The Seven Seals: Dragon Crusade

The wind became violent as they continued to climb up into the mountains. Its unyielding force seemed to go right through the group and cause their bones and teeth to chatter. Patches of snow here and there became visible, but much larger as they trudged, until they had fully reached snow covered land. To the Seal’s surprise, the elves were able to find the path through all the snow. But then again when thinking back to it, the wood elves probably knew this path from the back of their hand. There was also the idea though that almost everywhere they went looked the same as the last.

But their knowledge was doing them good as the group reached a small incline to a path that lead up alongside the mountain. Looking up as it went, it curled and snaked through the ridged sides before disappearing from sight into the mountains.

“Keep to the side of the mountain!” Earidon commanded to the group through the gusts.

Following along with the group, Kate stepped close to the wall as the slowing formed a single file line. A gale of wind bashed against her and the group like waves crashing against a rocky shore. One mistake and she could be sent tumbling right off the cliff. Kate felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought. If this was considered the safer path, she wondered what the path of Winduli would’ve been like. Probably much worse if this is considered safe, Kate thought. She looked towards Travis who walked behind Laela and two of the elves. How did they feel about this? The elves were probably used to this by now, but Travis and Laela probably hadn’t done something as dangerous as this before. Laela was so small and lacking in the strength that most of them had. But Travis would probably be sure to take good care of her. He was like the older brother any child ever wanted and that anyone could feel safe around.

They journeyed further up the mountain path, and the lands sat far bellow them. The sky was cascaded in a tumult of clouds, which almost nearly veiled the red and orange sunset sky. The setting sun began its descent between two peaks. Its fading light washed the mountaintops in warm, brilliant colors. Though the sight was beautiful to behold, it came to their attention that they would not have any light at all very soon.

Kate’s eyes shifted from the sunset and up to the front of the group. Did Earidon have anything planned, any alternative? She could just feel the temperature dropping every second and her body beginning to curl up. Kate grabbed Travis’ shoulder. “Travis!” she said, her teeth chattering. “The sun is going down. D-d-don’t they have something planned?”

Travis looked back at her and shook his head slightly. “Ah…I’m not sure, they said something about a cave.”

“There better be a cave up head,” Kate heard Kirith’s voice from behind. “I feel like I’m going to become an ice cube.”

Kate crossed her arms over her chest. “Y-you’re not the only one.”

Travis chuckled. “You guys are so weak!”

Kate scrunched her brow and kicked Travis’ leg. “Big pack of muscle and meat— keep moving!” she hissed.

Travis laughed, purely unaffected by her kick. “Okay, okay! Geez, I’m movin’!”

The sun was just about to pass under the horizon as the path began to widen. Caved out of the side of the mountain was a small clearing that hung above an endless drop. A hollowed out cave sat to their left. But to their right was a small pile of stones, what looked to be an altar of sorts. It was quite shocking to see it standing still in such powerful wind gusts.

Earidon looked back upon the group and called, “We’ll stay here for the night!”

Everyone quickly situated themselves before the last rays of light finally disappeared. A fire was made in the small cave as they gathered around it for warmth.

Kate sat hugging her knees, feeling the utmost satisfaction from the fire’s heat. So this was what it felt like for mountain climbers, or anyone passing through mountains for that matter. Kate really wondered how anyone would have such dedication to venture into the cold and dangerous peaks. But she knew there were plenty of people out there with a cause, and with that cause came determination. That was something Kate didn’t have, but she tried her best to keep up with the group.

As she began to feel herself grow hypnotized by the comforting warmth, she noticed something. Laela wasn’t in there with them. Where was she? Kate swore she had seen her helping them set up camp. She looked around at the tired faces around the fire. They were too occupied by the fire to notice her gone. I’ll look for her myself, she thought.

Standing up, Kate set her blanket down and walked out of the comfort of the hovel. And to her surprise, Laela was standing not too far away with her back to Kate. What could she be doing out here? Kate thought. It’s freezing!

Kate approached her from behind, slightly worried for the girl’s health. “Laela, what are you doing out here?” she asked, coming up to the Laela’s side.

Laela was staring down at the small stone altar peculiarly. Laela’s hands were clasped at her waist contently; she looked like a child beginning to pray. “How long do you think its been standing there?” Laela asked.

Kate furrowed her brow in thought and looked at the altar. “Not sure… Maybe not too long,” she said.

“I don’t know,” Laela replied. “I think it’s been here for many years. The wood elves make them because they believe the formation of stone would add balance to the universe and give respect to the Creator to gain peace on one’s journey.”

