Halloween Workshop [>2000k prize pot]

I know I'm a judge, but I think I do actually fancy writing a small halloween story, my question is thus:

How long should it be roughly?

Not sure, read and find out.

My entry: I have a TON of revising to do and add much needed descriptive words. Oh, and tie this into Halloween someway.

Gwen: The Awakened Wrath

Chapter 1: Useless Memories

“It’s over, finally, that nightmarish hell is behind me. My name is Gwen, the only reason why I’m writing this is some Soldier named Vickers gave me a dairy to write in. He said it can clear my head after what happened. Writing about my capture only makes me angrier. Well, I since have nothing better to do until we move out I might as well start writing.

Gwen, age seventeen, mood, turmoil. I’m not sure if that is even a real mood but it fits me perfectly. The Charr slaughtered my home, I watched my mother die in front of me. My mom shielded me with her body, in return, I saw her get stabbed in the back. She in front of me and I watched the light in her eyes disappear. Ironically, so did the light for mine. I pulled the blade out her back and swung it around the group of Charr like a fool. The laughed, mocking me, at that point everything became a blur. All that I can recall is I manage to cut a Charr and they decided to have me as entertainment for a one sided battle. The only reason why they put me in an arena to fight to my death is because they enjoyed watching humans scared when they die. Monsters.”

“Gwen isn’t it? Have a drink.” It is a member of the Ebon Falcons, Keiran. He hands me a canteen of water with a generous kind of smile. Keiran seems really young, either it’s his brown unruly hair or hazel colored eyes that make me think he’s ten years old. I wasn’t thirsty or hungry. What I want to know what is going on, how did humans get so deep into Charr territory? Who are the Ebon Falcons? Just because I’m distorted a little from escaping the human imprisonment doesn’t mean I need a baby sitter.

“Keiran. Who are you?” I ask.

“I’m Keiran Thackeray of the Ebon Falcons.” Not the response I wanted, he just assumes I know who the Ebon Falcons are.

“Aren’t you a little young to be in a war?” I said in a rude manner.

“Not at all. I’m twenty.” Keiran gave an odd giggle. “Aren’t you a little young to be in Charr Territory.”

“You’re joking at a time like this?” I snapped back. I cannot believe this, I watched people die and right now these so called soldiers are, um, I’m so angry I can’t think properly, so I blatantly said. “There are innocent people dying. Why are you taking this so lightly?”

“Take it easy Gwen. We all know this, that why we’re risking out lives out here. Is something bothering you because you seem on edge.” This guy is a real genius; he figured that out all on his own.

“No, I’m fine, I saw everything I had, gone before my eyes and nearly lost my life. I’m just peachy.”

“Fine, if you don’t want to talk just say so.” Keiran storms off to a tent nearby. I look down at the journal, it’s pointless, I toss it at the ground. I’m going to cry. I don’t get it, all of those horrific events that I nearly died, I now cry when I’m safe.

“You know Gwen, you and I have a lot in common.” It is Markis, he’s in charge of the Ebon Falcons but not the leader. So I’ve been told, but it makes no since, how can you make decisions and not lead? He hands me a cloth to wipe my tears on, I didn’t take it.

“Common, why is that? How do you know anything about what happened to me Markis?”

“I’ve been clashing against the Charr a long time. Successful mission after successful mission places the Ebon Falcons number one on the Charrs most wanted, yet, even I sometimes feeling like our effects are just delaying the Charr invasion. I feel weak, frustrated and downed like you.” Markis draws a sword, holstered on his back, using the sword blunt as a mirror. “It is people like you that reminds me it’s something worth fighting for.” Markis sheaths his sword back and rejoins the Ebon Falcon members in a group, sitting by the campfire discussing what I’m guessing their next tactic. I reopen my journal and brush away the dirt on the cover and continued writing.

“After I was imprisoned by the Charr. I escaped the arena. Found my way out of a cave and fled. I encounter the Ebon Falcons.”

“This is utterly pointless!” I shout at myself. The soldier crowd at the campfire give me a weird look. I don’t care; I walk to the campfire’s fire and glare at the yellow flames. “The next thing I’ll burn.” I slam the journal into the flames. Red sparks slashed from the impact. “Will be the Charr.” I leave the group and return to sit on the ground, alone, again. The Ebon Falcon members stayed silent, unsure what to make of the situation.

