Duchess Dungeon Eater - Complete Story - Chapter 40 – The Nightmares of War (2 of 2)

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Zhaerith hurled another blast of green fel-fire, this time stronger, desperate, fueled by terror. Diegan spun the Crescent Blade in a tight arc, severing the spell mid‑air. The blast shattered into harmless green misty flames again.

Richard lunged, claws outstretched. Diegan sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and slammed him into the floor.

Zhaerith shrieked again, her form unraveling. “RICHARD! HOLD HIM! HOLD HIM!”

Richard tried; Diegan had to give him that.  His wings beat erratically, tail lashed and struck his back several times, his horns glowing with green fire, but Diegan was already moving to finally take out the true threat.

He leapt onto the bed, blade raised high, ready to end it.

Zhaerith manifested fully now, a towering succubus of shadow and hunger, wings stretching across the chamber, claws dripping with soul‑venom. She lunged at Diegan; mouth opened wide enough to swallow his head.  She’d gotten desperate and thought her unnatural flesh would win this.  She was dead wrong.

Diegan didn’t retreat.  He’d never surrender either.

He swung with the precision that would make both Marinsalla and his own trainer proud.

The Crescent Blade struck Zhaerith’s throat, cutting the soul-tether that bound her to Richard.

Light and sound exploded from that strike, deafening the room with blinding brilliance.

Zhaerith screamed just after, a sound of pure, ancient agony as the tether snapped. Her form convulsed, wings folding inward, claws curling, body collapsing into a vortex of dissolving corruption.

Richard screamed with her … a mortal echo of her death‑cries.

Diegan swung again because that was definitely not the end.

His second strike, just as clean, perfect, and merciless severed the last thread of corruption binding Zhaerith to the crown.

The succubus spirit shattered, her scream cut off mid‑howl as her essence dissolved into smoke then vanished into the void.

Richard collapsed, wings shriveling, horns cracking, tail dissolving. His skin returned to human. His eyes lost their glow. He looked up at Diegan… terrified, broken, mortal.

“Please…” he whispered. “Don’t…”

Diegan didn’t hesitate.

The Crescent Blade pierced Richard’s heart with a clean, merciful strike. No corruption. No tether. No parasite. Just a man dying by the hand of the hunter he had earned.

“You dared to touch my sister, Isen.  Go to hell,” Diegan whispered harshly into the man’s terrified, agony ridden face.

Richard exhaled once, then died.

The Nexus Hall went silent.

Fel‑light faded from the walls. The red veins of corruption evaporated. The air cleared, smelling of fresh cut grass and just a hint of rain.

Paulina stirred on the floor, groaning softly. She clutched her stomach, trembling. Her eyes fluttered open — no green glow, no corruption, no parasite.  Just a human woman wondering how she survived hell.

She looked up at Diegan, tears forming. “I’m… free… you… freed me?” she whispered, still terrified.

“I was only ordered to kill Richard,” Diegan said matter‑of‑factly.

Paulina nodded as if that made sense. “Thank you… oh gods! I’m pregnant! I—oh gods… did this?! … is the baby… okay?!”

Diegan knelt beside her, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. “Ssshhhhh… yes. The child is untouched. My blade only severed that vile thing’s hold on you, nothing else.”

Paulina put her hands on her face, then her belly, sobbing from pure relief.

Diegan stood, wiping Richard’s blood from the Crescent Blade, then sheathed it.  It vanished from sight just as quickly as the click of it coming home. He glanced at the doors — still empty. There should have been guards swarming the place by now, but they were alone. Whatever was happening above must have been one hell of a ruckus. Too bad for them that his sister‑queen Ursletta and Queen Sophitia were up there. He grinned at the thought of those two waylaying a room full of fools.

“It’s over,” he said quietly. “I’ll escort you up to somewhere safe where you can lay down.”

Paulina was still crying, but she took his hand and held his arm to steady herself as he walked with her slowly back the way they came. Diegan was a gentle‑elf; he’d never abandon a pregnant woman in her time of need.

