Chapter 45: The Weight of Dreams

Chapter 45: The Weight of Dreams

Lilianes father, as usual for powerful people, made his guests wait at his leisure.

Valdemar had heard it was a power move among nobles and wealthy elites, but he thought the man would have made an exception for his own daughter. Apparently not. His servants pretended that Lord De Vane was busy with an important meeting that overstayed its welcome.

At least his Sabaoth office offered a welcome contrast with the rest of the Domain. The waiting room had enough stuffed chairs to house a dozen people, and even included its own fireplace. Paintings of De Vane Family members adorned the wall alongside tapestries, while the window offered a nice view of the foundries outside. Magical wards erased the noise from outside, giving the guests a degree of intimacy. Servants had left the group alone with refreshments, bidding them to wait until their master was ready to receive them.

While Iren had gone to carry out the favor his friend asked of him and Hermann examined the paintings in the room, Valdemar and Marianne were using the free-time productively. So, Valdemar resumed, Ktulu playing with a bone ship next to his chair, Lady Mathilde taught you how to recreate her Elixir of Youth?

She didnt teach me, but she gave me some insight into how it worked, Liliane replied as she sank into her chair. It uses advanced alchemy to revert the body to an earlier state registered in the bodys memory while leaving the soul untouched. However, if improperly prepared, the effect is partial, causing cancers, tumors

Or making the body shrink down in age until they go back to a fetus? Valdemar guessed.

Liliane forced herself to smile. Lady Mathilde showed me the failed results of her prototypes and they werent pretty.

But how would it help Bertrand? Marianne asked with a frown, her arms crossed while her eyes wandered to the window and doors from time to time. She always remained wary of an attack. The Beast Plague bonds with a target on a fundamental level.

Yes, but hear me out. Liliane raised a finger, delighting at explaining to them her genius idea. Lady Mathilde agreed to do a test on an infected subject. For a brief moment after taking the Elixir of Youth, their body reverted to a healthy state only to be reinfected immediately.

Valdemars eyes widened. He carried the plague, but didnt show the symptoms immediately?

Yes Hermann rasped as he turned away from the paintings to join the conversation. The Beast Plague it takes a moment to take root in someones flesh. For less than a few minutes it circulates in the body, but doesnt bond with it.

And thats where I had a great idea, Liliane said. The Black Blood probably works the same way. We could restrain Bertrand, give him a shot of the Elixir of Youth, and then immediately extract the mutagens in his body before they bond to his flesh again. But we would need a good biomancer to run the procedure.

Not any biomancer Hermann countered. If they extract the Black Blood they will be in contact with it and risk mutating.

I can do it, Valdemar replied firmly. Even touching a Pleromians body didnt affect me, and it was made of the stuff. But how many bottles of Elixir of Youth could we afford to use?

Lilianes enthusiasm faltered. Precious few. Its super complicated to make, and the wrong dose causes side-effects.

So they couldnt mass-produce it to cure the Beast Plague not yet at least. And Bertrand would fight back while transformed. So long as the Black Blood held sway, he was little more than a savage hellhound for the Verney cult.

Valdemar kept his thoughts to himself, for Mariannes face beamed with hope. For the first time in many weeks, they had a credible shot at curing her butler and friend. I thank you, Liliane, she said while offering Liliane a nod. If this works

It will. Liliane took the older womans hand in her own. I know you worry about him, but you arent facing this threat alone. They want to divide us with their lies and diseases because they know we will figure out a solution together.

After so many nights of fighting, Valdemar found it relieving to watch Mariannes face breathe in life and hope. Lilianes warm personality had a way to reassure people, to convince them everything was alright. She would make a terrific politician, Valdemar thought, if she were a little less earnest.

Now the question is how we catch them unaware Hermann rasped as he glanced at Valdemar. You are the best bait and we know the place where they gather.

If the Dark Lords allow us to strike them, Valdemar pointed out. Lord Bethor had already all but stated that he would run the operation himself, and that his apprentices would have to follow his lead. They might ask us to sit the conflict out or worse.

And something else bothers me. Hermann cleared his throat. You said that in your dreams the Lilith collected skins.

Valdemar nodded slowly. I didnt understand why though.

Liliane bit her lower lip, letting Mariannes hand go. They didnt say it in the news, but she gulped. Friends in Saklas told me that some of the murder victims had been flayed alive after being inflicted with the Beast Plague.

Mariannes hopeful expression turned into a scowl. Theyre harvesting them? For what, a ritual?

Valdemar tried to remember his dreams the best he could. I think they said something about calling a soul out from the darkness, or something along the that line. They needed a special container.

