Tale of Evolah

Prologue

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The sun sat over the orange, purple, and blue sky; the cry of a child was heard. Inside a small hut in the town of Kharila, the birth of the first child had taken place. The child was cleansed, wrapped in a blanket, and sat in a cradle as the assistant to the birth tended to his needs. An hour or so after, another baby's cry was heard from the hut; throughout the distance night sky. Though as the cry had become loud, it faded into absolute, blank, silence. They tried to revive the child, but they without luck. The one who delivered the now deceased baby, was by far no professonial at this task. He thought of what to do with the corpse. And with little options left, and no regret for it, he tossed the carcass of the baby outside, as the mother slept in the warm comfortable bed. Tired from the labor and unaware of her child's death.

The child was gathered round by a pack of flesh hungry wolves in the cold, windy night; luck may have it foot steps came from the distance and an ancient Triemp arrived to chase off the wolves before they could meal. She looked at the baby, and hate raged in her blood.

"How could people be so cruel?" She thought to herself as she picked up the fragile, small corpse and cradled it. Anxious to give it some type of life, before it was too late, the woman opened her mouth, revealing four sharpened teeth. Two were to drain the victims blood, as the other two clenched down on the victim's body to keep it from getting away. The vampire, from the Triemp race, drunk this dead Pae'emas blood. Pae'ema being the elven race of these two children, born with large ears for excessive hearing, and usually tanned skin. The Triemp woman took a knife from her bag and pricked her fingertip letting the blood drip into the child's mouth. She waited a few moments, time stretching on and on. She peered at the limp body of the child in her hand with saddened eyes, and with a tear drop, she sat the baby down and began digging a hole for proper burial... The baby cried. The pigment in his skin faded to a very pallid color. The woman looked at it, surprised, and picked it up. She squeezed at her finger tip; getting every last blood drop into the infant's mouth. Afterward she dashed into the sunset. The baby in hand.

The living child's mother died a few days later. She was internally bleeding after the births and mourning heavily over the lost child. The child's parents had decided on his name before the birth... Darwin. His father could not handle being a soldier of Kharlia while taking care of Darwin; therefore, Darwin was moved into the hut of his aunt and uncle to be raised and taken care of.

Darwin's father, after the loss of a baby and his wife, went nearly insane, talking to himself, having sudden bursts of emotions, from anger to crying, and terrible shaking. He was soon dismissed of his duties as a soldier of Kharila. Seeing as he could not work. With his last days, he forged a elven light chain mail, a small sword, and a shield for Darwin when he had gotten older. He put these future gifts inside a chest for safe keeping. Before locking the chest up, he composed a letter to Darwin, as a message to him. His father left the chest in front of Darwin's aunt and uncles hut and left, never to return again. The next morning he had indeed disappeared, nothing in his hut missing or misplaced. It was as if he had just vanished from the world. Weeks without word from him fell into months and months into years. He was eventually proclaimed dead, though no body, or trace of his death for that matter, was ever found.

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Chapter 1 "The Escape"

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The wind rustled in the night, leaves blew and branches swayed. An agonizing scream screeched out from the middle of the Kharila village. The village circled around one thing. Crying was heard, crying, gossiping, and other such things. This awoke Darwin from his dreamy sleep. He sat up, as if having a nightmare. A cold sweat covering his body, and breathing hard. He wiped off his forehead with aid of his shirt and peered out his window at what everyone was doing. Curious of what was going on, he hopped out of bed and dressed in his routine clothing. A black vest, long silver shirt underneath, thick black gloves, a black belt holding up silver pants, and also holding other such things, as daggers. Black pointy boots, and a holster for his sword, which lolled on his waste. This sort of clothing made him comfortable. Though most people wondered why he wore it. Darwin just couldn't seem to relax in loose clothing. He peered again out of the window, as if to catch a better glimpse. He had no luck, so he began walking out to where the commotion was taking place. As the crowd spotted him gasps were heard. Gossip in the crowd could be heard through Darwin's long ears. He picked up few things such as:

"There is the killer!"

"I can't believe it was him!" This surprised Darwin. The crowd jostled out of the way, as he progressed through. He came upon the center and saw it with his own eyes. A townswoman lie dead in the middle of the village. Four deep bite marks around her pallid neck. Like a savage beast had slayed her. The face of the woman had a feared look. Darwin went closer to further examine, he bent down and looked at the bite marks curiously, wondering what animal does such a thing. Suddenly his gaze was broken by a shout.

"SEIZE HIM! HE IS THE MURDERER!" Darwin turned his attention to Kharila Palace Authorities. They rode huge Borase, and held long spears. Out of fear and confusion, Darwin ran. He had nothing else to do but run. He pushed through the crowd and made his way out of the village.

"CORNER HIM! BRING HIM TO THE DUNGEON!" Darwin heard fading shouts of the authorities. He kept running though, not daring to look back. Fearing to look back.

