Keepers

Written by: Sekky

04.02.2003

Hello! This story is one of your many typical fantasy stories made as a sort of “Fan Fiction” to a Role-Playing guild called Keepers... But enough of that on to the story, I’m really excited to see how this works out since I havent written anything new in ages. Hopefully this will be a keeper... If not I’m still gonna keep writing it cause I like it lol, well anyway good luck, try not to fall asleep!!

A crisis 3000 years ago began the dividing of the nation between elves, humans, dwarves and half-lings. War and conflict arose within races as the ways to worship the eight gods and goddesses who created their wonderful land of Keepers, each god or goddess had their own unique gift of Light, Dark, Water, Fire, Ice, Lightning, Earth, and Wind. The elves fought harshly with the humans with high skill levels of agility and agriculture while man fought with pure strength and cruelty in waves of overpowering numbers on the elves. Eventually the Elves surrendered the luscious lands of Latana to the humans taking to the woods of Breané to the north east of Latana. The human’s celebrated as the dwarves slowly gave into man’s sword searching the south and burrowing into their own Mines of Quentan, they rarely ever came out to the sunlight digging for the beautiful stones found in the Quentan Mountains. The half-lings, small and wicked abandoned the humans when they were given land in Latana, they moved across the borders south west to the mystical lands of the Fearie called Cinnawind.

Human now stood alone as they stubbornly banned certain races and traditions. The elves envied man for they land they had stole from them, the beautiful emerald green pastures and crystal clear lakes. This began the splitting of the elves after they built their Palace in the lands of Brené. A portion of the High Elves demanded they fight again to claim the lands of Latana being led by the vicious Necromancer woman Ehadulca. The other elves turned their pleas down, man was too strong and raising another fight would be folly. Enraged, the neglected band left Brené Miserably as Ehadulca led them north into the dark lands of Shadé and converted them all into dark elves and rulers of the dark arts in the name of the shadow God Anibue Lastate. As a gift from Anibue to Ehadulca he granted her immortality to forever rule his dark followers... she gladly took up the power he gave her.

The rest of the elves had shaken their heads at the insane acts the dark elves did to small villages of humans and elf alike. There would be no taming or peace to their kind. Then, when the High elves finally settled down another group came along led by Ehadulca’s twin sister Artemis La Frainé. The king sighed with dismay as she offered him an idea given to her by the Goddess of Light Hananat Lastate, that a certain partings of the elves take to the woods and become the woodland guardians... Hananat would grant them the power of light to quell the power of dark. Artemis would be given immortality as Ehadulca had and she would live the rest of existence confining her sisters power. The king granted the pardon to Artemis as the Dark elves slowly drew back from the lands of innocent people driven by the woodland elves and once again a calm spread across the lands lasting for 2950 years.

Now the dark elves slowly crept from their lands in shadow moving across in packs and raising the undead to destroy life as they once had tried years ago. The races drew back into their holds in fear as the Humans set up defense forts and watch towers all over Latana as dwarves locked their iron gates to the mountains... The High elves spread their magic around Brené to protect their people as the Half-lings and Fearies set up a barrier to keep out demons and dark worshippers. Many awaited for the powerful woodland elves to drive the Dark elves back but no one seen any sign of them... even the greatly loved mage Artemis was missing and Ehadulca triumphed raising an Empire in the fiery lands east in Memoria. There her power increased given by the great God Anibue as she now ruled all beast and demon alike summoning the undead from the underworld to do her bidding.

Memoria was a forbidden land created by the gods in a fierce battle over 10,000 years ago between themselves before the creating of Keepers. In Memoria each fought with their most deadly power with each other creating a baron wasteland of Fire, Storms, blizzards and so on, legend spoke that all who enter would be met with their worst fears and wildest nightmares come to life. This was the place where the undead and horrid demons from beyond the praised lands would crawl from littering Keepers with their foul attacks upon innocent people.

