Chapter 8
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Notes: There are several.
::does a little jig::
There once was a girl who wrote stuff
From action to angsty to fluff
She owned the story
But none of the glory
And prayed that Bullfrog would not call her bluff
Slashiness. Boys liking boys, men liking angels, Keepers not being happy, and all that. Mild swearing here and there. Consider yourself warned.
Read the first chapter first. If you're here first somehow, it will be too confusing to catch up now. Go back to the first chapter now.
Even though the game is not mine, the story is, and I would appreciate it if you did not use it without my permission.
Thanks a whole bundle to my wonderful beta reader, Vagabond! You should thank her too folks, she's the reason you may just be getting chapters without mistakes from now on.
I think that's all, so on with the fic!
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Kaelay
I can feel it slowing. The beating of Chaelar's heart has become weak and sluggish. It means that we are close, and soon he shall fall. Already most of his creatures are dead. Now and then one will wander into the Heart Chamber in a feeble attempt to save their master, but it is far too late for that, and there are too many of us.
I do not bother watching the final shattering of the Heart, pleasant though it always is. The Red Darkness has told me that the turmoil is getting worse, instead of subsiding like it should. The only explanation is that someone cast one heck of an enormous spell, and now we're feeling the effects. What the spell was is anyone's guess.
I should probably ask Tarkasas what he learned about Mortagui, but I feel that if he really believes that we are in danger, he will tell me. Poor Knight. He has no idea what he's getting into. Then again, Seiat seemed to think that he was deeply troubled. Maybe he is feeling the depth of the situation after all.
I look around for Tarkasas and am surprised to find him in the midst of battle. Even as I watch, he beheads a Goblin, and his experience shoots to level 9. This is good. With just a little more training, he will become a 10, and that nearly guarantees him a long life. Unless some other Keeper is fortunate enough to gain the allegiance of a Horned Reaper, he should be able to take care of himself.
Well, he'll tell me when he wants to. For now, I am content to wait. It is difficult to keep my mind on the alliance while I'm so distracted by the Shadowlands. I cannot focus my mind on so many things at once, so I must let some play out on their own.
The Red Darkness seems preoccupied as well, and not just with this dilemma. It seems to be deciding something, although what it is I can't fathom. Hopefully I will be told when it reaches a decision, but maybe not. With a Darkness, one never knows.
Seiat
I've decided to do something very stupid. I know it's risky, but I don't care. Tarkasas is my friend, and I need to know what's bothering him. Only one person knows him better than I do.
I'm going to talk to Keeper.
I approach the Heart Chamber warily. Imps are generally in Keeper's good graces because she needs us, but one shouldn't take chances. I step over the threshold and feel the intense pleasure of the heartbeat overwhelm me, fulfilling me and making me whole again, reminding me of my allegiance to Keeper. The mana in my veins surges as it reacts to the ambient mana that gathers around the Heart like blood in the heart of a creature. Really, the Dungeons are all living things, the Hearts are their hearts, the mana is their blood.
I tremble and reach timidly through the bond to get Keeper's attention. I can feel her presence turn away from her viewing of the progress of the gem seam, and I feel momentarily guilty; I should be there, working with my brothers and sisters. But then she is watching me, and I can feel her presence like a dark shadow above me.
"K-Keeper?" I begin, "I'm sorry to bother you again like this, but I really need your help."
Keeper is remarkably tolerant, and doesn't explode at me for insolence, as many would have. Keeper is kind and has vast patience.
Yes Imp, what do you want?
I fidget, but remember last time, and try not to stutter. "Um... I'd like to know what's troubling Tarkasas. He's my friend, and I want to help him. And I figured you would know, since you're Keeper after all, and it would be good if I could cheer him up, because it would increase the morale of the Dungeon, and you might be willing to help me a little, seeing as it's for your own benefit and all, and-"
Quiet, Imp.
I stop, feeling ashamed. I've been babbling again. I know that it's not right, but I just get so flustered talking to Keeper, I just can't help it.
I will tell you Imp, only because I have taken a personal interest in this matter.
Do my ears deceive me? She really did just say that she would tell me! Amazing. Keeper is so wonderful and kind and fabulous and gracious and-
It's the Angel.
I freeze. Oh dear. This is not good.
I know that you know of whom I speak. After all, you reported him to me last time. His name is Ramasha. He is a Green creature whom our friend Tarkasas seems to have fallen for. He's upset because apparently the Angel does not feel the same way about him. Now go. Console your friend.
This is very, very bad. I know it. There can be no good end to this. I've already tried talking to Tarkasas. Last time, he just left. Now what?
I scurry out of the Heart Chamber, not eager to bring down Keeper's wrath. There's only one thing I can think to do, and I'll have to do it. For Tarkasas's sake.
I change direction, heading toward the green dungeon. I'm going to see Ramasha.
Tarkasas
We've defeated Chaelar. It was no big feat, once the few higher level creatures were disposed of. I've come out of it with barely a scratch, unfortunately. My level has increased to 9, as I predicted, but I really find no comfort there.
My feet have decided to go their own way, and I'm following one of the creatures back. I turn several corridors in the newly claimed Dungeon before realizing that the creature I'm following is not Red, but Green. Not that it matters. One casino is as good as another to get drunk in, and I'm about ready for another mug of ale.
I'm snapped out of my inner thoughts by a noise that doesn't belong. At first I don't know what it was, so I stop, and the creature I was following leaves me behind. Then the noise comes again, and I recognize it. Sobbing. And not just anyone sobbing, either.
I walk slowly to the nearest doorway, where the sound seems to be coming from. It leads to a Hatchery, a different one from the room that I walked through earlier. In this place, about five feet from the doorway, I see him.
He looks pitiful, he really does. He's sitting with his back against the wall, and his knees pulled up under his chin. His face is down, muffling the sobs, and his wings encircle him protectively, like a mother hen shielding her chicks.
I hesitate, unsure if I should go towards him or just leave now. If I stay, he'll notice me soon enough. Finally, I decide that I should confront this. I'm not the type to run away from my problems.
I clear my throat slightly and the sobs are immediately stifled with the ease of much practice. I wonder how many other creatures have run into him after one of his encounters with Mortagui, and he's had to seem presentable.
"I'm sorry," I say quietly. "I shouldn't have come onto you like that. Shouldn't have put that pressure on you. You were vulnerable-" on that word he flinches, "-and I took advantage of you. I apologize."
He looks at me, and I can see the tear tracks on his face. More than anything I want to go over there and hold him and wipe his eyes and tell him that it's all going to be okay, but I don't think he would be able to hold it together, and that wouldn't make the situation any better than it is.
He sighs and half-heartedly wipes at the tears. When he seems to have gotten himself under control, he says in a shaky voice, "I'm surprised."
"Why?" Why wouldn't I apologize? Did I do something wrong?
"Most people would ask me for an apology. It's always my fault anyway, isn't it?" His tone is bitter.
I'm stunned. How can he think that? "What are you talking about? You know you can't help what-"
"But that's just it. I should be able to help it. Why can't I keep these things from happening?"
I shrug. "Bad luck I suppose. Look, even if you completely hate me, I still think that your life would be better off in the Red Dungeon. You wouldn't have to deal with Mortagui..."
He turns his face away from me. "You know about him, don't you." It's not really a question. "You know what he does to me." He takes a long, shuddering sigh. "Even so, I can't do that."
"But I told you, you don't have-"
"I can't do that," he repeats.
I look at the floor. Something is building inside me, though whether it's anger or grief I can't tell. I can't stay here. If I do, I'll explode at him, and it's not his fault. Not his fault at all.
I turn on my heel and leave.
Ramasha
I hear him leave. I've hurt him again, and I know it. I can't seem to do much else. He's wrong though, it is all my fault. I should be able to stop these things from happening. I should be stronger. I shouldn't be sitting here crying.
So why am I? Because I'm weak, I guess. I should take a stand, stand up for myself. I should, but I can't. Maybe once, when I first came from the Shadowrealm, I might have, but I don't have the emotional strength any more.
Ramasha...
It's Mortagui, taunting me in my head again. What does he want?
"Yes Master?"
What are you doing here, sulking again? His voice is honey-sweet in my head. That's not necessarily a good thing. You know I don't like it when you sulk Ramasha.
Well bite me. "I... I'm sorry Master Mortagui."
Ah well, I forgive you pet. The battle went well. We have a site for the new Heart now.
Oh right. The Heart. The Blue Darkness. "Isn't it risky putting the Heart so close to Kaelay's territory? What if she finds it?"
I can feel his malicious grin. Oh don't worry about that. I'm locking all the doors and putting enough spells on it to keep a Horned Reaper out. If there's one thing I pride myself on, it's my spells.
"Do you need me to do anything, Master?" I stand up weakly. I should be going soon anyway.
Well... He pauses to think about it. No, he says at last, slightly regretfully. I don't think so. Thank you for the offer though. This last definitely has lecherous overtones, and I'm anxious to leave now.
"Well then, I'll be going."
I start to exit the room, and I feel his presence slip away from me. Good. I feel dirty just talking to him these days. I sigh and move on. Maybe I should find Tarkasas and... No. That would be a bad idea.
Maybe I'll just go back to the Temple. I'll pray for a bit, and maybe the Gods can point me in the right direction. If only I dared switch alliances! That would take care of most of my problems. Except of course, Mortagui. And he's the biggest problem I have.
It's too bad the fight's over. I could have used a good battle. Mortagui doesn't usually let me fight, but if I'm careful, I can get in a battle or two here and there without him noticing.
I wonder how well Tarkasas fights. He was a really high level, I could tell by looking at him. I can see him in my mind's eye, swinging his broadsword at a Dragon, barely even showing any effort as the blade slices through his enemy's neck, his superb muscles bulging-
Shit.
If I'm ever going to get over this guy, I'm really going to have to work at it. But I find... I don't really want to get over him. I think I need him. He seems to be the only point of light in a sea that is otherwise completely black. He's a beacon leading me home, like the light from a portal.
I'm in deep, aren't I? Normally I'm not this poetic about things, although I sometimes find myself putting my misery into lyric form. It must come from speaking prayers so much.
Speaking of which, I should get to the Temple. I turn another corner in the hallway, taking the quickest route I know of to get to my destination. Afterwards maybe I'll go lie down or something. I could use a good rest. All this emotional havoc has drained me.
At least Mortagui seems to be leaving me alone for now. I don't think I could deal with him at the moment. I console myself with that thought as I step into the dim lighting of the Temple.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.