《Ending the Beginning》 Chapter 1: Out of the frying pan… Derrick startled awake, as people do when they are about to crash or fall in a dream. A tremendous pain grappled him, paralyzing his body, and suppressing his mind, he was in shock. He could not breathe; the air was searing and thick with smoke. He tried desperately to open his eyes, but the broiling heat forced him to keep them shut. He could hear the roaring of the flames and the crackling, snapping of the woods around him. Horror, dread and agony gripped him tight, assaulting his very soul, but something deep inside him would not yield. A memory flickered in his mind for all, but an instant. It was foggy and distant, the details indiscernible, yet it left him feeling secure and wanting. Derrick was suddenly awash with an overwhelming instinct to survive; an eruption of determination overcame him. In a single instantaneous action he jumped to his feet and dashed away. He had no idea where he was going, but he did not care, something inside him had taken hold and was now driving his every move. The flames continued their relentless assault on his naked body as he ran desperately through dense forest. His clothes had caught fire and ashed long before he had even awakened. The torment of the fires bore deep into his body, how he had not already been completely engulfed was beyond his comprehension. Somehow his skin had not caught fire or at least it didn''t stay on fire for long. It was not blistering, melting or peeling. Every step was anguish; every breath was pure torment, both the dirt and the air felt as if they were alight. He could barely keep his eyes open for more than a wink at a time, though it was just long enough to gain an awareness of his immediate surroundings allowing him to navigate the uneven terrain, tall grass, bushes, and dodge the oncoming trees. Derrick¡¯s determination to survive did not cease, and continued to endure the torturous fires for hours. The feeling of purpose that had overcome him was unrelenting and undying. As hours turned into days the density of the woods decreased, replaced with an increasing amount of shrubs and tall grass. The heat engulfing Derrick faded slightly, from an intense blistering heat to a severe scorching. Though still difficult he could keep his eyes open for slightly longer than before, making scanning the area for obstacles that much easier. The thunderous roar of the flames that had devoured him had also faded, and in their place distant screams of other condemned souls that were suffering the same cruel fate as Derrick. A figure darted through the bushes. He saw a blip in his peripheral, and it caught Derrick¡¯s attention. He closed his eyes for a second to ease the pain as he navigated around the tree, counted half a second to himself and jumped over the burning bush. He opened his eyes again, quickly scanning the area in front of him for obstacles, then turned his head to the right, back toward where he saw the figure, but nothing was there. ¡°Ah!¡± A long agonizing, panicking scream surprised Derrick, coming toward him from his left side. Derrick strained to make out the source of the screaming, his eyes were swelling with tears, his vision blurring, he couldn¡¯t keep his eyes open any longer in this roasting heat. He closed them for slightly longer than before, but before he opened them again he was thrown off his feet. Something had tackled him, something on fire, the heat coming off this... thing was like being back in forest again. Derrick forced his eyes open and to his astonishment the thing that had tackled was human, or at least it looked human. Its entire body was alit, its skin charred black, holding on tightly as they tumbled onto the scorched ground. The charred being screamed louder, and the flames on it grew into a violent mosh of flames. Derrick thrashed with all his might, in a mixed effort of writhing in pain and attempting to break free of its grip. The blistering heat emanating from the charred being continued to rise, the pain soon reached unbearable, Derrick couldn¡¯t stand it any longer and let out a howling scream. After everything he had been through, nothing had ever felt this hot, nothing had ever caused him this much agony. ¡°No!¡± a strong male voice yelled. The charred being squealed in pain, its flames vanished, within the same instant its head was split from its body. Derrick hastily rolled away and jumped to his feet, trying to piece together what had just happened. The man standing in front of him was tall and extremely fit. Wearing armor and carrying a very large sword. Derrick looked around for the remains of the charred being, but all that remain was a breeze of ash. The pain that it has caused did not subside; he could still feel it throbbing.