Salatis and the Dark King - Veneficus (Forest of Sogno, Chapter 1)

The Gods

There are scriptures found within a magical kingdom called Veneficus, which talk of a time long before man, when the Gods created the earth and behaved as children. They themselves were perplexed and could not explain how they had come to be in this rapidly expanding universe, but they knew without words that their place was to bring order to the chaos, and this is what they did until they set eyes upon the earth. Stars and galaxies were born in explosions of light, yet the Gods did not look up to witness this heavenly spectacle and had forgotten their responsibilities. They were too busy enjoying the earth’s pleasures, walking across its diverse landscapes, bathing in its vast, empty oceans and eating the fruits that had grown in its fertile soils. They had no knowledge and no need for such things as greed, sin or war and the world had never been covered in anything other than contentment. That was until the earth’s spell over the Gods eventually began to fade and with time was no longer enough to keep their attention. They became weary of the emptiness surrounding them and needed something new to fill their indolent days, deciding it was time to created life. This life given its opportunity, then spread quickly across the lands and filled the oceans taking many different, wondrous forms. The Gods as they had for countless millennia continued to neglect their duties and were once again content and soon infatuated with one form of life in particular. They were a complex creature they had called mankind and had been created by a powerful God named Ignis.
This is where their problems began.
Many of the Gods found mankind to be infectious and were drawn to their enthusiasm for life, with a few even choosing to integrate and start families; fracturing the Gods once peaceful existence. This new development was not welcomed by all the Gods and quickly tore a divide between them, with thunder ripping the sky, the ground trembling in fear and flash floods causing disease to devastate the life on earth. The majority just could not accept this unholy integration and there was a call for mankind to be destroyed so they could reclaim the earth once again as their own. The two sides caught in a stalemate finally agreed to meet in Olympus with Ignis unaware of Lucifer and his brother, Satan’s plan. They were two of the more cunning Gods who had picked up many of mankind’s less favorable attributes and had spent their time in the ear of anyone who would listen. Ignis still unaware of their scheming entered the heavens ready to defend his creation, but he arrived too late and had missed his chance, with the result already in favor of Lucifer and Satan’s proposal. Their deception infuriated Ignis and he demanded a fight to the death with the brothers, who knowing they were no match for him refused to take up his challenge. Ignis disgusted by their cowardly retreat then moved to the centre of the hall and made it clear to all present that he would not allow such a fate to befall his beloved mankind. His defiant stance supported by Regina, Goddess of the seas and Ustulo, God of the sands was enough to save his creation from oblivion and the decision was taken to leave the earth, allowing mankind to live on. This decision although more favorable than the Gods first demand was still unacceptable for Ignis who had a wife with unborn child, and when he and others refused to ascend a bigger compromise had to be made. Any God who wished to stay was allowed to do so and keep his or her powers, but in return they had to age as man. This meaning once their life had run its course, they would return to the heavens and cut their ties with the human race. All involved agreed and the gates to the heavens were opened. The Gods who wished to leave ascended to the heavens, and the Gods who stayed lived long and happy life’s, eventually dying of old age and returning to take their place amongst the stars. Each of the Gods as they died left behind one last gift for mankind and Salatis being of the same blood as Ignis ‘God of the Dragons’ had a power gift that he was completely unaware of…until now.

Chapter One: Forest of Sogno

After sharing his father’s memories, Salatis now had a clear understanding of why he had chosen to keep so many secrets and protected him from his past. He could have won him over with his epic stories of magic, war and glory, but he had wanted him to choose his own path. Salatis had always known his father was wise and he had never questioned his courage. Well maybe once or twice, but he now knew his father had sacrifice his own ambitions in an attempt to give him a choice and with no outside influence he had chosen the legions.
Wasting no time, he formed up his small band of men and moved toward the forest revitalized and unaware he and the others were already being drawn towards Sogno like a boat following the flow of a river. For the life of him he could not understand why Sogno was feared so.
