[ IP ] The Black Blade .

Strange. The air before my eyes seemed to hang, suspended in a vacuum of windless existence. The hulking lumber of Ragewood creaked no more. Not a twig, not a stream, not a flutter of sound could be heard, a lifeless clearing. 
 
 Darson grew agitated, a nicker of rising stress rattled his cheeks, shaking fresh snow from atop his poll. 
 
 My eyes narrowed, shielded under my deep set brow. 
 
 The Black Blade was near. 
 
 I advanced towards the clearing, the light of day dying with every yard I progressed. 
 
 Life could not survive on the doorstep of death's stronghold. 
 
 As I entered the clearing, the Devil's Hand rising before me, like a citadel within the ancient forest, my eyes fixed on the Three Guards of Sin, their lifeless gaze pierced my soul, testing my courage with a silent stare that screamed at my conscience; *leave, mortal. * 
 
 Faithful Darson stood defiantly, the warmth of my life upon his back stoking flames of fortitude within the stoic beast. 
 
 I approached the fortress, the snow-capped stones blanketing death with cold, yet not a flake sat fixed upon the Guards of Sin. Nothing, not animal, not insect, not element, could survive contact with such sentinels. 
 
 Darson stopped before the edifice, his head hung humbly, ready to die at his master's command. I held my gaze, a silent stand-off of a thousand ages raged in a moment, the amulet of Barrum pressed heavily against my chest, reminding me, daring me; *Courage comes from within. * 
 
 The Black Blade rested motionless, blacker than anything you could imagine, contrasting with dark grey stone strikingly. 
 
 The Guards screamed, it was silent, but I felt their war cry challenge my spirit. 
 
 I drew my blade, forged humbly by Barrum's blacksmith's, the scream of steel dying quickly. 
 
 The Black Blade was won with courage, not steel. 
 
 I dismounted Darson, the snow silently crushing beneath my feet. I walked towards the Guards, with bottled rage coursing through my veins. 
 
 A silent, unknown battle with Hell about to unravel with one man. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