Sweat poured down his confusion stricken face, as he looked around for a place to hide. He spotted a lone tree, and with a swift lift, he jumped onto the branch. Darwin lie on the branch breathing heavily, but kept sound to a minimum... He could hear them coming, they were getting close. Sweat dripped off of his face. He kept silent as they stopped near him, scouting the area. Darwin peered around the area a bit, hoping to find a place to run away to. A shock fell over him when he realized the tree was on the edge of a cliff. He hadn't bothered to look at where it was before he hid in it. Though he kept silent, not daring let them know where he was... One stopped by the tree, right under Darwin. The Kharila Palace Guard put one hand over his forehead as if to block out sunlight, though it was nighttime, and did him no good.... He was the leader of the guards. His Kharlia Palace Guard cloak was covered by red and black stripes, signifying his leadership... The guard peered out into nothingness, hoping to catch a glance of the silver haired, emerald eyed, suspected murderer called Darwin. Others rode up on there Borase, and stopped. The main guard whispered to the others,

"I suppose he's far enough away. We can tell the town he fell off of the cliff and met his doom." The others nodded, and they all, but the main guard, began riding away. He took off his helmet, and wiped the sweat off of his forehead. The guard decided to take a rest. Hopping off of his transportation, he leaned against the tree. Darwin began breathing harder... A sweat drop gathered on the tip of his pointy elven nose... Darwin tried to wipe it off, without luck... It fell... Twirled downward... Down, down, and down.. Until meeting its spot on the ground. The guard caught notice, with quick eyes he peered up. Just to get Darwin's boot in his face. Darwin drew his sword and held it at the guards throat.. The others heard the commotion and rode back quickly..

"Let him go, boy." One yelled.

"Never! I am not a murderer. I was asleep at the time, I had no good reason to murder that woman! and I didn't!" Darwin hollered defensively. He backed up a little, as the other two guards came forward a bit.

"Don't get closer. NOT ANY CLOSER!"

"If you're not a murderer... Than you wouldn't threat a Palace Guard." The others charged forward, and Darwin took one step too many backwards. He plummeted downward, the guard right above him. Closer and closer to the ground they fell. And instead of the life ending thud, Darwin heard a splash. He hit water... The same lucky sound wasn't heard for the guard. He hit the ground, and was dead right when he hit. Darwin's luck ran short though, the current pulled him under. He struggled and gasped for breathe. Splashing and fluttering around in the water. The current pulled him around, tossing him like an animal. Finally, he was able to get up for a breathe. Darwin peered up... To see a rock... It smashed him on the forehead, and his entire seen faded before his eyes. Red was all that Darwin saw, before fading to black.

******

His eyes opened, and red covered them. The sky's beautiful blue was a red tent over his vision. He could hear muffled voices, and the sound of the moving stream. At first he thought it a dream. His mind was blank from what had happened before. Darwin tried to lift his head, but without luck. He realized he was exhausted, and wounded. With his last bit of strength he looked over. Darwin saw a woman, she poured some water in his face to wash away the blood. A smiling, golden haired woman stared down at him and cared for him. She looked like an angel, the sun shining down on her bright hair, and her pale, milky skin. Darwin put on a half smile before closing his eyes and blanking out again.

The woman had a man pick Darwin's carcass up. He slung it loosely over his shoulder and walked with her.

"Arian, I'm worried. You are a helper, you always have been. But this man looks evil." The man said as they walked. The woman known as Arian giggled. She looked over at him and smiled before replying.

"He's no more harmful than you are brother. Besides, he won't be able to move for awhile. He has some nasty wounds. And even after he wakes up, he's going to be sore all over." The man contemplated, and than gave Arian a question.

"But why would a young man be washing down the river. He could be a thief, a necromancer, a murd-..." Arian cut him off.

"He is a living being." The man let out a sigh. She knew he didn't understand her. No one understood her. They would most likely leave the body there, possibly even watch it decay. Some would loot it. Though Arian was different... She had heart.

They came up to a canyon village. Houses were stacked on each other, and through the middle the river rushed throughout the village. An unfaithful bridge was the only alternative to swimming to the other side of the town. The houses were dusty and broke down. Arian and the man crossed the cracking, squeaky bridge.

"Someone should really fix that up." Arian blurted out suddenly. The man looked over at her and spoke.

"You've been saying that for years." Arian looked back at him and smiled.

"And I will continue saying it for years to come." The man shook his head, and they entered one of the lower houses on the right side of the bridge. The man walked into a back room and tosses Darwin on a bed.

"Hey now! Be careful... He's wounded." Arian snapped.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm off to hunt. See you all tonight." The mans voice faded as he walked out of the house and off, over the bridge, and away. Arian tucked Darwin in the bed, and went off to fetch utilities to aid him.

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Chapter 2 "Heart of an Angel."

