I stood in front of the wall that I felt drawn to as if a presence was pulling me toward it. The stone surface felt cold under my touch as past memories flashed before my eyes. Memories that I longed to keep tucked away in the precipice of mind. A past when I went by another name after my parting with Alabasta and sought my revenge. Flashes of blood covering the ground as final breaths were taken. Images of massacred bandits and knights alike flowed endlessly in a neverending cyclone.
The chorus of voices asked from above me, "Do you intend to discard the humanity you worked so hard to regain?"
I didn't say anything as the sounds of the false wall descended revealing what had been hidden long ago. My palms became clammy at the mere thought of touching the mask resting on a stone statuette. With black sorrowful eyes and a chiseled frown, the mask wasn't like others as it was carved from an elder ent, tree monster. White paint was elegantly spread to evenly coat the sanded wood that still had life. The left eye was stitched with black thread giving just enough space for the wearer to see. Black threads sewed the chiseled frown shut with just a small gap allowing air to freely enter.
"What choice do I have left?" I asked as my eyes never left the mask.
The voices chuckled as if I made some kind of joke, "Indeed what choices do you mortals have to make. You mortals never truly understand the plethora of choices you choose not to think of let alone make. Your wills are too rigid, unable to bend things a certain way to get the outcome you choose to build."
"Like how you chose to remain in hiding when the fighting started," I retorted as I held the mask in front of my chest.
I watched as the large Aranea dive off the wall to face me eye to eye. Venom seeped from one of its massive fangs as it roared, "Watch your tone, Mortal!"
"No!" I roared as I allowed all my frustration loose onto the world. "You allowed them to die. You allowed them to take many others. Allowed your denizens to be killed like cattle without so much as lifting a finger."
I turned away from the Aranea and made my way to the door. "I will become Gramr once more and avenge them. I'll show the paladins just who they are d--"
I felt two fangs pierce my flesh as cold soft hands moved my head to the side for a clear few of my neck. A soothing peace began to wash over me as the sense of pent up anger and sorrow were replaced by warmth. It was as if all my emotions were being dulled with each gulp of blood taken from me. I felt as if I was gliding through the clouds giving into the aphrodisiac that followed. I allowed the feeling to continue a little longer before pulling away from the one responsible.
Sighing, "That's playing dirty, you know."
"It was the only way I knew to get your attention before doing something you might regret later," a snarky yet elegantly soft voice answered.
Turning, I found a woman of pale complexion standing where the Aranea once was. Her eyes were like two stars set in the black void of an endless midnight sky. Long neatly placed silvery black hair reached down to her waist. Her hourglass figure was scantily clad in a corset with a low neckline allowing part of her breasts to be seen. A pair of black cloth pants with the right leg missing covered her bottom half while her bare feet sounded on the stone floor. As she moved, the mesh robe fluttered behind her.
"I did want to help them, but I am still bound by the laws my father had placed on us," the woman whispered into my ear, "I cannot simply meddle in the affairs of mortals no matter how much I wish to."
I watched as the woman seductively walked over to the stone table bidding me to follow her. "I-I know that Vilra," I followed as instructed, "I truly do know that you are bound here by a set of laws, but you could have tried to do something. They tortured and hanged the brothers like they were broken puppets unfit for a performance."
Vilra, the 'Spider', didn't say anything as she gazed through the skylight. "I saw them, you know," she whispered, "I saw them beat them within an inch of their lives. Watched as they did whatever they wanted trying to find me. Still the brothers did not break even after so much pain had been afflicted on them. I watched as they were hanged one at a time and how their bodies went limp without air."
A dazzling tear ran down her cheek only to drip onto the stone table underneath. "These are my people as much as they are yours Jackal," she whispered, "I want vengeance for their deaths and those held captive returned home."
"Then allow me to become your Gramr once more," I placed the mask on the table between us, "I am willing to become Wrath once more no matter the cost."
