The Shadow.
Part 3: The Light of Dawn.

Darkwind threw the sheets off and poked Shroud in the ribs with his tail.
"Ow, hey. I was having the greatest dream. There wa-,"
"Come on," said Darkwind. "We need to get going. We have to reach the castle as soon as possible, before words reaches Herwok about us."
Shroud instantly woke up and scrambled to his feet.
"Where's Gailia?" he asked, grabbing some clothes off the floor and scrambling to get dressed.
"She was ready an hour ago. She said she'd go and get some food from the bar downstairs and bring it up. It should be here soon."
"Knock, knock!"
Shroud finished getting dressed and threw the cloak over his body. Satisfied that he was well protected Darkwind opened the door and helped Gailia carry the food inside.
"I'm starting to get better at seeing in the dark since this all started," said Gailia, attempting to place the tray on the table, but just missing it. Shroud jumped forward and held his hand up to catch it.
Sensing that it was about to fall from his hand Gailia picked it back up and this time found the table.
"Oops, I guess I still have a bit to get use to."
"Don't worry," replied Shroud, sitting down next to her. "Pretty soon you won't need to."
Darkwind looked away. Shroud was getting his hopes up, and that was a dangerous thing. When dealing with those kinds of people, you always had to be ready for the double-cross.
"Are you going to eat with us Mister Darkwind?" asked Gailia.
"I've already eaten," replied Darkwind, returning to his thoughts.

"I'll give you 32 karats, and not a penny more," haggled Darkwind in response to a few vital supplies, which needed to be replaced after the recent events.
Shroud sat in a dark part of the store, watching the people pass. There were kids, running around in the sun, basking in the warmness.
"Soon," he told himself. "Soon I can join them."
"Don't worry about it mister Darkwind," said Gailia. "I remember the store just across the road that sells it for 25.
"Ah yeah," replied Darkwind catching on. "And I also remember them having some sort of sale with bulk buys. We'd better go there. The owner must be a much better businessman, knowing how to treat his customers." Darkwind let the last bit trail off, allowing it to sink in.
"Hey," replied the gruff store keeper. "I'm twice the businessman of the wimp across the road. So just tell me how much he's offering it for and I'll beat it.
"20," blurted out Gailia.
"Fine, you can have it for 17 karats."
"Thankyou," said Darkwind, taking the supplies. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"And you to," said the keeper, oblivious as to what had just happened. Shroud shook his head as he passed out the door.
"So, what do we have planned for today old Darky?" asked Shroud.
"Well I thought we could start of with a little walking, then later on we could move to some walking, and to top of the day we might all go for a little walk."
"Great fun all round hey," laughed Shroud. For some reason he was in a cheerful mood. "I'm probably just stoked about reaching the end. It's been so long," he told himself. He could almost fell the sun on his skin again.
They walked along the roads unhindered. Either something had scared away the robbers that hid along the roads, or they were put of by the sight of a Slythen male, a Phlanxian girl and a figure hidden under a deep dark cloak. But this did not concern them, for they thought only of their destination, and the dangers they would face there.

Later that evening Shroud sat by himself, staring at the hills below.
"What do you see?" asked Gailia sitting down next to him.
"I'm not sure," he replied.
"It looks like there are small fires dancing around the hill, but their only small. I can't tell anything from here."
"They're swords," replied Darkwind from behind. "Enchanted with Elemental Fire. There is a battle going on."
Shroud didn't question Darkwind's words. He knew what he was talking about. He could tell by the cold way he spoke.
"We have to help them," he said, rushing down the slope. Shroud didn't know why, but he picked up his sword and followed. Gailia wasn't far behind.
"When they reached the slope where the battle was held they realised that they were far to late. The defending camp was in tatters, civilians and mages huddled in the middle, with the few soldiers still standing running around franticly. But then again, most of these soldiers had never faced demons before.
They were merciless, ripping into whoever and whatever was there. The mages had at first joined in the battle, but any near enough to the battle were jumped upon, and the sight of their fallen friends had crushed any sparks of courage in the mages minds.
All they wanted to do was get out alive. So they did what they could from a distance, like enchant the defenders swords. At first this raised the spirits of the troops, and they rushed forward.
But their commander was cut down by a demon the jumped forth and ripped his head from his socket and passed it to the second in command, before dealing with him the same way. He pushed aside any who got in his way, making them feel inferior.
This was how he worked. He used mind games to crush the moral of his opponents first, and then the opponents themselves.

