Chapter 7

The amphibious creatures raised their jaws, revealing razor sharp teeth’s, readying to rip apart flesh and bone. Instead of being intimidated by their actions, Garen could feel strength coursing through his veins and a urgning feeling to make a stand. He did not understand why he felt this way, putting it off to his brain playing tricks on him rather than reality.

‘Hey Norzak, I know we just met but I just want you to know it was a pleasure meeting you. Even though you are already dead and all, I hope you will find peace after everything” With their backs against each other, Garen could not tell how Norzak reacted to his sincere candor.

“You presumed too early child, we are not the ones in danger here!” Clearly not amused, a sudden burst of white flames enveloped Norzak’s bony hands. “Let me show you how blinded you are to judge so early, one can attain power in many ways and having physical strength is only a scratch on the surface.” With a fling of its arm, the white flames flew into the air and burst apart into a raging inferno, causing enormous death and injury to all those caught inside the blast.

With the tables turned, the amphibious creatures couldn’t grasp the concept of magic inflicted upon them. Each suffering certain levels of burns from the flames impact, their predatory eyes locked onto the source of their comrade’s demise. Losing all reasoning as flames ravage the survivor’s bodies, they ran forward in a suicidal charge, intending to cause as much damage to Norzak as they can. Angered by the foolish and desperate charge of those that would throw away their lives so easily, Norzak could only sigh in contempt for those aiming for him.

The black aura that had acted like a shield on Norzal’s body suddenly expanded many meters in size, covering the two in a protected shell. For the next minute, Garen was awestruck by what he saw in front of him. Using their poison stained claws and teeth’s as their weapon, the creatures attacked the barrier with a unrelenting ferocity as the life in their eyes slowly faded away. Safe inside, Garen watched on in silence with a hint of happiness at the carnage brought upon these aggressors. With a solemn roar, the last of the lizards finally met their demise as their smoldering flesh lay dead and lifeless across the sandy ground.

Garen wanted to vomit at that moment, knowing he just witnessed mass murder and suicide by others living beings. “Did I really feel happiness for a minute? I know it was either them or us but when did I become so cold blooded? Did I really change so much after only a short time period?” He wanted answers to these questions but there was no one he could look towards.

Noticing the daze in Garen’s eye, Norzak stepped forward. “You seem to be worried about something, is this the first time you seen a creature of the abyss?” questioning Garen in a relaxed manner.

Seemingly unable to comprehend the knowledge, Garen broke down into a shiver as reality finally caught up with him. To Garen, it has only been two weeks since he left home. Yet he fought a Ogre and ended up being trapped below the Grand Ravine, now he has even witnessed a undead mage slaughtering countless beings in front of him. Events have clearly spiraled beyond his imagination. Out of self-preservation, his mind closed in upon itself, refusing to intake anymore knowledge.

Seeing the weak willed mortal in front of him, Norzak let out a long sigh before speaking. “It would seem spending five years alone by yourself in that mist has harmed you in more ways than I have guessed…” Within moments, Norzak regretted his words as Garen broke down into a mindless laughter and his blood shot eyes locked onto Norzak in shock.

Thoughts of abandoning such a fool blossomed inside the undead wizard but certain factors kept changing his mind. As a practitioner of magic, he carried inside him a unbearable urge to learn of the unknown and this mortal was the embodiment of the unknown. Unable to find a quick solution to the problem, Norzak could only relent and carry the naked deranged man back into his inner sanctum.

Calmed down by a day’s rest in a sheltered room, Garen confronted Norzak in a fitted rage, hoping his aggressive attitude would change what he knew was the truth. “I will not believe you, you hear me? Everything you said are lies, I did not spend five years alone in this desolate wasteland. You must have a motive for this; speak the truth this instant or I will… will break it out of you by force if needed be!” His words sounded like those of desperation than a threat and he himself knew it as memories of the mysterious voice came back to him.

Norzak felt pity and contempt towards Garen as he spoke. “Humph, I have offered you nothing but goodwill since the moment I met you, yet you accuse me of treachery. I myself do not understand how you survived your fall, nor what power kept you alive for so long.” Stabbing a dried bony finger against Garen’s chest, “Maybe it has something to do with that mysterious mist blocking everything around your body before. Even if you refuse to face the harshness of reality, the fact that five years have passed since I noticed your presence remains true” His hollow eye sockets had once again changed to a red shade instead of the usual blue. Indicating his level of anger.

“Five years, it was not a short amount of time,” Garen reflected. He knew there were no lies in Norzak’s words as he thought everything through last night. All evidence around him when he awoke pointed to the same conclusion but how could he possibly accept such a reality. To him, it only felt like a few weeks have passed since he last saw Crystal, his childhood friend. “Very well, I still do not believe your words but if what you speak is the truth, then I have been away from home for far too long. I ask you one last favor and direct me to a route back to the surface.” Pleading with tear stained eyes as he lowered his head in submission.

Surprised by the sudden request, Norzak raised his nonexistence eyebrows in shock. “Very well, I will offer this last gesture of goodwill despite the insult you bestowed upon me. I will show you not everything is black and white in this world, and I’m no foul being out to plague the world of the living!” Exalted by the chance to return home, Garen cried tears of joy as he embraced Norzak’s mummified body. Caught totally off guard, Norzak let out a breath of grief at his own foolishness. Little did Garen know, what awaited him on the surface will no longer be what he expects.

“It will take quite a lot to apologize to Crystal again, I disappeared for five years and I’m sure she will make me go through hell once I get back!” For once since Garen’s misfortune, he had a smile plastered on his face as he thought about the friends he will meet again.

End Chapter 7