A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin
Chapter 21

I heard a bird chirping. It was a very pleasant sound. I felt warmth on my skin. The warmth covered me like a blanket. The source was the warmth of sunlight. If this was the afterlife, so far, wasn’t half bad. That, was about the moment I noticed such intense pain all over my body. Almost every bone in my body felt like it was near broken. I opened an eyelid. The setting sun met my opened eye. I tried to move. Searing pain went through my body. I was able to function and get to my hands and knees. I slowly straightened up, fighting through the pain wracking my body getting to my feet. Looking around, I noticed I was some one hundred yards from what remained of the barn. So, this was not the afterlife. The building was in a shambles. There wasn’t much left of the roof. Wood and planks were strewn about. Surprisingly, the animals were ok. I moved one foot forward. That was an effort. I took another step. More pain. At least, my body could move and function. Gritting my teeth, I walked slowly. That is when I noticed, my hands were empty. The last thing I remember was getting thrown by the huge darkened figure. My bastard sword was in my hand. I looked around on the ground. My sword was not there. I moved slowly towards the barn. The wood planks were torn up from where Cotun had made the barrier. I went carefully up the ramp, as there were still traces of grease. The top was empty. There was not one body human or dwarf. I also remembered that the ramp was clear too. There were dozens of zombies and ghouls piled up there. What was strange is that there were no weapons present either. I frowned at that. I made my way back down the ramp, and went into the house. The inside of the house was a disaster too. I went to where I kept my weapons. They were not there. Even the silver dagger that I had hidden was not present.

So, they had taken the people, and the weapons. I wonder if it is like that for all of the houses. I walked to several of the dwarf and human homes. Their doors were ripped apart. Inspecting their interiors, I found the same thing. No weapons, and no armors either. The undead took all of the weapons and armor from these homes. I am going to assume it is like that for every home. But taken to where? Alifax for sure. But I saw no tracks leading east. If there were no tracks, then, the only conclusion is with magic. We destroyed all of the portals and the main portal. Or did we?

First thing is first. I needed a weapon. There was no time to make weapons however. Also, I needed a weapon imbued with magic. I remembered my room. It was a shambles, but the bed was intact. I wonder. I walked back to my room, lifted the bed and turned it on its side. The staff was still there. The staff that I purchased in Stalvinport before the battles was still secured there within the frame of the bed. I took off all of the straps and hefted it in my hands. It didn’t have the heft of my staff, but it was a good staff with good weight. Also, the shop keep said it was magical. Well, I had no choice. I had to trust the shop keep’s word. It was the only option available to me. Taking the staff, I also found my large goblet. Willing for dwarven spirits, it filled it to the brim. So, at least, the magic dampen fields were temporary. I drank the spirits, allowed the warmth to fill my gullet. I sat down in a chair. The alcohol started to flow into my body. I felt the pains starting to ebb. I set the goblet down and stood back up. I could move a bit easier. Wielding the staff, the next order of business, was to find out where they went.

I left the house and headed to the barn. There were thousands of footsteps here. I noticed the footsteps headed towards the fields. I followed the tracks. Within a few minutes, I saw the source. That huge boulder in the middle of the field was pushed aside. It all fell into place immediately. At the portal room, there were stairs that led up to a huge slab of stone. The boulder being pushed aside, had a flat surface at a point. So, the undead left from here, and probably came from here. But from where in there did the undead come from? We searched the vaults and we searched Alifax. There was nothing found that could of held that many undead. I kept thinking over and over again in my mind where did they come from. I descended down into the vaults. When reaching the bottom, I looked towards the portal. That remained destroyed. I noticed that the tracks went down the passage. But there was nothing there. Every room was explored and settled. Every room, except..the room with the statues! That had to be it! That was the only part that left untouched. Kosser said that the statues may activate and we did not want to take on golems. Well now, looks like I had to go to that room. So be it! I started jogging down the passage. Making the turns to get to the statue room, I arrived at the doorway.

Well, the statues would activate. I saw the tracks disappear towards the back wall. Taking a breath, I took a step into the room. The four statues heads turned in my direction. Looks like they are the guardian golems. I took another step into the room. The statues came to life and slowly walked in my direction. I held up the staff in front of me, preparing to do combat. When the statues saw the staff, they stopped. I was confused by this.

“Would you like the portal to be opened?”

One of the statues ‘spoke’. No lips moved, but it came from the statue.

“Yes, I would like the portal to be opened.”

The statues moved back in place, and a swirl of colors appeared at the far wall. Holding up the staff before me, I walked through the colors. A moment of disorientation hit me and my surroundings changed. I was at a huge cavern with a huge opening. I could see the towers of Alifax. As I thought, everyone was brought here. I walked forward and examined the surroundings. The large gate that looked like a mouth was down and allowing ingress into the castle. I did not see any undead guards.

I walked towards the gate and was about to go in, when I saw the zombies and the ghouls. So, they were guarding the occupants inside. I really didn’t see any other way to get in. Taking a deep breath, I went inside of the gate. The undead turned, looked at me, and started moving towards me. I brandished the staff to fend off their attacks. Much like the golems, when the undead saw the staff, they stopped, and moved out of the way. Also, the silver serpent top, glowed white. Ok, this staff was not a normal staff. That much I knew.

