"I don't get it," grumbled the Human. Of whom sat against a slab of granite which was propped up near the edge of the lake where he sunned himself from the day-star above. Which was, by the by, not in the shape of the opened maw of a lion. Instead, it was a broken circle of water with a waterfall cascading into the basin.
"What is it that you are confused about, Melephas?" I inquired slowly, paying only half an ear to his words whilst I stood upon the rippling water's surface only a metre away from his position. Why I was performing thusly was due to the fact that I was attuning my energies to the whole of it all. Of which would allow my person to view everything the water touched, as well as to see if there were any Lizardfolk nearby. For there was a narrow river of around one metre in length which flowed from the basin and towards the southern end of Nubai.
No. Such a thing did not need my full concentration, as I had to only use up half in between keeping my weakened self afloat and the attunement. Yes. I was weakened in my past, and I came to terms with it all, but would not voice such a thing to anyone else. Not out of fear, mind you, but due to the fact that I dislike the look of pity towards my person. Revealing such a thing would no doubt result in those gazes, which was why I kept my peace.
In any case, after my attunement from the water, I noted something odd. For there was something within the waters, a kind of glow which removed my tiredness whenever I searched for it with my mind. Curious, I allowed my person to sink into the water, my body sinking like an orb of iron would, much to the concern of my servants. Of whom sent one of the skeletal Undying into the waters.
Upon reaching my person, however, it noted that I need not be bothered, but stayed nonetheless as its hollowed eyes stared expectantly upon my illusory body. Here, I reached out to lightly pat its smooth, but square shaped, metallic skull. However, I stopped such an action as a pulse of unknown energy pushed the pair of us away and towards the surface.
Quite strange, to be sure, but I was curious and determined to find out what was the cause of the pulse. Yes. My attunement did allot my person to view everything within, but it could not find the source. Well, sort of. For there was a section of the lake, towards the centre, where the water could not penetrate.
Therefore, I and my Undying slowly trekked towards the centre with our bodies slowly pushing against that which did not want us near. Of which, by the by, grew stronger when it noted we did not retreat. Yes. I was sure that if it wished for a battle, it would have done so, if not for the fact that I had become my Devil King self, but without my wings. For I believed such a thing would cause my person to slow even more.
In any case, I felt that whatever was sending out the pulses was growing frantic. Of which was noted from the fact that I had sent out my own pulse towards the centre. Yes. My Undying followed suit, but in the form of a bubble which went outward of our position. This led to calling forth the rest of my servants, as they would no doubt be worried for my sake, but also curious to know what it was that I had found.
Just as I was to reach the centre, did my servants come to my side, with the exception of Melephas, as he was not one of my own. Here, we each noted that which was within the centre of the lake was...
'A lion's maw,' my mental voice was stunned as I and mine continued to stare at what was before us. For it was the head of a maned lion, though cracked in various areas, broken in others, and missing part of its lower jaw. Nonetheless, it was what we had viewed upon the many balconies which could view such a thing.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
This was so, as many of such things held portable spyglasses in order to view the surrounding area, and the main item that everyone wish to view was always the "Lion's Maw". Of which was exactly as described, but not entirely. For the Maw was what fed the lake its water, and in its place was, more or less, a standard waterfall. So why did this world have such a thing? We did not know.
What was known, however, was that within the back of the lion's maw were four pairs of eyes which glimmered at us from within the shadows. However, there was also an odd barrier protecting such creatures from the water. As such, protected the lion as well.
No. My servants weren't able to penetrate that which was before them. Well, Brutus was able to sink one of his clawed hands into such a thing, but was repelled upwards towards the surface. Whereas the rest did their best to enter.
I, on the other hand, had little trouble. Yes. It was due to my being stronger than they are, but more than that came from the fact that the creation and deconstruction of magickal barriers was a specialty of mine before I became the Devil King. With such knowledge, I was able to enter the area with relative ease. No. It was not "popped" in any way, but simply molded itself around my person so that I would gain entry with it still intact.
Now, the area within the barrier appeared to be quite old. In that the place had been devoid of life for so long, the fish which swam through this part of the lake were, but skeleton upon the sand. Quite odd, truth be told, but did not worry my person as my body continued forth to where the four pairs of eyes were.
Upon reaching such an area, however, I noted that they weren't anything living, but of four petrified heads of those who were our Gardeners. Of whom were once called Dryads long ago, but took of the title and name of Gardener due to taking up residency within our forest of Nubai long ago. These four, however, appeared to have been rather young when their heads were removed. Of which was due to the fact that the flowers about their heads had yet to bloom.
Yes. I was angered by this, and would demand retribution in due time. However, for now, I desired to ascend from the depths of the lake in order to perform that which should not be performed with a heavy heart. For it was one which reconnected the essences of the dead to their body. Unfortunately, though, these only had their heads. Therefore, we would need to reconstruct such a thing four times over, or secure their heads into the centre of a tree each. This way they would become Green Women, of whom were considered to be as old and as wise as the forest they thrived in.
Anyway, after our ascent towards the surface with the head in my arms, I noted the Mage was missing. To which I called forth my skeletal Undying and had them search for his presence within the forest. However, they were to hand over their torches as they performed thusly, as I had an idea we would have unfriendly company quite soon. Therefore, I wished for speed and silence from their persons as they returned him to us.
Whilst they performed such a task, the rest gathered around my person to either frown or cry as they discovered what it was I held. To which Sia and Shauu gasped as they did try to pet the long stiff leaves and moss which were their hair.
"My Lord," Sia turned to my person with the lights in her sockets flickering as though trying to shed tears which were never going to come, "Please, you must restore them."
"Please," begged Shauu, who even went as far as to kneel in front of my person in an effort to placate my mood.
'Shauu, stand up,' my mental voice commanded, 'They will be restored, yes, but only after we have remade their bodies, and not before. Understand?'
To which the pair nodded slowly, then ran into the forest behind them. For I gave them the task of recreating four bodies for the Dryad's heads, then turned towards Rojaahn in order to give him a slow glance. Yes. He did "take the hint", as it were. For he was our Alchemist, and would be crucial in their assistance, as he had long ago created a Philosopher's Stone. As such, used it to create our wealth, as well as being he who found the key to immortality. However, such a thing held a terrible price for the latter, which was used to create my Undying servants, but that story is for another day.