A Collection of Short Works Book 2

By Dawn M Hyde

A collection of short stories inspired by random photographs sent to me.  I also incorporate some history and even great tales told in a very different way.

Illustrations used in book and their sources are listed with the stories they inspired. 

Any other information utilized also cited with its story where applicable.

The following works are my own interpretation of personal events or experiences, and/or visual perceptions.  My writing is to express my own thoughts, ideas, and perspectives.

I have no intentions of distracting from other artists works. 

It is not my intent to misinform or discount historical events, cultural teachings, or other's beliefs. 

I am trying to embrace what is available for me to learn today and creatively apply it to my life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn M Hyde
• Release date: Aug 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386637868

Dawn M Hyde

I am an Independant Author from Oregon.  Writing had been a very secret passion of mine for years until I began publishing not so long ago. My scenery, life, and beautiful family are my inspiration to finally share my work passion with the world.   My Latest Project of 2018 **From Legacy to the Evolution of The Relic Records--The Beginning Book 1 (An Evolution & Legacy of Ash Spin-off Series) **The Relic Records--Is This The End...Really? Book 2   **The Relic Records--About The Dog! Book 3 **The Relic Records--TBA  Book 4( Under Construction) *****Previous Publications Now E-Book Exclusive***** * Symbolic Bonds: Books 1 thru 4 (Smash-up)      *The Immortal Chronicles of Queen Kyra Trilogy (Smash-up) *Woods Duo (Smash-up) *A Collection of Short Works *A Collection of Short Works Book 2 *The Sisters Series:  The Choosing and The Claiming. *****My Books Available Both in e-book and paperback:***** * Symbolic Bonds: Books 1 thru 4       *The Immortal Chronicles of Queen Kyra Trilogy: Loss, Fulfillment, and Ever After *In The Woods--Bonus Prequels (Inspired by The Cabin in the Woods from above collection) *Out Of The Woods--Follow-up novella to In The Woods   **Ash:  The Beginning--The Complete and Uncut Prequel** **A Whole New World--Evolution & The Legacy of Ash: Book 1** **The Enemy of Thine Enemy...Is My Friend--Evolution & The Legacy of Ash: Book 2** **What Lurks At Home--Evolution & The Legacy of Ash: Book 3** **Ash:  Our Evolution and Legacy--The Complete and Uncut Epilogue** ***Karelia's Hidden Lily **My Super-Unnatural Spring Break A High-Witch's Guide: To The WTF Moments Of The Universe Book 1 **So…This Is The Other Realm…Intersesting A High-Witch's Guide: To The WTF Moments Of The Universe Book 2

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The Place We Call Home

Photographic inspiration found

at Pixabay.com

C:\Users\Dawn Hyde\Desktop\abandoned-1780556_1920.jpgC:\Users\Dawn Hyde\Desktop\window-879713_1920.jpg

It seems as only yesterday these halls were filled with our laughter.  It wasn’t the saddest of worlds for those of us that made this home.  To the town below...this was a grand school...but we knew what we were.  The orphaned.  The abandoned.  Left up for grabs to the childless or stuck here forever.

I never knew if this was state run or who owned it outright.  I do remember the sour faced lady that ran this place.  About as comfortable to be around as Hitler and she was just as strict.  She was here before me and ran this place into the ground in just the few years I stayed.  By then I was old enough to be sent to another school where I worked and learned job skills.

I remember so many times...watching out this window.  Cars would come in...and someone I knew would be leaving.  Yet, here I sat...for a long time with that hope.  The hope one day I’d be home again.  It wouldn’t be as with my parents.  Nevertheless, still a place to call home.

Then one day I watched in tears through this very window, my best friend since the day I had arrived had found a home.  That wasn’t supposed to happen. 

We had a deal...this was home until we were old enough to leave.  Then we’d go into this world grown and together.  The only family we really knew.  We had so many hopes and dreams.  How was it so easy for her to leave that behind...me?

I vowed that day I was spending no more time by that window.  I didn’t care about the cars coming in and out.  After a point, I didn’t care about the people who came and went either.  I remember taking a sewing class just to make curtains to hide that hideous window I had grown to despise. 