The birds did not seem to fear it; they were in the sky full of song and he looked up to find them.
Not one was using the trees.
“Maybe we should go around after all,” Nuto replied causing a moments doubt in his mind. Something Nuto had perfected, being the part of Salatis that would rather run to fight another day than die a hero. He was his niggling inner voice and as usual he caused Salatis to question his decision, but was quickly denied any influence and he entered the forest, helped to his conclusion by the subtle tug of Sogno. Caressing his sword out of its sheath, he tentatively broke the tree line, unsure what to expect with the others nervously following.
Sogno immediately pleased his eye.
The tall, strong trees felt almost human and they emanated a healthy glow that caused him to extend his fingers hesitantly, as they yearned for its touch.
He smiled joyfully.
The forests enchantment had begun to take hold and he gently brushed over the trees rouged coat, feeling a warm, satisfying sensation work its way through and over his body. Salatis was unable to see their peril and he continued leading them further into danger, stepping onto and breaking the dry twigs and leaves covering the forest floor.
He looked down confused.
The crisp snapping sound that he would have expected had been replaced by a dull, tired whisper and his thoughts were missing the same snap and urgency. Alarms bells should have been ringing and Sogno’s silence should have been at the least eerie, but instead it was strangely comforting and its restful mood eased his aching bones.
“Open up the pace,” he ordered calmly. Heinricus lethargically took the lead and Salatis looked over his men with Lief’s image entered his thoughts like a sword through his chest. He still had not come to terms with his death and remembered the decision that cost him his life.

“Follow me”, Salatis commanded hearing screams from up ahead. It was a group of travelers who had their worldly possessions with them. Two men lay lifeless on the ground; one with his head severed clean from his body. Fenderal seeing the women and children in distress unleash his sword and moved to exact some retribution. His Sustantivian blood brimming with guts and courage did not have time for formulation and Salatis using his head had to hold him steady, unwilling to attack without first knowing their enemy. The trees between them were hiding the travelers’ executioners and he prayed it was bandits or even a group dispute. That however would have been too easy and Leif was the first to have his bones shook, as his mouth stuttered out the word.
“Dredgers,” he said in a panic; a panic that was more than justified. They were a gruesome looking enemy that been created by the Dark King from fallen soldiers that once fought his advance and they enjoyed nothing more than a glass of blood over a very rare serving of HUMAN flesh. Their faces lacking lips, their teeth sharp as the tip of a sword and wearing armour made up of metal and bone, they were a foe not to be taken lightly. One of the Dredgers growling with every stride moved towards his captives. They were cowering in a circle on the road, screaming with children curling up in their mothers’ arms. The Dredger without emotion grabbed the remaining male who had put himself to the front.
Dragged along the floor by his hair he was forced to his knees and began to pray.
Salatis turned and worked his eye over the men before him, waiting for his commands. Ortel was a 19yr old Lazamerian with Blonde hair, blue eyes and a build that wanted to be a man, but wasn’t quite there yet. His face could not hide his fear, but Salatis knew he would not let him down. Then there were Heinricus 22 and Amor 21. They were brothers from Terra who had seven children between them, and he had been told that one would not have come without the other. Before they had joined the legions, they had worked the land and their build spoke of heavy labor. Letholdus and Fenderal were the Sustantivian’s chosen. A breed built like Gods and that feared nothing. Letholdus was 22 and did not seem keen on anyone other than Fenderal which was common with young Sustantivian’s, who preferred the company of their own kind. Fenderal was 20, the same age as Salatis and they had a history that dated back to school. Both lived in Saxeus and Fenderal was Salatis’ school tormentor and nemesis until they fought in the arena and their differences were forgotten. Then there were the two Celian’s. Lief was 24 and it was obvious he was wishing he had not come. Put together with bone, skin and very little meat he was the one who should not have feared the Dredger’s, unless they were after a tooth pick to clean out the remains of everybody else. Finally he looked to Tristan 20yrs old. He was his best friend and the one he feared for most, spending his childhood watching over him and keeping him out of harm’s way. Salatis knew they needed him to show courage and he swallowed his fear.
