User blog:Thrögma/Sands of Nasurabi: a spilt story

I thought I'd try something interesting. This is a story that has five endings for five different characters. You can read as many or as few of the endings as you wish. Essentially, it's five different two-part stories, except the first part is always this first bit. Whatever, you'll figure it out.

“Is this the place?” Fingal asked, huddling for warmth.

“I think so,” Hreng muttered. The scorching day had already passed, leaving the two northmen in the icy cold of night. The air was deathly still and quiet, and as cold as ice, even for the northmen. There was no snow and no moisture, just a land as cold and dry as stone.

Fingal scratched his head. “Wee bit cold for such a great desert, don’t you reckon?”

“Nights in the desert are always cold, gentlemen ''. Fingal and Hreng turned their heads to see a young man with dark skin, a short brown beard, and emerald eyes. “I suppose you are the northerners?”

Hreng laughed. “You’re likely correct, though I suppose all of us are northerners to you.”

The man smiled. “Name’s Yu'ar, and you’d be right. But you two are from farther north than the others, yes? I mean, Valagard and Garaech are pretty close to the arctic circle. You two are the Valag and the Garan, yes?”

“Aye,” Fingal said cautiously. “How’d you know, may I ask?”

Yu'ar smiled. “Your clothes. Don’t think you wouldn't stick out wearing those twisted knots and Hrafna garb. Come on, you’re a little late. I got the others inside. We've much to discuss.” Yu'ar beckoned the men into his house. It was a quaint little place, sparsely decorated and lit with candles. Sitting at a rough wooden table were two men, one a young bespectacled man, another a thin and haggard man, maybe in his forties, slouched beside him.

“Theod’s the name,” the young man said, standing up and extending his hand. “Archaeologist. This is exciting, isn’t it?”

“Of course. Fingal. That’s Hreng.”

“Hello! Good to meet you! This man sitting next to me is Velek. He’s from Pashum, but he doesn’t talk much.” Theod paused, his amber eyes glistening with curiosity. “What ya got on your shoulder? Is that some sort of eagle?”

“Caracara, actually,” Fingal laughed. “They’re like exciting falcons. This one is named Korga, but he shouldn’t be a bother. Trained him m’self.” The bird screeched a bit, and flew to a shelf.

“Charming, just charming. But I didn’t leave my farm to listen to some children squawking about birds and names and things,” Velek croaked, stroking what little auburn there was left in his greying beard. “We’re here because of the tomb, yes?”

“Hlitri’s grave. The final resting place of that older demon lord from so long ago,” Theod smiled. “It’s quite a find. You see, Lilith is the second-longest reigning demon lord. She’s been in power for over five thousand years, so most tombs of previous demon lords are completely destroyed or lost to time. It’s the discovery of an era.”

“Yes, which is why I hired you,” Yu'ar said in an almost exasperated manner.

“Why, though?” Hreng asked. “I’m sure we all have our reasons. Greed, excitement, academia—” he waved his hand at Theod. “But why the blazes hire us? We've all had to come half-round the world to get here!”

“Of course,” Yu'ar smiled. “You see, people don’t really like to… go near that place. First off, it’s in the deep desert, far away from any respectable settlement. And anyone who ventures near disappears. Probably the monsters. Damn creatures are more adapted for life in a desert than people are. On top of that, there’s a local legend that those lands are cursed by The Renegade. People who come back tell tales of something waiting in the sand.”

“Very spooky,” Hreng said, adjusting his hat. “But those are probably just monsters, yeah? Nothing out of the ordinary?”

“I suppose, but monsters aren’t much to be trifled with,” Yu'ar sighed. “You understand I cannot guarantee your return, yes? My cousin tried once, and well…”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Theod said.

“No, he’s fine,” Yu'ar sniffed. “But he wandered too near the Nephet ruin, and got caught by an Anubis. She keeps a pretty tight leash on him, sometimes literally, so his expedition kinda ended there. She still lets him visit family, though, which is nice I suppose. You understand that could happen to you, right? These sands are crawling with mamono, and at least one of you is bound to get caught. I cannot have it on my conscience for you to go in without fully knowing the risks. And monsters are just one thing. There are countless beasts in those dunes. Snakes, scorpions, badgers, baboons, even painted dogs, hyenas and wargs.”

“Okee doke.” The men all turned to Fingal, who looked awfully calm. “I think we understand.”

With a caravan of camels, the men set out in the morning. All day they traveled, until they were forced to make camp and rest the camels. Hreng sighed. He didn’t like this game they were playing.

“So, Velek is bored, and I need the money. What’s your reason, Fingal?” Yu'ar asked.

“I suppose adventure,” Fingal grinned. “My life hasn’t been perfect. I’ve accomplished a respectable amount, yes, but shit hit the fan about a year ago. My house burned down, for one, and since then life has been slipping through my fingers. I just wanted to feel alive again, and in control of my life, you know?”

“I understand,” Theod grinned. “I got tired of reading about these things in dusty libraries. Being a scholar is fine and all, but I can’t help but feel I’m on the sidelines of history, never touching it, only observing through yellowed pages. What about you, Hreng?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Come on, I had to do it,” Velek laughed. “What’s your little secret, eh?”

“I also needed to get away,” Hreng said quietly. “They found out about me and killed my parents. I got out in time, but I had nothing. I just had to—” Hreng paused, as the men grew silent.

“You're one of them, aren’t you?” Yu'ar whispered. “A half-elf?”

Hreng pulled down his hat, revealing his pointed ears. “Not much fun being born illegally,” he said. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now, but—” he paused. “What’s that?” he said pointing to a shimmer on the horizon.

“Oh great god of fuck,” Velek said under his breath. “It’s a sandstorm! Make for the rocks!” the men panicked, running about, as the thundering sandstorm grew rapidly closer. It wasn’t much good, however, as they were swallowed by the biting sand. It would be an hour before any of them woke up, to find themselves hopelessly separated. They would have to move forward on their own.

To be continued…

To be continued in:

Sands of Nasurabi: Fingal

Sands of Nasurabi: Theod

Sands of Nasurabi: Hreng

Sands of Nasurabi: Velek

Sands of Nasurabi: Yu'ar