The Bone, The Blood, and The Beautiful

You have just woken up in the barracks, feeling the already-hot sun streaming through the stone-walled windows. There is a feeling of anticipation that you can't place a name on the origin for, but after a few moments it floods back to you. Today is the day of Assignment, the day all qualifying knights finally receive their life-defining quest. Today is your chance to show everyone who has ever doubted you what you're capable of. You crawl out of bed and... [[Head for the showers]], to make yourself presentable for the King. or [[Head to the Library]], hoping to cram anything of use in your head before your quest.

As you head to the showers, you can't help to admire the greenery and draperies that the castle staff has decorated the castle with. While admiring the decorations, you lose focus on your destination and stumble directly into another person, spilling all his arm's contents on the ground! A small set of hands grabs you around your arms, and sets you still. "You okay?", asks the small-statured gentleman you just stumbled into, his non-existent eyebrows knitted together in concern. The floor is littered with scrolls and tomes you just knocked out of his hands, but he only seems to care about you. You stare, realizing you just stumbled into King Frankus's new head-mage, Diesellian. Diesellian was just hired recently to cover the vacancy left from last year's Assignment day massacre. King Frankus has emphasized his acclaim around the kingdoms and warned of his eccentric nature. You mutter out an apology, and quickly hurry down the corridor, deciding the less you speak with him, the better. If you mis-speak, King Frankus may order you to be disqualified, or worse... In your haste, you fail to notice Diesellian's lingering gaze and slighty flushed face, as he raises a hand to the spot where you hit him. You [[Continue to the Showers]].

The passage to the library takes you up and around multiple staircases, eventually leading you to massive double doors, which has pewter handles shaped like chihuahua's, King Frankus's favorite beast. You extend a hand and pull open the surprisingly light doors open, and enter the Library. The scent of Frankincense and Myrrh washes over you, inviting you further in. You eyes adjust to the dark candlelit room, and you realize as you walk in, that you aren't alone. A curly-haired man sits alone at a table, his hooked nose deep in a thick tome. At the creak of the door, his sea-blue eyes flick up to yours, and become uncomfortably transfixed on you. After a while, he seems to realize he's been staring and flushes pink, turning back to his book, clearly just pretending to read now. You think to yourself, he's quite the dimepiece, with such strange features that catch the eye. As you traverse the aisles and pick up a book on warrior cantrips, you try to wrack your brain on where you've seen him before. After a time, you realize he's the king's new Head Mage, Diesellian. The knights were warned that he will be playing a considerable role in today's Assignment day, and to not anger him as such. You head over, hoping to get an advantage or idea of what today's quest will be, you think that since he is so important, he must know something. As you approach, he is ssemingly pretending to not see your advance, and continues to read, making notes on a piece of parchment beside him. You hope you are right in who he is as you say, "Mage Diesellian, right? I'm Huntereas, knight of Frankus. I heard you will be playing some part in today's party?" [[Continue]]

You enter the showers, relieved to see no one else is occupuying the stalls. You walk to fursthest one from the door and become lost in thought while bathing. "I am scared", you think, "scared of what may lie ahead from today on. My whole life is going to change. Heraled as a hero, or scorned as a nobody. No longer just a knight earning their keep, but someone the king will rely on, if I only can prove my worth. " A morose thought slides into the other's place,"Only if I can survive." You remember all the knights of long past, who failed to complete King Frankus's quest. Mutilated, exhiled, strung up in the square, or killed in action. Your fear turns into a hard resolve. "It won't be me," you think defiantly," I'm better than all those who came before me. May the gods be my witness, I will not fail the King." Confidence now runs through you veins, not fear, not dread. Only the white hot lightning of determination. The water runs cold at that moment, and you shriek loudly, slamming the knob to the water off. You try not to see this as an omen as you get dressed. [[Head to the event]]