She finally began to compose herself, taking deep breaths.  She turned to look at him.  “I’m Paulina Dearborn.  What’s your name?”

“Under Marshall Diegan Lolthinendaria.”

“Ah.  You’d be the adopted brother to Lady Isenwrath then.”

“You’re correct.”

Paulina cleared her throat and wiped away the last of her tears.  “I did love Richard.  But I got caught up in his vision and lost myself somewhere.  Never again.  Diegan?  I’d like to meet Isenwrath soon with your permission.  I owe her a lot of apologies.”

Diegan nodded curtly.  “You owe a lot of people some serious apologies.  But, it’s good that you recognize that Isenwrath deserves to be first.”

“You really do prize her.  Why?”

Diegan stopped, turning his head slowly where his eyes could look directly into hers.  “Because she gave me my heart back… in so many more ways than words can describe.  For that, I will prize her until the dark takes me.”

Paulina smiled at him wider.  She rubbed his arm before pointing.  Diegan eyed her curiously until she said with a firmer voice, “Take that thing and get rid of it.”

Diegan looked to where she pointed. “And what is that?”

“The source of misery I never want in my life again. It’s called the Sinseer.”

Diegan studied her hardened expression. “I’ve heard of it.”  He turned to look at her with suspicion.  “That’s a source of power unlike anything else. Why tell me about it?”

“Because,” she said, ice in her tone, “I followed his plan and almost became a soulless husk. It’s a cursed item. It should be destroyed. Give it to Isenwrath and let her eat it or something.  Just make sure no one else can use it.  Tell her that it’s my first step to atonement.”

“Of that, my lady, I’ll gladly tell her. I’m sure she’d be glad to destroy this for us.” He stepped to the small side table where the Sinseer lay on a purple velvet cushion. He ripped a strip from his vest before carefully wrapped the dormant device.

When it was secure, Paulina gave him another wan smile and a nod of approval.

Diegan held out his elbow, and she gratefully took it again. As they resumed walking, Diegan couldn’t help himself — he needed an outsider’s opinion on something important.

“Paulina? Would you mind helping me with something to repay my kindness in saving you?”

She giggled softly. “Sure. Why not.”

“I have a fancy,” Diegan said, clearing his throat, “and she’s someone I’ve been trying to gather the courage to ask a very important question.  A life changing question, let’s say. When would you suggest I ask it… between an elegant dinner or perhaps amidst a celebratory gathering?”

Paulina smiled more genuinely, shrugging. “What’s her favorite thing to do?”

“Carrindrina loves to read ribald romance novels. It’s her guilty pleasure. I’ve wondered how I’d even compare to such tales of raucous romantic triumphs.”

Paulina rubbed her belly, she knew she wasn’t showing yet, but still it was there and it steadied her.  She sniffed hard, regaining more of herself with every step. “Then go read one of her books. Talk to her about it. And when you and she find common ground, when you’re enjoying the discussion the most, that’s when you tell her how much that means to you and that you don’t want it to ever end.  I believe you would find the courage then.”

Diegan stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the human woman with wide eyes of excitement. “I believe you and I are going to have a lot to talk about before I head back.”

“Honestly,” Paulina said, smiling tiredly, “right now that sounds damned wonderful. I think there’s a lounge on the next level. In fact, I’m fairly certain it’s the one with the brightberry juice from Seraphelle.  I don’t know about you, but getting saved by an honorable elf makes a woman thirsty.”

“Oh my,” Diegan chuckled, resuming his walk with her on his arm, “this day just keeps getting better.”

 

--- Above the Nexus Hall ---

The Crownspire Chamber was a manastorm held in a bottle.

Nine rulers slumped over their tables, crowns still glowing with the last echoes of their screams. Tobias lay unconscious in the middle of the room, Ashenbringer glowed brightly, still held firmly in his grasp. And in front of all of them stood Queen Ursletta and Queen Sophitia, two pillars of fury and power, flanked by three realms’ worth of guards who had already drawn steel.

The guards of the nine corrupted realms froze.

No one moved.

Ursletta’s black lightning crackled across her arms. Sophitia’s Sunflare Staff still spun lazily in her grip, flames licking the air.

