The Void’s Voice

Far and wide, many people will travel. They crave strength and power, yet these things seem to be out of reach for them. This was not the case for Rardon, the mighty king of the east. It was now that he ruled all of that very east, from its north corner to its south corner. He was a great deal of concern for nations all around, and it seemed their worries would soon come to fruition.

Rardon conquered kingdoms that either opposed or didn't benefit him. When he first came to the throne he controlled a nation much like any other. But only a few decades later he had managed to envelop all of his enemies, destroying their cultures as he cackled in insanity. There was nothing more he wanted than to build a kingdom eternal.

"However," Rardon stated, conversing with the king of a much smaller northern territory. "Although I rule all of the east, and reap the rewards of my people as does a farmer reap the barley and wheat… Opposition has come like a crow. An alliance of nations has banded together in the west, swearing to destroy what I have created. They fear that one day, I will reach them, and take them to be mine as I have the others. A reasonable fear no doubt…Although it's not something I can allow."

"Is that why you have called a meeting with me here?" Asked Arden, the king of the smaller northern territory. The two sat across from each other in a private room, where not much else could be heard. The only thing providing light was a dim candle, which flickered around to dodge the wrath of the darkness. "We've almost given you providence over all of our military, and given you the best of our supply. What more can you ask of us?"

"Well. It's come to my attention you have… Other, motives." 

Arden furrowed his brow, curious as to what the king meant. "We have done nothing but swear loyalty to you. I can assure you there's nothing else planned other than to help you build the eternal kingdom. We've already given up our rights as a nation to you–in hopes that we can one day be a part of it."

"Do you think I believe you? We came to you in hopes that you would help us in our conquest. Unlike the others, you were submissive when we arrived. I believed at first you were just aware of our might and didn't want to risk any civilian lives… But you've tricked me. You've been cruel to your people since the day of your birth–and even worse–I've found communications between you and Tarveria. A nation of the west." 

Arden was taken aback–a nervous sweat bead even dropping from his head. He truly did fear the might of Rardon, a man who seemed more cruel than others. "We have done no sort of trickery, Rardon! The reason we've joined hands with you is because we know that you contain a secret that no one else does. The secret to something everlasting. We would be fools to deny this power."

"And then for the letters?"

"Well, tell me more about them, and I may be able to explain." Arden shrugged. "I haven't authorized any communication between other kingdoms. Whoever has done this will receive due punishment, however."

"I'd like to see that you kill them." Rardon was quick to suggest. "As I have heard, the letters were sent being sent personally to you. What contents they have, I don't know. They were brunt before they were retrieved–which raises even more questions to me about what you may be sending."

Arden shook his head. "I swear to you it's not true."

"Well, it's no matter." The king stood up, then glared at the door and glared back at Arden. "I wanted your thoughts on this, and I figured you'd immediately deny it, which you have." Taking his sword out of his hilt, he put it up to the man's neck and he then looked at him in his eyes. "I'm a very kind man, so again, I request for you to explain. If you cannot tell me why these were sent, then I figure I should kill you. I have no reasons to let you live other than mercy, so consider my reaction a review of your plea."

With a nervous glint in his eye, Arden swallowed. He sat looking up alone, wondering how he could explain this away. The sword was only a few inches from his neck, meaning only a few seconds from death. "It's just that it wasn't me…! It was probably my general–he's always been–" 

Without a moment of hesitation, Rardon swung the sword up into the air and he then sent it crashing down, making a slice. He didn't grimace as blood splattered out but instead looked with shame for his mistake to ever trust Arden. "I'll promise to no more let fools like you follow me, for the eternal kingdom has no room for fools."

–

Several hours had passed by, and now the king was in his chambers as he planned his attack. The northern kingdom was sure to notice of the king's death, so he knew he would have to act fast to destroy the nation. Otherwise, a coordinated invasion could leave his nation weak to the Western kingdoms.

So, he scoured his map and took a set of wooden figures. Some of the men, some of the horses. Each with a dark, oaky look to it.

He moved them across the map as he thought of his plans, simulating many possibilities in the process. However, his abilities to simulate were deafened the moment that his wife entered, leaving a creaking sound from behind. He made sure to ignore her, so he did not lose his thoughts entirely.

"No hello?" She frowned, heading over to her husband as she overlooked the work he was doing from the tip of his shoulder. "It's typical for you to say hello unless something's gone wrong."

