Baelki: A Triumphant Mourning

By Michelle Young

Mankind and Elven kind are at war one with another ever since the Eleven-Thousand-Year war that tore the earth asunder and left the landscape charred and bloodied. Thaddeos Bolnor has plans to blend the mixture of man and elf and create an abomination geared entirely for destroying the last of the elven leadership. Betwixt torn landscapes, blood stained rivers, unlivable conditions on earth the elves watch from above on the Islands now magicked above the plains. Their ever watching eye keeping a strict thumb on any other creature that posses the world of Anrean. The Elves consider themselves the protectors of the void created between man and elf, or in their native tongue Baelki.

You follow many throughout the journey, from the Creatures made by Thaddeos's hand to the leadership of men. The story has pain, suffering, escape, fear, death, pain, and love. There are so many twists and turns to be had and many other books in the series are to come!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Young
• Release date: Sep 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463750063

Book preview

Baelki

A Triumphant Mourning

By Michelle Young

A Triumphant Mourning

By Michelle Young

Copyright 2018 Michelle Young

Smashwords Edition

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – A Frozen Morning

Chapter 2 – Plots Against the Fearless

Chapter 3 – Darkness Closing

Chapter 4 – Nectar of the Gods

Chapter 5 – A Battle Cry’s Lament

Chapter 6 – Lanterns in the Night

Chapter 7 – Blackened to Ash

Chapter 8 – Unfamiliarity

Chapter 9 – Warm Embrace

Chapter 10 – Unknown Losses

Chapter 11 – City of Abundance

Chapter 12 – Collapsed into Darkness

Chapter 13 – Hunting the Hunters

Chapter 14 – Ash Rises

Chapter 15 – A Frozen Calm

Chapter 16 – Visions

Chapter 17 – Freedom Stands Far

Chapter 18 – Madness

Chapter 19 – A New Home

Chapter 20 – A Simple Request

Chapter 21 – Ocean’s View

Chapter 22 – Judgement

Chapter 23 – Services Abound

Chapter 24 – Empty Sea

Chapter 25 – Threat of Death

Chapter 26 – Familiarity

Chapter 27 – The Earth’s Children

Chapter 28 – Darkness Consuming

Prologue

Summer breezes filled the landscapes that rolled across the hills of Abburth. Thaddeos Bolnor swept his dirty matted hair across his forehead. The weather grew so hot that sweat dripped from every inch of his face. How much he hated the idea of having to travel cross country by animal back. He tried to convince the dwarves to aid him by creating a machine that could carry him through the air rather than having to wade through bogs or evade mountains. The council must have found humor by making him travel the farthest to this meeting. He hated having to uproot himself to go to a meeting that had little to no importance to him because they couldn't care less about the Earth Clan's contribution or ideas. He would rather be doing research or expanding on his abilities. Every time he intended to better humankind, the other members of the council would deny him by a general vote. They felt that his methods were unconventional. That he was nothing more than a cheap hack, who tried to con his way through life. To some aspect they were right, but he felt himself to be a talented man. Tad made it to where he was by clipping a few loose ends and cheating his way to victory. As the thought brushed his mind, a greasy smiled curled at the corners of his lips. As he did so, he was reminded of the sweat beading on his forehead, and he quickly wiped his mouth against the back of his hand.

Tad started out in disbelief at how little distance he had made on his journey thus far. The trip north to Claddath was only a few miles away from the Capital city of Abburth in the Earth Clan, but it was clean and well-kept by his citizens. Pride made him puff up his chest as he rode through the streets. He looked at some of the shop windows he passed and caught a reflection of himself. He could feel the eerie sense that one day this city would be changed by his hand; the question was when and how. Of course, he was the leader of the land, but one day he planned on becoming a God to the citizens below his sturdy grip.

He had been working on a new project, attempting to play the role of a creator. The architect of lives was soon to be breached by his hand. He would be the one that people would soon be praying to. Gods amongst men did exist thousands of years ago; as fables and tales that were passed down from father to child for centuries. Tad one day will be more than just a fable passed down, but a truth and an idea. He wouldn’t rely on children’s stories to immortalize him. He would immortalize himself by becoming the supreme power that fixed their corrupted world. He would be the one to destroy the evil creatures that stood On High and frowned down upon the world with a mighty thumb. He would be the one to seek revenge for the entire populous.

