This is a book I am writing.
 

As part of the process of writing it, I will paint the characters of the book, places, clothes, weapons etc... This way I will both be able to better visualise the world, and improve my art and portfolio. 

 

Each painting here will also be given a short story, part of the book, or general lore. I would very much appriciate it if you read it through and tell me what you think:)

Max resolution here:

http://ibeenthere.deviantart.com/art/Feral-Nero-506200171

 

"Goodbye old friend" 

 

Nero whispered to himself as he stood atop the grassy cliff. It was midday when they finished the burial ceremony. The sun was high in the sky, though one might not notice this in the ever cold and cloudy land of Kronland. He could still see the events of last night, the battle, the deceit and the one act of loyalty and friendship that had saved him, but at what a cost.

 

Now, standing next to the few marking stones, looking at the flickering flame, "the soul flame" as the locals would call it when they lit such lights in memory and respect of their fallen heroes, Nero reflected on what had happened. He could see in his mind the fight, hear again the clashing of swords and axes, the rattling of armors and chains. He could see himself being overwhelmed by the red eyes, those monstrous darkly clad reavers of death. Two of them were fighting him as the third flanked him and was moments from skewering him, back to front, with his horrible red blade. Then, a cry of pain from the red eye, a flash in the corner of Nero's eye and a great bright shape looming over the dying body of his flanking enemy. As the two remaining red eyes staggered back from surprise, Nero took a quick glance and saw Light as he stood, snarling at the dying red eye. He was magnificent, with the body of a great white wolf and a mane resembling a lion, only glowing bright. Light looked back at Nero, almost smiling, pleased at saving his friend. Nero was starting to smile back at him, as suddenly a flash of red underneath Light stabbed him. Light bellowed with pain and fury as he sank his teeth into the red eye's neck, severing his head, than collapsing, bright purple blood covering the ground beneath him. "No! No, no no!" Nero roared as he ran towards Light, kneeling and hugging his great head, "No! Do not die! Please!" tears were running down his face, a salty taste on his lips, as Light smiled at him, his deep purple eyes looking peaceful and proud. He licked Nero's face, as if trying to sooth his pain, then slowly his head started to weight heavy and his eyes grayed, their light fading away. Light was dead. Dead because he tried saving Nero. Dead because of the red eyes. "Noooo!" Nero Howled, enraged, as he heard the two remaining red eyes, now recovered from their shock coming at him.

 

He could barely make out what happened next. He remembered the fury in his blood, the heat of it, he remembered the smell of blood from Light's body, the hatred towards the red eyes, and the fury. After that, it was flashes of blood, gore, rage and death. He tore through the red eyes, moving faster than any man should. Sword at hand, he easily avoided the first red eye's piercing attack and deflecting it with his empty right hand while spinning around and slicing the second red eye's helmet. Then, grabbing the deflected sword in his bare hand, he pulled it free rotated it and shoved it into the attacker's head, clearing both helm, flesh and bone. The second red eye, though dazed from the first attack was moving in with a second wind, jumping with a down stabbing motion. Nero side stepped letting the blade miss him by inches as he sent his own blade in a downwards slash, so fierce that he sliced both of the red eyes arms clear off. Then adjusting the blade's point he thrust it straight through the chest plate, sending pieces of dark metal chunks flying and piercing the red eyes heart. He was so strong, that he lifted him in the air as he did, dark blood oozing down his blade. He swung to the side, throwing the dead body away. More red eyes appeared, as if feeling the death and attracted to it like moths to a flame. He tore through them, slicing limbs, piercing plates, killing each one while never even feeling any pain or fatigue. He was rage incarnate, he was revenge and death and they were his hatred.

He could not remember how long did he fight, how many did he kill. Gork told him that when they found him, he was lying next to Light's body, unconscious but unharmed. He said that the hill was covered with dead red eyes. So many that they could not understand who had killed them all. Surely they did not all fall by Nero's hands, no mortal man can defeat so many red eyes, let alone survive it unharmed. But Nero knew. Inside of him, he could still feel the pain of loss, the misery of never seeing his best friend again, and just underneath it all; the fury, lurking, festering and waiting.

 

He stood there, on top of the cliff, shaking these thoughts away. He will have to tell Gork and Nissa what he remembered. He will have to deal with it and with his fury. But not right now, not today. Now was a time for grieving and paying his final respect for his first true friend in this land. He stood there, not moving, just staring at nothing, remembering Light, and holding back his tears. Eventually as the sun moved slowly across the cloudy sky, beams of light gleaming through the dark shadows above, he took a deep breath in. Then he knelt near the stones, and covered the flame with his hand, extinguishing it. He would bear the scar of it, as was the custom in this land, in memory of the one who saved his life. And he will fight on. Last night was a bloody one, a massacre filled with pain and death. But it is nothing compare to what he would bring down upon the rest of the red eyes. He will kill them all, or he will die trying.