The lamias get to have their names in Zulu. Simply because they have a tribal and warlike feel to them. As always with the races in my fiction their cultures aren't always based on the languages I use for them. Only some slight resemblance somewhat.
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Vigil and Culus began work on the notebook before them. It took a full year to decrypt. During that time Culus read the decrypted book, Vigil learned the basics of the dwarven and lamia languages.
Vigil became fluent in the dwarven language during the time there. Unlike the lamia language he used the dwarven language everyday and conversed with native speakers. But he did use the lamia language to help with decrypting Aliquid's notes.
Along the way there was several bumps. Vigil bumped into Nános a few times but never saw Afigitís or the bartender during his errands. Since Vigil could walk around the city without any sort of magic he was in charge of buying necessities like food, water, pens, ink, and paper.
He sold the last of his animal and monster pelts in order to buy the necessities. Even still he had to do a few hard labor jobs along the way.
One time after learning the dwarvish language he tried to talk to Nános. Thinking something might've changed with time.
Vigil: Nános what's going on?
Nános: What I feel towards you is toleration. I'm not your friend, I'm just an acquaintance that hopes to see you gone soon. Do not talk to me ever again.
Vigil: Could you at least tell me where Afigitís went? I haven't seen him since we entered the city. He wasn't even in any taverns I know of.
Nános: Hah Afigitís is much more professional here in Hephaestus Dýnami. He's probably already made a deal and left.
Nános then left before Vigil could say anything more. Leaving behind a clear message, stronger than the spoken one.
Vigil was disappointed but didn't dwell on it too much. Dwarves had long lives compared to humans so he was confident he would reunite with Afigitís eventually.
Returning to the office he found Culus bouncing around happily. Vigil was slightly confused at first until he saw what Culus did.
Vigil: You cracked the code?!
Culus: Yes now we just need to translate it.
Today I infiltrated a dwarven city by the name of Hephaestus Dýnami. It was a simple thing to do. Simply kill a dwarf on the exterior and use some magic to put it in my veins and accumulate in my hand. I managed to just barely pass this way.
I think once I make my immortal body I'll make it automatically do this. But only when nearby dwarves.
I wonder what parts of the dwarves shall I use? The adaptability of their livers to break down alcohol? Their complex brain that processes logic with ease? Or their dexterous hands? So many possibilities have opened up.
Much more prospects with the dwarves than the lamias. But just in case I need to return I hid an undead near one of their settlements. It has the ability to use necromancy itself so it should last a few centuries without dying.
Leaving behind my journals everywhere is quite amusing. They're encrypted quite well so I have no worries. Hrmm I should just summarise my journey later on, my memory isn't as good as it used to be.
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I've successfully established a doctor's office in the city. I just showed off a bit of healing magic and they flocked to me like chickens with their heads cut off. Especially the Éfpistos family, who were kind enough to lend me a building for my medical practises.
Dwarves aren't very skilled when it comes to magic. So a magic user with healing talents is well received in this city. I've had a chance to acquire plenty of blood samples.
But it's not enough for my research. They burn their dead and are thorough when they do this. No chance for me to get any bodies.
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I've found a dwarf that would make for a great sample. The granddaughter of Éfpistos's head of the family.
She's not a full dwarf but she has some interesting qualities. She isn't dexterous with her hands like most dwarves. Plus she's unusually emotional. Most dwarves are logical when sober, even the females.
What catches me the most is her eyes. Normally a dwarf can see things much better than a human. An adaption for working on contraptions with small parts. But her eyes are even better.
They adapt way too fast to changes. She can be in a dark room then see a bright light and not be blinded. Then she can see fine details on things close to her or far away. Kósmima is her name, very suiting for her. Her precious deep light green eyes are like emeralds.
I originally assumed her father, a half-dwarf by the name of Nános, was half human. But it seems that he's something else.
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After some research on their blood I determined that Nános is half-dwarf, quarter-human, and quarter-elf. Thus his daughter is quarter elf. Which explains her amplified emotions and better eyesight.
