Crusted eyes slowly opened, revealing an engraved stony ceiling above. After a moment, he found that he recognized the carvings, they told a story of his ancestors' struggles, fighting in vain against Jilamaka before fleeing here, to new Ugals… this was his room, back in the palace. Varig struggled to raise his head, yet found that the effort was in vain. He wasn’t dead… but his entire body ached, and the agony in his chest, while lessened, was still present. It seemed that he had survived the trip back to Ugals, but he doubted that he’d last too much longer. There was no fixing what had happened to him, not unless they had allowed in a mage from Relias with that capability.

His throat was horribly dry, and even attempting to form words took a massive effort, both from the pain that wracked his whole being and the bone-deep exhaustion he felt. Eventually, he managed to finally say something, right as a Fumu began to float over his bed.

“Water.” He said simply, hoping that a servant would be nearby.

It wasn’t long before he felt his head being gently lifted from the pillow it lay upon, a stout elderly dwarf woman lowering a cup to his mouth. Varig drank gratefully, thanking the servant before she lowered his head once more.

“Send word to my brothers… tell them I’ve awoken.” Varig rasped, “I want to give them my last words…”

“Straight away, Third Prince.” She said, bowing deeply before rushing off.

It wasn’t long before he heard the door open again, two heavy pairs of footsteps entering his chambers. He saw the faces of his brothers, faces that resembled his own. Their long beards threatened to brush his face, and upon realizing this, the Second and First Princes of Ugals held their beards back.

“Brother, I am glad that you’ve awoken.” Second Prince, Garl told him sincerely, laying a gentle hand on Varig’s head, “It will all be alright soon, I promise you.”

His brother, First Prince Husick, then sighed, his stony hard features taking on a grim cast, “One way or another, you will be saved.”

Varig’s eyes narrowed, “Did you let in…” He breathed, “A stranger from Relias, to save my life?”

Neither of his brothers replied for a long while, until finally Husick ran a hand through his beard, eyes downcast, “No, brother.”

Varig contemplated for a moment before he asked, “So my injuries are not so dire? That is good…”

Again they fell into a silence, both princes drawing their lips to a fine line as their eyes looked elsewhere.

“I don’t understand…” Varig rasped, “How will I be saved? Why won’t you look at me?”

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“We will bear a great shame, one that we will never forgive ourselves for.” Garl said, “But we have ordered for the Outworlder to be captured… despite the debts we owe him.”

Varig’s eyes widened, “You wouldn’t dare!” He attempted to scream, the intended shout coming out as an aggressive whisper, “He is a good man, leave him be!”

“This isn’t up for negotiation, Third Prince.” Husick said, voice becoming cold as stone, “This is as I willed, the shame will fall upon me.”

Varig’s jaw fell agape, “This wasn’t father’s doing?”

Husick shook his head, “No, but he will allow this, the people need their Third Prince… we need you Varig.” He continued, laying a hand on Varig’s brow, “You are going to die without intervention, and we cannot send word to Relias in time… Joseph will give his life to ensure that you will survive.”

His skin went cold, “You would really bring a Faelord into our realm!?” Varig questioned harshly, “Fools, you will kill us all!”

Husick frowned, shaking his head, “No such thing will happen.”

“You don’t know that Husick.” Varig spat, “Let me die like a proper dwarf… I’ve had a hand in slaying Jilamaka itself, I won’t have my honor smeared in the annals by your refusal to let me go!”

“I told you already, dear brother…” Husick frowned, eyes glaring, “I will be the one to bear the shame, not you. Now I command you, rest… you will be fine soon.”

Varig struggled to rise, but his cursed brothers held him down, “It will be over soon, the process is already about to begin.” Husick said, “Assuming you pass, of course.”

“No!” Varig screamed, “Don’t do this!”

“If you survive,” Husick said quickly, “Then he will be spared, but it is unlikely that you will pull through. Only the preparations are being made, nothing more… not until you either survive or perish.”

“Have you thought-” Varig coughed, his chest becoming tight, “Thought about the potential consequences?” He questioned, “Any Faelord could come to take him… there is no guarantee that a benevolent god will claim him. What if it's Shenra, or Overseer forbid, Kagor?”

“We have prepared for that.” Husick told him, “The contraption that we trapped the Outworlder in is nigh-unbreakable… as soon as the wish is granted, we will heat the metal from the outside, cooking the Faelord within and killing it before it can enforce its will. They may be gods, but the body they possess is still mortal, our annals show that they can be slain.”

Varig shook his head, “You fool… a metal box won’t be enough to hold back a Faelord, no matter how strong the steel is-”

“It is not steel, brother.” Garl told him.

Varig blinked, “Do not tell me-”

“It had to be done.” Husick cut him off, “It was useless, gathering up dirt in our vault… reshaping it for this purpose gives it function.”

“Where is his body!?” Varig pressed, “He was a vessel once himself you fools… or have you forgotten?”

Husick and Garl both froze, glaring sharply down at their younger brother. The insult was grave, but given the circumstances, Varig found that he was justified in saying it.

“The body is dead brother, a Faelord needs the body functional in order to actually use it… don’t you remember?” Garl asked with a glare before his eyes widened, averting them from Varig. “Forgive me… but let us just see what happens, there is no guarantee we’ll even need to perform the sacrifice.” He said, attempting to sound reassuring.

“He was our king, the savior of the elves, and you desecrate his crypt… you two-” He wheezed, “You two are not my brothers- you are devils wearing their skin!” He screamed, outraged. “Let Joseph go, that is my last wish-” He coughed again, “You must fulfill this, on what honor you have left!”

Varig then fell into a violent fit of coughing, the taste of copper on his tongue. His eyes widened as he felt something deep within his chest rip. Blood fountained from his mouth and nose, and his brothers yelled for the medical dwarf… but there was nothing that could be done.

After his world became darkness… Varig passed from this world.