“Try it,” Ursletta said, voice low and lethal. “I dare you.”

No one fucking dared to start the fight.

No one tried.

Even the most zealous guards … the ones who had sworn oaths to die for their monarchs, even they felt their courage evaporate. They had seen the crowns on their ruler’s heads shine brightly and scream. They had seen Tobias slump forward, his own crown and sword glowing with power and purpose. They knew something bigger than the actions in that chamber were going on.

They had no idea what was happening, but they knew that without orders, they didn’t dare make something happen.

Their captains barked orders after a few tense minutes.  They ordered everyone to pull back, to shield their rulers, to form defensive rings. The chamber filled with the scrape of armor and the thud of boots, but no blades crossed.

And fear beat loyalty.

The Summit officials finally found their voices.

“By ancient protocol,” the High Steward shouted, “the King’s Summit is hereby suspended! All guard contingents will secure their rulers and stand down!”

The authoritative declaration echoed through the chamber.

The nine realms’ guards obeyed instantly, grateful for the excuse not to die.

Ursletta didn’t lower her lightning. Sophitia didn’t lower her staff. They didn’t trust those queen or kingdoms for shit.

They stood guard over Tobias’s unconscious body like two divine sentinels, daring anyone to test them.

No one did.

The chamber held its breath in the stalemate.

Waiting.

Watching.

Praying.

Because everyone knew that whatever was happening in the ethereal plane would decide the fate of all nine realms.

It was tense.  This was the kind of tension that broke not just a person’s nerves, but the kind that could destroy a nation.  The Summit officials tried to truly take charge, but their suggestions were rebuffed by almost everyone.

None of the commanders or aides to the nine unconscious rulers would allow any of them near nor bring anything to them.  They were literally stonewalling, waiting for the tyrant that had taken them all under their power to resume their control, not seeming to have any free will to make a decision otherwise. They stood like statues carved from fear, eyes fixed on their rulers, waiting for orders that they feared might never come.

Ursletta and Sophitia pitied such a situation as those fierce people were enduring.  They, on the other hand, were working with those same officials.  They’d pulled Tobias back to safety where he was surrounded by Maddock’s elites plus many of Ursletta’s own champions.  They graciously accepted small meals and cups of water, ensuring all of their people were taken into consideration.  The Everthane contingent fell right into line as Queen Sophitia had expected and she was grateful for it.

Yet, this situation needed to be addressed.  So after a light kiss to Tobias’s head, she slowly walked to the center of the Chamber. 

Holding up her hand, she spoke loudly, clearly, concisely.  “Everyone. This is the King’s Summit.  We’re here for one purpose and one purpose only.  To come together as one and to act in all of our best interests.  For the time being, your leaders are indisposed.  However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore what’s right in front of you.  Take the initiative for the time being and use your common sense. Rest your blades and your anger.  Eat, drink, and ease down for a while.  You know something’s wrong with your leaders and until that’s sorted out, you all must acknowledge that this is a time to reflect and decide for yourselves how to proceed.”

Blades lowered. Shoulders eased. A few guards exhaled for the first time in minutes. Something about a well-respected authoritative figure like Queen Sophitia Maciendes did get through to them.  The murmurs started after Sophitia turned to retreat back to her group.  She caught Ursletta’s eye and she nodded in acceptance of Ursletta’s approval.  Ursletta might have a higher Queen status than Sophitia, but that didn’t mean Ursletta looked down on Sophitia for it.  Instead, Sophitia could tell that of all of the Elf races, the Dark Elves understood it when King and Queen meant partners, equals, true co-rulers instead of one being lesser than the other.  Perhaps one day, Ursletta herself might alter their people’s lives once more and embrace that change.  It would be something Sophitia would love to celebrate, that’s for sure.

She sat beside Harmony who was glaring at the other side of the room much like all of the others.  The waitstaff were finally entering the chamber, wheeling in refreshments with nervous eyes and shaking hands.  These Summit servants weren’t just human, but were from all over their realms.  Which meant they’d coordinated to send the appropriate waitstaff to the appropriate realm to further ease the tension.  Smart Steward.