Rardon shook his head, shaking her off as he continued to look down at the pieces.

She seemed to take a dislike to this action and faced the door as she supposed she would leave. "Guess you don't want me anymore. I might as well leave and head for Arden. I hear he treats his wives well."

"You won't be able to pull that bluff anymore." Rardon chuckled. 

She furrowed his brow, curious as to what he meant. "You don't mean that you–"

"I did," Rardon responded hastily. "What do you think I'm doing in here? Playing around with the pieces? I'm no child–I'm a king. Arden had to die, otherwise, I could see the ruin of my plan. He used his royalty as a ruse to attempt to steal the secrets of the eternal kingdom. But I knew well enough to kill him."

Although at first, Tula gasped. Her expression quickly changed to admiration. "So what now, are you going to take his wives and replace me?"

"I do not believe in such a way of life. You alone already drive me to the point of insanity, I cannot imagine one hundred more." Rardon said, not with a chuckle or giggle, but with a plain serious expression. "However, I still love the loyalty you provide to me. It surpasses that given by any king or nation, and you have nothing to gain for it."

She did chuckle, however, heading back to him as she gave him a sensual glare. "How about you take a break from doing this? You could have someone else give their best, for once."

Rardon shook his head. "For years, the kings of this kingdom relied on the backs of others. Alone they could do nothing, which is why we remained so worthless until I took head. I do not give work to what doesn't need work, nor will I ever do such things. I will take the reigns of all that needs to be done, and charge it first into victory rather than leave it to a peasant with no royal blood."

Tula frowned again and then let out a sigh as she leaned against a pillar supporting the ceiling. "Well, I'm going to be heading upstairs. If you want to spend more time conquering the northern territory then I suppose have at it."

Rardon didn't heed to any words in response, and only returned to his work as he intended to be doing that evening. The stress of the murder was getting to his mind like restless parasites as he considered if it would come back to haunt him the nights, which only made the planning process more difficult.

It was all foiled however when again, somebody walked in. This time, it would be a great Seer, running in a sudden moment of panic. By the time they had reached the door, they were already out of breath. If they did not receive even a drop of water it was sure to Rardon that they may die. So out of concern for his citizen, he handed him a drop.

"Why are you barging into my quarters this way?" Rardon asked in frustration. During his speech, he was giving the Seer some of the water he had attached to him in a waterskin, which was around half gone by the time he had got down to giving it to the thirsty man. "Can't you see that I'm busy at work?"

"I can assure you what I have to say will surpass any work you are doing." The seer said now that they had collected their bearings. "I had a vision–one too large, and too vivid. It is sure to me that it will be very difficult for you to dodge this future as you have the others, and you must begin planning around it immediately"

That had caught Rardon's interest immediately, and he gave the Seer a seat as he listened to his words with great intention. Meanwhile, he looked over his map as he considered the things being told to him.

"What is this vision that you've received?" He asked once sure that the seer was comfortable.

"It was a terrible thing. One which I'm sure not even you can dodge." He let out a sad sigh. "It all began in the kingdoms to the west. They sailed across the sea in numbers of a million–a billion, even! From across the southern land bridge, they even marched, covering the entire mass of the land with footsoldiers! They wheeled in catapults and some even more mysterious weapons… All of it was terrible, and with ease, they broke down your walls as they entered your inner kingdom. They destroyed cities and murdered your people. It would've only been a matter of time before they murdered you if I had not awoken in shock!"

For a second, Rardon stared at him. Then, he cocked his head as he moved back in disbelief. "What season did it seem to be throughout the vision?"

"At least the summer, which we are in now! They may be currently moving in for their attack!"

Rardon shook his head no. "I do not believe you are telling me the truth. No nation, or league of nations, has ever been able to create enough soldiers to fill the entire land bridge. It is clear to be you are spreading lies for the sake of my fear. I wouldn't be so shocked if Arden told you to say this before his death."

"Arden has died?" The seer said in shock. "No matter–I hold no relation with him, and he did not tell me to say these things. I tell you this in an urge to have you consider your next steps wisely. It may be the last for our kingdom!"

In a similar fashion to how he acted with Arden, Rardon took out his sword and pointed it out to the Seer. "I am going to bring in ten more seers, maybe another dozen at that. If they all retell the same vision, then maybe I will spare your life. Otherwise, consider yourself one with the withering. For your death is ary." Turning to the door, Rardon exited as he then got somebody to gather up all of the seers in not only his castle but the town.

