Emptiness Read online

  The first time I changed I didn't realize what was really happening. Later, I was always fully aware of everything the demon did, seeing everything through the demon's eyes. But that's all I could do. Even now, I only feel from inside, that my body takes the shape that I have come to know so well. A humanoid, eight-foot tall beast, with a three-faced head, and four arms ending in paws with vicious claws... and an urge to kill... And now, from inside the monster, I will survey how Doorn meets a gruesome end at the hands of a demon.

  I see as the demon attacks Doorn, but the assassin is quicker, and simply slides out of the way. I... I believe this is the first time I ever saw a man evade an attack of the demon so easily...

  But it will take more than that to slay the beast. The demon chases him, but in a moment, he vanishes without a trace. No doubt he molded into the shadows again. I could not see where he went, but the demon apparently senses him. I watch as the creature runs around wildly, swinging with its vicious claws towards the unseen assassin. It strikes only air, but I know that it's just a matter of time and the demon will find Doorn...

  Suddenly, everything around me is covered in an impenetrable darkness, the likes of which I had never encountered. I see nothing but blackness, and I sense that the demon is confused. I sense that it tries to find Doorn with its other senses, but to no avail. The demon moves about slowly, carefully measuring each step, and then it suddenly stops and turns around. It strikes with its claws, but finds naught but air. Then I hear it scream in rage, and simultaneously, I feel a sharp pain in my back.

  Somehow, Doorn managed to strike the demon in the back. The demon turns around and strikes towards him, and as certain as I was that he would no longer be there, I am proven wrong. He is there, he blocks the demon's attack with his sword, and swings back with the blade. Again, I hear the demon screaming, and I realize that Doorn cut off one of the demon's arms... The monster throws itself into a rage and attacks the assassin. He does not jump out of the way.

  They fight. I cannot tell how long it lasts, nor how many times the assassin managed to wound the beast, but I can sense that the demon's blood is all over the ground, and that Doorn is still uninjured. I admire the skills of this man. If only I could have learned to fight like him, if only I could have become more than what I am. If only I could have defeated the monster inside me...

  Suddenly the magical darkness vanishes, and the moonlight nearly blinds me. Doorn doesn't seem to have any problems with his vision. The demon is momentarily startled by the sudden light, and Doorn jumps forth and sinks his blade deep into the demon's chest, piercing the heart. The pain I feel is unbearable, and I barely even realize that the battle is over. The demon screams and falls to the ground.

  It lays on the ground...

  It lays on the ground...

  I lay on the ground...

  ...while Doorn stands over me, sword in hand, ready to finish the job. I still do not see his face. He pulls something out from under his cloak, I don't see what it is. He stabs it into my heart, and I feel insufferable pain in my chest. And suddenly, I understand everything.

  I know who he is. I know why he has come for me. I know his goal. And I hope, he will succeed. He raises his sword, and prepares to take my head. I know what comes, and I feel no regret. Peace has come at last. I die with a smile on my face, knowing, that he may yet achieve the unthinkable. My life flows before me in this final moment. I think back to all that I've lived through since the day I first changed, and to all the pain I've had to suffer in this existence. I think back to this, and feel relief. With my final breath, I thank the assassin for my release.

  `Thank you... my friend...'

  He does not speak. There is nothing to say now. He strikes towards my neck, and everything falls dark. Dark, and silent...

  To ignite the flame

  Imden's Tavern, in the Ess'yerian town of Guencer, present day (2 years, 3 months, and 13 days before Twilightfall)

  I look outside through the window of my room and watch as the hated rays of the sun finally fall beneath the horizon. Darkness descends upon the land, and slowly I begin to feel myself at home. As much as I can call this place home... So many years have passed since I returned to Ess'yer, but still I feel uneasy here. I was born here, but I do not feel like I belong here. I don't feel like I belong anywhere any more. Not after all the things that have come to pass...

