Exactly what the title suggests. Seeing as I don't have any more articles in me currently, and I feel like writing, I figured I'd have a go at this. Anyway, guess which card I'm referring to in this story. Shouldn't be too hard.
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The Dreaming
Pravus looked around at the city in ruins. They had come so quickly, the shadows. Under the cover of that unnatural red storm that still swirled overhead they struck, killing all in their way. Monsters born of a nightmare.
Just beyond one of the burning rooftops Pravus could see the top half of one of the largest creatures, a behemoth firing beams of pure energy from its fingertips, incinerating anything that lay in the beams path. It stood taller than most trees, and its flaming face leered like a grinning skull, lifeless yet malevolent. In the distance Pravus could hear the sounds of cackling Gargoyles as they went from house to house, tearing apart the occupants with unmatched enthusiasm. The city defenders had fallen quickly to waves of those Gargoyles, their arrows and blades unable to penetrate the rock hard hide of the monsters.
A growl caused Pravus to spin around on the spot. In the shadows a pair of glowing eyes leered at him. He started to run again, but it was too late, the Wulven was too fast. As the claws dug deep into his flesh he screamed in agony….
And woke up.
Shaking, Pravus looked out the window of his tenements. He had been having the same dream for weeks now. What could it mean? All he knew what that the dream had started once he had fallen ill with the same affliction that had been affecting dozens of people around the city. The flesh-change, people were calling it. It seemed that no medicine, no salves, no magic could halt the change. Even the greatest healers of the land were unable to stop the progression of the illness, so those infected were herded into camps to await their death. Pravus was still in the early stages, his skin has only just started to change, however he could see that even in the last few hours, the scabs had moved further up his arm. It wouldn’t be long before it would reach his elbow, then his shoulder. Those in the late stages had scabs covering their face and eyes, rendering them blind. Death followed quickly after as the scabs sealed their nose and mouth.
Getting out of bed, he donned his blue robe and ensured that his hands and arms were not visible. It wouldn’t be long before it was discovered that he was afflicted and sent away. Until then however, he wished to enjoy the freedom he had left, and that meant no one seeing his changing skin. He made his way out of the bedroom and the tenement, ensuring that it was locked tight. He made his way through the city slowly, enjoying the gentle moonlight as it played over the rooftops and the cobblestone streets. He nodded at the few people out at this time, most coming home from one of the many drinking establishments or brothels that were open all night.
Pravus stopped at the Three Monkeys, a rather notorious establishment, famed for the frequency and severity of its brawls, the busty waitresses, and the strength of its mead. Heading past the brick of a bouncer and through the open door, Pravus could see the bar was as lively as ever. Live music played as drunk patrons harassed the waitresses and each other, those few that still had most of their faculties were engaging in darts or tests of strength.
At one corner of the bar sat a hooded figure, quietly drinking a pint. As Pravus approached the bar the hooded figure turned to face him. He could see now that she was a young woman, lithe but obviously possessing of some strength. The first thought was that she was a warrior; however she lacked the trappings of one, wearing only simple black clothing. The only visible weapon was a small dagger attached to her belt. She stared at him, as though she was looking through him and into his soul. He could do little but stare back into those piercing eyes. After a moment, she stood up without a word and paid the barkeep before leaving. Slightly perturbed and more than a bit curious, Pravus followed her out.
“Hey!” He called as she walked away. If she heard him she made no sign.
Picking up his pace to catch her, he grabbed her arm with his uninfected hand. Reacting with blinding speed, she spun him around and pressed him hard up against a nearby wall. Pravus could feel the cold iron of that dagger pressed against the back of his neck.
“Don’t touch me.” She said simply.
“What happened back there?” Pravus replied, summoning as much defiance as he could muster.
“You are infected. You should be in a camp.” She replied.
Pravus paused. How could she tell when his infected arm was well hidden? “Are you a city guard? Are you going to take me in?”
“No.” She said simply. “Now don’t move, or else my blade will find your neck.”
Pravus stood still as instructed. He could tell she was staring at him, he could almost feel those eyes. It was a sensation unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
“Interesting.” She whispered. “Just like the others.”
“Others? Are you tracking infected people?” Pravus asked.
“Shut up.” She said sternly. “Now, I’m going to give you a chance, seeing as you have helped me. Leave now, or else you will die. I have to go and prepare.”
“Prepare? Prepare for what?” Pravus demanded. He could no longer feel the dagger pressed against his neck. He spun around to confront the woman, but she was gone. He looked up and down the street for a sign of her, but to no avail, leaving him confused about what just happened.
There he stood rubbing the back of his neck when the sound of lightning startled him. Looking up, he could see storm clouds approaching, tinted a vicious blood red. Realisation dawned on him. His dreams weren’t dreams, they were visions. He had seen the future, seen his impending death. The woman knew this, which was why she had fled to prepare. It was almost as though she had ripped the thoughts from his mind. He started running.
Pravus continued to run as the first lightning strikes began to hit. Rooftops burned and streets shattered under the godly forces. The sounds of battle filled the air, swords colliding, the growls of inhuman monsters, the screams of fallen soldiers. Pravus could see people running to their homes, or cowering in alleyways. Some of the beasts had breached the city walls now and were starting to massacre anything they came across. Pravus didn’t pause, running until he fell to his knees from exhaustion. All around him the city was burning.
Just beyond one of the burning rooftops Pravus could see the top half of one of the largest creatures, a behemoth firing beams of pure energy from its fingertips, incinerating anything that lay in the beams path. It stood taller than most trees, and its flaming face leered like a grinning skull, lifeless yet malevolent. In the distance Pravus could hear the sounds of cackling Gargoyles as they went from house to house, tearing apart the occupants with unmatched enthusiasm. The city defenders had fallen quickly to waves of those Gargoyles, their arrows and blades unable to penetrate the rock hard hide of the monsters.
A growl caused Pravus to spin around on the spot. In the shadows a pair of glowing eyes leered at him. He started to run again, but it was too late, the Wulven was too fast. As the claws dug deep into his flesh he screamed in agony....
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Originally Posted by Preybird
Fire Snakes are high in Vitamin D. 
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