And it was that in the meanwhile he had forced this very seer to sit in a dungeon so that he would not escape, but also so that he might have more visions. And by two nights when all of the seers had been gathered, he was released from the dungeon and taken before the throne, where Rardon was sitting.

Rardon had spent the entire day panicking over this prophecy, fearing that it may be true in any manner. It was out of this fear that he had gathered all of the seers, who all bowed before him in a row of five by five as they looked down.

"Look up, great visionaries," Rardon spoke in a loud voice. "Each of you I will require to tell me the visions which you have prophesied in the day that was given for prophecy, and then I will determine the fate of you all. So go, and tell me."

And they all did prophecy, telling the same story which the first had told. This left a deep concern within Rardon, realizing that this prophecy wasn't just fate, but a sign that he had to do some sort of change

So when the next morning came he got out of bed hours before his wife had. No sleep had been attained that night, for much time was spent sweating over the dangerous possibilities. In his loud awakening, however, he woke up his wife also. 

"What are you going to do about it?" She immediately asked, knowing about the prophecy. It concerned her much as well. 

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Rardon shook his head, wishing he could get away from this fate for at least one moment. "I don't know. It seems that there is nothing to do against an army such as this. I almost consider if it would be better to flee and start a new kingdom within their borders."

"You're speaking nonsense. You rule over the greatest nation–meaning you have the greatest army. You can outlast them." She gave as a form of weak motivation. "However, it will come at a cost."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know that I am very sophisticated in the arts of darkness. I once acted as an interpreter for it. There are many things surrounding it which I know, including the way for you to pave out of this war and instead conquer all nations in a single battle. If you are willing to pay the price, then this will grant you your eternal kingdom."

The king, Rardon, who was weary and crazy from such a long time of worrying, was open to this idea without much hesitation. "Tell me what I have to do!"

"I never told you these things, because I feared of how they'd affect you. But in a dream last night I could hear this essence speaking with me, and it warned me to bring you in. However, you must complete a task to prove you are serious about it. Can you do that, Rardon?"

"Without hesitation, I will!"

. "The first of which is to kill all your seers. The second of which is to swear off drink–which you must do for only a day, otherwise you might be invaded before this solution. And the third of which is to order the slaughtering of a third of the nation, which will not all have to happen right away, however, if canceled, surely you will die."

Rardon didn't even take a moment to furrow his eyebrow or to consider, or wait. He knew that his kingdom was at risk, and shook his head yes right away as he then got out of bed and got dressed. So he went through his kingdom and did these things, killing all of the seers that had told him his horrific vision, and ordering the murder of a third of his nation. Many reacted with shock, and mayhem ensued. However, he was willing to do it all in his foolishness. And, throughout this, he also abstained from drinking any water or wine, instead leaving his mouth as parched as his brain had been.

When he finished these grievous acts that he returned to his wife by the end of the first day, nearly went insane through the end of it all. "What will happen, now that I've completed these things?"

She furrowed her brow, as he had just entered the corridors where she lay. "What do you mean, Rardon?"

"I have done the task you issued this morning–and have caused the death of many! My tongue is dry, and my seers have been put to death. You have told me to do these things all in the promise of my kingdom becoming eternal, so now I ask, what will happen? Where is my next step, or task, that I may complete before tomorrow night?"

"It is simple." A devious grin emanated from Tula, one which had never been seen by Rardon. "You must now absorb the darkness allow you, letting it enter you as you then see your world change from all around. Not much needs to be done, however, I must lay my hands on your chest and back as I push you into this void."

"Do it–do it now!" Responded Rardon impatiently. "I can feel now the rumbling of a million footsteps. I thank you, for your help, Tula."

Tula shrugged and then began the process. It was quick, and it was easy. All she did was channel the darkness into him, and he accepted it warmly. He was a fool to do so, that instant falling unconscious as he lay limp on the bed.

–

Although at first, Rardon thought he was dead, he soon found out that things were quite the opposite. He was in for a rude awakening, however, as when he first opened his eyes he could see nothing but darkness. The air around him was stiff to the point of not being there, and there was nothing to smell or hear. It seemed his senses had been lost from him, and he was sure that this must be oblivion. 

He was stuck in this state of torture for days. It felt as if every passing second was a millennium, driving him further into insanity. Nothing could stimulate him but his own thoughts, so it was here that his anger flourished, realizing he had been tricked. At first, he believed this was a part of the process. But he could see over time that he had been rused into giving up his life. 