I think that was when part of me fractured and that piece always remained...home.  A part of me beyond anything residual.  It’s not a faint laugh of a child you hear in your ear when others can’t.  I only show myself in other ways.

My favorite is the geared up teams of investigators they send in demanding parlor tricks for their cameras.  At first, I was insulted by their behavior, demanding things of me in my home.  Although in time, just as over the years my anger and bitterness grew, scaring them with what they want is growing on me as well.

This place has changed hands numerous times over the years.  I have watched and listened very carefully.  We’ve sent strong men running screaming in broad daylight when they’ve tried to destroy our home more than its ruins that stand today.  With their loud equipment and tearing into everything without a care.  Such disrespect for those who still call this home.

When I say ‘we’, I mean the children and myself.  Those that came before me and ones I remember from my stay.  Each of our fractured pieces projecting as whatever form we choose.  Mostly the others prefer to show themselves as the children they once were. 

I however have taken over for that sour faced Head Mistress.  I am the new protector...the proud den mother of this group.  I left this life behind me long ago...so I remained the adult I grew into.  The one woman who put herself through college before getting married and having a family.  An age I was very proud of myself.

We have a couple dark ones that have been observing for quite some time.  Trying to trick the children into allowing them in.  I’ve denied them entrance into this school numerous times.  So we designed a treaty.  We stay in here and they can greet the guests for us when they come to demand more than we can show them.

I really shouldn’t say ‘can’ show them.  There is a big difference between ‘can’ and ‘will’.  I refuse to let them exploit the children so I always make them hide if these teams make it passed the dark ones outside.  On occasion, I have heard them catch something from one of the children...but I don’t fault the children.  They are curious, just as these people that barge into our space.

That’s what I do today by this same window.  I stand guard.  I watch.  I keep the dark ones back and our home safe.  I keep watch of the children.  I keep my eyes out for the next vehicles to pull into the drive. 

These vehicles may not be leaving with anyone.  None of these groups that have helped themselves to peek into every corner of our space has yet to try to send us off.  As long as we remain quiet while they’re here. 

I always call out to the children as I watch them leave appearing defeated they didn’t capture what they wanted.  I let the children run about and be as they were before we were so rudely interrupted.

There was one group.  That gentleman got rather rude.  He even used the word ‘command’ to us.  Towards my children.  Some leave toys or trinkets for the kids to play with just to be shocked if it’s actually touched.  But this man was demanding they show themselves. 

I hid the children in the attic under strict orders to not move until I called.  I gave that entire team a good scare sending them to investigate the outdoors. 

They made the mistake of ‘commanding’ the darks ones in the small graveyard in the back hidden behind the school.  I didn’t see the dark ones for some time.  I think they followed them home to ensure they wouldn’t desire to return.

I can remember much of my life.  From time to time, I have opportunity to peek in on my family and see how everyone turned out.  Seeing new generations coming into the world and greeting others joining the other me on this side.  The mother and even grandmother in some cases to those crossing over now.

However, this part of me...I remain home.  As I considered this years ago.  Making the best out of a dire situation.  Just as now...I make the best of this afterlife as I can.  I knew in life I was broken, but I believe there was a reason for everything.  This piece remained to protect others like me.

These children.  The orphaned.  The abandoned.  The children that only wanted a home.  That is my job I will forever take seriously...to protect our home and those in it.

The Long Walk Home

Photographic inspiration found

at Pixabay.com

A special thanks to Craig Meichtry for sending me this!

I was told about coming up here.  Time after time, my mother warned me to never cut through the woods to get home.  Especially after dark!  She never told me why, but it had to have been something rather frightening for her to mention it. 

Quite possibly she was just worried I might get lost when I was younger.

As I reach the tree line, I notice how quiet and still everything is just feet away inside these woods.  It is dark after all, not many creatures to scurry about as in the day.  It’s near curfew, which is the only reason I’m using this shortcut anyway. 