'Gramr', the ancient Dökkálfar word for wrath. Before meeting the Spider, I took up the name as I spread my wrath everywhere I walked. Any who stood in my way felt the cold my steel without discrimination of race. Bandits, knights, nobles, all died by my hand as pawns for my anger toward the world that took everything from me. I cared little for sympathy back then until after a few months of working with Willem Lloyd. He saw that I was truly hurting inside and first introduced me to the Spider.
The mask was one of three treasures I took from Alabasta. For one reason or another, he had the mask specifically made for me and found it fitting to burn the symbol of Gramr over the right temple. Even now after so many years, I could still see the marking without strain as if it was untouched by time. The symbol itself was that of two lines curved inward around the middle like opposite facing C's. Two diagonal lines connected the two in the middle as two dots rested at the center of both C's. To this day, I still hear Alabasta's reasoning for crafting such a thing before I took his life, his final words so to speak.
[(Guess the bastard did care for his slaves in the end. Too bad it didn't show until that day, I'd probably spared him. Then again, nothing but anger filled me as it guided me through life after. I still feel the masks pull as if vines filled with thorns are wrapping around my body and pierced deep. It's as if the ent is trying to take hold of me once more.)]
"Jackal?" Vilra's concerned voice broke me free from the pull.
I had made up my mind. I grabbed the mask and held it in front of me, "My humanity will stay where it is. I will not allow myself to be corrupted once more, that I promise."
[(I hope the two of you are ready for another voice in my head, Tartarus and you as well Erebus.)]
I muttered the words as I slowly placed the mask once more. At first, nothing happened but that changed when the room grew dim and the cold floor caught my body. I felt Vilra lift my head on her lap as she poured her own mana into me for the fight that was about to ensue. A fight I had long avoided from fear of truly losing myself. A battle where my body and existence was the prize to be claimed.
"Wake up little sparrow," a voice that sounded dead or void of emotion whispered, "there is no time for slumber when your adversaries are close."
Opening my eyes, I saw an upside down city world looking down at me. Cold stone sent chills through my exposed flesh that wasn't covered by cloth. The air had an unnatural chill to it that would make the most well suited frost dragon chill mid flight. I sat up and found that I was surrounded by darkness as three moons casted their light. Distant howls filled the darkness announcing my arrival. I smiled as I felt at home in the 'Hunting Grounds' of Penumbra, my domain.
When I sat up, I found that the shadowy figure that saved me long ago and that clung to my shoulder standing before me. "Erebus," I chuckled, "I see you're here to greet me as always. Tell me, have you come to strike the first blow or have you come to aid me?"
The figure didn't say anything as it made its way to the edge of the clearing we stood in. Taking the initiative, I followed as the makeshift stone bed slowly turned to black smoke disappearing into the surrounding shadows behind me. I was half way when I felt the ground tremble followed by a loud guttural roar that sounded like a tree falling over. The sounds of battle filled my ears while the sight of several lights glowed in the precipice of my gaze. When I finally stood next to the figure, my heart burned with rage at the sight below.
"They've been fighting since you placed the mask on," Erebus whispered as a stray tree limb disintegrated against the hidden barrier around us, "I thought of joining in since you were the prize to take, but our time together has made a fondness for you bloom."
I didn't say anything as I fell to my knees at the destruction of the land where the shadowed creatures that called it home. Shadowy trees set ablaze sending the animals that called it home scurrying for safety while pillars of ice held the shadow wolves that protected the ground captive. Pained howls filled my ears as surviving shadows roared their grief around piles of smoldering black ash. Uprooted trees pinning countless more shadows that tried to reach safety cried out while others frantically dug to them. All their cries I heard through the bond we shared as the promise I made them had shattered like glass.
"They must be stopped," I said through clenched teeth, "before the entirety of Penumbra is gone."
"Yes they need to be stopped," Erebus agreed, "but giving into rage is what he desires. That Ent must be our top priority. As for the snake, he's managed to slither freely into the deepest parts of Penumbra since you first received that cursed blade from the dwarf."
[(I knew I should have asked Stalo about the presence, especially after that dream. Oh well, no time like the present.)]
