The deeper I venture into the cave, the louder the whispers grow. I glance back to see Azkar behind me, but a shadow looms between us, separating us. I hear the word “Touch,” crisp in my ear. I extend my hand, and Azkar mirrors my every move, touching the figure in front of us. A wave of black clouds my vision, and I am suddenly in a room with a man sitting at a desk.
The room is vibrant and whimsical, with round, almost childish furniture. I look around, trying to make sense of it all. Where am I? Where is Azkar? The man at the desk has a wide grin stretching from ear to ear. He has no eyes; his mouth takes up most of his face, accompanied by a goatee. He wears a purple top hat with a yellow ribbon, and his hair is a mess, poking out from the sides of his head. He is dressed in a colorful suit and tie, and is sitting in a large velvet red chair with gold gems.
“Hello, my child,” he says. His voice is a high-pitched, eerie whisper, and with each word, his voice cracks. As I stand here, I notice shadows dancing around the room.
“I see you have found my lair,” he continues, his grin widening.
“Who are you?” I demand.
“Ah, yes, I am the man behind all the disappearances and the demons you have fought in the forest. You are a true warrior,” his voice sings, almost melodious.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Why are you doing this?” My tone is cold and demanding.
He bursts out laughing, the sound echoing unsettlingly around the room. “Because, darling, it’s fun!”
Good point, I suppose, if you enjoy it. I just don’t understand.
“Is there a purpose to all this?” I press.
The man’s laughter subsides, and he looks at me with a glint of mischief in his non-existent eyes, holding his chin. “Purpose? Oh, no, not really. Just a bit of chaos for my own amusement. Sometimes, the most entertaining things come from the simplest of reasons.”
I observe him with curiosity, recognizing the absurdity of the situation. His reasons may not matter to me, but I need to understand what comes next.
“Let’s make a deal,” he says, his grin stretching even wider. “I will reveal the answers you seek—about my motives, my plans, and the nature of the demons you’ve fought. But first, you must do something for me.”
He leans forward, his grin becoming more sinister. “The village that led you here—destroy it. Kill everyone you see, and in return, I will give you the Lich, the long-dead entity I control. Once you have it, no more demons will roam free.”
I hesitate, weighing the proposition. If I want to get paid, I suppose I have to go through with this. I shake his hand, sealing the deal. As I’m abruptly pulled back to the cave, for a split second, I see the man shift into something blue, lizard-like. Was that a Dragonborn?
I find myself standing on gravel and dirt, the night surrounding me. The moonlight peeks through the cave entrance as I head out, guiding my way. I steel myself, ready to carry out the mission, prepared to kill.