His creation could be seen as an abomination. That was his entire purpose. He would create something that would horrify and shock people. He would be the wielder of a unique terrifying army that would be unstoppable. He planned on bringing people to their knees before him with the mighty stroke of the sword. He didn’t care if the person lived to see another day and promised to serve him, or if they were brought to their knees by a sword piercing their flesh to bring them to an untimely demise. This council joins annually together to ridicule each other and boast about their own triumphs in the previous year. They prided themselves as though they were better than one another. Tad understood the purpose of this united council. The elves tried to limit the humans by tainting their magic. They blocked and segmented human potential by only allowing them to utilize one element of magic. The Elves claimed it was for their own good, but no one could see how they were benefiting. Humans had to cleanse the earth to try and survive. The war that lasted eleven thousand years came to a halting bloody end that corrupted and destroyed Arnea’s beauty. The council formed to salvage what was left of the human race.

Tad spat as he felt his mouth drying in an attempt to remove the crusty feeling from the back of his throat. Saliva caked at the corners of his mouth, and he wiped ferociously at his lips to rid himself of the sensation. He hated leaving his beautiful stone halls. They were well formed, smooth to the fingers touch. Earth magic allowed him to compress sand and stone with ease. Their cities, though erected entirely from stone, were produced in less than twenty years. Tad wasn’t amongst the original survivors from the eleven-thousand-year war, his grandfather was though. A man tougher than any rock Tad had ever encountered himself. With a strict way of life, Tad was raised by both his mother and grandfather. His father died when Thaddeos was a young child by the hand of an unruly elf. They were evil beings who thought themselves better than everyone. Tad one day would exact revenge. He one day would be able to dethrone the self-appointed beasts that claimed their lands. One day would take their throne and be an immortal figure of these lands.

The city was alive as Tad rode through the streets. The peasants gathered along the edges of the cobbled path to wave their leader farewell. They were a proud and noble people. Soldiers held the line as the citizens tried to push forward to touch but only a shoe of their leader. Tad glanced around, keeping himself composed. He detested them. They were below him, and he had much more to give to the world than they would ever surmount to. He could see the excited faces of women who had broken into tears just by seeing his face; they tried to hurl themselves at him. He would catch the occasional glimpse of a woman's bare flesh as she cried out his name. He chuckled to himself. A few years ago, these people wouldn't even try to talk to him, and now they already worshiped him. His power was far greater than anyone else. Each element has a soul shard, an element that drives it to exist. Tad was leader because he understood and could do anything with his ability of manipulating the earth to do as he willed. It was that complete control that made him feel Godlike. He could never manipulate the followers to do as he would like as he could the rocks and mountains. It didn’t matter to him though. These people already did as he commanded by their own will, so he didn't have a need to flex his power of the throne. He raised his hand and waved to the crying audience that amassed at the gates of his city. To Tad it was a glorious sight. So many lived, so one day he could kill them to achieve glory.

After two weeks of being on the uneven path that connected city to city, the journey began to wear Tad down. He disliked the appearance of the blood colored water, and the grey brown grass that spurted randomly throughout the hill side. It had been tainted by the breaking after the eleven-thousand-year war. A plague that scarred the earth. His grandfather could only remember bits and pieces of the war that was waged between man and elf. Elves and humans were once willing to work with each other to help create a world of peace and harmony. Humans then were sheltered from magic for their protection as the elves called it. Humans felt squandered by the race and felt they deserved to wield powers as the elves did. Soon the Elven council stood together and created a way for the humans to learn to control shards of elemental spirits. At least this is as far as Tad has gathered over the years.

The elves placed a block on the human cognitive control skills so as to protect them from corruption and greed. If one were to wield too much at a time it could render his soul from his body and leave an empty shell to be consumed by the slumbering dragons. No one knew where these dragons were or whether a man had ever been occupied by these shape shifting creatures. Tad felt that they were imagined by the elves to create fear in the human kind so as to control them to not go wandering into other realms of magic. If they were to try and overstep their boundaries placed by the Elven Council, it was said that these beasts would consume not only your soul but devour your existence. Tad spat as he crossed the dry lands. There wasn't proof enough for him to not be tempted.

