| The Sixth Scroll of Lylanth: Destiny |
| Gaul, 220 AD. | |
vening was near and we had to prepare a campfire before the last rays of
light were gone. Once finished, the stranger continued the story under the
warm, sheltering glow of a new fire. |
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| This evil that tormented Lylanth in the Caverns of Mount Abo-rah was beyond anything she (or I) could have ever imagined. It was a universe within itself and drew its energy from countless centuries of pain, suffering and death. I wish I could tell you that she fought valiantly against it. Unfortunately she never had the chance. Her resolve quickly withered under its blazing fury and she found herself unable to resist. For centuries she would know nothing but unabated pain and anguish, not that time meant anything for her now. At least until I managed to connect with her. For the first time since her “death” she could sense a presence other than that of the Nullstrom. She could feel that I was near and that eased her suffering for just a moment. The Nullstrom, sensing this reprieve, lashed out at me with its unfettered rage. Its power was enough to render me unconscious. | |
| When I recovered I found myself alone in Medusas cave. All around me was the shattered stone that was once Lylanth’s skin. I saw a trail of dried blood leading away from the cave and towards the sea. She’d managed to escape my grasp once again, but this time she was badly wounded. Although I hoped this would be the end of her torment, a part of me knew she wasn’t dead. That creature inside of her was far too powerful for that. | |
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| He paused again for a long while. Each time I thought he might resume the story, he responded only with silence. At first I thought he might be sleeping, or have passed out, but then he looked towards me and I could see the immense sadness had returned to his face. There was also a vaguely familiar look in his eye. | |
| “She did come back, of course. And has since caused more pain and suffering than I could describe to you in a thousand lifetimes. She has been feared as Baba Yaga to the people in the north and worshipped as Lilitu in the southeast.” | |
| “The story you’ve told is incredible to say the least.” | |
| “Yes, and I need your help if it is to continue.” | |
| “I’m not sure I understand what you mean...” I paused as finally I recognized the look in this strangers eyes. It was the same look my grandfather had many years ago, when he lay on his deathbed. This stranger was dying. | |
| “I need you to drink this.” He handed me a small vial containing a strange blue liquid. | |
| “What is it?” | |
| “It’s my blood.” | |
| “Why should I drink it?” I felt uncomfortable holding it and more than a hint of revulsion at the thought of drinking it. | |
| “It will mix with your blood and give you many of the same powers I have. It will give you a chance to hunt her down and destroy the evil that resides there.” | |
| “How can I hope to stop her where you have failed?” | |
| The stranger looked at me with kind eyes. “You have more strength and power within yourself than you even know. You just need to learn how to release it.” | |
| “But…” | |
| “No. Don’t let your fear stop you from doing what is right. She can only be stopped by someone who has suffered by her hand. Someone who understands what she is capable of.” | |
| The thought of my friends and family dying without justice was too much to bear. I knew the stranger’s words were true. “But why did you tell me this story? You could have given me this power without it?” | |
| “There will come a time when you will find her and fight her. If you have nothing but hatred and anger in your heart, she will use it against you. By understanding what she is and what she once was, you can best hope to defeat her. And save her.” | |
| I paused and contemplated his words. After a few moments I was ready to respond. | |
| “I promise. I promise on the gravestones of my friends and family that I will find her. I will find her and free her.” | |
| The stranger smiled a weary grin. “I can hope for nothing more.” |
