Dark Realms #0: Pilot

Dark Realms: Pilot
Word Count: 2997

Wincet was a master of magic and sorcery on a planet at the center of the galaxy. He was a tall lanky man with a bald head and a course gray beard. No one knew his real age but there were rumors that he was a least a thousand years old.

Wincet was a solitary man and he liked it that way. But his world was about to get a bit more crowded. He wasn’t intending for it to happen but the universe had other ideas.

The vision cave was near Wincet’s home. The cave is deep underground with an opening to the sky. The entrance was hidden by magic and only Wincet knew the spell to get inside. It was a larger high ceiling cave focuses the power of the universe.

Wincet sat on a boulder after sundown one evening in the Vision Cave. He looked up at the sky. He had a strange feeling as he looked up into the blinking stars. There were fewer stars than there used to be. He had a feeling that dark magic was involved somehow.

Wincet began to wonder if there was a thing he could do to fix it. He was a skilled master of all types of magic, after all.

Wincet knew he needed to hurry as he watched one more star blink out. He went to his work room and began to go through his books and scrolls to find the one spell that was going to be the solution to stop the spread of darkness throughout the universe.

Wincet had to go through most of his materials before he found the spell that he needed. The spell would bring a representative from the darkest worlds in the universe that was still full of light. He would lead these people to conquer darkness and bring light back into the universe. They would become his Dark Army.

Wincet gathered his materials and ingredients for the spell and brought them to the end of the bridge near the Vision Cave. He set up everything and waited until the sun was at just the right angle. One of the items he brought was a mirror. He needed the light from the setting sun to activate the spell.

The Traveler’s Bridge, as it was called, had a natural portal at one end that allowed the traveler to go to any planet in the universe. It is the perfect way to bring the Dark Army to Wincet.

Normally, it was a one way trip. Once you went through, you could never return. Wincet was reversing the portal to bring people to him. He was changing the nature of the portal forever with this spell.

Wincet mixed the ingredients in a cauldron at one end of the bridge. He set up the mirror to reflect the light into the cauldron. Once he had everything set up he held up his arms toward the other end of the bridge.


“Worlds of darkness I am in dire need
I ask for your light to fight the darkness
Send me those full of the brightest light
From the darkest worlds in your realms
To fight with light against the darkness.”


Suddenly, a mass of grey smoke appeared on the other end of the bridge. It started to swirl until it became a vortex of grey. It coalesced into a portal to bring the Dark Army to him.

“Finally! All I have to do now is wait for someone to show up.” Wincet sat on the edge of the bridge to wait.

Wincet had waited nearly three hours and nothing had happened. He got up and was just about to leave when someone stepped through the portal.

An android stepped through the portal and looked around. “Excuse me, sir. Where am I?”

“You are on a planet called Centra. I am Wincet. I have summoned you here. Where have you come from?”

“I have come from the sixth planet of the Metalis Alliance.” The android glanced back at the portal. “My commander sent me through this mist to see where it would lead.”

“Why would he send you, if he didn’t know where you were going to end up?” Wincet asked him.

“I am expendable.” The android looked upset. “I am an obsolete model. I was scheduled to be deactivated.”

“What is your name, friend?” Wincet had sympathy for the android.

“I am Borne. My model is …”

“I don’t care about your model number.” Wincet shook his head. “I just want to know if you would like to make a positive difference in the universe.”

“I will lend my assistance to you sir, if it means that I will not be deactivated. I am an android I can be helpful with many technical systems.” Borne seemed to perk up.

“That is a skill that I can use.” Wincet waved the android closer. “Come with me and we can get started.”

Suddenly, there was a scream and a small furry creature fell through the portal. He sat up and shook his head. He spotted Wincet and Borne. He looked confused.

“Where the knockers am I?” Nellis scratched his ears. “One minute, I was at the cantina and the next minute they are throwing me out into the street only I didn’t land in the street. I landed here. Where the knockers is here by the way?”

“You are on a planet called Centra. I am Wincet. I summoned you here. This is Borne. He just arrived as you did.”

“Summoned?” The furry creature jumped up to his feet. “What are you? Are you some kind of wizard or something?”

“Actually. I am.” Wincet grinned. “What is name and where are you from, friend. You know ours, we would like to know yours.”

“I’m Nellis. I’m from Caspire. How do I get back?”

“I’m afraid that the portal is one way at the present.” Wincet looked at Nellis and squinted. “You are a shapeshifter?”

“Yes.” Nellis shrugged. “It comes in handy sometimes. I get to hide in plain sight. It keeps me from getting pinched by the law.”

“You’re a thief!” Borne looked at Wincet. “He is a thief.”

