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Forgotten Tale
By KajiunVu
Prologue
An ancient land cursed to be destroyed by one man and one man only, with the quick snap of his fingers.
The person who caused the lands he treads, to bear no fruit or plants will ever grow again. The man whose name
strikes terror in all, the one whose heart was once pure of gold, but his heart rotted bit by bit until nothing was left to
rot. This mans reddish brown hair and the crystal green eyes that can pierce through the darkness like any cats’ eyes.
His name is Shaku, but many call him the bearer of destruction, the king of chaos. His bony body and muscular
arms, make him look just like a guarille. Those were long forgotten creatures of the haunted marshland. Thanks to
the "Ancient text " he was able to use an assortment of spells and powers he retrieved from a temple, destroyed by
the sands of time. Until it seemed like the temple just melted into the ground, because of time itself. He began to
learn and adapt to the ways of the long forsaken Dorians. Everything went wrong that one fateful day.
It all started the day the oceans cried for those lost and the sky wept for men who suffered for a dire cause.
What happened that day changed the future for every being living and dead in Lingai. Many thought it couldn’t
happen or he wouldn’t. Shaku proved the inhabitants of Lingai wrong again. They didn’t expect what happened
next. Cries of women and children filled the sky as they saw their husbands and fathers dying to prevent them from
entering. For Shaku appointed four generals one for each main direction of the compass. He said, "Today is a day
that is to be remembered by all. There is a time when the strength of men fails. Today is that day."
They were Runeshin, Larke, Megra, and Kevalt. Runeshin assumed power over the northern land Graimlar.
Watching things go for the worst as hundreds of men poured down upon his green adamantine armor. Lush green
forests once covered Graimlar, but trees began decaying when Shaku positioned himself as the highest monarchy
over the Kingdom of Araensgoth. From there he headed north with his armies burning and pillaging what came in
their path. That brought forth a plague killing the trees in the northern lands. The land has few trees anywhere
except the Aged Forest of Riven that lies to the north, where everything is green and all is peaceful for now.
Larke took over the marshlands to the south with an easy win. Simply he tricked the guarilles that the
marsh ghouls captured their Chieftain’s ceremonial runes in respite of the destroying of their land. When they heard
this, panic spread like a wildfire throughout the clans. The war lasted days, until it finally ended with no victorious
side, as they lay wounded on the battlefield. Listening to the laughter of Larke as the unrelenting slaughter of
women and children while they screamed in hope of a savior. The realm was Araensgoth. Marsh ghouls roamed the
southern parts of this land, carrying their bone white bows in crested with assortments of jewels. Some say the fog
there became lighter for darkness was creeping its way through the ground to find the one who defies Shaku. Others
though have their own opinions on this haunted land.
To the way west lay the realm of Jathor. That was where the fearless lady Megra ran ramped within her
new found land. The boundless oceans that stretched as far as the eye could see. She taxed the creatures of the
westward lands. War ensued wherever she went. Resistance was met when the merfolk wouldn’t stand for this
leader and her ways of government. Action was taken with the highest reaches of their technology at their aid.
Taking everything connected to oceans with them under the sea. Sea-life began to diminish from their tide pools
and the water levels began to go downhill. Islands began to gradually sink into the ardent eddies. One island remains
to the west. That one island still stand as it waits to be brought underneath the ocean currents, like the others who
stood beside it, with battalions of men ready to defend. To this day war is still among the two factions.
East lied the great Allah Plains. High rolling swells of land where creatures of immense proportion lived
for many eons ago and still do to this day. Water and food yet still remain on this desolate land, but not much in
quantities. There they were called Ga’Retew which means the beast that rides the sky. Many other creatures roam its
plain in hunt for food. They pillage and plunder many villages at the will of Kevalt. A mysterious man lived in this
region shifting like the sand itself moving unseen. Kevalt was his name and those who get a chance to see his true
face don’t live long enough to tell anyone else. Not even Shaku himself has seen his face. Yet Kevalt kept the land
under his rule. Except every so often a group of renegade men and women would come along slaughtering tens of
Kevlars. Far off is a village to where our story begins.
Segmi is the village where our hero of time lives. Religion here is just like any place in Lingai is the law
and is just no matter how the problem is. The people look to the sky for their answers. There it is thought to be the
dwelling of the great god Sonom. How it’s believed that someday he shall choose a host to bear the child into this
world as the Ferko or simple put the redeemer. Those who don’t confide, in Sonom, are usually very amorous of
Natas, the satanic god of mischief, discord, and the seven deadly sins.
