Woes of the Dervish
Author: TUCfan.
Pairing: Implied Korinia/OC
Rating: T, because the game is likely meant for older teens.
Description: It was the absolute worst news he could have ever received. The Ch'thonians were back.
Disclaimer: I do not own Grim Dawn (I have bought the game and all available DLC, though) or Crate Entertainment. I am simply writitng this for my own sake, not for gain.
Author's Note: Hello all. I was reading through my previous works in this fandom when I realized I was missing a key component to the overall story. This fic fills its place.
Song: Written while listening to the old piano version of Just Give Me One More Day by Alej on YouTube.
He was in the middle of the remnants of the Korvan city when he picked up the last item he could hold. Sighing, he summoned his riftgate and entered it, intending to stop at Devil's Crossing to speak to Luther Graves. He was stopped the moment he stepped foot on the broken cobblestone street.
"Ares!" cried John Bourbon. "Urgent news from Ulgrim and Creed! Get upstairs!"
Snapping to attention, Ares bolted inside to where the two men stood. Immediately, Ulgrim and Creed stood and faced him. The look on their faces was ashen, and dread settled in the pit of the Dervish's stomach. What could have happened?
"What is it?" he asked. "Hit me with it."
"We have received reports of Ch'thonian activity in the Necropolis again. I went there myself to confirm it, and... it's bad, Ares. Real bad," said Creed. Briefly, the Dervish realized that it was the first time the man had said his name. But then his words sunk in. The Ch'thonians were back already?
"What were they doing?" he asked.
"They were fortifying it. I barely was able to slip inside to see what was going on," said Creed. "They're turning it into a fortress. The riftgates you opened are constantly under watch, surrounded by enormous, bloodthirsty beasts. We have no way in now besides incredible stealth."
Ares's mind raced. What could they be planning? "Has their defense spread beyond the Necropolis, or do we still have control over the Plains of Strife?" he asked.
"For now, they have only fortified the walls surrounding it. I believe they will not attempt to get control of anything beyond it, because of the might you have shown them," said Ulgrim. Ares nodded his thanks.
"But that is not much of a reassurance. We know they are active, and we know they will not rest until they have revived their dead god," said Bourbon, entering the room. He had a stony look on his face. "We need to act soon, otherwise they might strike out at us and push back the defenses to Fort Ikon."
"I agree," said Creed. "We need immediate action in taking down their defenses."
"Hold on a moment, gentlemen," said Ulgrim. "We don't have the men to do that right now. The black legion on its own can't lay siege to the entirety of the Necropolis."
"We can seek out the aid of the Order of Death's Vigil and the people of Homestead," said Creed. "Not to mention all the people here at Devil's Crossing who are willing to help."
"I can request aid from the Rovers as well," said Ares. "They try their best to be peaceful, but if I can convince them of the good it would do to remove the Ch'thonians, perhaps they would be willing to help."
"Get on that," said Creed. "How about the people of Malmouth? What is going on over there?"
"Not a chance," said Ulgrim. "They have way too much to focus on right now. The Aetherials may have been set back by what Ares did in the Fleshworks, but they are far from defeated."
"Alright," said Bourbon. "Is there anyone else we can ask?"
"The Coven and the people of Barrowholm are both allied with me, and me alone," said Ares. "I may be able to convince them, but I believe it would be prudent to deal with the Aetherials beforehand. We are much closer to eliminating them than we are the Ch'thonians."
"I believe you are right," said Ulgrim. "It would be wise to strike out and defeat the threat who is weaker and fully exterminate them before we move on to the other."
"The Ch'thonians will only continue to grow in strength," said Creed. "We risk letting them strike out and advance on us in our inaction."
"That is true, but if we can fully diminish the Aetherials, then I could convince all of the people of Malmouth, the Coven, and the people of Barrowholm to help us with the Ch'thonians," said Ares. "We would have virtually all the people of Cairn at our side. Is that not a better option?"
"I suppose you're right," conceded Bourbon. "In the meantime, send us the Rovers and the Order, and we the Black Legion will keep a watchful eye on the Ch'thonians as you deal with the Aetherials. Then, when you are finished, gather all your allies, and we will put up a united front against the Ch'thonians."
"It shall be done," said Ares. "My presense is required in the Korvan lands, for now. I will see if I am able to recruit them to our cause when my mission is complete."
