Venex nodded. Thufir had said it all. The only real way to learn how to kill demons was to do it. Over and over. Johnny came up beside him. "Johnny," said the Necromancer quietly, so nobody else could hear. "I want to know where you were." The skeleton looked at him and shrugged. Venex mulled it over in his brain. Maybe he'd just wondered off and gotten lost. Whatever it was, it wasn't important anymore. They had to get ready to leave.
Together, the three men went to find their friend Phasys and say goodbye. Then they would join the group headed to Amn. There would certainly be an interesting adventure ahead.
"Of course you may accompany me," said the Necromancer. "And Johnny would be a wreck without you, I'm sure. Isn't that right, Johnny?" The skeleton saluted, as was his custom. Venex turned to Thufir.
"And what of you, Thufir? To which place will you venture?"
Venex saw Thufir awake. Good, we're all here now. "Where am I?" asked Thufir. The Necromancer stood from the chair that he was sitting on and spoke. "We're at an inn. We couldn't stay in that house. There was too much danger, and Phasys and I would not have been able to hold off another attack with you and Zubin wounded. It seems now that the group is going to move on. Some are headed to Hyrule, some to Amn, and some to Azshara."
Thufir understood the situation and stood, acknowledging Zubin and Johnny. The Necromancer continued. "Phasys has decided to go with Sir Karl to Hyrule. I myself plan to go with Balgarath and Sir Elric to Amn. I can't imagine how much I could learn from Balgarath - the both of us being Necromancers. If you two wish to accompany me or go your own ways, that is your choice."
He watched the two men, hoping the both of them would choose to accompany him. He regretted missing Phasys, but knew they would meet again as the groups reunited. Amn was where he needed to go.
Venex ran up the streets as fast as he could. At long last he saw a group of people standing about, talking. The tall man from before stood there aswell, looking at something. Suddenly, he turned and left. He walked slowly as if he were totally devoid of energy. Venex wished he had time to thank the man, but ran to the group instead.
"Help me please!" he shouted. Now that he was closer, he could see that most of the people he recognized. There was Sir Karl, Balgarath, and Thoradin. With them was another man whom he did not recognize. No time for introductions, he thought.
"Please, can any of you heal? We've had some trouble."
The skeleton is gone... The thought passed by, floating. The skeleton is gone... It was no trouble. Wait... The skeleton was gone! Venex sat upright instantly, eyes wide. He flipped his head around, looking for Johnny. He was nowhere to be seen. The implications of that confused him, and he could find no other words...
"That's bad." He stood, examining the room. He could find no trace of the skeleton. Of course not, he thought to himself, magical skeletons don't leave traces. He noticed that Zubin was still in dire straits.
Venex nodded, as if agreeing to his own thoughts. "I'll go find a healer. Phasys, can you stay here and guard Thufir and Zubin. Maybe you guys can investigate the house. See if you find anything else strange about it. I'd love to know if there's any good reason for the security of the place."
He put his hand on the wall. Maybe it was to steady himself. Even he didn't know anymore. So much had happened, so much had changed. "Go," said Zubin. The Necromancer didn't need anymore encouragement and bolted down the stairs. He ran through the front door and out into the cold streets. He had to find a healer, and fast!
Johnny stood there, motionless. The four men lay unconcious on the floor, the bed, a chair. How ridiculous, he thought to himself. He stirred, suddenly, and moved to the door. A smile spread across his face. "See you later," he said to his unconcious master. He hastened down the stairs and out the door...
"Johnny!" he called again. The skeleton entered the room and urgently pointed out the window. Venex tried to move, but couldn't. The pain was too much. He saw Phasys run for the window and leap out. At last he was able to move, and he made his way to the window and looked out. Phasys was fighting a shaman. Zubin was on the ground.
The shaman shouted and croaked, Phasys' blade doing it's work. Good, thought the Necromancer. As that thought entered his mind, he heard Phasys shouting in victory. Minutes passed before Phasys came back into the room, pulling Zubin along aswell. All's well. He fell over, the pain of the Blood Magic too much now. All's well. And he slept.
The bookcase toppled over, crushing the demons in the way, and sending others fleeing. Johnny managed to cut some more down as Phasys disappeared out the front door. Venex smashed a demon's face with a board from the bookcase that had come loose. "Venex!" it was Phasys. "I need your help! It's Thufir, I'm losing him, fast!" Venex spun around to face them. He saw Phasys, cradling Thufir in his arms, the man's blood pooling around them. The wound was bad. Venex knew they could not get Thufir to a healer in time.
"Johnny, kill the remaining demons!" said Phasys ... "Do it!" ordered the Necromancer without turning to look at the skeleton.