For years the once free people cried for a liberator... someone to free them from the treachery Ehadulca cast to their lands, no one was safe. No longer could children run and play amongst the hills and forest, and nor could the mystical Unicorn graze freely in the valleys below. 50 years Later evil was still all around and slowly the Kingdoms began to fall... The great Empire of Latana ruled by Man had grown weak from the attacks from demons and dark elves but King Lasent Morgan Anuun kept the great Palace walls guarded even after his beautiful wife had been dragged off by Dark elves years back. He stood tall then full of courage and he stood now giving his Soldiers hope... He gave his daughter the name, “Hope” as a light to any man wishing for liberation. She was as beautiful as the clear skies and shimmering gems in the dwarf mines and as free spirited as the ocean tides. She was a gift he spoke of... a gift from the Gods of old, his wife gave birth to her seventeen years back and at that very moment all knew there was something different about her... the way her eyes sparkled and the way the light would descend upon her path... but no one knew the truth about Hope.

Ehadulca had know, had studied, and had plotted. Hope was created from Memoria by the Gods and Goddesses given to King Lasent and the Queen. All seven Gods and Goddesses turned against the great shadow God Anibue creating a creature with the gift to defeat him and his minions along with Ehadulca after the disappearance of Artemis. Ehadulca had even attempted to capture the child before it was born ordering the kidnapping of the Queen... the capture had gone well but the child was already born. Her plan failed miserably as all she could do was sit back and watch as her army fought against the walls of Latana unable to get near the girl.

When seeking the power from Memoria as Ehadulca had been granted by Anibue she was also given a wretched curse, for her body could not leave Memoria or her soul would perish. She was forced to stay within her dark Empire she built in the depths of Hell, only able to outlook the world, give orders, and wait...

The time had now come, would the world of Keepers hold strong against the dark forces of evil, or would they fall to those dark hands? That choice was to be decided within each nation... for standing alone would be fatal... but to once again share their thoughts, dreams, lands, and armies Ehadulca’s reign would end. The joining of the elves, dwarves, half-lings, and the mystical creatures seemed far out of reach so their last chance of survival would lie with the young princess of the humans... Hope.

Quests and Tasks

“Your Ladyship... Master Zachary Highlander has arrived.” Came the low polite voice from one of the many servants who served in the castle. She smiled looking at her Lady with a slight bow as her short twin braids fell slightly forwards. Her eyes were large and with a gentle brown gaze as her Lady yawned sitting up in her chamber.

Slowly the girl opened her eyes rubbing them with the backs of her hands and giving out another tired yawn, she must have dosed off while rummaging through her keepsakes that lye scattered along the silk sheets. Looking over she caught eye contact with her servant and nodded, “Thank you Amona... Tell him I will be down in just a few minuets.”

“Yes your Ladyship...” With that the older woman gave another bow and walked from Hope’s chambers.

Sliding out of the white decorative bed Hope stood up on her toes stretching with a smile, she had been awaiting Zachary’s arrival for some time now and seeing him has always placed a smile on her face. He was an elf from one of the high families of Breané always finding time to travel to Latana in time to chat and visit with her.

She slowly moved over in front of the mirror fixing her long white gown and certain garments and trinkets that lie out of place on her. Running a hand through her long waist length black silvery hair she sighed at last staring at her reflection in the full wall mirror her father had bought from a Half-ling adventurer.

Lively misted cerulean eyes stared back at her from the mirror full of remorse for the captivity they held. For many years Hope had stared into this same mirror wishing her reflection would show someone she would rather be... someone without the royal articles and groomed body like a prize winning Steed from the mountains of Quentan. She never saw the girl she wished to be... only the reflection of someone who she was not...

Biting her lip she slipped on her shoes and walked smoothly from the room and down the stone stairs towards the Great Hall where Zachary had always waited for her. Her feet clicked against the steps as she held an end of her dress looking over the side along the long table suitable for over twenty men.

