Celestial Storm: Golden Dawn

Epilogue

Starkadhr soared across the sky over the ocean through black thunder clouds. Rain poured down around him to stream off of his face and chin. Thunder and lightning crackled and flashed around him, but he was not even slightly nervous because of this. He soared through the night sky seemingly oblivious to the adverse weather conditions. Starkadhr flew for a few minutes before a gigantic rock formation came into view. An island was completely surround by gigantic rock formations that rose a hundred meters into the air. A fortress was in the middle of the island. Its designs and architecture suggested that someone aligned with the forces of evil had built it. Walls that rose another twenty meters high surrounded the rock formations. Guards in black steel plate armor patrolled the walls in the company of aquatic demons and undead creatures that included a horde of drowned zombies.

Starkadhr completely ignored all of this as he soared over the walls. None of the guards, demons or undead paid any attention to him as he flew to the fortress. Starkadhr dismissed his cloud as he jumped to the ground and walked to the double doors that stood ten meters tall. Starkadhr grabbed one of the giant door knockers that looked as though it was being held up by a dragon skull. Starkadhr knocked several times and waited for a few moments.

The door creaked open revealing a young man with shaggy black hair and eyes that had red pupils. He wore sinister black robes that were tattered and covered with many pockets. Over the robe, he wore blackened, demonic looking armor. The man's eyes widened as he saw Starkadhr.

"Starkadhr?" the man said, "Is that you?"

"It's me! I'm back," Starkadhr sang out.

"Where have you been all this time?" the man asked seriously, "You've been missing for six years, and you choose now of all times to show up?"

"Why yes," Starkadhr said playfully, "Do to some certain circumstances, I have been unable to make contact with you for six long years. I'll explain more later on. Now can you please let me in? I think I'm a little wet...and cold. Where have your manners gone? Did you lose them in the last six years since I've seen you?"

The man merely narrowed his eyes and didn't say anything for a moment.

"Come on in," he finally said, "You have much to report to the master."

"Why thank you, Rankandali," Starkadhr said in a playful tone.

The man opened the door wider allowing Starkadhr to walk in. Starkadhr entered a dark, dimly lit hallway with many skulls an bone attached to the walls. A chandelier that looked like it was made of human bones illuminated the area.

Rankandali walked down the hallway with Starkadhr following him and humming to himself as he looked around.

"So, Starkadhr, what have you been doing these six years?" Rankandali asked.

"You'll hear the story soon enough. As soon as I explain this to the master," Starkadhr replied.

Rankandali simply narrowed his eyes.

"Indeed," he said.

For a few minutes they took many twists and turns as they made their way through the fortress. They finally arrived at a circular room that was dimly lit. A throne made of animal bones was in the room topped with a dragon skull. A dark, hooded figure sat on the throne. Starkadhr walked into the middle of the room as Rankandali stood by the door they had entered. Starkadhr came to a stop in the middle of the room. He knelt and bowed before the figure on the throne extending his arms outward.

The dark figure observed Starkadhr for a few moments before saying, "Rise, Starkadhr."

"Yes, Master Zorganix," Starkadhr said.

"You have been gone for six years after I sent you on a mission to acquire the deity corpse that was stolen from us. Explain to me how the mission went," the dark figure said.

Starkadhr thought for a moment while humming to himself then said, "Those Celestial Storm mages laid a trap for me when I went to get it. When I took the bait, they imprisoned me within my younger brothers. About a week ago, another Celestial Storm mage released me unintentionally from my brothers, who had betrayed us. I've been running loose for a little over a week now, and it feels wonderful."

"So, you were backstabbed by your two younger brothers? I assume that you killed them?" Master Zorganix asked.

"Well, technically, the Celestial Storm mages did that for me. I was sealed inside of them," Starkadhr replied.

"And what became of the deity corpse? Did you retrieve it from them?" Master Zorganix inquired.

"It's still in the hands of the Celestial Storm mages, but I did acquire a new one," Starkadhr replied.

"Show me," Master Zorganix ordered.

Starkadhr clapped his hands together. The vat containing the gaunt, twelve foot figure floating inside of it appeared next to him.

"Good. It's identical to the previous one. This will be just as effective. Rankandali, take it down to the laboratory," Master Zorganix said.

"At once, Master," Rankandali said.

He clapped his hands once. The vat disappeared, and he walked away from the room out of sight.

"So, how much has the dark mage recovered since I've been gone?" Starkadhr asked Master Zorganix.

"Even though he is still out of commission, he is much stronger now. The time is nearly upon us. Only one more year before the dark mage will make his complete recovery. The preparations for his resurrection are nearly complete."

"Excellent," Starkadhr sang out, "So, how is the army coming along?"

"Now that we have an incomplete deity corpse, our immortal legions will soon be completed," Master Zorganix replied.

"That is excellent. I shall go off to my quarters and wait for your next command," Starkadhr said happily.

"You're dismissed," Master Zorganix said waving his hand casually.

Starkadhr happily skipped from the room. Zorganix sat on his throne in silence for a few moments before he chuckled to himself.

"Everything is going according to plan, and we have finally found our sacrifices as well, Dark Mage. The mages of Celestial Storm are perfect candidates," he said to himself.

Hesmiled evilly.