The Chronicle of Heroes ~ Of Fiends and Shadows

[The Midgard Times]

Day 22

Three guards from the Temporary Dark Allegiance Headquarters were seated on a bench in Lighthalzen, spending their lunch break listening to Orpheus vehemently preach about the god Erebos and his goals.

Blending with a nearby tree’s shadow, Rajnish watched, patiently and quietly. “He thinks he can do whatever he wants, huh.” He thought.

Once finished, the three guards and Orpheus walked towards the town center. Rajnish was standing around, as if he’d just gotten there. “Ah, they told me you’d be here.” He commented.

“Yes?” Orpheus asked, with a tone of disdain in his voice.

“I need to talk to you. Alone.” The stalker informed, with a smile that couldn’t seem any more forced.

The guards didn’t move an inch, until Orpheus motioned for them to go. “Well?” He asked, crossing his arms.

“Heard the news?” Rajnish asked, giving him no time to answer. “The Golemancer plans to release Nyddhoggur’s Shadow from its prison in Yggdrasil’s Root.”

The scholar raised his eyebrow. “Interesting. He’s quite the visionary.”

Rajnish’s fake smile began to look more like a scowl at this point. “Have you forgotten about your training? You’ve spent the last 2 days bonding with the grunts and guards of the allegiance.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Orpheus replied, shaking his head slowly. “However, I’ve seen beyond your mission. Why should I stop Kushiel from doing what he wants? If he’s promising to end the Dark Allegiance, then it’s time to toughen up and face your problems head on, not rely on eldritch beings such as me to do the dirty work for you. What will happen, will happen. It’s only a matter of being strong enough to survive.” He explained, with a smile on his face.

Rajnish could only just stare at him, to which Orpheus replied by staring back at him, still smiling. “You’ve played your cards right.” The stalker answered, admitting defeat.

Ostellos chuckled. “I made sure I did.” He turned around and waved at the Dark Side guards to come back to him. “We’re going back to the base. Goodbye, comrade.”