Chapter 1: Morzan

A dark city sat in the middle of a dark forest, moonlight shining on a massive fortress. Guards patrolled the streets, keeping their eyes open. Howling could be heard outside the city, making guards look outside the wall, pricking their ears up and listening. Deep within the castle a tower sat, and a single light shone in the window. A man sat on his bed, holding his sword in his hands. He had golden hair, and brown eyes, which were scanning outside. He was muscular and wore silver armor, his body tense as if waiting for something.

“He’s coming, I know he is,” the man said.

“Peter?” a voice called, causing the man to jump. A woman walked into the room, she had beautiful brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a green dress and was pregnant, looking at Peter with concern in her eyes.

“What’s wrong, my love?” She asked.

Peter shook his head and said, “I had a nightmare. Morzan returned and he slaughtered an entire city. I don’t want to lose you Isabella.”

She looked at Peter, smiling and squeezing his shoulders. “Nothing is going to happen, my love. We have a son to raise. We can’t go anywhere yet,” Isabella said, kissing Peter passionately.

Suddenly, an arrow struck a guard in the head, and all other guards went in a panic. Goblins rushed into the streets, cutting down the soldiers like trees, body parts and heads flying through the air. The goblins rushed further into the city, shouting orders, and burning every building to the ground. The guards has turrets and were shooting down the goblins with arrows, causing them to retreat. Suddenly, a big blast of energy sent all the guards flying, and a man walked into the city, limping and using his sword as a cane, slowly making his way toward the tower, cutting down guards as he went. He approached the captain of the guard, who was being held still by goblins. The captain looked at the man, a look of horror on his face.

“What... are you?” The captain asked, and the man grabbed the captain by the throat and held him off the edge of a waterfall.

“I am... death!” The man said, dropping the captain.

“Nice work, my lord,” one of the goblins said, wiping his mouth.

“I would’ve rather eaten him, though,” another goblin said.

“He was not worth eating,” A heavily armored goblin said, who was holding a pipe, smoking it. The man saw the tower, and the light on inside it, making him smile.

“I’m coming, my friend,” the man said, walking to the tower, cutting down the additional guards as he went. He blasted open the door and made his way up the stairs, increasing his speed. Peter pushed his wife into a cupboard, and latched it shut, pushing a bookshelf against the door. No sooner had he finished hiding his family when the door was flung open, shadow mist creeping in. Peter turned around and saw the man standing there, leaning on his sword, a devilish smile on his face.

“Morzan, what a surprise to see you here,” Peter said, reaching for a dagger.

Morzan sat down, still smiling, and said, “You know why I’m here. The stone. I need it to become my old self again.” Peter swallowed, sweat running down his neck.

“The stone is locked away, you and I both know this,” Peter said, his whole body shaking, and his hands sweaty and clammy.

Morzan laughed, and said, “This world belongs to me now. The goblins control everything under my rule. You can’t stop me. Not this time.” Peter threw the dagger at Morzan, catching him in the shoulder, causing him to cry in pain. He waved his hand, and Peter was thrown out the window. Morzan exited the room, but before he did, he created flames and the entire room erupted into a giant bowl of fire. He walked down the stairs, chuckling to himself. Isabella kicked open the cupboard and saw the flames circling the exit, blocking her way out. She cursed and said a silent prayer, and ran through the flames, her dress catching on fire. She ripped it off and ran out the door and into the forest, trying to get away from the city, goblins seeing her and firing arrows at her, but missing. She kept running until she found the river dock, and climbed into a rowboat that was tied up there for the night, letting the current take her away from the city. Peter lay on the ground, and crawled toward the river, holding his side, blood oozing down his side. He saw the tower tilt and then collapse, and he screamed, tears in his eyes.

“My love. Forgive me,” Peter said.

Morzan laughed and said, “No matter, I will find the stone, one way or another boy.”

Peter looked at Morzan and shook his head, saying, “No. Maybe one day, but not today.” Peter pushed himself off the edge, and was swept away down the river. The goblins shouting, and firing arrows at him. Morzan stood by the destroyed tower, his eyes filled with rage.

“So be it. There will be war. And everyone, including you... will die,” Morzan said, leaving the city.