Cursed by Night, Crowned by Day

Short Story Writing for fun and must include: Swamp, a renowned explorer, and a great sacrifice to accomplish the goal. Let's do it!

Legends told of the assassin. The mercenary who always found their target and eliminated them with such cold calculation that the very earth beneath their feet would freeze over. So saturated were these rumors that a saying was built around the stories.

If you saw the frost at your door, your fate was already sealed.

Rayden scoffed at the thought of the stories surrounding her history as she trudged through the forest where the earth and water mingled. She wielded a single blade in one hand while the other rested comfortably at her hip, slicing through the overgrown “trail” that once led to the forbidden fortress.

The rumors, though greatly exaggerated, were largely true, though as far as she was aware, no frost ever preceded her footsteps. Ironically, she hated the cold, which, as it happened, was making her trek so much more frustrating than it already was.

But she pressed on through the labyrinth of twists, turns, dead ends, and sudden drop-offs that gave this marsh its name.

The dead man's maze. There was a reason that the forbidden fortress was on the other side. For as far as she knew, no one had ever successfully crossed it since the fortress was abandoned over a century ago.

The invisible pits, overshadowed by swamp water, were said to be the least of the challenges that faced adventurers who dared to try to reach the fortress for the wealth and fortune awaiting in its bowels for whoever dared to claim it. For here there be monsters.

She outright laughed at the prospect. If anyone ever had been able to get through, they surely wouldn't be able to get back through this cesspool of drudgery carrying bags of gold and jewels.

But her patron was sure someone had. Someone who had eluded her for years, and her patron had offered her a substantial reward to bring back his head. Much more reasonable that trying to drag a mountain of gold through a monster infested swamp laden with natural booby traps…right?

Besides, right now, the biggest challenge she was facing was the incessant buzzing of insects that seemed to be feasting on her flesh and the cold wind blowing through her long raven locks as she waded deeper into the swamp water. It had already been two days of this nightmare with no clear line of sight in view, but she was not lost. What little sun could be seen through the dense foliage cover overhead stayed on her right before moving past her, and at night, the stars and moon guided her path forward. For she knew the fortress was to the West, and West she was heading.

All at once, she stilled, the thigh-high waters lapping at her black leather leggings, but all sounds seemed to have been expunged. Even the bugs stopped their biting, as she held her breath, the water like a mirror in the dim light of the marshes.

Something was definitely not right.

On instinct, she jumped back against the gravity of the water, her free hand latching onto a thick vine straining with the effort to hoist herself up. And not a moment too soon. The beast broke through the crystalline surface of the murky waters with a deafening roar, its teeth gnashing and chomping as it stretched out its thick, enormous neck in an attempt to sever flesh from bone. So massive was its body that she was sure it had slithered up from one of the deep chasms that plagued these dark waters. Its legs were as tree trunks, and it reared itself up on its hind legs to better reach her form that was already climbing the vine.

Then she heard it, and terror filled her heart as the color drained from her face.

“Shit!” She growled as the cracking of the vine filled her ears, and she looked down to see the monstrosity below simply open its mighty tooth-riddled maw, just waiting to consume its easy prey. Or so it thought.

Her eyes glossed over as her instincts took hold, and she released her grip on the vine while simultaneously drawing her other sword in one fluid motion, and fell with one purpose.

The beast's cries filled the area with its deafening roar as her two blades came down to pierce its thick hide. The force was so strong that it displaced the water to the point that she could see the path she was to take and committed it to memory before the water re-lapsed and all was once more silent as death.

She sighed, wiping the mud and muck from her face that now covered her head to toe. “Well, that was fun.” She muttered to herself before sheathing one blade and shaking her arms out in an effort to be rid of the slime that oozed on her body.

She took two steps forward along the path, having finally wiped as much of the disgusting discharge of the swamp from her features as possible, then yelped as the swamp swallowed her whole.

She opened her eyes, then immediately regretted it as the filthy water stung her vision. But what she had seen made her more nauseous than the swamp water she had ingested. Hundreds of red eyes.

She thrashed against the spirits that dwelled here, their ghostly visages burning into her mind as bony hands grasped at her body, dragging her down deeper and deeper into the depths.

Panic flooded her system as she swiped out with her blades at the demons who sought to pull her asunder. The remnants of bubbles erupted from her mouth as rotting flesh tore at her orifices and weak points, and she wondered if the beast before had just been a decoy sent by the real threat.

No. No, there was no time to dwell on this now. She had to focus. But she felt herself fading as she sank ever deeper into the void. Teeth gnawed at her, surely drawing blood, but her strength was waning, and she wondered if this was how she met her end. To join this river of damned souls for eternity, hunting any and all who would enter here and devouring them as she herself had been devoured.