“Harmony?”

Harmony stiffened, then looked down at her.  “Yes, My Queen?”

“Any chance you could sneak someone away and check on Isen?”

Harmony lowered herself and spoke softly into the Queen’s ear.  “My Queen, she’s gone.  Bronson cornered one of the guards that had escorted her down with Uthenda… they don’t know where her or Uthenda went.  The bars are a wreck, so Isen had to have busted out then went,” she looked up and around, then back to Sophitia.  “… to the Demon Queen.”

“Good,” Queen Sophitia smiled slightly.  “The plan worked so far.  Hopefully, Diegan…”

Two of the rulers stood up, gasped for air like they’d just swam up from a deep lake, then they both took their crowns off their heads and smashed the shit out of them onto the floor.  A shockwave of golden dust rippled across the chamber, carrying the faint scent of burnt magic.

“I WAS TRICKED!  THAT BITCH!  SHE TRICKED ME!”  Queen Phera yelled out at everyone and no one.  She turned to her Nivorathian contingents, breathing heavily.  “My people… I’m sorry.  I… have no words.  Please, just stand with me until we get home and sort this out properly.”

“Listen to her!” shouted Halvensnarl from Drakhaldur.  “Those crowns were cursed.  They weren’t honorable!  They were using us!  I’m not ashamed that my brother is dead, I’m ashamed that I didn’t end his life in the arena!  As a Drakhaldur Noble should!  This… this…” he quieted as he looked around.  “The three realms across from us, they saved our lives. This means we all must atone for what we almost let happen.”

Another gasp for air, another ruler stood up and tossed the crown away to shatter up hitting the floor in the center of the room.  “Worthless!  All of those promises, all of those grand ideas… simply worthless.”  Trade King Yarfleggan jumped up into his chair and raised his hands high.  “My dwarves, we’re better than this!  I was scammed and I’ve never felt as used as I do now!  Please… get me home so I can negotiate with our councils properly!”

A roar of fierce rage tore through the room next.  Khorvoss Dominion Warlord King Barok Bolgander reared back and roared in rage once more before seeming to collapse in on himself.  His words weren’t as loud as those roars, but in the silence of the Summit Chamber, they didn’t have to be.  “I saw too much.  I saw the travesty of what we were.  I saw the heartbreak of it.  I get it now.  We can’t go back to that… ever.  We’d break over our own weapons.  Again.”

Queen Liansendriellanar of the Thallyessain Queendom stood up, looked around, then heaved her guts out onto the floor until on the dry heaves remained and her own broken crown lay amidst the bile.  After she was helped upright, she said in the clearest voice of sadness, “We were wrong.  I was wrong.  We must stop this madness.  We must not hurt our own people anymore.”

Mage King Melekith fell from his chair, then scrambled after the crown that rolled off of his head.  When he held it in his hands, he began to weep when it cracked, then crumbled to pieces.  “I was a lie,” was his quiet words of defeat.

Queen Hellissinthir of Sylvarinth jumped up from her chair, pulled her sword, then the crown from her head.  She looked at both in equal measure before tossing the crown into the air, then helped it to its demise by cutting it in half.  She spat at it.  “I betrayed my people for that?!  That?!  No!  I’ll not give up on my people… on myself.”  Hellissinthir turned to her contingent, then raised her sword high.  She dropped it to let it clang to the floor.  “We are going home to our peaceful lives and ensure that it stays peaceful.  And I mean, we ensure nothing like what happened to me ever happens again.”

Queen Devellina Goldenspire of the Angellicine Seraphelle Queendom screamed out as if in pain, then rose into the air, majestic white wings slowing wafting the air.  “We have a new miracle to celebrate!  A revelation!  The truth has set us free!”  She then gazed down at everyone in that room, a smile of triumph on her face.  “I got my miracle.  It wasn’t worth it.  I renounce my crown,” she said with heavy breathing and regretful eyes.  The room didn’t know how to react.  Too much was happening; too much was a shock.  This was going to be a long week, that’s for sure.

