The Fires Of Hell

• Callum Clayton-dixon
• Short Story
• 2006

The Wrath of Evil……

The Great Beginning
In one of the three satrapies not overrun, but still under the influence of the DARK LORD MAKDURE, evil was happening. It was the beginning of the dark times in 450 BC. Strange comings and goings were happening in a quiet little village in the middle of a desert. A young man with the name Zoroaster was about to be burnt at the stake. His adventure had just begun.

This execution was one of many and was caused because Zoroaster spoke out against the LORD MAKDURES will and actions. His lights were about to be turned out. Zoroaster was taken up to a wooden platform and was tied to a wooden pole. “Bring wood and oil,” bellowed the executioner. Stacks of wood and pots of oil were brought up to the platform. A crowd of people had gathered. “Set fire in his flesh,” ordered the executioner. Zoroaster was covered in oil. He glanced sideways and saw someone walking towards him with a flaming torch. Suddenly a glass shattering roar was heard in the west of the town centre. “Oh no, the fell beasts have come, our lord has foreseen this doom since his rise to power,” said someone in the crowd. “And done little about it” muttered Zoroaster. The crowd of people fled as the sand goblins raged through the village killing and burning as they went. But a small child remained. Zoroaster was astonished at this. “Help, help, please,” he shouted. The boy ran over to him and untied his bonds. “Thank you,” gasped Zoroaster. “What is your name,” he asked. “Mornil,” replied the boy. “We must fly from this terror. Will you come with me to the great city of Persopolis? You will be safer there than here,” said Zoroaster. “I will help get back what’s ours,” replied Mornil.

They fled through the village watching the evil as they ran. Zoroaster picked up a cutlass and continued. Sand Goblins are fast and very strong. Suddenly one of the beasts lunged in front of them. Zoroaster plunged his sword through the beast’s body and it crumpled to the ground. They left the village and they traveled through a great desert for two days. On the 3rd day Zoroaster sighted a moving mass of beasts lead by a massive creature carrying a Hell Hammer. “Wait,” urged Zoroaster. “My parents told me of this place,” replied Mornil.

Under the red skies,
Where the darkness lies,
In this baron waist land,
You will find a rocky strand……

“Look over there, the statue, the entrance,” whispered Mornil. They walked carefully over to the great statue and saw a small stone slab covering what seemed to be an entrance leading into the underground passage or room. “Open it” urged Mornil quietly. Zoroaster moved the slab aside. A spear head shot right out in front of his face. “Who goes there,” said a voice. “Travelers going to the city of Persopolis, replied Zoroaster who was very surprised. We mean you no harm, only to go through this safe passage.” A light appeared and they saw a middle aged man with ragged clothes. “Enter, he said. These are dark times, what brings you here.” “The village we lived in was invaded by the fell beasts and we are fleeing to the north,” replied Mornil.
The Desert Hermit and the Journey begins
“Enter my home if you wish to proceed through the passage,” he said hoarsely. The two companions stepped into what seemed to be a small dark room only with a small torch light burning in the middle of the room. “Sleep and we will discus this in the morning,” said the man. Zoroaster and Mornil slept deeply. In the morning they woke with a surprise. The man was looking at them impatiently. “At last you sleepy heads have woken, I have some news for you. First of all, my name is Karneishigarg, and I have decided to come with you,” the man said. “What!” exclaimed Zoroaster. “I wish to come with you to the great imperial city of Persopolis, too long have I been forced down this hell hole by those beasts of evil. I will take what was mine back. I have a sword and pledge to protect you all the way,” he said. “Oh all right then,” replied Zoroaster. They all started to pack sacks with supplies and Mornil was given a dagger and a small belt.

The three man party set out in the afternoon. The crossed arid deserts and slept in caves. Soon they sighted the city about ½ a kilometer away. But something caused them to stop and stare, a huge grey mass that seemed to be breathing. Zoroaster walked towards the thing. Suddenly it rose out of the sand. He stared and suddenly the beast sent Zoroaster flying backwards to where the others were watching. “Wow, “he exclaimed. “They are evil sand trolls, explained Karneishigard. While I distract it you go behind it and plunge your swords into its back. “ Mornil and Zoroaster sliced the beast’s legs off and stabbed it in the back. It cried out in pain and crumpled to the ground. “Victory, “They all shouted. The group carried on their journey. About 30 minutes later they reached the city gates. It was just as they expected, flourishing under the sun with shining buildings and a huge luscious lake and palm trees in the centre. Guards halted them. “We are loyal citizens of Persia, “stated Zoroaster. They were let through into the city. The group walked through the city towards the palace and two guards approached them. “We wish to speak to the King please,” asked Mornil. The guard signaled to a messenger at the top of the stairs. Two minutes later a magnificent purple robed figure escorted by two high immortals walked towards them. “I am honored to meet you your Royal Highness,” said Zoroaster. We bring tidings in these dark times. The beasts under the DARK LORD MAKDURE’S control are roaming through your lands unchallenged. “I am not aware of this, replied the King. I will conduct a meeting with my high priest.” The three companions unpacked their belongings in the palace guest rooms and walked to the royal dining room where EMPEROR CAMBYSES greeted them.

