The Lighthouse

The towering lighthouse stood on the edge of the black sea, making its presence known to all, men and monsters. Reid kept the house, defending it, cleaning it, repairing it, and making sure its light shone on in the darkness. Most people saw lighthouses as a beautiful representation of a guide to safety, but Reid knew it was much more than that. The lighthouse also served as the first line of defense. Stormy nights came often, but the monster barely ever dared step near the coast. Reid knew they would make a move soon, however. The red clouds on the dawn's horizon made that certain. Shelves of glass jars filled with everything from fish scales to troll's toenails. Reid grabbed an empty jar and hurriedly stuck some broken glass from the kitchen window in, simultaneously using the shards to cut his finger and drip some blood into it. He barely winced, the existing scars on his fingers showing a long indifference to pain in his fingertips.He buried the bottle a foot under the surface of his garden. The simple protection spell would at least keep the lighthouse safe. carrying a large, broadsword slung over his shoulder, Reid locked the door and donned a thick chest-plate as armor, and made his way toward the shore. The broadsword was at least a foot taller than him when stood on end, but he had almost no trouble carrying it, or swinging it effectively for that matter, as it had been a major part of his training. The waves splashed up the storm wall, reaching far above the edge. The auburn tint to the sky ensured again the coming of The Ruin. Reid had fought off The Ruin before, he knew its game. Just as a wave splashed up above him, Reid leaped forward, falling into the waves below. But instead of succumbing to the black, raging seas, Reid stood atop them. His loose, open coat fluttered behind him wildly in the warm summer gusts of wind as he stepped forward, moving atop the waves.When he was a hundred yards out, a magnificent splash burst out of the waters before him, soon revealing a monstrous creature of claws and fangs. Its wings spread as if stretching as it let loose a tremendous cry of the nature of hell itself. Its claws ran deep with roots in its fiery soul and dark magic to match the darkness of the waters around it. Reid stood his ground, not flinching for a second. The creature was about to head to the lighthouse, but spotted Reid, standing on the waters, broadsword in hand. Reid lifted a hand toward the monster as it let out a roar once again, only to become muffled by the great splash of crashing waves Reid had sent upon the beast. It gurgled and screeched under the pummeling waters, white foam contrasting the navy sea. But the creature would not be stopped so easily. Reid sent another assault of great waves crashing against the beast as he jumped toward The Ruin's head, broadsword ready to strike. Just as he was coming down, the monster was swinging wildly with its wings and caught Reid in the turmoil, sending him crashing into the waves. The creature continued to swing wildly with its wings, futilely sending pillars of fire at the mountains of ocean, which were slowly calming as Reid slipped away from the fight into unconsciousness. The waves calmed to their simple stormy night reaches and the creature was finally able to pass through the waters and toward the lighthouse. Reid inhaled a bit of water as he woke, frantically swimming to the surface to catch his breath. The monster was halfway to the lighthouse when Reid broke the surface. He climbed atop the wave once more and sprinted across them like a battle horse galloping for blood and glory. Reid caught up to the tumultuous beast and swung his broadsword at its thigh, gashing it deeply so that bone was visible. The creature let out another stomach-churning cry as it swung about to face its enemy. Reid ducked under the waves to avoid contact from the massive wing the beast had swung around once more, stepping atop the surface and lunging at the monster's head for a fatal blow. The broadsword plunged into the creature's skull, sliding up to the base of the blade. Blood spattered Reid with a thick coat of oozing red, and the beast fell, plunging into the water below it. Reid tugged the blade free from the monster's head, struggling a bit from the pressure of the deep waters as the creature dragged him down with it. The sword finally came free and Reid burst out from the waves, gasping for breath. He dragged himself up to the shore and climbed the stairs wearily back toward the lighthouse. The fire at the top was slowly starting to burn out. As tired as he was, Reid had to re-light it. He stepped inside the house at the base of the tower and leaned his broadsword against the wall, it dripping blood on the floor and forming a rather large pool that would be a pain to clean later, but the light had to keep shining. The light burned on as Reid begrudgingly made his way back down the stairs and into the house. The rain still pelted the windows with a soothing yet disconcerting pattering. Reid fell into his bed, exhausted from his battle with The Ruin. His head swarmed with guilt and regret for having failed his mission once more. He hadn't cut out its eyes. Only once that was done would he be free of the raging seas, rising monsters of the depths, and the tiresome work of defending the only thing that mattered in his life. As he drifted to sleep, the deep red sky faded to a royal purple, which turned to deep ocean blue as the night passed. As Reid's eyes fluttered open the next day, the golden majesty of a safe, calm morning embraced him, refreshing his bones with light. But none of that light would last forever.