Head aching, stomach and ribs bruised, the man in black stumbled to the table before him. Amira was supposed to meet him here but she hadn’t arrived yet. There were two other followers of Mulguran in the city but they also had yet to show themselves.
Grasping his sides, he felt his ribs up and down, winching in pain from where Xerath had kneed him in the gut. Xerath was thirty-five now but still held such a punch it still jarred his head. It seemed he had kept his edge from the war, as did Kyburn.
He could use his power to heal the bruises, but he felt like leaving it for now. It made him feel alive, even if it hurt like hell.
Once free, he had easily avoided the guards and escaped the city to a small town outside of Unari. Losing Frostmoon was unfortunate but at least Amira’s cover was still intact.
Looking back, he knew she had been forced. Finding her crying over Erik’s body still clung to his memories. But she had killed him in the end and his heart sank from that fact. He desperately wished his life was different, but ever since that day, fourteen years ago, he was bound to Mulguran, forced to obey his every command. He felt sympathy for her, knowing how strong the need to please the demon was.
Manipulation and fear were Mulguran’s greatest assets. He ruled with brutality, for those who disobeyed, he always found a way for them to suffer immensely. He had seen it first hand too many times to count on those he once called friends. He was one of the last surviving servants of the master since that fateful day and he had learned through trial and error how to survive.
Inwardly, he wondered who Mulguran was threatening to make Amira go to such measures. It was obvious she had cared for the king. He felt for the young girl, he knew all too well what the costs were. She had been ensnared, just as he had been.
Footsteps outside snapped him out of his thoughts. They were a ways off but he pretended to not hear them. Once they got to the door he leapt to his feet as they entered, pretending they had caught him off guard. Three figures in black stepped through the door and into the dimly lit room. The smallest, he guessed, was Amira as she was the only woman in their group. Her small frame was deceiving, however, as the power of Mulguran could be called upon at any time.
Only when he was commanded to use it or whenever Mulguran took over his body did he use his power.
The other three were young and foolish like he was all those years ago, drunk off power, though part of him felt sorry for them. Little did they know the consequences to come would crush them with guilt, as he was sure Amira was fully aware by now. She truly was a being Mulguran preyed on as they were easily manipulated and convinced as long as more power was bestowed upon them.
Amira pulled her hood off, along with her black coat, revealing her face and outfit underneath. She wore tight leather pants and a loose-fitting white shirt.
Slowly, he walked over to her and stretched his arm out. “Here,” he said gruffly. “Thought you might want this back.”
The man in black could tell she had been crying, her eyes had a hint of redness to them, though she hid it well.
“Was she too burdened by the guilt of her actions?” he thought to himself.
They all had their backstories. Her’s was no different.
Selfishly, he hoped she would be rewarded, as it would turn the attention away from him, giving him more room to maneuver.
He wasn’t the first to serve Mulguran and he wouldn’t be the last. He did not understand his master's desires but Mulguran had taken a liking to Amira, whether that was through torturing her or he truly saw potential in her, he didn’t know. As of late his favorite now was Amira. She had given much to him and Mulguran reveled in her pain.
Amira looked at him with stubborn eyes. She was putting on a brave face but he knew she was torn apart inside. Snatching the dagger out of his hand, the man in black moved away, back to his previous position.
Amira swiftly hid the dagger, the one with which he had stabbed Erik. It was necessary as she had not done it. Taking pity on her, he had stabbed the young king and made his getaway, all part of the plan. Mulguran had been right again.
Running into Xerath was a surprise though. That had been unpleasant. He was definitely someone he wanted to avoid.
“You’re getting slow, old man.” one of the assassins mocked. “You didn’t notice us till we were at the door.”
He said nothing, as he wished to be perceived as a slowing old man but in reality, he could snap their necks in an instant if he wished. He had planned this for years, slowly making Mulguran think he was as ineffective as possible and he had already fooled them.
Just one more reason for Mulguran to believe he was losing touch with his skill. Once Mulguran made his move to kill him, the person he would send would underestimate him just as the two foolish boys were doing at that very moment.
