Eiji’s form broke the water’s surface, from beneath him sprung the gasping figure of Daniel.

“Go!” he screamed in Acha’s direction as he began desperately to swim towards the plains, dragging Daniel behind him. The waters swelled and bulged, the surface debris began to rise in pursuit as something emerged from the deadly waters. The entangled debris pulsed and lurched, as from beneath it emerged the fleshless skull of a creature so foul it could still the breath. Its hooked nose almost a sight to hone in on its targeted prey. The water-weathered muscle, intermingled with bone, was covered in the bog’s scum and moss as the beast within wore the coating of its nest like a skin. Its long fingers and refined claws spanning easily the length of its forearm, visible only as its long limbs broke through the water. The balding chunks of white hair which splayed from the creature’s skull moved quickly with its rapid movements as it traversed the thick water with ease, unhindered by the masses of moving detritus attached to its back. It was unclear if this tangled mass was a living extension of the hag-like creature, or something animated by her touch.

Acha’s panicked steps seemed to sink deeper, her pace restricted by the surrounding water as she fought desperately to follow the footholds, concerns of drowning no longer at the forefront of her mind, pushed aside by the horror they now faced.

Eiji gasped for breath, his gaze fixed firmly on the pursuing monstrosity, glancing only towards the land to ensure he remained on course. More movement swelled from beneath the surface as Eiji called upon the tangled bramble below to ensnare it, slowing its pace, if just for a moment. The water behind him began to part, he turned, swinging Daniel to rest upon his back as he found his footing on the sodden terrain, water crashed behind him as he focused all his energy, all his skills, on manipulating the creature’s natural environment to aid his escape. The ground becoming firmer, heated, beneath his steps.

The creature, accepting their imminent escape, turned its focus to the one remaining still within its domain. Eiji, reaching the land, dropped Daniel to the ground as the creature sped across the waters towards the former board-walk. Acha’s steps froze as the blur of rapid movement sped towards her, she released a scream. A wave of water rose up slamming the creature to one side.

“Move!” Eiji yelled forcing another crashing wave before the creature’s path. It howled as the jagged splints of wood pierced its unyielding form. More bramble rose tying to restrain it as wave upon wave of water disrupted its path. Roots broke through the surface, weaving a solid path beneath Acha’s feet as she sprinted, clawing her way to the safety of the solid plain.

She collapsed on the grassy fields as Eiji sunk to his knees gasping for breath, his vision once more focused over the bog. The now still water reflecting just the smallest glint of light as the soothing spread of coloured heather painted the landscape. The scene was so still, so tranquil they could have been simply observing a freshly painted canvas, still stood upon the artist’s easel.

“Daniel, are you all right?” Acha now crouched over him examining his injuries, it was as she had feared, they were serious. The events of just moments ago seemed surreal against the calmness of their surroundings. Daniel gasped in pain as he lay on his back, paralysed, as the growing patch of blood quickly began to stain his torn linen shirt.

“The town of Kerõs isn’t far. I was t’meet Elly near there, keep an eye on him, I’ll get help.” The urgency in Eiji’s voice was unmistakable as he looked at the three enormous, gaping slash marks across Daniel’s chest. The wounds seemed to pulsate as they bled heavily, if they didn’t stop the bleeding soon it would be fatal. The double edged blade of shock was their only ally, if not for it slowing his blood flow things would already be far worse. “Keep pressure on it.” he called as he began his sprint. He hesitated for a moment removing his dagger from his boot and throwing it in Acha’s direction, it was not wise to leave them unarmed. She grabbed it quickly tucking it into her belt carefully.

“Please hurry.” Acha whispered, pressing the cleaner parts of her cloak against Daniel’s wounds.

Winner of the 2016 Independent Author book of the year award for 'Outstanding Fantasy' Some pasts have a debt for collection. Will they discover the truth in time, or will those who should be heroes become nothing more than the pawns of evil?

It is said that the past always returns to haunt you. Yet some forgotten pasts have whispered names and a debt for collection. Dangerous curiosities stir a hidden darkness, one that patiently waits to seize control.

Within the layers of a divine game the boundaries of reality change. Ancient creatures once again resurface from their slumber, and beings which should dwell only within Darrienia threaten to pierce the veil to the waking world.

Darkness has a way of masking that which would otherwise be seen, and the God Night, orchestrator of this peril, is a master of such distortion. Nothing is ever as it seems, especially when every action is gently influenced to unlock an unimaginable terror as he guides those chosen to his true ambition. Their actions rousing something far older, and more dangerous, than the threat they first perceived. Its awakening would herald the end and beginning of all.

Will they discover the truth in time? Or will those who should be heroes, become nothing more than the pawns of evil?