Like an angel of death Shroud rushed forward, his cloak and faint blue light that emanated from it an impressive site. At first the defenders thought it was another demon champion to join the fight, and were ready to give up then. But when Shroud and Darkwind began to cut through the line of demons their moral rose. Never before had they seen fighters of that statue. They were elite, an ex-hunter and an invisible boy. The demon force drew back for a moment, and they used that time to rush up the hill to the base camp. Hiding Gailia in his cape Shroud awkwardly got to the top and let her go. She immediately began to help the clerics, using the few skills she learned from dealing with injured drunks to cure the wounded. Meanwhile Darkwind and Shroud began to work out the last order of events.
Shroud was the first to recognise the researcher from the Shadow Vale. It turned out that they were being tailed ever since they had left. Once the had learned of this they quickly organised a defence, using the hill to their tactical advantage. But it proved useless. None of the men had even faced demons, and now their commander was gone they had nothing left.
"Their making their final strike," commented Shroud from just outside the discussion.
The small circle of remaining troops looked at each other nervously.
"We can't win this battle," said Darkwind.
"Then we should give up? Is that what you want us to do?" asked the man with the journal.
"No," replied Darkwind with a professional coldness. Organise the remaining soldiers into a circle around the mages, clerics and researchers. The best are to be placed at the front and back, as that is where they will concentrate the bulk of their force.
Once that is settled we charge forward right through the centre, scattering the forces. Once we reach the forest we should be able to loose them.
"That's mad," commented a soldier. "That line is to strong to break through."
"Not for long," commented Darkwind as he looked at shroud. Nodding his head, he jogged down to meet the on coming force, invisible to their eyes. In and then out he slipped, sending them into a frenzy.
With a few well placed strikes they force were fighting each other.
"Now!" called Darkwind as they rushed forward.

"Garneshi, Garneshi!" shouted the commander of the demon force. Translated he was saying, "Stop fighting.!" All the demons instantly placed down their arms and turned to face they on coming rush of soldiers.
Shroud jumped back into the fray, slicing low and felling a demon on the front line. The Darkwind's force aimed for that demon and rushed over him.
Immediately they were swarmed by demons, and they started to attack from all sides. But still the Ambarians fought on, forcing their way through. And just when they were on the verge of breaking through disaster struck. Over the circle formation jumped a demon, and in a flash all the mages were lying dead. Gailia ducked down and covered her head with her arms, as the demon continued to massacre the clerics and researchers.
Soon only the leader of the team was left. And as the demon slowly walked forward, it's long legs making his approach almost comical, a wicked smile etched on it's face. With evil glee it stated, "Your coming with me.
At that moment, when all was thought to be lost, the youngest fighter, a boy by the standards of the now fast diminishing mercenary force, turned back from the battle and witnessed the carnage. Horror shot up onto his face, and he almost dropped his sword. He had seen all this once before, when his home was destroyed by a army.
It was at that moment when something else took over. No longer caring about the battle, no longer caring about his friends beside him, no longer caring about anything, he rushed forward. His sword began to glow with elemental fire, the spell cast by an unseen mage.
"Nooo!" he screamed as the demon stretched out his long dangling arm to snatch up the little man by the neck. Raising his sword clear over his head he brought it back down on the arm, cutting it from the elbow.
Screaming in pain the demon bowed it's legs and jumped high into the air.
Without even looking up the soldier stepped back, the demon landing in front of him.
It pulled a blade out from nowhere, but he was ready. As if guided by an unseen force his arms moved, blocking every single strike from the demon. Knowing that it was about to loose, it jumped back twenty feet, and threw a long knife. Then jumping again it landed behind him and grabbed him, holding him in the path of the knife.
"Heyararararararara!" it laughed.
"This is it," thought the boy. In 20 years he never could of guessed it ending like this.
As he watched the blade spiral towards him, a black wave shot past the knife and it fell to the ground. Then it came towards him and sliced through the demons arm.
"Catch cha later boys," cackled the fiend as he jumped to the researcher and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
Both Shroud and the boy ran forward and dived, but the caught empty air. The demon had escaped, and he had the journal.
After finally getting what they came out for, the demons withdrew, leaving the once powerful force shattered.