“So terrorizing.” Says Keiran, leaning on the tents post with his arms crossed. “You know, Charr crave that attitude.” Keiran paces over to me. "They love watching humans squirm in turmoil and they’ll abuse that. Sending them to die in an arena. Even though you’re still alive, there are Charr out there, satisfied that your anger is ripping you to shreds.”

“How did you?”

“I’m a ranger, it’s my job to see keen details a mile away, looking over your shoulder to read isn’t much of a challenge. Gwen, I can see the fire from your eyes and I’ll be more than welcome to have you join the Ebon Falcons, just one thing.” Keiran reaches to his back pocket and pulls out a dagger, showing me the charred blade edge. “My brother came across a situation that he couldn’t handle, the anger that-”

“I get it Keiran.” I interrupt him and stood up. I swipe his brothers dagger from his hand. “It’s the typical, don’t get to angry or you will die, kind of deal.” I swing the worn dagger around, feeling its durability. Keiran very hesitant about me being so reckless, what a fool, a weapon isn’t something you should worry about breaking. Let alone, being broken by your ally. “You should dispose of this dagger Keiran, it will weight you down mentally and physically.”

“Stop it Gwen! It’s not just a keepsake of my brother.” I nearly slashed Keirans face with swinging around the dagger, but I did it did throw him off balance. “Listen to me, it’s a reminder. A reminder that we can never sink as low as the Charr.”

I laugh at his statement. “Are you dumb Keiran? Can’t remember such a simple thing as, cannot sink to Charrs level. No wonder your brother died, he’s as smart as you Keiran.” I fling the dull junk over my shoulder. That did not bold well with Keiran, he tackles me, my back slams on the ground. I punch Keiran in the nose then flip him over. I was going to hit him again but I was interrupted.

“Stop it you two! Save the fighting for the Charr.” The Ebon Falcon member pulls me off of him and holds me back; Keiran brushes the dirt off his pants and gave me a mean glare. “Gwen isn’t it?” Says the female Ebon Falcon, obviously a ranger with her leather attire, she has icy blue eyes and blonde hair. With a part of her hair braided there’s a flower to hold the knot. Trying to look classy in a war, such a clown.

“Yes, and you are?”

“Officer Tzunedaine. You can address me as officer Tzu or just Tzu. Gwen if you wish to continue to have the Ebon’s Falcon protection and hospitality I suggest you behaved yourself.” I roll my eyes, I know that Tzu.

“Officer Tzu? We’ve decided who the officers are?” Keiran comments.

“Correct officer Keiran, but as my star student I suggest you to get your act together. Don’t make me regret my suggestion for you as officer to the others.” Officer Tzu scowls at Keiran.

“I made officer! Yes! Officer Keiran!” He shouts, seeming to ignore her.
“Keiran.” She responds, grabbing his attention.

“Oh, sorry officer Tzu I will behave.” Keiran assures joyfully. I cross my arms, holding back the urge to kick his butt and his ego to the Charr Homelands.

“There is one last important thing we must do before we head off tomorrow. Keiran come with me and you too Gwen, as this also concerns you.” We brush off from the fight and join the group of Ebon Falcon members by the campfire. It is a tight fit to have everyone by one fire, but they left two open seats for me and Keiran, next to each other. I decided to stay standing.

“Now that we’re all here, there is something I must address.” Markis begins the opening speech. “For a while I’ve been in charge of the decisions for the Ebon Falcons, but not an official leader. Many of you voted for me to be the leader and I’m grateful that you trust my abilities.” Markis takes a deep breath. “However, I’m leaving the Ebon Falcons.” The soldiers, shocked by this didn’t say a word. Just a few gasps of shock, Tzu however, slowly spoke up.

“Why Markis? You’re an excellent ranger and leader. We trained together for Balthazar’s sake.”

“Exactly, I trust your abilities, the Ebon Falcon leader, Tzunedaine Fouil.” The group still remains silent. I can see Keiran’s eyes open wide in surprise.

“With all due respect Markis.” Says Tzu. “Why are you leaving?” Markis walks around the fire, hands behind his back and begins explaining.

“This war has been a stalemate for way to long. No, we have been losing despite all of our successful efforts. I am leaving to Lions Arch and see if I can get any help from the White Mantle. The other idea is, they have these allies they call the Unseen Ones. It’s rumored they have godlike powers.” Markis stops walking and finishes his statement. “I will be back, but when I return I’ll bring either a White Mantle army or these Unseen Ones.”

