Emptiness

by Viktor Zólyomi

  `I thought as much. When your siblings started turning up dead, I knew you had returned. I knew it was you, it couldn't have been anyone else. Then there was the strange coincidence that around the same time, Doorn, the mysterious assassin, rose to prominence in the underworld. The rumors that it was Doorn who had been killing off the spawns of Th'Mesh... I suspected that Doorn and you were one and the same, but I chose not to chase you. It would have drawn too much suspicion, and I expected you to come to me eventually. Part of me thought, I must be wrong. I could not imagine that you would have become a cold, methodical killer. Yet here we are, I am proven right. You are in fact the most feared assassin of our time.

  You are indeed good at what you do. After you left, I tried to find your siblings. Their demonic essence would have served me just as well as yours. Unfortunately they were in hiding, their mothers saw to it that they would not be easy to find. I had to be careful, I could not seek them myself, nor could I send too many of my servants after them. It would have raised too much suspicion. So, when my servants did find a trace of one of your siblings, they met a gruesome death. They were simply too weak and outnumbered. Had I been able to send an army or a group of powerful battlemages, they could have apprehended one of them. The few I could send without raising suspicion were unable to get the job done. But you... You, alone, all by yourself, managed to not only track them down, but kill them one by one. Yes, you are good at what you do.

  Arguably, your siblings deserved their fate. But you didn't just kill them, no. You killed many others as well. Your victims? Thousands, as I've heard... You killed them all without a second thought. So many lives... For what? Revenge on me?'

  `It's not just you. It's you and Th'Mesh. You should know that.'

  `Of course. Th'Mesh. You have hunted down your siblings, after all, and why else would you do that? But do you understand why you're doing all of this? Look at yourself, look into yourself! Why are you here? What drove you to come and slay me and your siblings? Look at how many people had to die along the way. Just how many lives did you end during your little hunt? With no regret? What made you be able to kill so many people so coldly, with no emotion whatsoever?'

  `I have no compassion for those I killed because I have no emotions left inside me. There's nothing left within. You and Th'Mesh made me empty.'

  `Jason, don't delude yourself. You are a half-demon! It's in your blood, and it makes it natural to you. It is this that drove you to come try to kill me and to kill your siblings, and it will not let you stop with Th'Mesh. Do you really think you can end it with him? You will never be able to refuse that power. His demonic essence is a part of you, it will not let you go, and you will not be able to bring yourself to let it go either.

  When you slay him, you'll just take his place, become like he was, and nothing will have changed. You can't make such a change, but I can.

  When I take your essence, it will allow me to slay Th'Mesh and take his power, but I will not merge with it. I will keep it under control, and I will use that power for my own purpose, under my own terms. I've power enough to keep all that demonic essence under control. Because I will not be bound to it, it alone will depend on me.'

  `You know nothing, and you understand nothing. You are the one deluding yourself. There is no controlling this power. It's not just a power essence. It's an entity. It lives, and it cannot be controlled.'

  `No Jason, that's just the way your mind experiences it. It has no consciousness.'

  I lived with part of this essence in me for fifteen years... Fifteen damned years! I should know better than you...

  `Think what you want, old fool...'

  `This old fool has over nine hundred years of life experience behind him. Believe me, I've seen a lot in these nine centuries. You cannot succeed in your quest.

  I must stop you, and more, I must take your power. This is after all not about you, but about all of Arghard. I've seen how tyrants come and go, and how the Worriils and Melioraths always find enough willing followers to be a danger to us all. As long as there is life, there will be those that would seek to rule over others, and so there will always be war. And so there will always be much death in the world.

  That is what I seek to change! To make this world a better place, a safe and stable place to live in for everyone.

  Yet, no matter how powerful I become, there will be those that can match my power, there will be the Worriils and Melioraths, and I will never be able to rout them out. No, it takes much, much more to be able to keep this world safe from the likes of them forever.

