CHAPTER 5
----------
The four heroes headed southwards toward Khalei-Rund, or the Point of No Return as
described by many. Legend told of a cruel, hellish creature known only as Se'ath, who was once
a member of the Order of the Ancient Maga, holy sorcerers of the land. He sold his soul to the
Dark Lord and, as a result, was transformed into a demon whose hands were terrifying blades of
invincible metal. Se'ath and his minions invaded the Magan Cathedral, and the council was slain.
Their bodies became his 'trophies' - or rather a 'part' of his lower body which consisted of a
mass of bloodstained spikes and the decomposing flesh of countless victims. Some unfortunate
enough to have their souls claimed were trapped in Se'ath as well, and they formed faces of pain
on the surface of the mass.
Conan shuddered and closed his late father's journal (which, apparently, documented
in sickening detail the evil deeds of Se'ath). They travelled along the seemingly endless plains,
in search of an exit. Overhead the sun gleamed like a jewel in the clear blue sky, and the early
morning air bit with a refreshing sharpness which helped to revive their spirits. Small bushes
dotted the plain, and from the corner of his eyes Conan spotted small black creatures darting and
hiding behind the shrubs.
"Gremling," commented Mitsuhiko. "They feast upon creatures who are unfortunate enough to
die in this barren landscape. Food and water is scarce here. Sometimes they even kill their kin
for food."
Genta's eyes widened in fear. "L-lost? We'll get lost?"
"Certainly not, you gigantic swine. Look, there's a hut ahead... Maybe we can ask for
directions." Ayumi pointed towards a run-down dwelling not far away. It was a strange little
cottage, made of Gremling bones, fur and wooden planks. A tiger's skull decorated with arcane
symbols hung upon the wooden door. Ayumi dismounted, cautiously approached the door, and knocked
upon the hollow wood.
"Ach, who are you, traveller? Identify yourself," growled a hoarse male voice.
"I am Yoshida Ayumi, an Amazon princess. I mean no harm."
"Who is with you? And what brings you to this ungodly landscape?"
Conan stepped forward. "I, Edogawa Conan, and my friends Kojima Genta the Barbarian and
Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko the great Necromancer. We are on our way to the castle of..."
"...the Dark one?"
Mitsuhiko sputtered. "But...but how did you know? Then you are..."
The door slowly creaked open, and a man with tanned skin stood upon the treshold of his
home. He was clad in furs and torn rags, and wore a wolf head. Upon his shoulder rested a raven,
and in his hand was a quarterstaff adorned with glittering golden vines. Red streaks of war paint
made him look as if he were of a high rank among the native Sarutheeans of the South.
"Hattori Heiji, sole survivor of the siege of the Magan Cathedral. I am a Magan Druid, and Druids
are the only ones who can summon the forces of nature. This is my raven, Skull Eye. Skull, say
hello to our guests."
The raven flapped its wings and lowered its head.
"It is a great honor to meet you!" Mitsuhiko bowed before a surprised Heiji. "Please, we
have a favor to ask. Do you happen to know a way out of here?"
Heiji's smile faltered. "Well... as far as I know, the only way out is through a vortex
located about 63 miles south-east of here. But Se'ath and his minions guard it, and to enter his
territory is suicide for me. But perhaps not for you. Why not rest here for awhile? It helps to
replenish your energy before moving on. Leave your steeds outside, they are in no danger.
Gremling dare not attack horses, for they are no match for the horses' hooves."
The quartret entered the cottage. It was a cozy little place, lined with furs (mostly
those of bears) and shelves were stocked with various potions, supplies and charmed items.
Mitsuhiko was especially excited and examined a jar full of cloudy, greenish liquid. Meanwhile,
The others sat down in a circle and had a friendly chat.
Conan started the conversation. "So, Heiji - you say that you are the most experienced
Druid among the Magans?"
"Yes. Regrettably, I couldn't do anything to stop Se'ath from slaying my people. Even
my summoned elementals were no match for Se'ath's deadly blades. Skull Eye nearly gave his life
to save me from one of his attacks. Even my master, Baron Gwayndel, was defeated. He only managed
to inflict minor wounds upon Se'ath, and I saw him draw Gwayndel's soul into his body." Heiji
stared blankly at the floor. "I have long sought revenge..."
Genta pounded the floor with a huge fist. "Arrr! If you seek revenge, then join us! We
shall defeat not only Se'ath, but the Dark Lord as well!"