I proceeded towards the main chamber, where the portal was. At the doorway I stopped. Inside, were all of the humans and dwarves from our hamlet. All of them, except for Steve, were inside cages made out of bone. A green energy field was around each cage as well. I also spied another cage that contained Griff, Tyna, and the grifflings. So, they were captured too. That’s why there were no troops. They never were alerted. In the middle of the room where that stone altar was at, laid Steve. He wasn’t in a cage, but he was unconscious, and surrounded by the same green energy bubble. Also, next to the huge skeleton of the dragon Alamaris, was the chest full of coins. I found that to be very odd. Ok Tor, what the hell are you going to do here? I am no priest and I am no mage. But there was a mage named Kosser in there. Looking around, I saw no other occupants. Now seemed to be as good as any to go in. I walked into the center of the room, to where Steve was.

“Tor!” I put my finger up to my lips at Torid seeing me. Everyone turned around as they gasped.

Calvin whispered. “How the devil did you get here? Never mind that. How the devil are you still alive?”

“I don’t know how I am still alive. As to how I got here, much like you all got here: through the vaults.”

“Tor my boy, you never cease to amaze. Wait, what is that you are holding?”

“This? I completely forgot. The day I went with Woodard to Stalvinport, I bought this staff at a second hand store. I wanted to bring it to your attention, but it completely slipped my mind.”

“Slipped your mind? Slipped your mind that you are holding the staff of Archmage Stalvin?”

“So that’s what this thing is. It allowed me passage with the statues and with the undead.”

“Among other powers, I guess it does do that. It also absorbs magic. See if you can touch the energy field with the tip.”

I did so, but the energy field remained. I tried to poke it through the field. But it was like hitting a brick wall. The field does not allow any entrance. I imagine it doesn’t allow any exits as well.

“Sorry Kosser, that’s no good.”

“It was worth a try.”

“Tor, can you get Steve out of there?” Talma looked at me with desperation.

“I don’t think so. I cannot push the staff through the field. I won’t be able to get Steve out of there.”

“You are completely correct dwarf!” I spun around. There was the darkened figure there. It walked down towards me, raising its right hand, the gates closed all around. Each gate had the same green energy surrounding it.

“You are really becoming quite a pest. What does it take to kill you?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I just keep going.”

“Wait, that staff. WHERE DID YOU GET THAT STAFF?”

“This? I had for quite a while now. It seemed interesting. I like the shiny silver top.”

The figure did a spell. A lightning bolt shot from its hand and was going to hit me. However, the lightning bolt tip went straight into the staff. The staff absorbed the spell.

“Interesting. Well, the shop keep did say it was magical.”

“No! It can’t be!”

“What? It is just the staff of Stalvin. A trinket really.”

I had to stall for time. I needed to figure out this vampire. I also need to come up with a plan of how to get out of this. The vampire released another spell. A fan of flame streaked from its hand towards me. As with the lightning bolt, the staff absorbed it.

“I am going to kill you dwarf.”

“Not by magic it seems.”

“No, it seems not. But I will call my undead minions to you.”

“Won’t work vampy. How do you think I came in here? I walked right by them.”

“Impossible!”

“Nah, it’s true. Why would I lie?”

“True, you wouldn’t lie.”

“So, what does all of this mean?” I pointed around to the whole area. “And what is your scheme with a boy on an altar?”

“That is none of your business. But, that is about to be your business.” The vampire pointed past me. I turned about. There, I saw two more of the demon guardians like the one I fought in the vaults months ago. I backed up, until my back was pressed against the foot bones of the large dragon skeleton. The vampire laughed. “You will die tonight for sure dwarf.”

My brain raced. There was very little I could do. It did seem like I was at the end of my rope. I dropped the staff a little. “You know, you are right vampire. There is very little I can do. If I had any of my weapons that you took, I might have a chance. But I am no mage. I cannot use this staff the way it is meant to be used.”

“Ah, the dwarf does have common sense.”

“You win vampire. I would only ask of one thing.”

“What? No, no one here is going to be freed.”

I sat down on the ground, ignoring the demons, and turning to face the vampire. “No, that isn’t my request. I request answers.”

“Answers?”

“Yes. It is obvious you won. And I have a feeling you want the chance to gloat.”

“Why dwarf, you are perceptive. Yes I do! All of you, but you especially, have caused me nothing but trouble!”

“So, is it too much of a request to ask?”

There was a moment of silence. The two demons backed off a bit and sat down. “Actually, no. It is not too much. In fact, there is nothing you can do to stop the events that are going to be in motions come midnight. And there is some time before then. You will live long enough to see the triumph. Then, the yugoloths will tear you apart.”

“Oh? Good.”

“Tor, what are you doing? Hit the vampire with the staff! You can do the same thing to the demons!”

“Kosser, there is no point. It is like a game of chess. If I attack the yugoloths, the vampire here will attack my back. If I attack the vampire, the yugoloths will tear me apart or burn me away. Why do you think they were summoned and where they were summoned?”

“Dwarf, you do have an understanding for tactics. I am beginning to understand why you have been so troublesome.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Take it as you will!”

“I meant no disrespect. I just don’t expect to get much else in my final time here.”

There was a pause. “True. So, what answers do you want to know?”

“Answers? Tor, Steve is about to die, and so are we, and you want answers?” Talma was screaming at me.

“Yes Talma. I want answers. Like I said, we are beaten. I just would like to know what and how all of this is for before I die. Like, you have Steve separated from the others. I hardly think you want to kill him.”

“Correct dwarf. Or Tor actually. The child is not going to die. Well, the body will not at least. His soul will be consumed by the great god Alamaris! But his body, we have use for his body.”

“We? You know, since you use my name, which I thank you, I would like to know yours.”

“Very well Tor.” The figure pulled back the hood. Everyone, except for me, gasped. It wasn’t a man that was under that robe. No, it was a very beautiful woman, with flowing blond hair, in her young twenties. “You may call me Kristine.”