I stood readying myself for the fight to come. Right now, the denizens of the Hunting Grounds needed me more than anything. I promised them that I'd watch over them when I took their shadows. Surveying the area, I found a cave that led to the ground below me which could be used for safety. If I was going to fight and possibly be consumed by either entity then I wasn't going to hold back. They had disturbed the somewhat peace of Penumbra and fueled the burning rage inside me even more. This time I will act as my own Gramr or die trying.
"Erebus," I turned to the figure beside me, "can you keep them occupied while I help the others reach the cave?"
As an answer, the darkness that made him began to slowly dissipate revealing the figure underneath the shadows. I chuckled at an older version of myself gazing at me with a sly smile on its face. Both its eyes were an ominous shade of bright crimson that sparkled even more due to his honeyed almond skin. A braided crimson beard hung gently from his chin as it swayed in the breeze. The copy wore the same clothing as I did and had the same style of hair, but different color scheme. Where I was quite fond of black and dark crimson, the copy wore a white overcoat with a blue vest underneath while a pair of dark blue trousers covered his lower half.
"I must ask," I said staring at the clearing below, "why must you copy my image? I mean surely you have better options to choose from, a dragon for example."
Two shadowy wings emerged from Erebus's back as he jumped from the cliff only to hover above me. "It'll be easier to keep their attention if they thought I was you," he casually muttered as an explosion erupted nearby sending debris colliding against the barrier, "stay safe little sparrow, I'd hate to lose a vessel like you."
With that, I watched as Erebus soar to the source of the destruction. I watched as a mass of shadow formed above him and drove it into the large serpent that I saw in my dream. A cloud of dust blew into the air covering Erebus as I sensed the shadows being pulled to his hand once more. Like a bolt of lightning, Erebus cut through the smoke and a stray tree hurdling toward the Ent. A blood curdling scream filled my ears followed by the loud thud of a limb colliding with the ground. Erebus continued his assault as I leapt from the cliff, tossing a misericorde at the fast approaching ground.
Without a misstep, I rose from the blade's shadow and ran to the nearby wolf's den covered in flames. I dodged to the side as an ablazed tree tumbled in front of me nearly missing me by a hair's width. Still I ran forward as the sight of five shadow wolves came into view as they dug frantically. The sound of wood breaking came from the overlooking tree that stood tall over the den ever since I came to the Grounds. The wolves continued to dig without realizing the danger they were in as the tree toppled over. Weeping howls filled my ears as the rubble began to loosen with each paw load.
With a wave of my wrist, a ball of black flame flew from my palm and collided with the tree. "Keep digging!" I roared holding my arms above me forming a barrier above the wolves.
Small cracks began to spread throughout the barrier as seconds went by. The wolves continued to dig as the weeps became louder. My arms began to burn from the sheer weight of the tree, but I continued to hold it at bay. Seconds turned to minutes as the nearby battle became even more intense as Erebus was knocked out of the sky and blasted by a white beam of mana pouring from the serpent's mouth. The tree breaking through the barrier was the least of my worries as the flames began to spread closer. Finally, I saw signs of several wolves pushing through the rubble of their home and rejoined the others.
When the last wolf was free, I allowed the barrier to disappear and lunged to the ground dodging the flaming tree. Plumes of smoke rose from the obsidian green grass mixing with the grey smog that coated the air. I laid motionless, taking a moment to regain some mana and allow my arms a bit of rest. The ground vibrated from each step the Ent took and the explosions of spells impacting the ground. I smiled at the sight of the wolves embracing one another before coming over and started licking me. I patted their heads then urged them to the safety of the cliff.
"Tell everyone else you encounter to follow as well," I muttered standing up, "stay close together."
I blocked the fangs of a smaller serpent meant for my throat with my forearm as the wolves did as instructed. Its piss colored venom dripped down my sleeve as smoke rose to fill my nostrils. Bringing a misericorde upward, I watched as the severed body retreated to the main body while the head still clung on with a blank expression. A trail of black blood marked the path which the serpent took. I followed the trail discarding the head to the side as I made my way through the bridge of blazing trees. A welcoming sight that marked the entrance to the field where my part in the fight will take place.
