This is a story I wrote last year,
The Keepers of The Earth
By: ddr-attack!
High above the world lies the castle of the Sentinel. The castle, according to legend, is said to have been carved right into a mountain. The Sentinel lies in the castle and serves as a guardian to the world, not letting anyone in or out. The natives, who live in the shadow of the mountain, worship the Sentinel as a god. The Sentinel has laid dormant for a millennia or more, little do all the natives know he will rise again.
Janac looked down from where he had set up camp. He had traveled a long way, by foot, yet still he had five more days until he reached the castle. He knew others had tried to scale the mountain, but failed. None had returned from the castle. He looked over at his food being heated over the fire. His tall lanky silhouette was projected onto a stonewall by the nearby flame. He is only fifteen yet he is the leader of the Decan Tribe. His green eyes glistened as he looked toward the horizon, deep in thought. His stomach rumbled reminding him of his hunger.
" I will have the food mother has packed and then I will head to sleep." Janac thought out loud.
Janac's father had been injured during the war with the house of Tam, and had never made a pilgrimage to the castle or even to Mt. Hetro. Janac was the oldest son of the House of Decan. Only a few months ago, his father lay on his deathbed, took Janac's hand and cut the House Decan symbol in it. This was to show that Janac was now the leader of the house and was sworn to protect it at all costs. Janac's father Torim was a seer in his last days. A seer can peer into the future with his or her dreams. This ability only comes to those in their final days. It was considered an honor and sacred. A seer utters only truth. In the last minutes of Janac's father's life he called Janac in to his room.
"My son...I am weak..." said Torim in a sick and wheezing voice.
"I know father, you do not need to speak anymore..." replied Janac nervously.
" You must make me a promise, my son it is the only way..." Torim suddenly burst into a coughing fit that lasted for quite awhile. Janac's mind wandered back to the days when his father was strong and fit.
" I promise father, what is it you need me to do?" asked Janac.
" I have had a vision, my son" replied Torim in his weak and raspy voice.
" A vision, father! What was it about?" asked Janac excitedly.
" You will become, a great powerful man and you will meet the Sentinel." said the sick man.
" The Sentinel! What an honor." said Janac trying to remain in an adult like stance despite his excitement.
The Sentinel is the guardian of the world. Legend has told of the Sentinel's creation and division of the Four Houses. Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and how Mt Hetroc was the center of it all. The House Decan and it's descendants were the Keepers of the Earth.
" The promise you will make to me, please go to Mt Hetroc it is the only way...I see death and darkness... You must go the threat is nearing..." said Torim in a daze.
Janac remember when his father told stories about the Sentinel. It was long, long, ago when the Four Houses worked in harmony with the Sentinel. As the centuries wore on however, the Houses became greedy and angry and soon forgot about the peace and harmony they once shared. The Four Houses plunged the land into a terrible battle. Now they only knew war and disharmony. However, deep in the recess of their tribal consciousness is harmony and the memory of the Promise of The Sentinel.
" I promise, father." said Janac with tears in his eyes upon looking at his father.
As Janac sat down to eat he heard the wind rustle in the trees. He was afraid. It sounded exactly like the weapon the House Tam uses when attacking villages. He quickly turned as he heard the wind rustling in the bushes next to him.
" What danger could that be?" he thought, reaching for his sword.
A House of Tam warrior leaped out of the bushes to a height only a elite Keeper of the Wind could reach and, he immediately drew his sword staring at Janac all the while. Janac drew his sword out of its sheath. He had named his sword Torim, in honor of his father. Naming a sword is a part of Decan culture. It signifies that you are a man. It also shows respect for the dead, as that is whom you name your sword after.
" Oh, it's only a young one." shouted the Tam warrior to his comrades in the bush.
More Tam warriors jumped out of the bush. Janac felt a bead of sweat go down his forehead. He lunged forward in a horizontal slice. The lead Tam blocked it quite easily and jumped back while doing a somersault. The two other Tams lunged forward near Janac. They started attacking. Janac was out numbered and out maneuvered. He was only an apprentice swordsman and; these men were full masters. There was no way to win. He continued blocking the two men's attacks when the third Tam lunged forward and thrust his sword right through Janac. Janac fell to the ground writhing in pain, as the three men stood over him laughing. Janac tried to force himself back up but his body wouldn't cooperate. The next thing Janac knew, he blacked out. He tumbled through a barrage of mismatched images, not knowing if he was dreaming or awake.
