As they walked through the cathedral, neither of them said a word to the other. Eventually, Raxyas breaks the silence.
Raxyas: ... You could have delivered some of those reports in person, you know.
Xayn: What are you talking about?
Raxyas: The reports you made back then, when I was fighting against the Thirteen. Without them, my battles would have been much harder. I'm thankful for them, but... Couldn't you have dropped by sometime to give them to me personally?
Xayn: I was busy, Raxyas... There was much to read.
Raxyas: Right.
They left through the cathedral's doors and walked silently toward the outskirts of town, this time without the stabbing looks of disapproval from the residents of Halgorth. The streets were empty, as was customary after a summoning to the cathedral.
The streets were empty, as was customary after a summoning to the cathedral [https://img.wattpad.com/68d06de212a86f33dc71a12c7a7c627db37f85cd/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e2d6343476f39515a75746d42673d3d2d313139373433303639342e313732386664653162623137363263313238393237343632383331362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Xayn: I've been meaning to ask you... How is it past this plane? Did you catch some sort of glimpse of your next life?
Raxyas: I... Couldn't quite get there.
Xayn: How so...? You were gone for years, surely you must have seen something!
Raxyas: Oh, many things... My whole life, and unlife too. All of it flashed before my very eyes. But that was only the beginning. Everything is a bit of a blur after that but... I think there was nothing there. It did not feel like salvation or anything of the sort.
Xayn: Then what did it feel like...?
Raxyas: Honestly? It kind of felt like damnation as we know it.
Xayn: Damnation, you say? Interesting...
Raxyas: Interesting? I find it mortifying! That was supposed to be my ticket out of here, and it felt like I was getting locked up in a cage of infinite nothingness...
Xayn: Za would not do such a thing to us, Raxyas. You know him.
Raxyas: I do! And I don't think he would do it voluntarily. Maybe he does not know what salvation is truly like. Look, I don't really know what I saw... My memory is still hazy from then. Like I woke up abruptly from a dream. Why do you figure that might be, huh Xayn?
He looks at Xayn, squinting. Xayn smiles.
Xayn: No idea! Wonder why you might be feeling like that...
Raxyas: Yeah! Thanks a lot, couldn't ask for a better alarm clock.
There was a brief moment of silence between them, as they continued walking. Then, Xayn speaks.
Xayn: Raxyas... I'm sorry that I didn't drop by back then. I know I should have.
Raxyas: It's alright. At the end of the day, we'd rather do the things that offer us the least resistance, right? I know you're not the type to reach out. I know you prefer books to people. But...
Xayn: Yes?
Raxyas: Every once in a while... It would have been nice to catch up. For old times' sake.
Xayn: Yeah... Sorry.
Then, there was more silence between them. A prolonged silence. A silence that had been all too present before in their lives, when they used to train under master Za's command to become redeemers. A silence that came not from understanding one another, but from wishing the other could better understand them.
Xayn: ... And what do you think of the Thirteen? Do you believe they underestimated you? Or were they more powerful than you anticipated?
Raxyas: Hmph. They were too sure of themselves. Too reckless. They assumed they were the most powerful entities in this plane, and as a result they got careless. I'd be lying if I told you taking them down was easy, don't get me wrong... But it wasn't nearly as difficult as I had initially imagined.
Xayn: Hmm. Could it be that they were holding back?
Raxyas: Perhaps... But why would they do that?
Xayn: Think of it this way -- why would they push themselves? It seems like even though you defeated each of them, in the end they got the last laugh. They didn't really need to beat you in those clashes.
Raxyas: I see what you mean... Regardless of whether I was defeated or not, they already had a favorable outcome already planned out. In truth... They would always come out on top.
Xayn: Chances are, if you were easy enough prey, they would kill you on the spot. If you proved to be more powerful...
Raxyas: They would instead go down easily, knowing full well that I would be unable to damn them... And possibly that I would be the one sent to the void, in the end. They played me like a fiddle...!
Xayn: Not quite, Raxyas. Let us not overlook one crucial aspect.
Raxyas: What's that?
Xayn: Well, not only were they unaware of the chant you heard, but clearly they were also unfamiliar with master Qu's research. They had no idea he helped Za by concocting a special elixir for your mission. Without those two mechanisms as proof of slaying the Thirteen, you would have had no means of avoiding your damnation.