Kosser screamed. “No No NO! I am sorry Kristine! I was too late, too late!” He started sobbing in his hands.

“Too late for what mage? Oh, I get it. You think I am your lover. I assure you I am not!”

Kosser looked up from his hands. “You aren’t?”

She laughed maniacally. “Well, actually, in a way I am. But not as you think old man. You see, you loved a puppet of me. When I had taken that puppet from Stalvinport, I absorbed her on the voyage. All of her knowledge, her spells, her knowledge of you, her love for you-which disgusts me, all became part of me.”

“I..I don’t believe you!”

“I do.”

Everyone looked at me. “Kosser, the proof was in the message she left you. ‘Stay away from me, whatever you are.’ She knew of the vampires, you told her as much. She was expecting vampire attacks. What she did not expect was a vampire attack from herself per say. This would make Kristine, your Kristine, unfocused, unable to spell cast, which allowed Kristine here to capture, whisked away, and drain her. What I don’t understand on that part, is why?”

“Tor, you are a very astute dwarf. If you were not so dangerous, I would convert you and have you be one of my advisors. You are correct in your deduction. I needed arcane magic ability. I had divine magic, but I needed arcane. So, my father and I devised a way to have this happen. Centuries ago, my father created a spell that creates a duplicate of the person from the flesh of a person. My father..”

“Stalvin.”

“Yes, my father Stalvin had one such flesh of me. So, if something happened to me, I could come back. This happened when I was mortal. After being made immortal, I had no use of it. But my father always keeps safeguards in place. And with the additional need of arcane magic, we devised this plan. A puppet would learn the arcane, and then, abduct the puppet at a certain point. The knowledge, the abilities, would all be transferred to me.”

“But, but how?”

“The silver dagger Kosser.” I said simply.

“Do you want to tell the story Tor? It is MY TRIUMPH!”

I’m sorry Kristine. Could I ask you go back from the beginning? Like from the Great War? How it was started and what it was meant?”

“Ah, you want to know it all! I though you figured it out!”

“I figured out a lot, but there are many gaps. That is why my final request is for answers.”

“Very well. I think we have enough time. But only if I do not get interrupted anymore!”

“Sounds good to me Kristine. Please, by all means.” I reclined back on the foot bones of Alamaris. Also, I was gathering my strength through the means of the silver ring. I needed to play for time.

“Well, to start back, was about my father Stalvin. Stalvin wanted to put an end to the Great War. He knew to do that, he would have to battle Alamaris. What he did not know, is that Alamaris achieved becoming an immortal god through undeath. He thought he was going to just fight a powerful dragon. So Stalvin took months to prepare. He would slice off his hand, preserve the hand by scrolls of magic he written, and then, grow back his hand. He did this several more times, just to ensure that there would always be a Stalvin for Cloverdale. At the same time, my father ordered the vaults to be built. He also put in safe guards for the vaults. A very, select few were entrusted in this. Once Stalvin was ready, he went off to Alifax to try to reason with Alamaris, or if that failed, fight and win over him. However, he quickly found out, that Alamaris was no mere dragon. He was an immortal god on this earth. After a brief but intense battle of spells, Stalvin disappeared. The few selected people thought he was dead. So, they went ahead and brought Stalvin back to the land of the living. The advisors told him what has happened. He decided that it wouldn’t be a good idea to continue. I had no idea all of this was happening. My father was my father. One day, he went crazy and disappeared. That night, we found him again. He was outside of Cloverdale. Beaten, bruised, his clothes in tatters. He was brought inside. As he was recovering, I went out to look for certain herbs. It was nightfall, and my father appeared before me. He said I had to go with him. Naturally I did. He brought me here, saying that Alamaris was negotiating a truce and needed my help. When I came to this room, I became unconscious.”

“When I came to, I heard the voice of my father and another in my head. It was Alamaris. They told me that they had plans, much bigger plans than this war happening. Both my father and I were now immortals as well. We were vampires! In fact, my father was the one who transformed me. It was glorious! Such powerful emotions shared, the physical powers that I had, and never to age! The living is only good for food. I learned otherwise, but I was deluged with the power! I was made high priestess of Alamaris. I went and created a priesthood for Alamaris. My disciplines were very adept, and each one a vampire. But, there was a problem. There was another Stalvin. That Stalvin had to be eliminated. My father had to be kept restrained. He was going insane knowing there was another version of him that exists. So, I was to carry about the plan. I went to Cloverdale, and sought out the magical created doppelganger. When I found him, he said the same thing to me, that there was another version of him and that it had to be destroyed. I said that I was here to destroy him, so that my father would live. That is when the doppelganger realized I was now a vampire. We fought, and he badly injured me. I had to retreat back to Alifax. Then, the two Stalvins worked on creating a portal system. Only my father, my true father, created the master portal here. One that would control all of the other portals. We had the portal to the north. From there, our troops would gather and then descend on Cloverdale. Days became hours of preparation. However, the people of Cloverdale were too stubborn and continued to fight.”

