Zeroth Velkyrr The Hill Dwarf

An Opened Door

As the first light of dawn pierced the veil of night, casting a soft glow over the slumbering camp, Zeroth awoke with a start. The remnants of his unsettling dreams clung to the edges of his consciousness, a haunting melody that refused to fade with the morning mist. The specter of the fiery entity's warning left a cold pit in his stomach, a stark contrast to the warmth of the rising sun. He rose quietly, careful not to disturb the gnomes and his companions, who were still lost in the embrace of sleep. Zeroth took a moment to survey their makeshift camp, nestled at the edge of the canyon. The serene beauty of the dawn did little to ease the sense of worry that had settled in his heart. Alderbrook, their destination, lay three days' journey to the southeast, a beacon of hope for the weary and a promise of safety for the rescued gnomes.
As the camp began to stir, Ardric rose, his protective instincts kicking in as he checked on the well-being of their charges. Tingle busied himself with gathering their few belongings, his inventive mind already pondering the next project. Varic, with a yawn that seemed to betray a rare vulnerability, joined Zeroth in preparing for the day's journey. "We should head out soon," Zeroth suggested, his voice betraying the weight of his thoughts. "Alderbrook awaits, and we have no time to lose," Ardric grunted in agreement as he approached Zeroth and Varic. "Aye, brother. Let's ensure these gnomes see the safety of their homes once more. And perhaps along the way, we'll find answers to the questions that plague us." Varic, brushing a hand through his black hair, offered a rare smile. "Let's just make sure we all arrive in one piece. Eldrin, you and your kin stick close. The road may hold dangers, but together, we are formidable."
With a sense of renewed purpose, the group broke camp, their spirits bolstered by the light of dawn and the bonds forged in the darkness of the canyon. Zeroth took the lead, setting a pace that balanced their urgency with the need to protect the weaker members of their party. The journey through the rolling hills and dense forests was uneventful, a welcome reprieve that allowed Zeroth to reflect on the entity's words. Despite the beauty of the landscape that unfolded before them, his thoughts were clouded with doubt and fear. What did the entity mean by "you will lose everything"? And how could he prevent such a fate? Zeroth shrugged the worries away for now seeing as there wasn't anything he could do.
On the second day, as they traversed a particularly dense thicket, Eldrin approached Zeroth, his expression one of gratitude mixed with concern. "Zeroth, I cannot begin to express my thanks for what you and your friends have done for us. But I sense a darkness within you, a burden you carry. If there's any wisdom I can offer, it's that the power of friendship and loyalty can light the darkest paths." Zeroth offered a weak smile, touched by the old gnome's words. "Thank you, Eldrin. I'll keep that in mind." Zeroth was mildly worried that Eldrin may have an idea of what he was going through, but that was a long shot at best. For now, Zeroth noticed no changes with himself that would warrant worry, maybe beyond some sulking. Zeroth sighed as he led on, Ardric not too far away helping corral the gnomes as they traveled.
As the sun set on the third day, the towers of Alderbrook came into view, a sight that filled their hearts with relief. Zeroth, however, couldn't shake the feeling that the true journey was just beginning. The mystery of the Flaming Berserker Battle Axe, the warning of the fiery entity, and the shadow of fate that loomed over him—all these threads were woven into a tapestry of uncertainty that Zeroth knew he must unravel. But for now, the immediate task was to ensure the safety of the gnomes and to find respite in the familiar walls of Alderbrook. As they entered the town, greeted by the curious and cautious faces of the townsfolk, Zeroth began to lead his party of gnomes and friends to the medical outpost on the edge of town. As Zeroth led the procession of gnomes through the cobbled streets, the townsfolk parted ways, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern. Eldrin, though weary, walked with a determined stride, buoyed by the prospect of aid for his afflicted kin. Upon reaching the outpost, Zeroth and Eldrin were greeted by Sister Alenna, the head healer, whose reputation for her healing prowess and compassionate heart was known far beyond the borders of Alderbrook. Her gaze quickly took in the weary travelers and the gnomes in their care, a flicker of worry crossing her features.
"Sister Alenna, we've brought these gnomes from a kobold lair in the canyon," Zeroth began, his voice carrying the urgency of their situation. "They've been subjected to something called the Shadow Elixir. It... it drains them, leaves them vulnerable to manipulation." Eldrin stepped forward, the weight of his experience lending gravity to his words. "The elixir, it's like a poison to the spirit. We fear its effects may be lasting if not treated soon." Sister Alenna's brow furrowed in concentration as she listened, her mind already racing through her knowledge of alchemical concoctions and remedies. "The Shadow Elixir... Yes, I've read of such things. Dark alchemy, it preys on the mind and will." She gestured for Zeroth and Eldrin to follow her as she moved towards the interior of the outpost, where beds had been prepared for the gnomes. Meanwhile, Ardric, Varic, and Tingle worked in tandem to gently usher the gnomes into the outpost, ensuring each one found a place to rest. Varic, usually so composed, showed a rare glimpse of tenderness as he adjusted a pillow for one of the gnomes, while Tingle buzzed around, his curiosity about the medical instruments and potions momentarily distracting him from the task at hand. Sister Alenna quickly organized her staff, instructing them to prepare a series of detoxifying brews and mental fortitude elixirs. "The path to recovery will be a long one," she explained to Zeroth and Eldrin. "The physical symptoms we can treat with our medicines, but the mental and spiritual toll... that will require time, care, and a strong will to overcome." Eldrin nodded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and determination. "These are strong folk. With your help, I believe they can recover."