That and I wasn’t supposed to be hanging out with Tommy on his motorcycle after the game.  Oh well...what mommy dearest doesn’t know won’t hurt her one bit.

I check the time on my phone one last time before stuffing it in my pocket.  I needed to get my bearings so I can run straight through, across the field, and I skate in the door with minutes to spare...no questions asked.

Unfortunately for me, not spending much time back here, I’m not quite familiar with the best direction to go.

I huff frustrated looking around to see if I can spot that big yard light from the house.  I just have to run straight to it and I’m in.  These woods are so dark and dense I can’t see my house at all.

I need to just suck it up and walk through...or run...either way time is ticking.  I know my mom’s already watching the clock and probably counting down the seconds just to ground me when I walk through the door. 

Ugh!  Ok...I’m going in.

I tug my phone out of my pocket to use the flashlight since I’m tripping and stumbling over everything as my eyes can’t adjust to the darkness.  I had walked for near a minute when my light shines across what appears to be a well-travelled path. 

Ok...that’s weird.  Why would this be here if none of us uses this part of the property at all?

Of course my curiosity took over and I had to follow it.  Maybe it’s something my parents had been maintaining so they have a secret spot to take a break when we kids aren’t home. 

Probably why mom never wanted me in the woods, I’d find their hiding spot.  She should come back here and smoke a fat one...maybe she’d get off my back once in a while.

Shining my light around me I try to keep a brisk pace.  I can’t hear crickets or those little chirping tree frogs as I always hear next to the house.  I hope the path isn’t going away from the house.  I stop to look around and from what I figure if anything the path parallels the property, so I should see that yard light soon. 

I haven’t seen any house lights at all these woods are so dark.  The trees dying back in the fall weather appearing as twisted skeletons surrounding me.  All providing still enough canopy I can’t see sky from here.  Leaves were crunching under my feet as I walked.  So loud my footfalls were echoing off the trees like others were out here marching with me, but I am alone.

It’s like the woods just swallowed me up.  Ok, I’m freaking myself out now.  Think Candace...I need to get home!

My eyes spring open wide as I finally see a light just ahead.  Bingo!  Home!  I took off running towards the light holding my cellphone up to illuminate my path.  But even as I pick up my pace that light seems to be getting farther away. 

I had to stop to look around because this can’t be right.  Those woods aren’t that big behind the house.  Long, but not real wide since they clear-cut the hill behind us to pay off the mortgage so dad could retire earlier than sixty something.

I step off the path a few feet in the direction I believe my house to be and see nothing.  I didn’t realize before that this was such a thick forest.  Apparently very easy to get lost, guess I know why mom warned me.

Yeah...she warned me about boys with bikes too, but I still see Tommy when she isn’t looking.  What can I say...a girl needs to have a little ‘candy’ of her own once in a while?

Taking in a breath I look to my phone.  I had to shake my head realizing I am so grounded when I get home, and mom’s going to pummel me with questions as soon as I get through the door. 

I take much longer I won’t need to worry about being grounded...she’ll just kill me.

I turn back to that path and decide to continue on just a little further.  I can always go back and take the long way.  Mom will freak...but I really don’t care right now.  I’m starting to get that eerie feeling being out here anyway.

I can still see that light just ahead of me on the path.  Although it seems to have moved closer than when I had tried to run to it.  I sigh heavily biting my lip and start walking towards it again.  This time, the light stayed in place, and soon I came across this little cabin I had no clue was there.

This is probably why mom told me to stay out of the woods.  We had a neighbor I didn’t even realize.  Well the porchlight is on...so I’m sure they’ll help me find my way out.  No one would leave a lost teenage girl alone in the woods right?

I slowly approach the front porch hoping someone is still up.  It’s not that late...but it is too late to be knocking on strangers doors.  I hesitate raising then pulling my hand back until I got the courage to knock on the door.  I tried not to knock too loud, as to startle anyone, but I really could use some help.

I glance over my shoulder towards the woods.  I shiver a little feeling as if something is watching me.  I know it can’t be someone.  I would have heard them, as loud as it was just me walking through on a flat clear path covered in leaves. 

