“Oh, dear. What has our proud blood been tainted with?”

Despite his disdainful tone, there were equal parts hope and curiosity hidden in his voice. It showed in the welcoming gestures and intrigued smirks that followed his question. Utter contradictions to the wincing eyes and twitching nostrils that’d been staring at me for the several minutes that lasted between his arrival and those first words.

As things went, Telman Cole was a giant of a man who made Grandpa Lich look like a dwarf in comparison. We had all his features. Only, his hair was slicked back like a lion's mane and he was dressed modestly. Sporting a button-up shirt, high boots with trousers, and a heavy cloak that was draped behind him like a king’s robes. And for better or for worse, he lacked the amiable goofiness of his immediate descendants. He was like an ancient, battle-hardened version of my father. Only, leagues wiser, based on what I could see. Like a great sage from an ancient time.

‘I doubt I can lie to him.’ I mentally sighed and shrugged off my worries at the same moment. ‘Whatever. It’s not like he can tell anyone outside the family.’

"I’m half-drow.”

“Drow.” He droned slowly. “So then, the Fae have returned to Maru? Hmm.” He turned a bit to the side to stroke his magnificent beard and mutter to himself. “Seems plausible. But then.” He turned back to me with a raised brow. “Why would a drow breed with a human? Much less dwell on the surface?”

“The meddling of Gods.” I shrugged. “And the Fae have since left Maru. I’m the only one of elven blood here.”

“Hmm.” He clasped his hands behind his back with an amused hum. “That you know of, surely…” His words trailed off.

“My name is Amun,” I said. “Just Amun, according to my mother.”

“Ugh.” He groaned. “What else shall be taken from us?”

“What does that mean?”

“It means our Clan is not even a family anymore.” He harrumphed. “Now tell me, boy, in what year were you born?”

“Fourteen-seventy-five, to Emeric Cole and Eved, a drow royal from Youtera.”

“And who were you raised by?” He intently squinted.

“My mother, father, and great-grandfather, Everandus Cole.”

“Hmm.” He tilted his head to look me over. “You command death as Ev does, yet your personas couldn’t be further apart. I can see you didn’t come here seeking power. So then, what knowledge do you seek, Amun?”

‘Quick on the uptake, I like it.' I grinned. “Well, I’m curious about you. About how you lived and about the state of the world during your time.”

“And?” He droned, clearly unconvinced.

“And.” I sighed. “I’m currently on the summit of the tallest mountain in Maru. Where what appears to be a massive tree stump sits.”

“Ah, yes.” He leaned back. “The Marulean Tree of Life. Dead. What of it?”

“How was it killed?”

“That has been the question since time immemorial.” He deflatedly smiled. “Though we still tried to learn, none of my descendants and few; if any, of my predecessors ever learned the truth. If they have they haven't told us. Our corpses are... locked; scattered, you see. The Crypts run too deep, too dark and deadly, and... empty for some of us. But you, Amun, seem capable of reaching them.”

“The Crypts in Phaegrath? Where my Great-Grandfather was born?”

“Therein lies the entrance, yes.” Telman nodded. “Several generations of our family have been born and buried in the Cole Crypt. Including me, in the year nine-eleven. Everandus was the last. From what I understand, he departed from the Crypt shortly after burying me in eleven-naught-nine, when he was around seven. That is not to say the Crypt remains unguarded, however. To outsiders, it’s an impassable dungeon filled with death and darkness. To those possessing our sorcery, it is a repository of wicked knowledge and our ancestral burial grounds."

“As for my life.” Telman sighed. “It was… unremarkable. I spent my existence in the Crypt. In a constant transition between protecting our home and delving deeper into our records. Regrettably.” He sighed again. “I could not get far.”

“How so?”

“You will learn when you arrive,” He said. “Should you make the voyage.”

“I plan to.” I nodded. “But first I’m on a bit of a sabbatical.”

“To the Arcane Tree, I presume? You seem about that age.”

“Sure.” I shrugged.

“A waste of time, according to Granny Raven.” Telman huffed. “But then again, it seemed to do Ev some good. He traveled across the realms and returned to the Under to shamelessly brag about his exploits. I trust you will not do the same, Amun?”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I snorted. “I’m not the type to brag or boast.”

“Right." He snorted right back. "You only pry and oppugn.”

“Naturally.”

“Bahah! I like you, Amun. Tell me.” He stepped closer. “What is your chosen purpose?”

“To learn and explore the Mortal Plane.” I promptly said. “When I return to Maru, I’ll be exploring Phaegrath. And then Ulai. And then Betrarth and wherever else the wind takes me until I wind up with nowhere else to go.”

“And then?”

“And then I’ll wait for the realms to change.” I shrugged. “If I don’t change them myself.”

“Spoken like a true devil.” He mused. “Very well, I will share with you all that I know.

“As stated, the Marulean Tree of Life has been dead for eons and has been so for ages before the appearance of the rifts, in year zero. Since that event, no new creatures have been born into existence in Maru. Creatures could only migrate through the rifts or evolve into something greater over time; or a combination of both. Now, again,” Telman warned with a raised palm. “My time was an era of relative peace, but it was not without conflict. With the rifts yielding a steady outpour of otherworldly creatures, Ulai was rendered a war zone within days. As a result, many of the ancient Ulaian empires had to take refuge in Phaegrath. During my time, five prominent powers existed, six including the House of Cole. However, we dwelled in the shadows and thus were not recognized as an official power by others.

