The pain in his left shoulder began to flare after the power slowly drained from him. Mulguran’s strength steadily deteriorated from his body, making him mortal again. There was a moment when he thought his master would take control but he never did. It wasn’t like last time where he had lost all control and woken to find himself with the memories of what he had done.

The man in black didn’t know how Mulguran knew of a back exit but he did and that was all he needed to know. It was easy to lose the soldiers that chased after him. His speed far outpaced theirs and he soon retreated into the mountains. There was a hidden door that opened to the caves where he escaped into and out the side of the mountain. His energy and strength quickly depleted as he kept walking.

He was nearing a place to stop and rest for the night. His bones and muscles aching from the fight before. Knowing Kyburn was in Riqun wasn’t a surprise to him, however, he never wanted to fight him for what he had done for him in the past. His respect and admiration for Kyburn may get him killed yet, especially if Mulguran found out he had let him live.

Collapsing on cool stone, he found a slip in the mountain that provided ample shelter for rest and from prying eyes. His mind was foggy from exhaustion and he was nodding off when a cold shiver shot down his spine.

“He’s here.” he thought.

Whipping his head around to face the wall, he instead saw Mulguran sitting on his throne. The black mist enveloped him, creating the scene around him.

The demon’s eyes flared red in anger and the man in black winced from the hostility of his master.

“You’re not avoiding me, are you human?” Mulguran hissed. “You were to contact me immediately! Instead, you sleep!”

He quickly bowed before the demon, his face touching the ground. “Forgive me, master.”

“Forgive you?” Mulguran’s voice icy cold. “YOU FAILED!” he screamed. “They have been woken from their slumber!”

“No. They couldn’t have.” he whimpered. “I destroyed everything, all of Armin’s research, I burned it all. I swear.”

“It wasn’t enough!” Mulguran’s anger lessened. “They found a way, regardless of your sabotage.”

“Forgive me, master,” he begged. “There were too many of them. I was wounded. If only I had more time I would have destroyed the whole room and found the mainframe.”

“Excuses are beneath you.” Mulguran bared his teeth. “However, where you blundered, your allies ran like cowards. They have been dealt with.”

Breathing in deeply, the demon calmed, slowly lifting himself to his feet. Stepping down from his throne he reached out a hand. “You did not run. Though you failed me, I will not dismiss your loyalty to me.”

Mulguran stabbed his wrist with one of his long fingernails and blood slowly oozed out. “Take it,” he whispered.

The man removed his mask and opened his mouth, stretching his neck upward as black blood dripped from Mulguran’s wrist. The instant it reached his tongue a surge of power shot through his body. Invigorating him, renewing his strength, and removing the exhaustion he felt moments ago.

“Thank you, master,” he replied.

“You will go to Xerixes immediately,” he commanded. “My army has assembled and will overwhelm them by morning. None will escape me.”

Mulguran moved back to his throne, his wrist instantly healing. A piece of the throne was broken from his last outburst, with his meeting from the dungeons. Bowing his head once again, he pressed his face to the ground, waiting for further instructions.

“There are troubles brewing from the west which may work in our favor,” Mulguran said. “My spies will be useful for a change.”

“What of the Emarine?” he asked.

“They will die along with the rest of them.” Mulguran hissed. “Fel will not get his chance and Malik… I have him exactly where I want him. He is a fool if he thinks hiding will help him.”

“Very good, master.” the man said. “What am I to do in Xerixes?”

“You… will finish what you started. No one suspects you.” Mulguran said with a grin. “You will kill the queen.”