Chapter 160 10. Five magic items (about Malus)
"Rather than living like this, I'd rather die! What if that demon is telling the truth? What reason does he have to lie?" Malus was furious. , but doubts have been plaguing him. He let out a bestial roar and his serrated dagger fell to the ground.
"Well, smart little Druch, how about I make a deal with you? A deal, using your soul in exchange for my freedom. Once I am free, I will give up my control over you. What else could be better than this? It's more fair, isn't it?" Zakhan agreed with a cold voice.
"I'm not a warlock, Zarkhan!" Malus said with a frown.
"Leave the magic to me, little Druch. I assume you know the story of the temple? The soul in the skull and its poor jesters? You must know that I heard that when the vortex energy was dispelled. The skull screams hysterically. How I long to hear that voice, Malus! I know that fool will show up again sooner or later, but the way you open the door with him is so beautiful. For this, I want Thank you very much."
"Start trading. Unlike you, I may die of old age or boredom." Malus roared.
"Do not underestimate my miserable situation, little Druch. Once upon a time, five mages used my immense power to serve their own pathetic plans. But they played with powers far beyond the scope of mortal knowledge, and it turned out that they A way to die. One after another, they met a terrible fate, until finally the fool sealed himself in his own skull and disappeared from history for thousands of years. But the enchantment those fools imposed on me Still there, I curse their names forever! But I must admit they did a great job in building this horrible prison! Slowly, slowly, I was able to extend my tentacles beyond the cage that imprisoned me .I was able to extend the scope of my consciousness to the walls of the temple itself. But I can go no further, the barrier is too powerful even for someone as powerful as me." Zakhan replied coldly.
"So you admit that you have limits? You are really a god!" Malus sneered.
"The ward can be broken, little druch. The magic involved in the ward is beyond the pitiful knowledge of any mortal mage today, and I know the spells and rituals of the ward. However, I need five of them to have used The items they have passed can be used to break the spells they have cast. Each of these items is a very powerful magical item in its own right, namely the octagonal medal of Pulan, the idol of Kurkus, and the dagger of Tox (soul). dagger), Kane's Dimensional Sword and Valonge's amulet." Zakhan ignored him and continued to talk to himself.
"I know nothing about these magic items, demon! I am a warrior and a slaver, not some wizard or skinny-necked scholar. These people died thousands of years ago. If they still exist, how can I find these?" The damn thing?"
"For your sake, little Druch, you'd better pray these magical items are still found. The hourglass has shifted sand, and your life is slipping from your grasp as we speak. Sneak away."
"What! What are you talking about?" Malus straightened up and roared.
"I took your soul, Malus. Don't you remember? I hollowed you out like a gourd so that I could put the tiniest bit of my essence into your fragile little body. This Even with the way we can communicate now, I can also know your every thought. I would never do anything like leaving my servant unattended, and you know that." "
You!"
"Fairer Say, the moment greed and desire overcome you, you are already dead! When I took your soul, your body began to die. In fact, if it were not for my power, you would be dead now. But even I can't prevent the inevitable from happening. Within five years, if your soul does not recover, your body will truly perish, and your soul will always belong to me!" Zhakan said proudly.
"Five years? I only have five years? Find five long-lost relics in five years? Is this possible?" Malus exclaimed.
"Maybe? But you have to try, otherwise you can't know the result. If you fail, well, I'm sure there will be other people looking for the temple, especially now that the vortex energy no longer exists." Zhakan said happily. said.
"Maybe I can stay here, you said, I can stay here for a long, long time." Malus gritted his teeth in frustration and said provocatively.
"Oh, clever, you are such a clever little druch. Of course, you are right. You could linger here for hundreds of years, slowly shrinking into a withered husk, just like you fighting outside my door Just like those poor fellows. Stay then, and I will wait for another servant who is willing to serve me. Amuse yourself with some trinkets around me, though I must admit that even with so much gold It will lose its luster after a hundred years." Zhakan's words were full of confusion.
