573Please respect copyright.PENANADkqhsvSo8f
The sundered buildings of Moonbrook lay quiet as dusk settled on the plains of Westfall. This calm wasn't held by it's denizens. The drifters and crooks normally inhabiting the small mining town were gone, sensing the danger like rats. Under the shadowed eaves, bandits hid in the shade. Their eyes watched, vigilant. Hardened criminals, and predators of men, these thugs were being hunted.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAorPnwHTftr The sun was hanging just above a hilltop, and as the bandits watched the sun set, a shadow covered their faces. A black silhouette of a man blotted out the sun, his long staff held firmly in one hand. The fear tightened in the stomachs of the bandits, some cried out, some continued licking the burns they already had.
573Please respect copyright.PENANA4WMh4FJmFD The figure raised his staff and struck the ground.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAqA3oxmo8jG The bandits waited. Nothing.
573Please respect copyright.PENANA5zoSluc0jK Moments drew longer, their suspense still held. No one moved.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1FVzttdSSAs they waited, a faint whistling could be heard. The few who dared looked to the skies, searching for the sound.
573Please respect copyright.PENANA2YALgiPWuy A meteor smashed through the church's shambled walls. Cobblestone exploded, sending molten shards into the faces of the hiding bandits. They cried out once again, staring in awe at the fel-green pit that was once a church of the Light.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAnspSsDGFmY Emerging from the pit, the meteor took shape. It creaked and groaned. Tearing chunks from the earth; first a leg, then an arm, shambling into an odd construct of a humanoid. As the bandits watched, the looming abomination of fire and rock howled at them. They turned to flee, only to see more monstrosities leaping through purple portals.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAExFJqtq0kj Thatcher abandoned his posse. Running, panting, sweating, he sprinted for the plains. He looked back to see the once quiet town of Moonbrook awash with the demon-green of felfire. A rock appeared beneath his feet, tripping him.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAFYPZm7XubJ He spilled into the dirt, chipping a tooth on an upturned piece of flint. Blood spilled into his mouth, and a sharp ache shot through his gums. He struggled to get to his feet, exhaustion draining him. He looked up, and saw a visage of evil.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAk1QMtDvSN0 A mask, or veil of pure darkness only pierced by two bright, burning eyes. The figure stared into the bandit, a wisp of green emanating from his hand. Thatcher felt his mind slip, he tried to hold onto his sanity, but as quickly as he tried, it fled. Lost control, his hand mechanically reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a jade statuette. The figure held out a gloved hand, and even with his mind gone, Thatcher shuddered. Thatcher reached out, and dropped the jade statuette into the figure's hand.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAsaKf0uN3EG The figure gave a deep breath, like smelling new spring air among the burning buildings.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAwa0NGpl2Ft The robed figure pocketed the statue, and raised a hand to the bandit. Green fel fire built into his palm, and like it had a mind of its own, the felfire gasped and clutched for the bandit. Thatcher broke out into a sweat, his mind still awash with confusion.
573Please respect copyright.PENANAGxgTM3x6nt The ghastly hand pulled back, charging. "That'll teach you," he began, "to steal from a warlock."
573Please respect copyright.PENANAekxHYqEa9n Thatcher screamed.
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