Withering Ambition

Impending Chaos

Kaeman walked through the town square, surprised to find it empty. He leisurely strolled past the Community Center, looking for signs of life. The dean must have evacuated everyone to the castle. The amount of underground tunnels there would surely be sufficient to store everyone. 

Walking past the town limits, Kaeman readied himself for what he intended to be the final conflict before his victory. After that, he didn't know what he would do. But his goal will be accomplished. 

The castle came into view from around the mountain and he knew that it was time. He raised his hand into the air, and one by one around him, flashes of dark energy accompanied the clanking of bones as his army of wither skeletons was transported to his location. 

A figure exited the castle and stood at its entrance. Kaeman walked to meet him, not concerned about the potential threat of the target. 

"Kaeman. Stop. Is all of this really necessary?"

The dean gestured to his legion of servants as he frowned in disapproval. 

"Why are you doing this? You're putting everyone at risk. You remember more than most what happened the last time someone used that book."

Kaeman contemplated the dean's words before carefully crafting his own response. 

"I use this book for justice. I will simply strike down the institution that misused it in the first place, and then cast it aside. And if I cannot do that, I will cast myself aside with it. The king sought this book for an unworthy cause, and it rejected him. I sought it to right a wrong."

The dean sighed and donned his robe. He made eye contact with Kaeman and his eyes betrayed the sorrow that he felt inside.

"You were my best student, Kaeman. You were so eager to learn. I respected you, and I still do. But this is not the right path. Can you really look at yourself right now, about to storm a castle full of innocent civilians with an army of cursed undead, and tell me that you are justified in your actions?"

Kaeman twisted his face in frustration. 

"You chose to bring the civilians into this. I simply want to burn the libraries of spells you have wrongfully stolen, and then end this. I want to put an end to magic, it does no good. Look at my arm and tell me, does this look like a desirable outcome? Does this look natural to you?"

He held his arm out for the dean to see. 

"And don't pretend you're here without an army either. I see all of those mages and archers in the guard towers. I know your archmages are at the ready to strike me down, and you yourself are probably telling those very civilians you wish to 'protect' to pick up weapons and come fight for you."

The dean contemplated Kaeman's words, unable to find a retort.

"Very well then. You will not move past that point. Not without great resistance."

Kaeman took one step forwards to humor the dean, and smiled slightly. It was time.

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