"I curse you devil! Well, I'll help you find those trinkets!" Malus growled.
"Excellent! I knew you would figure it out sooner or later." Zakhan sounded as if he had just successfully taught his pet a demanding new trick. "When you find all the magic items, the rest I will handle the matter."
"Then you will set me free?"
"Not only will I set you free, I swear to you that I will never try to enslave you again. To show you that I have your best interests at heart Now, I will reveal to you information that Pulan's octagonal medal is nearby. I can feel its presence, even in my restricted state." "
Where is that thing?"
"It's right outside. On the mountainside, the Beastmen revere it. At night, I can hear their hoarse song, calling for its protection, what a foolish creature. Ironically, you'd probably have to kill all the Beastmen to get away from them Pry open that octagonal medal with your dirty little paws." Zakhan's tone was full of excitement, and he sounded unusually interested in what was about to happen.
"I will do whatever I have to do, and I will come back here in five years, and we will finish what we started." At this time, Malus had regained his composure, his will was restored again, and he took He picked up the serrated dagger, put the serrated dagger back into its sheath, stood up and said.
"We do, Malus Blackblade, we do!"
"Don't call me that!" Malus was irritated again.
"Why not? Am I mistaken? The black blade is a defective thing? Isn't it? Malus, please walk in front of the crystal! There is something you must see."
Malus frowned in shock for a moment. Finally he walked to the crystal.
"Okay, now you can take a closer look." The
blue-pink light faded, revealing a crystal surface, shining like a polished mirror. Malus saw what he looked like, his skin turning pale, swollen black veins running along the back of his hand, and the ruby ring on the back of his hand disappearing under his wrist. The blood in his body seemed to pulse with a steady stream of corruption, and his eyes turned pure black.
"Behold what you have become, a soulless being. And you say you are not a flawed thing, Malus Blackblade?" Malus laughed as he escaped from Zarkhan's prison. It thundered.
Malus walked through the temple, slipping in the dust of the dissolving mummies as he jumped down the slope. The mummified corpse stared at him with slack jaws and wide eye sockets, mocking him. As he passed, the corpses seemed to reach out to him, offering him knives or slings, the corpses offering him damning alms.
Footsteps sounded on the marble slab, and Malus ran down the spiral staircase. He felt the heat of the magma and resisted the urge to jump into the abyss. When he saw the mummified corpse lying on the steps, he kicked the corpse into the abyss. He was somewhat envious that the corpse could jump into the sea of fire.
When Malus reached the bottom of the stairs, huge pumice stones were waiting for him, floating into place at the will of the demon upstairs. How foolishly had he believed that he had just summoned these pumice stones by the force of his will!
"This is what will happen if you reject us!" The statues of the Four Gods of Chaos seemed to be laughing at Malus's pain and his foolish behavior of entering the demon's lair, those hateful faces seemed to be saying.
Malus threw himself at the statues, howling like crazy, but he did not have the strength to knock down the huge statues. He walked past the statues of the Four Gods of Chaos and stumbled through the ranks of the Eternal Servants. He kicked the servants' submissive bodies into dust, screaming curses at their cowardly posture.
In the distance, Malus could hear screams and the crisp clash of steel, as the beastmen and druchi let out cries of rage and pain.
Malus stumbled over and witnessed the battle at the entrance of the temple. Dozens of corpses lay in piles just outside the door. Several of the cold lizards were already dead. Their bodies were pierced and torn apart by hammers and axes. One cold lizard lay on the ground shaking and bleeding due to fatal blows. Only Malice survived. It was thinner and faster than its companions, but it already had more than twenty wounds on its scales.
Three retinues walked the battlefield like carrion vultures, their black armor splattered with blood. They had long since left their empty repeating crossbows aside, holding in their hands the serrated blades dripping with blood. They looked through the corpses like butchers and treated any wounded they found. There was no telling how many attacks they had fought off, then bided their time between each wave in the same manner. They were so engrossed in their own business that they didn't notice Malus until he was approaching.
