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The Charred Legacy - Chapter 1 - The Therian The sound of the wind was soothing... As it applied its force against the rather weak foundations of the old ruin they had chosen for a den, the whistles of its gust as it blew passed every small nook and cranny, The being relished in the delights of sound as the audible waves of life filled their eardrums. The being lay on the bed by the window for what seemed like hours as it watched the red sky darken then brighten, playing a small game on how much it could focus on to detail as it stared at the ash and burned husks that littered the yard of this pitiful home. They would count how many times the branches would separate and sprout to other fragile and weak twigs as they reached into the air, then pushing its eyes harder as it tried to regain its vision fully as it stared into the distance of the mountains...it would see the distant remnants of towns and large spires clutching onto the faces of the distant mountains, there size was immeasurable to what it could imagine... It tried every now and then to reflect on something about itself but every time it pushed deeper into the dark void it called it's memories it came out blank, only plaguing it with a minor headache, it sat up against the headboard of the bed as it looked more in detail at its body... Now being able to focus it could admire and maybe look away in slight disgust at what seemed to be a battered and damaged frame. Its skin which it had quizzed itself about whilst trapped in the mine wasn't what it had seemed... Skin it wasn't... Scale it was.. A disgusting mouldy green look had tainted and settled on it's body as the scales had stained almost with this nasty colour, they rubbed away with their boney thumb as it removed some of the greens strength, It would take them days to manage to give its body a new appearance of life... Was it even considered alive again? Or was it... Undead?... the word "undead" left a bitter taste in its maw as it began to occupy its mind as it began playing around with the scale in its hands, watching its boney fingers clench to form a fist then untense back to normal, It looked at the scales that had coated both hands... both had been burned away almost as if removed as the muscle and tendons were visible... It... didn't hurt... which caused it concern as it began to watch as it formed a fist again... watching how its muscles formed and moved and how its tendons moved... it fascinated it... watching the flesh move fluently feeling the muscles tense then return to soft smooth flesh... to it's liking they had somewhat retained their fleshy colour and to their eyes they was sure they were improving. They leaned back as he began to move their tail, flicking it from the floor at there bedside onto the old dusty mattress as they rubbed along its rather thin boney and unhealthy looking limb rubbing along it as its fingers felt every boney groove. Its eyes drifted over to an old cobbled fireplace... it had a peculiar gathering of flat panels that caught its eye as it began move to the bedside before climbing to its feet again, the odd flat things reflected the red skies glow as it shone through the window. It heard its claws on its feet drag along the floor almost sinking into the aged planks... they splintered and creaked as it walked to what seemed to be... images?... no... Images of moments from somethings life... the floor began to give way as it stood in front of the mantle piece... Its claw grasped the frame and with its thumb gently wiped thin layer of dust off its surface... It's eyes curiously adjusted as there head cocked in slight confusion... multiple beings were in this... image?... Two adults... and a child to what it seemed, the moment portrayed happiness as they all smiled, the two taller beings side by side with one of each of their hands resting on this youthful creature... It could sense warmth... happiness as it heard an odd voice in its head... almost like a girl chuckling... "Ma!..." "Hmhmhmm... Here comes my little reign of terror" A female's voice said as she light heartedly chuckled, suddenly before the being could think their eyes itched as they began to glow fiercely with a red glow as some ghostly silhouettes began to form in the house before them, They stepped back almost terrified as they saw the woman kneel down and merely open her arms to them... The gesture confused them, however it's mind felt... warm... and felt drawn to it before feeling the red glow of a small girl run through the beings waist as she made her way into her mother's embrace.

