Candle - Veraeuz, Emerald Realm

[Vera_Z 321]

"Purge and protect!"
Paladins are no stranger to these words, purge the damned and protect the people.

 

But for someone abandoned, these words triggers hatred.
"Burn and forsake!" as the light of Harad denied the prayers of his champion.

 

 

 

  His brother was murdered, a scholar going to Citadel where the caravan was melted by what appears to be a rain of acid. A survivor, Algor, a paladin who sworn to protect them abandoned the caravan. Upon hearing the terrible news, he blamed the coward Algor for his brother's death and blindly killed him. "The Order will know about this. I fear you will be withdrawn." said the head paladin in sorrowful tone.
  Hired some mercenaries to accompany him, they will investigate the caravan. On their way, a village is being burned down. "It's too late for them, move!" by which the mercenaries found it strange for a paladin refusing to aid. Not too far from the scene, they have encountered two male individuals, a rogue and a barbarian. It was not long before he realized all of his companions are dead. With a roar, he confronted them alone but fall to his knees.
"Well, well.. I do have interesting siblings." said the rogue with a fancy tone. "One who's twisted, and another.. broken."
At which point the huge figure started to walk away. "Tch, your brothers are long gone in this plane. They don't know their ancestors and serve those bastards' god." and spats on the ground.
"You are saying that father, yet you don't want to harm them."
"Let's go. The raid is done."
The rogue kneels beside the dying paladin and whispered, "He cares for you."
"Wh-who are.." collapsed to the ground covered in his own puddle, the paladin's body refuses to move.
"Farewell brother. If only I was old enough to save you back then."

 

  Lost track of time while lying there, he was praying for a cure but his wounds are yet to heal. "Sunset still provides light, that will guide us to sunrise." Blood splattering from his mouth as he whispers "The power to extinguish evil, the justice's might." Gritting his teeth from pain "We are the righteous children O' Harad's light!"

 

A gush of wind and silence.

 

  In the darkness, he saw abducted highlander infants living in the mercy of the temple, one trained in combat, the other in knowledge. Both tended and will be used to kill their kin. Confusion was stirring his head, and the faint sound became loud. A familiar voice, which belongs to whom he mourns.
"I knew it all along big brother."
"You knew? But why didn't you tell me?"
"I know many secrets and I fear things will change if I did."
"What will?"
"You are so devoted.."
"My devotion doesn't matter now. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
"Oh but you still can." 
"How, aren't we on the afterlife?"
"I was never dead. Now arise dear brother, protect me."

 

The darkness is then filled with blinding light.

 

  When his sight allowed vision, he saw a skeletal figure before him. Ancient runes glow that circles around the ritual and fades when the lich is finished. It then assumes it's form, his younger brother, pale and corrupted with a witch in his side aiding with the ritual.
"I had to be dead to unleash the wrath from you, the hatred, rage. We are natural savages and don't belong there." Waving his staff and the chest opens. "You were granted a fake power so you'll never doubt your place. But the moment you broke your oath, the power diminish. We were never Harad's children, only tools of warfare." Moving his hand as if making commands, the set of bones and armor attached and fixed themselves to the resurrected warrior. "Fight beside me brother. My companion with our relatives from the mountains, my arts of necromancy and your undying protection, those that wrong us shall pay!"

 

  The death knight looked at his hands. "You are right, I was a fool." Closed his crimson eyes. "No wonder people from The Order belittle me. The hateful eyes of their lot. All is clear now and Harad forsake me." Clenched to fists and purple smoke envelops his arms. "I was like a candle, praising the light and devoted my life.." He held his chest and felt no heartbeat.

 

".. not knowing that the light is the fire that melts me."

 

 

                   

                                                       

 

Edited August 11, 2018 by Vera_Z

[Morgana 780]

Veraaaa

[Akasha 2058]

Vera, it's been a while! 

I'd love to see a sketch to support your story  would you give me the pleasure? ))

[Hazelnut 600]

Nice to see you here again, Samuel

 

Best of lucks

[Higgings 1824]

That was pretty unexpected - and once again we meet as opponents!  

 

But seriously, the story is amazing. 

[Gladiator 1145]

Oh that last line gave me chills!

Even currently as a devoted Paladin, I wonder if Harad would ever forsake me.

Edited August 10, 2018 by Gladiator

[Vera_Z 321]

Deepest gratitude everyone.
I can no longer stay in Tavern for long hours, I apologize.

Originally, I plan to post this with a bit of illustrations. But since I already removed and simplified big chunks of scenes from the story, I didn't bother making more and stopped cutting and revising before it won't make any sense. I probably won't win anyway so I just posted it half-baked.

 

I did finish some sketches for those who are curious to see. *attached photos in post*

 

Best of luck with your entries too!

[Akasha 2058]

8 hours ago, Vera_Z said:

I did finish some sketches for those who are curious to see. *attached photos in post*

I can't see the images  is this so only in my device?

[Morgana 780]

1 hour ago, Aкasha said:

I can't see the images  is this so only in my device?

I can't see them either

 

Edit: They just popped up .-. I can post screenshots of them if you want :D

Edited August 11, 2018 by Morgana

[Akasha 2058]

7 hours ago, Morgana said:

Edit: They just popped up .-. I can post screenshots of them if you want 😄

Yay!! Now I see them!!! ^.^)

it won't be necessary, thank you anyway ))

[IrishBoar 21]

Interesting story, I would love to see it "fully baked".

And those sketches are AMAZING!!!