“Both my father and the doppelganger Stalvin continued to build portals. I finally had to wrest control of the portal system by seducing another mage and convert him. I made him my total slave. We had control of all of the portals and centered inside here of Alifax. Our victories were at hand. Soon, we would eliminate Cloverdale and eliminate the doppelganger of my father. We were making preparations when Alamaris told us we had an intruder. The castle was searched. We did not find an intruder, but we found what was missing: the container for Alamaris’ life force. Also, the ceremonial conversion blade and the scroll of conversion were also taken. We scoured the countryside. With those items, and in the right hands, Alamaris could be undone! We had to find the items! Alamaris told us he sensed his life essence outside of Cloverdale. We were about ready to depart for Cloverdale when the portal system was used against us. Someone, later finding out it was the doppelganger Stalvin, used magical energies to create a huge backlash. It nearly obliterated us, as it obliterated Cloverdale. It took us many years, over four centuries in fact, to recover from these blows. Once we were recovered, my father and I went in search of Alamaris’ life essence. But we could not find it. We also saw the complete destruction of Cloverdale. We discovered Stalvinport, but the doppelganger Stalvin was, of course, dust for centuries. We could not even speak with the dead, for there was nothing to speak to. Alamaris was stuck, his spectacular form frozen in time. He could not sense his life essence after the explosion from Cloverdale. My father and I came back to Alifax. For years, we investigated and researched how to restore our god back to us. My father restore the function of the portals as well. Additional years past, getting more and more frustrated as time progressed. I suggested to my father that I can aid with the research if I knew arcane. But we were both getting frustrated and I could not devote the needed time and focus to learn the arcane.”

“That is when, dear Kosser, we came up with the plan for the doppelganger Kristine. Of course, we had to make certain safeguards. I didn’t want to go crazy like my father did. So we researched with different beings. We found that if someone was to go through the process, but the original became a different form, insanity does not set in. A different form, as in an undead form. This was perfect since my mortal piece was in the vault before becoming immortal. So, using the portal and retrieving the piece was simple enough. We decided to use the small castle to the north, one that we had a portal connection with, to create as an escape home. My father Stalvin concocted a beautiful sob story that he was cursed being a vampire. He convinced my doppelganger to learn the arts of the arcane so she could free him. Of course, she loved my father, probably almost as much as I do. She agreed. That is when she went to Stalvinport and met you Kosser. And for some reason, she chose you, and the fool decided to fall in love with you. My father gauged the doppelganger saying she had enough discipline to properly do the arcane work needed. So, we concocted the kidnap plan.”

“Pardon me Kristine, but as to save time, we know about that part.” I risked saying something, for I knew the time was growing short.

“Oh? Well good! Then I won’t go over that part. But know this Kosser. When you laid the blow to my father’s heart, he was dying. He had enough energy to portal shift back to the castle where my doppelganger called home. When I awoke, for it took a lot out of me to absorb my doppelganger, I saw my father dying. Using what I know, I transferred his essence to a gem and placed the gem in his coffin. His physical form died, but my father lived on in the gem. I was desperate however. I wanted my father restored! You robbed me of him Kosser. It is amazing that you still live. I wanted to rip you apart. I still do! But Alamaris and my father says you are useful to our purposes. So, I will have the satisfaction of seeing you becoming our total slave. I digress. After my father’s essence was saved, I noticed the ash of what were my followers. I was enraged. Your handy work again Kosser. Which, was amazing to me in a way. You never employed magic that would destroy. Yet, you were paving destruction in your wake. When you become my slave, you will have to explain that to me.”

“Anyways, I was never alone, since Alamaris and my father were still inside talking and soothing with me, but I had no help. I made my way back to Alifax. I knew of the undead force that Alamaris had created. But, since Alamaris was frozen in place, so were the undead. We needed to find his life essence. To further this, my father taught me how to read his scrolls, how to use his magic. He taught me how to create different wands and staves. On my own, I was able to create powerful combination magic wands and staves, using both the arcane from my father, and the divine from our god. In a small way Kosser, I have you to thank too. In figuring out how to imbue items for magic, was very useful to me. A year had passed. My father said that his gem and coffin could be transported here. I arrived back at the small castle, went to the village, enthralled some of the villagers, and had them transport him back to Alifax. Both Alamaris and my father said there is a way to restore my father to his form. But I needed to practice. I also realized I needed an army too. So, I started with the people that were enthralled. I killed them and transformed them through the arts of necromancy. They turned out to be simple ghouls and ghasts. An idea formed however. I could build an undead army. An army, so loyal, that none would question me. We had that before, until your staff Kosser destroyed Alamaris’ army and freed all of the souls. Alamaris showed me the deeper secrets of the arts. I was perfecting the arts. But it was slow. Not because of the magic, that was easy. But we still needed secrecy. I also needed to rebuild the priesthood. So, I set about recreating the priesthood. Soon, I had a dozen of loyal disciples. We went and made agreements with different tribes of orcs, gnolls, hobgoblins, and the likes. We also got giants as allies. They all were eager to be under our banner. Some of them gained their powers of shamanism and learned crude forms of arcane to become witch doctors because of us. Our power was growing. I even transferred my father’s essence to the skeleton of Alamaris. They were effectively joined, yet separate. With this form, he was able to possess any mortal body he chose and control the body as if it was his own.”

“Finally, after many years, Alamaris and my father Stalvin said I was ready. I was to get a mortal piece of my father, restore it through magic, and when it was ready, go through the rites of restoration. I did all of that, and was successful. I concocted a story for my ‘father’ that we won the war and that I was in charge here. At first, my ‘father’ was delighted. But then he grew suspicious. I needed to wait two more days until the full moon night was to come. Using an herbal potion, I slipped it into his food and sedated him. I kept him heavily sedated. That night, the doppelganger’s essence was destroyed, and my father restored inside. He arose, and hugged me. That was the first time I cried. My father was back to me, after you ripped him away from me Kosser. I still hated you, but at least, we were back together again.”

