Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #22 January 2016 | Page 28

Many were lost long ago, of course. Many have fallen
recently. The few remaining will fall soon. When all
have fallen and only Elannort remains, then the Last
Battle will begin. The enemies will not move until
then. They just sit outside the city and wait. But the
time must be close at hand. There is much to be done.
Come quickly, Manfred must be told of your return.
He will have many questions for you. Perhaps there is
yet a chance for us. Our Hero has returned. Were you
successful in your quest? What happened?”
Simon said nothing. What could he say? He
had failed in his quest. He had given up on his duty
and his friends here in order to satisfy his own needs
and desires. His true love had been cruelly taken from

him. His heart was broken, and all that was left was
an unquenched thirst for revenge. Maybe I should just
throw myself off the tower and end it all now. All I
deserve is a coward’s death.
Two voices spoke in his head, both seeking to
stop him from jumping. Do not jump, Red Boy. I have
a more fitting end in mind for you. You will be mine,

one way or another. If you jump, you will be mine all
the sooner. Simon shuddered. Simon, it’s not too late.
There is still hope. For Elannort, for the multiverse,
for you, for all of us. Come to me now. Let me help
you. You can survive this. For the sake of the Balance
you must survive this. Simon screamed aloud. “Get out
of my head, all of you. Leave me alone!” With tears
streaming down his face and sobbing uncontrollably,
he sheathed Kin Slayer and meekly followed Jhamed
down the tower stairs, oblivious to his nakedness, to
see what next cruel trick fate had in store for him.
****
After the inhuman howling stopped, the
wolves began calling again. A figure in the shadows

at the other end of the clearing shivered. He had felt
all of the anguish in those screams. He had heard the
words that the red haired one had shouted at the moon.
He had seen the moonlight glint off his sword. Now,
he smiled. There was no joy in the smile, only a grim
determination to carry out the action that he had come
here for. Soon, the Hero would die.

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