What Memory Remains

All was silent throughout the cathedral, as the grave news had reached the ears of all the clergy. Most of the monks were in now in prayer, and Kendrick slipped past them as he exited Aegis’ office, quickly getting back to his usual work. The atmosphere was heavy, and he said a silent prayer under his breath. He was head to the file room, which contained a system of air pressurized tubes for receiving and delivering important messages.

Near the entrance to the room, he stopped for a moment when he saw that the torch he had previously left lit was now out.

“Now who could have done that…” he wondered curiously. He felt a bit off about entering the room, the reason for which escaped him. Whether it was the anxiety over the news he had delivered or something else, he brushed it off. Chalking it up to typical childhood fears resurfacing, he entered the file room and began to fumble for his matches.

Back in Aegis’ office, the party of four weighed the gravity of the situation.

“We need to get moving,” Sade said, Zenapharr nodding in agreeance. “Do you have the coordinates of where these parts are being sent?”

“Of course.” Aegis went through his desk drawers, rifling through papers. “Should be here somewhere.”

“You okay?” Sade met Zenapharr with a nervous glance.

“I…I don’t know. Something feels…wrong.”

“Bad news always gives me a bad feeling. Especially in a time like this. Things are more unpredictable.” Aegis pontificated. “Ahh, found it! Here, I’ll draw you a map to the location.”

Aegis began laying out a map of the province they were in, and the feeling of unease within Zenapharr began to grow. He couldn’t help but turn his head in different directions, as if trying to pick up some signal. Whatever had triggered his internal alarm within his senses was beyond his comprehension. The more he tried to ignore it, the worse it got

“I agree with Zenapharr,” the others saw Alice chime in with wide eyes. “There’s something here.”

“You mean...there’s another person here?” Sade looked over and put his hand to his hilt.

“It’s difficult to say. All I know is it’s dark.”

“Perhaps that Vera wizard has conjured some spell or dark force. Aegis, is there anything you can do?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but we could perform a rite of protection. It essentially invigorates you, helps keep negative forces away.”

“Sounds good enough to me,” Sade agreed.

“Done. The way to the address is simple but, there is no known establishment out there. I can only guess there’s an underground facility of some sort.”

“Just point us in the right direction, we’ll figure it out.”

“Alright then. I’ll get my crew together and we can perform the rite to help you along your way.”

Aegis led them out into the cathedral near the altar, where he was able to usher in all his clergy. The monks formed a circle, to which the trio was the subject in the middle. It was dark, as the only light was from the circle of candles around them. At this moment, Zenapharr felt more unease than ever.

Aegis held an adorned crucifix and began the incantation, followed by the words of the monks. At first, the three kept their eyes closed but Zenapharr soon opened his out of some unknown paranoia. His odd feeling was confirmed when he noticed all the monks had a white candle in front of them except for one.

Acting on pure instinct, Zenapharr began to draw his sword. Aegis broke the circle and joined Zenapharr, noticing the monk seemed to be more covered than the rest.

“Why is your candle out?” Aegis spoke firmly, and the other monks immediately stopped. The monk said nothing, and took three slow steps out of the circle and further into the dark.

“Father asked you a question.” A nearby monk stated, and went to grab the monk but seemed to miss. The monk then knelt down and spun around to face the group, a look of astonishment on his face as he now held the robes.

“What?” The monk inspected the robe, and found a speckle of blood on it. Everyone watched in deathly silence as the monk turned back to the area where the odd monk was.

“Hello?” He stated, and stepped partially in the darkness before he was suddenly jerked away from the group and lost from sight. A second went by in horrible silence, and was soon pierced by screams of the monk, followed by tearing noise. It was soon followed by a thump and everyone yelped as a dismembered arm was thrown into the candle-lit area.

“Heavens above….” Aegis mumbled, looking completely stumped

The other monks gasped in wide-eyed terror, and one of them fell to the floor and was dragged away by some unseen force. After another quick moment of bloodcurdling screams, the light close to the monk was suddenly blown out.

