Chapter 5
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Author's Notes: Now it looks like I'm going to be making Tharian a jerk. -_- ::sigh:: And I wanted to like him. This is so backwards. What do you guys think? Which character, Dimitrus or Tharian, should be a real jerk? Or both, perhaps?
Dungeon Keepers I and II belong to Bullfrog, not to me. I am not making money off of this story, so please don't sue me.
Subtitle for this chapter: Much-anticipated Backstory on Doryll.
Warning: This story contains slash (male/male romance). If you object to this, please don't read it. Keep in mind that if you flame me, not only did you ignore your fair warning, but you were stupid enough to go through and read something that disgusted you.
For notes on this story and this series, please go to this site for reference. (Note: If you are reading this on fanfiction.net, you will not be able to use that link. Please see my profile for the link to that reference page.) (Also note that this page is not the same as the one linked to in Dungeon Secrets; this one is more complete and contains the entire series.) Ramasha's picture is now up!
If anyone would be interested in beta-reading for me and you think you are capable, please contact me at kaged_tiger@hotmail.com. Also contact me if you have any information as to what happened to Vagabond. Did she just, die or something?
This is my story. If you would like to archive it, please inform me first. I will almost definitely say yes.
In case you didn't notice, I have formed an update schedule. New chapters, if I have them, will appear on the first of each month (possibly one or two days later on fanfiction.net). Thank you.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge one of the many people who give me the determination to keep going on this monster of a fic. Kulatu and RalKirGard were extremely helpful since the publication of the last chapter. They pointed out to me that Vampires cannot, in fact, cross water or enter it. >_
On with the fic.
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Kaelay's Dungeon
Kaelay
I hover over the edge of the Realm Border nervously while Evain tries to muster together enough energy to cast the Border Portal spell. I hope to the Shadowrealm that he's right about the paths continuing. If not, then we are in serious trouble. Twenty five of our original forty creatures is not an auspicious number, and I very much doubt that we will find a portal in the next Realm.
I feel Evain concentrate and begin to mutter, casting the spell. The energy seeps from the new Heart he created right next to the Border and moves to the Impenetrable Rock, pooling in one place with a dull red glow. Slowly it forms itself into an archway.
Then, all of a sudden, a brighter red appears at the edges of the arch and the whole thing flashes once. When the light disappears, a stone arch with decorative engravings remains, surrounding the slightly red, mirrored surface of a portal. No one knows exactly why these portals have such rich and ornate borders. Like the Hearts, or anything else that Keepers create, the energy seems to have a mind of its own and creates these things naturally.
The Astral Wolves have followed us here, lured by the scent of the Undead. I fear for releasing the creatures now, but it has to be done. I briefly consider setting one at a distance as a decoy so that the rest can get through, but I doubt it would work. Astral wolves are extremely intelligent, and besides that there are far too many of them for that ruse to be effective.
Are you ready? I ask Evain quietly. He's got the guards, so he will have to drop them first.
Evain signals his affirmative, and we begin.
Evain drops the guard creatures all at once, and I wait only until they have recovered from stunning before dropping the Undead behind them. As predicted, the Wolves surge forward, throwing themselves against the line of guards. The creatures fight valiantly, but I can see almost immediately that it will not be enough.
Evain! I call, Get to the next Realm and make sure that all the Undead get there okay! I'll hold them off here!
Evain seems uncertain, but he knows better than to question my judgment and he hurries into the next Realm. I try to think quickly. I need more warriors. Who are my strongest? I quickly call a handful of fighters to me, knowing that the disorientation that being directly teleported to me causes will cost me some time. But it would cost me an even greater amount of time to go back to the dungeon and pick them up, so this will have to do.
I drop them, but I cannot stand to see them fighting like this. They need more power! I grimace and mutter a possession spell, choosing the nearest creature as my target and entering his body.
Ah. Tarkasas. I quickly fight my way through his surface thoughts: disorientation, fear for Ramasha, his Knightly sense of duty. Brutally I take control of his senses, raising his sword just in time to catch the brunt of an assault on my arm. I can feel the tremor running through my whole body as the immense beast fights to go after the Undead. But I hold steady. I will not allow my creatures to be destroyed.
I let the beasts press me forward a little bit as the Undead quickly flee through the Portal. Seven still remain in this Realm. Then five. Then two. Then one. And then they're gone. I would breathe a sigh of relief, but I can't allow the pause. Instead I concentrate on fighting back the wolves, who are... still advancing?