Due to the leader’s self-righteousness, humans were only capable of controlling one source of magic in their life time. If a man were born in the countryside dedicated to the earth wielders, he would be part of that people and would learn the ways of the Earth Clan. If he felt that he could better himself in another aspect of magic, he would be stripped of his powers of the original land. For with the Elvin curse one was limited and would not be able to go on further with the original study or he would risk breaking his own soul shard. That is how Tad rose the way he did within the earth clan. From trial to test he killed, squandered, and eliminated anyone who opposed him. When the time came down to it, he was faced by his own grandfather. He fought nobly but didn't stand a chance to the developed powers Tad had accumulated over the years.

Successors of the power were only allowed to do so by tournaments. This required them to practice and make their power perfect in every aspect. The tournament was a battle to the death. Year after year Tad had been included in the process, and year after year he had been put into trial. After having killed thousands of others, they finally appointed him as the top member of the Earth Clan after having taken his grandfather's life.

I can see the clockworks from here turning in that strange head of yours Thaddeos said a familiar over boisterous voice. There was a deep ringing to it like it rumbled inside a large barrel of a chest. Tad rolled his eyes to the sky cursing his existence. He loathed this person for all that he stood for, his cocky attitude, and his confidence in himself. This man was arrogant and Foolish. He never thought before acting and this made him a plain brute. This would probably be the best description for those of Baerghel, the land of the Fire Clan.

I can see that you are as pleased to see me as I am you, Tad said eyeing Markis Binner from over his shoulder. The perfectly set hair with a helm to his side as he strode on top of his strong brown horse clearly marked Markis as an arrogant, but impressive leader. The horse stood at least two feet higher than Tad’s own mount, but he knew that his Kripnota could muscle its way through any climate change. Their elephant like skin protected them from sword and sand. Whereas a horse suffered from the conditions much quicker, How has your journey been?

The same as it has been year after year old friend. Mark said clapping his hand to his belt and turning his steed toward the white walls of Maerret, the city of the Water Clan. The outer cloister would cover miles if one could see that far. But standing in the center of the city as tall as the eye could see were the distinct spires of the fortress where within the beautiful Seren stayed. The folk of the water kingdom never understood the need of the earth clan, and that is the reason they toyed with Thaddeos any moment they could get.

Each group within the magic realms played a part to help the survival of the humans. Ever since the war of eleven thousand years the land had been scarred by the elves so as to eliminate the humans’ abilities and prevent them from continuing their destructive habits. Water was scorched with a blood curse to make it undrinkable. Plants suffered from the lack of water and soon poisons replaced fruits and vegetables, offspring from the blood ridden hills of Arnea. The Humans took their limited powers and began to cultivate the water and sift out the poisons within. The Earth clan cultured the land to support plant life in a carefully planned environment. Those of the wind clan had to purify the air while the water clan purified the cycles that the sun provided. The Fire Clan soon produced mechanics that helped to smelt irons and ores and provide for the cities. It was in that moment that the Earth Clan too began to utilize the materials of earth to create more solid structures and save the need of manual labor. The Spirit Clan almost seemed pointless to Tad. Alexis, the leader of the Spirit Clan, was quite powerful in manipulation. He claimed the purpose of their power was to maintain the human race and stop them from killing themselves. Thaddeos couldn’t see it; they felt like nothing more than a waste of precious resources and time. Alexis claimed it was their powerful magic that maintained the limited clan and controlled the council to his will. The other Clan Leaders claimed it wasn't so, but every member of it could see how much he controlled them to do as he wanted.

Markis smiled over at him and Tad couldn’t figure out why Mark was so chipper. He was so childish. He was a man but had the heart of a boy. Soon he began humming a tune that drove home to Tad. It was the sweet sound of victory after someone had fought bravely in a tournament. Markis had finished hosting a tournament a few weeks ago, which peaked Tad’s intrigue.

Did you see any good victors in the battle? Tad called over to him, and Mark beamed a crooked smile.

Of course, I did. There are some people with great potential in my Capitol. He sang in tune with his continued humming.

I will have to come visit one just to see what talent might take your spot in the kingdom. Tad knew this would strike up a fire in Mark’s heart. Markis turned to face Tad, but he didn’t even show the frustration on his face. He was cool and collected which contradicted his childlike demeanor.

