My dream started where my book had left off, in darkness. The ground was shifting like sand and my footsteps became lost as I trudged forward. All there was was blackness, the flapping of some monstrosities wings could be heard off in the distance and the sound of the wind blowing across the sand. Behind me where the sounds of my group, three men and two women; healers and fighters alike. It wasn't until the first scream echoed not far away that they began to worry. Someone whispered prayers to their gods, another groaned, the flapping of the wings grew closer and another scream broke out. This sent men and women alike into a frenzy of fear. Sparks, flames and curses began to light up the darkness, exposing the skeleton remains of town houses and farms. My heart beat accelerated as someone screamed so near to me.
"Now!" The shout was far but yet so close in the darkened hell, with a surge of fear I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate. One. The screams only got worse behind closed eyes. Two. The flashing lights were almost to distracting. Three. Breath in, Breath out. Four. Calm. I could no longer hear what was happening and as I opened my eyes I knew it was time. Five. Thrusting my hands out and throwing my head back, light erupted all around me driving back the shadows. Letting out murderous screams the flying creatures, with large leather wings and deformed human bodies, retreated from the light, an assault on their blind eyes. Concentrating fiercely I looked around, and counted the dead. Ten out of the twenty that had come with me had fallen to the shadows and their mistress. The others stood stock still holding their hands to shield the brightness. Lowering my arms I stepped forward, "Hurry. I don't know how long it will last." With the warning in hand, the group sprung into action and began moving quickly keeping in the light. The swirling black clouds showed no yield, but as we progressed they bowed to the shadows making way for the survivors who had lost so much to be here. As I looked around at my group I smiled, and the light grew brighter. We were going to make it.
"Now!" The shout was far but yet so close in the darkened hell, with a surge of fear I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate. One. The screams only got worse behind closed eyes. Two. The flashing lights were almost to distracting. Three. Breath in, Breath out. Four. Calm. I could no longer hear what was happening and as I opened my eyes I knew it was time. Five. Thrusting my hands out and throwing my head back, light erupted all around me driving back the shadows. Letting out murderous screams the flying creatures, with large leather wings and deformed human bodies, retreated from the light, an assault on their blind eyes. Concentrating fiercely I looked around, and counted the dead. Ten out of the twenty that had come with me had fallen to the shadows and their mistress. The others stood stock still holding their hands to shield the brightness. Lowering my arms I stepped forward, "Hurry. I don't know how long it will last." With the warning in hand, the group sprung into action and began moving quickly keeping in the light. The swirling black clouds showed no yield, but as we progressed they bowed to the shadows making way for the survivors who had lost so much to be here. As I looked around at my group I smiled, and the light grew brighter. We were going to make it.