Pact of War and Rage

[GrenadierGaming 92]

 

 

 

 

"Where am I..." 

 

Far across the lands stretched an endless remnant of battles long fought. The earth was cracked and muddy with offal and blood, pierced by rusty blades and the rotting shafts from which tattered banners fluttered in the thick, hazy air. Everywhere were piled skulls and bones of the fallen, clad in broken armor beaten and bashed. In the skies high above the carrion crows flocked, their caws a mimicry of the sounds of warfare and clashing of steel as clouds swirled in a rumbling sea of thunder and lightning, like the pounding of cannon and the crack of killing blows. All the lands were drenched a red hue as the sun, blazing oppressively overhead, cast down it's crimson aura, as if washed with the blood of the endless dead.

 

Rakhnar shuttered a breath at the sight, his throat was parched, as if he'd been standing there in the dust and heat for hours, and his arms felt the need to grasp his weapon, even though he carried none. He took a few cautious steps forward, his red hair fluttered in the harsh wind, and his coat tails trailed behind him, caught in their grasp. Suddenly his foot sunk into a shallow ditch, filled with blood, and he recoiled away from it, stepping on a bleached skull which cracked and broke as he did. The air reverbed with it's sickening crunch, and the heaving of his chest.

 

"Got to get outta' here." He eventually said, looking around the endless landscape for a way out. He found no immediate path of escape, though in the distant red horizon he spotted the ruins of some once great building, now merely a collection of marble pillars and desolated walls little more than piled bricks. He made his way there, carefully avoiding the remains littered around him and the pools of blood and offal. The journey was a battle in itself, every step he took he risked slipping in bloodied mud, tripping upon buried skulls, or impaling himself upon broken spear shafts which jutted from the ground, waiting with anticipation to drink the blood of the unfortunate.

 

Soon, he came upon a great river which flowed slow and thick. It was bright red, and seemed almost to steam with warmth. He looked to his left and right, and saw no place where it ended, and gazed upon the ruins on the other side. "Have mercy." He muttered, then put a foot in. The feeling was like no other, the river was thick, it's contents seemed to stick to him, trying to drag him along, but was thankfully no more than knee deep in the middle. He soon reached the other side, his legs dripping with thick blood which drooled from his feet into the ground below. 

 

Now before him was the ruin. What little of it remined was but columns and loose walls of marble brick which shone like a beacon of light in the crimson atmosphere of this place, and Rakhnar found himself drawn there even more. Soon, he came upon a great courtyard where many skeletons were piled, though some stood out from the others. They were clad in armor, mostly intact, and held blades that were long and chipped from many battles. There was also, at the end of the courtyard, a throne carved of marble with many skulls laid at it's base, as if it was propped up purely on the remains of the fallen. Yet, it was empty.

 

The dwarf approached it, his footsteps echoing upon the broken tiles and debris. Then came a glint from the corner of his eye, and he ducked just as a great blade was swing overhead. He fell to the ground, and turned to see what now stood over him, and his jaw dropped. It was man of great size, hair black as the night which was slick with sweat and blood. He wore little armor, but had gauntlets and pauldrons of steel, and in his hand he held a massive blade. His red eyes pierced into the dwarf, a sneer upon his face. "You dare enter the realm of the Lord of Rage!?" The man roared.

 

Rakhnar scrambled back as the man rushed forth, swinging his great blade in hopes of cutting Rakhnar's chest open. On his feet, the dwarf watched the warrior swing widely at him, to which the dwed ducked once more. Eying a broken sword upon the ground laid beside a battered and broken shield, Rakhnar grasped them and swiftly blocked the warrior's blade with the flat of his shield. "Fool!" The man rasped as he stepped back, "You'll find only your death here, and I shall drink from your skull!" He made another wide swing, and Rakhnar side stepped it, rounding his sword to slice at the warrior's exposed arm.

 

It connected, and blood dripped from his blade as the wound sprayed forth precious crimson ichor. But, the warrior cared not, he brought his massive blade around, and arched a heavy swing overhead which crashed into the tiles below as Rakhnar evaded. The dwed pushed his advantage, eager to pierce the warrior's exposed side, though was forced to step aside and block as the warrior's blade nearly connected with his own unprotected torso. Rakhnar stood steadfast, blade and battered shield in hand, as the massive warrior stared him down. 

