Grall soon recovered enough strength to create a pathway to Whitewater. After explaining the situation to Grodak, they took an unconscious Cassandra to a room, leaving her with Sakurako. It would be a while before Cassandra would wake, and longer for her to be able to return to her training.
Grodak, realizing his fear and the possibility of death, decided it was time to train himself. He used the horn had created out of Talengars orb to enter the Shadow World and began to train under Wreag. Unlike Grall, Grodak had a knack for Wreags training and benefited more from it.
Outside, however, the storm that had formed behind Cassandra had yet to dissipate. The air chilled for three weeks as the storm seemed to spread across the world. No one dared to step outside for fear of death.
Imp, using the towers scrying pool, sent messages to those of the Dasari and Pyroniam races through magical means. It didn't take long before his newly built city had lines of both races looking for new housing. Imp, being as kind hearted as he was, made sure everyone had a home to call their own.
Jaxale and Dronde took a week to rest and heal their wounds. When they were set to go, they had decided it was time to find work more suitable to them. As they started to set off, an envelope appeared before them in mid air. Jaxale hesitated for a bit, as he watched the envelope slowly fall to the ground, before snatching it out of the air.
Grall, feeling that, even as he was, he was still too weak, decided to find the islands of souls, Partak. He had heard of the island from Fluffles and decided it would be best to pay the island a visit. However, no matter how much Grall looked for it, it seemed to have vanished from existence.
Adrian hung out at the bar for the most part, playing with his pets the entire time. When he had heard the news that Cassandra was attacking innocent people he laughed, not wanting to believe it. News soon reached him about how Grall had managed to contain her long enough for her to regain her senses.
Adrian felt horrible for not being there for his friend when he needed him the most. To make amends for his laps of judgment, he took up guard over Cassandra as she slept in the castle. Adrian knew he wouldn't be able to stand a chance against the altain, but he would at least be able to take her away from Whitewater long enough for Grall and Grodak to come up with a plan to defeat her.
Two months passed, the grounds outside were saturated so much that mud ran like a river down the streets. Grodak, who had spent the equivalent to twenty years in the Shadow World, had trained his body and mind to equal even Grall at his best. Grodaks fears were no more, in his mind, the only thing he feared was the loss of Xierma and the people of Whitewater.
Grall, after spending the first month looking for the location of Partak, spent the second month meditating. He knew that, physically, he could not get any stronger, so he set forth strengthening his mind, something that most of his past enemies seemed to exploit.
Imp had spent the two months setting up laws and a court system for his town. As he worked tirelessly on the judicial system, he would occasionally hear rumors of a dark cult who hid theirselves in a cavarn not far from his city. He made a resolve to go and see if the rumors held any truth to them, and if they did, destroy them before they could bring harm upon his citizens.
Jaxale and Dronde spent the two months exploring the lands, which were far different from his version of Xeno-Movia, before deciding to settle in the town that was mentioned in the letter.
Grodak
"I don't care how bad the rain is coming down. We need to find food for the citizens or else the rain will be the last thing that troubles us." Grodak screamed st the council, he had spent the better part of his time outside the Shadow World yelling at them, trying to take care of his people.
"How do you plan on doing that?" Mulk, an elven lord, shouted. "We cannot step outside without being swept away by the mud that flows in the streets like a river, let alone hunt any wild life that may or may not still be alive."
Grodak grabbed the table in front of him, a table that was separate from the others because of how often Grodak broke them, and threw it against the wall, shattering it to pieces. He stood in place panting, his face red with rage, sweat beaded his brow. Grodak turned back to the council, about to say something, when a cool and calming voice cut him off.
"You fool," Grall said, his back against the wall and his arms crossed over his chest, "both Grodak and I have the ability to take others to the shadow world. From there, its a matter of walking through a path we create to get to anywhere on Xeno-Movia."
Mulk scoffed, his brow furrowed and eyes narrowed on Grall. "Don't remind me, you filthy orc." He said, not bothering to hide his hatred for Grall. "You filthy orcs reveal in death so much that you even gained the ability to walk amongst them."
Grall didn't make any motion to the hatred, being accustomed to it now. "I only point out the obvious answer," Grall spoke calm and cool, almost as if he was the one leading the council, "and, you cannot lie and say that you do not wish to speak to the dead as I do. We all know how much you morn for your late wife, Mulk."
