He drifted among the desolate wastes in the Glade of Dreams. As with those of its kind, it appeared as a dark shadowy figure flitting among the dead trees that littered the area. Bacik was his name. Bemusement rippled through its mind, mingled with iniquitous pleasure as it observed the man crouched on the ground in front of Vertsida. Sweat glistened upon his brow, a mountain of a man then stood, whose name was Stormfrost, chained at the ankles, forever doomed too remain in the mighty presence of vertsida. He mewled and hissed; spitting and struggling against the restraints holding him fast to the ground. A wail of pain ascended and caressed the living essence in sensations of sadistic delight. The man muttered, in low guttural tones, you will suffer. It knew that Stormfrost uttered gibberish, but Humans need something on which to focus their energies. Nonsense or not, he was enraptured by the spectacle of a once proud man, tormented.

Bacik sat and watched the spectacle as if someone watching a play. Stormfrost's voice rose and fell, making twittering sounds, growling sounds. Its pale skin sputtered with blood and it screamed as he tried too rend the shackles from his legs, cauterized lines appearing on his ankles. He felt exhilaration as stormfost's life force seemed to slowly fade and its eyes became glazed. His joints ached from crouching on the hard dirt packed floor. He ignored the pain. Soon, he thought, the gods will come soon, too release me.

Through the mist, that was slowly descending, the sound of every day life in the little village of Angriyar murmured. Children giggled and played. Women gossiped as they set about daily chores. Somewhere wood was being cut. Stormfrost was oblivious to these things. His devotion too being free held him in ecstatic anticipation. He stood and stretched; extending his arms above his head and leaning backward. Then adjusted the dark cloth held about his loins by braided hemp. He sat again, folding his legs. This time with a sarcastic grin.

Bacik looked up at the thin cloud hovering high above him and smiled. It lowered, floating down and swirling, forming a small white funnel. It snaked towards stormfrost. A sound like air being sprayed, a sucking noise filled the area as the cloud seemed to inhabit Stormfrost. Vertsida's breath had come too right the wrongs of a once proud man, many crimes against the lands people he had commited.

Bacik sat back against the sword he had pierced into the ground, before him, the ethereal cloud began its work. The pale form expanded and contracted as if its entire body breathed. It gazed around the area as if trying too find a way too escape.

Stormfrost's brow furrowed. He became fearful. Ethereals were merciless when crossed.

“The Seed will come through the line of ethereals and Magmars. You will not longer rule and live forever. Time of your sacrifice is nigh?” Boomed a voice in his head.

Stormfrost gasped terror at the prospect of his power over Magmars being lost forever. Long he had sought to expand the influence of the Humans throughout Faeo. Now, Bacik with supernatural help, and a little of his own cunning, would for the first time in centuries, bring the Magmars under his influence, More of a life, than what was currently experienced by the Magmar people.

A grin spread across Bacik's face wide and sardonic.

“Good. Here is where your time ends". Spoke bacik.

Stormfrost's body slowly dropped to the ground. Bacik stood, pulling his sword from the ground, He took a deep breath and lowered his head. A prayer slowly whispered out off his mouth. Nightfall slowly descended along with a slight wind that slowly whistled up amongst the dead trees.

“Well done, well done Bacik!” a voice said, “This is the first time we've ever defeated a power of the Humans as strong as this! I had my doubts about you at first, but you've more than earned your pay.”

Reggie strode into view, “Earned it and more I'd say. I see why you are called Shadow.” He reached into the folds of his robe, retrieved a small satchel of coins and tossed it at Bacik.

Bacik's eyes never left Stormfrost. The money fell at his feet. He sheathed his sword and faced Reggie. Others appeared into view, too see what had transpired, sensing tension, they stayed back.

Puzzled, Reggie said, “What's the matter man? Don't you want your earnings?”

“My task is only half complete. I was to discover how too bring eternal peace to the Magmars.” spoke Bacik.

“And you've learned something?” Reggie said, hoping for the answer too peace.

“I have,” Bacik replied. He tilted his head forward as if in thought and began to pace slowly, as if considering each step. He noticed everything peripherally as he had been trained.

“Last night, tonight and everynight for as long is required" Bacik continued.

“We must defend our lands, in force, if need be, at Virigiya, keep signals passed back and forth, as too ensure continued troop coverage ”

He paused near one of the men that entered the area, after Stormfrost's death, a tall Magmar, whose name was Horbag, without looking directly at him. Horbag shifted his feet and stared at Bacik . Some in the crowd stepped back, sensing his energy coiled and about to unleash. The wind blew, making swishing noises in the long-grass. The zorbs that were running around, stopped and snorted. A falcon's call pierced the sky overhead. Bacik kept his head bowed as if in thought.

“Your medallion of Striagorn is large and polished. You know the lay of the land well enough to decide the best place for an ambush -- and you're desperate!” spoke Horbag, in a proud voice.

Baciks's hand shot out and snatched Horbag by his shirt. Horbag's feet nearly left the ground as his body slammed against Bacik's. The red eyes of Bacik bore into Horbag whose own eyes now filled with anger.

Slowly backing down and releasing Horbag. “Very well Horbag, If you can find a quicker solution too our problems then so be it, i will listen.” shouted Bacik.

He turned in the direction of the docks.

“ One day, we shall have peace, till my dying breath i vow revenge for the loss and suffering of the Magmaric villagers and our people!” Bacik boomed. He tugged hard at the blades either side of him, as if they could themselves, give him an answer, lowered his head and prayed.

Author: Weiss