- Chapter 11 -
Dark Nemesis
©1999 Kilnamar
On the high, jagged mountains far to the east of Toadia--accurately named the Iron Hills--stood a shadow. If any
had been near to view the sight, they would have been unnerved by the way the shadow resisted the sunlight,
absorbed it. Slowly, smoothly, the shadow moved higher up the cracked, broken slope, melting in and out of
fissures and piled stone. As it reached the highest point, it stopped, and took form--the form of a man.
The man-shadow gazed out across the wide land below him towards the distant green of the Toadia swamps. A soft
hiss came from the form, followed by a violent wave of a pitch black arm. And far below, the ground trembled as if
smitten by some unimaginable power.
The shadow pondered the events taking place on this world, events that reached farther than only a few of its
inhabitants had ever imagined. The Land faced the greatest trial of its existence, and those it had chosen to represent
it were pitiful at best. Still, it would not do to be too confident so soon. Some care had to be taken. Many a
confident warrior had fallen due to underestimating the foe.
With another hiss, the shadow began to lose form once again. The time was near. The Land would feel his power
and weep. As Azchel began his slow decent from the peak, his dark power reached forth into the Land--testing,
prying.
And the world shuddered at the Shadow's coming.