AN: AHH, I did it! The final chapter! Thanks so much to everyone who read this story from beginning to end. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. And that you look forward to the next project I have installed. It should be fun indeed. Appreciated you all and hope you'll wait expectantly for my next update. Until then, enjoy this last chapter of The Necromancer's Cauldron~
Chapter 13:
The labyrinth truly was a different place in the sunlight.
Drayce idly toyed with the bandages around his left arm as he looked around the clearing he had the unfortunate luck to be found captive in.
Now that he was able to better see his surroundings, the clearing was like any other he had previously encountered. It was open, lush with foliage and flora, with a cool pool of crystal-clear water. It would be an ideal location to sit and relax from exploration.
But the large black cauldron was an oddity.
It wasn't alone either.
A brown blanket. Discarded dark robes. Broken podium. Shreds of coarse rope. A silver knife stained with blood. With his blood.
Everything Drayce endured last night was very real.
A hand resting on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts. Drayce turned his head to the side, his gaze colliding with that of Blayke's.
"You ok?" he asked him.
Drayce gave a small smile. "Yeah, I'm all right."
Things were vastly different this time around. He wasn't alone. Far from it. Blayke, Zohar, Caelem, Faelen, Kamali, and their guest Shashi. Mustn't forget Nashoba and Theodore. He was surrounded by protective and concerned teammates.
Though, he had to admit that he was surprised that Ashton didn't insist on joining them. Being the determine caretaker he was. Yet, Drayce was glad that he remained in town. For him to watch over the remaining members of his guild. They were still recovering, after all.
He had also hoped to see Kyrell again. To find him in the labyrinth. Sleeping, like how they first met. So that he could thank him for what he did for him last night. And to show Zohar that he wasn't a threat. He couldn't be a threat.
Drayce gave a small shake of his head. He would have to search for Kyrell sometime later. He had something important he needed to contend with first.
What should he do with the Blood Cauldron?
"The presence of this thing is truly vile," Shashi murmured, his nose scrunched up in distain. His expression soon softened, however, as he turned to his brother. And with a raised hand, gently curled a strand of Kamali's hair behind his ear. "You're more sensitive than I, so stay back."
Looking slightly pale, Kamali managed to give a small nod of his head. "Y-yes. Just try not to touch it."
Shashi gave him a reassuring smile before his expression became stoic as he moved toward the cauldron to inspect it. As Shashi moved away, Faelen popped up by Kamali's side and took a hold of his arm.
"I don't like it either," he said. "Maybe we should walk around and inspect the area."
Kamali gave the sweet rover a small smile. "Yes, that would be preferable."
"Don't wander too far, ok?" Drayce couldn't stop himself from being protective.
He received smiles from the two, Kamali's polite and patient, while Faelen's was innocent and cheerful. The pair, with Nashoba in tow, moved toward the natural walls of the clearing, perhaps choosing to stay close to the gentle greenery to take their minds off of the hideous relic located in the centre.
Blayke also watched the two wander off before he turned his attention back toward the cauldron. And a dark scowl immediately appeared on his face. "So, how are we getting this thing out of here?"
Good question.
"I could probably lift it," Caelem mused aloud, but his ears soon folded atop of his head, an expression of unease gracing his features. "But…"
He didn't want to touch it. Understandable. Drayce could still feel the cold, brutal metal under his hand from when he was thrown against it.
"It's alright," Drayce immediately soothed. "We'll use an Ariadne Thread. That will take us, and the cauldron, back into town. We'll have the guards do the dirty work. I think that would ease Egar's apprehension, too."
Truthfully, he couldn't wait to get rid of the thing.
Yet, his strong treasure hunter blood wanted him to edge just a little bit closer. To get a proper look at the dreaded antique under the bright, comforting light of the sun.
With his cannon situated on his back and his shield left at home due to the injury to his arm, Drayce found himself edging closer. Close enough for him to give the menacing object an inspecting gaze.
