One day, they just arrived.
No one knows why they came, or where they came from. Usually the Four were only individually summoned, never had anyone seen the entire group in all their terrible power. They had not come forth since the olden days, when war was fought with stone and wood. Records stated that they had left this world for good, having been locked away by some unknown magick. Yet here they were, looming over the small village, merciless in their advance.
You could call them monsters, or demons; some said they were evil incarnate. One thing was certain, though.
The loss of life was fast approaching.
The villagers stood no chance. The sky above them roiled, the menacing clouds casting shadows upon the people as they ran away in terror. But to no avail. Buildings demolished, bodies broken, and it was all just playtime for the Four. They left a scar upon the land, and the village was razed.
Luckily, one villager had seen what had happened from his perch in a tree where he usually sat to look upon the village. The man ran, as hard and as fast as he could, towards the next closest civilization. He had left as soon as he spotted the Four in the center of town; he had a decent head start ahead of them. Maybe, just maybe, he could warn the townsfolk of what was coming. If he could save even one person from the chaos that was on its way, then it would be enough.
~~~
I could only look. I couldn’t do anything. They arrived so suddenly I just--
No, I couldn’t have done anything, one of them alone is too powerful, how could I compare to all Four at once? It was hopeless. The village was no home of mine; I had no family, and was labeled a useless slacker by everyone. No one cared for me at all.
Still, as I ran away, I couldn’t help the tears streaming down my face. I don’t know whether it was because I was terrified, or that I was sad for those who were lost, or that my home was destroyed. It didn’t matter. Still I wept, and sprinted as swiftly as possible. It was only a half a day’s journey by foot to the town. If I could just keep ahead of them then maybe there’s hope for some people to survive yet.
I wiped my face, and looked forward again. The dirt path stretched on seemingly forever. I glanced backwards. The clouds seemed to stand still, directly over where the village was. Lightning struck the ground every few moments, further decimating the already destroyed village. Maybe the Four had stopped for now, still...playing in his once-home. I have more of a chance than I thought. If they could just stay there for a while, I have more than enough time to warn the others.
My determination renewed, I sped up my pace.
~~~
After several hours of nonstop running, I finally came to a halt. I collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. Never before had I ran so hard. Fear really was a good motivator.
I took my sleeve and wiped the sweat from my brow, and suddenly was reminded of my past. Working in the fields with all the others, nearly starving when the harvest wasn’t enough for the entire village, having all the blame placed on me when half of one of our fields was burnt down. Being rejected by all those who knew me ever since. The past ten years have been so harsh. I should have left so much earlier.
But then, I thought to myself, I would never have known that the Four had come back. Also, I never would have met...her.
Suddenly, the tears started falling down my face once more as I thought about what must have happened to her in all the chaos. There was no way she could have survived. Crying like a babe, I looked behind me once more.
I froze in abject terror. It was as if the gods had fun with playing around with my fate. The clouds had begun to move once more, at a frightening pace. My legs moved on their own as I sprung up from the ground and continued my race to the town.
~~~
Finally, after one more hour, I saw the town in the distance. This time, my tears were of joy. Just a short ways away, and I would arrive. Within several minutes, I did just that.
I stopped at the entrance to the town, the large gate blocking my way. One of the guards called down to me.
“What is your business here, stranger?!” he bellowed. I couldn’t respond; I was still busy catching my breath.
After what seemed like an eternity, I stood up straight and yelled back to him with all my might.
“THE FOUR ARE COMING!!!”
Complete silence.
All that I could hear was the storm that swiftly approached behind me. The whirling wind seemed an omen for what was to come. It took several minutes before anything happened. I willed the guards to hurry up, wondering what was taking them so long.
Then, with a great groaning, the large wooden gates opened just a sliver, just enough for me to pass through. And then they were shut.
There, in front of me, seemed to be the entire town’s worth of people. I was immediately barraged with questions from everyone. It was as if a wall of noise had hit me, I had to cover my ears it was so loud.
One voice rose above the others. “QUIET, YOU LOT!”