He's shifty and seems nervous, looking everywhere but your eyes, hands shaking a bit, but scoffs regardless, "I'd hardly call it a party. A quest to find the most protected ward in the world, risking life and limb for an ancient king who likely may die tomorrow, is not my idea of a good time." You're taken aback. The new head mage, speaking so freely of this supposed secret quest, especially to a stranger. You grin, "Well you must be taking quite a liking to me, to let me in on your secrets so soon," and you lean ever so slightly towards him. Maybe he'll disclose more of this quest, you hope, if you manage to lay on the charm. He flushes, realizing his mistake, and reaches out, grabbing your arm tightly, "Please, you can't tell anyone I said that! King Frankus will have my head if he finds out I told you." he demands. You look down at the small, boney hand grabbing your arm, and smirk, "I promise It'll be our little secret. I'm sure you'll find a way to make it worth my time." you state, letting him decide what you could mean by that. He gawks at you, saying nothing. You decide you've learned enough here, and you walk to the double doors, opening them once again. You're blinded by the daylight in the halls, but as your eyes adjust from the darkness they meet a clock on the wall. It's time. You [[Head to the event]]

(align:"=><=")[[[<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/bc46faed4d8f4d0d1713d1cf95b8424c/278e726549a4ba50-6e/s100x200/d91a2644d331e56217fb4b11190be6e743c918fa.gifv" height="400" weight="500">->CYOA]]]

You head outside the palace walls, and enter the staging zone for today's event. It's a large tent, fashioned as a sort of waiting area. There are cushions lining the floor, occupied by the who's who of the kingdom. You see puppet masters, fireworks wizards, and other entertainers who will precede your appearance today. At the far end of the tent, there is a lavish, velvet covered throne, where sits none other than King Frankus himself. You walk over and bow deeply before His Grace, holding the position as you wait for permission to speak. "You may rise." an old, weathered voice croaks. You look up, watching his griseled hand lower back to the throne. His eyes seem fogged over, meeting yours but there is no recognition apparent in them. "Ah Huntereas, my child, come, come. I've been waiting for you." He stretches his hand back out, palm up, enticing you to lay yours down. His majesty has always known more than he let on, and his sight going has not seemed to hinder that ability one bit. You approach, and clasp hands with your old mentor, knowing this very well could be one of the last times you can do so. You await his word, await the assignment he will give you. "Today you will be given the highest honor I can bestow. Today you will set out, in search of Ugrioxius the Unliving's bone of prosperity, in order to save my life, and this kingdoms life." You keep your face calm, but note to yourself, the danger you're in for. It is a ward, a strong and dangerous relic. You are aware from stories of old that all who hold this bone, may live forever after, life held in place as it was. The relic has led to monarchies lording over the people for centuries, to dictators enslaving all who they meet, kingdoms falling to destruction led by one undying man's will. Yes, it is a very, //very// dangerous thing for any man to behold. King Frankus continues on,"I am dying, as I'm sure you and the rest of the kingdom can see. I have no heir, and no one to take care of this realm when I'm gone. I disdain the idea that some commoner, or worse, enemy of this empire may take my place and destory all I have built. That is why it is imperative for you to obtain this for me, and save our life as we know it, by saving me." He nods slowly, sure that you will carry out his plan. You bow your head slightly in acknowledgement, "Aye sire, I shall do as you ask." He smiles weakly, as his head lolls back against the throne due to the exurtion of his speech. His hand weakly waves and an attendant you barely noticed stands to attention and promptly leads the young man from earlier into the room. He quietly arrives, stands next to you, and bows to King Frankus, but does not wait to speak. "Your majesty, all is in line for today's journey. The stable hand is preparing the horses, I only await your word to leave." King Frankus peers down his wire-rimmed spectacles,"Ah yes, Diesellian. I am sure you've come across Huntereas in your time here? They will be accompanying you on your journey, I hope the two of you can learn to trust and rely on each other in the coming days like I did with my knight Williamson during my Assignment." A wry smile spreads across his face. It is but a rumor, but there has always been talk in the land that King Frankus had Williamson assassinated, after he tried to usurp his rightful throne. You wonder if that smile means something more than just nostalgia. Diesellian glances at you, remembering