Swain feels the message before he hears the words in his head. An overwhelming sadness.”THEY KILLED SWONE! The sonof a bitches killed our baby brother! Guinus is dead, I’m abandoning the farm, coming to Swains place.”Â
Swain shakily poured himself another cup of tea, the critters in his room going quiet as the atmosphere sinks in. The green haired gnome doesn’t know how long he spends staring into space, but his tea was cold when he snapped back to reality.
His animals were still silent as a slow knock sounded on the bramble huts door. Swain numbly stands and straightens himself out. He would have to be strong for his sister, she was usually the strong one emotionally. But she took care of Swone and spoke with him on a day to day basis. She had the most hope for curing their little brother. Â
Swain opened the door, his arms spread wide ready to give a hug. A black clawed hand wrapped around his neck and yanked him from the doorway. The gnome tried to gasp and clutched at the large fingers choking the life from him.
“Power...” The voice sounded like shredding paper, a raspy whisper that sent chills down Swains spine.”Where is power?” Fiery malachite orbs bore into the gnomes green eyes. In a fragrant gust of wind Swain was gone. The creature was bewildered for a moment before a hellish giggle issued forth from it.Â
It swept a clawed hand outwards and then quickly made a fist, as if ripping something from the very air. The grass wilted, leaves fell from trees the brambles on the hut turned grey before rotting away completely. The animals inside the hut taking flight, they made it only a few feet before they fell dead and rapidly decomposed. A small flea jumped before turning back into the Gnome.Â
“Good trick.... not good enough. Now where is power?” Swain wretched onto the ground, black bile and mucus staining his beard and chest. “What, are you talking about?” The creature in tattered black robes pulled forth a scalp with charred blue hair on it and offered it to the gnome. “Brother knew. You should too”
Swain’s eyes widen in shock and tears began to fall down his cheeks. His form bulging and sprouting green bristly fur. “I’ll kill you.” It was a quiet declaration. The gnomes form shifted into a large tusked boar that squeals as it charges at the dark creature. Another terrifying cackle from the creature before it staes simply. “Already conquered death.”
