Acerbus

Chapter 1 - Visions

   This land is changing, things are being set in motion that cannot be undone, everyone constantly hounded by the elements and the creatures that linger in the depths, visions of death and demons reported in villages, spreading into towns and cities. In the little town of Aduro however people scarcely believed in such nonsense, blaming the visions on the toxic fumes that emit from the mines. The families of the workers would tell stories of how their loved ones tossed and turned in the night and talked of strange things, dark visions and landscapes, again the wife’s tales were dismissed. Through their scepticism and their ignorance the residents of Aduro were blind to the onslaught of terror that awaited them....

   ‘I’m telling you, listen to what the people say, these are not hallucinations my friends they are real, and what they show is the future, a future of pain and suffering if we do not act now to stem the tide.’ The man’s cries swept across the town square like wild fire, accusations and insults spitting at the poor fellow like embers from a flame.

‘Don’t be such an idiot! The visions are merely tales and stories conjured up by drunken men!’ Screeched a woman.

‘Aye! M’ son come home everyday drunk from the fumes in that god fo’saken pit, nay a wor’ he speaks is the truth, heck! He can’ even see his own hands in fron’ his face!’

‘How are we supposed to believe this nonsense! We have more important things to attend to, like the harvesting of the fields and the preparations for the carnival!’

The town Mayor had appeared and as usual had put his opinion above all others; ‘come on, down you come’, he reached out a hand. The man atop the gray stone pedestal refused his gesture. ‘I’m staying here until at least someone listens to what I have to say, you people will be sorry, you can’t see what is happening in the world because you are too concerned with your own petty lives!’

Gasps of shock emitted from the crowd, ‘A’ he’s got it comin’ to ‘im now, te think he actually said that, an’ in fron’ of the mayor as well!’ The Mayor was a proud man and disliked anyone either criticising him or his ‘fellow’ citizens. ‘That is it young man! Get down from there this instant!’ The Mayor unsheathed his short sword from his belt, the crowd stared at it in wonder, countless jewels and gems were set in the hilt and the blade itself looked as though it was made from pure gold, it caught the Sun’s rays as the Mayor swung it downwards towards the man’s arm.

There was a loud clashing sound as though two ferocious animals had just locked in combat. The reflection from the sword blocked the Mayor’s vision, ‘Who’s there!? Who’s there I say!?’

‘Well, well, well, taking your anger out on innocent people are we now Abbondio?’
‘That voice? No it can’t be!?’

The Sun retreated behind the clouds as though running away from the scene that was unfolding below like a scared child. The shining blade dissipated and the Mayor could clearly see the man now standing before him.