your earlier encounter. The glance is emotionless, and you can't help but to wonder what he thinks of all this. All you know of him is what the King said, which was very little, and you wonder what kind of travel-mate this man will be. There is a loud horn blown, and everything seems to startle into gear. The King quickly bids the two of you farewell as he is wheeled to the arena, to prepare the crowd for the champion's arrival. A hand-maid ushers you both out of the tent, and leads you to a winding hall beneath the arena. "You both will stand on these squares," she says as she gestures down at two squared-platforms on the ground once you arrive in a small dark room, "and once the time comes, Diesellian, you will cast fly on them." She promptly walks off, clearly having more important things to do than explain to a mage how to cast. Before you can even think of something to say to break the silence surrounding you, there is another horn-sound in the distance, and you watch Diesellian flick his fingers as his eyes briefly roll back into his head. The platforms start to rise, and above you there is an hole opening in the ceiling. You prepare for the roar of the crowd, prepare for the life changing event about to begin. [[The Assignment]]

The daylight is blinding. You intended on looking stoic, and confident upon your presentation, but all of that escapes you. You wince, holding a hand over you eyes, and you look over to Diesellian who is doing the same. You sweep your eyes over the immense crowd standing before you. They clap and cheer, chanting yours, and Diesellian's names (but mostly yours). "Welcome, welcome. Please be seated." King Frankus's rusted voice booms magically over the arena. "Today we are here to behold two brave individuals, who must endure trials and tribulations many of this land could not even dream of. They will fight unimaginable evils, cross unsightly lands, and ultimately, escape death itself and save our kingdom!" The crowd explodes, not knowing the truth of this quest. You wonder if this is how a dynasty dies, with thunderous applause. Cheering mindlessly for their own potential oppression. You shake those thoughts out of your head, you have no room or time for such treasonous thoughts today. Today is your day to pretend that maybe all this is true. Maybe you will save the kingdom, and be hailed as a hero. You feel like laughing at yourself. The platforms descend, and the entertainment continues above as you are swept to the stables. This is it. [[An Expected Journey]]

You and Diesellian mount your horses, adjusting around the full saddlebags attached. You have enough food and provisions for a couple days, but anything past that will be up to you to find. You settle the scabbared strapped over your shoulders and grab the reins. The stable doors swing open widely, and you lightly dig your heels into the sides of Grandmother JuneBug, the beautiful tawny horse, and he begins to trot at a mild pace. As you ride out of the stables, and eventually out of the castle walls, your thoughts begin to settle from the excitement of the day. What is next, you wonder, what roads should we take? As you turn to your adventuring partner to ask, he exclaims as if he was holding a conversation you didn't know about, "We should take the hills, there is plenty of rivers to follow, we can hunt the wildlife who will use it for nourishment. The praries will give good visibility, so we can observe anyone approaching." He says this matter-of-factly. You disagree. "We must take the forest, it will give us cover from possible raiders, and good shelter during the night. It will be too cold for us in the prairie, the wind will go right through us." He stares at you, black curls blowing sideways in the wind. He seems to be mulling the idea over, looking to the distance towards the two paths. "Fine. We'll decide once we get the fork, and see what the weather brings. Wherever we go, we can't risk ourselves getting frostbite in the night, I hate being cold." Grinning, you say, "I know a way to keep you warm." This flys over Diesellian's head. He looks at you questioningly and asks, "Like what, a heat cantrip? I didn't know they taught those to knights these days." You shake your head, "Forget it. I'll show you later." The day passes easily, travel is always better the first day. You know the coming hours and days won't feel so forgiving. You come to the fork in the road. The forest is filled with darkness, and the path seems to disappear into nothing inside. The wind blows through the leaves, whistling an eerie tune. It almost sounds human-like, but with a banshee-like tone. You shudder. You look to the otherside, and see a trail winding through rolling hills. The tall grass is waving to you, and almost looks like one being, moving all together. You wonder what horrors could be hiding within those grasses. Diesellian looks to you, "Well my knight, make your choice." He crosses his arms astride his steed and waits on your decision. You know both ways will have their share of perils, it is simply a choice of which type. [[Enter the Forest]] or [[Continue to the Hills]]

