Forest Island - The Other side - Final

            It was the Sixth day when the Forest Kings’ reinforcements arrived in the village of Cliff Peak.

The Dog lord Stefan rode a giant black wolf named Galious and was surrounded by hunting dogs, foxes and wolves. Stefan wore a black vest over a white shirt, black pants, black boots and an emerald green cloak that matched Galious’ green eyes. Stefan wielded a long handled axe with a curved blade, meant for fighting on horseback or in this case Wolfback. 

Greggory rode a tall and majestic elk with long branching horns. The elk’s name was Pan, named after the god of mountains and wilderness. Greggory wore a tan shirt, brown cloak, auburn pants and thick leather boots. Greggory carried a belt covered in knives everywhere he went and was proficient in thrown and close range fighting with knives and daggers.

The two Kings arrived to find the village ransacked but being rebuilt, villagers unharmed and only five Bear soldiers remaining to protect the village.

Stefan rode up to the soldiers and asked them to explain what had happened. The redheaded soldier with a mace began to speak, she told the story of Nathaniel’s bravery and the enemy they faced.

On the other side of the portal, Nathaniel and his soldiers we finally shown what kind of enemy they had been fighting for the last week.

The portal didn’t take them to another world or another dimension, they were transported underground deeper below the earths crust than man had ever dug. These shadow monsters had been amassing underground for hundreds of years, going unnoticed by any humanoid race on the planet.

Nathaniel stared up at the ceiling of the tunnel they were in. the underground tunnels were twenty feet high from the ground to the ceiling and twenty feet wide. The tunnels stretched on endlessly into the darkness. The only source of light in these dark tunnels were glowing purple crystals that gave off a mysterious energy. Nathaniel was not a scholar or wizard but he was willing to bet money that these magic crystals helped fuel the energy needed for the portal.

The caves were empty and Nathaniel knew this was the perfect time to strike at the power source. Nathaniel touched one of the crystals with his bare hands and felt a numb tingling in his fingers as he held it. When he moved away the feeling stopped. These crystals had power and he was determined to use them to get home again.

“Alright men, we need to pull every crystal we see off these walls. If you can’t reach it, then shoot them down” Nathaniel pulled out his bow and fired an arrow at a crystal high up on the cave wall. The arrow hit the center of the crystal shattering it into a dozen fragments. The fragments hit the ground and were collected by his soldiers.

            When the crystal shattered it let out a loud hum and a ripple of energy shot through the air and down the tunnels into the darkness. Nathaniel ordered his men to move as fast as they could, as he was concerned what that ripple of energy could lead to.

Nathaniel and his men broke crystals off the walls and gathered them into a pile. Some of the purple crystals were stuck in the wall and had to be broken off with a sword or mace, some had to be shot down with an arrow but others came off the wall easily as if they had been placed on the wall purposely. Nathaniel had noticed that the crystals formed rows that went from the floor and to ten feet up the walls. The rows were horizontal and stretched five feet across. There was a blank space in the center of the rows leading Nathaniel to believe that was where the portal would open every night.

Vibrations rippled in small bursts with every crystal that was pulled from their pattern. These vibrations were a signal to the cave dwellers and each pulse of energy released was like throwing stones at a hornets nest.

            Glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness, hundreds of eyes on both sides of the tunnel. The true shadow people, the reason for the attacks, surrounded the Bear Forces. They were no longer facing the foot soldiers and grunts and Nathaniel now saw what was truly lurking in the darkness.

            The Shadow Lords closed in on the group. Each one had glowing red eyes, rows of teeth and long tendrils flowing from their backs. Some of the tendrils had claw like hands on them and others looked like sharpened spears.

            “close ranks and prepare for battle!” The men had finished gathering crystals into a pile and now formed ranks back to back to face the approaching threat.

            The Shadowlords floated several inches off the ground giving them greater agility and speed. This made the shadows look more ghostly and shook the moral of the troops.