Raxyas: Right... Their plans were not without their flaws.
Xayn: Every plan has its flaws... You can only be as clever as the information you have at your disposal allows you to be. Of course you will never have all the information available... They weren't the only ones with tricks up their sleeve.
Raxyas: Well... They may not have known about these mechanisms, but does it matter in the end? It may be too late to stop them already. Whoever had the idea of taking the souls someplace outside Mortmundus was clearly ahead of us.
Xayn: They have made mistakes already. For our own sake, we have to assume that there are more mistakes we can exploit.
Raxyas: One thing is for certain -- I'm not getting tricked again. This time, we will obliterate the vessels and conduct a sundering. On every single member of clan.
Xayn: You want to pull out all the stops, I see... But Raxyas, that's a ritual that takes quite a long time. Not only that, it places the two of us in a very vulnerable state for the course of its duration. Are you sure that would be wise?
Raxyas: Do we have a choice? If that doesn't work... Then it truly will be hopeless to stop them.
Xayn: You're not wrong... If it doesn't work, no other ritual will. I suppose that if we are careful, we can pull it off...
Raxyas: My thoughts exactly. Moreover, if master Qu does indeed allow for one of his redeemers to join us, then one of us will be able to keep watch while the other two perform the ritual. So first things first, we need to head over to Karghna and assist mast-
Suddenly, out of a nearby alleyway a band of menacing undead slowly approach the duo.
Suddenly, out of a nearby alleyway a band of menacing undead slowly approach the duo [https://img.wattpad.com/f45587947d21b439aae99c9e871b3f22ce5df1f1/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f305f4a75726a48585971415342673d3d2d313139373433303639342e313732386665306438396237653136363432393832313538303634382e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Xayn: Hold onto that sentence...
The one who seemed to be their leader spoke. He had orange eyes with pupils shaped like a biohazard symbol.
Orange Biohazard: Well well well, if it isn't Raxyas... The shame of Halgorth.
Xayn: Treat your superiors with respect.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Another one quickly turns to Xayn, replying abruptly.
Flammable Yellow: Hah! FUCK your respect! You redeemers are an absolute joke! You're supposed to be protecting Mortmundus, yet it seems you're more interested in your ticket out of here than our safety...
Toxic Green: We've had enough of you, enough of Za and his dictatorial bullshit!
Xayn: SILENCE! If the master hears of your insolence, he will have your souls damned in an instant!
Toxic Green: Not if he can't catch us. We're done with Halgorth. We hear there's citadels out there that treat their citizens much better, even going so far as rewarding them with new and improved vessels.
Orange Biohazard: After we're done teaching you a lesson, Raxyas, we will be out of here for good. We're done kneeling for traitors who are in bed with our fuckin' enemies.
Raxyas was furious.
Raxyas: You have no idea how much my blood boils when I hear ungrateful, ignorant idiots like you say those things... What does Za ask of you, really? That you behave and stop acting like savages while he and the redeemers try to keep the citadel safe from outside threats? If you wanted to live in a jungle where anything goes and you can harass and destroy other undead at your leisure, you should have just gone to No Man's Shore instead. Halgorth is no place for you. Now, put your money where your mouth is and bring it on already!
Xayn: Raxyas, we really shouldn't be eng-
Raxyas: It's fine, Xayn. I won't even need to summon my weapon for this...
Orange Biohazard: Cocky, aren't you? We're about to show you why we never needed your kind around here!
The undead was bearing a staff of sorts. He swings violently at Raxyas' skull. Raxyas effortlessly grabs the staff with his left hand before it could connect to his head.
Raxyas: You have no idea how easy you have it inside these walls...
With the strength of his left hand along, he snaps the staff as he lunges forward, readying a powerful right hook. He swings faster than the undead could react, hitting his skull with maximum force and cleanly decapitating him.
Flammable Yellow: FUCK!
His head rolls around on the floor, as the other undead stand around in shock.
Raxyas: Do you think it's easy to do our jobs? That anyone can protect you from what's out there? That's fine. Go and see for yourselves, venture past the walls of Halgorth and see what dangers lurk there. You wouldn't last a day.
Toxic Green: Shut the hell up! You got lucky, if he had hit you it would've been YOUR head rolling on the ground!
Raxyas: You're really dense, aren't you?
Raxyas grabs the staff and hands it to the undead.
