Darkness Within

[Knight504]

Darkness Within

Prologue: The Power

Seth ran onwards, heedless of the branches and twigs that slapped against his face, causing small cuts that gave little blood. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead and he breathing became laboured at the effort, his legs felt like lead beneath him. His only guide was the faint moonlight that peered through the gap between leaves, if it made it past the clouds that passed across the midnight black.

His eyes-that were dark enough to be black- darted from side to side, up and down, to avoid anything that may be a hazard. His shaggy mane of black hair that hung halfway down his back was near drenched with his own sweat, and the droplets of rainwater that fell form the trees. His tan skin looked even darker in the night‘s shadows, his tall and lean figure making him seem more menacing than what he actually was. Seth jumped over a rotten log, not slowing his pace even for an instant.

They all hate me, he thought to himself, referring to the town he had long since left behind form running, and I hate them…I’m never going back there.

In his blind fury, Seth tripped over a rock that had been hidden in the long grass; he tumbled head first into a tree. Stars exploded beneath his eyelids, his vision blurred and spinning. With an effort he pulled himself up, using the tree as support, the bark felt rough under his skin. He waited a moment until his vision cleared along with his head; he took his time to look around.

Seth was in a small clearing, the grass strangely all level unlike the wild grass just beyond the circle of trees. The moon hit this place clearly, allowing him to see how large and bright it was tonight, accompanied by the stars that seemed to twinkle in and out of existence, like a candle being snuffed out and relit again. Seth’s dark eyes roamed over the clearing until they met a strangely carved stone in the centre.

Cautiously he stepped over to it to get a better look; it was grey, flat and smooth and from an overhead view it looked like a triangle. His fingers roamed over the flawless texture until he met an indent in the stone, curious, Seth bent over and ran his fingers all along the indent. Then without a second’s hesitation he blew hard over the rock’s surface. A thin veil of dust came off the rock, revealing the strange pattern that lie beneath.

It was a picture of three triangles joined together to make a larger triangle, and beneath strange symbols was etched into the rock, like a language long forgotten. Seth gently put his finger on the top triangle, and in that moment his whole life was turned around.

A lance of excruciating pain coursed through his finger, to his arm, then spread through the rest of his body. Seth found himself writhing on the forest floor in complete agony, it felt like his insides were burning and the fire was trying to get out. His pupils shrank to tiny dots, and more sweat came from his pores, a wordless scream escaped his lips.

After what felt like hours to Seth, the intense pain toned down to sharp stings, then to small tingles until he felt nothing at all-at least nothing painful of course. Taking a deep breath Seth opened his eyes which had been closed the entire time, letting them adjust again as he stared back up at the moon. But at small light at his side caught his attention, his dark eyes flitted down the length of his right arm until they reached the back of his hand. There, he saw an imprint of the triangles that had been on stone now on his hand. The two bottom triangles were merely black outlines, but the top one blazing a bright gold, then it flickered before dying down, now it looked as if his skin had a triangular patch of gold.

“What the hell is going on?” Seth muttered to himself. After a few more moments he got up, his butt finally sore from being on the ground so long. He looked over at the stone and found that all three triangles upon were glowing brightly, almost blinding.

Holder of power…Go to your rightful home

Seth briefly saw the faint silhouette of three women stand before him, until the dazzling light engulfed him and his very being was taken away.

[Knight504]

Darkness Within

Chapter 1: Lost in the City

“Seth”

There was darkness. Nothing but solid darkness. It was above. It was below. There was no reprieve it. It just was. As it always shall be.

“Who are you?”

He felt nothing, He couldn’t see. Couldn’t taste. Couldn’t hear. Couldn’t feel. He was nothing and he was everything.

“Seth…you are the new holder”

There was light. It was small. It grew. Bigger and bigger, growing bit by bit. It floated in front of him. Staring at him. Staring into him. It pierced his mind and soul. It saw all and everything.

“What are you talking about?”