The Second Task
The three companions ate hungrily at the huge banqueting table. “I know that you are telling the truth, he said. I will send forth all of my legions. “That will not be enough to break the lines of Gashiithgoul, Said Zoroaster.” “But thinking and tactics could give us a victory, said the High Priest. Sand Goblins have minds of Killing Machines. Set up traps and fight in a different way. I will help you with my powers in this war, if you three can get for me what the ALMIGHTY AHAURA MAZDA has described to me I will be able to help you. I will Teleport you there. These Jewels will give me powers beyond belief.”

These shining objects are like glass.,
They are in a large mass,
Their blue color is very pure,
For 100’s of years these crystals will endure.
Journey To The Blue Crystal Lake
The next day the Emperor Cambyses ordered a royal transport chariot for the three companion’s journey. They all packed their bags with fresh supplies and were given new weapons and armour. At 10a.m the small party went to the priest’s home. The Priest said a variety of different incantations and the party was well on there way. The priest had given Zoroaster a map to find the treasure. Zoroaster took out the map and looked at it.

When they reached the lake they walked over towards where the map showed to dig one meter deep into the sand. The lake was surrounded mostly by palm trees, shrubs and rocks. They walked through the
under growth to a single palm with an extremely unusual arrangement of rocks. “This is where the map shows us where to dig,” said Zoroaster. They immediately started to dig at that spot. About 30 minutes later……….
“I think I hit something,” said Zoroaster. They dug ten times as fast then. The group stared at what they saw. A mass of amazingly bright blue crystals. “Thank you, you have found what I was looking for, be gone from this place………….

Suddenly the three companions were standing back in the palace in the Priests Pool with the mass of blue crystals sitting in front of them. “Carry it up to the royal forge, but do nothing to it until I get up there. “Have we done as you wished,” asked Karneishigarg. “Yes you have my friends, yes you have,” replied the Priest.

The Royal Forge
“Black Smiths, set a fire going, do not tell anyone of this yet, we are creating a powerful, magical crown and suit of armour for the king, melt this gold and these crystals,” said the Priest quietly. A while later a magnificent Golden Crown with six holes left to fill had been made. “Now pour the liquid crystal into the spaces, ordered the Priest. When the crystal has set hard the crown will shine and give the Emperor almighty powers beyond belief. Now make a suit of armour made of Iron and fill it with the liquid crystal, then a sword and shield,” said the Priest.



Preparing for the War
A huge mass of Sand Goblins, Sand Trolls lead by an iron clad figure were marching towards the city. Zoroaster and Karneishigarg had been appointed Generals. “Get the Ballista’s and catapults ready, create a wall of wooden stakes and gather your weapons,” the two Generals roared. A war horn sounded and the women and children retreated into the great hall in the back of the city. “At your stations men,” shouted the Generals. All of the men surrounded the walls with their bows at the ready.

The Evil Flow
“Hold your fire” said Zoroaster as the enemy Halted about 20m from the walls. The Iron Clad Figure walked to the front of his lines. “This is where you will end up soon,” he said coldly.

The Fires of Hell
Look very closely and you will find,
A nasty little rhyme that will fiddle with your mind.
Giants, Giants ripping you apart,
Twelve thousand slaves pulling a cart!

Down deep under in the land of Hell,
Cursed creatures dwell.
Hot coals burning,
The Guillotine turning,
As lost ones fall to the ground!

In this land of fire
That we do not admire,
Deceitful Souls fell,
Into this land we call Hell.
In the Death Hall,
Lives the leader of it all,
The Devil........

He backed away after laughing. A cruel flow of evil covered. “Not so fast Makdure, roared the Emperor who was dressed in his new armour and Crown. Fire!” A massive volley of arrows flew into the lines of Garashgoourl. “Destroy them,” yelled the LORD MAKDURE as the army of monsters poured into the city. The massive trolls waved their hammers wildly and knocked men flying. Mornil plunged hi sword into one of the troll’s backs and killed it.
Victory!
LORD MAKDURE quickly found where the King was fighting. “Fire,” roared Karneishigarg. The catapults were released and the huge rocks fell on the enemy. The evil Lord snuck up behind the King and struck him on his back and he was thrown back into a wall because of the armour and the crown he was wearing. “Your powers are no match for me,” the king said triumphantly as he plunged his blade home. Suddenly the evil beasts stopped and, crumpled to dust. The men cheered for the Emperor, the two generals and Mornil. When the city was rebuilt and the wounded men were healed they all gathered in the great hall to celebrate. “Thank you my friends, said the King heartily, I couldn’t have done it without you.” They all feasted in the great hall and lived long and content lives. The evil was wiped from the empire for ever.