"Make haste. We do not want to linger any longer than necessary," said Creed. "And good luck."
"Thank you," said Ares, bowing his head. "See you all soon."
With that, he gave all he carried to Luther Graves and made his way back to the riftgate. It was going to be a long, long time before he could properly rest again.
Stepping out of the riftgate, Ares was greeted with the sight of the Malmouth resistance base. Captain Wilfor and Korinia stood by the table where the bounties were posted, deep in conversation. At his approach, Korinia looked up at him and smiled.
"Ares," she said. "Good to have you back."
"Good to be back," he said, smiling back at her. Warmth filled his chest at the sight of her, but he brushed it off. "I have a proposition for you. Both of you, really."
The two turned to face him. "Go on," said Wilfor.
"The Aetherial threat is nearly defeated. All that remains is eliminating their high council, the Circle of Five," said Ares. "This can be done, I know it. When it has, there is another threat that grows in the west of Cairn, at a large graveyard city known as the Necropolis."
"Are you asking for our aid?" asked Korinia, eyebrow raised.
"I am, but only once we have exterminated the Aetherials for good," he replied. "I would not ask you to turn away now when we are so close to victory."
"And who will be there for us to aid?" asked Wilfor.
"The Black Legion, the Order of Death's Vigil, the people of Homestead, the people of Devil's Crossing, and the Rovers of Arkovia," said Ares. "I will also be speaking to those at the Coven's Refuge and the people of Barrowholm."
"If you have so many, why are we needed?" asked Korinia.
"The Ch'thonians have fortified the Necropolis," said Ares. "We will be required to lay siege to it."
Wilfor and Korinia exchanged a look. Her gaze was much more soft than his. "And you need the aid of us to do so? When you will already have all of them?"
"It may not be strictly required, but I would like to have it just to be sure," said Ares. "We know not what we will find inside."
"So with eight gathered peoples, you hope to put an end to all this," said Korinia. At his nod, she seemed to make a decision. "Very well, our aid you shall have. If it means peace for Cairn, who are we to say no?"
Ares smiled. "Thank you. Your assistance will be most helpful," he said. "And forget not, I have a number of aces up my sleeve. If all goes well, we should be victorious almost with ease."
"Of course you do," said Korinia, smirking. "Would you be the Dervish who destroyed the Master of Flesh if you didn't?"
He shrugged and moved away, seeking out the smuggler who held his items. It was later, after whatever she was speaking to Wilfor was through with, that she approached him again.
"Where are you off to next?" she asked.
"The three witch gods have requested my aid with a threat in the Korvan lands. An old, forgotten god, named Korvaak, has been causing trouble. If all goes well, I will be able to eliminate him, and perhaps the gods would hear my plight and aid us against the Aetherials and Ch'thonians," he said.
Her eyes widened. "The three witch gods? My, to have them on our side would be incredible. You really have friends in high places," she said.
"There are others with great power I will seek out as well. But something is looming before me, something that I must deal with before any of that can happen," he said, tone growing low. "I fear it will end up being a battle with Korvaak, but I am unsure if this is the case."
Her eyes widened even further, this time in alarm. "Battle with Korvaak? Ares, I know you are a very accomplished fighter, but against a god? That is madness! You are only one man!" she said, growing agitated.
He placed his hand in hers to calm her. "I am more than you see me as," he said. "Something has happened to me. I am no normal man."
Distracted, she looked down at their joined hands, before back up at him. "Not a normal man? Ares, of what do you speak?"
"I seem to have ascended what normal men are capable of. I believe there are others who have, as well. Ulgrim is one of them," he said. "I may be no god, but perhaps the strength in me is enough to contend with one."
Furrowing her brow, she tightened her grip on his hand. "Well, ascended or not, you had better be careful. I do not need any more tragedy in my life," she said.
"I will be. You know I am," he said. He sighed and dropped her hand. "It is time I be going. I do not want to prolong what looms before me any more than I have to."
She nodded and reached forward, pulling him into a hug. "Be safe, and may the gods have mercy on you," she whispered.
Resigned, he nodded to her and stepped away, into the riftgate. He was almost gone, when her voice carried over to him. "Never let your guard down, and if you die, I'll kill you," she said teasingly. Shaking his head fondly, he let the portal consume him, and back to the Korvan lands he went.
Finis. This has set up more of the story that is to come. All reviews are welcome. Happy reading!