Rain poured upon the pine forest, soaking the ground below the trees. Thunder sounded from above. Two armored individuals strode along a dirt road, now made into mud from the rain. They both wore black armor, although one stood more decorated than the other, with a a dragon's skull mounted to his right pauldron, a winged helm and holy text emblazoned upon his armor, as well as a black circle encircled by wings under a white crown. To his back, a sizable greatsword was sheathed under a cape of dragon scales that resembled cracked lava. The other was less decorated, and bore a helm crafted with the snout of a leothien in mind. He carried a bladed shield on his back.

The two walked through the rain, and off the muddied path. The shield-bearing paladin would turn his head now and again, in expectation of ambush, before the two reached a cave. The shield-bearing one took a step back.

“Lord Tharnak… I have repented. Is there more I must do?” The lesser paladin inquired, suppressing the shakiness of his tone.

The more decorated paladin turned to face his pupil. “Follow me, Lucias.”

The two proceeded into the cave, until coming across a giant door of black metal, large enough to fit an elder dragon.

“Fiteen, Charlie, Anna, seven, Echo, nine.” Tharnak uttered before the door. It parted in the middle, each half of the door receding into the cave walls. The two proceeded inside. The sections of the door returned to close the entrance. Beyond the doors, the two proceeded into a section of the cave that was well-lit, illuminated by the blue flames held by hanging lanterns. The walls of the cave also seemed to become more hexagonal as they pressed forward. As they passed, spheres of glass lined the walls, containing a yellow-green, bubbling liquid. Their contents ranged from simple brains and nervous systems, to strange not-yet seen creatures whose only organ missing was their skin, exposing their red muscular systems. They reached a gigantic chamber. Its walls were lined with chalk boards filled with numerous equations, chemical formulas and anatomical diagrams of not-yet seen animals.

A huge, one-hundred and twenty foot long creature with leathery, bat-like wings and long tail rose its long reptillian face from a book, covered in brown and white scales under a hairy beard and adorned with antlers resembling that of a stag. Its four, hawk-like eyes met the gaze of Tharnak’s. The creature was clothed in gray robes tailored for its winged, four-legged body. They hid a patchwork of fur and brown and white scales revealed by a tail that curled around the chamber. This was a hunter dragon.

“Lord Olitiruk Tharnak, Dragon Slayer of Legend.” The dragon uttered as he saw the paladin.

Tharnak cleared his throat. “Great Alerekyn, Last of the Sane Ones.”

“I see you have brought that apprentice of yours with you.” The dragon noted, glancing down at Lucias.

“Oh this must be your laboratory, great Alerekyn.” Lucias nodded.

Tharnak extended his gauntlet. A sphere of dark iron, surrounded by red-purple runes emerged from it.

“The memory.” Alerekyn spoke, putting on a set of large, four-lensed glasses as he retrieved the object from Tharnak. The memory appeared more like a metallic marble in the huge, double-thumbed hand of the dragon. “It seems to work as an amplifier and a battery for necromancy, or at the very least, necrotic energies,” he noted.

Tharnak stepped forward. “There are a few ways we could use it, harness its energies into something that can be used to blast to flatten a city, create a flood of necrotic energy to convert a portion of the Izenese into zombies, or just simply pull a classical necromancer move and use it over a mass grave.”

“Indeed, although no one says we had to use this only one way.” Alerekyn noted.

“All we really need to do is use it against the Flags’ Alliance in a manner that they will be convinced it was an attack from the Elder Council.” Tharnak added.

The dragon lifted his gaze from the memory, gazing down at the dragon-slaying paladin once more. “In addition, I have acquired someone who could at least serve to do something to provoke the Elder Council as well. If pulled off right, both sides will have equal reason to declare war on each other.”

“Of who do you speak?” Tharnak inquired.

“Oh, he speaks of me!” a disembodied voice announced, surprising Lucias from behind, he drew his shield in its pincer form as he turned around. A drakgath faded into view, he bore a horned, nearly crocodilian head with a black frill going from the top of his head and down his neck. His scaly skin was consisted of dark and olive-green scales. He was dressed in armor made of leather with craftsmanship that gave it a crab-like appearance, and a torn and tattered black cloak. “Relax, kitty, the old man here just said that he had some dough for me if I got somethin’ for him.” The drakgath gestured to the dragon.

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“This is Retzian. The so-called King of Thieves.” Alerekyn introduced the drakgath.

Retzian shifted to one leg, crossing his arms over his chest. “So, what’d you want me to snatch for ya?”

“The Star Scepter. It’s held in the Opharion Keep.” Alerekyn answered.

“Wait, you’re askin’ me to retrieve some wand from the most well defended tower in the world, right?” Retzian inquired, taking a step back, blinking his four eyes at once.

The great hunter dragon nodded his head in affirmation.

“Hmm. You’re havin’ me take a pretty big risk here. You’d better raise the pot.” The master thief said, his hand on his chin.

The dragon sighed. “I’ll give you half of my hoard.” He announced reluctantly.

“And I want half of that up front before I do anything.” Retzian added.

“Of course you would.” Alerekyn sighed. “I’ll have it delivered to you by tomorrow.”

“Deal.” Retzian announced. And with that, the drakgath vanished, as though he were never there.

“Excuse me, Master, but are we sure that those adventurers were crushed?” Lucias asked.

“I have no doubt.” Tharnak answered plainly. “Even if they weren’t, that matter is not our concern.”

“Of course, but if I may suggest, how about I go and confirm that information.” Lucias suggested.

Tharnak sighed, turning to his apprentice. “I hope you haven’t spent the week purging those emotions only to be thinking and acting upon them once more.” He spoke with a tone that held back irritation. “I forbid you to do this.”

“If I might make my case…” Lucias paused, considering his words. “If I’m not mistaken, one of them was a sunchild. A follower of the Eternal Darkness’s most fervent adversary. If they learn of us… there may be consequences.”

Tharnak shook his head and sighed. “Even so, I doubt the Sunfather’s church would pay attention to such a claim if there is nothing substantial to support it. However, I will only allow you to observe if the sunchild paladin survived. If he has, I will deal with him myself. Do not engage him. Do I make my order clear?”

“Yes, master.” Lucias nodded, and began proceeding out of the lair.

The dragon looked back down at Tharnak, lifting his glasses. “I still question your choice of apprentice.”

Tharnak looked back up at the four eyes glaring down at him. “He just needs time and patience.”

“It’s been ten years,Tharnak. He hasn’t even learned to stop his emotions.” The dragon noted.

Tharnak took a step forward. “That’s because he hasn’t yet given up his sense of self, and is still stained by what happened the night I found him."

"Some stains can't be removed, Lord Tharnak." Alerekyn remarked.

"And maybe you're right. But I will see it that he will come to see himself as a part of the Eternal Darkness’s great work rather than an individual, and stop feeling a need for vengeance. I will make him pure.” Tharnak spoke with a tone of determination.

“Then by his great work, we had better hope so.” Alerekyn noted.

Tharnak held up his hand, fingers placed together. “Peace and purity eternal.”

The dragon held up his hand in a similar manner, returning the gesture. “Peace and purity eternal.”