Some Things are Stronger than Death

Written by: RiverWind
Posted on: September 16, 1999

Some Things are Stronger than Death....

The smell of death surrounds me as I walked slowly, carefully through the twisting passageways of the ruined church, In my hand I held the burning torch, thrust forward in front of me, its light warding away the surrounding darkness. As I moved forward I came to a T-junction, blood lay in pools accost the ground and splattered against the walls, several villagers lay scattered about the floor, looks of surprise permanently etched on there pale faces.
Carefully I peeked around the corner, I looked out in alarm across the vast horde of undead, in there center holding a massacred villager high above his head lay the Skeleton King Leoric, His burning red eyes flared as he screamed, My Revenge, Begins today!
Then he through the limp, lifeless body to the ground, then the pack of skeletons feel apron it ripping its flesh from the bones.
Once they where done the poor wretch was little more than a bloody skeleton…
Then to my surprise he began to move slowly, painfully he pushed himself to his feet.
Then he looked at me and with one bloody, fleshless hand pointed at me and yelled "Intruder!"

My heart skipped as I dropped my torch as the horde turned and with cry's of rage, charged towards me.
With a quick fluid movement drew my sword with a familiar metallic ring as it cleared the saber.
But before I could run back to safety the horde swarmed around me,
With a cry of rage I turned full circle sword stretched out in front of me cutting down the ranks of undead and soon nothing lived that stood within sword range.
Blood trickled down my face and I could feel the familiar sting of wounds all across my body, but I ignored, within my frenzy they where little more than scratches simply adding to my furry.
I cut a path through the skeletons, where my sword hit an enemy fell.
And before long the battle was over, or so I thought.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a sword, with a quick movement I sidestepped the swing and turned to find my self face to face with Leoric.
I cursed myself for a fool, I had completely forgotten about the object of my quest, and with the return swing he caught me hard in the shoulder, pain sparked through me and I recoiled backing away, but Leoric mercilessly pushed forward swing after swing impacted against my body as I tried to ward of the blows with my sword, then through the blood that poured into my eyes, I saw leoric raise his ancient sword above his head, and began to bring it down.
I quickly brought up my sword to deflect the blow, and to my horror watched as my sword shattered in an Araya of sparks.
With his hand he suddenly grabbed my by my tunic and raised me above the ground so I was starring strait into the burning red eyes….
I felt a magical power playing through my body, threatening to take control of my very soul.
My mind screamed to look away from his eyes but I found that I could not stop staring into the frightening yet almost beautiful red orbs…..
Suddenly there was a flash which blinded me for a moment just a moment and I found that I was once again in control of myself.
With a howl of absolute rage Leoric through me with all of his might across the room I landed on a casket, falling off it, taking the casket lid with me, I lay, spitting out the blood that filled my mouth, my lungs burned with each breath I took , and somehow through the haze of pain I saw Leoric come standing above me.
He drew his sword high above his head and seconds before he brought it down his eyes, those horrible flickering red eyes flickered then vanished, leaving a dark void, then came a gentle shouting voice, "Kill Me!" it cried "For The Love Of God Kill Me!" with that he through the sword to the side and started to back away.
Then he stopped, and his eyes flickered red for a moment before vanishing into the black again, Leoric fell to his knees his skeletal fingers clutching the sides of his head as he howled in pain "Kill Meeeeee!"
I didn't wait with all of my remaining strength I brought myself to my knees clucking the side of the casket for support I brought myself to my feet.
Then as my hand held the casket I felt something bump my knuckles, I looked down to see an empty casket except for a large mace which seemed to glow with power.
Raising it up I ran towards the still raving Leoric I stopped before him raising the mace above my head, He looked up into my eyes his eyes where black and I heard him whisper "Do it."
I didn't falter as I brought down the mace with all the power I could manage right on his scull which exploded in fragments of dust.
The headless body of Leoric fell backwards breaking to pieces as it hit the ground.
With a deep Sigh I mumbled "Some things are stronger than death, rest well leoric, I'll find your son."