Venex knew what had to be done. He pulled out his dagger and without flinching, cut his arm. Blood magic. It was their only chance. He let the blood flow from his arm around Thufir's wound, the bone clearly visible. The man's eyes rolled back into his head. "Meus cruor. Vestri vita," said the Necromancer. My blood, your life. The bone snapped back into place and the wound sealed. The Necromancer and Thufir cried out in pain, harmonious in their agony.
Thufir passed out. Venex slumped over his body, but managed to stay awake. He put a tourniquette on his arm. That's two lives I've saved tonight, he thought. "Please, Phasys. Watch him." Phasys nodded in agreement and dragged Thufir to the bed, where he laid him down.
"Where's Johnny..." asked the Necromancer, standing up with the aid of a chair. "Johnny!"
Venex ran outside. The tied sheet he'd used to climb up earlier was still there. He leapt up and grabbed it, then scaled the wall as quick as he could. He reached the window and pulled himself through. Johnny at this point was missing an arm. "Skeletos vitalis!" he cried, pointing his wand as he ran. The arm reappeared and Johnny continued fighting. He reached Thufir and Johnny and, pushing them out of the way, pointed his wand at the lead demon, screaming, "Virus nex!" The demon began to turn green with the poison and suddenly - it's head exploded. Green blood showered down on the demons below who stood, momentarily stunned by what had just happened. Some also got on Phasys. "Don't let any get in your mouth!" cried the Necromancer, already putting his plan in motion.
Behind him was a very large bookcase. "Help me!" he cried to Johnny and Thufir, as he started pushing the bookcase over. "And get out of the way Phasys. It's coming down!"
Venex looked around. There was nothing there like a pillow. Damn! He knew what had to be done. He ran out the back door. Thank Trang-Oul they didn't come in this way! he thought to himself, making a note to barricade the door upon his return.
"I'm coming!" he shouted, hoping he wouldn't draw any attention to himself from the creatures outside. He ran around to below the window where Phasys was hanging and readied himself. "Fall on me," he said, bracing for an impact.
Venex cursed. He looked around, seeing if anything could help them. A back door!There must be a back door. He hurried around, looking and - sure enough - there was a door leading out the back of the house. We're damn lucky they didn't choose to come in this way, he thought, looking at the unbaricaded entrance. He opened it quietly and snuck out. "Johnny, stay behind. They might need you."
He crept around the wall, trying to get a look at whatever it was out front. He would know soon enough.
"Well, all the same," said Venex. "I'd prefer if it weren't Diablo knocking on our door." He ran down the stairs and peered at the door. It shook, but did not give in. He called up to Thufir and Phasys. "What do you see?!"
"Sorry," said Venex to Thufir. "I guess I'm just used to his presence. Maybe I should give him a silly hat to make him seem less threatening." The skeleton turned and seemed to glare at the Necromancer.
"Haha... Kidding!" he responded, and made himself busy helping Thufir out of the bed. "So, I guess my potion worked. You're looking much better. Would you care to join us downstairs? I was just regailing this young one here - who's name is Phasys - with the ancient legend of Rathma and Trang-Oul, the grea World Dragon.
Venex thought a moment, seeing if Thufir would speak. He did not. The man did not seem in mortal danger any more. When he had ascended, Venex had given the man a potion to restore him. One of the known side-effects was drowsiness. Thufir was probably asleep. He would awaken again shortly, however. Venex moved him to the bed and laid him down.
"I suppose you might stay here. I guess there's no place better, unless you're looking for a crowd. I myself prefer the quiet and so," he gestured around the room, "I shall stay here tonight as well."
He remembered that Zubin had found his own spot for sleep. He would not wake the man. He'd had a tough day, and needed rest. He would find Zubin in the morning though, and acquaint him with Thufir. It seemed he already knew Phasys. He smiled inwardly, remembering their hug. Zubin would prove to be a good friend.
"Come," he said, gesturing to the other room. "Thufir will awaken shortly, and I'm sure we can find something to talk about in the mean time. He told me before falling asleep that was a sitting room just downstairs with a fireplace. Perhaps you know of some good tales?" He smiled. "I myself know many."
As they left the room, he turned back for a second and whispered, not wanting to wake Thufir, "Stay and watch him Johnny. If there's any trouble, come and get me." The skeleton saluted and went to stand by the window.
The two men walked downstairs and found the sitting room. Venex managed to light a fire in the fireplace before sitting in one of the three comfortable wooden chairs in the room. Phasys sat in another. For a while, there was silence. Then, suddenly, the image of the fallen with the skull on it's head came back and Venex found himself laughing again. The other man, not knowing what was so funny, laughed too. Eventually it died down. "So," said the Necromancer, his cheeks still flushed from the fit, "do you know any good tales, or what?"
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Together, the three men went to find their friend Phasys and say goodbye. Then they would join the group headed to Amn. There would certainly be an interesting adventure ahead.