I also found out that Nános is adopted through my blood experiments. This might have some backstory to it but I'm too busy with research and healing to find out.
Kósmima's eyes are even better than the eyes of the elves I collected before. I must have at least one of them. But it'd be a pity to kill her in the process. Since only her eyes appeal to me.
Perhaps some sort of 'accident' would be sufficient to acquire an eye. It would be difficult to plan but Kósmima is adventurous so there'll be opportunities.
Cut the eye a little bit then heal it. But heal it when nobody is around and as she's unconscious. Then I can take the eye and tell her family that I couldn't save it so I had to remove it.
If they ask to see the removed eyeball I can always use a bit of illusion magic. Perhaps use a little bit of meat too in case they try burning it like they do with dead dwarves.
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I waited until Nános left on a business trip then set up a trap. But everything went wrong. There was too many witnesses and Kósmima died.
I mistimed it, the trap skewered her eye and kept going into her brain. I ran to the scene and tried healing her. I'm more skilled than a healing archmage but it was beyond my abilities.
Then I took her other eye and hid it away. But at this time someone else came along and saw me put the eye away.
There was no excuses I could make at this point. The dwarf assumed correctly that I killed her. Then started yelling at the top of his lungs.
I was forced to silence him. But others were there too, crushing my chances of bluffing my way out of the situation. So I ran back to my office to get my research materials. I wasn't going to massacre an entire city again.
When I got back the entire Éfpistos family was there. They wanted an explanation. At this point the events were already passed onto them.
Dwarves have unique communication devices. They can spread news around very quickly. But still the Éfpistos wanted my side of the story.
I told them the truth, at least part of it. That I tried healing Kósmima but failed. Then took her remaining eye because I wanted to research her eyes.
The Éfpistos had mixed reactions to this. Some were disgusted and wanted to kill me. Others still appreciated all the help I've given people and wanted to give me a second chance. The head of the family resolved this by telling me to leave.
I gathered up everything I could then went downstairs. Only to find an elite guard of dwarven warriors holding the Éfpistos hostage.
I told them that it was pointless to hold hostages. That I was leaving the city out of my own choice.
They responded by telling me "Your punishment is death not banishment.". So I made him explode with my magic. Hoping to escape in the confusion and flying guts.
No such luck, the other guards killed the hostages then attacked me. These guys were cold and ruthless. Bad choice for them though.
I revived the hostages with necromancy and used them as a distraction. Then I burned a few of them alive.
The remaining two warriors had some good parts on them. So I had the zombified Éfpistos dismember them.
Now I'm taking my sweet time to finish this up. Then I'll pack up as much parts as I can and leave.
After reading the notes Vigil stood up and walked to a mirror in the office. He looked at his own face and saw that his eyes were different colours. One was a deep crimson red, while the other was an emerald green.
Culus: Woah not as cruel as I expected, but much colder. He brushed off death like it was a minor thing. What are you doing-oh that eye...
Vigil: It's nothing important, let's go.
Culus: Go where? The elven village or the lamia village?
Vigil then pulled a map out of the last page of Aliquid's notes. It was a rough sketch of a path from a spot in a forest north of Prefuga to the dwarven city they were at.
Vigil: Whatever the spot in this forest is.
Culus: Hopefully it's not an elven village. I don't know that language. But it would be fun anyways.
They went downstairs and headed towards the exit. Against the wall was a bunch of stains from Vigil's pile of gore. Culus helped him clean it up but it stained anyways. Culus never questioned what it was from.
They walked through the city while getting several curious glances. Culus never bothered to disguise himself as a dwarf again. If he got caught then they'd just throw him out anyways.
When they were on the elevator it started shaking a lot more than usual. Halfway up it suddenly crumpled inwards like aluminium foil wrapping around them.
Then everything went back to normal with the sound of Culus's laughter. Vigil looked around curiously while the dwarves completely panicked.
Dwarf: We're all going to die!
Dwarf: I don't want to die!
Dwarf: I'm still a virgin...
