《Right as Rage》


 Arc 1. Chapter 1

    The cool autumn air was of little comfort to Vakdragnar as he stormed out of the Guardhouse. His throat felt ragged from the interrogation. It wasn¡¯t as though he was expecting the city to welcome him with a parade, but damn, a smile would have been nice. The city guard had evidently come to the conclusion that he came to Tirough with dark intentions. That couldn¡¯t be further from the truth as far as Vak was concerned. Vile influences perhaps necessitated the flight from his home and tribe, but his only intention was to try and do some good where he could.


    He tried to take a moment to breathe in the cool air. He knew he was allowing himself to be worked up over the indignity of hours of probing questions. When he was finally released they had been very specific about his permission within the walls. He was not to cause trouble, and he was not to be anywhere near trouble should it spring up entirely outside his control.


    So, losing my temper at this moment would be a poor decision, he thought.


    The indignation he suffered was easy enough to get over. He understood a place had to be wary of outsiders; that the axe he had brought with him was dangerous. He left it freely, if it meant he was upholding the peace. Next they had demanded he change clothing. He now wore a long, bright orange sleeved shirt made of an inferior cloth. It chafed as he walked but they¡¯d been adamant that he couldn¡¯t go around town shirtless. He felt like he stood out, even walking in the dark.


    He let out a held breath as he rounded a corner; avoiding a small mound of trash littering the cobblestone street as he did. The city had been quite hard to get into, and Vak was certain it was not worth it. The walls bred indiscretion, crime.


    People are walled off from their neighbors. How can they have a community when there are such permanent barriers impeding them? How long before your neighbor is no longer part of us and starts to be a them?


    Vak wasn¡¯t sure he was making a lot of sense, the concept was hard for him to put into words exactly. It just felt like everyone was isolated, separate, and certainly no community.


    He turned a final corner to find his destination up ahead: the Flame¡¯s Fondness. A tavern where Vak could find work. He¡¯d been told he needed to find a job this evening or he would be ejected from the city. That suited him fine, his intent was to make an honest living here.


    The Flame¡¯s Fondness was not a large tavern, nor was it especially clean. Its food was far from the passable, and its drinks had a reputation for being watered down. Vak tried neither, as he had no currency to his name; just the ugly shirt on his back. Despite all this, Vak¡¯s mood lightened as he entered the premises. To Vak the tavern was wondrous. He¡¯d never been in a tavern before and found that the stories he read did very little to capture its presence.


    The room was crowded to the point of standing, the tables and chairs had been abandoned for a few hours now as most patrons were three or four drinks in, at least. Everything smelled like sweat and beer and the air had a stale quality to it, but the people made up for all that. The people were lively and so diverse. He looked around the room and saw one hundred different people with one hundred different stories. He wondered how much time he¡¯d need to speak to so many and hear their tales. It would have to come later, for now there was one man he needed to speak with first.


    He pushed his way to the front receiving very strange looks from everyone. Some stepped out of his way, others intentionally blocked his path while posturing. Vak had no interest in starting any altercations, so he apologized and went around.


    While the other patrons actions weren¡¯t welcoming, neither were they threatening, at least not to Vak. Most of them were a head shorter than Vak and nearly all of them drunk enough to affect their ability to defend themselves. Still, it took him a few minutes to get his way up to the bar.


    ¡°What¡¯ll it be stranger?¡± The balding man behind the bar asked. He had a long braided beard and while his belly hung below his belt, his eyes had a sharpness to them that Vak liked.


    ¡°I am called Vakdragnar, and I am looking for work.¡± Vak replied. The bartender shook his head pointing to his ear, so Vak repeated himself louder.


    ¡°Ah, good to meet you stranger. I¡¯m Rowland Flame, I run this colorful place. Well, we¡¯re pretty busy tonight. I could give you a few coppers to take some drinks to some tables.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Vak said adamantly and then had to remind himself he was the one begging for work. He quickly added; ¡°No, thank you, I am looking for more¡­ dangerous work.¡±


    ¡°Oh, a Dungeon Crawler?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°An adventurer, someone seeking fame, wealth, or powerful items thought lost to time.¡±


    ¡°I want to be a hero.¡± Vak told him, voicing his dream for the first time out loud. It happened like a reflex and he wished he could take back the embarrassing words as soon as he said them. He considered that he sounded like an absolute fool. A small shame squirreled its way into his gut and Vak thoughts immediately went to his father. He would have laughed at Vak had he ever told him his wish. The bartender pointed to his ear again and Vak, very relieved, replied, ¡°Yes, an adventurer.¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know about any lost artifacts near Tirough. Most of the places around here have been picked clean by different parties. But how are you at Missing Persons?¡±


    ¡°I am skilled in tracking, i think this would not be a problem.¡±


    ¡°Perfect! my waitress never showed up to her shift tonight.¡±


    ¡°Does she neglect work a lot?¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°No. Girl never misses a chance to collect tips. I¡¯m worried something¡¯s happened to her.¡±


    ¡°What can you tell me about her?¡±


    ¡°Her name is Nina Hale. A clever girl, far too clever to be working here in this place. She¡¯s about this high.¡± Rowland added indicating with his hand that she came just below his nose. ¡°She¡¯s got curly hair down to her shoulders.¡±


    ¡°Color?¡±


    ¡°Depends.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well she¡¯s been getting into this dye trend that¡¯s been going around town. That new Alchemist, Wither¡¯s her name. She¡¯s been trying to drum up business by selling the local kids this sludge that makes your hair all sorts of crazy colors.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ see¡­ well what was her hair color the last time you saw her?¡±


    ¡°Blonde er well Brunette, Kind of one fading into the other. It''s hard to explain.¡±


    ¡°And when was this?¡±


    ¡°Last night when that good for nothing boyfriend of hers picked her up.¡±


    ¡°Boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Oh sure, new guy, kinda swarmy if you ask me. I mean he just happened to be waiting around to walk her home? Give me a break! He¡¯s trying to wear her down, mark my words.¡± Rowland said leaning in conspiratorially.


    ¡°No, I mean, does he have a name, a residence within the city?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah its Destin Huxley, he¡¯s the baker''s son, you¡¯ll find him just down the road, but they¡¯re closed for the night.¡±


    ¡°And anything else about Nina, her age, and an address I can start my search?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s going on seventeen now I think, damn time surely does fly. She has a place down by the dock. I¡¯ve been trying to convince her to move up closer to the guardhouse but she says she likes the sound of the ships coming in.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I think I have enough to go on.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯ll look for her?¡± Rowland asked relieved.


    ¡°Certainly.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you. I¡¯ve got ten gold for you if you bring her back safely.¡±


    ¡°Wait a damn minute, Rowland!¡± A strange woman dressed entirely in red robes said interrupting. ¡°Are you cutting us out of a job?¡±


    ¡°Cassie! I didn¡¯t mean anything buy it. I figured this was too small time for you.¡± Rowland told her.


    ¡°Well, we have first refusal rights, and I¡¯m invoking that right on behalf of Shattershade.¡± Cassie told him. ¡°Nothing personal, big guy.¡± She added brushing back her short orange hair and offering Vak a wink. ¡°Ten gold is ten gold.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­ Thank you. Tell Braid he has my deepest appreciation.¡± Rowland grovelled.


    ¡°Not to worry. We are here to help the people after all.¡± She told him dismissively.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Vakdragnar.¡± Rowland said. ¡°It¡¯s just they¡¯re Shattershade. They¡¯ve done great things for this town, and if Nina is in trouble I don¡¯t want to leave things up to chance.¡±


    ¡°No apology necessary.¡± Vak told him with a small nod. He walked away from the bar defeated. He truly meant it, though. While Vak wanted to be a hero he knew that in the bartender¡¯s place he¡¯d likely make the same call. Vak was unknown, and it was hard to trust in what you did not know over someone you did. He¡¯d walked out the back door of the tavern in search for a place to be alone. Despite this tavern being a big stone prison, it seemed it did not have a mensroom.


    The alley was empty and so Vak leaned up against a wall to take a piss. He replayed the conversation over in his mind allowing himself to feel foolish for thinking he could walk into a bar like the stories and start his quest to be a hero. Of course real life didn¡¯t work like that. For the second time in an hour a small shame knot appeared in his stomach. He breathed out trying to calm the irritation when he felt the sharp prick of a knife in his shoulder blades.


    ¡°Listen here, chump. All those muscles and your height don¡¯t mean a damn when you have a knife pointed at your back.¡± A low voice said from behind him. Vak tensed and immediately felt the knife pierce his back just a bit. ¡°Now, now.¡± The voice chided. ¡°Don¡¯t get any ideas There are three of us and one of you, and all we want is your money.¡±


    ¡°You must be a very poor thief.¡± Vak told him.


    ¡°What in the hells did you just say?¡±


    ¡°A smarter cutpurse would make sure his targets had any money. I do not.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you fuck with me. You¡¯ve got exactly three seconds to give me all your coin.¡±


    ¡°I already told you I have none, a time limit will not change that.¡±


    ¡°Your funeral, asshole.¡± The man said as Vak felt the knife plunge into the back. The anger washed over Vak like a cold bucket of ice. He spun around and his assailant looked shocked Vak was still standing. Vak held back as he smacked the cutpurse with the back of his hand. It would not do to have corpses turn up the day he got into town, especially in the alley behind a bar where a lot of witnesses could place him. Besides, these men, did not deserve to die.


    The cutpurse still went down hard, smacking his head against the wall and landing in a small puddle. His two friends each drew knives and advanced on Vak. The rage that warred within him threatened to bubble over as he kept it in check. A swirling reddish wind kicked up around him. The cool night air became very dry.


    Vak smacked the knives out of their hands as they each lunged at him one at a time. Vak smiled. I am not the only fool in this city. They should be attacking at the same moment, so they could split my attention.


    The closest burglar cried out and held his hand. It was at an awkward angle and Vak thought he might have broken it when he disarmed him. Luckily he didn¡¯t literally disarm him. But they both kind of stumbled away clearly wanting nothing more to do with this. They left their friend.


    Vak bent over to pick up the poor thief. Brought his face out of the puddle so he didn¡¯t drown and sat him up against the wall.


    He will be very sore in the morning and disappointed he is none the richer.


    Vak considered for a moment what to do. He could turn him into the authorities perhaps even get into their good graces. Then he remembered their warning against altercations and he sighed. He could feel the rage washing off him like a calming wave and he pulled the knife from his back and dropped it to his feet.


    Vak was in a bit of a bind. This man had tried to kill him, something he didn¡¯t particularly blame him for. Vak suspected city life would drive anyone to murder. If Vak let him go, however, then anything this man did the next night would be on him.


    Vak punched a wall in frustration, letting his anger get the better of him. The stone rippled and fell away around his fist as easily as if he¡¯d drove his hand into a pool of water. Do they really expect this brittle stone to protect them?


    He decided mulling over decisions was not his strong suit, as he picked up the thief as though he was a sack of potatoes. He hid the knife carefully inside his belt as he decided it was not wise to leave it brandished. Then he began making the long walk back to the guardhouse, as stealthily as he could. He would have to risk angering the guardsmen in order to do what he decided was right.

 Arc 1. Chapter 2

    Vakdragnar stalked through the night with a quiet intensity. He silently ran through the streets chastising himself. This could easily be called one of the stupider things he¡¯d done. Thankfully, for him, the night also seemed content to remain quiet. Most of the reputable people seemed to be already in their homes for the evening, and the disreputable ones were too intoxicated to notice his quiet movements along the shadows. That just left the guards.


    Vak noticed the city had a lot of guards, especially for how late it was. Perhaps the city needed this big of a show of force. The only thing Vak could say for sure is that their ¡®patrols¡¯ were little more than an excuse to stop whoever they liked, and assert their power. They could also be called drunk, but on their own authority and on the power given to them by the rulers of the city.


    Luckily for Vak, they were bad at their jobs. For men and women whose entire profession was to look for the very thing Vak was doing, he slipped past each one with ease. He knew it was not entirely their fault; he was being exceedingly careful. Vak was taller, it seemed, then anyone he¡¯d met so far in Tirough, but he could be as silent as the night if he desired.


    Ten patrols stood in his way between the Flame¡¯s Fondness and the city guardhouse. None noticed him. He could see why crime was so rampant in this city, or Vak assumed it must be rampant. He had been nearly murdered his first night here.


    Vak checked again to make sure there were no passing guards, and that none of the guardsmen were keeping a watch out of the guardhouse. He dropped the still groggy thief on the cobblestone by the front door, and then gingerly slipped the knife in the man¡¯s hand. He stirred a bit when Vak moved him, but was still not fully conscious. Vak raised his arm, rapped on the door, and then ran around the corner as if six of the hells were after him.


    The guards found the man quickly as he was stirring. They disarmed him before he came too and, after noticing the large amount of blood on the man¡¯s knife, they drug him inside.


    ¡°Good¡± Vak said. ¡°At least they will do their job when presented it.¡± With his civic duty completed he started to go, but was stopped by the guardhouse doors banging open. Guards poured out like bugs when a torch was struck. On their heels was a grey haired man. Just the sight of the Captain of the Guard, Garryson Lance, made Vak groan.


    His demeanor demanded respect and his advanced years looked like they had not weakened him physically. No, Vak thought. This is a man whose years had strengthened him not diminished.


    ¡°Find him.¡± He shouted. The man liked to shout, Vak remembered. ¡°Someone carried this man here. He¡¯s either a witness or the real villain, either way he can¡¯t have gone far.¡± As Captain Lance talked someone handed him a beautiful sandy colored horse which he mounted and trotted down the street. He continued to bark orders until he was out of sight.


    Well, shit. Vak thought as he slipped further into the alley and began sprinting the other direction. It seems the guards are not totally incompetent.


    He spent a tense hour playing cat and mouse with them. They very nearly spotted him several times as they searched the immediate area. He was even forced to climb a small home and jump along the rooftops like some kind of prowler. Eventually, though, he was fortunate enough to slip past their search parties.


    By the time Vak made it back to the Flame¡¯s Fondness his legs were beginning to ache, but his attitude was anything but tired. His trip through the city had given him new perspective, and Vak knew what he had to do. First, he needed a job to appease Lance. The Flame¡¯s Fondness Tavern was just as full as it had been earlier and Vak could see the poor bartender struggling to keep up with requests. Vak made his way through the crowd and up to the bar.


    ¡°You again?¡± Rowland Flame questioned. ¡°Did you happen upon some coin you¡¯d like to spend?¡±


    ¡°I have come to take you up on your gracious offer of employment.¡± Vak explained.


    ¡°It would just be for the night.¡± Rowland warned him. ¡°And all I can afford is four copper.¡±


    ¡°How about a place to stay for the evening instead, Roland?¡±


    He smiled in response. Their bargain made. ¡°Just one more thing. I¡¯d prefer you call me Mr. Flame while you work for me.¡± Vak nodded, accepting the request, and Mr. Flame handed him some drinks. ¡°Thanks, lad.¡± He said giving him a gentle shove in the direction of a table.


    Over the next four hours Vak was made to serve the loud, smelly, intoxicated patrons of the tavern. He estimated that he served over four hundred drinks and broke up six different confrontations. At Mr. Flame¡¯s insistence he tossed a few of the offenders out on the street. For Vak¡¯s diligent work he received more than a few snarky comments, and derisive remarks.


    It seemed the patrons were used to being served by Miss Hale, and they were rather vocal about their distaste for her replacement. Drunken men were quick to become emboldened by their idiocy. Vak just shook his head and rolled his eyes at the quips of his manhood. The juvenile attempts to stoke his anger. These men were like a mosquito bite to Vak. They barely registered as insulting. He had dealt with so much worse.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    All in all, Vak was pleased when he was done for the night. He wiped the tables down and Mr. Flame showed him to a backroom with a poorly made bedroll where he could sleep. Vak was a bit disappointed he would not get to try out a bed, but he reminded himself he was the one imposing and he thanked Mr. Flame for his hospitality.


    Vak barely got four hours sleep before some damn rooster was sounding his alarm. As Vak stirred he had to count slowly in his head before he could be certain his anger was not going to flare up for being woken so suddenly.


    It is good I am up, Vak kept reminding himself. An early start means i have a better opportunity to track down Nina Hale. He had decided on it last night. Tirough was a city in such bad shape that someone could get stabbed their first night. A place where someone could carry a body through the city without the guards noticing. Vak could not leave the search of this missing woman to others. More eyes searching for her meant she had a better chance of being found. Then she could be waiting on the tables and dealing with the drunks.


    Vak wrote Mr. Flame a note thanking him for his work and that he was going to be asking after Nina for him. He looked around before he remembered that he had no provisions or equipment. He left quietly while considering his state.


    I will simply have to get creative.


    His investigation began at the bakery. Mr. Flame had told Vak of the boyfriend: the baker¡¯s son, Destin Huxley. Vak¡¯s gut told him the boy knew where Nina was. He trusted his gut, as his stomach had little reason to lie. Though, this morning it had reason to growl.


    The bakery was perhaps a mistake, he thought, as the sweet scents from the warm baked goods reached his nose. It smelled amazing and he was already assuming he would not be given any handouts. I definitely should have tracked down and ate that rooster. The thought made him smile.


    The bakery was a small corner store with large glass windows letting pedestrians see into the shop. The windows had colorful lettering detailing the name of the bakery and the store hours.


    It must be a pretty good bakery Vak thought looking over the crowd of people clamoring to get their food. Vak strolled inside. A lanky man stood behind the counter with the puffy red eyes. The boyfriend, presumably.


    ¡°Are you Destin Huxley?¡± Vak inquired.


    ¡°Yeah, what of it?¡± The man asked without looking up. He was probably no more than eighteen, in truth not much younger than Vak, but the size difference between them likely is what had the boy spooked as soon as he made eye contact.


    Vak tried to diffuse the situation. ¡°I am here about Nina Hale.¡± He said gently.


    The boys eyes went wide. ¡°Guards! Guards! Help!¡± He said diving behind the counter. The other patrons in the shop backed away and everything began to happen at the same time. Someone screamed, and a few more took up the call for the guard. Vak tried to calm everyone down raising his hands in a placating gesture but it was little use. They had been driven into a histeria. Then, to make matters worse, two city guardsmen came in, swords drawn.


    ¡°What¡¯s all this then? Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± The guard with a scraggly beard said, recognizing Vak. He leveled his sword ready to strike if Vak resisted. ¡°Come with us.¡±


    ¡°This is all a misunderstanding.¡± Vak said as he was led out of the shop.


    ¡°Sure thing¡­¡± The guard said sword pressing against Vak¡¯s back. ¡°Couldn¡¯t find work so you thought you¡¯d rob a bakery. What a piece of work.¡±


    ¡°That is decidedly not what¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡± He said bringing the hilt of his sword across the back of Vak¡¯s head. It drew some blood but the guard was shocked it didn¡¯t drop vak to the ground. Vak turned to speak face to face with the guard and he responded by punching Vak in the stomach for good measure. Then when Vak would still not fall, his friend struck him across the face. Vak straightened back up, and caught the next assault from the scraggly-bearded guard.


    ¡°Stop that.¡± Vak said anger creeping into his words. He tossed the man¡¯s sword aside in an attempt to stop getting pummeled. The second guard, the bigger of the two, drove his sword through Vak. The point of the blade sticking out the front of him.


    Vakdragnar¡¯s anger exploded.


    A red aura sprung to life around him; circling Vakdragnar like a small windstorm. Little crackles of energy could be heard as dry air became supercharged. The wind swirled around the edges of the aura but inside was still, and the bright sunny day was replaced by a red glow for those near him.


    He spun around quickly grabbing the guard who stabbed him and tossed him back twenty feet, out of the windstorm and through the window of the bakery. The glass shattered destroying the colorful lettering upon it.  People were screaming.


    Vak reached behind him for the hilt of the sword and slowly pulled it out of him as he turned back on the scraggly faced guard. The sword was in deep and he was forced to grind his teeth as he grabbed the blade for better leverage. The pain kept his rage fueled.


    The look on the guards face as Vak dropped the bloody blade to the ground had clearly shaken the man. Vak had seen that look before in the eyes of his family and friends back home. This guard no longer saw Vak as a person, but as a monster. It was a sobering realization. Vak recoiled a step as though slapped across the face. Shame replaced the rage.


    The scraggly faced guard crab crawled away and reached for his sword. A mistake. The crackling energy of the rage aura sent a jolt of electricity through his arm and knocked him unconscious. He fell to the ground in a heap, his chest still rising, though slowly.


    The aura subsided as Vak¡¯s shame took hold. I let the rage boil over, and I used this curse to injure people, again! He looked back toward the bakery window to check on the guard and realized he¡¯d drawn quite a crowd. They stood there stupified by the spectacle they¡¯d just seen. Vak merely stared back, unable to offer an apology or an explanation.


    A whistle broke him out of his stupor and Vak realized more of the guards were on their way. He bolted in the other direction. The crowd in front of him began screaming for their lives and running as far away from Vak as they could. It was pandemonium as people shoved others and Vak tried to do his best to flee the scene and remove himself from it before people began to trample each other to get away from him.


    More whistles sounded out across the city like a noose slowly tightening around his neck.

 Arc 1 Chapter 3

    The simple, wooden door opened with more noise than Vakdragnar had intended. The hinge nearly ripped free of the frame as the door flew back and slammed into the wall. Vak stumbled inside, losing his balance, and was forced to roll to avoid landing on his face. He leapt to his feet, whipped around quickly and closed the door behind him only to find he had indeed broken it. It would not stay closed.


    Vak quickly scanned his new surroundings as the whistle of the city guard grew closer. The room looked to be a very small space for prayer. He knew a little of the Hierarchies but the church functions were not detailed very well in many of the stories he¡¯d read. This room seemed like a poor design.


    If the goal was to have as many people worship as possible, why have such a small space to gather?


    A single alter stood near the middle of the room depicting the goddess Vite. The kind-looking goddess was familiar to Vak, and he recalled she stood atop one of the four Sacred Hierarchies. Vite¡¯s dominion was summer and birth. The room reflected this, and was adorned in the trappings of her hierarchy; tapestries depicting the sun overtop the sea or great libraries of knowledge.


    Vak grabbed a small stand holding a bowl of water meant to connect the worshipper to the sea. Vak apologized to the invisible deity and set the bowl on the ground. He propped the stand against the door wedging it back into its frame. It held. Vak took a moment to finally catch his breath. He¡¯d been running from the authorities for a few hours, and really, it seemed, since he came to Tirough.


    ¡°Do you seek sanctuary?¡± A feminine voice asked from out of the darkness. Vak spun around to find a woman wearing all white. Her head and face covered by a white headscarf which she pulled down, revealing her face as she spoke. ¡°If you are in need of help the temple will weigh your need. They can speak on your behalf to the authorities.¡±


    ¡°I need a moment to rest,¡± Vak responded. ¡°Nothing more.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± She said walking over towards Vak, seemingly without fear. ¡°Did you have to break the chapel door to get this rest?¡± She asked with an annoyed tone.


    ¡°I misjudged the strength of your door. It is far more frail than it looked.¡±


    ¡°Well, I doubt the builders had giants in mind when they constructed it,¡± she said paying more attention to the door than Vak.


    ¡°I am no giant.¡±


    ¡°No?¡± She said looking up to him. ¡°Could have fooled me.¡±


    ¡°I am human, like you. Where I am from, I am of average height.¡±


    ¡°Uh, huh.¡± She said looking at the door. ¡°Yup, it¡¯s busted.¡± She shook her head.


    ¡°I¡­ cannot pay for the door, but I can help you repair it or if you give me some time I could¡­¡± Vak stopped as the woman pulled out a small necklace from under her robe. A small orb with rings encircling it. They spun as she held it in her hand, and it began to glow a brilliant blue. The woman ran her hand along the frame of the door and the wood shifted, reknitting itself.


    ¡°Magic,¡± Vak said disbelieving his eyes.


    ¡°No,¡± the woman said with a contemptuous look. ¡°Magic is stolen from the gods. What I do is through them. They are miracles.¡±


    Vak wasn¡¯t sure he understood the difference. ¡°I apologize if I''ve offended. As I mentioned earlier I am not from¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes the wildman, no need to apologize. I¡¯m not so easily rattled as the Joh Vira would be if he caught you breaking his chappel.¡±


    ¡°Joh Vira?¡±


    ¡°Ya, the guy who stands behind the pulpit, delivering the sermons¡­ nevermind.¡± She said as Vak stared back blindly. ¡°So who are you exactly? What did you do to piss off the Cityguards.¡±


    ¡°I am Vakdragnar, and I have done nothing wrong, except, perhaps, my initial decision to  move to this city.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right¡­ Va¡­ Vadi¡­ I¡¯m just going to call you Rag.¡± She said giving up. Vak sniffed at the indignation but she barreled on, ¡°I¡¯m Anka Cotton, Tey Paira of this temple.¡± She undid her headscarf as she talked revealing long brown hair.


    ¡°Vawk Drahg Narr.¡± he said, enunciating each syllable while trying not to let his anger show through.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no offense but I¡¯m going to stick with Rag. It''s easier.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Vak said giving up and walking around the small room to put some distance between himself and the young priestess.


    ¡°You know, you really should not be back here.¡± She said sternly.


    ¡°Are people not permitted to come and pray?¡±


    ¡°This is a¡­ special room. It is a blessing for the more devout followers of Vite.¡±


    ¡°How can you judge their devotion. Is not spirituality a personal thing?¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± Anka Cotton said as she was teaching a small child. ¡°But their faith can be judged by their charitable contributions and works.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Vak said understanding. ¡°This is a private space for the wealthy to pray. They do so apart from the regular people.¡± He tried not to judge them as he conveyed his understanding. Certainly the temples needed money to continue and incentives such as this likely helped fund them. It still reeks strongly of buying their way into an afterlife. He kept this to himself.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°Yes, if you wish to be simplistic.¡± She said with a huff. ¡°So Rag, you sure you don¡¯t need sanctuary? If you really are being unfairly persecuted the Joh Vira would gladly speak on your behalf. He really gets off on that kind of thing.¡±


    ¡°Gits off?¡±


    ¡°You know when¡­ you know, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± She said stopping herself halfway through an explanation.


    This woman is very confusing. She seems annoyed at my presence but then keeps engaging me in conversation. So, much of these city people and their customs are just plain peculiar. Nearly everyone in it has misunderstood my intentions. The guards most of all. It could be beneficial to have the temple explain to Lance that I am trying to be an upright citizen.


    Vak asked, ¡°I suppose I might be interested in sanctuary. What is it exactly?¡±


    ¡°You officially claim that you are being unfairly persecuted by the state authorities. Then you are protected.¡±


    ¡°Protectected?¡±


    ¡°If you keep interrupting me by asking inane questions this is going to take all day.¡±


    Vak wasn¡¯t sure if Anka was being serious or not, but he could feel himself growing slightly annoyed at the exchange. ¡°I will not interrupt, proceed, please.¡±


    ¡°Very good. Yes, protected. The city guard, heck even the king¡¯s guard or the military are forbidden from entering temple grounds in an official capacity. They are free to worship, of course, but they cannot arrest you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the law.¡±


    ¡°But there is nothing physically stopping them from removing me. No fortifications or magics¡­ I mean ¡®miracles¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Nope, that door you busted down was probably one of our stronger doors, but don¡¯t worry, they would never break tradition.¡±


    ¡°Is ¡®tradition¡¯ perhaps the name of a very skilled fighter that they are all afraid of?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ what? How are you not getting this?¡± she said raising her hands in frustration.


    ¡°Because you are telling me that I would be just sitting here, and they would know where I am, have lots of swords and manpower, but would not come in and arrest me, because they never did it before now?¡±


    ¡°Right!¡± She exclaimed.


    ¡°This is lunacy.¡±


    ¡°It is NOT lunacy it IS a tradition! Everyone civilized follows it!¡±


    ¡°And what does the temple get?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I mean if I am to stay here until your Temple-keeper..¡±


    ¡°Joh Vira.¡±


    ¡°Yes, him, until he convinces Captain Lance to stop pursuing me. Why would the temple take on this burden?¡±


    ¡°Ohhhh¡­ yes, I understand. Well, we would simply place the offering plate out, and if you were so moved by the great generosity you have witnessed; you could donate to the temple.¡± Anka said with a wink.


    ¡°Why are you winking?¡±


    ¡°Because the temple doesn¡¯t care where you came by this money. It is all the same to us.¡±


    ¡°And if I have no money?¡±


    ¡°You obviously have money,¡± Anka said flatly. She was clearly not amused by this turn in the conversation.


    ¡°I in fact have none.¡±


    ¡°You are covered in blood, and running from the cops. Clearly, you¡¯re a bandit of some kind. A big guy like you? You weren¡¯t hired by the Grievspair Organization?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what that is.¡±


    ¡°So, you have no money?¡±


    ¡°None,¡± Vak said patting his waist down where his coin purse would be.


    ¡°WHY IN THREE OF THE HELLS ARE YOU WASTING MY TIME! GET OUT! GET OUT BEFORE I CALL THE GUARDS!¡± Anka shouted grabbing an ornate candlestick and brandishing it like a sword. Vak did not think she would really hit him with such an expensive thing, but he had taken up enough of this very frustrating person¡¯s time. He quickly slipped out the door of the chapel and back into the alley.


    He tried to keep to the back roads as he walked. The guards are still looking for me, I need to be cautious. All of these roadblocks keep popping up in the way of this investigation. This city is entirely backward. Can they not see that I am here to help? How am I ever to be a hero if my very presence causes an outcry of panic?


    ¡°Get out of this city!¡± A voice called breaking Vak from his stupor. A mob of people stood in his way, all angrily shouting.


    ¡°You¡¯re not welcome here!¡±


    ¡°We know you¡¯re up to no good!¡±


    ¡°This was a nice neighborhood before you moved in.¡±


    Vak moved to the mouth of the alley. They were not shouting at him after all, but at some strange little cottage that stood apart from the buildings along the block. It¡¯s light brown thatched roof and painted white wood base were in stark contrast with the stone buildings surrounding it.  The mob looked angry and ready to burn this little cottage down for some reason. He wished he could see who they were shouting at. Vak tensed, preparing to step in and disperse the crowd when a violent green blast erupted from the center.


    The mob wasted no time in showing how cowardly they truly were at heart. They scattered like rats¡­ just like¡­ Vak was stunned as the crowd dispersed in every direction only to find a sentient mouse standing there shouting after them. The creature had a light brown coat of fur and a bright red cloak tied around her neck. It stood no more than three feet tall and walked around on its hind legs.


    In her hand was a bubbling green concoction that she held above her like a weapon. She was cursing up a storm at the mob as they departed. Then she looked right to Vak.


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you arrogant bastards that if you try any of this again I will find your homes and use my alchemy to blow you all three cities over! They¡¯ll be finding pieces of you in every direction for¡­¡±


    ¡°Please, you misunderstand,¡± Vak said his hands raised. ¡°I am not with them. I just happened by during the commotion.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± The strange mouse said lowering the potion in her hands. ¡°Well, you better keep walking. You won¡¯t make any friends talking to me.¡±


    ¡°I have already pissed off quite a few people all on my own, thank you,¡± Vak said. ¡°Did you say you are an Alchemist?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ What of it?¡±


    ¡°I am looking for an alchemist, by the name of Wither.¡±


    ¡°Well, you found her,¡± Wither said pointing to the sign outside her small cottage. It read:  Wither¡¯s Oddities. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come inside, looks like we might get a little rain here in a bit.¡± She said turning and walking in without waiting for him to respond.