I had stood for long enough on the porch to try knocking again.  I haven’t seen any lights come on so maybe they’re just asleep.  Or severely hard of hearing.  I still waited hoping someone would come to the door, but I saw no one. 

That weird feeling is starting to get stronger.  Maybe I’m just freaking myself out since I haven’t been back here before.  I just need to get home.

I step carefully back down the worn porch steps and move down the path blowing out a heavy breath as I slump my shoulders defeated.  Mom’s totally going to kill me.  I should just call her and tell her I’m stuck behind the house. 

Yeah...I can take being yelled at for that if she or dad comes to get me.

I start scrolling through my phone for the house contact and I’m stopped when I jerk my head back over my shoulder hearing this deafening shriek coming from near that cabin.  Instinct kicked in and I just started running.

I had been trying to call home, my flashlight no longer illuminating the path.  I trip, just catching the toe of my shoe, on a tree root sticking up from the path.  Falling...my cell phone flew out of my hand, and I heard it land in the brush somewhere. 

Shit!

I heard another screech pierce the night, my heart hammering in my chest.  Ok...screw the phone.  I jumped up and ran hearing something land in a tree near me as I squeal throwing my arms up over my head as instinct. 

WHOOOO!

I hear behind me in the tree, as I slow to a stop to catch my breath.  I place my hand over my heart, as it nearly explodes from my chest, and I start laughing.  Damn owl!  Scared me half to death.  I giggle shaking my head and turn around. 

I had managed to run farther than I thought.  There is no way I’ll find my cellphone now.

Puffing out a breathe, wiping the hair from my face, as I turn back to try to find my way out on this path.  My eyes finally adjusted just enough to manage as long as I walked slowly.  I don’t know how long that will last because I am still freaking out. 

I need to get out of these woods.

My head jerks and I stop midstride hearing leaves crunching just off to my left in the brush maybe ten-feet off the path.  I stop...it stopped.  I felt something watching me, but I saw nothing.  I couldn’t smell or hear anything at all.  It just vanished.

As soon as my breath sped up...my feet were moving.  Please let this be Tommy pranking me for not letting him drop me at the house.  He wasn’t happy about leaving me back here either, but I had assured him I’d be fine, and this way my mother wouldn’t complain.  Please don’t let me be wrong.

I never heard anything follow although I felt eyes on me from everywhere all of the sudden.  That’s when I hit the end of the path...just where I came in at.  I still had yards, all thick twisted brush to go until I was out, and I can’t remember which way I came.  It’s not as there’s streetlights out here.

I fumble my way around some trees looking up for sky.  If I find sky, I’m out of this canopy, and out of these woods.  The road is right there.  I could run to the Miller’s here and call my parents.  Mr. Miller would probably just run me home no matter the time.

I shiver contorting as I snake my way through the trees and foliage, as the woods seem to brighten a little.  Moonlight!  I pick up my pace feeling as if something is watching me from not so far away.  Eyes boring straight into my back.  Yet I had heard no other noise but my own.

This can’t be right.  It didn’t take me this long to walk in.  I’m pretty much running, and I see no road, or end to these woods.  Where’s all the houses?  The Miller place?  Where the hell am I?  I jerk my head back towards that path as I hear a screech cut through the night.  Hopefully from that owl again.  

Come to think of it...I never really saw it...I could just see a silhouette of something with wings land in the tree.  Ok...Jesus Candace...just go!   

I stopped only long enough to listen, to see if it had got food, or was following me out.  I heard something in the crunchy leaves still back in the direction the owl had landed near me in that tree.  I need to get moving again and fast. 

I’m over this whole thing.  I don’t care if my mom can’t see passed the motorcycle...Tommy is a great guy.  He rebuilt that bike with his dad, it has sentimental value...and I should have just let him take me home.  Oomph!

While I’m having my inner debate my foot finds the only hole I have passed yet...so of course, I fall tweaking my ankle.  Just as the wind is knocked from my lungs when I hit the ground on my side...I hear a shrill head-splitting shriek. 

