“Come with me! We don’t have much time,” the Envoy exclaimed. The winged demon closed its eyes and moved its slender hands in a series of patterns. Gilreg faintly saw a shimmering field encompassing their entire group, including the newcomer.
“Shadow magic,” Nulrok said with awe.
“Correct, this should allow us to avoid attention long enough for us to leave,” the Envoy said and beckoned them to follow him.
“How do we know this is not a trap?” Stated Tassarion, the dark elf, was staying put as the others began to proceed.
“It’s an Envoy,” Booger answered.
“So?”
“You can stay here with a room full of fighting demons then,” said Raine.
Tassarion glanced around the chamber. Demonic horrors were tearing each other apart. The dark elf nodded to himself and then hurried after the others. Tassarion studied their new friend floating in the air on rapidly batting wings next to the others. He couldn’t help but think that the Envoy looked similar to a winged goblin with horns.
“What do we call you?” Gilreg asked as he walked alongside the flying newcomer. All around them was carnage and combat.
“Me? Bob, watch your step,” the Envoy answered. His pale eyes darted around the chamber. He flinched whenever it appeared a flying demon was soaring toward them. Only to visibly sigh in relief when it flew past.
“What kind of name is Bob?” Shaymus asked.
“What kind of name is Shaymus?” Bob returned.
“Wait, how do you know our names?” said Raine.
“I have been waiting for you. Look, let’s get to safety before we chat, okay?” Bob nervously stated.
The others agreed as they had to tiptoe around a scorpion demon being ripped to shreds by a pack of red canine-headed demons. For the next horrifying moments, the Envoy led the group up the stairs and narrowly in between battling demons. Nulrok explained to the group that the Envoy’s Shadow Magic would only hide them from detection. It will not protect them if they bump into anything. The goblin mage looked paler as the poison worked its way through his system. Eventually, they made it to the large doors between the massive flaming braziers. They were on a platform, and scattered around them were the gruesome remains of dead combatants. Overhead, the flying demons soared in circles. Some would dive to attack their enemies. Others, who were not too careful, were snatched out of the air by the spiked tentacles. Raine’s sharp eyes noticed the numerous claw marks on the doors.
“Some were trying to open these doors,” she observed.
The Envoy produced a large metal key and motioned them to quickly follow. He opened the massive door. It creaked loudly despite the noise of battle, and several demons looked up at them.
“Hurry!” Exclaimed Bob. Not needing to be told twice, the group rushed inside the large doors just as several demons made their way toward them.
“Close the door!” Bob nearly shouted.
Raine rested Nulrok down as the others put their shoulders into the heavy door to close it. Not before a winged horror soared in. Its sharp claws slashed heavily into Gilreg, knocking the goblin warrior to the ground in pain. The demon dodged out of the way as Shaymus tried to cut it. Booger roared and shoved with all his might to slam the door shut. Bob quickly inserted the key to lock the door. The winged demon turned around for a second attack. Raine loaded her bow. The creature dove and its sharp claws were deflected by Tassarion’s buckler. The dark elf countered with his blade, slicing deep into the creature’s leg. The demon howled in pain and soared back up into the air. The wound was already closing. Raine shot it in the chest with an arrow. The demon hovered in the air a moment, ripped the arrow out, and with rage-filled eyes, it dove with incredible speed toward the goblin archer. Raine drew her blade and waited calmly. The creature fell short, smashing into the ground in front of her. It was writhing and clawing at its chest where the arrow had struck earlier. Raine removed its head with a single sword stroke.
“You used the Dragonspawn poison on your arrows!” Tassarion observed knowingly.
“It’s effective,” replied Raine.
Nukrok groaned. Tassarion and Raine immediately went to his aid. The dark elf pulled out an alchemy set and dripped into it a sample of poison from the demon’s scorpion stinger.
“How long until you can create an antidote?” Raine asked. She applied an ointment to Nulrok’s wound.
“A few moments, feed him that root,” Tassarion said, and he also started to work on his venom sample.
“Tend to Gilreg,” Nulrok said weakly.
Raine looked up and saw that the goblin warrior did not rise back up. Booger and Shaymus were doing their best to help him.
“We can’t stop the bleeding,” Booger said helplessly.
Raine removed her medical kit and looked at Gilreg. The flying demon had slashed him deeply, and the warrior was gravely wounded.
“Hold him down,” Raine ordered, and the chieftain’s daughter began to deftly stitch the wounds shut. Gilreg squirmed in pain and then passed out.
“Will he be alright?” Shaymus asked quietly.
Raine felt Gilreg’s forehead. He was cold. “I don’t know,” she answered.