" Wake up, young one!" whispered a voice near Janac.
" Who are you, young one?" said the voice again
" I am Janac, leader of the House Decan, Keeper of the Earth and an apprentice swordsman." replied Janac.
" Ahh, I sensed you were very strong. What brings you to Mt. Hetroc." said the voice.
" I will ask you this first, who are you?" said Janac
" I am Yer, of the Birini House, Keeper of the Fire. I found you ill and lying on the ground... I have brought you to my home. The House Birini protects the Sentinel's castle. Many a man has tried to journey to the castle but, they have joined our town... and have gone no further." said Yer.
" I have to meet the Sentinel, it is urgent. My father was a seer and he told me I must meet it right away." interupted Janac.
" Young one, I was not finished yet. We were told of your coming and have awaited many new lights for your arrival. I know of a way to get to the Sentinel. First, we must get ready to leave for the peak it is a long journey. I will accompany you, I am a skilled warlock with many mastered spells." said Yer.
" We must be off then!" said Janac, trying to rise despite his injuries.
"Erghh!, Oww!" cried Janac his body struggling to stabilize itself
Yer went over to his writing desk and picked up some parchment that had incantations on it. He then moved toward the boy and placed his hands on Janac's chest. He then started saying words unknown to Janac. The wound instantly disappeared.
" What!!! How did you do that?" cried Janac.
The old warlock only smiled and motioned to the door.
" We must leave now before new light comes. The cave we must head through is full of danger the Birini have sent to protect the Sentinel." said Yer full of excitement.
Janac followed the warlock. Yer was very old and tiny. Over the ages he had grown very wise and very intelligent. His blue eyes were still keen and lively, his skin like the colour of the parchment he had just put in his bag. His stature had isolated him from the rest of his people and he lived near the Sentinel's cavern. He wore nothing but a long, plain, blue robe and an old bag slung over his shoulder. His feet, bare. As Janac and Yer left the house they could hear sounds of a festival going on in the village. Yer just mumbled something about the noise and they continued to the nearby cave.
They entered the cave, which was full of ancient creatures believed to be dead. There were Unicorns. The most beautiful thing Janac had every seen. There were mermaids and mermen in the underground lake. There was a golden room. Janac reached for one of the golden crowns on the throne but Yer steered him away.
" No, you mustn’t touch that. It is enchanted one touch and you will be a golden statue for ever."
Janac saw many wonderful things, and he wished he could stay there for ever but, Yer said that even the men who made it this far went insane and stayed in the cave for ever.
They finally arrived at the Sentinel’s gates.
“ Janac, to pass to the sentinel there are three tasks you can choose from. Number one defeating a Dragon in a battle. Number two, defeating me in a duel or giving a sacrifice for the Sentinel … what say you?” said Yer.
Janac was having a hard time deciding what to choose. He thought about the dragon. He remembered when his town’s warlock summoned a practice dragon for him to fight. He was knocked out for three days after that battle. He also thought that dueling his friend would not be right. He decided on the sacrifice for the Sentinel. The warlock smiled a secret, sad smile and looked at the boy whom legend had been made.
“ Now, Janac you must go up to the sentinel’s gates and place your request.” Said the warlock.
Janac moved towards the door.
“ Who are you?” boomed a loud voice.
“ I am Janac, of the House Decan, Keeper of the Earth! I have come to give a sacrifice to the Sentinel.” said Janac.
“Very, well you may proceed to the Sentinel.” said the voice as the gates swung open and revealed a throne room.
Janac and Yer walked past the enormous statues and into the throne room.
“ Janac, I have been expecting you, …” said a voice.
“How do you know my name?” replied Janac.
“ I am the Sentinel, your God, ” said the voice.
“Why have you called me here through my father?” said Janac
“ I have called you here so that you can take my place. You are the chosen one, the sacrifice.”
A man stepped from behind the throne. He was very tall and was pale white. He looked very old, yet very powerful. He was wearing long, a red colored robe. Equal to those Janac had seen on his father at celebrations.
“ Janac, you have been summoned to take my place. I must return to the realm to stop the evil your father talked about ” said the Sentinel
“What is the realm?” asked Janac.
“The realm is where I came from before I first appeared on this planet. It is a place where only energy exists. I must return there to stop the great evil. I need you to take my place. ” said the Sentinel.
Without any other words he was gone and so was Yer. Janac was alone in the Castle destined to be the new Sentinel.
© ddr-attack!
