A stench of decay and blood wafted through the air, sticking to every creature that wandered the lands in search of food. Dim firelight from the ever burning flames of the lava geysers were the only sources of light, eternally casting heat and shadows into the world. Atop a rocky hill sat a creature covered in the bones and hides of fallen enemies. Dark Orange eyes illuminated by the dim glow observed everything from the perch it sat on. Long dirty and mangled black hair covered the creatures face, and blood dripped from its chin as it ate its meal. Howls in the distance made its head snap up, revealing a humanoid face. The man dropped the meat and slunk back into the darkness, allowing the shadows to hide him as a bright light in the distance flickered to life.
The man watched silently, almost deadly still as more noises erupted from the previously quiet abyss. The sound of clashing metal rent the air, creating a cacophony of chaos that just brought in more creatures into the fray. Slowly the man descended from the hill, making his way across the barren landscape to move closer. He hid behind a large gathering of boulders and watched quietly as a group of people dressed in white armor battled against the deadly creatures.
The group consisted of four men and one woman. The woman wore a white robe with glitter blue and gold accents, while holding a staff that radiated light from a gem twisted into the top of it. One of the men wore armor of the same color, while wielding a brightly gleaming sword and a shield with an ornate design. He used both with unerring efficiency. The second man wore a light blue cape that fluttered around him, flowing with his movements as he used water to push back the hoards. A loud yell sounded as a large man wearing blue pants leapt forward, using his bare fists to cleave the creatures from his path. The final man wore a dark blue cloak, its hood hiding his features as he used lightning to fry the creatures.
The man hiding behind the boulder watched in silence as the group was slowly surrounded, a tactic that had been used against him several times in the past. The group were soon pressed back to back, their movements becoming sloppy within the confined space. Even as creatures fell and were feasted upon by their fellows, the group was pushed closer and closer together. The woman was now firmly in the center, the males keeping the creatures from grabbing her.
"I can't hold the light much longer!" The female shouted, the light on her staff beginning to flicker.
"Try to hold on! Duke should be here in mere moments!" The armor covered one shouted back, deflecting a grasping claw. The group fought bravely but it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed. Just before it seemed like the group would be over taken, a brilliant flash lit up the world around them, causing all of the creatures to screech in pain. Even the man behind the boulder had to duck down in pain, for it was the brightest light any of the creatures and himslef had seen in too many years.
When the light dimmed enough, the hidden man carefully peered around the boulder to see a man with bright golden hair wearing a slimmer version of armor in all white standing before the group as he grinned mockingly at the creatures. Before he could say anything a massive claw swiped at him, causing him to stumble back.
"Duke!" the woman shouted, and the light flickered before fading. The cacophany of noise grew louder as the creatures roared and pushed forwards. The man hiding leapt from cover, snarling and hissing, tearing into the creatures. They turned from the group, all focus now on the man within their midst. The group watched in shock as a single man took on more than a hundred creatures, movements blinding in their execution. In a few more moments, creatures fled crying in pain and anger. Once the last of the creatures had returned to the darkness, the man turned and gazed at the group, an unreadable look in his eyes. He prowled closer to the group, making sure to stay back several feet just in case. The woman stepped forwards bravely, staring the man down.
"Thank you for your help, but we didn't need it." She stated haughtily, looking down her nose at the man that had saved them. The man gave a gruff noise, turning his back on them and approaching one of the dead creatures. Ignoring the appalled noises behind him as he ripped a limb from it and held it over a geyser of flame, cooking it and taking a bite. His eyes glowing in the dim light as he ate, never looking away from the abyss of darkness. The group stared at him from behind, each having different ideas of the man before them, though before they could speak their minds, the man stood, tossing away the now gleaming white bone. He turned to look at them, then with a motion of his hand began walking into the darkness.
The group shared uneasy glances, before cautiously following. The man led them for several minutes, until they came to be at the base of a steep cliff. Without bothering to turn and look at them, he heaved a massive rock at the base away, revealing a dark cave. Orange eyes looked at the group, and then disappeared inside.
"I don't think it is wise to follow this man further." The woman stated, her silver hair in disarray. A large foot stepped on the ground behind them and they all turned and looked up and up. A massive creature stood before them grinning maliciously, a large club in it's massive hands.
"I vote we all head inside." The man in the hooded clothes stated wisely. Without another word, they all ran into the cave as the club hit the ground where they were standing mere moments before.
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