    The door to her shop was split in half with two doorknobs. It seemed the lower knob allowed her to walk in without opening the entire door. The upper knob seemed to open both halves together.


    Quite smart. Vak found himself musing. He quickly followed Wither inside, taking care to be much more gentle with this door, then his last.

 Arc 1, Chapter 4

    The interior of Wither¡¯s Oddities¡¯ was a mess. Shelves lay overturned with strange liquids seeping into the carpet; glass everywhere. It looked as though some kind of a natural disaster had been localized within her shop.


    ¡°Sorry about the clutter. I haven¡¯t had a chance to clean up.¡±


    ¡°Did they do this?¡± Vak said. He could feel his anger rising.


    ¡°What? The mob? No¡­ no.¡± She said fidgeting with her round ear. ¡°No this was our constabulary, my fine taxes put to good use,¡± she said sarcastically. ¡°They were looking for someone. An outlander, and so, of course, they assume I must be harboring him.¡±


    ¡°What did they want with him?¡±


    ¡°Not sure entirely. Seems he¡¯s been going around town wrecking up the place. Got into a knife fight at a tavern, attacked two guards outside of the bakery. They¡¯ve been searching for him all morning.¡± As Wither spoke she gave an obvious glance toward Vak. He knew she knew exactly who he was.


    ¡°I am sorry if you suffered on my behalf.¡±


    She sighed a long exaggerated breath. ¡°No. It¡¯s not your fault, hun. If it wasn¡¯t you, they would have found some other reason to wreck up my shop. I don¡¯t know if you can tell but the people here don¡¯t exactly love me.¡±


    ¡°Then you and I have that much in common,¡± Vak said trying to lighten her mood a bit.


    ¡°Well, what do you expect?¡± She said scurrying over to him. ¡°You¡¯re covered in blood and like ten feet tall.¡±


    ¡°Seven.¡± Vak corrected her looking down at his clothing and noticing the amount of blood that stained them.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same thing to a lady of my size.¡± She said straightening her red cloak. ¡°Anyways, why are you still wearing that shirt?¡±


    ¡°This shirt?¡± He said tugging at the uncomfortable orange fabric. ¡°They told me I had to after I was detained entering the town.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you sweet, naive man.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    She shook her head at some inside joke. ¡°So, what¡¯s your story, seven feet and bloody? Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°My name is Vakdragnar and I am trying to find a lost waitress.¡± He explained.


    ¡°Now that sounds like an interesting tale.¡± She said.


    ¡°Very well, I arrived at the gate of the city yesterday afternoon.¡± Vak began telling her of his time in the city so far. He explained how Captain Lance interrogated him for hours before he let him in the city. He told her about the missing waitress, the knife in the alley, his evasion of the guards, how he worked for Mr. Flame, and then his search for Nina. He told her of the bakery and Anka Cotton in the Temple chapel. Through the entire thing, Wither merely listened. Then she sat for a moment and digested it. Then she burst out laughing.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just, they really do hate you more than me.¡± She said giggling. ¡°At least I''m not being chased by the city guard.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it is a bit humorous.¡± Vak conceded.


    ¡°Sorry, its impolite of me to laugh. My people are said to find a lot of humor in life. I just like laughing, it makes me feel better, ya know?¡± She looked up at him trying to determine if she¡¯d offended.


    ¡°It is alright, I am not bothered,¡± Vak said letting her get the laughter out. When she had finished he continued. ¡°So, Mr. Flame told me Nina bought something from your shop. It made her hair change colors?¡±


    ¡°Oh! The Protection Poultice. Depending on what dye pack you combine it with, it can protect you from heat, or extreme cold, even lightning storms; very useful. I¡¯ve been selling a lot lately because a lot of the younger people like that it changes your hair pretty colors.¡±


    ¡°What does it mean if her hair is brunette fading into blonde?¡±


    ¡°That she didn''t follow the instructions,¡± Wither said flatly flicking her whisker.


    ¡°Could it have caused her harm.¡±


    ¡°Probably not. I mean, it''s never great to ignore instructions on magic.¡±


    ¡°So these things you make, they are actual magic?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. I¡¯m certified if that¡¯s what you¡¯re wondering. I had two hells of a time getting registered through the Zoftwiten Institute.¡±


    ¡°I am not familiar.¡±


    ¡°They think they have the right to control Vili¡¯s gift. They¡¯re a bureaucracy, an organization the king charged with keeping strict tabs on anyone practicing magic within the Kingdom of Abrune. They will even teach you if you sign your life away to them.¡±


    ¡°But you learned independently.¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Wither said proudly.


    ¡°Is that¡­ I¡¯m sorry if this is out of line, but you¡¯re my first uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Brisker?¡±


    ¡°Is that what you prefer to be called.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what we are. Briskers. No, I''m not offended, and I¡¯m not surprised I¡¯m your first. Most Briskers have good sense enough to stay clear of human settlements.¡±


    ¡°Not you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± She said with a laugh. ¡°I suppose not. Things are changing in the world. Places man once refused to tread upon, now¡­ well, they tread all over them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the way things are. It doesn¡¯t help to dwell in the past, and it certainly doesn¡¯t help to be sorry about them. You have to change with the world, Vakdragnar, or the world will leave you behind.¡±


    ¡°There is much wisdom in your words.¡±


    ¡°Eh, stick around long enough, you¡¯ll find I¡¯m just good at repeating things I¡¯ve read.¡± Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Is that how you learned to do magic?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that I taught myself.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yup, mostly. I worked with another alchemist for a time, and the rest I sort of figured out the hard way.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the hard way?¡±


    Wither made a gesture with her hands in a ball and then expanding outward. ¡°Boom¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I suppose ALL the city¡¯s gripes aren¡¯t baseless. But it''s not like I''m doing experimentation within city limits. I keep things controlled and safe.¡±


    ¡°That seems smart.¡±


    ¡°I told you, give it some time, you¡¯ll see I''m nothing special.¡±


    ¡°Well, at this moment the only thing I see is the first kind person in this city who didn¡¯t treat kindness as a commodity to be bartered.¡±


    Wither stopped what she was doing and looked at him, really looked at him. ¡°Thank you.¡± She said simply. ¡°I don¡¯t know why Vakdragnar, but I like you. Maybe I just have a soft spot for big, generous, and dumb. I¡¯m not really sure... Alright, take off that shirt.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ excuse me? I think perhaps you misunderstood. I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯ve never.. .you see I¡­¡±


    Wither looked at him and laughed again. ¡°Oh don¡¯t be so full of yourself. I¡¯m not going to sleep with you. Honestly, I¡¯m not even sure how that would work¡­ Look, the point is that the shirt¡¯s bad. It¡¯s one the city guard gives to people they¡¯ve detained. Kind of a way to let the local population know that this big dumb brute is trouble and to steer clear.¡±


    ¡°They¡­ they said that they had decency laws.¡±


    ¡°Well, they do, but mostly they wanted to profile you. They only give these to people who have done something wrong, thieves, people who have broken legal contracts, adulterers, outsiders, that kind of thing. Then everyone in the city can make your life miserable. They¡¯re dicks.¡± She said with a shrug.


    ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    ¡°Not to mention the blood is giving off a ¡®murderer¡¯ vibe and the rest of you¡­ kind of screaming hobo.¡±


    ¡°Hobo!¡±


    ¡°No offense,¡± she said with a little shrug. ¡°Anyway, I can help. Come on, shirt off.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± Vak said removing his uncomfortable garment.


    Wither had a small piece of cloth she dipped in some clear solution. Then he looked at him and stopped.


    ¡°Is something the matter?¡± Vak asked.


    ¡°I just¡­ with all those holes in the shirt and the blood¡­ I assumed you were running around with mortal wounds. I was expecting stitches and a sad talk by a bedside where I explained that I did all I could, but your wounds were too severe.¡±


    ¡°Wait, in this scenario... I was dying?¡±


    ¡°There was a LOT of blood!¡±


    ¡°I..¡± Vak stopped himself. ¡°Heal quickly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say! There is barely a scratch on you. How is that possible?¡±


    ¡°It is part of my curse.¡±


    ¡°Whhhhaaaaat? You didn¡¯t say anything about a curse!¡± She said jumping away and thumbing through a book that had fallen to the floor. Her tail tapped nervously as she rifled through the pages.


    ¡°I grew up in a remote village on the islands of Huak. When I was seven years aged, I was fulfilling one of the nine rites of manhood. It is a test of resolution. You are taken into the jungles and told to survive.¡±


    ¡°That sounds harsh.¡±


    ¡°It is expected of all my people.¡±


    ¡°So all of your people have this curse?¡±


    ¡°No, my rite was anomalous. My third night out in the jungle, the stars began to rain from the heavens. The sky looked like it was on fire.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about the Godsend,¡± Wither said with a hushed tone, almost reverent.


    Vak nodded slowly, watching Wither¡¯s reaction. She was pacing.


    ¡°The night Vili went against the Hierarchies, stole magic, and offered it to the mortals to protect ourselves.¡± She was mostly speaking to herself organizing her thoughts. ¡°That was fifteen years ago, and you saw it? What happened?¡±


    ¡°A brilliant light came streaking through the sky and struck me. I was found days later, lying in the jungle. They thought I had died. When I awoke from my coma the entire village did not know what to make of it. Some thought it was a miracle I was alive, others assumed I was tainted in some way, cursed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure it was a curse...¡±


    Vak shook his head. ¡°Believe me it was.¡± He said angrily. ¡°I was no different from the other people in my village. But every accomplishment, everything I worked for, was attributed to this curse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that sounds hard.¡±


    ¡°I was entirely unremarkable until a few weeks ago when it finally manifested.¡±


    ¡°What does it do?¡±


    ¡°This. He said pointing to the scars on his chest. It gives me unnatural healing, but it also turns my anger into a magical force. I become stronger, and a red wind surrounds me like an aura of destructive power.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ doesn¡¯t sound so bad, as far as curses go.¡±


    ¡°It IS!¡± Vak said with a sudden urgency. When he saw Wither leap back he softened. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This thing, it is difficult to control. That¡¯s why I was banished from my village. Given a boat and told to find a cure or never return.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cruel,¡± she said, her ears lowering a bit and her eyes softened.


    ¡°What else can they do?¡± Vak said shrugging. ¡°I am dangerous. One bad day and my rage could level my village.¡±


    ¡°So you came to a densely populated city?¡± Wither asked with a smirk.


    ¡°Throughout my life, I¡¯ve lived in a small secluded village. A place of sun and the sea. My father always insisted on my sisters and I had an education despite our remoteness. He would barter for books with passing ships. I found companionship with the books that I never really had from the other kids on the island.¡±


    ¡°My favorite stories were the ones with heroes who overcome their flaws and save the day. I grew up wanting to be just like that.¡± I came to this city because I thought I could help. I thought I could be like those heroes.¡± Vak said realizing he¡¯d never been this open and honest with someone before. Not even his own family. He felt a little self-conscious putting himself out there this much. Vulnerable. A great shame came over him when Wither began to laugh louder than the previous times.


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s naive.¡± He said quietly standing back up.


    ¡°No, no! Wait, sorry!¡± She said in between giggles. ¡°It¡¯s not that. You¡¯re very noble. It¡¯s just you picked this kingdom to try to do good. The only one that would stab you for trying to help it. Twice!¡±


    ¡°And this is funny?¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± She said laughing harder. Vak could not help himself, a wide smile spread across his face. Her laughter was quite infectious. They sat in that mess of a shop and laughed.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Wither said wiping the tears from her eyes with her tail. ¡°So you don¡¯t need bandaging, but you are going to need something if you¡¯re going to be roaming through the city... Hmm¡­¡± She began rummaging through a pile of what looked like garbage. ¡°Ah, here it is!¡± She said holding up a small glowing worm.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a Grue Worm. Perfect for you.¡± She took the small creature and handed it to Vak.


    ¡°What am I supposed to do with it?¡± The small glowing worm left a shiny translucent trail on his hands. It was very sticky.


    ¡°Oh¡­ well, so the Grue Worm is a rare worm to come by, they only live in a couple of forests, so we¡¯re incredibly lucky the guards didn¡¯t kill this little fellow.¡± She said scratching it affectionately. ¡°So, the magic of the Grue worm will make you disappear! You¡¯ll be entirely invisible, so long as you don¡¯t say a word.¡±


    ¡°That is¡­ a strange condition. Why are not these more popular?¡±


    ¡°Well, as I mentioned they¡¯re extraordinarily difficult to find, and not everyone is okay with sticking a worm up their nose.¡±


    ¡°My¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°Your nose.¡± She said trying to calm him. ¡°It burrows up there and then you become invisible for a few hours. If you speak however the Grue Worm becomes agitated and leaves the body. Then it turns a dull pink color that¡¯s pretty indistinguishable from a regular worm. It can take months or even years before it regains its natural glow again.¡±


    ¡°So, you want me to stick this up my nose.¡±


    ¡°Basically.¡±


    ¡°How did anyone discover such an... odd use of this thing?¡±


    ¡°That¡­ is not a question you want to be answered, trust me.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± Vak said believing her.


    ¡°So?¡± Wither said expectedly, then pointed to her nose with her tail.


    ¡°Before I go,¡± Vak said stalling. ¡°I feel bad your shop is in the state it is.¡±


    ¡°Oh, this? Don¡¯t worry, like I said I don''t¡¯ blame you. The guards are dicks.¡±


    ¡°Still, I would like to help clean it, as thanks for your help.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Thank you, Vakdragnar.¡± Wither said mimicking the way Vak said his name with a wide smile. ¡°Just try not to touch any liquids that are moving on their own.¡±

 Arc 1, Chapter 5

    Vakdragnar steeled himself as he stood alone in a private room in the back of Wither¡¯s Oddities. Why is this so difficult? Wither assured me it is entirely safe. Vakdragnar thought, but as he stared at the shimmering multi-colored creature, he could not bring himself to do it.


    ¡°Is everything alright in there?¡± Wither called knocking on the door gently.


    ¡°Yes, I am fine.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s taking so long? You should have been able to just pop the sucker in. Ten, maybe fifteen seconds tops!¡±


    ¡°I am collecting my thoughts. I will be out presently.¡±


    ¡°Uhhhh¡­. Do you need any help?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Vak said, embarrassed. ¡°I am fine, please just give me a minute!¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re not scared, are you? A big guy like you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not!¡± Vak said as his voice changed pitch suddenly, betraying his lie.


    ¡°Whatever you say, Vakdragnar¡­ I¡¯ll be in the other room if you need me to do it for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll be fine!¡± He said groaning. He held the creature between two fingers about an inch away from his face. ¡°I will put you up my nose now,¡± he said softly to the animal. It wiggled around in his hand, as though anticipating the interaction. ¡°Alright, one, two, three!¡± he said. His hand remained frozen in fear.


    Why is this frightening me? It is a small creature. I could crush it between my fingers if I were so inclined. It has no power over me. There is nothing to fear. Except placing it up my NOSE! This is crazy; I cannot do this. He said, lowering the worm. I am quick, and I¡¯ve kept ahead of the guards so far without the aid of a nose bug. Though Lance does not appear a fool, if I carry on in the same manner, he WILL catch me. Ughhhhh. He raised the worm back up to his face.


    ¡°Alright, I apologize, little friend, this is most likely not something you wish for either. I think maybe¡­ GAH!¡± he shouted as the worm leapt from his hands and up into his nasal cavity. He fell to the floor and rolled around as he felt the thing slither up his nose. It burned with a fiery sensation, and Vak panicked as he imagined the creature crawling into his brain.


    ¡°Vakdragnar!¡± Wither said, rushing in. ¡°Okay, don¡¯t flail about. It is working. Just relax and let the worm do the work. Oh, and no talking, remember! If you say one word, it will leave your nose.¡±


    The idea was very tempting to Vak at the moment, but he held his tongue. He did stop thrashing about and tried to relax even though he could feel the exotic creature still there.


    ¡°So, a couple of things,¡± Wither said. ¡°You are definitely invisible. You may not believe me, because you can see yourself, but you are. Your clothes too, somehow the creature projects some sort of field around you that allows light to pass through, no one really knows for sure.¡±


    Vak grunted about to respond. ¡°Ah, don¡¯t speak, remember? Grunting is¡­ not ideal. You shouldn¡¯t do it a lot if you can help it. Now get along, you haven¡¯t got more than a few hours,¡± Wither told him.


    Vak stomped his foot in a reply. Then he walked across the room feeling like a complete idiot. He opened the door and left.


    I should have thanked Wither when I could speak. I will have to return and do so, assuming this isn¡¯t an elaborate prank on her part, he thought walking down the street.


    A story Vak had read as a child kept springing to the forefront of his consciousness. It was about a great warrior whose ego got the best of him. A rival, posing as a friend, gave him a ring as a present. This rival convinced him the ring was magical and would protect him from harm. The rival¡¯s plan backfired, however, as the hero¡¯s reputation grew. The warrior¡¯s most significant liability had been doubting. He was already supernaturally strong, and with the ring, he was able to fight better, knowing he was invincible.


    Eventually, the warrior fought tougher and fiercer monsters until he came across one that no mortal man could face down and survive, the Theravile. It was a towering monster more prominent than a city. There was no place in the Warrior¡¯s ego for the truth. He would not even listen when the rival confessed his lie. He rode towards the monster, raised his halberd, and it devoured him in a single bite.


    Vak felt like that warrior at this moment; told he was safe due to a fantastical charm. He walked down the middle of the street, waiting for the sound of the guards¡¯ whistle. While he was distracted, a woman bumped into him with her full force, and she bounced back. Vak had to dodge to the side of the street quickly. The woman looked around, wondering just what had hit her. He felt a pang of guilt at knocking the woman over but remembered he could say nothing.


    He quickly left the area as the woman began shouting at a man she had assumed to be the cause. The man argued back that she¡¯d just slipped. Vak thought by their raising voices it would not be long before it escalated. He turned the corner and continued his walk.


    Walking while invisible was much more complicated then Vak would have thought. People would not get out of his way, and he was forced in many busy streets to backtrack a bit to get through the crowds. It was far slower than if he¡¯d been visible.


    Eventually, he arrived at an apartment near the docks. The crumbling building no longer had any markings to indicate that it was Nina Hale¡¯s, but Vak felt the large holes in the architecture meant this was likely the place he was looking for.


    The apartment was a sizeable interconnected home with individual private rooms for rent. Nina¡¯s looked as though it had been hit with something otherworldly. The place no longer had a ceiling or a roof; it was probably fortunate there were no other rooms above it.


    Vak walked into the apartment, and up the stairs, apparently, any other tenants were at work or minding their own business. There was no door to Miss Hale¡¯s apartment, at least not any longer, but the frame of the threshold remained, and Vak ducked his head to enter.


    The room had been small, barely enough room for a bed and some clothes in a chest. None of those things remained, however. The floor was scorched black, and two of the four walls were missing. The damage to the grass and the surrounding area suggested an explosion of some kind. It was as though a volcano had gone off in the middle of the room. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Perhaps Nina had angered the gods somehow? Vak mused.


    He found a large amount of blood striking one of the broken walls, and as he looked beyond it, down in some tall grass, there appeared to be a body. Vak dropped down the building to inspect it. The person¡¯s skin had nearly been burned off from the now charred black bones. Vak was almost convinced some dark magic was at the route of this. Something powerful enough to break a building and char a body.


    The man had a tattoo on his right arm, which thankfully had not been stripped from his body by whatever did this. The tattoo was of a knife splitting a small disc in two with the letters ¡°G¡± and ¡°O¡± on each half.


    Curious. Is this another tenant, a friend caught in the blast? Vak wondered. Or is this the person who destroyed the room? Some kind of mage, perhaps? There was still much Vak didn¡¯t know, but he was starting to feel like the answers weren¡¯t here.


    He straightened as he heard some voices coming from Nina¡¯s room. He¡¯d been so focused on his thinking he hadn¡¯t heard them arrive.


    ¡°Is this the place, Braid?¡± A voice asked, obviously confused. The voice was very smooth, like an old horse salesman.


    ¡°This is where Cassie told us the girl lives, uh¡­ lived.¡± Braid responded. His voice was lower and more deliberate.


    ¡°Well, this looks like a quick payday for us.¡±


    ¡°How so, Dam?¡±


    ¡°Somebody let off a fireball in here. Blood on the walls, the girls dead, Braid.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± Braid said, trailing off. Vak could hear steps moving around. Braid had mentioned a ¡®Cassie.¡¯ He had heard that name recently. It took him a moment to recall the woman in the red robes at the Flame¡¯s Fondness. She was the one who demanded Mr. Flame to offer this investigation to them. Mr. Flame had mentioned her group¡¯s name: Shattershade. Vak surmised they must be members.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think so?¡± Dam asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Braid replied, as he moved around some more. Vak¡¯s curiosity at seeing a REAL group of heroes at work was getting the better of him. He thought a bit of a peak wouldn¡¯t be any real trouble, so Vak slowly scaled up the wall for a better look.


    The man at the door was thin, wearing a long black cloak with some impressive leather armor underneath. He had a trimmed beard ending at his cheeks. He wore a shortsword at his belt and Vak could see more than a few knives concealed in various places on his person. As the two spoke, Vak realized this was Dam.


    Braid was a stark difference. He was tall, nearly as tall as Vak, and he wore heavy plate armor. Vak thought it was probably really annoying wearing all that around town. Braid had long dark hair while Dam¡¯s was short and blonde. Braid looked like he was the type of person who took pride in his appearance. His armor shined, and his face was smoothly shaven.


    ¡°I think this is the work of goblins,¡± Braid said, standing up and clapping some black dust off his gauntlets.


    ¡°Goblins?¡± Dam wondered.


    ¡°Sure. We¡¯ve seen them start to play around with that black powder. What if they blasted their way in here and took the girl?¡±


    ¡°Is that¡­ I mean I guess that could be it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m certain of it!¡±


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t think that big guy was involved? The one Captain Lance was talking about? The wildman?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not certain of his connection, but Cassie thinks she saw him last night at the Flame¡¯s Fondness. He was the guy trying to poach our job.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so we should probably tell Lance that this guy had nothing to do with it and start looking for goblins?¡± Dam said looking toward Braid. A hope in Vak¡¯s chest flourished as finally someone was on his side. Then the two broke into a rather loud laugh.


    ¡°Good one, Dam! No, let¡¯s let Captain Lance scare off our competition for a bit longer.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so clever, Braid! We done here? I¡¯m getting hungry?¡±


    ¡°Not quite, I want to do a second look at the place, make sure I haven¡¯t missed something obvious. You go question the neighbors.¡±


    ¡°What if they aren¡¯t home?¡±


    Braid sighed, ¡°Alright, fine, you can pick their locks, but only if no one is home!¡±


    ¡°Really? Thanks, Braid!¡± He laughed like a small child told he could have something sweet to eat. Dam left, and Braid continued to circle the room and point at places confirming his suspicions of goblins.


    Vak supposed it was possible. He hadn¡¯t considered goblins at all, but these were seasoned Adventurers. They found missing people for a living. Braid moved over to look at something on the ground Vak hadn¡¯t seen, and he climbed a bit more to get a better look. His hand found a grip along the wall that wasn¡¯t exactly stable. It crumbled, and Braid spun around at the noise.


    ¡°Who is there?¡± Braid said, drawing a large blue hammer. It was nearly four feet from the handle to the head and looked as though it had been used extensively. He held it one hand despite its apparent weight and size. ¡°Show yourself? Know that if you¡¯re one of the goblins that took this girl, I will make you pay for what you have done.¡±


    He walked straight to where Vak was hanging, and he hoped his little nose worm was doing its job right now. Braid peered over the ledge Vak was hanging on and set his glove right on Vak¡¯s hand. Vak feared to breathe.


    ¡°Not a goblin then, a spectre? Listen, ghost; you need to move on with your afterlife, I am Braid Tattersail of Shattershade. This is not a fight you will win!¡±


    ¡°What are you doing, Braid?¡± Dam said, standing at the door.


    ¡°Stand ready, Dam, I think we have a ghost.¡±


    ¡°A ggggghost?¡±


    ¡°Steady, just some poor soul unable to move on to the afterlife, we will aid him.¡± He said, spinning looking for another sound.


    ¡°Alright, Braid.¡± Dam said, drawing his short sword. Vak thought the thinner man looked frightened but unwilling to seem so in front of his friend. ¡°Uh¡­ where did you see it last?¡±


    ¡°The noise came from over there,¡± Braid said, walking back to where Vak had not moved. He looked over the ledge directly at Vakdragnar.


    Oh no. Vak thought. I do not want to fight fellow Adventurers. For one thing, I¡¯m not sure I would walk away from it. His fingers began to burn a bit from the strain of holding onto the wall.


    ¡°Dam, over here,¡± Braid said as Vak prepared to leap down and run.


    ¡°What izzit?¡±


    ¡°Down there. A body.¡±


    ¡°Where? Oh, yeah, I¡¯ll go check it out.¡± Dam said, rushing out the door and around the building. A few moments later he was below Vak inspecting the charred corpse.


    He saw directly through me! Oh, thank you, small nose worm!


    ¡°What do we have?¡±


    ¡°Grievespair Organization.¡±


    ¡°The thieves guild? You certain?¡±


    ¡°There is a tattoo. A dagger splitting a coin with g and o on it. It is them, no doubt.¡±


    ¡°Good work, Dam! It seems the Grievspair Organization might have seen our goblins.¡±


    ¡°You sure, Braid? They aren¡¯t exactly fans of us down there.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to go to them.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No, our good friend Kosta Business is being held by Captain Lance down at the guardhouse,¡± Braid said, cracking his knuckles through his gauntlets. ¡°I do so enjoy interrogation.¡±


    Dam laughed, and Braid stood up to leave. ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve been given a reprieve, spectre. I would spend that time reflecting on moving on to the afterlife if I were you.¡± He said, spinning his hammer and then hanging it across his back.


    Just like that, the two men left, and Vak pulled himself up into the room. Hanging like that had made his arms just a bit stiff, and he slowly stretched it to ease the discomfort.


    Vak looked back over the edge at the dead thief. There were a lot of threads tangled up in this investigation. A thieve¡¯s guild, possible goblins. Vak wasn¡¯t sure of the connection yet. He needed some answers as to why Nina would be involved with a thieve¡¯s guild. Perhaps now, the boyfriend might be a bit more receptive to a conversation.

 Arc 1, Chapter 6

    By the time Vakdragnar returned to the bakery it was nearing late-afternoon. The store, remarkably, still had a few patrons making purchases.


    It must be an excellent bakery.


    Vak waited patiently for Destin Huxley to take a break from behind the counter. He spent the time stealing some clothes off a line, which he told himself he would return once people in this city trusted him.


    Thankfully the neighbors to the bakery were a rather rotund couple. Vak found a pair of work pants and a shirt that fit him. At the very least he hoped to be less conspicuous while wearing them. He removed his traditional Huak leathers and hung them up in exchange for the clothing he borrowed.


    It¡¯s only fair I give them something of higher value. I am putting them out. Vak looked at his old clothes, and they didn¡¯t look any different. Are these visible now? Is there a delay before they appear? What is the range of this worm?


    Vak had no answers for how anything involved with this worm worked. He hoped that his new clothing would not be visible as he slipped on a pant leg. Thinking of the worm only made him remember the little guy up there. It had stopped burning quite so much, and as much of a relief as it was, Vak assumed that meant he had less time left to walk the streets unseen.


    The clothes fit weirdly. The shirt barely covered his torso despite how stretched it was from its former owner. He imagined his combat potential suffering from the garments, as they were both too loose and too tight at the same time in different areas.


    I should consider myself lucky the pants don¡¯t fall down.


    Finally, the shop was empty as he crossed the street. No one was looking his way. Good. I suppose that means no one is seeing floating clothes. He walked past the boarded-up window from his previous fight and slipped into the shop. The bread smelled astonishing, and Vak realized he hadn¡¯t eaten anything yet today.


    As quietly as he could, Vak flipped the welcome sign on the door, and then he stalked towards Destin. The boyfriend stood by the money box, counting it. Vak witnessed him slip a small portion into his pocket. Stealing from his own father¡¯s business, or was this how Destin collected his pay?


    Vak slipped around behind the counter and checked a room in the back for other employees. The room was full of boxes and bags of flour, but there were no other people working today. It seems the baker had left his son to run the store alone.


    Vak smiled, then he pushed a box over and let it crash to the floor. Destin called from the other room. ¡°Who''s there?¡± Cautiously he stepped into the room with a rolling pin in hand. He walked right past where Vak was waiting. ¡°Look, if you give me a few days I can have your money!¡± Destin said, his voice trembling as he found the box that had fallen. He bent to pick it up, and Vak had him in a chokehold, his hand covering his mouth.


    Destin thrashed around, but he was a slight man with no real muscle. Vak held him easily. Now or never. Vak thought.


    ¡°Destin Huxley, I am not here for any money,¡± Vak said as he felt the burning return. His arms went from a dull gray to their standard Mahogany coloring. The worm made a sound, not unlike a scream as it shot out of his nose and right into an open bag of flour.


    ¡°Astonishing, I had not even realized I was seeing my skin without color,¡± Vak said bewildered. ¡°What an odd sensation.¡±


    As if in response, the man he gripped made a gurgling noise as he struggled for breath. Ah, sorry, I was distracted, if you promise not to shout for the guards, I will let you go. Do we have a deal?¡± After a moment, Destin nodded his head. ¡°Okay, do not make me regret this.¡± He said, releasing the young man into the storage room. He backed away from Vak, turned and his eyes grew wide staring at Vak.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t have it. I didn¡¯t realize this was a job. Alon told me this was a favor. Please!¡±


    ¡°Stop,¡± Vak said, clearing his sinuses. ¡°Excuse me, I understand that¡¯s pretty rude, but my entire nasal cavity feels incredibly gross right now. You wouldn¡¯t happen to have a cloth, or a towel or something?¡±


    Destin pointed at the wall. Vak turned to see the towel, and he grabbed it. ¡°Thank you,¡± Vak said, spinning around just as Destin was making a break for the entrance. Vak pounced on him quickly.


    ¡°HEll¡­.mraphhh¡± Destin said as Vak again covered his mouth.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Alright, no more of that. I did not come here just for a towel. Shhhh. That¡¯s it. Now, same deal, I let you go, you promise to be civil.¡± Vak told him. Again Destin nodded his head, and Vak released him.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Destin asked.


    ¡°Today, I seem to be an investigator, and I am called Vakdragnar.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not with GO?¡±


    ¡°G...o? You mean the Grievspair Organization?¡± Vak asked. Destin just nodded his head. ¡°No,¡± Vak confirmed. ¡°I am here independently. I came by this morning to ask you about your girlfriend, Nina Hale. I am looking into her disappearance on behalf of Mr. Flame from the Flame¡¯s Fondness.¡±


    ¡°For¡­ for Roland?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I just, when you came in this morning I thought you were here to collect.¡±


    ¡°Are you in trouble?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say,¡± Destin told him. ¡°I screwed up pretty bad. I just wanted things to stay the same. I like my life.¡±


    ¡°Stop. You are again, starting from the middle. Please start from the beginning.¡±


    ¡°About a week ago,¡± He stammered. ¡°Nina and I were out having a nice night. I¡¯d made her dinner; she always liked my dinners.¡± Destin started to sob, and Vak felt very uncomfortable. He handed him the towel he¡¯d been using to clear his sinuses. Destin took it and blew his nose.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°So, what happened?¡±


    ¡°Well, out of the blue, Nina says she wants to leave the city.¡±


    ¡°Was she in danger?¡±


    ¡°No, nothing like that. She got it in her head that she wanted to be one of those Adventurers. Nina wanted to leave the city and start living out in the forest or something, hunting treasure. I could tell she hadn¡¯t thought it through at ALL.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Vak said, getting a little defensive.