“There are only three; we can take them,” Salatis said confidently.
Lief and Nuto were not as certain.
“These people will be with the God’s soon enough, our mission is too important. Can we really risk the fate of our homelands for a handful of peasants?”Lief being a Celian was able to justify his words. They were a race that still devoted their lives to the Gods, but Salatis was unsure if he could just walk away and leave them to die.
What would Lagos do? He thought.
“Lagos is not here,” Nuto pointed out. “Listen to Leif he is making sense. You are going to get everybody killed.” Salatis looked over his shoulder in time to witness the Dredger executing the man, smashing him over the back of the head with his death maker. His body slumped to the ground and the screams from the women and children filled the air.
“I will not allow them to die,” he said making up his mind.
Letholdus and Fenderal’s, Sustantivian faces lit up and Tristan unsheathed his sword.
Cautiously using the cover afforded to them by the trees and the slopes Salatis moved into position, hoping the dead travelers would mask their meaty smell. The men took up position down wind and Salatis walked into the middle of the dirt road, blocking out Nuto’s attempt’s to prevent his heroics.
He took a few deep breaths and stood trying to emulate Lagos’ power stance.
“PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND I MAY LET YOU LIVE.”
“Good one,” Nuto scoffed.
The Dredgers looked toward him and then each other, with a bemused stare as Salatis drew his sword and listened to it slide out of its sheathe. It was going even better than he had wished and all the Dredgers were focused upon him.
Everyone in place he went to signal their quick and stealthy execution.
“GGGGGGGGRRRRREEEEEEE,” screamed one of the Dredgers before he was able to give the command.
He had never studied Dredger dialect, hell nobody ever had, but it did not take him long to figure out what the Dredger had said as two more appeared from the tree line, one dragging a corpse by the leg. There were now five and Salatis feeling slightly vulnerable, gripped his sword tight and stood ready as Nuto tried to formulate a plan B.
He had one instantly,
But he was at least 200 legionnaires down and one of the Dredgers unwilling to give Nuto more time screamed, charging toward Salatis, holding his death maker high above his head. Salatis should have been scared as Nuto kept telling him, but he could not help being impressed by the length of its uninterrupted war cry.
He looked along the edge of the road for anything he could use and a large rock the size of an Ogres head caught his eye as the beast closed in fast.
Timing was everything.
He was not going to get a second chance and concentrating on his gift he slowed down his heart beat, keeping control of his fear. His magic was strong and getting stronger and his gift reached out wrapping itself around the rock.
Its texture was rough on his skin and his eyes closed, but he still could see.
The Dredger was spitting and slavering as it drooled over its tender victim and Salatis willed the rock with everything he had to take flight.
The rock did not.
Instead the rock chose to explode into dust causing Salatis to jump and the Dredger to stumbled and lose his feet as he looked to where rock had been. It had not gone as planned, but with the Dredger at his feet, Salatis stepped over the vile looking creature and stabbed down, putting the full weight of his body behind his sword. Its body shook violently for a few seconds, and then it was still.
“Don’t try and pretend you meant that,” Nuto said unimpressed.
“200 Legionnaires,” Salatis mocked walking back to the centre of the road and standing, as he had before his kill with the Dredgers blood dripping off his sword. The Dredgers remaining were not concerned, but Salatis felt a foot taller and hoped his action had given his men courage as he roared at the beasts before him. They returned the compliment, unaware that he’s was a signal for their ambush and the men crept in from behind with Fenderal, Ortel, and Letholdus, turning two of the beasts instantly in to corpses. That in itself would have been great if there had only been two. Heinricus and Amor were still yards away from their kill when one of the Dredgers smelt their approach. They were in the open and it smashed into both men, throwing them to the ground. Amor had been knocked clear, but Heinricus was unfortunate enough to still be in the Dredgers eye line and did not have time to evade the beast’s next strike; its death maker striking him across his helmet. He was not dead, but the blow had rendered him unconscious and the Dredger raised his weapon to finish him off. He was lay at its mercy and would have been smashed to a pulp if his brother, Amor had not stepped in and grabbed the Dredger’s arm. He had both hands fighting to hold back the Dredgers blow and although he was of a similar build he was no match for its unnatural strength. It was forcing him to the ground and he collapsed to one knee.