            Nathaniel fired an arrow at the closest Shadowlord, the arrow struck the creature in the head with a sickening thunk. Black ooze bled from the shadow but the monster continued forward. “Fight with everything you have, we don’t need to defeat them all, we just need to last until the crystals power up again and make another portal” Nathaniel shouted as the Shadowlords clashed with his troops. Nathaniel was using pure speculation and hoped that he was right but knew that any doubt would not serve his soldier’s moral.

            Long shadow tendrils shot out from the Shadowlords and struck against shields and armor. The soldiers pushed back with spears, arrows and swords. A mace wielder struck a Shadowlord so hard that its head exploded into black ooze. The creature stumbled and its tendrils began flying off in every direction. Losing a head didn’t kill the Shadowlord but now that it was headless it seemed weaker and completely disoriented. The wild flailing tendrils struck through the bodies of the other Shadowlords causing black oozing wounds. The wild flailing also took the Bear Forces by surprised and several spearmen were wounded by the unpredictable strikes.

            Nathaniel fired arrows as rapidly as he could until the shadows were all bearing down on him and his soldiers. Nathaniel put his bow away and reached into his cloak to pull out clawed gauntlets. This weapon switch filled his soldiers with determination. Nathaniel was known as an archer and only switched to his “Bear Claw” gauntlets when he was fighting for his life and facing death. Everyone knew it was time to fight with every ounce of strength they had.

            Nathaniel leaped forward with the ferocity of a bear and began to claw and slash like a bear but he moved and dodged like a boxer. Pubbles the bear charged forward using his weight and claws to plow into the group of shadows.

            Knights guarded the group with their shields and slashed out with their swords, spearmen struck with the force of a lighting bolt and the mace wielders brought their mighty weapons down with thundering force. Black ooze and splattered the group, darkness surrounded them and Shadowlords moved in uncountable numbers. The oppressive darkness hid the true numbers of the enemy.

            “I told you I would follow you to hell. I was hoping you wouldn’t take me up on that offer” Shouted Sir Richard as he forced a smile to cover his pain ridden face. Blood trickled from Sir Richard’s armor but he kept pushing on with everything he had.

            Nathaniel heard his friend’s words but couldn’t risk replying at that moment. He couldn’t let doubt and fear invade his mind, he couldn’t waiver and become overwhelmed with worry for his wounded and possibly dying soldiers. Nathaniel had to fight for not just his life but the life of everyone.

            Nathaniel’s arms ached as he struck out with each punch, each strike had his full force behind it. The Bear Forces were the sturdiest and most resilient soldiers in the land and this was their truest test.

            Shields reflecting tendril attacks let out a metallic echo, the sickening sound of tendrils piercing flesh dug into the ears and minds of all who heard it. The splatter of Shadowlords was the only reply the Bear Forces would give. They refused to give an inch and with every injury they took they gave back the damage ten fold.

            As the battle raged on the purple crystals began to glow brighter and brighter. “Once that portal opens, we grab every crystal there and retreat through the portal” Nathaniel shouted to his men as he dodged a spiked tendril.

            Pubbles the bear ran to the pile of crystals, two of the soldiers in the back ducked down and piled crystals onto Pubbles’ back. The knights were trained to guard the rear guard but soldiers gathering crystals risked their lives by letting their guard down.

            The Crystals grew brighter and brighter until they looked like blazing stars in the night sky. A clawed tendril shot forward and grabbed the crystal gathering soldier and began to dig its sharp claws into the soldiers torso. Sir Richard cut the tendril from the Shadowlords body and then charged forward with his shield. The force of Sir Richard’s shield bash pushed the Shadowlord backward and knocking into the shadows in the back.

            The portal opened and the crystals were all collected onto Pubbles’ back. “Retreat soldiers! Pubbles stay with me” Nathaniel shouted. Nathaniel clawed and fought as he tried to cover his retreating troops. Sir Richard stood by his kings side, dripping with blood but fighting as if he was uninjured. Nathaniel turned to Sir Richard “You are a true friend, please live through this” before Richard could reply he was grabbed by the armor and thrown through the portal by Nathaniel. A tendril struck through Nathaniel’s torso, Nathaniel whipped back around and clawed the tendril from the Shadowlords body, then delivered a crushing blow to the shadows head and face.