    ¡°Well, she reads a lot of books and enjoys the adventure ones the best. She would talk about them for hours, sometimes. I thought, maybe this was just a passing thing.¡±


    ¡°But it was not?¡±


    ¡°No, I told her we should think on it. Nina¡¯s always been very spontaneous. She changes her hair color on a whim. This was just like her, and I figured once she sat down and thought about it, she¡¯d realize how childish she was being.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, she felt stifled by the city. Did you even consider her request?¡± Vak said a bit too annoyed. He started to count his breaths. This man didn¡¯t know he was insulting Vak, by calling a spontaneous decision to adventure foolhardy.


    ¡°No! Look, you don¡¯t know Nina, she¡¯s not exactly an outdoorsy type. I honestly don¡¯t think she¡¯d last a single night outside the city walls.¡±


    Vak shook his head. ¡°So, how is this Grievspair Organization involved?¡±


    ¡°I hired them¡­ to kidnap her.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Vak said, feeling the anger surge through his muscles.


    ¡°Look, it''s not like that! I mean I didn¡¯t hire them, actually, at least I didn¡¯t think I was. I have a friend, Alon; he works for the Grievspair Organization. I just asked him to scare her. Take her for a few days. Then I could ride in, pretend to beat up the bandits and save the girl. She¡¯d be relieved¡­¡±


    ¡°And too scared to go adventuring again,¡± Vak said, slowly counting in his head. It wasn¡¯t working very well. There was a real chance he was going to rip this kids arm off.


    ¡°Right! I know it was stupid.¡±


    ¡°And manipulative.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ what choice did I have?¡±


    ¡°Honesty,¡± Vak said.


    ¡°If I had been honest, she might have left me!¡±


    Vak had to stop himself from smacking the idiot. ¡°They set off an explosion in her apartment. The entire thing is in pieces.¡± Vak said letting that sink in.


    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know. They were only supposed to grab her.¡±


    ¡°Well, you obviously don¡¯t know the type of people you got into bed with!¡± Vak snarled, punching his hand through a bag of flour. Destin began to cry again. Vak slowly counted in his head. He was nearing one hundred by now. ¡°So¡­¡± Vak said, changing the subject. ¡°You cannot pay them?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡± He sniffed. ¡°The thing is, I didn¡¯t know I was supposed to! Nobody talked about any kind of price till last night.¡±


    ¡°What happened last night?¡±


    ¡°I got a message to meet them here. They were supposed to grab her yesterday evening and then tell me where she was. But, when I got here, Alon was pissed, said I owed them. They want one thousand gold. I don''t have that kind of money, and they said I had better pay, or they were going to send somebody to take it out of my hide.¡± He sniffed, on the verge of bursting into tears again. ¡°I really like my hide!¡±


    ¡°So, they have her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They said if I told anyone I would go to jail too!¡±


    Vak groaned. This had just gotten a lot more complicated. ¡°Alright. Take me to them.¡±


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t go there!¡±


    ¡°Then show me on a map or something,¡± Vak said, getting irritable; he had no more patience for this bastard.


    ¡°You¡¯re really going after her? That¡¯s insane! They have all sorts of people who work for them; you can¡¯t fight them all.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to fight them. Hopefully, they will be amenable to trade. Perhaps I can offer my services, something to get her out. But if it comes to it, I can take care of myself.¡±


    ¡°No way, man, you go up against GO, and you are dead, you understand?¡±


    Vak walked over to the open bag of flour. Fished around inside and grabbed the Grue worm. Its color had become a dull pink. He placed it protectively in a small pastry bag and tied it to his belt. Then he stood up to find Destin looking at him like Vak was a madman.


    ¡°Well, what choice do we really have?¡±

 Arc 1, Chapter 7

    Destin reluctantly told Vak everything he knew about the local chapter of the Grievspair Organization. It seemed they operated out of a tailor shop within the city walls; a popular place known as ¡°Fit Sew Good.¡± The shop was a ¡°front,¡± which Destin tried to explain a few times. Vak didn¡¯t need to understand the details.


    If everyone knew it was an illegal operation, why was it allowed to continue? How did having a very public false identity like this tailor shop help in the slightest? In the end, it doesn¡¯t make a lot of difference. If that is where they are, then I will try and arrange Miss Hale¡¯s release.


    Destin set up a meeting with his contact, Alon. Vak was to meet him at the Tailor shop right before it closed this evening. Destin would not be joining Vak, which surprised him.


    Destin seemed to care for Nina Hale genuinely. In his sick way. No matter, this outcome is honestly preferable: no one to look after.


    Vak opened the door to a rather impressive shop. Fit Sew Good was much larger than the Huxley family Bakery. There were remarkable suits and dresses hanging from a variety of racks throughout the store. The tailoring business must be going very well. He mused. A lanky man was speaking with an older woman with at least four boxes on the counter.


    ¡°Welcome¡­ uh¡­ sir.¡± The lanky man stammered after looking to Vak. ¡°I¡¯ll be with you in a moment.¡± Then he went back to his transaction with the older lady. He seemed nervous.


    One of the thieves? Is that why I put him at such ill-ease? No, I¡¯ve been spooking everyone I meet, there is no reason to jump to conclusions.


    Vak walked around the shop, pretending to look at clothes. He scanned the area for assassins or cutpurses ready to jump out from behind the racks. Everything seems reasonable, not at all like what I imagined a criminal ¡®front¡¯.


    ¡°Excuse me, sir,¡± The lanky man said, surprising Vak by appearing behind him. ¡°Are you finding everything you need?¡± The man said cautiously.


    How did he approach me without me hearing? Vak wondered. ¡°I¡¯m not here for clothes. I have a meeting with Alon.¡± Vak responded carefully.


    The man¡¯s demeanor changed immediately. He took a step back and fell into what looked like a fighting stance. His foot fell behind him for support, and his hands raised in preparation to deal with an attack.


    ¡°I am Alon. You have exactly ten words to tell me what you are doing here.¡±


    ¡°I am Vakdragnar. Destin sent me about his debt.¡±


    Vak could see the man weighing his words. He did not lower his stance for a few moments. ¡°That was more like eleven words, but very well, come with me,¡± Alon said motioning Vak to join him back behind a curtain.


    Vak ignored the joke at his name and followed. It led to a small collection of stalls for people to try on garments before they purchased them. Alon went to the third stall and pushed on a mirror which opened up to a secret corridor.


    Vak was forced to stoop to follow. They walked down a small corridor, which led to a back room with eight other people. They tensed as Vak entered, some even drew weapons. Vak began to take inventory of the room almost immediately. There was another door opposite the corridor they¡¯d come in.


    Multiple entrances, smart. Vak thought while looking around. An injured man was lying on a table Vak had initially missed in his count of the room. Bandages covered half his face, and his legs had been cut off below his shins. He seemed to be sleeping despite his injuries.


    ¡°Rosina,¡± Alon said, breaking the silence. ¡°Will you go close up the shop?¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡± She said moving with a quickness that told Vak, Alon did not like to be kept waiting.


    So, he is the one in charge here. Destin failed to mention that.


    ¡°So, you noticed, Bradshaw. Good.¡± Alon said, standing beside Vak. He was speaking of the bandaged man. Vak had been unintentionally staring at the sleeping man trying to figure out how he was injured. ¡°If you¡¯re here to speak about Destin¡¯s debt, Bradshaw is at the crux of it. The drugs to keep him alive have been costly.¡±


    ¡°He was one of the kidnappers,¡± Vak said peacing Alon¡¯s words together.


    ¡°He was the only survivor. One of my men hired to do a simple job. Except we both know it wasn¡¯t so simple, don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°I went to her apartment and saw the aftermath..¡±


    ¡°Good, so you¡¯re up to speed. Where¡¯s our money?¡±


    ¡°I do not have any money,¡± Vak said.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Alon practically yelled. The other thieves moved as though they¡¯d received some hidden command. They began to circle Vak.


    ¡°Your friend, says he did not know he was hiring you,¡± Vak explained. ¡°He said, as far as he knew this was a favor between friends.¡±


    ¡°Friends?¡± Alon practically spat the word. ¡°He has the stones to speak of friendship? I grew up with him, and he sends us into that bloodbath!¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°He is a despicable person,¡± Vak confirmed. ¡°Sending you to kidnap someone who trusted him. I would be mad as well. That does not explain why he is being held liable for that man. Was it not you who blew up the apartment? What is the point of using black powder in a simple kidnapping?¡± Vak said as the criminals circled him weapons ready strike.


    ¡°What?¡± Alon said, taking a step back. ¡°A bomb? Is that what you think happened?¡±


    ¡°I saw the apartment. It was devastated.¡±


    ¡°Leave it to Destin. He sends this idiot in his place hoping to, what, intimidate us?¡±


    ¡°I am just here to negotiate the safe return of Miss Hale,¡± Vak said his hands up.


    ¡°It seems you are woefully ill-informed to the situation,¡± Alon told him. ¡°There was no bomb. Your idiot friend hired us to kidnap her. The price adjustment is because he declined to mention we¡¯d need to hide his girl from a demon!¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Vak demanded.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I let you hear about it for yourself,¡± Alon said. He walked over to the bandaged man and gently shook him awake. ¡°Bradshaw, wake up.¡±


    ¡°Gaaahhh,¡± Bradshaw said as he was coming too.


    ¡°Are you in pain?¡± Alon asked with genuine concern.


    ¡°A little,¡± he mumbled.


    Vak did not have much experience with narcotics, but the bandaged man seemed a bit out of it. Like his head bobbed a bit back and forth, and he slurred his speech.


    ¡°I need you to tell this man what happened.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­ what happened?¡±


    ¡°The other night, during your job.¡±


    The man immediately sobered up. His face grew pale and began looking around wildly as though he needed to escape.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Bradshaw,¡± Alon said. ¡°You are safe here. It¡¯s not coming back.¡±


    ¡°I still see it when I sleep.¡± Bradshaw began, his hands were shaking. ¡°It¡¯s etched in my brain.¡±


    ¡°What did you see?¡± Vak asked. That look in his eyes. He has seen something haunting.


    ¡°It was impossibly tall, like a twisted skeleton with these gnarled horns from the side of its head. It just appeared out of nowhere, and the room broke apart. It lifted its unnaturally long arms, and these black tendrils came from the ground. I thought I¡¯d lost my mind.¡± The man began to weep as he talked, then his demeanor changed completely. He began thrashing around violently. ¡°It took my legs! It took my legs!¡± he began shouting; he was staring down at his injuries.


    ¡°Bradshaw. Calm down.¡± Alon said with little effect. Bradshaw grabbed Vak and could see how broken this man had become.


    ¡°I could hear it speak in my head. It was going to devour me. It took my legs!¡±


    Alon quickly stuck a needle in Bradshaw¡¯s arm, and the thrashing slowly stopped as the man passed out. Vak looked from the drugged man to Alon again, trying to make sense of what he was hearing.


    ¡°Where is Nina Hale?¡± Vak asked quietly.


    ¡°Dead.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You saw the apartment; nothing survived that. I hope, for her sake, that demon devoured her there. There are many worse things than death, and I would not wish them on the waitress.¡± Alon said somberly, looking at his bandaged friend slowly returning to unconsciousness.


    ¡°Why was this demon after her in the first place? What would it want with a tavern waitress?¡± Vak could feel his anger rise. He had hoped to save her, and he was having a difficult time accepting that was beyond him now.


    ¡°No idea,¡± Alon said cooly. The criminals had circled him again; drawing their weapons. ¡°I only know Destin lied to me. I don¡¯t like liars. It''s a shame you got in the middle of this, but I have to send a message to Destin. Let him know any further attempt to involve other people is going to end badly.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to do this,¡± Vak said. He wasn''t entirely convincing. Part of him wanted to let loose his anger on these criminals.


    ¡°Kill him,¡± Alon said without any sympathy.


    Behind him, a wall erupted in a fiery blast.


    Shards of wood splintered, hurled through the air as they blasted inward into the hideout. A woman wearing a long orange and red robe floated into the room through the fire. Her hair was a vibrant orange, and she played with it as she surveyed the carnage. Flames danced around her body like a shield.


    It took Vak entirely too long to realize he¡¯d met this woman last evening at the bar; probably because she was much less on fire at the time. She levitated for a few moments in silence as the criminals looked at her in disbelief. Then they charged at her, completely forgetting about Vakdragnar.


    She had not come alone. Braid, from Nina¡¯s apartment, stepped out in front of her. His gleaming silver armor a sharp contrast to the gloom of the hideout. He had his Large hammer that he swung with one hand, knocking the nearest assailant across the room. The thief hit against the wall and did not get up.


    The hammer pulsed with white radiant light as it made contact, and he swung it again at a second enemy hitting him square in the chest and sending him flying. Braid stood like that in front of Cassie attacking anyone who tried to get near her. Three more thieves hit the walls with a sickening crunch as they foolishly thought they could take him.


    Cassie sent out streaks of fire that shot across the room, striking criminals and knocking them to the ground. A few ignited and rolled around in agony in an attempt to put it out. They lay there howling in pain, unable to continue fighting.


    Alon charged at Braid and then dove under his hammer as he brought it around to strike him. He was determined to kill this fire mage. That was when Dam appeared behind Alon driving his dagger into where the man¡¯s liver would be. Dam¡¯s attack had been precise and quick. He had picked the spot specifically to do the most damage. Alon crumpled to the ground.


    Just like that, the fight was over. Shattershade began to take stock of the room as a fourth member strolled in. The Tey Paira, Anka Cotton, grimaced as she ran her finger along a bloody wall. She walked in with no great hurry. She moved to each criminal, checking on their wounds, and offering a small prayer for the ones that died. Her hands lit up, and the criminal¡¯s eyes grew wide as they sucked in a sharp breath of air.


    Braid stormed over to Vak. He was a tall, impressive man, and not much shorter than Vakdragnar.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± He demanded.


    ¡°I am¡­¡±


    ¡°Rag?¡± Anka said in disbelief. ¡°You told me you weren¡¯t involved with Grievspair! Was that all a lie? Some kind of plot to steal from the church?¡±


    ¡°What? Wait! No, I would never!¡± Vak tried to explain. He did not want to fight Shattershade after that display.


    ¡°We better take him too.¡± Braid decided. ¡°Cassie?¡±


    Vak put his hands up in a placating gesture. ¡°You don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Cassie said her eyes glowing like a flame. ¡°Time to sleep now, handsome.¡± She raised her hand, and a cloud of strange purple dust swept across Vakdragnar. His eyes became heavy, and he fell to one knee. He could feel himself falling asleep and unable to shake it off. The compulsion was too strong. He landed on the ground hard and then fell into unconsciousness.

 Arc 1, Chapter 8

    Vakdragnar awoke to soreness in his back and neck as though he¡¯d been sleeping at an odd angle. He sat up to get his bearings and was for a moment, confused. Then recognition took over, and his stomach sank. He was back in the Guardhouse.


    They¡¯d placed him in a cell. His head hurt because he''d slept upon a granite slab. He felt sore, stiff, and not the least bit rested. They had confiscated the pastry bag containing the grue-worm, and they had outfitted him with another annoying, itchy, bright orange, inferior-cloth shirt.


    The cell was bare except for the slab. You can tell a lot about a city by how they treat their criminals; he thought, as he rose to stretch his muscles. Iron bars spaced somewhat evenly blocked his freedom. The only door was likely locked, but Vak checked it anyway. No luck.


    I haven¡¯t been unconscious for more than a few hours. He said, looking out at the lone window on the other side of the jail. Outside it was still dark, with no threat of becoming light. He paced around his cell. There was little he could do but wait. It was only a few minutes before Captain Lance strolled in, sword at his side.


    ¡°You assured me you weren¡¯t here to cause trouble.¡± He said in an annoyed tone.


    ¡°I had no intention of causing trouble. I still do not.¡± Vak said, honestly.


    ¡°Well, it''s only been a day, and here you are back in one of my cells. So, you¡¯ll excuse me if I¡¯m skeptical of your intentions.¡±


    ¡°It is all a misunderstanding.¡±


    Lance barked a short laugh. ¡°Sure, sure. So, I have statements from several people detailing just how disruptive you have been in my city.¡±


    ¡°They are mistaken.¡±


    ¡°So, you didn¡¯t get in a brawl behind the Flame¡¯s Fondness hours after being permitted in the city?¡±


    ¡°I was assaulted.¡±


    ¡°I have three men attesting that you drunkenly attacked them. Then you carried one across the city and stuck a bloody knife in his unconscious hand.¡±


    ¡°He was a thief.¡±


    ¡°Kosta? He sure is, but it would be downright idiotic of him to go after a man of your size instead of an easier score.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Vak confirmed. ¡°He is not very bright.¡±


    ¡°Next you¡¯re going to tell me you didn¡¯t threaten the baker¡¯s kid?¡±


    ¡°That was a..¡±


    ¡°A misunderstanding. Right, you¡¯ve said that.¡±


    ¡°If you speak to him again¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, we got his signed testimony that morning. He attests you came into the bakery and threatened him as well as some of the other customers.¡±


    ¡°A lot was going on; he had just learned his girlfriend had gone missing. We have cleared up the misunderstanding if you would go and speak with him again.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure. You threaten Destin to recant his testimony. I know how it works. We speak with him now and suddenly, his whole story changes. I¡¯ll pass.¡±


    ¡°It is the truth.¡±


    ¡°What I know to be the truth is that you injured two of my guards in full view of about forty people, while under arrest. You evaded lawful arrest, ran, and broke into a church. Then you were found by a local group of heroes in the backroom dealing with the Grievspair Organization. I don¡¯t even need to call the judge, I have never seen anyone so completely guilty in all my years. The icing on the shit sandwich of your little foray into my city is that you destroyed your city-issued clothing.¡±


    Vak declined to answer.


    ¡°No more objections to your crimes?¡±


    ¡°What would be the point? It sounds as though you have made up your mind. What is to become of me?¡±


    ¡°Well, that ain¡¯t my department, but I¡¯ll be recommending to the judge we hang you in the morning.¡±


    Vak¡¯s stomach did a roll. This is insane. How in all ten of the hells did I get here?


    ¡°Oh come now, Captain Lance,¡± a feminine voice said from beyond Vak¡¯s field of vision. ¡°You don¡¯t want to have to go through all that paperwork?¡± Lance turned to allow the woman entry; it was the fire mage, Cassie.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the job, ma¡¯am,¡± Lance said. The way he spoke to her was entirely different, less confident, and more familiar. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Oh, and you¡¯re ever so good at your job, Captain,¡± she replied, running her hand through her orange hair. Lance gave her a big dopey smile. She pressed the small advantage. ¡°Listen, do you think we could have a teensy little talk with your inmate?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a good idea¡­¡± Lance said but stopped when she cupped her hands on the side of his face.


    ¡°Please, Captain. A small favor for me?¡± She said, puffing out her chest. Captain Lance was utterly entranced.


    ¡°Only if you call me, Garryson.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Garry,¡± she said playfully. ¡°You¡¯re such a flirt!¡± She said with a wink. ¡°Do you ever get any nights off?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I could take some time for you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you!¡± She said with a playful slap on his arm. Vak¡¯s stomach was spinning again, but this time, it was out of nausea. Thankfully ¡®Garry¡¯ left without much more flirting and then the rest of Shattershade piled into the area outside Vak¡¯s cell.


    ¡°What are we doing here, Cass?¡± Braid asked in an authoritative tone.


    ¡°Tada,¡± She said, pointing to Vak.


    ¡°Cassie, he is a waste of time,¡± Braid told her. ¡°Anka already spoke with him, when he broke into the church.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Anka added. ¡°Not much reason to get involved. Rag doesn¡¯t have anything of value for us.¡± Vak looked at the Tey Paira as she spoke. Her pockets were weighed down with something. He could see it in the way she was holding herself. The way they jingled as she moved. She was concealing something within them.


    ¡°Did you rob the Thieves Guild?¡± Vak asked. All four turned to look at him.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Dam said in a threatening tone.


    ¡°The Tey Paira, her pockets, and bags are filled with what appears to be gold or gems. They were empty earlier, so I am assuming she just has not had time to place the stolen goods elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Listen here; I didn¡¯t steal a damn thing,¡± Anka screamed.


    ¡°No, seriously, what did he say?¡± Dam added. ¡°I wasn¡¯t paying attention.¡±


    ¡°He thinks we¡¯re thieves,¡± Braid answered. He stood taller in response to the challenge.


    ¡°Alright, everyone, calm down,¡± Cassie said, interjecting herself. ¡°We are getting distracted here.¡±


    ¡°I agree completely,¡± Braid said, turning to leave.


    ¡°You said we needed help!¡± Cassie said, stopping him in his tracks.


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­¡± Braid started.


    ¡°Oh, but I do.¡± She responded. ¡°Just look at him. He¡¯s big, and those muscles!¡± She said, pretending to swoon. ¡°He was the only one still standing after we hit the GO. Maybe this one won¡¯t just get eaten by a monster.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a criminal, Cass,¡± Braid said, concerned.


    ¡°Well, so was Dam when we first found him,¡± Anka added in an annoyed tone.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Dam said. He had gone back to carving small lewd pictures in the cell wall. The rest ignored him.


    ¡°Think of it this way,¡± Cassie said. ¡°He is out of options, desperate even. Plus he seems like the loyal type. Wouldn¡¯t you like to have this guy on our side?¡± she said, placing her hands on her hips.


    ¡°Cass, is this another incident like with that minstrel?¡±


    ¡°What! No, nothing like that! Sebastian was very dear to me! Just what are you insinuating?¡±


    ¡°Are you going after the demon,¡± Vak said, interrupting them again.


    ¡°A what!¡± Dam said backing away and checking the exits.


    ¡°The demon. You WERE trying to find Nina Hale, were you not?¡±


    Braid laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you bought into that thieve¡¯s babble? We interrogated them already. It¡¯s preposterous.¡±


    ¡°I looked the man in the eyes. There was no lie there.¡±


    ¡°Well, you are new to city-life. Here, not everyone is always telling the truth.¡± Anka told him.


    ¡°I know the sound of a lie,¡± Vak responded, annoyed.


    ¡°Do you?¡± Anka said in a mocking tone.


    ¡°I suppose you still believe ¡®Goblins¡¯ took her?¡± Vak questioned.


    ¡°Ah-ha!¡± Braid said. ¡°You see, I knew I was right. The wildman has come to the very same conclusion I did in my investigation! What did you see, wild man?¡±


    ¡°No, I did not see anything,¡± Vak told him, frustrated. ¡°Why would Goblins come to a populated city to attack and murder a woman?¡±


    ¡°Why did you?¡± Braid asked him.


    ¡°Aha! He¡¯s got you there.¡± Dam gloated.


    ¡°I¡­ it does not matter,¡± Vak said, feeling his anger rise. ¡°Are you going after Nina Hale¡¯s murder.¡±


    ¡°Murderers.¡± Braid corrected him. ¡°And yes.¡±


    ¡°Then take me with you. Please.¡±


    ¡°Did you know her?¡± Cassie said a bit confused.


    ¡°No, but whatever killed her,¡± He said, stressing the word, ¡°does not deserve to walk this earth any longer.¡±


    Cassie looked to Braid. ¡°See, he¡¯s got motivation. Tell me you didn¡¯t get a chill up your spine when he spoke?¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine. He can come. I¡¯ll go talk to Captain Lance.¡± Braid said defeated.


    ¡°He isn¡¯t getting any of our cut,¡± Anka said, shouting after him.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Cassie told her. ¡°We¡¯d obviously hire him at a day rate, not our split.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± She said, raising her nose in the air. ¡°Come on, Dam.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± he said, looking around. Then he hurried to follow after Anka.


    ¡°What is going on?¡± Vak said, moving towards the bars.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting you out of here.¡± Cassie cooed. ¡°You said you wanted to come with us. Fight your demons.¡±


    ¡°But I am in serious trouble with Captain Lance.¡±


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s a big softy. We¡¯ve done so much good for this city that they can¡¯t help but give us a new packman.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what am I going to be doing exactly?¡±


    ¡°Oh, quite a bit,¡± Cassie said, placing her hand on his shoulder. She squeezed it. ¡°We¡¯ll be putting those muscles to a lot of work carrying our gear, supplies, or treasures we find. That kind of thing.¡±


    ¡°I am to be your slave?¡±


    ¡°Oh, honey, I wouldn¡¯t say that,¡± Cassie said, comforting him.


    ¡°Good, for a moment there I was worried I was a slave.¡±


    ¡°Oh, absolutely not! Slave is such an ugly word. I much prefer the phrase ''indentured servant.¡± She said with a wink.

 Arc 1 Interlude

    The blade seemed to swing faster with every pass. That was impossible, of course. The pendulum could not pick up speed; not without interference. Its weight and size made that very unlikely.


    No, Falcix told himself. I must be imagining it.


    He knew he would not even cause it to stutter if he was too slow. It would undoubtedly bisect him. The pendulum trap swung away from him again, and he steeled himself to move at the optimal moment. It oscillated towards him, and he felt the air rush by his beak as it passed. It swung away from him again, and he leapt into action.


    He dove at the mechanism controlling the pendulum trap. He reached into his vest and found the small knife he¡¯d placed there this morning. His blue feathered hand had to be quick; his life was on the line. He sliced the tension rope tied to the giant blade, and it dropped to the ground with a resounding clang. Falcix took a few deep breaths and looked over his shoulder to see what the old brown bird thought of his success.


    ¡°Master, who do you think maintains all these traps?¡± Falcix said smugly.


    ¡°Maintains them?¡±


    ¡°Right. I mean somebody must come by here to reset them after an unlucky adventurer gets sliced into pieces.¡± Falcix inquired while preening.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be morbid, Falcix.¡± His master told him with a shake of his head. His brown feathers were fluttering a bit at the motion.


    ¡°Of course, Master,¡± Falcix said feigning penitence.


    His master shook his head and closed his big round eyes. He walked over to the next pendulum in the row and began to sing. It was a short tune; a simple disarmament song and Falcix realized his mistake as the next blade came to a sudden stillness.


    ¡°Never risk injury when a simple song will do.¡± His master scolded. ¡°You¡¯ll never fly if one of your wings is, how did you put it: Sliced to pieces?¡±


    ¡°We cannot fly, Master,¡± Falcix said annoyed, but mostly at his carelessness.


    ¡°The stories say that the Warblers once flew.¡± His master responded.


    ¡°Master¡­¡±


    ¡°Do not disregard the stories Falcix. Stories are a legacy. They teach and warn, and they connect us to our past. Now quick stalling and show me I haven¡¯t wasted my time in taking you on as an apprentice.¡±


    Falcix walked up to the third and final razor pendulum trap. He closed his eyes and replayed the music in his mind. He tried to focus on each note his master had sung. It was a song he should know, but he was going to have to improvise a bit. He began to whistle the melody, and he could feel the magic within manipulating the mechanism. It was almost like another arm or a different way of seeing. The pendulum came to a stop after a few moments.


    ¡°Impressive. You mimicked the melody after a single hearing.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve been studying the books you gave me¡­¡±


    ¡°Falcix.¡± His master said in a tone that warned against lying to the old bird.


    ¡°Sorry, Master.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ashamed of talent, my apprentice. But don¡¯t become complacent either. You must actually study once in a while if you ever hope to pass your next recital.¡±


    The two walked in silence down the long stone corridor. The air was a bit stale in this underground catacombs, and Falcix could not shake the creepy feelings. Every shadow in the hall seemed longer and more sinister than they had a right to be. Their talons clicked as they walked upon the stone echoed in the empty tomb. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°How¡­ did you know?¡± Falcix asked, breaking the silence.


    His master spun his head around behind him, so he was looking at Falcix. ¡°Your song had quite a few improvisations, not enough to alter the spell, but when you¡¯ve been doing magic as long as I have you start to notice these things.¡± His master spun his head back in front of him and continued talking, more to himself than to Falcix. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re quite lucky to have a master as experienced as I. I practically helped shape the Warbler¡¯s knowledge of magic, for fifteen years I¡¯ve been exploring and researching the limits of it. I dare say...¡±


    Falcix had stopped following. They¡¯d come to a large circular room with scribbling all along the floor. They were not letters or numbers as Falcix understood them. The scribblings were more like symbols. It fascinated him, but also sent a shiver down his spine. This was a different type of magic than the one he had been studying. It was darker.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t touch that.¡± His master said realizing his apprentice had wandered away. ¡°It''s a summoning circle. Those things are notoriously nefarious.¡±


    ¡°Someone tried to summon something?¡±


    ¡°A long time ago. No need to worry. This place was cleared out, and the cult was apprehended.¡±


    ¡°Master if this place was cleared out, why were those pendulum traps still in operation?¡±


    His master put his hand in front of Falcix¡¯s beak to silence him. He shook his head very slowly. Then Facix heard the sound. It was the sound of low scraping footsteps. His master motioned him toward the other passageway, one that led further into the catacombs. Falcix raced over to join him.


    They sat there listening for a few moments, unsure what to expect when a young human woman appeared at the mouth of the other corridor. Falcix breathed a sigh of relief and started to stand. His master stopped him and motioned for Falcix to observe.


    The woman looked out of place. Falcix had not spent much time with humans; they tended to keep to themselves and be somewhat xenophobic. This one seemed to be running around in her sleeping gown. There were several rips and tears along the garment, and she looked cold. As he looked closer, he became much more concerned. The skirt had strange black scorches and was pretty filthy; as though the woman had walked a great distance in it.


    Her hair was another oddity. It was a brownish color near the top that slowly faded into a golden yellow near the edges. It would have been a beautiful pattern on a Warbler, but on a human, it looked out of place.


    The woman had no weapons, and nothing to protect herself. She wasn¡¯t even wearing shoes. Falcix was convinced she was no threat to him, and certainly not to the likes of his master. He looked to him inquisitively. Should they not call out to the woman and see if she needs some help?


    His master just stared at the woman his eyes wide. Falcix was confused, was his master afraid? He looked back toward the woman, and he caught the faintest shadow of something else. Something taller and quick. It was as though Falcix¡¯s eyes did not want to see it; he had trouble focusing on it.


    From the little, he could see it was tall, perhaps nine feet, and unnaturally thin. It made his head hurt to look at it for too long. He stared at the floor and felt a little ashamed for having to do so.


    ¡°Please.¡± The woman called out. ¡°Let me go.¡±


    So, she is in danger then. Falcix said, braving another glance.


    The thing that stood before her shook its long head and raised its long slender arms to point across the room. Falcix could see it''s sunken black eyes briefly. They seemed devoid of any of the qualities Falcix equated with life; just darkness.


    More of the creature came into view, and he felt a tug on his vest. His master was trying to ease him out of the room and further into the catacombs. He relented and followed, unsure if he should speak or not. The voice had a way of reverberating in these old tombs. They walked for twenty or thirty minutes f into the catacombs. They¡¯d descended further down a stairwell to a lower basement before his master stopped to rest.