Raxyas: Take your best shot.
The undead swings with maximum force, hitting the side of Raxyas' skull with all his power. The staff breaks in half with the impact, while his head is completely unaffected.
Raxyas: Do you get it now?
At this point, the undead were terrified of the redeemer. They knew didn't stand a chance.
Toxic Green: JUST SHUT THE HELL UP! Grab his head, I'll get the rest of his body. We're getting outta here!
The other undead hastily grabs the decapitated head of his comrade.
Raxyas: If any of you ever set foot in Halgorth again, I'll personally damn you.
Flammable Yellow: This isn't the last you've heard of us, Raxyas! Next time we meet, we're settling the score!
Raxyas: You must be very optimistic if you're assuming we'll ever see one another again...
Suddenly, the decapitated head speaks.
Orange Biohazard: Optimistic...? We will be seeing a lot more of each other from this moment onwards, dear Raxyas.
The other two undead change their posture after it speaks. They were no longer afraid. In fact... It seemed like they were completely hollow inside.
Toxic Green: You will have no choice but to put up with me...
Flammable Yellow: ... And I will have no choice but to put up with you.
They point at Raxyas.
Raxyas: ... Xayn? What the hell is going on? Are you seeing this shit? I'm not going crazy, am I?
Xayn: I told you not to engage... Their minds are probably more broken than they seemed. Let's just keep going our way. Ignore them.
In sync, the two undead cast strange glyphs out of their hands, while the three of them mutter a chant neither Raxyas nor Xayn could understand. Raxyas places his hands on his head. Whatever they were doing was giving him a terrible headache.
Xayn: HEY! What do you think you're doing?! Do you want to be damned here and now?
The two undead quickly finish their chant and run out of Halgorth with the body parts of their comrade in their arms.
Raxyas: Fuck... What the hell was that...
Xayn: Probably some half-baked spell to disorient you... I'm surprised it even managed to have any effect at all. Are you feeling alright?
Raxyas: Yeah, I'm fine now...
Raxyas and Xayn take a moment to pull themselves together, before carrying on.
Xayn: It always saddens me to see that they don't understand why we have to do the things we do...
Raxyas: How could they? Those three probably lived within the safety of Halgorth their whole unlives. Habits from our days in the world of the living die hard, they must've had a lust for violence in life... That's not the kind of thing you can put a lid on indefinitely. All they needed was a reason to snap, and they finally got it: me. The perfect excuse to channel their bottled-up anger. Hope it was worth it.
Xayn: Should we tell Za of this?
Raxyas: No point, he has his hands full as it is. Plus, I don't think those guys will be coming back here after this. Now, let's keep moving. As I was saying, we need to get to Karghna and help master Qu gather the new knowledge that's been unearthed.
Xayn: Very well. Shall we go on your planeswalker?
Raxyas: Yeah. It's been a long time...
The duo had now exited the citadel.
Raxyas stopped moving and began focusing on the ground below. From his undead hands a golden glow began to emanate, as a great pillar of golden flames surged in front of him. After channeling this spell for a while, a beast came forth from within the flames. It resembled a gigantic mammoth, with ruins of an old fortress embedded in its back. The beast was easily the size of the cathedral in Halgorth, perhaps larger.
The beast was easily the size of the cathedral in Halgorth, perhaps larger [https://img.wattpad.com/59eccdd818ba40814239f3c4a9d1cebcf966d3d0/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5f7536394e354f4e493043364d773d3d2d313139373433303639342e313732386666303834303462653539303237343733313930363133312e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Raxyas: Glad to see he's just as I left him. I was afraid Za would've put him down immediately.
Xayn: And sacrifice such a creature? If anything, he would've handed him over to me.
Raxyas: Hah! Don't make me laugh Xayn, Morthol was never really fond of you...
Xayn: Your point being...? It's not like that would matter. As far as I know, a soul bond is a soul bond.
Raxyas: It's a bit more complicated than that. If you ever get a planeswalker you'll understand.
Xayn: Sure...
The two redeemers climbed onto Morthol's back and entered the ruins atop the planeswalker. Despite its appearance, the fortress was quite well-kept. Inside there were many chambers, along with a distinctive central room, which was at the end of the hall that came from the entrance of the ruins. A map of what seemed to be the entire world of the undead was carved into the floor, and powerful magic was at work there. As the planeswalker moved, the map's layout could change to match the beast's position.