You decide he is right, and the trees will give you both good cover from any troublesome characters. You gesture towards the trees and head into their shady escape. While the escape from the sun is a welcome change, you still feel and hear the eerie bite and tone of the wind whistling around you, and you involuntarily shiver. Leaves fly up, circling around each other, looking to you like a fae-beast of old, and it makes Diesellian visibly jump, who was not expecting it. You know that no matter how safe he thinks these woods may be, there has to be some type of uneaseiness he feels too. You grew up hearing tales of the monsters that hide in here. Maybe they were told as a cautionary fairy tale, made up to scare children into staying near to their parents. Or maybe, they were truly cautionary tales, tales created out of lived experiences and loved ones lost. The wind howls again, breaking you out of your reverie. You and Diesellian slowly meander the horses deeper into the shadows, and as the sun lowers, so does the light. The temperature drops, and you watch Diesellian pull his cloak tighter around himself. "It's getting dark," he says, "we'll need to stop soon and set up camp." You agree, and after scouting out a suitable location beneath a weeping willow tree, you both start setting up. Diesellian curses,"Fuck, I forgot my tent at the castle." He throws up his hands in aggravation and starts pacing around, seemingly trying to think what to do. It's obvious to you. "You'll just sleep with me in my tent." "I can't impose on you like that." he says. "You can and you will, I don't mind. We'll be warmer that way anyways." You declare decidely. He shrugs and you both finish the camp set up. You gather around the fire, sitting on a wood log Diesellian found nearby. The heat is delicious, and the smoke-scented air just makes the experience all the better. Diesellian sits beside you, close, but not enough to touch. He seems to be jumpy about that sort of stuff, you decide he needs to get over this. You slide closer, casually wrapping an arm around his waist loosely. He does jump and you laugh, but as you open your mouth to tease him, a scream rips through the air. You both fall to your knees from the log, groaning in pain as you quickly cover your ears. Diesellian makes eye contact with you, and mouths, "A Banshee", and tilts his head toward the path where you had came from earlier. A almost-glowing white figure is gliding over the path towards you both. Her face is mangled, and her mouth seems to be frozen open, stuck to look like she is screaming. Her long fingers end in a pointed, mangled nail that she raises towards you, like an accusation. The stories of old you earlier wondered of have come to life right in front of you. [[Contine to The Fight]]

You and Diesellian continue down the path towards the rolling hills. Shortly thereafter you find a creek crossing, where upon seeing it, Diesellian remarks, "If we follow this, it should lead us to the tower within a days time." He stares at you, waiting for a response. King Frankus wouldn't have chosen this mage for no reason, so you decide to trust him. "Peaches and cream," you say affirmatively. His eyebrows knit together, eyes squinting, "So that's a yes I presume?" "You presume right, sir." You dig in your heels and set off again, following along the creek bed into the vast prairie, knowing Diesellian will follow. The grass is long, reaching near your horse's knees. The yellow wave of it in the wind is entrancing, beckoning you both deeper into it. The horizon is filled with it, no seeming end in sight. You again wonder with a touch of fear, //what could it be hiding?// You will soon find out. A piercing, shriek-like laugh echoes around you and Diesllian. You watch as his head whips around, looking for the source of the noise. You both see nothing, but the horses seem to smell something. They are pulling at the reins, whipping their own heads back and forth. They seem to be leering away from something to the right of you, across from the creek. Sweeping your gaze around the area, you see something. You point your hand, "There!" Out of the grass rises a part hyena, part man monstrosity holding a great axe, spit sliming out the sides of it's mouth. This is something you've only heard stories off. Dean takes the words out of your head as he cries, "A Gnoll!" What shall we do?" "We stay and we fight. They will follow us if we run and attack the horses, or worse, they'll wait until nightfall and take