Dismayed, the mercenary's made their way to the cover of the forest as the light bloomed over the hills. Shroud found Gailia hiding in the hollow of a tree, her cheeks stained with tears.
"Is this what fighting's all about?"
"No," replied Shroud. "These were demons we fought last night."
"But is there any difference? People die regardless of who they're fighting."
"It makes all the difference. Demons don't feel any remorse for what they do. They kill for the fun of it. The enjoy the sights that they cause, and the fear it strikes in the mortals roaming Ambar. And it is up to us to stop them, because they won't stop themselves.
"So we fight to stop this madness, not to cause it?"
"Yes, and we fight to protect those who can not."
"But we're still fighting," she replied softly, and then ran deeper into the forest. Shroud got up to chase after her, but the new commander placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Let her go," he said. "She needs time to work out what see saw, and she needs to do it herself."
Shroud nodded, and walked back to the others.

"We have to get him back," demanded Darkwind. "If they break him, then this will happen again, only all over Ambar."
"But what can we do against these things?" asked a soldier.
"These demons are only held on Ambar because they were summoned. Which means when their summoner is gone, they return."
"So where is this summoner located?" asked Hyrle, the young boy who fought the demon inside the attacking the mages.
"I have reason to believe that he is located in a castle not far form here. It's probably where they took the researcher.
"So what's the plan?"
"You guy's attack the castle, make a distraction and keep the demons busy. Shroud and I will take care of the summoner."
"We'll need more men if we're to do this?"
"If you can get them by nightfall then do it. Because he have to get that guy out of there tonight."
The soldier though for a second and turned to his fastest runner.
"I need you to go to Syria. Once there make your way to the Washink. It's a tavern in the east. An old friend of mine who leads a mercenary force hangs out there. If he's there, he'll help. Otherwise, warn the city's army that they will be facing a force of demons heading straight at them."
The messenger took note of all that was said and ran off into the distance.
"It's all settled then," said Darkwind. "We leave now."
"I'll take care of the girl," reassured the soldier, walking up next to Shroud. "I'll assign someone to stay back from the fighting and guard her."
"Thanks," replied Shroud as he ran to catch up with Darkwind.

* * *

That night Shroud and Darkwind sat in the bushes fifty metres from the castle.
"Ok, go now," said Darkwind as he got up and started running towards the outside wall. By the time they got there flaming arrows started to strike through the windows of the guard towers. The gates opened and several demons walked out to deal with the pesky archers. Shroud and Darkwind ducked into the closing draw bridge and crept through the dim halls.
"Right about now, the demons should reach the out skirts of the forest."
Just as he finished speaking the battle cries of the mercenaries was heard as they ambushed the demons. In response, more demons poured out of the doorways. Hidden in the forest the numbers of the mercenaries was unknown, and Herwok wasn't taking any chances.
"So where do you think they are?" asked Shroud.
"We look for the guards. Any money Herwok isn't stupid enough to leave something this valuable unguarded."
"Ok, so where are the guards?"
"Lets find out," replied Darkwind. Then "Hide."
Shroud leaned back against a wall and watched as Darkwind started calling out."
"I've found him, I've found him."
Instantly three demons rushed out of a door at the end of the corridor.
"Foung Whoo?" asked the demon, his words garbled by his snout.
"me," replied Darkwind, casting a shadow ball at the lead demon. Before his body got a chance to hit the ground, Shroud had decapitated another and Darkwind gutted the third.
"That door?" asked Shroud.
"That door," replied Darkwind