I found myself in a large clearing surrounded by destruction that acted as the boundaries. The tree bridge finally gave way as it crashed to the ground behind me. Though the ground quaked underfoot and the sounds of battle filled my ears behind me, my attention did not falter from the lone figure standing at the center. Clad in only black leather pants with a layer of chainmail sewn into it and a cloth robe tied around the waist, the man from that dreadful dream stood eerily stil. His eyes that reminded me of a golden egg with a wide crack down the center burned deep into my mind. The scales of his bare chest shimmered in the fire light giving him a somewhat beauty.
"So this is what you actually look like," I muttered while removing my coat, "You know for a dead person you look well, Tartarus."
The figure before men and the one responsible for that dream was the very presence that harbored in my blade. "Insolent fool," Tartarus hissed, "the body is just a vessel that dies while the soul lives on. I thought a shadowmancer of your skill would know this."
I shrugged, "It's always nice to have a refresher course. Anyway, I'm guessing you're taking the opportunity to try and claim a vessel."
Without warning, Tartarus appeared in front of me bringing a massive serpentine whip downward. "That was the idea from the start," he answered as I held the venomous fangs at bay, "Like I said, you are not worthy to wield my soul."
I dodged another strike and retaliated with a blow of my own that was easily deflected to the side. Tensing my stomach to soften the blow a little, Tartarus drove a knee into my gut with so much power that blood spurted from my mouth. I appeared behind him hoping to catch him off guard, but my blade was caught mid strike. Again I was struck, this time the side of my face burned as warmth ran down my cheek. The sight of Vilra standing a distance away behind a barrier filled my vision for a split second before returning to normal in time for me to jump backwards. The fangs of a serpent narrowly pierced my cheek.
Every attempt I made to be on the offensive was easily deflected or parried with little effort. My body screamed against the stress I put it under, but this was the only way to truly understand my opponent. The strikes that did hit glanced off the tough scales surrounding Tartarus leaving me wide open for an attack of his own. Blood poured from multiple wounds throughout my body as my clothes were littered with holes from his clawed hands. It was like fighting a nest of snakes all at once without rest or the ability to run. Still, I continued to keep Tartarus occupied while the denizens of the Hunting Grounds found refuge above.
Hoping to create some distance, I fired a black fireball at point blank range. I lunged backwards as it made contact with Tartarus creating a shower of dust and flames. My feet skid across the dirt from the sheer force of the blast. Smoke rose from my scorched clothes and bare skin after such a desperate maneuver. I continued to cast spell after spell at the dust cloud hoping to keep the offensive. Explosion after explosion, the dust cloud rose ever more as the surrounding ground burned. After a barrage of flames, I stood exasperated as visions of the real world flashed before my eyes.
I watched as the dust settled and found that Tartarus still stood unscaved. With time limited for Erebus to keep the Ent at bay, I planned my next move. Tartarus was the true target for this excursion into the recesses of my mind. Though the Ent's power was immense within the mask, Tartarus had the power to affect me in the waking world. Such strength could not go on for too long and would make him a powerful ally in the future just as the Ent would. I had hoped to conquer both when I first placed the mask.
My eyes widened as I felt a gush of blood fill my mouth and felt the warm liquid down my chest. Looking down, I found a bulky tree limb pierced through my chest. I watched as it was pulled free as a large hand engulfed my shoulder making it easier to retrieve. My knees buckled underneath me, unable to hold my weight any longer. From my right, the Ent casually strode by with a sideways glance. Blood dripped from its left hand covered in bark as it licked the crimson liquid.
The Ent stood about the same size as Fang, but that wasn't its true height. Moss covered a large head with deep set aqua green eyes. The creature's broad body was nothing but wood covered in moss and other lichen. Layers of vines were intertwined around the shoulders that trailed behind it like a cloak. Two robust tree trunks supported the ent's sheer weight that left broad tracks with each step. As it stood next to Tartarus, the Ent gave a cruel smile as hidden roots and vines rose from the ground ensnaring me for what was about to happen.