That would be his ticket to freedom. The only way to break the curse that was Mugluran, was for the demon himself to shun him. It was only a matter of time before he would make his move, and when he did, the man in black would be ready for it.
“Nothing to say, huh?” the second man spat to the side. “You lost Frostmoon. Maybe I can accompany you next time. Show you how it's done.” the two men snickered stupidly.
Amira said nothing, only moving to one side of the room, ignoring the insults being thrown around.
They started to say something else but fell silent immediately as Mulguran materialized before them.
The room went dark and the tear in space opened up to reveal the demon standing before them. Amira stiffened in place, fear painfully obvious in her eyes. At once, all four of them bent to one knee before their master.
Mulguran hissed, his face contorting in different emotions. His red eyes flared, and they all winced, hoping his anger was not directed toward themselves.
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“It was his fault. He didn’t get the sword.” one of the men panicked, flinching in fear.
Mulguran stuck out one arm and clenched his fist, tightening his power around the man and squeezed. An invisible force choked the man.
“I despise cowards.” Mulguran hissed. “Especially those who make excuses at the expense of others.”
“F-forgive me, m-my lord.” he whimpered. “I only w-wanted to report that h-he lost Erik’s sword, n-not us.”
The man in black watched as the man’s body twitched uncontrollably. The blood within him, the muscles, bones being controlled. It was a feeling he wished he could forget.
Whipping his arm back through the portal, Mulguran released him and the man fell to the ground.
Again, the man in black noticed the slight pain it caused him to stick his arm through. He wanted to smile but he controlled himself. Giving a blank steely stare.
“That doesn’t matter.” Mulguran sneered. “Hold your tongue until spoken too.” he turned his menacing stare to Amira. “You have been found out. You were reckless! You left Jebbin alive. You didn’t think to finish him off before leaving the dungeon?”
“My lord?” Amira looked up in shock, taken aback by the news. Obviously, she had believed she had done her job in killing him but instead he scolded her like a child.
“Jebbin wrote your name in his own blood!” Mulguran hissed. “Now Cara knows it was you who killed him and will now know Erik’s death was also of your doing!”
Inwardly, the man in black groaned in pain as he realized Mulguran would look to him now rather than her to lead the group.
“Not only that.” Mulguran barked. “You hesitated. You resisted me when I wanted you to kill the foolish king. You disappoint me greatly. And I had such high hopes for you.” he hissed.
“Please forgive me, my lord!” she yelped. “I will make it up to you. We can intercept Cara before she reaches Unari.”
“It is too late for that.” the demon spat. “That old fool, Felkuru, figured it out. His connection to Erik told him everything. Your hesitation exposed you. Intercepting Cara will not be up to you now.”
The man in black understood Amira’s panic. If Mulguran was displeased with her, killing Erik would have accomplished nothing for her. Whoever the demon was using as a hostage, he could see the fear and panic in Amira’s eyes growing.
“Please. Let me make this right.” Amira begged. “I will do anything. Just… please don’t hurt-”
“Silence!” Mulguran barked, cutting her off. “You overestimate yourself. Your emotions have finally overshadowed your usefulness. You.” he gestured to the man in black, ignoring Amira now. “You will take these… pups and show them how it’s done.”
“Yes, master,” he replied, lowering his head. “I am yours to command.”
“All of you will do as he says,” Mulguran ordered. “No exceptions.”
“But my lord.” the two assassins objected. “He is old and weak. Perhaps you will allow one of us to lead?”
Mulguran said nothing for a moment, then his eyes flared bright red again and he reached through the tear in space and pulled both men toward him through the air. Their bodies looked like ragdolls as they were sucked toward the demon. Slashing one across the face with his long fingernails, he grabbed the other by the throat and squeezed. The one he had clawed screamed in pain and tried to jerk backward, utter shock and fear in his eyes.
“You dare speak back to me!” Mulguran screamed. “You dare question my decision? You have grown bold in your insolence.”
Holding him by his throat, Mulguran tightened his grip, any more and the man in black was sure his head would pop off. Thankfully, the demon released him.
He quickly pulled his arm back through the portal, which the man in black once again took great notice in. It looked to be even more painful for him to cross into their world. No one else seemed to notice.
