The sky was split in two like as if cut by a sword. Aetius gazed up at the split, it was as mesmerizing as the day he had first saw it. On one side was the usual blue sky full of clouds, and starts and, the moon and sun, but on the other side... A massive yawing abyss stretching out, blotting out all things. The great and impenetrable darkness was much more then just the usual absence of light. No matter what darkness did not give way, not with flames or lightning or even the power of the sun. It was all consuming and never changing. Any expedition into the void ended in colossal failure. There had been four recorded expeditions from his empire, Vi ac Potestate, that he knew of. Once about 400 hundred years When the emperor Caecilius the third wanted his best men to go into the void, he believed the Abyss held untold and unknown magics that would give him the power to, not only hold onto the empire for hundreds of years, but conquer the rest of the world along with it. Needles to say no man returned and the empire lost a lot of good soldiers that day. Aetius sat and pondered this. This void that had become the center of his life, his duty was to watch it and make sure all was well. He still remembers the first day he was appointed here, and the catastrophic disappoint he felt when he was first told of his new position. Every one from his friends and family, to his fellow soldiers told him it was a great honor to sit this post. He however felt that going over a thousand miles off the mainland on a tiny lighthouse hill with barley anyone else there, was less honorable, and more boring. The ride there in onto itself was awful. Waves smashed into his bout, nearly tipping it over a few times and Aetius nearly barfing a few more. Then their was the rain. It had stormed for the entirety of the long journey. Making it feel all the longer, It pounded the boat all day and all night. He one day overheard the caption of the ship talking to one of his shipmates.

Captain "We don't usually get storms like this...

"Shipmate" Yeah.. think it a bad omen?"

The captain thought for a moment

Captain "I hope not."  

   Finally, after what seemed like the longest days of Aetius's life they had made it  to the tiny island, the lighthouse for ,what its worth, stood tall and proud a shinning beacon that had weathered even time itself. When he stepped onto the island he was greeted by an old and sickly looking man by the name of Caius was waiting there ready to greet him. The old man looked shrunken and shriveled, despite his advance aged he still had a full head of hair. He stood hunched making his already short stature seem even smaller. He wore loose fitting rusted armor. It probably used to fit well and shined brightly, but not these days. his eyes were a sharp blue. He looked him up and down.

Caius "So your the new guy?"

Aetius "Unfortunately" 

The old man smirked. Although he didn't have much teeth left 

 Caius "Good you'll need a sense of humor if you want to survive. I'm the captain of this island you'll be getting you order from me. Now come on recruit."

With that they set off to the lighthouse itself. It wasn't as big as Aetius had originally thought, at least not on the inside. It felt small and cramped, not much room anything or anyone. He was shown multiple different rooms, from dinning rooms to, kitchens to his living quarters. 

Caius "This is where you'll be sleeping with the other men. If you're wondering where they're out fishing they be back in a few hours."

Aetius said nothing but looked down at a bucket that smelled awful. It looked to be full of shit.

Caius "That's the waste bucket when you have to crap or piss go in that, or off the edge of the island."

Aetius "R-right."

He was holding his hand to his mouth trying not to vomit. The old man just laughed and beckoned him further on. They eventually made they're way to a long and winding staircase. It must lead to the beacon that creates the light. Caius began to make his way up the stairs, he had a surprisingly east time with it for his advanced age. As a matter of fact Aetius was having a hard time keeping up with the short man. Finally they made it up a top the lighthouse and up there they could see for miles. Aetius was scanning the ocean when he finally saw it. The massive divide in the sky one half the same grey and cloudy sky. The other a seemingly infinite darkness that lay across the horizon. It was simultaneously awe inspiring and horrifying. He was filled with a deep sense of terror looking at something his mind could not comprehend, it was wrong, it was unnatural, it was something that should never exist. It was... it was...

Caius "BOY!"