“Stay close to the light!” Aegis ordered, his voice teeming with alarm. The group huddled together, trying to mark their unseen foe. Even with his keen eyes, Zenapharr was unable to track the unearthly being. Every once in a while, he seemed to catch a slightly darker shadow within the dim light, but it was so subtle he wasn’t sure if he was seeing things or not.

Another monk was soon pulled into the dark with a cry of terror, and Zenapharr tried to recall the utterings of a light spell. He kept trying to remember, but it felt like something was blocking his memory. Then, at some point he caught a quick glance at the creature.

Once his eyes registered what he was seeing, he realized he was looking at a shadow being. A fire spell often worked with these types, and if anything would afford them the ability to see it. Yet whenever he tried to think of one, some sort of mental block kept him from remembering the incantation.

Zenapharr shared this thought with Aegis, who quickly produced a white stone and whispered something under his breath. After a moment, a bright light generated from the stone, illuminating in a five foot radius. The creature uttered a hiss, as he was briefly exposed and retreated back into the shadows.

“It’s a Shade…” Aegis whispered, his pupils dilating.

“What is that?”

“Dark, foul creatures not of this world….and not easily defeated.”

“So how do we kill it?” Zenapharr demanded, his sword extended in front of him.

”You don’t, exactly. They’re not living or dead, never having been human. I’ve only known people to fend them off or send them back to their world.”

“How do we do that?”

“With preparation…nothing we have time for now. Whatever you do, don’t let it grab you...lest you become of them.”

Another candle was snuffed out, and a shriek was heard by another of the clergymen. One of the monks clawed his way past the others, trying to squeeze into the bright light of Aegi’s stone. Before he made it, he was hurled out into the darkness. As the sound of his body smacked against stone, a slithery noise that sounded like a snake laughing echoed through the cathedral hall.

“You think killing people’s funny, Shade? What do you want?”

“I’m here for thosssse that ssssought your knowledge, priest” an unseen voice replied. The words of the being chilled them to the bone, even Zenapharr. It said the word “priest” in a cutting sarcasm, only emphasized more by the acidic quality of its tone.

“I’m here for their headssss. If you would allow me eassssier passssage, then I may sssspare yoursss.”

“Is that so?” Aegis said with confidence. Sade thought this at first was to stand firm, but he caught a look of genuine consideration play across the faux-priest’s face.

“Aegis? Are you really…..”

“Will you promise me, Shade? I make no deals that have no merit.”

“Aegis, you bastard.” Zenapharr gritted, and prepared himself to strike. “ I knew I couldn’t trust you.”

“Ahhh, ahhh ahhh…” Aegis jeered as he whirled around, aiming his pistol at Alice’s head. “I‘m sorry but…it’s the only way.”

Aegis slowly backed away from them. Now the trio was surrounded in near pitch black. The Shade could approach them from any direction and they wouldn’t see it coming.

“Leave us alone!” Alice cried out of nowhere, making everyone jump. She had been so quiet the whole time, it caught them off guard.

“In Alice’s mind, she traveled in the dark and found the mind of the Shade. Entering it, she was immediately frozen. Instead of the usual sense of thought and emotion, there was only an empty void. She saw nothing but an inky blackness, which then began pulling her in. The thoughts then became exactly what she felt, an empty void of nothingness.

“Parlor trickssss, little girl? Hehehee.” The Shade cackled.

“Alice…don’t…” Zenapharr pleaded.

“Didn’t you learn from adultssss never to play with fire? Becausssse when you do, you alwayssss….get…burned.” Alice began feeling an intense fear she had never known. It paralyzed her, turning her skin a ghastly white. The girl went limp, falling to the wooden floor with her eyes blank and mouth gaping wide.

