Robert held his right arm out to the Cugorii. “Are you sure about this?”

Dio’Mar floated beside him. “These creatures are very special… they were created by several very powerful spirits… for reasons that are not known to me, they seem to obey your commands… even react to your anger…”

The Cugorii took its right hand, and with a sickening display of violence, began to gnaw on its wrist. Flesh and black blood gushed from wounds that were made from its hideous teeth.

The sight made Robert reel back in disgust, but he didn’t protest. With a pop, the creature pulled its right hand from a bloody stump. The cut was not a pristine and surgical one like when Robert lost his own hand, but Dio’Mar said that it would make little difference.

“It does not matter if clay is cut or torn… it can be melded… shaped… repaired…” The spirit said, gesturing for Robert to take the hand from the creature.

“But… what about its hand?” Robert looked at the monster, a pang of guilt crossing his face. The feeling was a relief to him in a way. He hadn’t lost his humanity… yet.

The Cugorii turned and walked back into the darkness of the cave, out of sight.

Robert looked at the large and gnarled hand; black blood still dripped from the wound onto his now tattered and dirty ceremonial robe.

“It’s too big,” he said, looking at the oversized appendage. “How the hell is this thing not supposed to make me look ridiculous?”

“Robert… you are far too picky… you have lost your hand… I can show you how to reattach this one to you… the Cugorii body is malleable and extremely susceptible to spiritual energy… it will meld to you… now stop complaining and close your little mortal eyes…”

“Least I have eyes,” Robert grumbled, closing his eyes to focus.

“The energy is not here… around you…” Her voice echoed in his head as he began to enter another Dunamis induced trance-like state.

“Why does this always happen?” he asked her, his mind clouding.

“Every creature in Pelemont has the ability… to tap into the Dunamis… most find it in the easiest places… the world itself bleeds spiritual energy… what many forget, however… is that they can find it within themselves…”

“But why this?” he asked, now finding himself again floating in the blue sky.

“The Dae call it Dunum Dae Espae… power… Dae… spirit… it is a state of total self-reflection… but it is terribly misunderstood… it is from this state that power can be accessed, that few of even the most learned Dae could hope to understand… it is here where the true might of the Dunamis is revealed… and where we will heal your hand. The Dae have always been this way… following the path to power… least resisted… it is for this reason that they began looking elsewhere for more power… the truth is within their hearts… but one does not truly know themselves unless they are shown the way… I will show you the way… I will make you see…”

Robert’s right arm burned with sudden pain. It was nothing compared to the constant searing agony of his trials above, but it startled him. “What’s happening?”

“You are repairing your body…” she said,

“How? I’m not doing anything.” Robert started panicking as the pain increased. “I don’t like this! How do I get out of this state? What do I do to—”

“Calm yourself…” Dio’Mar interrupted. “You must listen to me… breathe… you are not in the Pit of Mar here… you are free… in the sky above Pelemont… you are soaring above the mountains and valleys… trust in yourself… when you awaken from this… you will be whole… you will be strong… Let me guide you…”

Dio’Mar’s voice faded into nothing, and Robert floated on his own in the sky of his Dunamis. This has to be some strange trance. Trust in an evil little spirit? he thought. Of course, he did not trust anyone or anything in this new world, but he was left with little choice. His thoughts turned to Katrina again, and his heart started to harden. She had abandoned him in this world, turning to other people for comfort and strength. He often thought of better times, listening to her laugh as they watched their favorite shows together, hearing her talk about a tough day she had, or an argument with her parents. It seemed in a different life to him… it was a different life now. Here, in the depths of this pit, he was now truly alone.

“Robert…” Dio’Mar’s voice echoed again. “Open your eyes…”

As if being pulled from a deep sleep, he found himself back in the cave. He was surrounded by the Cugorii and the little floating spirit before him. With hesitation, he lifted his right arm and beheld a monstrous-looking hand that was unfamiliar to him. The fingers were smaller now, as though the size had been adjusted to meet the proportion of his human arm, but still, it had a pale grey color and razor-sharp claws that made it painfully apparent that this was not a human hand. Robert’s face grimaced as he moved the fingers and joints, discovering them again for the first time.

“It will do… for now, Robert… do not fret…” Dio’Mar said, floating in front of him.

“How do we get out of here?” he asked her, still inspecting his new appendage.