"Mama!... Papa says the Four great ones are appearing! Can we go see! Please can we!" The girl bounced with joy in front of her mother before giggling. "That they are... but you know that only people of importance gets to see them in person dear." The girl seemed a little saddened at the response, the being felt her sadness as well like a spear through its heart... "But... I want to see them... Our lady of creation Mama..." The mother laughed and rubbed her hand in her daughter's hair. "Oh dear... You see our Lady everywhere..." "I do?!..." The girls spirits lifted as the heaviness of disappointment lifted from the being's heart. "Yes... Our Lady created everything we stand on... to the trees around our house... to the grass in the garden... she watches over this land and many others... her soul and love is put into everything you see... Nature is her child... and so are we and everyone that lives... If you want to see her go outside in the sun... Talk to the trees... the insects and she will hear." her hand rubs the child's cheek and smiles at her. "Now go outside and play dear, Dinner will be ready soon." "Y... Yes! I am going to tell the Great Lady that I bet she is cool! And what I want for my birthday! Oh! And also tell her I am grateful for her giving me the greatest Mama and Papa ever!..." The mother moved by her daughter's words gives her a kiss on her forehead and tears up a little almost overjoyed at the girl's sentence. "Thats our girl... Now go play... or that Birthday will get postponed!" She laughs before the girl giggles and runs back through the being... and the mother fades away...

Suddenly reality seemed to come back to the being as the sound of the wind begins to return and a foul smell begins to overpower it's nose... Its head drifted around to examine the home more... It seemed small but enough to house three as a small stove and table hugged the far corner near the back of the home, the table littered with various cutlery and neatly laid out plates as a layer of ash had covered them... it was then the being began to examine the area more... the floor messy and things littered it... the chairs by the table toppled as they lay in a disorganised manner around the ground... a back door was seen vaguely around the corner by the stove almost tucked out of sight... they slowly waded over as the doorway showed it had been damaged, the door clean off its hinges as the door lay further outside, at least 15 feet from the house itself... The being let out a grunt as they tripped over something whilst there clawed feet began to walk into thick piles of ash on the floor the closer they got to the door... the stench growing stronger and more potent as they scrunched up their brow as they forced their way through the ash... it had little weight to it as it fluffed up into the air and began to coat their green mouldy scales a rather light grey... the soot almost choking them as they breathed in some of the ash providing yet another foul taste. After a few moments they stood at the back door examining the back garden they could see something enveloped under the ash as the skies began to darken... the clouds turned black as a feeling of darkness coming loomed over the beings thoughts like a quilt of concern... The weather was going to change... soon... and for the worst...

The being looked around the small room that pretty much made this house, the claw marks its feet had made through the ash were deeper than they had first anticipated... This was a mess, What land could inhabit such a foul appearance, Its eyes drifted over to the pile of ash it had almost lost its balance over, a small glint catching its eye... what was it... cautiously like a new born whelp it slowly approached the pile of ash as it lay in a mound in the middle of the house... almost directly in the middle of the floor as the kitchen and living room area merged. As they kneeled in closer a peculiar sparkle of blue reflected back at them, it wiped its claw over the stone as each wipe began to unravel its mystery as to what the object was... It was merely a necklace... a pearly blue stone sat tightly within its silver encasing almost as if it was a small fragment of peace that managed to escape the ill fate of this land, They brushed it up and held it within their claws almost admiring its craftsmanship... However the beast did not know as to what it was for... it played with it in its claws before sitting down by the large mound and quickly began to work out its purpose, teeth didn't really work as their fragile skull still ached after trying to put too much pressure on its jaws. It felt its teeth wobble as it tried crushing the stone but to no avail, It was remarkably tough, soon the chewing became to licking but as there tongue grew tired it then turned to try and listen to it, shaking it vigorously in its claws, surprisingly it made no sound, only the jingle of the chain as they shook it, after a while it had given up with the necklace which had remained unscathed by its attempts of opening it in the most idiotic manner possible, it felt like a fool trying to open this thing... maybe it didn't open, however the small idea of something hidden inside always perked its curiosity before finally ceasing its attempts.

Frustrated it held the stone out in its palm... something had caught its eye, its palm... beyond the stone itself began to glow a more consistent aura as it shone, it was faint but they could see it, they rolled the stone around in its grasp as the stone ran past its soft glow at the centre of its palm and then suddenly there it was again... It felt its eyes itch and began rubbing them, a few moments began to pass before the irritation of their pupils faded and they opened their eyes to be once again lost in what felt like a dream world... their body felt light and cold...