SWOOSH
Salatis’ arrow passed clean through its neck and would have been enough to kill a man, but it only enraged the beast as it turned its attention to him. He loaded another arrow and stuck its chest. Blood poured from its wounds, but it still stood and lurched towards him only falling after Amor intervened bludgeoning it to death with its own death maker. Their now remained only one and it was being occupied by Lief and Tristan. Amor tended to his brother, Fenderal and the others had moved the women and children to safety, and Salatis was still too far away to join their fight as the Dredger got a grip of Lief. His feet were off the ground and Tristan stuck his blade deep into its back, but was unable to stop the Dredger snapping his neck like a twig. His body fell to the ground and Salatis felt his pain, but he did not have time to grieve; the beast had grabbed Tristan. He was not willing to watch his best friend suffer the same fate and he ran as though his own life depended on it, arriving just in time and striking the beast with his shield. The blow caught the Dredger unaware and sent them both sprawling to the dirt, with the Dredger falling on top. Its hands instantly tightened around his neck and he was unable to pull them off. It was to strong and he was struggling to breathe. He could feel the darkness closing in and the strength leaving his body…

“Salatis…Salatis,” Tristan said pleased to see movement.
His head was banging and he went to defend himself, but the Dredger was no longer there. Tristan had saved his life and the glint in his eye told Salatis he was never going to hear the end of it. He rose to his feet, rubbing his neck, glad to still be alive and suddenly a sharp memory of Lief’s limp body hitting the floor flashed before him. His heart felt as though it was being squeezed and he wanted another chance at getting it right. They may have saved the lives of the women and children, but he alone was responsible for Lief’s death.

Salatis breathed in a heavy breath, filling his lungs and breathed out closing his eyes. The air smelt so sweet and with every lung full his thoughts became lighter and his concerns for Lazamer, their quest and even Lief began to drift into the distance.
“What was that old fool Aleris worried about?” Nuto asked. Salatis did not know and felt as though he was lay upon a cloud.
He had seen nothing yet to fear in this supposedly cursed forest and that fact alone gave him his first, small flutter of doubt. A flutter so small and fleeting, that his conscious thought had almost missed it. His panic was being suppressed deep within and no matter how hard it tried; it was unable to grab his attention.
“Where is the wildlife?” He pondered out loud.
Nobody replied.
Their minds were being gently stroked by the forest and his words had fallen short of their ears, allowing his panic an opportunity to gather momentum. It was now screaming at him to turn back, but Salatis still could not hear its cry. The bliss was too strong and any chance of him seeing through its idyllic mask was thwarted by the sudden change of pace. Heinricus had slowed and was staggering.
“Heinricus, are you ok?”…HEINRICUS?” Heinricus shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
“YES, SIR,” he replied groggily, attempting to regain his stride and open up the pace.
He managed to do so and they continued to walk deeper and deeper into the forests gentle, welcoming arms, with none of them able to put a time or a distance on their journey. It had all become something of a blur and Salatis during a rare moment of clarity turned to check behind him.
Amor was missing his sword and shield.
“Amor, where is your sword?” Amor did not care and his gaze lacked any focus.
“Can you not hear them?” he said calmly. “It’s so beautiful.” Something had his attention that no one else could see and Salatis halted the march.
“What can you hear Amor?” He took his time to answer. His eyes were wet and his skin radiated pleasure.
