The Changing

[DoS Archive]

Date: 1/19/1998 4:18 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Darkness2

Rand stood up in the light, done practicing for the day and was about to go home in the waning light when suddenly a shiver went down his spine. He quickly ignored it as though it had never happened and created the portal home.The next night when he opened the portal back to the world of Rhydin he felt a shudder wrack his body and he dropped to the ground. Later, not knowing how much time had passed, he awakened, the portal still open for him. He stood up shakily and quickly stepped through. That night he got his fill of dueling and met some friends, trying to forget his earlier experience.Days later Rand was on his way to his master to study on the use of the swords he suddenly found himself on the ground, he stood up and looked at himself, to make sure nothing had happened. Right away he noticed a reddening of his skin, his nails had grown longer and sharper, his teeth had grown larger also, and he had gotten taller. He went to his master then to ask what was happening."Master, help me!! What is wrong with me?!? Please, tell me!!""Calm down M'lord Rand, please calm down and let me consult the spirits."Rand was forced to sit down and wait for hours while his master meditated. During that time he practiced with his sword in order to calm himself. Finally he scowled at the length of time he had been waiting. He shoved his sword into its sheath just as the Master started."Oh my, oh dear!!" the master exclaimed as he came back."What? What is it?!? Tell me!!""The Changing is upon you!!""The Changing?""The Forsaken Ones have used their powers together to make you into the ultimate destructive force upon the Worlds!!""What?! What are they making me into?!?""They are making you into Darkness, the Demon of Death!""Who is he?""Hold on, I have a book that mentions his name I believe."Rand was forced to wait for about a half an hour while he heard muttering and scuffling from the back room. Finally the master came back in, holding a rather dusty book. He set it down on his table and blew on it, causing a cloud of dust to raise. The master opened the book and looked through its first few pages until he came upon its "Contents" page. It told of "The Demon, Darkness" on page 147. Quickly the master flipped the pages while Randwaited."Ahh!! Found it!" the master exclaimed as he came across the slight bit of print and the picture."I am going to turn into that?!?" Rand asked quickly as he saw the picture.The Picture showed a HUGE muscled reddish demon with large black horns on either side of his head. The demon had a black cloak that seemed to be part of him. The demon was also holding a large, barbed sword.The master started to read the words that went along with the picture, "The demon Darkness is the Demon of Death. He is a 12 foot tall demon with red skin and two black horns. He has a black cloak that is part of his skin but invulnerable to all weapon. The demon has a 9 meter blade that is named DARKNESS, it is said to have been made by the Evil One himself. The demon can only be killed when the Good One comes down to kill it.""I am to become that?" Rand asked again."Yes, I am afraid so," the master said in a downcast voice."I am not afraid," Rand said.