Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow's Quest ❯ Day One ( Chapter 1 )

I was sitting at a bar in a small tavern. It was very warm as opposed to the cold dreary outside. Nicely lit too. There were a few other people in the tavern with me; some sitting at tables, some on the stools around me. I had my head down because I'd already had a few drinks and was well on my way to passing out. My black sunglasses began to irritate my eyes but I didn't care. This red bandana I had around my neck was feeling kinda tight. Oh well. I liked the way it went with my black shirt. I was also wearing my favorite brown coat. It was feeling pretty heavy now though. Ah well. Oh yeah, my brown leather chaps were starting to feel a little tight so I reached down and loosened my black leather belt a bit.

 

There was a loud bang that made my ears ring, and gave me a slight migraine. I looked up and saw the bartender looking down on me smiling.

 

“'Nother drink buddy?” He said to me.

 

Can't he see I'm already plastered enough? Ah, might as well. I sat up and grabbed the beer with my dark brown, leather gloves and took a sip. It was a bit strong at first but I guess I got used to it.

 

“You look like you're about to fall out of your seat.” A woman's voice said from behind me.

 

I glanced back and saw Martha smiling at me. She had that huge pink dress on and an apron. She was carrying one of those dish thingies and serving beers to the other guys in the bar. I started tapping the floor with my brown buckled boots and grinned.

 

“Maybe once I pass out you could have your way with me.” I said in a cocky tone.

 

She just stared at me for a moment. I heard someone chuckle so I felt my work was done and turned back around. Then there was a loud crash as someone slammed a door and stomped in. That really didn't help my headache.

 

“What a dump! Hope the beer tastes better than this place looks.” I heard a male voice say.

 

I curiously glanced back and saw about five men walking into the tavern. I turned back and dropped my head on the bar again...big mistake. A strange smell was in the room now. It kinda smelled like dog. Oh god please don't let it be what I think it is...

 

“Alright lets get some drinks around here!” A man yelled as his friends sat at a round table.

 

“Sir I think I'm going to have to ask you to leave.” Martha said sounding a bit annoyed.

 

“Well maybe you should just stop thinking then.” The man said.

 

I heard her shriek and turned around. He had grabbed her by the arm and had an evil look in his eye. All I wanted to do was enjoy a nice drink but noooo, these guys had to come and mess up my night! So I stood up and turned to him.

 

“Well I think you should leave as well.” I said grinning.

 

Then I smelled it again. Darn I thought so...werewolves. Just what the hell I need!

 

“Oh really, and just who might you be?” The man said as he let go of Martha and started walking over to me.

 

“The name's Ghost.” I replied purposely trying to annoy him.

 

He walked up and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, wrinkling up my bandana.

 

“I don't really give a rat's ass who you are.” He said to me grinning.

 

“Then why'd you ask?” I replied, returning his grin.

 

His face grew with anger and a saw his eyes darken as they stared into mine.

 

“I don't like your attitude.” He said to me.

 

“And I don't really like the smell of your breath.” I replied.

 

I can't really talk. After all the beers I've had my breath isn't exactly mintie fresh.

 

“Ok smart guy. You'd better shut that mouth of yours before I rip it off.” He said to me in a growl.

 

Yeah...he's a werewolf...man this is annoying. I grabbed his hand and then kicked him back. He stumbled and fell into a table, breaking it, then got back up and began growling. His face seemed to stretch out as his bones cracked loudly. The hairs on his head began to rise as his fingernails grew out to claws. He started to grow in size as his skin began to grow hair. There was a loud tearing sound as a fluffy tail pierced through his pants. His feet grew and shredded the shoes he was wearing. Soon I was staring at a fully transformed Werewolf. He howled loudly, rattling my brain. Why did I have so much to drink today?