    ¡°I think it is okay to speak if we are brief.¡±


    ¡°Master, we just left that human. I think she was in danger.¡±


    ¡°Almost certainly, but she was beyond our help. That thing¡­ I¡¯ve never felt an aura like it before. It was nauseating. If it had seen us, we would be dead now.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe what I¡¯m hearing. Is this the same man who was bragging about studying magic for fifteen years. Surely you¡¯ve had to fight terrible things before.¡±


    ¡°I have faced up against man and monster in my time, Falcix. That is something altogether different; evil. Now come, quickly, we¡¯ve rested enough. Let us pray that Pagat is with us today. We¡¯ll need considerable luck if we¡¯re to find another way out of this tomb.¡±


    For once, Falcix did not argue or make a witty remark. They both began to run as a savage roar echoed through the catacombs.

 Arc 2, Chapter 1

    The Morning light peaked through the barred window that sat just outside the holding cell. Vakdragnar still waited to be released. He was beginning to believe that Shattershade had played some elaborate joke on him. Was their promise of freedom some attempt to get information from him? The uncertainty was tortuous. For all he knew, they had failed to convince Lance, and he waited to be executed, not released.


    He waited until nearly noon. The anticipation was getting to him now; the total dread in believing that he was about to be executed. Then the door to the holding cell opened, Vak sat up apprehensively. Finally, Anka stepped into view.


    ¡°Get your things; we don¡¯t have all day to waste.¡± She told him impatiently. He was almost glad to see her.


    The conditions of his release this time were that he would be leaving the city this morning and only allowed back in under the supervision of a member of Shattershade. The law seems to regard this guild of adventurers highly. His axe would only be returned to him as he left, along with his pouch. Despite his predicament, he was optimistic. He would be working with real heroes to go on an adventure. He felt like a kid again.


    They led him through the crowded streets with townsfolk mostly ignoring him when they weren¡¯t sneering. Vak realized that this, again, must be the heroes¡¯ influence. They must see that Shattershade is walking him and so they have nothing to fear from him. High regard, indeed.


    Anka led the way, and every so often they were forced to stop as random townsfolk asked her for a favor or a blessing for something inane. Dam was doing his best to skulk behind. He was a bit obvious to Vak, but he supposed maybe the man was practicing moving invisibly.


    They stopped in front of a small general store, and Anka led them in.


    ¡°Anka, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m supposed to be here,¡± Vak said diplomatically.


    ¡°Yet, here we are.¡± She said sarcastically. ¡°Don¡¯t strain your brain, Rag. We won¡¯t be here long.¡±


    The insult stung. Vak was growing to not like this woman.


    The shop owner stood up as soon as they entered and he noticed Vak and presumably the bright orange clothing that he wore.


    ¡°Can I help you, Tey Paira?¡± He said, looking back and forth between Anka and Vak.¡±


    ¡°Yes we¡¯re leaving soon, and we need to resupply on a few odds and ends.¡±


    ¡°Of course, anything I can do for Shattershade.¡± He said eyeing Vak up and down.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He is harmless.¡± Anka told him, and surprisingly, the man was mollified by this. He sat back down in his chair and began reading his paper. He would look up every minute or so, but he trusted her word.


    Anka began to lead Vak around the store. She had a list of things to buy, but as she found the item and looked at the displayed price, a small ¡°tsk¡± escaped her lips. She did not think much of the shop¡¯s pricing. Vak had no frame of reference.


    Some items, it seemed, were too pricey and she just placed them back on the shelves. Others she handed to Vak to cart around. So, I am going to be their pack mule after all. He counted slowly in his head. He needed to do something about this, but could he blame them, from Anka¡¯s perspective maybe he did seem like a broke thief and villain. Perhaps, instead of expecting respect, he thought he should earn it a bit, probably start by getting to know Anka.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± Vak began.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± She responded only half-listening.


    ¡°I tried and failed to ask you about the naming of your faith¡¯s¡­ uh... shamans the other day. I wonder if you would be willing to better explain them to me.¡±


    ¡°What are you on about?¡± She said, turning to him.


    ¡°You are called Tey Paira, correct? This is a title within the temple?¡±


    ¡°I thought you said you were familiar with the Sacred Hierarchies?¡±


    ¡°I am, with the gods and goddesses. It was a subject of some importance to me growing up. I must admit that I am ignorant of the organizational structure of their earthly servants.¡±


    ¡°Geez, you talk a lot.¡±


    ¡°I have been told that. My apologies.¡±


    She rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Yes, I am a Tey Paira, as in I am devoted to Paital.¡±


    ¡°The god on top of the Autumn Hierarchy?¡±


    ¡°And Peace. People like to focus too much on the seasonal affiliations and not their influence.¡±


    ¡°My apologies¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, ignorance¡­¡± She said dismissively.


    ¡°So, why were you in a temple of Vite, if you are devoted to Paital?¡±


    ¡°The Hierarchies aren¡¯t like a club you join. I follow all of them. Vite, Paital, Marhar, and Gurent, or as you might be familiar: Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Birth, Peace, Death, & War.¡±


    ¡°Excellent, Rag. Yeah, I will still pray to any of the various gods in any of the Hierarchies. My devotion, however, is to Paital and the gods and goddesses within his hierarchy. I am devoted to him.


    ¡°Like a specialist?¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not? Yes, a ¡®specialist.¡±


    ¡°Then what about the other part. You mentioned the leader of the church was Joh Vira, and you were a Tey Paira. Does the first-word hold significance?¡±


    ¡°Obviously.¡± She said, rolling her eyes. Then she sighed again and explained. ¡°The title is simply your station.¡±


    ¡°Is Tey high within your faith?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She said with a laugh. ¡°No, Tey is the lowest a servant to the hierarchy can be.¡±


    ¡°Ah. I meant no offense.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Oh, don¡¯t worry, I wasn¡¯t. Just a stray thought.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you believe this?¡± She said changing the subject quickly and picking up the item in front of her. ¡°3 gold for a rope? It might as well be made out of gold at that price!¡± She slammed the rope back down on the shelf.


    ¡°Is that not something we need?¡±


    ¡°Eh, we¡¯ll manage. I don¡¯t feel like contributing to this thief¡¯s pockets by paying some of these ridiculous prices. It¡¯s obscene!¡±


    ¡°You know, we¡¯ve mostly only picked up a few things off the list.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware! Braid gave me the list, and he trusts my judgment.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°We should be going anyway.¡± She said, dragging Vak up to the front of the store. Vak displayed the items to the shop owner. A piece of chalk, ten prepackaged rations, and a bag of small metal spheres. The shop owner looked them over and gave her a price.


    ¡°Eighteen Silver! You can¡¯t be serious, most of this was marked a few coppers at most.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Tey Paira. These are the prices I have to charge. There have been a series of recent thefts.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m shouldering the cost of these thieves?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any other choice.¡±


    ¡°Did you not hear?¡± Vak said, speaking up. ¡°Shattershade just apprehended the Grievespair Organization last night. With the thieves behind bars, surely you can lower your prices?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ suppose,¡± the shopkeeper responded. ¡°Fifteen Silver.¡±


    ¡°Three silver pieces for disrupting the major thieves guild?¡± Anka said


    ¡°If you are not satisfied, you can surely find what you need elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Now, listen here, I¡¯m not paying over five silver pieces for this substandard crap.¡±


    ¡°Twelve.¡±


    ¡°Six.¡±


    ¡°Ten.¡±


    ¡°Eight, final offer.¡±


    ¡°Fine. The shop owner said his face red with annoyance. If you will just both leave. Your servant is scaring away my customers.¡±


    ¡°Gladly.¡± She said, placing the money down on the counter and walking out. Vak grabbed the items they purchased and walked out of the shop. Dam was sitting there looking back and forth up and down the street. His eyes were scanning the road. Did he sense danger? The way he¡¯s looking about is causing him to stand out. People could get the wrong impression that he is doing something very suspicious.


    Anka nodded her head and dipped into an alley. Dam followed her as did Vak. Dam had laid out several items on a small stoop. Anka motioned for Vak to do likewise. Dam must have purchased some things while he and Anka had been conversing. He had bought a great deal more things then they had. His purchases included almost all of the items that Anka dismissed; like the rope. Vak took a step back, preparing for her to blow up on his poor spending. Instead, she laughed.


    ¡°Good work, Dam.¡± She said with exaggerated applause.


    ¡°Of course, of course.¡± He said bowing. ¡°It was child¡¯s play. I mean that idiot watched Rag like a hawk. I doubt he even saw me.¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Vak said. ¡°What exactly happened here.¡±


    ¡°You, my big friend, are one hell of a distraction.¡± Dam said patting Vak on the shoulder.


    ¡°You stole these?¡± Vak said with disbelief.


    Dam and Anka shared a look. ¡°Well yeah.¡± Dam responded.


    ¡°This is unacceptable,¡± Vak said, feeling the anger well up in him.


    ¡°No,¡± Anka told him. ¡°What¡¯s unacceptable is that pompous bastard¡¯s pricing.¡±


    ¡°So, we purchase from someone else. Heroes do not steal.¡±


    ¡°So, it is alright for him to charge prices that common people cannot afford?¡± She asked him. Dam grew bored of the conversation and began drawing obscenities on the wall of the alley.


    ¡°Then he will go out of business.¡±


    ¡°Or desperate people will keep him afloat. We are hunting terrible creatures that came into town, destroyed a home, and killed a woman.¡±


    ¡°I have not forgotten.¡±


    ¡°Yet, this shopkeeper gouges us on prices. He forces us to choose between items that might save someone else¡¯s life, something that might stop an evil creature.¡±


    ¡°I agree that it isn¡¯t right.¡±


    ¡°So, we just balance the scales. He cheats us, so we take that into account.¡±


    ¡°But stealing?¡± Vak said a lot less sure of himself than when he began the argument.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you steal some poor townsfolk clothes yesterday?¡± Anka demanded.


    ¡°I¡­ I traded him my furs, he benefited from the exchange.¡±


    ¡°Probably, but you didn¡¯t seek his consent, did you?¡±


    ¡°I was trying to stay hidden, Trying to find information to save¡­¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Anka said softening. ¡°You bent the law a bit to do what you had to, to save someone, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°We are doing the same here. The items we need on this list could protect us at an important time. It could mean the difference between stopping these goblins and certain death. It is not what I would prefer, but it is necessary.¡±


    Vak really didn¡¯t know what to make of her argument. He felt like what they were doing was wrong, but the way she explained it, it made sense. Perhaps we do have a right to them more so than a greedy shopkeeper. He wasn¡¯t sure.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the decision, Rag? You could turn us in. We¡¯d likely get arrested. The goblins would probably return and murder again; all over some overpriced items.¡± She paused, expecting an answer. Vak floundered.


    ¡°I know this for sure,¡± She added. ¡°Make a decision. Every moment we waste is more time for those creatures to do more evil. So?¡± She paused again, and Vak had no response to that. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. Grab the items, and let¡¯s go.¡± She said stalking out of the alley. A few moments later Dam looked up, realized she had left, and sped after her.


    Vak was alone with the ill-gotten gains. Is this what a hero does? He thought as he stooped to pick them up. He followed the Tey Paira feeling more dread then he had at the threat of execution this morning.

 Arc 2, Chapter 2

    The bag¡¯s straps bit into Vakdragnar¡¯s arms. He wasn¡¯t sure, but he thought one of the clasps seemed broken. He took a long breath and tried to look upon the brighter side.


    Things can always be worse.


    The pack looked much more cumbersome than what it was. It was comically large, almost as tall as Vak, and filled to the seams with equipment and weapons, but it was not unbearable. Vak accepted that many of the adventure stories he¡¯d written held inaccuracies. Real-life was often more disappointing.


    He stared after Anka, and her words played back in his head. He had not acted, and in doing so, he had made his choice. He shook his head. He needed to get over the stolen items. Anka was right; they could be more useful for saving lives than hanging on a shelf. He steeled himself to think no more on it. He must move ahead.


    Captain Lance stood with his arms cross, watching them approach the Eastern gate. He looked upset at something, and Vak surmised he knew what. Vak looked up at the sun, well past the middle of the day. Shattershade strolled up to him much more confidently than Vak felt.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d be on your way much sooner,¡± Lance said, looking past Braid and right at Vak.


    ¡°We had some preparations to make,¡± Cassie said cutting in. ¡°I hope it¡¯s alright, Garry?¡± She cooed as Lance¡¯s demeanor softened.


    ¡°Of course, Miss Cassie.¡± He said, tipping his hat. Lance dropped Vak¡¯s pouch and axe on the ground, not even deigning to hand it to him directly. Vak had to set his enormous pack down off his shoulders, then grab his things.


    As Vak bent down, Lance told him, ¡°If you do anything to harm them, I¡¯ll come after you myself, savage.¡± Vak stared back at Captain Lance.


    I do not think there will ever be any convincing this man. He has decided on who he believes me to be.


    Vak grabbed his twin-headed great axe and held it up. The familiar weight was like hugging an old friend. He knew every imperfection and every even the smell brought back memories.


    The wood was painted green and the metal an intense blue. It was decorated to remind him of Huak, and he felt a calmness wash over him like a wave.


    Vak smiled as he picked up his pouch with the little pink worm inside. He was undamaged, and Vak collected some soil for him to get some nutrients. He was by no means a worm expert, but he knew they needed dirt to live.


    ¡°What is with the worm?¡± Cassie said, peering over his shoulder.


    ¡°It was a gift.¡± Vak said proudly, then added, ¡°from a friend.¡± They all looked at one another as though he¡¯d said something confusing. Lance just shook his head and left them standing at the gate. Vak placed the dirt sack on his belt, then grabbed the large pack and slipped it around his shoulders, using a cord to tie it around his waist for added support. Then he moved the axe between the straps and his back.


    The gates opened and Shattershade departed. Leaving the city felt as good to Vak as being released from that cell that morning. He felt the breeze on his skin and the sound of nearby birds calling. He took a deep breath and then looked to Braid.


    ¡°Which way do we go?¡± Vak asked him.


    ¡°Uh¡­ North, of course.¡± Braid said, stepping onto the road and leading the way. Shattershade followed behind with Vak bringing up the rear. Braid was impressive. Vak had done a great deal of hunting and tracking back on Huak, and he could not pick out the tracks Braid was using to guide them. There were no goblin tracks Vak could see.


    ¡°Is that thing heavy?¡± Cassie said, falling back to walk beside him.


    ¡°No. I can manage.¡±


    ¡°So, those muscles aren¡¯t just for show then?¡±


    ¡°For show? Do you have some kind of muscle shows here in Abrune?¡±


    She laughed. It was an endearing sound. ¡°Don¡¯t I wish. No, it is an expression. Some people train and work to gain these rippling muscles just to impress women.¡±


    ¡°That seems like a lot of work.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. Anyhow, I was trying to say you are.¡±


    ¡°Are?¡±


    ¡°Impressive.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Vak said a bit embarrassed. ¡°I think you are more impressive.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± She said, intentionally walk closer to him. ¡°What do you like about me?¡± She said, pulling back her shoulder-length red hair. Strange. I could have sworn that was orange last night. She stared up at him as he stared at her, and she smiled coyly.


    ¡°I¡­ That is¡­ your abilities are astonishing.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± She said, pulling away a bit.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I did not mean any offense by it.¡±


    ¡°No, no offense.¡± She said her tone a bit sad. ¡°You¡¯re right they¡¯re quite impressive.¡± She looked out at the forest with a distant look on her face.


    ¡°I do not often speak with heroes; you understand,¡± Vak tried to explain. ¡°Please, if I said something stupid, I apologize.¡±


    ¡°No, sorry.¡± She said without any hint of flirting in her voice. ¡°I just¡­ I¡¯m more than that you know? More than what they made me.¡± She said, staring down at her hands. She closed them into a fist and then opened them again staring at her red nails.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°Made you?¡±


    ¡°I was six when my father abandoned us, and eight when the Zoftwiten Institute took me.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®took?¡¯ Were you kidnapped?¡±


    ¡°This was only three years after the Godsend. Back then, the King wasn¡¯t sure what to make of magic. He got a lot of pressure from the Sci Paira. They thought magic was an insult to the Hierarchies. So, he gave resources to his most learned scholar and trusted advisor, Emarim Primoneir. Emarim built the Zoftweiten Institute as a sort of place to study magic and people who showed signs of using it.¡±


    ¡°By why take you from your home?¡± Vak asked.


    ¡°They were collecting anyone with an affinity for magic back then. Men, women, children, it didn¡¯t matter. They thought we were dangerous. Perhaps they were right to be afraid.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Vak said, unsure what more to say. Cassie and I are not so different. Both of us were pariahs, forced from our home due to this ¡®gift.¡¯


    ¡°Anyway,¡± She said wiping away a tear that Vak pretended not to see. ¡°When I say they made me, I mean all this incredible magic I can use is because of their tests. They studied us at first. They used different methods to try and get a reaction from us. They¡¯d hurt us, make us feel afraid or in pain.¡±


    ¡°Or angry?¡± Vak said, looking her in the eye.


    ¡°Sure, but that¡¯s not really what worked for me. They had no idea what to do with me. The tests they ran, they never could get me to perform under pain or sadness or fear or even anger. They were ready to give up. Consider me a failure. When I broke.¡±


    ¡°You broke?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it''s like I stopped caring or feeling anything. I just felt numb. I have memories of the little girl I was before, but that almost seems like a different person. Not me. It¡¯s hard to explain.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say they broke you? What did they do?¡±


    ¡°They...It¡¯s not important. As I said, I was someone else back then. With this new numbness, I learned I had power. They eventually could not contain it.¡± She stopped talking and looked out towards a small forest that bordered the road they walked down.


    ¡°So, you broke out with your incredible fire abilities?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Oh, no. No grand escape. I just asked them nicely.¡±


    ¡°You asked them? Nicely?¡±


    ¡°I can be very persuasive when I choose to be. I spoke with Emarim, explained my position, and together, we implemented some changes within the institute. Little girls are no longer ripped away from their homes. It became a place for instruction and learning. A place where those with magical abilities could come and get help. We keep tabs on everyone with magical abilities within Abrune and teach them to use their powers safely.¡±


    ¡°So, you have some ability to influence others with your magic?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Some. You, for instance, seem especially resistant, which is very interesting.¡± She cooed.


    When had she gotten so close again?


    ¡°And¡­ th¡­ the fire?¡± Vak said, feeling his heartbeat a bit faster.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not all I can do. Here.¡± She said, stopping him and then pressing her hands together in a deliberate display. A burst of light preceded a blast of lightning that struck a nearby tree, scorching the trunk. Vak looked on mesmerized.


    ¡°They say,¡± she continued. ¡°I¡¯m one of the most powerful students to come out of the Zoftwiten Institute. That I seem to have a knack for all sorts of magic.¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you two doing?¡± Braid said storming over. ¡°Cass, you¡¯re going to scare every goblin within a half-mile with that light show!¡±


    ¡°Sorry Braid.¡± She said sweetly. He rolled his eyes, and they kept going.


    ¡°Still,¡± Vak said after a bit of walking again. ¡°I commend you for making the institute better. They took you from your home and did unspeakable things. You turned that around, showed them a better way to do things. That is astonishing. Not your powers, or your looks, but you, Cassie are¡­ well, you¡¯re like the kind of hero I want to be.¡±


    ¡°Th¡­ Thank you.¡± Cassie said, staring up at him. ¡°Rag, you may be the sweetest guy I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    ¡°Hey, lovebirds,¡± Braid said, walking over to them again. ¡°Look sharp; there is a cart ahead. It looks like broken down merchants. Might be goblins hit them.¡±


    Cassie and Vak followed Braid around the bend, and there was a small, broken-down cart. Two men were standing there and waived to Shattershade as they approached.


    ¡°Oh, bless Pagat! Please, we were attacked.¡± The taller of the two men said. ¡°Will you help us?¡±


    ¡°Anka, see to their wounds. Dam, do a once around, see if you can get a bead on the goblins.¡±


    ¡°Who did you say attacked you?¡± Vak asked suspiciously.


    ¡°Oh, goblins. They came from the forest and attacked! Savage monsters!¡±


    ¡°I knew it!¡± Braid said, looking around.


    Or they heard you talking about them, just now, Vak thought. Something about these men was setting off alarm bells in his head.


    ¡°Where are all your wares?¡± Vak said, looking over the empty cart.


    ¡°They stole everything!¡± The man said smoothly. Vak rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Yet you both seem alive and well,¡± Vak mentioned


    ¡°Rag! Stop tormenting them.¡± Anka said as she was bending down to help the shorter of the two men. He was holding his arm and clearly faking an injury. ¡°Don¡¯t move it; it could be broken.¡±


    ¡°They are not merchants,¡± Vak said, looking them over. ¡°The goblins wouldn¡¯t take everything yet leave them alive. If anything they¡¯d be more interested in eating them.¡±


    ¡°They took my wife!¡± The short one said. ¡°We were too hurt to give pursuit.¡±


    Braid looked back at them, listening to Vak. He eyed them up and down. ¡°No, Rag is right. They look too unclean to be traveling merchants.¡±


    ¡°We were soiled in the attack!¡± The taller man pleaded.


    ¡°There,¡± Vak said. ¡°Up his sleeve. He has a knife. They¡¯re highwaymen.¡±


    ¡°Oh, to three of the hells with this.¡± The shorter man said, grabbing Anka and spinning her around; he pressed a knife to her throat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a fool,¡± Braid said.


    ¡°You¡¯re the fools! You attacked the Grievspair Organization! Didn¡¯t you think there would be consequences? Any of you moves a muscle, and I slit her throat.¡±


    ¡°Cass¡­¡± Braid said as though he was giving her permission. She smiled by way of a reply.


    ¡°Put the knife down.¡± She said sweetly without looking at the man. The shorter bandit dropped the knife. Then she turned toward them. ¡°Now why don¡¯t both of you be good boys, and sit in the cart and let us be on our way.¡±


    To Vak¡¯s surprise, the two looked utterly dumbfounded, but they followed her instructions. They climbed aboard the broken wooden cart and sat down.


    ¡°I love the simpleminded.¡± She said, brushing off her shoulders. She blew them a kiss as she walked away.


    ¡°Come along, Rag,¡± Braid said. ¡°I don¡¯t think these guys are going to have any information for us.¡± He helped up Anka who kicked the cart in frustration. She used a small prayer to heal the trickle of blood at her throat. ¡°Good job, by the way,¡± Braid continued. ¡°You have a real eye for detail. Might be a place for you with Shattershade someday, after a little experience of course.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Vak said, moving past him. ¡°Excuse me for a second.¡± He rushed over to catch up with Cassie. ¡°That was amazing.¡± He said gushing a bit. She blushed. ¡°The way you disarmed them and handled it all. I¡¯m in awe.¡± He said.


    ¡°It¡¯s easy with the dimwitted.¡± She said with a smile.


    ¡°All without bloodshed.¡± He marveled.


    ¡°Anka was hurt.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that? She healed it right up. Her prayers are rather impressive as well.¡± They¡¯d walked to the edge of the road before another bend, probably fifty feet from the cart when Cassie stopped and turned around. Vak was sincerely impressed by her; right up until she lifted her hand and called down fire on the bandits.


    Their screams were haunting, yet they sat there as the cart caught fire and burnt them alive. It happened so quickly. Vak could not take his eyes off of it.


    ¡°Why?¡± Vak said dumbfounded. ¡°They were defenseless.¡±


    ¡°Shattershade must never be seen as weak. Now they know.¡± She said as she turned from them and walked down the bend in the road; emotionless, broken.

 Arc 2, Chapter 3

    Braid followed the goblin tracks so confidently that Vak was not sure what to make of the story of the ''Demon.'' Should I really trust the word of thieves, perhaps they have skilled enough liars to deceive me? I have to remember that I am just a man from an island. There is much for me to learn, yet. It is entirely likely I''ve been made to look like the fool.


    Can I trust Shattershade, though? After what I just saw? The way she manipulated those highwaymen. She told me her powers do not affect me, but how can I trust her at her word. She already made me fall asleep once. It is all too possible she used them again on the road to endear me to her.  He tried to put the highwaymen from his mind. He could not reconcile how that had been necessary.


    So, he focused on learning from Braid. Vak tried to watch as he made each turn along their journey. How is he so confident that the goblins followed the road for this long? Surely they would want to make a home in the forest where it would be easier to conceal themselves in travel. Braid pushed on, with a confidence Vak envied.


    Finally, Vak decided he would not learn anything by merely observing. "Braid?" He asked.


    "Yes?"


    "We have been tracking these goblins for the entire afternoon now."


    "Oh? Sorry, you are probably right." Braid said, putting up a hand and bringing everyone to a stop. "Rag is right; we should rest here. Let''s try to make it brief."


    Braid set down his hammer near a stump and walked over towards an abandoned campsite. Dam looked relieved and propped himself up against a tree about twenty feet away near the forest and closed his eyes. Anka and Cassie were arguing about something, and Cassie kept glancing over at Vak. She smiled that strange practiced, sincere smile. It probably made the other men swoon. Vak could see it was a mask. Behind the woman''s supposed warmth, there was only that emptiness she talked about; he looked away.


    Vak sighed and decided to try again with Braid. "Braid, I apologize for earlier, I wasn''t trying to insist we take a break."


    "No, its smart, Rag. I sometimes forget that the rest of you do not share my superior stamina. I can''t expect you to keep up with me."


    "I did not need a break; I merely wanted to¡­"


    "There is no shame in it. You are new to this. Also, you''re carrying vastly more than the rest of us. True, this is why we are paying you..."


    "On the subject of payment..."


    "...but there are limits to the normal human body. Set a goal each day, and the next day push yourself just a bit more. You will be surprised how much you''ve improved by a month. Trust me."


    Vak started counting in his head, frustrated. "That is good advice." He told Braid in a wholly forced calm voice. "I was curious about how you tracked the goblins."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I have spent a fair bit of my youth tracking wild animals back home, but your method is¡­ well, to be honest, I cannot even perceive the tracks you are following."


    "Oh, I am not following any tracks," Braid said. He let out a loud laugh as though the idea was beyond absurd to him.


    "What?"


    "That stuff is all nonsense, Rag. Why waste all that time, goblins are stupid. If we just keep following this road by the forest, they''ll surely try and attack us. It''s in their nature."


    Vak just stared back at Braid. "We haven''t been tracking them this whole time?"


    "I just said that. Ah, my apologies, I forget that you are a wildman, I know your kind tend to be a little less sophisticated and a bit slow in the head."


    Vak chose to ignore the careless insult. He opted for a different approach. "Look, here, on the ground, by this campsite. The last people to use it left behind prints. By the look of it, they were here a few days ago and were heading toward the city. A small group, maybe two or three. By tracking them, we can tell their numbers, the direction, and follow them."If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "You just made all that up. Rag, I know you''re trying to impress me, but just be yourself, tell the truth, and I''ll have all the respect in the world for you."


    Vak was close to losing his calm. The rage inside him warred to surface.  He insults me openly! It would be so easy to snap his neck. I doubt he''d even feel it coming. Through the red haze of his vision, he happened to see Cassie staring at him again. His anger evaporated. No, I am not a murderer. I will not kill over a misunderstanding. He shook his head and took the pack off his shoulders. The weight suddenly felt like too much to bear. He leaned back and closed his eyes.


    "That''s it. We took a break for you, after all, Rag." Braid told him. "Relax, and we''ll be back on our way soon."


    He is not making this easy, Vak thought to himself, opening his eyes. He stared out across the plains.  I should relax. Who knows how long Braid will have us following the road pursuing these¡­


    Vak''s thoughts trailed off as he spotted a single print in the mud. It was smaller than the others he''d seen. Four toes each ending in a sort of claw. He felt his anger gurgle back up, like bad indigestion. This one print was more infuriating than the entire conversation he''d just held. It belonged to a goblin.


    Vak turned his head towards a strange high pitched war cry coming from the forest. No! He screamed in his head. To his surprise, twenty goblins came barrelling out of the woods charging them.


    Braid looked to Vak with the most shit-eating grin. Then he stood, drew his hammer, and walked confidently toward the descending creatures.


    Vak grabbed his axe and stood to assist. Braid called back to him. "Watch the supplies, Rag."


    "I can be of assistance."


    "I know you want to fight. You''ll get your chance someday, I promise. For now, watch the pack, make sure none circle around and grab it."


    Vak lowered his axe defeated and stalked back toward the pack. It seems he was resigned to watch. The quickest goblins were nearly upon Braid as they leapt to attack. A wall of fire appeared before them reducing them to charred husks.


    Braid stepped around it to meet the others. His hammer glowed with a bright white light that made the creatures shy away. He struck one with a full swing, and the goblin disintegrated with a high pitched scream.


    Braid carried his swing through into a second goblin, then a third and a fourth. They all disintegrated under the white radiance of his hammer. The fight mesmerized Vak. Not because of the impressive display, and it was impressive. No, Vak saw a familiar look in the eyes of Braid. Each swing with his hammer drove him further into a rage. Braid fought with such ferocity and hate that it stunned Vak.


    The last few goblins were retreating, and Dam struck once with a dagger thrown into its back. It fell to the ground. He raised his hand to kill the final fleeing goblin when Braid stopped him. He let the last one escape into the forest.


    "You let him go?" Vak asked, stunned. Is he merciful, despite his anger?.


    "Grab the pack, Rag, and try to keep up," Braid told him. He began to stalk after the creature slowly. "He is going to lead us straight to the goblin village. Today we crush every one of those vermin."


    Vak hurried to comply but found there was no real need. He could easily keep up with Braid''s clomping through the forest. The sound of the sticks breaking and leaves crunching under their feet echoed off the trees. They walked in silence for a bit, and the sun began to set.


    "You really hate them," Vak said, breaking the silence after a few hours.


    "Yes," Braid admitted. "I was not always this impressive physical specimen you see before you, Rag. I was once a kid, probably about as weak as you are now. I come from a small village called Caelfall. It was a small mining village near the mountains. We were poor and near the border of Abrune. The king''s army didn''t come out that far, so we were mostly left to defend ourselves."


    "Despite all that, we were happy. I come from a big family. A loving mother and an amazing father. He was the first to stand up when the goblins came down from the mountain and attacked."


    "I am sorry," Vak told him awkwardly, not sure what else to say.


    "We drove them off with pickaxes, but not before they took everything from me. My father, mother, brothers, and sisters, all killed by those little green monsters."


    "What did you do?"


    "I had to look after myself. There was no one to take me in. Most of the village was in my exact situation. We struggled to keep the town thriving, but ultimately, many of us left after the first winter. We couldn''t make it work."


    "I thankfully was taken into the church in Elesville. They have a branch of divine warriors that shelter the faithful. They taught me to fight and to channel my loss. I told myself I would get strong. I wanted to stop what had happened to me from ever happening to another village."


    "I see," Vak said. He knew he was terrible in these types of situations. He knew there were things he should know to say, but when he reached for the words, they flittered away.


    "They aren''t the same as you or I. They''re soulless, killing machines. Always remember that, Rag. They live to kill humans." Braid stopped suddenly, and he held up his hand to indicate the party should halt.


    Vak saw it as well. Neatly hidden before them, in the woods, tiny houses made out of the mud and fallen tree branches. Shattershade had, almost by accident, stumbled across the village of goblins Braid had set out to find.

 Arc 2, Chapter 4

    A small goblin bared its fangs as it chased another around a tree. It leapt forward and tackled the other to the ground, and pressed the second goblin''s face into a pile of leaves. Then the first goblin hopped back up and began to run away. They were both smiling widely.


    They''re playing, Vakdragnar realized. These are the savage monsters? They seem to be quietly living their lives in a poor forest village.