Mulk jumped forward, drawing his sword ready to cut down the orc who stood in front of him. "Enough." Grodak said in a commanding voice, he looked to Grall and gave a silent thanks. After Grall had brought Cassandra back to Whitewater, Grodak had started to look at Grall in a different light. In Grodaks eyes, Grall was no longer the weak and cowardly man who used underhanded methods, instead he was now the man Grodak had once hoped to be. A strong second in command, though Grodak had yet to lift Gralls banishment from Whitewater, but he could no more stop Grall from entering as he could stop his own breathing.
"Grall has a valid point." Grodak said as Mulk lowered his sword. "He and I could take some of the orcs who are willing to an area full of game and hunt them there. Afterwards," Grodak continued as Mulk walked back to his seat, his eyes on him the entire time, "we can then distribute the game to the housing through the same means."
"Thats blasphemy." One elf lord shouted. "How dare you orcs use a sacred ground thats meant for the dead as a mode of transportation."
Grall sighed and lift the room, he knew there was nothing he could say or do to change their minds. Grodaks eyes flicked between Grall and the council, his anger rising once more as he held his tongue. He wanted to lash out again, break another table and possibly some heads. He felt trap, unable to make decisions that could help his citizens, and Grodak hated it.
Grodak took a deep calming breath and proceeded. "You may look at this as blasphemy," Grodak said with cold detachment, "but I look at it as a way of survival."
Grall
Grall walked to the window, peering out into the rain. He had spent countless hours in a room with Grodak, working to figure out how to fix their situation. They finally came to the conclusion that the Shadow World was their best bet, but Grodak knew the elves wouldn't approve of it.
"Whats wrong, Grall?" A small gentle voice spoke behind him.
Grall didnt bother to turn around or even use his true sight to look, he knew who it was, Xierma. He hated looking upon her delicate features because they always reminded him of his wife. He had once thought to bring his wife's soul to his side, but had thought against it, not wanting her to feel trapped and unable to break free of him.
"Grodaks inside," Grall muttered quietly, "he's talking to the council about the best way to get food to the citizens of Whitewater."
Xierma remained silent for a while, she was so quiet Grall had thought she had already left before he had a chance to speak. "I see," Xierma said at last, "and that is why you are out here staring outside with your sightless eyes?"
Grall scoffed, where his eyes no longer worked, he had another means to look at his surroundings. "Where my eyes are unseeing, my minds eye sees more, or at least thats what I'd like to believe." Grall sighed and turned to face Xierma, peering into her eyes he found himself once again comparing her features to that of his wife. "Sometimes I think my magical eyesight was nothing more then a way to make me see less."
Xierma smiled, her smile as sweet as honey. "Wouldn't that be something," Xierma said as her eyes seemed to peer deep into Gralls soul, "the one gift the elder orcs gave you, the one gift you take pride in, is the worse gift of them all."
Grall knew what game Xierma played at, it was a dangerous one that he had once used to gain more information out of others. "Fluffles been telling you more then I'd like him to," Grall said, leaning back against the window, "I'll have to have a word with him later."
Xierma scoffed, her smile going from pleasant to scorn. "As if," Xierma said, dropping the facade, "he tells me nothing where you are concerned. If it wasn't for the fact that he was my best spy and information gatherer, I'd have had him thrown into a cell and starved until he was willing to tell me everything he knew."
Grall stiffled a small chuckle and quickly turned his head to hide his smile. "It would be hard to starve a vampire in a dungeon, sister." Grall spoke with a kind of fondness he reserved only for those he respected. "There are always plenty of ways for him to gain the necessary nourishment he needs in a dungeon full of living creatures."
Xierma seemed to be taken aback by Gralls words. "Vampire?" She asked, her voice held a hint of fear in it.
"Why, yes," Grall said with a smile, he knew she was playing him and let her do so, as long as it didn't pertain to him, "he and his wife are vampire lords. They do not wish to kill, however, and instead wish to live out their lives in peace. They often venture out to help those who need it, even going so far as to risk their lives to protect the innocent."
Xierma seemed to take in Gralls words, drinking them in as a man in a desert would drink water. "How do I know he's not still working for you?" Xierma asked, her voice as cold as glaciers.
Grall laughed, his voice echoing off the walls in the hallway startling the maids that were walking by. "Because," Grall said as he composed himself, "my last command to him was to serve you."