  In fact, the only thing that can keep this world safe, is a god...'

  `There are no gods! You of all people should know that!'

  `True, I know that well. However, much of the people in this world don't. They look upon the more powerful beings of the Spiritual Planes as if they were gods. Why, before the Great War there were countless sects all over Ess'yer worshiping them. Organized religion in its most wicked form. Only the elves with their immense magical power were enlightened enough such that there has been no religion in their society for thousands of years. Those stupid trolls still worship some so-called gods to this day. The orcs, the dwarves, and the humans were lead to enlightenment by the Council after the war, and I had a key role in that. It was I who unveiled the lies and delusions of those sects, it was I who unveiled that the Elemental Princes, though powerful beings, are by no means omnipotent, nor did they create the Multiverse. We brought enlightenment to the people about the Elemental Planes and their rulers. Now the people see them for what they really are. They have learned.

  That doesn't mean they don't believe that some gods must exist. That some powers among the Planes are omnipotent and all powerful. Just why do you think there were so many people worshiping Th'Mesh as a god? Because the people want to believe that there is something greater out there. Some people still worship the Elemental Princes in secrecy as if they were gods. We mages may know better, and we may go out of our way to teach the commoners about the nature of the Planes, but the fact is that people simply want to believe that there is a greater will behind everything. They want to believe that gods exist, they need guidance.

  If I can take the power of a creature as powerful as a Demon Lord, become a creature of immense power and show this power to these people, give them the guidance they crave and improve their lives with my power, then they will look upon me as a god. They will look upon me as their savior, a mortal who ascended to godhood and has come to show them the way. That pretense will give me the power to save them from themselves...

  I'll have power enough to find and kill those like Worriil or Meliorath long before they could rise to power. In fact, I could kill them before they are even born. I will bring a new stability to this world, I will make it safe to live in for everyone. Beneath my watchful stare, no-one will need to fear any more. I will make this world a better place, a safe place where all sentient beings can live in peace, without the need to fear an unnatural death...'

  `All beneath your watchful stare... So you would give the people of this world endless peace, and take away their freedom at the same time. Nice plan.'

  `They need guidance, they need someone to show them the way, to save them from themselves! To save them from war and tyranny.'

  `What you plan for this world is just a different form of tyranny, old fool!'

  `A different form of tyranny?' he snorts. `Bah! I am no tyrant. I am a benefactor of this world. If it weren't for me, Worriil and his night elves would have enslaved Ess'yer long ago. I made sure that Worriil's worthless lies of stability, peace, and safety hold at least some truth to them. I have done more for this world than you could ever dream to. How can you even think to call me a tyrant?'

  `Because there is no better word for what you are, John...'

  Jenathar freezes in place for a moment, then he slowly turns around, to find Kurt Aurach standing right behind him. He came, as he promised he would. Even I barely noticed his arrival. The powe
r of this black magician still astounds me.

  `Kurt?! How?! You cannot be here, it is impossible!'

  `You forget, John, that I happen to be very good friends with someone who is one of the best experts on planar travel in the entire Multiverse. You should have thought I'd learn a few tricks from him.'

  `Of course. How ignorant of me. Where is he? Did he not come?'

  `He doesn't care much for what happens in this world, as you yourself most certainly know, John. He is busy wandering the Planes, as usual. I haven't seen him in a while actually... And me, I'm busy with my magical experiments, as usual. So I shall only bother you briefly, I must hurry back.'

  Jenathar sighs.

  `I understand. So, this is how it ends, is it? You've come after all, to finish me off. I never thought you'd do it, Kurt. All I ever did against you was that I banned your black magic from this world. You chose to leave at your own free will, I never exiled you per se. Yet, you have a grudge against me, do you not? Why so, old friend?'

  `Grudge?' Aurach asks. `No, John. I always disapproved of many things you've done since you became Councilor, but I've no grudge against you. Indeed, my exile as you call it, was self imposed. Kh'Tal is my home now, I am no exile there.'