    Vak looked to his companions. They watched at the goblins from their place hidden in the bushes. Braid''s eyes were hard to read, though Vak knew what it was he was thinking.


    "We should pull back for now," Braid whispered.


    It was not that, Vak thought, speechless. Shattershade slowly backed away from the small town. They walked far enough to be out of sight before Braid stopped them.


    "Alright," he said. "We can rest up here. They won''t travel this far away." The rest of Shattershade began to situate themselves. Vak sat the large pack down but went to speak with Braid.


    "Is this wise? We are very close to their village. There is a high chance of discovery."


    "Don''t worry, Rag. We''ll take turns keeping watch. You will be safe."


    "They sent a raiding party outside the forest; surely they must patrol the interior as well?"


    "Maybe? I think it''s more likely that they''ll stay clear after that goblin we let live shares his story."


    "And if he does not? Or if they do not believe him?"


    "Oh, they''ll believe him. He''s part of their group. For a group to function, its members must be ready to hear one another out," Braid told him in his overly patronizing way.


    "That has not been my experience," Vak mumbled under his breath.


    "What was that?" Braid asked, looking up.


    "It was nothing." Vak lied.


    "Look, Rag, they''ll likely look for us out on the road, not huddled up right next door. Now let''s let the matter drop. We''ve got a lot to do." Braid told him motioning back toward the pack.


    Anka and Dam had begun unpacking and setting up the tents. Cassie was patrolling the border of their camp, taking a few moments to place her hand upon trees. A small flash of fire escaped her palm and tt left a charred print on the bark.


    She turned to Vak and smiled at him. He turned from her awkwardly and began helping with the set up of camp. Braid went to collect firewood, and they made a small fire. Vak''s suggested to keep the light low and avoid attracting attention. They ignored him.


    Braid cooked a pot of beans over the fire for everyone, and Anka took a few minutes to say a prayer over the food, blessing it. Cassie sat next to Vak as they ate their meals.


    "So, what do you think about your first day as an adventurer?" She said with that false smile; Vak could no longer ignore it.


    "It is not at all like the stories make it out to be,¡± he replied carefully.


    "No, I can''t imagine it is." She said.


    "The trick is to expect the unexpected," Braid said from across the fire. "That way you won''t be surprised by it."


    "The unexpected by definition cannot be expected," Vak said letting his day''s frustration show.


    "Oh, Rag, I have so much to teach you," Braid said, shaking his head. Then he went back to eating.


    Vak, let the matter drop. There was no sense in getting angry over something so trivial. Sometimes it was better just to stay silent than intentionally offend people.


    After dinner concluded Braid drew them all over to him and with a stick drew a circle in the dirt. "This is the goblin camp." He said, drawing a small mark a bit to the side. "This is us. When first light hits, Cassie and Dam you''re going to sneak around to the far side of the village.¡±


    ¡°Dam, you''re going to be protecting her while she lets loose with the big magic. Cassie, I want you to light up that side of the village, I''m talking fireballs, and anything big or showy you want to let loose. Drive them back this way where I''ll be waiting to pick off any that flee."


    "Is this all necessary?" Vak said, surprising everyone else. He steeled himself, remembering the playing goblin children. He must make them understand that attacking these goblins was not necessary.


    "It is smart to have a plan, Rag. Without one, we could just as easily injure each other instead of our enemies." Braid answered him.


    "No, I mean the goblins. I don''t think they went all the way to a heavily populated city to murder a waitress. It just seems insane."


    "Goblins aren''t rational creatures," Braid said.


    "And there was that report from the Grievspair Organization."


    "Not this again," Anka said, annoyed.


    "I believe that the thief saw something." Vak continued. "What if we''re chasing after something more sinister than goblins. What if we are wasting time¡­"


    "Wasting time?" Braid snarled. "Tell that to my friends and family back home! Tell that to the people on the road who were taken by goblins! Even if these are not the things that killed Nina Hale, we have a duty to destroy them."


    "I am not¡­"


    "Enough! Rag, you are here to carry our stuff, not give tactical analysis. Eight of the hells man, I can accept that your people are unusually dense and stubborn, but your constant interruptions and flights of fancy are the real waste of time!¡±


    The entire camp glowed red, as the static charge of the air made Vak''s arm hair stand on end. Shattershade looked around, immediately checking the area.


    "Cassie?" Braid said standing.


    "No way! I warded the entire area. Nothing can get in here without me knowing, instantly."


    "Well, something did!" Braid told her.


    Vak stood staring at Braid finally sick of his insults and superior attitude. He clutched his axe, preparing to strike as his anger poured out into the campground.


    He has had this coming for a long¡­ He forced himself to stop. His brain was slowly catching up with his emotions, and he was appalled at what he had almost done. No, this is wrong, he thought. One, two, three, he slowly counted, bringing his breathing back under his control. When he let his anger loose, people died. These were heroes of Tirough. Stalwart adventurers, frustrating, yes, but they were still people. He would not kill them. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The red aura swirled around him and ended with a small breeze. Vak sat back down, feeling exhausted. The rest of Shattershade ran about for nearly half an hour before they accepted that whatever they experienced had passed. No one had any clue as to its cause. The red light was written off as a "strangeness of the woods."


    They relaxed for about an hour or so before people wandered off toward their tents. Braid volunteered for the first watch, and after a few hours, he would wake Vak. The rest of Shattershade was quick to volunteer Vak for the second watch. He did not know the reason. He was to wake up Anka after his watch concluded.


    Vak tried to get some sleep using a log for a pillow. They told him there was no tent, nor a sleeping bag for him due to some oversight, and he should expect to purchase his own with his earnings. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep, and after what felt like only moments, he was startled by Braid waking him up.


    "Just stay close, do a couple of circles around the camp every ten minutes or so. Don''t stray too far. We are putting our lives in your hands, Rag."


    Vak nodded to him and sat up slowly stretching his back and then his arms. He thought he understood why no one wanted the second watch now. It was annoying to have to get up after finally getting to sleep.


    He stood quietly and looked out west; toward the goblin''s village. No movement so he decided to walk the perimeter as Braid instructed. He grabbed his axe from off the ground and took with him an unlit torch and a piece of flint. Vak looked out into the deep still forest and for a moment contemplated just leaving Shattershade.


    He nearly did it. He only stayed because goblins would murder them in their sleep if he abandoned them. So, he walked towards the north side of camp to one of the trees with Cassie''s charred handprint. He paused for a moment and listened for any signs of movement or trouble.


    A small rustling of a branch caught his attention a few yards away. He spun behind the tree for cover and tried to remain as still as possible. He slowly peaked out to try and see what layout in the night. He swore he could hear the faint muttering of conversation.


    Whatever it was, it was not approaching. Vak looked back to the camp and then towards the noise. It was worth pursuing. Then he slowly stalked after the sound, checking that he still had his axe correctly secured.


    The forest was easy to get lost in with it as dense as it was. The trees blocked any light from the stars, and Vak had to move slowly to keep his footing. The sound of the conversation was louder now and nearly right in front of him, though he did not recognize the language.


    Then something snapped under his leg, not a stick. This was thicker, like a tiny tree branch. He froze as the forest went still around him. Unable to see anything and feeling the limitations of his hearing, he lit the torch.


    A goblin stared back at him only a foot away. He looked up at Vak with wide eyes, completely still. Vak took a step back and looked down at where he had stepped. It was the corpse of a goblin. The skin blackened by some dark magic and looked nearly burnt. It was eerily reminiscent of the body outside Nina Hale''s apartment.


    He looked back to the goblin who had retreated a few paces out of the torchlight. The small green man drew a small knife and held it out threateningly, hissing. He began to speak in quick, goblin words. Vak just held his hands up.


    "I am not here to hurt you, I am sorry, it is not safe for you here."


    "This is home!" The goblin said in Vak''s language. "You no be here. Bad."


    "I promise I am good," Vak said, taking the axe out of his back and tossing it to the side. "I merely heard a noise and came to investigate."


    "You go now!"


    "I am here, hunting something¡­ bad," Vak said not sure if the goblin wholly understood. "I think it killed your clansman."


    "Grishoovak!" he said spitting.


    "I do not understand."


    "It kill Jits," the small green man said, indicating towards his friend.


    "Have you seen the demon? Do you know where it is?" Vak said, getting excited.


    "Is down in caves by home. It here not long. Kills goblins. Leaves them like this."


    "Can you show me?"


    "No. I not stupid. You find it in cave."


    "I can respect that,¡± Vak told him trying to be friendly. ¡°Your people are in danger. Why do you stay?"


    "This home. You no leave home."


    "I think I understand,¡± Vak said. He knew that home was not easy to leave behind. It was one of the hardest things he had ever done. ¡°I can destroy this Demon for your people.¡±


    "That stupid plan. You die like Jitz. You stupid?"


    "I am Vakdragnar."


    "That is long name¡­. Voogaboogah! Hewman think names big deal."


    "Oh, really?"


    "Yes. Names not important, Voogaboogah."


    "You realize Voogaboogah is longer than Vakdragnar?"


    "I Krum."


    "Okay,¡± Vak answered, not entirely sure Krum understood all he was trying to say. ¡°It is a pleasure to meet you, Krum."


    "Plea-sure." Krum said as though trying the word out. He nodded appreciatively. So, Vak held his hand out in a token of friendship. Krum stared back with his head, tilted to the side. He had no idea what to make of it.


    Suddenly, a cry rose out of the dark. Krum looked around in horror. Then an otherworldly howl echoed through the forest coming from the direction of Krum''s village.


    Vak grabbed his axe and sprinted toward the sound. Krum ran close at his side. They broke through the treeline to find the goblin village in utter chaos. Little green people ran in every direction away from a giant beast. It stood in the center of the village, overtop a goblin it had killed.


    It stopped and looked to Vak as he broke through the treeline. The creature was disturbing. Nearly ten feet tall on all fours, it had long gray fur and would be mistaken for a wolf if not for its very human head. Vak had never seen its like in any story.


    "I will not let you hurt anyone else this night, demon," Vak said.


    "I am no demon, Mortal.¡± It said as it slowly stalked back into the light. ¡°How like your kind to forget creatures of greater power. I am the Fang of the Glade. Tremble, insignificant wretch, you stand before the Rezishust!"


    "Forgive me; I am not familiar," Vak answered.


    "How short-lived your memories are. I protect the forests from the likes of man. For too long, your people have come here and taken the trees, defiling nature. You need to learn your place!" It sneered, bounding the fifteen feet between them in a single leap. Vak spun on his heel, placing Krum behind him instinctively. The Rezishust just missed snatching Krum and instead crashed into a small dwelling destroying it. It shook its head for a moment as it collected itself.


    "Then what of the goblins? Do they defile nature as well?"


    "They just taste extremely well." It snarled. It laughed in a strange mix between a bark and a very dry laugh. "What do you care? Mortals don''t have any love for the goblins. Your people would destroy each other given any provocation."


    It lunged for Krum who had quietly found his way a few feet from behind Vak. Vak again placed himself between the goblin and this Rezishust. He caught its massive claws with his hands.


    "You dare to get in my way, Mortal? I will teach you respect."


    "Is this how you protect a forest? By eatings its citizens?"


    "I am through with merely protecting the forest. I will devour the mortals and the goblins of the world." It pushed off Vak, attempting to slash at his stomach. Vak moved away before the swipe landed.


    "I will not let you kill innocents."


    "You are all tainted. The whole of humankind is a plague, and I will be its vaccine."


    It charged again at Vak. In a swift motion, Vak swung his axe, striking the creature in the head, shattering its skull upon the forest floor. Vak again stepped to the side as the former Fang of the Glade crashed down beside him. The forest around them went still.


    "You strong," Krum said in wonder as they stood in the quiet village. Vak saw a fire light up from the east.


    Shattershade, he thought. "I am, but now you must go. Find your fleeing friends, stay out of the village for a few days. My team and I will deal with the demon in the caves."


    "Caves that way!" Krum said with an excited smile.


    "Thank you; now you really must go. My friends aren''t as even-tempered as I am."


    "Me understand. Hewmans hate Goblins. I tell clan to stay away. You kill demon!" He said, running toward the west as Shattershade broke through the treeline in the east.


    "Rag! What have you done! I told you to keep watch!" Braid demanded.


    "The goblins have fled," Vak said.


    "I see that. Where did they go, we can still chase after them."


    "They went¡­" Vak cut off as he stalled for time. There was no way Shattershade would head down into the cave after the demon. They were too stubborn to listen to him. So, the idea of an opportunity struck him. "That way." He said, pointing. "Toward those caves over there. They ventured in with their leader."


    "Their leader?"


    "Yes a big fellow, I think he is who is controlling the goblins, getting them riled up to attack the city,¡± Vak told them. They stared back at him, and Vak was sure they could tell he was lying.


    "Yes, excellent work, Rag! Quickly let''s give chase!" Braid said excitedly.

 Arc 2, Chapter 5

    Vakdragnar had a frustrating time convincing Braid to return to camp and sleep. Success only came after finally convincing him the goblins were running scared and trapped. For the remainder of the night, Braid stood at the mouth of the caves ensuring nothing got back out. Vak could only hope that Krum would keep the rest away until after Shattershade ventured inside.


    He slept well for the remainder of the evening and awoke to a particularly terrible smell. It was like rotting food left out on a hot day. Vak opened his eyes to find Dam¡¯s face unnecessarily close, his mouth wide open. He stared back at Vak with that slack-jawed expression. The vile stench come from his mouth.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Vak asked both nauseated and confounded.


    Dam held a knife between them threateningly. ¡°You¡¯d better watch yourself.¡±


    ¡°Dam, put that away,¡± Vak said unamused. He moved to stand, but Dam pressed the knife closer, unyielding.


    ¡°My friends call me Dam; you ain¡¯t one of ¡®em. You abandoned us during your watch.¡± Dam said spitting.


    ¡°I heard a noise and went to check on it,¡± Vak told him truthfully. ¡°It is a good thing I did, or we would have died in our sleep.¡±


    ¡°Goblins ain¡¯t killin me in my sleep. I don¡¯t like you Rag, Don¡¯t trust you neither. I¡¯m gonna make sure you don¡¯t hurt my friends.¡± With that declaration, Dam stood, sheathed his knife and began walking away.


    ¡°What in four of the hells?¡± Vak said, shaking his head. They are mad, every one of them!


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mind Dam,¡± Anka said from beside Vak. He had been so focused on Dam that he had not heard her approach and the sudden intrusion made him jump. ¡°He¡¯s always been a bit protective. He needs a little time to get used to you is all.¡±


    ¡°What is wrong with him?¡± Vak said, frustrated.


    ¡°Hmm? Oh, I¡¯m not one hundred percent sure, to be honest. Braid and I pulled him out of a jail cell, not unlike the one we found you in. He¡¯s been loyal to us ever since. Maybe when he looks at you, he¡¯s reminded of all the things he did before joining Shattershade.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Vak said, feeling a touch of sympathy.


    ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s just intimidated cause you¡¯re like two feet taller than him and way more muscular. How should I know? Go ask him.¡± She said, rolling her eyes as she walked toward the goblin village.


    Vak looked after them both and shook his head. He finished collecting their belongings and stuffing them into the gargantuan pack. He counted slowly as the indignation of having to carry it began to wear on him.


    He checked on his tiny grue worm which seemed to be content. Vak added some fresh dirt into his satchel, having no idea if that was necessary or not. He figured if he were the one who ate dirt, he would appreciate some new options.


    Vak found Shattershade standing in front of the cave he had shown them the previous night. They were inspecting the all-too human head of the Rezishust.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Cassie said, staring at it¡¯s split face.


    ¡°Something killed it last night,¡± Braid told them. ¡°I bet it is what spooked our goblins.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a forest spirit,¡± Anka told them. ¡°A monster that guards the forest, and it preys upon lost travelers.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s dead now,¡± Dam said bluntly, kicking it with his foot.


    ¡°Well? Are we all ready?¡± Braid said, standing and turning back toward the cavern. He looked to everyone who each nodded in turn. Without a word, he strolled into the mouth of the cave, followed by Dam, Cassie, Anka, and Vak bringing up the rear.


    There was no light inside the cave, but as soon as darkness fell around them, a brilliant light shone from Braid¡¯s hammer. He looked back toward Cassie and mumbled a ¡°thanks,¡± and she bowed her head slightly in response.


    The caves were much more expansive than Vak had thought. The area just inside the entrance was vast, with two twisting paths along either wall. In the center of the room was a chasm that was deeper than what Vak could see in the dim lighting. Dam kicked a small stone down into its expanse. The sound of it rolling down the chasm walls slowly faded and Vak did not hear it strike the bottom.


    Beside the cave entrance were some strange symbols and markings a few feet off the ground. Vak stooped to look down on them, but they were not in any language he¡¯d ever seen. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Braid,¡± Vak called out. ¡°Look at this.¡± He said, pointing to the symbols.


    ¡°Anka?¡± Braid asked.


    ¡°Let me check.¡± She said, walking over. ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s in the goblin tongue.¡±


    ¡°What does it say?¡± Vak asked her.


    ¡°Stay out. Turn around. Death this way. Your classic warning signs.¡± She said completely unimpressed.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not get distracted,¡± Braid told them, turning and leading the way.


    They walked around the right-most ledge in a single file; slowly moving while trying to avoid looking down into the abyss. The shallow ledge combined with the large pack left Vak a bit off balance. If he wasn¡¯t so sure-footed, he thought he would have seen just how deep the chasm was first hand.


    The path led around in a sloping downward trajectory. As it curved with the opening, it drove Shattershade around, and eventually, they found a corridor leading away. Braid turned down the new path. The path opened into another room, this one smaller than the first. It was probably not much larger than the hall of the Flame¡¯s Fondness.


    To Vak''s surprise, the room was well furnished. A large tapestry hung on the wall with a sinister-looking symbol. Vak could not read it, but he could tell just from its complexity that it was not the same as the goblin language he¡¯d seen at the entrance. There were worn down candles in braziers lined around the room, and a large amount of dried blood stained the rug at the center. The place looked to be a sacrificial chamber of some kind.


    ¡°No goblin did this,¡± Anka said, walking over to the tapestry. ¡°That is a demonic circle, used in some dark rite.¡±


    ¡°Careful!¡± Dam shouted, stopping her in her tracks, her foot in the air. He bounded over to her and carefully eased her foot away from where she was going to step. It took Vak a few moments, but he spotted the trip line soon after. Dam got down on all fours and slowly followed the line to where it fastened on the wall.


    Vak couldn¡¯t easily see what he was doing at the wall, but after a few moments, he let the wire fall to the ground. He turned back around and nodded to Anka that it was safe to approach. She walked over and ran her hand over the fabric.


    ¡°It¡¯s warm,¡± she said, surprised.


    ¡°Why would the tapestry be warm?¡± Braid asked, concerned.


    ¡°The demonic magic in the circle is releasing heat, whatever this sigil does, it is still doing it.¡± She said perturbed. ¡°I would like to take a few moments to try and safely seal its dark energies.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Braid said going to the entrance of the room and looking around like he expected an attack at any moment.


    Anka clutched her small spinning pennant and said a prayer at the foot of the symbol. She looked like she might be awhile. Vak inspected the room. Cassie sat on a small bench near the corner, and she beckoned for Vak to join her. Vak turned and walked over to Dam instead.


    Dam was still on all fours in front of a large chest slowly inspecting it for traps. He ran his hand across it a few times before he shrugged his shoulders and moved around to the front. The chest had a keyhole, securing the lid in place. He took out a small set of metal picks and began to manipulate the lock with them slowly.


    ¡°I am sorry we got off on the wrong foot,¡± Vak said. Dam jerked his hand surprised, and the small metal pick snapped.


    ¡°Why in two of the hells did you do that for?¡± He demanded.


    ¡°I apologize. I did not mean to startle you.¡± Vak told him.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t ¡®tartled.¡¯ I knew perfectly well where my tart was, thank you. But now the pick is broke. Do you have any idea what treasures were inside?¡±


    ¡°No, what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! I¡¯m out here, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I am sorry.¡±


    ¡°And another thing.¡± Dam said, standing up to face Vak. ¡°Stop ¡®pologizin.¡¯ It¡¯s assaulting!¡±


    ¡°Do you mean insulting?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± he said, kicking the chest. To both their surprise, a small sound clicked from inside the chest, and the lid sprang open. Vak saw the dart shoot out and he moved on instinct. He leapt in front of Dam as it sunk into Vak¡¯s shin. He looked down at the needle and slowly removed it.


    A rather poor trap.


    ¡°Get off of me.¡± Dam said, ducking under Vak¡¯s reach. He walked over to the chest, and his eyes went wide. Vak joined him. It was full of expensive-looking junk: golden candlesticks, gems, and coins. It was a treasure trove. ¡°Gods above.¡± Dam swore. ¡°There has to be a thousand gold worth in there.


    Vak¡¯s head reeled at the number. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a large bounty.¡± He said transfixed.


    ¡°This ain¡¯t urs.¡± Dam said, standing up suddenly.


    ¡°Of course, I did not mean to imply otherwise. It is just impressive.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then.¡± Dam said, letting his guard down. Then he turned to start counting out the treasure.


    ¡°You do not trust me, do you?¡± Vak said, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Dam said without further explanation.


    After an awkward pause, Vak pushed. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t your fault. My father beat it into me, literally.¡±


    ¡°That is horrible.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bastard.¡± Dam said, punching the chest. ¡°He had all sorts of unreasonable expectations, and when I didn¡¯t meet them, well¡­¡± he struck the treasure chest again as a way of finishing the sentence.


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I left, what do you expect? He was big on law and rules, and so I struck out and broke every one I could. Fell in with a bad crowd, did some unseemly things. Eventually, I got caught. That¡¯s when I met the three of them.¡± He said glancing over to the rest of Shattershade.


    ¡°They stuck their neck out for me. Saved my maramph mmrrrsas¡­¡±


    Vak shook his head. Dam was still talking, but suddenly his voice got really far-away sounding. The words were unclear, and Vak¡¯s head felt like it was swimming. He looked over to the dart lying on the ground.


    ¡°Plarck,¡± he said. His words came out slowly and entirely wrong. He stumbled over and hit the ground. The light in the cave began to fade. The world felt like it floated away as Vak slowly fell into the darkness.

 Arc 2, Chapter 6

    Vakdragnar head swam as the distant, muffled voices spoke around him. They felt necessary. A part of him felt like he should listen to what they were saying, but the promise of sleep felt easier. He could care about the voices some other time, couldn¡¯t he? Then his entire body felt a rush of cold water dumped on him. His eyes flew open.


    He was back in the room with the demonic circle. Shattershade all stood around him. Anka¡¯s amulet was spinning, but as he watched, it slowed down. Then it stopped altogether.


    ¡°That,¡± Anka told him, ¡°is coming out of your wages, Rag.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Vak said. His head still felt slow somehow, like he was intoxicated. It was hard to focus, and if he moved his head too fast, he felt nauseous.


    ¡°You must be careful, Rag,¡± Braid said.


    Was that a touch of concern for me?


    ¡°Most of the treasure you find is a trap, and I don¡¯t want to have to carry all the loot out of this cave myself.¡±


    I guess not, Vak thought. He smiled, regardless.


    ¡°Now if you¡¯re feeling better? We really should be moving on.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ about the circle?¡± Vak said, moving his head too quickly. He looked over toward the tapestry, and it was blank, as though never marked.


    ¡°You have been out for a while,¡± Cassie said, and Vak noticed for the first time she was on his other side holding his hand.


    He pulled away instinctively. Standing was difficult, and it took a minute before he felt like he could walk. Shattershade waited while he collected himself and Anka motioned toward the pack.


    Right.


    Vak slowly heaved the enormous thing on his back and told them he was ready to continue. Truthfully he felt a bit embarrassed at the need to stop on his behalf.


    Shattershade walked back toward the large central room with the chasm. Without discussion, Braid continued their descent towards another natural opening in the rockface. Cassie hung back to walk beside Vak.


    ¡°You know I was anxious when I saw you hit the ground like that,¡± she told him.


    ¡°I am sorry to have worried you.¡±


    ¡°It made such a sound,¡± She said shivering. She looked up to him, and Vak fought against the impulse to comfort her. After a moment, she looked away with an annoyed expression on her face.


    ¡°What is with you, Rag?¡± Cassie demanded.


    ¡°My head is still a bit foggy. It is hard to think right now.¡±


    ¡°Not that.¡± She said without an ounce of sympathy. ¡°I mean yesterday you, and I seemed to be getting along well. I opened up to you, and since then you have been avoiding me at every chance. I thought maybe at-first you were getting to know everyone, but earlier when I asked you to sit with me, you completely ignored me.¡±


    ¡°What do you want, Cassie?¡± Vak asked, feeling very tired again.


    ¡°I think you know? You fascinate me, and I find myself drawn to you.¡±


    ¡°Cassie, I do not think that is a good idea.¡±


    ¡°What: for adventurers to sleep with their pack men? Trust me, it''s fine. I¡¯ve had plenty of our hirelings fall for me, and it''s never interfered before.¡±


    ¡°I thought they all died.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but not because of their feelings for me.¡±


    ¡°That is not comforting.¡±


    ¡°Ugh. Can¡¯t you allow yourself to stop holding back? You can let down your guard around me.¡±


    ¡°No. That is something I can never do,¡± Vak told her truthfully.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± She demanded. Her usually fiery red eyes slowly faded to a more natural blue tone as her nostrils flared angrily.


    ¡°You are right. It is dishonest to avoid you, and cowardly to not address this directly. For that, I apologize.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Cassie, I am not interested in pursuing anything romantic with you.¡±


    ¡°What? Why not!¡± She demanded.


    ¡°We do not hold the same values.¡±


    ¡°I thought you said you respected me so much? That you thought I was what a hero should be? Was that all a lie?¡±


    ¡°No, at the time, I did not see clearly.¡±


    ¡°And you do now?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°So, if I''m not a hero, what am I?¡±


    ¡°You told me you broke when you were young, and I think you still are. I saw behind the mask you put up in front of Captain Lance, even in front of your team. When you burned those two men alive. I think that was the real you.¡±


    ¡°They were bandits! They tried to kill Anka. They would have come after us again.¡±


    ¡°They might have. They might have gone a different route. You stole that choice from them.¡±


    ¡°In this line of work, you sometimes have to kill.¡±


    ¡°I accept that. If that is true, however, the reverse must also be true; that killing is not necessary for every situation.¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­ within the city walls, there are laws you have to follow. Scorching a person can get you in a lot of trouble.¡±


    ¡°See, that is where we differ. You hold back only because of the threat of punishment. The lives of the people you kill do not weigh into the decision at all. You chose the easy path, and it did not bother you in the slightest. I could never be interested in you.¡±


    Cassie stopped as though slapped. She shook with rage. Vak decided it was best to keep moving; she would need some space.


    The rest of the party had come to a standstill. Anka had mistakenly stood on a pressure plate that started a trap. Flames shot out of the ground at irregular intervals in different places each time.


    Beyond them, there was a large obelisk protruding from the floor, as well as a door shut tight into the cave wall. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°Alright Dam,¡± Braid said. ¡°This is your wheelhouse.¡±


    ¡°Uh, are you crazy?¡± Dam said, looking at the geysers of fire. ¡°I can¡¯t make it through that. They¡¯ll burn me alive.¡±


    ¡°Oh come now, You aren¡¯t scared of a bit of fire,¡± Braid said. ¡°I bet there is a way to disarm them on the other side. You just have to get through.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t scared. I¡¯m also not a complete idiot. Have Cassie do it, she could freeze the air or probably just ignore them flames altogether.¡± Dam said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Vak said quickly, setting the pack down.


    ¡°Now wait just a minute.¡± Dam said, holding up a hand, but Vak had leapt into the room. He wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to be around Cassie doing any more magic.


    The torrents of fire kicked up as soon as he neared, and almost engulfed him moments after entering the room. He ran to the side as the flames erupted just in front of where he would go.


    Is this fire sentient? He wondered as he again was forced to retreat a step. There was a potent odor in the air. It smells almost like metal to Vak. It was hard for him to put into words, even in his head.


    The smell seemed to be the most concentrated right before a column of fire erupted from the ground.


    There was a sound as well. His feet were slightly depressing into the ground, and there was a sort of click right before the flame trap disarmed. He took a few moments to study if the sound and smell were indeed connected. He leapt to the side, and as his foot hit the ground, the column in front of him lit up.


    ¡°Hey Rag,¡± Dam called after him. ¡°Stop wasting time! This isn¡¯t the local dance festival.¡± Dam laughed as though he told the funniest joke, but Vak ignored him. He was sure he only ever saw five columns ignited at one moment. The only reasonable way to get through this would be to jump in a sort of zig-zag pattern.


    I really hope I am right about this. He thought as he backed up and leapt forward at an angle. A column erupted in front of his foot placement, but he had made progress with his diagonal jump.


    He turned on his heels as he landed then leapt back the other way.


    On the third attempt, he lost his balance. His arm broke the area where the flame would appear, and the fire jumped to his bright orange shirt. The entire garment ignited in an instant. He quickly disrobed and tossed it to the side.


    He corrected his balance and continued leaping in this pattern until he moved across the floor, eventually making it to the other side. He took stock of his person, his right arm was a bit red from the heat, and his chest hair was a bit singed, but otherwise, he was unscathed.


    ¡°Amazing, Rag!¡± Braid called after him. ¡°Truly exceptional.¡±


    ¡°It was alright.¡± He heard Dam say.


    ¡°Is there any sort of mechanism to turn the trap off?¡± Braid called.


    Vak looked around, the strange black obelisk had some etchings in it, and there was the treasure chest, but he saw no levers or strings to cut on this side of the room. The only exits were back across the fire, the wooden door, or down the cliff behind him. He peered over the edge and saw nothing but darkness.


    ¡°I do not know,¡± Vak called back. ¡°It is possible there is a release in the obelisk or perhaps the chest.¡±


    ¡°Be careful with the chest,¡± Braid called back. ¡°There might be more traps inside. If you are poisoned over there, I¡¯m not certain there is anything we can do to help.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Vak said, moving to the chest. He studied its exterior, in the same manner, he saw Dam do earlier.


    ¡°Also, don¡¯t ruin what¡¯s inside!¡± Anka called.


    Vak ignored her; she is obsessed with money. If she is so worried, she can leap across the room. Satisfied there were no apparent traps, he slowly tried the lid. It was unlocked. It opened smoothly, and he could see the glitter of gold inside the case.


    It was filled to the brim and looked like more wealth than the last one. He stared for less than a second when he heard a dull hiss noise. He closed the lid again just as a purple smoke arose from within the chest.


    The smoke began billowing out of the latch. It was, indeed, a trap, and Vak looked around frantically for a solution. There was only one option to keep from inhaling whatever the purple smoke was. He picked the chest up and heaved it over the cliff¡¯s edge down into the darkness below.


    ¡°NOOO!¡± Anka said, running over to him. She ran to the cliff¡¯s edge, and for a moment, Vak thought she might leap after it. ¡°What did you do?¡± she said, looking back at him in anger.


    ¡°It was trapped again. A purple smoke, I did not think it was worth losing my life over.¡±


    ¡°Well, think again! We don¡¯t pay you to make those kinds of decisions. You are our packman, nothing more! You shouldn¡¯t take a step without checking with us if it¡¯s the right decision. You stupid, brainless, barbarian!¡±


    Vak looked around. Where the chest had sat was a loose rock out of place with the rest of the floor. It must have been a release for the trap in the room because Shattershade was all around him. Cassie¡¯s eyes stilled burned with rage, and Dam looked like he was considering stabbing Vak in the back. The only one not currently pissed at him was Braid.


