This is my story for the third round of the Fantasy Smackdown. I used pictures 1, 2, 5 & 7--the knight, the two beefy people, the ice and the star lady--and chose to use "It's the End of the World As We Know It" for my song; elements of which are sprinkled throughout (thank you, REM for your delightfully random and downright silly lyrics). It is approx 4,000 words. Enjoy.

In the End

SP Parish 

(c) 2013

It was a time when the rise and fall of great nations ceased to exist for the nations were no more. Before, the powers that had been had sought to outdo Alexander and Caesar in the scales of their conquests only to fail. For who is there to conquer when your enemies have had their life lights snuffed at your whim and you have returned the favor?

In these times, Master Darwin had more proof to his claims than in all of history, if there had been anyone left to praise his name. For in this version of earth, only the strongest survived.

***

At the first tremor, Zeke ducked, slamming his sword into the ground and pulled his cape around his compact body. Under him, the earth shuddered, sending ice to fall like sharp, deadly spears upon his head.

Suddenly, everything was still again.

The tall, broad man unhinged his sword from the frosted ground, swinging it in a broad arc in front of him only to stop.

His opponent lay before him with Mother Nature's weapon through his overly formed, bare chest.

Zeke raised his visor and flurries pushed into his face, breathing down his neck as he bent. With a gloved hand, he closed the giant's eyes.

The lone traveler did not tarry long. No, instead he continued through the ices, upright against the wind.

He had a god to meet.

***

The thick, blue flames of the hearth fire burned silently in the far side of the tavern. Witch fire was not bright, but it was warm, and warmth was scarce enough to find in these days.

The version of earth that these knew had no roads, no sidewalks, no cars. Buildings that brushed the sky where aeroplanes once flew were tales told around the fire, and no more. The black landscapes of the twenty-first century had rapidly been replaced by earth and smothered in a cool coat of dangerous ice.

The tellers spun stories of great hurricanes that covered entire continents, horizons on fire, the great climate change that sent the world spiraling into this unforgiving age of ice unlike anything they had ever seen or heard of.

Crops were a distant memory. Livestock was long gone. The stark game that roamed the earth could only be coaxed out by the most skilled of hunters, who were few and far between. For a while, mankind held onto life by the tips of their fingers, only to fall victim to their save yourself mentality. In the great tournament of bombs and lies, all lost.

And it was not enough.

The vitriolic lands continued to push back. It was its way of demanding retribution for thousands of years of abuse and hundreds of years of ignoring its warnings. The once selfless land had had enough. Satisfaction would not be had until it was a barren with life only in its frozen waters.

We are starting over, it seemed to say, and you're not a part of our plan.

The men and women scattered about the tavern knew it all too well. The land ensured they reminded every time they ventured past the fragile safety of their front doors. Survival was their life, and it made for a bleak existence. After a life of making it hour to hour, day to day, hope was a luxury they could not afford.

Until today.

The doors opened with a rush of wind only to be violently cut off as Zeke effortlessly shut it behind him. Mouths dropped and eyes widened. Rumors of his great strength had preceded him. However, to hear of it and to bear witness to it were two separate things.

Every eye followed him as he stepped down into the open room. The whispers that had filled the place ceased to the point where the silent swishing of his cape sent echoes of sound through the air. It was a heavy black garment that caught the blue witch flame in the fine gold thread wound around the edges. Starting at his nape, breathtaking white wings fluttered with movement as the broad man wandered purposefully towards his chosen seat. With a flick of his hand, he lit the candle on the slab table. The flame burned a bright orange.

A mere distance away, a red headed dame sat, back against the wall with her feet propped up in front of her. With careful eyes, she watched the scene that was, eyes widening slightly as the man used real fire to light the candle. As he settled in, she lifted her feet, turning slowly towards her companion and leaned in over her toned arms to the man sitting across from her. As the only graying person in the tavern, the couple was anything but conspicuous. Still, "Do you think it is him, Uther?"

The man cracked his knuckles then smoothed out the braids of his beard. His brows came together over the bridge of his nose, concentrating. "It could be," he forced out in a gravelly tone.

She rolled her eyes, "Is that all you've got?"

Uther's head tilted slightly, "What do you want me to do, Nora? Go up and ask him? Patience." With that, he returned to his pint.

Nora headed his words. Without them, she would not have made it as far as she had. The words of a gray one were coveted nuggets of wisdom on the ice, even if they were contrary to her own impulses or desires. The dark armor on her arms clinked softly as she set them on the table. She would head the words of her elder, but there was something about that man.

Nora lost track of time as she took him in from where she sat. Her eyes traced the soft, yet sharp, wings embroidered into his back. The light flickering off the color casted an illusion of movement. Or were they really moving? If it was who they thought it was, Nora would not be surprised.