  `Then why are you here?'

  `I've let many things you've done... slide, John. I did so because you were my friend long ago, and because you have done some good things for Ess'yer. But I can't watch idly any more. If you succeed in your scheme now, this world will suffer tenfold of what it had to suffer a thousand years ago, regardless of what you think. For all the things you've done that were good for Arghard, you've done twice as many things that just harmed it. What you are about to do would be the worst of it all. You can't be allowed to go through with this plan.'

  `If I fall, Kurt, then the likes of Worriil and Meliorath will have their way!'

  `There will always be tyrants in this world, John. There's nothing you or anyone else can do about it. We all have the freedom to chase after whatever it is that we desire, and in a place like Arghard that inevitably breeds those that desire to conquer. You cannot change that without hindering the people of Arghard in their freedom to choose how to live their lives and preventing them from being able to struggle for what they desire. Without the ability to struggle, there cannot be freedom in the world. You would take more from the people of Arghard than what you would give, John.

  If you defeat Jason, this world will see only pain and suffering. If he defeats you, the outcome may eventually be the same, who knows. The coming time will be tough for this world, no matter what we do. Troubled times lay ahead but there's nothing any of us in this room can do about that any more. We all made mistakes in the past, all three of us. You know that well. We are humans, John. Therefore, making mistakes is what we do best.'

  After a brief pause, he continues:

  `Perhaps what I am doing now is also a mistake. but it is what I feel is right...'

  As Jenathar's face begins to show subtle signs of fear, Aurach simply stands there looking at him with a sad face. He does not speak, he just stands there. Suddenly, I feel it. An insanely strong surge of magical energy, emitting from Aurach. It nearly knocks me off my feet. And I see that Jenathar, the all powerful Jenathar, falls to a nearby chair. Again, the power of Aurach astounds me!

  `I have magically sealed this room, and anchored you to it, John.'

  Anchored... That means he cannot teleport. Excellent! With the seals, he also can't summon his minions here any more...

  Jenathar, realizing that his teleportation abilities are now rendered useless and that he's on his own, arises from the chair, and screams at Aurach in frustration.

  `Anchored me?!' He pauses shortly. `So this is how you want it to end...'

  `I will side with neither of you. You can understand that if you think about it, John. I will not assist either of you in murdering the other. I am here because if I do nothing, I assist you in murdering Jason. I did not come to assist him in murdering you however. I came to even the odds.

  I will allow neither of you to have an unfair advantage over the other. You and Jason are now facing each other one on one, at even terms. Now, may the better man prevail... Goodbye, John!'

  Then Aurach looks towards me.

  `Farewell, Jason! Until we meet again.'

  In the next moment, he disappears without a trace. Jenathar sighs and looks forward with glassy eyes.

  `Isn't it quaint how he spoke of even terms and yet in his saying goodbye to us he seemed overly confident that I have no chance against you? Or maybe he knows that when I take your essence, I will become immortal, and so I will never end up in the Afterlife, and as such he'll never have a chance to summon me. However, after your death, he can summon you. What do you think, Jason? Which did he mean?'

  At this point, he slowly turns towards me.

  `It doesn't matter, now does it? The odds are even, may the better one triumph... You will attempt to take your revenge upon me now. Some pupil you are! Didn't you learn from your newfound mentor, that revenge is meaningless?' he says with a frown. Is he mocking Aurach, or is he just trying to wiggle his way out of his fate? To repeat him: It doesn't matter, now does it?

  `As Aurach said, life is not worth to waste on petty revenge. But I do not have a life left to waste any more...'

  I slowly unsheathe my sword before him.

  `You and Th'Mesh took everything from me! There is nothing left but emptiness. Emptiness... that consumes everything it touches. And I have chosen to let it consume you...'