“You all are servants.” Mulguran said harshly. “You are my playthings. Pawns. You obey, nothing more. I had high hopes for you all, yet you failed. Revealing yourself to them was an amateur mistake at best.” he addressed Amira with that.
“For...give… me.” Amira choked out. “My… lord.” her eyes shot to the ground.
She was trembling in fear. There was a good chance Mulguran would kill her here and now. His temper was unstable while in this state and no one could guess his next move.
The man in black had a similar instinct to drop to his face and bow before his master, but something inside him resisted it. The panicky fear was dull for some reason, not like before.
“Master?” he dared to interrupt the demon. “If it pleases you, she will have value to me. I may need her help to assassinate Cara.”
Mulguran, still glaring down at Amira, whipped his head around to gaze at him, his wings stretching wide. For an instant, he thought the demon would kill him too but his rage abated a moment later.
“How?” he asked.
“I can still use her, master,” he said. “She will be bait to the humans. They will stop at nothing to find. We can use their rage and blindness to entrap them. Rayman will act foolishly, this is for certain. Cara is certain to act similarly. They will want revenge over anything.”
“Your plan is sound.” Mulguran praised. “However, it is too late. Felkuru is there, along with the Emarine. You don’t stand a chance against them now. They know we lurk in the shadows. Our element of surprise has passed for good this time. You are my last trump card.”
“Please use us as you will,” he said. “What is your plan, master?”
Mulguran again gazed down at him, his eyes flickering, “I will bring my full might upon this world. Nothing they do can stop it now. Only those who I deem worthy may survive.”
Every human in the room froze, wishing themselves to be included in his list of useful assets. They feared they would not be chosen for such a gift. Still on one knee, he feared what was to come next even if he was spared. Mulguran wished to control his body to exact his rage upon Cara, but that didn’t mean he would extend the invitation of survival in the aftermath of it all.
“Fear not,” Mulguran said. “You have all proven useful.” he shifted his gaze to the other three. “At one point or another,” he spat. “I still have plans for all of you. The Thrak I have sent after Cara will likely fail. The Emarine and Felkuru are already on the move to intercept them. If my minions fail, you,” Mulguran pointed at him. “Will finish what you started. And you will succeed this time.”
An audible sigh of relief escaped their mouths, Mulguran would assign them a new task, which would give them another opportunity to prove themselves, though he guessed Amira’s sigh was not out of relief but rather, pain.
“Would it not be easier to watch them fall to the Thrak?” he asked. “I will risk my life for you, master, but if she is to die, must it be by your hand?”
Mulguran looked at him intensely, measuring him up, his red eyes flickering. He gritted his teeth, deep in thought. “I want to see the life drain from her eyes,” he said simply.
“Of course, master,” he nodded.
“My armies have gathered, Vulkira has already fallen thanks to Fel. Xer will soon follow.” Mulguran announced. “I still have plans for Tykin. As for Kligira, they will be the last to fall.”
“But the army beyond the wall?” he asked the demon. “They were defeated.”
“That was merely a fraction of my forces.” Mulguran laughed. “You will see.”
“Yes, master.” he bowed lower.
“After your mission is complete you will travel to the Fossland Mountains and remain in the ruins there.” the demon said. “The Thrak will not touch you. I still have use for you after I take Isulia. You four will have roles to fill when I am finished.”
He paused, “You,” he addressed Amira again. “Obey him. For he is my vessel now. Stay close to him.”
Mulguran waved his arms and the portal shut behind him, leaving them alone.
The two men started cursing under their breaths, clearly agitated by the event to come.
The man in black glanced at Amira who stared back at him. A faint smile lit her face.
“Thank you.” she mouthed silently.
He groaned inwardly. He wished she hadn’t noticed his plan to use her as bait was simply a way for her to be useful to Mulguran. Amira was sharp, he had to give her that.
Scoffing in return, he turned away from her, hiding behind his black hood. It didn’t fool her, however. “Perhaps, it would be better to have an ally,” he thought. “One in which would prove useful to me. One that could help me escape this curse.”
“Foolish.” he grimaced. “I really am losing my touch,” he thought.