Devil's Rise 73 A Serpent Tattoo

Ol' Batmer wished he could spank his ignorant daughter.

'The Toad Gang is a problem for the future. This powerful dwarf could kill us right here and now. He didn't blink an eye when he executed those Toad Gang members. My poor daughter still doesn't know very much about the world.' thought Ol' Batmer.

"Lass, shut your mouth. Sir, if she has offended you in any way I apologize," said Ol' Batmer as he scolded his daughter.

"It. Is. Ok." said Destiny.

"Soulless. Protect."

He stabbed Destiny into the ground as flames wrapped around the father and daughter.

'Oh god it's all over, my loud mouth daughter got us killed!' thought Ol' Batmer as the flames came close.

Luckily for the two, these weren't flames of death. They were healing flames.

The father and daughter felt a connection to the flames encircling them. The crimson flames were warm and comforting.

"Believe." said Destiny

They heard words in their very souls.

'If you believe in the Forge God Soulless the Flames of Destiny will protect you.'

'Do you believe?'

Ol' Batmer immediately kneeled to pray. His daughter was still stuck in a daze in the flames.

"Forge God Soulless please protect me," said Ol' Batmer.

Ol' Batmer was more experienced than his daughter. If something was calling itself a God, he knew better than to resist.

'Old tailor, you are in the last years of your life. You are not of much use to me, but your daughter can serve this Forge God,' said an ethereal voice in their minds.

'Do you wish to serve me?'

"Hurry and say yes," said Ol' Batmer.

The daughter was caught off guard, but she kneeled within the flames.

"I will serve you Forge God," she said.

'Good, spread my faith and I shall reward you. You shall be the saintess of this young god's religion,' said the ethereal voice.

'You shall create a new order called the Templars of Flame.'

'Spread my belief devoutly and you will never be left cold and alone again in this dark and heartless world. My flames will always light your way.'

"I believe in you Forge God," she said.

A fiery serpent came out of Destiny and wrapped around the young woman's arm. Soon it buried into her skin and formed a serpent tattoo. The tattoo was a giant anaconda with rows of fangs and wisps of flames circling it.

'I grant you my mark so you may serve this young god. Serve me well, or the serpent will consume you.' said the ethereal voice.

The young woman felt the serpent tattoo writhing under her skin and connecting to her heart. If she broke this promise it would consume her in an instant.

She had realized that disobedience was the moment when her heart would burst.

"Lord. Generous." said Destiny.

"Serve. Well."

Destiny grabbed a set of clothes, a red cloak, a backpack, and left the shop. He had done his duty helping his young lord to found his religion. Now it was time for him to get his vengeance.

It had been many years, but the hatred in Destiny's heart was still fresh on his mind. The way they exiled him from the clan. The way they chased him like a dog for months on end. The way his one true love was turned into someone's plaything.

They would all pay.

All will burn.

~~~

Glen's former love Durda had a difficult life in the Stonemaul clan.

I hated every day I lived within the Stonemaul clan. I had lived in this clan for over 50 years. Ever since my Deepforge clan forsake me to curry up to the Stonemaul clan.

My first love was chased to his death, and I became a toy. I would never forgive them, however, I was too weak to voice any dissent.

I started as the personal maid to the heir of the Stonemaul clan, Groken Stonemaul. However, he elevated me to concubine when I bore him a son. Life was better for me for a while. My son, Glek, was very talented when he was born, I thought him everything I knew about forging. Sadly, the other wives and heirs grew jealous.

Groken looked favorably to my son. Because of that, they murdered my son in cold blood! The fiends left no evidence, even making me look like the culprit. Why would I kill the one relative I had in this world?

Ever since my son died, Groken has not given me a second glance. He only comes to my quarters from time to time to fulfill his needs, I was just a maid with a title now.

I disgusted him. In my younger years, my beauty enchanted him. Now he just sees me as a burden. When he dies, I will follow him to the grave.

His heir would not be kind to his father's former concubines. I was planning my escape. I rather live out my last years as a commoner than be executed. Groken was getting old, I didn't know how many years he had left.

How I miss the times of my youth when I spent every day with Glen.

Oh, Glen why did you have to leave me so young?

We were supposed to be together forever.

A knock came to my door.

I knew who it was. Only one person comes to visit me this late at night.

Groken was outside drunk as usual. I had to let him in.

"Serve me," said Groken as he stumbled drunkenly on the bed.

I fulfilled my duty as always until he was satisfied. I used to fight him, after so many years I no longer had the heart to.

This was my life, I was Groken's plaything.

~~~

Destiny was experiencing the world. It had changed since he went into his hibernation. He had found so many years had passed.

Destiny doubt anyone even remembered Glen, but it was time for him to collect his blood debt with the two clans. His first target was the Stonemaul clan, as they were the ones to chase him to his death. He would eradicate them, then he would settle the score with the Deepforge clan.

He wondered if his love Durda was still alive. She was probably old and grey now.

The Stonemaul clan lived in a massive dwarf fortress. They were a well-respected clan in the Earthen World.

Destiny didn't care, Destiny hungered for souls. He would burn away this clan. Erasing them from the history of the Earthen World.

Destiny procured himself a horse and rode into the night towards the Stonemaul clan.

Their reckoning was on its way!

Chapter end