  I turn away from the window and head out of the room, towards the stairs leading down. Soon it will be time to have my dinner, and then set off into the night. But all this only after I spoke with whoever it is that wants to see me. It's supposed to be a big assignment, with a lot of payment. Such assignments tend to bring the death of many, and I could certainly use that right now.

  As I sit down at the table and wait for Kevin to show up, I begin to ponder over the happenings of the past months. Mostly about what I've done six months ago.

  Six months... Yes, it's been half a year that I've killed the second to last of the spawn of Th'Mesh. They all had to die. It is the only way I can destroy Th'Mesh himself. The only way to prevent his resurrection after I kill him. The only way to take my revenge on the mighty Demon Lord.

  I spent eight years on tracking them down. Dozens. I killed them one by one. I did so relentlessly and felt no regret, not with any of them. Each time, when I finally went for one of them, when I finally got to them, I hesitated to kill them. My hesitation often allowed them to change into their demon shape. I shouldn't have let things get that far. But I wanted to. I wanted to, I just had to look into the eyes of the demon each and every time. I just had to...

  Slaying them in their demon form was easier on my soul. In demon shape, they had the best chances to defeat me. It felt good that I had given them this chance. They all changed unwillingly, showing just how much they could not control the monster within. It showed their weakness, and true enough I defeated them all. Then I did what I had to do, and by then I felt no regret.

  Six months ago I killed the second to last spawn of Th'Mesh, and now there is only one man left for me to kill in this world before I embark upon my final journey. One last life to end, that's all that remains for me to do here. Just one. All I need to do is wait. Our paths will cross sooner or later, and then he will die.

  He knows I'm here. He knows I want to kill him. With this last death, I've sent him a message. Now he knows that the inevitable final confrontation lies ahead for him and me. We will meet once again after so many years. This will be our last meeting. Master and apprentice will meet one last time, and will battle to the death.

  I will slay him...

  And then I will travel to the Realm of Th'Mesh and destroy him.

  Or die trying.

  That will be my final journey. I know that I will die even if I do manage to destroy him. There's no other way. But I don't care. Th'Mesh must die, and if this is the price I must pay, so be it. He must fall, and I will...

  `Heya, Doorn! How's it going?'

  I turn towards the voice that so rudely interrupted my thoughts. It is Kevin, my local agent. He is a slim human boy, barely in his mid twenties. For one so young, he is quite the figure in the underworld in these parts. He is kind of a handyman: if you need anything, he gets it for you. Weapons, herbs, magic wands, anything at all. If somebody needs an expert assassin, he directs them straight to me. He's been doing that for a year and a half now, ever since I relocated my base of operations to these parts. He's gathered me more clients than I could count. He even takes his pride out of it. He often tells me how proud he is to work for the greatest assassin that Arghard has ever known. Pfff. Some reputation I have...

  `Bored, as usual.' I reply to his question. He sits down next to me and asks me the same question he always asks, only to hear the same answer that I always give. Sometimes I wonder if he's teasing me, or he's just playing dumb.

  `Bored? How can you be bored in this town?' At this point, he smiles widely. `Have you met the new ladies that I organized to work here? Would you like
me to invite one of them to your room? Hey, I can get you a discount...'

  `I have better things to do...'

  `Suit yourself, man... Well, I guess you'll have no need for anyone I could provide you. Not after you've met your new client...'

  `Whatever... Just who is this man?'

  He looks around and bows closer, lowering his voice.

  `Not a man, Doorn... A girl! And boy, she is hot!'

  `What woman isn't hot for you?'

  `She's different. You'll see when you meet her. There's something about her, that I can't quite explain. You have to see her to understand. She's magical! And I don't mean she's a mage. Well, maybe she is, I dunno... But even if she is, she's much more than that!'

  `Whatever... What does she want?'

  `She didn't say. Then again, it's not my business what she wants from you... Well, she should be here any minute. I just thought I'd come by and see if you needed anything. I just got my hands on a new supply of fireball wands, I can get you one if you think.'