With the last of her remaining strength, she raged against the demons of darkness, the shadows of death that so sought to destroy her. Her blades met bone, but nothing seemed to quell the mass of bodies that dragged her ever downward.

All at once, a blinding light shone on the other side of her eyelids, and it was then that she knew she had passed over into the ether. The netherworld where her soul might rest. Might find some peace that her life had sought, fitting to deny her.

As she bathed in the light, it was as though water was cascading around her body, pleasant and warm as the sun on the waves. A voice called to her from the light. Soft at first, but growing ever stronger with each passing moment of eternity.

Then it boomed in her ears and registered its meaning.

“WAKE UP!”

Pain erupted on her face as her eyes shot open to see a man leaning over her. He was wet and his dark hair was disheveled, but it was his green eyes that caught her attention. They were filled with fear, then relief as his wide, genuine smile ignited them.

“Welcome back to the world of the living.” He said, his voice like music to her ears as she coughed and gagged, expelling the swamp water she had ingested.

“Thought you were goner there for a second.” He laughed as he roughly patted her on the back in an attempt to help relieve the remaining contents of her stomach that burned the back of her throat. It didn’t help, but the thought was appreciated.

He glanced up then, his eyes searching through the thick forest that surrounded them with an alertness that made her wonder if he had heard something. Then he returned his gaze back to her, the smile returning easily to his lips as he added, “Let's get you out of here.” He offered her an arm up, which she took, before abruptly latching onto his wrist and twirling, wrapping his arm behind his back and pinning it there as the blade she had tucked in her boot twirled in her grasp, its business end at his throat.

“Who are you?” She growled low. His body was relaxed in her grip, piquing her interest as though he knew she was no threat to him. This idea only pissed her off. There were no sane travelers in this landscape. Only those on a mission. And if her patron was right and the man she sought had made it to the fortress, this could very well be him.

“Well, isn't this a nice way to say thank you.” He chuckled lightly, no hint of malice in his voice. Just a touch of exasperation. “If I wanted to hurt you, I would have let you drown.” He added calmly.

“Who said it’s not I who wants to hurt you?” She countered darkly in his ear, pressing the blade harder against his throat.

Then he scoffed, the action making her shake her head in bewilderment.

“If you wanted to kill me, you would've done it already.” He growled low, the sound reverberating against her chest as the threat became clear. No. This was no ordinary man.

“If you're going to kill me, then I'd suggest you make it quick.” He added with a grin. “Once the last rays of sunlight disappear over the horizon, if you still have that blade at my throat, you'll regret it.” It was then that she glanced up to see the clearing ahead. The exit to the marshes. And beyond it, the sunlight was waning fast.

“Tick tock.” He chided, and as night encroached on the sky, she roared in frustration before releasing him with a shove forward.

“Good choice.” He finished, and as the last rays of sunlight vanished from view, her eyes went wide as the man began to radiate light like the sun. All she saw were spots, but when they were gone, an enormous black panther with green eyes was where the man had been moments before.

She backed away slowly, a knife and blade in each hand as the panther lowered its head, eyes trained on her. It rolled back each shoulder, lowering its front end as though it were going to charge her, then, to her horror, it did. Blades at the ready, she prepared to counter, to defend herself, but her instincts took over in a way they never had before. She lowered her guard, and the enormous panther rammed into her, knocking the wind from her lungs and her feet out from under her. Then it proceeded to lick her face, slobbering and drooling as it purred, the rumble vibrating her whole body and weighing her down. She gasped out a laugh, a real laugh, and the first she'd had in years as she fought to break free of its incessant tongue before it tickled her to death.

Finally and unceremoniously, it leaped from her, its form trotting along the solid path that led out of the marshland, then paused at the top of the hill and looked back over its shoulder at her. Its green eyes flashed in the light of the full moon overhead, no longer marred by the forest, as if it was asking, “Are you coming?”

She stood then, collecting her blades and sheathing them before dusting herself off and wiping the slime from her face. When she looked up, the panther was still waiting, and she petted its head, its fur like soft velvet beneath her fingertips as they moved forward into the moonlit valley.

A soft breeze wafted through, rustling the wildflowers that bloomed even into the night as fireflies danced on the wind, their soft golden glow magical as the panther leapt, its paws clawing and catching nothing but air as it chased one light then another as they carved their path through the overgrown brush. Hours passed, and light crept onto the horizon as they reached the top of a hill, and the fortress towered into view. Black rock turrets and spires glistened, bathed in the glow of the full moon that still ruled the sky, though dawn was on the horizon. It and surrounded on all sides by steep, rocky, snow-capped mountains, impossible to climb.

So it was true. The only way in or out was through the marshes.

The panther purred beside her, nudging her hand with his head, making her smile as she obliged, scratching his ear before they ventured onward to the keep.