It seemed it was going to witness yet another moment from the past as the girl sat on a chair as she held a odd rather worn doll in her hands, happily taking a small brush through its wire like hair, the feeling of joy as she took each caring stroke. She had a nasty cut on her leg which seemed to have healed but it never dulled her spirits. "Sarah, quickly! Positions!" The familiar voice called to the girl as the mother faded into a position near the window facing the front of the house. "He is almost home..." The girl set the doll down as she sprang to her feet like a cat before quickly running into a small cupboard by the front door, her giggling could still be heard from her flawless hiding place, The being felt a smile cover their face a little amused at the child's idea. The mother kept her look as she tried hard not to laugh as her eyes locked onto the garden out the window, Then as the mother predicted deep audible footsteps were heard as they closed into the front door... only increasing in volume before a shadow loomed from below the door as a grumble then a growl was heard from the door. The being sensed something was off as they felt the need to prepare themselves as they stood away from the door. Then like a surprise heart attack a man had kicked the door in as it opened. "You can hide! You can run! But the best of the hunt always wins! Bwahahaha!" The man instantly shut the door as he opened the cupboard to be greeted by the girl as she lunged out letting out a cute soft roar sound, the man laughed and fell backwards onto the floor. "Oh no... Help my beloved! I have been attacked by this incredibly strong lass!" The mother chuckles before he moves and gets up. "Still Queen of her kingdom?" he said as he looked to his daughter. "Of course Papa! I always beat you!" He nodded as he pulled his wife into a loving kiss, the being wanted to look away as they feeling of awkwardness lingered in there mind. "I have a surprise for you hon..." She looked almost surprised as he pulled out the necklace... and there dangled the necklace the being clutched in there claw. "Dear!... how much did that cost!" The man laughed a little. "Relax sweetheart... You worth it... however... " A slight pause broke there moment before he began to talk again. "With the four beings being accused of falsifying their status to be gods... and people losing faith... Kingdoms that we supply are refusing our homelands ships and cargo... they won't cooperate with a Kingdom that still believes in false idols... A lot of businesses are going out of business... and I... was told they couldn't afford to keep me on at the forgery..." He took a seat as he rubbed his eyes. "I... have got enough money for us to get through this month.. But... without another job... We are going to have problems..." His wife took a seat beside him as her hand grasped his. "We will get through this... Theria will provide my husband... Remember... Remain Faithful..." The man nodded, before he let out a moan as her hand rubbed against a nasty bruise on his ar,. "Dear... What's this!?" The man mumbled as if he hated being the centre of attention. "Its nothing... there was more protesters in the town again... another riot broke out... and I got caught in it as I was trying to get home... I have been thinking... We... Sell what we have... the house... whatever we can get as much money as possible and just... get on the soonest ship we can... this place is turning nasty and the Fawkes are losing control... The Kingdoms aren't sending their Guardians to the Gods request and slowly but surely they are all revolting against the Fawke family... There idea of keeping the faith in the gods is beginning to upset everyone..." The mother didn't agree with the idea. "How can people turn their backs on our Lady Theria... all of the great four are worthy of being gods... and they are... This silly revolt will pass... just wait dear..." The woman gave this almost strong sense of faith, her faith to the gods was strong... The man merely smiled, seemed his wife knew how to sway his heart and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "You are right sweetheart... This will pass, I was just worrying too much is all... I am sure I will find another job... Now... How is... Sarah... You know with the wound?..." She sighed before looking over to Sarah who had became occupied with her doll again as she waited for her parents to have their adult talk. "She... is fine... I just don't understand how such a thing could've happened so fast and we didn't even see it..." The being looked at the conversation almost curious... perhaps a clue? A small hint of how this land went so wrong... The man looked over to his wife as she walked to the fireplace and touched the photoframe, His gaze stared right through the being's body and in a way felt unsettling, he began to walk over and almost through the being if it hadn't flinched and moved out of the way forgetting they... they weren't real... his arms wrapped round her and cradled her a little giving her a light kiss to her cheek. "Mmmmm... I know... was probably a fox.. She will have to stay inside unless we are near her... Goddamn animals...." and as the words were said the being watched the family fade away again as they began to come to terms of being alone again... In a way it hurt... they had found a little comfort in seeing someone... or something else... but a thing they couldn't touch... couldn't talk to... It held the necklace in it shand and looked at it... It meant something to this family... and they had no use for it, they placed it back onto the mantle by the picture of the family before hearing a loud screech, The sound giving the being a fright of their life as it stumbled and fell to the floor, there thin yet boney frame hit the ground with a crash as the floorboards gave way.