“Yes. I surmised that.” Wincet grinned. “We will need his skills to save the universe from darkness. Sticky fingers might be helpful to obtain supplies on the different worlds where you will be traveling.”

“You want me to steal for you?” Nellis looked confused.

“I want you to help me bring the light back to the universe.” Wincet smiled. “Borne has already agreed to help me. Will you help me too?”

“Sure, as long as you keep me out of a cage.” Nellis scratched his head. “I will help you with anything.” 

“Good!” Wincet grinned. “We were just going to go back to my home to get you settled in.”

Nellis started to walk down the bridge to Wincet and Borne. “I hope you have something to eat. I’m starving.”

“OW!” A small faerie fell through the portal. She stood up and shook off the dust. She rubbed her hip and looked around. “What is this place? How did I get here?”

“He summoned you.” Nellis pointed at Wincet. “His name is Wincet and he’s a wizard.”   

“A wizard? Seriously?” The faerie rolled her eyes. “I was on my way to the old temple and I stumbled over a tree branch and landed here. Where exactly is here?”

“This is Centra. As he said, I am Wincet. I have summoned you here to help return the light to the universe. I am looking for people to battle the dark forces. May I count on your help?”

The faerie blinked for a moment and hesitated. “You want me to fight dark forces? Are you out of your mind?”

“Possibly.” Wincet smiled gently. “I believe you can help us. I feel that you are more than you seem.”

“Well, I am Dallys. I was just in the Forest near the old temple on the world of Gardara. I am just a fae but I will help with what I can.”

“What are your powers, Dallys?” Wincet asked. “The Fae have been known to have a range of abilities.”

“Fair enough.” Dallys nodded. “If I’m going to help you, you should at least know what I can do. I can enchant creatures and deflect most magic. I also have some knowledge of healing and herbal remedies.”

“Excellent! Borne, of course, wouldn’t need your assistance but Nellis here would.” Wincet waved her to follow. “We were on our way to get some refreshment.”

Dallys walked toward the others on the opposite end of the bridge. “I think I could use a good stiff drink.”

“I’m afraid that I don’t keep spirits on hand.” Wincet held up his hands. “I was never one for drink.”

Dallys sighed and shook her head. “I knew this was too good to be true. I guess I can have to deal with that.”

They had turned and started to walk off the bridge when there was a whoosh near the portal. They turned back to see a female elf in black leather brandishing a dagger.

“Where am I? What am I doing here?” The elf waved the dagger. “Somebody better start explaining what’s going on.”  

Wincet stepped forward. “My name is Wincet. I am a wizard and I summoned you to help defeat the darkness that is taking over the universe.”

“You’re kidding!” The elf looked angry. “You know if you had asked, I may have said yes but this is kidnapping. I know these things are one way so you need to send me back! Now!”   

“I’m sorry but the spell I used to bring you here, choose you for a reason.” Wincet took another step forward. “You seem to be a skilled fighter. We will need those skills and we could also use your elven magic.”

“What do I get out of this?” The elf pointed her dagger at Wincet. “I usually get paid for my services.”

“I can offer you nothing but the satisfaction that you are helping drive the darkness out of the universe.” Wincet shrugged, “What is your name?”

“I am Tona of the planet Tolkarian. I am a master of the warrior’s arts. I have worked as a mercenary for the last few years.”

“It is nice to meet you Tona. I’m Dallys from Gardara.”

Tona nodded to the fae. “You! Shapeshifter what is your name? And you android?”

“I’m Nellis from Caspire.” Nellis held out his hand in greeting but pulled it back when Tona glared at him. “It’s nice to meet you. I think.”

“I am Borne of the Metalis Alliance.” Borne looked at Wincet. “Is she the last one or are there more coming?”

Wincet thought a moment. “The portal should have closed by now unless…”

A man tumbled through the portal and nearly fell into Tona. He scrambled to his feet. He picked up a cane that had come through the portal with him. “Sorry Miss.”

Suddenly, the portal closed. Everyone looked at the spot where it was in surprise. That was the last thing that anyone was expecting.

Tona held the Dagger to the man’s chest.

“Whoa! I didn’t mean to.” The man put up his hands. “I don’t even know where I am or what’s going on here.”

“Who are you?” Tona asked.

“I’m Captain Jace Donalu. Where are we? What is this place?”

“This is the planet Centra.” Wincet answered him.

“Planet?” Jace looked around. “You mean I’m not on Earth anymore?”

“Yes.” Wincet held up his hands. “Just relax Captain Donalu. You have no reason to be afraid. You are here for a reason. Tell me. What do you do on Earth?”

“I was a police investigator in a place called London.” Jace looked at the others and frowned. “What kind of creatures are they?”

“Faerie. I’m Dallys from Gardara” Dallys waved.

