Necropolis (Book One of Book One) by Penn Fawn

Author:Penn Fawn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, dark fantasy, hell, life after death, grimdark, afterlife
Publisher: Penn Fawn
Published: 2020-01-19T16:00:00+00:00

Keita awoke. He looked to his left and right and noticed Ossouna and Aswad were also awake.

“Did any of you sleep at all?” he asked.

“Soundly,” Ossouna replied. “As if I were dead.”

“Same here,” Aswad said.

He noticed they’d spoken in a drab monotone and felt he knew the reason why.

“So, it’s not a dream?” he remarked.

“No,” a crestfallen Aswad replied, again in a drab, lifeless monotone, and Keita’s eyes filled with tears.

He fought to compose himself.

“I wish I could go home,” Ossouna said.

“Me too,” Aswad said morosely. “I wish I could see my family again. Just one last time. I’d give anything for that,” he added, then a fellow they did not know entered the room.

“Good,” the man said. “You’re up. I’ve been checking in on you.”

They did not reply.

“My name is Akua. I’m supposed to take you to where you’re to begin your training tomorrow.”

Still, they said nothing.

“You don’t seem too excited,” he said.

“Should we be?” Aswad asked.

“Perhaps,” Akua replied.

“Okay,” Aswad said.

“You may not be grateful for it now, but in time you will,” Akua added.

“Yeah?” Aswad said with indifference.

“Yes,” Akua replied.

“How come?” Aswad asked.

“You mean, since arriving here, you’ve heard nothing, nothing at all about what this place is like or about what’s going on?” Akua asked.

“Oh, I’ve heard some things,” Aswad replied. “And, seen too. Much of it was so strange it felt borderline unreal.”

“I know what you mean,” Akua replied.

Aswad did not reply.

“Well,” Akua began, “Don’t kill the messenger. I’m just here to remind you that you have one night before you to try to collect your emotions, and then it’s off to training.”

His guests wore long faces.

“What’s coming won’t break for bruised emotions or broken hearts,” he added. “It’s a heartless world, so like it or not, whatever is to come will come and keep on coming, regardless.”

“I’ll be ready,” Aswad replied.

“You won’t,” Akua said, “but that’s the right attitude. It’s either that, or you may want to fall on your own sword.”

His comment aroused Ossouna’s attention. “That happens here?” he asked.

“And, why wouldn’t it?” Akua replied. “This place is not exactly a paradise.”

“No,” Ossouna said.

“So, brace yourselves,” Akua added, “because we’re at the point where we’re going to have to face the Shetani sooner rather than later.”

“And, that’s assured?” Aswad asked.

“Well, it’s either that, or there will be an exodus,” Akua replied. “In the latter case, we’re still going to have to face outside hostilities.”

“Hm,” Aswad uttered.

“Enjoy what’s left of it, for we did have a period of relative peace for some time now.”

The guests waited for him to say more but he fell silent.

“Well, the night is still young. Isn’t it?” Aswad said. “Care to tell us a bit more about that, or is your job done for the night, and you need to get back?”

“The night is young, but it’s a long story,” Akua replied, “although I can stay a bit.”

“Bits and pieces will do. I mean the salient details. I’ll take those because it’s not like we have anything better to do or anywhere to go,” Aswad said matter-of-factly.

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