“The trees, they need us,” he replied in a whisper. Salatis unsure how to react turned towards the others hoping for some words of wisdom, but their faces were relaxed and their concerns were none existent.
“Wake up,” Salatis demanded, shaking Amor hard. It did the trick and the soldier in him returned if only for a while.
“Heinricus, take the front. We need to press on.”
Heinricus again did not reply.
“Where is he?” Salatis said desperately scanning the terrain ahead of them.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” Nuto said reminding Salatis of his earlier reservations.
“HEINRICUS,” Amor screamed frantically, crying out in vain to his brother. Salatis felt as though the trees were leaning in towards him and needed to take control.
“If we move now, we will catch Heinricus. Letholdus, take the front.” Salatis turned to move, but only Tristan and Fenderal followed. The others were too busy sharing glances, and had lost confidence in Salatis’ ability to lead.
“We need to turn back,” demanded Letholdus, urging the others to speak up. Amor wasn’t going to the forest had reclaimed his mind.
“If we turn back now, our quest is over and our alliance will fall.” Salatis hoped some emotional blackmail would make Letholdus see sense.
“I have a wife and children, as do many of the men here, as did Leif. I do not believe Sustantivo could ever fall.” His body language told Salatis that anything he had to say was going to fall on deaf ears. He looked into the distance and then back to the men as he tried to decide his next move. Letholdus was no coward and Salatis was not confident enough to risk their lives.
“So be it. Fenderal take the men back to the legion and tell them of our journey. There is no sense in losing anymore men on this quest. I will finish this journey alone.”
“I will not leave you,” Fenderal said defiantly.
“My friend I have made my decision. You must return and tell Lagos I will make Daveus.” Fenderal grudgingly did as he was asked and quickly assembled the men to leave. Everybody was ready to return to the safety of Darkwater except Tristan, who was standing by Salatis’ side.
“Are you sure Tristan?”
“Where you go I follow,” he replied loyally. “I have already saved your skin once.”
Salatis smiled knowing his oldest friend was not one for changing his mind and he accepted his decision, turning to grasp arms with Fenderal.
“May the God’s be with you my friend.”
“And with you,” Fenderal replied.
With no more time for sentiment Salatis and Tristan removed their armor and threw down their swords breaking into a sustainable run, with Fenderal and the others doing the same in the opposite direction.

The fate of mankind now rested on the shoulders of two and their focus was on getting out of Sogno. They were somewhere deep within the forest and Salatis’ thoughts were worryingly only of sleep. His strength was being sapped with every stride and he turned to check on Tristan who was running with his eyes shut.
Salatis knew how he felt.
His eyes had never felt so heavy and the ground under his feet had never felt so soft. Trying to fight the urge to just lie down and have five minutes rest, he scanned the trees ahead still hoping they might get a glimpse of Heinricus.
What is happening to us?
His brain felt fat and numb and his tired thoughts started to play tricks on him, giving him the feeling they were being watched.
“There,” Nuto said drowsily. Salatis turned to look and whatever Nuto had seen was gone.
“Shut up,” Salatis replied out loud. Tristan awoke from his gaze hearing his outburst.
“I did not say anything.”
“There,” Nuto said again. Salatis snapped his neck around and again it was gone, but this time he had seen someone. The image was unclear and more of a shadow, but he was sure it was a man or a boy. Unconcerned and dismissing him as a figment of his imagination, Salatis lifted his head fighting its weight on his weary shoulders and spotted a small body of water in the distance.
“Tristan look…up ahead.”
“Can you hear the voices?” Tristan replied.
“Yes. You must ignore them. Whatever evil this is cannot be allowed to break our resolve.”
“I don’t think I can do it.” Tristan’s mind was close to submission, and their labored jog turned into a labored walk as they approached the water’s edge.
“Do not give in Tristan. We can do this.” Salatis tried to sound confident, but his thoughts were of failure. He moved to the water and fell to his knees. They sank into the soft, warm mud and he hoped the water would refresh his mind. The water was clear and still. It looked perfect and he leaned in to take a drink.