Aetius jumped at the sudden shout from the old man. He tore his eyes away from the abyss and looked at the old man. He hadn't realized it but Aetius had broken into a cold sweat, his breathing heavy. He put his hands on his forehead and bent over trying to regain himself. Just looking at it nearly broke him, nearly broke his mind and spirit. He couldn't imagine living near it day in day out. looming over him ever present, always there. It was going to dry him mad he knew it, Aetius could feel it. The great Abyss, it was calling to him and he could feel it. 

Caius "Aetius. Come here boy."

Aetius looked up at he old man surprised. It was a rather soft call for him, not the usual rough and tough that the man had held himself up to that point. He beckoned the young to him once more 

Caius "Come here boy."

He walked to the old man. His face had a look of concern on it. Almost like that of a fathers. He pointed to the beacon that sat up at the top of the lighthouse. 

Caius "Do you know why we have a light source here? If our job is just to look after that Abyss, why do we have a beacon like this?"

Aetius couldn't answer.

Caius" Its because we are the last line of warning sign to those unknowingly sallying to what will almost certainly be there doom. We tell the to go back before they make a mistake they wouldn't live to regret. We are the shield that protects them from the great beyond. We are the last light. You probably thought that this post would be too boring, simple or easy for you. But I ensure you that it is one of the most important. We have and will save many lives while here, and will continue to do so." So steal yourself and don't get pulled into the Abyss, because there are those counting on us to be the beacon that shines bright."

Aetius was at a loss of words he never realized, or  rather never thought of the responsibility it would be to sit this post. To be the final warning sign to turn back to be a shield for the for those who need it. To be the last night. An energy filled Aetius a sense of purpose strengthening his will and spirit. He looked at the old man and nodded. 

Aetius "I understand sir, I'll do everything I can to be the best soldier I can be.

The old man grinned, that toothless grin.

Caius "Good, now for your first order. Go clean the shit out of the buckets."

Fifteen years, it was hard to believe that day was fifteen years ago. Yet time passed and eventually time had caught up to the old man. He died five years ago on this very island. Some might look at as tragic, but Aetius knew that the old man wouldn't any other way. As for as he was concerned this island was his home, the men who live here his family. He died doing what he loved what he thought that he was born to do, and so, he was happy. Aetius was the new captain of the island as such he had a few more responsibilities then the other men. Logging the events of each and everyday in a journal. It wasn't so bad it  was the best and easiest way for him to keep track of the days. Distant thunder snapped Aetius out of his daydreaming. He looked toured the east and saw a black mass of storm clouds approaching. He sighed.

Aetius "Damn sea. Spitting out storms at any time."

The day had been nearly perfect and with naught a clawed in the sky. Seems it will be a rough night. Before Aetius made his was down the spiraling he took one last look at the Abyss. When he first came to the island it nearly broke him. The size and awe it presented was like nothing he had ever seen. Now however he could look at it for hours and not feel a thing. Aetius had grown in body and mind. No longer was he some fool boy who didn't under stand the importance of his role. He had grown accustomed to the Abyss, almost board of it. Any wonder it could have held for him had long since left him, and yet... He felt a shiver run down his spine. Like today was different, the Abyss was different. He couldn't put his finger on it but something was off, something felt wrong. Aetius resolved to write a letter to the emperor, even the slightest change could result in something massive. Aetius made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen, there he found Augustus cooking what looked to be sweet rolls.

Aetius "How many of those have you eaten by now Augustus?"

The large man jumped clearly not expecting him to be there. He turned surprisingly quickly for a man his size. He was easily over 6ft. Probably around 6ft 6 or 7. Augustus also had a rather large belly, do to the fact that he ate so much. He had eaten them nearly empty multiple times. He had short blonde hair and wore loose fitting clothing. He also wasn't very smart, but he was kind and loyally. Still Aetius enjoyed his company all the same, which is much more he can say for another man posted here. 

Augustus "S-sorry captain I-I was making them for everyone else not just. I sweat it!