Meanwhile outside the castle, the mercenaries were running into trouble. The reinforcements still hadn't arrived, and they were giving up hope.
At first they quickly dealt with the few demons sent out to dispatch with the archers, but the second rush of demons know they were out there, and thus they were more cautious.
The scattered into four groups as they left the castle, moving quickly in to the left, right and towards them. At first they were cheerful, thinking that the demons had other battle to fight. But their cheer turned to fear as the three groups that went left and right attacked from behind and the sides.
The soldier who was guarding Gailia didn't even get to shout before he was ripped apart, spluttering blood all over Gailia. They then picked up Gailia and carried her away to some fate. Then they attacked the mercs from behind, fencing them in.
"No," cried out Hyrle. "This can't be the end, it can't."
Even though their plan had failed, and they were quickly running out of men, Hyrle refused to submit. A fire burned in his heart as he slashed here, and stabbed there. Completely alone, as all his friends around him had fallen, he faced the demons. One knocked the sword out of his hand and he fell to his knees. It was over.
"Get up young one, and we will fight them together," said a voice. "And we will use my blade."
Hyrle looked up and saw the demons backing away, a long golden sword in his hand. It was light as a feather, and burned any demon it touched, only he felt no heat from it. He rushed the demons alone, the illusion of a long black cloak flowing behind him. The demons over came their fear and rushed him, but he began to move faster and his strikes grew more fierce. He had the demon blade, and he was guided by a demon.

Darkwind picked the lock on the door on the other side of the guard room. With a satisfying click it opened, and they found the researcher gagged and bleeding, his journal lying on a table next to him.
Shroud undid the gag and released him.
"You must destroy the journal," he cried. "In it is the translation of caverns found under the statue that marks the place where the artifact was found. It is a series of powerful spells, that he must not get his hands on.
Shroud looked at the man, then picked up the book. He was about to throw it up in the air when the door opened and in walked an Ashwin plague lord with a young girl.
"Destroy the book and me arm will slip," warned Herwok, as dagger pressing against Gailia's skin.
"Why you," growled Darkwind as he rushed towards Herwok. With a flick of his finger a bright light entered the room.
"Well I know how well you fight against the darkness, but what about a demon hidden by light.
The blinding light made it's way over to Darkwind and backhanded him, sending the slythe across the room.
Shaking his head to help clear his vision he got up, just in time to see a ball of light strike him in the chest. The punch sent him crashing through the wall. Snarling the demon forced Darkwind back into a small room.
Darkwind jumped forward to stab the demon, but he hit empty air, and was elbowed to the ground.
With a booming laugh that filled the room it picked Darkwind up and hurled him across the room. He then filled the room with light, leaving Darkwind with enough shadow to cast only one last shadow spike.

"Come and get me," growled Hyrle, cutting another demon in half. He had made his way to where the rest of the men were fighting and stood back to back with them. His arival had raised their spirits, but they soon began to fall again. Hyrle just wasn't good enough to take on that many demons. No one was. Hope began to fade, until a great shout was heard outside the small gathering of trees from where they fought. There stood not the mercenary force sent for, but several others as well, and the army of the city.
The rushed down the slope and into the trees, swarming the demons.
"I have to go," said the voice to Hyrle. I need to help a friend."
The spirit left Hyrle, as well as the sword. Picking up the sword of fallen comrade he fought on, as Hyrle.

Darkwind turned his head to the side to avoid the glare. He could feel it intensifying, and knew it was preparing to attack. He powered up a shadow spike, but didn't know where to cast it.
"Darkwind, over here," called Jack. Darkwind looked up to see his old friend standing in front of the demon.
"Listen, you don't have much time. I'm not really here. I've just learned how to project my image on this world. I want you to aim the spike at my heart."
"What?" screamed Darkwind. "You want me to shoot you?"
"Puny slythe crazy, talking to voices in head. Puny slythe die!"
"I'm not really here. It'll go through me and his. One shot. You have to hit it."
Darkwind nodded and looked back up to Jack.
"Good bye," said Jack as Darkwind sent the spike through his heart. The Light exploded, sending Darkwind up against the wall a final time. He opened his eyes, and he was alone.

Shroud glared at Herwok as Darkwind was sent through the wall.
"Ah, now that he's out of the way, we can get back to business."
Herwok let go of Gailia an she stood off to the side, startled.
"I'm glad you came here Shroud. I've been looking all over the place for you. There's been people out here searching for you in order to destroy you. I've been trying to stop them, and in the process I lost you. And now that you have come I can restore you to the state you were in before the curse was set."
Shroud looked at him confused.
"I'm on your side Shroud. You have to trust me. I can turn you back.
"What about him?" asked Shroud, gesturing to the researcher.
"I had to get his journal. In it is the spell that was used to turn you into what you are, and the way to reverse it. I tried to reason, but he insisted on selling it to summoners for large amounts of karats. I couldn't let him do that.
Shroud thought for a moment.
"Why did you threaten Gailia's life?"
"I had to, to protect myself from Darkwind. For a long time he has secretly been aiding my enemies, plotting my downfall. He believes that I caused the death of his friend Jack.
But I also know that he needs you to do this, and so he wouldn't break your trust. That's the only reason why he didn't attack me straight away. If it wasn't for you he wouldn't of cared. He cares not for the little people that get in his way. And I've let her go now, isn't that proof enough that I mean no harm?"
Shroud stared at his feet for a few moments, thinking what to do.
"You can cure me right?" he asked, holding out the book.
"Yes, of course, but the book is vital."
Shroud stepped forward and gave Herwok the book.
"No, don't!" cried the researcher, but it was to late.
"I will cure you Shroud, but after I deal with these two," he pulled a dagger from his cloak and threw it at the researcher. His body instantly withered and crumbled. Next he turned to Gailia.
"And now for you," hissed Herwok.
Time seamed to slow down as Shroud realized what was going to happen. There was no time to think. He had to act. He no longer had a choice in the matter.
"No!" he cried, lunging forward as he drew his sword. Herwok's blood stained the back of the wall and his cloaked body turned to dust, taking the book with it.
It was destroyed, along with the last two people who may have been able to recite what was in it. But it was over.

The battle was won. With the destruction of Herwok the demons vanished.
Darkwind rested a hand on Shroud's shoulder in silence, not being able to find words to ease the pain the boy felt. His last hope was destroyed. He was trapped. As a shadow forever.
With a nod of his head he gave Shroud and Gailia some time alone. It was the least he could do for them. In silence Shroud drew Gailia into an embrace and wept.

Finally Gailia spoke. "You sacrificed everything you've lived for. I can't thank you enough. If it wasn't for me you would probably be out enjoying the dawn with the others. I'm sorry."
Shroud stopped crying and pushed her away slightly so he could speak to her.
"I thought that finding the cure and returning to normal was the most important thing to me, but when I saw him reach for the second dagger, nothing mattered to me, bar stopping Herwok from harming you. Your safety is more important to be then anything else, including the cure."
Gailia leaned forward and kissed Shroud passionately. He felt a wave of heat rushing over his body. It like a whole layer of skin was peeling off, from head to toe.
Deep down inside he knew what had just happened. This truly was his journey's end.
When they were finished he held her close and said, "lets go see Darkwind."
And so Shroud walked out of the castle, the light of Dawn washing over the battle field, the sun warming the bare skin of his face.

END

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