The First Shades of Zek Vol. II  

 

The First Shades of Zek Vol. II

The procession carried the body of King Beltron into the crypt and disappeared from view.

The burial rites were well progressing as they normally did when a king died. Many wods and blessings, incantations and prayers. Then it happened.

Only one survivor, Loreseeker Yrgar (it was his quill that was found in the Serpent Spine Mountains that this reading was taken from) was able to tell the tale of what he saw in that chamber. His memory remained bewildered and confused by what exactly happened, even though his eyes did not betray him.

As the loreseekers wafted purify smoke over the body of the king, his skin began to darken. The loreseekers continued, but began to look to one another with trepidation. When runes began to burn and curl across the king's skin, the loreseekers stopped. Something was not right. All around them, the ice bagan to shed a blue-green vapor. The room seemed to be heating up with no explanation.

Then the voice of a god shook the mountains from the sky to the crypt's icy core.

"BETRAYERS OF YOUR MAKER! RETISCENT FOOLS! A time of war falls upon you and your cower like rats? A lesson will be learned this day and for all your days. You will know and love the endless struggle of war. Unto you shall fall a darkness eternal. You have forsaken your lineage, and so it shall destroy you."

And with the words of the Warlord, Rallos Zek, still echoing off the icy halls, the body of King Beltron rose from the srcophagus. Thought the war on Earth was so long ago, the god had not forgotten or forgiven Beltron Wulfnor and his family who remained in Valdeholm while the Rallosian Army shed blood. And for that cowardice, Rallos Zek would have his vengeance in Beltron himself.

Beltron's body was awash in a sickly aqua glow. The runes on his body began to glow and as he opened his eyes and eerie blue shone from them. He picked up the axes he was buried with and brandished them, holding still for one small moment, sureying the room.

THen it started and didn't stop. In the wildest blood frenzy ever known, the king cut down every living creature near to him. And for each one that died, they too rose to be like Beltron with aqua skin branded by runes. They became beholden to their god. They became Shades of Zek. It would be their duty to hunt down and kill all of the Krithgor giants, to bring them into their fold. They believe that if they win the war -- to kill all the living Krithgor -- the curse will at last be lifted.

Still, that day has not come. And still, they continue the hunt.

Yther Ore