It was still horrid to look at, yet nowhere near as frighting as it was under the cover of darkness. And in the hands of Nukpana.
He spent a moment watching as Shashi also investigated the cauldron. Moving closer than anyone else but ensuring that he never physically touch it. And from the scowl on his slightly pale face, nothing he was seeing made him even remotely happy.
Drayce may have to call a quick end to their tentative investigation and get the cauldron back into the city. And somewhere it could be sealed and guarded.
As Shashi moved to inspect the other side of the cauldron, Drayce's gaze fell toward the ground. Where a strange black substance tarnished the emerald green grass.
Despite wincing, he ventured a few steps closer. To stare down at the strange site. It truly looked as though the grass has been seared from a violent flame. There was also a strange smell from the area. Not quite like that of burnt meat. It was an acidic smell.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Blayke moved to stand beside him, to also stare down at the ground. "This?"
Drayce eyes flickered over to the cauldron for a second before returning to that of the scorched grass. "That was the place Nukpana had stood. From the last time I saw him at least."
"Nothing but a smear on the ground," Blayke murmured. "That's morbid as shit."
Drayce had to agree. "Nukpana's light blue skin was covered in markings. Proof of the laws he had broken."
He sighed and ran a hand over his face. Those markings. He was literally covered with them. Each one a symbol of the laws he had broken. Hundreds of them, possibly. Sins that eventually cost him his immortal soul. His entire existence.
He still didn't know what to think about that. Was that truly just?
A hand resting on his shoulder pulled Drayce from thoughts once more.
"Caelem and I will pick up the rest of the rubbish," Blayke stated, leaving no room for argument. "You stay back."
Drayce smiled. "Right, right. Let me know if you find an amulet, however."
Everyone was feeling protective. It was no surprise. After everything that had happened, to him alone, the helplessness they felt during that time still affected them. They needed to do something. To somehow be a part of the situation once more.
Drayce could never take that away from them.
So, he stepped back, leaving his guildmates to take control of their mission. He spent a moment looking for his guildmates, noting that they were all within sight, easing his own worries. Yet Zohar stood alone, a contemplative look upon his face.
"Zohar?" Drayce said his name gently, with a slightly worried tone.
"I am fine," he immediately replied, giving a small smile as he turned his head toward him. "I don't wish to venture too close, however."
"That's fair."
"Is your arm bothering you?"
Drayce looked down at his arm, realising that he had subconsciously pulled back the sleeve of his coat to idly toy with the bandages once more. "Sort of," he admitted as he pulled down the sleeve. "It's the memory of what happened that makes me wince. The knife is still here."
That Book of Shadows, however, wasn't.
He couldn't help but wonder where it went. Did it hide itself somewhere in the labyrinth, like what the Radiant Moon of Compassion had done? Or had it fled to somewhere else? Rather, to someone else?
Who knows what that tome was capable of. And how many laws was broken to create it.
"There are many unwritten and unspoken rules of necromancy, isn't there?" Drayce murmured.
"Yes," Zohar answered. "Yet, they can be simplified by respecting the deceased."
Respect in general, probably.
Zohar uttered a sigh suddenly. "It cannot be denied that there are many cruel and evil necromancers in this world."
"There are those who are, unfortunately, greedy and power-obsessed, regardless of who or what they are," Drayce added.
After all, Nukpana had followers. And they appeared Earthlain in appearance. Not necromancers. Anyone willing to do his bidding weren't benign, soulful people by any stretch of the imagination.
Drayce's comments brought a small smile to Zohar's lips, and he gave a slow nod of his head. "That is very true." His smile faded away a moment later as his face became sombre, gaze staring out at nothing in particular. "Truth be told, I find it difficult to interact with other necromancers. I feel that it may stem from the possibility that I was murdered by one."
Drayce was unable to prevent a wince upon hearing the word 'murdered', his heart skipping a beat. "I'm sorry. You really don't remember?"
