A flock of carrion circle overhead. The sun gleaming off of their dark feathers as more gather.

They cry out for flesh, a few of the braver ones descending to rip into my fallen foes.

I watch as a particularly large raven lands on the fallen chieftain. Picking through the remains of its skull. The dark feathers reflecting the light from a single ray of sun that managed to break through the clouds.

It continues tearing into its meal. The image seeming too familiar.

“Argh!” A sudden pain erupts inside my head as I fall to my knees.

Flashes of red flutter across my vision a new memory surfaces with each wave.

A blinding light washes over my sight, and I fall to the ground. Everything cutting to black.

Quest Received The Call of Lumox Your flesh feels like a prison. Your mind in turmoil. Fragments of the past come and go. It's about time you reclaim that which was lost. Come to me. Reclaim my temple deep inside the undead mountains and all will be as it should.

“Altaire?” A concerned voice breaks through the darkness. This voice… Lilia?

“Guh.”

I open my eyes, wincing in pain as the sunlight hits them.

“Ah! I’m sorry!” She says, the light fading as I hear curtains being drawn.

“It’s alright. What happened to me Celeste?”

“Celeste?”

An image of a smiling girl overlays itself against Lilia. Her hair of shining silver, floating softly. Her eyes a piercing grey. Some sort of flowing white robe covering her body.

Pain shoots through my head, and the image disappears.

“Altaire?” Lilia asks concerned. Altaire? Is that my name? No. It feels wrong. What was it?

“You should rest a bit more. You’ve been asleep for two days.” She says, putting her hands on my shoulders to guide me down.

“No.. Lilia. Could you leave me alone for a bit?” She purses her lips, worry evident on her face, but she leaves. Closing the door behind her.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I’m left alone with my thoughts. The turbulent flow almost making me wish she hadn’t.

That message. Just what was it? Seek out his greatest servant? Whose? Lumox?

I hear something clattering from behind the door.

“Mace? Come in.” I say. Talking to someone felt too tiring, so I asked Lilia to leave, but if it’s a skeleton…

The door opens to reveal Mace as I expected. The skeleton walking in before pulling a chair up next to my bed.

“I’m sorry about before, but I did it for your safety.” I apologize as the last time we were together, I had thrown her inside the village walls.

The skeleton nods at me, having trouble meeting my gaze.

I wonder if this skeleton knows anything about this strange message. It seemed to know who I was.

“Do you know Lumox?” The question causes it to freeze before giving a hesitant nod. It’s a shame it can’t speak.

“Could you take me to someone who could tell me more?” Another nod. I fold back the blanket before swinging my legs off the side. “Take me to them.”

The skeleton thrusts its arms out as if in protest, then stays still as if in thought. It soon changes its mind and grabs my arm. I don’t resist. I let Mace guide me out of the house.

We get to the northern wall without any problems. The few people we see bowing as I pass.

“Lord Alistaire!” A guard cries out as he spots me from his post. Again with that name. He kneels, his fellow watchman hastening to do the same.

I simply nod. Making my way towards the open gate. Just as I pass through he calls out.

“Forgive my rudeness, but may I ask where you’re headed?”

“Just a stroll.” I respond, not slowing my pace. There’s no need to answer.

“Please come back before sunset. The gates will be closed.” He responds.

“I won’t be back.” I mutter. The words never reaching his ears.

Mace guides me far past the plains, and into a barren land. The grass here is sparse. Dry from years without rain. We run into a few orcs along the way, but they avoid us. No doubt aware of my strength.

The first night passed without incident. We both spoke no words as I opted to try and make sense of the fragmented pieces of my memories.

The second day was much the same. Although, this time, my hunger caused me to stop and hunt. An unlucky snake becoming my meal. I ate it raw. Drinking its blood to quench my thirst. There was nothing to create fire in that barren landscape.

It was the third day that our objective came in sight. Dark mountains looking as if they were small hills in the distance. Ever since the second day, Mace has been sneaking out while I rest. Returning with bugs or small animals for my consumption.

On the eighth day. The dry earth that cracked underfoot has made way for broken rock. We’ve made good time and already entered the mountain range. Mace pointing towards the tallest peak as our destination.

Our travels are brought to a brief halt on the tenth day as we come across a dwarven army. Its ranks filled with golems and engines of war. The banner is inscribed with the image of a broken hammer surrounded by a single flame. Their drums ring throughout the mountains as more of their kind join the procession. I follow them as their path takes us closer to the goal.

After the twelfth day as the sun sets, the army makes camp as usual. Working efficiently as a solid fortress is hewn out of the surrounding cliffs. Their speed and craftsmanship as impressive as always. However, this time, it’s different. Just as the last rays of sun disappear, the ground begins shaking. The dwarves immediately man the walls as I spot several officers issuing commands.

Soon an army of undead come into sight. Hollow Armor in the vanguard. A volley of arrows from the dwarves prove ineffective as the undead army closes in. Not long after, a storm of boulders fly through the air. Prevailing where the small projectiles could not. Crushing armor and bones as the stones fly through their ranks.

I look closely to spot a group of dwarves handling a strange wooden machine. It has dozens of rope attached to slings. Rocks collected from the construction of the fortress laid out next to them. Several dwarves loading the machine before it begins to twirl. A hail of rocks being shot into the air.

Showing no fear, the undead army marches on. Drawing ever closer to the thick black liquid surrounding the stone fortress. As the main body comprised of skeletons and zombies cross, a new command is issued by the dwarven forces. Fires lighting at the ends of the archer’s arrows. They trace a path of light through the dark night before reaching the earth. A blazing inferno swallowing the undead as they take heavy losses.

The sound of a horn is heard as the remaining undead retreat. A cheer ringing out from the dwarves signalling the end of battle.