For a moment there was an uneasy silence, then Heiji raised his head, and nodded. "Yes...
we shall vanquish the Lord of Darkness, and be victorious...for Omegnar and the Kai!!"
Conan, Ayumi and Genta repeated the famous phrase.
"For Omegnar and the Kai!!"
A confused Mitsuhiko turned to look at his friends, and later returned to examining the
shelves.
~*~
After a hearty helping of Gremling meat and strange bluish liquid, everyone felt
strangely energetic and were raring to continue their journey. They travelled for hours, until
they reached 63 miles south-east of Heiji's cottage. There was nothing of interest, except for
two large stone totems facing each other.
Genta shot a cold look at Heiji. "Now where is that vortex you were talking about?"
"It is here," Heiji replied calmly.
Conan raised a hand. "Wait... I sense something evil!"
Suddenly a monstrous shadow took form a few feet away from the party. It shifted, and two
yellow slits formed eyes. It was undoubtedly the manifestation of Se'ath - his trademark hand
blades stained black by the blood of his countless victims. Yet the blades showed no sign of
damage. Howling faces of trapped souls were seen forming images on the surface of Se'ath's lower
body.
Se'ath's words broke the silence of chilly evening air, and his voice echoed in Conan's
head.
"Heroes who seek exit from Khalei-Rund, you now face Se'ath, Guardian of the Vortex...
feel his wrath if you seek to destroy the Lord of Darkness, our mighty king and thy ruler! Se'ath
knows what he desires, but he will not rob hs pet of that pleasure... He summons Anu'bin the
Misshapen!"
From the dark earth near the two totems emerged a terrifying spider-creature whose head
resembled a skull with a single horn on its forehead. Its shiny black exoskeleton was riddled
with large spikes, and in place of its legs were blades like that of Se'ath's. It let out a long,
mournful, bone-chilling shriek.
"And now... Anu'bin will drain you of your essence!"
The spider-creature shrieked and lunged at Conan's chest.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE
---------------
Yeah~ after a looooooooong day of thinking I've finally decided to let Heiji join in on the fun
and excitement... so be prepared for more thrills in chapter 6! ;) Oh, and Sarutheeans live on
an island called Sarutheest, also a part of the Eight Field Isles.
----------
The four heroes headed southwards toward Khalei-Rund, or the Point of No Return as
described by many. Legend told of a cruel, hellish creature known only as Se'ath, who was once
a member of the Order of the Ancient Maga, holy sorcerers of the land. He sold his soul to the
Dark Lord and, as a result, was transformed into a demon whose hands were terrifying blades of
invincible metal. Se'ath and his minions invaded the Magan Cathedral, and the council was slain.
Their bodies became his 'trophies' - or rather a 'part' of his lower body which consisted of a
mass of bloodstained spikes and the decomposing flesh of countless victims. Some unfortunate
enough to have their souls claimed were trapped in Se'ath as well, and they formed faces of pain
on the surface of the mass.
Conan shuddered and closed his late father's journal (which, apparently, documented
in sickening detail the evil deeds of Se'ath). They travelled along the seemingly endless plains,
in search of an exit. Overhead the sun gleamed like a jewel in the clear blue sky, and the early
morning air bit with a refreshing sharpness which helped to revive their spirits. Small bushes
dotted the plain, and from the corner of his eyes Conan spotted small black creatures darting and
hiding behind the shrubs.
"Gremling," commented Mitsuhiko. "They feast upon creatures who are unfortunate enough to
die in this barren landscape. Food and water is scarce here. Sometimes they even kill their kin
for food."
Genta's eyes widened in fear. "L-lost? We'll get lost?"
"Certainly not, you gigantic swine. Look, there's a hut ahead... Maybe we can ask for
directions." Ayumi pointed towards a run-down dwelling not far away. It was a strange little
cottage, made of Gremling bones, fur and wooden planks. A tiger's skull decorated with arcane
symbols hung upon the wooden door. Ayumi dismounted, cautiously approached the door, and knocked
upon the hollow wood.
"Ach, who are you, traveller? Identify yourself," growled a hoarse male voice.
"I am Yoshida Ayumi, an Amazon princess. I mean no harm."
"Who is with you? And what brings you to this ungodly landscape?"
Conan stepped forward. "I, Edogawa Conan, and my friends Kojima Genta the Barbarian and
Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko the great Necromancer. We are on our way to the castle of..."
"...the Dark one?"