This was too close to be that owl.  RUN!

I scramble to feet limping as I try to maneuver my way through the brush and I finally see stars above.  I was coughing and sputtering trying to catch my breath as I finally find the road.  I fell clutching my ankle in the middle of the road waving my arm as I see someone walking from the distance.

It was a feminine figure.  Although the closer she got, I began to get a strange feeling.  Not necessarily bad...just...this felt odd.

She was wearing a long flowing dress.  Tall, thin frame, and appeared not much older than my mom.  Long dark hair draped down near her elbows as she had her hands folded before her appearing to be holding something.  The way she walked...it was as if she glided just above the road.

She stopped her approach feet from me offering a soft smile.  Are you all right dear?

I eye her curiously, hesitant to respond.  I...uh...I tried to take a short cut home and got lost.  I fell and hurt my ankle.

She kneels down looking into my eyes offering her hands to me.  I see.  She opens her hands dropping my cellphone into my hand as I gasp looking up to her.  She tips her head to the side still smiling pleasantly.  Her demeanor was eerily soothing.

May I look at your ankle dear?  She offers her hand and I nod unsure what to say.  She gently places her hand over my ankle closing her eyes.  Her hand was so warm I could instantly feel my ankle stop throbbing. 

After a few more seconds she opens her eyes giving me a wide smile.  She raises a brow.  Young girl like you shouldn’t be wondering these woods at night.  Never know what you may run into out here.

I nod as she offers me her hands to help me stand and I can put weight on my ankle.  I smile looking to her face.  Thank you very much.  I don’t know what I was thinking.  Trying to meet curfew you know.  I giggle nervously as she leans back folding her hands before her. 

Next time...just let the boy take you home.  I raise my brows in surprise as she smiles bowing her head as she turns abruptly and walks away.

I call out to her waving my hand.  Thank you!  She offers a quick wave of one hand never looking back as she walks straight down towards the curve in the road going into those woods.  I hear a strange squawk sound and out of nowhere what appears to be an owl lands on her shoulder. 

Not much bigger than a barn owl actually. 

Wide-eyed I glance towards my phone clicking the side so it lights up.  Home was right there I just had to hit send.  I look back up...and she was gone.  I never heard her go into the brush or any footsteps down the road.

I hit send on my phone.  Hey mom!  Yeah, I know...please listen I need you to pick me up.  I promise I’ll tell you everything when you get here.

Watchers of the Universe

––––––––

Photographic inspiration found at

https://es.pinterest.com/pin/476044623086577077

A special thanks to Josh Hyde for sending me this!

––––––––

This battle has raged forth for what seems as days of continued attacks beginning when the watchers left the tower to alert us while we slept.  Attacks from the sea up the land towards the beacon we covet and try to hide from prying eyes.

Villagers forced to scramble...evacuating in the middle of the night while we warriors remained.  Sleeping children wailed while their parents tried to quiet them as we pushed them from their homes and down the mountain seeking safety in villages below.  They will know when it was time to return.  Our call will be heard.

We knew the direction the attacks were coming and sent our people the opposite way to not be caught upon approach.  The villagers stood to be harmed for something they have yet to know or understand.  What it is we hold so preciously on our lands.  A sacred place we are only able to protect now...for the future is foretold to be one of tragedy far more than triumph.

The reason we warriors stand guard day and night is not generally understood.  The villagers are grateful to have safe homes to live due to our diligence...yet little is known or questioned of our truth.  Why the seers sent us or why this village exists at all. 

None are to know we will not exist one day.  Not much will remain of what we called life.  Scraps discarded when time to flee has been reached.  That truth stamps out hope...shatters the light held in the beating hearts of our future warriors.  Our people.

One millennia from now our land will be scarred.  Blood spilt over time will seep down to feed the ungodliness below our feet.  Causing more sickness to rise that will one day take many of our people who may have lived on.  The leaders...the warriors...the guards to design the next millennia of service will never be.

The sickness will come in many forms at many times.  As birth pains...signs of what lie ahead.  Extinction. 

