Unseen Consequences
A D'veen Tale
It seemed to happen overnight; the ground shook with incredible force and something new appeared. As far as anyone can tell, it all started when Avondale fell to the Rot; but that didn’t make any sense. How could the decimation of Avondale cause the realm to quake with such force?
Well dear traveler, I, Finton Merrybrook, will tell you.
The elves have always been a crafty bunch, and their powers were beyond what anyone could have imagined - I’m sure there are some that even I don’t know about! The most amazing thing about them though, was their connection to the land.
Avondale is located perfectly above one of the largest rifts in the plates that lie beneath our land, and the weight of their city kept the rifts from shifting. Surely the Rot knew this, but there was no way anyone could have guessed what would happen next.
Far from Avondale lies the Endarian Expanse. Once a vast, empty sea; the recent quakes have brought islands up from its depths. They seem to rise, day by day, lifting higher from the surface; almost as if they will emerge from the sea entirely. As they rise, ancient ruins from the realm's inception have become visible.
From within those ruins, it is said that a single creature has emerged. It is known as the stranger, but none can tell what manner of beast it is. It is here, dear traveler, that our story begins.
Come, sit, and I will tell you the tale of The Stranger.
“It has been far too long since I have laid eyes on this land.” The stranger said to himself as he emerged from the tide.
Looking around, nothing was as he remembered it. The air felt, lacking in some way and there was a haze of war on the horizon. Dripping, the stranger made his way to the local tavern in search of a cool drink and a warm fire.
The heavy door creaked as he pushed it open, drawing the attention of everyone inside. The cacophony of voices that the stranger heard through the door stopped abruptly as he stepped inside, and everyone watched as he crossed to the bar; leaving a soaking trail behind him.
“An ale, barkeep, if you don’t mind.” The stranger’s voice boomed in the silence.
The barkeep placed a large mug in front of him without saying a word, and watched as the stranger downed the entire thing in an instant. The stranger looked disappointed when he realized that it was empty, and without uttering so much of a syllable, the stranger moved his finger from the base and filled the mug once again.
The patrons of the bar collectively gasped, their eyes wide and mouths agape at the sight of what appeared to be..magic. They stared in amazement before leaping out of their chairs and rushing towards the stranger.
“What manner of trickery is this?!”
“Magic is long gone, how are you able to do that?!”
“What are you?!”
The stranger was unable to respond over the constant overlapping of voices, and was becoming visibly frustrated with the group.
“ENOUGH.” The stranger’s voice boomed as he stood up, forcing his chair back until it crashed against the floor behind him. With the crash of the chair, the patrons were frozen in place; unable to blink, unable to breathe.
“What have you done to them?” The barkeep asked with terror in his voice.
“Nothing that can’t be undone. I couldn’t hear myself think, and I need to ask you a question.”
“Wh-what is it?”
“I have been released, though I don’t know why. Tell me, what is causing these quakes?”
“Well uh-sir, I don’t rightly know, they all started once Avondale was destroyed by the Rot.”
“Avondale?! Destroyed?!”
“Yes sir.”
“Tell me, where can I find this Rot?”
“Last I heard he was in Titanum Forest, but they say he’s trapped now.”
“You can’t contain entropy, he will return. This must be the reason I was released.”
With that, the stranger took his leave. As the door creaked shut, the patrons crashed to the floor, seemingly returning to normal. They all ran towards the door, hoping to catch one more glimpse of this being that was somehow able to use magic, but he was nowhere to be seen.
“Where is he going?” One patron asked the barkeep.
“Titanum Forest.” The barkeep replied, hoping that this mysterious being would be able to stop the Rot.
Image: Unsplash - Aditya Chinchure
This piece is for the third Power-Up prompt by
Love the Stranger… so mysterious!
Enjoyed your tale