My name is Zedd Darkstar and this is my story. I wasn’t always a goat-eyed freak. I was a boy with many dreams, one of which was to become my country’s hero. I joined the mercenaries and fought for our freedom. But due to a series of unfortunate events, I was banned from the desert, doomed to roam the world, never to see my family again.

Now let’s see, where did we stop last when I was telling you my story? Ah yes, I was planning my escape from the Crucible, away from that hateful man’s clutches. Well, here you go, listen to my story as I direct this Mothership toward our world. I’ve just destroyed the world known as Ulmir’s Domain. Travelling back to Hera might take some time.

So sit back and enjoy my story. It resumes one night before my escape. I have just told Zoey, the Sister, to meet me in Jory’s study.

That night, I lied on my bed, awaiting sleep. My mind’s eye kept flashing imaginary scenarios before me. I saw myself ravaging through the deserted asylum, disposing of all the guards while I shouted Jory’s name. I was angry, for the first time in years. I wanted to rip the man apart, teach him a lesson he’d never forget.

It was in the midst of my daydreaming that the ghost came to me again. She looked at me with her pearly white eyes, smiling. You know you’ve seen the worst this world has to offer when the sight of a smiling ghost makes you happy. I met her gaze with my remaining eye, I had lost one during my defeat against the captain in the Fighting Pits.

“We’re leaving this place tomorrow,” I told her.

“I know. Anything you need me to do?” she asked. She spoke in an eerie whisper, the kind that’d send chills down one’s spine.

“Eli, my friend during my fighting days, can you find him?” I asked. I didn’t even know why I wanted that skinny man to escape with us. He was nice to me I guess.

“Your friend is in the opposite wing of this building,” the ghost answered after she flinched. “You can’t be nice to people who’ve never even given you a thought.”

“I know Jory has a secret passageway out of here,” I answered. That bitch wouldn’t move without incentive. “Your bones, they’re also in his study, aren’t they?”

“You know that already.”

“I might forget about them if my good friend isn’t around to remind me.” I risked enraging a ghost, but I knew she was in a bind. She would never have asked me for help if it weren’t for that.

The woman’s gaze pierced through me. I could clearly see that she didn’t like blackmail, but I already started it. There’s no backing down now. “Why do you want to help this Eli?” the she finally asked.

“He always wanted to escape. But this place is worse than any prison. Just point the way for him, I’m sure he’ll manage on his own.”

“Betray me Stalwart,” the ghost got closer to me. I could feel the wind get cooler. My nostrils hurt as they breathed in. “Betray me, and I’ll make sure your death is more painful than Jory’s!”

The ghost whirled around then disappeared. I heaved a heavy sigh then resumed contemplating the ceiling. I needed Eli for my future plans. As I lay in my bed for many nights, a plan had materialized before my mind’s eye. Our escape, and disappearance, relied on that skinny man. I wondered what he’d been up to.

Did he get access to the Crucible? Was he now a Captain? Nevertheless, I was sure that Eli would jump at the occasion. Running away from this hell was everything he spoke about.

I barely slept that night. When Zoey came to change my linens the next day, I told her what to do. Killing Jory wouldn’t be easy. I needed a weapon, and I needed the guards to be distracted. I was surprisingly calm about the situation. Escaping the Crucible was deemed impossible. That’s why Utar sent me here. Killing me didn’t satisfy him I suppose.

Revenge is best served in a cold platter.

I plotted my revenge for days before I saw what he’d done to my helpless family. Because of the Priest, I lost everything I held dear in life. And Sam, that spineless motherfucker! Why did he help me in the first place? He should’ve left me to my sorry state. Priest Utar was known for his ruthlessness. I angered the Church of Dhobor once you see. And because of that, Utar was asked to dispose of me.

Long before my life turned sour, I was a mercenary. I suppose I’ve already told you that many times before. I also told you about the girl I cared for. I found her amidst the chaos of war and cared for her. Little did I know, the war we fought against Auruun at the time was because of her.

The Church of Dhobor the Maker, was the largest and most structured religious organization in all of Hera. They had their own army, and controlled the powerful country of Auruun. The higher ups needed an intermediary to speak to their God, Dhobor. They called them Listeners. They were all young ladies with the gift to hear God’s words. They’d convey His orders to the Cardinal who has the ultimate mission of upholding divine laws.

My biggest mistake was taking a potential Listener under my wing. The helpless girl I saved was destined for the Maker. By defeating Aurunn armed forces, our mercenary band had made quite a name for itself. But by taking the potential Listener under my wing, I put all of my comrades in a dire situation. Priest Utar was ordered to take matters into his hands. He decimated our entire band, made me watch as he slaughtered them all. It was the first time I’ve seen the supernatural.

“Your friend will find a way to join us tonight,” a shrill voice reached my ears. The ghost had returned to my cell.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“About midday,” the ghost answered. “Your friend isn’t fighting tonight. He said he knew his way around the Crucible. He’ll join us in the smith’s wing.

“Alright, I’ll need a weapon. I’m sure I’ll need to fight my way inside Jory’s study.” I knew the ghost was desperate for help. I didn’t know why she’s chosen me for the mission, but it suited me. All I needed was a little help, and we’ll all be off.

“Make it to Jory’s tonight and use your eyes Stalwart,” the ghost said before she disappeared.