The silence came once again, almost equally as deafening as the sound of their inquisitions. The crowd parted, and through their ranks walked two men. One was tall, stoic, with stern face and a knightly nature. He was dressed in a full suit of armor, complete with sword and shield. The other was short and portly, dressed in the finest cloth, with multiple rings upon his pudgy fingers. They were most likely the captain of the guard and the king of the small fiefdom. He was the lord who ruled over my destroyed village, as well as several others in the vicinity.
After clearing his throat (a disgusting noise), the fat man spoke. “Whatever do you mean, peasant? I have received word that you shouted so brazenly that the Four were coming? Do you really expect us to believe such nonsense? They have not been seen in hundreds of years, they are a myth! A legend! Nothing more! What gives you the right to disturb my town with such a lie, hmm?”
The man gave no chance for me to speak at all during his small tirade, but when he was done talking he stared at me quizzically, as if daring me to spout more lies.
“I-It’s true, sire! Just look over the wall and see for yourself! They are close by, we must leave!” I said while pointing behind me at the towering wall.
The man snorted, and gestured for the man next to him. “Roland, go up there and tell me that this peasant is lying. I will NOT have such brash attitude within MY kingdom.” The guard, Roland, saluted, and walked towards the stone steps up the wall.
This king was annoying; he even misjudged the size of his own fiefdom, calling it a kingdom. I could tell the town was poor. I looked around at the people who clamored around us. Everyone was just as dirty as I was, and I came from an even poorer village. The only two who seemed in good shape was Roland and this portly king. I gulped, hoping that the guard would be able to talk sense into him.
Suddenly, we heard a sound from up above. It was Roland, and he was screaming something down at us. We couldn’t discern what he was saying though, because the wind had become too loud. For some reason, he had his sword drawn, and was pointing it behind him.
With fear-filled eyes, I realized what he must have seen. I turned around to face everyone once more.
“Quickly, everyone! We mus—“
Lightning struck the wall. Or more accurately, lightning struck Roland. He didn’t even have a chance to scream as he was burnt to a crisp.
Time stood still. For a moment, no one moved. The thunder from the lightning was so loud, and the light so bright, that everyone in the vicinity was simultaneously blinded and deafened at once, including me.
Then, with a great rush, sound came back to me. I rubbed my eyes, and looked around. People were fleeing in terror. Even the king wobbled away as fast as he could. On the ground next to me was Roland’s sword. It must have been thrown towards me with the force the lightning that had killed the guard.
The gates erupted open.
There, crouched facing backwards in front of me, were the four. I knew almost nothing about them except for their destructive power and their names.
Tabby.
Chai.
Jen.
Daniel.
The names themselves seemed to ooze corruption and malevolence. I shuddered as I gazed upon their figures, deformed and ungodly. No one else was around me, I was the only one still by the gate, here to witness the arrival of the Four.
I knew then my life was forfeit. I couldn’t move a muscle when I looked at them, even though for the moment they stood still. I fell to my knees, and waited for my world to end.
Then, I thought of her.
With a roar, I grabbed Roland’s sword, and rushed towards the four where they stood waiting, their rear-ends pointed firmly towards me. I could never forgive them for killing the one who I loved, and destroying my village. They must pay!
They started to move. Slowly, their asses bounced up, and then down. The motion seemed harmless, but according to the legends it could move mountains. They started to move quicker as I ran towards them, their booties shaking with ever increasing speed. My attempt might be hopeless, but I could never live with myself if I ran away now.
I finally reached them, just as they started to move forward in a line. I swung Roland’s sword downward with all my might, striking one of their butts.
The sword shattered, and I was blown backwards with great force. My body was completely broken, I couldn’t move a muscle. I let out a pathetic cough, my body wracked with pain.
I looked behind me from where I lay upon the earth. The Four had already passed by me, and were starting their ruination of the town and its people. Their faces were full of glee. Each had a great smile, full of apparent and demonic joy at the destruction they were causing. I wasn’t able to stop them.
I looked towards the sky. It still was full of fury, churning with the ire of the Four. I reached upwards, gave a great, dying sigh, and once more thought of her.
My beloved.
I will be seeing you soon.
