[Solo] Pains of the Past...

(Chapter 6 of the Nosdyn Chronology. Takes place a few months after: Cycle Completed is part of an ongoing series. For whoever of you guys whose reading my shit, thank you! Note: Forgot to add this note here but this thread WILL contain some erotic content. I'll try not to go too overboard with it.)

Xyllea looked at her husband. She had become the teacher at that point, and he'd finally agreed to begin the lessons of the Psionic arts. "Again." She'd remembered exactly how she was taught, and she would instruct him the same way, she knew she would not have to hold back with him. He could take anything she could dish out.

They'd been at this for days. He'd learned some basic rudimentary teachings of her Psionic arts entirely on his own. But Xyllea knew he still acted entirely on impulse. He could not yet control his power. She'd meant what she told him once...he had more skill than some of her former Guild's scholars ever had.

"There's something I'm still not understanding." Nosdyn was getting frustrated, he was putting in the effort...but something was not connecting.

"Some of the most skilled Practitioners don't get to their levels immediately either." Xyllea said. But she could sense his efforts, they'd gone for days straight, a break was well earned at that point. Just then, a thought occurred to Xyllea. "We should stop for today, Nosdyn." She said calmly. "I think I am understanding why you are holding back."

He sat down on the ground at that point, spent, he was catching his breath. The Psionic arts...hurt his head at some points. Maybe it was cause of all of the recent traumas he'd been through. He caught his breath at that point. Nosdyn looked up at his wife. "What do you think is holding me back?"

She helped him stand at that point. "This will not be easy for you to hear...but I think it's Illsandra. Her...memory has scarred your heart. You won't ever be able to fully embrace the arts until you fully heal." Xyllea was being honest about that, the teachings were harsh and required full immersion.

Nosdyn thought about what he was hearing, given how far he'd come at that point...he looked at Xyllea and nodded. "I...I don't know how to heal Xyllea...I don't know if I ever can." He was telling her the truth.

Xyllea considered her husband's plight at that point and thought of something just then. "There may be a way." She said calmly.

Nosdyn nodded. "I'm willing to do anything I can." Nosdyn meant that, he was trying to heal to the best of his capacity.

Later that day...

Nosdyn stood in front of his wife at that point in their bedroom. "You're absolutely certain?" He asked.

She nodded. "I have connections in the Lloth Priesthood." She said calmly. "The rite...I think it may be the only way for us to move forward."

Nosdyn considered what he was hearing. "And you're certain it would be okay for me to do this?" He was only hesitant because of the blood in his body.

She placed her hand on the side of his face. "You're one of us now. You underwent the rites of passage and are now for all intents and purposes a Dark Elf. The rest would be up to you and Lloth." She explained.

Nosdyn considered. "I agree to this. Whenever the rites are prepared and things are ready to proceed forward, I will do what is necessary."

Xyllea admired the courage of her husband. He had so profoundly accepted the ways of the Dark Elf society. "Just like Lancaster helped you so long ago...this will take some time to prepare." She said.

Nosdyn understood. He was patient, always had been in his own way. "I hope that this will work...I want to try to heal for your sake and our son's sake too."

She kept her hand on his face at that point, feeling his warmth. "Nosdyn...you've come so far. I will start this process for us right away." She said.

A few days later...

Xyllea stood before the Priest who had been her family's contact for many generations. She looked at him with profound respect.

"Ah...Xyllea...what can I do for you?" He said calmly.

"I have a dilemma and I needed to consult with you about first." She would have no need to hold back, she knew Lloth priesthood folks were trustworthy.

"Tell me all about it." He said carefully.

"My Husband...has been through many recent traumas for all of our sake." She considered how to word the next part of it. "He was with Illsandra when I first met him." There was a pained expression on her face at that point.

He raised his eyebrow. "She took her own life, the one you speak of?" He had a deep recollection of many of the people connected to The Lloth priesthood.

Xyllea nodded. "It affected my husband...he was present when it happened."

The Priest carefully considered what he was hearing. "Your Husband is the one who was represented by Lancaster correct? The...Haidian?" There was no malice in his voice...he was just stating the facts.

Xyllea nodded once more. "He has completely accepted our people's ways."

The Priest considered at that point. "You want him to undergo rite of Purification do you not?" He was a very wise and old Priest, and had a considerable knowledge of how things went in Ettermire.

"Yes. For his sake and my own." Xyllea said. "He's willing to completely submit to the rite."

The Priest stood up at that point and walked over towards Xyllea. "I think...because it is you asking and because he was represented by Lancaster himself...this will be a very interesting union for our people."

Xyllea knew, The Priest would have seen this exactly as Illsandra and Xyllea herself would have. Nosdyn represented hope for their two great people. "Then you are going to give me approval for the Rite?" She asked.

"Of course...you must be his support though. Lloth may pass harsh judgment on him." The Priest said honestly.

***

Nosdyn was playing with his son at that point. He'd noticed it from the moment the little one was born...there was a fierce intellect there. He was speaking to the little one in perfect Haidian tongue...and the child seemed to understand what he was saying. A short while later, Xyllea returned. Nosdyn looked up at his wife. "How did it go?"

"We were approved for the rite of purification. I have to be your support." She told Nosdyn.

The day of the Rite of Purification...

Xyllea had instructed him on everything the right would entail. For a brief period, he would be submerged in a pool of very special water. The liquid would serve as the conduit between their world and Lloth's realm. Nosdyn was not afraid.