“The Poza Kingdom was the wealthiest nation of them all, and were natives to Phaegrath.” He explained. “They were a peaceful city-state located on the southern shores. Their tropical region gave them a thriving economy based on agriculture and trade; yet, it was their naval prowess that made them uncontested. They remained the only power to be considered untouchable by the other nations.”

“Even a family of sorcerers?” I asked.

“Our family was not large, though we could have destroyed them, had we a reason.” He nodded. “In doing so, however, we would have lost out on the fine goods coming from the region.”

“True.”

“Besides, our most encountered foe; other than invasive creatures, was the Takath Empire. The largest power of them all. Their origins came from a guild that retired from Ulai during the Great Migration. Like many escaping the war-torn region, they took up residence in the heart of the continent. Thereafter, they evolved into a military nation boasting the continent’s mightiest land army. Their army of young souls clashed with the House of Cole on a regular basis.” He nostalgically chuckled. “Of course, they were no match for us- my father, grandmother, and I. Such good times.” Telman chuckled again before the nostalgia drained from his face. “Ahem. The last of the native Phaegrathean powers was the Silvanians. A clan of sorcerers who pass down the power of silver and runic knowledge just as we pass on the dark arts and ancient knowledge. Unlike the other house of sorcerers native to Maru, the Silvanians were on neutral terms with all peoples, including us. Outside of the occasional trade deal or partnership, we stayed out of each other's way.”

“The other sorcerers would be the Lux?” I rhetorically asked. “Grandpa L- Everandus warned me to be wary of them.”

“As you should.” He nodded. “Because of our opposing natures, we gravitate towards one another. But that does not always result in conflict. Some of our kin found themselves coexisting with them as great friends while others saw them as mortal enemies. The times dictate such things, in my opinion. I, however, was lucky to never meet one. They have long since forsaken Maru, you see. They chose instead to conquer Nonus.”

“I see,” I said. “Please continue."

“Before I do.” He raised a finger. “You should know that the Lux is but a branch of the light’s family tree. They numbered in the thousands, in my time. Their numbers are perhaps even more during yours. Now then.” He cleared his spectral throat. “The first empire to take refuge from the destruction in Ulai were the Bonju Tribes. Powerful warrior-nomads who sought to live off the land and offer what they had to whoever needed it most. They were in constant contact with the otherworldly invaders, making them one of the strongest civilizations at the time. In fact, they would’ve been the strongest, if not for their lack of numbers and their open-mindedness. Because of that, they were placed in the lower ranks of the scale. But were no less powerful than any other nation.

“The last civilization to take refuge in Phaegrath during my time was Amazonia. And they were, by far, the most interesting.” He chuckled. “They were a nation of warriors, located on a plateau high in the clouds on the far east side of the continent. As we are considered Devils, the Lux are seen as Angels, and Silvanians are considered Beasts, Amazonians were widely considered to be the perfect human, according to some. In truth, they are descendants of a Goddess of the same name. Her blood grants them super-powered strength and resistance to the elements, including lightning. They see beauty in all things. But in strength most of all. Strength is all that matters to them. As such, they were vicious fighters. And lovers.”

“Ah, I see.” I laughed. “You sired a child with one.”

“My mother was Amazonian as well.” He smiled. “As was my father’s father. But I must say.” He added. “Drow is fine blood to mix with ours as well.”

“What other types of blood are sufficient?” I asked. “Out of curiosity, of course.”

“Nothing brutish like an orc or goblin. And no demons either.” He huffed. “Hellspawn and Devils of the Under do not mix. Something broad, large, and strong, with a human resemblance. So no dwarves or the other small species. No dragonbornes or the stone creatures from Nonus; although a dragon was a thought I've mused over once or twice. A vampire would fit the bill. Granny Raven’s mother was one, after all. Otherwise, any Amazonian or strong human will do.”

“That’s not much of a choice, but alright.” I laughed. “Were there any other nations existing in Maru?”

“There was one across the eastern seas.” He nodded. “A small but pompous group who fled to the other side of the realm when the monster and guild population in Phaegrath boomed. They went as far as naming the whole continent after themselves. But they interacted with no one except the Poza Kingdom.”

‘Interesting.’ I nodded. “If you’re curious, I’ve seen live Amazonians and I have evidence that the Silvanians continue to thrive in my time. As for me, I grew up wealthy and pampered in your son’s empire. But he quite extensively educated me in the ways of our sorcery, and my father raised me well, with the best education one could get.”

“Well.” He sighed deeply. “I do not care for the other empires. But, I am happy to hear that the family lives on.”

“Speaking of family,” I said. “I plan to talk with all of our ancestors, just as we’re doing now. I’ve already devoted myself to finding their corpses, in due time. So, if you would tell me the name of your father.”

“My father.” Telman sighed with a mix of emotions. “He was known to the realms as Captain Darkblood. A notorious pirate. I knew him as Henry Cole. Please.” He bowed. “Give him my regards.”

“I will.” I bowed in my seat. “And thank you for your wisdom, Telman.”

As I stood, his form began to lose its shape and dissipate across the ground. Leaving nothing but his guttural voice echoing through the abyss. “I shall always heed the call, o’ Sovereign of Death.”