Black Moon Draw

The purple haze was visible the moment he turned down the long corridor leading to the tower entrance. Still, he did not stop, too aware of time slipping away. The Shadow Knight reached the door, breathing hard.

The source of the curse, of evil, of the destruction of his realm lay behind the door. The hallway was colder than the ocean air, the fog dense enough it was difficult to breathe. A thousand years culminated in this moment. His body pulsed with raw energy, his teeth clenched hard enough for his jaw to hurt.

He placed his hands on the door and pushed.

It did not budge.

Bending, he nestled his shoulder against it and tried again.

No movement.

The fury and frustration building in his body erupted. The Shadow Knight smashed into the door over and over, first with his shoulders, fists, and feet, and then with his axe and sword

Neither weapon nor body left so much as the tiniest scrape and the door remained locked.

"What is the secret?" he roared into the air, fear at his core again. "I am not afraid to face you!"

Silence.

Shaking with emotion and exertion, he stared at the door, his sense of doom creeping over him.

He could not fight an enemy he was unable to confront.

A thousand years and it ended here, a scrap of magical wood preventing him from saving his realm.