A village with no order is a village cursed to burn, as many traveling villagers say. Reverend Mother Matai
is the leader of this village she settles the quarrels and keeps religion strict. The village its self few houses still
remain, the population is 49 people per sq. mi. Hate thrives in this village where one mans treasures are stolen by
another. Folks living here aren’t the picks of the crop. Their habits are a disgrace to the word avariciously. These
people who would make their children feel as if they’re dogs and did just that. But yet for some odd reason they get
by fine as if they live very typical lives. Yet a family remains upright, not twisted or turned in any deformed way.
There the child lives.
Only one person, really a child dares to oppose the great Shaku, a child of only 11 years old. Named
Keshan, his hair matted down and changed of color because of the filthy conditions. Crystal blue eyes that shine like
two wading pools of water. His house is mostly in shambles, roof falling apart with a wooden wall around to keep
the goats in and to keep pesky crangion out all standing firm in the wind. He lives in peace for most the time in his
village with a mom Milleh, an older brother and sister. His father was a well-respected man of dignity. Now journey
back to that fateful day when men of this land stood strong against this new leader. Here Turek, Keshan’s father
fought long and hard against the oncoming hordes with few men to spare and barely any hope among them. He
succeeded at driving them away, but at what price. He took his life by letting Shaku behead him for the resistance to
die down. All this was done in hope that his family would live to see the death of the tyrant.
A Face in the Crowd Chapter 1
"If only one could be a bird, so many wonders of this land could be seen,” Keshan spoke softly as he sat on
the hill that looked over the town.
“Keshan Vegreville!” A voice came echoing from the village. “Wherever you are, so help me, you had
better hope Sonom doesn’t find out you’’re late for midday prayer or your soul may just go to Natas!”
Keshan began to run down the hill faster and faster, his eyes fastened upon the small village as it grew in
his sight.
"Oh no!" he thought frantically as he stumbled over the rocky slope. He began to tumble wildly out of
control. At the bottom of the hill was the entrance of Segmi. Keshan crashed into the well on the outer borders of
the village.
"Uhhh, where am I?" Keshan began to look around, noticing the many houses now empty because so many
had left for the bigger towns. He could see no one in the streets at all and he wondered why.
"Where is everyone?" he thought. "Church!" he remembered as his heart fluttered with fear.
He began to run again, regaining his sense of direction while heading towards the village square. He ran
past all the market stalls, up to the square, and approached a building made of rock and mortar. Gold trimmings
embossed the door, while the glyph above the door shone with a sage green-aura.
Keshan walked to the door, transfixed by the oddly shining glyph.
“Huh, never saw the glyph shine before.”
Keshan began to stare deeply into the revolving glyph as intensities and the patterns of the light changes.
“What’’s wrong? I can’t move... feeling so sleepy...” Keshan's voice trailed off as he passed out at the
door. Some time later, he couldn't say how much time had passed, he awoke to find himself surrounded by grim-
faced villagers. The crowd of people surrounding Keshan parted as Mother Matai came through.
“Foolish child," she berated him, "Why can’’t you be like the other children and stay in town? No, that’’s
too hard for you, isn’t it Keshan? You just wait -- some day you’’ll get it for being such trouble!" Mother Matai
looked up with a frown. “Here comes your mother. Maybe she’ll talk some sense into you,” Mother Matai grimaced
in agitation.
“Keshan Vogrivel what in Sonom’s name do you think you are doing? I hope you have a good explanation
for missing mid-day prayer” Milleh voiced softly.
“Well, uhh I was up on the hill when I heard you call so I ran to come to prayer when ...” Keshan said.
“Get to the point, why you were passed out already!” someone in the crowd asserted. “Yeah get to the
point child!” another person said. “How do we know this child just might just make up some story? ,” Another
stated.
“Fine then, here it goes. I was at the door when I noticed the glyph glowing.”
“Stupid child, the glyph above that door never glows not ever,” the bald man raged.
“Let me guess you stared at the glyph and passed out. I’m I correct,” Mother Matai replied.
Yeah how did you know?
“Lies, lies all lies you all speak of petty nonsense. You should be ashamed of yourself listening to this
child. He tells half truths I know he did he should be punished to the furthest extent of our religion. Don’t you dare
speak you old bag of wind. You’re just as guilty as he is, telling everyone here that the Ferko shall come to save us
from Shaku and his minions. I’ve been praying all these years and no sign of this hope not even proof that Sonom or
this Natas really exists. Day by day I wait and all I got was giving all my gold and time to this church. Enough is
enough; I’ll kill you all!”dictated Grehn. Carefully he revealed two long curved blades one in each hand, waiting
for the taste of blood that they’ve been craving for so long.