“Alice!” Zenapharr felt his own fear clutching his heart, dropping his sword to cradle her in his arms. The words fell deaf on her ears, as she was now a million miles away. The hissing cackle resounded again, and for the first time they got a really good look at the shadow being. It stepped past the nearby glow of Aegis’ stone, the outline visible from it combined with the light of the few remaining candles.

It was unnaturally tall and lanky, the hooked fingers stained red with the blood of the monks. The first thing that struck Sade was the thin slits of negative space where the creature’s eyes should have been. Yet, he felt the eyes boring into him and draining his will. He wanted so badly to pull his gun, take out his sword, do something…but all he did was stare.

The three remaining monks had fled, yet no one took notice as their only focus was this hideous thing that had only one agenda on its cruel mind. Zenapharr was completely oblivious as he held Alice, trying to revive her but having no such luck.

“Eassssy prey…..” The thing hissed. It stopped, then pointed its curved finger to Sade, then to Zenapharr, and to Alice, and back again, miming as if he would say

“Eeny….meeny….miney….”

Sade could already see it would end on Alice, and instinctively fired a shot from his revolver. In a split second, the bullet harmlessly pierced through the static darkness of the Shade’s body. The thing snapped its head toward Sade and wagged a finger before it closed in on him.

Sade fired off four more shots mindlessly, right before he shouted at himself to stop firing. He now had only one round left, but as bad as he wanted to empty the chamber he knew it would do no good. The creature’s clawed hand wrapped around Sade’s throat and lifted him off his feet as if he were a ragdoll. The strength of the creature was uncanny, and he was completely at its mercy.

“Die..…” The thing whispered, and tightened its grip. Air began leaving Sade’s lungs and he felt it would crush him before he was choked to death. Then, everything changed with a succession of three sounds.

The first was of shattered glass, the second was a chemical-like hissing. The third sound was the longest, a horrible shriek from the Shade, ear-splitting and full of fury and vengeance. It curdled his blood to hear, and he would almost welcome death over hearing it again. The dark creature dropped Sade to the floor and staggered away. Smoke plumed from its body and it writhed as if in pain. Aegis stood with a determined glance with something in his hand, and Sade only hoped it was more of what was just used.

“By the way, I was legitimately ordained so that holy water is tearing your wretched body apart, you filth.” The adventurer cocked his arm back and locked his eyes on the dark being that still clutched at its decomposing body.

I’ve got one more for you. Perhaps we….” But the priest’s words were cut off by the Shade rushing him. Still gasping for air, Sade watched hopelessly as the dark being plunged its clawed hand into Aegis’ stomach, and the sight of Aegis’ bulging eyes told him everything. The bottle of sacred water fell out of Aegis’ hand and smashed to the floor.

“Nooo…” Sade tried to cry out, but was choked out by his lack of breath. It was then that the Shade turned to Zenapharr, who was still a helpless mess. No resistance was given with the Seraphim only concerned with Alice’s well-being.

As the oxygen returned to Sade, he got an idea, but he knew he had to be quick as the creature already had its hand on Zenapharr. His eyes scanned the dimly lit area, and was able to find his mark.

“Pathetic….” The Shade jaunted, wrapping its shadowy hand around Zenapharr’s head. More darkness spread from its body and began to cover the half-elf, making its way to his chest. Soon, he felt the dank coldness inside him and it almost felt like an icy hand was grabbing his heart. Before long the darkness would fully envelope him.

“Do you hear the Darkness calling, Sssseraphim? I can ssssee into you, like no otherssss can. I’ve waited soooo long to ssspeak to all of you. We have much to dissscusssss.” Like Alice, the far corners of Zenapharr’s mind were soon filled with an inky void of hatred and malice. “That’sssss good. All of you will make an exccccelent addition. Your kind alwaysssss wassss.”

Suddenly, out of the darkness of the half-elf’s mind, he heard the Voice once again. With it, he felt his blood pumping and a fire igniting within his veins.

“Hatred of all else….end of the beginning…one and many…insight in dream….nightfall.”

The words and pulsing of his blood somehow pushed the Dark away, and while he didn’t fully comprehend, he knew something within him was fighting back.

