Revenge of the Sorcerer King 2 - 27 (Patreon)

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Chapter 27

Alessa

I followed Irgire as he led the way to Oberon. I figured out where we were heading after only a few minutes in the air. Which made sense given that we already had a temple devoted to Siateth in the desert. Where else would we go? 

Flying grew easier the longer we were in the air. I found I quite enjoyed the air blowing through my hair as we made our way. I wasn’t an expert by any measure of the word, but felt I could get to that point after a bit more practice. After a bit longer, I spotted Oberon and Lenora as they were standing out front of the mine entrance. Helena was sitting on the back of Oberon’s horse like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Its about time. Was beginning to wonder if you’d gotten lost,” Oberon said as I landed next to them.

“Took a bit more practice than I expected,” I replied rubbing the back of my head.

“No worries. Time to go speak to a god,” Oberon said. Though he made it sound like we were going for an afternoon stroll through the city, I was still nervous about what we were about to do. Oberon might be used to gods, I, however, hadn’t had the that enjoyable of a time around them.

Heading through the mines, I found they had greatly changed since the first time we came down here. The undead had been hard at work pulling all the usable ore from the tunnels which had caused them to be enlarged quite a bit. It didn’t feel dangerous though, as someone, likely Khaar had the foresight to have the undead add braces and supports. 

In the lower levels, the spider infestation had also been dealt with. Nice smooth walls led to the break in the temple that had also seen some work to make it look like a proper entrance. Sam, the undead that had volunteered to work the temple, had obviously put a lot of work into the place. 

The temple had also seen some work. Sam had managed to make it appear welcoming, in a damned sort of way. Mainly, he had cleaned the place up, as there was no longer any debris on the floors and the ceiling had been repaired. Oberon strode in like he owned the place, while Helena gave it a bit more honor by bowing before she entered.

I went a little of both worlds by nodding my head as I entered. I knew that Siateth had saved my life from Yuin, but it was also true that my new life was completely different from before. It had only been a few months. It would be a while before I would truly know the depths of my decision that day.

Miasma coiled across the floor making the room good to my vampire body. I could tell it was something different than the undead miasma that Oberon and the other undead leaked out. While I wouldn’t call it better, it felt more like it was designed for all the dark races rather than just the undead.

Sam appeared from behind the alter at the top of the stairs in the main room. He spread his arms wide and I was sure his skull was managing to smile. “Master. I heard from the other undead why you have come today. Welcome! Welcome!”

“There truly is no way to control gossip. So much for dead man tell no tales,” Oberon said shaking his head.

“Of course they are spreading the news. Undead are seen as the blight of the world. If Siateth is declared a guardian deity, there is no telling the resounding affects this might have.”

Oberon appeared to contemplate something before he just shrugged. “Well. Seeing as I’m undead myself, I have no reason to worry about the fate of the mortal world.”

“Then we are to proceed?” Sam asked. Excitement evident from his tone. 

“Yeah. I assume you have the ritual ready?”

“Indeed. I started as soon as I heard,” Sam replied gesturing towards the back room. Oberon nodded and we all followed Sam as he led the way. 

The rooms inside the temple had been cleared of the debris blocking them and I found one was a storage room, while another appeared to be a confessional. I’d seen one when I spent a few days in a church. I knew it was risky, but I was starving. They offered me food, but it only lasted a week before the usual happened and I was forced to flee.

We came to the room that sported the statue of Siateth. Death personified, he held a giant scythe. According to the legends, he had once reaped the souls of his enemies like a farmer reaped his wheat. If the legends were true, millions lost their lives that day. 

Surronding the statue was one of the largest magic circles I had ever seen. It took up every centimeter of the floor and even went up the walls in some places. When I looked up at the ceiling, I found there was another circle, which taking into account there wasn’t a giant statue in the middle, was even larger and denser than the one on the floor. 

“Don’t mind if I inspect this do you?” Oberon asked of Sam with a grin. 

“Go right ahead, master,” Sam replied nonplused by his taunt.

Oberon slowly walked around the room. He spent more time on checking this ritual than he had even on the seal of the dungeon. He inspected every nook and cranny of the room. It took close to an hour before he was done. He even consulted with Helena a few times as well as pulled Sam over to ask questions on parts of the ritual circle. 

Returning to the starting point just in front of me, he appeared satisfied with what he saw. “Well then. Let’s make a deal with a god.”

Oberon

The magic ritual was a good one. I could tell that Siateth either gave Sam divine knowledge, or had manifested himself in the undead to create it himself. Either way, I had made sure there weren’t any traps woven into the ritual. Siateth in particular was known for requiring the ritual worker to kill themselves at the end in some sort of sick humor.

Though, this was the first time I had seen a Siateth ritual spell that didn’t require any sacrifices. The god basically thrived on death and usually wanted more of it every chance he could get. I put the fact that something had profoundly changed among the gods to the back of my mind for now. I would investigate later when I had a bit more time and resources.