  `If I need anything, I'll let you know.'

  `Okay, I'll run off now. She should be here soon. You know where to find me.'

  With that, he finally leaves, and I wait. A short time passes and a human woman steps into the tavern. She appears to be in her thirties, and is quite tall for a girl. She is indeed quite beautiful. Everything about her is astonishing. Her face, her long red hair, her dress, the way she moves... everything! She walks steadily towards me. I guess Kevin described me to her. I would guess he told her something like You want Doorn? No problem! Just look for the lonesome guy with the dark clothes and the hood, that'll be Doorn...

  She stops at my table and looks at me. I have the feeling she is trying to peer into the dark cover of my hood, to see my face. Perhaps kneeling would have helped her with that. She stands there, watching me with seductive eyes, silently. I finally realize she is expecting me to say something. I gesture with my hand towards her that she should sit down. She smiles, and sits down facing me.

  `Are you the one they call Doorn?' she asks. Her voice is... seductive, to say the least. There is something more behind it, however. Something sinister. Something that advises me to be cautious with her. A subtle hint that those like Kevin would never notice.

  `Some people call me that. And you are...?'

  `Does it really matter?' she asks, almost apologetically.

  `Not really. Names are no more than petty labels that mortals choose to put on things to distinguish between them, when it really doesn't matter what we call them. They are what they are, and it is not the label that makes them what they are.'

  `True enough. Of course, there is also the matter of discretion. I am sure you can value discretion yourself.'

  `Of course.' I tell her. She smiles, and she moves closer to me. Nearly too close, but just nearly.

  `Good. Discretion is of paramount importance... Doorn.' she whispers. `I am glad we agree so well. Some people say you're the best... Are you really the best?'

  `So Kevin keeps telling me.'

  `What do you think, is this really the case?'

  `It's not my place to judge that.'

  `I see you are humble, how admirable for one of your trade. Do you mind if I ensure that nobody can overhear us?'

  `Go ahead.'

  She snaps her fingers. That's all she does. Seemingly...

  Yet I feel the magical energies being released by her will, and I feel it extend in all directions slowly, and subtly. It was some kind of screening spell that prevents anyone from eavesdropping on our conversation, even through magical means. She smiles and blinks mischievously.

  `Now that we're done with that, we can get down to business.'

  I look her in the eye, and I am more than pleased to know that she cannot see my eyes beneath my hood. For I gaze at her with the greatest of suspicion. She is either a powerful mage, or a creature of immense magical power; she is most definitely not what she seems to be.

  `I have heard that your body-count reaches thousands... Quite impressive. Yet, it is easier to kill a thousand weak slaves than to kill one powerful mage. Tell me, have you ever had the chance to slay a wizard?'

  `It happened on occasion.'

  `Excellent!' she smiles widely. `Are you up to a challenge, Doorn? A task that might very easily end with your death? At the same time, a task that would reward you with the kind of riches that you could live like a king for the rest of your life? Imagine, you would never need to work again. You could even retire after this one...'

  `I'm not interested in retiring, but I'm always up for a challenge, if the price is right.'

  `Good! Then hear me out.'

  She leans back, and begins to tell me her tale.

  `The millennium nears... You know what I speak of, don't you, Doorn? Nearly a thousand years have passed since the Dragon Hordes were defeated by the united armies of the lesser races. The Dragon Lords were defeated and slayed, and all dragon-kind were forced back to Draconia, and forced into defense. The armies of the Ess'yerian Alliance invaded their home like cockroaches, and dragon-kind were hard pressed for over a century trying to drive them out! But in the end, the superior race reclaimed their land.

