ZEALOT

The following is a short excerpt from a story that has been knocking around in my head lately (Just under 750 words). It has a ways togo before Ill call it a story, but it will find its way through the weeds and undergrowth in the twisted marshes and deadly swamps that inhabit my skull soon enough. Read it. Criticize it. Criticize it some more. Many thanks. J. D. Thorn Duir 'the heretic' Tarnuth: last of the council of five The demon stood, Ka'uial-Tahkk in all his wicked glory, wiping blood and flesh from its mouth with the back of its hand; remnants of the last of the robed mans companions. The priest, after painfully drawing himself free from a terrifying paralysis, stepped through the portal. Out of breath from fighting the wicked magic that had held him, and leaning heavily on his staff, he stepped forward to face the beast. Forget the past, preacher man. the creature gloated. It is all but lost to you now. The future is certain only in that you will not suffer its passing. You have only now, a decision, and death. How you choose to meet your end is at issue. Are you the sniveling coward I know you to be? Go off and die peacefully insignificant worm. Find yourself a quiet hole to hide in. Disgrace yourself in the eyes of your empty little god, as if that makes any difference. The demon Tahkk walked a lazy circle around the cleric, eying him as a predator watches his prey. Or do you think yourself strong enough to stand and die by my hand; chance your spilled lifeblood may be pure enough to close this portal, pure enough to spare the pathetic inhabitants of this world, foreign unto you and indifferent to your gods? Are you so lost in your misplaced faith to raise your hand against mine? Even should you somehow succeed, these people would never know of your sacrifice or your existence. They remain oblivious to the fact that they stand at hells gate, with only you to close it. Ask your heart true, and you will know that you can only fail. Your hand is weak and your blood tainted, heretic priest. Fire blazed in the infernal beasts eyes. Go home preacher man, he growled, It isnt worth the pain and humiliation of the slow useless death you will suffer at my hands. Duir casually unsheathed a rather ordinary looking blade from his walking staff as he met the foul beasts glare. Nice speech, degenerate goat-spawn. He spoke casually, as if the rage burning beneath these words wasnt consuming his mind. But I thought you were here to fight. Enough! Tahkks growl shook the ground. You stand alone, holy

man, and alone you will fall. The casual brevity fell away from the robed mans face, as his voice invaded Tahkks mind; ringing in his ears and darkening his eyes. As long as I stand true, my friend, I will never stand alone. A lightning flash of steel and divine light severed the demon from its forced reverie. Ka'uial-Tahkk flew into action, enraged at being caught off guard. You will not live to blindside me again he sneered, ripping at Duirs' armor with his mighty claws. Be you even ten men, and each ten times a man, you can still be no more than mortal, the demon growled through a hideous smile; and ripe to taste death. You cannot hope to defeat me! Tahkk knocked the preacher off his feet with an unexpected backhand, sending him sprawling across the rocks. Duir spat blood as he regained his feet, more than a few ribs were broken, and his left hand hung useless at his side. In spite of this he smiled upon seeing the first signs of dawn. Do you know my name foul beast? He coughed as he pulled a fist-sized ruby from his belt. I confess, that I know yours. Duir laughed in spite of the racking pain it caused him, spattering blood across the rocks at his feet. "The sun rises, Kauial

Tahkk. The heretic Duir Tarnuth is not so foolish as you presumed." The demon eyed the ruby, and charged the cleric. "I hold in my hand the pure blood that closes your gates and relieves you of your immortality. The air seemed to vibrate as Duir continued to speak, invoking the names of gods both known and lost to time as the first rays of sunlight passed through the ruby, illuminating the runes within. The ground began to shake, wind and lightning blasted out of a clear sky. The demon was thrown to the ground by an unseen force. Snarling, it regained its feet, only to be struck down again. The air became so violently turbulent it tore Duir's robes and bruised his flesh, tearing the words of power out of his mouth almost before he could speak them. With the last of his strength, fighting to hold on to consciousness, he finished the incantation. The demon lords cries were punctuated by countless bolts of lightning , ripping through his flesh as his body was slowly consumed by white-hot celestial fire. Duir the heretic lived to see the end of the demon lord Kauial-Tahkk, but only just. Our faithful heretic was dead before his body hit the ground.