He was dressed in the ceremonial attire he was required to wear for the rite. Xyllea would be present the entire time. The followers of Lloth explained to him what he should expect...but he was not worried. After the time he'd encountered N'Jal herself...he was certain Lloth would not be as bad. The Lloth practitioners had surrounded Nosdyn as he went into the pool. He would have to completely submit to the rite for it to work.

They laid down Nosdyn completely flat against the water's surface. He was not afraid. Slowly, the submerged him the water...

***

Sometime later, he awoke in a different plane of existence. As he was told, the plane was a higher dimension. Nosdyn looked around for a moment. He didn't feel fear or malice, as he had when he encountered N'Jal. He only felt an almost erotic curiosity of him. There was a voice in the wind. Nosdyn was not afraid, the voices were guiding him to Lloth's location.

He followed the voices instruction and found a small temple atop a hill. He looked at it, Lloth was there. He saw a beautiful Dark Elf woman. She motioned for him to approach. He did so. He didn't have any need to feel fear. He looked at her with a curiosity. He watched Lloth step to the side for a moment and there was another presence there..."Illsandra." Nosdyn said her name.

Lloth spoke into Nosdyn's mind at that point. "That is the one etched on your heart. N'Jal herself told you this, did she not?"

He nodded at that point the gods were able to see Mortals in a completely different way. "She took her life in front of me." Nosdyn told Lloth the truth.

"You never knew why. The real why of it." Lloth said quietly.

Nosdyn nodded. "I only knew the partial truth...she could never carry my children."

"Nosdyn, my child." She suddenly said in a very calm voice...there was never any malice in Lloth's way of speaking. "N'Jal herself made your wife barren."

For some reason, that notion never once dawned him. He sighed. But he continued to listen to Lloth. "That part of it I did not know."

Lloth motioned to Illsandra at that point. "Speak to him, my child."

Illsandra walked over to Nosdyn at that point. "We were lied to by N'Jal." Illsandra said. "She tricked you because she was afraid of you."

Nosdyn carefully considered what he was hearing. "For what it's worth...I'm sorry I didn't see things sooner. Maybe I could have saved you."

"You don't have to carry the guilt in your heart anymore, Nosdyn. Tell Xyllea thank you for how she has taken care of you since then." Illsandra said.

"I don't ever want to forget you." Nosdyn said. "But I want to heal. For the sake of Xyllea and our son."

"I will always be close to you, Nosdyn." She said. "Lloth will help you heal."

Nosdyn nodded. "What do I have to do?"

***

Nosdyn woke up a short time later, the rite having been completed. He felt a heavy heart at that point...but was at peace. Maybe...if I'd seen the signs sooner she would at least still be alive. Nosdyn was laying in a bed in a recovery chamber, Xyllea was present. "Illsandra told me to thank you." Nosdyn said calmly to her.

Xyllea raised an eyebrow at that point at her husband but did not question it. The rite had been a success and Lloth had accepted her husband.

Nosdyn was awake at that point and dressed. He looked at Xyllea after a moment. "I think...I think things are going to be okay." He told her very calmly...for the first time since Illsandra's death...he felt actually at peace with himself.

Xyllea was quiet...since the rite had been completed she'd not said a word.

Nosdyn noticed that but did not want to intrude on her personal thoughts. They walked back quietly towards The Safe House. When they arrived, Nosdyn noticed the stranger there waiting for them. A Dark Elf. This one, Nosdyn never saw before.

Xyllea approached the man. The man handed Xyllea a small parcel, nodded and walked off quietly. Xyllea waited there for her husband.

Nosdyn was a little confused...but again, he did not want to pry he did not want to be intrusive. "A parcel..." Nosdyn said calmly.

Xyllea nodded calmly. "Forgive me." She said opened the package and suddenly attacked Nosdyn.

He was knocked completely out shortly there after.

When Nosdyn came to...

He was in a chamber he had no knowledge of...Xyllea was there with a sad look on her face. "You'd come so far." She said when Nosdyn awoke.

"...What is happening?" Nosdyn was confused, he didn't understand what was going on.

"I was ordered to have you killed." Xyllea explained. "The Lloth Priesthood ordered. They exchanged the safety of our son for your death."

Nosdyn sat up at that point. "So...this was your intent?" Nosdyn could not believe what he was hearing. "This entire time, I trusted you...you helped me heal...I trusted you!" Nosdyn didn't know what to do...he knew betrayal, he knew anguish. Nosdyn sighed at that point. "I am not going to fight back." He said at that point. "You MADE me accept your people and your culture...and this is what you will do in the end? Do it. Kill me I have no reason to live."

Xyllea kept her eyes on him at that point, there was a sadness there. "I am sorry."

Nosdyn looked at her calmly. "As am I." Nosdyn sat there in defeat at that point.

Sometime later...

He lost track of time at that point. He wasn't even sure how long he'd been in there for. Xyllea stopped coming after the last time they talked...he didn't really want to see her anyway. He thought about everything that had transpired. I've been such an idiot. He thought to himself. To think they would ever accept ME...a Son of the Tular Plains... He thought back to another time. When he realized he'd been becoming to reactive at that point. Maybe it's for the best if I died. He cried at that point. It somehow seemed a good thing to do. I don't know what to do...how have things gone so wrong...

He was bound by chains so he had very little mobility anyway. Father...I don't know if you can hear me...but I am sorry. I have failed us. He just sat there crying for a time until he became entirely numb. His people, would always have a cursed existence. Xyllea...I trusted you...

***

One day...

He was taken before a group of Dark Elfs he never saw before. Xyllea was not present, at least to his knowledge she was not. He figured he knew what this was going to be...a mock trial. Father...I have failed us. He thought to himself.