Any comments?
The Keepers of The Earth
By: ddr-attack!
High above the world lies the castle of the Sentinel. The castle, according to legend, is said to have been carved right into a mountain. The Sentinel lies in the castle and serves as a guardian to the world, not letting anyone in or out. The natives, who live in the shadow of the mountain, worship the Sentinel as a god. The Sentinel has laid dormant for a millennia or more, little do all the natives know he will rise again.
Janac looked down from where he had set up camp. He had traveled a long way, by foot, yet still he had five more days until he reached the castle. He knew others had tried to scale the mountain, but failed. None had returned from the castle. He looked over at his food being heated over the fire. His tall lanky silhouette was projected onto a stonewall by the nearby flame. He is only fifteen yet he is the leader of the Decan Tribe. His green eyes glistened as he looked toward the horizon, deep in thought. His stomach rumbled reminding him of his hunger.
" I will have the food mother has packed and then I will head to sleep." Janac thought out loud.
Janac's father had been injured during the war with the house of Tam, and had never made a pilgrimage to the castle or even to Mt. Hetro. Janac was the oldest son of the House of Decan. Only a few months ago, his father lay on his deathbed, took Janac's hand and cut the House Decan symbol in it. This was to show that Janac was now the leader of the house and was sworn to protect it at all costs. Janac's father Torim was a seer in his last days. A seer can peer into the future with his or her dreams. This ability only comes to those in their final days. It was considered an honor and sacred. A seer utters only truth. In the last minutes of Janac's father's life he called Janac in to his room.
"My son...I am weak..." said Torim in a sick and wheezing voice.
"I know father, you do not need to speak anymore..." replied Janac nervously.
" You must make me a promise, my son it is the only way..." Torim suddenly burst into a coughing fit that lasted for quite awhile. Janac's mind wandered back to the days when his father was strong and fit.
" I promise father, what is it you need me to do?" asked Janac.
" I have had a vision, my son" replied Torim in his weak and raspy voice.
" A vision, father! What was it about?" asked Janac excitedly.
" You will become, a great powerful man and you will meet the Sentinel." said the sick man.
" The Sentinel! What an honor." said Janac trying to remain in an adult like stance despite his excitement.
The Sentinel is the guardian of the world. Legend has told of the Sentinel's creation and division of the Four Houses. Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and how Mt Hetroc was the center of it all. The House Decan and it's descendants were the Keepers of the Earth.
" The promise you will make to me, please go to Mt Hetroc it is the only way...I see death and darkness... You must go the threat is nearing..." said Torim in a daze.
Janac remember when his father told stories about the Sentinel. It was long, long, ago when the Four Houses worked in harmony with the Sentinel. As the centuries wore on however, the Houses became greedy and angry and soon forgot about the peace and harmony they once shared. The Four Houses plunged the land into a terrible battle. Now they only knew war and disharmony. However, deep in the recess of their tribal consciousness is harmony and the memory of the Promise of The Sentinel.
" I promise, father." said Janac with tears in his eyes upon looking at his father.
As Janac sat down to eat he heard the wind rustle in the trees. He was afraid. It sounded exactly like the weapon the House Tam uses when attacking villages. He quickly turned as he heard the wind rustling in the bushes next to him.
" What danger could that be?" he thought, reaching for his sword.
A House of Tam warrior leaped out of the bushes to a height only a elite Keeper of the Wind could reach and, he immediately drew his sword staring at Janac all the while. Janac drew his sword out of its sheath. He had named his sword Torim, in honor of his father. Naming a sword is a part of Decan culture. It signifies that you are a man. It also shows respect for the dead, as that is whom you name your sword after.
" Oh, it's only a young one." shouted the Tam warrior to his comrades in the bush.
More Tam warriors jumped out of the bush. Janac felt a bead of sweat go down his forehead. He lunged forward in a horizontal slice. The lead Tam blocked it quite easily and jumped back while doing a somersault. The two other Tams lunged forward near Janac. They started attacking. Janac was out numbered and out maneuvered. He was only an apprentice swordsman and; these men were full masters. There was no way to win. He continued blocking the two men's attacks when the third Tam lunged forward and thrust his sword right through Janac. Janac fell to the ground writhing in pain, as the three men stood over him laughing. Janac tried to force himself back up but his body wouldn't cooperate. The next thing Janac knew, he blacked out. He tumbled through a barrage of mismatched images, not knowing if he was dreaming or awake.
