Chap 8: The test of balance

The ranks of the enemy fell almost instantly before the unrelenting explosions detonating about the temple. Trolls collapsed on goblins, flames fell from the sky scorching the landscape and burning those it struck. The remaining creatures looked about in panic for the assailant. Suddenly a particullarly large hobgoblin let out a cry and waved its spear far to the north west. There a figure stood, a raised staff in his right hand. All the creatures turned to face him. Waves of flames burned away the fiends as they rushed towards him.

Peter smiled as he drew out several more runes and obliterated another group of clustered monsters. Only a dozen or so monsters remained, and they were fleeing east to the darkness of Morte Myre in complete disarray. Peter gave a casual laugh and strode towards the temple. Me-Drok layed nearby unconcious, Peter glanced at him briefly but quickly passed on towards the gaping entrance. As soon as his foot passed inside, a human like creature leaped at him with a stone dagger in hand.

Normally the dagger would have stabbed and killed him, but not on this day. Peter stepped slightly backwards, causing the creature to glide past uselessly. It hit the ground, it's head instantly looking at Peter with a enraged look in it's eyes. It shot forward with insurpassable speed, it's dagger aimed at Peter's throat. But as the dagger came within inches of impact a giant purple claw tore forth from the ground and crushed the attacker instantly. It's dagger fell to the ground and shattered at peters feet. And with that he turned to the darkness and walked in.

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Voices echoed through the temples halls, few seeming human. They spoke of madness and hatred, betrayal and corruption, and of the times when gods walked the earth. Shadows moved in the darkness peering at the young man walking down the halls of the damned temple. As he drew deeper the voices grew louder and the shadows reached towards him, drawing back only inches away from his face.

Abruptly the voices vanished, the shadows drew away, and torches began to line the halls. The halls grew wider and Peter could see an opening at the end of the hall and prepared runes in his hand. As he grew nearer he saw what was in the room. It was dark, and cavelike, skulls littered the room and a large throne at its center, sitting in it was a figure clad in black robes, a cat was curled contently in its lap. Peter leaped through the door and held up his staff. However instead of his foe being crushed by a large claw, a spiral of energy curled around him and bound him where he stood. A laugh echoed around the room.

" Im shocked, you managed coming this far without going mad or turning back... So tell me, did you come here just to die? Do you really have no point to live?"

" Do you have any point to live? Do any of us?" Peter coldly replied.

" Exactly my point," The figure removed his hood has he spoke these words.

" You!" Peter yelled as he discovered the mans identity.

Zezima picked the cat up and laughed in a knowing tone, having expected such an exclamation. He grabbed a huge warspear from beside the throne in his left hand and swung it at Peter viciously.

Peter, who's binds had faded, dodged and launched a blast of water wich splashed in his foes face. Zezima swung out his spear and struck Peter who was rolling away. Peter was barely struck but the blow tore his chest nonetheless. Zezima hurtled towards Peter and thrust again, this time with a forward strike. Peter looked for a weak point in his style but couldnt find one and was forced to dodge. Peter fumbled for his runes and raised his staff. Zezima, realizing what he was attempting, drove his spear into the ground, then launched himself into the air so the claw missed completely. Peter looked in the air and saw what he was waiting for, an opening. He raised his hands and shot a wave of fire into Zezima's stomach. Zezima fell towards the ground and collapsed in a smoking heap. Peter raised his staff and took out the runes he needed. The claws closed in around the heap however instantly Peter realized something was wrong. Nothing but ash remained.

" Boo!" Zezima was behind him, instantly Peter was smashed over the head with the spear. He fell and rolled away, pushed himself to his feet and prepared to fire another spell. Without warning the spear was flung toward him it hit his right arm and continued to sail by until it collided with the wall. Peter yelled in pain and fell backwards. Zezima charged forward at an alarming rate and unleashed a flurry of left arm punches into Peter face and stomach.He and his runes hit the ground and rolled across the floor of the large room. Zezima drew out a dagger and brought it down with all his might. Upon impact on Peter's chest his rib cage broke and blood spurted out. He held it in for a moment, as blood leaked out slowly. Peters body relaxed as Zezima drew the short blade out.

" Excellent work..." A dark voice said," You didnt need to toy with him though,"

" It was'nt as easy as it looked, he was annoying I'll say, and he hit me a few times," Zezima said to the cat who was still being held in his right hand.

" Well, this is a testament to the strength of Pride," The cat said proudly to itself," This body grows uncomfortable, it's a shame I had to manifest such a small form for the ritual,"

Zezima glanced down at it briefly, then his eyes returned to the broken body of Peter, admiring what he had created.

" Speaking of which, we should head to the ritual chamber, and take advantage of having no distractions,"

Zezima nodded and turned to the opening to the back of the throne, glancing once more at Peter's corpse.