Author's Note: It has been quite a while since I've written anything...
at all.  So, this could be considered practice, as well as just getting
tired of doing nothing in the writing department.  I am awaiting a
computer to work on my major projects, this happening sometime in the
next month (for sure this time).  After that I'll most likely put out a
request for pre-readers for a couple of fics.  Whether or not this
particular work gets nixed or not will have to do mostly with how I feel
personally about it.  Replies to it will, of course, have some impact as
well.  Though, this being experimental, I may just drop it if I think it
shouldn't go on. PMasters (7-22-99)

PM Productions Presents
A Phillip Masters Fanfic
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Prologue - "The Powers That Be"

     It was a deep valley, nestled in the rolling foothills of the
Arkian mountainrange.  It was called "Dom or Encant", or "Darkness of
Enchantment", by the village people whom lived in the meriad towns
surrounding the dark area of earth, which seemed to simply fall out of
existance.  None dared to venture into its depths, for fear of never
seeing their loved ones again.  Nor did anyone run from it, as the past
had shown this to be a very bad idea as well.  
     Four hundred years previous to the current time, an entire village
decided being close to the Dom or Encant was becoming too stressful to
live with.  So, in the middle of the night the entire group began a
methodical and efficient move toward the summit of the nearby Ark-di
peak.  As it was one of the tallest in the range, the villagers felt,
that once over it, they would need fear the valley no longer.  Over
three hundred people made their way up the steep rise toward freedom
that night.        
     The next morning, the sun crested the mountains, sending a steady
stream of light into the opposing slope of the valley.  The sight that
greeted the remaining villages was one of awe and confusion.  For, where
once stood their neighboring village, now was... nothing.  A great gash
was ripped into the hillside, as if some giant claw had been raked
across it, being stopped only by the very bedrock of the mountain
itself.  None had been disturbed in the night by this event, which had
destroyed almost eighty kilometers of countryside.        
     All eyes simply turned to the black heart of the Dom or Encant
itself.  The surviving villages all knew what had occured the night
before, and they were glad to have missed it.  It was a blessing after
all to be in its benevolent pressence.  As long as a person did not
enter it, or attempt to leave completely, it stayed closed and buried
under its eternal shroud of pitch.  Crops grew well in the fertile soil
of the valley area, and trade was very good around its periphery.        
     Four hundred years had passed, and the villages grew and spread.
Dirt was moved to cover the land once destroyed, until all that remained
was a legend, and a warning.  A warning which had been followed without
question for centuries.

--_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_--
 
     Tolm flipped through the pages of his journal, trying to find a
certain entry.  It had only been written a few months previous, but he
had forgotten what was said.  A girl in town had asked him to the summer
festival, and it was common courtesy to give ones girlfriend a gift to
show appreciation.        
     He had spent a number of hours scouring his room, digging up old
remnants from his recently ended childhood.  Curious, but ugly, stones,
toys which his father had made, and a small collection of wood splinters
which he had found in the Forgotten Woods; a place which was said to
have been touched directly by the Dom or Encant four hundred years ago.
They small shards of wood would most likely get him grounded for the
rest of his life, if his parents found out where he had aquired them.
However, what they didn't know would never hurt him... and he liked it
that way.  
     After giving up his futile search, he had recalled something he'd
written in his personal journal.  It was a dusty old book which had been
given to him by his grandfather, who had been the local mage in his day.
Supposedly he had been rather good, though in the valley of enchantment
magic was generally frowned upon and used only when no other solution
could be had.  People feared magics of a high caliber, and most of the
old teachings were lost to the ages.  This is what made his journal so
special.  The first two hundred and eight pages were filled with the
mystic scribblings of his grandfather; notes on how to cast certain high
level spells.  
     Tolm had never been very interested in magic, however he did
possess a certain talent with it.  Seemed to run in the family as a
matter of fact, since his father ran the town apothecary, which carried
items of various magical qualities.  When he had been given the book as
a young boy, he had been told to guard it with his life if necessary.
He had learned, also, to never use the information contained within the
book.  They were spells not meant to be cast by mortals, and the Dom or
Encant would be angered if he did so.
     After a few years he began to write his own ideas and daily
activities in the book, sort of like a diary.  The pages were covered
with many scetches, idle thoughts, and the regular emotional turmoil
that an adolescent goes through in life.  
     At the moment, Tolm was looking for something he knew he had
written down about the Forgotten Woods a number of weeks ago.  It had
been something about a treasure... definately what could be thought of
as a perfect gift.  Perhaps a gem of some sort... or gold?  
     He finally came upon the entry he was searching for:

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Orical 35,
     The Forgotten Woods were dark and erie today... they seemed
oppressive somehow, as if they didn't want anyone to intrude this
particular day.  Needless to say, I left.  After coming back home, I
went to the pub, where Jol and Erin were waxing philosophical over a few
decanters of ale.  After taking in some of the small talk, and realizing
"philiosophical" took on a whole new meaning after drinking an enormous
amount of alcohol, I brought up the Forgotten Woods.  
     Jol was shocked... and starting staring at me as though my nose had
suddenly grew a pair of hands.  He told me that today was the
anniversary of the day the Dom or Encant touched the mountainside in
order to punish those who would dare leave.  I had known, but forgot...
an interesting irony.  
     The by and by of it came down to a darkness which falls over the
woods on this particular day of every year.  Most stayed away from it,
even more so than usual, on this day.  I am now apparently in a small
class of idiots who would venture into this phenomenon.
     I suppose I should be proud... nothing's happened to me as a result
of my stupidity... yet, anyway.  
     Anyway, enough with my moronic adventures.  My two friends went on
and on, as the ale flowed and flowed.  By this point I myself was
becoming rather intoxicated... so I started spouting things which proved
me even more dense than rumor dictated.  
     First off was my boasting over having landed the cutest girl in
town.

--_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_--

     Tolm looked up from the book with a grin on his face, the memories
pouring back.  No wonder he had to look it up... he had been so liquored
up at the time he wouldn't have recalled his own name.  The "cutest girl
in town" was Horlea, the daughter of the blacksmith.  She had turned
many heads, including his own, needless to say.  
     She had asked him out to the waterfall, which poured down a sharp
drop in the valley walls right outside of town.  It could be heard even
as he sat in his room, a constant backdrop in the otherwise quiet
village.  It became a river which flowed directly into the Dom or
Encant... though since it didn't flow *from* it, everyone just treated
it like a normal body of water.  
     The waterfall was a big meeting place for lovers and friends alike.
Not a day would go by without a group of children playing at the shores
next to the roaring foam at its base.  Nor an evening pass without at
least six couples making use of the cover it provided when one ventured
behind the great wall of water.  There was no grand cave, or anything,
but an outcropping which spanned its width and gave plenty of space for
those who simply wished to sit back and... enjoy the company of their
significant other.  
     Tolm himself had taken his share of females to the spot, though he
remained a frustrated virgin.  The local girls were the "save till
marriage" types, much to the continued consternation of the local boys.
Young marriages were not uncommon in his town, sometimes even at
thirteen, though most waited until at least fifteen.
     At sixteen, Tolm himself was beginning to seriously look for
companionship.  Horlea had turned out to be a king sized bitch, and he
dumped her within a month's time.  She wasn't particularly upset, as she
had simply reached out and nabbed the mayor's son, Erin.  They had been
married just last week, and Tolm hoped they lived a happy life together.
After all, Erin was one of his best friends... the fact that he wouldn't
wish Horlea on his worst enemy would have to be overlooked.  
     This more or less came to the current problem, which he now knew
how to solve.  For, during his drunken rantings that day, Jol had
managed to slip in one of his famous anecdotes.  A story about a
treasure in the Forgotten Woods which could, supposedly, even bring
light to the Dom or Encant.  Sounded to Tolm like some sort of crystal
or gem... or perhaps a staff.  Whatever it was, it would make a good
doury that was for sure.
     He had met Liley on a trip to the Forgotten Woods.  She had been
out collecting berries from the edge of the forest, somewhat of a daily
occurence umongst the women of the village.  She was shorter than most,
with chestnut brown hair, and large grey eyes.  Her light complextion
was sort of odd for a valley person, but since her parents were of a
like nature it wasn't questioned.  He had known of her from school,
though she was in a different social clique than himself, so had never
really met.  
     In the town of Thori you were in one of three groups.  The first
being the upper class, which was pretty much the mayor's ilk, the
priest, and Elm the trader, whom had amassed quite a fortune by
manipulating trade with neighboring villages.  The second was the middle
class, which he was a part of... along with all the other moderately
successful shop owner families.  Last, though not least, was the lower
class.  They were your farmers and less successful shop owners.  Due to
the rather personal nature of the town, the class system was rarely an
issue with people, and one tended to change from week to week anyway,
according to how business went.  
     The only true division of class was from the highest to anything
lower.  Marriages were rarely allowed from high to lower, and highest to
lowest would never happen.  Of course, Liley was the daughter of the
priest, and wouldn't consort with persons such as himself under normal
circumstances.  
     However, the day of their meeting was anything but "normal"...  