Shit. Shit, this is not good. I finally realize the situation we are in. The Undead and their guards have all gone through, but only twenty creatures are able to pass through a Portal before it reaches its limit. Which means that the eight or so extra creatures I brought in are now backed up against Impenetrable Rock, surrounded by a semi-circle of angry, huger-maddened Wolves.
No. No, no, no. I don't want to lose these fighters. They are some of my best. But if I leave them here long enough to create another Portal, then the Wolves will surely kill them. I should... I should leave this body, then pick them all up immediately. Would that work?
No. Even as I shove off one of the wolves and look around me, I realize that the creatures I brought have rallied around me, their leader. If I exit this body now, the moment of confusion it would create would be just long enough for the Wolves to pounce. And then it would be all over.
Swearing, I fall back further until my back touches the stone wall. If I lose these fighters, then saving the Undead will have been completely worthless. But how can I pull them out of this? Already one of the other Knights is favoring one arm, and I can see blood running in a heavy stream from the side of a Dark Elf. If I don't do something quickly, I'll lose them all anyway through inaction.
I move slowly to the side, my back sliding against the wall. No, my best bet is to warn the creatures, then exit this body. I'll probably lose Tarkasas in the process. The disorientation of having me leave will lower his guard completely. Maybe I can get one of the other creatures to cover for him. Maybe I should-
Suddenly, my back presses against something soft that gives. Startled, I move back against it, feeling it give further and further as I push backwards. Then suddenly I feel it resist slightly, as though I am leaning against a taut piece of fabric. Not sure what exactly is happening, but acting on intuition, I shove back against, hard.
And I tumble into the next Realm.
Tharian's Dungeon
Tharian
I watch intently as Zannos's Vampire wades into the pool of water around this strange white barrier. How can he do that, anyway? Vampires can't touch water. It's not possible. ...Is it?
Apparently it must be, for the water stains his robes almost to his hips as he finally reaches the wall and places his hands on it, closing his eyes.
After a few moments he speaks. His voice sounds very strange, devoid of emotion and almost entirely monotone. It also sounds strangely hollow, as though it is coming from a great distance away.
"A wall," he says softly. "A barrier, created for the purpose of protection. Placed here by... the object itself. The God Items are not defenseless. The... shield. Yes. Shield. The shield is created by the Phoenixdown so that those unworthy may not possess it. If you can reach the Phoenixdown and possess it, then you may lower the shield. In order to reach it, however, you must pass through the shield.
But, I say, confused, that's impossible. It's a paradox. In order to lower the barrier you must reach the object, but in order to reach the object you must lower the barrier?
Zannos motions for me to be quiet and let the Vampire continue speaking.
"You do not need to destroy the shield to reach the Phoenixdown," the boy says. "You need only to pass through it. Only those possessing the proper qualities may pass through the shield."
What qualities are these? Zannos asks softly.
The Vampire frowns, then jumps back from the barrier as though burned, his eyes flying open. He blinks for a few moments, reorienting himself, then shakes his head. "I am sorry Keeper," he says softly. "I cannot See."
That is alright, says Zannos, though I can tell that he is as anxious to know the answer to that question as I am. Instead he ushers the Vampire and all the other creatures back to the makeshift Lair that joins our two dungeons in this Realm.
What do you think it means? I ask as soon as we're alone.
Zannos is silent for a few seconds and does not respond. Finally he turns to me, sounding very serious. Doryll is always accurate. If he says the Phoenixdown is shielding itself, then that means that it is. It is only a matter now of finding which creatures posses the qualities necessary to pass through the shield and retrieve the Phoenixdown.
Well, that won't be a problem, right? I ask. I want to feel relieved, but a certain edge in Zannos's manner makes me wary. We have all the time we need, so we can just stay here and test it until we find out, right?
Zannos gives the impression of shaking his head, confirming my suspicions. No, we do not have unlimited time. Do you remember the two powers I spoke to you of yesterday?
Yes, I affirm.
They are here now, in this Realm. They have just entered it. They are on the opposite side of the shield from us. No doubt they are here for the same purpose.
No. Others? Impossible! We were the only ones who knew of this Realm, the only ones who had the map. Weren't we? Obviously not. I have no doubt that Zannos is completely sure of what he is saying. If he weren't, he would not have said it.
So we must attack them quickly, correct? I ask. Obviously we must rid ourselves of these rivals as soon as possible.
But to my surprise, Zannos again indicates a negative. Be patient, Tharian. Keep a cool head. That is what our Color is known for. No, there is no point in fighting now. As it is, they are stopped by the same barrier as we. Perhaps the four of us together can come up with some solution. There is no point in meaningless bloodshed until we have something to fight over.