Then King Sebas of Thyeriand slowly stood up.  He turned to stare at Queen Sophitia from across the room.  Slowly, he pulled his crown off of his head, then crushed it within his hands where the pieces clattered to the floor.  He said to her, “I’m still going to be king, but I’m going to prove myself… to myself.  Tell Maddock that I wish him well in his marriage.  Tell him… that I’m sorry.  My gift to him will be the most extravagant one in our entire twelve realms.  He deserves it for being brave enough to marry the strongest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.”

Queen Sophitia gave him a firm nod of acknowledgement of what seemed genuineness, but she’d watch him the closest in the coming years.

Finally, King Tobias stirred.  Sophitia immediately jumped up to then help him stand alongside Harmony.  When he was upright, he held Ashenbringer aloft within that room where it shined its glory in that chamber. Ashenbringer’s radiance washed over the chamber, cleansing the last traces of corruption from the ruler’s as well as all they’d touched.

“The war is over, but the Summit has only just begun.  I suggest we all recognize that there was foul play at hand and that now that its been dealt with, we can come back to this table in the morning and try this again.  Without the evil spirits gunning to devour our souls.”

Sebas leaned on his hands and asked in a calm tone, as if he’d accept whatever answer was given.  “And what of the Demon Queen?  Is she a threat or is she actually your ally?”

Tobias smiled at him tiredly.  “We don’t actually know to tell it plain.  Only Isenwrath will determine that for us.  We gave her the time and the means to do that for us.  It’s up to her now and I suggest that we wait until we know one way or the other before we say or do anything.  Will you agree to that?”

King Sebas stood up, put his hands behind his back and nodded.  “Said with honesty and with integrity.  I concur.  What say the rest of you?”

The other rulers looked around themselves at their people.  The guards and aides basically put the onus back on the shoulders of those who’d brought them there, even Devillina who’d renounced the position.  She was at the Summit, it’s not so easy to release a crown, not when the people around you won’t let it happen.  She too nodded her assent. 

All eyes landed on Mage King Melekith as he sadly walked back to his people.  One of them, an older Sage took him by the shoulder, turned him around slowly, then spoke into his ear.  The words from the old man must’ve been some solid good advice because Melekith nodded to them.  When the older advisor was done, he stood back.  Then Melekith said to everyone looking at him.  “I am in agreement.  And King Tobias….”

Tobias quirked an eyebrow at him. “Yes, Mage King.”

“If you would, please consider something for me.  Would you be opposed to letting me visit for a few months.  I’d like to learn how you lead.  I’ve tried to read about political science, and it just isn’t the same as learning from a master.”

Tobias chuckled.  “High praise.  High praise indeed.  Put it in your agenda for tomorrow.  I’m sure there’s something we can arrange.  Perhaps for more than just you… never know.”

Melekith nodded with a smile on his face.  Some of the others seemed to agree.  Especially Queen Phera who latched onto that like a lifeline as evidenced by her urgent whispering to one of the smaller rabbinfolk aides.

The Steward swept into the middle of the room once more.  “As it has been decided, we are postponing this Summit meeting until tomorrow.  Please, disperse in an orderly fashion to your respective suite of rooms on your assigned floors and let’s try to keep things more civil tomorrow… shall we?”

“Yes, Dad…” drawled a guard from the back of the Dwarven guards who got a sharp deadly stare from the Steward.  More than a few chuckles were heard in response to the dry rebuke of the old Steward and that smartassed remark.  Yet, it was indeed true.  They did need to be more civil upon the morrow.  Besides, Tobias and the rest of his allies were too worried now about Isenwrath to think of anything else.

Tobias turned to Sophitia.  “As soon as we get settled, we need to send communication’s demands to Maddock.  We need to know what’s happened.”

She nodded, pulled his arm over her shoulder, then said low.  “Yes, dear.  It shall be done.”

“Crap.  I said it in that tone, didn’t I?”

That turned her stern face into a softer smile.  “Maybe.  Don’t do it again.”

“Right.  Right.  Love you.”