A Speaker charged him with a bunch of crimes...stuff he had never even had any knowledge of. "How do you plead, Demon?" The Judge asked.

"I plead fuck off." Nosdyn said to them and sighed.

The Judge raised his eyebrow. "Do you jest?"

"You fucking guys really don't get this do you? If you're going to kill me just do it...respect's already been thrown out the window at this point anyway." Nosdyn was angry at that point. He was trying really hard to avoid fighting back as long as he could...there was no reason to fight.

He'd been put back in the cell at that point a few hours earlier...back in bondage and chains. He still didn't understand what was happening, or why any of this was going on. He sighed. A short while later the cell door opened and he was surprised by what he saw next. He looked away from him for the first time since he ever met Lancaster's son. "So they sent you to finish the job? Come to put the dagger in my heart yourself, huh? Do your worst." He looked away, he couldn't bring himself to fight back against these people anyway.

Llukai Lancaster saw his Uncle, completely defeated at that point...it pained his heart knowing the full truth of what happened. He knew Nosdyn might never forgive any of them, and he'd be well in his right. Llukai stood in front of his uncle and put his hands on the side of the man's face. One final act, of courage and friendship he would allow himself for the Demon. "Uncle." He began. "Listen to me, I am here to get you out of here. Xyllea did this to save your son, there was a Writ put on your head." Llukai was trying to explain what had gone so horribly wrong. "The Safe House is gone, Uncle. They killed anyone there who was present. Please show me that you understand what I am telling you."

Nosdyn nodded to the boy but remained silent.

At that point, Llukai undid Nosdyn's bonds. "I am going to get you out of Ettermire." Llukai said. As one final show of good faith, Llukai handed Nosdyn his weapon back. "Here you will going to need your weapon back." Llukai said calmly.

***

They escaped the prison or whatever that Hell was out of a service exit. Llukai explained to him everything that had happened, why he had been so utterly betrayed.

Nosdyn only listened at that point, he was too cold and numb to respond anyway by the point they reached the Ettermire Gates. They would have had to use a side exit anyway. Llukai guided Nosdyn outside of Ettermire at that point, outside of the city...there was no more need for pretense.

His exile had been completed.

For the first time, Llukai would address him simply as Nosdyn. "Nosdyn, stay off the main roads. They will be looking for you. You can't ever return to Ettermire. And for what it's worth...I'm sorry." Llukai turned around and walked somberly back towards Ettermire.

He took one last look at Ettermire. Twice since he'd arrived there...he'd been completely rejected by Dark Elf women. The second time..Xyllea stole his son from him. Strangely, he felt no malice for any of it. There was a peace in his heart...an acceptance. He knew he was always going to be at odds with Mortals. Rejected by The Dark Elfs he once called his own family, he raised his hood and walked off into the night, alone. Maybe that would always have been for the best. He took Llukai's final advice and walked off in a direction away from the main road...

***

Later that night...

He sat by a tree. He was too scared to draw attention to himself so he didn't bother with a campfire. Exiled.. The realization hit him hard, like a ton of bricks. For the second time in his life...he'd been exiled. Where did I go so wrong, Father? Nosdyn thought to himself. But he knew, he was alone at that point...his Father would never again appear before him. He was too confused, too broken at that point to completely understand what had happened. The one part of it he did know...he was always going to be at odds with all mortal races. He gave up all hope days earlier. Just then, on the brink of complete desperation...an all too familiar voice called out to him.

Called his name from the darkness.

Nosdyn... The voice was a woman...he knew that voice by that time of his life. He knew who it was that called him. He stood up at that point, trying to discern the direction he heard her call from.

I hear you... Nosdyn thought back to the owner of the voice.

Nosdyn...Son of Tharak...come to me. I will give you what you seek. The voice called, there was no malice in the voice...only a strangely sort of empathic understanding.

Show me how to find you. Nosdyn responded to her...maybe it was an act of desperation or something else...but at that point, he accepted the mortal world had rejected him completely.

It was actually much easier than Nosdyn actually though it would have been. Impulses, desires...something else perhaps...but the voice guided Nosdyn to a hidden network of caves well away from the main road...nobody would ever find him there. Unafraid, he walked into the cave. He somehow knew what he was going to find in there...he was not afraid.

What he saw in the depths of the cave surprised him. A group of all female Undead were there...he'd never seen such a thing. The Priestess looked at Nosdyn, nodding with profound respect to him. She motioned behind herself...

"N'Jal." Nosdyn said to her, she was there in the cave...physically there. By that point in his life he no longer felt fear for her...only a profound respect for his former adversary.

"Show them your loyalty to me. Nosdyn Son of Tharak. Show them the kiss my Priestess from Corone gave you." N'Jal said calmly.

It was a simple thing, he really didn't mind it either. If this was where he belonged...he accepted it. The mortal world had rejected him by then. Xyllea herself, stole her son from him. The Undead women watched him carefully, The Priestess had a lust in her eyes...a lust that was uncharacteristic of Undead. But Nosdyn did not mind it all, he never was repulsed by the children of N'Jal. He removed his cloak in front of them and vest, placing both on the ground. The Priestess saw it immediately. No questions would ever be asked, they simply accepted him because of the one who had bitten him.

N'Jal was standing in front of him at that point, in her physical form. She looked at him. "What do you desire?" She asked, it was a simple question.

Nosdyn nodded. "A place to call home...a place to belong. The world of Mortals have rejected me. Me and you...we're not so different."

N'Jal spoke again. "What would you give in exchange?"