"What on earth are you doing!" A voice roared into the beings ear as he focussed, the father right in his face, Not clearly thinking startled the creature and let out an Instinctive hiss before lunging backwards to its feet. Its eyes locked onto the males before it realised something was a miss... the man's gaze wasn't exactly fixed onto the being but more so just off to their side... the man himself had an almost ethereal or spirit look to them... his body seemed to be transparent it was then...the being hung his head... seems the house had more to show them... they looked a little sad as its eyes itched again, beginning to show the being one last final chapter to this family's story...

A strange rumbling sound began to stir as house began to deteriorate as the room itself began to paint a scene once again however altering more things... the fireplace suddenly lit itself as a soft blue spectral hue began to show off its ferocity, the table had magically had rid itself of the ash that layered over it and the plates and cutlery was neat and tidy... the chairs organised as they neatly tucked themselves under the table, the moment seemed peaceful, maybe too peaceful, however looking at its surroundings it seemed apparent... something was wrong... The room was eerily quiet and the red sky remained as its rays shone strong through the house window, a small birthday cake was alight on the table behind the man, it had been burning for sometime as the candle had almost melted into the pink icing. A kettle was heard on the stove boiling as it bubbled and began to erupt out of its spout quickly dousing the flame that engulfed its cast iron bottom. The being almost confused and startled raised its stiff brow as it looked at the father looking... as if the moment it was witnessing came to a stand still, It was then the being turned its head to meet the mother and the girl... the girl curled up in the corner shaking as the mother held a broom making sure there was distance between her and her daughter. "N... No... thats.. That's not her! It's not her!" The woman cried out to the man before trying to calm her. "Honey... P.. please its our daughter... or baby girl... please... it's her special day..." The woman turned around almost right in the being's face as small shiny glints of energy ran down her cheeks. "S... somethings wrong!... Look outside... we haven't seen anyone in a few days... the Sky is red!... We should of listened to them.... We should have listened!." The man lunged at his wife before grabbing the broom, there was a clear struggle as they kicked over furniture and the likes creating the scene the being had previously witnessed. Before long the man yanked the broom from his wife's hands and threw it across the floor. "Stop... please... This is madness... You need help..." The woman curled up on the floor bawling her eyes out as her husband's words began to sink in. "I..." her eyes drifted over to her daughter... however the girl was no longer there. "Samuel... this.. Ash... this darkness... it has come for us... everyone on this isle..." The man gave her a little smile. "Sweetheart... I love you... our daughter loves you... this weather and the ashfalls... is just because of a volcano nearby... yeah... Im sure thats all..." She nodded, as if coming to an eventual revelation of her well being... But something gave the creature the feeling as if she was right... like a small spark in her eyes almost showing her determination of proving she was right. The Creature stood to its full height as its muscles tensed up feeling an ominous presence... the man and womans attention was soon disturbed by a high pitched scream as they looked at the back door, the being turned around to witness a dark long clawed hand grasping the girl its hand merely let out a haunting red glow before the girl who was desperately trying to kick herself free... her skin looked awfully pale... her eyes gave off a hidden shine as a she moved her eyes around erratically giving off small signs of a reddish tinge to them, she wasn't healthy... that was clear. Both of parents screamed in horror as they both ran to her aid trying to rip their child from the grip of this horrific extension... Its skin white almost turning grey... its vein was visible as a faint red glow ran through its veins, its fingers stretched to almost double their length with the help of large thick black talons, it was there the being had seen something that concerned it its palm... glowed red as its hand pulled away from the girl who which fell and slumped against the door, the hand receding through a hole in the backdoor and vanishing into the darkness. What on earth was this creature... The being quickly paced to the backdoor and slammed its claw on the handle, there heart was racing... like fear was trying to fight them and deny them the urge to move through the door... it had succeeded... as much as they tried to move their arm to open the door... it merely phased through their claw... quickly coming back to reality... this... was just an illusion... just a memory of something that had once happened... and not something that could be changed... the house fell back to its current state of looking abandoned and aged... the marks of the memory beginning to make sense as they scanned there eyes across the house... the door was no longer there... that piece of the puzzle was left to them to solve... the table... they slowly walked through the ash as it coated more of them floor as his feet pushed through them... it's claw sifted over a large mound on the table to... as much as it made there heart sink... a rotten birthday cake... it almost collapsed into dust... most of it eaten away by maggots... the candle still resided deep inside it as the hilt of it was seen.

