Inside the chasm, a beam of light marvelously shot from a shaft in the ceiling, allowing the sunlight to shine through at precisely the right place and time to illuminate the pedestal with its glorious rays. As the light struck the orb, it sent countless shards of refracted beams throughout the chasm in a spectacular display.
The timing was perfect, and in that moment, David knew that whoever made this temple had made it for the precise moment in time and space in which he now stood.
Driven by an innate desire, David slowly walked towards the orb.
If he hadn’t been so entranced, he would have thought it strange that as he moved closer to the orb, it began to rise, remaining suspended only inches above the pedestal. He would have felt the tingling sensation flow throughout his body that caused his hair to stand on end and his skin to crawl. But instead, all David could focus on was the familiar voice sounding in his head, compelling him to move forward, compelling him to take the orb.
Like a casual observer, David watched as his hand reached out to grab the orb from the air. After what felt like an eternity, his fingers finally wrapped around the orb and his mind exploded with power.
His body was engulfed in a whirlwind of air and pulsating light. His clothes and hair flapped wildly in the wind and his body began to rise with the orb. Coming to his senses, he started to panic and tried to let go, but his hand held fast. The orb sank into his hand and vanished, filling his body with warmth unlike anything he had ever felt.
His heart was beating impossibly fast, his breathing became uncontrollable, and his mind raced with countless images as he was blinded by an intense white light.
When the light finally dimmed David found himself hovering silently above a dark misty field on the outskirts of a massive forest. David quickly recognized the forest and field as the ones he saw in this new world he found himself in.
A man stood in the middle of the field. He had dark hair and eyes and a wicked grin on his face. He was clothed in what appeared to be armor like knights wore back in the day, only more ornate and apparently much lighter and easier to move in from the way he was moving so effortlessly back and forth. He was pacing as if he were waiting for something... or someone.
On his one side was amassed a majestic army. It was illuminated by a blinding light seemingly emitted from the heavens above, sparkling off endless mirror-like shields and armor. On the other side stood an equally large army shrouded in a thick, unnatural darkness, with thousands of yellow eyes and fangs piercing through the blackness from beneath their helmets.
Both sides were colossal, and it was apparent that they were both ready to fight to the death. The man in the middle stood unconcerned and unafraid and wore a smug look on his face.
What was he doing? David wondered, as he floated above the scene trying to make sense of it all.
Without warning, the man raised his arms and looked up to the dark stormy skies. He had something in his hand… something small, but powerful. It was glowing brightly with a fierce intensity.
That light…it’s the same color as the orb, thought David, looking down at his hand that had held the orb. It had burned an impression into the back of his hand like a tattoo, and now softly glowed the same light as before, only dimmer.
Instantly, bolts of lightning radiated from the dark man’s hands and were driven into the earth beneath his feet. He slammed the object into the ground with such ferocity David swore it would shatter the earth. It nearly did.
The earth began to shake and rumble from the depths below, causing massive fissures to form in the ground. The army of light began to scatter to avoid falling into the fissures, but many were taken by the darkness and fell to their doom. Their cries were thunderous, and the army of darkness fell on them like ravenous wolves, seemingly unaffected by the shattering earth around them.
The armies fought on, but David knew the battle was over before it started – the army of light would lose.
His heart sank within his chest at the scene of death and destruction before him. He felt as if he lost a loved one, a feeling he had never known, and surprisingly, he began to weep.
Suddenly, something caught his eye as he peered deep into the darkness. David saw a strange green light shining from the depth of the fissures, and an unfathomable terror began to fill his heart.
The dark man stood up and, much to David’s surprise, looked directly at him and smiled, sending a cold shiver down his spine. He held up his hand and made a throat cutting gesture, then threw back his head and let out a vicious laugh.
The vision faded into darkness and left David with a sense of despair he would not easily forget.
Chapter III
David sat up half dazed with his head aching terribly and the sound of distant talking and footsteps echoing in the tunnel. Shaking off the dizziness, David jumped to his feet and ran behind the furthest pillar in an attempt to remain hidden. Moments passed before he could clearly hear the voices. They sounded distressed.
“The enchantments are no longer in place, what could have possibly removed them” came a soft voice.
“That is but one of the mysteries that has brought us here.” a raspy voice responded.
An elderly man and young woman walked into the
