134 Immortals (2/2)
The only ones to blame are yourselves.
But of course, you mortals cannot understand. All you humans, you elves, beasts, , goblins, orcs, and all the other colorful walking bags of useless blood and flesh decided that our paradise of knowledge was the cause of this and razed our citadel to the ground.
What did that accomplish? Undead still arise to this day.”
”And now, we got em' under control,” said Azhar. ”There's so few of ya undead that there ain't no villages getting' swarmed by freaks no more.”
”And you think that is because Kel'Thor Citadel is no more? The Citadel was razed two hundred years ago, but the undead hordes did not falter until recently, when foul foreign magics such as your heroes and those elven war machines intervened.”
”Don't matter how it happened. World's still been better off without yer kind. Even now, yer playin' with innocent lives here, twisting them and sacrificin' them. All those that failed yer 'ascension' ended up dying, didn't they? And ya think all these people want to be under yer control for the rest of their lives?”
”All of these beastwomen would have been slaves their entire lives, far from home, away from hope and happiness. I would have granted them mercy. If one of them ascended, they would have lived an undeath far better than the lot that life granted them. And the working humans? They are all criminals sourced from the underbelly of this society. Why do you think none have come looking for them?”
The lich shook his head. ”There will come a time when you will feel the rot emanating from these corrupting foreign influences you place faith in. These heroes and this technology that you hold dear will be your undoing.”
The lich looked to Li. ”So, what shall it be? You are unlike any being I have ever met or studied before, so surely, you understand what it means to be alone? Will you not grand me but this research to my name?”
Li shook his head. ”As circumstances are as they are right now, I'm afraid I can't do that. What you have now has to end. This-,” Li motioned to the lab around him. ”cannot continue.”
Li was firm on this. The current slaving operation as it was right now had to completely end for Li's plans to work. He had to come out of this raid with freed slaves or else there would be far too many suspicions raised. But that did not mean he was immune to the lich's plight.
The lich breathed out a deep sigh that seemed to last an eternity. He seemed to deflate as the breath left him, as if every ounce of his being were being ejected from him. His skin sagged and sallowed, aging as wrinkles wreathed around it.
”Very well,” said the lich. ”Then I, Ven'Thur of the Fel Citadel, have no choice but to fight. When Kel'Thor raised me as one of his liches, he told me to preserve knowledge with all my might, and for this research I have gathered, I shall do just that.”
The lich took a hand to his face and tore it off. The skin peeled off like a cheap mask before scattering into particles. Beneath, there was a human skull, the eye sockets glowing with blue fire. A diadem gleaming with malevolent energy flashed at his forehead. The monocle, however, stayed on, the glass magnifying the lich's fiery gaze.
The rest of the lich's flesh and blood form scattered apart, and the purple suit transmuted into a set of dark purple robes that billowed of their own accord, the movements whispering out quiet wails.
The lich pointed a skeletal finger to Azhar. ”[Death Grip]”
Instantly, Li stepped in front of Azhar with a speed almost akin to teleportation. One small arc of lavender energy crackled from the lich's hand, sparking towards Azhar but instead hitting Li's chest. Aside from that, it did nothing, fizzling out of existence with just a tiny little pop.
Azhar stepped back in shock before drawing his bow back again. ”Heh, what kinda spell was that? Looked like a little tickle. Disappointin', coming from a high and mighty lich.”
”That would have instantly killed you by exploding your heart and brain,” said Li. ”He has instant death spells that bypass any defense you can muster. I don't mean to insult you, but you should get back and stay back.”
”Oh? He means something to you?” said Ven'Thur. ”My apologies. I thought him an unneeded mortal accessory amidst a duel of beings that are far more. And I must admit I was thoroughly annoyed by him.”
”Sometimes, he can be like that, but he is one of my followers,” said Li. ”I have a duty to protect him.”
”Follower? Ah, you should have told me sooner. I do not like harming other's property. But now, I suppose the formalities end.” The lich raised both his hands to his sides. They started to draw in vast amounts of magical energy, distorting the space around them as they formed into orbs of black that floated above his palms. ”Come, discard your mortal façade. It is only proper.”
”You're right,” said Li. He glanced back to Azhar. ”Azhar, you wanted to know what I was, right? Then get a good look at me. If you have second thoughts about being my follower afterwards, then let me know.”
Li stepped forwards, his skin beginning to slough off as he faced the lich.