[Book II Chapter 146] FREE: Darius’s Identity
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“We found this fortress a few weeks ago.” Carol explained. “It should make a good place to hole up.”
They walked through the broken remnants of a small town and gazed at the fortifications ahead. They were carved directly into the bedrock and towered high above along the cliff. The architecture was a jumble of pointed arches, isolated turrets, and steeply pitched roofs. Deformed gargoyles guarded the ramparts.
“Not too welcoming.” Free observed.
“It was built with a spooky aesthetic to match the Undermist.” Zentrias replied. “There’s nothing dangerous inside.”
Roxanne ignited the bulky iron braziers scattered across the interior, and they gathered in a grand dinning hall. This led to a terrace balcony that would provide a vantage point to spot incoming threats. At least as much as that was possible with the fog.
“We witnessed the birth of a cataclysm…” Rose said absently, turning to Roxanne. “How bad will it be?”
The necromancer pursed her lips, reflecting. “That Nightmare King has power comparable to an avatar of a dark god. Most paragons would struggle against him alone. If a majority of the moonlit sovereigns rally to him, this represents a threat approaching the undead armies we’ll encounter later.”
“There are two bright spots. First, excepting those from the Barsal Empire, most of the immortals that participated in the Mount Gull operation are still in the region. This should prevent Neon from being immediately overrun.”
“Second, the Nightmare King’s time is limited. Whether it be a couple of days or a couple of weeks, his tether to Enera will eventually fade.”
“Is that really a positive?” Free countered. “Tens of millions will die before then. And it won’t only be the ones those the monsters kill. Kaygren, the Grey Kingdom, Torak’s disciples… They’ll all run rampant with the Adventurer’s Guild distracted.”
“Shouldn’t the goal be to slay the Nightmare King immediately?” She pressed.
“That might not be possible.” A new voice interrupted. Darius walked in silently from the terrace. “Not mentioning his raw strength, it also depends on the magics sustaining him.”
“What do you mean by that?” Free demanded.
“You saw that passageway leading to the Moonlit Lands.” Darius answered. “Normal ruptures don’t look like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s somehow empowering him. Adam wouldn’t have mentioned that detail. If true, he might be unkillable.”
“Before anything else.” Dylan cut in. “I believe we’re owed some answers. Free, who is Darius really?”
“I’m not sure.” Free shook her head. “All I know is that he was sent to protect me.”
“Why would a paragon guard a saint?” Dylan pursued.
Free sighed. She’d found her companion’s blissful unawareness of her background to be a breath of fresh air, but, of course, it couldn’t last. I learned his past, he should learn mine. “I am the doppelganger of Sola Alore, the villain who raised the dead and caused the last Dark Age. There are those who hope to exploit my nature as her perfect copy.”
She faced Darius. “Did Debra Sunder hire you?”
Slowly, the masked man inclined his head. “And what’s your real identity.”
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Here, Darius balked, remaining impassive.
“My guess is he’s an assassin.” Roxanne chimed. “Those from that guild are experts at suppressing their presence. Darius is likely one of their eldest.”
Free frowned. “But he is acting as a bodyguard. That doesn’t make sense.”
“Normally, the guild pledges the lives of its members as collateral to accepting its contracts.” Darius explained. “However, there are few, if any, clients with sufficient wealth to engage one of our immortals. As such, we often accept missions which do not necessitate killing.”
“Wait, so Roxanne’s right?” Rose jumped in. “Darius is a paragon from the Assassin’s Guild?”
“It appears so.” Free confirmed.
“Why would Debra Sunder go to such lengths?” Rose continued. “You aren’t even a necromancer!”
“Because I am a key that can unlock all of Sola’s secrets.” Free answered. “Earth’s End will need to be opened before the Dark Age ends. She’s counting on my cooperation at that time.”
Rose grimaced. “I can’t believe that woman is pursuing her selfish wish even when the fate of the world is at risk.”
“Actually…” Free countered. “It makes perfect sense. The lost knowledge of resurrection cannot lead to a Dark Age if one has already begun. Right now, the taboo holds no weight.”
Perhaps some good can come of Debra’s obsession with her dead husband. She faced to Darius. “Thank you for saving us. I request that you travel to Neon and defend the city with your fearsome strength.”
The paragon crossed his arms. “Why would I leave when you’re clearly in danger?”
Free smiled. “If all that concerned you was keeping me alive, why did you pretend to be my companion? You could have kidnapped me and whisked me away somewhere safe at any time.”
“No, your true mission is to win my favor and to put me in Debra’s debt.” She concluded. “Protecting me is just a means to this end.”
“Even if your theory holds true, it doesn’t justify abandoning you here.”
“What if, in exchange, I agree to help Debra uncover the secrets at Earth’s End?” Free asked.
Darius’s eyes narrowed. “Your promise doesn’t have any value if you get yourself killed.”
Free gesture around them. “In this place, with Roxanne protecting me, I am relatively safe. Can you really afford to pass up this opportunity?”
The assassin fell silent. Eventually, his demeanor relaxed. “Alright, I’ll take your gamble.”
“If you’re going to Neon,” Zentrias jumped in, “may I accompany you?”
Darius studied the younger man. “There is a passage up to the Evermist in this fortress. I’ll guide you to the top, then you’re on your own.”
“Please don’t.” Carol grabbed Zentrias shoulder. “Crossing an army of monsters is too dangerous.”
“I have too.” The man gently shook off the hand. “I’m worried about the children at Edelweiss… and about Yuria. She’d fight to the death before she’d let them be harmed. Are you not coming?” There was surprise in his voice.
“The medallion I got from Jonathan Bark prevents monsters in the Moonlit Lands from sensing me across the veil. It has no affect on those already on Enera.” Carol admitted. “If I go, stealth will be impossible.”
Zentrias nodded, turning to where Darius stood patiently. The two departed in silence. With another paragon, hopefully Neon will weather the onslaught.
“I’m glad you decided to remain, Carol.” Roxanne said. “I have a favor to ask. Could you have your familiars search the Moonlit Lands for Thornbridge Manor?”
“I can…” Carol replied slowly. “but what are you planning?”
“I will have you open a portal so I can burn it to the ground.” Roxanne revealed calmly. “Thereby destroying the keystone sustaining the rupture and ending the threat of the Nightmare King.”
“That’s stupid!” Rose cried out. “Jonathan Bark won’t simply let his home be demolished. It will be well defended!”
“I concur.” Carol said. “One of Janathan’s servants is Alucard, the Lord of Vampires. You aren’t his match.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t be,” Roxanne agreed. “But this time, who knows? I sense I’ve finally found it. What I’ve been searching for since leaving the Black Citadel…” Her eyes gazed to some far off place.
“In any case,” She continued, focusing. “Let’s leave the final decision until after the manor is located.”
Carol began cultivating in a corner of the hall, channeling to converse with her underlings on the other side of the veil. Her efforts would no doubt take quite a while, and Free felt relief at this realization. Even if he might’ve been useful later, I couldn’t have Darius sit around idly with the lives of millions hanging in the balance. I was right to send him away.
“If you go, I will go too.” Rose said abruptly, staring at Roxanne. “Take that into consideration.”
“Me too.” Free added. “Count me in for the expedition.” Listening to the earlier conversation, a mad little idea had popped into her head. Although it was the longest of shots, perhaps victory was possible via an alternative means. She was dying to put her theory to the test.
“Free, we need to talk…” Her excitement disappeared once she saw Dylan’s expression. There’s no way I can ask him to accompany me this time.
“Alright…” She replied, bracing herself for a long conversation.