He pauses, and I get the impression of a slight, smug smile. Besides, he says, One of these Keepers is an old friend of mine. I believe that we shall have little problem making an allegiance with them. Until, of course, such time as we find a way to diffuse the shield.
An answering satisfaction spreads through me. Of course.
Evain's Dungeon
Evain
I smile slightly to myself as Kaelay exults in the new breakthrough in the Border Portal spell. No pun intended.
She explained to me how she fell through the Portal Membrane while in possession of the body of a Black Knight. Apparently the energy of a Keeper was enough to break the Limit, allowing her and all of her creatures to flee into this Realm. The wolves, for which reasons I am entirely unaware, have decided not to follow us.
After abandoning the Dark Knight's body in this Realm, Kaelay returned to the former and brought with her the rest of the creatures. The best part of this whole affair is that with the Portal Limit broken, the Imps can travel freely into this Realm. As of this moment, they have created a perfectly serviceable dungeon just past the extent of the swamp on this side. The creatures are already settling into the Lair.
I wonder why there are no Astral Wolves in this Realm, though there appears to be the same type of swamp. I did some reconnaissance along the Border of this Realm, and it seems as though the swamp surrounds the entire area. That must mean that it extends into all the surrounding Realms. I wonder if any of them have Astral Wolves?
I consider asking Kaelay this question, as it might actually have some relevance to our situation, but I stop short as I approach her. She seems preoccupied, and nervous. Nervous? Something must be seriously wrong, then.
What's up? I ask, approaching her.
We are not alone in this Realm, she states calmly.
What? Not alone? She can't mean...
There's another Keeper here?
Two of them.
TWO?! Not that we can't handle them, but... Damn! I had not anticipated this. I do not doubt Kaelay's information. The Darkness would have told her if another Keeper had entered the Realm, even if she couldn't sense it herself. With her senses heightened by the Darkness, she often can sense these things on her own anyway.
She turns to me, and I sense a strange, wide-eyed uncertainty that is entirely unlike her.
Evain, she says, one of them is Zannos.
Zannos's Dungeon
Doryll
I wander wearily back to the Lair, collapsing into my own coffin in one corner of the room. Since we are sharing a space with the creatures from Tharian's Dungeon, I took special care to make certain that my lair would be as far as possible from... His.
I lie still for a moment, allowing my muscles to relax and enjoying the sensation of rest. Using my skills purposefully like that always tires me greatly, and I wish nothing more at this moment than sleep. But typically, thoughts swirl defiantly in my head. Sleep will yet be a moment, it seems.
My mind drifts, thinking of the trance today at the shield. Slowly my thoughts wander back to the time when I first came to this Dungeon.
Perhaps my most vivid memory is that the prison floor was cold. Unbearably cold. I remember curling myself into a ball to conserve as much body heat as I could and trying not to listen to the faint, anguished screams of my companions being tortured.
Companions. Hn. A part of my mind berated me for still thinking of them that way, but I could not help it. They were human. No matter what their purpose, they came with me to the Underrealm, and they had not intended for this to happen.
To them, anyway.
I trembled as a particularly tortured scream was cut off abruptly with a gurgling noise. Looking around our cell I could see the two remaining members of our party huddled together, talking in hushed whispers. I longed to go to them, talk to them, try to get any sort of comfort from the presence of another human being. But I knew better than that by now. They blamed me for this. Everyone always blamed me for everything.
A skittering sound to my right caught my attention and I jerked up, prepared despite the chill numbing my limbs to flee if I had to. An enormous Spider, the likes of which I had never seen before we entered this foul place, clicked its way across the hard stone and earth floor of the Prison. I could feel its predatory gaze piercing me and I tried very hard not to react to it, but I could feel my whole body shaking in terror.
I had watched that same Spider clack its jaws at another prisoner and freeze him into a solid block of ice. I knew it wouldn't do that to us. The Voice - that horrible, monstrous voice that made me want nothing more than to curl in on myself and disappear from the face of the planet - had told it not to.
Suddenly I felt it come again - the presence that accompanied the Voice. I felt my shuddering start all over again and the blood stop cold in my veins as it approached like a roiling cloud, freezing everything it touched.
I felt it searching, looking at each of us in the Prison in turn. I pulled my knees closer to my chest and prayed that it would not notice me, that it would leave me be and choose someone else. But all my prayers simply seemed to draw its attention to me.
