Chapter MT1 - Epilogue

Chapter MT1 - Epilogue

*** SYSTEM ADDENDUM ADDED BY USER NAME: [ERROR: REDACTED]NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

ADDENDUM NOTE: “Two years after the events of The Cage” ***

Jakom stared at the floor, waiting for the screaming to subside and the crunching to cease. Holy as they may be, the offerings always invoked a wave of nausea and revulsion Jakom could never fully repress. Hearing it was bad, but seeing it much worse.

Jakom felt a hand upon his shoulder, and turned to see Brae'ach. The towering man was fixing his facemask back into position, blood dripping from underneath to add to the chitinous armor’s old and growing red stain. Soft clicking emanated from beneath the holy cloth covering Bre’ach’s mouth as he looked down upon Jakom. He began to speak, the air shuddering beneath the deep weight of his voice.

“You know I value your counsel,” said Brae'ach. “Tell me what troubles you.”

Jakom drew a slow breath. He did not fear Brae'ach, but he never wanted to test his companion’s temper lest it be taken out on someone less favored.

“I fear we move too quickly,” said Jakom. Brae'ach continued to look upon him with a warm gaze, betraying no reaction. “I mean to say,” Jakom continued, “the holy power we have been granted is still . . . untested, in so many ways.”

“You are concerned for my safety?” said Brae'ach.

“No. Well, yes,” said Jakom. “I am concerned for the safety of our forces.”

Brae'ach said nothing, waiting for Jakom to continue.

Brae'ach looked once again out to the seas, where so many ships stood ready to sail, flying the flag of Unity.

“Unity allowed us to choose it, because we were worthy,” said Brae'ach. “And our worthiness is proven by our total dominance over all the clans; a feat not seen in two thousand years.”

Jakom felt the resonance of the earth slowly recede, as the echo of the words faded. Jakom looked to Brae'ach and, after a moment of reflection, gently took his arm.

“I know we have been given a tremendous honor,” said Jakom. “I only wish not to squander it.”

Brae'ach knelt so that he was at eye level with Jakom, and placed his volcanic hands gently upon the young man’s shoulders.

“I know it is difficult to see, as you have not received the Holy Form,” said Brae'ach. “But there are such greater things beneath our feet than dirt and rock. Our power is fed not only through sacrifice, but by slaying the enemies of Unity. We will use their dead essence to achieve strength far beyond even what we have known ‘til now.”

“I thought you, we, could not consume the unwilling?”

“A limitation we can soon overcome,” said Brae'ach. “A great lock has been cut, an ancient door swung open. We must travel to the island of the grave-robbing Delvers. Not for mere conquest, but to acquire a gift long sealed away which Unity can finally reclaim.”

Brae'ach stood, and brought his hand up to his mask. “With it,” he said, pulling the cloth away, revealing the long and writhing teeth cascading down his neck, and the myriad tendrils opening from the cavernous maw that expanded across his chest, “we need not hide any longer.”

*** END ADDENDUM ***