[(I'm still not strong enough even after so many years. I forgot the one simple rule when fighting with your back turned. Always expect two things: the unexpected and betrayal of your most trustworthy allies.)]
The voice of Erebus rang in my slowly growing deaf ear, "I'm sorry little sparrow."
Through blackening vision, I watched as the only mentor besides my father stand beside my enemy. "Why?" I asked through faint gasps of air.
A mask of sorrow was chiseled on Erebus's face as he gazed at me. "I wish to fully be free of Penumbra," he answered, "I want to smell the air once again. To feel grass tickle my feet and feel alive once more."
At such a response, all I could do was smile. Ever since I first found myself in Penumbra, I had always felt something bothering him that grew with each visit to increase my arcane knowledge. He was a king imprisoned in his own kingdom and I was chosen by the Spider to act as his warden long before I met her. Penumbra wasn't just a place for shadows to dwell but a prison I held the only key to. I was blinded by emotion like before and allowed myself to be captured by Ent who held my soul while he puppeted my body. Now it seemed that the same thing was about to happen once more.
Like Tartarus had said before, the body is just a vessel for the soul to command, however I held four souls. The Ent that possessed the mask had managed to leave one vessel and gained the other. Tartarus who harbored in the gladius waited for such a time to fully take control living to his name of Conqueror. Then there was Erebus who was a poor soul lost to rage after watching his family burned before his eyes. Out of them, my soul was just a weakling driven by wrath toward the world that stole everything from it.
In the darkness of my closed eyes, I saw my life acting out a play as my soul began to be consumed. Pain filled my mind with every pull of my soul as the three figures discussed how to evenly distribute the spoils of their ploy. With every tug, I glimpsed my life in the waking world as the image of Vilra staring at me. My hands were wrapped around her throat, unable to release the grip no matter how much I willed them to. My body would soon be controlled by one of the three and I would be nothing but a discarded shell left to crumble. No matter how I looked at it, I was about to finally die, but not before I remembered the life I had.
I remember the time I had blackened my father's eye accidentally during one of our training sessions. He had the widest grin I had ever seen him have before as I simply apologized for the accident. How he would tell the story about a ferocious beast that attacked the manor only to be driven away after blackening his eye to his old buddies from the war. The way my face burned each time I heard it while mother held me as Veronica chuckled. That was one of my earliest memories where I felt at peace before disaster struck years later.
My vision changed to when I first came to Siegfried in search of Momma Joan after years of being apart. The surprised look she gave when I stopped a ruffian from ambushing her from behind. Her eyes were filled with so much joy when she realized who I was and relief that I was still alive. I remember weeping on her stomach as she held me close when my mind finally gave way to sorrow. All I felt was joy that I still had a family that believed my innocence for the death of my parents.
The image changed again to that day when I awoke inside an unknown tent with an unfamiliar woman sitting at my side. The pain that roared throughout my body was so immense when I tried to sit up. The feeling of the wind blowing through my hair as I rode a horse that I had stolen only to fall off a few feet away from the encampment. Fang's bulky arms lifting me as he carried my half conscious body back to the center tent. How Zeke came by and redressed my bandages after giving me fresh water to drink.
I saw the first night that Nyxis and I spent together on top of the hill overlooking Siegfried as a plethora of stars shined down on us. She looked equisitally breathtaking the way her bare body was outlined by the moon. Her hands gently caressing the contours of my chest as she smiled beautifully. How her lips felt like the softest feather pressed against mine as we finally succumbed to our desires. The movement of our bodies becoming entwined was like two currents colliding with one another. That night I knew she was the one I wanted to be with til death came for us.
"Little Sparrow," Erebus somewhat brought me from my daze, "I have given some of my mana. When you can, break free and return to your world."
The only word I could say was, "Why?"
Through clouded vision, I saw a smile spread on the replica of myself, "Nevermind that, worry about escaping. The world still needs the Immortal Jackal to walk among it like it or not. You who have survived death on more occasions than any mere man should. The wolf hiding among sheep watching over the prey you consume. Has your mind faded to the point you have forgotten such things? Tell me, who are you?"