All of these suspicions soon went down under, however. It all started when he began to smell the scent of burning flesh not far off the horizon. It filled his airways despite his attempts for it not to. And in the next few moments, he could soon hear the cackles of flames. Then came the bitter taste, and next the feeling of overwhelming warmth as he sat in a loft of hay, its pricks digging into his skin. He could see he was in some kind of tower, which spiraled up so high fog concealed the ceiling.

"This must be not oblivion, but the deepest pits of hell." Exclaimed Rardon, getting up from his predicament. "Yet still I am joyed! For now, I am away from that insanity!" He was on the verge of tears, having spent most of his time in the vast void of nothingness.

Wishing to explore and stimulate his previously dormant senses, Rardon began to exit out of the tower where the hay was. He ventured outwards to find he was on a plateau, suspended above a foggy darkness. The lands around were mostly dull, however, compared to what he had last experienced this came across to him as salvation. 

So he continued to explore, heading down the mountain where the tower lay and seeing the land was made up of ashy gravel. Not a single soul was in sight, and he wondered if he was the only one here. There was no time to ponder this, however, as he lost his footing and slid down the mountain from his backside.

As he lay down, bleeding slightly out of his back, he looked above to see a red mist. "To feel pain…" He said his thoughts aloud. "I took it for granted."  However, when he stood he quickly realized this was nothing in particular to miss, as he struggled to even maintain proper posture. He wondered what he had done to deserve this place and to deserve this pain. "Was it the thirty seers? Or the third that I killed? Or, maybe even the millions in battle…?" 

"Who are you talking to?" Asked a man from behind him. He seemed to be old with age, having a beard which spiraled down his chin, and wrinkles all across his forehead. 

Rardon swiftly turned around to the man, not knowing anyone else was there. It was then he also quickly realized his nakedness and hid behind the rubble of an old ruin as he looked on with fear. "I did not know another soul dwelt in this torment… May I ask what you are doing here?"

The old man shrugged. "I don't know, I've been here for quite a while. The passage of time has become nothing more than a memory to me if I had to say." Looking around, he then saw the old cloth from a flag post and ripped it off. "Cover yourself with this instead. I am not very keen to see your lewdness."

Rardon made haste to wrap it around his body and was then comfortable to leave the hiding place of the ruins. "Am I subject to a similar fate?"

"You locked your fate in the moment you embraced this… darkness." Said the old man with an unfortunate sigh. "You accepted it into a part of your life, and now you must witness what it is. Unless good favor is found with you, yes, you very well do have a similar eternity in here."

"I'm sure of it," Rardon said with a sigh. "This must be the hellscape I've been foretold about. To think I thought of something else." 

"This is no hell." The old man shook his head. "I can assume you don't know much about what you did to get here… You've been tricked, no doubt. This is no punishment, but rather the inside of the mind of darkness."

Rardon thought again he was being tricked, the notion of this sounding nearly hilarious to him. "I do not believe you. I've been tricked too many times, and this place is the spitting image of torture. You cannot change my mind."

"Oh, but maybe I can!" Chuckled the old man. Walking to the edge of this plateau, he looked down at the foggy dark mist as he then called Rardon over to him. "This is the physical essence of darkness. It lay at the bottom, like a lake. If you dip yourself inside of it, surely you will see that I am telling nothing but the truth."

"I will not believe you. If I fall in. maybe I will be cursed to an even worse torture."

"Then you may never escape." The old man unfortunately sighed. 

The two stood at the top of the hill without a word being said for a while. However, it came eventually that Rardon grew angry. "What have I done to really deserve this place!? Is this truly all the result of a trick!?"

The old man shrugged. "Many of us turn to this void when we want a power we do not possess. You are simply another one of those few. The power does lay, however, it's beyond the mist. It can only be reached for those who dive into it."

"You know, what if I tried something?" Rardon asked, looking down into the mist once more. "You say that there is no danger of falling into this void. But I'm not so sure I believe you." 

Furrowing his brow, the old man then turned around to Rardon. "You seem to not believe a word I say. Pity."

"I want you to make something clear to me." Rardon stood in front of him, blocking the old man from walking anywhere to go away. "I call you to jump off into the void. If it is as safe as you claim and offers great things, then surely you won't hesitate."

The old man laughed once again, and then once ending his laugh, looked Rardon in his eyes with a serious gaze. "I've jumped in many times before, and here I am today."