I waited in my cell for what seemed an eternity. Never have I thought about my life more than that day. It’s funny how you’d think about everything and anything when time seems to have stopped. I tried counting the seconds, shut my eyes just for a little while, to no avail. I was too excited, perhaps even a bit scared. Alright I admit it, I might have been a scared, but I didn’t think about it.

I didn’t have any other choice, did I? My humiliation lasted longer than any could take. It was either fight or die trying. In my mind, I didn’t think of dying. I refused the idea. All I could think about was how I would get rid of the guards. Multiple scenarios flashed before my eyes. And in calculating my odds, time flew by. Night had settled and Zoey came to my cell to prepare me for the big night.

“Jory imprisoned Agatha too,” she informed me. “He says the Priest let him have her.”

“I have a funny feeling,” I said. “I think I’ve seen that woman somewhere, but it all seems like a distant memory.”

“Are you sure about tonight?” she asked. Her fingers trembled as she tried to close the buttons of my jacket. Jory wanted me looking like a Boligne noble. Zoey told me he had some scenario planned for me and the Herbologist.

“Just find your way inside his study,” I answered. “And relax. You look awfully suspicious, looking around like that. If everything goes south, tell them you hid in the study until the situation was under control. Does that put your mind at ease?”

She nodded nervously.

“Zoey,” I called. She’d been looking down ever since she got in to change me. “Look at me woman!”

She raised her head. Her eyes spoke of fright and uncertainty. I couldn’t have that. Our entire escape plan relied on her.

“A chain is as strong as its weakest link,” I told her. “Don’t be the weak link that destroys our plan. Jory got your lover killed, don’t forget that. You’ll be free as soon as we get out of here. You’ll live your life as you always intended. Did you get what I asked you for?”

Zoey produced a shiv from under her long robes. I put the weapon under my jacket and patted it with great satisfaction. I felt safer with it.

“Now go, tell them I’m ready. Don’t look back until you reach the smith’s wing.”

Zoey made to leave the cell but I held her back. “Don’t fuck things up for us Zoey. Keep your mouth shut and hide yourself well. Soon as you see us coming through the door, open the secret passage. We won’t have much time. Now act normal and stop fidgeting.”

The Sister left and guards arrived soon afterwards. There were six of them, clad in leather armor with short swords strapped to their belts. As we climbed the stairs that led from the dungeons to the asylum, I took my time devising a plan of attack. The ghost was strongest in her territory. I must attack there and hope for assistance.

‘Use your eyes Stalwart,’ her words echoed inside my head.

We reached the empty corridors. Our footsteps echoed through the deserted building. Icy wind slapped our faces as we made our way toward Jory’s quarters. The guard to my left seemed scared of the place. The one in front of me seemed to have quickened his pace as soon as we reached the asylum.

“I hear this place is haunted,” I told the guards. “Did you know it was a ghost who killed the guards last time? I didn’t even touch – “

“Shut up sex doll!” one of the guards barked at me. It was the one on my left side. I knew he’d lose it.

“I’m not making this up. How could I have a weapon? I’m never allowed to move freely in my own cell!”

The guard made to hit me. He thought he’d teach me a good lesson. But I had something else planned for them. The action had to happen fast. I had to be precise and decisive. With one eye missing, my field of vision was limited. But I was an experienced fighter. Jory fed me well. I had recovered my strength.

I blocked the guard’s attack then put the shiv Zoey gave me into his gullet. The other guards’ initial shock gave me a few seconds advance. I relieved the dead soldier of his weapon, cut two guards in their legs before they could draw a second breath. The one in front of me was the second to fall. It was easy to pierce through his leather armor.

I ran a few paces forward, dual wielding short swords as the others ran, and limped toward me. I threw one sword at a guard, hitting him in the eye. The one closest to me was brought down with two strikes. One hit cut his fingers and the other slit his throat. The remaining two had badly injured legs. Disposing of them was an easy task.

“Impressive!” the ghost spoke as she floated above me.

“Thanks for nothing!” I replied, panting. “Will you help me hide their bodies now? Jory will suspect something if I’m late.”

“You could take their armor, disguise yourself as one of them,” she said, still floating and smiling.

“How will I disguise the missing eye?” I asked.

“Fair point,” the ghost answered. “Go, I’ll dispose of these ones.”

I ran to the smith’s quarters. Two guards were waiting for me at the door.

“T-t-there’s something in the corridors,” I screamed at them, my legs shaking, my eye twitching in all directions. “G-g-ghost! The others are in trouble!”

They left me there and ran to the asylum. I hoped the mischievous ghost would take care of them. I jumped as I heard footsteps to my left.

“Are they gone?” It was Zoey.

“Yes. I’ll go in and you follow, as discreetly as you can.”

The Sister nodded and we both got in. We pushed the large wooden door open then barricaded it. We had to slow the guards down. I wasn’t going to let bad luck interfere with me that day. I had to get out of this hell, and I was determined to see my plan through.

Jory was already waiting for me in the dining room. I heard him yell some orders while muffled moans interrupted his speech. As I got inside, I saw the Herbologist tied to a chair. Her clothes were torn. I could see a breast dangling down her previously elegant dress. She looked awful.

Jory gave me his largest smile as he stood in the dining room, naked. His member had grown in length and width. Agatha’s done a really good job with him. I bet she got a taste for it as he took his new thing for a test drive.

“Well my boy,” he said as soon as I got inside the dining room. “It’s time I punished you for your attacking my own men.”

If only you knew what I’ve done to your men today too. You’d be livid, you old perverted fuck!