“We resumed our research to restore Alamaris. We scoured the lands as well. We had to find his essence. Years had passed, and we had no success. It was during these years, that I noticed my father was aging. He was restored, but he was growing old. That was when we found out the drawback of using duplication. His undead body aged as a mortal. After consulting with Alamaris, he said that Stalvin could be restored with the blood line of his descendants. That is when we looked upon Stalvinport once again, and discovered you lot, the Randoss family. Calvin, you are the direct descendant of my father. We looked to how to get you. We only needed your blood and essence. This is when we goaded the army of humanoids that we had to attack Stalvinport. An ogre was given a special spear I created. With the combination of arcane and divine, it would absorb your blood and your essence into the spear. We then would use that spear to restore my father to his rightful form. But the ogre wasn’t too bright. He aimed the spear at a woman, the bitch you call your wife now, and was going to use it on her. We were raged, about to step in, when we see you launch in front of her, the spear hitting you and its mark. We were completely delighted. What we didn’t know, is that your bitch of a wife was a warrior healer. She neutralized the effects, and saved your life.

After that, we left the battle. We didn’t care what the outcome was. Our plan was destroyed. We were going to try it again when Alamaris said it wasn’t going to work. The descendant had to have arcane abilities. Calvin, you were too much of a dunce to know a thing about magic. So we waited. When your son was born, we waited. By this time, we researched spells to determine whether someone has arcane potential or not. Your first son, was as much of a dunce as you are. Your daughter was then born. It was interesting with her. She had the potential, but was more suited for the divine. I personally filed away that information. It would be sweet would it be to have a disciple in the family business. Finally, your youngest son was born. Finally, the spark of arcane was strong within him! You call him Steve. We called him our target. Problem was, your bitch of a wife would never leave the farm. And with Kosser nearby, yes, Kosser, we learned about you there, we didn’t want to risk detection. With Kosser nearby, we had to devise another plan. This one, was to involve naval battles. That is when the port towns cried and cried for their savior Calvin Randoss to teach them. You gave in, and that is how we both got you to Stalvinport.

The plan was a simple one: abduct your child. We didn’t want to take a chance on failure, so we got your child, and took his hands and feet. My disciples, as a reward, were allowed to feast upon him. We left and came back to Alifax. We restored not one, but four children. I also learned how to create these energy rift portals. These portals, take a bit of the matter here, and sets them in a different dimension. We were going to have four chances! Several months went by, and the children became ready. We used the set of enchantments and divinity four times. In each of the times, the children were transformed into tiny vampires. The spell did not work at all. We referred to Alamaris. He said the child had to be of the age of puberty before it can be attempted. Otherwise, what had happened did happen. The babies were vampires. So, I decided to raise them as my own children. They did me proud.”

“We had another problem. Throughout all of these many years, Alamaris has been slowly starting to fade. Because he has been disconnected from his life force essence for so long, he was losing being cohesive. That is when we gathered more of the horde army together. And the horde, did a marvelous job of capturing humans, dwarves, even some elves. They brought them back here. Our Steves would drink their blood, and then, we would experiment on them. Our horde army was growing in strength, and so was our undead army. Their souls, are still here inside of Alamaris. It took more and more souls to anchor Alamaris to our world. He was fading faster and faster. We got for him more and more souls. These souls would do our bidding without question too. Our forces were stronger than ever before. But Alamaris was weakening faster and faster. We didn’t know what to do.”

“Suddenly, Alamaris came back to us. He was still frozen, but he was fully back and alert. He said that he found his life essence. We were elated. We also learned that it was uncovered by you, the Randoss family. Finally, all of our patience was about to be rewarded! We devised a plan, a plan of conquest. We were going to regain his life essence and take the boy. That is when Alamaris told us that his essence was now in Stalvinport. We had to alter our plans of conquest and abduction. We would take the town by three ways. That is when you complicated things Tor.”

“First, Sigur Fortress was to be ours. And it was about to fall. But then you ruined it. We were then arranging for a huge navy to be constructed. By this time, my father, was extremely frail. Finally, I had to transfer my father’s essence back to Alamaris. His body, was too frail. I had it put in a dimensional energy pocket, for now part of his essence, was still residing inside. But my boys were ready. I strengthened their magic, gave them ways to move about in the daylight. After Sigur Fortress, I wanted no mangy humanoid to lead my army. My sons would do so. That is when we did the incursion into the vaults. But you were there again Tor, and foiled it. You also killed one of my boys! There was trouble to the north, so I needed to venture out. I took out one of the mortal remains of my father and made a duplicate of him. I needed someone to guard Alifax while I take care of business to the north that my sons could not handle. Several days later, Alamaris told me of everything that was happening. I could not get back to Alifax in time. By the time I got here, the doppelganger of my father had left with the army that was assigned to him. And the undead force I took the time to build, was destroyed. Also, you destroyed the set of portals that my father built. This infuriated me to no end! Finally, however, I had the navy in place and the horde army was in place. I had to get Alamaris’ essence though. I ventured to Stalvinport. I found one of the keepers of the secret code. And I had that keeper bring me the chest. I had him give me the chest. From there, I travelled back to Alifax myself. The ship was going to meet with the fleet. The whole stinking lot of you were about to fall right into our hands!”