“Rrrreeessst,” said the soothing voice of a reflection that was not his own. He jumped back, startled at the unexpected image. It was the old man he had caught a glimpse of earlier and clutching his dagger, he turned around to see nothing but trees.
“SHOW YOURSELF,” he demanded. Nobody did and he put the image down to the onset of madness, slowly edging forward and looking again. The image looking back was now his own and he lowered himself down to take a drink. His body felt heavy and fell freely as his eyes closed before he reached the water.
SPLASH
The shock of the freezing water as his head submerged awoke him and he turned to check on Tristan who was face down in the dirt.
“Tristan, wake up.” Salatis dragged him closer, cupping the water and splashing his face. His eyes opened, ever so slightly. “Come on, we have to continue,” he urged dragging him to his feet. They again began to run and time became irrelevant. Every stumble and every trip they made was due to their eyes closing rather than the terrain under foot and their pace had become sluggish as their mind’s tired and began to wander.
“The trees look so inviting,” Nuto said mesmerized by their charm.
Their branches were swaying in the breeze and the yellow leaves glistened like gold mixed in with the lush green back drop. Salatis’ trying to avoid the trance being put upon him looked away and his eyes were drawn down to the base of the trees. They were no better for his tiring body all being shaped in a way that was begging him to rest and even though he was standing up right and moving, his eyes started to close. He could hear the trees; they were like nothing he had heard before and their tone was softer than silk against his skin.
“Salatis…Salatis, we need you,” the trees said softly. Their voice was so sweet and soothing and their tone caused his muscles to relax.
SMASH
He fell to the ground with a thud and he awoke dazed and unsure how long he had been out. Wearily he got to his feet to check on Tristan, but he was no longer with him. The forest had swallowed him whole and he felt fear for the first time, scanning the ground behind him. Tristan was nowhere to be seen and he urged his legs to retrace his steps, but his body refused.
“TRISTAN…TRISTAN!” he stood shouting desperately. There was no reply and he was unable to think straight with fear taking control. The only thing Salatis now had was his survival instinct and it told him to run.
“What’s that?” Nuto said spotting something at the base of a tree. Salatis stumbled over and fell to his knees, brushing the leaves aside.
“It’s a hand,” he replied, answering Nuto’s question. He moved closer to examine the hand and found it was still attached to an arm. His eyes followed the arm, which was covered by roots and through a gap in the roots; he could make out a face. It was a man, motionless as though dead, but his face was showing contentment. Salatis could not make sense of what was before him and crawled back in horror as his mind shifted into meltdown.
He closed his eyes tight and tried to call to his father. He had come to his aid many times when he needed him most. In the Swamp of Despair and in Darkwater, but magic was unable to penetrate Sogno’s curse and he was alone.
In his peripheral vision, he spotted something else and he prayed his cracked and blood shot eyes were lying to him.
It was another body enveloped by the roots and images began to jump out at him. They were everywhere and he did not want to join them. Running with renewed vigor, his only thoughts were of open fields. If he did not make it to Veneficus, thousands would die and Lazamer could fall. Running without feeling his legs had gone past that of fatigue and were running from memory alone. His mind was drifting in and out of consciousness and could feel his body giving up. The sweet voice of Sogno was weaving its way freely through his thoughts, trying to find any weakness and he begged the Gods for help.
Nuto was not going to save him.
He had already surrendered to the hypnotic sounds of the forest and Salatis’ feet were barley leaving the ground as he drove his legs forward and stumbled on the rough terrain, smashing his head against the base of a tree. The blow sapping any fight he had left, he rolled over defeated and cursed the ground where he had tripped. The thought of never seeing his father again forced him to struggle to his hands and knees and he crawled, willing his limbs to move in one last attempt to delay failure, but it was not to be.
“I love you, Father,” he said weakly as he collapsed to the floor, throwing his hands forward and ending his fight with Sogno.