Zohar shook his head. "No. I believe that is by design."
Evil. Pure evil.
"How could anyone do that to you…?"
He hoped to find those responsible, one day. To ensure they face justice for their heinous act. If…Ravenous didn't get to them first.
Zohar suddenly placed his hand against the small of Drayce's back, pulling him from his musings. He tilted his head back to look up at him in curiosity, earning a small smile from the other in return.
"Come," he suddenly urged, motion toward a quiet corner of the clearing. "Someone wishes to speak with you."
"Huh?" Drayce uttered in puzzlement, but allowed Zohar to guide him toward the foliage, to the shades of the tall trees.
As they reached the shady alcove, Zohar kept one gentle hand against his back as he raised the other toward the shadows. Where a strange sparkle of light suddenly started to gather, slowly glowing brighter. And shimmering into two distinct forms. One with flawless armour, the other of regal clothes and long flowing hair.
Wait…Chevell and Diandre?
Their forms remained translucently soft, subtle, but still somehow distinct. Blue coils of mist, clearly of an ethereal origin.
Did Zohar summon them, or…?
Zohar's hand slipped from his back to rest against the small of his back, allowing him to pull him close to his side as he leaned his head down to speak with him quietly. "Don't be afraid. I will translate for you. They wish to thank you."
Thank him? "But I didn't do anything."
"Diandre believes otherwise. Your pure blood broke the seal and broke his curse. He is free now. As is Chevell. They can finally be together in the realm of spirits."
"Ah!" Drayce perked up and turned his attention toward the two ethereal figures. "I'm so glad to hear that. It's been a long time."
"It has, Chevell agrees. He wishes for you to take his amulet. It will protect you should you be drawn into battle against a necromancer again."
Drayce nodded his head in acceptance. "I promise to take good care of it."
The two figures linger for a moment, possibly having a private conversation. In fact, that seemed to be the case as Zohar had nodded his head firmly a couple of times. He then raised his hand two the two, waving his hand over them. Where they soon faded into a soft sparkle of light, gently fading.
Then…they were gone.
It was a short meeting, but significant. Very much so. He was glad that the two were at peace now. And together after so much pain.
"What curse was Diandre talking about?" Drayce asked, tilting his head to look up at Zohar once more.
"Shashi had discovered more information," Zohar began, his arm still firm and warm around his waist. "It seemed that Diandre knew that Matchitehew had wanted to use him in a ritual, wishing to use him to grant Despot greater armies. So, he had prepared himself to be sacrificed. When his blood was placed within the cauldron, he sealed away it's true power."
"True power?"
"The cauldron was tied to Matchitehew's soul. If Matchitehew was defeated in battle, his many loyalists had the skills to…reanimate him. Yet, with Diandre sacrificing himself, he broke ties to the cauldron, preventing Matchitehew from returning to this plane through it."
Drayce shivered, unconsciously leaning closer to Zohar. "I see. It's a relief to know that one of Despot's generals couldn't actually be resurrected."
Zohar didn't immediately agree.
"What is it? Can he still…?"
"Possibly," Zohar relented. "He may have infused some of himself into the Book of Shadows, too. If it's sentient, like you said…"
It could be in search of another. To do the very thing Nukpana had tried.
They needed to find that book. But how?
Drayce sighed and rubbed his forehead wearily. "We'll…deal with that later, I guess. I'm glad that Chevell and Diandre were finally reunited."
"Yes." Zohar gently pressed his hand against Drayce's side. "That is also one of the roles of a necromancer. Reuniting star-crossed lovers who had been separated in both life and death."
Drayce tilted his head back and smiled softly at him. "Ah, now that is something I'd like to learn more about."
No one who deeply loved each other should be forced apart, after all.
… … … … …
In a city filled with eccentric locals and explorers alike, it was surprisingly easy to track down a necromancer with purple skin with a black blob of a wraith on his shoulder. As much as Ashton wanted to be in the labyrinth with the others, to keep a closer eye on Drayce, there was something else he needed to do.