"Anything." Nosdyn responded without hesitation...by that point nothing mattered anymore. He'd been so completely betrayed by Xyllea he had no more ties to his humanity anyway.

In a profound sort of way, N'Jal kissed Nosdyn deeply right then. "I want you to become my Champion. Like it was always meant to be." She said calmly, such a simple request to ask.

Nosdyn thought about that for a moment. "What would be required of me?" The Dark Elf's and indeed, mortal races of the surface dwellers as a whole had completed rejected Nosdyn. He'd always be an exile.

"Your love...and a bit of something else. These women...I made for you Nosdyn. You will give them your seed. Night after night, you will fill them. When the time comes, you will understand the purpose of this all. But for now....I want you to make love to me." N'Jal said.

Since it was her...at that point his only ally asking that of him, he would not say no to her. He would never say no to her...or any of the women that were made for him. Without even thinking on it, he removed his pants and showed her his Demon's physique. He'd always been well toned.

N'Jal admired her Demon. She kissed him deeply, and they did indeed partake of each other that night...hours into the night. He would fill N'Jal's womb with his seed over and over. To show her that he had completely accepted becoming her Champion.

Maybe...because Xyllea had so completely rejected him...maybe that was where he belonged. By N'Jal's side.

After the first month...he no longer thought about Illsandra or Xyllea anymore...N'Jal filled the void in his heart.

Many months later...

Nosdyn awoke that morning. N'Jal, as she had promised had been there the entire time for him. He would do the same for his Master. He needed a bit of a walk that morning. He kissed N'Jal's forehead, he'd worn her out that previous night...he took that as a compliment. He stepped outside, the morning air felt cool and fresh against him. He thought about everything that had transpired, what hell's he'd gone through.

Just then...nearby, there was a cry for help.

Nosdyn acted entirely on impulse at that point. He moved towards where he heard the call, a group of bandits were attacking a lone Dark Elf woman. Without hesitation, and with the finely tuned combat proficiency of his people..he took the bandits down with his bare hands. He did not kill any of them...he merely defeated them. It was enough, they took off running in cowardice. Nosdyn was standing there, catching his breath.

The Dark Elf woman looked at Nosdyn, she walked over towards him and was going to attempt to touch him, thinking she had the right. "Stay back." Nosdyn suddenly yelled at her.

"My Lord?" She asked of him. "I just want to repay for your kindness."

Suddenly, that did something to Nosdyn's head. He saw a flash to the day he risked death to save Xyllea. "I don't need any rewards for doing the right thing." Nosdyn said truthfully.

She calmly looked at his face, at his eyes. "Let me in..." She said.

More flashes in his mind. At that point, he'd finally understood what N'Jal had been teaching him that whole time. He looked at her with a very serious expression on his face. "I let two of your kind in my life. One killed herself in front of me, the other stole my son." He looked away from her at that point. "I will never allow anyone in again. N'Jal is all I need." He said, and perhaps sounded a bit harsher than he meant to. At that point, he completely saw what N'Jal had been teaching him the entire time. The woman had a look of complete rejection on her face.

"If that is your wish My Lord." She said calmly.

"Go home, and forget everything you saw here." Nosdyn replaced his hood on his head and walked away from her, returning to where he belonged.

***

Nosdyn sat down next to N'Jal, his Master at that point. He looked at her with profound respect. "You were right...I see now how they are."

N'Jal touched his face gently. "I watched you very closely. You see now how those harlots are." She paused at that point. "What you did was very brave. You have the courage now to reject them."

He looked at his Master. "I said to her the truth. You were all I need." Without thinking, he kissed his Master deeply.

That night...

Nosdyn listened to the teachings of N'Jal. The Priestess was giving instruction there, and N'Jal was there in front of him as she always would be. It had gone on like that, every night since he'd become a member of the Cult of N'Jal. He'd been learning her teachings, the way they did things...what he needed to take care of The Undead that belonged to him. He knelt before N'Jal and Priestess as the other acolytes had too, the other women that belonged to him.

After that night's lessons...Nosdyn opened his eyes to see N'Jal standing before him.

She touched the side of his face gently.

it soothed him. "What do you command, my master?" Nosdyn asked of her...by that time he was one of her most devout acolytes.

N'Jal spoke. "In a few weeks...there is going to be an event that takes place outside of our temple here. That event will cascade into other events." N'Jal said calmly. "I am going to prepare you to the best of my capacity. You have been well trained. Events are already moving in Ettermire."

"What would you have me do?" Nosdyn asked of his Master.

"When you intervene on that event...do not take any offers they give you. You are my Champion now and always." N'Jal said calmly.

Nosdyn nodded. "It shall be so, this I swear."

"When you fight in that battle...you will wear my symbols on your armor. And they will fear you." N'Jal promised.

***

The Priestess shared the bed with him by that time with N'Jal as well. But N'Jal had another matter to take care of that night. "My Lord." The Priestess said calmly. "What troubles you?"

Nosdyn nodded to her. "The Woman...the one I saved today. Something did not sit well with me. They were too far off the main road for it to have been a coincidence." Nosdyn had always had a military mind...he understood there was always a purpose in such things.

He took his Priestess that night, as he'd promised N'Jal he would. He'd filled her with his seed more than once. She never once complained about any of it, she simply pleased N'Jal Champion.

A few nights later...

N'Jal awoke her Champion, Nosdyn. "My Champion, there is a matter we must discuss."

He nodded towards her. "What is it?"

N'Jal had a concerned expression on her face. "I have found out through divination and scrying a former ally of yours will be leading The Ettermire forces on that day."

