Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
Part 12
"Is there any knowledge that might tell us about the Gods of the Orcs?" Magna asked.
Gorox shrugged his shoulders. "They gibber names, they sometimes shout them in their time of need... usually in battle or while they are dying."
Magna grunted. "That is not much different to any other religious sect that I have heard about." She looked at the assembled group. "This is not unlike one of our adventuring parties. Gorox, you stay close to Noxus and protect her if needed. Noxus, I know that you do not intend to fight, but your magic can be of great help to detect threats and to help fortify our party. Mortis... stay near Adrian. I can handle myself..."
"But you will have your own guarding anyway!" Derric quipped brightly, coming to stand near her. Then under her breath he said softly for her hearing only. "I need to watch your juicy backside."
Without a flinch, Magna continued. Only her brother noticed the faint flushing of the the skin on her cheeks. "Very well, I need you to stay close to keep you from doing something dumb anyway. Well then... we leave in three days. Everyone take this time to prepare and rest. We will need to be on our best behaviour, but also ready for trouble!"
There was blackness. He liked the blackness.
I like the blackness.
All was still in the blackness, it was complete and resolute, absolute.
I like the blackness.
The blackness was better than the uncertainty of life, the uncertainty of random energy being thrown around, chaotic and disorderly.
I like the blackness.
The places other than the blackness should become blackness as well. There would be more blackness to enjoy.
I like the blackness.
He must go out and bring more to the blackness... into absolute order.
Bring more blackness? Go out?
He must go out and be the leader, to spread the essence of the King. To bring about more blackness.
I cannot leave the blackness! I like the blackness. There is no pain here. no suffeering!
He must do as he is told! He must go out! He will have his turn in the darkness, but now he must obey!
No! I stay here in the darkness! I don't leave!
He must obey or the King of Darkness shall cast him out and never allow him into the darkness again!
No! No! Do not cast me out! Please Lord! King of Darkness. Ruler of the Absolute. Maker of the Cold Darkness. Do not evict me.
He does not want to be banished from the darkness?
No. I do not want to be banished from the darkness.
Then he must serve to earn his place.
I will serve!
A new body awaits you Servant.
I am your servant. I shall do what you say!
You are my Servant... and you serve me by being the Lord of my Legions in this place. Now go!
Yes great King of Darkness! Cold One!
Go!
Temolach!
The Cult Temple had always had the unholy mass of putrid flesh and bone sewn together at the head of the altar. A month ago the mass of flesh had started to pulse.
It had grown larger.
The Dark Apostle of the Cult had gained massive amounts of magic. The Cult had grown in number. The Cult had begun to believe again. It had been a long time since their master had perished in the war.
There had been more prayers and sacrifices. The Dark Apostle had been able to make more undead servants. There had been so few of them left. The new undead had been sacrifices.
After the ninth sacrifice, the mass of pulsing flesh at the altar had lashed out and had eaten the body of the sacrifice, dragging the young girl into its maw and growing larger.
The next seven sacrifices were made in the same place. Men and women. Boys and girls. All were taken by the Flesh Maw. This is what the Cultist called it. It swallowed and grew and sometimes new bones or appendages would appear on the outside, but it was clear that the true power lay on the inside of the mass.
As it grew, the Dark Apostle's power grew. He gained Disciples. Cultists who all began to develop special abilities and attributes. These skills and abilities were varied and dark of aspect. The Dark Apostle and his Disciples were seen as the chosen ones of the Cold One.
The cult prospered and grew strong.
Finally, when the Dark Apostle had been about to sacrifice the ninth person before the Flesh Maw the unthinkable happened.
Before his dagger could plunge down and end the life of the willing cultist sacrifice, the Flesh Maw had lunged forward and ensnared the Dark Apostle instead. Despite his muffled screams and panicked commands, the Disciples did not interfere. They merely stood and watched the Maw eat the Dark Apostle.
The Flesh Maw had grown to a massive size and it was pulsing like a heartbeat. Through its waters and depths the Disciples could see a figure being formed from the mass of body parts and it was to this being that the Disciples knelt before.
The power from this place emanated from this figure and all the surviving undead had shambled in to the temple and had stood nearby, seemingly waiting for something to happen, or guarding.
And thus the Disciples waited...
@lex-zaiya back to you!
Thank you for reading!
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Vetitum Nemus
| by @zakludick | by @lex-zaiya |
|---|---|
| ---- | Part 1 |
| Part 2 | Part 3 |
| Part 4 | Part 5 |
| Part 6 | Part 7 |
| Part 8 | Part 9 |
| Part 10 | Part 11 |
| You are here! | Coming soon! |
The Reader List
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Cheers!
@zakludick