Xierma jaw dropped, her surprise was so evident that Grall found himself lost for words. It did not last, however, as Xierma composed herself so quickly Grall might have thought it was his imagination.
"Is that so?" Xierma said, her voice echoed the false calm she always used when talking to the council. "He did not tell me that."
"Why would I put you in charge during Grodaks absence without giving him the command to protect you?" Grall asked, the amusement he felt echoed in his voice. "I had commanded him to follow you and to treat you the same as he treats me. I had commanded this of him the day you fought Cassandra."
Xierma shivered involuntarily at the memory of her fight against Cassandra. Even though years had passed since she had managed to get her hands on one of Cassandra's feathers and took control over the council, she still found herself waking in the middle of the night in cold sweat from nightmares of that day.
"I don't know," Xierma said in anger, not at Grall but at herself for showing weakness, "maybe you gave him the order to watch me and report back to you."
"But," Grall said as he looked Xierma in the eyes, "if I did, then why is he still with you and not Grodak?"
Xierma was about to say something, was about to tell him that it was because he had no need for Fluffles to keep an eye on Grodak since he had found favor with his brother and could learn all he wanted from him. She was about to, but stopped herself. He had no way of knowing Cassandra would turn against them and every time he had tried to get along with Grodak, he ended up being punished in one way or another. It pained Xierma to admit it but he was right.
If Grall was still ordering Fluffles around, he could've sent him to watch Grodak a long time ago, but he didn't. Why? Xierma asked herself thoughtfully. Why didn't he send Fluffles to keep an eye on Grodak? Did he seriously just sent Fluffles to my side to protect me?
Grall watched Xierma with a sense of satisfaction. He had told her nothing but the truth and yet she still questioned him. Did she not trust him because of Grodak, or was it for another reason?
"Are we done playing this game?" Grall asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Xierma looked up at Grall as if just noticing him, and spoke in a hurried tone. "I do not know what you mean, brother."
Grall laughed, her calling him brother was the only sign he needed to know she was done. "Come," Grall said, motioning for the council room, "lets save your future husband from the thralls of the council before he kills them all."
Xierma smiled a sly smile as she stepped forward. As they entered the council room, Gralls eyes drifted to the center of Xiermas body, where orc and elven blood resided.
Imp
Imp stood outside of the cave, Etherious folding his wings behind him. This was the location the citizens of Elipson, the kingdom Imp had created, spoke of. Imp ran his hands along the sides of the caves walls, finding engravings that were left behind by someone.
"What do you think, old friend?" Imp asked, studying the carving carefully. "Is this the carving of some unseen dark force?"
Etherious grunted as he crouched down to get a better look at the small drawings. You two leggers writings and drawings all look the same to me, but, Etherious spoke into Imps mind directly, I do recognize this symbol as one from my time fighting the black robes.
Imp bit back a curse, it was as he had feared. Necromancers, or at least those that remained, were gathered here.
"Then shall we go in and give them our greetings?" Imp asked, the stone face he usually wore broke into a sly smile.
Etherious responded with a low growl that shook the ground beneath Imps feet. Imp only gave a quick nod before turning back to the entrance and heading in.
As they delve deeper into the cave, the light from outside began to fade. Imp reached into a pocket and pulled out a stone. "Sertik." Imp cried out as the rock began to shine brightly.
Imp covered his eyes for a moment to keep from going blind. Blinking, he allowed his eyes to adjust before looking around. Imp let out a small sigh as all around them, cave drawings were present.
Imp started forward but stopped, at a closer inspection he realized these cave drawings weren't as simple as he had first thought. The cave drawings depicted dark magical rituals that were so powerful that a single one of these could bring about the end of Xeno-Movia as they knew it.
"We must hurry." Imp said to Etherious as he turned and quickened his pace. "Even if they don't know what these drawing mean, we cannot risk any of them accidentally activating any of them."
They rushed down the corridor, hurrying to the center. There, they found a group, all draped in the same black cloaks as the necromancers they had once faced. The black cloak figures formed a circle around a single crystal.
Imp, without disturbing the necromancers, peered into the crystal and almost bit his tongue to keep from screaming in horror. Inside the crystal was the body of Merek, the dead tyrant who brought about the second war of races.
"Sertak azara tik." Imp shouted, a large block of ice formed above six of the necromancers, crushing them as it fell.