As if he could read her mind, Zeke turned and caught her taking him in. Nora felt her cheeks redden; yet she did not drop her gaze.

His eyes were an ice blue, like the skies sometimes seen beyond the stormy winter clouds. He knowingly took her in before moving on to Uther. Without a word, or a second glance, he turned around.

Nora's heart dropped.

Moments later, a server approached his table. Zeke spoke a few words before the obviously shaken man nodded nervously, and headed back to the kitchens. He returned shortly, walking straight past the man in the cape, to where Nora and Uther sat.

He cleared his throat, "Um, excuse me sir, miss," the thin man nodded his head to both of them before remembering the drinks in his hands. "Oh, here," he said placing them in front of the two. The steam tickled Nora's nose. Spiced Cider? Expensive tastes. "These are from the man," he gestured back to Zeke, a loss for what to call him. "He wanted to know if you would join him."

"Thank you," Uther replied, and the nervous man went on his way. Uther's eyes followed him until they found the patron of their drinks. "What do you think?" he asked.

"I think we should go," Nora replied without hesitation.

"Could be a trap," Uther reminded her.

Nora considered it, but only for a moment. "It could be what we're waiting for."

Uther stared at her, then shrugged. "Ladies, first."

So, she stood, tossed her hair, and took a deep breath. Scooping up her drink, Nora made her way calmly over to the table of the man, Uther close behind.

She stood as Uther took his seat before finding one of her own. Silence stretched as Nora fought to stay quiet. She would not be the first to speak.

Thankfully, she did not have to wait long.

Zeke lifted his head, "It is an honor to meet an elder, sir." He said. Uther nodded once in response as Zeke expected him to, and continued. "How is it that you have come to reach your grays?"

Uther took a slow drink. It was mutual knowledge that he did not have to answer. However, he did.

"Would you believe it if I answered, smart wit, a strong arms, and quick feet?"

"Aye, but I would say that is not all."

Uther gestured towards his double-sided axe strapped to his back, "A sharp blade?"

Zeke smiled. "I see that," he leaned in incrementally. "No magic? That is a rare find."

The old man returned the gesture, the muscles of his arms rippling as he crossed them over his chest. "It would be." And that was that.

Finally, Zeke paid notice to Nora. Again, he let his gaze openly take her in. "Red hair," he said, "indicates the Northern Clans." He looked at Uther again, "which would mean you are far from home."

"It would mean we've got no home left." Uther countered.

Zeke chose not to reply, instead swapped his gaze back to the dame. "Battle mark," he indicated to her eye, "and your armor point towards royalty. However, those are the ways of tradition, it is possible things have changed." With one last glance to her eyes, the man looked around the cavern, "What would bring two of the Northern Clansmen here?" Neither provided an answer. Zeke narrowed his eyes, "What do you have up your sleeve, elder?"

Uther was a sponge soaking up Zeke's words, filtering through them for their true meaning. He was old and wise for a reason, and experience told him to keep his plans to himself. He expressed as much then, "Why should we share with you?"

"You have no reason, elder. Perhaps you should steer clear. Or perhaps, I could help you in your journey."

It was Nora's turn to speak, "What do you know of our journey?"

Zeke seemed surprised to hear her voice. It was almost as if he had forgotten she was there. He would do well not to forget again.

"If I had bore witness to the things you have seen, there would be one place, and one place only I would be headed." His quiet voice pulled at Nora's heartstrings. Suddenly, she was sad.

"What do you know of what we have seen?"

The corners of his mouth tipped downward. He swallowed, "Because, my lady, we have bore witness to the same things."

"Impossible."

"Is it?" he smiled. "This is why you are here, is it not? We are going the same place for we know it our only hope." Then, looking at Uther, he said, "It would be my pleasure to assist you to the mountain of god."

Surprise flashed through the eye of Nora's mind. She startled, but refused to look towards her partner. Inquiry?

Hesitation, he returned. Doubt.

Zeke cleared his throat. "Out of courtesy, I wish to inform you that your mind speech is not protected from me. I assure you there is nothing to doubt, I am who you think I am."

Questions? Nora sent the thought in Zeke's direction.

He turned his attention towards her and shot back, The Defender, Strength. I am Zeke.

Nora almost replied, impossible. However, she had been caught off guard by the clear tones of his mind speech. Instead, she looked to Uther. The man sat, hands steeped on the table, investigating Zeke in a way that implied he could coax the answers he desired through careful observation.

Finally, he spoke. "If you are Zeke, why do you need us? Can you not do it on your own?"

Zeke considered the elder's words for a moment, then nodded. "Aye, I could. I do not need your help. But, you need mine."

Nora's eyes narrowed, "And you give it, free of charge? Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"If we asked you to swear it?"