It was a triangle. A single glowing triangle.

“You now hold the Power…use it…wield it…control it…”

He felt it. Raw power. It emanated from the triangle. He felt a need arise in him. More than anything he’d ever felt before. He reached out to it, he could see no hands so he didn’t know how. He touched it. The fiery energy surged through him. It lit the fire in him, pure unfiltered energy, and it was at his control.

“Go on my child, your new life shall BEGIN!”
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Seth awoke to rain pelting hard against his face, his eyes flickered for a moment, trying to rid himself of his grogginess. His entire body was aching all over and his head felt like someone had smashed a hammer over it. After a few minutes of him lying on what seemed to be a cobble-stone floor, did all recent events flash through his mind. The running, the stone, the triangle, the voice and then he was here.

But where is here, he thought suddenly. Seth immediately jumped onto his feet ignoring the pains of his body, his mind on full alert as his dark eyes scanned the vicinity. He seemed to be standing in a narrow alleyway, littered with various waste items they had sunk into the brown sludge that trailed along the path. Beside him were two tall buildings, both grey and aged with timber and bricks falling in places.

“Extra, extra, Hylian Times, read all ‘bout it!” A boy was shouting, likely back on the main streets where this alleyway obviously went onto. Not wanting to stand in the rain any longer Seth hurried forward through the sludge back onto the street. His hair was now plastered onto his forehead due to it’s saturation of rain.

As Seth entered the main street he was shocked at how solemn and foreboding the atmosphere was, It’s like a never ending funeral here. Men and women slowly trudged along the street, wrapping their dirty rags closer to their bodies hoping for any respite from the cold rain. He noticed that they kept their heads down and their eyes were full of nought but despair and fear. Though what really struck him was their ears, They’re pointed, just like an elf’s.

However when Seth looked at a mirror of one of the huddled up shops that lined the streets, all thoughts of these defeated people left his mind. Looking at reflection of himself in the window, he noticed that his attire had completely changed. Moving closer to the window he got a better look at himself, barely taking it all in.

He was now wearing a sleeveless tunic of black leather, a similar pair of black leggings with ends inside his knee-high boots that were a dark shade of red. Reddish brown bracers and gloves adorned his arms, and down by his side was a sword buckled to a brown belt. Seth refrained from unsheathing the blade as it would most likely cause alarm among the people who crowded the streets in their silence.

I’m in a weird city, with new clothes, and a frigging sword he thought to himself, It’s as if I’m stuck in the medieval times.

“Hello sir, would you be needin’ any assistance?” a small boy of probably twelve years came up to Seth, his large almond eyes staring up at him. The boy wore a dirt brown shirt that was several sizes to large for him and cream shorts though they were near brown from all the dirt, Seth noticed the boy were no shoes either.

“What do you want?” Seth asked, not in an unkindly manner though.

“I could give you a tour sir, yes I could” the boy replied with a cheery smile, “ I’ll take you to the richer part of Hylia City if you want sir”

So I’m in Hylia City…never heard of it ever before, “Yes, thank you please take me there” Seth ruffled the boy’s hair noting how short he was, though most people were as he was around six foot and only sixteen years old. He was, had been, tallest in his class, but it looked like those days were over and he had no regrets. Just like the freaky voice in my dreams said, I can start a new life.

Seth spent the next hour or so being practically dragged through the maze-like streets, though the deeper they went the cleaner the streets and buildings became. As they reached the city centre all the buildings were tall, made from white bricks, the shops were colourful with a wonderful array of items in the windows. On a hill following a path that led out of the city gates was a large castle stood made of marble, but though it was still beautiful it still seemed a dark, sinister place.

Around a water fountain that was structured in the centre of the market the two had found themselves in, a large crowd was gathering made from nobleman and woman. There was a large stage set up with a man shouting out to the crowd, though exactly what he was saying was lost to Seth.

“Thank you, could you tell me your name?” Seth said looking down at the young boy by his side.

