Elric and the Shudde-M'ell



Chapter 3

     The next day, Elric was resting beneath an old dying tree, his eyes closed, lost in his own thoughts. A rumble shook the earth and an explosion destroyed the silence that Elric had been savoring. Smoke billowed from the earth towards the sky in a dark ominous cloud a few feet from where Elric rest. A figure formed in the cloud and soon features became more perceptible. Elric opened one eye to glance at the intruder, shuffled his position, and nestled back against the tree again.
     "And why do you disturb me Oakley? Have I wronged you yet again, as if I cared?" Elric spoke with a sharp tongue.
     "You are a fool, Elric, and so I have come to ask you of a foolish task."
     Elric leapt to his feet, withdrew his mighty blade and slid it through Oakley's midsection with ease. The imp chuckled at Elric's actions.
     "Getting slow, Oakley. Not even a reaction anymore," smirked the elf.
     "I have no time for your silly games, boy. I have a task for you, one that only you can handle, but if I'm lucky will lead to your demise nonetheless and I will be rid of you."
     "I do so love a challenge old chap," laughed Elric.
     "G'harne has fallen sick, and his giant worm, Shudde-M'ell, is wreaking havoc across the countryside. Shudde-M'ell will only respond to G'harne's will, but the sickness is ravaging his body, leaving him out cold for hours and hours at a time. He is only conscious for a few minutes during the day, during which he has some nourishment. He has not the energy to retrieve his pet and stave off the destruction," explained Oakley.
     "And you want me to stop it? Why? I enjoy destruction and chaos. Why, I would be honored to join this mighty Shudde-M'ell!" cried Elric with insane glee.
     "Because, Elric. If you slay the beast, I will reveal to you your past, which I have kept locked away from you because of my intense loathing for knowing such secrets. I will reveal everything you have ever wondered and bring you the enlightenment you so desire."
     Elric stared at the god, his blood eyes churning with rage. "You know everything? You know why I am scorned from the people I walk among and you have never revealed it to me? You can explain the secret of my blade, Stormbringer? Why every time I slay someone in honorable battle, I feel stronger? You know all this, and you have never told me! Now, you blackmail me with this knowledge so that I may do your bidding?" screamed Elric.
     "Yes, I know the secrets of who you are, what you are, and why you are. And I kept them hidden from you for everyone's safety until you would be capable of mastering what the truth means! I now believe you may be ready, and I am willing to share the knowledge with you, if you will accomplish this one simple task!"
     Oakley paused and sighed.
     "I did not want to do this, for I fear its consequences, but I believe I must."
     Oakley stepped back and reached within his tunic, pulling out a glistening ebony sword resembling Elric's own. "The sword you wield was given to you along with this one when you were just a baby. The two swords combined are more powerful than all other weapons in existence. But only a true hero can wield them. You will either master them, or they will destroy you. Time shall show.
     "The sword I hold now was created from the same metal that your Stormbringer is, a special metal of whose origin I cannot reveal to you. They are brother swords and this one is known as Mournblade. It is yours again, Elric, take it and deal with Shudde-M'ell!"
     Oakley looked into Elric's eyes with a cold hard stare of disgust. A moment of silence passed and a bright white light consumed Oakley, blinding Elric, causing him to stagger back. When the light subsided, Mournblade was all that remained, impaled in the ground.
     Elric stood still for a moment eyeing the curious sword. He stepped forward, placed his palm around the hilt and withdrew it from the ground. His free hand reached into his cloak and grabbed at Stormbringer. A painful energy seared through his body as he clasped both swords side by side. He screamed out in terror, his voice echoing through the land. Looking at the swords once more, he sheathed them and hid them beneath his cloak. Peering up at the sky, he squinted in the afternoon sun.
     "I will do as you ask, Oakley, but you do not own me! I am my own man and I do this only to learn of my past!" Elric screamed to the heavens.
     The elf grunted once and walked towards the horizon.



To Chapter 4 of Elric's Story