Nosdyn thought about what his Master was telling him. "Lancaster's son." The realization came to him right away, he would have been a General by that point.

N'Jal nodded. "He will tempt you...promise you things."

Nosdyn listened carefully to what she was saying. "How do I prepare?"

***

By that point, Nosdyn wore the attire of an N'Jal Acolyte. But the symbols were for him alone, as her champion. He'd always preferred leather style armour anyway, it offered more mobility.

He trained with N'Jal and The Priestess until the eve of the chosen day.

N'Jal spoke to him. "You have been well trained for today. Go. Remember what I've taught you, do not take ANYTHING they offer."

***

General Llukai Lancaster looked on the field ahead. The opposing faction, a rival cult or guild...stood directly opposite them. No more than sixty or so strong. Llukai chuckled, this would be a slaughter. One of his scouts, a scryer approached him.

"General, there's a problem." The man said.

Llukai raised an eyebrow. "What sort of problem?" He asked.

"There is an outside element." The man said. He showed him the scrying tool. On the west ridge of the field, a lone individual stood there. He wore marks that Llukai had no knowledge of.

"The symbols on that one's attire...what do they mean?" Llukai asked.

The man looked at Llukai and spoke very carefully. "You are not going to like this...it's one of N'Jal's. But only one so far...and the interloper has not acted yet."

Llukai was deeply troubled. He had no knowledge of any of her Temples in that area. He sighed. "As long as the outsider does not intervene...we continue as planned."

Nosdyn stood before the field quietly. He was in deep thought...it had been many moons since he'd last seen Lancaster's boy. It was almost nostalgic. Nosdyn steeled himself for the event that was about to occur. The opposite faction was trivial, he was certain Ettermire's defender's would wipe them out anyway.

***

Hours later, the battle had gone underway. Basic Ettermire siege tactics, things were going fine. Llukai had a worry in his heart though, the knowledge that the interloper had not acted yet troubled him deeply. What are they waiting for? Llukai wondered. He had a really bad feeling about what was going to happen...

At some point, it was mop-up time the cult had been routed or bested. Right as the last few soldiers surrendered something happened....

Llukai noticed it right away...and that horrible feeling hit him like a ton of bricks.

The interloper yelled at that point, a primal scream. He raised his fist up to the sky and ran down upon the field, he intervened. The man used a weapon that only a certain race ever used.

Llukai saw that weapon right away. "It can't be..."

The interloper began to cut down members of both factions. Without hesitation or pause, he simply acted as one who had killed his entire life.

Dread filled Llukai's heart....

At some point...the interloper was directly in front of him.

Somehow, Llukai knew who this man was....

The man struck Llukai hard across his face. But did nothing else at that point. He lowered his hood...

"Gods..." Llukai saw him, the man they'd betrayed months earlier. Nosdyn Krotar. "You're with N'Jal, WHY are you with N'Jal?!"

Nosdyn sighed. "You really don't understand do you?" Nosdyn shook his head. "Your people were going to kill me in that prison...I am pretty sure you rescued me not out of loyalty...but another reason." Nosdyn looked at him. "Tell Xyllea my Master, N'Jal sends her regards."

Llukai couldn't believe it. "Nosdyn....why have you done this?"

Nosdyn looked at the boy, at that point he had a sincere look of pity on his face. "Your people caused my Exile, Llukai. For the second time in my life. I don't think you will ever understand what that means. I had no where else to turn no where else to go. No other City, no other race would have ever accepted me. Your people were my only chance at redemption."

Llukai sighed. "We are enemies then." He said calmly.

"We are. Next time we meet on the field of battle...I will expect no quarter from you I will not be holding back either, boy." Nosdyn looked at the boy just then. "This could have been all avoided." Nosdyn raised his hood at that point.

"Wait..." Llukai said at that point. "I need to know something. I have too many questions for you."

Nosdyn paused at that point he looked back at Llukai. "Next time we meet, I will show you and your people the same mercy you showed me. Which was none." Nosdyn walked away at that point.

"He's with N'Jal now..." Llukai sighed. "Gods where did this all go so wrong?"

That night...

Nosdyn had made love to his Undead acolytes since he returned home from the battle. N'Jal observed as the priestess sucked him off. She smiled at her Champion. Nosdyn looked at her. "It was Llukai as we both suspected." He told her. He shoved himself deep in his Priestess throat at that point she did not mind or state any complaint.

N'Jal nodded. "What did they offer?" She asked.

Nosdyn thought about that for a moment or two. "Actually...he was sincerely shocked that I'd joined forced with you." He exploded his seed in his Priestess' throat at that point, she swallowed all of it.

N'Jal thought about what Nosdyn said. "He would have taken its as a betrayal probably."

"Likely." Nosdyn said to her. He pulled his Priestess up towards him and kissed her deeply in front on N'Jal. He knew he would not have to hold back before his Master. "There was another thing..." Nosdyn said at that point.

N'Jal sat down next to her Champion and the priestess who was spent by that point. "What was it?"

"It's not just that he was shocked that I'd joined forces with you..." Nosdyn said calmly. He smiled to his master at that point. "It's that he did not ever consider it a possibility at all." He hugged his Priestess at that point, she was warm after that intense round of breeding.

"You have been taught well, My Champion." N'Jal said. And at that point, she kissed him.

His companions slept. N'Jal was next to him on the makeshift bed. He'd not felt so at peace in a very long time by her side. He watched her sleeping for a moment and sighed happily. With this other rebel, this other exile in his arms...he'd found what he'd been looking. A place to call home. Nosdyn never slept, it was a flaw of his people. But he was content being up all night watching his women sleep. He would protect his companions with his life...especially N'Jal. He thought to the battle where Llukai was present.