            With the soldiers all safely through the portal the Shadowlords all surrounded Nathaniel and Pubbles. The loyal bear bit down onto Nathaniel’s collar and charged out of the portal.

            The crystals, Nathaniel, Pubbles and the Bear Forces all escaped through the portal and collapsed on the ground on the other side. They were finally home but the portal was still open. Hundreds of Forest King soldiers surrounded the portal and dragged the Bear forces, Pubbles and Nathaniel to safety.

            Shadowlords rushed out of the portal to peruse their prey only to be greeted by hundreds of healthy, fully armed soldiers. The second the Shadowlords stepped from the portal they were attacked. Relentless strikes, slashes and arrows rained punishment down on the Shadowlords.  The remaining shadows were smart enough to know they were outnumbered and retreated back into the portal. Seconds later the portal flickered and closed.

            The crystals lost their shine and turned into dull purple stones. The portal was closed for now and the crystals would have to be heavily guarded in case they activated themselves and opened another portal.

            The sixth day was a victory, the portal closed, the crystals were now under the care of the Forest Kings and the Shadowlords who lurked underground knew to fear the humans who ruled the surface lands.

            Sir Richards smiled at Nathaniel as the two lay next to each other on the ground. “We did it sir, made it to Hell and back” He said with a smile then closed his eyes. Nathaniel smiled and closed his eyes. Nathaniel fell into a deep sleep, exhausted and wounded from battle. Sir Richards slipped away as he closed his eyes, too wounded from battle to ever wake up again.

            The Sun rose up on horizon, it was a new day and the inhabitants of Forest Island could rest knowing that when night arrived again, only the moon and stars would be there to greet them.

Forest Island Dark premonition

            Rain lashed against the land as thunder boomed in the sky. A giant, rounded hulking shadow reached out for Nathaniel. Nathaniel fired arrows into the giant beast but nothing could slay the creature. The giant shadow monster was fifteen feet tall, ten feet wide with large stumpy legs and long arms, powerfully strong hands and stumpy fingers. This shadowman was almost entirely without feature, like the rest of the shadows, except this shadow had a large gaping mouth where a face should be. The mouth was filled with multiple rows of teeth and a large, human like tongue. Nathaniel screamed as he was lifted into the air. Thunder cracked the sky and lighting struck the ground. The booming storm drowned out the cries for help. All of the Bear Forces had been carried through the portal and Pubbles the bear was missing.

            Nathaniel struggled against the mighty grip of the beast as he was lifted helplessly into the air. He could only watch in horror as he was brought closer to the gaping open mouth. The giant shadow creature stuffed Nathaniel into its mouth and bit down. A bolt of lighting struck the ground and the booms drowned out the screams. Then only silence remained. The creature lumbered back into the dark portal, which was now a twenty-foot tall portal. The portal closed, the Forest Island was lost.

            Nathaniel awoke from his nightmare, drenched in sweat. The fourth night had arrived and it had been raining all day. Nathaniel was shaking as he stood. The dream felt real and he worried that it was a vision of the future. He knew he couldn’t tell anyone of his dream or he would risk demoralizing his troops.

            As Nathaniel shook the nightmare from his thoughts, a soldier appeared in the doorway to his room. “Es’cuse me sir” said a female soldier. She had red hair, was dressed in her full armor and was equipped with a mace and shield. “It’s night and the men are anxious to march” Reported the mace wielding soldier. Nathaniel had slept later than he wanted. He nodded to the soldier then hastily prepared for battle.

            Nathaniel grabbed a piece of bread with honey on it as he ran toward his group of soldiers awaiting his arrival. Nathaniel ate his meager breakfast as he ran. Pubbles the bear met Nathaniel and the two of them made their to the group.

            The group cheered when they saw their leader finally arrive. “Alright soldiers, are you ready to spend another night saving the village?” Nathaniel shouted with a smile. The soldiers cheered. Moral was high and Nathaniel hoped their enthusiasm would distract him from his lingering thoughts of his nightmare.