There he stood, by her father’s chair staring at the floor as his long blonde hair fell forward in his face. His long elvish ears were visible as the certain hoop earrings all elves wore. He was such a handsome man and extremely proud, since the elves lived longer than any human or dwarf he had known Hope since she was born. Her father had never really trusted Zachary... he was an elf after all and none would get along just a little. But Hope found no differences in races, all were brave, strong, and acted like children fighting over land like some would fight over toys...

Zachary looked up at her with crystal aqua eyes hearing and sensing her presence. With a smile he nodded to her a light bow respectfully as she stopped on the last stair, “Good evening Lady Hope Desania Anuun of Latana...”

Hope laughed with a irritated glance looking around to make sure no one was in sight, “What had I told you about that Zachary? Please do not address me like so... You must know by now are friendship does not evolve the royal gestures people use far too much...”

Zachary took her hand as she stepped down unto the red carpeted floor, “And the best of friends must stay loyal to one another...”

“It’s wonderful to see you Zachary!” She embraced him in a tight hug, “You hadn’t come for two months, you never showed?”

He nodded looking away slightly and shifting to one leg, “The Dark elves attacked the Elven Palace of Nimbue, I was needed at the side line of archers and was wounded... an arrow to the arm, but all is fine now. I here the Dark elves are drawing back for awhile... supplies are low.”

Hope looked away, “War is such a dangerous thing... I really wish you would just stay out of it.”

“And what? Hide in the underground routes with the women? Hope, you mustn’t talk non-sense... It is an honor to fight for my people in hopes of some day ending this mad war. Which brings me to why I have come her to speak with you privately.”

“Is that so?” Hope asked with wonder leaning back into the railing of the stairs, “What must you tell me?”

Zachary scratched one of his ears and slowly looking down almost burying his mouth into his sleeve his face shook nervously until he finally spoke, “I’m leaving these lands of Breané and Latana... I’m heading North to the lands of the Dark elves. I’m going on a fragile quest in search for the Woodland Elf Artemis, then from there I shall travel with her to Memoria... I may be killed before I returned so I wanted to bid thee farewell.”

“No Zachary! That is folly... you mustn’t go! What if you don’t find her?” Hope stammered squeezing a tight fist in utter shock, “Or if those wicked dark elves capture you! They would torture you until your limbs were wrenched from your body as you would scream for mercy but they would show none! Zachary... please reconsider!”

“Hope, please settle down... I was given specific orders from my Elvin Lord Margulé to do this and I will not let him down. Hope... You mean more than anything to me and the thought of finding Artemis and ending the reign of Ehadulca ensuring your safety is more than a impassable reason to go.”

Hope shook her head stubbornly as her eyes were on fire with anger, he must have known for quite some time and he couldn't bother to mention it before, “No Zachary Highlander, I forbid you to go!” her arms shook nervously imagining the harsh roads he was to take.

“Please understand Hope... This is for the good of our people-”

“Then let our people go on the quest!” She shouted as a few of the people down the corridors looked inside the great hall in wonder, “So that is what you came all this was to tell me... That you are leaving on a hopeless journey to get yourself killed, wait no... you will wish you were dead by the time those nasty elves are done with you!”

Zachary turned away with a slight wince, “I best get going your Ladyship... I do expect we will meet again before the end of the war whether it be merry or sad...”

Hope paused as a tear trickled down her cheek, never in a thousand years would she had thought that her best friend who had been like an older brother to her was leaving and may never be seen again. She swallowed the large lump blocking her throat and looked with wet mourning eyes. Speaking in a croaked voice she ran after the elf as he neared the exit out of the hall, “I’m going with you!”

Zachary turned around on one heel in amazement as she slammed into him hard knocking them both to the floor in with a loud thud as the young archer's arrows slide about the floor in an untidy mess. Zachary sat up quickly on one knee taking in the event at what happened, “Have you gone mad? You couldn’t possibly come!”