As the first words left Imps mouth, Etherious leapt in the circle, swatting the necromancers. His talons cutting clean through some, the others hit the wall with a sickening crunch.
Imp held his hand out sending spell after spell to attack the still kneeling necromancers. As Imp and Etherious finished the last necromancer off, a dark portal opened up underneath the crystal that held Merek.
"Etherious," Imp shouted, "grab that crystal."
Etherious, finishing off the last of the necromancers, turned to look at the crystal. Etherious let loose a roar and went to grab the crystal but found his way blocked by an invisible wall.
A high pitched laughter echoed off of the cavern walls as a tabaxi, one of the five beast races of Xeno-Movia, walked forward. He, unlike the rest of people Imp found, wore no black cloak and instead wore richly garbed tunics.
"Now, now." The tabaxi said in a cruel high pitched voice. "We can't have you trying anything, now can we."
"Who are you?" Imp asked, his voice took on a cold tone.
"Who indeed." It was not a question but a statement, as he stepped forward. As he stepped forward into the light, Imp could make out a single blue eye, the other one being milky white, and gray fur.
"Normally," the tabaxi said with amusement in his voice, "I would play with you, like a cat plays with a mouse." He smiled and Imp thought he could hear the tabaxi purring.
Imp was about to speak when a howl ripped through the air as a white tabaxi leapt onto the gray.
"Ivon," the white tabaxi howled, "I will kill you here and now."
Ivon, the gray tabaxi, kicked the white tabaxi off of him and stretched his hand out. Imp began to move forward but found himself falling into a dark abyss. He could hear Etherious roar of anger just before his body was impaled on sharp spikes that protruded from the ground.
Fluffles
Fluffles stumbled onto his feet, looking to where Ivon stretched out his hand. His eyes caught sight of a halfling Dasari/Pyroniam and his dragon fall into a portal. His jaw dropped at the sight, his eyes widened in realization. Fluffles bowed his head in sadness, where he wasn't fond of him, Imp was still a friend to his master, Grall.
As Fluffles gaze drifted back to Ivon he saw that his brother had used Imp as a distraction to flee. Cursing, Fluffles looked around, already knowing it was useless to try and find the weasel.
"Fluffles." A small voice called out to him.
Fluffles turned around to find ginger, his wife and queen, carrying a young half goblin in her arms. Blood stained both of their bodies, their blood from when Ivon tortured them.
"I'm sorry, my love-" Fluffles choked on the words. How could he say that he loved her when it was because of him they endured such torments.
"It's not your fault," Ginger said placing a gentle hand to his cheek, comforting him, "how could you have known your brother was here." Ginger smiled her ever sweet smile.
Fluffles bit back tears as he wiped the blood and sweat from Gingers face. He looked down at the young halfling goblin as he breathed steadily.
"The others?" Fluffles asked, his voice hoarse from screaming.
"They made it out." Ginger said her eyes following Fluffles. "Dont worry, Triokz is fine, he is a wraith after all."
"I need to go report in soon." Fluffles said as he watched with the usual amazement as Triokz wounds healed faster then even his vampire parents. "Why don't you two come with me?"
Ginger shook her head, her red curls bouncing on her pale cheeks. "You know how the others are," Ginger said with mild annoyance, "they would be lost without me. No, you should head back and check in. I'll stay with the others and see if we can find anything on Ivons whereabouts."
Fluffles nodded, then, after kissing his wife's cheek, departed.
Grall
Grall sat on the steps that led to the throne room as rain pelted his skin. The rain was cold as it fell but Grall did not care. He was too exhausted to care.
It had took the better part of an hour and Grall physically restraining Grodak before the council finally agreed to their plans, with Xiermas help. Even so, it took three days of transporting the orc soldiers between the forests of Solinar and back to make sure the citizens of Whitewater finally had enough food. They had gathered enough for the next three, four, maybe even five months if they rationed it.
Grall heaved a heavy sigh, his body ached and he desperately wanted a bath, something he had become accustomed to over the past month, to warm his body and sooth his troubled mind. Grall stood up sending the water droplets flying, he could feel his joints popping as he moved. I may be close to immortal, Grall thought with a wince, but my body still wears out as the years go by.
Grall turned to head in but stopped for a moment. He could hear the jingle of bells approaching him through the rain. Turning back around, he saw Fluffles striding up to him, water dripping from his white fur and a grim expression on his face.