N'Jal stirred at that point. She kissed his chest softly. "What troubles you?"

"Maybe...maybe I would have saved myself a lot of heart ache if things had gone different." He said to her softly.

"In what sense?" She asked quietly.

"In the sense...had I joined you sooner. Maybe...maybe I would have been spared a lot of pain I didn't need to go through." He thought of Illsandra and Xyllea at that point...but he didn't feel guilt about either situation anymore. N'Jal had filled the void in his heart.

"These events unfolded exactly as they were meant to. Someday you will understand this too." N'Jal revealed to him, it was a profound thing for her to say. "I will tell you one thing...you have amazing technique in the bed." She smiled calmly at that point.

"You want more I take it, my Master?" He smiled with mischief of his own. He felt her get on top of him, and put his strong member inside of her. He moaned softly. He held his Goddess in his arms an and softly made love to her.

***

Nosdyn woke up that next morning. He'd felt completely invigorated from the day the battle took place. He'd come full circle at that point. He thought about his son sometimes when he was alone at night. He did miss his son. But that could not be helped at that point. He suspected there would be more battles on that ridge, and more of having to defend what he believed in those days. He stepped out of the cave at that point, he was skyclad. He was home there was no need for him to worry about clothing in some situations there.

At that point...he noticed he was being stared at. "You can come out of hiding I know you're there."

He saw robes he had not seen in a long time...black robes the robes of a certain Psionic's Guild. Nosdyn frowned. He knew who had just arrived. He kept his distance from them. He watched as Xyllea and several others lowered their hoods.

Xyllea stepped forward.

Nosdyn took several steps back, away from her. He narrowed his eyes upon seeing her. "What do you want? And I'd stay back if I were you."

Xyllea sighed. "I had to see if it were true...I had to see it with my own eyes." She was genuinely surprised by the fact.

"What did you have to see? That I sided with N'Jal? What the fuck did you really think was going to happen?" Nosdyn told her, he was losing his temper at that point. Up until that time he'd never fought back any time they'd harmed him. Because of her and Ilsandra.

Xyllea sighed. "Lloth put a writ on your head...there was no choice in the matter."

"Save it!" Nosdyn suddenly yelled. "Since that day I saved you...I gave myself to you. I kept dealing with things over and over out of respect for your people. And that last time...it was all caused by you. Llukai told me. He told me the writ was placed on my head by The Lloth Priesthood. I was set up, Xyllea."

Xyllea was trying to hold back her anguish, she didn't believe what she was hearing from him. But she knew it was the truth. "Nosdyn..." Xyllea began.

And just then...the unthinkable happened. Xyllea looked in terror at who appeared behind Nosdyn.

Nosdyn stepped aside to allow his Master to come forth and say what she needed to say. "Xyllea...." N'Jal suddenly said. N'Jal knew the woman's name. "I know the reason why you are here. I can smell it." She said calmly.

Xyllea took a step or two back. "I have come to beg him for forgiveness."

N'Jal motioned for her Champion to step forward when that was said. "What would you say to that my Champion?"

Nosdyn nodded towards N'Jal and stepped directly in front of Xyllea. "You...showed me no mercy when you had me jailed over the Writ your bitch goddess placed on my head." Nosdyn was very serious. He was saying what he'd needed to say since that event happened. "When me and you were married, Xyllea I accepted your people and your culture completely. You didn't extend the same courtesy to me. I don't know what you thought you would find here. But N'Jal is my Master. I have no intention of ever returning to Ettermire. To fight for scraps...to be ridiculed in silence for who and what I was. To be hated and despised. If you hate me so profusely, hate me because I'm with N'Jal now." Nosdyn said.

As a warning, N'Jal stepped forward towards Xyllea. "You didn't show him any mercy, and now you wish his forgiveness. Typical Dark Elf WHORE." And N'Jal suddenly attacked. "You will never return here and you will leave him alone from now on."

Xyllea had been knocked on the ground at that point, she was in pain. The others helped her up. It was only at that point, that Xyllea realized the incredible mistake they had all made in causing his exile. She stood up and looked at him one last time. "I'm so sorry." She said quietly, and they did take their leave, completely and utterly defeated.

For a long moment, Nosdyn stood there in silence as he looked at his Master. "Thank you." He quietly said to her. "I never attacked back out of respect for her people...so thank you. You acted where I could not."

N'Jal nodded at her champion. "You now know them as well as I do. You see how pathetic they are. What I've been trying to teach you about them."

Nosdyn nodded. "Let's get back inside our home my Master." And he was perfectly content living in the cave for the rest of his days with his Goddess.

Months later...

Another battle was going to take place that month outside of their temple. By then, N'Jal's influence had grown.

Nosdyn's seed was strong, he'd given the Undead Acolytes and his Priestess considerable strength by that time.

By that time, there was no more need to hide who they were. N'Jal stood alongside her most trusted Champion on The Western Ridge. This time...it was play for keeps time. As before two warring factions, one that represented Ettermire's military was present.

Somehow, Nosdyn knew Llukai Lancaster would be leading Ettermire's forces. Nosdyn had his hood lowered, there was no more reason to hide who and what he was.

N'Jal looked at her Champion. "Do not be afraid, I will be by your side."

Nosdyn nodded. "I actually am not scared to die. I once told his Father...I wasn't ever scared of death." Nosdyn had grown somewhat older by that time, wiser...but his race aged different.