“Love you too,” she said lightly before kissing his cheek.  As they walked, she asked.  “Okay start talking Tobey.  Tell us what just happened in your battle.”

Tobias smiled wistfully.  “It.  Was. Glorious.”

Harmony elbowed Beatrice and whispered loudly, “Bet you he says he handled them all in one strike.”

Beatrice snorted — loudly — then nearly lost it when Tobias turned and gave Harmony a full death‑stare. His expression was so hilariously offended at being called out before he could embellish whatever story he was about to tell over the next thirty minutes that Beatrice had to bite her lip to keep from laughing outright.

Harmony just grinned at him, utterly unrepentant.

 

--- The Ethereal Plane of Existence, a shadow realm where the spirits wander amidst the memories and the dreams of the living.  The Battlefield where King Ghondrakken, King Tobias, and an army of ghosts from an infamous dungeon level were holding down nine powerful entities to keep them from rallying their forces in the material plane then destroy everything and everyone in their path. ---

The first inkling something had changed was when a scream cut across the shadowy battle that literally silenced everyone.  For about five seconds.  Then the soul sundering carnage begun anew and perhaps louder than before.

King Ghondrakken jumped up, ducked the front Jarl’s coldfire soul blast, then sidestepped the deva’s radiance burst.  Tobias and forty of Isenwarth’s ghosts piled onto them again with Ashenbringer slicing the vile spirits up once more.  Their screams of soul pain from both being cut asunder as well as reforming.

To Isenwrath’s credit, she’d given Tobias and Ghondrakken outstanding backup.  Unfortunately, their numbers were limited and were shrinking.  The nine corrupted spirits were erasing them from the battle fast.  Once there were thousands of spirits, now only a few hundred remained. 

Now, Ghondrakken and Tobias weren’t as certain of their win as before.  Time was running out with the reduction of that ghostly army.  Tobias could only hope that Isenwrath’s ghostly army could hold out just a bit longer to give Diegan the time to finish this.  The scream that they’d heard sounded desperate, which was a fantastic sign.

“Forlorn is getting pissed!  That buddy boy of yours better come through soon or we’re done for!”

Tobias agreed with a grunt and another swing through the Hag spirit that tried to burn his soul projection with the living energies of a long corrupted dead swamp. 

The next scream that swept over them resulted in something tangible in an intangible world.  The snap of those bloodline tethers was followed by the nine spirits going completely insane.  Ghosts flew backwards, poofing away as they travelled back to wherever Isenwrath’s holding space was.  The nine awful ghosts slowly regained their awarenesses.  In a matter of minutes, all that stood within the ethereal battlefield were the nine, Ghondrakken, and Tobias.

Tobias and Ghondrakken looked at each other and noted how worn down they were, both barely holding onto their forms.  Then they turned to their enemies who slowly rose from ground to stand there… all alone and now with absolutely no lifelines to depend on.

Tobias heaved a small mental sigh, then hefted Ashenbringer once more.  Then he said to those spirits, “You’ve been abandoned.  Cut off.  Time to end this.”

Only the black hunter calling itself The Grey Stalker stepped forward, raising his blackened bow.  The mastiff he’d been fighting with slunk behind him.  “You have no army now.  We’re still at full energy.  You’re the ones who’ll be ended.”

Ghondrakken snorted a laugh.  “Think so?  Who says I didn’t have something down my boot?”

Even Tobias looked at him in disbelief. 

“I summon… Isenwrath’s Blessing!” Ghondrakken called out.

Tobias stepped away from the High King when he began to glow black against the grey.  Nothing had prepared him for what those two words meant, but apparently when the first true king of Maciendes had helped Isenwrath, she’d returned the favor.  And that favor was to connect him to her true essence.

The whole place began to howl as even the ethereal plane started to get sucked into whatever Ghondrakken had become.  He was a black silhouette standing there were arms outstretched… but… that was how it looked.  He was a hole… a small opening into the vastness of cosmic hunger itself.  And that hunger focused on nine spirits that tried to flee with every available power or trick they could imagine or utilize. 

