The scene was surreal as the figure was standing and clapping his hand slowly amidst the backdrop of the green-hued, vein-like spikes that now protruded from the ground of the island where the group stood mere moments ago, the figure continued to look at Max as he finally stopped clapping and raised his hands to the dark sky above and began to speak to someone or something.

“Oh great conqueror, master of this world, vanquisher of death, I thank you for giving me this gift before me” The group listened to the man’s rumbling that made him sound deranged “Oh to finally meet the one who escaped your eternal embrace, the one who defiled your sacred being” as he continued to speak he sounded angrier and angrier by the word “oh great one, let us grant death to these heathens this day so that they may join you in your eternal embrace”.

As the figure continued his monologue, it became increasingly clear that he was deeply insane as he referred to the "great conqueror" and "master of this world" his language was filled with religious fervor, a zealous devotion to this ‘entity’.

The man's fixation on Max as someone who had "escaped your eternal embrace" and "defiled your sacred being" indicated to Max that his existence, or perhaps his actions, was seen as a significant transgression in the eyes of this cult-like group, the man’s rhetoric of "granting death" and joining their deity in an "eternal embrace" did not sit well with him Max thought.

The group, already on edge from the island's violent transformation and display of this person’s power, did not even know what to think as he began to speak like a zealot of some cult.

The tension escalated as the group listened to him, meanwhile as they regained their composure, Estelle, ready to take action, began to draw her sword and was poised to confront the fanatical figure on the island, her readiness to engage was evident in her whispered question to Layla "Should I take him out?".

However, before Layla could respond, Zindah interrupted them looking tense "No, we're surrounded" she whispered, her typically playful demeanor replaced by a grave seriousness, her alertness to their surroundings and the change in her expression signaled the severity of their situation.

Estelle, upon realizing that even Zindah, known for her spirited and fearless nature, was showing signs of concern, understood the gravity of what they were facing, looking around she noticed the trees the brush, and the shadows that hid amongst them, the group was not just dealing with the threat posed by the fanatical figure before them but also from the dozens of shadows that surrounded them on their island.

Max took the initiative and stepped forward passing Layla slightly, he instantly captured the full attention of the hooded man, who locked gazes with him silently staring at each other, Max inferred from the fanatical rambling this man spoke off that he knew who he was, or at least knew a little more information about him, he also wanted to buy some time for the rest to figure out a plan of action.

He then broke the silence and cut threw the tension in the air that built up "May I ask who might you be?" he inquired, his tone measured and calm.

The hooded man didn’t say anything for a moment and then as if his entire mood shifted he sounded as if he was smiling behind his mask "Where are my manners? My name is Talpa, and I am a loyal servant of Morsehturn," he said, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue as he observed Max's reaction. "But I see it means nothing to you… how intriguing".

Max's lack of recognition signaled either a gap in his memory or unfamiliarity with the name Morsehturn, meanwhile, Talpa's reference to Morsehturn stirred confusion and shock among the rest of Max's party.

It was Estelle who broke the group’s silence "Is he talking about that old legend?" she whispered, trying to make sense of Talpa's words. Zindah, equally puzzled, asked, "Who’s that?" Layla, maintaining her focus on Talpa, provided a brief explanation "He was an old conqueror in the past" she said, “though most believe him to be a legend nowadays”.

"No way" Marcus muttered in disbelief, drawing the attention of Estelle and Zindah, hearing this Estelle inquired if he was familiar with them, and Marcus confirmed, "I know his cult, fanatics we sometimes encountered, they had members everywhere, even if everyone tried to kill them immediately when they got found out, they were extremely dangerous".

Marcus stopped for a moment recalling his own ancient history “I remember their group sneaked into the mines once, managed to get some of them to revolt” he stopped for a moment “The mine was flooded with water, they killed everyone there, innocent or otherwise and told us that either we kill anyone who is a part of the cult or they will kill us all… even then, they never managed to root them out”.

Max, who was still engaged with Talpa, listened intently to Marcus's words without giving away his attentiveness, his mask provided him the advantage of concealing his reactions, allowing him to gather this crucial information discreetly at this moment, Marcus's statement at the end "I can’t believe they’re here" stuck with Max.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The situation escalated rapidly as Talpa continued speaking, his tone laced with a mix of surprise and mockery "I’m surprised to see you here, 'Lord commander'" he said, with a particular emphasis on the title "Lord" Max, maintaining his composure, inquired, "Why?" This prompted Talpa to burst into uncontrollable laughter, the reaction surprised the group.

As Talpa laughed, the tension amongst Max and his group intensified, as they saw the enemy forces were emerging from the surrounding area, gradually appearing in increasing numbers, at first, it seemed like two dozen, but soon it became evident that there were many more, the enemy ranks swelled rapidly, surrounding Max and his companions.

