In the town, shadows moved and swayed with evil intention, macabre and grotesque creatures lurking along the dark alleyway, each lurching with an inhuman gait as they hunted for food.

Long dormant they rose from the fecund ground, the Lord of Nightmares called to them, urging them to rise. 

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Ghoukas ripped the air with a cruel laugh as two creatures moved towards him. They appeared as translucent beings of shifting darkness, their powers as potent as ever. The swirling miasma of lights flowing from the eyes of the great beast changed from the red-orange to a brilliant blue then a violet. Swirling around him the winds roared and a peel of thunder echoed around the landscape. 

[b]“My grief, my fright…”[/b] the cascading hues changed again, the violet morphing into a glaring red, [b]“My sinister, my unspeakable reach….” [/b]Before Ghoukas finished a great snarl escaped his black lips. His great head twisted, the twin-protrusions seemed to slice the very air itself. Massive clawed hands clenched and unclenched, a growl, bestial in nature rumbled from the chest of the Lord of Nightmares.

With a wave of his hand, the hellish winds ceased their movement, all sound stopped, only the deep, horrific growl continued. Without looking at his minions, the living nightmare stepped down from his dais, the cloven hooves causing the ground to smoke and smolder, one hand pointed to the far horizon, the other grasp the great black handle of his club. 

[b]“They have come…The believers have arrived. I can feel their strength…their power…”[/b] The great miasma of lights flared as the Lord of Nightmares focused on his minions, [b]“Our armies were conquered and fell in the end. ‘Lo so I have lain in the dark prision of the Dreamers, vast new worlds have sprung to life, their glory a mockery. Their gods fallen none have succored them, and they have become complacent. It is now our dark light that they will awaken too, there will be no forgiveness.”[/b]

Pulling the mighty club from the scarred and dying ground, the gleaming cylinder dripping with a black viscous liquid; it was the hatred that burned in Ghoukas, manifest as a deadly poison. When he spoke again, the sound that emanated from him held an absence of emotion; it was a chilling command to his minions, [b]“Their forests and deserts. Their rivers and seas, their mountains and valleys…nothing shall remain. You are the hand of destiny; you are to unleash your darkest desires, embrace your dark sins, the song of sorrow is your macabre music now.”[/b]

Slowly the great beast, the Lord of Nightmares lifted the wicked rod and pointed it in the direction of the small village, [b]“Their saviors stand before you, they stand against your power, such heroes will turn the worlds against you if they are allowed to gain their strength. Let this end, let their worlds lament their passing, let them fear the Darkness that descends upon their light. I loosen you my dogs of war…”[/b]