Cataclysm Toccata 4

'How the hell...?' muttered Alloyn in awe.

Shadowz was still stunned and Jennifer was staring like a novice magician just shown his first incantation. Sieghart and Kaithlyn were more stalwart, but nonetheless surprised.

'Well...you know how the saying goes. "Saving the world gives you another chance at life". We saved the world, and got another chance.' said Kaffleen, grinning.

'And there was me thinking that was just a fairytale story to make kids do good stuff...' muttered Ruby, not entirely under his breath. Everyone laughed.

'But still...not even I knew it was possible.' said Sieghart. He frowned. 'Where did you arrive in Rursus?'

'Ah. We arrived near the volcano peak west of Arand. Went through a portal.' replied Kaffleen. 'Then we used aura trace spells to find you.'

Xepher tilted his head to the side as he regarded the party. 'Where's Nocturna, Carolyn and the others?'

Shadowz replied with a frown. 'They were unavailable. I tried to contact them, but there wasn't any reply. Not even Kaithlyn or Sieghart could establish a mental contact.'

The party descended into the Valley of Eternity, Xepher and Kaffleen with them.
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In the lair of the Sentinel queen, he was held in darkness. No, not exactly darkness. A soft red glow emanated from the very wall, which pulsated as if it were alive.

In fact, he was inside a pulsating, gigantic polymerization of dead corpses, of humans, elves, dwarves, Sentinels, trolls and any other kind of race in Rursus, a revolting mass of death, all pale and smelling so very sickeningly sweet, the stench of decay made all the more slow by the total lack of carrion, from insects to vermin, and the blood still dripped off the corpses onto him, drenching him crimson and he was helpless to rub it off as he was bound by a magical force on all four limbs, slowly drawing his magical power and life essence to feed this monstrosity, but to what purpose he could not conceive, regardless of his supremely intelligent mind.

He knew that he was not the only one in this disgusting amalgam of death, his allies Carolyn and Jesslyn also suspended here, just out of sight by about several corpses. They too were slowly leeched of their life and powers.

Nocturna screamed in denial and agony as he felt the power and life leaving him.

Well, how are you, Nocturna? I suppose I should be surprised, came the voice in his head, seeing as you are still conscious. Your other friends are already near the brink. Twenty more hours and they are dead.

Nocturna cursed, and replied, Why?! Why do this? What are you doing, for that matter?! What is your purpose?'

All worlds, all lives must come to an end. We are merely bringing that end about. As for your unspoken question as to who am I, I am a death knight.

Nocturna was shocked as he received the mental message. Death knight?! What did that mean for the world?

I am Licht, death knight of Time. My partner here is the death knight Seism, of gravity. A stronger presence intruded into the conversation. Hmph. So, you are still awake. Well, not for long. Mortals only have so much life force.

When the power has been leeched out of all three of you, the Amalgam will be powerful enough to...ah. I am getting ahead of myself. I suggest that we leave you to your...situation. Seism laughed, both mentally and physically, and departed from the conversation. Licht left too.

'Damn...' muttered Nocturna.
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Seism exited the mental conversation, still laughing, when suddenly he felt a powerful, unknown presence suddenly entering the room.

'Death knight, your time has ended!!!' yelled the woman. In her hand was a blade, composed of red energy. She looked vaguely familiar.

'You are a fool, woman, to even come here. But I am curious as to how you managed to enter here without raising the alarm.' said Seism, a smirk on his human-like visage.

The woman did not waste time on words, and immediately leapt to the attack.