 

He charged at me and slashed with his dark black claws. I stepped backwards and he swung with his other hand. I grabbed it and jumped up as I kicked him in the chest, pushing him back. I heard a lot more howls and looked to see that his little group had also transformed. He seemed to be the biggest, which was sad considering how weak he was. One of them turned over a table and charged at me. The people sitting at the bar scrambled to get out of the way. Chickens...

 

I charged forward as well and punched the werewolf in the face, knocking it back. I spun around and kicked a third werewolf in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. There was a roar and I jumped forward onto the top of the bar as a werewolf slashed down towards me. I turned and placed my head on its head and flipped over. Then pulled it over my shoulder and slammed it to the ground. Great, now I got dog hair on my FAVORITE COAT!

 

A werewolf charged at me but I stood up, grabbed my fist, and swung my elbow back, hitting it in the face. It stumbled backwards and flipped over the bar. I turned and charged forward, then held my arm out. I ran right past it and hit it with the middle of my arm right in the neck. It flipped up into the air and landed headfirst. I looked back and the rest just stared at me. The ones I had fought all turned back to humans.

 

“You'll regret this!” A werewolf said as he picked up his defeated friends and fled the tavern.

 

My head was throbbing now, I felt like it was going to explode. My eyes even began to tear up. Good thing I had my shades on or someone might have seen. There was clapping and cheering filling the room. Loudly I might add. God it just doesn't stop.

 

“Well that was really stupid.” I heard a male voice call out from behind me.

 

I turned curiously and noticed Cray standing behind me. He had his black long sleeved shirt and black pants on. He wears too much black sometimes.

 

“Whadda you want?” I asked him rudely as I sat back on my stool.

 

He walked over and gave me my black hat that I left at his house a while ago. I was going crazy trying to find this thing.

 

“Thanks.” I said as I put it on.

 

My head's never felt so warm. I love this hat.

 

“You know those were Vaunter's goons right?” Cray said to me as he sat down.

 

Oh great. Just what I need right now.

 

“He's back? What's this, the sixth time he's escaped from hell?” I questioned as I dropped my head on the bar again; I felt my hat roll off so I sat back up and put it on once again.

 

“Yeah, they need better security down there.” Cray said jokingly.

 

I reached over and took another sip of my beer.

 

“You know, now that you let them live they're gonna be looking for vengeance.” Cray said staring at me.

 

I took another gulp and put the mug down, burped loudly, and slung my head back, staring up at the ceiling.

 

“Let them try. It can get pretty boring out here anyway.” I said bordly.

 

I heard Cray's stool creek and glanced over to him. He reached behind him and pulled my large wooden crossbow from his back and held it out.

 

“Look at what else you left at my house.” He said grinning.

 

“Heh, if you hadn't had all those hot chicks at your place, and if I hadn't drank so much, maybe I woulda remembered to grab my stuff.” I said to him returning his grin.

 

I then stood up and grabbed my crossbow, placed it on my back, and started walking out of the tavern.

 

“So where you off to now?” Cray questioned.

 

“I'm gonna see if I can track down Nurgle. Maybe he's got some information on where Vaunter is.” I said.

 

I felt someone grab my shoulder and hold me back.

 

“You've never fought with Vaunter. You've never even seen him before.” Cray said.

 

“Pfft. He's just another demon that escaped from hell, no biggie. Let's see him crawl out of that pit after I'm through with him.” I said in a cocky tone.

 

“Vaunter's not just another demon. He's a lot stronger than anything you've ever faced before. And besides. You haven't fought anything stronger than yourself in a while. Doncha think you're a bit rusty?” Cray said to me.

 

“Heh. I keep my gears well oiled with the blood of my enemies.” I replied grinning.

 

I felt him lift his hand from my shoulder and I started walking out the door.

 

“Just be careful ok?” He called out to me.

 

I just waved my arm slightly and kept walking. He needs to stop worrying so much. I'm not gonna let some demon get the best of me. God this headache is killin' me! The colds kinda helpin' but not that much. There's not that many people out on these old dim roads since a lot more monsters started showing up around night. Canifis can get pretty quiet since everyone hides all the time.