N'Jal watched how far her Champion had come. She smiled at him...

***

Llukai Lancaster looked at what was on the western ridge. He sighed. "He's there." Llukai noticed Nosdyn there immediately.

His Adviser looked at him. "N'Jal is also present."

Llukai nodded. "This is going to get very messy." Llukai sighed...they had made the biggest mistake of their age in forcing Nosdyn into exile. Now he'd become one of their most feared adversaries. Llukai looked at his Adviser for a long moment. "Send a small group back to Ettermire. Tell them what has happened here if it all goes as bad as I think it will." Llukai looked at Nosdyn's direction. Gods...he's sided with N'Jal...Heavens help us all...

Hours into the battle...something happened.

N'Jal and Nosdyn closed in on Llukai Lancaster's position.

N'Jal watched her Champion closely...this would be his single most difficult challenge ever, she knew. But she would never judge her champion. The fighting stopped by that point. She observed what happened next.

Nosdyn looked at Llukai Lancster standing in front of him..he could have easily struck the boy down. Something happened right then...a memory of the past. He recalled when he first met Lancaster's son. The boy has a learning deficit. You are reaching them when no one else ever could. It was only then, the circle had come completely around. He looked at the boy, shut his weapon off and attached it back to his belt. He could never bring himself to truly harm Lancaster's boy. He looked at N'Jal, his master for a sign, for approval.

Do what you must, I am by your side. She said telepathically to him alone.

Maybe it was out of pity, or something else entirely...but he could never bring himself to harm the kid. He walked directly in front of the boy. "For what it's worth, your Father would have been proud of you boy." There was no malice in Nosdyn's voice at that point...only a profound peace.

Llukai looked back at Nosdyn...he was beginning to understand something just then. "I have failed you, Nosdyn." Llukai should have been the one man, the one ally Nosdyn could have always depended on. Something happened to Llukai's head at that point, he'd recalled a time in his youth when he first met Nosdyn. The memory was a profound one...was the first time Nosdyn stuck his neck out for Llukai...the first time of many in their lives. It was then, he realized the profound failure of what had happened. "Forgive me My Lord." Llukai said honestly at that point, he'd never been so honest at he had at that point in his life.

Nosdyn would never bring great harm to the boy. The other soldiers were watching what transpired...they would never understand the profound admiration and love he held in his heart for that kid. He looked at Llukai and spoke. "Your Father once told me...you had a learning deficit boy. I was the only one who had reached you...who could teach you in any sort of way." Nosdyn sighed, it had always been difficult for him to be so forthcoming and honest. "Had things gone different...i would have died for you boy. To honour your Father." Nosdyn took a long look at the boy. He was hoping somehow, he could reach the one man who could ever done anything to stop what he'd gone through...the hell he'd been through.

It was only then, Llukai Lancaster understood. At long last, the boy understood what the man he once called his own family had been trying to teach him that entire time. Nosdyn would have united their people at one point. Llukai sighed realizing how so very profoundly he'd failed the one man he should have fought for his entire life. He nodded towards Nosdyn at that point. "Go. Be at peace...we are not enemies." Llukai said to the man profoundly. Llukai was thinking on what had just happened, N'Jals greatest Champion had just spared him...a lowly boy who'd always had a learning deficit. He looked as N'Jal and Nosdyn somberly left the field of battle. He looked at his adviser, and right then did the single most brave thing he would ever do in his life. To honour him..to honour the one man who ever gave a shit about him and his friends his entire life. To do SOME good for the sheer fucked up situation he had caused, he could have stopped it...but he'd been a coward and a fool. "Order the retreat." Llukai said.

When they would return to Ettermire that day, he would stand down as General, he was not fit to lead anyone.

That night...

He'd not said a word since they returned home.

N'Jal noticed that but would honour what he'd just been through....what her Champion had just done for her. N'Jal spoke quietly. "Mortals often think I'm a cold and heartless Monster." N'Jal said just then to him. 'Things are not always black and white...my methods are far different from other deities...but that does not make me a Monster." N'Jal was being honest, truthful to him.

He nodded quietly a she spoke. "When I first met that kid...his Father told me there was a group of them in the slums. I made it my own responsibility to teach those kids that nobody else ever gave a damn about." Nosdyn's heart was heavy...he'd meant what he told Llukai that day. Had things gone different, he would have given his life for the boy.

N'Jal nodded. "It's difficult knowing loved ones suffer." She suddenly said in a very profound way.

He looked at her with a soft expression on his face. He'd never heard her speak in that way before...there was more to his Goddess than he even he initially thought about. He nodded. "It is." He paused for a moment but continued to speak. "For what it's worth they changed me in a lot of ways despite everything that happened. I can serve you better because of them."

N'Jal placed her hand on the side of his face gently. "In your time there, you lost more than one great love of your life." N'Jal said calmly. "The second time, Xyllea, she stole your son. Some folks will never go through the sheer Hell you'd gone through for those people. I know...despite the fact that you're my Champion you will always feel some obligation to them. But you will always be my greatest Champion. Know that Nosdyn. I will always confide in you as you have so profoundly given yourself to me. I have also learned from you." She'd meant that...in some ways he was not just her Champion but her companion.

To hear his Goddess speak such profound things to him, he nodded. "You have many more things to teach me as well I suspect."

Just then, N'Jal said a simple thing to him, not out of any selfish reason, but out of desire for her Demon. "Come to bed with me, Nosdyn."

He did so.

Many nights later...

