Chapter 5

Riding in a royal carriage attracted a lot more attention than he wanted. People stared at him, making Tyler feel that the sun may as well be on him.

The escort halted their transport at a grassy field; 30 minutes east of the capital town. No one guarded the entrance to the Dark Zone.

It's sealed barrier was one of the last acts of magic.

King Claremont possessed its only key, a gold scepter with a large red jewel, not quite a ruby. The relic seared a door shaped hole into the field.

Leaving the picturesque kingdom he entered a realm of darkness. Not even his decrepit home looked so inhospitable. In the air Tyler viewed gnarled and bare trees, black ground with the only dots of color being Gothic styled houses and grey 'factories' churning out sickly hued smogs.

Eventually the air intruded on his lungs. Tyler's eyes watered and he went into hacking coughs.

He continued on search, searching for an aforementioned cave.

Tyler kept himself on alert waiting for any odd sound, sight, or even smell. Barren, flat landscape meant near to no cover or retreat from hostile fire or Seeing eyes.

Except the acrid smoke dominated his nose. Suddenly the eerie silence was broken by the call of a crow. The bird was on him like a shadow. Its claws slashed through his clothes. Reaching his sword he went for the kill but it escaped.

All that was left of the attack were the new gashes across his shirt and cloak. Someone clearly knew he was here.