“Nulrok knows healing magic,” Booger pointed out. They glanced at the prone mage. The dark elf was able to synthesize an antidote, and he fed it to Nulrok’s pale lips.
“You must carry your friends. We are not safe yet,” Bob quietly said. The Envoy was walking on the ground with his wings folded like a cape around his shoulders.
“How much further?” Raine asked.
“Not much. We are close.”
Booger easily scooped Gilreg and Nulrok up onto his broad shoulders. They were in a circular room where the walls were smooth and dark. Their illumination came from glowing blue lines that ran along the walls. Raine recognized that the material of the stone was different from the outside. She couldn’t tell if it was stone or some sort of metal. Three other doors were across from the one that they had entered through. Bob led them through the center door. They hurriedly followed the Envoy through several corridors, intersections, and doors. On two occasions, they needed to sneak past patrolling demons with the aid of the Envoy’s shadow magic. Raine pressed her lips together. She had so many questions. Finally, they stopped in the middle of a long hallway. Bob glanced back and forth.
“We are alone,” Raine said confidently. Her sharp senses did not detect any other beings that could notice them.
Bob nodded at her and knelt on the floor. The Envoy rolled some small animal bones on the floor, sprinkled dust on them, and then intoned a deep incantation. The bones began to glow with a green light, and Raine noticed that a small glowing sigil appeared on the wall in front of them. Bob scooped up the bones, blew away the dust, glanced up and down the hallway, and then pressed his hand on the sigil. A door formed and opened.
“This way,” he gestured for them to enter.
They all filed into a moderately sized square room. There was a fireplace in the wall to their right that illuminated the space and provided warmth. Raine felt a slight sense of relief to be in an area that was lit naturally rather than with the eerie blue light. Bob closed the door behind him, and his posture loosened as he relaxed with a long sigh. He removed his shoes and placed them next to the door. The Envoy moved piles of books and papers from the floor where an intricate carpet was laid. The rug was comfortable to the touch, and he motioned to the orc prince to lay the two injured goblins down on it. Raine checked on Nulrok.
“The antidote is working,” she observed.
“Of course it is,” scoffed Tassarion. The dark elf scowled at the archer and added, “I know my craft.”
Raine didn’t respond and went to check on Gilreg. He was still sleeping, and his temperature was a little warmer. She was concerned about his wound. It was deep and wide and may take weeks to fully heal. Weeks they didn’t have. She hoped that Nulrok’s life magic could do something, but the mage was still asleep, recovering from their own wounds. Bob had provided them with water and offered bowls of mushrooms and fruit. Raine turned to the Envoy and was prepared to ask questions.
“Not yet. Rest first. When everyone is awake, we can talk,” the Envoy said before she could speak.
LATER
Gilreg tenderly touched the scars on his neck and cheek. Nulrok had used life magic to close his wounds. The warrior looked in a mirror that the Envoy had provided.
“We are like twins,” Booger said. The orc patted Gilreg on the back with a thick hand. The orc’s face and neck were equally scarred.
The warrior nodded at the orc prince. He turned to glance at Nulrok. The mage was resting in a chair, and his breathing was slow and measured.
“Thank you,” Gilreg said to the mage, and Nulrok smiled weakly.
“Will you be alright?” The warrior asked.
“Yes, I just need to rest. I’m glad you are well,” the mage responded.
“Maybe if you two can stop getting yourselves nearly killed, we can focus on our mission,” Shaymus snapped.
Nulrok and Gilreg got up to hug her, and she made a show of fighting them off, but eventually, they all embraced. Tassarion scowled deeply at the display of affection. A weakness, he thought to himself. Booger put a heavy arm around the dark elf’s shoulder. Tassarion made to shrug the arm off, but it was too heavy.
“We have been through a lot together. We are all one tribe. A family,” the orc said and smiled warmly at the elf. Tassarion just glanced away, scowling. He gave up trying to remove the arm. He looked very much like a cat that had gotten soaked and was miserable.
Gilreg had started a cooking pot over the fire. Raine had added some of the preserved meat she had hunted in the Scorched Plains. Nulrok and Bob added some herbs. Tassarion sprinkled spices into the pot. Booger and Shaymus just sniffed the rich aroma and licked their lips.
“Now, you tell us what is going on,” Raine commanded the Envoy.
“Right,” said Bob, “where to begin,” the Envoy added with a finger to his pointed chin.
“Start with how you know who we are,” Shaymus said. The rest gathered in a circle in the middle of the room.
“Good idea. Well, you are all a part of the next Story Arc,” Bob answered.
“What?” Raine asked.
“Do you know what a Story Arc is?” Booger asked Shaymus. The pale-eyed goblin shrugged. She was eyeing the food.