    ¡°I say we tie a rope around Rag, and send him after the chest,¡± Anka snarled.


    ¡°Here here!¡± Dam said in chorus.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Braid said raising a hand. I understand you all aren¡¯t happy, but we aren¡¯t going to murder a man because he made a mistake. Everyone calm down.¡± The rest of Shattershade grumbled in reply and slowly walked around the room, inspecting it.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Vak told him after they were standing alone.


    ¡°It is alright. You¡¯re still new to this. Everyone makes mistakes at first. I¡¯d stay out of their way for now.¡± Then he raised his voice. ¡°Anka, what do you make of this obelisk?¡±


    ¡°More damn demonic stuff.¡± She said with a sharp, annoyed tone.


    ¡°Anka?¡± Braid asked.


    ¡°Alright, blast it. They¡¯re prayer offerings to an ancient evil. An entity called Karkazes.¡±


    ¡°What in four of the hells is that?¡± Dam asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not especially familiar with it myself,¡± Anka admitted. ¡°It¡¯s old, judging from the etchings in this monolith. This thing is mostly just singing its praises. It speaks of rising and devouring¡­¡±


    ¡°Devouring what?¡± Cassie asked.


    ¡°Everything,¡± Anka said with a concerned tone.


    ¡°Anka?¡± Braid asked.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry. Not a lot more here. I don¡¯t want to study this much more. I¡¯m getting an incredibly evil aura from this whole thing.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s move. The goblins must be further in.¡± Braid told the group.


    They ventured into the next room, not even waiting for Vak to grab the pack and catch up with them. When he walked down the long corridor to catch up, he saw Shattershade watching another trap. This time it was three swinging pendulum blades swinging back and forth at different intervals. They moved quickly and judging from the sound made as they rushed past there was a lot of force behind them. It was as though they split the very air.


    ¡°Who wants to tackle this one,¡± Braid asked.


    ¡°I have it.¡± Dam said all too quickly. He spared a glance back at Vak. ¡°I could have made it across the last room too. No reason the wildman needs to do any more than carry the pack.¡± He said and spat as he said it.


    To his credit, Dam swiftly moved along the floor using his knife to sever the ropes as he went along. They came crashing down as they broke free. The first two made him cocky, however, as he timed the third poorly. It slid past his outstretched arm with a sickening thwaaap. He began screaming bloody murder as he pulled back his arm, and the hand was now completely severed from the middle of his forearm.


    Vak rushed over pulling Dam out of the path of the blade. Anka was right there beside him as Dam was going crazy. She reached down, and her pendant began spinning, and a white light rose from her. Vak left Dam to her care and quickly broke the third trap slicing the rope in two.


    By the time Vak returned to Dam, the bleeding had stopped, and Dam was still sobbing. Anka healed the wound to the best of her ability, and the jagged torn flesh was now a stump. It seemed there were limits to what these miracles could accomplish.


    ¡°This is his fault!¡± Dam was hysterically shouting. He pointed to Vak. Vak took a step back reflexively.


    He¡¯s just upset. Vak told himself.


    ¡°Dam, calm down. You¡¯re going to be alright. You aren¡¯t even left-handed.¡± Braid tried to assure him.


    ¡°Doesn''t mean I don¡¯t use the bloody thing! AHHH.¡±


    ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any more pain,¡± Anka said, confused.


    ¡°The only pain is that bastard.¡± Dam said, pointing to Vak. ¡°If he¡¯d never come along¡­¡±


    ¡°I did not¡­¡± Vak began.


    ¡°Rag, please,¡± Braid said. ¡°Could you give us a little space.¡±


    Vak nodded his head in acceptance and continued into the next room without a word. It opened up again into a large circular chamber. Statues of various people lined the walls and behind them were wooden coffins. Both looked worn and ravaged by age. It was a burial tomb.


    The chandeliers above his head were lit and gave off a surprising amount of light as he walked along. Something stirred from the center of the room, and he reflexively jumped back. A human woman looked back at him.


    She was frightened and seemed just as surprised to see Vak as he was to see her. This woman had been through something. Her sleeping gown was ripped and covered in strange black scorch marks. It was very reminiscent of the goblin he saw killed outside.


    Her hair was what stopped Vak in his tracks. It was a shoulder-length brown hair near the roots that slowly faded into a blonde.


    ¡°Excuse me, miss,¡± Vak asked.  ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to be Nina Hale?¡±

 Act 2, Chapter 7

    ¡°Who are you supposed to be?¡± The woman asked, folding her arms.


    ¡°I am Vakdragnar.¡± he declared.


    ¡°Oh, uh, not what I meant,¡± She said, placing a hand on her head and rubbing her eyes, as if to alleviate a headache. ¡°To be fair, that was technically what I was asking. Although I meant it less in the introductory sense and more of a ¡®wow you¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve seen in days. Not a lot of people come down here.¡¯ That¡¯s on me. Let me try again, okay?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ certainly.¡± Vak said a bit confused by her animated tone.


    ¡°Great. So, you¡¯re a shirtless brute covered in blood. Are you here to murder me?¡± She said, placing her hands upon her hips.


    ¡°No, of course not!¡± Vak exclaimed.


    ¡°Fair warning: the last guys that tried really regretted it.¡±


    ¡°I took a job from your employer, Mr. Flame.¡±


    ¡°Roland sent you?¡±


    ¡°You were late for your shift, and so he asked me to ask around and see if you were alright. It was almost pure chance that I followed you here.¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± she said, not saying a word for a few moments. ¡°Roland you beautiful, bald, bearded, sweetheart! I didn¡¯t think anyone would look for me!¡±


    ¡°You have a lot of people worried about you. They all want you to return home safely.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be great? Small problem.¡± She stopped and pressed her hand against an invisible barrier. She pressed on it with her full weight then pounded on it with a frustrated fist. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    Vak walked over, marveling at the magic. ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a barrier or an invisible wall of some kind. I¡¯m not sure.¡± She said.


    Vak reached his hand slowly to touch the wall and passed through it. His hand pressed against Nina¡¯s and she pulled it back.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± She demanded, staring at her hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Vak said, pulling his hand back out of the barrier. For good measure, he reached his hand back in and shook it.


    ¡°Very cute,¡± Nina said, her voice anything except amused. ¡°Okay, you can come in here, but I can¡¯t leave.¡±


    ¡°I could try to hold onto you while extracting you?¡±


    ¡°My magic is also completely nullified in here; I was assuming it was a magic barrier, but what if it¡¯s specific to me?¡±


    ¡°You know magic?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Yes, but whatever keeps me here, won¡¯t let me do even a simple spell.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s an Anti-Nina Barrier?¡±


    She laughed. ¡°I guess!¡± Her smile slowly fell away as she sunk back against the other side. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m not getting out of here.¡±


    ¡°Do not say that. We will think of something.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. There isn¡¯t time. You should go. It will be back any minute.¡±


    ¡°The Demon?¡±


    ¡°Wait, you know about that?¡±


    ¡°I spent a lot of time figuring out what happened to you. I visited your apartment, and found the men that tried to abduct you, well, the one that survived.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you saw? What in ten of the hells are you still doing here?¡±


    ¡°I came to slay the demon.¡±


    ¡°Are you crazy? You cannot stop it. I saw it burn a man and char his bones. He tore another man¡¯s legs off just to terrorize him.¡±


    ¡°I am not leaving, what would be helpful is if you could give me any information about it, any weaknesses or¡­¡±


    ¡°You are not listening! Vak, you cannot win. This thing was called up from one of the twelve circles of hell. It is smart, fast, and has no morals. It delights in torment and torture.¡±


    ¡°Where is it now?¡± Vak asked as he slowly walked around the room, inspecting various coffins.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She said, looking around the room. ¡°This is the longest its ever been away. It could return any moment.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ Has it given you its name? Is this demon, Karkazes?¡±


    ¡°How do you know that¡­. No, it goes by Zogmodeth.¡± She said, looking around fearfully.


    ¡°And people accuse my name of being absurd. His name actually has ¡®death¡¯ in it.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Deth not death.¡± She said, looking slightly annoyed. ¡°In demonic, it means Cruel.¡±


    ¡°You know demonic?¡± Vak said, looking back to her. She looked at Vak in a panic. She had not meant to let that be known. ¡°While I pieced together the events of your kidnapping, the only thing that never made sense was this demon¡¯s sudden appearance. Why did he target you? Was it a coincidence, or is there something else going on?¡±


    ¡°Rag! Step away from that woman.¡± Braid¡¯s voice called from the entrance of the room.


    ¡°Rag?¡± Nina said with a look of confusion and amusement.


    Great, just what I needed. ¡°Braid,¡± Vak said, walking back. ¡°It is alright. This is Nina Hale. She¡¯s alive.¡±


    ¡°Impossible. Goblins don¡¯t take prisoners.¡± Braid said, walking over to her. The rest of Shattershade was with him, and Vak could feel their hatred for him. It radiated off them like heat.


    ¡°What Goblins?¡± Nina said, confused.


    ¡°I am not sure what kind of trick this is, but you will not deceive me!¡± Braid said, pulling out his hammer.


    ¡°Whoa, hold on a second,¡± Nina pleaded. ¡°I¡¯m the one in distress!¡±


    ¡°You must think me very stupid to lie so brazenly in my presence,¡± Braid replied his voice low.


    ¡°Braid, this is the woman you were hired to find,¡± Vak said, stepping over to him. He looked to the other members of Shattershade for some semblance of sanity. It was a mistake.


    ¡°I remember Nina,¡± Cassie said. ¡°This floozy is not her.¡±


    ¡°Floozy!¡±


    ¡°Look at how she¡¯s dressed? My money is on her being some kind of succubus to lure idiot men to their death.¡±


    ¡°Bitch, what did you just say?¡± Nina demanded.


    ¡°It does seem like a trap,¡± Anka told Braid.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Braid said nodding to her. ¡°Do it.¡± Anka¡¯s pendant began to spin around itself dramatically, and with an enormous amount of her will expended, a white light appeared under Nina.


    ¡°What in three of the hells is this?¡± Nina demanded.


    ¡°This is an Axiomatic Circle,¡± Anka explained. ¡°You can¡¯t lie in its light. Now reveal yourself, shapeshifter!¡±


    Everyone stared at Nina for a long few seconds before she threw her hands up frustrated. ¡°This is me, you idiots. I am Nina Hale!¡±


    ¡°Is it broken?¡± Braid asked.


    ¡°No, I can feel the magic compelling the truth from her. As ridiculous as it sounds, she is telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s she alive?¡± Dam said dumbfounded. ¡°We saw her place. It was exploderated.¡±


    ¡°It is because Zogmodeth is bound by his oath to protect me,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°What?¡± Vak said as her words sent a cold shiver down his spine.


    ¡°Yeah, what is a Zombiedeath?¡± Anka demanded.


    ¡°He is a demon, Tey Paira,¡± Nina told them. ¡°One I accidentally summoned.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a witch!¡± Braid said.


    ¡°She said ¡®accidentally,¡± Vak said grasping at anything she said to try and make sense of the situation.


    ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± Nina told them. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what I was doing. These men showed up in the middle of the night and were trying to abduct me; I was half asleep. I thought they were about to murder me. I begged for help, and something answered my plea I¡­ I was scared for my life.¡±


    ¡°You summoned a demon?¡± Anka said her eyes wide with fear.


    ¡°It burned one of them alive. It tore the other one¡¯s legs clean off, and then it grabbed me. It brought me here.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡± Vak said, shaking his head.


    ¡°Because this is a place of evil,¡± Braid said, stepping forward. ¡°And she is a loathsome consort of Hellspawn.¡±


    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t like that.¡± Nina pleaded.


    ¡°Save your tongue, witch. I know how you twist the truth, but not even your deceptions could fully evade this Axiomatic Circle.¡± Braid¡¯s hammer glowed brightly as Nina slowly backed up into her invisible prison. Braid stepped through without a problem.


    Vak wasn¡¯t sure how to reconcile this revelation; this was a lot to process. He thought she was the victim in all this, but she had bargained with the demon. Was Braid right? Did she deserve to die?


    Nina raised her hands and mumbled some words. Then she looked up and cursed as her spell failed. She looked in disbelief and slumped to her knees in resolution. Braid raised his mighty hammer above his head as its light illuminated the room.


    ¡°Now would be the time to beg the Sacred Hierarchies to forgive your wickedness,¡± Braid said as he prepared to strike.


    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know what would happen.¡± She pleaded.


    ¡°As you wish,¡± he said. He tensed his muscles, attempting to drive the hammer down upon Nina''s head, but he found resistance. Vak held Braid¡¯s hammer firmly above Braid¡¯s head.


    ¡°Stop Braid,¡± Vak said. ¡°This is wrong.¡±


    ¡°Damnit Rag, You are bewitched by her. Think for one damn minute; we know how susceptible you are to spells.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Anka said, looking at them. ¡°You are both inside the Axiomatic Circle now. It would break through any compelling or bewitching. Rag is in control of his faculties, Braid. He has chosen evil.¡±


    ¡°This is ridiculous¡­¡± Vak began, but Braid silenced him by trying to jerk his hammer away. Vak was forced to spin around between Braid and Nina, and he held on firmly. Braid released the hammer with his left hand and struck Vak across the face. His iron gauntlet drew blood and Vak shoved the man backward, releasing his hold on the hammer. It gave Vak a bit of space between him and Shattershade.


    The room seemed to grow very still as Vak looked over to his former companions. They stared him down.


    ¡°You lied!¡± Braid said, righting himself. ¡°You knew all along the goblins had nothing to do with this. You got us to let you out of prison, joined us. You made me think you were a decent person. You are nothing but an agent of evil, Rag!¡±


    ¡°You are letting your bias blind you.¡± Vak retorted. ¡°Not everything is so cut and dry between evil and good. What you are attempting to do here, might appear good but it is the mask that evil wears.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this!¡± Braid said, his hammer glowing. He charged at Vak, and time seemed to slow down for an instant. In the clarity of the moment, he could see Cassie prepare a ball of fire in her arms, and Dam sneaking around to his side to try and strike him or divide his attention. Perhaps, even attempting to kill Nina.


    Then suddenly, as a torchlight going out, a sickening darkness filled the room. Vak felt nauseated, and every hair on his arms stood on end. Shattershade was attacking in slow motion from all sides. Vak caught the hammer with his axe haft. The radiant light of the hammer glowing hotly.


    Cassie shot her fire, but it struck something else. A strange blur in Vak¡¯s vision absorbed the flame. Dam paused his attack. Standing in front of Nina, beside Vak, was a frightening creature. It looked almost like an emaciated skeleton with swirling black skin that crawled around its tight body.


    Vak came up to its rib cage in height, and each of its arms seemed longer than Vak¡¯s entire body. Upon his head were two gigantic horns like a bull that extended upward. The demon made Vak¡¯s insides crawl. It seemed impossible and wrong, and it almost hurt to look at directly. It raised its head to reveal glowing red eyes.


    ¡°I will protect the Summoner,¡± it said with a voice that sounded like a low growl. The words seemed to physically affect Shattershade as several members took a step back in response. Then darkness fell from the demon like a torrent of water. It covered the room, blocking out all light.

 Arc 2, Chapter 8

    The sudden darkness set off Vakdragnar¡¯s primal instincts. Everything about it felt wrong. It was like catching sight of a giant shark while underwater, his instincts screamed that he was in danger.


    The air in the tomb grew increasingly hotter, and the ground seemed to sway. Vak found his balance wavering, as though he stood on a living animal. He tried to stand still and focus on listening to his surroundings, but all he could hear was a dull slurping noise in the dark.


    Vak felt weighed down, as though the air was more oppressive somehow. He felt like he was moving slower and being pulled toward the writhing floor by this unseen force.


    Then a small white light appeared. The darkness shied back as Cassie thrust her hand forward. She had found a strange stone staff to affix the spell onto, and it gave Shattershade a bit of a respite from being blind. It also gave the darkness a form.


    Vak could see the slow-moving amorphous creatures writhing along the floor around Shattershade. Unhindered by the light, the darkness crawled all over the heroes like a swarm of sentient insects. These dark bugs seemed adamant about suffocating out the light.


    Braid attacked with his hammer and struck those on the ground. Where he hit, some of the dark bugs dissolved away, but more replaced them. It would not be long before they buried him.


    Cassie began to send dancing fire around herself to purge these dark bugs. The engulfing flame quickly consumed Their tiny black bodies. The more prominent bonfire replaced the white light of the stone staff.


    Once she cleared away the dark bugs surrounding her, she began to work to help Anka carefully. The flames devoured the darkness like a greedy child, and somehow avoid burning Anka. The dark bugs continued to attack Cassie and were met only with fire, but for some reason, the bugs seemed disinterested once Anka was deloused.


    Then Cassie began to fight the dark bugs that surrounded Braid. It was not as successful. After Cassie would burn the darkness from him, a new wave would find a way to latch back on. It was all she could do to keep them from overwhelming him.


    Vak could make no move to help them. He likely had the same creatures wriggling across his body and attributed the impressive weight he felt, to their influence. He remained trapped in the darkness; none of the bugs surrounding him were anywhere near the bonfire from Cassie.


    ¡°Dam!¡± Braid called while striking at more amorphous bugs.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ here.¡± Dam called from nearly right beside Vak.


    ¡°Can you make it to the light?¡±


    ¡°No, these things have me pinned down.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll start making our way to you. Stay strong, buddy.¡± Braid called.


    It was slow, but Shattershade began to move as a group toward where they thought Dam might be. They had not taken more than a few steps before the torchlights in the tomb sprung back to life. The dark bugs scurried away, scuttling back to Zogmodeth. They latched themselves onto him like a grotesque layer of skin.


    It was a mystery to Vak why the torchlight had returned. It was possible the demon only had the power to block it out for a few minutes. His power could have a limit. It was also possible those dark bugs were just a precursor to the torment it had in store for all of them. Vak didn''t know why, but he assumed the latter.


    Dam, who had been rolling around on the floor, suddenly stopped. He brought himself to his feet, paused for a brief moment, and then sprinted toward Nina with a speed Vak had not seen the man use before. He drew his sword with his remaining hand and lunged straight for her throat.


    Vak barely made it in time, placing himself in the way of Dam¡¯s attack. The black shortsword with silver trim pierced Vak¡¯s chest. The attack sent a wave of intense pain through his body, and he almost doubled over from it.


    Dam pulled black his blade. ¡°Get out of the way, Villain.¡± he spat.


    ¡°Damnit Dam, there is a bigger threat here than me,¡± Vak said gesturing to the demon.


    ¡°Yes, and if I can kill the witch, then the demon likely goes away.¡± He said, trying to sidestep around Vak. Vak was ready for him, and this time caught the blade with his axehead. The force of the blow sent the blade scattering, and Dam rolled backward anticipating a second attack that Vak did not execute. Dam picked his blade up and stood in a crouch, looking for a blind spot to which he could use to attack.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Once Zogmodeth was hole again, he began stalking toward Shattershade with slow, deliberate steps. It raised his impossibly long arms and slashed at them. Braid barely caught the attack with his hammer and seemed to be struggling to hold the demon at bay. Smoke arose from the space between demon and hammer, likely causing it pain, but it pressed the attack without pause.


    ¡°Hold him, Braid!¡± Anka said as her amulet began to spin. She began reciting a prayer in the holy tongue.


    ¡°Good!¡± Braid said, struggling. ¡°I¡¯ll keep the devil at bay, and you banish him back to whichever plane of hell he comes from.¡±


    ¡°I am going nowhere, little man,¡± Zogmodeth said as he stopped his assault, putting Braid off balance for a moment. ¡°I like it up here.¡±


    Cassie took the opportunity to unleash a series of intense fire blasts at it. A new one summoned and thrown before the last had even struck the demon. Each echoed throughout the chamber with a thunderous boom.


    Zogmodeth was unphased by the heat. ¡°Hellfire burns hotter than your pitiful tricks, and I bathe in it.¡± He said, extending his long arms wide in a show of complete disregard.


    ¡°Bathe in this, fool,¡± Braid said taking the opening and bringing his glowing hammer across its chest. Surprisingly a rib bone snapped and dissolved off into the ground.


    Vak found himself routing for man, despite being at odds with him; it was a mistake. The moment Vak¡¯s attention shifted, he heard the scuffling boots behind him. He turned to see Dam lunging at Nina again.


    This time he would not be able to reach her. There would be no positioning himself between her and the blade. So, he threw his axe. It was not designed for throwing, and that is likely the only thing that saved Dam¡¯s other hand. It caught the sword, and both weapons went scattering across the floor.


    ¡°You bastard!¡± Vak said, feeling his anger war within him, begging to be let out. He quickly placed himself between Nina and Dam and the sneaky jerk backed off. There was a look of pure anger and frustration on Dam¡¯s face. The two were at a standstill. Vak began to count in his head slowly.


    I need to keep control. If I give into the rage here, then the situation will only worsen.


    Braid''s hammer still stuck into the chest of the demon, and it seemed to be held there by the darkness that surrounded him. A bit of darkness crawled over the hammer, like black tendrils of a vine. Braid struggled to pull it back to no avail. The demon sneered.


    A blast of lightning streaked across the tomb towards the demon¡¯s head and struck him in the skull. Zogmodeth screamed at the assault and Braid was able to pull the hammer back with the distraction Cassie had provided.


    Zogmodeth was not dazed for long as it reached its long black skeleton-like claw toward her. It stretched past its physical limitations, shooting out twenty feet. It grabbed her around the waist and slammed her back into the wall of the tomb. Her body hit with a crunch, but Zogmodeth was not yet finished.


    The darkness around his claw began to ooze and cover her body like a living mud. Her eyes looked like they¡¯re rolling back in her head in response to the impact. Braid leapt to drive his hammer into the elongated arm. He snapped it from the demon¡¯s body, and it howled in anger.


    ¡°Anka?¡± Braid shouted, and as if in response, Anka¡¯s chanting started to get louder. The oozing darkness was still surrounding Cassie''s body, and it began crawling down her mouth as it held her fast to the wall. Vak could hear her choking.


    Anka¡¯s chanting sounded like it was reaching a critical moment when suddenly Zogmodeth was in front of her. Vak had not seen it move. He saw Anka¡¯s eyes go wide as it reached up with its remaining left arm and tore at her face. She screamed as the focus on the spell fizzled into nothing. Vak could see the creature had ripped most of the upper right side of her face clean off. She screamed in agony as she fell to the floor, clutching her wound.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make you wish you¡¯d never done that,¡± Braid said, rushing forward. Zogmodeth lazily lifted a foot and struck the man to the ground with a sickening force.


    ¡°You impotent little man.¡± Zogmodeth taunted. ¡°To think you injured me. Well, that¡¯s my burden. I can¡¯t help playing with my food.¡± To Vak¡¯s astonishment the stump where its right arm had been, elongated into a new hand and split apart into wicked claws.


    In its other hand, the demon held something, Vak could not tell what. Then the demon let it dangle by the nerve that was still attached. Zogmodeth dangled Anka''s eye above his mouth and then let it drop. He seemed to savor the taste.


    Vak¡¯s stomach did a roll, and he was worried that he might lose its contents. He looked over to Dam, when had he grabbed his blade again? It was no matter; Dam was no longer trying to attack Nina; he was inching toward the door of the tomb. There was a look of pure horror on his face.


    Braid had found the strength to stand again, but he did not look alright. He was bleeding, and his left arm looked injured. He held his hammer in front of himself with his good arm. He challenged the demon bravely, or perhaps too proud to see it outmatched him.


    Zogmodeth smiled at him. ¡°Very well, hero. I¡¯ll give you the death you¡¯re seeking.¡± It said as it tore through Braid¡¯s steel armor with its claws. Blood scattered across the room as Braid fell back. It looked like the claws had ripped his chest open. He lay there, on the cusp of consciousness, bleeding. Dam fled the room.


    The demon raised its claws again to his mouth. He licked them clean in a sickening taunt. It bent down to grin at Braid, raising its claws above its head to eviscerate him. It leapt back in an instant with an inhuman quickness. Vak fell clumsily through the space the demon had just stood. It had been a gamble to try and tackle Zogmodeth, and Vak found himself sprawled out on the floor of the tomb, defenseless.

 Act 2, Chapter 9

    The demon studied Vakdragnar with its glowing red eyes. Vak lay sprawled out on the ground, not sure if he should move. It is like looking into the eyes of a tiger. If I move, he will certainly pounce. The demon stood impossibly still, staring at him.


    ¡°You are different,¡± Zogmodeth observed. Its jaw made an unsettling creaking noise every time it opened its mouth to speak. ¡°I sense a bit more strength from you than these pathetic humans.¡± It taunted.


    ¡°Why are you just watching me? You look poised to strike, why hesitate?¡±


    ¡°Why should we fight? Even I could see these others were your enemies. They were trying to kill you before I returned.¡±


    ¡°They may be,¡± Vak answered carefully.


    ¡°Then, why stop me? I saw the way you defended the Summoner. Are our purposes not aligned?¡±


    ¡°What exactly do you want?¡± Vak asked, he slowly brought his feet under himself to stand.


    ¡°I am bound to fulfill my bargain. After that, I am free to slash and cut and torture.¡±


    ¡°Your bargain is with Nina?¡± Vak said, trying to buy himself a few more moments.


    ¡°Yes. I made a pact to protect her. The surest way to fulfill that pact was to bring her here. This place is a well of great power for my master. Here, nothing can harm the summoner.¡±


    ¡°That is not protection,¡± Vak explained. ¡°You cannot lock a person away and say you are protecting them. That is torture.¡±


    ¡°Well, they say the demon is in the details,¡± It laughed. The laughing sound was like a terrible howl. ¡°So, friendship is out of the question?¡±


    ¡°You have your bargain, and I have my promise. They appear to be in absolute contention.¡±


    ¡°Pity, well, more to eat then.¡± It said with a sickening smile that nearly split his skull in two. It came at Vak, and he attempted to spring backward. Anything to put more distance between them, but it made no difference.


    Zogmodeth¡¯s speed was disorienting. It was on Vak in a moment, slashing its claws along Vak¡¯s chest. Vak felt like his insides were on fire from the onslaught, yet he somehow remained on his feet.


    Zogmodeth brought its now-bloody fingers to its mouth and began to lick with glee. ¡°Yes, your blood is sweet. The taste: exquisite; I must have more.¡± It said, turning its glowing red eyes toward Vak. ¡°I will have every last¡­. What is this? The wounds on your chest, they¡¯re nearly healed?¡±


    Vak¡¯s stomach bore no scar from Zogmodeth¡¯s attack. It healed as he slowly tried to keep his anger in check. It was all he could do against the demon.


    ¡°Your flesh should be torn open,¡± it howled, ¡°and you should be on the ground begging me to spare your life! How is this possible? Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Just an Islander whose read to many adventure stories,¡± Vak said with a groan. He cracked his shoulder with a pop.


    ¡°No,¡± It said as its glowing eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re the idiot between me and my dinner!¡± It shouted in rage as it charged Vak. He could barely see the movements, and even when he forced himself to look, his eyes wanted to glance away. If Vak stared too long at Zogmodeth, it was painful.


    It grabbed Vak with its enormous claws, and Vak could feel the darkness ooze off of him. It weighed him down. Then Zogmodeth brought its head down and bit Vak in the shoulder. It tore a chunk of his neck off, and the blood ran down its mouth.


    Then it began to pummel Vak. Striking him with its claws trying to eviscerated Vak. The two were bathed in blood as Vak attempted to mount a defense, but the creature was too quick. Vak vision was getting blurry, and his head began to bob uncontrollably. His eyes fixed upon his axe which lay across the room. He felt himself going light-headed, but he held on. He could not blackout now. There would be no telling if the rage would take over or not.


    It shoved Vak backward, throwing him to the ground. He was a bloody mess, and Zogmodeth seemed to regain its superior demeanor.


    ¡°There mortal. You aren¡¯t so tough now that you¡¯re a bleeding husk. To think you had as much power as you did. I shouldn¡¯t have let myself lose control like that. It¡¯s embarrassing.¡±


    I need to find a way to stop this rage from bubbling over. I¡¯m losing a lot of blood. If I can not find a way¡­ His thoughts trailed off as he stared at the members of Shattershade. They were either unconscious or dying. They already thought the worst of him.


    ¡°Losing control¡­ is embarrassing.¡± Vak said echoing the demon¡¯s words. He tried getting back to his knees. Why am I holding back? What do I have to be embarrassed about? For once, I cannot possibly make things worse with my anger.


    ¡°What was that?¡± It demanded.


    ¡°I know what you mean,¡± Vak said standing. A layer of blood-covered Vak''s torso, but there was not a scratch on him. Vak took his hand and wiped away some of the blood off his chest and slowly ran his hand down his face, painting it with his blood. Zogmodeth took an involuntary step backward.


    Is it frightened? Vak wondered. ¡°I too have problems with losing control. It can be tough to rein it in.¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°What is this? That is impossible! You''re still standing? After the slashing I gave you? This is maddening! Are you a demigod?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. Nothing like that. I am Vakdragnar, and I just realized I have no reason to hold back with you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Vak finally stopped fighting his inner anger. The bias of the people of his village, the guards and the resentment towards Lance, the belittlement from Shattershade, the way he felt after Cassie burnt those two men alive, and the pain that this demon had brought; he stopped struggling to hold it all back. He just let go, and the rage bubble over.


    The air in the tomb grew dry as a hot red wind picked up. It began to swirl around the room. Loose items on the ground started to clamor around in the whirlwind. Vak could feel his strength return, and the bloodloss meant nothing. He felt the charge of electricity crackle within his aura of pure rage.


    ¡°This¡­ This feeling of dread and anger. Is it coming from you? Do you think you can frighten me with it? I am Zogmodeth! I devour everything in my path!¡±


    It charged Vak, but it''s inhuman quickness seemed so telegraphed to Vak now. A quick flash of red lightning announced each step it took. Vak could see the demon trying to ignore the pain as its legs began to break away from each bolt.


    It raised its claws to slash at him, but Vak batted its arms away as though they belonged to a tiny kitten. The demon tried to swipe a few more times, but Vak¡¯s rage had hardened his skin. Zogmodeth broke its claws with its relentless assault.


    Then Vak leapt into the air and struck one of the creature''s horns with his palm. The broke and it howled in pain. Vak gracefully landed on the other side of it.


    It slowly turned around. Vak could see the darkness oozing from the broken horn on his head like viscous black blood. It reached its hands up to inspect itself in disbelief, and it howled in rage when it felt the stump. It reeled around on Vak.


    Three glowing green blasts struck the creature in the chest as it staggered backward. More of the foul-smelling black liquid oozed out of the wounds, as it howled in agony. Nina Hale was sprinting across the room toward the exit.


    ¡°Where are you going? I am protecting you!¡± It screamed.


    ¡°No, you were imprisoning me, and thanks to Vak, here, you no longer have the strength to keep me locked up.¡± She said skidding to a stop. She raised her hand, and another green ball of power left her fingertips. It struck Zogmodeth in the leg. Pieces of him crumbled away with each blast.


    ¡°You would injure me, after all, I¡¯ve done?¡± It shouted in frustration. ¡°Then I¡¯ll drag you back to the twelve hells with me!¡± It lunged at her.