“Name’s Joshua sir, at your service” Seth smiled at the peasant boy’s manners despite his seemingly poor heritage. Fishing into one of his pockets, he managed to salvage a pound coin and presented it to Joshua. The boy looked up at him with wordless thanks and curiosity at the strange before running away with a spring in his step.

“Now lets have a look at what’s going on over there” Seth muttered, shuffling through the crowd of nobles who all gave him reproachful looks but said nothing. Once he’d reached the front of the crowd he could clearly hear what the well dressed man was saying to them all. A tall, dark skinned man was standing beside him as if on display, his arms and legs shackled by iron chains, wearing only a loincloth and a look of anger.
“A fine specimen brought here from over Death Mountain, well toned from his barbaric activities. Strong and able could be used for manual labour, guard or for the ladies he had some other qualities about him” the man said suggestively, receiving several giggles from the woman. Within moments they had been bought by a chubby woman in an extravagant gown and an over-use of make up on her face.

Slaves, Seth thought angrily, his fists clenching unconsciously, He’s selling slaves. In his history lessons back at home he had hated the thought that people had been slaves, treated as if they were nothing more than animals, it disgusted him. Unfortunately he could do nothing to help these people, and the thought made him angrier.

Seth felt an unfamiliar hot sensation on his right hand, though he ignored and was about to leave before something caught his attention. A girl was being brought onto the stage, thrashing against the guards which Seth only just noticed were guarding the streets in these richer parts. They all wore the same uniform, a black tunic and boots with black chest plate, bracers, greaves and helm, with each uniform was the insignia of a dragon eating a star.

He felt awe-struck by her. She had coppery skin like that you would get from being in a desert, her eyes were golden, glittering in the dark, she had a mane of fiery red hair that went down to her waist. Unlike the other slaves, she wore more expensive-looking clothes; a pink tube top, white pants that looked very baggy, a pair of black gloves that covered her elbows, though her feet were bare. Judging by her looks and height he deemed that she was the same age as him, give or take. Seth couldn’t help but stare at her, as he watched her being beaten by the guards an uncontrollable anger rose up in him.

Kill them…destroy them a small voice in his head sounded. Seth looked down at his hand as he felt a curious burning sensation there again, then remembered the triangle that was no doubt blazing beneath his glove. Within seconds he knew what he must do.

Bending over he retrieved a large rock from the ground, sizing it up in his hand with a devious smirk on his face. Straightening up, he took aim, before throwing it straight at the salesman who was looming menacingly over the girl, a sickening look in his eye. The rock struck the man right in the temple. For a moment there was nothing, then the man keeled over and tumbled right over the edge of the stage, landing in an awkward heap on the stone floor.

The nobles back away in alarm leaving Seth standing in the centre, a defiant gleam in his eye as his looked up at the approaching guards. Their swords were out of their scabbards in a second ready for anything this boy might pull, whilst the girl merely sat motionless on the stage unable to run due to the shackles.

“Who are you?” asked one of the soldiers, his voice sounding oddly more like guttural sounds, spat out rather than said. Seth was curious as to what the soldiers looked like beneath their armour, though they were humanoid in shape though their movements were shuffled and they were hunched over along with their breathing with came as wheezes.

Part 2 of Chapter 1 up next...

[Knight504]

Sorry for the double post, so I've edited it too...

Part 2 of Chapter 1...

He thought for a moment deciding whether it was best to tell them, before deciding,%u201C%u2026I am Seth Knight%u201D he replied, his hand resting on the hilt of his newly acquired sword, Seth didn%u2019t know how to use it but he had a feeling it would come naturally when the time came.

And with that, no warning upon the move whatsoever, the guards came charging at him, swords raised in an aggressive manner. The girl cried out in alarm as they came down on him, and with this a fierce new energy seared through his veins, improving all his senses at once.

As fast as lightning his sword was in hand, ready for anything coming his way. The blade was slender but strong, the steel was flawless sparkling in the dim light, inscriptions were filed into the steel but he couldn%u2018t read it. The blade had been forged masterfully and he intended to use it the same way.

The first sword came down. Metal rang across the now abandoned marketplace as Seth blocked the sword with his own. He followed up by kicking the soldier in the groin then sending his fist plummeting into his face. Seth then rolled to the side to avoid a swing that could have taken off his head, before swinging his foot out to take the man down. Next he back flipped from his kneeling position right over another guard, as he came down he smacked the man over the head with the pommel of his sword.

Seth refrained from killing any of the soldiers in cold blood, even if it was in self-defence, instead he merely knocked them unconscious though it was ineffective as more and more soldiers came to the scene. Soon Seth found himself on the stage fending off blow after blow, some giving him scratches though they could have been worse if he hadn%u2019t moved.

%u201CDo you have any weapons?%u201D Seth asked looking over his shoulder to the girl was now behind him. She nodded and pointed over to a pile in the corner with discarded by the slaves when they had been captured no doubt. Seth kicked one of the guards back into several others, sending them off the stage, he spun round driving his blade through the chains round her ankles and wrists, slicing them in two.

Immediately the copper-skinned girl leapt at the pile of weapon, there was a flash of metal then she stood right back up again. In her hands were two narrow bladed scimitars, both with sharp edges made to cut through flesh. %u201C I am Sabrina, I-%u201D

%u201CPlease, let%u2019s save the pleasantries till later%u201D Seth received only a determined nod in reply from the girl. More and more of these soldiers poured out of the various streets leading to the market, blocking off all exits for them to escape through. Seth watched in growing despair as they cornered them on the stage, Sabrina beside him appeared to be near frantic as she kept lashing out at the approaching but she wasn%u2019t at all close enough.

%u201CDo you have any way out of this, master?%u201D Sabrina said glancing over at him, her golden eyes sparkling even in the dim light.

Master? %u201C No, no idea how we gonna sort this out%u201D Seth replied, a hint of despair evident in his voice though Sabrina didn%u2019t really seem to notice this. Despite the girl%u2019s optimism, he felt none of it and knew they couldn%u2019t escape this predicament, he was completely new to this swordplay stuff, and these were obviously trained professionals.

The soldiers clambered up onto the wooden stage, completely blocking off any exit that had been open before to the two. Seth%u2019s eyes ran along the line of buildings, looking for something, anything but he knew that it was to no avail. But then he did see something. A looked like%u2026someone was on the rooftops directly opposite them. From this distance he couldn%u2019t tell exactly who it is, he could only hope that they were there to help him and not try to kill him.

No warning given, the soldiers came straight at the duo, their swords raised to strike.

A blinding flash of light blazed through the streets, causing the soldiers to stumble backwards, cries of alarm filling the air. To Seth%u2019s astonishment a cloaked figure now stood before him and the soldiers, a single hand raised, volts of blue electricity dancing along the arm. The figure turned to face him, %u201C Go now, I will hold them off as long as I can%u201D, it was definitely a woman%u2019s voice but Seth could spare it no thought.

Without further a due, Seth grabbed Sabrina%u2019s wrist and yanked her through the crowd, kicking down any soldiers that tried to intercept their path. He saw and heard the crackle of lightning as it sped past his ear, striking each soldier that stood in their path. A scream of anguish sounded with death that followed. Fortunately because of all the confusion there was they could get through the legion of soldiers relatively easily, as soon as they would through they ran as fast as they could through a series of tunnels.

Seeing an open door Seth and Sabrina ran straight through, into an abandoned shop by the looks of it. It took several moments of taking deep breaths before he could speak again; %u201CWell%u2026that was fun wasn%u2019t it?%u201D

Sabrina gave him an odd look as he turned to look out the cracked windows, no doubt checking for any soldiers. She rubbed her elbow with her left hand (the scimitars now lay on the floor) in an almost shy manner, giving her an air of vulnerability.