Aetius "Alright Alright,  remember that we just got a new shipment just the other day. we won't get more for a few days. you can call down, you're by far the best cooking here so I don't mind, just share with the rest of us ok?"

Augustus "A-Ay captain"

The large man picked up a sweet roll and handed it to Aetius grinning

Augustus "Please enjoy captain."

Aetius took the roll and headed out of the kitchen taking a bight as he left. He pushed open the door and began to make his way to the captains quarters."

The captain quarters was his own private area. Where logged his day, resourced count, and kept track of another number of things. It sat at the corner of the island almost over the edge. It worried Aetius at first, but like all things he learned grow comfortable with it. It was a small space, barely a shed. however it was, if only barley, had more space then the living quarters. As he was making his way to the quarters another man was walking up back to the light house wit ha basket in his hands full of lobsters. He was a short man with even shorter brown hair and a thin mustache across his face. He had and angry and sulky face, Helvius rarely ever looked different.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Aetius "Good catch today?"

He was ignored, as he always was by Helvius. Helvius was always angry, always bitter, since the first day he got here, or at least that's what Aetius was told. Helvius was the only man that had been posted here longer then Aetius had. Another man had been walking up from shore. He was a slightly taller much friendlier man. Marcus was approaching Aetius with another basket full of lobsters, a sheepish grin on his face.

Marcus "Sorry about that captain, it was a good catch though."

He could plainly see that as both baskets were nearly filled to bursting. Marcus also had brown hair, however is was much longer then Helvius's. He also had no facial hair. He was the youngest of the bunch only eighteen years old. Marcus had barely been at the light house for more than 2 months, but Marcus was a good young man, hard working and easygoing. Aetius already knew he would make a for a good captain in the future. That was still a long ways away however, for now Marcus was still far too green, far too young. Aetius will take him under his wing in do time.

Aetius "Good work Marcus, go take those to Augustus. We'll be eating good tonight."

Marcus grinned and nodded. He walked past him to the lighthouse. Aetius also continued to the his quarters. When he got there he pulled out paper and a quill to write log the day. He also wrote a note that he was going to send to the emperor.

Aetius "I'll give this to the men who will stop by for the next shipment drop off."

Aetius was so concentrated on his work he lost track of time. He heard rain pelting the window. The storm had arrived, but not only that he also saw that night had fallen as well. Dinner would likely be ready soon he would have to make his way back up the shed. Aetius got up and, set out for the lighthouse. The rain and wind was deafening and blinding, not to mention it being night made it all the harder to see. Aetius was Slowey making his way to the light house when lighting flashed lighting up the world for just an instant, and in that instant Aetius thought he had seen.. something or rather ,someone. He looked around, thinking it was one of his other men.

Aetius "Marcus!? Helvius?! Either of you there?!"

It looked like a smaller man hunched over. So he didn't think it was Augustus. He scanned the hole island or at least all he could from where he was standing. He couldn't see anything however. It was to rainy and to dark. He'll have to check the light house. That's when another flash lighting had lit up the world, and this he knew he saw something, or rather a lot of something or someone's. Aetius was stunned who were they? how did they get here? And how were there so many of them?! What was happing. What in the world was going on?! That's when he heard Augustus. He was yelling, screaming, and then he saw Augustus. He was charging at the hoard of people his massive war hammer in both hands. 

Augustus "FOR THE EMPEROR!"

He let out another furious and smashed the hammer into the ground . From the point of impact massive jagged spikes of earth shot out piercing multiple of the men that had infiltrated the island. Aetius was shocked to see Augustus so blood thirsty. These men did tress pass the island, but to immediately go for the kill? That's when Aetius finally got a good look at the trespassers and realized. They weren't men at all, they were creatures that looked like men but also nothing like them, actually the more he looked at them the more he realized they looked like halfbeast. Their heads were completely bald and massive. Their skin was grey and oily, both the hands and feet were webbed, and the fingers had sharp claws at the end of them. The ears were pointed liked elves. They were all naked and scrawny. If Aetius hadn't known better he would think they were merpeople. As it stood Aetius had no idea what these invader were or what they wanted, although he doubt their intentions were pear. Aetius turned around and ran back his personal quarters. Only to see all those creatures crawling over the small shed. How was he going to get his sword. That's when a the wind itself seemed to come to life and slashing through multiple creatures. Aetius turned around to see Helvius standing there.

