Zarsan stood at the edge of the cliff, the only one of his kind after the great merging that deformed and scarred the world permanently. Great winged creatures were born of the changing and took to white skies, squawking in unison, much as horses running in a race. Black holes appeared in the sky , suspended as if by chains and while he could not see clearly, he could make out hands trying to reach out of each one.
His club leaned against a hollow tree trunk, but he had no reason to pick it up again. He just stood gazing, a slight breeze shifting his hooded cape. Suddenly he dropped to his knees and wept as the memories of what had taken place flooded his tired brain. In this despair, he thought he heard a raspy voice. He looked up and saw a giant hand reaching down with a chalice, shaped like a castle with a tower set inside and the base as curled as a snake. It was like a vision he has seen once before. He had resisted. This time the voice was insistent, persuading, “Come, sip. Use you power.”
In an instant, he remembered who he was and what he could do. If he sipped he would shrink and be entombed forever in the chalice prison of the Clawling. In his weakened desperation, he could feel his strength pulling at his mind to obey. But some tinge of will kept him resisting. He knew this could be the end… so what?, Maybe I should. What is there to live for now? he heard as he fought inside himself. My club, if I could only touch my club. He pulled himself out of his reverie and reached for the sword handled club and felt the jeweled bauble at the end. Power surged through his hand in to his body—just a jolt but enough to clear his thinking.
“No, I won’t. Go away!” he spoke firmly and the vision melted away.
Clawling’s raucous laughter echoed, as if he knew he would win eventually. Hadn’t his forces already opened portals to Other world and destroyed most of the Daeraykon, including the seat of government? Few resisters were left…too bad he was one of them, not that he could be that dangerous any more. He was alone and weak. Clawling knew this and would keep tempting him until he succumbed.
Zarsan turned away from the cliff, that, only moments before had represented a bleak way out of his misery.
“Glad you didn’t give into him!” exclaimed a fierce little voice. Zarsan turned in the direction of the vice and there crawling out of a hollow stump was a small dwarf-like man.
‘Crispin!” Zarsan was so surprised.
“No, afraid not. He’s gone beyond. I’m his brother Thorn and you…”
“I am Zarsan. Cripsin and I were friends.. I am grieved that he did not make it. So many others didn’t either.’ He wandered, hand tightening on his club. Then, remembering Thorn. “What are you doing here and how did you know…?
“About your brush with that sinister lout Clawling? Oh , I am like you in one respect, I too , can discern the presence. I am the elder twin, you see. Crispin had other gifts but I was doomed with this one. Clawling has not found me out yet, but he will try. He has vowed and cannot be entirely safe until all who have the power become his minions or perish. So, I sought you out, figuring that we’d be safer, more effective together.”
Zarsan listened to the tale Thorn was telling and was still bothered by gaps in the story. How could he know if he was telling the truth or a trap.
“What do you know about me?” he asked, “I have never heard of you before. Were you not in the conflict?”
“My brother left his memory gem for me. It tells all he perceived. As a twin, I knew when his life ended and called it to me. I was in other places doing my part. As to never having heard of me, it’s true. Crispin was under oath never to mention my name or connection for our own safety, his primarily. You see, I was a traveller to Otherworld, which would have been forbidden superstitions. Our father was from that realm—a traveller. I inherited some of his traits plus the perception.
When I came of age, my father came back for me. Crispin wanted to come but it would have been too much for my mother to bear losing both of us, and as he fit rather well with our people, he stayed. It was told that I had gone away to Ityria for training. Later, when the wars started with Dag Claw, Otherworlders stopped coming here and we sent word to Crispin to hush up the connection. We knew that if Claw was victorious, he would somehow open the gateways and allow the evil of both worlds to combine—with him as Higher Ruler.
Our world is not perfect either, but like yours, the evil forces were manageable. That your world has lost its battle is a sign that Claw has had some other ally. Yes, it is great sadness that so many were overcome. Now we must search out the remnant and join forces, my world and yours to prevent the total loss of all creation. We are two of the keys, you and I, and two others. You have been saved for this. For you see, you also have the mark of their world.”
“This is incredible. Are you serious? What do you mean I know of Otherworld. I didn’t even know as much as you told me.” He was incredulous.
“I know it may be hard to believe, and there is more you need to know , but , for now I think we had better find shelter and perhaps , food, if there’s any to find. And then, we’ll meet some friends of mine, who have been waiting to meet you.
1014 words 
Martell house
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