Lunala was the first to see Malus, covered in blood and disheveled, her face stained with crimson blood, like the murderous Bride of Khaine. There were many dents and creases in her armor, she held a battered serrated sword in each hand, and her expression betrayed a look of exhaustion.
"You came too early, sir. Those beastmen are already on the third level trying to attack. We and the cold lizards have killed nearly eighty of them, but!!!" She began to smile at the horse. Russ said.
Lunara's words died in her throat as she noticed the change in Malus's face, her questioning eyes meeting Malus's inky black ones.
"Sir, what are you doing!!!" Fanhil and Darva shouted with their eyes wide open in horror.
Malus howled like a wounded beast and drove his blade hard into Lunala's skull.
Vanhir and Dalvar screamed in horror and frustration, and Malus pounced on them just as Lunala's body fell to the ground.
Darva moved to the left, his hand pulling back in a blur of movement and then jerking forward. Malus swiped his sword without thinking, knocking aside the serrated dagger he had thrown. Malus rushed at him and struck him on the head, and he blocked the blow with the messer in his left hand. He drew another serrated dagger with his right hand and stabbed a joint of Malus's breastplate.
Malus grabbed Darvar's wrist with his left hand and struck Darvar in the face with the hilt of Darvar's dagger. Startled, Darva stabbed him in the throat, but not too hard, creating a jagged gash along Malus' chin. He roared and drove the point of his sword into Darvar's left armpit, where the armor offered no protection. Darwa's body stiffened, and Darwa's face turned pale from the pain. He slowly pushed the sword in. The sword rubbed against the muscles and bones, and slowly penetrated deep into Darwa's chest.
Darva screamed with violent convulsions and tried to break free, but Malus still grabbed his other wrist and held him in place. He stabbed Malus frantically with his serrated dagger, but Malus's outstretched sword blocked the path of his attack. The tip of his serrated dagger stabbed Malus deeply in his cheeks, temples, ears and throat. A moment, but not deep enough to kill Malus. With every blow, every bloom of pain, Malus only pushed harder on the blade, the tip grinding out at the joints, pushing through ribs, slicing through muscle, lungs, and heart. He let out a strangled gasp, spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground.
When Malus turned to face Vanhile, he found Vanhile standing a few meters away, waiting for him.
After a moment, Van Hil's eyes lost their vitality, and his gaze was frozen in eternal hatred.
Malus threw back his head and howled like a mad wolf. It was a cry so savage and crazy that even the battle-hardened group of beastmen, who were slowly advancing along the road, stopped in fear and surprise when they heard the sound.
Lunara's face haunted Malus, tormenting him, and the look of horror on Lunara's dying face was more than he could bear.
"You have all served me faithfully and well, whether once friends or enemies, and you would rather die than witness my terrible shame." Malus stood up unsteadily and wiped away the veins with the back of his hand Blood on Van Hil's mouth.
Malus roared at the approaching Malus. Its cold eyes were glazed with pain, and its ribs were heaving with exertion. It could vaguely sense that something was wrong with its master, but it did not understand what was wrong.
"Relax, little naughty pear," Malus said calmly, looking carefully into the malicious eyes. If the vicious pupils suddenly dilate and the inner eyelids close, he will soon be fighting for his life.
For a moment, malice seemed to abandon Malus, and Malus' heart began to beat faster. It roared again, and its pupils began to dilate, but then the beastmen approaching the gate let out shouts, distracting it. Malus took the opportunity to jump on the saddle, and it complained and shook its head.
"There is blood in the wind, it's time to ride."
Malus drove Malice to the gate, kicking Malice into a sprint. He leaned on Malice's neck and began to charge, straight into the Beastman's face.
(End of chapter)