You just might, dear friend. Markis agreed coldly. Tad smiled at the idea and turned his Kripnota to follow the edges of the white walls. He was hoping to see the gates to the city filled with onlookers as he and Mark strode in, but to his dismay they stood empty. Since before Tad joined the council, the last two groups to show up were the fire clan and the earth clan. He was always left disappointed by the idea of being nearly forgotten. He voiced his opinion on the situation multiple times, but Alexis said that if it were that important he should leave earlier. Mark frowned at Tad, and Thaddeos showed a similar grimace on his face.

The city is dead as usual Tad … isn’t it? Markis's voice felt jarring in the new awkward silence. His voice startled Tad so much that his heart raced, and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise at the ominous sound coming from the empty streets.

Yes… yes, it is Mark.

We should make a big entrance. Mark said striking fire between his forefinger and thumb. He let the ball dance back and forth along his fingertips. Tad’s eyes grew transfixed as he waved his hands back and forth, and the fire danced along his flesh as though they were lovers.

I myself enjoy being conservative. Tad said glaring a bit to the left and right of the street scanning for any person to be watching them. During the events of the council’s meeting, the people would stay indoors and would avoid work so as to create peace for the decisions the council might come to. To Tad it felt like indifference, and he wasn’t pleased with the fact that there was not even the sound of a babe crying. He understood the need for quiet in some situations, but in this very large city not even the sound of a horse’s neigh made one recognize the ringing in one’s own ears. Let’s just get into the meeting and pledge our ideas to the council and get this over with.

The council gathered inside of the spired hall of the capital city Maerret. Statues of Seren Wilnateen lined the walls within in the tower, which Tad felt was highly inappropriate. A council of the different clans to be gathered in this city, instead of gathering in some hall created specifically for these meetings was pretentious in his mind. No, instead Tad had to stare at the over scaled bust of Seren personified in stone. Seren felt that she was the fairest lady to have ever graced the earth with her presence. Sadly, Tad found himself believing her claim. She had beautiful dark hair that curled around her smooth skin. Seren had such deep eyes that called for attention. He found himself eyeing the statues for a minute before Mark coughed and he looked forward again. Markis smiled at him, and they continued their walk through the statue filled hall.

They rounded a corner to find three figures sitting in the large hall. Tad was surprised to see them deep in conversation. They seemed intrigued about something that the beautiful Seren was saying. She could capture a room just as well as anyone from the Spirit Clan could. Viktor, a wise sage from the Wind Clan whose age marked him as a leader, was smoking a large pipe. He seemed relaxed, as if what was going on had little to no importance for the old man. His beard came down to two braided points. It hung proudly near his waist. Tad felt that this old man, though wise, didn’t belong with this council. Viktor would voice his opinion the loudest. When something didn’t fit into the category of making life easier for all the humans, he didn’t want any part of it.

That sounds like an excellent idea Seren; we can double our efforts to produce a counter to the religious movement of the non-magical kind of the southern kingdoms. Alexis stated. Words could not describe the cool, calm, serene attitude this man had. His eyes showed cool white milk edging the black empty abyss that would be called his pupil. One could be absorbed by his gaze without even realizing that had been staring far too long, Tad what proposition do you have for the council this year. I heard from your fellow councilmen that this is a rather unique and trustworthy idea, so please don’t disappoint me. He flowed from one conversation to the next before Thaddeos had even a moment to gather his thoughts. He was taken aback and nearly stumbled over his own feet.

Mark clapped Tad on the shoulder with an open palm, and they made their way to the empty seats. The walk seemed an eternity. There was no time for greetings or welcoming of the two. The other members of the council almost seemed disinterested in both Tad and Mark. Frowning a bit, Thaddeos sat in his seat.

Well Tad what do you have to report and propose to us today? The intense eyes that Alexis had took Thaddeos aback. He felt his face flush as he stared into the intense drawing abyss that they gave off.

Ah, um… you... err. Tad lost his train of thought when he heard Alexis address him so. He felt his stomach churn. Seren leaned closer to him, and he could feel her soft flesh emitting slight heat as her bosom drew closer to him. He felt his heart flutter, and he became even more flustered. Viktor blew a smoke ring looking unamused by the situation. Mark scoffed, and he pulled up a chair next to Tad. Thaddeos looked over at Seren, and she was pursing her full red lips together. She seemed to be trying to seduce the man with a simple stare. He coughed and tried to draw his eyes away from her calling body. He swung his gaze, and it met with Alexis’.

