A glimmer within the blackness.

[Saronsen]

"The only thing more dreadful than the claws and fangs of beasts, is the silence and darkness they leave in their wake." - Lexine

Lexine plodded her way down through the outskirts of Redridge, following the road into Duskwood. Her heavy boots kicked up small amounts of dust with every step, the metallic impacts echoing out into the dark of the night. She glanced up towards the sky, quickly being replaced by the dark canopy of the forest of Duskwood. Her eyes turned back down towards the road, silently scanning around her. Nothing to be seen. But yet, she was being watched. She could feel it, digging in through her back. But whenever she looked over her shoulder, nothing was to be seen. Perhaps they were just beyond the shadows, or maybe she was just paranoid. Regardless, she continued her march towards Darkshire, all without event.

That was uncommon.

[Saronsen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBagt6WBrhA

Lexine marched down the dark path through Duskwood. One step, and then another. It was the dead of night, in a blackness most would refuse to step into, as many fear what they cannot see. But she continued onwards, her eyes scanning her surroundings. Even with her years of experience fighting in the dark of the night, she had difficulty seeing.

The roads of Duskwood were dangerous at day. At night, they were a death trap. Those who traveled alone were always at risk of being attacked by the rabid beasts, the rampaging worgen, or the ravenous undead. At night, this likelihood greatly increased. And Lexine was one of the few who dared travel at night. But she had no destination. She marched to combat the evils that corrupted the land at this very moment. But something was wrong. She would hear how there was constant activity from the undead, the beasts. But where were they all now?

She stopped her movement, once more glancing around. As far as she could tell, nothing was there. She saw no eyes shimmering in the chance light coming from the canopy above. There was no movement. It was deathly silent, save for the wind.

But always, the presence behind her. The eyes staring at her back. The eyes always out of sight.

She turned on her heel, and headed back for Darkshire.

[Saronsen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkbpbN7Hoqg

For weeks, Lexine had patrolled Duskwood, thinking little of the haunting presence that always seemed to be behind her. For weeks she cleared the roads of any stray undead, or hostile worgen. But this night was different. Were her eyes failing? Was the black of the night so oppressive, she couldn't see her own hand on her outstretched arm? She grew more and more agitated as she thought about it.

At one point, all thought stopped. She drew her blade, and took a defensive stance. Something was with her. She didn't just feel it this time- She knew something was there. And she waited for it. Whenever the presence felt near, she would swing her blade and turn around to face it. Nothing. And yet, it would feel as if one had their face literally over the back of her neck. She could feel as if someone was slowly breathing onto her skin. Paranoia was her first thought. She had grown paranoid over the years, and she's simply having a breakdown of sorts. But what if she was wrong? What if some unseen beast was hunting her in this unrelenting darkness of Duskwood?

For the first time in several years, Lexine would be seen showing even the slightest amount of fear.

She left Duskwood that night.

[Saronsen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crNbOL3Wuyc

...

Deep in the woods of Elwynn, Lexine sat cross-legged, sitting straight upright. Her hands rest upon her knees, open and relaxed, and her eyes were shut. Every breath was slow, and deep. This was one of the few rare times she was not wearing her armor- When she was meditating, and praying. She wore a simple shirt, and cloth pants, cut off at the knees. If one was to ever find her in the depths of Elwynn, they would see what was under her armor.

Hands scarred with the flames of the weaponry she used. Scars across her arms and over her body. Reaching just beyond the sleeves of her shirt, there are tattoos, or perhaps runes imprinted upon her skin in a vibrant golden color. Here she sat, once a week, for most of the day.

In preparation, she simply does not eat or drink, and bathes twice the day before. And when she arrives, she simply crosses her legs, and remains there, meditating on the previous week, and praying to the Light. This begins at dawn, and often carries on into the night. This time was no exception, of course. The horizon was burning red as the sun sank down, giving way to the darkness of the night. It was silent around her, save for the insects chirping, and the odd bird calling into the night.

Perhaps it was just paranoia, that night. Duskwood is a dark, and evil place. Even the strongest willed may fall victim to the tricks it plays on ones mind. For the past two weeks, all was well. The presence that was there in Duskwood has not been felt since then. It made her chuckle, as she thought about it on her trip out here. She was scared of the dark that night.

How silly.

...

Horror. Bodies strewn around the ground, maimed, gutted, gored, eviscerated. Homes and businesses burning. Nothing was alive, but yet the very shadows were active, moving. They seemed to reach out for her, but yet they never approached. In a flash, everything turned red, and Lexine stood up with a start.

Nothing. It wasn't quite dark yet out. She could clearly see around her, so there was nothing there.

She stared down at her hands, which had began to tremble slightly. "Am I going mad? What is happening?" She watched her hands shake before she quickly shook her head, exhaling heavily. "...I am just stressed, is all." Is she just trying to convince herself of this?

Despite this, she replaced her armor quickly, glancing around the entire time, watching. Waiting.

Nothing.