us then. Our only chance is here, and now. You stay back. You'll do no good up close, he could tip you over with his pinky finger." He scoffs but does as you say. Now is not the time for squabbling. You both take defensive stances, and Diesellian mutters a curse under his breath. At the same time, he seems to use a ring on his hand to prick a finger. Behind him, you see a skeltal gnoll rise from the grass, and a transparent chain connects from around his neck, leading back to Diesellian's hand. "Jesus christ," you say, "I didn't know you were //that// type of mage." "Is now really the time?" he says exasperatedly. He shakes his head and seems to command the skeltal gnoll towards the real one. You focus back in, remembering the stakes in this encounter. [[The Fight]]

You unsheath your greatsword from behind your back, and charge, raising the sword up and to the side. The Gnoll charges as well, lopsidely running towards you. As you meet in the middle, you sweep towards his side with the blade, dodging his axe blade and you cut deep through the leather armor, surely slicing skin. The Gnoll screams horrendously, and falls to his knees. At the same time, Diesellian's knoll reaches him, and rips his throat out with bared teeth. The flesh Gnoll falls to his side in the grass, painting it with his gore. He gives out a weak cry, and you can see blood bubbling at the wound in his neck. You almost feel bad for him, what a visceral way to go. Breath heaving, both from the exertion and the adrenaline, you walk back to where Diesellian has his eyes closed. As you approach you can see him mumbling gibberish again. The chain in his hands dissapears, and he opens his eyes. He looks ill, with new dark grey circles under his eyes. His lips are pale and he is shaking visibly. He sits down to the grass, heaving breathes too. "You okay buddy?", you ask concerned. He waves his hand up at you, as if to say don't worry about, as he continues to heave for air. You take a seat next to him, "Y'know for someone who just stood there the whole time, you sure do seem wiped." He slowly turns to you with eyes flaming. "I'm too tired for your jests, knight. You would be wise to watch your words where your powers do not match. I shall truly let you do all the work then next time and see how you fare." Maybe you chose the wrong time to try and be funny. "Woah woah, buddy, I'm just messing around with you, no need for the dramatics. Y'know you're really hot when you're all fired up." You waggle your eyebrows at him, hoping the compliment will smooth things over. He's still side-eyeing you, but is blushing now too. "Let's set up camp for the night. I'm tired." He states, getting up and turning his back on you to rifle through his bag. You think this will be a good time to leave him to cool down. You both start setting up, when Diesellian curses. "What," you ask on high alert, "another Monster?" "No, I left my tent back in the castle. I guess I'll just sleep outside tonight." You scoff, "That's ridiculous. You can just share with me. I'm sure it's big enough for the both of us." He stutters out, "Are you sure? It won't be too weird?" "Not unless we want it to be weird," you say grinnning. "Why would I-nevermind. I'll help then." He heads over and together you successfully manage to set up the fire and tent, and settle in for the night, anticipating an eventful day tomorrow as well. As you both lay together side by side in your tent, the sound of the nearby creek lulls you to sleep... [[The Tower]]

You wake up, a body nestled in your arms. You realize in the middle of the night Diesellian or yourself must've reached out the other. You also realize you don't mind, it's been a minute since a warm body was next to yours,. You savor the moment, closing your eyes a little longer before the treacherous day ahead. Diesellian shuffles awake, rolling slightly against you. He blinks his eyes open up at you and just simply says, "Good morning Huntereas." You expected a bit more of a reaction from him at your current situation, considering all the blushing and jumping he constantly does, but he just looks at you openly. "Good morning, sleepyhead. You feeling alright after last night? You practically fainted into my arms after that battle." He frowns, "I don't remember it exactly happening that way... I seem to remember saving your ass from death but tomatoe tomato I guess...speaking of, what's for breakfast?" You both rise, and head to the fire to start your day. You eat a meal of bread, cheese, and sliced vegetables, filling yourself to the brim, not knowing next when you can stop. As the sun rises and warms the air, you and Diesellian pack up and mount your steeds, heading down the path into the great unknown. You pray no more monsters intercept your path. As your journey continues, you slowly watch as