1 That Which Brews Underfoot

What do you feel when you stare into darkness? Some may say that all they see is the void, a blank chasm, or an abyss of pure nothingness. Can you not look into darkness and see all of its possibilities, all of the unknowns that it offers... the light that it permits?

Maybe these thoughts are only allowed to those that live in the light. Those who live in the darkness may not be so accepting of such optimistic thinking.

Deep underground and far to the East of the lands of the "civilized ones", where no being hoping to preserve their life would venture, a massive chasm splits the earth in twain. It is here that the Slumbering live, a people who aptly fit the description of those who live in darkness.

Nothing lives on the lands above the chasm, for miles around it is barren, a desolate wasteland providing nothing more to the world than a cruel reminder of its history built upon savagery and death. Within the chasm however, massive systems of tunnels have been built leading to the most unlikely of civilizations buried beneath the earth, known only as Drakenth.

Eons ago there was life and happiness within those tunnels, now there is little more than silence and sorrow.

Elusile, the lands above, live in a continued state of peace and happiness, many of its citizens blissfully unaware of the history that lies between their nations and the Slumbering to the East, but such is the way of war. To the victor go the spoils, and the luxury of writing the stories that will reach the eyes and ears of future generations.

Unfortunately, the Slumbering have never forgotten their ultimate shame, the scars of which continue to fester within the hearts of their people to this day.

The consequences of those scars live within the deepest parts of their civilization, known only as the Labyrinth, seething in wait for the day their chains are finally broken.

...

The clattering of keys awoke the children long before the lights of the sleeping quarters flicked on. They had all learned early on that staying in bed too long would earn them a far worse awakening than they would receive otherwise, and delaying the day would only bring them further pain.

Cloaked figures unlocked the doors to the rooms one by one, drifting away as quickly as they had arrived, and as the doors swung open, the children neatly poured out and filed themselves into a great room beyond.

The great room was nothing more that a massive open space that had been dug out of the earth and lay on the edge of the far East side of the chasm. It is one of the few places within Drakenth that is exposed to open air.

By the time the last child entered the room, there were about fifty or so children gathered, all standing quietly in a rough semicircle before five of the same cloaked figures who had unlocked their doors.

One of the figures stepped forward, his cloak was embroidered with a pattern of geometric shapes down the right arm, indicating that his rank was higher than the others.

The children had begun referring to him as the Captain.

He looked over the children for a moment, as if assessing them, before finally speaking, "You have all done well making it this far, proving yourselves to be likely candidates for the Selection. Unfortunately for you, your training has only just begun, and things will only get worse from this point forward."

He paused for a moment, letting his words fully sink in before continuing. "As always, the option to quit is always available to each and every one of you." This time he turned and gestured to the opening of the room, one that led to a sheer drop into nothingness and would mean certain death for anyone who fell from it. His sinister laugh that followed was shared with his companions.

None of the children moved, some even stopped breathing or refused to blink, as if even the slightest inclination of a movement would be seen as offering themselves up.

The Captain clapped his hands together joyfully, "It seems we'll make warriors out of you yet, and because of all of your wondrous efforts thus far, I have a present for you all."

As if on cue, a large door hidden within the far left wall swung open, revealing two figures dragging racks full of various weapons.

"Choose your weapon carefully, as your choice today will determine the path you take from this point until your untimely deaths. You will be given the rest of the day to learn the basics and familiarize yourself with the weapon you choose. Instructors will be on standby should you have any questions. Dismissed!"

The children cautiously began to edge closer and closer to the racks, until one braver child finally ran up and grabbed a spear from the rack closest to him. The rest of the children followed suite, rushing forward to grab the weapon that called to them.

Within a matter of minutes every child held a weapon in one hand and a small bundle of scrolls in the other.

The cloaked figures spread out around the great room, brandishing their own weapons at their sides to let the children know who to turn to for instruction. But no child stepped forward, knowing instinctively that doing so would only be seen as a sign of weakness, at least this early on in the day.

As the room calmed and the children settled into their practice, the Captain silently darted toward the opening and dropped into the chasm below.

He chuckled to himself as he slowly descended into the darkness, guided down by the strong winds that constantly pushed him upward. His amusement came from the fact that the place that had become the greatest source of fear for the children, was actually one of the safest places within all of Drakenth.

Less than a minute passed before a small ledge, lit by a single torch, became visible on the West wall of the chasm.

Guiding himself to the ledge, the Captain landed as quietly as he could, wiped the dust from his cloak, and slowly made his way into the small room beyond.

The room had been built into a makeshift office, with a simple wooden desk in the center surrounded on three sides by bookshelves. Small crystals lining the floor and ceiling provided enough light that one could almost forget they were miles underground.

The Captain's gaze traveled haphazardly around the room until it finally rested upon a small door off center of the right wall. He heaved a sigh before slowly approaching the door and cautiously swinging it open.

In stark contrast to the office, the room beyond the door was pitch black, and if he had any other choice, the figure would never have entered it. But alas only death awaited him if he did not give his report on time.

"Young Miss? Are you in here?" He called out quietly, as if afraid of disturbing the darkness, or possibly whatever lay within it. Cursing himself for his cowardice, he slowly edged his way further into the room.

All he received in response to his efforts were a stifled cough and the rattling of chains from the far side of the room.

"I would tell you to shush, but it seems you have already awoken my guest, so there is little point in doing so now." The voice had come from roughly the same area as the cough, but slowly became closer as the person finished speaking. "Come, you can give me your report back in the office."

The Young Miss entered the room first, settling in behind the desk. She was not wearing a cloak like the others and seemed far too young to be in charge of anyone, but from the way the Captain seemed to defer to her it was obvious she was in charge. Her face was not a particularly pretty one, but her icy blue eyes and black hair created a striking appearance that one was sure to remember.

After a slow nod of her head, the Captain finally began speaking.

"As per your request, the children have begun the next phase of training. In accordance with the culling rate only fifty remain," he gestured to the door, "including that one. By the end of the year we predict that they will be ready for phase three, and in five years they will finally enter Drakenth."

The Young Miss slowly looked up at the figure as a sickening grin spread across her face. "Should all go well, we'll see all of our long years of planning finally come to fruition. Return to the children for now, you need not report to me again until phase three begins. Guide them well, our future lies upon their tiny shoulders."

"And him?" The Captain asked.

With a soft chuckle, she said, "I think it's time we return him to his brothers and sisters."