”Alwaysssss sssso ssstubborn,” The Shade spoke aloud now with intense spite.

As this was happening, Sade limped over to the baptismal pool. He practically fell in trying to kneel down, his face grazing the surface. The cool water refreshed him, and he reached into his scabbard for his sword. Keeping one eye on Zenapharr, he unsheathed his sword and proceeded to dip the blade into the waters. It took only a moment, but time stood still as he watched his dear friend being swallowed by the dark matter.

It was in this moment that Zenapharr began thrashing, and he knew that there wouldn’t be enough time to save his friend before he became one of Them. Righting himself into a sitting position, he fumbled out his gun and pushed the cylinder out. Hands shaking, he turned out the last remaining bullet into his palm, but it slipped and fell into the pool.

“Forgive me if he dies for my blunder,” he pleaded as he desperately clawed around the pool for the bullet. Surprisingly, the sloshing sound did not attract the Shade’s attention and he hoped it stayed that way. He witnessed Zenapharr’s twitching increasing, and just as he thought he’d lost it completely, he felt metal on his fingertips. Praying that his idea would work, he thumbed the bullet into the cylinder and lined it up properly.

Hands still trembling from the deepset fear and cold, he braced his wrist with his other hand and took aim. Even then, he felt unsure he would find his mark. He began to recite any passages to soothe his nerves.

“I shall fear not, for You are with me. The wicked will not oppress, for with your strong arm you will scattered your enemies...”

At this, his hand steadied and so he held his breath and squeezed the trigger. The report rang loud, reverberating from the strong acoustics of the cathedral. It was enough to make him drop the gun and put his hands to his ears, yet as he looked back up his hope was renewed. The dark membranous material that covered Zenapharr was recoiling, and the Shade clutched its side and screamed in utter disdain.

This motivated Sade off of his feet and he snatched up his sword as he sprinted towards the unholy creature. A fear begin to creep into his gut as he closed the distance, but the sight of his wounded allies pushed him on. Zenapharr lay still, and Sade hoped there was still time to save him from the evil works the Shade had done to him.

The bullet was lodged into the shadow being and it stumbled to one knee as Sade reached it. It said nothing, only hissing softly in a rhythmic pattern, which seemed to be labored breathing. Within reach, the Shade lunged at Sade but was met with a blade with anointing. This time, the Shade fell over onto its back. The same wispy smoke from the holy water Aegis used emanated from its newfound wounds.

Sade stood over the vile being and raised his sword above his head, continuing his passage recital.

“...and in His strength, I shall crush my foes before Him.”

In a bittersweet silence, the creature looked back up at Sade. He swore that in the space of its eyes the Shade seemed to plead for mercy, but Sade had none for it.

With a hard swing, Sade sliced the unholy thing’s head clean from its body. Black smoke erupted from the being’s entire body, and in moments the Shade completely dissipated. In a dull clatter, Sade dropped the sword and fell to a sitting position. His heart rate began to finally resume its normalcy.

Sade witnessed Zenapharr sit up and gasp air as if recovering from a near drowning. They both looked at each other, and took in the chaos of events that unfolded around them.

“You….you killed it?” Zenapharr fumbled the words. His wide-eyes displayed his honest disbelief, though it was unclear if this was from still being alive or the shadow creature being dispatched.

“I, I think so. Although, Aegis said they can’t be killed. Technically, anyway.”

“Either way, it’s gone. Looks like you’ve been practicing your shooting.”

“Practicing? That’s the first time I’ve used a gun in years.”

At this, there was an awkward pause and the two started into fits of laughter mixed with the sense of relief. As the monks rushed in to aid the four, Zenapharr continued to mull over the information given by the Shade.

What was to become of him, and why did he react the way he did to the Darkness overtaking him? Did the evil of the Shade revive something else dark within him? Only time would tell, but some primitive sense deep within him told him that time would no longer be on his side...