Author’s Note: I’ve lost interest in writing this, so I’m gonna put it on the Boards while I develop a more interesting and less tragic story for Dambro. Don’t hold your breath waiting for it, though.
Dambro waved a hand across his face when his untidy dark brown hair had gotten into his tainted red eyes again. Not what the battle-hardened elemental needed now as he tumbled through the snowy hills. The moon hung high in the sky, shining just brightly enough to be seen, barely viewable from the storm raging around Dambro. His crimson red and navy blue armor sported dull blue lights that eliminated any kind of stealth he could have in the environment. A golden sword on his left leg further faded the image of a heroic figure.
Twin sloped edges rested on his back as he trudged. They were his wings, except they had no use here. Dambro would have fallen like a rock if he were to even try to fly through the icy storms of Kotos Mountain. As he strode, his head facing downward as a force of habit, he began to hear the incessant tapping of rain on solid earth. Looking up, he found himself closer to the beaches of Agwash, his home of sorts. The rainy weather, accompanied by distant lightning, made the beach’s rocks shine as the worn guardian passed through, thick snow turning to thin sand. A small patch of trees waved in the wailing wind as he passed.
Dambro lost his footing on the sand, bringing himself down to a knee. The warrior’s head ached, and his idle hand immediately gripped his forehead. Rain droplets fell down his face from beneath his helmet. Pulling out his brilliant golden sword, he stabbed it into the ground to use it as a makeshift cane.
“You, will not escape, my mental prison.” Dambro hissed through heavy breaths. Pain suddenly wracked his mind. His vision, semi foggy and obstructed by his arm, could make out the shadowy figure ahead. Cyborg-like features stared daggers into him, quite literally as his headache worsened.
“You know that I will break free. You cannot condemn me forever.” The demonic voice spoke authoritatively, a deep and yet quiet booming voice.
“Yes, I can.” Dambro, panting in the rain, saw the image of his old enemy fade. He stabilized his breath until he could only hear the pattering of rain on the tree leaves and beach rocks. “Sha’ten, you wretched beast from Hell…” Dambro breathed, and stood up. “You won’t come back to terrorize my land so long as I live.” He firmly grasped his sword and sheathed it, walking through the rain.
Armored legs dotted with sand particles discomforted him beneath his armor going forward, scratching at his legs. Each step caused a thud or a squish, warning any nearby creatures he was close.
Suddenly, twin black wolf like creatures exited the treeline, and bared their teeth at Dambro, growling. Red markings on their sides showed their allegiance to Sha’ten. The pain in his head returned, but Dambro became used to it.
“Sha’ten, you are still restricted to my mind. This hallucination isn’t going to get me to release you.” Dambro groaned the words after the millionth time speaking them.
“I’m restricted to your mind, correct, but you will be in a constant battle. You must be less qualified to be this island’s prestigious Keeper than you think if I need to explain it.” Sha’ten taunted. Dambro rolled his eyes.
“I’m the sworn guardian of this land.” Dambro brought his sword to bear and waited as Sha’ten’s hounds stood their ground. “I will uphold the Keepers,” He continued, one jumping at him. “…Their name,” He stabbed the creature through the chest as the other tackled him to the ground. “…Their people,” He kicked the offending creature off, where it crashed into the sand. “…And their elements!” Dambro finished, slashing at the hound.
The bodies faded into the rain, like shadows to the day. Nothing but depressions in the sand were left after the hounds disappeared. “Such heroic nonsense. You’ll tire of slaying my shadows eventually.” Sha’ten laughed.
“It’s why I became a Keeper.” Dambro said calmly, disappearing into the forest as a giant black and red being effortlessly traversed the hills, towering over the trees, making its way toward the Keeper.
