[Book II Chapter 103] ZENTRIAS: Amare Vitiose

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Got to stay ahead. Zentrias was infusing his muscles with abusive amounts of energy. The bandages could barely keep up. On the up side, they were hopping across the dungeon’s first floor so fast most of the lesser undead couldn’t react.

“Run as much as you like, I’ll chase you to depths of hell.” Stannis cried angrily.

Zentrias believed him. Although the Adventurer’s Guild wouldn’t let the mercenary leave with Nuzou’s Talons, since they weren’t legitimately obtained loot, he’d still be compensated for turning them over, and the payment would be substantial.

<> His younger self muttered sullenly.

Do you really believe that? Stannis’s armor was almost of legendary quality. While it had a few exploitable imperfections, it’d take him a couple of seconds to break through, by which time he’d be cut to pieces. I can’t do anything about that sword. It’s flawless.

<> His younger self changed the subject. <>

Zentrias winced. He should never have worn any equipment from this place, but it was too late for regrets. What happens if he cuts off my hands and leaves?

<> His younger self answered dutifully. <>

<>

Neither is acceptable. As they approached the cobblestone plaza where the dark knights stood guard, Zentrias was relieved to see the sentries stand aside. Seems the right to passage carries over to subsequent visits. He dashed through the open gateway and descended into the fog covered city on the other side.

He considered attracting a reaper, but rejected the notion. In all likelihood, the immortal undead would target him, and Stannis, aware of the danger, would simply hang back to let him be torn apart.

There’s only one hope. He retraced the steps his team had taken, finding the sewers and turning into the catacombs. This time, once he reached the chasm, he continued to the other side.

Although he’d never told the others, his decision to jump down had been more than a calculation over the best way to escape. He’d briefly felt a presence deeper in the catacombs, something far more dangerous than the reaper pursuing them. It’d instilled such terror that he’d sent them all plunging into the unknown without a second thought.

As long as it kills both of us… Nearing his goal, he accelerated, following his sense of unease. Soon he reached a dead end. Here. With a wave of destructive magic, he collapsed the floor and fell into a large room with no exit.

“You certainly dragged this out.” Stannis dropped down behind him, an annoyed look on his face. “But you’re finally trapped.”

Zentrias ignored the man, glancing about furtively. Littered under the fallen rumble were human bones. Why doesn’t he feel it?

“Who disturbs my slumber?” Came a soft raspy voice. On a pile skulls, a mummy in worn robes stirred to life. In its shrunken eye sockets glowed a horrid blue light.

“And what are you?” Stannis demanded, appraising the new threat.

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“Shouldn’t that be obvious?” The mummy chuckled, stretching its arms as a layer of dust fell off. Zentrias wasn’t sure why, but listening to the casual exchange filled him with immeasurable dread.

<> His younger self advised. The youth’s usual fearlessness was gone.

Stannis frowned. “Undead don’t speak.”

“We are all capable of it,” The mummy responded lazily, “though only us champions ever exercise the right.”

Zentrias eyes went wide. A champion… We’re doomed. Even Stannis looked ready to flee. “That’s impossible.” He objected. “No one has seen one of you since the Dark Age.”

The mummy absently ran its fingers over its face. “This skin is withered. I must acquire a new one…” He glanced towards them. “Don’t be so wary. Most of my strength was spend fueling Sola’s final spell. The husk before you is weaker than even a saint. It will take years for me to regain my full power.”

“You’re lying.” Stannis protested, although there was hope in his voice.

“Same as necromancers, I am subject to Torak’s will.” Amare responded. “Can you not hear the truth in my words?”

Stannis’s confidence gradually returned. Abruptly, sharp stalactites appeared in the air around him and went flying like spears. The mummy did nothing as they impaled his limbs and torso.

“Ahaha…” Stanis was exhilarated. “You really aren’t so tough…”

He studied the immobilized undead. “Part of me wants the honor of finishing you off, but it’s not worth the time it’d take. No one would believe me anyway.” He turned to Zentrias. “Stay stuck until I’ve claimed my prize.”

Stannis brandished his sword and strode forwards, but was interrupted by a low guttural laughter. “Oh, how I’ve missed it. Your arrogance, your naivete, your scheming, your ambitions, your greed…”

“I am Amare Vitiose, and that is my sin. I love humanity, in all its decadence and glory. It’s my deepest desire to witness your struggles right up to the bitter end, to be there when the last of you takes their final breath.”

“What are you rambling about?” Stannis demanded, sensing something off.

“Foolish mortal…” The glowing blue embers in Amare’s eye sockets regarded the man with compassionate pity. “Did you never stop to consider why the Abyss, in its fanatical devotion to the eradication of life, would allow an undead such as I to exist?”

Stannis was struck dumb by the unexpected question. “What?”

“It was to make us the most effective killers. To allow us to wield humanity’s strongest weapon against them.” Amare smirked smugly and whispered. “’Iron Maiden’.”

Blood exploded from Stannis. Wide holes had opened up all over over his body, penetrating straight through his impressive armor. They were located at the exact same spots the stalactites had pierced Amare.

Zentrias watched in stunned horror as his assailant crumpled to the ground. “A sublime vagary that reflects back any damage suffered…” Such an ability, in the hands of an undead who can revive endlessly from fatal wounds… Isn’t it invincible?

Amare read his mind. “You underestimate human ingenuity. To my delight, they found the means to face me.”

Zentrias’s mind was reeling. There were four champions last dark age, he remembered. “How many of you survived?”

“Two.” Amare regarded him coyly. “Invidere Profundo was felled in battle, and Flagranti Virtute chose to give his all to Sola’s spell. Only Sanguis Rex and I remain.”

At this revelation, Zentrias guessed his fate. He didn’t bother running. “What now?”

Amare broke free of the stone stakes and towered over him, pointing down. “You will live.”

“What?” Zentrias uttered in shock. Undead are enmity incarnate, and champions are their supreme paragons. This was beyond belief. “How…?”

“Beings without a sense of self are incapable of developing the history and experience necessary for a sublime vagary, which is why the Abyss granted us champions the rarest of privilege. We possess an individually and personality such that we may even resist the compulsion to murder all we meet.”

“Yet you’re still committed to destroying humanity?” Zentrias asked.

Amare nodded, “That cannot be compromised on. Our loyalty to the cause is the price of our independence. Should it ever waver, the Abyss would swallow us whole.”

“Then why are you sparing me?” Zentrias pressed.

“I recognized those gauntlets.” Amare’s eyes traveled to his bladed fingers. “They mark you as a potential ally, which is enough. I have always resorted to the flimsiest of justifications to converse with those I find interesting.”

Amare knelt besides him. “So I ask again the query I first posed thee: why did you disturb my slumber? It was not time for me to wake.”

“You might not be aware of where you are…” Zentrias explained their current location and circumstances.

“So the HEAVENLY DOA transported me into one of its dungeons?” Amare rubbed his chin in an all too human gesture. “Was it to aid or hinder me, I wonder… No matter.”

His blue pupils focused on Zentrias. “It’s unsurprising your comrade’s mentor went wild upon seeing those claws. I suspect most immortals who knew their former wielder would react similarly. Your plan to waltz out of here and seek aid was wonderfully naive.”

“I will aid you in escaping this place.” Terrible power gathered in the mummy’s hands. “You can repay my kindness by clinging to your life and sanity as long as you can. Show me the tenacity I admire so much.” Amare smiled.

The ground beneath Zentrias turned black and swallowed him whole.