Zeroth watched as the healers moved among the gnomes, administering potions and murmuring words of comfort. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, the tension of the journey easing at the sight of the gnomes receiving care. Yet, the shadow of the fiery entity's prophecy lingered, a reminder of the battles yet to come. Sister Alenna placed a reassuring hand on Zeroth's arm. "You've done a great service bringing them here. Rest now; we will take it from here. And remember, the darkness can only consume us if we stand alone. Together, we are a beacon against the night." As Zeroth stepped outside into the cool evening air, joined by Ardric, Varic, and Tingle, he looked up at the stars twinkling above Alderbrook. Zeroth sighed and said, "Well, that little adventure has finally run its course. Let's go to the inn and get some much-needed rest." Once everyone returned to the inn, the innkeeper greeted them and happily welcomed them back, Zeroth felt too tired to get his dinner and went straight to his room. Zeroth had a sense of foreboding sweep over him as he felt a warm sensation begin to emanate from his very core. Once Zeroth was in his room, he took his battle axe off his back set it against the side of his bed, and sat next to it, beginning to sweat from the heat he was feeling. Zeroth didn't know if it was the heat that was making him so exhausted or the trials he had been through the past week but all he knew was sleep was coming, and it was not going to be good. Once he laid down and shut his eyes, Zeroth thought he could hear that twisted laughing from the flaming entity, laughing somewhere in the distance or maybe just in his head.
As Zeroth surrendered to the exhaustion tugging at his consciousness, the inn room faded around him, the familiar confines of the wooden walls giving way to an abyss of darkness. The sensation of warmth that had begun as a comforting ember now roared into an inferno within him, threatening to consume his very essence. In the depths of this shadowy void, the twisted laughter of the flaming entity echoed, a sinister symphony that seemed both distant and intimately close. Zeroth found himself standing—or rather, floating—in an expanse of darkness, the only light emanating from within himself, casting his shadow in all directions. The entity's voice, once a gravelly whisper in the recesses of his mind, now boomed around him. "Zeroth, you've opened the door wider than any before you. The change has begun." Zeroth's gaze fell upon his hands, expecting to see the familiar lines and scars of a warrior and miner. Instead, he watched in horror as faint, ethereal flames danced along his skin, a mirror to the flames that had once solely belonged to the Flaming Berserker. The fire did not burn him; instead, it felt as though it was becoming a part of him, an undeniable truth that he could no longer ignore. "Your essence and mine, intertwined," the entity continued, its laughter subsiding into a solemn declaration. "Each swing of the axe, each life taken by its blade, brings you closer to me. Your strength will grow, but so will the fire within." Zeroth attempted to speak, to deny the entity's claim, but found his voice smothered by the darkness. As he struggled to find his voice, the entity's form materialized before him, a towering figure of flames and shadow, its eyes burning with a malevolent light.
"Look upon yourself, Zeroth. The physical manifestations are but the beginning. The more you wield the axe, the more you will find yourself changing. A thirst for battle, a hunger for the flame, it will consume you, until there is nothing left but the berserker's rage." Zeroth looked down once more, noticing the flames on his skin pulsating with each beat of his heart, a heart that seemed to beat in tandem with the entity's malevolent intent. A cold realization washed over him; this was no mere curse. It was a transformation, one that threatened to erase the dwarf he once was and replace him with something far darker. "You cannot fight it, dwarf. Embrace your destiny. Let the fire consume you, and together, we will unleash destruction upon those who dare stand against us." The entity's figure dissipated, leaving Zeroth alone in the darkness once more, save for the flames that now seemed to claim him as their own. As the vision faded, and Zeroth found himself back in the inn room, the laughter of the entity still ringing in his ears, he realized the battle for his soul was only beginning.
With a jolt, Zeroth awoke, gasping for air, his body slick with sweat. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of dawn peeking through the window. He turned to look at the battle axe, its surface now eerily still. But in the depths of its metal, he thought he could see the faintest flicker of flame, a silent reminder of the entity's words. As he rose from his bed, a sense of determination hardened within him. Zeroth knew he could not let the entity win, could not let the flames consume him. He would seek answers, and find a way to break the curse that threatened to engulf his very being. But first, he needed to understand the extent of the change, to gauge how much time he had before the entity's prophecy became his reality. Stepping into the cool morning air, Zeroth set his jaw and prepared for the journey ahead. He would start by seeking the wisdom of the mage guild, hoping against hope that there lay a remedy for the fire that now lived within him. The path was uncertain, fraught with danger, but Zeroth was not alone. With Ardric, Varic, and Tingle by his side, he would face whatever came, fighting for every shred of his essence against the encroaching darkness.