Day 0 Prologue
Week 1
Day Zero
Exhaustion had seeped into the very bones of Anthony Smithers as he directed the party while attempting to distract the Great Darkness. He jumped to the side as dark circles formed under his feet. Where he had been standing became a column of black flames. With a grunt, he landed on his shield, his momentum propelling him into a roll and onto his feet. In a streak of great silver and green, Selene the Spellsword leapt past him, her dual blades posed and in motion.
As the shadowy form moved to block the obvious strike, she feigned the chop and turned it into a slice from the side. Her enchanted blades cutting deep into the wounded evil. A force shot out like a great fist, sending her sprawling on the ground. As she started to move, another mass of fumes and shadow crashed down upon her foot and ankle, the crack and snap sounding over the battle. With a sharp controlled cry, the Lady Spellsword cut instinctively with her enchanted blade, severing the hand that had wounded her. As she struggled and scrambled away, her foot utterly useless, a sound reached her ears, calming her pain and strengthening her resolve. The strings were plucked by Vex, the young bardess that had been with Anthony for longer than almost anyone else had. As another plume of smoke erupted after her, it was momentarily stopped by a change of notes creating a wall of sound.
As the pain began to grow again, and Selene continued to struggle, Thorgrim the Tank arrived. With ease, he helped her to her good foot and lifted her with one arm using the strength of his dwarven and orcish heritage. When Anthony looked over, he saw the heavily armored warrior shrugging off hit after hit, with little more than a grunt as he used his body as a living shield. The human pulled the bow from his back and rapidly shot three enchanted silver arrows into the undefined humanoid mass. As the holes in the giant mass tried to close, he took a moment to glance over seeing Thorgrim pull his ax and charge while Morgan, the Grand Master Healer, floated over the shattered ankle of Selene. Green light engulfed her ankle, painlessly fixing the bone and healing the wound. Selene was already standing once again within seconds.
Then a hiss and roar erupted from behind the mass as the reptilian assassin, Kaele, of the reptilian repguar, soared through the air, stabbing it with a dagger that had an amulet of sealing attached. Then his body seemed to almost slither through the air in his agile and snake-like motions.
The mass of fumes, shadows and smoke condensed into a solid form. Though it was still over ten feet tall, the dagger in its back, and the amulet hanging from the hilt, had made it solid. It made it vulnerable.
Ancient and powerful, it sounded into the air as Thorgrim retreated to shield Morgan and Selene from what was about to happen as Anthony and Kaele sprinted to protect Vex the bard. Two groups of defended heroes sat on either side of the arcane master and elven princess known as Elara. She raised her worn family heirloom into the sky. From the top of the Staff of Ages erupted a blinding light wrapped in fire and ice. Lightning cracked from the roof as rocks imprisoned the mass.
“Begone from the land of living, impudent shadow!” She cried.
The energy struck the enemy with a grand explosion. Screams and wailing deafened the area as the Great Darkness was reduced to ash and memory.
Slowly, they stood up. Where the evil had stood, a light radiated, driving pain, loss and evil from their minds and bodies. As Anthony stood up, he walked to Elara who glared at him with her usual icy expression.
“Well done,” he said as he extended his hand towards her. “Well done every…”
Before he could finish speaking, a circle of ancient magic appeared above and below him. It had been seven long years, but he knew it. The same power that had brought him. He closed his eyes and smiled as he tried to say goodbye. The last sound he heard was a single sound from his team as he left.
As he opened his eyes he stood in a place he had not seen in far too long. The living room, with his garage sale sofa, hand me down recliner and grandmother’s love seat all watched him as he took in the familiar, though dusty, scent of his world and old life. As he scanned the room, it occurred to him, this place was dusty, but not as dirty as it should be, and why had nobody removed his things.
He tried to take a step, but his toes caught and he fell.
A tiny voice squeaked from under his body, “While I do appreciate your hugs, please get off me!” Morgan called.
Anthony lifted his body, bewildered as he helped the fairy to her feet.
“Commander?” Selene asked as she climbed off the pile of adventurers.
Anthony looked at the ground and was dumbstruck. His party, his crew, those he had built bonds through danger and forged friendship in fire, were piled up on his floor.
“How? Why?” He stammered as he took a step back.
Kaele hissed as he flowed around the area, expecting an ambush, “Commander, we know not what this place is. Stay close to Selene, let us fortify the area!”
Anthony watched as the Spellsword drew her blade and hummed a quick spell to enchant her weapon, leaving them glowing faintly and vibrating with bated strength.
Anthony inhaled deeply, “Stand down.” He commanded with authority. “This place is… my home.”