A Qlippoth? Hermann asked. Maybe they intend to summon a Nahemoth.

Maybe, Valdemar conceded with some skepticism, but I dont know any Qlippoth that needs wererat skins as part of its summoning ritual.

In any case, their crimes are clearly building up to something, Marianne pointed out. Whatever it is, we must strike them before they can finish their preparations.

Valdemar could only agree with her.

Ktulu! The summoner looked at his left as his familiar raised his cracked bone-ship toy at him with a displeased look. Ktulhulhu!

What is it? Valdemar sighed as he realized Ktulu had broken his toy again. Seriously, cant you be more care

The summoner never finished his sentence. He had noticed something scratched on the toys side.

The bone-ships hull was an immaculate white, crafted from Valdemars own immortal body. But Ktulu had scratched something on its surface with its tiny claws. A set of symbols so tiny and crude that his summoner could barely identify them.

Numbers.

Thirty-eight, thirty-seven. Four, twenty. One-hundred and one, three

Valdemars eyes widened as he understood the sequences significance, rising from his seat. I need to go.

What? Liliane blinked at her friend, as he grabbed Ktulu in his arms. Right now?

It shouldnt take long. Now that he had learned to teleport, distance mattered little to him. But I cannot bring you with me, Marianne.

His partner didnt hide her displeasure. Where you go, I follow.

No. I am sorry, but not this time. Lord Och would immediately detect her presence otherwise. I swear I will be back soon.

Marianne locked her gaze with him, and at this moment Valdemar seriously wondered if she could read his mind. Are you truly certain? she asked with worry, but Valdemar nodded all the same. Alright then. But please be wary.

And return quickly, Liliane asked with a frown. If this is just an excuse to not wait with us, Ill never forgive you.New novel chapters are published on

Valdemar offered her a nod as the fabric of space bent around him. He teleported away, leaving Sabaoth for another Domain.

All areas of Underland were bound by the Blood, from the lowest tunnel to the frontier of the worlds surface. The veins of Ialdabaoth had spread all over the planet like a trees roots, leaving no place unspoiled by their corruption.

Is it true? Valdemar rasped, trying to keep his anger in check. Did you truly gather the scholars for the express purpose of sacrificing them? Did you give these people hope and knowledge, only to fatten them like beasts for the slaughter?

The answer was swift, the tone casual.

Yes, of course. The lich didnt bother to deny it. Its not a betrayal, since I would have needed to care first. Young Hermann, Liliane, even Marianne they are like giant beetles to me. We breed these creatures to carry loads and win races. Then when they grow too old or weak to serve and start to cost more to keep alive than dead, we eat them and harvest their parts. I do not despise these people, nor do I appreciate them.

The Dark Lord chuckled.

I feel nothing for them.

Valdemars fists clenched in rage. You invented the Soulstones, the summoner realized. Did you release that magical knowledge only so you could have a supply of souls to fuel your devices?

His question amused the lich. Oh my, did you expect a heart of gold buried somewhere in my rib cage? If so, Young Valdemar, you havent been paying attention. I discarded my heart long ago and looked down on humanity ever since.

Truth be told, yes, Valdemar had hoped that a sliver of nobility remained in the Dark Lord. He had spent so long looking for a flicker of light inside the undead that he missed the darkness all around it.

Then why havent you sacrificed them already? Valdemar asked warily, trembling with anger. Why?

Why would I? The lichs answer surprised his apprentice. Between us, I never intended to use this portal to open a gate to Earth. Or any other planet for that matter.

Valdemar squinted in disbelief, but his undead teacher sounded completely serious. You didnt?

I pursue higher stakes. Lord Och put his hands behind his back, his gaunt figure casting a dark shadow. Freedom.

Valdemar frowned, Ktulus six eyes glaring at Och with an expression that his summoner had never seen before. Something between wariness and childish disdain. Freedom? Valdemar whispered, trying to make sense out of the lichs motivations.

Not the kind of liberty that your young, untested mind can fathom, Lord Och replied. Freedom from this pointless cycle of life and death, from the expectations of citizens and the laws that govern this lesser universe.

The lichs voice brimmed with resentment and bitterness. His words sounded too venomous not to be genuine.

I can hardly stand this cage of stone anymore, this this prison of flesh and life and death. The lich glared at the stone ceiling of the vault. This world of matter keeps my soul anchored to a lesser existence as surely as gravity. Lichdom gave me a little more leeway, but alas, I remain bound to the laws of nature. For now at least. Even though I could escape this doomed planet for another, I would only be trading cells.

You want to achieve a higher state of existence. Valdemars eyes widened at the depth of his masters limitless ambition. To follow in Lord Bethors footsteps and become a Stranger.