Helvius "You better get your weapon. You aren't much use without it."

Aetius didn't have any time to retort. He turned back and sprinted for the shed. He swung open the door and flipped over the small bed, opened one more hatch, and there it was. His sword a gladius. A short compact weapon made for stabbing and piercing. Aetius never thought he would wield it battle, but the day had finally come. He garbed the sword and made his way out of the shed. More of those creatures had appeared. He saw the crawling out the water, which wasn't too surprising. What was surprising was just how many of them there was. they were everywhere coming from every inch of the shore. Aetius began to build up the wind around his he could feel it bending to his will. He saw the nearest creature and made a stab motion at it at first it looked as though nothing happened, but then the wind that had built up around the blade had flown out piecing the nearest creature. It also pierced right through it along with almost every other creature behind it.

Helvius "AETIUS COME ON!!" 

It was Helvius he was calling to him beckoning him to the light house. Aetius began to cut and stab his way through the horde of monsters. Thunder blasted lighting up the world one more time. Aetius could see Augustus fighting of the creatures, but he was begging to be overwhelmed. There was just too many of them. They began to bight and chew at him crawling over him like maggots. By the gods they were eating him. Augustus was trying to through them off. He threw one on the grown and smashed its head in with his boot. He grabbed another and through it as far as he could. With his other hand he raised his hammer, and smashed it into the ground. Much like last time jagged rocks protruded from the impact point. Unlike last time instead of just in front of him they spread around him from a circle killing a handful of the creatures, but it still wasn't enough. The creatures kept coming and he was going to be over whelmed. Aetius had to help him. But before he could do anything he felt something pull on his arm. He turned only to see Helvius pulling on him

Helvius "There isn't anything you could do for him we have to go or you'll be next."

Aetius "I'm his captain! I can't leave him there to die!"

Helvius "He's buying us time! We can't do anything we have to go!"

Aetius looked back it was true, there wasn't anything they could do. The creatures began to swarm Augustus. He did everything he could to fight them off but it wasn't enough. It wasn't long before the only thing he could see was his arm that held the war hammer. The creature were on him. Aetius looked to the lighthouse and the to Helvius. Both men nodded and sprinted for the door using the wind to half carry them they moved and super human speed. Marcus was there holding the door for them. Both men blasted though almost falling in the lighthouse. Both men were panting heavily.

Marcus "Where's Augustus is he still out there?!"

Helvius "He didn't make it, we had no choice but to run."

Marcus looked pale his sword strapped to his side, his new armor still shining. Aetius didn't have his armor. he felt naked without it.

Marcus "What are those things?! sea creatures?! Monsters from the abyss?!"

Aetius stood back up

Aetius "I don't know Marcus they certainly look like creatures the sea, but its too hard to say for sure."

Aetius didn't know how but he was confident that this had something to do with the great Abyss, he felt it in his bones. He had no idea what to do. The only thing he could thing of was to go up top the lighthouse, but that also meant certain doom.

Aetius "We'll have to hold out for as long as we can, maybe they'll be gone by the end of the night. Both of you barricade the door and windows, grab and use anything."

Helvius "Yeah? You think that will do anything?" 

Aetius "It will have to if we hope to survive this."