Zeke smiled, "What would you ask me to swear it by? There is nothing that is certain in this time that we live."

"Destruction is certain," Nora replied.

"It would be foolish to swear upon that which we wish to prevent, don't you think?"

Her hands went to the table. She was young; curbing her pride was not a lesson she had yet learned. "Are you calling me a fool?"

Zeke did not back away. He showed no indication that Nora either frightened nor angered him. Patience was a virtue he possessed, so he exercised it here. "No warrior who has seen the divide and lived to tell of it could be considered a fool." Nora and Uther both seemed to relax a fraction at his words. "Tell me how you came to be here."

"It has not been the most pleasant of journeys," Uther spoke. "However, after the divide swallowed up the north, war was not an option. A wise man knows when he has been beaten. Solutions were offered, alternatives were declined, for where does a man venture when he has nowhere left to go?" Uther laughed, humorlessly. "We started with a party of six," he gestured to Nora, and back to him. "As you can see, our numbers have dwindled. There are but two of the Northern Clans left."

"Why do you journey, then? Why not set up a home, serve your own needs? No one has asked you to do this. They would understand if you did not."

Zeke's soft words resonated inside the Northerners. There was no doubt why they did what they did.

Nora fielded the question of the Defender. "I assume you have seen cities fall, swallowed up by the earth and its immortal beasts? Heard the cries of humanity as they are devoured? Pushed over the edges of the drifts? Perhaps you have attempted to console the inconsolable? Seen the future when there is no trace of hope to be found?"

"Aye, I have," Zeke responded.

"Then you have your answer. Not for us, since we are no more, but so that others will never taste the caustic taste of despair. Not for us, but for them. For what is left of the world."

Never before had silence pounded the ears of so many in such a loud way. Zeke took in one controlled breath after another, never taking his shining eyes off the woman across from him. He blinked once, long and hard, then spoke "This is why," he looked to Uther. "On the future of the ices, humanity, and hope, I swear to you that I will not harm you. I give you my sword, my brains, and my word that I will see you to the mountains where we will present our plea." He reached his armored arm across the table to the elder, who met him halfway. With a clash, they bound together the team that would save the world.

***

That night, over a meager dinner and drink, the three hashed out the details of their plan. It was late when they finally retired to their rooms. Morning came early.

Zeke was waiting for them when they came down. "Good morning," he looked at Nora. "How are you feeling?"

Truthfully, she was sick, psyched, tense, and on the verge of hitting someone for the hell of it, but those weren't things you told this man. "Fine," she said and received a smile for her efforts. "And you?"

"Ready to go when you are."

She rolled her shoulders and looked at Uther who gestured towards the door.

With that, they were off.

The winds whipped at their bodies, threatening to send them sliding across the thick icy terrain. Different shades of white smothered the landscape as far as the eye could see. The morning of their departure, the bright yellow sun slammed their eyes with light, assaulting their senses and adding unnecessary distraction to their already tumulus footsteps.

However, bright, clear skies were preferred to the stormy snows that found them soon. Determined to press on, the trio stopped only for rest, nourishment, and to bind wounds after skirmishes with whatever Mother Nature saw fit to throw in their path.

Zeke was a sight to see during those battles. The first time she witnessed him fight, Nora had almost been decapitated herself, she was so distracted by his skill. He was a beautiful fighter with his strength and speed. With barely a grunt, he had crushed a serpent of the plains under his heel.

But this was only part of who this man was.

In the beginning of their journey, the three warriors crossed paths with many small gatherings barely getting by. Nora and Uther had very little to give, but Zeke, Zeke passed out pieces of flame like it cost him nothing. Nora knew better, but when she asked him he had only said, "It costs me little to give part of myself to those who have nothing. They need it more than I."

Again, his selflessness was unprecedented. There were few like this man, for he was what legends were made of.

The relationship, however, was symbiotic in nature. Zeke had fighting skills beyond all else, and the heart of a thousand men. However, Uther and Nora had the noses of wolves.

During the nights, they would keep their bellies as full as possible with catches from their hunts. Going out in their shifted forms was dangerous, for then they were food themselves. However, hunger was not an option. They needed their strength for what laid ahead.

Late one night, as the wind tore at the walls protecting them, Nora returned from her hunt empty handed. Frustrated, she shook the snow from her hair as she slapped on her armor. Zeke handed her some water, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine," she said through gritted teeth. A silent look passed between the two men. Uther's mouth tipped up at one corner. Zeke looked away before he, too, was smiling. It would not be good for Nora to find the two men laughing at her reaction to what were impossible odds. Instead, they retired for the night around the glowing coals of their fire.

The next morning, they were awoken by silence. The storm had passed, the sky was clear, and the mountain in front of them eagerly awaited their arrival. It had plans for them. Plans, they soon found out, that were not pleasant by any means. Still, they labored on, pushing their fear of heights behind them as the earth used every means to throw them off its edges.