a spire spirals into view, getting bigger with each step closer. "The Tower," you think, "our final stop before we hand this world into potential tyranny." You wonder what tomorrow will look like for someone like you. Ordered to kill in the name of Frankus? Forced to subjugate his followers, beat them into submission? You couldn't, you realize. You would sooner become an exhile and live in fear of retaliation than do the same to others. You pray the king remembers his humanity as he loses it. Your horses come to a stop at a tall gate joined into a tall fence lined with spikes to prevent traspassers. The Tower lofts above you from within, looking dark and imposing. This is it. You say, "Hold on," and jump down from your mount. You take a small camp knife and slice your thumb tip. You press the thumb to the gate's keyhole, which at your behest swings open. You wipe your thumb on your cloak as you mount your steed again. Diesellian raises his eyebrows in admiration, head nodding slightly, and you continue on into the courtyard with him in tow. The sun has risen high, cloaking the courtyard in shades of darkness. There is a chill within you as step in, and Diesellian pulls his cloak tighter round his body, clearly feeling the same chill deep within himself. You stand before the arched doors, reaching to the handle, when a small hand grabs you by the shoulder. "Wait." He says. You turn back to him expectantly. "What ever happens in there, you must trust what I choose to do and say. You must not interfere with any choice I deem to make, do you understand? It is imperative for this quest and your survival that you heed my words." He stares at you pleadingly, looking gravely more serious than you've ever seen him. His thumb grazes your shoulder, still holding you like a lifeline. You've trusted him to this point, he's saved your life already so far at the cost of his own wellbeing. There's no part of you that feels he would do you harm... but then why do you feeling such a sinking feeling in your heart over his words? There is something he is not telling you. Something he can't tell you. You raise your own hand to cover his. "I will do as I must." You declare, hoping he will read this as agreeance, and not the intended double-speak you mean this to be. He smiles softly, pulling you closer to him into an embrace. "It has been an honor to journey by your side." He says softly beside your ear. Why does that sound like goodbye? You pull back, smiling sadly in like. You both enter now into a vast circular room. Looking up, you can see high ceilings above you, decorated with gold tiling. As you walk deeper into the room, you see a staircase spiraling into the ceiling, and the entrance t them is blocked by some sort of magical enchantment. You and Diesellian walk over to the blocked stairs, staring at it, waiting for something to happen. "Well." He says, looking to you when nothing changes. You look back, "Well." You put your hands on your hips. You look around the room and see a basin against the wall behind you, near the door where you just came from. You both walk over and look in, to see an ornamental dagger chained to the bottom of this basin. It's empty, no liquids anywhere to be seen in or around it. You two look around the room again, expecting to see some kind of faucet, or fountain, but there is nothing else in the room, besides the locked stairs. Diesellian hesitantly picks up the dagger, holding it up near his face and turning it to examine it. He unsheathes it, hoping to see something indicative of an answer, but it just appears to be a normal blade. He thumbs over the blade, checking for sharpness, and accidentally slices the pad of his finger. "Ow, augh." He drops the blade back into the basin, and you both watch as a blood droplet falls into the basin. The basin glows minutely as the droplet pools over the blade in the basin, and then fades to dullness again. Diesellian declares,"Oh!", apparently understanding now, and moves the blade out again. He squeezes his bleeding finger over the basin, and you see again the ebb and flow of the glow in the basin. Clearly this basin requires a sacrifice of blood to potentially open the lock, but how much is the question? Diesellian is thinking the same, as you watch him stare at his hand, eyes moving between the blade and himself unassuredly. "There must be some other way around this, Diesel. I'm not just going to sit here and watch you slit your wrists until the basin is full. Give me time, I'll think of something else." You pace back and forth, as Diesellian is getting impatient. You try to wrack your brain to think of something, anything that would work instead. There's no plaque explaining the rules and regulations, so everything you do is just guesswork. You get frustrated, angry that an old coot of a king