As they neared, she made her footsteps softer, lighter, then silent, and the panther seemed to take note of this, for he also stepped lightly into the mouth of the keep. Into the dark. She paused, waiting and listening for any sign of life. Of the life she was supposed to take. The life rumored to be the deadliest that ever lived. Who was worth so much that she and her sister would never go hungry again. She had to find him. If for no other reason than her patron, her guild master, would have her sister killed if she returned empty-handed. For he was ruthless and merciless, and known for keeping his word. He had had a soldier stay behind with her little sister to ensure her compliance and return if she had the stupid idea of taking the treasure and running.

No sounds could be heard from within the walls save for the whispering wind that echoed and cried through the fortress. Eerie and haunting. A ghost of the time before.

Light began to filter through, and as her eyes adjusted, a roar sounded from behind, and once more, in a flash, where the panther was, now stood the man, leaning against the stone wall.

“Whatcha looking for?” He asked, his arms folded across his chest as he studied her incredulously.

“Life.” She replied in a soft voice. “But it seems there’s none to be found here.” She stated with a sign, turning fully to look at him.

“Mm. And here I thought you were after the treasure. I can show you where it is if you want.” But she only cocked her head to the side, studying him as she hadn’t been able to before.

“You’ve been here before?” She asked incredulously.

“I live here.” He replied coolly.

“You…wha–? Have you seen a man here? A mercenary?” She asked as she approached him, arms curling inward in desperation.

“So…you don't want the treasure?” He countered as she became frantic.

“A man! A man! Have you seen him?! He would have come in search of the treasure, I was told I might find him here!”

“So let me get this straight,” He began, “You traveled for days through those marshes to this keep, not for the rumored treasure, but to find a…man? How desperate are you?!” He laughed outright then, throwing his head back, but her patience was wearing thin.

“YES! I’ve been searching for him!” She cried as he held himself against the wall so as not to fall to the floor.

“Is he lost?” He asked, wiping the tears from his eyes as she looked upon him with utter disdain.

“NO! HE’S A MERCENARY OUT FOR BLOOD AND GOLD!” She cried.

“Well, I’m sorry to tell you, there’s no mercenary here.” He stated, his voice becoming dead serious as she fell against the stone wall to the floor.

“There has to be…I have to find him.” She whispered in defeat. At that he crouched to her level, lifting her chin to view his handsome features, his eyes soft and caring as he gazed into her eyes.

“Why?” Was all he asked.

“Because I have to kill him, or my sister will die.” She finished, and his jaw feathered slightly before he whispered,

“Then take my head.” Shock and disbelief rampaged through her like a typhoon.

“I can’t do that.”

“Yes, you can. I am the one you seek.” She shook her head from side to side as he continued, “I am hunted for my ability to change. Long ago, I was cursed to this form, hunted by night, and now by day. You might as well put an end to my suffering.” He smiled sadly then as the truth of his words ate away at her soul. This man, who had saved her. Been kind to her, could not be the murderer. The mercenary whom she had been tasked with destroying. But now…it was his life, or her sisters, and she had to make a choice. Though it destroyed her to do so.

With trembling lips, her tears streamed down her face as she uttered the words she never had the luxury of saying.

“I won’t do it.” With that, a blinding flash of light burned her eyes as the man before her glowed from within, but not just the man. The earth beneath their feet suddenly began to shimmer, as the run-down castle slowly became restored to its former glory. The shattered windows were repaired. The statues were remade whole. The black stone was set to pure white. The overgrowth was manicured. And in the distance, the marshes vanished, revealing a perfect brick path to the town whence she came.

The man now stood before her, crown upon his head and flowing robes of violet and pthalo. His smile widened as he reached out a hand to her, which she took as she rose to her feet.

“Fear not.” He said, “Your sister is safe. It was I who commissioned your guildmaster. Either I was to die by your hands, or I was to be freed of my curse. Either I would have welcomed.” He stated as flower blossoms seemed to erupt around them. Her heart leapt in her chest as he kissed her hand. “You’re welcome to go, or…” He smiled sheepishly at her, his kind eyes searching her own. “You could bring your sister here, and you could be my wife.” The blush rose to her cheeks as she entertained the idea. Never had she had a real home. A family. Or ever been met with such kindness or gentleness.

“But…I hardly know you.” She breathed, his green eyes diving into hers.

“But I know you. You didn’t take my wealth. You didn’t take my life even with your sisters at stake because you knew it was wrong. You’re pure in your heart of hearts, and kind in the depths of despair. I knew it the moment I saw you.” He finished, and she leaned in, kissing him sweetly as the whisper came from her heart.”

“I’ll stay.”

And they lived happily ever after.

The end. Lol.