“I’m Nellis. I’m a shapeshifter from Caspire.” Nellis pointed to Borne. “That’s Borne. He’s an android.”

“I am from the Metalis Alliance.” Borne nodded.

“Who are you?” Jace looked at the elf with the blade at his chest.

“I’m Tona. I’m a mercenary and an elf from Tolkarian.” Tona lowered the blade. “The old man is Wincet. He is the wizard that brought us all here to do his bidding. I assume since the portal is now closed that we are the entire army against the darkness.”

“Yes. That would be correct.” Wincet looked around at the faces looking at him. “Let’s go to my home and have some food and drink. We can talk more about what I am planning. I confess that I wasn’t expecting so many of you. There must be more worlds in this universe that are threatened by darkness.” 

“That’s just wonderful.” Jace gave Tona a wary glance as he walked to the opposite end of the bridge.

The group followed Wincet back to his home and took seats around the hearth. After Wincet gave them food and drink, they started to settle down. 

“Now that you have all had time to think and some refreshment, I’d like to talk to you about why I summoned you all here.” Wincet looked around at each of the people in the room. “I have noticed that the darkness is starting to overtake the all the realms of our universe. I believe that we can fight the darkness.”

“We can fight the darkness? Have you looked at us?” Jace motioned around. “We don’t look like we can fight a chicken.”

“What’s a chicken?” Nellis looked confused. “Why would we fight one? Are they evil or something?”

“No but they are very good when roasted with gravy.” Jace sighed.

“His people roast things.” Dallys looked at Nellis. “I wonder if he wants to roast us.”

“I doubt you would taste good, with gravy or not.” Jace chuckled.

“Let the crazy wizard finish, please. I, for one, want to know why he really brought us here.” Tona held up her hand to silence Nellis.

“I assure you that I am quiet sane for a man of my years.” Wincet was really wondering if he was sane at all as he looked at the strange collection of creatures before him. “Why don’t I show you what I have seen? Come with me to the Vision Cave and I will show you the darkness spreading over the realms of this universe.”

The group stood up and followed Wincet as he led them down the path to the Vision Cave. When they arrived, Wincet pointed to the opening in the top of the cave.

“There! There are fewer lights than there were last night.” Wincet looked at the others. “Will you help me bring back some of those lights in the universe?

“What you’re talking about is science not magic powers. The suns are dying that’s why they go out not because of magic.” Jace looked at the old man. “There is no such thing as magic.”

“My friend, you are wrong. Magic and science is the same thing.” Wincet grinned. “Knowledge is what gives both of them power.”

“So, if we agree to this then what?” Tona asked.

“You will become the Dark Army. You will undo the damage caused by magic, or science if you prefer, to bring hope and light back to the people of those worlds.”

“If we don’t want to do it?” Dallys asked tentatively. “Can we go home?”

“If you want to go, I will send you back where and when you came from but I want you all to sleep on the decision for now and give me your answers in the morning.” Wncet started to walk to the passage way out of the cave.

“I have nothing to go back to but deactivation.” Borne spoke up. “I will help.”

“I have no where better to be either.” Nellis looked at the others.

Dallys wrinkled her nose. “I’ll stay but only for as long as it takes to set things right.”

Tona looked at Jace. “Do you want to stay too?”

Jace shrugged. “I haven’t been able to make a difference where I live but if I can do it somewhere else then maybe…”

Tona sighed. “I guess I’m in too.”

“Good!” Wincet smiled. “We have magic, technology, battle skills, investigative know how, and … um… resourcefulness in our favor. Now we just have to find something for your first task.” 

Wincet looked up into the sky. “I know exactly where to send you first. We start in the morning. I need you all well rested and ready for anything. Come! I will show you to your rooms.”

They followed the wizard back into the house and to rooms. They all settled down to sleep.

Early the next morning, Wincet looked into the gazing globe in his work room and saw a familiar face doing exactly what he was trying to prevent, dark magic.

After breakfast, Wincet and the dark army assemble on the Traveler’s Bridge.

“I have your first task here. Follow these instructions to the letter.” He handed a paper to Tona. “You must complete this without getting caught. We cannot be exposed before we even get started.”

“Don’t worry. We will get it done.” Tona looked at the others. “If they fail, I will just kill them.”

“No killing!” Wincent held up his hand. “Just bring then back and we will deal with them here. Go. I will open the portal to the planet that where you will find one of the greatest evil wizards in the universe.”

Tona led the others to the far end of the bridge as Wincet held up his arms and spoke a spell to open the portal.    

“Good luck! Be careful!” Wincet watched as they stepped through one at a time. “You’re going to need it.”

The portal closes and Wincet looked up at the sky. “Hestrick will never see it coming.”