I had a split second to realize that I could see my breath in the air before I felt the presence wrap and enfold me, lifting me up in what I would have described in any other being as a gentle manner, and carrying me high above the surface of the dungeon.
I wept, bitterly. I could no longer contain the grief and the fear that ate at my heart and it overwhelmed me finally. I wept, tears streaming down my face, and wondered that they did not freeze and fall to the ground as ice.
Below me I glimpsed the Torture Chamber, where a strange small insect-like creature was carrying away the remains of one of my former guards. The sight sickened me, though not as much as the terror at the thought that that was where I was bound - I would be next for the wheel or the spikes or the chair. The smell of blood was heavy in my nostrils; I could almost taste the harsh bite of the coppery liquid on my tongue.
But we passed over it. I could barely register my own relief as the hand which supported me slipped silently past that room and on to another. This one was much starker, containing nothing more within its gray walls than a gray table set upon a tiled and equally gray floor. The table was low, obviously meant to be sat around during the planning of battles, if the tactical maps on top of it were any indication. The Lord back above ground had had a similar room in his keep. I had seen it but once; it was where he informed me of what they planned to do with me.
The Voice came again, as cold as ever.
Sit, it said, and made an invisible yet unmistakable gesture to the table.
I obeyed, too frightened to do anything else, and sat at the edge of the table, folding my legs beneath me. It was disconcerting, not knowing the location of the voice which was speaking to me. I hesitated, not sure whether it expected me to speak.
Ah, but you are disturbed by my natural form. I shall make this more comfortable for you.
A form manifested in the air within the energy, only to drop to the ground heavily. Flinching backwards, I saw that the fallen creature had strange, crimson robes. As it lifted itself awkwardly onto its hands, I saw also that its face was a pristine, white mask. Set within it, like blood red jewels, were two sharp, hungry crimson eyes. A Vampire.
I expected it to attack, but it didn't. Instead, it simply stood, eyes half-lidded, and waited expectantly. A low, thick chanting began overhead. It was no more than a few words, but it seemed to echo within my very soul. Then suddenly the icy presence above us dissolved, funneling down into the body of the Vampire.
"Is this more to your liking?" he asked. I could hear the power of the presence resonating behind the words and knew that I was no longer addressing the Vampire. I felt helpless, and could do nothing but nod.
"Good," he said approvingly, moving with a natural, sweeping grace to sit beside me, folding himself to the ground like a cat. "We have much to discuss," he said.
"M-me?" I stammered, my voice coming out as little more than a squeak. It was incomprehensible; what on earth could a creature so powerful want with me?
"You were brought here as a sacrifice to me, were you not?" The voice was calm and not at all demanding. It held only simple curiosity, and a patience that was so akin to kindness that I found myself gradually relaxing, against all expectations.
"Yes," I whispered. Because it was true. The men had brought me here as a sacrifice, hoping to appease this very demon that sat before me. They had thought that presenting it with one cursed such as I was would pacify him, and that he would then leave them in peace.
"One of the men we tortured claimed that you were a demon. Is this true?" He sounded unremorseful, caring nothing at taking the life of a man who was hard-working, brave, and had a family. And yet his willingness to listen to me was more than anyone else had shown me in a long, long time.
"It's not true!" I protested weakly. "I'm not a demon! I am a human, just as they are."
"Then why do they say this?" The calm in his eyes was belied by the intense spark of interest in the ruby depths. I felt that he was testing me, waiting to see how I would answer.
"My powers," I said quietly, unable to meet that intense gaze. "I know things, sometimes. Usually I can sense them when I touch objects, but sometimes they just come to me. And... my eyes." I stop, unsure whether I need to elaborate. My eyes are violet. Did he know that among humans, only demons were thought to have purple eyes? That, coupled with my powers, they had been enough to damn me? I felt my hands clenching at my sides, tears of helpless rage coming to my eyes. Damn them! I was not a demon! I was just as human as any of them, if only they could have opened their eyes enough to see it!
I was startled into looking up by a chill whisper of undead flesh against my cheek. I looked up at him as he reached forward and gently brushed the tears from my face. I was too shocked to react to this. Eventually he sat back and gave me a calculating stare.
"I have a... place for you," he said slowly. "I could use powers such as you have."
He paused, giving me a moment to assimilate this. I was floored. I tried assimilate this into my mind, but it was incomprehensible. "You... You're asking if I want to join you?" I asked timidly, still not sure I understood.
