The Fifth Entry

The journey through the rift felt like days, passing through the void, before reaching the end. Sauntering through the opening, I doubled over – almost falling to a knee before catching myself with my hands. The rift closed behind me, as if it were never there, and I was left somewhat squatting on a grey cobble plateau. Standing I felt my weakened state fully – my connection to the Obelisk was weak. The rift had carried me far beyond its reach, perhaps the furthest I have ever been. It was impossible to believe I had been sent so far, the Obelisk’s influence reached beyond and into most universes’ lightyears and upon lightyears away, yet so it was.

My powers had been diminished, but the damage was not permanent. The Obelisk allowed me to sustain my being without requiring the harvesting of souls directly, it supplemented the need, but if I found nourishing souls – I would return to my original state. The creature’s soul had supplied me enough to retain a portion of my powers, but it was still far from complete.

Standing I looked at my surroundings. The plateau was an altar of some kind, I could feel the residual magics sputtering in the air like smoke. Beyond was a scarred plain of charred corpses that surrounded the altar, dead trees scattered themselves in no pattern - the damage recent. No light entered this land, the clouds hanging low and dark. Had the Failed sent me in accordance with some pact? A ritual had been performed.

It was then that some of the charred corpses began rising from their burned graves, pulsing in magenta magics. They lurched forward in burned form, weapons in hand, and their flesh slave to some purpose. I could feel then, a ting of influence – one of the Reverent. These husks were twisted in form to servitude, but which one of the Reverent was impossible to tell.

In my weakened state I would be required to fight these beings squarely, and in the process restore a part of my own powers. I summoned forth my sword and proceeded down the cobble stairs onto the plain. The first of many assailants dashed forward, an axe from shoulder to shoulder in hand, and struck towards my being. Deflecting their blows was somewhat easy, though the magics of the Reverent made them unpredictable and powerful.

While the corpse proceeded to heave its axe upon my sword, I could see its soul wriggling through its body and coil through its arms. The blows became more powerful, dashing away the inanimate and creating holes in the ground. It was clumsy with its power, but the corpse was just a puppet without a mind. Exposing itself for an overhead strike, I took the opportunity to finish it. Grabbing the soul from the corpse, I nourished my own being by crushing and consuming it.

The other corpses lurched forward after seeing their comrade defeated, now attacking all at once. Though they had numbers, which would lead to victory in most circumstances, they were inexperienced and slow. With each defeated foe, I grew stronger and enabled my own powers to once again flourish. When the last assailant stood before me, I had little reason to fight it head on anymore. It charged as recklessly as before, with no fear, and with a simple wave of my hand its soul lurched out of its body – which exploded the corpse in a splash of blood and bone. Nourishing myself with the last soul I put away my weapon, though I was not alone.

A human man in a hooded black cloak pushed off a corpse he had used as a disguise. He stood, brushing himself of the dirt and grime, and presented himself on his knees before me.

“My prayers have been answered! Please, spare me great warrior! I am the one who summoned you from beyond. I am Halgrim of Kanav.” The man said meekly before removing his hood.

Age and grey hair shortly pressed on Halgrim’s head, but what stood beyond his age was the presence of wickedness. I could feel a pact knap at Halgrim’s being. It was my silence that pushed Halgrim to speak once more.

“Please, bestow upon me thy name great warrior.” Halgrim asked.

“I am Axiom.” I said.

“Then, Sir Axiom, please accompany me to my home in Kanav and there I can inform you further of what lie ahead.” Halgrim said humbly.

I nodded in compliance, and Halgrim gestured for me to follow him to a carriage. Instead of horses, the carriage radiated of magics and technology, it hummed to life as Halgrim approached, and I seated myself next to him.

I would indulge this for now, my powers still slipping upon my fingers, and see what pact had been made with which Reverent. The Failed had sent me here for a reason, and I would see it.