Oswald Manfred, The Crawling Death

My words stunned her for a second, but she was quick to recover. "I see... you do not remember your apprentice yet?"

"I had an apprentice?" I looked her over, waiting for her to tell me more. The implication was clear enough, whoever Richard was, he meant something to me.

She lowered her head, "Yes, and I would suggest you wait until those memories come back. I feel it might be why you decided to spare others, but your reasoning was very convoluted. Almost as if you didn't know what you wanted. I can guess at your reasons, but we both know that is a waste of time. Instead, I will ask you to work with my people."

I shook my head, "You have my memories, you know I work better alone. The less allies I have to worry about killing, the better. As far as I know you could be lying about this supposed apprentice. I'll find out after I'm done." I started to turn away.

"You regretted exiling him the first time. You were worried that he was someone planted by king Charles. You had him exiled just so you could talk to the king. The second time was because Charles made plans that could use him. The final time was also planned, and you hurt him with a faked death." I stopped where I was, letting her give me this information.

Lowering my head, I was certain she realized what I would do if she lied to me. My gas cloak swirling around me, as I considered how likely it was. "Is he here?"

"No, but you were told he'd come. You were happy about that." I wasn't going to let her words convince me to be idle. There was too much work to be done.

"Then you know it doesn't matter. I'm going to set up a perimeter with traps that can be activated. I expect this to take a couple weeks. You will follow my orders if you want those in the vault to be rescued. Your memories were very helpful in figuring out a plan of attack, and the first thing I need is to secure you, then work my way to the Underneath and the wet beards. Living on the Aether moss that grows on your flesh, and the scraps your raid parties manage to bring back won't keep this operation going." I started walking away again.

"Please... you don't have to kill the doppelgangers. I can save them! You know I can!" She was almost begging, but I continued walking. She probably understood the traps I planned on laying would also act as a way to kill her kin here if she thought about betraying me. |"You're so used to people using you, that genuine kindness throws you off completely. That's how he worked his way in!"|

I gritted my teeth, still continuing my walk towards the first location to set up my traps. |"Stay out of my head, and do not speak of this again. I am a tool for my king. This kingdom that has festered and rotted will be weak when we acquire it. Still we will not let the monster king take this place. Your plans will take decades to mean anything, and the dwarves you swore to protect will all be dead. I need resources, since what you have isn't enough. Do not push your luck, the only reason this place isn't smothered is because I know you held no malice when you did this to me."|

She made the smart move of listening to me. In my younger years she could have been a friend, but a century of politics had worn me down to this degree. A century of my own family taking advantage of me, all of it too much. I was tired, exhausted, and a husk of a dwarf. I just wanted this task to be over, and yet the complexity came from having salvageable terms with this new race of monsters untouched by the monster king's influence.

I inspected every entrance, confirming the traps I would want for the tunnels leading to it, and the area around it. I saw doppelgangers and Piklins all around me, they had guards and scouts at least. Even the piles of flesh that were just resting in the open were Piklins that could be used to inform others. In terms of a warning system it was clever, but still it was nowhere near enough to stop an army. Mary was foolish, in that she hoped any army of doppelgangers could be stopped by her brushing her soul against them. By freeing them, but the process itself would take too long, and their numbers would dwindle.

Besides, doppelgangers were hardly the problem. The issue was the chief of the no beards plucking the Piklins away. His kingdom was a bulwark against the other mimic queens. The most tactical thing would to have that tribe saved for last. I contacted a few Piklins, informing them of the ingredients I needed for stone cutter slurry. I didn't need to use the tunnels that were already here, when I could just make one going directly where I needed it. The excess stone could be molded into shells for the creatures to use.

It was time to whip these monsters into shape, and prepare them for defending themselves. Their Queen was weak, and didn't understand the art of conquest. She might have an inkling from the memories I held, but my simple approaches paled in comparison to Charles' master strokes. There was no threat in letting them have that understanding, nor training them. It was more important that they could defend themselves, so I could actually focus on my job. Then they might have a chance with their queen's plans.

A couple days was needed for the slurry to be made, while I watched the 'protectors' fight and spar with each other. They were incredibly slow, and hesitant to get any meaningful hits in. More like children fighting, than a guardian meant to protect others. Even the doppelganger dwarves didn't realize you could increase your magical potency by simply using it constantly. I just shook my head, regretting all the work I'd have to put in. It was still better than leaving them here alone like this.

The stone cutter slurry was done, and I had one of the Piklin take the barrel and pour it slowly in an area in clear view of the others. A place that could be easily seen at all times of the day. The slurry sizzled, going from clear to gray as the liquid melted the stone, and absorbed it. I watched it, focusing on moving the stone outside of the slurry to make a self containing wall as the liquid sank and more was poured in to make it somewhat like a well. One barrel was done, as I continued my work, asking the next to be poured in. The slurry was moved as I manipulated it around the stone, carving the excess into pieces of armor and material for the Piklins.

The wall of the well collapsed inwards since I made a decently sized hole spiraling downwards. The walls themselves converted into more armor. I grabbed a piece handing it to Ann, who put it in a pile as ordered. By the time a full set was place, a crowd had gathered to watch me work. Some of the Piklin without armor were carried over as I adjusted the sizes to accommodate them. It would take weeks for my slurry to make the tunnel where I needed it, the entire thing slowly spiraling downwards at an angle to connect to one of the tunnels the wet beards should have.

The fleshy creatures started getting restless as more armor was pulled out, Ann going inside the tunnel after I gave her the signal. It was a short drop for her, but the space was perfect for allowing one of them in at a time. I turned my attention to those that had gathered, while letting the doppelganger brain focus solely on making the armor and advancing the slurry. It was exceptionally helpful to have two brains I could use for such things.

The crowd had grown to nearly a hundred souls, made bigger by the different sized stone bodies the Piklins used. It was all too easy to make these things for them. The memories and ideas from Mary allowing me to make the perfect sets for these creatures. Each set allowing me to assert my magic over it so that I could watch them, and tell where they were. A bit of protection for them and myself, a way to weed out any that might try to betray me or their kin.

I walked towards the pile while the crowd murmured to themselves. A few of the Piklin without armor crawling themselves towards it. Now was the time to spin my lie, when they were at their most curious. I climbed on top of the pile, a ring of black smoke spreading around it to keep those too enamored at bay. At the top I spread my arms, looking over the crowd of Piklin and Doppelgangers. A hush fell over them, as I gestured to them all.

"For too long you have endured." I let my words linger, the start loud enough for them to properly hear while the rest grew quieter to draw their attention in. Allowing me to gauge how loud I needed to be to hammer in my points, as well as keeping their attention focused on this little speech. I could feel them talking to each other through their connections, none of them wanting to miss a word. I raised a hand, motioning them to stop.

"Your entire lives, you have lived in these tunnels. You have heard stories of the world outside, the sky that stretches farther than anyone can reach. You have struggled to gather supplies to scrape out a life in these tunnels, and for what!? To protect a race of people that do not even acknowledge your existence? To suffer for those that would enslave your brothers and sisters, and lock them in a vault!? I have the memories of Mary, I know the situation you are in, and the trials you have endured!" The crowd was silent, as those on the edges sent signals for others to join. I could feel their emotions, as they clung to every word.

The smoke ring started to rise over the pile, concealing it, as Ann dropped one last piece onto it. She started to go back, but noticed the commotion and stayed. Black gas rose past my shoulders, spreading out to provide visuals, while my own form appeared to loom. My goggles glowing green, as I shifted my head to watch them. The anticipation and pauses before the my next words only serving to engage them even more.

When enough joined I continued, "For decades you have been without! You have suffered hunger, you have endured without armor, you have survived the monsters that lurked the dark corners of these tunnels. The Piklin have kept the mimic queens at bay, with infighting. The doppelgangers you have saved have aided in this, and gathered supplies where they could. Look around you, there is not a single dwarf here! The doppelgangers know this truth more than anyone!"

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I paused, as a few doppelgangers looked down, the former dwarves starting to realize what they lost. Some of them forced to accept what they wanted to deny, even if their minds were their own. They were no longer dwarves. It was a point that needed to be hammered in, I put my hand to my chest. "Even I am no longer a dwarf! I fear that at any moment, I could lose myself! That my body might no longer be my own, because these monsters surrounding us might take control! Yet, they have not! Even their leader, who set us free from the control of the mimic queens, has yet to reclaim the freedom given back to us."

I could feel the doubt, some held, giving way to hope. I could feel the bitter acceptance as the doppelgangers let my words sink in. There were no dwarves here, only monsters. I struck when I felt them wonder what to do next, what ideals they needed. "It is liberating, is it not?" My voice booming to quell any errant thoughts. I hated this attention, but I needed them unified. I needed them to see me as something more than a powerful mage making miracles happen before their eyes. I needed to be able to do no wrong, and able to doubt Mary, so I could leave them when I had the chance.

"We are no longer bound by the traditions of our ancestors, because we are no longer a part of them. We have taken steps to secure materials, supplies, and such for our saviors that have endured!" The doppelgangers became enamored by my words. "A debt must be repaid in full, and they have given us the ability to choose! We are more than the dwarves we were! We are the freed! We shall work with these monsters, because we ourselves are monsters! We decide what that means, and we will have honor greater than those fools that would enslave our Piklin sisters!"

The doppelgangers cheered, their excitement reaching a peak. I pulled the gas below me into my cloak. The pile of armor revealed again, "We must secure all tunnels leading to this place. We must set traps and snares for would be attackers. Only after we have secured a safe haven for our own, can we move forward and grow properly. We will strike at groups and lure them here to grow our numbers from the enemies ranks. To do this, we must train! We are no longer victims thrust into a losing situation. We are the freed, because our victory is now certain!"

The Piklins rattled their armor, while the doppelgangers cheered. I flew off the pile as they surged forward, the Piklins shrugging off pieces too tight for them, while others reclaimed what they could. Some of them forgoing the armor they already had, just to have a piece made by myself. I floated to the side, satisfied by the fact that they were still watching out for each other even though they were almost tearing through the stone armor I made for them. All of them wanting a piece to show their dedication, and freedom. The few that lingered behind were smarter than their peers, but I had the majority on my side for now.

I floated to the doppelgangers, telling them the materials and supplies we'll need. There were a few that hesitated, more than expected, but that was likely due to how little they actually had. Stone was plentiful, but I was burning through their alchemy supplies, their ropes, and everything that could potentially be used. They had been resigned to this fate for too long, so used to not being able to do anything about their situation. One of them whispered my name before rushing off to do as asked.

The glimmer of hope showing in their eyes as they stared at me one last time before moving. I watched as they moved, gathering everything. It would be simple enough to end them all here. To make an explosive that would collapse everything on top of them all. To trap them, and let acid eat away at them. I let out a small breath, shaking my head inside my cloak. I wasn't supposed to think like that, they were useful to Charles. They would help us in time, as we helped them.

The next week was spent teaching them the basics of how to use their magic better. The tunnels were lined with traps that could be triggered manually. They all worked in shifts, setting everything up, and sending groups down to retrieve the armor I was leaving behind in the tunnels for them to use. A crew of stone elementalists set about making a store room just to put all the armor. They were slowly learning how to fight in a way that didn't resemble a bar brawl. They were slowly learning the importance of covering for each other, and creating opportunities.

Mary was reluctant to teach them the ways of fighting, but a few days of arguing on the importance of self defense wasn't lost on her. Most of the time she sulked, her flesh stretching to choke points and tunnels. She made most of the traps I spent time on useless, since she had enough flesh to just collapse tunnels around would be attackers. Something that frustrated me, and made me question what else she kept hidden.

I spent another couple days making certain everything was secure, and all traps were actually useful in case anything could get through Mary's defenses. With five days left, and all the supplies I could carry, I left them. The plan was to return with enough supplies to keep them going for a few years. I knew the tunnels systems, and evidently the airship dock was somewhat repaired. I had a sneaking suspicion that charles would have something sent out for me soon enough. The lock down on trade should be in effect, making it impossible to trade with elves for a decade or two. More than enough time for us to clean this mess up.

I moved through the tunnels, my cloak carrying me along the ceiling while I felt vibrations in the air, and saw through my goggles. It was strange to sense the mimics I moved over. I left them alive to keep my movements hidden. The young mimic queens I did find were melted and turned into a stain before I moved on.

It only took a day to reach the port, the damage done to it still lingering as I looked about the place. Dwarves, doppelgangers, and mimics littered the place. I searched for something that reacted to my will, and found myself entering an abandoned warehouse with a mostly decayed mimic. Examining the body allowed me to realize I had been out of it for roughly six or seven months. Something that confirmed Mary's story, but they struggled with telling time. I shook my head, before looking around.

I found the warehouse's sign, faded and worn where it was half fallen. The image of a ring with a gemstone on it. I stopped myself from sighing at the lack of literacy among the dwarves, checking the corners of the sign, before feeling along the back with my gas. I managed to find the emblem of Eclipse chiseled where no body would see. The words, "Fuck Taylor," chiseled and almost completely faded roughly a meter away from where the emblem pointed, at the top of the sign. A few more bits of graffiti littering the back of the sign itself to hide the secret message.

I looked around the abandoned street, watching the workers in the distance. None of them noticing the shadow moving in the darkness. I took in the signs around me, trying to see which warehouse was which. I found one with a quill dipped in ink, another with a thread and needle, and even so on. I stopped at the tailor's warehouse reaching behind the sign with my gas. I found another emblem this time pointing down at the ground, effectively making it upside down. On the opposite side was, "I hate stone work, not enough coin." I ignored the rest, stepping inside the warehouse.

Inside the building, I could feel a few mimics had moved in to fill the gap from those killed so long ago. Silk was ruined, likely pushing this place way back on the list of things to renovate. It was effectively a warehouse filled with trash that couldn't be salvaged. This should be the place, which once again made me wonder how many decades in advance Charles planned for all of this. I tried to feel if there was anything that might have ink I once mixed, or stains I left upon it. Nothing was revealing itself that way. I spread tendrils of gas along the tiled floor. Trying to feel if there were any cracks, while I searched for a safe.

I either needed to find a spot and break through the ground, or what I needed was hidden inside a safe. Either way, I was supposed fuck the tailor by breaking something. It wasn't an exact science, but it was enough to lead me where I needed to be most times. I frowned at the memories of the near misses I had in the past, with puzzles like these proving too convoluted and ambiguous to figure out.

There was no discolored tile, or grout line slightly deeper than the rest. I sighed to myself, going through each room, looking for a safe. I made sure to check any hiding places for a rune key to the safe. Sadly there was none to be found, which made sense given the former owner of this place was either dead or a doppelganger. I found the safe on the top floor, embedded in the stone wall. With a shrug, I used some of the slurry to eat away at the edges of the wall, before pulling the entire safe out to look at the runes on the back.

I stared at the etchings for a couple minutes, before pouring a few drops of rust maker close to the runes themselves. The metal oxidizing in circles around the runes to let me pop them off once I was finished. I looked into the hole, pausing as I saw the wine bottle that had been hiding just behind the safe. I rolled my eyes, still determined to get a few coins for this little treasure hunt.

I pulled out the bottle, seeing the wax enchantment placed on it. Made by old Solomon, who simply had the talent to enchant wax seals. There were only a dozen of them left now, and I thought about not breaking the glass just to preserve the memory. I shook my head, knowing the bastard would be more disappointed if I didn't break something he worked so hard for. I threw the bottle against the wall, the thing exploding as the enchantment itself was broken. A satchel much like the one I wore now, falling to the ground.

I walked over, picking up the beautifully embroidered satchel. Not a stitch out of place, as memories of Lily came back to me. The kind lich, would have loved seeing her work come out of one of her wines. I opened the satchel, feeling the empty space inside. The raw materials and ingredients for everything I would ever need while I was here. The satchel of holding was well worth the detour. I felt around, finally pulling out the envelope after I finished taking stock of it all.

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Dear Ozzy,

You have discovered the bag of holding I left for you in the kingdom of Dwarves. I don't know when you'll ever come to this kingdom, but I feel it in my bones. Call it fate, call it destiny, but something will pull you back here. I couldn't bring myself to throw away everything in your first lab. I'm still working with the splicers to get our Queen a body that can hold both parts of her soul. It's been rough, and you're going to become a hermit before long. Lily liked the idea of you getting this bag long before the monster king came. Solomon will be long dead before you even read this letter, but he always respected you. I feel the unspoken pact with the people grinding away at my mind. I am supposed to protect them, and it is fueling my power. With every new generation, and every decade I spend in this kingdom, I become stronger. I become what they need in a king, someone who puts the good of all before his own desires.

It slows all my plans down, it makes me act in ways I don't want to. This isn't a cry for help, but me asking you to understand why I left you to rot all these years. I know I will, and I'm sorry I can't reach you in time, like everyone else. It feels like even though I have all this power at the tips of my fingers, I am just moments too late for those I care for.

Almost all of our friends are gone, or will probably be by the time you get to this point. I couldn't stop the monster king, because something so much worse would come if he doesn't exist. It's too much, but I keep our Queen alive to push me through the days. My singular focus on trying to revive her, searching for a way to ensure this damned world keeps living. One day we will kill the gods that make it so hard to get everything right. Please promise me that you'll kill me if I ever decide to burn the world down, to destroy this sand castle we built for her.

Never forget, you're always at your best when you're alone. You are death, stalking all enemies to Eclipse. Even if that enemy was a friend.

Your unfortunate ruler, Charles