Book 3: Chapter 32
With a groan, Gale nodded and he stepped back, earning himself an appreciative glance from Cynen.
"You have to promise me," she said, turning once again to Viper.
Considering her carefully, Garrett rapidly weighed his options, then finally nodded.
"Very well. I will take care of it," he said.
"Good." Cynen spat a bit of blood and phlegm onto the ground and rose to her feet.
"Let's go," she said. "We need to find the other half of the token, of that stone slab."
Reaching into his pouch, Viper withdrew something and held it up.
"I found it on the necromancer," he said. "We just need to combine them."
When she saw what he was holding, Cynen's eyes narrowed, causing him to chuckle.
"This feels too easy," she said.
"Entirely too easy," Garrett replied. "So easy that it stinks of a trap.
Should we back off?" Cynen asked, but Viper shook his head.
"We can't. We've come too far. Even if this is a trap, we need to walk into it. We don't have another choice. If we want to end this undead invasion, we have to slay Agma-Yoth."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Cynen said, before turning to Core. "I need you to head back to the surface. We need somebody to let those above ground know what has happened." Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only
As much as he hated to leave, Core knew that with his wounded arm, he was more of a liability than a help. After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded.
"Yes, boss."
"Gale, I want you to go with him," Cynen said, but her other lieutenant shook his head in protest.
"I'm not leaving you alone," Gale said, his face set. "Core should be strong enough to navigate back to the surface by himself."
Cynen's eyes narrowed, but before she could speak, she saw Viper agree with Gale.
"We're happy to have you," Viper said to Gale, before turning to Core. "Please deliver a message for me as well."
Reaching into his pouch, he withdrew a piece of paper and a pencil and quickly scribbled out a message, folding the paper up and handing it to Core.
"We will kill Agma-Yoth," he said, his voice calm and certain, "even if it costs us our lives. Deliver that to the Dreamers Inn, to Garrett of the Klein family."
Taking the paper, Core nodded and then looked at Cynen. Though it was clear he had much he wanted to say, he ended up maintaining his silence. He simply bowed to her before turning and leaving. Taking a deep breath, Cynen nodded.
"All right, let's go," she said as she led the way forward.
It didn't take them long to find the end of the tomb. In a small hall up ahead, they discovered two massive double doors covered in complex carvings that seemed to show ancient scenes of a skull-headed god being worshiped by millions of much smaller figures. The scene seemed to show the god rising to power, ascending until the whole world bowed down.
That must be Lesrak, Garrett said, taking a moment to scan the door. I wonder what happened that caused him to fall?
Garrett, who had been watching through Viper, struck at that moment. A tremendous amount of energy burst from Viper, spreading through the room as it entwined with Agma-Yoth's, and with a shimmer, he relinquished his control over Viper and dragged his enemy into the dream world. With a shake, the throne room suddenly changed, the others fading away, leaving Agma-Yoth facing Garrett who stood in front of the dais, dressed in his suit and mask. The shift was abrupt, but it didnt catch Agma-Yoth off guard, and rather than try to struggle free, the skeletal man sneered at Garrett, who had appeared in front of him.
"A pathetic attempt to stall the inevitable, the skeletal man rumbled, his voice echoing around the dream space. Though I must admit, it is more of a fight than I assumed you would be able to put up.
Garrett didn't respond, his eyes closed as he stabilized the space. This wasnt the first time he had pulled someone into a dream space, but it was the first time he had forcefully created a dream space while fighting the influence of someone of greater power. He could feel the ocean of Agma-Yoths power hovering outside of the dream space, and was forced to defend against its assault to keep Agma-Yoth contained inside. When he felt as if he had found the balance point, he let out a small sigh of relief.
This is a neat trick, Garrett said, thank you for teaching it to me.
A small hiss escaped Agma-Yoth's mouth, and his eyes seemed to dart around, causing Garrett to laugh. Opening his eyes, Garrett gestured to the hall.
I already knew how to bring somebody into a dream space, but when you invited me in the other day I figured out the trick of turning the space into a trap. And while I'm not quite as proficient as you, I think I'm doing pretty well.
His candor took Agma-Yoth aback, and the skeletal man peered at him, his gaze curious.
You learn quickly. I'll give you that, Agma-Yoth said, but to what end? No matter how long you stretch this time in this space, your energy will eventually run out, and I will return to continue what I started. It is inevitable that I will retake my flame and make myself whole.
You're saying this was all a trap? Garrett asked, causing Agma-Yoth to chuckle.
Yes. A trap dozens of years in the making. A trap that you had no choice but to walk into. Don't pretend to be surprised. It's not as if I actually hid it.
Reaching up and scratching his neck, Garrett nodded.
It's true. I saw it pretty much as soon as you first interacted with me. But you're right, I didn't really have a choice. I do have a few questions, though. And before I simply roll over and give up, I wonder if you might answer them.
Hesitating for a moment, Agma-Yoth gave Garrett the impression that he was shrugging, even though his bony shoulders didn't move one inch.
Very well. I can humor you. Its not like we dont have time.
The green flame that Cynen wields, Garrett asked, it appears to be half of the true death flame.
Indeed, an astute observation. The flame of death and the flame of life are two halves of the whole, that compose the fire of Lesrak. It was divided between me and one of my companions many years ago. I have allowed it to remain in the hands of these mortals, using them to grow it until it was strong enough to be combined once more, bringing back the glory of Lesrak to this world.
And you intend to use that flame to give yourself new life? Garrett asked.
"Indeed, by animating myself with Lesrak's flame, I will gain
Agma-Yoth's words cut off, and a heavy silence fell between them. For a full minute, neither spoke, and then with a low chuckle, filled with suppressed rage, Agma-Yoths eyes flared.
What have you done? he asked.
Down below, Garrett shrugged.
"Just a bit of bewitchment, he said. To encourage you to answer some questions.
I will answer no more, Agma-Yoth snarled.
That's fine, Garrett said. It's about time we started our fight anyways.
You truly think you can stand against me? Agma-Yoth asked, his gaze intent, but Garrett shook his head.
Slowly, his hand reached up to the mask on his face, as his body began to shift and change. As he pulled the white mask away, a flower bloomed under his feet, ten petals stretching in every direction. From it, a golden throne rose, and Garrett sat, his body shifting into his true appearance. Still holding the mask in his hand, he leaned on the armrest of his throne, as he stared at Agma-Yoth across the throne room.
No, he said, his voice calm as he leaned forward. I fight sitting.
