Dust to Dust

[Terror's Thrall]

Thios drove his thrall towards the dominating building in the centre of the square. The take-over had been easy this time, the unsuspecting man asleep as Thios' spirit broke into his mind and took the corporeal body. As usual the man had fallen into his role as pawn to a higher power with little trouble, Thios' ancient essence easily binding his mind. The wretched man's efforts were reflected in the body that Thios now controlled and drove towards the Citadel, the skin greying as that of a corpse and riddled with knots and scars. Many a person caught a glimpse of his face beneath the hooded traveling cloak and gasped at the skin covered eyes. Thios had learned that unless suitably crippled, the men (and it was inevitably men he sought and bound) had a tendency to regain brief control of tongues and eyes and reveal plans to an enemy.

Normally Thios despised battle and the slaughter of others however one of his favoured companions, the spirit of the warrior Fenris, had insisted on keeping his skills honed. As Fenris' soul was bound to his own, Thios had relented and learned that no damage was permanent here thanks to the the monks. This suited him, and even if worst came to worst a new thrall could be found in short order.

Shrugging back the hood of the cloak the twisted man, driven by energies far beyond his own soul, passed the great arched doors of the battle-palace. When he spoke, his mouth did not move and the voice emanated from his presence rather than a specific orifice. In measured tones, he voiced his request. "A battle, if you will, healer-priest".
An instant of confusion flicked across the monk's eyes as he worked out the origin of the voice but the iron-clad training soon hid it again and he ushered the possessed being through the door. The cloak was now completely removed, revealing the grey pallour extended right across his body. Thios, not restrained by the lack of eyes his vessel now owned, looked around. He sensed Fenris' soul, melded to his own being, writhe in pleasure at the prospect of a battle that had been too long in coming.

The warrior had been tasked with driving the hands of the thrall and this became evidenced as the hands reached forward and drew dust from the ground, forming it into a tipless long sword in his right hand. The dust was plentiful and as he examined his surroundings it became clear why. A long balcony stretched ahead of him. Beyond a railing to his left, the floor fell away around 15 feet to the hall below. Thick masonry pillars, rough and unworked, supported the balconies on either side. This was obviously built around the large stone altar in the centre and various smaller altars and ornaments stood in a circle around it. Scattered across the floor were various weapons, household objects and other such mundane items. They had obviously rested for aeons long passed and Thios would not have been surprised, had they crumbled to dust themselves.

Thios became aware of a constant whispering, as of leaves in the wind, though a little more coherent. He realised the second soul that had been bound to his, Beren the priest, was translating the ambient silence. He then realised where he was. A tomb. The eerie whispering intensified as though the souls of whatever noble race had died here was excited by this realisation. Looking down again, Thios saw one of the 'altars' lay open and a grinning corpse leered from within.

A creaking door alerted the thrall and Thios in turn and he turned to face the opposite balcony, where a figure had just made its entrance.

[Rahegalhoff]

It was not Rahegalhoff who walked through that door. It was a man, with a gold face, wearing a great white hooded robe. Wings made of light protruded from his back, and an aura of holy might extended from his presence. With eyes that were nothing more than shifting nebulous clouds of color, he looked upon Thios and his thrall, and shook his head. Among the gods, this being was well known, and respected. Among mortals he was deified. He was Aridle, chief servant of The Omnisource.

“Thios Thayneslayer, know that I am Aridle, servant of The Glorious Light. On this world, all concerns that stem from places beyond Althanas are the concern and primary dominion of my master, for he touches every place at once. I know of what has happened to you. It was your need for sacrifices that did it to you. The Omnisource is far beyond such things, and has sent me here to offer you something most precious. His assistance. The Omnisource feels that you do not deserve imprisonment. He feels you deserve enlightenment, or to use a more modern term, education. It is felt that if you could learn to move beyond sacrifices, and no longer need them for your power, then you would be worthy of returning home and regaining your rightful place.

To that end, The Omnisource offers to help you escape your prison, and to give to you a mortal shell of your own, that you might freely wander this world and learn. Your answer need not be given now, but know that it will not leave the proverbial bargaining table. If, and when you are ever ready, The Omnisource is but a prayer away. Now because this place is meant for battle, face a paladin as a test of your worthiness.” Aridle said, and disappeared.

…

Rahegalhoff had been spending his time in Serenti, helping to build an orphanage, and repair some rundown buildings down there. It was in a dream when he was shown a vision of him traveling north to The Citadel, to fight a man there. His purpose was not death, but to test the man he was to fight, a grotesque twisted man tortured by the spirit lurking within him. The paladin was not a man to question the will of his god, so the very next morning he had set out for Radasanth.

Now he had arrived, and faced the crowd, wondering how he was going to find the man he had been shown. His unasked question was answered when a monk with a blissful look on his face motioned for him to come closer.

“In a dream last night, this wonderful light told me to take you to a certain room. It had showed me your image and everything. Does this sound strange?” the monk asked.

“No, it sounds like you had a visit from The Omni. Where is this room?” Rahegalhoff asked.

He was lead down the halls, and to an unremarkable door. Beyond was a tomb. Rahegalhoff walked the floor, and spied an area above that looked like a balcony. Down here graves lay open, and skeletons were arrayed in a peaceful repose, as though they had just laid down to rest from a grand ball. Dust and debris scattered about indicated the lack of any activity in this hall. He wondered idly if his opponent was on the balcony above.

“Hello? Anyone here? I'm down here!” Rahegalhoff called out.

He might have given up the element of surprise, but sneak attacks from behind felt dishonest to the man. Further, his inquiry would either incite his unseen opponent to action, or nothing at all would happen proving he was alone.