~

Turak charged through entrance of the Temple of Mar as Espi-Dae passed him, running for their lives. Within the massive structure, he could hear the screams of Dae and monstrous growls and snarls. He ran in with several Rexunii warriors, following the commotion into the great hall where the Pit of Mar was housed and protected. He did not know what he would find when he entered. Demons? he thought. A feeling he had not experienced in some time crept its way back into his being: Fear. Was it retribution for the blatant disregard of our sovereign spirit’s will? His mind raced with each hastened step he took.

He ran into the main hall and saw dozens of strange monsters over the bodies of fallen Espi-Dae. They gnawed and tore at their flesh with vicious precision.

“By the Spirits,” he said to himself, his eyes wide and full of fear. “What are these creatures?”

The warriors stormed in behind him, gasps and hushed words could be heard as they surely took in the same sights.

The monsters looked at the new group of Dae and turned to leap upon them. As they did, a massive burst of fire blew past Turak from behind. The orange flame scorched the creatures, and they fell to the stone floor without so much as a sound.

Turak glanced back to see King Alektor standing. His face grimaced with the same shock as the rest.

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“Kill them as they emerge!” he yelled to Turak.

Turak looked to see the large sliding doors of the pit were smashed open. One of the pieces had been torn off and had clearly fallen down into the dark hole.

More monsters began to pour from the opening, leaping with immense strength into the air to avoid the Dunamis of the warriors. As they did, they were burned by massive waves of fire. The air burned with energy as Turak watched his King effortlessly dispatch the creatures. Steeling himself, Turak drew his dual blades and let out a yell before charging at the danger. Suddenly there was a shout that echoed loudly from the hole.

“Stop!” it echoed through the massive room, booming with unnatural volume.

The creatures halted their advance, and Turak turned to see a clawed hand grasp the lip of the entrance to the pit.

“Get back here.” it said again, prompting the creatures to obey him and help the figure out of the hole.

Turak saw a tattered and filthy ceremonial robe behind the creatures as they carried the form. Then his eyes met familiar ones, deeply brown and full of rage.

“By the spirits,” Turak said, taking involuntary steps back. “It’s… it’s the human!”

Alektor’s eyes narrowed at the sight. “So… you truly were a demon.” He lifted his hand, and heat began to blur Robert’s features. “I will not allow this!”

“No…” A booming voice called from all around them. The power brought all in the room to freeze, even Alektor.

“You… will not touch him…” The voice echoed.

A massive form began to conjure behind Robert, its face shrouded in black smoke and reaching the high dome ceiling of the temple. Turak fell to his knees at the sight. In all the days of his life, he had prayed to this spirit. He knew who it was, knew what this meant. All his fears had been realized; at this moment, he knew he had failed her. Throwing the human into the pit had brought forth the wrath of Dio’Mar.

“Long have I slept… in the Dark of this world… in the bowels... of your… city… content with the judgment… of your kings… until now… until your arrogance took… f… form…” Her voice was terrifying to all who beheld it. Etched with immeasurable power and wrath, she shook Turak to his core.

“You have betrayed what you stand for… oh, mighty king… and cast down one sent by the great spirits… themselves…”

Turak glanced to see Alektor, for the first time, looking small at something he faced. Uncertainty… and fear? That was something new.

Silence ensued as the Dae warriors cowered before this ancient and benevolent spirit.

“Well…? How do you plead?” she said finally.

“I did what was best for my people! For the children of Rexun! And I would do it again if I knew it would help them. But great spirit, we were all deceived by the—”

“I am not… a great spirit…” Dio’Mar replied, hate in her words.

Alektor blinked, looking confused, and he turned to his friend for help. Turak was frozen in fear and had no snide remark or sarcastic quip to soothe his king this time. It was at that moment that Turak saw Alektor’s demeanor change. The confusion and fear turned to anger, and he looked again to the massive spirit before him.

“What would you have me do?” he said, opening his arms to either side, revealing his vulnerable chest. They had been called from the king’s chamber and hadn’t had time to don their armor. Alektor had even arrived at the temple without the crucial protection of his sword. Though as Turak had come to know his friend over the years, he could be sure that he did not need it. The man was a prodigy of elemental power, dispatching all who had ever stood against him in battle, even the most seasoned warriors of the old regime in Rexun.

“I would have you stand… oh, great king of the Rexunii… stand for all the injustice you have caused… and accept my judgment.” Dio’Mar began to shrink in size and floated to the king with her hand extended. “I love my people… the faithful who have kept their morals and dignity pure… for all the years I have been here… you can be redeemed… you can show me your true character.” Dio’Mar touched his face and gave a sinister smile. “What will you choose?”

~

Robert sat before a large fire in Alektor’s chambers. He had a warm embroidered blanket wrapped around his shoulders, and he stared at the hypnotizing flame.