“A pile of rocks?” Kate cocked an eyebrow. “Well what if a wood elf passed through here recently? That’s probably the case.”

“You’re not seeing the whole picture though. Something like this, on the journey that we’re on. It’s like it was meant to be. I can’t place my finger on the word…”

“Destiny?”

Laela nodded as her eyes lit up. “Yeah! An omen of hope. A message. Like someone knew someone else would need it.”

Kate didn’t say anything. There was a long pause before she spoke up again, “You need to get back to the fire. You’re going to catch a cold.”

Laela complied and they both proceeded back to the where everyone was around the fire.

The next day, the group continued on their journey up the mountain path. Though their muscles ached, they knew there was no stopping, since the Obligators were on their trail. But their trek up the path became slower as it grew rigid and thin. The group was now keeping close to the mountainside, but that didn’t seem to help. In fact, the winds became stronger and slapped them against the mountain, causing some of the other’s footing to slip slightly.

Kate tried desperately to keep her eyes off the deep drop that waited like a serpent’s maw. Her gaze drifted down a bit as every sharp jutting rock clarified in her vision. Kate’s heart beat rapidly in her chest. So far, so low, even if she did fall, she would probably be out like a light from the change in altitude before unknowingly snapping her spine, crushing her skull, and tumbling down like a bloody mess.

The oncoming wind batted her face back on the path, almost as if it were telling her not to look down. But when she took her next step, Kate felt her foot slip. She fell into a panic as she began to lose her footing. But a hand caught her from behind and steadied her. Kate set her foot upright and clutched the wall. Looking back, she saw Kirith letting go of her collar. “Careful,” he warned.

Kate nodded, catching her breath. “Yeah, thanks.”

Thankfully, up ahead, the path widened into a small clearing area. But what was ahead of that made Kate’s jaw nearly drop. Stretching across a wide gap was an old ice covered bridge held up only by rope and four pegs. It rocked back and forth in the wind like a loose swing. Several of the planks going across were missing, revealing age-old fault.

“Oh my lord…” Kate muttered exasperatedly. Were they going across that? There were no other pathways so it seemed so. But how could they possibly get passed that?

Everyone gathered in the clearing, staring at the bridge. The Seals in particular had a wary eye on it. “I’ll go first to see if it is safe,” Earidon announced. “Callon, you go after me, the seals after you, Epheldor and Derenil tag along last. One person on the bridge at a time! It’s all about the first step. Once you take it, there’s no going back. Got it?”

Everyone nodded. “Alright.”

Turning towards the bridge, Earidon approached it.

“Wait!” Kate said. “If you’ve been here so many times, why do you have to check if it’s safe?”

Earidon looked back at her. “It has been here for many years, we do not know when it will break.” He looked back at the bridge and grabbed hold of the ropes. Earidon studied the planks with a knitted brow. The pressure was clearly visible on his face. Taking the first few steps, Earidon was getting the hang of it, but didn’t change his pace. After several long anxious minutes, he had gotten more than half way. Earidon’s dark locks of hair whipped in the wind as a gust made the bridge swing slightly. He froze in place before continuing. Finally, Earidon stepped onto the other side of the mountain path. He called back, “Careful on the thirtieth plank!”

Callon was up. He terraced the bridge cautiously, doing almost as well as Earidon had. He stepped over a plank; Kate supposed to be plank thirty. Swiftly reaching the other side, Callon stood at Earidon’s side.

Kate looked amongst her fellow Seals and bit her lip. One of them was up next, but who would volunteer? She sure did not want to go first.

Travis sighed and knelt down next to Laela. “I don’t think its safe for you to go on there alone,” he said. “How about we both go? You sit on my back and I walk us. Just like the rides before.”

Laela had a somewhat frightened but determined look. “Okay,” she said and nodded.

After Laela climbed onto his back, Travis got up and walked to the bridge. He clutched the rope and stared down at it, a hint of fear in his eyes. “And as if being tall wasn’t enough,” Travis said, trying to lighten the mood. He took his first few steps shakily and licked his lips. Travis began making his way slowly and nearly unsteadily. Seeing him walk across it looked almost painful with his height and the extra weight. Laela looked down at the fall below them. She gasped a little at the sight of it.

“Don’t look down, Laela!” Travis said. “Just keep your eyes ahead!”

As Travis reached the middle, he stopped in front of a small gap where a plank had been missing. He reached his foot over to the next plank, but upon stepping, his foot slipped forward as his leg became wedged between the two planks. Travis’ side hit the bridge as Laela just barely dangled form the side. She screamed as she tried desperately to hold on.

