Alphande'
Death's Embrace

The sky was blanketed in darkness as the giant swirl of destruction tore through the battlefield. Men, horses and chariots were swallowed up within its gaping hallow. I unlike everyone else stood and waited for the end, as I knew that it was pointless to run. At least for me, there was nothing to run towards, nothing to live for. All I loved was gone.

“Prince Gareth we must leave,” said the strange looking man with slanted eyes and silver hair who I had woken up to completely healed of what should have been a deadly wound.

“No, you go ahead.” I said stepping away from him.

“But the Grey Mage wanted you to be kept safely.” He said coming behind me.

“Grey Mage?” I said turning my head to him.

“Evander.” He explained.

“Well my safety is no longer the Grey Mage’s responsibility, but give him my regards nonetheless. Tell him that I am sorry. I cannot erase what was done, but what I will do will make his life that much easier.” I said stomping forward. I noted that he was about to grab me and subdue me by force if necessary. But I was quicker as, I took off suddenly towards the tornado and didn’t stop until I knew I was close enough to it that he wouldn’t dare follow.

The echoes of screaming men surrounded me. The ebb of movement was in the opposite direction of where I fled. Occasionally I would only stop to pick someone up who had fallen before they were trampled upon and sent them on their way.

The conflagration of dark clouds and storm force wind licked at my face as it came closer. I stopped moving as it seemed to sense my willingness. It pulled me closer into its embracing arms of death.

I closed my eyes allowing a collage of memories of my bitterly short life to flood my thoughts. Memories of joy, pain, betrayal and love all quickly through my mind. Most of my thoughts were tainted by hate and feelings of being unwelcomed, insufficient and never fitting in. However, coming to the end there was one place I did feel welcomed. That was while I was being held by Noräin.

I was young but at least I had gotten to know what true love was. Noräin’s face lit with a tender smile lingered before my eyes. At least we wouldn’t be a part for much longer and it was with this knowledge that I stepped into the dusty arms of my end.