A Lurking

A Lurking

The crystal keep in which I dwell
is an ever changing place. From the highest spires,
which seem so few, to the dark depths below
(often too many). The glow which emanates
from the very walls shifts from a blinding shine
to a malevolent darkness, with little notice. And,
as I so love those times when the light shines brightest,
I fear nothing so much as the blackness
which at times envelopes my home. For in that pitch shroud
the beasts and demons which stalk my keep are
no longer confined to the dark depths,
and the shades of grim pasts are tenfold more solid.
During these trying times my iridescent sanctuaries
are too often closed to me; just as, thankfully,
many of the dark lairs of beast and demon
are sealed during the light.
And of all these dark lairs none is so terrible
as that of the quiet Lurker. The black hole
in which this beast resides is piled high
with the corpses of once shining beings, the air
thick with ghosts, while demons stand guard.
The Lurker is the beast which I fear most,
for, unlike most other beasts, it is not awakened
on those days which blackness comes, but instead
awakens that blackness to its call. The Lurker
rises from its slumber, to quietly stalk the halls
of my home, preying on those things which, once made
by my hand, served instead of haunted me. It then drags
their once brilliant corpses back to its lair, that it may
know all their flaws, and thus use them against me.

And when that thick night falls on my keep.
All the ghosts which haunt, and all the demons that stalk
my home are the Lurker’s to command.
Glad, am I, that it is not so with the other beasts.
For against one or two beasts I have ever been victorious,
though the battles have been hard fought, but,
were more to unite against me, I would surely fail.
Strange though it seems, some of the other beasts rank first
among my weapons against the Lurker.
The great red wyrm called Wrath has prevailed
in several battles, as has the arrogant and corrupted knight,
first among Seven ancient beasts. Those few things I
have created which are too strong and bright to be destroyed
have, at times, driven the Lurker back to its lair,
as have some of my most shining companions.
Even those of my companions who are themselves
creatures of darkness have driven the beast away,
shaming it into hiding perhaps.
And thankful though I am for their help, I know
that someday I, alone, must face the Lurker
with naught but courage and my creations
against the terrible beast and its legions
of my demons. So I strive to prepare myself
for that tremendous battle, that my home may ever be
luminous, free of beasts and demons, and my many
ghosts laid to rest.