Defenders of Draulath

Chapter 4: The Confrontation

Our three companions still roam the streets of Shadowfen, where Norlamin's explanation of their task at hand comes to an end. But Martiln isn't quite sure what to make of the story that had just been told, "So you're telling me that somewhere here in Draulath there is a demon lord that said he was going to take over our land, and his little gargoyle pets are there to ward off anyone who tries to stop him?" Martiln has a high tone of disbelief "I know that we must sound crazy to you but you have to believe us, we need to do this if we want to save Draulath." Norlamin looks deep into Martilns eyes hoping that he can spark inspiration in his newly found, possible partner.

Martiln looks back and does not know how to reply, but he conjures up something from the depths of his mind. "How... how are you even sure there is a demon, you never did tell me YOU saw it with your own eyes. You just took this random old strangers word for something he said." Norlamin's eyes somewhat lower and he is taken aback by this new thought of possible truth. He can't believe he didn't think of this himself, he got too caught up on the thought of adventure to actually process anything at the time. The three of the men unaware of where they are going, walk straight down a long alley in the town, it's empty and quiet no one can hear anything in this alley, it seems to act like an escape from the chaos of the town.

"I... I suppose you're right, it's just, the man seemed so convinced of what he was saying it was near impossible to tell if he was lying." Norlamin looks devastated and slightly embarrassed, he had never appeared as such a fool before. "Well... Mr. Shieldheart, you bring forth a good point. I am truly sorry for the inconvenience, I'll let you get back to your life now." Norlamin instructs Eldak to turn around and they both begin to walk off.

"Farewell good sir." Martiln waves and continues to walk his path. As they all begin to go their separate ways a large dark force blocks off the exits for both Norlamin and Eldak, and Martiln. "Hey what in the world is going on?" Eldak exclaims trying to push his way through the force that is in front of him.

"Ah ah ah, not so fast you three." A low tone, and raspy, dark voice says with hatred in his voice. "You are not escaping that easily. Lord Serpenthelm, I know what you are doing, you're gathering an army to try and defeat me. That's very funny how you think you can even try and stop me." The voice echoes through the alleyway heavy and eerie.

Norlamin falls to the floor in fear and his whole face is struck with pain and horror, he is in slight denial for what he hears cannot be true. Norlamin jolts up quickly, "You're... you're... X...Xa..." The name cannot even come out of Norlamin's mouth at this point. "Yes it is I..." A large black cloud is formed out of nowhere and lighting strikes the center of this cloud. When it disappears there stands a giant of a creature, with soulless red eyes and skin that looks like it had been burned and charred for years on end, nails as long as the blade of a sword and horns that begin to curl at the ends. "...Xazumun!"

Martiln, stood still in a paralysis of fear, acknowledges what he sees and musters up the courage to run out of the situation. However he is also blocked by the dark force acting around them, "Martiln you cannot go anywhere, for you are now a part of this quest that Norlamin here has invited you on." Xazumun laughs and you can hear lost souls all trapped in his voice. Martiln has never been so scared in his life "Please you don't understand I wanted no part in this mans expedition!"

Norlamin looks at Martiln with anger, but he doesn't look for more than a second for he wants to know why Xazumun came down. "Umm, good... demon, sir? Why have you come down here to talk to us." Xazumun stares daggers into Norlamin's eyes and quickly teleports in front of him, and when he gets close he immediately grabs Norlamin by the neck and puts his hand down at Eldak's face, so he cannot run anywhere.

"I came down to tell BOTH you and Martiln that I am real... oh I am very real, and I know what that old bag Mifirth has told you, he wants you to kill me. Well good luck with that!" Xazumun throws Eldak to the floor knocking him unconscious and then grabs Martiln by the leg, suspending him upside down.

"If either of you think you can defeat me, you're DEAD wrong. So I'm giving you the option now, leave me be and let me take over you pathetic world in peace... and your lives will be spared. However refuse my offer and suffer the consequences that will be a million times worse than death! Understood?!" Both Norlamin and Martiln shake their heads vigorously in agreement, "Goood, goood... I knew you two would understand." Xazumun drops the two and bursts into flames disappearing to wherever he came from.

Norlamin sits on the floor gasping for air and Martiln can barley stand up, his leg is so numb and sore as if it had just been beaten for hours. When Norlamin finally has enough air in his lungs, he runs over and grabs Eldak from the floor and picks him up. Martiln still trying to grasp the reality of what just happened he looks at Norlamin and quietly says "I... I am sorry I doubted you... I see the true threat that this demon is to our land." Still shaking he tries to calm himself down "Please, allow me to accompany you on your quest, I know I seem disloyal or hypocritical but please know that I am none of those things after what we just witnessed."

Norlamin simply looks at Martiln with hope welling in his eyes "Of course Martiln, you are welcome on our journey." A slight smile is given by both parties and then Martiln looks down at Eldak and sees he is injured "Oh my! We must get your friend some assistance, come follow me I know a place where we can heal him." The two run off and go look for someone who can help Eldak.

Back atop The Mountains of Cekill, Xazumun senses that Norlamin and Martiln did not heed his warning. He is not surprised, in fact he is more than thrilled, because he cannot wait to crush these two 'heroes' beneath his feet.