I assume you want to speak to us in The Common Tongue Tad, I haven’t found myself well studied in the language that you chose to address me in. A slow whispered laugh began to roll in the room as Tad’s face flushed with the mocking tone Alexis chose to speak to him with.

That is Alexis, that I have a proposition for creation.

Creation? You mean as in a new city, or what are you referring to Tad? You need to be less vague when addressing the council. This sudden ridiculing caught Tad by surprise. He hadn’t assumed that he would be attacked so quickly by Alexis. The other members in the council weren’t trying to defend him either. He was alone.

I am referring to creating and spawning a new race. With each element, we have the power to create something living and controllable and create ourselves to become the owners of Arnea. I am pledging that with my ability in the Alchemist community and with a Dwarven alliance we gather the elements and create a beast that isn’t fully human but will have the cognition and abilities of us so as to be the perfect soldier to pull the useless Pale Tipped Ears down from their hiding spots and address us THE TRUE OWNERS OF ARNEA. He felt moved by self-empowered visions in his mind. He stood to his feet as he neared the end of his speech to strike home the emotions he felt inside of himself. The council fell into silence, and Viktor removed the pipe stem from between his cracked lips. Tad could hear his own heartbeat in his ears as Alexis and the others eyed him warily.

You mean to tell me you expect that each clan participate in creating a creature that you claim can be controlled if we combine all five elements, alchemy, and mechanics? Wouldn’t this create a being that we as humans would be considered inferior to? Mixing elements together into one being and make it Elf like by being able to wield all spirit shards, and not only that but be able to understand, learn and grow. This would create an opposition to the elves, but it would also create a higher threat to us humans being the weaker race on the land. Alexis’ words rang in Tad’s head as Alexis’ voice began to raise with each fact that he pointed out to Tad, We as humans have been fighting to prove that we are superior, and ideas like this one create the idea that we are only a middle man unable to fight for ourselves and rely fully upon others to do our bidding. I do not say this on my own opinion, but in the opinion of our kingdom. You stand before me and propose an idea that would undo our lives in a matter of years. How can you say it would be in our interest?

Alexis bit the words as he said them. The sharp tones struck Tad through like an arrow pierced his soul. Alexis stood up and the other members stood one by one. Tad’s face grew hot and red from the rejection he just received, I will prove it to you fellow brethren. With that note Tad turned his back on the council and strode off through the open doors where four guards had overheard the entire confrontation. They had axes and swords drawn and pointed them toward the room prepared to strike if the situation began to heat up more than it had. The weapons would be useless of course against the powerful leaders within, but the effort was noted.

One day the council would bow before Tad’s mind. They would realize that he was stronger than they were and had a better ability in many aspects of the elements. From bending and creating the very existence of what was present with the ability of Alchemy or whether it be engineering and manufacturing a different life source. He would find the loopholes to the missing elements in his creation. The Tieflings would be born. They would exist. He would have to find a link to the elements. A Tiefling was the creation he wanted. A mixture between that of what humans couldn’t control, and the perfect Alchemy taught among the Dwarves. To take a living animal, a living child, and the life source of the planet he could produce the perfect creation. They could be the link that would bring humans into power. After Thaddeos and his newly created demons reached the gates of On High, and dethroned the Elves from their self-appointed power, He would in turn eliminate the Tieflings. Only humans and beasts would remain on Arnea and there wouldn’t be a limitation to them anymore. They would be freed from damnation.

It was in that moment that Tad realized that there was a link between humans and the elements. It would be a bit inhumane, but that captured Thaddeos in one word… Inhumane. He was going to stride into a realm yet never before fathomed. The link between the Pale Tipped Ears, those evil wicked elves were not far from beast. Therefore, what difference would it make then trying to create a human engineered with the elements? Why not try to create a human mixed with the missing link between the elements and create an unstoppable beast that would be controlled by the single command of one man. Tad smiled to himself as he stepped into the brisk air of the Water City. Rain fell on his face, and he raised his eyes to the heavens to see the floating islands in the sky. Baelki would soon be reaching its end and that day drew near by the work of Tad.