Hope sniffled rolling over onto her stomach and pulling herself to her knees running a hand over her ripped dress and bloodied knee from the rough stone floor, “I would go to the ends of the earth to help you... and if that is where you must go then that is where I must go.” she picked her hand up staring at her own blood and looked down, “Though I do know the journey will be hard... but I do not fear it.”

Zachary said nothing for a long while knowing he could not change her mind, “What would you tell your Father if you went... You know for certain he would tell you “No” with the speed of a Fearies arrow. Then what? You would just stay here in the castle and be protected for as long as-” He was cut short as she looked over at him quickly.

“Long as what? As the stone walls over the valley don't break? As long as the undead are kept at bay? What do I do when they break free? Hide with those women you spoke of underground and be a complete coward? I don’t think so Zachary, I will not stand by and watch my Kingdom fall... I’m going to stop Ehadulca if it’s the last thing I do.”

With a dry laugh the Elvin knight stood up on his feet beginning to gather his fallen arrows, “You can’t even wield the simplest of blades... what makes you think you can take on the great Necromancer... or summoner of the dead as we call her.”

“I don't know...I just know in my heart that I can overcome her... somehow, some way we can win back our free lands and bring Life, Freedom, and Peace...” She looked down once more, “I mustn’t tell my Father though... He would never understand.”

“And I don’t blame him... Hope, this is senseless. You are a Lady of the house, not meant for war and pain.”

Hope shot him an icy glare that had rose from deep within her soul, “That’s why you wont take me... you think because I’m a girl I cant fight.”

“I never said that...”

Hope stood up making a slight face and turning for the spiral stairs, “Well I will show you what I’m made of... I’m going upstairs to change, at nightfall we leave.”

“And if I leave without you?” Her corked an irritated look her way.

Hope smiled as she walked up a few steps looking back with those sparkling eyes and a smirk, “Then I will go on my own adventure and my own story will begin.”

“The Great One will see you now Mr. Xanderain Verona... She has grown annoyed with your tardiness. I expect you are well aware of that?” Came the mocking hiss of the dark elf male in front the great black iron door. His long white hair lye in long wisps against his dark cloudy blue flesh. He stared down at the man before him with stinging yellow eyes.

A light smirk danced on the lips of the man before him as he did not bother to make eye contact, instead stared around the dark horrid fiery chamber of the great Ehadulca. Red blood stained walls all the way down the corridor as the walls were littered with thousands who had disappointed the dark elves and their powerful queen.

His emerald eyes flickered turning back to the elf with a sly grin, “Then your Queen should provide better transportation and better hosts to escort me here.” He pushed his short dark red and black hair back fixing his long leather attire. The journey had been difficult even with the help of those wretched elves.

Ehadulca had summoned him with a proposition in which he was still in need of finding out. The gates to Memoria were wicked, guarded with beasts, demons and warriors. He had been given special passage in ways of traveling inside of Memoria without the haunting of the place. The nightmares you would see and the pain it would throw at you, how most of the time all who entered Memoria had gone mad and never returned. He hadn’t of course and he certainly had no interest in staying within such a grim place for very long, what if his pass the elves had given him wore off?

“I would hold your tongue you filth!” Spat the elf glaring down at him darkly. He shifted to the side pushing open the door he guarded , “You may enter...”

Xander gave a quick look behind him before slipping into the new room quietly, this room was more a lit with torches and candles lining the wall as well as strange weapons made specifically from the elves... blades he had never dreamed of being real lie mounted to the wall. He awed slightly shifting and turning looking around for what seemed ages until a high pitched mocking laugh could be heard from afar at the back of the room.

“So the mastery of an Elvin blade interests you Sir Verona? They are great weapons... that one there could easily remove the head of a Griffin...”

Xander shot around quickly being startled from his stance and was met with the cold icy amber eyes of a monster... or at least that’s what she was called. She had surprisingly light peach skin color unlike the dark elf she was which surprised Xander far more than he expected. Her long white hair lie pulled back to her skull in a long pony tail sweeping past her waist. a Long black demonic gown clung tightly against her skin as many strange tattoos were scattered across her body. There she sat on a large throne High off the ground staring down at the man before her.