“Travis!” Kate cried.

“Travis, stay calm!” Earidon yelled. “Don’t stress over it!”

Travis hoisted himself up a bit and reached back, grabbing Laela’s leg to pull her back up in a safer position on his back. He ever so slowly pulled his leg out and stood back up on the plank. For the rest of the way, Travis walked across the bridge in a wobbly manner before stepping onto the other side of the small ravine. Everyone could relax his or her nerves, but only for a little while.

Kate and Kirith exchanged a glance. “I’ll go, if you’re not feeling up to it just yet,” he said.

“Go on ahead,” Kate replied. “I…may need a moment.” Kirith was just about to turn away when she spoke up again. “Be careful, okay?”

Kirith looked back at her and nodded. “Of course,” he replied, though there was a hint of terror in his eyes.

Kirith walked up to bridge as he stared at it, breathing steadily. Clutching the rope on either side, he began walking across the bridge. Though he did slip a little in several places, Kirith managed to reach the other side in one piece. Now it was Kate’s turn.

Kate cautiously approached the bridge and looked at the planks leading all the way to the other vantage point. This looked near to impossible, how did the others manage to get across this? How did they have the courage to take the first step? It has to happen at some point, Kate thought. And they’re all waiting for you… She reached out and gripped the rope. Kate held her breath set her foot on the next plank. She continued to take more steps, but as she did, her heart beat grew faster in her chest. She was only just suspended in air by a few ropes and some old planks over a vast and deep ravine. Rocks jutted out in the ground beneath her, pointing like knives and ready for her to make a mistake and fall. Kate tried to divert her gaze from the fall and towards the planks before her. Don’t look down. Don’t look down. Don’t look down, she told herself.

She reached halfway as every inch of her body was shaking uncontrollably. Not because of the biting winds that nearly caught her off balance, but the inevitable death right bellow her feet. As Kate was feeling just a slight bit of hope that the other side was much closer than before, she took another step. But she hadn’t been paying attention. This plank was the thirtieth, the one Earidon had told them not to set foot on. Everything happened in a quick motion; the plank snapped and broke under Kate’s weight, causing her leg to slip through as she screamed. Her whole body followed, the rope slipping from her grasp. But at the last second, Kate caught the plank in front of her.

“Kate!” Kirith cried. “I’m coming over there!”

Kate dangled from the plank, holding on as tight as she could. Tears were forming in her eyes. She wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. It wouldn’t be long before she would loose her grip. “Help me!” Kate screamed in hoarse and fearful voice. Her fingers edged off a bit more.

Kirith was just up ahead, but not close enough. What if it was too late? What if he wouldn’t be able to help her up in time? Kate felt her fingers slip farther. Now it was just the tip of her fingers that were keeping her. “KIRITH!” she cried aloud.

Kirith was getting closer, only several planks away. He met her gaze with a despairing look in his eyes. “Hold on!”

Kate wasn’t sure if she could. With Kirith walking on the bridge so close, it was beginning to make her fingers slip farther. Another shake. Kate’s fingers slipped from the plank. In that very second of slipping off, it felt as if her whole world had slowed down when suddenly something grabbed her arm. Kate was knocked out of her phase as she looked up into Kirith’s eyes. He held onto her arm, his face a mix of strain and pain.

“C-climb up! Hurry!” Kirith said between clenched teeth.

Kate nodded quickly. She set her free arm on the plank and pushed up. Kirith helped pull her up onto the plank and steady her. With Kirith in front, the two of them climbed across the bridge. The winds began to kick up and rock the bridge in a torrent. Kirith lost his balance and began to fall forward. Kate grunted and quickly snagged the back of his collar, yanking Kirith back up. When the wind finally settled down, they continued on, feeling an overbearing amount of adrenaline.

With hearts racing, the two of them reached the other side, shaking from head to toe. Earidon approached them, a worried but surprised look on his face. “Are you both alright?!?” he asked.

Kate nodded slightly. “N-n-never better,” she stammered.

Travis stared at them in shock. “What is that, the second time you guys have saved each other?”

“Third,” Kirith said breathlessly.

Kate sat down in the snow, trying to come to terms with the fact she almost died. The last time there was a possibility of rescue. But up there if you made one mistake, it could only lead to your death. Such a close encounter, and there probably would be more. I’ll never get used to this, she thought.

Kirith sat down next to her, still with that astonished look on his face. He rubbed his face and sighed.