“I finally arrived back in Alifax through the use of a return spell. From there, I was going to monitor the end of all of you! But then what do I find? My navy gets destroyed! Not only that, but you killed another one of my boys! I seethed in rage. My father told me that he could control his frail body while still safe with Alamaris. I released his old body. He went and flew forth with the horde army. Then, what do I find then? Your stinking lot destroys the army! Not only that, but you Tor, destroyed my father! I was alone again! My anger knew no bounds! But I consoled myself. I had the essence of Alamaris with me. He assured me these were setbacks, but the true power was about to return. I had to practice for the night of the full moon after the spring solstice. Alamaris also told me that his army, was becoming free. They would be my army to retrieve my father and restore Alamaris. That is when Alamaris told me he wasn’t at full strength. He said a part of himself was still at the Randoss farm. I saw that the coins were not quite full. You all must of separated them. So, when I attacked the farm, I also had the house searched. We found your pitiful jar with the rest of Alamaris’ essence. I had the pure satisfaction of throwing you Tor. You were finally going to be destroyed! I took everyone there. I have now all of the pieces necessary. Soon, in a few minutes, my father will be reborn again! Alamaris will walk amongst us again! And then Tor, then! I will have you destroyed once and for all! You have given me enough grief to last me my immortal life!”

I sat for a moment, thoughtful on the recounting of this tale. “Kristine, I have to say, that is probably the most amazing recount of a tale I have ever heard.”

“I supposed I should say I’m flattered, but I am not! Now, you have your last wish fulfilled Tor. Soon, you will be destroyed!”

“Perhaps.”

That stopped her cold for a second. “Perhaps? What do you mean, perhaps?”

“Kristine, everything that you have done, has been totally flawless. I am just saying, none of your end goals will work.”

“What? You mean you doubt my father? You doubt our god?”

“Your ‘god’ is not a god. He is a special form of undead. He is no god. He has just been using you to further his own means.”

She broke out in raucous laughter. “Tor, up to this point, I hated you for everything you have interfered with, but I have respect for you. You are destroying that respect!”

“I have a few minutes left. You don’t want to hear me?”

“Oh by all means! Please, enlighten me!”

“Ok, thank you. It is true that a god is nothing without followers. But when that happens, the god is still an immortal. They live in a different world, in a different dimension. They command forces that no mortal can comprehend. They adjust our very existence with direct or subtle means.”

“Ok, I can agree with that Tor. Alamaris fits the whole description.”

“No, he does not. Think about it Kristine. A mortal thief, comes in, with mortal magic, and steals his very essence. Then, he cannot locate his very essence for centuries, until we stumble upon it? All the while, he used you and your father as anchors to keep his very existence functional. That isn’t being a god. That is being a parasite. What has Alamaris done for you?”

“He has shown me things, taught me things, reached levels of power I never knew existed!”

“To what end Kristine? For your benefit? Or his? Let us just suppose that what you say will happen happens? What is next? To go on a rampage against the other dragon clans? Do you know the reason why Alamaris built Alifax in the first place?”

“Um, no. It isn’t important.”

“Oh yes it is. It is the very crux of importance. The whole reason why the war happened, and why he was gathering followers, is so he could exact revenge on the clans of dragons from when they tossed him out for Alamaris’ assassination attempts on dragon elders. Now, does that sound very god like to you?”

I could see her thinking. I pressed on. “You scoffed at your, what did you call it? Doppelganger? For daring to love someone like Kosser? Why? Because Kosser didn’t use your doppelganger? For that he truly loved his Kristine, while all you had was a sham? What the other Kristine had, as brief as her life was, was true love. And that is what Kosser had in his long life: true love lived and lost. What is it that you have Kristine? You have been used and abused by Alamaris. What you thought for centuries was love, love by your father and your ‘god’, you have been their anchor boy, their tool, their lackey. There is no love here, not reciprocated love at least. That is you filling your own void that is still there within.”

“Stop it! Stop IT! You don’t know what you are saying!”

“Oh yes Kristine, I do know what I am saying. You said you absorbed your doppleganger’s power and abilities. Somewhere, inside of you, is the other Kristine. Search her out if you dare. Compare your ‘love’ that you had for your father and Alamaris with the love that Kristine had for Kosser. I’m willing to bet you have her memories too. Deep inside, buried, but all this time struggling to get out. Go ahead, compare it, if you dare.”

She was starting to break down. I could see the expressions changing on her face. I could see where the created Kristine was finally struggling to get through. She started to hold her head.

“Remember her words Kristine: ‘stay away from me, whatever you are.’ Kristine, what are you? Do you dare ask yourself that question posed by your other?”

Kristine went to her knees. She looked up at Kosser, with a soft expression. “My love, help me! Please help me!”

“I can’t my love! I am trapped here!”

“Yes you can Kosser! Start telling her how much you love her! How you have spent these fifty years to try to save her! How you never desired anyone else but her!”

Kristine looked at Kosser. “Is what Tor says true my love?”

“Every word my love. Every word.” Kosser’s old and ruddy face had tears flowing.

Kristine started to wail in sorrow. She was at a tug of war with herself. I continued to press on.

“Kristine, it was bad enough that Alamaris, your false god, has used you, robbed you of one form of happiness. But he is not alone in his guilt. The man you call your father, is the doppelganger.”

She hissed at me. “You go too far dwarf! Stalvin is my true father!”

“Untrue Kristine. And here is my points of proof. You are an accomplished arcanist, so you can judge whether I lie or am at fault. Point one. I came here with the use of this staff, a staff constructed by your father. It allowed me passage through the portal to arrive here in the cavern at the mountain face. It also allowed me passage through the centuries old minions of undead you have outside.”

“That means nothing dwarf!”

“I’m not finished. By far I am not finished! Point two. You said it yourself, your father took preparations. He went to fight Alamaris. He didn’t perish but went elsewhere. By the time he got back, there was another Stalvin. And that Stalvin, is the one that struck a deal with Alamaris. That’s why he was turned into a vampire, but lost his mind. Your father also lost his mind, for there were two of the exact same person at the same point of time and place. Your own example of your doppelganger shows this to be true!”