[(Who am I? What am I? What do I live for?)]
I felt a pleasant flame course through my body as the faces that I cared for came into my sight. A flame that burned hotter than any other as its heat warmed my flesh. Visions of my conquests, dreams, and misfortunes that made me came like a flood of water without signs of stopping. The scars that told my story played their sympathy that rang in my ears as the sounds of vines and roots snapping captured the attention of my captors. Howls of the shadow wolves came from the cliff above followed by the chorus of the Hunting Grounds. Nearby shadows began to surround me digging deep into the fast growing cracks between vine and root alike. Crimson aura shimmered off the Ent and Tartarus as they willed the threads consuming my soul to speed up, but it was in vain.
As the bindings grew weaker, I proclaimed my identity, "I am he who was born in darkness. The Baron that consumes fear. I am the killer of men, deceiver of kings, and ruler of shadows."
More roots and vines rose from the ground to take the place of those that broke like the wolves before in Siegfried's throne room. Through the gaps, I saw fear setting in the Ent's eyes while utter disbelief grew inside Tartarus. My rage fueled the fire that burned deep as I remembered the faces of the deceased and the anger I felt toward myself for almost giving in. The outside world came into focus once more along with the faces of Zeke, Scar, Vilra, Veronica, and most importantly Nyxis. I glimpsed the faces of my parents standing on either side of Veronica. Each one was a part of my heart as light began to break through the cocoon of vines.
I roared, allowing my aura to freely radiate around me breaking the bonds, "I am the Shrouded King!"
I felt my feet touch the ground once more as I stared at the two responsible for destroying my domain. With my will alone, shadowy threads bound the two as they tried to rush me for a desperate assault. I stood firm as the Ent's massive arm just barely touched my head when it stopped in place. Fear radiated from the being that held my soul prisoner and used my body as its own in the past. It was a touching moment that was dreamt about many nights as the screams of those he slaughtered haunted the night. The thought of consuming the remnants of its soul was tantalizing, but I'd just the same as those that destroyed his sanity.
Turning to Tartarus, I caught the winged serpent from the dream as it lunged to pierce my throat. Its smooth scales felt like ice underneath my flesh as the four fangs sunk deep spreading its venom throughout my limb. I felt a sense of nausea and a slight fever as I saw a victorious grin on Tartarus's face as the threads seemed to weaken. A grin that snapped like a twig a second later when the sound of whip-like threads smacked against his body sending trails of blood down his chest. His eyes began to fill with disbelievable fear as the serpent was surrounded by shadows and consumed into my palm leaving nothing but a fluttering pile of smoke.
I felt a bit rejuvenated from the slight snack, but found myself peering through Tartarus's memories. I found myself sitting on a gilded throne overlooking a land torn by fire and war that fast approached my domain. The feeling of fear rose with each trebuchet fired as parts of the surrounding wall crumbled. The tears of my queen and children muttering behind me as the enemy leader gilded in light itself pushed through the throne doors while his paladins rushed to slaughter the last of my guard. How I begged for him to spare my family in exchange for my life only to watch their heads roll down the steps. Their unblinking eyes frozen in fear gazing up at me as they came to a stop.
Rattling chains filled my ears followed by the cheers of the crowd that threw rocks at me as I was paraded like some trophy of war. The unbearable weight of the wooden stockade binding my wrists and neck became more difficult to carry. The feeling of barbed whips tearing my exposed flesh forcing me to push forward no matter how tired. Humiliation I received at the hands of the adversary king as he hung the heads of my family inside metal frames like lanterns. The rage I felt as the headsman's axe came down from the sight of my most trusted allies standing next to the enemy that took our home.
The feeling of my soul being placed in a Zutryx crystal for display at a betrayer's request. The years of never ending sorrow from not being able to see my love and children after death. To see the world around you change constantly while time stands still inside a crystalline prison. Watching countless exchanges of hands being carried out around me by the dwarves that found me in the ruins of the castle I was entombed in. Years spent plaguing their pleasant dreams to rebuild my strength only to be forgotten once more. Until being discovered once more by an iron willed dwarf that knew of existence forging my prison into a blade for a peculiar person.