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°We gotta move. Now.¡± The man said with urgency He took off, Derrick followed. The man was fast and stayed ahead of Derrick without much effort. The burning throbs struck Orin in waves, the pain of the demons fire did not cease. Derrick¡¯s unrelenting determination has starting to relent. Anger and doubt filled his mind, he wondered whether he could even escape this place, maybe this man isn¡¯t even helping, what if he¡¯s in league with the demons. The man noticed and slowed his pace to match Derrick¡¯s. ¡°The demon¡¯s have corrupted you.¡± The man stated factually. Derrick looked at him curious and suspicious. ¡°When a locust gets a hold of you it¡¯s fire burns you because the locust is fueling the fire and the locust is corrupted.¡± It clicked in Derricks head ¡°Here, take this¡± Zak tossed a vial filled with dull lit blue liquid. ¡°That will keep the corruption at bay, we aren¡¯t safe yet, there will be many more before we get out of here, fight it and keep up.¡± The man pulled ahead forcing Derrick to push himself to his limits. Derrick did everything in his power to fight the feelings that were growing inside him. He felt he had no choice, but to trust this man, or else he would be alone again. The screams of the demons echoed through the fiery plains. Derrick looked around and notices that they are being followed. He turns and looks ahead to the man leading, he did not seem to realize ¡°W... we got company¡± Derrick yelled ahead, trying to hide his panic The man looked back at Derrick with a look of why are you telling me things I already know? As they ran more demons trailed them, Derrick was finding it difficult to maintain this pace, but the man was unwavering, but every time Derrick slowed the man slowed and encouraged, and commanded him to push forward. Every time Derrick was sure he had nothing left to give, he kept on going, somehow. The screams of the demons had become a chorus, a swarm of them had gathered and was in close pursuit of them. Derrick could no longer hold in his panic. ¡°If they catch up we¡¯re done for!¡± he thought Up ahead Derrick could see several more approaching fast. ¡°This is it!¡± The man said, surprising Derrick. ¡°This is where we make our last stand; you survive this it¡¯s only another day¡¯s run to Fort deliverance¡± The man readied his giant sword. Derrick, feeling exhausted beyond anything he had ever felt, readied himself. He would keep them off of him no matter what. Suddenly a feeling of dread overcame him. Derrick couldn¡¯t fight the whispers inside his head any longer. The entire time they had been running they had kept them in check. As long as they were moving these demons couldn¡¯t catch them, they couldn¡¯t hurt them, but now they had stopped. Now they was no escape. The whispers grew louder as the swarm of demons closed in, and Derrick knew now, there was no way out this time. The doubt of their survival, the panic of the oncoming horde, and the inevitable pain that they would suffer, Derrick couldn¡¯t bear to go through that again. Derrick dropped his guard and turned to run, his only chance to survive. The man grabbed Derrick by the arm and yanked him closer. ¡°Do not let them win! Do not let the corruption take you!¡± The man said half pleading, half demanding. ¡°Push out the devil¡¯s whispers! Take backs your mind and fight with me!¡± Without warning, a burning figure, whose flames are radiant orange/red/yellow darts into the scene gracefully executing demon after demon, using a combination of furious blasts of fire and swift strikes with her blade. They fight, and win. Derrick does manage to get hit a few times and his corruption grows deeper. He becomes paranoid, angry, and impatient. Valorin has no interest in him, exchanges words with Zak briefly and rockets away. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving before the next wave catches us, the fort is close¡± As they trek through the Dessert. Zak explains his memory, states that they are in hell, that those were demons, and explains what the corruption is and how it works. He explains that the women we passed was Valorin, and that she¡¯s a prophet, and prophets are the strongest beings in hell. He also explains that he was ¡°called¡± to come to the southern jungle to find Derrick, and that something greater than them both must be at work. As they flee more Charred Ones follow. As they continue running, the vegetation dies down until the ground is just smoldering embers. Chapter 2: Into the Star-fire Derrick could see the fort up ahead, it¡¯s structure formed out of massive twisted, thorned bramble. When Derrick and Zak arrive at the opened gate they run in and instantly meet up with a crowd of free-souls. ¡°He found someone!¡± One girl yelled ¡°And he rescued ¡®em?!¡± Another guy shrieked ¡°Valorin will not be pleased, Scourge¡± a voice flared up from atop the wall behind Zak. It was the Barrack¡¯s Disciple, a women, wearing a lightly armored vest, and cloth garbs, sporting a pair of silver gauntlets on each hand, something akin to stylized metal boxing gloves. She was also completely covered in runic tattoos that had been seared into his flesh. The crowd were not surprised by the Disciples retort. They knew the laws strictly forbid anyone from venturing beyond Salvation¡¯s borders, but the fact that he made it back alive and with another soul, seemingly uncorrupted, was utterly ridiculous and un-heard of. ¡°I do not wish to cause any trouble...¡± Zak addressed the Disciple and the growing crowd. ¡°Then why did you defy Valorin¡¯s orders?!¡± The Disciple interrupted ¡°Yah!¡± the crowd enticed, blacklisting Zak instantly. Such was expected when dealing with the mysterious scourge. Their methods taboo, their beliefs, ludicrous. Why would such a being so queer be so far south was beyond anyone¡¯s imagination. ¡°I take orders from no one. I am my own Master¡± Zak shot back. He continued without pause ¡°And right now we have more pressing matters. If you do not drop everything and head for the nearest fort you will all be consumed by the coming tide.¡± The Disciple looked unfazed, the crowd, however, was shocked, filled with a cacophony of emotions, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, fright. ¡°And why should we believe you Scourge?¡± The disciple queried. ¡°He¡¯s telling the truth!¡± Derrick shouted, gaining everyone¡¯s attention at once. Zak became annoyed, but was curious about Valorin''s zealot''s, so he let it slide. ¡°Those¡­ things! There¡¯s hundreds of them, maybe thousands. They chased us for miles. All the way from that insane fucking inferno. We are only alive because Valorin saved us!¡± The Disciple was taken aback. ¡°You saw Valorin? When? Where?!¡± Zak stepped forward, interjecting. ¡°She intercepted the Beelzibub''s swarm (Charred being/One) and bequest me to trek here and warn you of the coming invasion.¡± Everyone stood in complete silence staring at the two scourge. Derrick knew something bad was coming, but Zak made this sound apocalyptic. Everyone was stunned taking it all in. Zak had no intention of sticking around. He turned to Derrick. ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡± Derrick suddenly realized that Zak cared nothing for these souls. He was only here out of respect for Valorin, and he had done what was asked of him. ¡°What? We can¡¯t just leave them here!¡± Derrick argued ¡°There¡¯s no time! We are not dying here! What they do is up to them.¡± Zak snarled intimidating Derrick, brushing him off and walking away. Derrick then realized the cruelty of hell was ever reaching, there was always a twist, a sacrifice to be made. He knew if he didn¡¯t go with Zak and stayed that he and everyone would all die. ¡°Zak!¡± he cried. Zak did not stop his steady pace to exit. Derrick turned and addressed the crowd. ¡°Your prophet is in there right now!¡± He roared Zak stopped to watch Derrick plead. ¡°She¡¯s fighting to save your asses while you stand here gawking like damn idiots!¡± Derrick spat with venom at everyone, but Zak. Zak uses this opportunity to see is way out. Blink and you missed it. With great haste the followers stand at attention, awaiting instructions from their Leader, A Disciple of Valorin. The disciple didn¡¯t blink. She turned back to Derrick. ¡°Give me one reason why I should believe you Scourge.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t do this! You¡¯ll never survive! Derrick pleads with them. "I¡­ I don¡¯t know! You must believe me! I Saw her, she told us to warn you!¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Then suddenly, a word shot across Derrick¡¯s mind. Faith. The word repeated over and over and grew louder, as if a stadium of people were chanting. Faith. Faith. Faith. Faith. Faith. The Disciple turned away unconvinced. ¡°If you won¡¯t believe me, than at least just have Faith!