"Then another won't hurt." Rardon placed his hand up to the man's chest and pushed him in, watching as he fell down into the mist and became invisible in the darkness. He laughed a little, glad to see that the old fellow had maybe actually died. And so, he continued to stay there, wondering if he'd see anything come from out of the mist.

However, nothing came. He was met again with the oddness of the dark and only looked embarrassed over the edge as he realized he may have just killed his only companion in this horrible place. "No matter." He thought. He would rather be alone than have to deal with such an annoying voice. So, he turned around, ready to leave. 

However, when he turned around he was again met with the old man's face, who began to fall into a fit of horrible laughs as he found humor in Rardon.

"How did you survive!?" Rardon yelled. "I watched you fall into the furthest end! Surely you must have found yourself in something dark…"

The old man shook his head. "I have already brought myself into that mist before, and let it fill me with its power. It will bring me back to that tower whenever I die–whether it be to any cause. The same will happen to you if you fall. In one moment, you will be dead, however only half of a second later you'll be back in that tower. It really is quite an odd form of magic."

Rardon couldn't believe that it was true, and simply shook his head. "So you're saying I could kill you a million times, and you'd never die?"

"Sadly, yes. That is my eternity." The old man sighed. "If I were to kill you, it is possible that you'll escape. The place you'll go, however, is not the earth you're familiar with. But rather, a place far worse than here. However, if you jump into that mist, the power you came here seeking will come to you. The only matter of debate is whether or not you will be permitted to use it."

Rardon wasn't sure if he could believe this either, so again he decided to test it. "Maybe again, you are lying. Many have lied to me, and I am sure that this mist is not what you say it is. So again, I challenge you."

"Now what do you intend to do?"

"If death is nothing, surely you will not fear this." From the ground, Rardon took a stone. And it was with the stone that he bashed the head of the old man, slaughtering him a second time. He watched as his body vanished from his clothes within just a few seconds, and now some stray clothes lay on the ground. It was a few minutes later than the old man then returned, wearing other odd clothes as he barrelled down the mountain.

The old man got in front of Rardon again after a few moments and simply looked with a disappointed expression. "Do you still not believe me? Will your ignorance continue to blind you?"

"It will not." Rardon shook his head. "Surely you would have died to something as stark as that. However, I cannot trust you are not using some form of crude magic to again trick me. So, I must slaughter you in a way that I know of your death."

"Do not get hasty, now." The old man said. "I still feel pains as much as you do. I do not want to receive such continuous torture."

Rardon, however, shook his head. "Do you know that I am a king? I am a descendant of kings–a king–and father of future kings! I am not no random individual, and if I demand you to die for my sake then you should pledge loyalty."

"You are no king over me." Said the old man hastily. "But if you want to kill me, try your best."

Rardon did not hesitate and looked around for a weapon he could use. Quickly he found a spear in the ground, one amongst many, and threw it into the chest of the old man. The old man, again, died. And again, crawled back out of the mountain several minutes later.

Seeing that he had managed to trick his fate again, Rardon looked out with anger as he balled up his fist. He wondered how the man had found favor and a great rage began to boil up in his heart."Why do you refuse death!?" He cried out, the pain becoming too much to bear.

"It is as I've told you. As we are in a realm like no other. You too, can achieve this, if you jump into the void.."

"If you're so insistent with me and the void, why haven't you just pushed me in!?" Rardon said. "You could have done it multiple times easily! But no–you try to trick me into death! Why don't you have the matter become final!?"

"I am not made in such a way." The old man shrugged. "If it is not your will to fall into darkness, then you will just die. Even if you fall in. It's a matter of what you choose."

It made sense to Rardon now, about why this man had tried too desperately to push him in. "You wish to make me a slave to the darkness, don't you? Would I be wrong to assume you are the darkness incarnate?"

The old man shrugged. "Some questions are best left unanswered."

Rardon, growing desperate for a way out of here, then looked down the mist if he considered if it would be worth it. He knew that accepting this evil mist would come with dark consequences, however, the temptation was strong as he called out to him, voicing its desire to bring him in with it. 

"Well… Go on in!" The old man pressured him.

"If this grants me the eternal kingdom, then I suppose it is worth it." Said the king. And as he looked down, he bent his knees and he then jumped into the large catacomb that the mist hid below. Once jumping in, things returned to a state of dark. However, he was sure of one thing. He had not died.