  Some of the lesser races that moved to Draconia decided that they wanted to be independent of the Alliance, and they joined dragon-kind and assisted them in the liberation of Draconia from the worthless invaders. As time passed, these settlers eventually surrendered to the rule of dragon-kind, and now Draconia is almost completely the land of dragon-kind once more. Some of the lessers still resist, but they pose little threat to dragon-kind. Only an insane human warrior-enchanter and a night elf witch stand in the way... and they are nothing! Soon, dragon-kind will once again be able to take to the skies to try and realize what they've been planning for the past thousand years. To invade Ess'yer once again, and extend the rule of dragon-kind to all of Arghard!'

  Here, she pauses. She expects me to say something. I fulfill her desire.

  `So?' I ask.

  She frowns.

  `So? Do you not care that dragon-kind shall soon rule our world?'

  `Not at all. Why would I care? There will always be need for those of my trade, no matter who rules over this world.'

  `True enough, assassin! So then, you wouldn't mind being the accessory that brings about this future?'

  I had suspected that she'd get to this ever since she started her tale. Part of me shivers, and part of me is pleased. Let's see what comes out of this.

  `For the right price...' I answer her. She smiles and continues.

  `Very good! Then be the one to realize the future! The future that's meant to be! The future, that has been delayed for a thousand years, and delayed only by the existence of the Alliance of the lesser races! If the Ess'yerian Alliance was no more, this future would swiftly become reality! When dragon-kind first invaded this land a thousand years ago, the lesser races were easy prey, until they formed the Ess'yerian Alliance. The humans had been warring with the orcs for thousands of years, the dwarves and the trolls had always struggled over control of the western mountains, and the elves had been divided by their dark past for ages. With all this tension it seemed highly unlikely that the lesser races would unite in a single alliance against the common enemy. Yet they did! They formed the Ess'yerian Alliance, and fought back. Worse yet, the Alliance stands to this day. Lead by the tyrannous Supreme Council.

  Yet I have witnessed over the centuries that the old feuds are still ever-present. There are tensions all over the lands. If the iron fist of the Supreme Council wasn't in control, war would erupt any day, and the Ess'yerian Alliance would crumble! War would tear this place apart, the lesser races would be weakened, chaos would reign over the lands, and then, dragon-kind could take over, establish a new order, and finally reign over the world as it was meant to be! All you have to do, Doorn, is ignite the flame...'

  `How?' I ask her, as if I didn't know the answer. She smiles widely with the most vicious look in her eyes that I have e
ver seen in my entire life. If Kevin saw her now, he'd be no doubt running...

  `Slay the Supreme Council! All five of those fools! Travel to the city of Re'Cas, and slay them all! Do this, and the way will be open for dragon-kind to their rightful reign over the world! Do this... and you will be rewarded with riches beyond your wildest dreams!'

  She pauses expectantly, and I hesitate to say anything. She just asked me to slay the Supreme Councilors, and while I already knew that this is what she'd say, mixed emotions whirl within me.

  `What say you, Doorn?' she asks.

  `I can kill them... for the right price...' I reply slowly.

  `Your reward will be beyond imagination, I assure you.'

  `Of course you do. Otherwise you wouldn't outlive the Supreme Council by much.'

  She looks at me for a moment, and then bursts out in laughter. As her laughter slowly fades, she leans close once again, a malicious look in her eyes, and a wicked smile upon her face. She speaks lightly, whispering the words towards me, but her words cut like a knife.

  `Discretion is of paramount importance, Doorn, but so is the judgment of your abilities. Humble you may be, but it would seem you are not as humble as you should be. You must be aware of the limits of your abilities in order to slay the Council. Furthermore, you should be aware of who you're dealing with. I suspected you already did, yet, you do not show me the respect that you should. So let me make it perfectly clear to you! Please, allow me to introduce myself. I... am Meliorath!'

  Meliorath! Meliorath! Had the assorted fools in this tavern heard her speak her name aloud, half of them would have attacked her on sight. The other half, the smarter half, would have fled in terror...

  And me... I just sit here, dead calm, as she sits next to me.