“Err, I mean the Prophecy,” Bob corrected.
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“What did you mean by Story Arc?” Raine asked again.
“It’s a Prophecy. Look, let me start from the beginning. You have guessed that the Wastelands was once a proud and rich empire. Right?”
“Ruled by Goblins,” Raine said, and Tassarion scoffed at this.
“Not just goblins, all the races lived here. It was only one server at the time….”
“Server?” The goblins, orc, and dark elf nearly asked as one.
“Err, I mean realm. There was one realm, and then they discovered how to connect with other realms.”
“You are making no sense and giving me a headache,” snapped Shaymus.
“I apologize. It has been a rough few weeks.”
“How about you stop trying to lie to us and tell us straight what is happening,” Gilreg insisted. The others nodded their heads.
“The Wasteland was once a mighty empire ruled by Goblins. The Goblins were advancing in technology and magic. One day, they discovered portals and the Gods. At first, it was an exciting discovery,” Bob said.
“Until everyone learned that the Gods were manipulative and greedy leeches,” stated Tassarion.
“Exactly, except not everyone thought that. Many truly believed in the Gods and still do to this day. A great civil war happened. Enormous magical energies were unleashed, and this once mighty empire was reduced to the Wasteland and the ruins that we now see,” the Envoy said with a flourish of his arms.
“Then why do our stories and songs speak about how we were forced to leave the habitable lands to the east by the High Races? Forced to live here in the Wastelands?” Gilreg.
“That is also true. The story that I have shared happened thousands of years ago. Your clan is the descendants of the refugees that had fled east during the Great War. The Paehton of Five invested heavily in what you have called ‘High Races,’ and as a result, for centuries, goblins and orcs were treated as the ‘lesser’ races,” the Envoy said.
“Do not forget the persecution of my people,” Tassarion stated softly.
“Yes, over time, racial and religious prejudice set in, and that resulted in goblins, orcs, dark elves, and other monstrous races being forced to flee once again. This time into the very Wasteland their ancestors had left,” said Bob.
“Monstrous?” Tassarion snapped. The elf rose to their feet, and his hand went to his sword.
“Excuse me, I was using the term that the High Races use. You all are by no means monstrous,” apologized Bob. Tassarion slowly sat back down, but he glared at the Envoy.
“How long has the Dreaded One been dead?” Raine asked. She had figured it out. Her party members gasped.
“What? You knew?” Bob asked. His jaw was opened.
“I know for sure now. But why else would the demons be fighting amongst themselves if not to see who takes the seat of power,” Raine rationalized.
“It’s been nearly a year. Us Envoys tried to organize a peaceful transition to power, but we failed.”
“Where are the other Envoys?” Booger asked.
“I am the last one,” answered Bob. Booger gasped.
“Greg is gone?” The orc prince asked, his typically deep voice squeaked the question.
Bob nodded solemnly. A tear fell down the orc’s scarred cheek. He wiped it away with a thick, meaty hand.
“Who’s Greg?” asked Shaymus.
“He was the Envoy that would visit with me. He gave me Ole Linda here,” Booger said and hefted his wide-bladed spear. Shaymus gave Booger a gentle hug.
“How is this possible?” Tassarion said. His narrow eyes were wide. The green-haired elf stood up to pace back and forth within the room.
“Nearly two years ago, the Gods developed a way to hide encampments of their favored within the Wasteland. I think they channel their power through their shrines. Before that, Adventurers needed to travel back to Adventurer Port. They couldn’t hide, even after a successful raid, and they were vulnerable out in the open. Plus, we were able to spot them long before they made it into the Dungeon. With the hidden encampments, adventurers were able to rest and organize more efficient raids.”
“Then you started to relocate Haven and the entrances,” Raine said, an understanding was beginning to settle in.
“Exactly! But they were still able to succeed, and about a year ago, a powerful group defeated the Dreaded One,” replied Bob.
“We are being chased by a group of powerful adventurers,” Gilreg stated.
“Yes, and they are here in the Dungeon. You all must prepare for the final climactic showdown!” Bob said with a flourish of his arms and wings spreading out wide.
The Envoy was not rewarded with the applause and excitement he had hoped for. Instead, arrayed before, he was a bunch of blank faces. Booger’s mouth was open, and the orc’s head was tilted to the side. Even the dark elf’s scowl was replaced with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m so confused!” Shaymus whined. The pale-eyed goblin was holding her head in her hands.
“They are here? Where?” Asked Raine.
“I don’t have much information. There is one in the group that is very skilled in Shadow Magic, and if I’m not too careful, she would be able to spot me,” Bob explained.
Nulrok and Shaymus glanced at each other. They both knew who the Envoy was talking about. The Mage Thief had mortally wounded them during their previous encounter. If not for the dark elf Annya’s Life Magic, the two would probably be dead now.
“Tell us what you know,” Gilreg said.
Bob rubbed his face and looked at the ground. The Envoy was shaking his head and mumbling to himself. The others vaguely heard him say, “This was not how it was supposed to go. But we can salvage this. Can we?”
“He’s not right, is he?” Shaymus asked. The demon-touched goblin was pointing one finger at the Envoy.
“I apologize. Like I said, it has been a rough several weeks,” Bob responded. The Envoy was straightening himself out in an effort to compose himself.
“The adventurers that are here, they came to our village, and they were after this,” Gilreg said and lifted the Chalice out of his pack.
Bob’s eyes went wide, and his hands went to his cheeks as his mouth gaped open. The Envoy pointed the finger at the Chalice in Gilreg’s hands. “I nearly have forgotten about the Chalice! That is the key to everything!” He exclaimed.
“Why? And take your time to explain,” Raine insisted. Her lips were pressed together, and her almond-shaped eyes narrowed. She was deadly serious.
“The Gods are massive cosmic beings that live off of the belief of intelligent creatures. But they can also live off of soul energy, which is what they prefer. The Gods are too large to enter this realm, but the portals provide cracks for them to spread their influence. The lie the Gods have told was that they could provide salvation in exchange for worship and, in the case of adventurers, their souls. We Envoys and demons were also discovered through the portals,” explained Bob.
“The dragon Elenorak said that there was no difference between Gods and Demons,” Raine pointed out.
“Elenorak is wise. We are cosmic entities. The difference being was that we were much smaller than the Gods and were able to enter this realm. At first, we loved the chaos we could spread. We also need to feed off of belief, emotions, and soul energy,” continued the Envoy.
“Are their larger demons?” Raine asked.
“Yes, and the Dragon was correct. The larger Demons are essentially the same as Gods. But only us smaller Demons discovered the portals, and during the civil war that laid waste to this land, the largest among us allied with the goblins and the monstrous...err, I mean the races that were not human, elf, or dwarf. This was the Dreaded One, and he put his energy into the Chalice. Anyone who drank from the Chalice could break free from their unfair agreement with the gods. As you can imagine, the Gods were furious with this. This could break their precious hold over their worshipers,” said Bob.
“Let us take the Chalice into the High Race lands and set the people free,” Booger said and rose to his full height. He was ready for action.
“Whoa, slow down! Not so fast. That is the last thing we want to do,” Bob said and motioned with his two hands for Booger to return to their seat.
“Why?” Asked Gilreg, and Booger nodded his head.
“We have a good thing going here. The gods really want the Chalice, and they send hoards of rich adventurers every day to claim it. Adventurers that are filled with emotion, experience, and soul energy. The stuff that we demons need to sustain ourselves. Fighting them keeps us alive. It also worked well for you all. The treasure you earned was enough to keep your tribes going. With the portals, we can trade with other realms for other artifacts and food items. It is a good setup,” explained Bob.
“We can trade with other realms? Why do we continue to stay divided? We could have all united and established a kingdom. Build roads, and find ways to make the land habitable again. Instead, we fight. Always fighting. I do not think this is right,” Booger said, his eyes nearly tearing at the loss of potential. Gilreg and Raine nodded in agreement.
Bob shook his head vigorously and said, “Okay, we are getting off-topic here. The Chalice was a lure for adventurers, but when we began to suspect that they were able to make hidden encampments within the Wasteland, we knew it would be only a matter of time before they were able to become a real threat to us. So we hid the Chalice with the Mudrock Tribe and assigned a Chosen One. In the event that the Dreaded One was defeated, the Chosen One will return with the Chalice and revive the Dreaded One,” Bob explained, and he was looking directly at Shaymus.
The Pale-Eyed goblin had stopped listening and was picking their pointed nose. She noticed that it became quiet and looked up. All eyes in the room were on her. She blinked and flicked her snot into the fire. Everyone was still looking at her.
“What?” she asked.
“I don’t believe that! Why this goblin? Why not one from the dark elves? Surely we are more capable,” Tassarion objected.
“Watch yourself,” hissed Shaymus.
“Surely you all know by now that she is demon-touched,” Bob said and motioned with his hand toward the pale-eyed goblin.
Gilreg was thinking. He had his arms crossed and rested his chin in one hand. His eyes were looking into the fire of the cooking pot. Raine was sitting next to them. She saw the look on his face.
“What are you thinking?” She asked him. The others had stopped talking and looked at the two.