Dwarf: I shat in my pants!
Some of the dwarves shouted out all sorts of strange phrases alongside heavy swearing. A few just huddled up, shivered, or laughed maniacally.
When the elevator reached the surface the dwarves continued to panic. A few ran out into the crowd while screaming.
Vigil and Culus walked out of the building. Leaving behind a chaotic scene. One of the guards noticed them leave, but didn't confront them. The guards were too busy settling down the panicking dwarves.
Vigil: Why did you do that?
Culus: I can, so I did.
They traveled through the outskirts and got lost. Neither of them knew the path down. Apparently it took Culus a month to find the entrance to the city. While Vigil just followed the dwarves and didn't take note of the eccentric path.
Vigil: We're lost, what do we do now? Ask for directions from that guard over there.
Vigil pointed at a guard leaning against a railing. Culus grimaced at the sight.
Culus: I don't want to. He's sober, sober dwarves aren't fun.
Vigil: It'll only take two seconds. Besides you're more fluent with the dwarven language than I am.
Culus: Fine, I'll do it.
Culus promptly used his illusion magic to disguise himself as an attractive woman. Then walked over to the guard. The guard noticed Culus and started drooling.
Guard: What can I do for you beautiful?
Culus: I'm trying to find my way down. I've gotten lost and I need to get home. Would a kind and strong guard like yourself help me?
The dwarven guard's face flushed from the praise. Then he smiled with malicious eyes.
Guard: I dunno it's getting awfully late right now. Perhaps we could get more acquainted tonight and I'll help you tomorrow. Dwarves are famous for their dexterous hands.
Culus: I'm sorry but I need to get down quickly.
Guard: Fastest way down is just jumping. But the fall here is a bit high, it's better to stay a night. The statue pulleys only operate during the day anyways.
Culus: Thank you for your assistance, bye.
Culus then jumped over the guard's head. Falling down to the next part of the city.
Vigil walked over to the railing and looked below. He saw Culus falling down while slowing his descent somehow.
Vigil looked to the side because he heard some whimpering. The dwarven guard was on all fours looking confused.
Guard: Something brushed against my face...
Vigil shrugged at the words and jumped off the railing. But he slipped while doing so. Causing him to go down sideways and spin slightly.
Halfway down Vigil tried visualising himself slowing down. But the magic was interrupted by a piece of metal jutting out of the wall. It ripped half his face off and flooded his brain with pain.
Eventually he hit the ground, landing on one of his arms and his back. The arm twisted back the wrong way while a snapping noise came from his back. A few of his ribs were sticking out of his chest.
With a snapping noise his back reset itself. While his arm was trapped underneath him and couldn't heal. His face regrew slowly.
Overall within 10 minutes everything except his arm healed. But at that point he was able to stand up. Allowing his arm to start healing.
Culus: That was awesome. Teach me how to do that! Was that a healing spell or illusion magic?!
Vigil: I don't know, that's what we're trying to find out.
Culus: Find out? Oh so Aliquid did something to you? I noticed that one of your eyes matched the notebook's description.
They continued through the outskirts. Jumping down whenever they could. But Culus taught Vigil the spell to slow the descent. It was an actual spell rather than the improvised ones that Vigil and Culus normally used.
The name of the spell was tardi descensus. Vigil found out that it was a wind spell that increased wind resistance. It could even be used on enemies to slow them down. But it's referred to as just tardi when used that way.
Vigil was able to jump down without becoming a bloody mess with it. By jumping down they were able to leave the outskirts within an hour.
They set off on the path back towards Mars' Perch. There was no dwarven path to Prefuga for some reason. So the path to Magianon was actually faster in the long run.
~2 years ago~
Afigitís climbed onto the elevator, or the mountain pulley as the dwarves called it. There was no problems with the blood test. Afigitís was a full dwarf with 96% purity. A figure rarely seen among dwarves, normally seen only in nobles.
When the mountain pulley hit the ground Afigitís stepped off and looked around. But he didn't see Vigil or Nános anywhere.
