Sigmund - The Infernal Uprising

Chapter Fourteen - The Archruler

  “Such a mess!” Abraxas moaned as the two made their way through the mountain pass. The place had been left untouched for some time. The Valkyrie who had met their unfortunate demise were left as they were, the place had become their tomb. It was all the more reason as to press on for lingering brought upon an eerie sensation, an aura of depression that never seemed to waft away.

  “This place should be sealed off. No longer should we allow people to traverse this passage. The dead should be allowed to rest.” Abraxas said as he attempted to navigate over a rock.

Sigmund followed soon after, climbing over various boulders and pushing pieces aside to make the path as navigable as possible.

  Sigmund pondered for a moment before reaching out to Abraxas’ shoulder. The man shrugged him off before reluctantly turning to face him.

“We should visit Ikol Fortress.” Sigmund said with a stern expression.

“I thought you said the place was destroyed?”

  Sigmund nodded his head, “Yes but maybe some Jotnar have tried to rebuild it, besides I’d like to pay my respects to the ones that perished that day.”

Feeling slightly sympathetic Abraxas gave in and agreed before turning round once more.

“If they have restored Ikol then we can rest there for the night. Okay, let’s go.”

                                                                                                ***

  Black sludge began to form from the ground, bubbling and oozing before spitting in the air violently. After a short moment the sludge took a humanoid form before the substance drooped off of the being. It scanned its surroundings; the place was rather dull with what seemed to be a permanent thunderstorm overhead.

  Behind the being situated a large gate connected to a wall that seemed to stretch out for miles, encircling the area. He had appeared within the walls of the Western Sector, otherwise known as the Well of Slumber.

  In front of him was an elongated bridge that connected over a large bottomless chasm. At its end was an enormous spire twisted in appearance. He looked on with a disdainful look.

“How is it that a being of such power was defeated here?” The creature said before embarking over the bridge.

  The atmosphere was very still and calm as if all life had been drained from the area. Although amongst the stillness of the wind soared ethereal orbs of smoke which as the being got closer to the tower seemed to increase in number. They were being attracted toward its interior.

  Upon entering the domain the being was presented with a small chamber, large enough for perhaps only a handful of people and in its centre situated a circular altar with a bowl on it. He approached the altar which caused two beings to emerge from the ground next to it. They seemed to be sets of armour; you could tell that there wasn’t a human within it due to the green flames flowing through its body, connecting each of the armour segments together.

  They stared at the being before them with their ever watchful gaze as he looked into the bowl. In an instant he looked up before grasping hold of the leftmost guard and flinging him into the wall causing its armour pieces to disassemble.

  Almost simultaneously the second guard brandished an elongated spear before attempting to impale the being. Anticipating the attack the being suddenly became encased in sludge and fell to the floor before reappearing behind the guard.