They ignored it best they could, but still, it waged war on their bodies and their minds.

A storm like no other released its untold fury on them near the midway marks. The group worked their way up the steep rocks, ice under their feet, seeking to claim the rest of their bodies. Wordlessly, they took it step by step; stopping for no reason, drive the only supplement for tired souls.

Night fell, and the group labored on. The air noticeably thinned.

The end was now in sight.

As they made their way up the pinnacle of the mountain, the skies began to clear. Nora looked up to the dark blue abyss only to have her words torn from her. Uther slowly closed his eyes, moisture leaving thin trails down his cheeks.

The sky was littered with thousands of pricks of light. Stars. They did exist.

They had made it.

Uther fell to his knees, tears flowing unashamedly down his face, his arms at his sides. "I could now die a happy man," he said under his heavy breaths.

Zeke shoved his sword into the hard ground, and began pulling off his gloves. "Aye, sir. But, we're not quite finished yet." Rubbing his hands together, a faint light began to form. Finally, when both were burning as brightly as the stars above , Zeke cupped them around his mouth and shouted, "LEORA!"

The earth shook in such a way that both Nora and Uther scrambled for a handhold. Nora was about to let Zeke know what she thought about such a display of power without warning when the stars began to rearrange before their very eyes

Without a word, the three watched as the seemingly unorganized pricks of light spun into motion, coming closer and closer until they were settled on the peek with them. Nora found that if she did not concentrate too hard, the stars formed a beautiful woman. She was the color of the sky, swirling blues and flashes of light, with flowing hair in constant motion around her face. It was impossible for Nora to focus on the lady of the stars. Every time she had her pinned beneath her gaze, Leora faded away.

Finally, their eyes met and she knew.

This was for whom they were searching.

"Who calls on the Light?" she said. Her voice glided across their skin, leaving tingles in its wake.

"We are here on behalf of humanity. We ask that you save us." Zeke answered. Tears fell down his face as well. He made no attempt to wipe them away.

Leora tilted her head to the side, studying the man before her. "You've given so much of yourself, and have received so little in return." She turned her translucent gaze on the other two, addressing them all. "Since you have come all this way, come. I will take you into paradise. You will feel the sting of this world no more." She held out her hand. No one moved to take it.

Instead, Uther looked at her, confused. "Why would we do that?"

The question seemed to surprise Leora. She narrowed her eyes at the elder, "You mean, you would rather stay here, on this dying wasteland, until your lives meet an end of no meaning than escape for all eternity?"

The look of confusion deepened. Was this the god they sought? What kind of answer was this?

Then she smiled. "It seems as though you would," she said, answering questions left unsaid. She turned back towards Zeke. "Defender, Strength, give us good reason we should save you."

"Because good still exists. The cries of the righteous should be heeded over those of the wicked." Zeke met her eyes, "And because you have not yet lost hope in your creation."

"Do you think we had?" the stars asked.

Zeke slowly shook his head, "No."

"Why not?"

"Because you allowed us to come here. To stand in your presence."

She folded her arms across her chest, "But it was not an easy journey."

Zeke let out a breath, his lips thinned. "No, it wasn't."

"Why did you make it, then?"

Without missing a beat, he answered, "To show you we haven't lost hope in you."

Leora smiled. "Good answer. You have a pure heart, Defender. You will do great things." She looked at the other two, "But not alone." One after another, the stars took back their rightful place in the skies, "You have our promise, children," Leora said, becoming less and less and finally was gone.

Zeke, Nora, and Uther, seemed to let out a collective breath. Nora righted herself, and Uther began to push himself off the ground only to gasp. The others looked to him, "What is it, Uther?" Nora asked him.

Uther stared at his hand, mouth wide. Slowly he rotated it before touching the ground and doing it again. "The earth," he whispered. "It's, it's..."

"What?" Nora prompted.

He looked up at them, eyes wide. "It's melting."

Both Zeke and Nora dropped to the ground only to find truth to the elder's claims. The ices were melting. Things would never be the same.

A smile stretched across Nora's face, and she started laughing in such a way that the others couldn't help but join. Finally, when stitches pained their sides, and tears stained their cheeks, the trio caught their breath atop the mountain.

Amazed, Uther spoke in a hushed tone. "It's the end of the world as we know it."

Zeke ran his hands across his face, the smile a permanent fixture for now. He looked across the peek, "Well, Nora, how are you feeling?"

Smiling like a fool, emotions rushed through her. Excited, ecstatic, exhausted, on fire.

But there was only one answer she could give the man who had made the impossible a reality.

She sighed, placing her hands on her hips and shrugged.

"I feel fine."