Afigitís: Nános must be showing Vigil around. I'll see them later.
Just then the mountain pulley brought down its next set of passengers. Including the bartender that traveled with them.
Afigitís: C'mon Asímantos, let's go to the red light district. We'll meet up with the others later.
Asímantos: ...
~A few days later~
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Afigitís bumped into Nános while walking around. Nános had a completely blank face. He seemed to not even realise where he was walking.
Afigitís: Nános where have you been? Why didn't you wait for us by the mountain pulley?
Nános: Why would I bother to. I'm not your friend, you think one night of drinking together could make us friends?
Afigitís: No I assumed travelling together for days and escaping Mars' Perch would make us friends. Besides where is Vigil? I thought he was with you.
Nános: Vigil? I know of no man with that name.
Nános then pushed Afigitís out of the way. Stopping any further conversation as the city swallowed him up. A lonely silhouette slightly taller than the rest.
~1 year later~
Afigitís spent the year looking around for Vigil. He investigated the rumours of a abnormally tall dwarves. While keeping away from the red light district as it would distract him.
Afigitís never spotted Vigil but found Nános a few times. But Nános remained unresponsive to him. Often running away when he saw Afigitís.
Ironically around this time Vigil searched for Afigitís everyday. But Vigil searched the red light districts that he assumed Afigitís frequented.
~1 year later~
Afigitís gave up on searching for Vigil and returned to the red light district. He went on a three day binge of drinking. On the fourth day he overheard some guards while recovering from a hangover.
Guard: That panic yesterday was annoying as hell. The mountain pulley was perfectly fine. Nothing to make it shake more than usual, everything was oiled an hour beforehand.
Guard: Yeah, besides what sort of nonsense is the pulley crumpling? Swallowing them whole and killing them?! F*cking idiots.
Guard: I say it was those elven drugs, something isn't right with those "herbs".
Guard: You're all wrong, it was spies from another race. I saw three people too tall to be dwarves during the chaos.
Guard: Crazy talk, we stopped bringing people down at that time.
Guard: They weren't sneaking in, they were leaving. I bet one of them caused it.
Afigitís suddenly jumped up from hearing that. Then sat back down to nurse a headache. A few seconds later he stood back up slowly.
Afigitís walked over to the bar and called for Asímantos. The bartender started work there as an assistant to learn more about the trade.
Asímantos: ...
Afigitís: Pack your stuff, I found Vigil. But he already left the city.
~1 hour later~
Afigitís and Asímantos were walking on the path to leave the city. But they saw a guard acting funny along the way.
Afigitís: Hey have you seen a man that looks like this?
Afigitís took out a rough sketch of Vigil he made. He used it to aid his search for Vigil inside Hephaestus Dýnami. The guard reacted slightly from the sketch.
Guard: That's the guy who was with...
The guard suddenly grabbed his head. Then fell to all fours.
Guard: ...face...something
Afigitís: Where did they go?
The guard pointed towards the path to Magianon. Then started laughing.
Guard: Both of them dropped down...bloodstains on the ground...dead?
Afigitís: Follow me Asímantos, we'll find them. I bet they're not dead, maybe injured. But Vigil knows healing magic.
Afigitís, Asímantos, and the guard left the city. Heading down the path to Magianon.
~1 month later~
Vigil and Culus exited the mountain range, entering a forest. They headed towards Mars' Perch to grab some supplies. When they exited the forest they found Mars' Perch flying a strange flag.
Instead of the Magianon flag, a flag depicting Mars was over the city. Outside the city ballistaes and an army layed siege to it. Inside the city trebuchets launched rocks outside. But spells also rained down from the walls.
Vigil spotted the familiar sight of priests casting spells. The apostles seemed to be controlling the entire city.
Culus: What the hell is going on?
Vigil: I don't know nor do I care. Let's just keep going and ignore it. We can grab supplies along the way in the wilderness or villages.