Kristine was silent. I could see her mind, or minds, working through this.

“Point three. When we came here to destroy the portals, I saw and spoke with the doppelganger of your father. Except, he used the term Nivlats. That’s the exact backward spelling of Stalvin. And that is what your vampire ‘father’ is. That is how he was altered. Alamaris altered him just enough that he became Nivlats. Your father could not bear to join with Alamaris. Nivlats could, because he was already altered by Alamaris. But he is no god. If he was, he could simply will the restoration of the person you call your father. But he is just as helpless as your father is. A special form of undead, that has been cut at the knees by a mortal. And they both need your help, your efforts, to be freed again.”

“No, no no..please..stop…I beg of you, please stop.”

“I will not stop Kristine. You need to know the truth! Point four, perhaps the most damning piece of evidence, is by your own accounting. You said you transferred your father’s essence into a gem. You did not. You didn’t have the skills necessary. Not unless your father was a construct already. You admitted that to Kosser in your recount ‘I guess I should thank you in a small way.’ He showed you how to imbue constructs with magic. That is why, when you transferred his essence into the doppelganger, it had all of the vampire abilities, save one: the undead immortality never could be transferred. It was lost right at the point of decay from Kosser’s attack. He was disintegrating. You just held it back. It still will happen. That is why your plan will not work. You have been used by a parasite to prolong the life of the parasite’s play toy and your love for your father was being used as the chains of enslavement with your whole being. And that is why, you will fail here. Not because of any lack of skill on your part Kristine. But for the simple fact, the vampire man you knew as your father, simply, does not exist. Why? A doppelganger was made into a vampire. You are different Kristine. You were you when you were transformed. Nivlats, was not. The bottom line: you both are nothing but pawns to Alamaris, who is no god, but simply wants to destroy the clan of dragons because he was punished for crimes he was caught for.”

Kristine was rocking back and forth on her knees. She was wailing and sobbing. “My father, he loves me, he’s here, he’s not here, he’s not my father. Alamaris, my god, but not my god, what is he? Where is he? Where are they? Who am I? Someone, anyone, please help me.”

I spoke softly. “Kristine, you, for the first time in perhaps centuries, have the power and choice to stop all of this right now. End this. Let go of them. Let everyone here go. Have Kosser help you. With his knowledge, and with everyone here, we all swear to help you. We cannot change what has happened. But we can all pull together, and help you to overcome. I swear to you Kristine, I am a simple dwarf. But I will stand by you to see that everything is made right again. Kristine, the power, the choice, is yours.”

“My love, I swear to you. If I have to become undeath to help you, to save you, to be with you, I will gladly do so. I swear it!”

Kristine looked at Kosser with her tear stained face. “You would do that for me my love?”

“For us my love. For us.”

Kristine put her head down, and started to rock again, sobbing violently. Slowly however, the sobbing turn to maniacal laughter. She stood up, and her true vampire visage came out. She no longer had any humanity to her. She was in true form.

“Nice try by everyone! I have conquered those weaknesses you wrought forth! Tor! You are a dangerous enemy! You almost succeeded!”

“Kristine, no..please, fight it.”

She quickly turned to Kosser. “Your Kristine is dead! Long dead. And now, the final remnants of her are completely dead! I shall run the ritual on this boy and restore my father! I shall bring back Alamaris! Then, we shall feast on your souls. The time is approaching in seconds! View upon your doom! There is nothing you can do! Yugoloths, if that dwarf moves towards me or the altar, kill him! Not that there is anything you could do dwarf! These dimensional gates are impervious to any physical or energy attacks! My defenses and prisons are complete! All of you are doomed, completely doomed! And, now, finally, the restorations are to commence!”

“No! Steve no!” Calvin yelled, he was on his knees.

“Cuthbert! Please, help our son!” Talma prayed and wailed.

Torid tried to bang against the bone prison and the field. So did Griff. So did everyone else. Kristine was spellcasting, ancient words and dialects I could not recognize, with that silver dagger in hand. We all actually seen Steve’s essence lift from his body, hovering above it. I could see another coming from the bone skeleton from Alamaris. It looked like to be Nivlats. I also saw the massive form of a dragon. That, would have to be Alamaris. They all gravitated towards each other. But then, Steve’s essence stopped. It hovered above his body, and then, settled back down. Nivlats and Alamaris also returned: Nivlats to the bone skeleton, and Alamaris to the chest. I looked above. The moonlight of the spring solstice moon was in full view.

“What? I don’t understand! How could the spell fail?”

I whistled a little tune. I didn’t know the name of the tune, but it suited me.

“I must of missed something!” Kristine was going over the scroll. She dropped the silver dagger in hand furiously going over the scroll.

I noticed the moon slip over the focal point in the top of the ceiling. The full moon light of the spring solstice had passed. The yugoloths, at Kristine’s own words, were close to me. Very quickly I struck the one on the left and on the right. I was expecting to knock them out. Instead, they both screamed as their bodies disintegrated. That, was an interesting effect.

Kristine looked up from her scroll, and snarled at me. “Fine, you destroyed my demon minions. But there is nothing else you can do. Rot there for all I care. I must figure out what happened!”

I continued to whistle. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a silver coin. I started to flip it in the air.

After a couple of tosses, Kristine looked up at me. “WILL YOU STOP THAT INFERNAL..wait..what is that?”

“Oh this? It is a silver coin.”