“I expect you have been met by several of my fiercest guardians... what do you think of them?”

Xander opened his mouth as if to say something else but stopped, “Quite the nasty monsters if I say myself... they appear to have a great amount of skill.” He decided it was best to stay on her good side even if he thought she was over rated.

A light smile dance on Ehadulca’s lips as she raised a long arm upwards, “Enough talk... I have summoned you because I have heard a great deal about your skill as an assassin. Am I correct you are the best after your Father Lord Zanarmen Verona even only at the age of twenty?”

Xander stared up at her crossing his arms and turning to the left slightly, “I am far better than Zanarmen... I never miss a target or am able to be a suspect in the murder.” He raised an eyebrow waiting for her response, “But I do not work without payment...”

“As no one does Mr. Verona...” She spoke coolly standing up onto the platform before her throne and leaning on her left leg placing a hand on her hip, “I do provide good hospitality for my clients...” With a snap of her fingers and a quick glance to her side down in the dark corner a figure emerged into the dim fire light. He was a tall pale skinned man with mid-length thin wispy black hair. He raised his head with gleaming red eyes holding a chest in his arms.

He walked forward towards Xander giving a light smirk to reveal his white demon teeth, he was mysteriously powerful and all but too sneaky. Opening the chest Xander’s eyes were a lit as he stared down a all the gold within. His heart sank somehow heavy and overwhelmed as he refrained from reaching out to touch it. Never in his life had he seen such rich gold coins and gems.

Ehadulca saw his delight walking slowly down the steep black stone steps from her throne as a long royal blue cape dragged behind her. Finally she stepped unto the same floor they stood with a loud click of her heels and tossing a strand of hair aside, “There is more where that came from... much more. I receive gifts from my admirers and sadly gold is of no use to me...”

Xander looked up quickly, his dark green eyes wide as he understood she wanted to hire him, “What kind of task would you need me to complete.” His words were lower toned with a bit of interest within.

The tall woman turned from him and slowly picked her long steel and oak staff up pointing it to a portrait along the wall. The picture showed lush green lands and crystal clear steams along with the peaceful clear skies above... a Castle stood on the top of an arching hill as the banners of Latana shown freely in the painted wind, “I need you to slay the Princess...” Her words turned dark and drawn back.

Xander made a face with a wicked laugh, “Are you mad witch?”

She shot a look from her light golden his way with a snarl, “I beg your pardon...”

“With all do respect Lady... That is not something easy to do.”

“Are all quests suppose to be easy?”

He paused realizing her seriousness and anger, “One does not simply enter the castle of Latana and make their way to the Princess, the front bridge is heavily guarded to keep out the dark elves and any unwanted travelers... I surly would not be able to get close to her. No price could you pay to make me go there and face the possible wrath of King Lasent.” He shook his head backing away respectfully.

She turned from him walking over to one large torch in the middle of the room running her hand slowly through the fire as light crackles and sparks arose. Her eyes were dim and slightly closed as she murmured something in another language. The flames whipped hard as the sounds of screaming came about the room as the golden light grew larger.

Finally she turned his way tossing her head back venomously with a snarl, her eyes shimmered white with no pupil as her hair and cloaks twisted in the air harshly with long snaps at the ends, “Do you dare defy my orders? Then you will face the anger of the great Anibue... His desires are not to be turned down!” Her voice thundered as Xander fell back against the large Iron door pushed back by a might he had never known. She had spoke in a different voice, almost as if two were speaking at once as her arms lie outstretched and flames began to come up from the floor.

Looking down and side stepping away from the fire Xander bit his lip as a bead of sweat swept down his forehead, he was actually frightened. She was coming his way and he could no longer find the strength to move... it was almost as if his legs had turned to stone as he froze staring her straight in the eyes.