 

I started towards the haunted woods. Nurgle's always lurking around there. As I trudged through the green swamps and into the thick forest the chill started to pick up. It smelled like old shoes, as usual. But my boots were startin to get all muddy. I hate this place...I felt a chill go up my spine and froze. Somethin's behind me. I stepped forward, grabbed my crossbow, which was already loaded with silver bolts, turned and fired. There was this weird sounding splat as the bolt blasted through the skull of a zombie.

 

It took a step forward but fell in the mud face first. Then I remembered somethin I learned a long time ago. When there's one zombie, there's always a helluvalot more. I slowly turned around and saw another one, slowly making its way towards me moaning loudly. Why'd I have to be right this time? I sighed and dropped my head while loading another silver bolt. I held my crossbow out and fired, shooting the zombie in the heart. It didn't even know it was hit until it toppled to the ground.

 

“Ok where are the rest of-” I went to say as I turned around but there was a zombie right beside me, its dripping fangs just inches from my shoulder.

 

I jumped slightly and smacked it with my crossbow. I heard another one behind me and turned. It lunged at me and I kicked up, knocking it backwards. I grabbed another bolt from the little carrying case or whatever it's called off my shoulder and loaded it in when a zombie snapped at me. I turned but it bit into my crossbow.

 

“Get off!” I yelled as I kicked the zombie to the ground and shot it in the head with a bolt.

 

I went to load another when I heard a zombie splash through the mud behind me. I did a high kick and connected my boot to his face. God I love that feeling. Something cracked behind me and I felt a tug on my coat. I looked down and a hand reached up from the ground and grabbed me by the foot. Who in their right mind buries someone in the middle of a swamp? I kicked off the hand holdin' my coat, then shot the hand that was holding my leg and it released me.

 

Another zombie slashed at me but I jumped back. It hit my crossbow and I dropped it. Ok now I'm irritated. I punched the zombie in the head, then in the stomach, and then threw an upper cut, throwing it in the air and on the ground. I walked over and stomped in its skull. The dead rotting brain exploded from the skull.

 

“That's what you get for pickin' a fight with me.” I said as I pulled my brain-covered boot from its head.

 

As I went to turn something caught my eye and I reached up as a zombie fell from the sky and tackled me. I fell on my back on the ground and it viciously snapped and bit at me while I struggled to hold it back. My god his breath stank, and he almost bit me six times already! I reached up into its mouth and gripped its bottom jaw, then rolled over to the side and began punching it in the head. I released its mouth and it snapped at me but missed.

 

“God I hate zombies.” I said as I walked over to my crossbow.

 

The zombie began standing up but stopped and fell to the ground as I shot it with a bolt. Serves him right for trying to bite me. Then something cold and wet was touching my back. I looked and noticed my coat was stained with mud and zombie blood.

 

“You gotta be KIDDING ME!” I yelled as I examined my coat.

 

Something shifted behind a tree and I pointed my crossbow in that direction.

 

“Even your blessed bolts cannot kill me.” A voice called out.

 

That sounds like...I lowered my crossbow and lunged forward. The shadowy figure tried to run but I grabbed its dingy black hair and it froze.

 

“Nurgle. `Bout time I found you.” I said as I pulled him back.

 

Nurgle hissed at me and slashed with his short, dingy claws. I released him, and then kicked him to the ground. Ghouls are so fun to beat on. He went to crawl away but I grabbed him by the foot and dragged him closer. He turned over on his back and tried to kick away but I jumped on top of him and pushed his head to the ground.

 

“Go away!” He yelled to me, still struggling to get away.

 

“Not until you tell me what you know about Vaunter.” I told him.

 

“Vaunter? Never heard of him? Who's this Vaunter?” He said to me, acting innocent.

 

“Nice try. You're going to tell me, and its gonna be soon.” I told him as I pointed my crossbow at his chest.

 

“I already told you, you can't kill me with that.” Nurgle replied chuckling.