“A silver coin? You act so trivial when I can kill you at..wait, what silver coin?”

“The silver coin from the chest. Months ago, when we found the chest, and Kosser relayed to me his tale about with you and the vampires, he wanted to see the coins. I showed him the coins that were in the jar. When I was putting back the jar, this coin had the mint of a dwarf. I liked it, so I kept it on me.”

Kristine was standing there stunned. And, it was ironic. All of her planning, all of her scheming, all of the death and destruction, all of her dreams of restoring these undead creatures, thwarted, by one simple silver coin I kept and was flipping in the air. The silence was so loud in the chamber. I could see Kristine’s eyes go red.

“Dwarf, you have angered me for the last time. I will not only kill you, but I will do so many unspeakable tortures, that you will forever suffer!” She started advancing towards me. I held up my left hand holding the staff and held the coin in my right hand.

“Kristine, I know what you can do to me. And there are probably a hundred more things you can do to me I have no idea about. But you also must know I can simply snap this coin. And with doing that, all of your dreams of restoring Nivlats and Alamaris go with it. Alamaris will be no more, and the same with Nivlats, or your father, or anything else you want to call him. The point is, I hold their undead lives in my fingers. And you know this. Now, kindly do me a favor: back away, slowly. No tricks, no spells, no anything other than backing up.”

She stopped, thought long and hard, and started to back away.

“Good. Now, did I understand you right that you created these green energy fields? What did you call them? Dimensional gates? Or something like that? Fields that nothing physical or energy, magical or otherwise, can touch them?”

“Yes dwarf! You know full well what they are. I told you as much!” If looks could kill, I would be dead one thousand and one times over right now.

“Ah. And I am assuming the bone prisons as well correct? And that you created all of these constructs?”

“Yes. What is your point?”

I walked over to the bone skeleton of Alamaris, the chest, and where Steve lay on the stone altar. “Amazing simply amazing. You are completely correct Kristine. I am no priest, and I am definitely no mage. In fact, I don’t even know who I am. You see, months ago, when my clan was heading to Sigur Fortress for reinforcements, you sent a portion of your horde army to attack my clan. I was left for dead. I came to, but I had no recollection of who I was, any of the dwarves that died, and no idea what I was doing there. You could say I rose from the dead, as I was left for dead. I have been trying to piece my own life back together you see. Along the way, I met some incredible people, many who became near and dear to my heart. I learned of their plights. I’ve tried to help the best I could. Most overcame and lived a second chance at life, free from the cruel hand that fate dealt them. There was one I could not save, for she was already undead. But her will gave her the strength not only to carry out her drive and her curse, but to help and free the folks that she loved in life. That shook me to my core you see. I have seen a rough lump of coal of a half ogre transform into a beautiful diamond of a man. I have seen the sorrow and guilt of an old man be freed from his spirit. I have seen a family brought back together because of evils put upon them. I have seen the guilt wrought by circumstance be freed from a healer who now has a chance at happiness. And with that healer, a woman that you and your ilk had wronged and now has a second chance at love and happiness. I have seen the doppelganger of a man that you used as a puppet, rebel against your evils and actions and wanted to just live out a simple life. The horde army, I thought were just evil and beyond redemption. Yet, a portion of them wanted nothing more to do with you and went with your doppelganger. I have seen the restoration of honor and the healing of the spirit with a whole dwarven clan. I have seen dragons become friends to man and dwarf again. I even have seen a pixie, become stronger than a group of giants with a heart double their size. I have seen the benefits of a community, filled with diversity, making everyone stronger and more enriched. I even have seen Nature smile, lending warm days and warm nights, so that we may prosper because we respect her. But most importantly, I see a woman before me, denied and lied, that even now, can shrug off the chains that binds her. Kristine, I ask of you one last time. Let them go. You can do it. I believe in second chances, for I was given a second chance. Nothing cannot be overcome, if you put your will towards the overcoming.”

Kristine was silent. I thought, for a moment, that perhaps my words reached some part of her, some core, and struck a sounding chord. She then burst out in pure maniacal evil laughter. “Dwarf Tor, I have never, in all of these years, heard such nonsensical dribble. True, at the moment, you hold the cards. But you are mortal. Your body will waver and weaken. You are no mage or priest, as you said. You cannot help your friends, for I hold their cards. You can keep your second chances for yourself dwarf. You are a simple dwarf warrior. What will you do with all of your strength now? J can wait til you weaken! I laugh at the, no, I spit at your second chance and at you!”

“I am sad to hear you say that Kristine. And, I say to you Kristine, I am sorry, so sorry, for what is about to come. Like you said, I am a simple warrior, endowed with strength. But, it isn’t the strength of my body that allowed me to do all of these things and witness all that I have said. No, it is my will. And right now, my will is focused on this one simple silver coin. But there is one other key difference between you and I. While I have fought to become part of this world, you, have become the holder of your own world. You fought all of these years for the reality you desired. That gives you your greatest strength. But that also gives you your greatest weakness. There is one more act I can do with my great strength.” I turned my head to everyone. “I love each and every one of you. And tell Steve, I’m sorry I will not live to see him grow up to be the fine man he will become. Maybe, the gods will grant me a sight from the heavens, as they did with GloriAnn, where I can look down and smile upon you.”

With that, I flipped the silver coin into the chest with the others. I then took the staff of Archmage Stalvin in my hands, and broke it over my knee. A huge flash of energy and rushing warmth came in that instant, following feeling my body break into many pieces against the far wall. The moment of extreme pain, was replaced with sleep, rest, and peace.

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