would demand this of you two. He had to know this was here, and had to send two of you because of it. He probably expected you two to turn on each other, sacrifing one for the glory of the other. You're rustling through your knapsack now in anger, desperate to find something to trigger a new idea. You realize it's hopeless, and one of you will have to do this. As your hand closes over the next object in the bag, you reel around and throw the bottle at the basin in fury. It shatters over the basin, spilling cow's milk and shards of glass over the dagger. Diesellian gasps loudly. You watch now as the basin beams light, so strong you both raise a hand to partially shield your eyes. Behind you, you hear a clunk, and you turn to the lock is gone around the stairs. As the glowing basin light once again fades, Diesellian rushes over, reaches up, and pulls you face down to his. Your lips crash together haphazardly, and as quick as it came, Diesellian pulls back and exclaims, "You're a genius! It only needed bio-creatural material, not necessarily blood! If only we had known sooner, I'm sure even water would've worked... I wonder how many lives were lost here in vain...you've saved us both." You're still reeling from the unexpected kiss, mind tangled in knots, when he grabs your hand and pulls you towards the stairs. Right, the quest, you think. You focus back in and ascend up the long tiring staircase, all the while forcing yourself to turn your thoughts to the task at hand. The stairs seem to never end as they continue to appear ahead of you, circling round and round, nearly making you sick. Just when you're about to ask Diesellian if he knows any end to this, an open doorway can be seen around the curve of the central stair walls. A burst of energy hits you, and you dash into the room at the top of the tower to see a gruesome sight. An old scraggly-bearded man stands chained into a pillory, his head and hands hanging from the holes in the wood. His wrists are rubbed raw from the shackles, and you see where the skin is no longer tan like his bodies, but now is bright red. His eyes are barely open, sunken in like a mummy, looking half to this world dead already. You take in the wretched site of this man, and see the IVs inserted in his arms, bags of presumably his blood hanging from hooks in the ceiling. You are held speechless is horror. The Relic, you see, is hanging from sinew where his right knee should extend into his leg. The bone, misshapen and not fit for this body, seems to be molded onto him like bastardized prosthetic. What has happened for this man to be in such a state, and how did the king send you here with no explanation of this horror? Diesellian seems to have no shock at this sight as he calmly glides into the room and then to the man's side. He brushes the long dirty grey hair out of the man's eyes, and says, "Soon, knight Williamson, all will over. You must only hold this pain a little longer." The man groans sadly, barely a noise to your ears at all, fingers twitching in their bonds. "Knight Wiliamson? He's dead, Diesellian, what makes you think this poor man is the knight of old?", you ask. "That is what King Frankus would have you believe, Huntereas, but it is not so. Long ago, on King Frankus's quest, he was sent with his knight, much like us, to this tower in search of a powerful relic for his king. Knight Williamson slayed Ugrioxius the Unliving, and took the relic right from Ugrioxius the Unliving's body. As he took the relic, he realized it was in need of a host to be useful. When he conveyed this to Frankus, that the quest was but for naught now that Ugrioxius the Unliving was dead, Frankus flew into a rage. He used forbidden magic to chain Williamson here, using his life force to host the relic. All these years, he's been here, keeping this relic alive and working in the case that Frankus need the powers for himself. But now, as you can see, that life force is running out. A new host is needed. One who himself holds great power to last longer than just a knight." At the end of this speech, he smiles sadly, resigned to his fate. "I am that man. When I was young, King Frankus conquered my kingdom and enslaved my brother Bobbius, and promised if I could take Williamson's place, he would free him, and pay my brother's way through apprenticeship. That is what I am here today to do." You're stunned at what you're hearing. You had qualms with the King, had heard the rumors of Williamson's murder, but you never expected this level of cruelty. An enslaved mage, sacrifing himself to keep a God-King in power, only so his brother may live a life free of slavery. You can't let him do this. You can't let him come this far just to continue a slave of Frankus. "No. No, I won't let this continue. You know what this relic does, who it keeps alive, in