I next visited the boy with the power of corruption on his side. His current state of affairs interested me. If Ashen Fate was truly sixteen, but had not aged, yet still physically developed somehow, then I would see what has happened to him.

I still theorized that the magic of this world had affected them by multiple ways. Ashen Fate was disrupted emotionally. This much was evident by how she seemed to be regretful of her action of killing to survive. This feeling was almost instantly brushed aside by my reassurance. Either that, or she didn’t truly care about ending their lives.

Using the terms hormonal reaction was merely an excuse from having her blame herself. The last thing I needed right now was an unstable being to relinquish all the surface problems. This is why I’m visiting the other one. I want to see his progress.

=====+++=====

I had came across the cold fortress him and his buddy had been using. I knew of Bahadur. I knew he would come into play somehow. I didn’t expect him to encounter Atronach of all people. What a strange pair they make. Yet I can’t help but wonder how well they work together.

It didn’t matter to me right now as I made my way through the frozen courtyard. The frost had only grown since three years when he first appeared. Then again I’ve considered the fact he doesn’t care about the condition of the fort itself, but rather the fact he has one to use.

I looked upon the peak of the fortress and noticed the location of the throne room. I would find him there, no doubt.

=====+++=====

I reached the top easily enough. Climbing up the walls with self produced limbs to climb went as easily as expected. Once there, I took in the surroundings. Not much to tell I’m afraid. The only note worthy bits to tell were thus.

Atronach sat upon the throne with new garments. A black, short-sleeved shirt. Forest green pants. Black shoes. Forest green cape. One befitting a king. A king of corruption is a probability of what he mayhaps be going for.

Near the throne in a constant bow was the once regal King of Dark, Sombra. He was covered in clumps of black stone like armor, adorned with yellow, vein-like markings. His red eyes were no longer red, but yellow, and the green sclera he once had was now blacker than his own coat. His shadowy mane and tail was still shadow, but now it had been sullied with specks of yellow energy. Even his red horn had become yellow.

Bahadur was exactly the same as he had always been. He simply stood there, as if wanting to say something to Atronach. It was only a moment longer before he finally did.

“I get that we now have some large army by now, thanks to all the drifters and travelers and such. Bu~t! Don’t you think the princesses will get suspicious about all the disappearances in the northern region we‘re in?”

Atronach responded to Bahadur almost assuredly. “That is what those bug horse creatures are for. They will be blamed for mysterious disappearances and whatnot, while we plan and wait. Speaking of plan, how is the first experiment group going along?”

“I’d say they’re ready. A good size enough to start a ruckus in a good sized town. Not too big though or ya might lose more than ya bargained.” Bahadur warned.

Atronach merely shrugged. “Eh, close enough.”

I decided to make myself known. I was spotted immediately by Bahadur as he looked at me casually. Atronach’s gaze merely moved towards my direction. His head did not. I wondered if he was that overconfident I wouldn’t attack him. Or perhaps he was able to sense. Whatever the case, he didn’t move.

I positioned myself to the side at the bottom of the stairs before I spoke out to him.

“I see you are planning ahead to strike down your foes.” My banter amused him not.

“Ah don’t remember invitin’ you.” Bahadur spoke with a slight drunken slur.

“And you are?” Atronach got to the point, slightly raising his claw, allowing it to glow slightly.

“Now, now. I’m not here for battle. I’m just here to check up on a fellow human.” I raised my arms up defensively.

“Then state who you are. I would have no problem lowering my power if you introduce yourself.”

I had to give a name, or be prejudiced to falsehood. A wicked outcome that was expected of me to face.

“I am a crooked bone masked entity. One who sees the gears of fate turning. Even now. I merely am known as an observer of sorts. With that in mind. Would my name mean anything to you at all?”

“Talk about giving someone the runaround. If you didn’t want to give a name then say so. Wasting time like that does nothing but create pointless titles I have no care for.” He waved me off with his human hand.

“Regardless. It has come to a concern to me that you are going to attack now, was it?” He nodded, allowing me to continue. “Then might I suggest you attack southwest from here. That location is far closer to the Changeling mountain fort than yours. This will allow you to walk safely to the other southern directions.”

“Now hold on.” Bahadur interrupted. “How do we know it isn’t a trap? Besides, there are Changeling Hives all over this land.”

“Really?” Atronach asked, showing an interest in the bug horse creatures.

“Yeah, there’s about six, maybe nine queens total, I think.”

This was new to me. Even I didn’t know there were that many queens in this world. I knew there was more than one, but around six to nine was a predicament. Unless their individual hives varied greatly by number and size. regardless, I responded.

“I can’t guarantee a safe passage, but I assure you I myself had no knowledge of the amount of queens. May I ask how YOU know?”

“I fought one of them before. A large dark blue one.” He said like it wasn’t the most important thing in the world. “She told me after I beat her that there were about six, maybe seven other queens and a mother queen or something.”

I knew about the mother queen, but had no idea about the other children queens. This was information I should look into for later. For now however.

“If not the southwest, then where else could you attack to not divert attention to yourself?” I stepped up a few steps, closing myself in on Atronach.

“I will agree on the ‘stealth’ travel we should consider since we can’t afford to be found out. I’ll even have HIM lead the first group.” He said pointing at Sombra.

“Good call! Let the big guy do the work for us!” Bahadur walked over to the corrupted, well further corrupted king with heavier construction on him, patting the shoulder.

“In further consideration.” *Whoo-SShhrwiiing* “You really should have known better than to try and trick me with a golem-based puppet.”

The severed head of the golem fell to the ground before cracking and dispersing into dust. The rest of the body crumbled away, revealing it was made of stone.

=====+++=====

A great tower stood high upon a cliff as purple mist clouds and fog surrounded the area. The tower while looked old, held itself highly stable with the amount of wooden based construction built around it.

Within the window near the top of the tower, and statue, made from clay, fell apart. What was unusual was the fact the head of the clay statue fell off first before the rest fell apart and crumbled.

“That wretched brat! Destroying one of your creations like that! An anthro boa said.

“It was expected. Besides, this now gives me an indication.” A figure from the shadows spoke. Their voice, hidden by the shadows they sat in.

“What, pray tell is this indication?” The anthro cobra asked.

“This proved he is not all there in the head.”

“He seemed ‘normal’ to me. Unless I missed something.” The boa asked.

“His eyes. Depravity. As I thought. Ashen is going to become somewhat emotionally unstable. Atronach is going to become mentally unstable. The third though. I wonder what kind of instability they will face. No doubt the magic of this world is affecting them like I thought.”

A number of masked figures appeared before the shadowed one. Each with their own element and abilities. The shadowed figure gestured for one to approach. As one did, the figure spoke.

“You will see to it the third awakens from their slumber. The rest of you, seek out any conflict that may disrupt this set of events.”

The figures bowed before leaving. Each one disappearing in a flash of their own element. From air, to wind, to fir, to wood, to darkness, and so on.

“I know who is trying to interfere with them. I won’t allow that ‘tree’ to get ahead and get what it wants.”

Author's Note

Now who's next to introduce?