Helvius looked like he wanted to say more but he didn't argue. Marcus had already begun to build the barricade of the front door. Aetius began to barricade it took when he heard a window crash and a scream. It was Marcus. One of the creatures had broken through the window before he had time to set up the barricade. It was on top of him chewing on his arm that he held out in front of his face. He grabbed at his sword and stabbed the creature went limp as Marcus tossed it to his side. Aetius run up to the young boy but could see the damage had already been done. Marcus was bleeding profusely. It was gushing out him and when he got close enough he could see done to the bone. He went to go pick the young man up when other creatures began to make their way through the window. Aetius grabbed his sword and began to stab and cut at the creatures. He couldn't use his wind abilities in fear of cutting up the lighthouse himself. He heard foot steps behind him and hear Helvius curse. Without looking away from the window he shouted orders at him.

Aetius "Helvius! Grab Marcus and make your way up the lighthouse!"

But it was too late before Helvius could get to Marcus a horde of the creatures burst through not only that window, but others that hadn't been barricaded. The creature swarmed them Aetius had no choice but to use the wind. He built up the wind around his blade and began to cut his way through the creatures. All to aware of the damage he was also doing to the lighthouse. Eventually he made his way to the stair case, but it wasn't just him Helvius was there as well, there was however no sign of Marcus. Helvius looked at him defeated and solemn.

Aetius "Come on we have to make it up the stairs."

Both men sprinted up the stairs and grabbed the latch and through it open. They made they're way in and quickly closed the hatch shout. Both men lay there panting and wheezing. Aetius locked the hatch and sat up, Helvius sat up as well. Both men sat in silence, the only nose the rain and the monsters swarming beneath them. Finally after a long while Helvius spoke. 

 Helvius "Well it looks like this is the end of us. Sorry for being such a hard ass all these years.

Aetius was surprised to be hearing this. He was always a grumpy man angry man, so he never expected to hear all this.

Aetius "Well you could have been easier to work with, but I suppose you weren't so bad. You did what you were told at the very least. Where you upset that you got passed him for captain?"

Helvius through back his head and laughed.

Helvius "No, I never wanted that."

He paused before he began again.

Helvius "I was a decorated soldier before I came here, helped the empire win many battles and became quite famous. The emperor himself recognized me and my valor on the field of battle. But then one day my wife had died, some sickness that she had long been suffering from. It had broken some thing inside me. I was no longer the glory hunting hero. The man who won battle after battle for the empire. Now I was just a husk a man who regretted spending more time taking the life of others then spending it with my dying wife. I was a fool of a man."

His voice broke at the last word his voice broke and his face had gone red and tears began to well up in his eyes. Aetius didn't know what to say. He remember hearing of a former war hero that stopped fighting, but he never thought that Helvius would be that man.

Helvius "So eventually the emperor grew tired of me and thought that if I will no longer fight, I might as well go somewhere were ill never have to. so He through me hear, and all that sorrow that filled me when I lost my wife became bitter resentment towards not only him but the whole empire. I never should have taken that out on you three though, old man I gave him a hell of a time."

He laughed at the last word Aetius had never known the story of why Helvius had grown so bitter, but after hearing all that... Sadly Aetius would never have the time to contemplate Helvius's tragic story as the lighthouse began to creek and shake. Aetius thought back to when he used his wind magic down stairs, how he had cut up the walls.

Helvius "Sorry. When we were down there I used win magi-

Aetius "No don't be. I did too."

But men had stood up now reading there weapons. Then it happened, the lighthouse swayed and began to fall. Aetius tried to make a grab for Helvius, but he missed. Helvius slipped and fell over the side of the lighthouse.

Aetius "NO!"

Aetius himself wasn't on the on the light house much longer he lost his balance and slipped of the edge. landing hard on the ground. He tried to pick himself up, but his head was spinning and throbbing. Before he could stand up they were upon him the horde of vile sea creatures began biting and clawing at his flesh. Aetius howled, the pain was indiscernible. It felt like he was being stabbed and pinched all over his body. He tried to fight back, but it was pointless. The creatures grabbed his sword arm and began tearing at it. Bighting off chunks of his arm. Eventually they made their way to his guts. Ripping open his belly and pulling out his insides. The last thing Aetius ever saw the remains of the collapsed lighthouse, and he remembered his captains words. We are the last light.