As they walked a bit more they found a stranger sight. A group of apostles all hiding in bushes. Waiting to flank the Magianon army. They glared at them without moving. As though Vigil and Culus hadn't spotted them yet.
One of the apostles stood up and walked up to them. It was the apostle that Vigil escaped with in Mars' Perch.
Apostle: Vigil long time no see. How was the city of dwarves?
Vigil: It was quite impressive er... what was your name again?
Apostle: I never told you it, maybe you'll never know. Names aren't important to the Apostles of Mars.
Vigil: Why is that? I think I heard something similar before.
Apostle: Apostles are only the instruments of Mars in his orchestra of war. We are only one set of instruments out of many, why would any of us individuals need special mention. The only reward for surviving a war is fighting in the next one. No leaders, no set strategy, no unity on our side. We simply split off into groups and fight in our own way. Won't you join us in this war?
Vigil: No thanks, we're going to the lamias for some things.
Apostle: The lamias?! Sorry my brothers but I must go with these men. They are visiting the one of the most warlike half-races. I shall make war elsewhere, then bring my talents back here.
The other apostles didn't respond. They simply continued to hide in the bushes. Except for two of them that stood up. So Vigil walked off with Culus and three apostles following.
~1 day later~
Afigitís wandered out of the forest to find Mars' Perch in a half destroyed condition. A half burned flag of Mars flew above it.
Afigitís, Asímantos, and the guard approached the front gate. The bridge to the gate was completely destroyed and the gate was replaced by abatis. A priest on the other side spotted them and dropped down a ladder.
Afigitís and the others used it as a bridge to cross over. Then they awkwardly went around the abatis.
Upon reaching the priest they noticed something off with him. Instead of the royal symbol of Magianon the priest wore a roughly knitted badge. It had Mars on it, showing that he was an apostle and completely open about it.
Apostle: Welcome my dwarven brethren to the Kingdom of Mars.
Afigitís: Kingdom?!
Apostle: Yes just today we established a new government. Yesterday we drove off the tyrannical Magianon at a great cost.
Guard: Explains all the damage. You said kingdom, so who's the king?
Apostle: The king is Mars of course. Who else would lead the Kingdom of Mars?
Afigitís: But then who handles all the political and administration stuff? How do you collect taxes, set policies, manage the military, and do public works like repairing the bridge here?
Apostle: The Kingdom of Mars has no need for politics and we have no taxes. Our policies and laws are based on our holy texts that we apostles shall enforce. Everyone in the city has mandatory military training in case of an attack. Finally us apostles have put together our money to create a fund to hire exceptional craftsmen to plan public works while we and volunteers do the hard labor.
Guard: You're f*cking crazy, everyone in this so-called kingdom. Where do I sign up?
Afigitís: Maybe Vigil is here right now. If not then I don't know where he's going anyways. Perhaps someone here spotted him or knows where he's going. Too many what ifs for me to handle.
Afigitís: Me too, I have some experience with masonry. I could plan out rebuilding the bridge.
Apostle: Great, follow me.
Guard: Something to take "that" off my mind.
~2 weeks later~
Culus: I'm hungry Vigil.
Vigil: I am too but we haven't encountered anything to eat in the past two days. It's a bit unnerving, there might be something very dangerous around here.
Apostle: Then we shall wage war against it, then eat it. It's life will grant us the power to wage another war.
Apostle: I'm a vegetarian and these berries are delicious.
Apostle: Can't you at least share a few with us?
Apostle: No way, you guys are in better condition than me. I barely scrape together enough food while you gorge yourselves when we get meat.
Vigil: Shut up, I hear something ahead of us.
The sound of rustling was heard in front but disappeared. Then happened again behind them a few seconds later. Once again the rustle was heard in front.
Culus: It's playing with us, how exciting!
Apostle: Finally we're gonna get some meat.
Vigil: Be quiet already!
Just then a spear came out of the woods to the left. Almost skewering Vigil in the chest. If Vigil hadn't turned to hell at the apostles then he would've been stabbed.