“I knew it,” Turak said to him, his eyes red with fury “I knew they were wrong about you. The damned Espi-Dae! Those bastards from Torre’ betrayed us, forced us to go against our teachings, go against the will of Dio’Mar, but…” The Dae man looked thoughtfully into the flame as well. “Perhaps there is some divine plan she has yet to reveal to us. If not for your suffering, she would never have revealed herself to us, to bring the Rexunii back to the path.”

Robert looked at him with malice. “My… suffering?” He grimaced at him. “You have no fucking clue what kind of suffering I endured ever since I got to this shithole of a world! You people are savages!” He stood, his rage building to the boiling point. “I have—”

“Enough!” Alektor called from across the room, cutting him off. “I understand your plight, Spirit-Sent,” he said, closing the large doors behind him and walking to Robert. “You have a right to be angry, for all that has been done to you. I can say that we are deeply sorry that it unfolded the way it did. But you will not speak to us so. Dio’Mar has asked that I house and protect you from harm, assisting you in every way I can in your quest to return to your world.” He paused, trying to understand that fact. “It is the Espi-Dae who tortured you and cast you into the pit; your fury will be best directed at them. If you do, then we share a common enemy.”

Robert huffed as he sat down again, closing his eyes. Is it over? Is this suffering truly over? he thought. He glanced down at his monstrous hand and shivered at the sight. “I’m sorry… I just.”

“We will start over,” Alektor said, walking before Robert. His eyes were a brilliant yellow, a true symbol of the Dae people, the embodiment of their strength and ferocity. “I am King Alektor of House Roh, ruler of the Rexunii, servant of Dio’Mar, and now… friend of the Spirit-Sent.” Alektor extended his hand to him, not unlike a handshake, but more of a clasp of friendship. Many of the warrior Dae he had seen in Lokkadonia did much the same. He looked at it for several seconds, his face a twisted display of hundreds of emotions. “How?” he finally asked. “How the hell can I trust any of you people now? What will you do to make sure that some crazy Espi-Dae fanatics don’t show up and haul me off again!? What can you do?”

Alektor narrowed his eyes. Robert could see he was angered by the comments, but he could see the king knew they were true.

“I offer you not only my friendship, but my family as well. I offer you the name of Roh.”

Turak stood and spoke for the first time. “This… this is the right thing to do, Alektor.” He looked at Robert. “You will be brothers; this is a bond that is not made lightly.”

Is he offering to adopt me or something? Robert thought, somewhat caught off-guard by the bold display.

“This will make you family, and I would topple kingdoms for my family.” Alektor gestured again to his still outstretched hand.

Robert hesitated again, looking at his hands, then sneered as he grasped the King’s hand with his Cugorii hand. Alektor didn’t even flinch at the foreign tissue, but he smiled at Robert.

“While you are here in Pelemont, you are my brother. I swear to all the spirits, ancient and great that I will protect you. Also, while you are here you will be Reku of House Roh.”

“Reku?” Robert asked.

“As long as you are a member of my house, this will be your name. You are a Prince and brother to the King, Spirit-Sent, and Dio’Mar’s chosen, Reku of House Roh.”

What choice do I have? Robert thought. His mind raced at the implications of it all. He knew that this would provide him with the protection he needed, or at least hoped it would. “I…” Robert said, unable to finish his thought. “I accept your offer.”

~

After the emotional exchange, the King and Turak left the room, while several of the palace servants bathed and clothed Robert. He found himself in a large and comfortable bed that night, but sleep could not take him. There was too much on his mind. His thoughts wandered then to Amynta, the Dae scholar who joined him in the Spirit Forest. He knew she was alive… they had searched for her, but the spirits protected her. She will be alright… I hope.

“You know… this is the best for us…” spoke a familiar little voice. Robert felt a cold presence beside his head. Dio’Mar’s little form sat on his pillow. “But I must tell you… we must be careful with the king of Rexun…”

“Why?” Robert asked, staring at the ceiling.

“His power is immense… he hides much of it in front of the Dae around him… but spirits can sense much more… he could have killed us both if he chose to attack us in the temple…”

Robert turned to look at her eyeless face, only a pale blur in the darkness of the room. “Even you? An ancient spirit?”

A small laugh rang in his ear as she floated to touch his forehead. “My sweet mortal… I have lost much of my power… and though the spiritual energy I absorbed when leaving the cave made me much more than I was… it will take time to return to even a fraction of my former self… we must be careful… we must protect each other…”