    ¡°You are going alone,¡± Vak said, spinning the horn he held in his hands. He shoved the two-foot point straight through the back of the demon¡¯s head. It shattered like an expensive vase, and Zogmodeth fell to the floor of the tomb. Its body began to twitch. The darkness surrounding it began to convulse and twist and swirl around it like a tiny storm, and then it folded into itself. It Slowly cracked and crunched as it dissolved in on itself until the demon was no more.


    Vak dropped the demon horn to the ground as he let the anger and rage slowly subside. He felt a cold calmness wash over him again without any struggle on his part. His anger evaporated, and Vak wondered if he was finally rid of it.


    ¡°Are you uninjured?¡± He asked Nina.


    She looked at him in disbelief. ¡°Yes, thank you. That was¡­¡±


    ¡°You do not need to say it,¡± he said, feeling a bit of shame return as he slowly realized what she must think of him.


    ¡°Incredible!¡± She said, rushing over to him. ¡°You had all that power inside you? Have you always had it? Where did it come from?¡± She said, looking him over.


    Vak smiled, and he raised his hands as though defending himself from the barrage of questions. They both began to laugh.


    ¡°You may be laughing now, bastards,¡± Anka said, her voice carrying across the room. Vak and Nina turned to find her cradling Braid on the ground. She had raised her once-white headscarf to cover the side of her face.


    As she stared up at them, Vak could see that her eye was gone, and there was some terrible scarring around the socket. Her healing abilities had their limits. Now she crouched over Braid trying to dress his wounds. Her hands glowed white as she knitted them back closed.


    ¡°There is nowhere you can run to escape the wrath of Shattershade.¡± She shouted. Vak looked over toward Cassie as she coughed up black sludge in the corner. It would only be a little while before she was back to herself and likely hurling fire at Vak.


    ¡°Nina, we should go, I can take you back to town before they can regroup.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you with them?¡± She said, confused.


    ¡°I was, but it seems our paths have split. It is complicated, but the short version is: they are not the people I thought they were when I first set out with them.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I have a boyfriend like that,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Destin! Yes, he is worried about you, in his way. I can take you to him.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± She said with a fierceness that made Vak take a step back. ¡°No,¡± She repeated. ¡°I do not want to go back to Tirough. I¡¯m not sure I can, anyway. They have to think I¡¯m a witch now.¡±


    ¡°No, we will explain. It will be alright.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m also not sure I want to go back.¡± She said, walking across the tomb toward another exit of the room. ¡°Look, here.¡±


    Vak walked over and inspected the other exit. It looked like it sloped down continuing further underground. He crouched down and picked up a blue feather that lay on the ground, completely out of place.


    ¡°What is that?¡± She asked.


    ¡°A feather of some kind. I do not know.¡± He said, handing it to her, he began to walk back across the room and grab his axe.


    ¡°What do you say we continue exploring this place?¡± She said excitedly. ¡°I¡¯ve never been this far from home, and it would be a shame to have to come back all this way later.¡±


    ¡°You want to keep going?¡±


    ¡°Sure, it''s an adventure, right?¡± She said, smiling. ¡°Want to come with?¡±


    Vak stalked across the room and grabbed the demon horn he¡¯d dropped. He spared a glance at Anka who was still trying to heal Braid. She looked up at him with hatred in her eye. Vak stopped at the bulbous pack he¡¯d been carrying for the last couple of days. He dumped its contents on the floor of the tomb.


    ¡°Hey! Stop that!¡± Anka yelled. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Balancing the scales,¡± Vak said, throwing her words back in her face. He found a small backpack within the larger pack and began grabbing a few essential things and placing them inside, including the Demon Horn. Vak spared a moment to check on the little bag containing the grue worm. He once again fastened it to his belt. The worm wriggled up at him as though it was happy to see him. Vak closed his pouch again


    ¡°Those are our things, you thief!¡±


    ¡°I am merely taking the things that might help protect me at an important time. They¡¯ll do us far more good then you assholes.¡± Vak said mockingly.


    ¡°You bastard!¡±


    ¡°Hey, it is not what I prefer, but... how did you put it? Oh, yes, it is necessary.¡± He said slinging the smaller pack across his back. He strode over toward the second exit. ¡°I am ready now, Miss Hale.¡±


    ¡°Call me Nina, Vak.¡± She said, strolling down the corridor out of the room. Vak followed her with an amused smile on his face and without another word.

 Arc 2. Interlude 1

    No goblin ever ventured this deep into the forest, and with the volume of trees, Krum understood why. Too dark, Krum thought while glancing up. The canopy covered most of the forest floor, blocking out any starlight that might guide their trek, and this night was darker than the one preceding it.


    ¡°Yes, good,¡± Krum said to his tribe. They were little more than scrambling shadows in the darkness. ¡°We get far away then return.¡±


    ¡°No good,¡± a creeping shadow said beside him. It made Krum jump, despite the stalwart vigil he was keeping. It was Snat. Krum held back a low growl. Snat thought he was ¡°Big-Shoes¡± because he was sneaky. There was more to being Big-Shoes then being clever.


    ¡°No Return, stupid,¡± Snat challenged.


    ¡°You stupid,¡± Krum retorted. ¡°We return after hewmans finish with Grishoovak.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes, big stupid hewmans. Much truth, they tell. They help Goblins. Then they leave. You dumb as they are. I saw hewmans. They hate goblins. You forget they kill all food-troupe with fire and hammer?¡±


    ¡°That your story. You only one come back.¡±


    ¡°All trust Snat,¡± Snat said with pride. ¡°Snat no hewman lover like Krum. Snat will find new home.¡±


    ¡°New home?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Old home bad now. Too close to hewmans. New home deeper. Forest protect goblins,¡± Snat said.


    ¡°Oh, yes. Forest big help so far. Glade Fang come and drive us away. You forget?¡±


    ¡°NO. Snat¡¯s memory is big. Best memory. Hewmans anger Glade Fang. Glade Fang turn stupid. That why it attack. We go deeper and no Hewamns. We go deeper and no stupid Glade Fang. We go deeper and no Grishoovak!¡± Forest will protect. Snat promises!¡±


    Many of the other goblins rouse a cheer in response to Snat¡¯s promises. The goblin tribe was in disarray since the elder had been ¡°chomped down¡± by the Fang of the Glade. It worried Krum; the tribe might, in their fear, turn to the loudest voice for leadership, not the best.


    ¡°But home! Goblins always return home!¡± Krum responded.


    ¡°Home is where the heart stank!¡± Snat shot back. The tribe erupted in laughter. ¡°You tell us leave, we leave. We run night, then day, now night. Hewmans so far way now. Now we find good place for home.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°This wrong. Voogaboogah said¡­¡±


    ¡°Who is Voogaboogah? Lover?¡± More laughter followed Snat¡¯s jibe.


    ¡°He kill Glade Fang. He strong.¡±


    ¡°You find pretty. Maybe Krum join Voogaboogah! Have tiny Voogaboogah-goblin babies!¡± Any forward progress through the forest had stopped. The entire tribe was on the ground, laughing.


    ¡°You forget Krum protect. During day Krum make tribe look like rocks. We sleep safe!¡±


    ¡°Snat forget nothing! Snat memory is best! You forget¡­¡±


    ¡°Who is making all that noise?¡± A deep voice said from the darkness. It had an immediate effect. The entire goblin tribe scampered together in a tight circle looking all around.


    ¡°Who there?¡± Krum demanded in a braver voice, then he felt.


    ¡°No need for alarm, my tiny guests. I am Neynauoom, welcome to my clearing.¡±


    ¡°Why hide in shadows?¡± Snat spoke. ¡°Are you tiny? I never hear of Noonanoonanoo.¡±


    ¡°NEY. NAU. OOM!¡± The voice thundered as the air grew warm with his fury. The intensity of the stranger¡¯s voice shook the trees, and most of the goblins fell to their knees, holding their ears.


    ¡°Forgive Snat,¡± Krum said quickly. ¡°Is pleasure Neynauoom.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so you do have a modicum of decorum. What is your name, little guest?¡± The trees snapped in the distance as the creature shifted. Whatever the stranger was, he was massive. A wall appeared behind Krum, blocking him from the rest of his tribe. It appeared suddenly and shook the ground as it landed. It was cold to the touch like a towering rock wall, and it began to move. It slowly pushed Krum further from his tribe toward the voice.


    ¡°I am Krum.¡±


    ¡°Well, Krum, it is a pleasure to meet you as well.¡± Krum could practically feel the heat as the stranger spoke. Was this another Grishoovak? ¡°Tell me, are you their leader?¡±


    ¡°We have no Big-Shoes. Last Big-Shoes dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh, how dreadful. My condolences for your loss.


    ¡°Is no worry. Last Big-Shoes was twenty-three. He ancient.


    ¡°I see. Well, perhaps it is time for a new leader, someone brave, and charismatic. I think you¡¯d make a splendid ¡®Big-Shoes.¡±


    ¡°Is tribe decision. Not mine. Not yours.¡± Krum said, feeling defensive.


    ¡°I meant no disrespect ¡ª exactly the opposite. I¡¯m only speaking as a potential new friend who is likely to negotiate with the new ¡®Big-Shoes¡¯ often. I¡¯d hate to have to entreat with that loudmouth from before.


    ¡°Snat. He loudmouth. You speak true.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but overhear, but they seem to like him a great deal. There might not be much either one of us can do. But¡­ no.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Well, it seems to me if you were to secure a friendship with a being of great power. Your tribe would be certain to choose you over the loudmouth.¡±


    ¡°Great power?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. I could protect your tribe and give you a place to stay until you went home. What do you say?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    ¡°A leader makes tough decisions, Krum. Are you going to be a good leader?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Krum agrees.¡±


    ¡°Oh, splendid. It has been some time since I''ve had the pleasure of conversation with such a sophisticated race as yourselves. I think we will become fast friends. Fast friends indeed.¡±

 Arc 2. Interlude 2

    The sentry held up his massive slate hand to halt Celsus. It was an affront for a sentry to stop an Ignarian of Celsus'' station to wait. He did not make a scene, however. The jagged row of iron spikes which jutted out of the sentries arm were menacing, and Celsus knew Sanga would have selected the best sentries to guard the Sovereign.


    The iron spikes were part of the latticework of iron that wove through the entirety of his gray slate body. It was not unlike the copper that held Celsus¡¯ quartzite together. The Ignari form fascinated Celsus, and he often romantically wished he might have gone into a different area of learning than the one he chose.


    ¡°Sorry, Harbinger, the Sovereign has asked us to check everyone, before they are allowed an audience.¡± The sentry did a thorough inspection of the leather bags Celsus¡¯ two golden servants carried. The golds looked back to Celsus as if afraid they might be punished, but they knew better than to speak here.


    ¡°Is he getting worse?¡± Celsus asked, forgetting his annoyance as worry replaced it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are referring to, Harbinger.¡± The sentry said.


    ¡°Quite right,¡± Celsus responded quickly. ¡°It is the curse of the Copper to have wandering minds.¡±


    ¡°You may go in.¡±


    The doors opened for Celsus, and he and his entourage crossed the threshold. Waiting for him on the other side was a spectacle. Iron soldiers held a strange fleshy creature, as Sanga and the other councilors seemed to be interrogating it. The sovereign sat above all upon his throne of molten fire. He looked in control of his faculties, as far as Celsus could tell.


    ¡°Marvelous!¡± Celsus said as he approached the fleshy creature. He ran his hands over it as he studied. ¡°Look at this it has a protective layer. It¡¯s so soft, and all these shades of brown!¡± A small bit came away as he spoke. ¡°Oh no, I''ve plucked it. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Celsus said, trying to lay the discarded layer back on the creature. It fell to the ground.


    He moved around to the face of the creature. ¡°And did you see its mouth? It''s so sharp looking and oww!¡± He said as the creature bit down on his hand. There was a small indentation in the quartzite. ¡°It''s hard too!¡±


    The soldiers had pulled the creature to the ground. How like a sentry to see a threat instead of a miracle of nature. ¡°No, wait!¡± Celsus said. ¡°It was my fault. Don¡¯t hurt it!¡±


    ¡°Celsus,¡± Sanga said, ¡°you are interrupting our interrogation.¡± She rose her marble hand to her forehead and shook it in frustration. Celsus could not help but marvel at her beauty. Her amethyst protrusions sparkled in the grand hall.


    ¡°Oh¡­ uh for¡­ forgive me, Sanga. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it.¡±


    ¡°It is alright, Sanga.¡± The Sovereign said. ¡°I asked Celsus here to study the creature. I knew it would pique his interest.¡± He motioned for Celsus to continue. The Sovereign had a stone body like all ignarians, but he was so long-lived that most of his natural diamond protrusions had nearly covered the quartzite. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Thank you, Sovereign,¡± Celsus said, showing him proper deference. Celsus walked back over to the creature and plucked the small soft brown discarded layer. The name came to him suddenly like a lava spout. ¡°It is a feather!¡±


    ¡°A what?¡± An emerald and basalt bodied councilor asked. Celsus knew he should know the name, but it escaped him in the light of the miraculous discovery.


    ¡°A feather,¡± Celsus repeated excitedly. ¡°In the afterlife, creatures soar in the sea above! They use these feathers to do it.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Sanga asked him. Celsus hadn¡¯t noticed her approach, and she stood very close, trying to see the small brown feather.


    ¡°Oh, ah, well, that is, no one knows. The creatures of the afterlife are mysterious and seldom come down to us.¡±


    ¡°So is this creature an Angel or Demon?¡± The Sovereign asked.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to rush to speculation with so little observation, Sovereign,¡± Celsus told him as humbly as he could.


    ¡°Celsus, you know time grows short.¡± Sanga chided.


    ¡°I do?¡±


    ¡°The Sovereign had a vision last night. After hearing it, I believe it to be a prophecy.¡± Sanga said as her gorgeous Amethyst glowed vibrantly.


    ¡°Well, I have been rather busy preparing the sample,¡± Celsus admitted.


    ¡°Of course. Well,¡± Sanga continued, ¡°In his dream, the Sovereign saw a grand place, an entire town full of riches. It is a miracle. With the Goural advancing ever closer, this stroke of fortune is what we need. He is sending the Iron Legion.¡±


    ¡°To the afterlife?¡± Celsus said, shocked. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be prudent to study this flesh creature more before we make any rash decisions.¡±


    ¡°You have five days, old friend,¡± The Sovereign commanded. ¡°Learn all you can, and then the Iron Legion is going forth.¡±


    ¡°As you command,¡± Celsus said, bowing deeply. He motioned for the iron sentries to take the creature out of the room. ¡°Please be gentle,¡± he called after them.


    After they exited, he turned back toward the Sovereign and bowed again. ¡°If it would please the council and his excellency, I have prepared a unique sample today. Though perhaps it is overshadowed a bit by our visitor.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, old friend. You finished?¡± The Sovereign asked, stepping off his throne. The rest of the council greedily approached the leather bags, and Celsus motioned for the golds to dump the contents on the floor.


    Large mounds of dirt fell to the ground along with the clumps of grass that had been carefully placed to give the entire meal a splash of color. The Sovereign reached his hands in and pulled a scoop of the grainy substance. He brought it to his face and inhaled deeply.


    ¡°It is so aromatic. What was it you called it?¡± His excellency demanded.


    ¡°This land sample is called ¡®Tirough.¡¯ I had it brought back to me a few weeks ago, and I have been cultivating it for your approval.¡±


    ¡°Tirough.¡¯ Marvelous.¡± He said as he closed his eyes and drank deep of the soil. The energy from the dirt left rose from the sample and surrounded the Sovereign. Then it entered his waiting mouth.


    The Sovereign¡¯s eyes opened as if in shock. ¡°This is amazing!¡± He brushed his hands where the dirt fell back to the floor; it was nothing more than ash. Formless and all but evaporated away. ¡°I must have more.¡±


    ¡°Of course, your excellency. I wish I¡¯d known that we were heading to the afterlife. I am sure they can bring back many bags.


    ¡°No, old friend. In five days, we will have all you can prepare.¡± The Sovereign said as the rest of the court closed their eyes, and they devoured the energy from the planet.

 Arc 3, Chapter 1

    The torchlight did little to put Vakdragnar at ease in the long descending caverns beneath the Goblin¡¯s cave. The single light source threw shadows along the wall that folded into the terrain and made it difficult to see.


    Despite the poor vision the torchlight provided, Vak was thankful that it gave him something else to occupy his mind. It was in the smaller rooms where he could see more clearly, and there was no immediate danger. That was when he found his mind wandering.


    His relationship with Nina Hale, his traveling partner, had become complicated. On one side, they had only just met and were relative strangers. On the other, he had intruded upon intimate details of her life to locate her. There were things she did not know about her life, and finding the right words to tell her, after everything she¡¯d suffered, was torment.


    ¡°Look at this strange urn, Vak!¡± She shouted excitedly from across the long corridor they stood. This part of the cavern was a stronghold for the cult of Karkazes long ago. Anka said it was a place of dark power.


    There is that uneasy feeling again, Vak thought.


    Vak had to walk a few feet across the corridor before the torchlight would show him the vase Nina was studying. It was surprising she wasn¡¯t staying closer to the light, but this was not the first time she¡¯d strayed.


    ¡°The little figures tell an ancient story.¡± She said while slowly turning the urn. She spoke like reading words from a page. ¡°There was an ancient calamity, and a brave group came together to¡­ oh, wait! Nope; it¡¯s a sex urn.¡± She said, dropping the vase in disgust. It shattered against the tile floor.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Vak said far too late.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± She said, looking back at Vak.


    It took Vak a moment to get past her indifference. ¡°That was a piece of history.¡±


    ¡°Uh, I already told you, it was a bunch of creepy people commemorating their wild orgies.¡±


    ¡°It could have been valuable.¡±


    ¡°Who are we going to sell a vase to down here?¡± She said, arching an eyebrow.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± he stammered, unable to think of a response.


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯m not certain I want anyone having it, what if it had some sort of power.¡± She said, shivering.


    ¡°By that logic, what if destroying it had set something loose?¡±


    ¡°Ugh, like some kind of ancient sex ghost? Yeah, that wouldn¡¯t have been good at all.¡± She said, contemplating. ¡°Eh, we would have just fought it.¡±


    Vak cracked a small smile.


    ¡°There ya go,¡± She said gleefully. ¡°No reason to be so serious. We¡¯re on an adventure! I think we¡¯re allowed to have some fun.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Shall we go, or do you see some more sex vases to smash?¡± Vak said with a slight smirk.


    ¡°Oh my stars, was that a joke, Vak?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so surprised; I tell jokes. I am quite funny.¡± He said as they approached a closed door. Nina tried the handle, but the door was stuck fast.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ the Magistrate is still weighing that verdict.¡± She said coyly.


    ¡°The Magistrate,¡± Vak said, feigning reverence. ¡°I will be sure to be on my best behavior for his excellency.¡± He broke the door down with his shoulder as though enunciating his point. Nina rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face spoiled the effect.


    The door opened out into another natural cavern. It was completely different from the rest of the Cult lair. This space held no symbols or furniture, and the walls and floor looked more natural. It was like stepping out of a house and into the backyard, sixty feet underground.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t look lived in.¡± She observed, looking around.


    ¡°No, it looks like a dead-end,¡± Vak said, walking over to a steep drop off in the center of the cave.


    ¡°They must not have wanted their members coming down here.¡± She said, pointing to a small wooden post sticking out of the ground. ¡°Look, these used to be the anchor points of a rope bridge that extended across this gap.¡±


    ¡°Gap? This could go on for miles as far as we know.¡±


    ¡°No, only about forty feet, look.¡± She said as she produced a green ball of energy in her hand. She tossed it lazily across the room, lighting the cavern as it floated through.


    Nina¡¯s estimation turned out to be accurate. Nearly forty feet across, it struck a wall. It lit up the other side revealing another path further into the cavern and two more posts on that side of the ¡®gap.¡¯


    ¡°You were right,¡± Vak said, impressed. He watched for a moment as the green ball slowly winked out of existence like a firefly disappearing into the night.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sound so surprised.¡±


    ¡°I did not mean any offense; it was just a miraculous guess.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t guess. I could see it.¡± She said, slowly pacing the length of the room.


    ¡°How?¡± Vak asked, and as she turned back around to him, he inhaled in alarm. Nina¡¯s eyes were glowing a brilliant green.


    ¡°It is part of my talents,¡± Nina said. Her explanation seemed intentionally vague, and with Vak¡¯s recent experience with mages, he was a bit suspicious. He immediately felt a pang of guilt, but the suspicions lingered.


    ¡°Nina, your powers¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Have you always had them?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. I wasn¡¯t born with them or anything. I had to teach myself. I¡¯ve only been practicing for the last four months or so.¡±


    ¡°Four months?¡±


    ¡°Impressive, right? I¡¯ve heard people study at the Zoftwiten Institute for years.¡±


    ¡°And you just taught yourself?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well¡­ okay, not entirely. About four months ago, I was waiting tables at the Flame¡¯s Fondness, and he walks in.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°None other than Mr. Adventure himself, Seren Miller!¡±


    ¡°Seren Miller?¡± Vak asked in disbelief. He¡¯d heard of the legend. Many had set out to find riches in the world after the Godsend. Seren had done that and more. There were entire books of his exploits. He¡¯d saved towns, battled the undead, fought against corrupt Lords, and destroyed rampaging monsters. Vak had read all his exploits.


    ¡°The one and only! I tried to act cool, but inside I was losing it.¡±


    ¡°I bet!¡± Vak said.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I mean, I bet he was intimidating,¡± Vak said a bit ashamed.


    ¡°You know at first, he was, but as I talked with him, I found him welcoming. He was telling me about how he was on this new adventure.¡±


    ¡°New adventure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he called it a quest for knowledge. He said there was so much everyone got wrong. That seeing the world had opened his eyes and given such a unique perspective on things.¡±


    ¡°Amazing,¡± Vak said. He hung on every word. ¡°So, what was this knowledge for?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have no idea,¡± Nina said a bit sheepishly.


    ¡°What do you mean? You did not ask him?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t tell me everything, oh! He gave me a book. He said if I studied it, it would open my eyes to the truth of things.¡±


    ¡°That book taught you your powers?¡±


    ¡°Kind of, it¡¯s hard to explain. The book was a puzzle, and once I figured out how to solve it, I opened a way to the source of my powers.¡±


    ¡°That sounds... ominous.¡±


    ¡°It kind of is, I don¡¯t know how else to explain it. There is this invisible, intangible, Well of Power, and I can touch it with my decisions. The result: magic. Yeah, I know it sounds weird. I think of it as collecting water from an ocean with a bucket. I¡¯m still learning.¡±


    ¡°And this power is what let you summon Zogmodeth?¡±


    ¡°I think so. I told you before, I was terrified and needed help, and there was this moment of understanding that the well would save me if I agreed.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, how?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain. I had this moment of decision. It was like I could refuse it or ask it for help. At that moment, I didn¡¯t feel like I should say no.¡±


    ¡°You do not have to be defensive. I would have made the same decision in your shoes.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    ¡°Ha?¡±


    ¡°In my shoes, you would have ripped those thugs¡¯ heads off and used them for kicking balls.¡±


    ¡°I can assure you I would not!¡± Vak said, a bit concerned with the imagery.


    ¡°I just mean, you defeated a demon with your bare hands.¡± She told him with a look of admiration. ¡°I envy your strength. Oooh!¡± Something on the side of the room had caught her eye. She walked over to the edge of the gap.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I think I found a way across.¡± She said, slowly stepping along the wall. Vak rushed over and saw she was inching across a ledge only a foot wide.


    ¡°Wait, hold on,¡± Vak called after her as she inched her way across. ¡°It is too narrow for me to follow.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± She called back, looking at him. ¡°Good point. Toss me a rope!¡±


    ¡°You are certain you do not want to come back and tie it around your waist?¡±


    ¡°Nah, no time for that, just toss it.¡± Vak took out the rope. It was the very same Dam stole from that shopkeeper back in Tirough. The one Vak stole from them. He tossed the end to her, and she missed it.


    ¡°A little higher, please!¡± She called as Vak pulled the rope back and tossed it again. This time she leaned out for it and lost her balance. She screamed as she fell down the hole.


    Vak ran to the edge of the steep incline to see her fall into the darkness below. It all happened so fast that there wasn¡¯t time to do anything. He stood there looking down in disbelief, the rope in hand. Then he felt the line go taught, and it nearly pulled him from his feet.


    ¡°Nina!¡± Vak called down.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry about that,¡± She called up at him. ¡°Could you pull me up?¡±


    Vak felt an instant wave of relief as he began to pull her back up slowly. When she was close enough, Vak grabbed Nina¡¯s arm and pulled her back onto solid ground. He took a few steps and then fell to the ground, his legs giving out. They were shaking from the shock of what had almost happened. Nina walked over to him and sat down.


    ¡°Okay, sorry about that,¡± She said sheepishly. Vak looked back at her, feeling incredibly exhausted. ¡°I¡¯ll tie the rope around my waist next time.¡±


    ¡°Next time?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ we still have to get across, right? I figure I could tie the rope to that pillar over there, and you could tie the other end over here, and then you could pull yourself across?¡± Nina said.


    Vak fell back and laid down on the cave floor.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± She said, moving over to him.


    ¡°Are you?¡± Vak wondered.


    ¡°Sure, a few scrapes, no big deal.¡±


    ¡°You nearly died.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it seems to be happening a lot.¡± She said, trying to force a laugh from Vak.


    ¡°You want to just rush back across?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Well, if I don¡¯t keep going, then we have to turn back.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± Vak said, sitting up. ¡°Maybe this is as far as we can go?¡±


    ¡°What kind of adventuring spirit is that? The whole point of an adventure is to push yourself. To take risks.¡±


    ¡°Nina¡­¡±


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯d rather be dead than go back to that.¡±


    ¡°To Tirough?¡±


    ¡°To that life! I was dying there, slowly, and without any options. That city felt more like a prison than a home.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ alright, strangely, I know how you feel,¡± Vak said, remembering how he first felt standing within the stone walls.


    ¡°Right?¡±


    ¡°But you have people there who care about you: friends, a job.¡±


    ¡°I was planning on leaving.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to for a while, I was just saving up the coin, and I would have been gone within the month if¡­¡± She trailed off.


    ¡°If you didn¡¯t accidentally summon an overprotective demon to steal you away from it all?¡±


    ¡°Yeah... ¡° She said.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Vak apologized.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°That was insensitive.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re right. I did it. Now, I¡¯m trying to make the best of it. Turn the negative into what I always wanted to do anyway.¡±


    ¡°That is an amazing perspective.¡±


    ¡°Yup. I¡¯m finally sitting in a cave with a shirtless demon slayer. I must be doing something right?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Vak just stared back at her, unsure how to proceed.


    ¡°That was a joke.¡± She said, looking concerned.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡°Look, sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, do not apologize. I am not upset. There are just some things I have been keeping from you. They are troubling, and I do not know how you will react.¡±


    ¡°Keeping from me? What?¡±


    ¡°It is about that night.¡± Vak trailed off. He had no idea how to begin to tell her.


    ¡°Hey,¡± She said, kneeling in front of him. ¡°Whatever it is, you will feel better if you tell me. I promise I will not judge.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t about me. It is about Destin Huxley.¡±


    ¡°Destin?¡±


    ¡°In investigating what happened to you, I came across a pretty tangled web. Destin did not want you to go on an adventure. He thought you were being¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Reckless,¡± Vak said apologetically.


    ¡°Oh,¡± She said, pulling her legs up against her chest. ¡°I... guess he was right.¡±


    ¡°No, do not listen to him. He is an ass!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He hired those bandits to break into your apartment and kidnap you.¡±


    ¡°He WHAT!?¡±


    ¡°He told me that he hoped it would traumatize you into staying.¡±


    ¡°That asshole!¡±


    ¡°He had a friend within the Grievspair Organization, and he asked them to kidnap you. I¡­ I am sorry.¡±


    ¡°Ten of the Hells! If I ever see him again¡­¡± She left the threat hanging in the air, then stood up and began tying the rope around her waist.


    ¡°Nina?¡±


    ¡°I am not letting that doughy, ass-dragon dictate my life. Tie the rope.¡±


    ¡°Are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Tie. The. Rope.¡± She said, emphasizing each word. Vak did not feel it was wise to try and talk her out of this, so he made sure the rope was well secured as she began to crawl across the tiny ledge again. She slowly crept into the darkness. ¡°Shit!¡± She called.


    ¡°Nina? What is it?¡±


    ¡°The ledge ends. I am going to have to¡­ jump!¡± She said as Vak heard a small heave and then a tiny thud.


    ¡°Nina?¡± Vak called after a minute.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright! I¡¯m fine! The rope is secure on my end. Come on across.¡±


    Vak looked down at his knot and then into the darkness. The woman was a waitress, how much did he trust her to tie a secure knot? He reached down to pull on the rope; it seemed safe. Vak took a long, slow exhale. What choice did he really have? He put his arm around it and began to crawl out into the void.

 Arc 3, Chapter 2

    Vakdragnar crawled hand over hand through the darkness, feeling every swell and contraction of the rope. He pulled himself along and tried not to think of the long fall should any point of the line fail.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, Vak,¡± Nina called to him from the other side. ¡°You¡¯re doing really well, no reason to rush!¡±


    Vak grunted a reply. It wasn''t the labor that was fatiguing; it was the ever-present worry that whirled around in the back of his head. The anxiety only increased as he progressed, while the rope sagged more and more.


    ¡°You¡¯re almost there.¡± She called to him, but something was wrong. Vak felt it immediately as the rope suddenly gave no resistance, and he felt the rush of air as surely as death¡¯s kiss. He had only a moment to think, but the only thing that came to his thick head was ¡°like this?¡±


    Then he hit the soft cold cave floor.


    Vak took a moment to feel around in the darkness and felt like a complete fool. He had only fallen a few feet at most. This entire time he had been climbing, the floor had been right beneath him. He moved his hands along the smooth cavern floor, and then he picked himself up, feeling incredibly sheepish.


    ¡°I understand you want ¡®fun,¡¯ but making me believe my life was in peril is not humorous,¡± Vak called as he began to walk.


    ¡°No¡­ this way,¡± Nina said. Vak perked up immediately. She sounded strained, as though something was wrong. He began to blindly and quickly move towards her. After a short sprint, he nearly stumbled as the terrain beneath his feet become suddenly rocky and uneven again.


    ¡°Nina,¡± Vak called. ¡°Are you alright?¡± His entire sense of balance was off, and her silence was increasingly alarming.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Just let me catch my breath.¡±


    Vak still could not see, but he reached into his backpack to pull a torch. His stomach dropped when he realized his axe was no longer there. He struck the flame and began looking around immediately to make sure, but it must have fallen over the edge.


    He turned the torch to look back the way he had come and was dumbfounded by the chasm before him. Moments ago, it had been solid ground. He reached out expecting some kind of illusion, but there was nothing, only space. Perplexed, he turned to Nina, she was resting against a wall and looked exhausted.


    ¡°Nina, are you alright? What happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m alright; I just need a moment.¡±


    ¡°Something is wrong with this place. I swear I just walked along a floor that has disappeared.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the place.¡± She said between ragged breaths. ¡°You were falling. I had to think quickly. You are really heavy, ya know?¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Vak said, trying to make sense of it all. ¡°You used your ¡®well of magic¡¯ to save me?¡±


    Nina nodded her head in reply.


    ¡°The floor was so smooth, was I flying?¡±


    She shook her head, her eyes barely staying open.


    ¡°No, you conjured something. Something that let me cross the expanse. Nina, that¡¯s incredible! Thank you,¡± Vak told her. She replied by very softly snoring. She had fallen asleep.