  I raise my sword and strike at him, but immediately a shimmering, spherical magic shield materializes around his body, and my blade slips aside. He raises his staff and prepares to cast a spell. It's time to make things more interesting!

  I touch the Amulet of Darkness and unleash its power. In an instant, we are surrounded by the soothing darkness.

  `Fool!' Jenathar screams! `Do you think I cannot see you?'

  Perhaps you can, old man... but not for long.

  I mold into my shadow, and creep toward him unseen. He waves his hand, and his eyes glow brightly. Then I see frustration sweep across his face. He must have cast a spell that lets him see the invisible, as well as see in the darkness. But he still cannot see me. He looks around frantically.

  `Where are you?' he screams. So typical. So many others have screamed the same, just before I put them out of their misery. It will be no different with you, old man. Except, that for the first time, emotion will accompany the kill. This one kill will bring me pleasure...

  I move behind him unseen, I come out of the shadow and strike with all my strength. Again, the magical shield absorbs my blow. Before he could turn around, I join with my shadow once more, and move away, looking for the next opportunity to strike.

  He changes tactics and casts an ice nova spell, a powerful surge of magical energy emitting from him at chest height in all directions, briefly freezing everything in its path. I am still hidden in my shadow, the spell doesn't effect me. After the spell fades, I jump out of my shadow and strike him square in the back, then retreat into my shadow once more.

  Seething with fury, he conjures a carpet of fire that covers the floor of the entire tavern. The heat is unbearable, and it forces me out of the shadows. I must protect myself against the fire, and I cannot do this while I'm hidden.

  `I have you!' he exclaims gloriously. He points his staff towards me, ready to cast another spell. Hastily, I attempt to cast a spell on myself to protect against the flames, but he is faster. A wide ray of raw magical energy emits from his staff and strikes into me. It tosses me against the wall, as I scream in pain. He laughs victoriously.

  `This is only the beginning, Jason!'

  He waves his hands to cast yet another spell, but I retreat into my shadow before he could strike me down. I swiftly move away, out of his sight. The heat is unbearable, but I need time! He frantically looks around, trying to spot me. I move behind him, and wait for my chance.

&
nbsp; Briefly out of his sight, I reappear and cast the spell I wanted previously. He hears it, and turns around, ready to attack. He's too late. He spots me exactly when I complete the spell. He points his staff towards me, but I vanish into the shadows. I need not worry any more, the flames no longer hurt me.

  I sneak behind him and strike at him once more.

  `Enough of this!' he screams, and he releases his staff and lets it float in the air in front of him. With both hands, he begins to make gestures in front of his face, and soon a bluishly glowing sphere of light appears there. He keeps moving his hands around it, and he is apparently strongly focused on the sphere. Whatever he's doing, it doesn't seem like an offensive spell...

  What is he up to now? Why doesn't he attack? It doesn't make sense...

  Or does it?

  It suddenly strikes me... He is trying to escape! He's trying to break the anchoring...

  I jump out of the shadow, and lunge at him. I strike at his magical shield with all the force I can. He does not even attempt to attack me. So I keep striking him, over and over and over.

  The shield weakens, and he makes no effort to renew it at all.

  He just keeps moving his hands carefully around the small sphere of light he had conjured, silently chanting magic words I had never heard before. I keep striking his shield.

  As his magical shield nearly collapses under the strength of my blows, the sphere of light explodes, and right away Jenathar begins to laugh.

  `Hahahahaha! I have broken the anchoring!'

  He grabs his staff, and points it towards me. I do not jump aside, instead I strike at him again. His magical shield shatters under my blow.

  `Bah!' he screams. Before I could strike again, he waves his hand and disappears. I strike at the place where he used to stand, but nothing's there. He is gone. He teleported away.

  `You coward! You worthless coward! Come back here! You can't escape your death!'

  In my rage, I feel something in me that I never felt before. No, it is not the demon trying to surface, it is something else, something... something much worse...