Val’ goth began to grumble at the fact that his lady’s entertainment vanished in thin air. But being the professional right-hand man he was, he moved effortlessly to the next topic of contention. A smirk began to creep across my face. I realized he had a little bit of character to him.
“Since the pet, I had provided for you to play with has gone, I suppose we should start the tour” as he said this, he made a snap-on his fingers. Soon a servant came through a side entrance and stood before him.
“Is the carriage ready for travel?” The servant nodded, “Then let us depart.”
He moved toward the double door motioning me to follow, walking down the corridors to the entrance and the grand procession waiting for me. The first thing that catches the eye is, of course, the carriage made of ebony with gold dancing around the wheels. My symbol, engraved on the side in jade, stands confident in a sea of black. Pulling the wagon is two large black horses with a ghostly main. Surrounding it was a group consisting of several palace guards formed in two rows either side of a red carpet. Approaching the guards began to salute as we passed, finally stepping into the comfy interior. I was sitting on the dark velvet cushions Val’goth taking the seat flanking me. He tapped the wall above him, and the carriage began to move at a steady pace.
Pulling out a black book from his side pocket, “The first thing on the schedule is to meet the high priest. Though I must warn you, he is a little over the top for my taste, but he is dutiful.”
As he begins to describe the rest of the schedule for the day, I look outside the curtained windows at the city inhabitants. Some are wearing cloaks to hide their faces, but others have their faces exposed. But looking at their attire, I can guess they are powerful enough to move around without worry.
“Are you evening listening, my lady?” His words pulled me out of my wandering gaze. Looking over at him, he had a slight hint of in his voice while his face was perfectly neutral.
“I’m sure it will be ok, just get me to the places I’m supposed to be, and then I’ll take care of the rest.”
As he begins to describe the rest of the schedule for the day, I look outside the curtained windows at the city inhabitants. Some are wearing cloaks to hide their faces, but others have their faces exposed. But looking at their attire, I can guess they are powerful enough to move around without worry.
“Are you evening listening, my lady?” His words pulled me out of my wandering gaze. Looking over at him, he had a slight hint of indignation in his voice while his face was perfectly neutral.
“I’m sure it will be ok, just get me to the places I’m supposed to be, and then I’ll take care of the rest.”
I’m not a coach hand looking for my next meal. I’m your loyal advisor,” he pouted a little “Could you at least listen to a little bit, my lady.”
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Wanting to tease him a little for the uncharacteristic display, “Fine, I’ll listen just this once, but the next time I’ll need some convincing.” Soon he has given himself a nod of satisfaction as if he had won some battle. Now that he had my ear, he was ramping up to start his speech again when the carriage came to a halt.
“Sir, we have arrived at the temple.”
Wow, this city must be more significant than I thought since nearly twenty-minute have passed to reach the temple. Vol’Goth almost reluctantly opened the door and proceeded out to help me down. Stepping down was practically a disaster. I didn’t bother to look down. The building that stood in front of me looked like the Parthenon. Still, it was slightly twisted and corrupted with tentacles like pillars spanning across the front, With the roof section showing a diagram of the torture of humans by the demons. Following Vol’goth up the stair towards the entrance, I soon realized the under the pillars were humanoids being crushed with weary faces. Past the supports into the interior, a faint chanting could be heard from an undetermined source. The main area of worship looked like a slaughterhouse with many altars placed on the side walls with new sacrifice. In the middle, a line of pews flanked a large open Dias where a podium was raised to an elevated position. Thought the most impressive thing of all was the statue on the far wall, which depicted me on a platform held up by humanoids in chains struggling to carry the weight. On the one hand, outstretched hung my symbol brighten by a brazer, and on the other hand, it held a planet.
After viewing the room, we began to make our way to the back. Good thing that the temple was empty; otherwise, I’m sure there would have been a commotion. Soon we find ourselves dwarfed by the massive statue which, on closer inspection, I find the ones holding it up are the many races that can be found in the game. Elves, Dwarves, and Humans find their home under my feet AS IT SHOULD BE. The voice from earlier seemed to rear its ugly head again. I was shrugging off what it has said. Though I totally don’t disagree with it. Am I turning into the bad guy now? I’ll have to spend some thinking about this particular problem. The sound of a heavy door opening brings me out of my thoughts as an elder demon in thick dark robes approaches us.
Welcome, my lady, to my humble temple. I hope that this servant can be of the utmost help to use.” as he says, he kowtows to the ground as if worshiping a god. I wait a minute. I am a god.
Looking over to Vol’goth, I catch the tail end of an eye roll as he starts to stroke his face.
“I’m sure it will be of great help to us in the coming years.” hearing this, the priest stopped his worship and bolted back to standing, showing a glistening eye as if he had been crying.
“Thank you! I will not let you down. Not that has been settled, let us move on to the other subjects.” adjusting his hat made of maddening shapes, he began to move from he had come from expecting us to follow. Deciding to take the initiative, I followed behind him a few steps. So we found ourselves in winding passages with rooms and chambers on either side with no clear indication of where we were going. Soon we came to a set of double doors with the picture of the masses worshiping my symbol with a keyhole in the center.
Your bath of faith has been prepared for many years, waiting for you to return. He pulled a key from under his robe and slots it and turns it with some enthusiasm. A loud click is heard as the doors slowly open in a room that looks like a royal bathhouse. With mosaic stretched across every surface, in the center of the bathhouse sits a black circle, but as you get closer, it turns out that is the bath. The priest seemed to present the blackness to me then turn to leave with Val’ goth in tow.
Damn, we should have brought a maid since now I have the bath to myself but no one to help me out of clothes. Well, here goes nothing. First, I remove the robes, the simple part. Staring at the dress, it is a tight fit, but I don’t find it uncomfortable. Reaching to my back, I find that there is no zipper but a lacing down the back. Soon I grab the knot at the top of my back and begin to loosen it in a very time-consuming method, but it finally comes loose. I’m free. Now naked, I can’t help but look at the body I created with my own hands. The feeling was more of admiration than anything sensual. Shrugging my shoulder, I made my way to the black pool. Standing on the edge, I find no reflection staring back at me, just the abyss in front of me. Bracing myself, I reach out a toe and dip it into the black. Feeling it on my toe feels so good that it surprises me a little. Soon I yearn to enter the bath as if I had not bathed in years; I wanted to be clean. Before long, I find myself immersed up to my head in the liquid, finding total bliss in it. Closing my eyes, I let my head below the surface.