Layla, assessing the situation, felt a rising sense of panic, the sheer number of enemies appearing around them presented a seemingly insurmountable challenge to get everyone out alive, the group was significantly outnumbered, and with each passing moment, their tactical options dwindled.

"I do apologize, I should not laugh at someone who doesn’t even know what was done to him, should I?" Talpa mused, he then proceeded with probing questions towards Max "Do you feel strange? As if your body wants to tear itself apart? Or maybe you feel nothing… such an amazing specimen" Max looked on without saying anything, it appeared he was correct, this man knows something about his condition.

“A first of your kind to appear is truly remarkable and full of sin” Talpa was dancing between incoherent speech and clarity, but all his statements so far only made Max ask more questions within himself.

Confronted with Talpa's insinuations, Max seized the opportunity to seek answers about his past "So you know what happened to me?… Why don’t I have my memories?" he asked directly, this made Talpa to regain his focus again.

He looked at Max for a moment and twisted his head unnaturally before setting his gaze on him "You committed a grave sin… or more specifically, your people did" he began, his words heavy with accusation and spite, the words filled with hate and somehow happiness, sounded like a grudge towards Max.

"You were supposed to join us, join our master, but you..." Talpa's anger intensified as he recounted what he viewed as Max's defiance, his clenched fists and pointed finger at Max underscored the depth of his resentment "You refused the greatest gift in the mortal realm and chose to defy our master and resist!" His words painted a picture full of hate and jealousy.

As Talpa's fury escalated, the spikes on the island reacted to his emotions, growing larger and more menacing, with smaller spikes erupting from the larger ones and the same green-like veins began to eat at the island spreading like a disease, this startling display of power caused the group to flinch, as they did not expect this sort of reaction from a magical power none of them have seen before.

The party, sensing the immense power emanating from both Talpa and the spikes, realized the severity of the threat they faced, on the one side was this maniac, and everywhere else numerous enemies.

Talpa's fury reached a crescendo as he condemned Max with vehement accusations "And now you stand here empty and unable to join us! You are a sin! A SIN!!!" His intense anger and the escalating situation prompted Layla to act swiftly, she pulled Max back to the safety of their group's protective circle, signaling to everyone that a confrontation was imminent.

In a sudden and violent response to Layla's intervention, Talpa lashed out "You dare interrupt a conversation between his chosen!?" he bellowed, In a show of terrifying strength and control over the environment, he snapped off one of the massive spikes and hurled it towards Layla and Max.

"Move!" Layla shouted, quickly dragging Max aside to evade the incoming projectile, the spike flew over the heads of most of the group but struck one of the soldiers who hadn't managed to duck in time, the impact was brutal as it instantly killed the soldier by severing his lower body as his upper body exploded into a bloody mist, it continued to fly further and the destruction continued in its path, as it ended up striking some of Talpa's own followers who were positioned in the trees.

The scene that unfolded was one of chaos and unexpected revelations, Talpa's reaction to his own actions was startling and unnerving to the group as they lay on the ground looking at him, after hurling the spike with deadly force, he seemed to momentarily lose control, and upon realizing the consequence of his actions, he collapsed to his knees in apparent distress.

Talpa's behavior shifted dramatically from an enraged aggressor to a figure of remorse and despair, he cried out to the sky, pleading for forgiveness from his perceived master "I’m sorry master, I’m sorry, I did not mean to harm one of your chosen!" His words and demeanor suggested a deep sense of guilt and fear as if he had unintentionally committed a sin himself.

The group was taken aback by this sudden momentary change, the sight of one of their own gruesomely killed, his lower body collapsing to the ground in a pool of blood, was horrifying, a complete contrast to Talpa’s followers who did not even spare a look towards their own comrades who died from Talpa’s rage induced attack.

Talpa's breakdown resembled a child's tantrum for a moment.

The situation escalated rapidly as Talpa transitioned from a state of apparent remorse to one of resolute determination, his sudden proclamation "I know what I must do, I must repent, and I'll do it with the lives of the unworthy!" marked a chilling return to his fanatical mindset, his laughter, now more twisted and disturbing, underscored the depth of his zealotry and apparent insanity.

With a command to his followers, Talpa transformed the confrontation into a full-scale assault "Kill them all, but leave the precious one to me, he must join us, for that is the will of our master Morsehturn!" he ordered, singling out Max as a key target for capture.

Reacting swiftly to Talpa's order, Layla commanded "Run through them, make a way out, no matter what!!!" her decisive command prompted the group to shift their formation, turning their focus away from Talpa and towards creating an escape route through the encircling enemies.

As the group prepared to break through the ranks of Talpa's followers, the cultists charged forward in a frenzied attack, driven by their unwavering belief in some higher power or being.

Talpa, standing apart from the fray, started to mutter "From flesh to dust, from dust to eternity, from flesh to dust, from dust to eternity, from flesh to dust, from dust to ETERNITY!”.