%u201CThe soldiers haven%u2019t fo-%u201D Seth was cut off as a pair of lips met his in a searing kiss. Shock was his first instinct as his eyes widened looking down at the coppery-skinned girl was stood right up close to him, then the original shock faded and his eyes closed as he enjoyed the feeling. His hands wrapped round her waist, bringing her closer to him, back home this kind of intimate contact was beyond him as he was not one to pursue romantic relationships.

After only moments Sabrina broke away, taking a step back, her shining gold eyes looking up into his dark ones. To Seth%u2019s further amazement, she bent down low, before kneeling before him her head facing the floor the entire time. %u201CI Sabrina Ooru, daughter of Nabooru, pledge my life to yours as you have saved mine from one of complete misery%u201D

Seth was speechless, his voice apparently to have left him, he could only give an awkward smile and a nod of the head in response. Obviously pleased, Sabrina bent down again to retrieve her two scimitars and sheathing them in the scabbards that hung in an %u2018X%u2019 position across her back.

%u201CThere%u2019s a tunnel out of here, beneath the rug%u201D Seth spun round immediately at the sound of the voice, his hand on the hilt of his sword, which he soon relinquished when he saw who it was. The cloaked figure had returned, standing in the doorway, her very presence draining the light from the room.

%u201CI thank you, for helping us earlier%u201D Seth replied, his voice shaky as he stared at the cloaked woman.

%u201CThe soldiers will be coming here any moment now, please leave%u201D the woman then swiftly turned and left the building.

Sabrina withdrew from the window she had previously been peering through. Without hesitation Seth yanked open the trapdoor that indeed lay beneath the rug, letting the dim light from a small candle that stood in a corner of the room be his only guide to where the tunnel led. He held his hand out to Sabrina who apprehensively took it, before both of them leapt into the darkness.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Watch out for... Part 3 of Chapter 1

[HaloOfTheSun]

Not bad, Not bad. By the way, you double posted.

[Knight504]

Third and Final Part of Chapter 1...

Lord Zannec stared out of his throne room window that opened up showing him his own land of Hyrule, the vast fields of green, the high range of mountains, the golden sands of the desert and the tall trees of the forest. All his for the taking.

Zannec wore a crimson cloak embroidered with gold thread, covering his body from view, though no doubt that it was fit and muscular but overly done so. His head was completely bald, beady grey eyes scanned the landscape, his face gaunt and expressionless against the greed that was rising inside of him. His tall form was enhanced by the darkness of the throne room and the stormy day outside his castle, making him seem all the more cold and menacing.

“What do you want, Rogir?” the man spat, his voice slick and oily, the words rolling off his tongue in a sharp manner. Zannec spun round, his beady eyes intent on one of the darkest corners of the throne room, as if expecting someone to just appear from the shadows. And which they did.

Some kind of…creature phased right through the wall. It was almost demon-like in appearance, an angular head with wide jaws, elongated fangs and a pair of glowing white eyes with no iris or pupil. The rest of body was heavily muscled but still retained a slim figure, claws protruded from it’s feet and hands, a pair of wings spread out wide from it’s back, a thin membrane lay over the spread out bones. Also it’s entire body was a midnight black, with no exception but the glowing eyes.

“My Lord, there has been a…disturbance in the inner sections of the city” the voice was raspy and came out more of a hiss than nothing else.

“…I know…it’s seems the Triforce of Power had found a new holder” Zannec said, returning his attention back to the vast land of Hyrule.

“Shall I send troops to pursue, we think they have escaped through the underground?” Rogir replied remaining completely still.

Zannec thought for a moment before a smile crept onto his face, “No, I want some fun, let them travel across Hyrule, no doubt they’ll want to try and destroy me. All for the sake of peace. But maybe I can make him change sides, evil does reap it’s rewards”.

Silently, Rogir nodded before moving straight back through the wall, the last sight of him the end of his wings. Zannec raised his head before a booming laughter escaped his lips, filling the room as it echoed all around.