Something he couldn't let Drayce know about.
Not yet.
As he entered the central park of the city, a flash of purple from the corner of his eye immediately caught his attention. He turned his head in time to watch as a tall, somewhat muscular Celestian with deep purple hair and skin of a lighter shade move silently down a path. One that led toward a much more secluded area of the park.
"Hey, wait!" Ashton called out, breaking into a jog to follow him. "You…"
That had to be him. That had to be Kyrell.
The man stopped in his tracks after Ashton called out to him. For a moment he kept his back toward him, seemingly contemplating something before he finally turned to face him. "Can I help you with something?"
Ashton decided to get straight to the point. "Drayce. He told me what happened in the labyrinth. He also said that you reminded him of someone. Who?"
Kyrell stared at him for a few intense moments, his expression completely unreadable. Eventually, he spoke. "…Rhain."
"Rhain?" Ashton's eyes immediately widen, his heart thundering in his chest. "You know Rhain? Where is he?!"
Years. It's been ten years since Rhain was taken, ripped away from his loving family. Ripped away from Drayce. From his brother. Could they…?
Kyrell shook his head slowly, regretfully. "Unfortunately, I do not know his current location. I am unable to venture too close, if I did know."
Ashton felt his heart drop into his stomach. "What do you mean?"
"Sephtis sacrificed my life in a ritual," Kyrell shockingly revealed. "It did not go as he had planned. If he learns that I am alive, and with the very entity he sacrificed me to obtain, he will burn this entire city to the ground to take back what he believes belong to him. And if he learns that Drayce is here…"
Ashton felt his hands clench at his sides. "I see."
That…was not what he wanted to hear. Yet, that name, that Sephtis was something that Ashton and Drayce's family could work on. One small step closer to finding Rhain.
"Rhain?" Ashton questioned softly. "He's…still alive?"
"Yes," was Kyrell's firm response, granting Ashton a tiny sliver of relief. "He is far too useful to Sephtis. Physically, he has not been harmed. Spiritually, however…"
"This Sephtis is-?"
"The cult leader. Sephtis is his latest incarnation."
"Bastard," Ashton spat out unwillingly.
Kyrell gave a humourless chuckle. "Indeed."
Ashton took a moment to compose himself. This was valuable information. "What must be done?"
"I must build Raven's strength," Kyrell said, just as a strange little black blob of something appeared on his shoulder. "To do that, I must hunt down other vile souls to feed to him."
Ashton eyed off the strange little creature warily. Drayce told him about that Raven wraith. About how funny it looked, with its squishy body, yellow beak and beady white eyes. And how it was actually the once thought to be mythical god known as Ravenous.
"This…Raven will defeat Sephtis?" he asked carefully.
Kyrell closed his eyes as he nodded. "That's my only hope." He opened his eyes a moment later and focused his attention toward Ashton, his expression curious. "Drayce doesn't remember anything, does he?"
"No. A curse prevents it. Since he was eleven years old."
"As I suspected." Kyrell suddenly tilted his head back, to gaze up at the sight of Yggdrasil. "Drayce is like Rhain in many ways. Kind-hearted, compassionate, far too considerate of others. Far too willing to put his life at risk for the safety of others."
Rhain…
"I…could not protect Rhain," Kyrell continued. He abruptly levelled his gaze toward Ashton, to stare intently at him. As that black blob of his hop along his shoulders, momentarily disappearing behind his head.
Only to come out the other side in the form of a sleek black raven. With feathers a shimmering back, and eyes a piercing, fiery red.
"But I will ensure that Drayce remains safe. And that the brothers are reunited. Even if it costs me my eternal soul…"
With that Kyrell turned. And walked away, leaving a smoky, otherworldly trail of mist behind him.
Leaving Ashton to wonder what the future could hold for Drayce. And his entrapped, missing brother.