Raze the Land: Prologue
#1 of Raze the Land
"You were a fool to return here, Lanarius." Leviticus, a snow white wolf, drives his armored shin into the ribs of Lanarius, a smoke grey wolf and half brother to Leviticus. Lanarius was on his hands and knees, trying to rise when he caught glimpse of the kick coming. He could not avoid it but he could tighten his gut to lessen the pain of the impact and let the force of his brothers leg drive him upward and almost to his feet. Almost. Lanarius managed to regain his footing for but a moment before his brother caught him with a back handed strike, the metal of Leviticus's gauntlet crashed into the side of Lanarius's head. The grey wolf collapsed backward in a heap against the stone railing of the towers balcony. The world became a flash of searing white, pain and a thunderous ringing.
"You were a fool to think you could defeat me." Leviticus continued, his back to his brother as he walked to retrieve is brothers sword that had been dropped during the battle. Plucking the bastard sword from the ground he admired its craftsmanship for a moment. Vermillion it had been dubbed. It's blade was crimson and gave off the slightest glow in the light, but in the shadows of this dim tower it was almost black as the dragon Stone that formed the hilt. It was a masterful work, as much a masterpiece as its was deadly.
Leviticus turned his attention to his fallen brother who was struggling to try and stand. Levi let out a low growl as he turned, lunged and drove the blade through into his brothers gut, piercing through the plate, chain mail and boiled leather as easily as it plunged through the wolfs fur and flesh, until the blades point struck the stone behind Lanarius.
"The god's have abandoned you, Brother." Levi said through bared teeth with a growl. One hand still holding the hilt, the other clutching Lanarius's throat and pulling him to his feet. "The people have exiled you and your own father has forsaken you."
Lanarius managed a weak change in his expression. His eyes had fallen shut and he was too weak to open them but the corners of his mouth curved faintly, a slight but genuine smile that disarmed Leviticus. How could Lanarius be smiling when he was so close to death's door he could not open his eyes? It was then that Levi glanced down to see a small sigil Lanarius had managed to form on his breast plate with blood. The symbol was slightly misshapen as the blood slowly ran down but it was there and recognizable enough.
"You fool! You'll kill us-" Leviticus was interrupted by the white flash of the spells explosion.
And from the highest tower in all of Lavandra the grey wolf, Lanarius, was cast by the explosion. Death, it seemed, would be his reward for all that he had done in the name of the Gods, for the people of Neseroth and for his love. His journey had been exhausting, painful and taken everything from him and with this final selfless act, a simple but powerful spell he had learned as a mischievous pup, he would find that journey's end.
Above him the towers top had been blown apart and set aflame. Large portions of stone fell along with him and below he could hear the waves crashing against the rocks even amongst the roar of the wind rushing past him. His body ached worse than any pain he could have ever imagined but more so he was exhausted. He would have lied to say he did not fear death when he began this day but now, he welcomed it like he welcomed a warm bed after a long journey. Yes, eternal sleep would be his reward and Lanarius welcomed it.
Yet, it had not always been this way.