Azarath

by DavidReinold

First published January 1st, 1970 00:00

She bore an indigo cloak, fastened at her neck by a silver clasp.

She stood tall like some sort of primate, only darker, her demeanor blazing a fiery white, her eyes a sharp red, and her skin completely pale, an unapologetic tint of grey. Her figure was intimidating to say the least.

But before anyone could ask her name, she collapsed to the ground, her body racked with violent shudders, like a silent sobbing she refused to express for what it was.

When she ceased to shudder, and her breathing fell silent, what could we do but take her in?

Chapters

Part One - Prophecy

Part One - Prophecy
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Azarath

Part One - Prophecy

The sky was thick with heavy clouds, and a chill electrified the air. Winds whipped and buffered at my bedroom window with all the fury of a forgotten demigod, rousing me from my slumber. Candles flickered in hushed tones throughout the barely visible expanse of the tree house I called home.

I slowly forced myself out of bed, creakily finding my balance upon the imperceptible floor below my hooves. An ornate clock on the wall - caught in the faintest hint of candle light - informed me that it was well past ten. Why, then, was it so dark? Perhaps a storm was moving in. I promptly closed the window, cutting off the sharp stream of frigid air.

I carefully felt my way over to the stairs and, snatching up the nearest candle, lit the path down to the bottom. The candle light didn't travel very far, and indeed seemed to cower, as though suffocated by the darkness around it. I tried to light my horn, but it was no more effective than the candles. As carefully as I could, I found my way down the stairs without stumbling on a missed step.

"Spike!" I instinctively called out. After no more than a few moments, my young friend emerged from what I assumed was probably our holiday closet - a conclusion which I drew from the string of Hearth's Warming Eve lights strung cleverly around his spines.

"Good, you're awake!" he spoke in hurried and hushed tones, quickly handing me a second strand, "find a way to put these on, it's just as dark outside."

I did as I was told, gently wrapping them around my neck and midsection, and suddenly I found the room to be much brighter. I started off towards the kitchen, but Spike was running towards the front door.

"Where are you going?"

"Where are you going?"