Well, here's my entry then!
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Absolution
The man awoke to darkness
Darkness so complete he wasnt even fully aware he was awake, at first. Then, a noise
Faint to begin, but slowly getting louder; a rhythmic beating sound that seemed almost familiar. Gradually, the sound increased, getting louder and louder so that it filled his mind with its steady beat, until finally, he remembered what it was. His heart; beating again after so many years of stillness.
With this realisation, the sound faded to obscurity and the man slowly became aware of other sounds. The soft sigh of his breath, the small gurgles from a stomach long without food. Then he became aware of other things. First smell, a foul stench, like that of flesh left to rot and decay; then came sensation. Pain at first, as the pressure of his body laid upon something which, though once soft, had hardened over the years to a painful rigidity. Then more subtle sensations, such as the chill in the air and the texture of coarse cloth against his decayed flesh.
Finally, with the return of his senses, came the memories. He braced himself against their onslaught, as he knew he must. They rushed through him, telling him who he was, why he was and finally, where he was. The memories awoke his emotions, and the strength of them tore a gasp from his throat, which turned into a scream, and the scream into a word, a name
Angelique!
The scream shattered the silence as it echoed from the walls, causing it to amplify and assault his newly awakened senses, making him clutch at his head in an attempt to still the sound. Finally, after several long seconds, the echoes from his scream faded, and the man slowly sat up, causing the shroud that covered him to fall to the floor. Unable to see but knowing where he was; he knew this place, hed awakened here so many times before he didnt need the light to see its features.
Then, before him, a pale light flickered into view. Gradually, it brightened to reveal the form of an ancient woman; gnarled and twisted with great age. Her eyes seemed to almost glow with malevolence, and she looked upon the man with loathing.
Once more it is time, my young fool... Time to seek your absolution in the world of the living.
The man looked up at her, studying her wizened features for a moment, before once more finding his voice, Again you torment me Angelique
Again you force me to face a world I know nothing of. Why do you continue to torment me? Have I not suffered enough for my crime?
Angelique looked over the once ruined form of the man as he continued to rise, watching his body straighten and the rotten flesh fall away as the magic regenerated his body to reveal a handsome and youthful man. Never enough, Marc La Barre, never enough. You know the price you must pay for your crime against me. You know what you must do to gain absolution.
Sighing, the man, Marc La Barre, stood and reached for the clothing he knew was beside him. With a resigned nod, he dressed and, collecting his bow from its place on the wall, stepped towards the door of his resting place.
Perhaps this time I will be free of you, old witch
Perhaps this time I will find the one who will release me from your curse.
The old witch, Angelique, turned to face La Barre as he moved towards the door. You know the rules Marc. If you find her, you cannot tell her of your crime against me, she cannot know of what you seek. It must be real, or you will not be free. You have but a year from this time to find your absolution, or face another century of pain and suffering.
La Barre reached for the rusted handle of the door before him. Havent I suffered enough for my folly, Angelique? Havent I paid time and time again for my arrogance and betrayal? Isnt it time to let me rest? To let us both rest?
Angelique shook her head, her eyes flaring with anger as her voice took on a harsh tone. There will never be enough suffering for you, Marc La Barre!. Only finding someone to love you for who you are can absolve you of your crimes against me; only that will free you from my curse, and allow us both to rest.
With a nod of submission, La Barre watched the old witch fade from view as she returned to the netherworld, then with a final sigh, he heaved open the door to his resting place, his crypt, and stepped once more into the world of the living, to begin his quest.
Wonder if THAT would make her move? 
