Novels2Search
Skeletal Rebirth
Chapter 4, A Path for the Dead to Walk

Chapter 4, A Path for the Dead to Walk

     After I had recovered from my overwhelming sense of loneliness, I turned to the green flame named Velvagryn. Since Velvagryn was a God in this world, he must've had an almost limitless amounts of knowledge. Grateful for the sheer luck that I had in being able to get into contact with with him, I began to speak some more to Velvagryn in order to get more information on the world. "Velvagryn, there's something I wish to ask of you."

     "I see, you wish to inquire me about my knowledge of the world."

     "Well, with you being able to read minds, I guess this conversion will move along more quickly then I expected."

     "I can't read your mind Argus, I could tell what you wanted to know from reading your face."

     "You mean my face that has no definite features due to me being a skeletal undead correct."

     "Do you want me to answer your questions or not brat."

     "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Yes, I would like to know more about this world, and if possible, I would also like to here about the Great War of the Gods."

      "I can tell you about the world of the past, but not that of the present. Bound to slumber, This has been the first time in 500 years that my conscious has been awoken. Forgive me for not being able to answer all your questions but I will tell you want I know Unfortunate One. This world was shaped by the our Father Kahzarim, and life bloomed from the powers of our Mother, Seshazzrha. Along with the creation of the world, so to did the birth of us lesser gods. Our job was to protect the world from harm against forces to much for the world to handle. In the beginning of the world, Elves, Dwarves, Varathi, and Humans were the only living beings. After some hundred years, Seshazzrha started hating the humans, they waged war and theft to feed their insatiable greed. Angered, Seshazzrha took the humans' ability to use magic and gave it to the Dwarves, without any way to fight or protect, we lesser gods gave humans there magic back through blessings. After the war and conflict the humans had caused, we separated the races and helped each one create there own kingdoms. The Human kingdom of Nossrax, the great Elven forest Velshrine, the Dwarven mountain city Tharmminus, and the Ruins of nameless temple."

     "Do these Varathi not have a place of dwelling?"

     "We built them a temple but the Varathi are beast people, and not all the Varathi are from the same beast family. With there beast like traits, the Varathi instead became nomadic. They travel where they want and live where they want. Of course some Varathi tend to have a more static life style, but even they move around from time to time."

    "I see, then what was the cause for the Great war of the Gods."

     "..." The now silent Velvagryn continued to stare at the sky, I felt a tinge of sadness when he spoke again, "the War of the Gods was our battle against Seshazzrha. All the lesser gods fought against our mother in order to protect the world from her wrath. The battle ended with us falling into deep slumber to recover from our grave injuries along with Seshazzrha." The look of sorrow had again taken hold of Velvagryn. What must it feel like, to have to fight against the one that created you? To uphold your duty of protection even against the one who order you to protect.

     Taking my time collecting myself and the new knowledge that Velvagryn had bestowed, I decided that it was time that I explore this unknown land. The world that Velvagryn had fought to protect, I wanted to see it for myself. Picking up the lantern, I told Velvagryn that I was going to start traveling. "Hmm, so you wish to see the world with your own eyes. I think its a good idea, even though you're undead I see much intelligence in your eyes. But a journey in this world won't be easy for you. The races might be at war again for all we know, and you being undead means that now one will except you at first glace. Knowing that the journey is going to be rough you still wish to go?"

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

     "Of course. Just sitting in this swamp won't do me any better, nor will it grant me anything. I'd much rather go around and see more to this world, you never know, there might be something out there that could return me to my normal state."

     "I see. Well there's no reason for me to stop you, and with your ability to use magic freely I doubt you would loss to much. Even though we have only known each other for a few short hours, I should still do something to help you even if just by a bit. I know, I'll give you my Lantern of Harvest. With its power, it should make your journey a little bit easier."

     "But, aren't you the Lantern of Harvest right now Velvagryn? also I don't even know what it does."

     "True. Right now my conscious is trapped in this lantern, but once I sever my link with it the mana inside the crystal will only be yours.

     "And what about you? What will happen to you if you sever your link?"

     "Worry not Argus. All I'm doing sending my conscious back to sleep, in due time I will awaken and walk the world once more. But before I enter my slumber once again, let me explain to you, the powers and secrets that line within the Lantern of Harvest. First, When something dies it is because its life essences has been depleted. This comes in many forms. For monsters made of Magic, there life essences would be that of mana. For things like animals and humans, that would be there blood. Life essence is basically the fuel of life. The Lantern of Harvest can absorb the life essence of anything that has died. It can't pull life essence out of something living but instead, it absorbs the life essences that lingers around the corpse. When something in this world dies, there life essence tends to stay near the body, but if not resurrected soon enough, the life essence will dissipate and will become a special kind of mana. This special mana is used in healing magic." He then briefly filled me in on the differences between the two manas, then quickly went back to speak more about masterful invention.     

     "Along with it's use of collecting life essences, the Lantern of Harvest can also collect the souls of the dead. Usually only animals and humanoids have souls, but sometimes a stray soul can enter say, a golem. When souls enter into things like, a golem, that said golem will become twice as strong and may be able to wield the powers of that soul. The soul of an ordinary person isn't that big of a deal, but the soul of someone like a hero, that could bring some trouble. With the abilities to take both life essences and souls, the Lantern of Harvest can also place those into others. So basically to some it all up, with the Lantern of Harvest, you as an undead, can become immortal. By the time your soul starts to burn out, you can just consume another soul to reignite your own. The undead don't have life so no need for life essence, but you could always us it to heal others. Why not become the Obsidian Skeleton Priest?"

     "I'm trying to avoid getting taken in for experimentation, I'm sure healing people as an undead would have people hunting me down for my entire unlife."

     "Yes I suppose, but you can't have a fulfilled life without a few risks right."

     "Being a skeleton is already a giant risk on its own you know."

     "Again, I suppose so. But getting back on point, now that I explained to you about the Lantern of Harvest, I guess this is were we part ways Argus."

     "You really plan on giving me something like this? Isn't it to valuable?"

     "No, not if your the one using it, you being from out of this world, I feel like you can bring great change to this one. And maybe one of those changes will bring back the old Seshazzrha."

     "Then, I'll take you up on that offer, thanks for everything Velvagryn."

     "Haha, As a god I should always help those in need. Take care Argus, and let us meet again when I awaken." With those final words, the lantern shook, and a dazzling light burst out from its core. When the light settled, instead of the normal green flame, there was now a bright blue light that indicated that I was the new owner of this lantern. Picking up the lantern with a tinge of loneliness, I placed the lantern inside my rib-cage like it was a replacement heart. I covered my upper body with my tattered cloths to make sure no one could see the lantern. "Yeah, hope to see you again Velvagryn," with those words I turned and walked towards the exit of the swamp while bracing myself for my new journey.