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Darwin awoke at the late evening. There was a candle on a table near him, it flickered and was the only light around the room, except for the light in the doorway. Blinking a few times let things come into focus. He didn't know how long he had been asleep, nor where he was. But the stiffness of his body and the blurriness of his vision suggested he had been there for awhile. Darwin moved his arms a bit and tried to sit up, it was hard but he managed to prop himself up against the top of the bed. He noticed his pounding head and felt his forehead with his hand. A stinging sensation went throughout his body, and he realized that he had a bandage over his head. Apparently he had a large gash there. Darwin let out a large breathe and sank back down into the bed a little. He looked up as the flame on the candle moved and noticed a shadow appear in the door.. The shadow moved closer and formed a figure, it was a woman, the woman he saw earlier before passing out. She knelt down beside the bed and looked at him while smiling. Eying him over she spoke.

"How are you feeling?" Darwin looked back at her, a half-smirk passed over his face and he replied.

"I feel like a million little piercings have simultaneously been put into my body."

"I'll get something to relief the pain," she said before turning... She turned back. "By the way... What is your name?" Darwin peered up at her..

"Darwin."

"Beautiful name. Now I'll be back in a minute." She walked off into the other room, smiling.

Darwin tried to remember what had happened before. He knew he had fallen, but after that it was a blank.

"I guess it wasn't a dream I saw her." He mumbled to himself as he remembered seeing the golden haired smiling woman wash the blood away. Even seeing someone injured, someone she didn't know. She still helped him. Darwin figured she was just a good woman... He considered her an angel to him. An angel with a big heart.

Darwin remembered what had happened the night of the murder. Who could it have been, and why would they murder her.. He felt his teeth. They weren't sharp enough to do that. He couldn't have killed her in his sleep, of course not. Darwin always used weaponry, not his mouth... And besides, who would kill with mouth and claws. It had to have been an animal.. Then again, why did people blame him? And what kind of animal makes those kind of claw and bite marks?

The woman walked back in, she had a small wooden bowl in hand. It was filled with a translucent liquid, with an odor more rancid than an orc. Darwin opened his weary eyes and peered up at her.

"This may sting a bit." The woman said before beginning to remove the bandages. Darwin became curious.

"What is your name?" He remarked as she removed the bandages. For a moment she stopped, as if she had forgotten her own identity. Than she quickly regained the smile and answered.

"Arian.."

"Is that it? No last name?" Darwin quickly said.

"Well, Mister Darwin. Why should I give you my last name, if I am without yours?" She finished removing the bandages and began to dip her hand in the bowl. Before she could reach Darwin grabbed her hand and entwined it with his own.

"Darwin Yiaim Faeme... Your turn." Arian was speechless for a moment, she peered into his mysterious emerald eyes. A few blinks fell over her and she replied.

"Uh.. Uhm.. Arianial Tiesm Krasi... Everyone calls me Arian, though.. Now relax while I dab on the painkiller." Darwin sat back and relaxed. He closed his eyes and said a final word before giving up to her assistance.

"Thank you, Arianial."

******

She sat staring into the liquid mirror, reflection staring back at her. A few strands of hair she moved from her forehead, and a smile passed over her luscious lips. Arian sat down the bucket of water; the ripples bounced to and fro. She let out a heavy sigh as she sat at the wooden table, in the sturdy chair.

"I wonder what it is about him." Arian murmured to herself as she stared at the long table, cracked with age.

Her pondering was broken into ripples, like the water in the bucket, as footsteps came in through the door.

"We got finished early." A man's voice carried from the doorway.

"Did you catch anything?" Arian said in a broken voice. She knew he was drunk. He always came in drunk.

"A deer.. Skinned and cleaned." The man replied. A large crash hit the table and Arian jumped back a bit. He had walked forward and slammed the deer on the table. His breathing was harder as he moved closer to her.

"I'll be back later. I have business to take care of in town." He said to her before walking out. Arian's brother was a horror to live with. Though he is all she had left. Her mother had taken care of them, before passing away one night. The night she had saved the children from that inevitable danger. Arian looked at the deceased creature and sighed once more thinking of her mother. She hated death. And at times she hated... Him.

******

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The light grew dim, as darkness filled his vision. Darwin was running, sweaty and finding it hard to breathe. He looked behind him periodically to see if the predator had gotten closer, yet all that was seen was black. His eyes grew wide, and he gasped. He had fallen into a hole, a deep, endless hole. His screams grew loud and he hit the ground.

Darwin looked up, red eyes peered down at his broken body. Evil laughter was heard echoing from the creature in front of him. Darwin's vision became blurry and his breath slower. The creature stepped forward, one foot in front of the other, until he reached Darwin's near-lifeless body. Darwin could see him now, his teeth, his eyes, his face... It was him. In the flesh. Except there was something eerie about him. He was... Evil.

The creature picked Darwin up. He could see the darkness in the creature's eyes. It tossed him, one handed, throughout the darkness. Darwin opened his eyes, and fell into shock at the vision. He was falling again, but this time, he was falling into the mouth of an evil creature. Darwin was seconds away from impact.

---

He woke up. The same dream every night since he could remember. More vivid each time. He was running from a beast in the dark. Suddenly he would be falling to his doom, hitting the ground he would look up at the evil twin side of himself. The creature would toss him, and he would be falling again. Again into the depths of the mouth of evil... Until he woke up.

Unfinished.