 

“I don't plan on killing you with it.” I said with an evil grin.

 

I pulled the trigger and shot a bolt into his hand. He screamed loudly in pain and tried to get away but I held him down.

 

“How about now?” I asked again.

 

“Go to hell!” He yelled to me.

 

“Wrong answer!” I said as I shot him in the arm.

 

He screamed again in pain as I began to load another bolt.

 

“Your going to run out of bolts sooner or later!” He squealed.

 

“Good point, thanks for tellin' me that.” I replied.

 

I then reached down and ripped out the bolt in his arm and loaded it in my crossbow, then shot him with the same bolt in a different spot on his arm.

 

“Ok! Ok! I'll talk!” He whined.

 

“Good boy, now tell Ghost everything you know.” I said to him, grinning evilly.

 

“Vaunter has already established a BOA and has a large group of followers, he's currently residing in Castle Draken. You remember where that is right?” Nurgle explained, still sobbing slightly.

 

“He works pretty fast.” I commented.

 

“You're tellin' me. Now can I go?” Nurgle asked.

 

“Why does he keep escaping from hell?” I asked him intently.

 

“Why does anyone want to escape? Hell isn't the kind of place you just bend over and except.” Nurgle said pointing out the obvious.

 

“Not what I meant smelly. What's he planning?” I asked him, holding my crossbow even closer to him.

 

“Once again he's after the wine of Zamarok. Once he drinks it he'll transform into an even more powerful demon.” Nurgle explained.

 

“So I'll just go into the main lands and stop him.” I said confidently.

 

“Vaunter's not going himself. He sent one of his servants to fetch the wine for him.” Nurgle replied.

 

“Well then I'll just wait at the temple for his servant to cross over.” I said unsurely.

 

“Yeah, you do that...” Nurgle said sarcastically.

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” I asked darkly.

 

“Nothing? You go ahead and wait at the temple if you want.” Nurgle said with an evil grin.

 

I loaded another bolt, and shot him in the arm again, making him cry in pain.

 

“Ok! I'll tell you.” He whined.

 

“Vaunter's tried this six times. Doncha think he'd find another way besides the temple?” Nurgle asked.

 

“Well how's his servant gonna get back then?” I asked, holding my crossbow to him again.

 

“I don't know, honest. Your best bet would be to get to Vaunter before his servant does.” Nurgle said, crying slightly.

 

I nodded, ripped the bolt that was pinning his hand down and the one I just shot in his arm out, and then let him up.

 

“I hope he uses you as a toe scrubber.” Nurgle muttered silently, but I heard him clear enough.

 

I fired another bolt into his hand, pinning him to a tree this time, then walked away.

 

“Wait? You're just going to leave me here? Get me out! I hope you burn in hell Ghost!” He screamed as I walked away.

 

Man this has been one helluva night. My vision began to blur slightly as I stumbled through the woods back to Canifis. I pushed open the door to my house and flopped on my bed, not even taking off any of my clothes, and fell asleep.

 

I woke up just a few hours later to something poking me in the side.

 

“You think he's dead?” I heard a child's voice say.

 

I groaned loudly and saw two kids standing over me holding a stick. They yelled and ran away. My headache's gone but something stinks...badly. I looked under me and noticed I was lying in a pile of manure. My eye started to twitch and I shot up, shaking violently. What the hell happened to my bed? I looked around and I was at the edge of the village, and I SMELLED HORRIBLE!

 

“Umm, Ghost?” I heard a female voice call out from behind me.

 

I turned and saw Rachael looking at me kinda funny. About an hour later I was sittin' in her bathtub frantically tryin to get rid of this smell. I still had my shades on because, well, I can't really tell you why I always wear my shades. It's a secret.

 

“Ghost your clothes are all washed up. I'll just put them on the door.” I heard Rachael's voice say from the other side of the door.

 

“Thanks Ray, you're a lifesaver.” I replied, still scrubbing frantically.