            The Bear forces arrived just as the portal was opening. The portal didn’t look any bigger than normal which made Nathaniel feel calmer. Soon, shadowmen poured out of the shimmering purple portal. These shadowmen were slightly larger than normal, just under five feet tall, they could strike with harder force and didn’t always die in one strike. The Bear forces engaged the enemy head on. The first wave of shadowmen crashed against the shields of the frontline knights then broke like waves on rocks against the weapons and strength the of Bear lord forces.

            Pubbles the bear launched into the group of shadowmen and began mauling anyone in sight. The roar of the bear mixed with the loud thumping sound of the bear’s powerful claws against the heads of the shadowmen. The group of shadows that surrounded Pubbles was dispatched in minutes.

            Nathaniel fired his arrows with precision and speed. As he picked off the shadow creatures he thought about how all of this fighting would improve his skills as an archer and a fighter in general. A shadowman snuck up on Nathaniel and grabbed his bow, but before the shadow could make off with the champion’s bow, The Bear lord moved like lighting and grabbed a dagger from his boot then plunged it into the shadowman’s head.

            The bow dropped to the floor and Nathaniel retrieved it. He took several steps back to avoid another flanking attempt.

            The fourth night went smoothly enough. Only a dagger and a pair of boots were stolen that night. Sir Richard the knight killed twenty shadowmen in one night and the mace wielding soldier from earlier that day had hit a shadowman so hard that it flew several feet and slammed into a second shadowman, killing both.

            The moral of the men stayed high, they felt strong and capable and knew that reinforcements were on their way. That sentiment was reinforced when the Bear Lord’s scout returned early and confirmed that the Stag lord and the Dog lord were marching on their way to the portal to put a final stop to these shadow beasts. They would arrive on the sixth night and would bring the full force and fury of the Forest King’s army.

Forest Island first night

In the Boundless ocean, among the inlands that are connected by the Pentacle Sea, rests the forest Island. The Forest Island is ruled by the three Forest Kings, the Bear lord, Nathaniel, The Dog Lord Stefan and the Elk Lord Gregory. The three kings worked together in harmony to ensure the peace and prosperity of every humanoid citizen and animal on the island. As the name implies the Forest Island is an island almost completely covered in dense forest. Living on an island covered in dense forest ensures a high level of safety from other possible invading forces. Unfortunately it also means that everyone on the island is forced to rely on each other for survival and would not be able to count on outside help if danger arose.

            Nathaniel the Bear lord was traveling the eastern side of the island on his trusty bear Pubbles when a villager wearing a faded maroon tunic ran up to Nathaniel. “Ma’lord! Thank heavens you are here! I was gonna hafta run all the way to the castle otherwise” Said the peasant sounding out of breath. The Bear lord wore a fancy pointed brown leather hat, with a green feather in it, a brown leather armored tunic and a bright yellow undershirt. His pants were black and his boots were brown. Pubbles the bear had a matching hat to Nathaniel but it was smaller. Pubbles had brown fur and emerald green eyes.

            “What is the trouble kindly sir?” asked Nathaniel as he pet Pubbles on the head. “Trolls, Sir! Small shadowy trolls have been attacking the eastern most villages” said the villager. “Small and shadowy? That doesn’t sound like trolls. I will investigate anyway. Please continue down this trail to my camp and inform my men that I am heading to Cliff Peak village to investigate and they should meet me there” Nathaniel instructed, then made his way up the trail, riding on the back of his bear friend.

            The eastern most village was known as Cliff Peak village because it was positioned a half mile from the peak of a cliff that lead to a sharp drop. The peak of the cliff was also the highest point on the island and the sharp drop would send you out of the forest and plummeting to the beach shore below. Cliff Peak village was one of the safest villages on the island because there was only one path to the village on one side and an unscaleable cliff wall on the other side. Nathaniel was concerned because anyone attacking Cliff Peak village would have to pass through the lower altitude hamlets on their way and those locations had not been attacked.

