By EM Malachi April 28th 2020
The air was warm, and Shamino’s beloved beckoned him to step onto the balcony. The ranger king looked around the castle chamber, but could not remember how he had gotten there.
Though he felt drawn to the light, Shamino turned back to the papers and responsibilities in front of him. Instead of the castle steward, a man in a robe of stars sat across the table. Even with the sunlight shining upon him, the being cast no shadow. The Time Lord smiled. “Shall we discuss what happens now?”
“What is this?”
“You have a choice that most who cross into the Well of Souls do not. You may continue to serve the people of Britannia or pass on to what comes next.”
“And what comes next?”
“The great mystery. Even my people do not know.”
Shamino looked over his shoulder at the light. The spirit of his dear Beatrix gave him a sad, sweet smile as she faded away. Even if he had been ready, Shamino could not abandon his friends, not when he had heard the voice of the evil that was coming. “I will stay and fight.”
Hawkwind nodded. “It will not be easy. Jack may have been a pawn, but the damage he caused was very real.” Shamino saw images of the necromancer animating his headless body and sending the wraith against Britannia. He saw the burning of the Screaming Fleet, as flame and ocean consumed his former flesh.
Hawkwind continued. “But you have already done much.” The ranger saw himself working side-by-side with Julia, as he helped the long-departed ghost remember enough to continue her work. The secrets of the shrines would enter the dreams of those who could restore them.
“Still the path before you is dangerous. Much evil will happen.” Time swirled around Shamino, showing him possible futures: an army in gleaming armor covered in innocent blood, darkness stretching from the void like a great hand, and his Skara Brae in ruins.
Hawkwind continued, “There is hope.” The images changed: a chain of people passing buckets to douse fires in Britain, human and gargoyle leaders marshaling a united army, and Shamino’s friends each fighting the growing evil in their own way.
As the images faded, Shamino spoke, “I will help them through this.”
“The ranger has many enemies. Liches from the previous age still curse your name in their tombs and abattoirs. The coming darkness knows to hate you. And you will be without form or substance.”
“My body is completely destroyed?”
“Yes, but your spirit is not. And that changes everything.”