“How dare you come against me. For this I think your time in the church and part of this community has
gone long on long enough,” remarked Mother Matai. Mother Matai’s eyes began to dim down to black while raising
up her hands her scrawny body the sides chanting.
“Where one lives in heart and soul let death come to rap upon the door. Break it down to see their face
before dismemberment begins. Dishonor he may do too other, but to me is far worse. Sonom grant me strength bring
forth the hound as which might be called.”
Shadow hounds appeared around Grehn. They began to lunge at him, again and again the strike. Grehn
frantically swung his blades about. He watched as his blades cut right through the beasts as if air itself. While the
hounds pierced his skin down to the bleach-white bone. Grehn finally gave up to the hounds dropping his blades as
shadows engulfed him. After it was over it left nothing, except the two blades behind.
“Anyone else wants to try me, good that’s what I thought.” Mother Matai directed to the crowd. “Now
that’s over where in the world was I, until I was rudely interrupted. Ah yes, the glyph! It only glows during prayer or
in the presence of Sonom. If it was one of those weekly prayers on the seventh day, you’d be blind. Too bad it
wasn’t. Maybe this will teach you a lesson about being in church on time. Understand?”
“Yes, Mother Matai I’ll try to remember.” Keshan sees a figure cloaked in a red robe in the crowd.
“Mother Matai look there’s a man in red. Over there!”
“Where? I don’t see a single thing. Probably side effects of looking at the glyph. I don’t want you to try, I
want you to remember at least something Keshan,” she spoke.
I swore I saw it, honest.
“Sure, ok honey let’s get you home and to bed,” Milleh softly expressed.
“Village social is over, go back to work money doesn’t make itself and slacking never pays off, now go!
Come on go already. My hounds are still hungry,” cackled Mother Matai. Everyone went about their business
trading for items, farming, smithing crafting and all the others.
“There you go Keshan, go to sleep. Your sister and I will be in the other room sewing, if you need
something just give a ring on this bell.”
“Mom? Do you believe me?” Asked Keshan.
“Of course I do every bit, now go to sleep.” Keshan falls asleep almost instantly. Milleh closes the door
and walks to the table.
“Is he all right?” questioned Illeria.
“Yes, probably just a little shook up from his fall.” Sitting down into her seat.
“Good, I don’t want to see anything happen to him. We already lost someone in our lives I don’t want it to
happen again. He does have a thing for trouble.” Illeria said while hunched over her sewing.
“Don’t worry so much that’s my job.” Making a smile to brighten up the mood. “What time do you recall?”
“Remember when he was only four and he wandered out of the village and ran into the pack of crangion or
the time he ran up the aisle in church naked just to show everyone his scar. Mother Matai wanted to wring his neck
with her bony arms! That would ‘ve been interesting for her to try to physically harm a wee toddler without her
enchantments.” Chuckling to herself as she spoke.
“Those were just nothing because he ended coming back to town by a wandering traveler.” Pointing out the
window. “Mother Matai blew off her steam on someone else that day and was happy to see him the next. I had a
hard time believing it was her. See everything always goes right no matter what.”
“But one of these days just you see, soon there won’t be someone to save him next time around!” Pounding
her fist into the table.
“Fine you think your way I’ll think mine. You just put your thought on your sewing over there.”
“You’ll see soon enough,” Illeria asserted while furiously sewing.
“Be glad I give you room and board. Maybe I should treat like the other parents do when their children get
out of line.”
“Your right mom, I lost my temper. Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure.” Hours began to come and go as our dear hero Keshan slept.
“That was a great nap. Feels like I’ve been asleep for days,” Keshan said as he stretched out his arms.
“Son, you have been asleep for three days,” Milleh told him softly.
“No...how.... why didn’t you wake me?”
“You looked so peaceful there so I wouldn’t want to disturb you. Unlike all the other people who wanted
you to wake up. Still remember the crowd of people outside the door complaining, why the child gets to miss prayer.
Just told them that growing boys need their rest. So I made a deal with Reverend Mother Matai that you have to
serve time with her in church.”
“What!?! No I’d rather be wakened. Do I have to go today?”
“Don’t worry you begin tomorrow,” Milleh spoke faintly.
Ok. I’m going outside to see what I missed. Keshan walks to the bedroom window.
“Be careful son.”
