Greetings Readers
What a week! I am finally done writing that massive book. As it stands, I have used over 340 articles, of which 90% are peer-to-peer articles that I needed Google to help me translate into layman's terms. I have a biochemistry background but damn!
I actually finished a couple of days early, which has allowed me to have some more time to write! So here is your next chapter. However, don't forget to read @zakludick's update before starting on this one.
Was this what it was like to be a god? The constant mindless chatter and prayers of those who looked up to him.
The revenant moved deeper into the ruins, wishing to be alone. The more he wandered, the more he came to realise that the ideation he was hearing was no different than when he was king. He remembered the endless meetings with dignitaries when he was younger, and how his father had told him to practice patience and show his wisdom.
Mortis had never thought of himself as a good king and had always been plagued by feelings that his sister would have fared far better as a ruler than he. Thinking of his sister made him think of his nephew he had raised as his own. The boy had been a spitfire, like his mother, but was as ill-suited to the throne as Mortis had been.
The revenant sighed as much as an undead could as he thought back to his decision to never have children. He never regretted his choice while he was alive, but now that he saw the fruit of his sister’s lineage, he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
He found himself in a small alcove that had managed to stand the test of time and decided to rest there. He did not need to sleep, but he needed to clear his mind and decide what he was going to do from here. To be a god, even a fledgling one was a huge responsibility, and he didn’t know if it was something he truly wanted. Yet, somehow, the fight between Magna and Sebastian had sealed his fate to yet another life-altering fate.
He scoffed as he sat down with his blade resting on his knees. Life altering? What a joke. He should have been dead, allowed to rest and decay, but instead, his weary bones were going on yet another adventure.
Even with no eyelids to control his vision, Mortis was able to shut himself off from the outside world and ponder his next move. He wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet. He hadn’t expected to be joined by another presence. He tried to ignore it, knowing it was one of the shades he had noted earlier. However, it was soon joined by another, and then another, until the small alcove seemed to be filled to the brim with individuals.
Refusing to see what was before him, he said, “I came here for silence. Leave me shades.”
“Blood has been spilt. You have accepted the responsibility to bring us back to this world to bring balance.” Said a wispy voice.
“I have enough on my plate.”
“You’re not expected to grant wishes. You will be a conduit, as much as what the twins are. Prayers for the protection of soldiers, fighters, and more will be heard by you and sent to us. Bolstering us so we may take back the blighted lands of this time.” The vice continued, “We want you to listen.”
“I hardly agreed.”
“Yet you didn’t disagree.”
Mortis took a breath into his lungs, feeling the desiccated flesh around his ribs straining and his lungs creaking. He then realised something. This voice spoke of we, while the other spoke of I. He allowed his vision to return and found himself surrounded by many shades.
“So, I should continue to do what I have already done so far?”
“You know of the old pantheon; you know that there were gods for each aspect of human nature. Times were simpler.”
“And far fewer curses that needed breaking. People stopped believing in you for a reason.”
“That reason was due to outside forces we couldn’t control.”
“But you are gods.”
“Gods are only as strong as the belief in them. Why do you think you have developed your powers as well as what you have? You have the belief and trust of many.”
“Then the blood…”
“The blood of the princess pales in comparison to what you can achieve if you help us.”
“Gods do not need to bargain, demons do.”
The shade seemed to think this over before saying, “Don’t new religions or lack of religion demonise the old ways?”
Mortis knew the shade had a point and he chuckled. He allowed his mind to wander to hear the chatter in his mind. It wasn’t all prayers to save loved ones, there were prayers for strength, guidance, and so much more. Each thought or prayer directed to him filled him with the power he hadn’t felt since he was a young man.
“If we are to bargain, what do I get out of this?” he whispered after some time.
“Curses lifted, a happily ever after, what else could you possibly want?”
Mortis got to his feet and the majority of the shades disappeared, yet the one who remained seemed to have more of a defined figure. Mortis was sure that he spotted some sort of armour.
“If you’re taking requests, there will come a time I will ask for something.” Said the revenant as he moved passed the shade.
“As is your right, but first, the pantheon must resume, and I have a feeling that finding the dragon will lead to more of us being resurrected.”
Mortis made his way to the camp where he found it half empty. A few people were sleeping, while the others seemed to standing guard. He was at first confused, but the Derric padded over to him in human form and asked, “Where have you been? One minute you were here, and the next you disappeared. It has been half a day. Magna was beside herself.”
“I can look after myself, young man.” Mortis raised his hand, “I had things I needed to ponder, and sometimes that takes a while.”
Even though he sounded calm, he couldn’t help but feel a little panicky. He hadn't realised he was gone for so long. However, dealings with gods had always involved some form of manipulation he didn’t understand.
“Well, your knights told us not to be concerned, and that you would be back when you were done with your conversation, whatever that meant.”
Mortis looked to where his knights were resting, and Anna only slightly inclined her head to him. He couldn’t help but wonder if they too had been contacted by the shades and were in on what was to happen.
“Anyway, Magna wanted to have a word with you. Said something about Adrian having some answers or something like that. I only heard half of the conversation as I wanted to get us a deer.”
“Successful?”
“Everyone has full bellies.”
And now it's up to Zak to decide what Adrian has learned.
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
| by @zakludick | by @lex-zaiya |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Part 3 | Part 4 |
| Part 5 | Part 6 |
| Part 7 | Part 8 |
| Part 9 | Part 10 |
| Part 11 | Part 12 |
| Part 13 | Part 14 |
| Part 15 | Part 16 |
| Part 17 | Part 18 |
| Part 19 | Part 20 |
| Part 21 | Part 22 |
| Part 23 | Part 24 |
| Part 25 | Part 26 |
| Part 27 | Part 28 |
| Part 29 | Part 30 |
| Part 31 | Part 32 |
| Part 33 | Part 34 |
| Part 35 | Part 36 |
| Part 37 | Part 38 |
| Part 39 | Part 40 |
| Part 41 | Part 42– You are Here |
| Part 43 – Coming Soon | Part 44– Coming Soon |
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