The demon in the Vampire's body shook his head. "Do not misunderstand me," he said. "I will have your powers one way or another. I am not sure if they would work under possession, but it will cost me nothing to try. However," and here his attention became intensely focused on me, "I would much prefer if you were willing. If you would like, I will allow you to become a member of my Dungeon. You will be treated respectfully by all my other creatures, and I shall treat you as one of them. No more, no less."
He paused, obviously waiting to see how this offer affected me. I felt as though I couldn't think clearly. He was offering me a place. Somewhere to belong. Even if I was a demon, and I had had my own doubts about that more than once, I would fit in here. Many of these creatures were demonic. I would be no different. I would be simply one of them.
Them. It was an unaccustomedly sweet word. It implied that I belonged to a greater whole. Unless one has lived one's entire life as someone who has been cast out, one cannot truly know the beauty of being simply another face in the crowd.
I forced myself to look at him, to meet the calculating red eyes. "Yes," I said. "I will become one of yours."
He nodded in satisfaction and leaned towards me, slowly at first. Then suddenly he became a blur of motion as he grabbed me and wrenched me towards him. I heard myself cry out in pain as I felt the sharp, hot pain of fangs digging into my neck.
I felt myself quickly growing weaker. My vision began to haze over, as though I was seeing the entire world through a thick veil of cotton. I thought I felt myself fall backwards, but there was no impact with the floor. It was as though I was floating. Dimly I was aware of a deep, penetrating rhythm within my body. My heart?
I saw a vague shape leaning over me. It was entirely blurry except for the two blazing red eyes that stood out like hot coals, boring into me and stripping away the layers of my soul, one by one.
I felt something at my lips. I didn't know what it was, but it was solid. I wanted to investigate it, but I found that I did not have the energy to do anything. I could not even lift my arms on my own.
Then it came. A strange, delicious sweetness dripped between my lips, each tiny little drop returning my strength in leaps and bounds. I felt the energy return to my limbs and clasped the vessel of the liquid closer to me - it was his wrist. He was feeding me his blood!
Too late I understood what was happening. But by that point I could no longer fight it. The sensation of the cool, sweet, rich blood flowing into me was more than I could handle and it was all that I could do to simply cling to his arm and hold on for dear life, lest my sanity be washed away by the incoming tide of power.
After what seemed like an eternity, but was nowhere near long enough, he drew back, leaving me bereft. I whimpered at the loss of the nectar, but he placed a hand against my chest to steady me and hold me back. Slowly I opened my eyes, unaware that I had closed them.
And the world came alive. All around me, colors that had previously been gray erupted into hundreds of intricate, hidden shades that I had never before experienced. The hues seemed almost to sing with their vibrancy. I basked in the incredible wonder of the detail in the world around me. Colors were not the only thing affected. Everything in the room seemed to have a new life, a breath to it. And... a heartbeat?
I listened closely, and... Yes! There was a heartbeat. It was faint, but very deep, and echoed throughout all the walls of the dungeon. It was the same rhythm as my own, but it was not my heart that was making that sound. I looked to the Keeper - my Keeper, in confusion.
"That is the sound of my Heart," he said, knowing immediately exactly what I had been pondering. "It echoes within you now. I have imbued you with my power. You are now one of mine."
I smiled. For the first time in longer than I cared to dwell on, I felt happy. I felt really and truly all right. I belonged somewhere, to someone. I was his.
"You will not be an ordinary Vampire," he warned me. "I have given my energy to you directly, instead of allowing an Imp to do it. It will imbue you with certain powers in addition to those that you already possess. For instance, unlike the other Vampires, you shall be able to cross and enter water. And though you will still require blood, you will need less of it because you are now able to draw sustenance from my own energy."
I nodded, trying to absorb this. It was a bit much to take in, truthfully. I pressed a hand to my forehead, thinking. And then suddenly drew it away and touched my face hesitantly. It seemed... the same. Colder, but the same. I looked up at the figure in front of me, but no, he was as I had perceived him before. His face was a flat and virtually expressionless. It was mask-like. But not my own.
"Why?" I managed to ask, hoping that I was properly conveying my question.
"Because this body is that of an Elder Vampire," he explained. "Only Vampires directly from the Shadowrealm have faces that appear thus. In battle you will wear a mask to mimic this face so that your enemies will not perceive you weakness. Go to the Lair. The energy there will clothe you properly, and one of my creatures will show you how to create your lair."
Abruptly, I sensed him leaving the body of the Vampire. The creature, once again in control of his body, shook himself slightly and gestured for me to follow him. I did so, taking the first few steps to begin my new life.
Finally, the pleasant thoughts of my Keeper ease me into sleep.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.