Chapter 1 – Frozen Morning

The rays of the golden morning sun danced across light misty clouds that covered the morning sky. The hazed blue was enchanting to any eye that spent enough time to admire its beauty. The earth slowly emitted its tendrils of steam as the fresh dew that had collected on the ground the night before evaporated in the warming morning light. The crisp air could almost be seen if you quickly glanced left to right, it could almost be declared palpable to the touch and taste. Wind blew the chill air sharply against the bare flesh of the Tiefling’s arms. He could see his hot breath billow in front of his vision as it contrasted with the fresh morning air. It was normal for this time of year to be as frigid in this hour as it was on this particular day. A smile found its way onto the lips of the plotting creature. He was extremely detailed and obsessed with perfection. The rocks stood ominous and contrasting in the early light and seemed to paint unique silhouettes across the rough sand covered terrain. Feyer Brand stood with his catlike ears perked. He was ready to pick up a hint of any breath or the padding of gentle footsteps on the uneven surfaces. Any movement and he would be ready to lunge forward with his now sheathed sword. Since he was born Feyer had undergone rigorous training programs to heighten senses and to make strengths out of his weaknesses. He had struggled with this idea as a small child; it soon became all that he knew and everything he lived for. He was a cold-blooded killer readied with unfathomable amounts of knowledge he had obtained in his many years of life. The Tieflings had been prepared since birth to fight in a war that was unavoidable because of a corrupt and infamous leader. This leader was the mastermind behind the whole creation of their race, and Feyer Brand himself.

Feyer closed his eyes to avoid the rising sun’s rays that were spilling over from the high mountains. He tilted his readied ears in an attempt to make out the sound of a faint heartbeat. It was so shallow and steady. Each thump that the beating heart made was smooth enough that Feyer knew the creature was in good health, and it was aware of a looming predator that was ready to strike at any moment. The more he focused in on the faint but steady drumming of the heart, the louder it seemed to become. The world's blackness from behind his closed eyes made his other senses explode into to a heightened state. From what used to be something so faint, now seemed to echo in his ears like the sound of clashing blades. He knew where to strike and how to kill the creature before it could make an escape down the rocky path to freedom in the Shadowed Forest. Reaching to his side he withdrew his already worn falchion blade from months of close quarter combat. He had found himself a true friend with that steel, though it was nothing more than that. The blade had given him comfort in time of need, and it had treated him how he needed to be treated. That blade was now a true companion in Feyer’s lonely world. He readied his other hand with a small dagger he used for skinning and striking at vital organs. It had sharp ridges near the hilt following its smooth and curved spine. It had a wicked tip that Feyer used to rip into the soft flesh of an attacker or morning meal. It had many chips that were worn into the once perfect blade. Over the past year Feyer had grown accustomed to using the poor blade as a balance to compensate for loose uneven surfaces when he didn’t prepare properly for his attack. He found himself digging it deep into the earth up to its tough leather strapped handle. He thumbed the large ridges as he poured the thoughts out of his mind. He attempted to empty his thoughts and feelings so as to eliminate any fear or judgment of his actions. Feyer was extremely critical with his ability, and if he began to doubt his planned attack it would surely fail. He kept his eyes pinched shut so as to not lose his target’s location. The faint heartbeat was his only indication, and it would have to act as his vision until the creature stepped into plain sight. He shifted forward and moved ever so gently on the dirt. Small loose rocks skidded across the plain and the heartbeat he was listening to sped up as if Feyer willed the creature to expose itself further. He opened his left eye and leaned back on his hind leg. The muscles coiled and tensed as he lifted his heel into the air allowing his toes to spread. He dug his now readied claws that were springing from his toes into the ground allowing him better grip on the uneven surface. His strike he was about to perform would be powerful and exactly as he planned. It was in that moment, as he leaned back with the muscles in his legs, so they were tensed enough to throw his whole-body weight into the attack, that the creature made more noise as it shifted from its covert location. It had been aware for quite some time that Feyer was there, long before Feyer had actually prepared himself to strike. It was extremely clever and had been hiding from him. The sound of the heart began to grow louder, and a small red furred fox dove around from a rock where it had been waiting. It must have been startled by the sound of the dirt beneath the Tiefling’s claws. Feyer lunged forward in a hurry. His outstretched tail guided his body the direction of where his fatal strike should land.