            Nathaniel traveled through two small hamlets on his way to Cliff Peak, along the way he asked if anyone had seen small shadowy trolls or any unusual sightings. No one had seen shadowy creatures or been attacked, which was good news but even more confusing to Nathaniel.

            The trail to Cliff Peak continued up higher and higher up the large hill. Nathaniel’s guards from the Bear Lords camp had caught up to Nathaniel on their way to meet him at Cliff Peak. While the Bear Lord rode a fierce bear who could help in a fight, the guards all rode horses and could travel faster across the island than Nathaniel could.

            The Bear Lord and his men finally reached the village of Cliff Peak and were shocked to see that it had been ransacked. The huts, houses and storage buildings were empty with broken doors, windows and locks spread across the ground. A woman with a blue dress and bonnet came out of her empty house and ran toward the Bear lord and his men.

            “Sire! It was awful! Please help!” She shouted frantically. “Calm down” what happened?” asked Nathaniel. “Shadowy imps keep attacking the village. At first the men repelled them, but every night they came back in larger numbers. We attacked with swords and axes but any creatures we didn’t kill would steal the weapons right from our hands!” She exclaimed.

            “First I hear they are trolls, now they are imps. I will investigate this, do not worry” Said Nathaniel. “Bless you sire!” Said the woman in blue.

            The bear lord decided that the best way to stop the shadowy threat was to learn as much as he could about them. He and his twenty men guarded the town that night while the villagers slept. Nathaniel let Pubbles roam the village to search for any threats as the bear lord himself walked through the village on foot carrying a well crafted bow and arrows. The soldiers in town had swords and bows, some stayed on their horses and others wanted to search on foot. The Bear lord’s group was on high alert.

            The night was cool and breezy, it had been a warm couple of days and this break on heat was a nice change. Some crickets could be heard chirping in outside of the village but otherwise it was quiet. A loud roar from Pubbles the bear broke the silence. Nathaniel went running toward his friends cries. He stopped in his tracks in shock when he saw it. Pubbles stood nervously in front a six foot tall oval shaped glowing portal. The portal was made of swirling purple energy and from the portal emerged three foot tall jet black monsters. They looked like small humans made of shadow itself. The first little shadow monster ran at Pubbles but was instantly destroyed by the bear’s mighty claws.

            These creatures weren’t invincible or even that strong but their numbers were incalculable and they continued to spawn from this mysterious portal. The portal appeared from the thin air outside of town and Nathaniel had no idea how to deal with it.

            “Men! We are under attack!” Nathaniel shouted as he took aim and shot the closest shadowman in the head with an arrow. The creature vanished taking the arrow with it. Nathaniel stepped backward as he shot at the creatures emerging from the portal.

            Swordsmen charged forward and sliced through the shadows, each slice destroyed them instantly. “Sire, these buggers are no threat to us!” Cheered Richard the swordsman. “Do not be over confident, we do not know if this is the extent of their strength” Nathaniel called back

            The shadowmen continued to flood out from the portal. Soon fifty shadows had emerged and were making their way into town. Richard slashed with skill and precision, each strike vanquished a shadowman. Then Richard was struck hard in the back, the blunt force of a charging shadowman made Richard stumble forward and drop his sword. The second his sword hit the ground a greedy little shadowman scooped it up and ran off with it. Richard yelled in anger and chased the little imp until he reached the portal. The sword thief escaped through the portal, a place Richard didn’t dare to follow.

            Nathaniel was the best archer on the island and his skills were put to the test while fighting such large numbers of creatures. Pubbles stuck close and clawed any creatures who came into melee range of Nathaniel.

            Villagers awoke to the sound of fighting. They saw their king fighting to protect them and this inspired some of the men and women to charge into battle, using rocks, shovels and anything the shadowmen hadn’t already looted from the town.

            The shadowmen continued to pour from the portal endlessly but the combined might of the villagers and Nathaniel’s group was able to fight them back. After an hour of fighting the shadowmen retreated back into the portal, having killed no one, injured just a few and stolen a keg of beer, two shovels, Sir Richard’s sword and Bob the archer’s bow.

            This was just the first night and Nathaniel knew that this would continue until he put an end to the portal.