Our survival during those times will be our only triumphs.  Small in comparison to what the whole of the future holds.  However, our tragedy will greatly foreshadow any attempts at avoiding what was seen.  Annihilation. 

Extermination not caused by single human hands but a power far greater than can be seen with the naked eye.  That was foretold.  There is meaning to our work, yet it will stretch only so far.  A millennia is all we can afford and the future will fall to another. 

Nevertheless, we protect what is to remain.  We guard with our bodies as our only armor and souls as shields...a sealed portal...the light remaining in our lands...and the future watchers that shall protect it in our place. 

That is if they can avert current course the seers have outlined, causing a change in some event of the future, and create a new path for ours to follow.  That would be our true success in the future.  A future not in our hands, for our only purpose is to keep the beast at bay.  Stave it off as long as we can.  Although, a millennia will never be enough.

Large pits have been dug for the departed.  As each body is tossed in I can see...a future plagued by much of the same.  A warrior’s heart is not impervious.  Even our armor is penetrable.  Through duty we have an extended mortality although a humane heart still beats within us.

Seers had visions...tear filled eyes left to look on.  Those they loved are unceremonious heaped in with countless nameless others.  Images flooding one’s mind of the greedy beast feasting hungrily from the blood of our fallen.  Both the seers blessing...and their curse to provide warning as the only prevention.

We warriors forced to hear the guttural screams of anguish as entire families lost.  Our hearts left to feel the pain of the men and women next to us unable to have saved their own.  That is our curse...our battles only obstacles to fill the void in time.

Not all that is told to befall our land will be war.  Since our portal to the gods was sealed only the light we hold remains.  In the people, what resonates from the land until that energy either depleted or smothered, and in the watchers selected to stand guard. 

That is until the beast has his fill.  Reaching with the strength of thousands leading only to gluttony never meant to exist.  We will not be entirely erased.  Our history may someday be well known...

Or not. 

What we leave behind will only draw in more with no shield.  No watchers left to guard.  Curious onlookers unwittingly will feed the beast.  Speculative creatures seeking our story yet leave without a concern once pictures are taken and their inquisitiveness satiated. 

Not a care to those of us standing here now...in the throes of battle.  What these future creatures seek...lore.  Simple stories or the mystique offered for their eyes to behold.  What light remains once we are long gone?  As the last of the watchers leave...our secret carried within...and all that shall be left is speculation.  That is what the future holds.

All to remain of us...lore...not factual legend.  Although both imply having some roots in truth...no one will care.  Our story long forgotten or changed by the tongue of the teller for embellishment.  A sales pitch to keep our one-day ruins flooded with others that shouldn’t be here.  It is the beast who calls to them...to feed.

Gods have mercy on the fools that shall never know...truth.

The last of the villagers had made it out long before the demons disguised in human flesh appeared.  We are not the only watchers...warriors they seek.  There exist others fighting in many lands armed with the same charge as we.  Protect the heavens from being flooded by darkness, only knowing to starve the beast banished to a realm beyond.  We reside between the light and the dark...between those veils.

With one veil closed, our access to light removed, and our only weapon remains stored in those here.  The yet to be drawn light in the land fractional replenished by what the light between the sun’s rise and fall.  The brilliant hearts of our people we guard.  The light allows us to charge forth into battle undaunted.  Our goal simply holding that darkness back for as long as we have.

One day that charge shall be on another’s shoulders so long as darkness not be allowed to extinguish this light.  The torches provided us by the gods themselves to illuminate our path guiding us hopefully to other prepared and worthy hands.  That future has yet to be seen by gifted eyes.

Nevertheless, our fight continues.

Bodies falling as blades clash.  Many will be mere shells of what those demons stole to attack us here.  Their light extinguished by removing their host.  The villagers gone...the demons have nowhere left to hide.  For tonight we force that darkness into retreat or death.  Our future warriors and selves safe...for now.

Our time on this earth near its end we few watchers remain.  That is all we have been forced to do with so few of us left.  We have watched the ruin our once bountiful lands offered. 