" Wake up, young one!" whispered a voice near Janac.
" Who are you, young one?" said the voice again
" I am Janac, leader of the House Decan, Keeper of the Earth and an apprentice swordsman." replied Janac.
" Ahh, I sensed you were very strong. What brings you to Mt. Hetroc." said the voice.
" I will ask you this first, who are you?" said Janac
" I am Yer, of the Birini House, Keeper of the Fire. I found you ill and lying on the ground... I have brought you to my home. The House Birini protects the Sentinel's castle. Many a man has tried to journey to the castle but, they have joined our town... and have gone no further." said Yer.
" I have to meet the Sentinel, it is urgent. My father was a seer and he told me I must meet it right away." interupted Janac.
" Young one, I was not finished yet. We were told of your coming and have awaited many new lights for your arrival. I know of a way to get to the Sentinel. First, we must get ready to leave for the peak it is a long journey. I will accompany you, I am a skilled warlock with many mastered spells." said Yer.
" We must be off then!" said Janac, trying to rise despite his injuries.
"Erghh!, Oww!" cried Janac his body struggling to stabilize itself
Yer went over to his writing desk and picked up some parchment that had incantations on it. He then moved toward the boy and placed his hands on Janac's chest. He then started saying words unknown to Janac. The wound instantly disappeared.
" What!!! How did you do that?" cried Janac.
The old warlock only smiled and motioned to the door.
" We must leave now before new light comes. The cave we must head through is full of danger the Birini have sent to protect the Sentinel." said Yer full of excitement.
Janac followed the warlock. Yer was very old and tiny. Over the ages he had grown very wise and very intelligent. His blue eyes were still keen and lively, his skin like the colour of the parchment he had just put in his bag. His stature had isolated him from the rest of his people and he lived near the Sentinel's cavern. He wore nothing but a long, plain, blue robe and an old bag slung over his shoulder. His feet, bare. As Janac and Yer left the house they could hear sounds of a festival going on in the village. Yer just mumbled something about the noise and they continued to the nearby cave.
They entered the cave, which was full of ancient creatures believed to be dead. There were Unicorns. The most beautiful thing Janac had every seen. There were mermaids and mermen in the underground lake. There was a golden room. Janac reached for one of the golden crowns on the throne but Yer steered him away.
" No, you mustn’t touch that. It is enchanted one touch and you will be a golden statue for ever."
Janac saw many wonderful things, and he wished he could stay there for ever but, Yer said that even the men who made it this far went insane and stayed in the cave for ever.
They finally arrived at the Sentinel’s gates.
“ Janac, to pass to the sentinel there are three tasks you can choose from. Number one defeating a Dragon in a battle. Number two, defeating me in a duel or giving a sacrifice for the Sentinel … what say you?” said Yer.
Janac was having a hard time deciding what to choose. He thought about the dragon. He remembered when his town’s warlock summoned a practice dragon for him to fight. He was knocked out for three days after that battle. He also thought that dueling his friend would not be right. He decided on the sacrifice for the Sentinel. The warlock smiled a secret, sad smile and looked at the boy whom legend had been made.
“ Now, Janac you must go up to the sentinel’s gates and place your request.” Said the warlock.
Janac moved towards the door.
“ Who are you?” boomed a loud voice.
“ I am Janac, of the House Decan, Keeper of the Earth! I have come to give a sacrifice to the Sentinel.” said Janac.
“Very, well you may proceed to the Sentinel.” said the voice as the gates swung open and revealed a throne room.
Janac and Yer walked past the enormous statues and into the throne room.
“ Janac, I have been expecting you, …” said a voice.
“How do you know my name?” replied Janac.
“ I am the Sentinel, your God, ” said the voice.
“Why have you called me here through my father?” said Janac
“ I have called you here so that you can take my place. You are the chosen one, the sacrifice.”
A man stepped from behind the throne. He was very tall and was pale white. He looked very old, yet very powerful. He was wearing long, a red colored robe. Equal to those Janac had seen on his father at celebrations.
“ Janac, you have been summoned to take my place. I must return to the realm to stop the evil your father talked about ” said the Sentinel
“What is the realm?” asked Janac.
“The realm is where I came from before I first appeared on this planet. It is a place where only energy exists. I must return there to stop the great evil. I need you to take my place. ” said the Sentinel.
Without any other words he was gone and so was Yer. Janac was alone in the Castle destined to be the new Sentinel.
© ddr-attack!
Any comments?
Comment