just stood there and starred at the ground for a moment, then left.

      They traveled on like this the following weeks and as night descended upon them the creatures appeared more and more aggressive as they got closer to their destination. Rekka took to hiding at night, after the nightmare creature’s visit. During the fourth week the creatures began to attack the barrier, although unable to break through. Fears of the barrier breaking down worried everyone but hopes of it holding kept them going. Then THAT NIGHT HAPPENED...