Our people have come and gone leaving as foretold to us...scraps...to intrigue those who do not care enough to take our swords and battle forth. 

Our torches near extinguished only providing enough light to sit, watch, and hope...others like us will come.  Take our charge battling the darkness back at its own door.  Nailing that veil shut to prolong the inevitable.  The day when darkness will quash the light.

I rub my hand down my time and battle worn face counting the days until it is our time to move on.  Our tasks completed to the best of our abilities.  Our fates now sealed and left in the hands of those that removed the light from us to forge ahead.  Left us to watch, battle, and survive alone.

My faith tested many times over my long life.  Many times I shook my fists to the heavens seemingly wailing upon deaf ears...my only question...why?  I never questioned why us.  However, why were we chosen to protect what was foretold to be lost no matter how long we keep evil at bay?  Why did we fight so hard for what we knew was doomed to fail?

Or was it?

Our people’s history erased...leaving gaps centuries wide...until the plagues came.  More pits dug.  More nameless faces tossed in and buried in mass.  Tears of anguish now sealing in the blood soaked ground upon our lands though none of our doing.  Just more food for the beast, thickening its woven blanket of darkness we will soon be swaddled.

However, we lived on...we wait for another light...to fix our torches and move forward for us.  Our last bits of life as watchers...warriors...we spent doing exactly that...watching. 

Our hands bound by the fates allowing us only few acts of preventions.  Not all can be solved with a sword in hand or slinging of ancient words invoking the help of the gods.  Divine intervention shows itself in mysterious ways. 

That may be what delivered us here today.  Divine inspiration provided the seers enough for us to keep the world intact.  Land etched with scars of pain...fathomless fissures of anguish...making room for new. 

Quite possibly that was our charge from the beginning.  Not only protecting the lit path ahead...but protecting a future path with choices all its own.  A path where light or dark in no longer the question...it is the willingness to accept both...and to live on.

I have grown too old and weary to see beyond the itinerary I was passed when my journey began.  I cannot understand the world as it stands today. 

Anger floods me at the sight as barely covered feet trampling over those I fought valiantly to protect.  Further forcing what was once ours downward...towards the belly of the beast.  Crushing what proof remained that at one time we ever existed.

Instead of taking turns at watch from our tower, awaiting hordes of those darkened souls to die by our angelic blessed blades...we watch the humans.  Both good or not and still our hands tied. 

Prevention and protection no longer in our hands as evil has taken a new form.  There are odd singular incidents in our once sacred space.  Evil seeds planted in humans forcing its will upon the innocent who walk alone.  Single seeds far stronger than the swarms we once battled. 

My brethren and I forced to watch heinous acts of one human upon another.  No truthful explanation...only scraps...that may lead to the answer of the question ‘why’.  We have come to believe many humans don’t even care if that question gets an answer.  Satisfied with only finding the ‘who’ and the ‘how’.

We can see beyond that.  A far larger picture than humans can ever grasp.  We watch those ‘who’ perpetrate the evil we vowed with our souls to starve away. 

To our eyes the ‘how’ these acts are carried out is evident.  The ‘who’ involved are not necessarily ever held accountable and can be considered innocent hosts unless they themselves had already coveted darkness in their own hearts. 

However, what separates us from the humans...we know there is a ‘why’...and that is darkness grasping at another finger hold closer to extinction...annihilation of all light left.

My brethren and I stay in our tower continuing our observations as we have the past millennia.  There is not much left for us to do.  We had few tools that worked for the tactics employed...for a time. 

However, it is unfortunate, but times and the game has changed.  Those provided the tools to carry on our fight...never came...but still we wait.  Haggard and sluggish...we wait with hope-filled hearts.  How much longer must we wait?

Days had passed and we grew more tired...weak as we watched the world go on around us.  Our torches dimming more and more with each passing sunset, as even that light never enough to fully recharge what has been drained or stolen by the dark.

We had heard the calling.  My brethren and I will be returning home soon. 

The passing millennia, the centuries of war had caused our bodies to become frail, and exhausted nearly beyond recognition.  With no one to lead the