    ¡°Okay, rest. You have earned that,¡± Vak told her, taking a seat close. He propped the backpack under her head to give it a bit more support.


    ¡°I wonder, earlier when you fell into the darkness and caught the rope. You did the same thing there. You were not lucky at all; you were completely prepared.¡± he chuckled to himself. ¡°I was wrong to call you reckless.¡±


    He found a small recess within the cavern floor to place the torch, and he leaned back against a natural wall. The cave was still quite dark, and he let himself retreat into his thoughts as he let her sleep.


    * * *


    Sometime later, Vak awoke to the sound of Nina stirring. He awkwardly stood while realizing he had also dozed off. How long had they been down here?


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± Vak asked.


    ¡°Amazing,¡± She said with a long stretch. She quietly stood slowly, flexing her legs. ¡°Have I been wearing this nightgown this entire time?¡± Her face went a bit red.


    Vak¡¯s face burned a bit as he turned away from her respectfully. ¡°Yes, but you were kidnapped.¡± He checked over his shoulder to find she was looking at him questioning, so he quickly added, ¡°Not that I have been taking note of what you are wearing. You may wear whatever you like.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure why he was talking so much.


    ¡°Really?¡± She said with a coy smile.


    ¡°Well, it isn¡¯t like we walked past a local shop,¡± Vak said, then internally chastised himself. He felt like an idiot.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need stores.¡± She said as her fingertips turned black. Wisps of darkness fell from them like smoke. She bent over and began to shape the smoke around her until it looked like she was wearing an impressive, if snug, suit of armor. She tied off the smoke above her right shoulder, and it hung like a pauldron. ¡°There, much better.¡± She said, turning around and admiring her work.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Vak said sincerely.


    ¡°Ha, you haven¡¯t even begun to see what I can do,¡± she said, exiting the cave with a smile. Vak hurried to catch up.


    ¡°Thank you, again,¡± Vak told her.


    ¡°For?¡±


    ¡°Saving my life with your magic. I am sorry it exhausted you. I did say it earlier, but you had fallen asleep.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, I heard you.¡±


    ¡°You did?¡± Vak said, surprised.


    ¡°Of course, I hear everything,¡± She said, letting the implication linger between them. Vak¡¯s mind raced, how much had he said aloud while she slept? He was not certain.


    They walked along for a while. The path offered no divergences and traveled down the constantly-descending cavern. It turned back and forth with not much in the way of interest. The passage was surprisingly spacious, many times larger than Vak. It almost seemed like the passage may have been constructed, not naturally occurring.


    His suspicions were validated when they came to a crossroads of sorts. They had been walking for hours at this point, and they both welcomed a bit of a stop. The path branched into three.


    To the left was an impressive stone door, immaculately carved with deep recesses and tiny imposing spikes. Vak studied it, but there was no mechanism to open it. There were no handles or keyholes or even secret latches or reliefs. It was a large slab of stone blocking the way.


    ¡°Seems like we¡¯re not going that way,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°No,¡± Vak confirmed. He turned his attention away from the door to look down either path. There were no markings or guideposts, just straight ahead or to the right. Both passages descended downward.


    ¡°Do you have a preference?¡± Vak asked.


    ¡°Hmm. I think I can hear something down this way.¡± She said, straining her head towards the right tunnel. ¡°Sounds like a small rumble.¡± She looked back to Vak and shrugged her shoulders.


    ¡°Alright, that is as good a reason as any.¡± He said, taking a small piece of chalk and marking the stone the way they came in an arrow pointing towards the way back. Nina nodded in approval, and they continued down the right path.


    It was not long until Vak heard the rumblings as well. It sounded to him like something massive up ahead. He cautioned Nina to walk carefully. The way before them opened up even further to a strange underground lake.


    The lake stood like an exotic oasis in the oppressive stone cavern. It was a vibrant blue and very clear. So pure, that Vak had no trouble seeing the entirety of the gigantic monster standing in it.


    A large grey-haired creature roughly thirteen feet tall that was not dissimilar to a monkey or perhaps a gorilla. It had four arms and muscles as large as Vak¡¯s head. It was facing away from them and seemed to be desperately trying to reach for something on the cliff wall.


    Vak backed up and spoke quietly. ¡°Have you ever seen anything like that?¡±


    ¡°Like the four-armed silver gorilla? Can¡¯t say I have.¡±


    ¡°It would be best not to alert it. It seems preoccupied maybe we can sneak past it.¡±


    ¡°Or,¡± Nina said, walking towards a slender crevice in the rock wall. She began to squeeze into it.


    ¡°Nina!¡± Vak called in a hushed call.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry; it goes on for a bit. I can distract big ugly for you.¡± She said without pause.


    ¡°Nina, damn it. You have no idea what is in there¡­¡± He heard no reply, and he shook his head slowly. What had he been saying about her not being reckless?


    Vak peaked his head out of the opening and looked to the behemoth, still failing to climb to the cliff. Its attention was fixed entirely on the small opening above it with any luck that was not where Nina was going to appear.


    To Vak¡¯s relief, she appeared on a ledge out of the creature¡¯s line of sight. She peaked her head out and waved to Vak. He tried to signal for her to get down desperately, but she stubbornly balanced along the ledge closer to the point of the creature¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Nina,¡± Vak whispered as he frantically waved his arms for her to get back. She just shooed him away as she slowly got closer. It would be moments before the creature saw her.


    Almost on cue, the creature stopped leaping for the small hole in the wall and turned its massive head. It completely ignored Nina, however, and stared straight at Vak. Then it let loose an enormous roar and charged him.


    Vak ducked out of the way, as the monster lunged with its impressive speed and strength. It came crashing into the wall behind him, smashing stone like it was paper.


    ¡°No way around it, Vak,¡± She called. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to take it out.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say!¡± Vak shouted back. The monster was back on him and used one of its massive fists to slam into Vak¡¯s stomach. He went sailing across the cave.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Nina called after him. Vak¡¯s head was spinning from the impact. Vak looked back to her indignantly.


    The creature came at him again, and Vak ducked the massive fist, but it¡¯s two upper hands clasped together and slammed down on Vak¡¯s shoulder. He felt like it might have broken.


    ¡°Stop getting hit and fight back!¡± She called.


    ¡°Are you watching a different fight? This thing is way too big.¡± Vak called after being kicked across the room again.


    ¡°I saw you rip the horn off a demon and stab it the other day! Stop holding back!¡±


    ¡°I am not holding back!¡±


    ¡°Yes you are, where is that red aura you used?¡±


    Vak rolled under the creature¡¯s legs as it dove at him again. It was not giving him a lot of room to maneuver, and Nina was entirely too distracting.


    ¡°Get angry! Isn¡¯t that what you did before?¡±


    ¡°I cannot!¡± Vak said, landing a strike on the creature before it grabbed his waist and began crushing him.


    ¡°Vak!¡± Nina screamed as she let loose a barrage of her eerie green energy blasts. They struck the monster across the face, but it seemed unfazed. It looked up toward Nina as she sent three more and it batted them away like a child¡¯s ball. ¡°Okay, really, now is not the time to be modest; my magic does not seem to work on it. Get mad, Vak!¡±


    Nina¡¯s pleas began to drown out as Vak slowly started blacking out. He tried to fight through it and felt himself slipping. He wasn¡¯t sure if he could get angry. He had felt a strange serenity since his fight with Zogmodeth, and it was like the rage had finally left him.


    He laughed at the thought as he felt his ribs snap. He was finally at peace, and it was going to kill him. Then he felt an intense blast strike him in the back. It woke him up, but he could barely see the direction of the attack.


    It was from Nina! She sent another one, and it sent a ripple of pain across Vak¡¯s body.


    What was that crazy woman doing? She intentionally tried to hit him. She can not even let me die in peace? The thought popped into his mind from nowhere, and even in his delirious state, he knew it made no sense.


    But it did make him irrationally angry.


    He felt the anger bubble up over the calm waters of his psyche, like Nina''s well of magic. The room glowed with a red light, and he realized the creature had released him. Vak was on the ground and slowly got to his feet. Every hair on the four-armed gorilla¡¯s body was standing on end.


    Vak could see the small static discharges of the suddenly dry air scorching the monster. Vak charged it feeling none of the wariness from earlier. It turned in time to catch his fist with the side of its head. The beast collapsed from the attack, and Vak hopped on top of it. He began to slam his fist down onto the creature.


    Vak had no idea how much time had passed, but finally, a voice broke through his rage and stopped him in his tracks. The red aura receded, and he could hear Nina calling to him. Vak slowly looked down at the creature he¡¯d been attacking. Nothing remained of its head.


    He had smashed it into a gory mess of bone and flesh.

 Arc 3, Chapter 3

    Vakdranar¡¯s hands were shaking as he slowly backed away. Even looking at the headless creature before him brought on feelings of revulsion, yet he could not look away.


    ¡°Vak,¡± Nina called as he continued to stare at it. She walked around in front of him, blocking his vision. ¡°Listen, it isn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Vak said after a minute. His mind was slow to process her words.


    ¡°You did what you had to do, that thing would¡¯ve killed you.¡±


    ¡°I lost control again,¡± Vak said, defeated.


    ¡°Everyone does, it¡¯s¡­.¡±


    ¡°It is NOT okay!¡± Vak shouted. To her credit, Nina did not flinch away. ¡°Nothing about any of this is okay.¡± He said quieter.


    ¡°Tell me what you¡¯re feeling.¡± She said, slowly leading him away. She brought him to the gentle waters of the small, brilliant blue lake. The calming tide was a welcome distraction. Vak came back to himself, bit by bit.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen it now, twice! This rage inside me it is dangerous. Don¡¯t you understand?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure I do, but I¡¯d like to. Why does this part of you frighten you so much?¡±


    ¡°Because when I let it take over, I...I lose control. I am no longer me.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you?¡± Nina asked, and the look Vak gave her of complete shock made her barrel onward. ¡°What I mean is, this anger is part of you. You don¡¯t get your power from it, because it is you.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that so casually.¡±


    ¡°Maybe because you see it as scary, but in the short time I have known you, you have done a lot of good. You fought a giant and a demon. You say it''s dangerous, but I think it''s only dangerous for the bad guys.¡±


    ¡°That is not true. I have hurt people that did not deserve it.¡±


    ¡°Did you mean to?¡±


    ¡°No, but that is the entire point! I cannot control this thing! I am terrified I will lose control again and¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, stop,¡± Nina said softly, taking his hands in hers. The way she looked up at him, Vak felt his anger softened. ¡°You are scared because you feel like you can¡¯t control it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly.¡±


    ¡°So, change. Start controlling it.¡±


    ¡°I have tried!¡± Vak said, breaking from her.


    ¡°Have you?¡±


    ¡°Of course, every day, I try to maintain my temper. I sometimes count to keep calm.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like you are trying to suppress it. I¡¯m talking about controlling it. Making this power work for you.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly. You say you hold it back?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Well, stop holding it back. Let yourself be angry, and while in that state, try to be mindful of yourself and what you¡¯re doing. Don¡¯t try and suppress it; try and use the power to do what you want.¡±


    ¡°Just like that?¡±


    ¡°It might take some practice. It probably won¡¯t be overnight, but from what you HAVE told me about it, I think you have been subconsciously controlling yourself already.¡±


    ¡°I am not sure¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, beg your pardons!¡± A voice called. Nina and Vak looked around the small cave, and then in a moment of pure horror, Vak turned to the body of the beast he had killed. ¡°Not the monster! What? How could that be talking, you smashed in its head! No, up here!¡±


    Tracking the sound, Vak turned up to the small crevice in the wall that the creature had been so intent upon when they¡¯d first approached. Standing in the cleft was a strange birdman with dark blue feathers and a black beak.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, hello! One thousand pardons for interrupting your¡­ lover¡¯s spat?¡± Vak and Nina pushed away from one another, far too quickly. ¡°Or, not¡­¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Nina asked, her face unusually blushed.


    ¡°A wonderful question! Thank you! I am the Warbler of legends, the mysterious heartbreaker, the grand embellisher: Falcix. Pleased to meet you.¡± He said as he raised his long-winged arms and slowly descended to the lakeside. He straightened the brown vest he wore as he landed and then offered his hand to each of them.


    ¡°Hello, I am¡­¡± Vak began.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Yes, Vat. The big guy with the rage problems and the mean right hook!¡± Falcix said while throwing a few jabs in the air.


    ¡°Wait; what?¡± Vak asked.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve been watching you both since you entered the cave. I was very grateful you did, by the way. The way you let that Goural beat you up and tire itself out before you smashed its face in was an impressive battle tactic. You must be a skilled fighter.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Vak began before being cut off again.


    ¡°I did not get the name of this charming woman,¡± Falcix said with a small bow.


    ¡°I am Nina Hale.¡±


    ¡°Amazing! You both have such exotic names.¡± Falcix said. While Falcix talked, he moved around the side of the lake, making grand gestures with his hands. He spoke as though performing to an imaginary audience. ¡°The song I sing about this day will have my colleagues in absolute jealousy!¡±


    ¡°Your¡­ colleagues?¡± Nina asked.


    ¡°You mean there are more of you?¡± Vak said while mentally making a note to avoid them.


    ¡°Of course! You don¡¯t think I just popped out of the ground, do you? No, of course, there are more of my kind. I¡¯m not surprised you¡¯ve never met another Rowavir. We are not often ones to intervene in the affairs of the featherless races.¡±


    ¡°You mean humans?¡± Nina said unimpressed.


    ¡°Of course. We must stay apart. We are the watchers of the skies, and as such, we are forbidden from aiding less advanced cultures.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that makes a certain amount of sense,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°It does?¡± Vak asked incredulously. Nina just shrugged her shoulders in response.


    ¡°Of course, it does, my angry punching friend,¡± Falcix said. ¡°On that subject, I require your aid in locating my Master.¡±


    ¡°Now, I am confused,¡± Vak said. ¡°You said you were not permitted to interfere?¡±


    ¡°We are not. It¡¯s the First Mandate.¡±


    ¡°So why would we aid you, if your people have mandates against helping us? Does that not strike you as hypocritical?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Hold on one second.¡± Falcix said. ¡°The matter we are discussing is important, and I want to get back to it, but I need to know, why are you talking like that?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It sounds odd, archaic.¡±


    ¡°I do not see anything the matter with it,¡± Vak said.


    ¡°See, there, that was on purpose, wasn''t it? Are you just messing with me?¡± Falcix said, laughing.


    ¡°I assure you, this is how I speak.¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Nina confirmed. ¡°He grew up on an island.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ sheltered. I understand.¡±


    ¡°Hold on; I never told you that, Nina,¡± Vak said. ¡°And I was not sheltered.¡±


    ¡°It is alright. I am an expert at pronunciation and the vernacular.¡± Falcix told him, clapping him on the shoulder. ¡°You help me find my master, and I will help you sound more normal.¡±


    ¡°And what do I get out of this little arrangement?¡± Nina wondered.


    ¡°Excitement. Adventure. How about a date?¡± Falcix told her.


    ¡°Um, no thank you, I have a boyfriend,¡± Nina informed him.


    ¡°Wait, you do?¡± Vak asked. ¡°I mean it is none of my business, I merely thought after you heard the things Destin had done¡­¡±


    ¡°It is complicated, alright,¡± Nina told him. ¡°I can¡¯t agree to dates before I technically break it off with Destin.¡±


    ¡°So, you do intend to go out with the bird?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ignore that bird comment,¡± Falcix said. ¡°I didn''t mean to step into some lover¡¯s triangle here. You both reacted so negatively before when I asked, and she is strangely attractive for a featherless¡­ uh, anyway, I apologize.¡±


    ¡°There is nothing to apologize for,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Of course, I will just keep my beak shut.¡±


    ¡°So, if we were to help you rescue your Master. How would we proceed?¡±


    ¡°Ah, first lesson. Try saying ¡®what¡¯s next.¡¯ It¡¯s simpler than ¡®how would we proceed.¡±


    ¡°Yes, what can you tell us about him? Who has him? What can we do to help?¡± Nina asked.


    ¡°I can do better than tell you. I can show you!¡± Falcix said with glee. He gestured with his long-winged arm, and they walked back out the way Vak and Nina had come in. Vak lagged.


    ¡°I never agreed to this!¡± He called as he gave them chase. ¡°There is nothing the matter with the way I converse.¡±


    Falcix led them back to the crossroads. There were still only three directions available to take. To the left now was the way back to the surface marked with an arrow. The passage behind them would lead back to the underground lake, and the intricate stone carving blocked the path ahead. That left the trail to the right, which Falcix used to take them further downward.


    * * *


    They walked along for a few hours with Falcix getting to know both of them better while mostly avoiding questions about himself and the Rowavir people. He maintained his performance attitude while leading the way. Much of the time was spent insulting the way Vak spoke.


    ¡°That was almost a halfway normal sentence,¡± Falcix said, beaming with pride.


    ¡°You overheard the part where I have anger problems?¡± Vak growled.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Falcix said while using his beak to pick at something on his shoulder.


    ¡°Would you not¡­. Don¡¯t you think you should cease pushing me?¡±


    ¡°Splendid! A contraction! We are making progress.¡± Falcix practically sang.


    ¡°I think I see something up ahead,¡± Nina said, taking the lead. The tunnels they used were dark, and so Vak was relying on torchlight to make his way through. Nina turned the corner, and Falcix placed a hand on Vak¡¯s chest, halting him.


    ¡°I am not trying to anger you,¡± Falcix said in a hushed tone.


    ¡°You are not succeeding.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Falcix¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, what I¡¯m trying to say is that the young lady fancies you, how can she not: a big strapping barbarian like yourself.¡±


    ¡°Nina?¡±


    ¡°Yes, trust me, my friend, I am well versed in the many love songs of the feminine gender.¡±


    ¡°Not interested,¡± Vak said, brushing past him.


    ¡°Oh come on now,¡± Falcix said quickly, circling in front of Vak again. ¡°While her feelings are a hushed aside to the audience, you are singing your feelings with the choir behind you. Belting out the tunes of your love for the entire Underrealm to hear.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°That you have feelings for her, Vat!¡± Falcix said with a pat of his wing on Vak¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Not that. Stop that entirely. Why did you call this place the Underrealm?¡±


    ¡°Well, that is where we are. An old song by the Rowavir tells of a place below the surface. A place of fire and burning war between the Ignari and the Goural.¡±


    ¡°Now that is the first fascinating thing you have said today.¡±


    ¡°Are you two coming?¡± Nina said, poking her head back around the bend.


    ¡°Of course, Nina,¡± Falcix assure her. ¡°We will be there presently.¡± She turned back around, and Vak followed. Falcix grabbed Vak¡¯s arm spinning him around and said very quickly. ¡°Listen, songs, and stories are just that; what you have here is real. At least it could be if you play your notes correctly.¡±


    ¡°Falcix¡­¡±


    ¡°Let me help you with your verbose lyrics, and I assure you she will coo with admiration.¡±


    ¡°I will not repeat this,¡± Vak said, turning to face Falcix. ¡°If I had feelings for Nina, I would be direct, and I would tell her. I do not.¡±


    ¡°Ooh, uh, wait! Vat, she is...¡±


    ¡°Listen. She has been through a harrowing ordeal. A series of events that would have broken a normal person.¡±


    ¡°So, I am not normal?¡± Nina said from behind them.


    ¡°Nina!¡± Vak said, turning around.


    ¡°If you two are done gossiping, I thought we were off to save your Master.¡±


    ¡°Quite right,¡± Falcix said, shifting past Vak once again. He leaned in as he did. ¡°Well, you needn¡¯t worry about her feelings for you. I think she¡¯s decided to go a different way.¡±

 Arc 3, Chapter 4

    ¡°Nina, wait,¡± Vakdragnar called as he jogged after her. Her pace did not slow while she made her way swiftly through the dark.  It wasn¡¯t until he rounded another narrow passage within the cavern before he caught up to her. She did not seem to care that Vak was trying to explain himself earnestly.


    ¡°I think you came in at the wrong part of the conversation,¡± he told her.


    ¡°No, its fine, Vak. You are right; I am far from normal. I¡¯m just a witch, right?¡± She said, refusing to slow down or even look at him.


    ¡°I did not say that,¡± Vak assured her. ¡°I do not blame you for summoning that demon.¡±


    ¡°Oooh, thank you!¡± She said sarcastically. ¡°Can we please have just ONE conversation where we don¡¯t talk about that night?¡±


    Vak paused and then called after her, ¡°Doesn¡¯t that strike you as extremely hypocritical?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± She said, completely stopping. Vak could see he might have struck a nerve with that comment as she turned around to face him. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°We have both been comforting one another with the same advice. We are both so stubborn and guilt-ridden it is frightening. Neither of us is willing to let go of the guilt.¡±


    ¡°You think we¡¯re the same?¡± She asked quietly.


    ¡°In that, we are so very far from normal,¡± Vak explained quickly. ¡°The things we¡¯ve done and the things we can do set us apart from everyone else. We¡¯ve both done things we are not proud of, and we have become extraordinarily good at swallowing the blame.  You accidentally summoned a demon to save your life. I use my anger to solve my problems. Ignoring the conversation will not change that.¡±


    ¡°Why did you make mine sound so much worse?¡± She demanded while fighting back a smile.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t. The demons you summon are very weak,¡± Vak joked. She couldn¡¯t hold back a laugh.


    ¡°No,¡± She said with a smile. ¡°You are just abnormal.¡±


    ¡°We both are,¡± he told her. ¡°That is my point. We both need to stop worrying about normal.¡±


    ¡°So, what do we do? Stay away from everyone? Live down in this Underrealm, so no one else gets hurt?¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know about you, but I have things I want to do in life. Places I want to see, goals to achieve. I cannot simply hide,¡± He said, feeling an odd sense of resolution. Vak was done, allowing his fear to control him. ¡°You should not worry. If circumstances force you to summon more demons, I¡¯ll simply fight them too.¡±


    ¡°And if you can¡¯t control your anger, I promise to bring you back to yourself.¡±


    ¡°Like you did with that Goural by the lake.¡± He said, remembering her calling to him and shaking him out of his rage.


    ¡°Exactly.¡± She told him.


    ¡°I think they call that co-dependence,¡± Falcix said, finally catching them. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure it¡¯s healthy.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Nina said, smiling. ¡°Vak is right. We should embrace our abnormality. What makes us different should make us thrive.¡±


    Falcix just watched them with his beak open. It looked as though he, for once, couldn¡¯t find anything to say. So, he shrugged his wings and continued to lead them down the passage.


    They continued to delve through the caverns, walking without anything words passing between them. The mood was decidedly happier. Even Falcix seemed in good spirits as he hummed some soft melody. It was not long until a reddish light crept into the cavern from up ahead.


    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Falcix told them, and they slowed their pace.


    Vak could not see anything beyond the eerie red glow looming, and its color was a terrifying reminder of his rage aura. He looked to Nina, who nodded supportively.


    ¡°What is the plan? Vak asked. ¡°What are we walking into?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Falcix began.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just see for ourselves,¡± Nina interrupted, walking further along the tunnel.


    ¡°She sure does enjoy a good exeunt,¡± Falcix said.


    Vak shrugged his shoulders and followed after her, towards the light.


    When they arrived at the other side of the tunnel, the eerie red glow was the radiant light of lava churning along; it illuminated the entire room. The molten rock flowed nearly fifty feet beneath them, violently crashing into the cavern walls below.


    Suspended above the fiery death was a series of large island-like platforms. Some were a large as thirty feet in diameter, and Vak thought they looked somewhat unsteady. The entire room looked as though some quake had shattered the immense cavern.


    There was no direct way across, and while they were connected below, the crossing would be difficult. He thought he might be able to jump the distance between some of them, but not all.


    In the center of the room, perhaps five islands away were three hulking Goural. They pursued a group of creatures made entirely out of rock and metal.


    ¡°Falcix, are they¡­¡±


    ¡°The Ignari, yes,¡± Falcix answered him.


    ¡°We have to help them,¡± Nina said. Her hands clenched into fists as she watched the hulking four-armed creatures leap from island to island in pursuit of the fleeing Ignari.


    ¡°Small hiccup with that plan,¡± Falcix informed them. ¡°The Ignari are the ones who captured my Master. They are holding him in their stronghold capital.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Perhaps if we save them, they will free your Master in recompense,¡± Vak said.


    ¡°Doubtful. The Ignari don¡¯t share the same values as humans, or even the Rowavir. They are like an alien species upon this planet. They¡¯re unreasonable, and we might want to let the Goural destroy these scouts here.¡±


    ¡°Are you insane?¡± Nina asked him. ¡°We can¡¯t just watch as they kill them?¡±


    ¡°The Ignari and the Goural have been at war for ages. The ones killed here are less than a drop in the sink of blood between them.¡±


    ¡°Well, as colorful as that is. I hate a leaky faucet.¡± She said as she jumped from the cavern entrance to the first island. She made an impressive leap but fell short, and caught only the edge. Her feet scrambled in the air as she tried to get her balance. In an instant, Vak had hurdled over her and landed in a roll, spun, and was at the ledge.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± She called up to him. ¡°Go help those Ignari.¡±


    ¡°Nina, are you sure¡­¡±


    ¡°I said, I¡¯m fine!¡± Nina told him in a tone that made him stand back. She could use her magic to help herself up, and he did want to show her he knew she was capable. Vak nodded his head and turned to leap to the next platform.


    ¡°And Vak,¡± Nina added, while Vak turned back around. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back.¡± She said with a smile. Vak nodded again, and he was over the next gap and onto a new island. This one was a bit unstable, and he felt the entire platform shift as he landed on it. He started running towards the next one immediately as he felt it sway.


    In front of him, the Goural were pursuing the fleeing Ignari quickly. There were eight Ignari in total, and many looked to have a series of silvery-gray metal protruding out of their bodies, not unlike Iron. They were a myriad of rock types among them except the one of importance. This one had a slimmer, white form like marble and in place of the iron were amethyst protrusions. Her noticeable difference made Vak feel like she was someone of import to them.


    Two of the Iron Ignari stayed behind to slow down the approaching Goural. Vak leapt to the fourth island as he desperately tried to close the distance. The two Iron Ignari began to make swipes at the Goural with their sharp iron spikes. One made contact with a beast, drawing blood. The Goural howled in rage, grabbing the attacking Ignari and flinging him from the island like a small toy.


    The Iron Ignari rolled over onto another island and then towards the other side. Unable to slow his momentum, he went rolling over the edge towards the lava below. Suddenly the rocky base of the pillar suspending the island exploded. Out of the side, the rock grew into the shape of a net. The iron Ignari hit hard but did not descend into the lava below.


    Vak looked across the platform to the amethyst and marble Ignari. Her hands glowed, but as he watched, the glow slowly faded. Is this one capable of magic? She seemed to mold the stone with ease to save her friend.


    The other iron ignari left alone with the three Goural was not so fortunate. Two Goural grabbed him by either side and split him apart in a shower of rocks as they began to devour his corpse. Their teeth crunched with every bite, but Vak was near to the island they were on.


    The third Goural did not join in on the kill and leapt after the fleeing Ignari. It bounded after them like an animal playing with its prey. There were only two islands between them, then one. It jumped towards the awaiting Ignari, and suddenly a wall erupted between them. The stone wall grew to protect the Ignari behind it, and the Goural was forced to kick off it. It leapt back to the platform it had been on rather than fall down to the lava below.


    Vak could not watch more of the fight as he leapt onto the platform with the two feeding Goural. They greedily shoveled in bits of the fallen Ignari into their waiting mouths.


    It is now, or never, Vak decided. Nina¡¯s advice to try and truly control his rage echoed through his mind as he let his anger overcome him.


    The red vibrancy of the chamber exploded around him. Any other color present in the room had been entirely washed out with the red aura of Vakdranar¡¯s rage. The two Goural turned their heads to him and snarled.


    Vak concentrated. He tried instead of fighting his rage to let it work for him. He tackled the one on the right, gliding dangerously close to the edge. He kicked off of the creature, feeling its bones in its chest collapse under his feet. He launched himself at the other Goural before it realized what had happened.


    He struck it across the head and felt it snap. It howled in pain as half of its jaw hung off its face. It raised its fists to answer Vak¡¯s challenge, but he caught them with his own hands. It raised its remaining arms to club Vak over the head when Vak ripped the lower arms out of its sockets. The Goural cried in agony as Vak tossed the arms over the edge into the waiting lava below.


    Then he went flying as he felt the creature strike him in the back. The one he¡¯d tackled before was up, and Vak was sailing through the air. Suddenly he was caught by a glowing green hand. The palm felt familiarly smooth as he looked back to see Falcix and Nina slowly making their way across the islands. Nina nodded to him.


    Vak got up and leapt from the outstretched hand to the island with the two Goural. The third one had noticed Vak causing a ruckus and began charging back towards his pack.


    Vak did not have time to pay it any mind as the now-two armed Goural caught Vak in mid-air before he could land. The Goural squeezed him and cried in anger.


    Then all of its hair stood on end as an enormous build-up of lightning from the rage aura coursed through the Goural and energized Vak. The Goural died holding Vak, and it crumbled to carbon dust. The third Goural was on the platform and inspected the area where its packmate had been moments before. Then it looked to Vak and howled a hauntingly devastating cry.


    It lunged at Vak and slammed its fists into the island where Vak nimbly dodged out of the way. The other one joined in, and the island shook from their impact, and Vak realized too late what they were doing. The island began to break apart as they leapt away safely onto other platforms.


    What the Goural didn¡¯t understand is that his rage made him stronger in every way, not just in his upper body. He pushed off of a piece of the crumbling island to leap over the two Goural. Vak now stood between them and the Ignari.


    They watched his leap with a disbelieving look on their faces, and they failed to react in time. Vak had barely landed when he launched himself at one of the Goural, striking it hard enough in the chest to send it staggering back towards the edge. It was helpless to his onslaught as he heard its bones snap under further punches.


    Behind him, he saw the remaining Goural try to help, but a dark tentacle rose from the ground between them and wrapped him up. It squeezed the Goural until it popped like a bloody balloon. Vak could see from his peripheral vision that Nina had slumped down on an island not far away. The strain of her magic took its toll.


    The final Goural never stood a chance as it took punch after punch to its midsection. Its hard stomach became soft and broken, and finally, after a final blow, it lost its footing. The Goural plummeted into the lava below. Its body skidded across the lava, like a drop of water on a heated pan. Then his entire body ignited as the churning lava lapped up it up as greedily as the Goural had been eating the fallen Ignari.


    Vak stood quietly for a few moments as his rage vanished. He took a small breath and smiled. For once, he did not feel the guilt he often associated with anger. He had used his rage to defend, and as he turned around, he set his mind to the task of getting Falcix¡¯s master back from him.


    ¡°Prophets from the hereafter, thank you for coming to our aid,¡± The Amethyst Ignari said, standing a few islands away.


    ¡°We saw you were in trouble, and we helped,¡± Vak explained.


    ¡°I am pleased you did. I am Sanga, General to the Iron Legion.¡±


    ¡°My name is Vakdragnar.¡±


    ¡°You are truly a skilled warrior, exalted one, and the company you keep is equally impressive. The woman with you has the radiant aura of God surrounding her. I shall do a devotion for your timely arrival. Please, come with us. Honor demands I repay the bravery you have shown here today.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Vak said carefully. This General seemed to have some strange ideas of who she thought they were.


    ¡°Our home is not far from here. We would be humbled if you would come with us to Kark, the shining city.¡±