“Markis, it’s a good plan, but I can only be leader for so long. I'm also leaving.” Says Tzu.

“What?!” Keiran shouts.

“I’m sorry Keiran, but I’m leaving to the north. I have unfinished personal problems that cannot be ignored. I will return, but not sure how long.” Keiran stands up and questions.

“But, who else will lead while you’re gone?”

“When you’re ready, you will lead the Ebon Falcons against the Charr. For now I will lead the Ebon Falcons. You are a very skilled ranger Keiran, whose Marksmanship abilities is a force to be reckoned with.” Gwen rolls her eyes at the inane, student, teacher moment and decides to speak up.

“You’re leaving the Ebon Falcons, a rag-tag team of soldiers, behind Charr lines, for personal problems? Oh, oh, I shouldn’t worry; we have a teenage ranger who will lead us to our doom.” The group gives me a scorn look, yet no one argued against what I said. We were all thinking the same thing, even Keiran, just stood there dumbfounded. I continued, but I changed my tone from sarcasm to rage. “We can’t win battles by fighting. The only way to win battles and win this war, is to massacre our enemies, if we fight, we die.” I point my figure at Keiran. “I have never seen a sorry bunch of soldiers. Whining about two members leaving, it’s sad enough to cry. Go ahead; cry a river over this drastic moment. While we have a river of tears, the Charr have a river of blood, our blood, the blood of the people we care, protect and love.” I storm off, not staying to hear anymore, they know I’m right.

I know now why we are losing. The real reason is we have too many weak soldiers like them and me. Me on the other hand, I won’t be at their fighting level, I can’t stay weak. I’m going to train, by myself if I have to, and kill as many Charr as possible.

Keiran solely approaches me with a sad look. He’s broken by what I said. “Listen Keiran, I don’t care about the Ebon Falcons, Ascalon or this war. All I care about is killing as many Charr as I can with or without anyone’s help. I don’t care if you kick me out, I don’t care if you hate my guts because everything that happens here is just a useless memory.” Keiran, looks down at his feet and says.

“Gwen, can you join the Ebon Falcons?” This is a shock, I just insulted around twenty and thirty people, did I hit the nail on the head or are they all insane? Keiran had a tear go down his face, dripping to the ground below. I knew I was mean, but I made Keiran cry? Amusing, I should be happy, but then again, I’m not.

“What? Is the Ebon Falcons in need for soldiers? Stop crying, it’s embarrassing.”

“My brother….” Keiran takes a deep breath to hold back crying. “Was ordered to finish off a wounded Charr and….” Another pause. “The wounded Charr saw my brother hesitate and killed him first. He died on my twentieth birthday last week. It… could have been avoided if… if he was as dark as the Charr as killed him. So I swore... Not to sink as low as... killing a foe that doesn't want to kill you.” Wow, now I feel like a complete jerk. Keiran looks up at the cloudy sky; tears ran down his face, just like rain. "I couldn't be more wrong."

“Keiran, don’t put too much thought into anything I said, I’m just angry and I say things I don’t mean, mostly anyway.”

“But your right Gwen. We’ve been taking out small platoons of Charr, some sabotage here and there but it’s never enough. For a group of soldiers on the Charr most wanted, and yet we have only been doing small missions. It’s proof that we are getting slaughtered in this war.” Keiran looks at me, his sad hazel eyes turned very serious. “We won’t be moving out till much later tomorrow. While everyone is organizing the leave of Markis and discussing other matters, I have a special task only for you and I.”

“What’s the task?” This sounds deviant, not that I’m complaining.

“There is a Charr training ground not too far from here. I want to destroy it.” What the hell? Who is this Keiran and where is the real one?

“Um, that sounds.” I can’t figure out what to say to Keiran, other than, “Good? The idea feels like, um, it sounds.…”

“Something like a Charr would say.” He finishes my thoughts.

“Alright, I’m in, just one small problem. I’ve just recently been taught the arts of the Mesmer. By recently, I mean this morning, Keiran, are you certain you want me to come?”

“Yes. In fact, your objective is simple one and you are the only one that can do it.” This sounds a bit surreal. Why only me?

“And my objective is?”

“Kill all of the Charr children.”