--_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_--

     Tolm was walking down the path he so frequently traveled, toward
the Forgotten Woods.  His trusty sword was at his hip, and he carried a
bag with some food and his journal in it.  He was prepared for another
hard day of exploration, and as he hadn't been to the woods in almost
two weeks he was highly eager to return.  
     As he crested the small hill which climbed out of town, he looked
downward toward the forest edge.  It being summertime, their was an
expanse of flowers spreading from the peak of the hill to almost the
edge of the forest.  To his left and right they could be seen painting
the countryside, where other villages and towns could also be seen in
the distance.  Of course, to his left was also the Dom or Encant itself,
still many kilometers away, but so present that even when out of sight
one could feel it there.  
     He turned his gaze from the blackness and back toward his
destination.  The forest ran along the edge of the mountain's base, just
barely climbing it before thinning out.  Women could be seen at the edge
going about their business of picking berries which would make delicious
pies and pastries along with their more mundane task of livening
breakfast.  
     Tolm began to walk down the hill, absorbing the glorious mid-day
sunlight as he went.  He was barely five meters down when it happened.
     A slight rumbling came from the ground beneath his feet.  A deep,
sharp rumble which sent shivers up his spine and almost made his teeth
clatter.  His eyes automatically went to the Dom or Encant, but it
simply lay still in the same spot it had for eons.  His gaze panned
across the colorful rolling hills and up to the mountain tops.  He could
see disturbances in the snow which lay all those many kilometers up at
the peaks, which meant this was no isolated incedent.  
     It wasn't unheard of for the valley to suffer an earthquake, but
they rarely lasted this long.  He could see that the womanfolk at the
forest's edge were beginning to worry.  They began to cluster together,
as if safety in numbers came at all into play when the very earth
herself was meaning to swallow you whole.
     Then, he noticed a young girl running toward him, her basket full
of orange berries.  She almost instantly captivated him.  He could
remember her name was Liley from school, though he had never talked to
her personally.  Now, she seemed so innocent and fragile, a look of
worry and confusion marring her beautiful face.  
     Tolm found himself moving toward her.  All he wanted was to make
her feel okay again, any way he could.  She came up to him and stopped,
her chest heaving from the sprint.  She was very healthy for having made
the mad dash up the hillside, a good kilometers distance.  She had a
very atheletic body, just the way Tolm liked it.  
     He smiled at her and offered to take her load.  She returned the
smile and let him.
     "What do you think the rumbling is from?" she asked, worry plain in
her voice.
     Tolm shook his head.  "I have no idea... perhaps we should go back
to town and make sure everything's okay?"  
     Liley nodded and they both began to run back toward Thori, orange
berries marking their journey as they bounced from the all but forgotten
basket.  

--_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_--

     That had been only a week ago, and while the rumbling had stopped
as they set foot in town, his feelings for Liley had not faltered in the
slightest.  She was kind, caring, and beautiful... everything a man
could ask of in a woman.  She was also seventeen, having made it to such
an old age due to her standing in town.  No one touched the priest's
daughter unless he made it clear that he thought it was okay.  So far,
he had found no one worthy in his eyes, and people had begun to worry
that he might never do so.  
     Tolm didn't care what the guy thought.  Even if he was an active
member of the church, along with most everyone else in the village, he
didn't think the priest was God or anything.  If Liley wanted him, then
Tolm wouldn't let her father stand in their way.  If she didn't... well,
at least it would be *her* decision.  
     He closed his journal and began to pack up a sack for tomorrow.
His journey for the treasure would begin at sunrise, for he only had a
week before the festival, and that's when he planned to announce his
love to Liley.  After gathering the last of his materials, he settled
into bed for a good night's sleep.

--_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_--

     The stranger stumbled into town, her red hair full of twigs and
brambles.  Her smooth skin was crusted with mud and dirt, and her once
bright light red eyes were foggy and sported dark bags underneath.  She
came up to the first door the village had to offer and knocked on it.
It was light as she wasn't able to muster much strength.  
     Just before she was ready to pass out a light came on the window
next to the door.  The door itself was opened moments later, and she
found herself face to face with a curious older man.  
     "Yes, miss, can I help you?" he asked.
     All she could do in return was nod, then she fell into
unconsciousness.
END PROLOGUE
Well, that should set up the start of the story alright... if not,
please tell.  I know nothing much is said, but the base is needed for
what is to come.  Much more action in the next... as well as more reason
why the "Dark" tag is attached to this fic... it will get graphic.  This
is not a humorous Slayers fanfic, I'm trying at a more realistic drama.
I always saw Slayers as having more potential in this area, but I love
it the way it is too.  Anyway, feedback would be most appreciated, as I
said before this is mostly experimental.  
Thanks for reading,
PMasters   

"Never underestimate the Akogi hat!" - Caravan Kidd
"I don't believe this... Sailor Moon gets the handsome and mysterious
Tuxedo Mask, but I get a frickin' CAMEL?!" - Magical Drama Queen Roxy
(ie. the one good thing to come from Gen13)
"I'm only holding back the rain.  So many raindrops, so many pains.  I
want to find my train someday.  As seasons go past the station." - Tokyo
Babylon OVA 1
/ E-mail: PhilMasters@webtv.net /
"...has anyone ever used something alive for a coat of arms?" - The
Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (Mishima Yukio, 1965) / 
"You see, what you call a cat, we use as armor." - Rune (El-Hazard,
1994)