[(We are all the same in the dreadful end. The world took from us those we cherished without so much as lifting a finger. The Ent that I don't even know its true name watched his entire tribe killed and bodies used to construct furniture along with other things. Tartarus, who was an ancient dämon lord, found himself staring into the unblinking cold eyes of his wife and children as his world was taken from him. Then there was me, a Echuidae noble that came from a long line of kings falsely accused for the deaths of his parents. All three of us were pieces of the same game forged through gramr.)]
With a sigh, I had made up my mind and released the two souls that tried to consume me moments before. Confused expressions were chiseled on their faces as I walked over to a nearby flaming tree. "We are all the same," the flames turned black as it rose to surround my outstretched palm, "the world has taken from us the things we cherished most in life and discarded us to the side."
The surrounding flames began to join the first as the extinguished smoldered before returning to their upright positions. Holes from the damage slowly were patched up by a small back cloud of animated shadow. Shadowy figures began to appear out of the darkness beginning the repair of Penumbra. The shadow wolves and billowy Aranea came to their aid as monstrous Cetopedos, overgrown centipedes, scurried around acting as bridges between gaps. Shadowy trolls carried what couldn't be repaired to a nearby pile for later use. Even more shadowed creatures came out of hiding with me in the center of their work. All were shadows that I had collected throughout my time.
I turned to face the Ent and Tartarus, "I'd like to make a bargain. Become my allies and in return I'll help you seek those responsible for your imprisonment."
The Ent roared, "I will not be a slave, especially one owned by a halfling!"
"Why does it always have to be about slavitude?" I asked. Shaking my head, "I do not wish for slaves, but allies. To show that I mean my words," the mask that bound the Ent and gladius bound to Tartarus formed in my hands, "your connections to the world. I believe they should reside in your hands."
It was Tartarus's turn to speak out. He asked, staring at the blade in his hands, "What game are you playing? Why seek allies among enemies?"
I smiled as two shadowy figures rose on either side of me. "We share a common enemy," the darkness gave way to the paladin of Lokdis that I had captured and the pompous noble from Westbrook, "a gift per say, vessels for you to take over and change how you see fit. Be aware, if you accept then you accept my proposal of an alliance if you will."
With that, I turned and headed deeper into the Hunting Grounds to awaken once more. Before I did, I stopped, "Feel free to think it over. Once ready, let Erebus know."
Once again I found myself laying on a stone floor with my head gently on a comforting lap. The feeling of fingers gingerly running through my hair as the sound of a sweet melody hummed filled my ears. Opening my eyes, I found Vilra watching over me as her eyes moved from the presences I sensed around us. Her pale skin was stained crimson from defending herself from my puppeted body. A smile traced the lines of her lips as she noticed me watching her.
Smiling back, I sat up and discovered that the faces I saw were truly here with me except those of my parents. Zeke, and Scar sat quietly at the stone table with worried expressions as they waited for my return. Veronica leaned against a nearby destroyed pillar with her arms crossed as she gazed into the running water of the stream. I stared closely hoping to see the faint outlines of our parents' faces once more but it was a vain attempt. Sighing, I searched for Nyxis and found her walking over to me with an elegant grin.
"Bout time you woke up," she chuckled, wrapping her arms around me, "I was worried that we might have to kill you."
I whispered in her ear, "Don't worry my love, I am truly back better than before, however I still have some business to attend to."
Nyxis gave a nod as we separated, "Though I am not quite sure about Veronica, the rest of us are at your disposal."
I nodded my thanks and stood up as a faint thud sounded. I found the mask gazing up at me and found that it had changed. The white face was now obsidian with white stitching across both rage filled eye sockets. The frown was now that of a menacing grin that showed two rolls of fangs with gold etchings along each tooth. A gilded Gramr symbol burned at the center of the forehead. The mask looked more like a true mask of Gramr than it once did.
"Come," I said in a loud voice making my way to the doorway as I placed the mask in Penumbra, "we still have some information to gain."