Dusk and Ash (In Progress)

Chapter 5

The chamber's cold air heated instantly in Durmhain's lungs. As he exhaled, the figures around him became silhouettes through the steam of his breath. He closed his eyes and fell into the mania within him which begged to be released.

What are you doing? Kunuum demanded.

Captain Virrin told me that the Four Realizations are achieved by embodying the principles of your god. I do not know if Akreus will deem me worthy, but all I can do now is try.

And if you succeed, you will do what? Fight nearly an entire fortress while you yourself are unarmed? Brilliant.

I won't wait to die here, Durmhain replied as he sunk into the fervor of his heart, the fury that made his blood boil. Whatever is left of these people... I am sure they would take the chance to rebel, even if only for a moment.

And if not? If they prefer to remain as they are, hollow and safe in the recesses of their shattered minds?

Then, I can only pray for their forgiveness.

Through the tremors of his frenzy, Durmhain felt himself lock into the essence of what was flowing into him, as if he had finally crested the wave building within him and for a single, glorious moment, everything within him was still.

Lord Akreus, Durmhain whispered into the silence. I implore you. Grant me your Second Blessing, so that I may give myself and those around me an honorable death.

There was no response. No booming voice granted Durmhain its boon. No visions of the Radiant Halls inspired him. Slowly, he felt himself begin to descend from the precious moment of weightlessness.

Akreus, I beseech you! Durmhain prayed. Please!

His descent quickened, and he felt his awareness plummet back into the icy chamber. The weight of the experience crashed down upon him, causing his knees to buckle, and he fell onto his hands and knees.

"Why?" Durmhain whispered to himself as tears pushed past his closed eyelids to run down his cheeks. "Akreus... why-"

Open your eyes, human.

With shuddering sobs, Durmhain did so. And found his entire body wreathed in crimson flames. The frost on the stone beneath him melted and evaporated, revealing the polished marble of the platform. For a brief moment, he could see his reflection in the melting ice, red light trailing from his eyes as he looked down in amazement. He raised his head and could see the husks around him turning to look at him, some semblance of emotion tinging the periphery of their expression.

"Guards!" the high priest at the front of the column bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the chamber and down into the chasm.

Durmhain rose to the sound of metal sabatons clanging on the frozen bridge behind him. He felt strangely calm and at peace. Whenever he had experienced Captain Virrin using Akreus' Second Blessing, he remembered becoming manic in battle nearly to the point of bliss. But even in the peak of the fighting, Virrin herself had always remained cool and composed, even as she weaved her way through the battlefield, her foes unwilling and clumsy dance partners by comparison.

Better hope they kill you quick, Kunuum sighed.

Hesitantly, Durmhain tried pushing the crimson energy out of him toward the husks surrounding him, but the energy continued to swirl about him steadily, in pulse with his own heartbeat.

How do I-...

Make everyone insane with bloodlust? Kunuum asked. No idea.