Viktor Volkov - Stories, Journal Entries, Missives
Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 7:25 pm
[ CHARACTER BACKGROUND FOR REFERENCE ]
The Pact
1355 DR:
As I lay here in the shadows of ancient ground... Unable to move, close to death. The promise of final release... Or something darker awaits.
Then comes the cold whisper in my skull.
Uninvited. Malevolent. Alien.
YOU ARE BLEEDING OUT MORTAL... THERE IS NO ESCAPE...
It's words resonate in my mind as an echo of my failure.
Even as the pain fades and time slows.
I CAN TASTE YOUR SORROW... YOUR ANGER... YOU SHALL PERISH HERE...
The others were slain and I wonder if am the last even as it taunts me.
Murky images are recalled in my dying mind. Gathering in the backstreets of Mulmaster with the other hunters. Standing before the council's agent to discuss our plan. The lantern light dancing on her face.
I feel it's cold, terrible presence claw into my mind. Seeing what I see as I bleed out in the darkness.
YOU WERE DECEIVED MORTAL... YOUR MASTERS STAKED YOUR LIVES TO SEAL US HERE...
The image twists in my mind and I see the figures of three venerable men garbed in Brotherhood robes. Together raising their hands before the shadowy entrance of the ruin, shaping mystic runes of force and chanting their ancient words of power.
The chill presence stirs unbidden and the image twists in my minds-eye like oil poured in water. The gruesome remains of numerous demons, as well the other twelve hunters to lay around me. Twisted and torn, battered and broken. Lifeless. The blood from their corpses seeping out. Ebbing away into the cold ground.
With my life hanging by a thread, the unholy thing explains everything to me, showing me further visions.
The Cloak mages instructing us to investigate the ruin. Our sacrifice and spilled blood intended to strengthen and empower the ancient wards holding the presence here. And then finally the mages using their arcane magic to destroy the entrance of the crypt, sealing us in here forever to bleed out in the darkness.
The presence conveys it's desire to escape and offers me... gifts.
VENGEANCE... POWER... Over and over, the words pulsate in my mind. All while the conditions of it's proposal are woven and explained.
It wishes to become... Part of me. I need only let it in. Let it take control for a moment.
VENGEANCE...
POWER...
If I yield to it... This black messenger, if just for a moment... I'll be restored, I'll be strong again. I will hunt down all my enemies. All to have wronged me and all of my betrayers. I will bring death to them all.
My instincts wrestle with my desires. It knows... It knows I want this. I want this power...
And It knows I understand the cost too.
To be continued...