They felt a sudden urge to claw at something... a burning anger deep within them was begging to let itself out as it felt it's throat course with rage... the being looked over to the pile it had tripped over on the floor a while ago... it gritted its teeth as it began to walk over and kneel where it had found the chain which it clutched in its hand... there... as it removed the ash and began to excavate the small mound... a Boney limb began to reveal itself... it didn't want to believe it... it dug a little more as a rotten corpse began to reveal its skull... rolling to its side free of the ash grave it was unwillingly committed to. The being ran its claw along the skulls surface... some flesh had remained... horrible... decayed and rotten... it had to cover its nose as a familiar stench began to take hold of the beings nose which must of began to heal more as he stench was more potent... more refined...a rich scent of decay was clear, the structure of the face made it seem male... more built and structured around the jaw. The being pulled there claw away before closing its eyes. "Val'koom Urgesh Az Ukam...." The being opened it's eyes almost unaware of the small prayer it had just managed to vocalise out of its throat, there claw ran along their throat as they felt the rather long wound that pierced it had healed rather well, the throat felt odd as old muscles were brought back to life, the wonders of hearing it's rather dry and haggard voice gave them a small brief moment of joy as they stood up to look at the body before them...

The air round them felt cold as a light began to shine from behind them, the soft hue it had remembered from the cliff.

"Val'koom Urgesh Az Ukam... May you walk in Theria's Plains, Peacefully and eternally... This soul is one of thousands taken by this darkness... One of hundreds of families... a mere prayer can't save them... Their souls have been lost to the taint you see before you..." The being turned around to slowly back away from this spirit like being... their appearance still fogged by a blur... it hovered before them watching them curiously. "You are still mending... your mind is still broken... but soon... you will regain your strength..." The being went to open its maw to speak before it interrupted them. "Shhh... Time will tell and there is much to be done... This land is tainted by a darkness...spreading its plague across a land so fabled to us..." The spirit went on... there voice sounded like an angelic melody... soft... soothing and rather comforting. The beings throat growled it tried to speak again but its strength in producing words was soon destroyed as they made grunts and groans. The spirit let out a little laugh as its light fluttered in amusement. "You will get answers once you begin your long journey..." The being hated the games it was playing so it snarled at the light. "You have a long way to go... But first you must understand the dangers you face... the threats you will be against, Therian..." it mockingly enforced, like naming a dog as the being felt humiliated... Therian... It hadn't managed to remember its name... I guess it was some sort of a start... "Therian... That's what I shall refer to you as... one of Therias many children on this planet... Therian.. Now go... What lurked here for this family years ago... still hunts... would be a shame if it came across you... Remain Faithful..." It laughed before fading away. The World the Therian stood in had only made them ask only more questions... What did this spirit expect it could do?... what was it meant to accomplish... It quickly abandoned the stupid idea the Spirit told it and made a plan to find a boat... get out of this nightmare. However there thoughts were soon occupied by this horrific female scream... The Therian quickly looked around... quickly assuming the Spirit was right... Something was on the hunt... and it... Had come...