Death to the High Lords 17:
Epilogue
As the last stones of Skybird Trill came hurtling towards the ground, and the distasteful statue of Avatar Brandicor had been vandalised beyond recognition, the survivors of the Battle of Skybird Trill whooped in delight and celebration. The rounded up city folk quaked in terror in their chains and ropes, not daring to think what may happen to them now.
Asmodeus and Brachus stood surveying the work of their Trolls.
"Well," said Brachus, "That's it, then. No more lands to conquer. The remaining High Lords would have fled into hiding by now."
"Don't worry," said Asmodeus, "We'll find them."
They watched as the city folk were being led towards some gallows and several guillotines which the Trolls and Bile Demons were studiously building.
"And what of the Keeper? Is this their official retirement?"
Asmodeus smiled. "Not according to them. The Keeper is already looking into the possibilities if inter-dimensional travel."
Brachus frowned deeply at the idea. "Sounds dangerous."
"No," said Asmodeus simply, "We do not walk into danger. We walk alongside it, taking it with us wherever we go. And if we are going elsewhere for other conquests, in other worlds, then I will gladly follow my Master."
"As I would gladly follow my Mistress."
"Then we have little choice in the matter."
"Yes. Especially if we don't want to end up being a decoration hanging on the crumbling city walls in front of us."
Brachus nodded sagely. This seemed sound reasoning to someone in their position.
The sky darkened with the smoke from the fire pits. Sulphurous gases spewed into the air. The screams of the dying rent the air. And in the centre of it all stood the Keeper, resplendent in all it's aura like finery.
The Keeper looked up into the smoke filled sky and saw a large, red, maelstrom like vortex appear in the skies, swirling round slowly like water disappearing down a drain. It smiled. A sure sign of the pleasure of the Dark Gods, he thought.
"Today, the Sunlit Kingdoms. Tomorrow…?" the Keeper mused.
It looked out at the land that it had created. "Asmodeus! Brachus!"
The Mentors approached the Keeper obediently and chorused, "Yes, Keeper?"
The Keeper looked down at them and grinned evilly. "How do you fancy going on a little trip?"
Asmodeus and Brachus bowed low before the Keeper and exchanged a meaningful glance. On the one hand, it was a journey fraught with danger. On the other, they could not allow their Keeper to get bored.
And anyway. What else was there to do but conquer?
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THE END