 

 

"Foolish mortal." The warrior hissed, "You think you can best a Champion of Armok, God of Blood?" The dwarf could hear it's heavy footsteps as he approached. Rakhnar steadied himself, and as the warrior raised his sword high, the dwarf sidestepped and lunged, anticipating the champion's sloppy overhead swing. But, it would prove a fatal mistake as his gut was kicked swiftly with enough force to knock him on his back. Rakhnar let go of his blade as he gasped for air, the pain in his chest blunt and heavy. He reached out for the blade, just a bit too far to grasp. He felt massive hands grab his form, and he found himself staring straight into the crimson eyes of the champion before being thrown aside like a ragdoll across the broken, bone laden ground. 

 

"Enough." A voice boomed.

 

Rakhnar gazed up, his body aching from the throw and kick, and his eyes once again widened at the sight before him. The throne was now occupied. Before him stood a man with skin pale as bone, and pulsing red veins which flowed with precious life-blood. His face was sharp, and his eyes a bright crimson which burned red smoke. From his head protruded two large horns that arched skywards, he looked down at the prone dwed with a stoic gaze.

 

 

 

Armok, Spirit of War and Rage

 

 

 

"You are strong, mortal, but also weak." The demonic looking entity spoke, "Your sword arm is swift, but your eyes are blurry and fogged over." He leaned down, "Your heart is honorable, but your mind is cautious and slothful."

 

Rakhnar got up, and stood before the skull throne and it's master, "Where am I?" He muttered out weakly.

 

"You are in my realm." The Spirit said, "I am Armok, the God of Blood. The Lord of Rage. The Harbringer of War." Armok boomed, "And I have brought you here to test your mettle."

 

Rakhnar opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.

 

"You have a vision." Armok started, "A dream, perhaps. And you know how to achieve it." The Lesser leaned back, "But, you let temperance cloud your reality. Nothing changes without action, you know this."

Rakhnar could only nod. It was true, he'd spent decades seeking knowledge and wisdom to combat the Dark Ones. To try and achieve his vision of peace and plenty for the world, and his idle hands had only led to more pain and suffering.

 

"You have the spirit of a warrior, yet you let it be drowned by the bickering in your mind. 'What if this' and 'What about that'." Armok said mockingly, "But today, you showed that the heart of a warrior will always triumph. You faced down my champion with courage and skill, rather than fall to your knees and beg. You were outmatched from the very beginning, yet you faced your enemy on your feet, rather than bow your head and succumb. You gave your life in battle." 

 

Rakhnar looked behind him, and saw the Champion standing there, his blade mere inches away from him, held there as blood dripped from his wound. Rakhnar realized he'd have perished had Armok not stopped the fight. He looked back to the Lesser, "But what of the others?" He said, "If I seek out conflict, I will put them in all danger."

 

"Conflict has already found you, mortal." Armok replied, "It is your idleness that allowed your life to be swept away from you. Your sloth that tore your family apart. Your submission to your mind that has let the world grow dark." Armok gazed over the dwarf with his smoking eyes, "But, I can change that. I can give you the ability to bring peace. I can give you the rite of valor. I can give you the power to protect your family, and all that is good."

 

Images of his wife and friends flashed across his mind. The time an olog maimed his love. All the years of darkspawn hunting his god-daughter. The heralds that seek to devour the world. The demons that now prowl the lands where he lives. Rakhnar had, despite his best efforts, always been powerless to stop these things. He'd been too busy scouring the world's libraries, or wandering the wilderness, dreaming of the day they would be truly safe. 

 

"Such a dream could be a reality." Armok nodded, "And all I ask is that you fight in my name. Kill in my name." Armok grinned, "Let your blade drink the blood of those who oppose us. The world shall know me, Armok! God of Blood!"

 

Rakhnar felt his soul burn with the fire of rage. His fists clenched, his teeth grit, and he slammed his eyes shut as he fell to his knees. His veins pulsed with adrenaline, and he felt his arm instinctively go to the bloody blade he'd held before, cutting his hands upon it's chipped edge and he raised it into the air. "RRRAAAAAGGGGHHH!" He gave a blood-curdling scream.

 

 

Armok grinned, and waved his hand, and Rakhnar felt himself flung from the realm of blood and war. In his mind he felt only rage. Rage against the Darkness. Rage against those who'd harm him. Rage against those who cursed his family. Rage for war. Rage for blood. Rage against the man who'd deceived him for so long...

 

 

[Spirit Pact with Armok, Lesser of Enrohk, 2/3]

Edited July 24, 2024 by GrenadierGaming

[ellielove15 547]

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BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!

 

[GrenadierGaming 92]

36 minutes ago, ellielove15 said:

  Reveal hidden contents

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!

 

 

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