“Thanks…for saving me…again,” Kate said with a shudder.

“You don’t sound very grateful,” he replied exasperatedly.

“Its not that I’m not grateful…but I almost just died, twice now.”

“Well…so? That just means you’re still getting used to things. Well—not that I’m used to any of this. I guess…”

Kate sighed. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your problem anyways.”

Derenil and Epheldor reached the other side swiftly and carefully. Everyone followed Earidon farther into the path, going into a close walled area. Now in single file again, they wound through the path with much quicker progress. They came to a stop when they reached an almost crossroad-like area. Two paths jutted through the rock, leading in different directions.

“No matter,” Earidon said, continuing on. “The path we go on continues to our left.”

“Wait!” Laela pointed to the path on the right. “Where does that lead?”

Callon looked back at Laela. “That leads to Onn Dorei, a city long forgotten. Goblins hide there, so we do not go that way.”

Laela’s curious expression diminished into freight and dismiss. “Oh…”

Continuing up the path, the group finally reached an opening, leading up to a wide slope. But something was visible just over the top. A stone tower stood nearly iced over with more structures visible along with it. Beyond that their eyes couldn’t see…yet. Walking up the slope, they pushed through the winds that carried off particles of snow. The altitude change began to lock up the inside of their ears much stronger then it had before.

The climb was tiresome, but they finally reached the top. To their left was an old keep with a tower behind partially fallen walls. It looked like it had just been abandoned for many years, and the rotting skeletons that dotted the premises proved that. But there was something off about them. Many of the other fallen stones and ancient objects were buried in snow. But the skeletal remains weren’t.

Maybe it’s nothing, Kate thought, tugging her jacket closer to her abdomen. But something was off about this place.

Earidon stopped mid way. He looked around the area with a troubled expression. “Something isn’t right…” Looking back the group, the elf held his finger up to his lips, signaling for them to keep quiet. Kate furrowed her brow. Keep quiet? Keep quiet from what? She knew something was wrong about that area. Keeping a bit low, Kate stepped lightly, hoping not to cause too much noise.

They were halfway passed the fort when a winding groan emitted the fort. The rotting door to the tower swung open at a gale of wind that carried an echoing voice. It resonated along the mountaintop like an old moan of pain that clawed at their souls.

Tread no further…

The voice resonated with a frightening opaqueness in the wind. The group froze as their eyes darted around the looming frozen structure.

One of the skeletons that littered the snow began to stand up, its bones rattling and zooming into proportion like a magnet. It straightened its back and held a spear at its side. “Skinwalkers…” the skeleton said.

Kate’s jaw dropped open. Was she even seeing this? A skeleton…able to walk and talk, was that even possible? Kate made a quick glance to the others, who obviously seemed to feel the same way as she did.

Earidon stepped forward towards the skeleton. He spoke in a light yet pleading tone, “Forgive us…for awakening you.”

The skeleton sneered at him as he stared at Earidon with his piercing glowing blue orbs of eyes. “You trespass on occupied grounds…elf.”

“I know, and we apologize for such intrusion,” Earidon replied, bowing. “We were only passing through the mountains.”

“Passing? Passing through here?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“That’s what they all say, that’s what they all think,” the skeleton went on. “Passage through these mountains, no one goes through here…not without my consent…”

Earidon sighed. “This mountain belongs to no one… The war is long gone…”

“FOOLS!” the skeleton hissed. “The Emperor’s command is set in stone. We will protect these mountains from any intruders!”

“Being up in these mountains must’ve driven them mad…” Kate heard Callon mumble.

It was obvious Earidon was growing irritated. “You must rest. You cannot refuse paradise. Your Emperor has passed.”

“Silence!” the skeleton snapped. “Do not try to put such spells on my mind! You cannot make my brethren and I stray from our post to reap the mountain of its riches. We…we will not allow you to pass…” From all around, some other skeletons began to rise and form, holding weapons and wearing armor.

Earidon put up his hands in reassurance. “S-surely you can understand that we mean no harm at all! Have you lost your mercy through all these years?”

“Have YOU lost your perception?” the skeleton replied. “You don’t care for His Lordship’s command, none of you elves and simpletons do…” More and more skeletons began to stand upright and look at them with rage. “For years we have watched as others like you walk through here with no care. But we shall see to it that a tax is paid for passage. A tax in blood and skin!” The skeletons all around let out a decayed hiss and charged.

On instinct, the elves drew their weapons. “Get back!” Epheldor yelled to them, pointing his blade to the skeletons.

