Night of Sorrow: An Unexpected Ally

"Who dares!" the Shoggoth roared, spinning around. Its concentration slipped and the Stranger's mask shattered into pieces. "Who dares... address me by that... name!!"

A girl stepped from the shadows. She wore a black cloth blindfold across her eyes, and waist length snow-white hair spilled across her shoulders. Fred couldn't check out much of her body because she wore flowing gray robes all the way down to her bare feet, but what he could discern seemed fairly... perky.

"Sweet!" Fred grinned. "I didn't know they had temple whores! I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of cash on hand - can I pay you in the form of a slow evisceration?"

"No. Fred," the girl said in the same flat tone. "I am here to assist you in your task, and deliver a message from my mistress as well."

"Ohh crap," Fred said, suddenly wary. "Who does that bitch think I am? Get the hell out of here, and tell your sweet mistress I am perfectly capable of conquering Allaria myself!"

The girl opened her mouth, but to Fred's dismay what came out was the One Shoggoth's laughter. "Idiot! What do you think you're doing here?! Killing insects? Trying to start your own religion? How cliche! Conquer Allaria? You couldn't conquer a broom closet! The royal family of Allaria is no match for you now. An ancient power has reawakened in their bloodline, a power that even now hungers to crush you like an ant! Leave. Now. Make your way to Hespan and start all over. Raise their armies against Allaria and accomplish on the battlefield what you cannot accomplish in single combat. Spare no one! Let every last Hespan and Allarian die in horror and agony to kill the Princess Exotica of Exultaine! "

"Hmph!" Fred said. "Leave... my birthplace? Ah, how that galls me! I will not obey!"

"You have no choice. Even now, their hunters close in upon you. Take this child - Xalis is her name - with you. Obey her as you would me, or you'll experience punishment like you have never felt before. I will waste one more breath on you now. Fail me again, and death will be the least of your concerns."

"That is all," Xalis said in her normal voice. "That is the mistress' message."

"Let's get one thing straight," Fred scowled. "You're the one that obeys me. I take orders from no wench!"

The girl's mouth opened and Fred's own voice came out. "You're the one that obeys me. I take orders from no wench!"

"Stupid bitch! Stop that!"

"Stupid bitch! Stop that!"

"This is your last warning," Fred grimaced, reaching for his axe.

"Look behind you," Xalis said and suddenly vanished from sight.

Fred turned around. At the entrance to the room stood the Templar.

"I have come for you, demon," said the Templar in a booming voice, and pointed a jet-black sword at Fred. "Have you any last words?"

Fred could think of any number of last words, but his killing spree was over and the magic was gone. The One Shoggoth sure knew how to ruin a good time! As Fred mulled over what to say, a look of recognition spread over the Templar's face.

"It cannot be..." he said. "The Dragon Slayer... Lord Frederigo D'Honaire! What travesty is this!? How dare you sully that noble knight's image, you monstrous beast?!"

"Hahahaha!" Fred chuckled. "Cat's out of the bag, eh? Hate to break it to you, but I'm the genuine article. Had a little run-in with a Shoggoth bitch in the Caves, and then, well you can guess the rest. Please send my best wishes to my mother and father now. And make sure to tell the Princess Exotica I can't wait to meet her again... in the flesh! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!"

Lightning quick, the Templar whipped a rune-forged throwing dagger at Fred. But the Shoggoth was already gone, vanished in a foul wind gibbering maniacal heresies - and the Templar was left alone in the blood drenched room with a single horror-mad priest begging the Siblings for mercy...

1. As the first rays of dawn light up the horizon, a grim meeting is held in the War Room of the Palatine.
2. Fred and the mysterious Xalis make their way northeast to Hespan, with Fred cheerfully killing, despoiling and desecrating everything in his path.
3. In the Quadrodome new voices are heard...

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree