The shadow isles; a late story about the Harrowing

Many years ago, long before Shurima was swallowed by the desert; before the firsts tribes settled in the north; before the Wanderer Caretaker first looked at our world; there was a place where humans and spirits lived along with each other. This land was surrounded by the seas, and a kingdom thrived in this land. The kingdom had been there for many centuries, and it seemed it would remain there forever. The kingdom had a king that wished his land would last for many generations. The king was a very proud man, who wanted everyone to see his kingdom, and wished to expand beyond the seas that surrounded his island.

One day, an oracle arrived from the mainland. The oracle was old, and wandered the land for most of his life. When the king heard the news that an oracle arrived at his island, he ordered that the oracle should be brought unto him. Once the oracle was on his palace, the king wanted to presume his beautiful land. "This kingdom has thrived for many generations, and it will last for many more. "There's nothing like this in the mainland", the king said, with a big smile on his face, "I know we will last forever, but I want to know what you say, oracle". "This is a beautiful land, sir. The spirits flourish along with the people, and I know this kingdom is ancient" the old man said, with small coughs every now and then. "However you land won't last forever". When the king heard this, the blood left his face. "You say nonsenses, old man!", yelled the man, "This kingdom will last forever, and you will be remembered as the poor man who doubted it". "My king, I speak truth, your kingdom will be on ashes before the next full moon" said the old man, "I can see it as clear as we can see the sun". When the old man finished talking, the king ordered his arrest. The guards quickly aprehended the oracle and dragged him away. "Bring me my war council, I must speak to them!", yelled the king.

When the council was together, the king cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, I need you advice", he said, while the council was silent, "An oracle came from the mainland, as he dared to tell me that our land is doomed". The council started speaking with each other. "The oracle proclaimed that my kingdom will burn in ashes before the next full moon". The council started arguing with each other. "That's nonsense!", said one; "He's lying!", said another; "Why should we believe him?", said the elder one. "I don't", said the king, "However, I want you to think how can we prevent whatever could happend". "But what will happen?", said a counselor. "I do not know, because I ordered his arrest before he could tell me, and I won't ask him, as it would mean I believe his lies". The council was confused. They had to prepare for something they didn't know. "Maybe is a storm!" concluded some; "Maybe is a rebellion!", exclaimed another. The elder counselor stood up, and looked around. "My lord, I do not believe this, but I think that the obvious explanation is that the mainland is preparing to attack us!, it's the only thing we are not prepared for!". The whole council went silent. Nobody believed that. "It is the obvious explanation", said the king; "But how do we prepare against a war?". "Sir, we only have one option", said the elder counselor, "We need to use the forbidden magics, it is the strongest weapon we have". "That could destroy our kingdom!", said the king. "It will be destroyed, if we are not prepared!". The king remained silent for a couple minutes, while he was thinking. Finally, he stood up to give a resolution. "We forbid the use of that magic, as it is unnatural, and dangerous; however, we have no other option" said the king while he was walking around the room, "Tell the mage council to use the magic, however, warn them to use the necesary to reinforce our army". Then, he dismissed the council, fearing that the destruction of his land could be near.

The mages of the kingdom received the order to tap into the dark magics. It is a forbidden power, that allowed the dead to roam the land. The magic was extremely dangerous, but it was also extremely powerful. Under the command of the king, many graveyards were partially emptied, and the remains of those who founded the land, were infused with a magic so powerful, the land shuttered. Hundreds of living corpses arose from the dead. However, they were no more than slaves under the command of the king, who was convinced the corpses were enough to protect the kingdom against the mainland. The king then ordered the oracle to be brought unto him once more. "You spoke lies; however, your lies made us realize the weakness of our kingdom; now even the dead will fight for us, and die for us, once again". The king was clearly sattisfied. He proved his kingdom was indestructable. "Your highness, you dared to disobey the nature will?, for what?, save your kingdom?, this land is doomed, and so are you; your foolishness have done nothing to protect this doomed land; leave while you can, and be sure to set this whole island in fire while you are still alive". The king was furious; as nobody had ever talked to him like that. "Guards!", he yelled, "execute this outsider, make sure he never sees this land he has cursed". The guards quickly took the oracle, and took him to the dungeon, where he was beheaded.

The king was in panic. His land was still doomed. "The attack of the mainland must be thousands oof times bigger than what we expected", he thought. "The undead are not enough to protect us", he told to himself, "the spirits that roam this land must fight along with us in order to protect the kingdom", he concluded. He ordered the mage council to force the spirits to join the fight. "My lord, the spirits are peaceful beings; they helped us to build the kingdom, but they won't fight for us", sayed the head of the mage council. "Then force them to do it!", exclaimed the king, furious, "those things live in this land just as us, so they must fight; it's an order!". "They won't fight, it's not their nature!", said the head mage. "Then infuse them with the dark magic, that way they will follow my orders". "That will destroy our land", said the head of mages, trying to convince the king, who had already lost his head to the paranoia. "I gave you and order, or should I get a new head of mages?", proclaimed the king. The head of mages had no other option. The dark magic should be freed once again. He performed an ancient ritual, that could infuse the spirit beings with a corrupting magic, converting a peaceful spirit into a savage being. In less than three days, the once beautiful land was completely changed. The souls that once lived in peace were now wretched spirits. The beautiful land was now completely destroyed, as the balance was broken. The nature no longer had power over the islnad, as nor spirits or dead followed the circle of life. The land was deformed beyond recognition.

The king was scared of what he had done, but he was sattisfied. "This land is now indestructible; no army will be able to attack us", he whispered to himself. "That stupid old man was wrong", he tried to convience himslef. He then sat on his throne, now surrounded by shadows, as the sun now refused to shine unto the island. The whole island, once a place were life could prosper, was now a place were death roamed freely. Everything and everyone that once dwelled in the island had left long ago. But those who didn't were quickly killed by the undeads that snapped out of the controll of the mages decades ago. No life could move forward, and no spirit could be in peace. Thos who didn't die were corrupted by the dark magic, both humans and animals. The land was now dead, and it was the king's fault. The king who is still sitting on his throne, still waiting for the mainland to attack his island. Still waiting to prove that his kingdom will last forever. And, in a certain way, it will, as no living being will ever get close to the land. A place where the shadows thrive, and its ruined king is still waiting, with a legion of death and shadows, to attack those who ever get close to the island. And once a year, during Harrowing, when the moon is full, the Rruined King commands his legion to leave the island, to fight a war that never came. To prove that his kingdom would never end.

Thanks for reading, and sorry if this story is late, bad or too long. This is my first story, and if you want, I could write a few extra stories. BTW, sorry if this is the wrong part of the boards to post this