Into Cursed Lands

“The road is long
Danger lies ahead
Through cursed lands
And far beyond you must go.

In the stone circle
Carved by the ancients
You will find what you seek
The power of gods”.

Heeding the witch's words
We continued our journey
Though a few hundred men
Swords hungry for battle.

Marching to their doom
Warriors clad in red
In spite of defeat
Souls ready for the fight.

Clouds gathered for a storm
As we entered the marshlands
A sky devoid of stars
An ill omen for sure.

Up they came from below
A throng of the deformed
Undead soulless warriors
Attacking without pause.

We had been forewarned
Yet truly did not believe
Until hordes were upon us
And men fell to the accursed.

A desperate fight commenced
Only a few blades
Striking well and true
Dealing everlasting death.

Immense their numbers
We were losing ground
Our last and only chance
A costly retreat.

Desperately falling back
Surrounded by the wicked
Slashing, tearing throats
Creatures from the netherworld.

Holding on for dear life
As my brothers died
Death all around me
Deafening screams filled the air.

Against a foe such as this
No mere man can prevail
Relentless and thirsting for blood
Minions of the blackened one.

Fought them through the night
On the verge of despair
Banners torn to shreds
Swords drenched in black blood.

Still far from defeat
Though many lay dead
Man and wretched beast
Side by side in the afterlife.

As lightning from a clear sky
The sun shattered the dark
Blessed dawn had arrived
To end this waking nightmare.