Chapter 5
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Notes: There are several.
First and foremost, Dungeon Keeper does NOT belong to me. It belongs to Bullfrog and probably a bunch of other people who are either too mean, or making too much money to share it, probably both. I mean no disrespect, and am making roughly $0.00 profit from this, except hopefully the praise of some bored readers.
Second, this fic is somewhat of a combination of Dungeon Keeper 1 and 2. This may be confusing for those of you who have played the game, but just think of it as DK 2 with all the creatures from 1 there.
The Keepers and creatures are based on the characters in the game. Most of the feelings, and concepts like the Shadowlands are strictly made-up explanations for little things in the game. In other words, this is a mixture of actual canon and some little fancies of mine, just like most fanfics.
Even though the game is not mine, the story is, and I would appreciate it of you did not use it without my permission. I think that's all, so on with the fic!
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Kaelay
This is driving me crazy. Something is very wrong. I can tell that The Darkness is agitated as well. This, more than anything else, makes me nervous. Something is coming, and when it does, it's going to be big.
While I do have to keep one eye on the Shadowlands, it hasn't stopped me from watching the story that my creatures are enacting. It seems that Tarkasas has just discovered a dirty little secret of Martagui's for me. Hm. Sleeping with his creatures. It's been known to happen. I personally would never. It is good to have your creatures fear you, but they should only fear your wrath. I only harm creatures when they fail me, so they learn not to fail. To harm them when they are doing exactly what they're supposed to or better servers no purpose.
It seems this watching Tarkasas is proving to be valuable. I am learning much about my enemy. Now.... if I could only get him to find out about these sacrifices. Maybe I'll ask him to evaluate and memorize the temple. That should make this drama even more interesting. Yes, I think I will.
Seiat
He was looking for that Angel. The one he talked about. He found him.
I don't think Tarkasas saw me. He ran away so fast, I don't think he even noticed that I was behind him. I saw his face though. He had a look of utter torture. It was scary. The only other time I've seen that look is right before a creature is sacrificed. And even then, it's not quite this intense.
He was crying, I think. That scared me. Knights are supposed to be killing machines, without emotions. I've always known Tarkasas to be different, but... this is too much. I think the horror of what that keeper was doing to this Angel must have gotten to him deep inside. Although, he's seen enough torture that I'd think he'd be a little more jaded. Poor guy. I should find him and comfort him. Of course, I can't tell him I was spying on him, but he looks upset enough that I probably won't need an excuse.
Tarkasas
I shouldn't have watched. I knew that I should run the second it started, but some horrible, morbid even, fascination kept me from turning my head. I think I must have started crying sometime during the whole thing. Probably when the Angel started screaming. It was a scream like those I've heard coming from the torture chamber. One that contained no pleasure, only pain (this is of course, discounting the screams of Mistresses).
I've never wept before. I didn't think myself capable. But when I saw what he was doing to Ramasha.... it was just horrible. Too much.
I ran all the way back to our Dungeon. Now, I sit in my lair. The Lair itself is deserted at this time of day, so I'm free to let the tears run down my face. I've taken off my helmet and heavier armor. I can't bear anymore weight at the moment. Once again, my masochistic mind conjurs up images of Ramasha, his head tilted back at an angle, screaming in pain. Oh Gods, this is.... his pain affects me as well, and it is horrible. I can feel the ache throughout my body, especially in my heart.
That thought jars me a little, but I think.... I think I'm prepared to admit it. Yes. I.... I love him. The Angel. Ramasha. I shouldn't, that I know. It's bad enough that he's an angel, bad enough that he's a man, bad enough that he belongs to another Dungeon, but even on top of that, he is being used by his Keeper. A lot of stuff makes sense now. The way that other Angel told me that Ramasha was Mortagui's "personal" Angel, and the attitude of that Demon Spawn that I met. I should have listened to him. I am a fool.
I am curled in on myself, sobbing now. I didn't think anything could hurt this much. This is by far worse than when I am cut by an enemy sword. It is much worse, even, than when I was alone in that cave. It's especially painful because I feel I should be able to do something. But I can't think what.
Tarkasas
I quickly wipe at my face, and try to make my voice as even as possible. Not that it matters; she's probably been watching me these last few minutes anyway. Gods, could I be any more of an idiot?
"Y-yes, Master Kaelay?"
I have a mission for you. Starting tomorrow, or tonight even, if it takes your fancy, I want you to go to the enemy Dungeon. Find the Temple. I want you to scope it out for me. They've been making a lot of sacrifices lately, and I want to know what's up. Report your findings to me at the end of each day. Understand?
I nod, and she leaves, he voice departing from my mind like mist dispelled by fire. I know I should have told her. I should have mentioned what Mortagui said. But if we go to war with them.... then I'll never see him again. As bad as what I'm going through is now, I don't think I could stand that.
But.... patrol the Temple? That would mean I would see him almost every day. Could I, knowing what I do, stand that either? I put my head down. I'll sleep on it figure it out tomorrow.
Ramasha
I've gotten myself presentable again, finally. I've noticed several new bruises in interesting places, as well as a cut on my shoulder, right next to the scar. I'll go to the Temple and pray. It might help me heal a bit, if nothing else.
I take the corridor slowly; it hurts a bit to walk. I don't meet the eyes of the creatures I pass, though I notice that many of these eyes stray to the cut, which is visible.
I enter the sacred room. I can find comfort here. In the familiarity, and in the eyes of the Gods.
Eventually, my mind wanders to the truce and what Mortagui told me. We may have a chance of beating her, if the secret can be kept. The Blue Darkness is returning. It was dispelled a while ago, and became too weak to call, but a Keeper sought it out, through many draining spells. If the resurrection is successful, then we will ally with it, in exchange for our guarding the Darkness when it is still young.
Of course, there's no guarantee that we will live through that, but I think Mortagui would rather have a Darkness be in his debt than be in the debt of a Darkness. It's unusually perceptive of him.
There is to be another sacrafice. I prepare myself, in mind and spirit. If Mortagui has chosen badly, I don't know if I'll be able to stand the pain. But I must, and so I will. Always, I will.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.