Mitsuhiko sputtered. "But...but how did you know? Then you are..."
The door slowly creaked open, and a man with tanned skin stood upon the treshold of his
home. He was clad in furs and torn rags, and wore a wolf head. Upon his shoulder rested a raven,
and in his hand was a quarterstaff adorned with glittering golden vines. Red streaks of war paint
made him look as if he were of a high rank among the native Sarutheeans of the South.
"Hattori Heiji, sole survivor of the siege of the Magan Cathedral. I am a Magan Druid, and Druids
are the only ones who can summon the forces of nature. This is my raven, Skull Eye. Skull, say
hello to our guests."
The raven flapped its wings and lowered its head.
"It is a great honor to meet you!" Mitsuhiko bowed before a surprised Heiji. "Please, we
have a favor to ask. Do you happen to know a way out of here?"
Heiji's smile faltered. "Well... as far as I know, the only way out is through a vortex
located about 63 miles south-east of here. But Se'ath and his minions guard it, and to enter his
territory is suicide for me. But perhaps not for you. Why not rest here for awhile? It helps to
replenish your energy before moving on. Leave your steeds outside, they are in no danger.
Gremling dare not attack horses, for they are no match for the horses' hooves."
The quartret entered the cottage. It was a cozy little place, lined with furs (mostly
those of bears) and shelves were stocked with various potions, supplies and charmed items.
Mitsuhiko was especially excited and examined a jar full of cloudy, greenish liquid. Meanwhile,
The others sat down in a circle and had a friendly chat.
Conan started the conversation. "So, Heiji - you say that you are the most experienced
Druid among the Magans?"
"Yes. Regrettably, I couldn't do anything to stop Se'ath from slaying my people. Even
my summoned elementals were no match for Se'ath's deadly blades. Skull Eye nearly gave his life
to save me from one of his attacks. Even my master, Baron Gwayndel, was defeated. He only managed
to inflict minor wounds upon Se'ath, and I saw him draw Gwayndel's soul into his body." Heiji
stared blankly at the floor. "I have long sought revenge..."
Genta pounded the floor with a huge fist. "Arrr! If you seek revenge, then join us! We
shall defeat not only Se'ath, but the Dark Lord as well!"
For a moment there was an uneasy silence, then Heiji raised his head, and nodded. "Yes...
we shall vanquish the Lord of Darkness, and be victorious...for Omegnar and the Kai!!"
Conan, Ayumi and Genta repeated the famous phrase.
"For Omegnar and the Kai!!"
A confused Mitsuhiko turned to look at his friends, and later returned to examining the
shelves.
~*~
After a hearty helping of Gremling meat and strange bluish liquid, everyone felt
strangely energetic and were raring to continue their journey. They travelled for hours, until
they reached 63 miles south-east of Heiji's cottage. There was nothing of interest, except for
two large stone totems facing each other.
Genta shot a cold look at Heiji. "Now where is that vortex you were talking about?"
"It is here," Heiji replied calmly.
Conan raised a hand. "Wait... I sense something evil!"
Suddenly a monstrous shadow took form a few feet away from the party. It shifted, and two
yellow slits formed eyes. It was undoubtedly the manifestation of Se'ath - his trademark hand
blades stained black by the blood of his countless victims. Yet the blades showed no sign of
damage. Howling faces of trapped souls were seen forming images on the surface of Se'ath's lower
body.
Se'ath's words broke the silence of chilly evening air, and his voice echoed in Conan's
head.
"Heroes who seek exit from Khalei-Rund, you now face Se'ath, Guardian of the Vortex...
feel his wrath if you seek to destroy the Lord of Darkness, our mighty king and thy ruler! Se'ath
knows what he desires, but he will not rob hs pet of that pleasure... He summons Anu'bin the
Misshapen!"
From the dark earth near the two totems emerged a terrifying spider-creature whose head
resembled a skull with a single horn on its forehead. Its shiny black exoskeleton was riddled
with large spikes, and in place of its legs were blades like that of Se'ath's. It let out a long,
mournful, bone-chilling shriek.
"And now... Anu'bin will drain you of your essence!"
The spider-creature shrieked and lunged at Conan's chest.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE
---------------
Yeah~ after a looooooooong day of thinking I've finally decided to let Heiji join in on the fun
and excitement... so be prepared for more thrills in chapter 6! ;) Oh, and Sarutheeans live on
an island called Sarutheest, also a part of the Eight Field Isles.