Prologue

1. D.M. O V E N D E N

The Lightblaser Saga

B o o k   T w o

Rise of The Mysterium 

Crusade

P r o l o g u e

“Awake” a voice rang through his mind  from the distant fragments of memory, blackness encased him, his body seemed to feel like it was floating completely weightless yet his mind was alive like electric “Is that what I am? A Shadow?”  He thought, gradually vision began to return. A man stood over the Shadow, nothing but a blur as the light hurt his eye but this didn't stop him from recognising the man instantly. 

“Master Terribor '' a croaky whisper echoed out from the Shadow, Terribor stared down at him splayed across a table, his nose twitching as he grimaced 

“I have given you a second life, a second chance to prove yourself, now stand!” Terribor spoke slowly but with a commanding tone. As if being manipulated by strings the Shadow got up, he glanced up around him “Walk to that mirror” Terribor demanded, the Shadow dragged his corpse-like body towards a rectangular mirror that stood against the wall as if  abandoned. Wiping the dust from a segment of the mirror he gazed at the creature staring back at him, in horror he saw his own features contorted and scarred, as if his face had been melted. With setting his eyes on himself for the first time his stomach dropped and his heart rate slowed, he could feel himself drain of energy, his skin turning paler until he turned as white as snow. 

He stared at the ghost-like figure in the reflection, he slowly moved his hand to his face, his fingers trailing along his cheek, he was unnaturally cold, ice cold.

The Shadow then realised what Terribor had said “Second life? I have no recollection of my first”. Turning back to face Terribor who had moved a few paces away was now  keeping his distance by the desk.

“Who am I?” a small whisper rasped from between his lips. 

“You are my assassin, my perfect weapon,  your name is Severance. 

The Shadow now has a name.

He breathed his name then inhaled deeply, he had a purpose and clearly he had a master, gazing up at Terribor he fell to one knee and lowering his head until he was just a few inches from the ground. 

“What is your bidding master?” Severance breathed.

Terribor slowly made his way round the desk, stealing a glance around the room, the room was dim in the candlelight, he noticed blood droplets across the wooden panelling on the floor beneath him, from where Emily and Rick had been hanging, suspended from the ceiling the night before, Reaching  Severance he placed a hand on his shoulder.

“When the time comes I’ll ask you to destroy three very important people but now you will follow me and observe what is about to happen and in time you will learn you are the bringer of death until you are death yourself”.

Heading for the door Terribor turned to Severance once more, grabbing a black cloak he passed it to him, he swiftly threw the cloak over his shoulders and tied it closed, “perfect” he thought to himself as he noticed it went with his black leather outfit, he knew he could disappear entirely, the large hood gave him the ability to hide to his face making him feel invisible. 

“I am Death” he whispered as he closed his eyes.

When he opened them again he was back in the grand hall of Reinhold in the shadows, he watched contently as the last members of Divine Victory drew their weapons against Terribor Strife who waited patiently on his throne.

His men slowly approached out of the shadows, donned in black and blood red outfits with a mask of a rabid dog. 

“My orders are to stay in the shadows and not to engage”.

Shreftwood stepped forward 

“You will pay for your crimes Terribor Strife!”

Terribor stood from his throne and clicked his fingers, more silhouettes began appearing round the edges of the room.

“Will I Shreftwood Swiftrunner? Or will you?!”

“I am Death”, Severance whispered again.