It was a shame that I could not accompany Aurelya and Bereul back to Greshe Khaaran. However, unfortunately, I had something to take care of. As always, it started as a small feeling, almost like a tingling in one of my temples. Having lived for so long with my powers, I immediately recognized it. I had no time to lose. My loyal dead servants were just finishing tying the sacks filled with treasure to Aurelya.

“You know, I have to admit, you're pretty strange. As far as I know, letting someone ride you should be humiliating enough for a dragonkin, and now you're going to transport treasure like some beast of burden.”

Aurelya had laughed at my remark.

“You worry about my dignity? Don't worry, I have no need for dignity anymore. I will happily carry these if they help me obtain the base I so desire.”

And yet, she would not let me just erase elves from the world. She really is strange.

“I see, that's the last of it. Now, if you will excuse me, there is something I need to take care of before I go to Greshe Khaaran meet up with the two of you.”

Thus, I temporarily separated from them after our attack on Imaria. I had to take care of the throbbing. This is what always happens when I use too much of my power, when I am too much of a conduit without the proper support.

As I fly to one of the few places where I can subside it, the throbbing turns into pain. The pain, oh the pain, like a gnawing and clawing inside my head. As it intensifies, I hear the voices, the voices I usually am able to silence so easily.

“Please, stop, let me go!” “I hate you!” “Why are you doing this to me?” “Mercy, mercy!”

So many that I have bound to me, they all cry in agony for being unable to join the natural cycle of life and death. The souls of the elves that I have just taken are the hardest ones to keep quiet, so they are the first that I start hearing. They beg, they demand their freedom, but I will not give it to them. Even as they cause me as much torment as I give back to them, I will not let go, never, they are mine now.

By the time I arrive, it feels like my head might split open any second. It is a serene forest, or it at least looks like one. It is inside the Republic of Istaria, a nation bordering the north of Meridia. More than a hundred years ago, it used to be the Kingdom of Istaria, but not anymore after Teldarion killed every single noble there. The forest is considered sacred. I know why, even though the locals probably don't. Even if they have turned away from the original worship that was held here, in favor of that joke of a Church of Virtue, none of them dare to trespass on the realm of gods. I do.

I finally see the small shrine that is my destination. The souls scream and cry inside my body, the pain is almost unbearable, but I just need to focus, I will reach it before it gets to the critical point. I enter the shrine, inside, there is a small statue of a tengu, the Last Tengu Emperor. Bound to it is an ancient soul, I was not the one who put it there. I touch the statue, almost desperate now.

“Take me... to... the sanctum... Now!”

I give the command and the soul obeys. A light and darkness engulfs me, taking me somewhere else. Is it under the shrine? That, I do not know. I am now inside a stone structure with no windows. All around me are statues and various works of art. They all depict the Last Tengu Emperor or one of the members of his Eternal Court. But right now I don't care about it.

All is pain, all is hatred, all is fear, all is rage... I almost wonder if this pain will ever end if I will escape it, if it is even possible to do such a thing. I see my hope, the pool. The pool, which will bring me the relief that I so desperately need. I stumble and throw myself into it.

Relief is immediate. The water in it, which was first a dark and murky water now acquired the same bluish hue that visible souls exhibit. That same color also spreads throughout the whole room, perhaps the whole structure. Even if only in this place, my souls leave my body. I don't know how, but long ago this place must have been created by the Last Tengu Emperor, holder of the same power as me, to bring relief to any adverse effects of his power. I sigh.

I let myself lazily float in the water, free of any thoughts. I close myself and let relaxation take over for me. I must recover mentally to shield myself from my torment. Time passes, I don't know how long. An hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, a century. It doesn't matter how long it takes, I will exit when I am ready. Eventually, I can feel it. I know it. I am fully recovered.

Before leaving the pool, I assert my will and reabsorb all of the surrounding souls into my body. I no longer hear or feel their pain. Once again, the bright blue walls, statues and waters become dark, empty. The souls are back where they belong. And I am ready to once again resume my plans. For that, I will need more and more souls. I think I will wear a raven mask this time.