The ritual allowed for three people to talk to Siateth, indicated by the only relatively clear spots on the floor. I moved to the centermost one while directing Alessa and Helena to take the other two spots. I was hesitant to bring Helena as she was already a follower of the god, but decided to roll the dice. Lenora just wouldn’t be much help in this sort of game and I didn’t know Irgire enough to trust his sense of politics.

Once we were all in position, I took a deep breath then began the hour long chant that would activate the ritual. I had used this chant three times during my time as a mortal. I briefly wondered how many times I would use it as an undead. Finally, with the last word of the chant, the world shifted around us as a haze of black washed over us to be replaced by a new temple. 

Formed of black stone, a long staircase presented itself to us. Large pillars with runes that could break one’s mind lined the staircase. Green flaming lava pour from the mouths of giant skulls carved along the wall. A night sky graced us though only a few stars appeared to be visible. 

Lined up in neat a neat row heading up to the entrance of the temple were some of the most powerful undead I had ever seen. The presence of crowns on each of their heads let me know that this was for my benefit. Siateth was telling me that plenty of kings had succumbed to him in the past.

A specter of some sort moved toward us and bowed. “The master is happy for your safe arrival. Planar travel is always risky, as you yourself know.” I narrowed my eyes at both the personal jab and the fact the creature’s voice was so scratching, I was sure it would make a mortal’s eyes bleed. The specter turned to Helena. “And you. The master is pleased you have fulfilled your duties so faithfully. He rewards you with the rank of Marchioness.”

Helena glowed as I felt the density of her mana grow thicker. That had certainly given her a power boost. Now the question, was he referring to training Alessa and helping Haven and me, or something more sinister? Hell, knowing Siateth, it could be both.

“Thank you for your gift,” Helena said kneeling to the specter.

“Now, this way. The master is most excited to see you.”

Following the specter, we were led up the stairs and into the temple. While it had a roof when viewed from the outside, inside there were millions of star dotting a completely different night sky. I never would have taken Siateth to be a sky lover. I chuckled as we kept moving. 

More undead and other creatures that represented the night and dark presented themselves as we walked. Dark elves, trolls, ogres, oni, and more that were much less common. Then of course, there were plenty of humans. The one races that could never decide exactly what they wanted to support.

Soon we reached our destination. Siateth sat on a large throne surrounded by a flock of angels. While they were beautiful, it was in a twisted sort of way. They possessed black wings, and green horns that leaked shadow and necromantic energy. They radiated power to the point they wore it like cloths. 

“OBERON! King of the Fairies! Master of half of the world! And if I dare be so bold my new best friend!” Siateth announced once we were all in the room. “Liking the new look, by the way.”

I grinned at his antics. I instantly knew that one or more of the other gods were watching us. “I suppose that makes things easier if we’re friends. About the conversation from a few months ago. You’re willing to be our Guardian Deity then?”

Siateth put on a contemplating expression as he leaned back. “I was all for it then, but now… I can do it for the low price of… three sacrifices a day!”

I sighed as I shook my head. “Considering the path we’re walking, that would be hard to maintain. One sacrifice every ten years.” I countered. 

“You must be joking! My cults do better than that and they are hunted ever literally everyone that sees them.”

“We both know that by devoting my entire country to you that you’ll get more mana than you’ve likely ever seen before. Are you really going to jeopardize that?”

Siateth sighed and shrugged. “I have an image to uphold. Not to mention a creed. If people think they can gain all the powers of death without a few sacrifices, then what’s the point of being the god of death?”

I rubbed my head then turned to leave. “I guess I’ll have to see if Avrenim is willing. We were good friends in the past. Unless,” I glanced back at the god, “you’re willing to settle for one sacrifice every six months.”

“You’re killing me!” Siateth shouted then broke into insane laughter. “Fine! Fine. One every six months.”

I turned back around and held my hand out. “Deal. Don’t worry. The next couple years will see more death than the last thousand years. You’ll get your share.”

Siateth burst into shadows before he reformed in front of me my own size. He took my hand and I felt a surge of necromantic energy. “And its done. I expect wonderful things from you.” He released my hand and turned to Alessa. “And you! You have done beautifully! I can’t make a new pureblood often and I’m glad I used it on you. I name you Maverick. If you ever find yourself in Hizin. Get those lazy purebloods off their asses.” He glanced at Helena. “Keep up the good work.”

I gave Siateth a gentleman’s bow as I refused to kneel to any of the gods. “Well then. It will be a pleasure to work with you.”

Siateth chuckled then moved in next to me as he grabbed my shoulder. “This is going to piss them all off so much.” He gave me a face splitting grin which in his case managed to literally split his face in half. “I can’t wait to see their expressions.” He snapped his fingers and we found ourselves back in the temple. 

“That went better than I expected,” I said.