She was so close now, so close he could feel her hot breath against his neck and she now began to lean forward. He turned away quickly squeezing his eyes shut as she touched his chin with her smooth hand forcing him to face her, “I will make you and offer you cannot refuse...” Then she kissed him as his eyes shot open with revelation, long and hard on his lips as he almost felt drained slowly sulking on his legs until she broke away as all flames doused and once again the room was left quiet.

Coughing and staggering he held his hand over his mouth as it dripped with blood staring at the floor, the world flew past him, all of his memories came into view... everything he had ever known.

The demon with the chest laughed as Ehadulca pushed him with his long powerful arm as he was sent to the floor in a heap. Her laughter grew with his as she stared down at him pleasingly, “Now Xander, son of Zanarmen... do you wish to reconsider, or should I explain the consequences if you say no?”

He rolled over onto his back with his eyes closed tightly shut but those wicked visions still flew past his eyes, his harsh iron fist abusive father right up to the dragon that had cornered him so long ago... the memories were enough to draw tears but he stubbornly held them back gritting his teeth and pulling himself to his knees saying nothing.

Wiping her lips off she smirked shifting again, oh how fun it was to torture young scared beings. It was even more fun to listen to their deafening screams and wails for mercy, “You could call it a kiss of death... I have drained a half of your pitiful soul and will hold it until the task I have commanded you to do is complete. Once the Princess is dead and her body lay before me I will return that of which you cherish...”

“And his I don’t? If I don’t find her?” He croaked standing up onto his weak legs and glaring at her with rage.

“Then I will destroy your soul as the other half will die as well... you will be nothing more than a walking memory-less corpse. You will be gone, dead, and disposed of... but look at the bright side.” She smiled at him with her eyebrows arched, “You will live on inside of me forever...”

Xander turned away as his side ached holding it with one and pushing his way out through the iron door and down the dark lonely corridor without saying anything else, his quest had already been laid out... Ehadulca after all wasn’t over-rated.

She smiled with curled lips with a haunting sneer as the doors swung back closed. She smoothed out her long black gown and raised her chin glancing over at the demon beside her as he set the chest down, “I do hate humans... so arrogant and stubborn. My people should have killed them a long time ago...”

“You forget my lady... I am of them as well only an undead.” The demon spoke stepping to her side.

“As you should have died as well Luan Laboriné Lord and Ruler of the Vampires... Your kind are disgusting, plain disgusting.” She turned on her heel walking back up the steps and resting down into her throne once more.

He bowed before her, “With all do respect Lady of the Dark, I could do a far better job of murdering the Princess rather than a weak boy...” His words were crisp and resentful towards the leaving of the man as he was hungry for blood.

She shook her head tapping her nails on the golden armrest and yawned with boredom but still wide awake as she watched Luan before her throne, “I have resurrected you from the slain to do a different task.”

He look up with interest standing back straight.

Her nails screeched loudly against the soft gold digging into the shimmering metal, “You were killed by a woodland Elf am I not correct?”

He nodded with a slight snarl, the woodland elf girl drove a broken end to a pitch fork straight through his heart as he was vanquished and sent below to the underworld. How wretched that was as he was forced to rot down there for many years waiting, “Yes... Mina Morigen.”

She smiled again, “You were able to bite that of the dark warrior with red hair in the north, the one who rides and slays all vampires on a black steed? She goes by the name Hel Lé Silverfire...” Her words pierced him hard as he thought vividly to himself, the girl she spoke of was strong and well known being neither good nor bad... Her name would strike fear in villages as she was so cruel.

“Yes I did... though she is not complete vampire, only half for I was unable to finish my work.”

Ehadulca nodded, “I see...” She lifted her hand and rubbed the side of her face calmly, “In return for bringing you back I want you to slay her and make sure she is gone for good, I fear she could cause much trouble for me...”

Luan lifted his head with delight as his eyes glistened, he would soon get revenge on the elf and the warrior... how his luck had changed, “Yes my Queen, as you command it be...”

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