Aranée 58: Back from the Brink by NetWorthy
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
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Aranée returned to a completely changed world, one she little recognized.
She had not simply awakened to full consciousness. Rather, for weeks she had had moments in and out of clarity like a tiny boat pushed through a string of sunny islands by a raging dark sea. Sometimes her wake times had an oddly surreal dreamlike quality, and other times crystalline clarity and stark reality. Lucidity occurred more and more frequently until one day she just slipped into a somewhat regular schedule of listless wake times interspersed with fitful sleep.
She was startled to discover she was in the abandoned mountain fortress. Mubela and the others had found an intact portion of the crumbling structure and transformed it into a reasonably comfortable refuge. A part of her was very curious about this object of her previous attention - but her physical and emotional wounds prevented her from acting on it.
Galen... Galen was gone.
She had of course already known this, but the knowledge did not prevent a wave of despair from wracking her when they finally told her. The searing grief hurt far more than the savage wounds that severely injured her body.
Mubela and the others were very kind to her, but they could not fill the vast empty void within her. Amikas constantly hounded her to ambulate to hasten her recovery. But she hurt so badly from her physical wounds that she had no desire to move - and her emotional wounds made her not care if she ever recovered.
She had countless cuts and punctures to her arms, torso and abdomen; an arrow wound pierced her shoulder; and she had a deep wound from a heavy crossbow bolt in her upper leg. It was a miracle that no major vessels or vital organs had been hit, but she had lost an incredible amount of blood nonetheless.
And of course she had lost their unborn child.
Quiet tears spilled unchecked down pale cheeks.
Even that small part of him was gone.
--- TO BE CONTINUED!
View episodes in sequence for the entire story, links below.
Please leave a comment or suggestions, your words mean more than you can imagine...
Image and story © 2011 by Larry Hodge
Comments (34)
superbly done !
so sad...beautiful image and sad story my friend¡
Wonderful story ans moving art work!
NIce work on this beautiful scene and story Larry
Beautiful image and storyline. You really make readers feel for her!
A very sombre and atmospheric image and matched by your narrative. A lot of feeling in here - but I sense some light around the corner...?
excellent :-)
Gee. You are great at graphics. 5+.
Beautifully worked larry!!!
Marvelous scene!!!
Such sadness and sorrow, seems ashame one person has to bear so much at one time. I got tears just reading, but I'm rather weepy today anyway :/ Wonderful image, shows her solitude and pain. Wonderful chapter, even if it is sad. Yes, I'm one of "those" people who gets very involved in the story ;)
Stunning work on this beautiful image, love also your beautiful story my friend.
A very fitting depiction of the current event in this storyline. Very moving indeed. Wonderful story cannot wait to see what happens next! Please, please let Galen be alive!!!
Brilliant! Larry, this image is the perfect compliment to the story at this point. The symbolism of the scene accurately captures her depression and despondence. As usual, your writing is carefully crafted to give maximum emotional impact. We all knew this scene was coming, but you have delivered it like a full-out body blow. I salute your skill, sir!
beau travail!!
Story and image compliment each other and add to the intensity of the emotion
Quite serene. Lovely work. ")
WOW....What a gorgeous image here, fabulous lighting, in full screen is just perfect, amazing story! Congratulations!
This is just beautiful Larry, love the dramatic lighting.
Excellent image and writing. You have described her depressed state, with its accompanying apathy, very well. There is some hope in her curiosity about the mountain fortress. Hopefully, in time, that curiosity will be enough to rouse her and distract her mind from grief, at least enough to allow time to begin to lessen her pain. Beautiful image. The starkness of the room and her small size in it, are so appropriate for this moment, when she feels so alone. Superb lighting, that outlines her features, but keeps her mostly in darkness. Lovely work.
Nice work on the shadows and lighting!
Tragic and superb artwork to illustrate this tale... Excellent work...
Wonderful atmosphere and mood!
Fascinante obra e historia, ambientação excelente meu amigo, aplausos (5)
Outstanding scene Larry!!!Wonderful story with full of details!!!
Wonderful render and compotition, Larry. The atmosphere in the image, reflect the story, quite perfectly.
beautiful!
This is really a lovely atmospheric render and touching addition to your story!
stunning work!
very cool