Tobias had planted his sword deep into the floor tiles and held on with everything he could muster as he watched in both horror and awe when one by one, the spirits of the nine were sucked into an abyssal maw’s blessing.  At each of those spirits demise, Tobias felt the reverberations of their holds be released as ripples upon the other world he was in.  After Aurelios the corrupted Solar was sucked away into oblivion, The Grey Stalker tried one last attempt to save himself.  He shot at Tobias over and over again with soul poisoning arrows.  They should’ve hit Tobias, but they didn’t.  Instead, they hit a ghost.  One last ghost that had somehow found its way back had planted itself right in front of Tobias.  

Tobias looked up at the ghost and felt his surprise through his entire body.  The ghost was just a boy, perhaps not even sixteen.  The poison was eating away at him even as he stared down at Tobias.  “Tell my brother Jules Henshaw that I died a hero.  Just like I told him I would.”

Tobias nodded.  “It’d be my honor,” he said as clearly as his tightened throat would allow.

The Grey stalker tried to notch another arrow, but he couldn’t.  He screamed shrilly when he and his mastiff were finally sucked away as well. 

Tobias and the dead boy held onto each other for another moment while Ghondrakken returned to his former glory, if a bit exhausted.  Ghondrakken slumped to the ground, heaving as hard as his own ghostly lungs could go.  He didn’t need to, but that was just how he expressed how close to nonexistence he’d come.

The boy smiled at Ghondrakken, coughed, then patted King Tobias’s shoulder.  “I’m being called home.”

Nothing more than Tobias giving the ghost a tired salute of respect sent that hero back to his resting place.  It was enough.  All of the stops had been pulled.  The battle had been won.  Now it was time to see if there was something to go home to.

Tobias rose sluggishly, then dragged himself over to the Ghondrakken.  “It was an honor fight beside you, my King.”

Ghondrakken chuckled merrily from the ground, just holding up his arm for Tobias to take and hold firmly.  “No, my King, the honor was all mine.  Go.  You’re still needed.  We’ll find the time to reminisce later.”

“Yes, we will.  Till then.”

Ghondrakken faded from the intangible world, probably returning to his soul cage to sleep for a month.  Tobias sighed, then he too let go of his hold onto that world to return to his body.  He was sure that he’d need just as much sleep.  But there’s no rest for a weary king… none.

--- Within the Maciendes suite of rooms at the King’s Summit Citadel – an hour later ---

Tobias looked around their room after his recanting of his exciting battle. Practically the whole room were in awe of his exploits… their eyes were bright and smiles were wide.  He’d apparently told his story just right.

“That’s amazing, honey.” Sophitia finally said softly before kissing him, then holding him close.  That started the murmurs around crowded room where everyone began discussing it all and how close they’d come to losing everything again.

The doors to the foyer opened, catching everyone’s attention. 

Harmony and Bronson spoke to a Dark Elf aide low and quiet for a minute before the aide left.

They approached with even bigger grins. 

“My King, good news.  Diegan has returned to their suite of rooms unharmed.  He is even now celebrating with them of our success.”

Bronson nodded, then continued.  “It was mentioned that he also returned Paulina Dearborn to the Everthane rooms where he expressed to them of her possession and subsequent exorcism of the corruption. Apparently she didn’t even shed one single tear at Richard begin gutted.  So much for that love story.”

Tobias and Sophitia sat back down and nodded wearily.

“It’s now up to Isenwrath,” Sophitia said low and with less happiness than before.  The whole room seemed to dim now that the excitement of their success had worn off and they thought about the one who they hadn’t heard anything about yet. 

Bennett spoke up from the back.  “Isenwrath is gonna be fine!  Just you watch! I bet she’ll come back, tell everyone that’s she’s starving or something, then go snack on every damned hot water crystal in the castle!”

Beatrice jumped up and shouted, “She better not!  I’ll pinch that ass of hers a bunch if I can’t get back and take a long damned hot bath!”

That broke the sadness for a time with well-earned laughter.  Even Tobias piggy snorted and embarrassed himself laughing about something that Isenwrath would absolutely do if given even just a smidgeon of a chance.