Chapter Twenty-Five: To the Sanctum

The sounds of feral yelling and weapons’ clanging met Ald’s ears. He hadn’t meant to close his eyes as he jumped through the portal, but he always did. He wondered if his body was unconsciously protecting him from getting sick while walking through the magical doorway. A sudden move from one environment to another through …

Chapter Twenty-Four: Archon’s Rise

A small group of Venthyr and members of the Stoneborn Legion arrived while Ald squeezed on his leather armor and decked it out with vials of poison and newly sharpened blades. Theotar stood at the head of the group, resplendent in his own dark armor. Ald felt a stab of emotion. Theotar's eagerness to join …

Chapter Twenty-Three: Arrival

"Could I interest you in more tea, Maw Walker? Your cup appears empty.” Theotar smiled widely, showing his fangs. A chill still ran up Aldineri’s whenever one of the Venthyr showed their teeth. While he’d technically never seen them bite anyone, the sharpened fangs reminded him of the fierce orc warriors he had once fought …

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Bloody Aftermath

“You were ever fond of saying that the Venthyr do not destroy,” Renathal said to the imprisoned sword at the top of Dawnkeep Tower. “We educate.” “You cannot bind me here,” Denathrius screamed from inside Remornia. “I am eternal!” “Consider this your education,” Renathal said. He nodded to Ald and to all of the Humpday …

Chapter Twenty-One: The Final Confrontation

The Heroes ascended Castle Nathria, knocking down threats as they went with nothing but the end goal in their minds. Giant troll, down. Waves of enormous bats, dead. Militaristic gargoyles, shattered. It was only as they stood on the top of Castle Nathria where Ald, Kobi, and Tommy had met with Denathrius and where Ald …

Chapter Twenty: Blood on the Dance Floor

Arch was the first to react, his mace bouncing off the neck of the closest gargoyle. The monstrous creature reeled back from the blow, falling into the gargoyle closest behind him. The two crashed loudly into a heap of stone on the floor. A third gargoyle swung a stone fist at the group but was …

Chapter Nineteen: Dance with the Dead

Ald looked around at his teammates. Some had tears in their eyes at seeing him as flesh and blood again., but all of them had smiles on their faces. “So, you mounted your own rescue mission,” he said, grinning broadly. “We figured it was only appropriate for us to return the favor,” Kobai replied. “Well, …

Chapter Eighteen: Atonement

Denathrius raised his arms in the air above his head in a gesture of mock welcome. “Ah, the Heroes have arrived. Come and look upon your fearless leader. Come and see his ritual of atonement.” The Venthyr leader turned back towards Ald. “You were saying, Maw Walker?” “Stop!” Ald yelled as best he could to …

Chapter Seventeen: Prisoner of War

Ald was quite finished with being bashed in the head.  At least this time, he wasn’t completely knocked out. It hurt to be sure, and he was dazed while Control bundled him into the sack, but he was still conscious and fought her off as best he could. Which wasn’t enough to stop her from …

Chapter Sixteen: Dawnkeep and the Ember Court

Life (or afterlife in Ald’s case) was much quieter in Dawnkeep. Away from the hustle and bustle of Oribos and its attendants, Ald was finally able to sit and breathe, to strategize and learn about each covenant. After many successful meetings with Anth and Arch about the Kyrians in Bastion, Golin and Healpimp about the …