“I don’t like this,” Gilreg answered. The warrior continued, “It was not what I expected. We made it this far, and our options are limited. We need to know more about the situation here.”
Raine nodded, looked at Bob, and said, “Tell us about the different demon groups and what you know about the adventurers.”
“There are two tasks you need to complete. One, you will need to bring the Chalice to the Dreaded One’s remains. Put some of the Chosen One’s blood into the Chalice and pour it on the remains. This will bring the Dreaded One back. Two, you will need to defeat the adventurers,” explained Bob.
“That was not what we asked,” said Raine.
“We have not agreed to fulfill your ‘Story Arc,” Gilreg added.
“What?!?!” Cried, Bob.
“You heard him,” hissed Shaymus. The Pale-Eyed Goblin had remained quiet and became unnoticed. She was able to sneak up close to the Envoy, and now she was in his face with a dagger to his throat.
“Shaymus!” Exclaimed the goblin warrior.
“He is playing games with us, Gilreg. He has an agenda, and I don’t like it. Here is a little incentive for him to answer our questions truthfully,” the demon-touched goblin hissed as she eyed Bob. Her blade was held with a steady hand and a deadly purpose.
Bob gulped visibly. The Envoy’s eyes were on Shaymus, and he said, “The gods send their adventurers into the Wasteland to get the Chalice. They were getting harder to defeat, and the Dreaded One created a backup plan. About ten years ago, he put a little of his essence into a goblin child. That was you, and he sent the Chalice to the Mudrock Clan. In the event that he was defeated, the idea was for you to bring the Chalice back to him by spilling a little of your demon-touched blood into the cup that will activate its magic. You can revive the Dreaded One by pouring, from the Chalice, your blood onto his remains. As the Chosen One, as the Demon Touched, That is what you must do.”
Shaymus pressed her dagger harder into Bob’s throat. The point pierced the Envoy’s skin and drew dark black blood. The Envoy gasped and averted his gaze from her.
“Tell us about the demons fighting each other and where the adventurers are. I will not ask again,” Shaymus growled.
Bob turned to look back at Shaymus. This time, his jaw was set, and his eyes more focused. Through gritted teeth, he said, “The Scorazan are the insect-like Demons. Their leader is Golob. The flying demons are Caizene, and their leader calls himself Red Fang.”
Booger laughed at the name, and Tassarion snorted. Raine and Gilreg glared at the two, and they became silent. Bob continued.
“The Scorazan and Caizene served as Guardians to the many dungeons and ruins. Defending its treasure and feeding off the experience gained from defeating adventurers. Us Envoys are called the Nazareth. We are a noble class within the pits of Hell. The Dreaded One was of our ranks and our leader. He was probably the strongest demon that was able to pass through the portals into the Mortal Realm.”
“And the adventurers? Where are they now?” Asked Raine.
“Last I saw them, they had defeated Goloab of the Scorazan. They have taken his heart, and now the Scorazan obey them.”
“That does not sound good,” observed Booger.
“It is not,” replied Bob.
“How is that even possible?” Cried Tassarion.
“The Adventurers have a powerful wizard that knows the rituals and the ways of Demonkind. With the Heart of a Demon Lord, they were able to bind the lesser demons to their will.”
“Take us to Red Fang,” ordered Gilreg.
“There is no need for that. Use this one’s blood and revive the Dreaded One. His remains are still in his chamber. The adventurers are heading to fight the Caizene, and the chamber is unguarded,” pleaded Bob. He had indicated a nod of his chin toward Shaymus.
“I do not think we should partake in the Envoy’s schemes. We ally with Red Fang. While the Caizene fight the Scorazn, we will engage the adventurers. We take the heart from them, and we will unite all the demons again,” the goblin warrior said.
“Don’t be silly! Just raise the Dreaded One!” Exclaimed Bob.
“I do not like the Dreaded One’s endless cycle of conflict for their own gain. I agree with Gilreg. Let us defeat the Adventurers, unite the Demons, and begin working on uniting all of the Wasteland,” Booger said. The orc stood up tall to his impressive height.
“I also agree with that plan,” Nulrok said.
Tassarion scowled and chose not to participate. Raine looked to Shaymus.
“Chosen One, what is your decision?” the chieftain’s daughter asked.
“Don’t call me that!” Snapped Shaymus.
“Whatever you say...Chosen One,” Nulrok joked, and Booger laughed.
Shaymus sneered and leaned close to Bob’s face with her pale eyes. “Take us to Red Fang,” she hissed. Her hot breath blew into the Envoy’s face.
“Very well. Time is running out, and I can not argue against your foolishness any longer,” said Bob.