In a way but it is too early for us to discuss this yet. Lord Och shrugged as he changed the subject. I had considered using this portal in a pinch, yes, hence why I gathered the necessary fuel in my Institute. But these beetles have so far proven more useful alive than dead, so I decided to spare them. I do not want to access Earth all that much.

Lord Och raised a bony finger at Valdemars heart, his skull grinning wickedly.

But you do.

Only then did Valdemar begin to fathom the depth of the lichs cruelty. No, the summoner whispered. Never.

It is the only way to achieve your dream, Young Valdemar. Unless, of course, you sacrifice yourself to become the gate.

I can find other people, Valdemar protested, Ktulu squealing behind him. Prisoners of war, enemies

But the problem will remain the same. The lichs laughter reverberated across the chamber. You will convince others to martyr themselves so you do not have to. Because as much as you pretend otherwise and cloak your true goal behind high-minded aspirations, this is all about you reaching Earth. You could have only opened the path to a better future for your kind since the moment you visited the Silent King, but you refused to.

Why should anybody have to sacrifice anything? Valdemar argued. There has to be another way!

Which one? Pictomancy? The painted doorway was only made possible because of a Strangers cooperation on the other side, and it came with a price. Temporary tears demand sacrifices and as you have seen, they never last long. Otto Blutgang could have helped, but you burned that bridge when you refused to compromise on your morals. Because you always refuse to make sacrifices.

Valdemar stood firm in his decision. The cost of allying with the Derros was too great.

And what cost will be small enough for you? Lord Och asked with clear amusement. I believe you do not want to pay anything, you greedy little child. No more than I do.

Valdemar ground his teeth, refusing to be folded in the same category as this cold, heartless creature. There has to be another way.

I have spent centuries trying to find one. If you discover another method, be my guest.

There is another portal in Ariouth, Valdemar whispered, grasping at any option. You said it yourself. Maybe it can work differently.

Lord Och chuckled mirthlessly. Even if you manage to fool my former apprentice and access the device, you shall be disappointed as I was. And the more you wait, the more our kind shall suffer. This world was doomed the moment the Whitemoon arrived, and Ialdabaoths awakening can only be delayed. We are but pawns in a great war that will consume this planet, as it did with so many others. The longer you delay, the greater the risk we all perish for nothing.

Youre wrong! Valdemar argued, his familiar wincing as he raised his voice. Maybe Ialdabaoths awakening is inevitable, but if we keep delaying it, it will never happen! It wont escape its binding under my watch!

Well then, mankind shall continue to suffer from the lack of space, the plagues, the Strangers, the wars, and the depredation of monsters. Our souls will feed our fathers bottomless appetite while you waver. The Dark Lord tilted his head to the side like a curious cat. What I mean to say apprentice, is that somebody will pay a toll for your decisions. If you want to achieve your dreams, you will have to decide who shall bear the burden; or the choice will be forced upon you.

Valdemar shivered as the memories of the Outer Darkness flooded his mind. He remembered the dark abyss of souls condemning mankind to oblivion after death and Otto Blutgang would only offer the slavery of steel while they lived.

Everywhere he looked, he had seen Strangers and monsters tormenting mankind. Shelley and his plagues were but the latest stage of this endless war against civilization, but horrors like the Nightwalker would persist long after the rats death. The longer mankind withered in these tunnels, the more souls would suffer.

And all he had to do to save them all was to open the path to a better place. To sacrifice his chance to see the sun for the sake of others. Why? the summoner wondered. Why can I open the path to paradise, and yet be condemned to stay on the doorstep?

Why did you lead me to Blutgang? Valdemar asked, his voice breaking. If you had no desire to open this portal, then why did you put me through these sick mind-games?

I wished to see if you had it in you to defy me. I do not want a weak-willed follower for an apprentice, and I was pleasantly surprised by your initiative. Lord Och chuckled. This was all for your sake, obviously. I gave you options, let you find your own way. As I told you, the only person who can decide who you are is you, Valdemar.

The Dark Lords shadow seemed to lengthen, covering his apprentice in a blanket of cold and darkness. Yes, I could sacrifice all your friends to the portal and open the gate to Earth. You would blame me and achieve your dream free of guilt. But that wont happen. You alone will bear the weight of your dream.

The lich narrowed his skull, his baleful gaze swallowing Valdemars vision.

The choice is all yours.

The Time Has Come

Hi guys, the first volume of my other story, Kairos, is finally available for purchase on Kindle Unlimited and Audible!

Now, reviews are super duper important for a successful launch on the platform; as such I would be very thankful to anyone willing to leave one!