¡± Derrick cried out Disciple: (Pondering) Those words hit the disciple like a truck. Disciple: (Empowered) ¡°Our Faith in Valorin!¡± The Disciple shouted. Filled with zealous resolve, every single soul within the Barracks flew into formation and immediately responded in kind. ¡°Our faith in Valorin!¡± Crying out together as one voice. ¡°Fury of the Flame!¡± The Disciple Cried back with all his might. She finishes by shooting her buckler sized gauntlet¡¯s into the air and blasting off a cacophony of flames. They are soft reds, with orange and yellow hues. A hint of blue. ¡°Our Faith in Valorin!¡± The soldiers screamed in chorus, facelessly, throwing their fists into the air. This was Valorin''s rally cry, her most precious instrument of war against the Arch-Demon Lord, Beelzibub. Disciple (Commanding) ¡°Armaments!¡± The entire legionaries assembly went into fight mode. The Disciple grinned at Derrick for a second, she was impressed, yet suspicious of Zak. The disciple jump down into the dome and dashed to the forge at the center of the Fort. The forges were in an elaborate, yet harmonious configuration of solid carved stone. The Disciple reached the center of the forge which was occupied by a wide, shallow dias with runic symbols around its perimeter and also at its center. Her second-in-command appeared instantly by her side. ¡°You¡¯re not serious!?¡± Zak howled ¡°Are you questioning my Faith Scourge!?¡± The Disciple cracked back. Zak paused and started watching the followers dash and dart all around the fort. Literally everyone was gearing up to fight, full force, regardless that oblivion is at their gate. The disciple wasted no time with Zak''s demeanor. She turns to her kin. Disciple: ¡°It is time Damial. I must say I thought this would never come to pass.¡± Damial nodded in agreement Disciple: ¡°Take the lead, I won¡¯t be far behind you.¡± Damial: ¡°, how do you know it¡¯ll work?¡± Damiel asked anxiously Disciple: ¡°I don¡¯t¡± The disciple stood up tall and strong and looked up at Zak. Damial flew back outside the forge and got everyone into position. ¡°Scourge Master!¡± She taunted. Zak turned an eye ¡°Hmm?¡± Zak was, what looked like, stealing a couple dozen items from the armory, including, but not limited to, body armor, trinkets, and a couple dozen swords. Lots of short swords, and sheath-belts. ¡°A gift I am sure?¡± She rolled her sarcastically. The Disciple pounded her gauntlets together and every white glowing torch across the fortress snuffed out and flew toward the forge using some sort of piping. By this time the followers had collected a lot of weapons, though they didn¡¯t have any armor on. Derrick notices that no on is lining up on top of the wall, and that they are also ignoring the cannons Zak has never seen anything like it before. A now much bluer flame erupts in a mighty roar around the center of the forge, in a marvellous display of flair-fire, swiftly then into a large raging inferno, though somehow, a flawless blend of white and blue. It was warm, even inviting to some. ¡°Know this!¡± The Disciples voice boomed out from inside the Inferno. Then the Disciples gauntlets consumed all of it in a flash. The gauntlets burst into flames, this time completely blue. The ground below her begins to sink, a mechanism contraption of sorts, it seems the forge was designed to do this. With elegant body language she addresses Zak confidently. All the while the forge is descending, and twisting, surrounding her like a dome, slowly. This whole ordeal distracted a few soldiers as they gather on the northwestern side of the barracks. ¡°Forevermore you shall not address me as your equal.¡± Derrick is mesmerized. She is empowering and unphased. ¡°For I have yet to see your merit¡± She sasses. ¡°However, you are about to experience mine!¡± She boasts with glee, her giant blue fist ablaze, roaring with excitement. She is still descending into the ground. From where Zak and she are positioned, Zak wont be able to see her very shortly, cut off by the dropped-forges edge and the reshaping forge around her. ¡°For I say, you will bow to me! Before this afterlife is done.¡± She vanishes below the ground, with half the forge accompanying her. ¡°I suppose not.¡± He grumbles to the disciple. Zak is now standing on the southern wall of the Barracks dome, surrounded with gear. How even? He can finally hear the locusts. They will be here soon.