The world seemed to slow in the moment of heightened adrenaline for Feyer Brand. He could see new plans unraveling before his eyes allowing him to quickly make changes from the initial attack. It also allowed for him to prepare for oncoming attacks and how to counter their fatal blows. He could hear and visualize his extensive training repeat itself over and over in his mind, the voices of his leaders and instructors shouting down at the Tieflings common drills and maneuvers that had been practiced for months, or even years. The pits they were tossed into with large ravenous creatures from the Shadowed Forest only made Feyer’s mind fog over and he lost concentration within seconds. Snapping back to what he was doing, Feyer watched in dismay as the fox’s colors blurred and darted eastward. The motion was quick and fluid, but because of Feyer’s heightened sense of self-awareness he was able to plan a secondary attack. The sun's golden rays splashed warmth from over thick trees that lined the slanted horizon. The thicket of trees gaped at Feyer as his head snapped following the motion of his prey. The dark presence of the Shadowed Forest reminded Feyer Brand that the escape this creature would make would likely result in its death by a far greater predator than the attacking Tiefling. Its attempt to escape had to be quickly adjusted for, before it bounded off to certain doom in that horrible mossy floored forest. Feyer knew where to strike the blade even as the animal tried to blind its assailant with the morning light brimming on the horizon. The golden hues only allowed Feyer to watch in closer detail which direction its paws were turned. The mist of dust raised from its bounds only gave away further detail to the striking foe. Feyer shifted his weight gently in the air using his tail to push him this way or that. His aim was precise. He had been known around the camp as one of the most lethal Tieflings, though he was underappreciated for his skillful talent. In fact, the foot soldiers that refused to learn the speech that Tieflings made for themselves called him ‘Striker’. Feyer lunged his blade forward at his soon to be morning meal.

The tip of the curved steel sank into the soft flesh of the small fox. Its eyes flashed open wider as the blade dug its way through its small body, and it gave out a faint cry and a wheezy breath as the final bits of oxygen fluttered out of its small lungs. Feyer’s muscles tensed as he pushed the blade further, making sure that the small creature’s heart would stop beating life's nectar through its veins. He didn’t want to force the small creature to suffer more pain than necessary. Feyer didn’t care about life, but he didn’t care to force others to live in agony like he had been made to by Thaddeos Bolnor. Even with his careful calculations and extreme planning Feyer ended up placing too much weight into the attack. The falchion blade continued through the rest of the soft fleshy body of the fox and struck the dusty earth below. There was a small echo as the blade dug against some loose pebbles. In an attempt to make up for his folly, Feyer arched his body and kicked his feet over his head. The wind blew his soft hair as his body soared gently through the air. As he did so, he applied further pressure on his sword feeling the blade dig further into the earth. The dirt made a grinding sound against the sharpened steel, and Feyer was able to balance himself into a perfect arc. Though the strike of his blade was well prepared and thought out, the recovery was performed masterfully. Feyer knew for sure that the animal was now dead. It gave little movement since his sword plunged deep into its heart. Its legs shook slowly, and its eyes stared blankly at the dark grey forest that lay before it. The animal was lighter and smaller than a normal target for Feyer, and he attacked it forgetting to compensate for its smaller size. He gazed at the creature as the gentle wind ruffled against his shaggy fur and he thought about life. He had heard it said that if one dies swiftly, the death itself was nothing more than a flash before their eyes. Feyer finished the arc and curled his legs under himself. He pumped his feet forward and stretched his toes out to prepare himself for a rough landing. He extended his claws from his spread toes and stomped them down with deliberate strength. As they struck the loose dirt he felt his weight shift and his grip on the ground began to slip. Feyer swung his small dagger with a forceful thrust and jammed it into the ground as though it were another foe he had to defeat. There was another clang as his blade pressed passed the rocks that were hidden in the brown terrain. The force of gravity was Feyer’s worst enemy in truth though, for he often found himself struggling with the earth’s natural elements. He spread his legs to give him a stronger base from his landing. Feyer Brand slid another half foot before his body finally halted its movement. He let out a long sigh before pulling himself up from his finishing pose. As he stood he withdrew his dagger from the dirt, the tip was jaded and nicked from its recent encounter with what appeared to be a large stone. He stepped forward and inspected his kill. The fox gave one final shudder and blood pooled onto the earth around the gaping hole that was punctured into the side of the tiny creature. It appeared as an open mouth gaping around the blade that he had dug into it earlier. Feyer smirked and felt the gnawing hunger pulling at his stomach. The circle of life was all too familiar in his mind. He knew that there was a purpose for each creation that walked the earth, aside from the abomination he was. The God’s had a plan with each creature, but the Tieflings were not of the Gods... no they were of man. He slid the blade out of the newly skewered Fox and wiped it off on his scabbard to remove the blood from his weapon. He didn’t want to have to deal with rust, and it was the quickest way for him to clean it. He would probably spend some time today sharpening it since he ended up damaging both blade and dagger on the rocky earth. Feyer sheathed his wicked tool, and with a definitive clink the hilt slammed against the metal rimmed mouth of his scabbard.