power. I'm tired of this endless cycle of sacrifice, this needless torture, for a King who's reign should've ended long ago. " You step forward towards Williamson, intending to put him out of his misery, but Diesellian steps between you. "Please, Huntereas, this is my quest, my life's goal. Bobbius will die a slave without me doing this. Please, you promised.", he pleads with you. "You think a King capable of this will truly keep his word? No, Diesel, I will be the one to free Williamson, to free you, and I will free Bobbius!" You had been slowly pulling your dagger from it's holster while talking, and as you end your speech, you pull Diesellian close, away from Williamson, and use your other hand to slit his throat. A withering sound escapes his mouth, as the last terrible dredges of his life fades. He crumbles to dust, having been kept alive well past his expiration date. You free a small explosive from your pocket, throwing it at the remaining relic of bone, shattering it the glass from earlier. As this happens, the ground begins to shake, and the walls tremble. The Tower is going to fall. You throw yourself over Diesellian, praying one of you makes it out of this, and you feel the floor give way beneath you. As you come to, you realize somehow, you're both alive. Diesellian is again crumpled on the ground, heaving breaths in with eyes rolled back. You lie in the remains of the tower, surrounded by a dome of magic. He saved you both. As you shake him, letting him know the worst is over, his eyes roll back into position, he focuses on you, and again, pulls you into him, your dusty lips meeting in the space of your bodies. He pulls back, "Did you really mean all that stuff you said before the tower came down? You'll really turn your back on the king for us?" You hold his frail, tired body to yours, "For you, I will burn down his kingdom, raising our home in it's stead." "Our home?" "Aye." ''The End''

You quickly look to Diesellian, hoping he has some idea of what to do. He is already rummaging in his pockets hurridly, and retrieves a small tin. He opens it and swipes his finger in the wax inside, and seems to smear it in his ears. He can't hear anything now, but offers the tin to you, gesturing from the tin to your ears with his other hand. It's to block out the worst of the scream, you realize, and shove a glob into each ear. The wind is no longer whistling, only a muffled sound can be heard now. You face back to the banshee, and realize you can't just use any weapon to fight this creature. Your greatsword will do nothing as it will just slide right through her. You check your hip scabbard to find your enchanted dagger, and inwardly groan at the close fighting you will have to do to get anywhere. Diesellian is seemingly doing nothing, just looking up instensely and muttering to himself. I guess I'll have to fight this one alone, you think. You cautiously stalk towards the Banshee and realize she has her horrid face focused on Diesellian alone. You use this oppurtunity to walk around her side and step closer out of her line of vision. She is still creeping towards Diesellian, who is mirroring her now, raising a hand outwards. They are pointing at each other now as she closes in on him. As you attempt to lunge at her, a being seems to rise out of the ground in front of Diesellian and her, and you watch as bones knit themselves together, attached by sinew and the muscle that is swallowing each one quickly. Your shock at this manages to knock you off course and you miss the Banshee with your blade. Rapidly, a beautiful, mangled, disfigered, gaunt woman forms out of this meat, and steps towards the Banshee. Diesellian's eyes roll back into his head as he shouts something you can't hear, and the Banshee glides right into the woman, and disappears right into her. He shouts something else, and she is falling apart, seeping back into the dirt, taking the banshee with her. His eyes are now surrounded by bluish hues, and as this whole ordeal ends, Diesellian falls the ground like a limp rag doll, signalling the end of battle. You rush towards him and place two fingers at the side of his neck. You feel a pulse. You feel a sense of relief, thankful this journey won't be continued alone. You were beginning to like him, and had no desire to bury him today. You scoop up his lithe body in your arms, and carry him into your tent. You nestle him in his pallet of blankets, and stash his waterskin next to him. He is still breathing, and you've never cared for an exhausted necro-mage before, so this rest and water will have to do for now. You lie down besides him on your own bed, exhausted by today's events. Your head swims with questions over what he just did and how, but as you drift off to sleep, your final thoughts all revolve around him, Diesellian. [[The Tower]]