"And what of you, Thufir? To which place will you venture?"
Thufir understood the situation and stood, acknowledging Zubin and Johnny. The Necromancer continued. "Phasys has decided to go with Sir Karl to Hyrule. I myself plan to go with Balgarath and Sir Elric to Amn. I can't imagine how much I could learn from Balgarath - the both of us being Necromancers. If you two wish to accompany me or go your own ways, that is your choice."
He watched the two men, hoping the both of them would choose to accompany him. He regretted missing Phasys, but knew they would meet again as the groups reunited. Amn was where he needed to go.
"Help me please!" he shouted. Now that he was closer, he could see that most of the people he recognized. There was Sir Karl, Balgarath, and Thoradin. With them was another man whom he did not recognize. No time for introductions, he thought.
"Please, can any of you heal? We've had some trouble."
"That's bad." He stood, examining the room. He could find no trace of the skeleton. Of course not, he thought to himself, magical skeletons don't leave traces. He noticed that Zubin was still in dire straits.
Venex nodded, as if agreeing to his own thoughts. "I'll go find a healer. Phasys, can you stay here and guard Thufir and Zubin. Maybe you guys can investigate the house. See if you find anything else strange about it. I'd love to know if there's any good reason for the security of the place."
He put his hand on the wall. Maybe it was to steady himself. Even he didn't know anymore. So much had happened, so much had changed. "Go," said Zubin. The Necromancer didn't need anymore encouragement and bolted down the stairs. He ran through the front door and out into the cold streets. He had to find a healer, and fast!
The shaman shouted and croaked, Phasys' blade doing it's work. Good, thought the Necromancer. As that thought entered his mind, he heard Phasys shouting in victory. Minutes passed before Phasys came back into the room, pulling Zubin along aswell. All's well. He fell over, the pain of the Blood Magic too much now. All's well. And he slept.
"Johnny, kill the remaining demons!" said Phasys ... "Do it!" ordered the Necromancer without turning to look at the skeleton.
Venex knew what had to be done. He pulled out his dagger and without flinching, cut his arm. Blood magic. It was their only chance. He let the blood flow from his arm around Thufir's wound, the bone clearly visible. The man's eyes rolled back into his head. "Meus cruor. Vestri vita," said the Necromancer. My blood, your life. The bone snapped back into place and the wound sealed. The Necromancer and Thufir cried out in pain, harmonious in their agony.
Thufir passed out. Venex slumped over his body, but managed to stay awake. He put a tourniquette on his arm. That's two lives I've saved tonight, he thought. "Please, Phasys. Watch him." Phasys nodded in agreement and dragged Thufir to the bed, where he laid him down.
"Where's Johnny..." asked the Necromancer, standing up with the aid of a chair. "Johnny!"
Behind him was a very large bookcase. "Help me!" he cried to Johnny and Thufir, as he started pushing the bookcase over. "And get out of the way Phasys. It's coming down!"
"I'm coming!" he shouted, hoping he wouldn't draw any attention to himself from the creatures outside. He ran around to below the window where Phasys was hanging and readied himself. "Fall on me," he said, bracing for an impact.
He crept around the wall, trying to get a look at whatever it was out front. He would know soon enough.
"Haha... Kidding!" he responded, and made himself busy helping Thufir out of the bed. "So, I guess my potion worked. You're looking much better. Would you care to join us downstairs? I was just regailing this young one here - who's name is Phasys - with the ancient legend of Rathma and Trang-Oul, the grea World Dragon.
"I suppose you might stay here. I guess there's no place better, unless you're looking for a crowd. I myself prefer the quiet and so," he gestured around the room, "I shall stay here tonight as well."
He remembered that Zubin had found his own spot for sleep. He would not wake the man. He'd had a tough day, and needed rest. He would find Zubin in the morning though, and acquaint him with Thufir. It seemed he already knew Phasys. He smiled inwardly, remembering their hug. Zubin would prove to be a good friend.
"Come," he said, gesturing to the other room. "Thufir will awaken shortly, and I'm sure we can find something to talk about in the mean time. He told me before falling asleep that was a sitting room just downstairs with a fireplace. Perhaps you know of some good tales?" He smiled. "I myself know many."
As they left the room, he turned back for a second and whispered, not wanting to wake Thufir, "Stay and watch him Johnny. If there's any trouble, come and get me." The skeleton saluted and went to stand by the window.
The two men walked downstairs and found the sitting room. Venex managed to light a fire in the fireplace before sitting in one of the three comfortable wooden chairs in the room. Phasys sat in another. For a while, there was silence. Then, suddenly, the image of the fallen with the skull on it's head came back and Venex found himself laughing again. The other man, not knowing what was so funny, laughed too. Eventually it died down. "So," said the Necromancer, his cheeks still flushed from the fit, "do you know any good tales, or what?"