He looked up and scanned his surroundings. There was no place safe here, at least not this close to the jaws of the Shadowed Forest. The magic that tore the earth asunder from its once smooth and peaceful state created creatures of unfathomable terror. He tensed his body in preparation in case any predator smelled the recent blood that was shed on the earth and dared to attempt to steal his breakfast from him. Feyer watched closely and listened for any sign of life. Nothing moved on the horizon. The sun continued its slow rise over the leafy trees. It seemed almost too quiet. He had grown used to hearing the sounds of soldiers arguing or blades clashing but being out here in the wild was still a new and fresh experience every time he snuck away from the camp. It seemed as if the world stopped turning and he had been the last thing to survive in this horrible world. The only thing that could be considered a threat to Feyer was if someone had discovered his existence. The Tieflings had been trained since younglings to keep their presence in shadows. If anyone were to discover them, they would be sentenced to death by the ones On High. On High was where the Elves had appointed themselves as the guardians of the Earth, The Baelki. He heard that translated into the native human tongue it meant Protectors of the Void. The Void was the rift that was created in the war that lasted eleven thousand years, when Humans clashed against elves, magic against magic. In the end the ones who suffered were the animals of the land, and mother earth herself. The plains were torn, and parts of the once whole land lifted in the sky creating the void that now gaped horribly from the once beautiful valley. Its shadows are what created the Forest that stood next to Feyer. It was because of the folly of humans that he was now created. It was because of all the rage and hate that everyone had for one another that he was now an abomination. It was because of Thaddeos Bolnor and the other leaders of the clans that humans and elves couldn’t coexist in peace. Feyer knew if they were discovered by the Baelki soldiers they would be destroyed before the panel of the Elven kingdom. The Tieflings would put up a good fight, but they would eventually lose to the elves. Another problem that loomed for these poor creatures was if any citizen or non Claddathian soldier had seen him, Tad would have the entire group of Tieflings eliminated on the spot. The whole race was on a balance of being completely wiped out. The elves were ones to eradicate anything that wasn't natural from existing on the terra that had been under their rule for years.

There existed a rumor that there were council members of the other clans similar to Tad who had been angered by his abhorrent and abrasive attitude towards them. They weren’t aware of what he had gone through, but they knew that something was upsetting the natural order of the world. Tad was a madman, a genius, but a complete lunatic parading around as someone who had a grasp on reality. He was articulate and precise. He knew the ways to manipulate and control others into following his will and follow exactly as he wanted. That is the part that made people fear him the most. That total control he had allowed him to manipulate the hearts of his servants, soldiers, and citizens for years. This made it easier for him to burrow his foot further into the lives of those who adored him. Feyer Brand couldn’t stand to be within twenty feet of Thaddeos, let alone stand eye to eye with that beast of a man. He had often pulled Feyer aside to curse at him and beat him to the point where he would be in the medical wing of the training camp for weeks at a time. Feyer was one of the lone survivors of the first strain of Tiefling creations. There had been many that died within the walls of Thaddeos’s training camp. The Tieflings didn’t number more than a thousand now. They were a struggling breed of animal that was created in slavery to perform horrible deeds. It was a dark and lonely world for the Tieflings. They had been wrongfully created against the will of natural order, only to be thrown into a cataclysmic chaos of war and terror. They had been under rigid command since the day their eyes opened, and there wasn’t much of a future for the poor terrible abominations, that is except death and sorrow. Their whole purpose was destruction. They were created to be both a large asset in a battlefield against the elves, but also to be a distraction to the Baelki. They were meant to be nothing more than a onetime shot for Thaddeos to reach On High and disrupt the law and order that had been placed