“Don’t worry yourself so much,” he said just as he jumped outside. Keshan began to walk around the town
watching the people hurry about their business. Seeing every other person just stop to look at him then walk off.
Heading down the main street, the robed man appeared in the distance. “There it’s him!” Keshan started to run after
the man down the street. Seeing him turn down another street heading towards the graveyard. “This time he’s not
getting away. He’s headed down Almola St. to the graveyard. I’ll cut him off using the alley.” Excited as he is in
catching the man Keshan turns down the wrong alley. “Excuse me, watch out, beg your pardon nooo.” Keshan yells
to the people in his way. “Dead end!” Keshan frantically searches for a way out. “Stall, boxes, people, and chickens
not much. The stall!” He begins to climb on top of the stall from there gets onto a house. “Running across houses
one of my favorite past times,” sarcastically speaking. Keshan begins to run atop the unstable houses, then jumping
from house to house. There! The graveyard dead ahead! Keshan runs harder, faster till his body just wanted to give
up. Jumping off the last house onto the parched soil that lay beneath his feet.
“Mental log don’t jump off houses again, instead find an alternate route,” he spoke to himself rubbing his
legs. Just as Keshan turns around to face away from the graveyard smack the robed man ran into him.
The Hag and The Terrible King Chapter 2
“My Lord I have most troubling news to have befallen upon your head,” spoke Yegis Gicer sincerely.
“What is it this time? Wait, wait for it probably another worthless piece of information as I presume.”
Shaku said as he placed a small figurine on the board.
“No, Shaku .... I mean my lordship. This time it truly is important, it’s the acolytes they translated part of
the stone you found.”
“Can you not see, I’m busy, come later I have no time for this.” Making a motion with his hand to go,
while trying to figure out another move for his figurine on the board.
“Does it make a difference to you sir if it involves you?”, Yegis spoke quizzically.
“You’ve caught my attention keep going.”
“Well as I was saying before, the acolytes have found a piece of information regarding the appalling king.
You sir, and it tells of how the king appointed four generals to assist in the domination of the land. How the
inhabitants of the land fought back until they gave up. Here’s where it gets interesting, it speaks of a simple child
one whose little hope will be seen by many and rekindle their own. Thus, causing millions to spread this hope.
Which hope turns to faith where that turns to light itself. Bringing forth the death of the tyrant and his armies from
the hand of a child. So what do you think my lord?”
“You know what I think about this pathetic excuse of a story. Really you want to know?”, Shaku asserted
as he started to hit a boiling point.
“Sir, it’s not a story it’s a prediction of what is to come,” Yegis spoke while cowering in fear of Shaku’s
tremendous force.
“A prediction is it. Well that’s a whole different story.” Shaku spoke heavily as he rose from his chair.
“You dare defy me, by correcting what I say. Just for that I should send you to the dungeon see how you like the
rancid smell of dead bodies and those maggots down there could be your friends. Or better yet feed you to the
terraforms, oh how they love a good meal now and then.”
“I didn’t mean to correct yo.....,” Yegis said almost hiding behind the door in which he came in from.
“SILENCE!! God damn you. All you do is talk. You should be glad you’re the only advisor left or my
collection would be finished with al the other past advisors.” Pointing over to the far wall lined with heads in pikes,
making sure to show him the only empty one left. “Let me finish this game.” Shaku moved the king-shaped figurine
up one square. “Checkmate! That is all for today,” Shaku said to his servant.
“So what do you want me to do about this? This gives me exactly no reason to do anything really.”
“Sir, if I may ask don’t you care that you’re to die? If it was I, I’d do anything I could to stop it,” Yegis
said while still cringing behind the door.
“Yegis, first get out from behind the door and come sit.” Making a motion to the chair in front of him.
Yegis walked slowly to the chair and sat down.” Now first off let me explain something to you. Fate has a way of
getting what she wants. Let’s say a guy is to die by his son, but instead of this happening the father kills the son to
live. Fate won’t stand idly by for this. She’ll create some other way for him to die, maybe by his wife who knows
really. You get the point?”
“So, then why can’t he kill his wife my lord.”
“He doesn’t know who’ll kill him. Understand?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good. Too bad I don’t believe your prediction anyway.”
“But, sir! You must though. Do you literally want to see the land go back to normal?”
“No, I don’t. If I call the old hag in here will that settle your stomach. Good. Bring the old hag in.”
Shaku’s guards quickly ran out of the large throne room. Hearing the clicking of shoes against the stone floor.
