There was a time when heroes had no past, no stories to tell but these times are over. This is how Tethnun tells his story…
When I opened my eyes, the sky was dark, I was alone and covered in ashes. I had no clue what had happened but I felt a strong urge to write down my story. Then I remembered, I had none. So I had to go out into the world, leave the fiery planes and go on a quest to discover the wonders of the universe. I fought a rat with a wooden stick and as this abomination was about to devour my soul, it got struck by a lightning bolt. The sky opened and a voice spoke to me, I remember the words because I heard them nearly all day from that moment on. It said: Get down on all fours and praise me and I shall protect you! Never had I had an experience like this before but it was not over yet, because magically the dead rat´s soul passed into my body and made me stronger. My God hat offered me a gift only few had even known about and in order for me to not forget he burnt his name into my chest…
When I woke up, the sky was dark, I was alone no more and my enemies were ash. While my God was busy killing of the foes, I tried not to die and make some comments in my newly acquired diary. With every word I wrote I grew stronger and soon I felt strong enough to battle other heroes. I enjoyed fighting them and looting of their dead bodies. Whenever I lost a duel my God punished me and I felt miserable; I have become a slave to my sword! Each day I wake up, hearing the sound of metal crushing skulls and banging heads. Each day I get reminded that my life is a book full of stories of fighting, killing and massive failure.
When I opened my eyes, my wounds had healed, I was alive again. My almighty God did not grant me the mercy of death, he wants me to fight and kill to make his name known. Each day I get more powerful but at what cost? Everything around me is dark, all I leave behind is ash; all I am is flame. I have become the devouring hunger of my Master, his will is my command, his fury is my fuel. On my chest I carry his name and in my chest I am bearing his heart.
The sword is my purpose, blood is my ink and ash is all I leave!
Today I have killed a vampire. But have I really killed it or have I become the vampire myself. So far, I have defeated 60 heroes and none of them have I spared any suffering. Whenever they lied down in front of me, I robbed their money and my God struck them with lightning bolts until they were close to death. Whenever I kill, I absorb the soul of my victims to become stronger myself and be more effective in destroying whatever crosses my path. My Master send me on a quest to acquire Golden Bricks to build a temple…why my God, why? Oh Lord, could I not only tear my chest open and pull out that dark heart of yours!
When I opened my eyes, I saw light and I had a warm feeling in my chest, for once. A dog was licking my face, it had bright fur and big brown eyes. I played with it and gave it part of my rations before I left, but the dog followed me. Before I could react, we got attacked by a Goblin which nearly stabbed me in the back but the dog jumped on it and we managed to defeat it together. Had I found a companion? I decided to keep the dog and it accompanied me on my way but soon I found out, that my presence seemed to corrupt it. Timon, the name I had chosen for the dog, soon lost the shining brightness in its eyes and I noticed its fur getting darker. Looking at Timon now, it is hard to remember how it had looked before, its fur has mostly come off so that you can partly see its bones and the once bright eyes became reddish and dark…He has become a slave, just like me.
Wicked Master, leave us to death, please…
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
My dog died. Now I have lost all that kept me here, gentleness and light are gone. Lord, I am yours, I cannot fight against you, I cannot run from you…I bow to your will as it is all I can do.
As I give up my heart beats stronger, blood rushed through my veins and I feel empowered by dark energies. “You fought your way! You have slain your enemies to show them our strength! I shall reward you in return.” In that very moment I felt an immense pain, it felt as if all my muscles were contracting and my bones were breaking but I felt joy in the pain! Whenever I could kill, I did. Whenever I could hurt, I did. My sole purpose had become to be the puppet of my God, but I accepted my fate and grew stronger and stronger, his power came from his unforgivingness. Darkness became a part of me!
Lord, I am your spell, your sword and your axe!