Xayn: From Halgorth to Karghna... Could be a longer trip. Should take us about... a week? Maybe less, if Morthol is in a good mood.
Raxyas and Xayn both look at the map.
Raxyas: He better be in a good mood, he's had plenty of time to rest.
As Morthol moved, the fortress barely swayed. It was incredible stable, for a structure sitting atop a massive mammal.
Raxyas was about to say something, but stops himself. Shortly after, he falls down on his knees, having felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Xayn: Raxyas! What's wrong?
Raxyas was struggling to catch his breath. He channels some energy into his hand, and firmly plants it on the map. The energy draws a cross, marking a location in the map in between Halgorth and Karghna. It was roughly two days away of travel.
Raxyas: One of them...!
Xayn: One of them? That's where they are? But to send you into that state... Is it one of the most powerful ones?
Raxyas slowly gets up, getting some of his composure back.
Raxyas: That... I don't... I can't place it. I don't know who is there. But I know it's one of them. My attunement tells me so.
Xayn: That was your attunement? Were you trying to use it?
Raxyas: No... It just activated itself... It has never done that before...
Xayn: This is a bad sign. The attunement only manifests itself autonomously before a redeemer... If one of the undead who that redeemer attempted to damn has been detected in Mortmundus once again, with a *drastic* increase in power... It is meant to be taken as a serious warning. Whatever is over there, Raxyas, it is much, much stronger than the last time you fought it.
Raxyas: It doesn't matter. We have to take it down.
Xayn: But... Can we even defeat it?
Raxyas pulls himself together, before answering.
Raxyas: Alone, I could probably take two or three members of the Thirteen at once, if we are talking about the less exceptional members... The two of us should be able to handle at least twice that amount. Your ranged abilities will surely grant us a sizeable advantage. But... With this increase in power... No. I'm sure it will be fine. The both of us will make quick work of whatever is ahead.
Xayn: Are you certain? Still... For you to be able to take them down so easily previously... Makes you wonder how they've managed to become such a threat to the world of the dead.
Raxyas: You can thank Zal'kator and Kor for that.
Xayn: Numbers one and thirteen...
Raxyas: They are unlike any other member in terms of combat prowess, and pose a much larger threat. Taking one down by myself proved to be challenging, I can't begin to imagine what it would be to face them both at once.
Xayn: Even if it were the two of us against them?
Raxyas: Indeed. They are that powerful.
Xayn: What was your strategy for taking down the Thirteen the first time you fought them? Can we use anything you've learned here?
Raxyas: Well, at the time not much was known about them besides the fact they were experimenting with corrupting the souls of undead to turn them into thralls. The Thirteen had no idea a redeemer was sent to dispatch them, so taking the first member down was easy. Unlike them, however, I conducted some research beforehand, and looked into the background of each member, picking out my targets one by one. Numbers one and thirteen had to go first since they were the most powerful. Number thirteen was the first to go down. Even caught by surprise, Kor was a formidable foe. Unfortunately, Zal'kator had to be saved for last.
Xayn: Why leave Zal'kator for last, however? Shouldn't he have been the next target?
Raxyas: No. Zal'kator should have been the first. He was the wisest and more aware of the Thirteen. Had I known that, I would have taken him out before anybody else. As soon as he heard of the damnation of Kor, he had all members summon their thralls to him. If I wanted to take down Zal'kator, I would have to destroy the legion of thralls protecting him.
Xayn: I see. So you had to defeat the others first.
Raxyas: And so I did. Compared to Kor, they were weak and fell easily. Finally, with the legion almost entirely culled, it was Zal'kator's turn. He was not as strong as Kor, but he had wits. He had an army of his own and prepared an ambush for me. Luckily, I saw through his attempt and managed to gain the upper hand.
Xayn: So this time a different approach is in order...
Raxyas: This time the element of surprise is no longer a luxury I have. They may think me dead, but they suspect more redeemers have been dispatched to hunt them. They will be prepared.
Xayn: Have you already redirected Morthol towards the location?
Raxyas: I have. We're on our way. We must prepare ourselves too, Xayn. We cannot fail.
Xayn: Well, we certainly are not getting any stronger by simply chatting in between locations. I propose we spar. You must be very rusty after your long absence.
Raxyas: Not so rusty that I can't wipe the floor with you, however!