Feeling the cold breeze as the beastly old women came into the room escorted by a small girl. The hags long gray
hair, twisted nose and protruding top lip. Wearing a black robe covering her brown clothing underneath and slightly
showing her jeweled-dagger on her leg.
“What tis’ it be that you want?”, the old hag expressed.
“I want to know what the future has in store for me or is that too much for an old crow like you to do,”
Shaku replied mockingly.
“Mocking me won’t get you anywhere my dear,” she cackles loudly. “The future is what you want to know,
then so be it.” She pulls out a small purple bag from the inside pocket of her robe. “Ahhh, here it is.” The old hag
carefully loosens the bag’s string. Opens it up and dumps the contents of the bag into her wrinkled hands. She began
to shake them up cupped inside her hands. Then finally letting them go. Off the golden beetles flew around buzzing
around. Then they came to a stop and fell at her feet. She jumps down to the ground on her knees to get a better look
at them.
When, quickly the small girl makes a dash for one of golden beetles. “Back you vile girl” the hag screams
as she backhands the dear girl.
Meska como ve de zo. I ask a favor wished to know. Shadows engulf the bright blessed day as dark sacred night
lives with its awesome might. Terrible King has no future is how I think. Shade of the second moon envelop and
take hold. Natas we pray dearly to you and your ways. I give you this small girl in turn for what I wish.
Just as she finishes her chant the room instantly becomes filled with a dark red light. Killing off the girl.
The room turns colors to now become a blue, while a white sphere is formed above where the golden beetles lay.
They see a ghostly image of the girl go flying into the now bright blue sphere.
“What is it that you wish?” the voice beckons from within the sphere.
“Natas it has been so long, since last time I heard your voice. But last time I was better looking. I wish for
the gift of foresight,” the old hag answered calmly.
“As you desire, so it shall be.” There and then a bolt of energy came forth from the sphere right to the
hag’s bitter heart. “Remember though with this gift come limits of it’s own, remember, remember.” The sphere
began to diminish in size until nothing was left there. Except the golden beetles and the ashes of the girl.
“Now you accursed old hag, what do you see in my future?” Shaku demands.
“Let me see.” She closes her eyes slowly. Visions began to appear in her head flashing from one to a
completely different one.“Ahhhh, I see a young man.”
“Is it me?”, Shaku replies.
“If I saw you, I wouldn’t say young man, it’d be more of a grotesque man. I don’t even think saying man
would be appropriate instead fiend would be suitable,” she laughed.
“Ha, ever wonder why I call you battered hag instead of witch or soothsayer?” Shaku chuckled.
“Do you want your fortune told or not?”
“Yes, why don’t you old hag.” She begins to close her eyes once again to concentrate on future predictions.
“The young man wields a sword crafted differently from normal ones. A king of kings shall flow from
northward mountains to reclaim his throne. An army raised from the sea comes. As death comes reaping the harvest
of darkness laid out for him including you!” Her eyes widen as her finger points directly at Shaku.
“That is it for today. Leave!” The hag is just out the door when she looks back.
“My lord with every passing moment the tale comes closer to its end. I’ll be here at your side till the end.”
She looks up at Shaku. “For I’ve known you longer than anyone here,” she spoke truly sincerely. She leaves the
room and proceeds down the hallway.
“Guards get the servant to clean up the mess and take the beetles to the hag.” The guards began to scurry
off down the hallway. “I’m as good as dead. I’ve only been king for how many years Yegis?”
“Thirty-two years sir and counting,” Yegis replied.
“Yes and what a great thirty-two years they’ve been. No, this destiny must not happen. I shall prevent it!”
Shaku said as he stood up out of his throne.
“Yegis send a message to Megra tell her to finish of those rebels. Another one to Runeshin, write how a
problem has come up and he must find someone who could be a destined king. Lastly send to Kevalt, start it by
telling how great of a job he’s been doing. Tell him to kill off every child in his area. Got it?” Shaku spoke as he
paced back and forth across the poorly light throne room.
“Yes, my lord. I shall send a letter to everyone except Larke,” Yegis answered softly.
“No one shall have my death. I’ll rip things out from their body they didn’t even know they had,” Shaku
spoke as he punched the column cracks begin to grow about it as lightning spreads throughout the body when
struck.
“My lord, may I make a suggestion?”
“What is it?”
“Why not vent some of your steam on the peasants. Make them suffer for their savior coming.”
“You’re right. I haven’t had some good execution time in a while. Go fetch my sword and meet me
outside.” Shaku speaks as he exits the room.
“Yes, my lord.”
7/20/2004 9:05:58 PM
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