The spear pulled back as a half-race came into sight. The lower half of its body was a snake. The top half was humanoid and female. A pair of breasts were in plain sight with nothing covering them.
The head though was closer to a lizard. A tongue lashed out and wiped its eyes. The eyes were large and reptilian with sliver pupils. It's mouth extended unnaturally far with slits for a nose. The creature before them was incredibly ugly and was a lamia. It lifted up its spear for another thrust.
Vigil: We friend, look for... porn left by medical jack*ss.
The lamia stopped its spear mid-thrust while Culus started laughing. The apostles stopped chanting magic or shot the spell into the air.
Culus: Sorry my friend is rusty with lamia and a complete pervert. We're looking for notes left behind by a man named Aliquid. My name is Culus, that's Vigil, and the three in the back are our servants.
Lamia: Humans that speak lamia, how surprising. I suppose that's enough for me not to kill you for now. Tell your friend that I'll rip his face off if he gets too close. As for things about the past, ask my brother. By the way, my name is Nolaka.
Vigil: Culus, what did she say?
Culus: She said that her brother may know something and her name is Nolaka. I think she likes you.
Vigil: I'm not that bad at the lamia language. She obviously wants to hurt me somehow.
Culus: No she's just a sadist.
Vigil: Oh...
Nolaka: Here's the village, my brother lives over there.
The village had a tribal feel to it. Simple leafy tarps laid over sticks for houses. While the paths throughout it were simply packed down dirt. Instead of footprints there were wide trails created by the lamia race's tail.
Lamias were spread out throughout the village. Mainly loitering or licking their spears. Like Nokala, all of them had snake tails and reptilian heads with a human torso. Making them quite monstrous in appearance.
But Nokala's finger actually pointed away from the village. Her brother seemed to live slightly apart from the rest.
Nokala headed into the village without another word. Culus set off towards the direction she pointed towards. So the others just followed his lead.
After trekking through the forest a little bit it opened up into a clearing. In the clearing was an actual house. Unlike the houses in the village, it had walls and the roof was more organised.
Vigil was the first one to reach the house. So he knocked on its makeshift door made of intersecting leaves and twigs. Some slivering was heard before the door opened revealing a strange lamia.
Unlike the others it wore a shirt and its head was human. He held his spear like it was a walking stick to stand up straight. Vigil took the initiative to start a conversation.
Vigil: B*tch I eat people, Vigil.
Vigil then extended his arm for a handshake. The lamia was slightly shocked but returned the handshake.
Lamia: Utho.
Culus: Sorry for intruding but your sister sent us your way. Would you happen to know anything about Aliquid? He may have come through as a doctor or anything else and left a journal.
Utho: Yeah I know Aliquid.
Utho then pulled out a notebook out of his shirt pocket. Half of it seemed to be made of leaves but it was in good condition.
Vigil: F*ck me silly, some porn for me?
Utho: Your friend... nevermind. Do you guys know any other non-human languages?
Culus: We can speak the Dwarven language.
Culus spoke this sentence in Dwarvish, making Vigil shocked. Vigil immediately switched as well, since he was more experienced with the Dwarven language.
Vigil: You can speak the dwarven language?
Utho: Yes I can, and many others as well.
Vigil: Is there any way you can give us that journal?
Culus: Perhaps tell us what happened here when Aliquid came. The history might be dark but it's very important.
Utho let out a cheerful laugh. Then left the house, closing the door behind him. But he put the journal back in his shirt pocket.
Utho: All in due time. You help me, I help you. Let's talk over a drink, we got a shipment of dwarven ale recently. Also there's a celebration today so there'll be plenty of food.
Utho slithered towards the village. The rest of them followed with smiles on their faces. The apostles of course knew enough dwarvish from living in Mars' Perch to know the word food.
They found the village of lamias, Aliquid's journal, and a way to get it. What could go wrong?
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Just being able to write a language doesn't guarantee fluency. Plus Culus isn't the most reliable teacher. What could go wrong is a several month hiatus and a revamp to force you to wait for the next chapter.