One of them lunged towards them, swinging its blade. Callon shot an arrow from his bow, striking the skeleton in the chest. The skeleton flung back and scattered into pieces. But those pieces began to wiggle and form back together into skeleton it was.

“You cannot bring death upon the dead…” the leader hissed.

The other skeletons in return made a resonating bone chilling hiss and charged at them.

“BACK DOWN THE PATH! GO!” Earidon yelled to the group.

Definitely not wanting to have their fate befall upon the hungry undead, they ran down the slope with haste. The skeletons followed after them, and they were quick to do so since they had little weight.

Skidding on the snow, the group rushed back into the narrow passageway. They immediately came to a stop when they reached the cross paths. Epheldor, who stood at the front, looked both ways hastily. He struggled between which way was best. “Ah—”

The sound of the skeleton’s cackling bounced off the rock walls. Epheldor quickly darted to the left. “This way!” he commanded.

With hearts pounding, the group raced down the path. For what was behind them was not too far away and was gaining on them. After almost a minute, they reached a clearing, but on the other side of it stood a tall black slate with words in an unknown tongue carved inside of it. It was almost like a door, but a door that lacked any means of pushing or pulling it open.

“A dead end?!?” Travis stammered breathlessly.

“No,” Epheldor said and quickly walked to the black door.

Kate looked back where they came. The skeletons had just rounded the corner and were running right towards them with weapons ready and their wispy orb eyes piercing. “They’re coming!”

Derenil stood in front of the passageway and held up her hands. A wave of light sprouted from her hands and crept across the opening. The skeletons stopped in front of it and snarled in rage. They began to swing at it, trying to break it in any way they could. Derenil pushed her left foot back and bent slightly as if she were pushing the crowd of skeletons herself. “Earidon, Epheldor— make it quick!” she snapped.

Earidon quickly jogged up to Epheldor’s side and looked up at the door with wide anxious eyes. “These runes,” he began.

Epheldor was in deep thought, trying to ponder something. “I-I don’t remember—” he said. “Earidon, you remember these, right?!”

Earidon touched the wall and mumbled some things under his breath. The memory seemed to dawn upon him as his expression lit up. “Yes, I think I remember.”

“I don’t have much left!” Derenil called back.

Earidon reached up and pressed his index finger on the wall and began to speak an unknown tongue. Tracing his finger down, he formed a triangle with the movement of his hand, continuing to mumble the words. Earidon then placed his palm on the door and finished off the sentence.

The runes on the door suddenly filled with light. A low hum emitted from the door as clumps of snow fell from around it. Suddenly, the black slate of a door began to rise to reveal an opening. But the door crept open slowly, and Derenil’s shield wasn’t going to last much longer.

Earidon looked back at her. “Derenil! We need more time!” he exclaimed.

“I can’t reconfigure the shield!” Derenil replied. “It’s taking too much damage!”

“Maybe I can try!” Laela said as she rushed to Derenil’s side.

“Laela—” Travis called, but it was already too late.

Laela held up her hands as Derenil did. Small streams of light emitted from her palms and connected with the shield. It was doing the shield some good, but not enough.

Kate watched in shock. How was Laela doing that? Was it her Seal powers that she was using? But her thoughts were cut off when somebody grabbed her shoulder.

“Kate, the door is open, come on!” Kirith said.

Kate nodded slightly and followed him and some of the others inside. All that they could see before them inside was complete darkness, but the light from outside had cascaded inside to reveal the dark stone slab floor. Kate stopped and looked back at Derenil and Laela who held still to the shield. How much longer would they be able to hold that up?

A low rumble made the ground beneath them quake. The door, which had lifted up for them to enter, began to close. Kirith looked up at the door in disdain. “But it was supposed to stay open! Right?”

“Yes, but it must close to ward off the undead for good,” Earidon replied, his voice somewhat broken.

“Derenil, Laela! The door is closing!” Epheldor yelled.

Derenil turned her head to Laela and spoke something to her. With a worried look, Laela nodded in return. She pulled her hands back, causing her light streams to disappear. She rushed towards the door and ran through, as it was almost halfway closed.

Everyone was on edge as the watched Derenil hold up the barrier. She was bent low, but she continued to hold her hands up the unrelenting force of skeleton’s. The door was more than halfway closed now, almost blocking their view of Derenil. Callon stepped forward, fists clenched. “Derenil!”

Sliding under the door came Derenil, before rolling to a stop in exhaustion. The door closed with a loud, reverberating thump. The group was left in complete darkness, inside the depths of Onn Dorei.