N'Jal watched her Champion complete the ritual, exactly as she had taught him. Her Champion had given The Undead women, strength and courage. Before her eyes, and with her approval, he even took The Priestess as his mate. When the ritual was completed...N'Jal sensed something outside she had not foreseen. "Go to him." N'Jal said to Nosdyn.

***

Nosdyn was dressed at that point and he stepped outside of the cave. He was surprised by what he saw next. Llukai Lancaster stood there. He no longer wore any symbols or markings of Ettermire. He had matured since the last time they met. Nosdyn nodded to the boy. "Llukai..." He said calmly, there was no malice there.

Llukai stepped forward towards Nosdyn. "I...I know you might never fully forgive my people for what we've done to you." Llukai began, the maturity was there, the maturity had always been there. "I've thought long and hard about how to try and make some of his right." Llukai looked at Nosdyn at that point, no longer as an enemy or anything like that, but as an equal. As man who'd once given a shit about a boy who had a learning deficit. At that point, Llukai Lancaster did something profound. He knelt before Nosdyn Krotar, and N'Jal who was behind Nosdyn quietly observing. "I...I know you might never fully forgive me." He said again. "But I hope that by surrendering to you and your Master...perhaps I can help repair some of the damage I have caused you."

Just then...something inside Nosdyn was sparked. He cried before the boy and N'Jal. He walked over towards him, and knelt before him. "Listen to me boy. What's done is done...we all made choices during that time that could have been different. But now it's too late. What we CAN affect is tomorrow." Nosdyn said to the boy. "Remember what I've always taught you." At that point, The Demon showed him the kindness that he'd once given so freely to them. "Your Father would not want this for you boy. Me walking alongside N'Jal was my own choice...my own fate. As I told you that time...things could have gone different."

Llukai nodded at Nosdyn at that point. "What should I do?" He asked of Nosdyn.

Nosdyn gave Llukai one final lesson. "You must find the path you are meant to walk on. Be brave, Llukai Lancaster. You have always had a maturity in you, a strength. Use that to help heal your people's wounds." Nosdyn nodded. "If you ever need to speak to me and my Master about any matters, you know how to find us...you know where we will always be."

Llukai stood up as did Nosdyn at that point. "Thank you, Nosdyn." He bravely looked at N'jal at that point. "Thank you for giving my Uncle a home." Llukai knew at that point...N'Jal had given Nosdyn what The Dark Elf people could not.

N'Jal nodded towards Lancaster's son. "Be at peace young one. You have a long road ahead of you." She said to him.

Nosdyn watched Llukai Lancaster walk off into the night. He looked back towards N'Jal at that point. "His Father would have been proud." He said to her.

She nodded. "Let's go back home." She said quietly, and they both returned into their cave.

Epilogue...

Many years later...

Nosdyn sensed it before anyone else did...a presence a lone presence he had not felt for a long time. It alarmed him that particular presence would have shown after so long...Nosdyn suddenly stood up. He awoke N'Jal at that point. "My Master there's a problem." Nosdyn said to her and they both stepped outside of the cave.

"Father"' A voice called out from the darkness.

Nosdyn's heart sank all at once at that point...the one person...the one factor that could have ever made a difference in any of this was standing outside wandering around calling for him. He'd have been a man by that point. N'Jal stood by him, he knew he would have to be strong to face whatever would happen...to face whatever was about to occur. Nosdyn called out to the boy...he'd not seen him in years but always...he thought of him. "Tharak." Nosdyn called, making sure his son could hear him.

He had

Tharak had red skin, unlike Nosdyn's own blue skin tone...The natural Krotar birthmarks were also on his son's body. He had hair instead of horns, likely from his Mother, Xyllea.

Nosdyn looked at his son carefully...trying to figure out why then, why now. There were many questions.

Tharak stood in front of his Father. He looked down to the ground for a moment. "We are more alike than you will ever know Father." He said to him. "I've also been exiled because of who I am...Mother also did this to me." Tharak said, there was sincere pain and anguish in the boy's eyes. "I didn't know where else to go, Father."

It had come around full circle at that point...something horrible was eating away and rotting the heart of what Ettermire and her people once stood for.

Nosdyn thought long and hard about what he was hearing. "Lancaster's boy, what happened to him?" Nosdyn asked of his son.

Tharak nodded. "After the night he came here to speak to you...he never returned to Ettermire...he's been missing for years Father."

Nosdyn was trying to ascertain the truth...but he knew his son would never lie to him..there was too much Demon inside the boy. Too much honour at stake. "And you are certain it was Xyllea that did this to you?" He just had to know...that would mean that twice now...the same bitch had betrayed them.

Tharak nodded. "Father...I wasn't able to fight back. They did something to me...it was not like what they did to you. I just could not fight back.." He started crying at that point.

For the first time, since that whole nightmare began...since the last time he saw his son in person...he hugged his boy. "You kept your honour, boy. You did the best you could."

"What do I do Father...I have nowhere else to go." He said to him.

Nosdyn looked back towards N'Jal. "You know I am with N'Jal at this point...things aren't so simple anymore. You have to be certain this is what you want..I am not like The Sons of Ettermire are...I am not a coward. I will not try to sell you anything. This has to be YOUR choice." He hugged his boy...it was good to see his son again having grown so mature at that point. That fierce intelligence was always in his eyes.

After a moment, Tharak nodded. He looked at N'Jal, the Master, and spoke plainly, very similar to how Nosdyn himself would speak. "What do I have to do to submit to your teachings?"

And so...it began.

-The End.-

Pains of the past.
Reward Judgment

Rewards:


Nosdyn receives:
2070 EXP
225 Gold

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou's Autobiography, #1)

all rewards added