The Untolled Story

The Untolled Story
by Konig Des Todes

*Chapter One*

Grim Mortbane walked through the valley. The grass was still moist from the morning dew, and few animals were out. Grim was searching, he did not know exactly what for, but he was searching. There have been rumors of an asura building a strange device with a mysterious man. Everyone who came back said the man kept threatening them, forcing them to leave – either by words, or by force.
Unfortunately, no one knew where exactly this pair was, as whenever they tried to return, they were gone. As if the ground itself swallowed them up and spat them back out.
A tree had collapsed last week in this area, the next part of direction that was common among the witnesses to follow. One… Two… Three… Four… Grim started numbering his steps, so that he could find his way back should he get lost or the pair not be where they should.
*SNAP*
Grim looked down to see a broken piece of wood where he just stepped.
“Did you hear that, smart one?” A squeaky voice said, seemingly in shock. “It must be another bookah. They never stop coming!”
That must be the asura with that man. Time to figure out what they are doing here.
“More and more issues to go through, and we’re nearly done… Hopefully whoever it is didn’t hear you shout.” The man whispered. They were close, very close. Grim looked around and saw a bush covering what seemed to be a cave. The bush gave way to Grim’s movements and he slipped through, nearly without a sound.
Not a cave, a tunnel… Grim thought to himself as he continue on, the rustling of metal and plants grew louder and louder with every step.
“Who are you, strangers?” Grim finally spoke. The Asura hit himself in the head with the strange device as he jumped up in alarm.
“Stupid bookah! Knock before barging in. You bookahs have no kindness, none. Bah!” The short creature said in its still squeaky voice.
“Oh give it a rest Grekk. And whoever you are, it’s best if you leave. Now. And tell anyone else you see NOT to come. You guys only bug us and just delay the inevitable.” The man replied to the Asura’s comment, without pausing in his work.
“Inevitable of what?” Grim asked.
“The completion of this device, what else? It should have been obvious, bookah.” The Asura said in the man’s stead as he went back to work.
“And what does the device do?” Grim asked. The man, finally getting up, turned to Grim.
“It is none of your concern, nor shall it be if you just simply leave. There are things to do, knowledge to gain, places to go. I am getting tired of these delays.” The man said as he stared into Grim’s eyes, as if trying put fear into Grim.
And fear he put into Grim, but not enough to deter him from finding out what the machine was for. “And if I don’t leave? What then? Perhaps I will leave if you just simply tell me what the machine does.” Grim responded, pushing his fear aside.
“And will you leave if you know?” The man asked Grim, becoming more and more irritated and just wanting to get rid of Grim.
“Depends on what the machine is for.”
“Very well then, I shall tell you. I have recently uncovered a portion of a text from the mage Odran, I hope you’re familiar with him, anyways, it tells of a portion of how he managed to open the portals to the Rift, though not a full description. As such, I’ve been experimenting, and I think this machine will help with the process. Grekk here has been after the same goal, and it seems that each other’s works, when combined, can reach the goal.” The stranger started to explain to Grim, “I know what you will say next. ‘Why not use the existing portals?’ That is because all known portals are guarded by the Zaishen Order and I am not on the best of terms with them anymore, despite how much I’ve helped them out during the events of Nightfall.”
“Very interesting. I suppose there is little reason to stay, but it seems dangerous. I won’t leave, but I won’t keep you from your work. One never knows what can come from the other side. It is best if someone stays and makes sure nothing come through, and no travelers go in.” Grim responded, highly interested and equally worried about this experiment. “By the way, my name is Grim Mortbane, may I ask yours?”
“Very well, you may stay, just do not impede us. And I am known as Xaphan Sariel, of course the Asura here is Grekk.” Xaphan turned as he responded to head to work.
****

It’s been a while, are they almost done? They don’t like questions so I best not ask. How long as it been? The sun has moved nearly across the sky…
“Be ready, Xaphan, we’re almost done here. Scythe-bookah, will you go activate the golem over there and order it to stand by at the other end of the tunnel? I’m sure even you can figure out. It’s simple.” Grekk suddenly spoke out from the silence.
“Grim, there may be a chance of a malfunction. Be on guard and be ready to run if you need to.” Xaphan said as Grim turned on the golem and gave it the orders. “That golem was originally intended to do what you will now do. No reason to not have it as back-up.”
“Very well, it’s done. And what kind of malfunction are you talking about?” Grim asked as he watched the Golem march towards the tunnel’s other end.
“Simple. It will explode.”
Blunt. Very blunt.
As Grim turned around and headed back to where he was sitting, sudden deafening sounds came from the machine. “What’s with the noise, Xaphan!” Grim shouted as best he could, although it seemed like he had lost his voice.
“It’s malfunctioning! Grekk hurry up and shut it down!” Xaphan shouted as he hurried to the machine. “Grekk?! Damn it, Where did that damn midget go!?”
Too late, the Asura already fled. Screws and nails popped out left and right, the ground shook as if it would bust open. A piercing pain flung through Grim’s left shoulder. Then…. Nothing. Not even an explosion sounded.
I don’t hear anything now… and I cannot see… am I dead?

*Chapter Two*

How long will I feel absolutely nothing? I can’t move, I can’t feel, I can’t sense… if I’m dead, then why is it taking so long for me to find out? Wait… I feel… cold… Something is under me now… What is it?
“Ugh….” Grim clutched his head as he woke up on a cold hard floor. “It’s too bright… my eyes hurt…”
“Don’t worr- . … .. -st from the trip. I alread- . … -daged your shoulder. S-……. I couldn’t use … .. -gic to heal your arm. I don’- . …. .. -at happened, but the ma-….. .-id its job.” Grim heard Xaphan’s voice fade in and out.
Still can’t hear everything… must have been that loud noise…
“Fascinating place… Truly a place of at least royalty. There must be a library around here somewhere…” A silhouette started moving away from Grim… Ugh… my sight is still blurry… I got to keep up with Xaphan…
“Xaphan, don’t go too far off! We don’t know where we are… or at least I don’t. The place might be dangerous!” Grim said, staggering to his feet searching for the silhouette of Xaphan’s size. Well now, that’s why it’s so bright… Grim continued on walking among the tiles of a bright yellow metal.
Grim struggled to keep up with Xaphan, slowly gaining ground and catching up to the fast past man. “Why is it, Xaphan, that you are in so much better shape than I am after being sent here… wherever here is….”
“Because I am not the same as you. That is all you need to know.”
Strange markings began to litter the wall. Carved in and in an inscrutable language. “Words? Or are these symbols? Hmm… interesting either way. Where ever we came to, they have a writing system, that’s for sure.” Xaphan said to himself.
“Who are you!” a shout from behind, as Grim turned around he stepped back to avoid being cut by the blade of a pole arm now just in front of him.
“You were quite… I didn’t even hear you.” Calmly, Xaphan walked to the men with pikes. “My name is Xaphan Sariel, may I ask where we are?”
“Is this some kind of joke? You’re in the Royal Palace!” The man – yet, not quite a man – who seemed to be the leader of the group, said.
“I did not mean what building are we in, I mean what world, continent, et cetra.” Xaphan continued to ask the men rudely.
“What my friend means to say is that we came here through a portal and no longer know where we are.”
“A portal? Interesting… If you are telling the truth, that would explain why you were just moving around without worry for trespassing into the palace,” The man said, signaling the others to lower their weapons. “This world is called Zothique, you are in the Royal Palace of King Abhoth in the country of Yidhrin, named after the mother goddess of Air and Life, Yidhra. Lieutenant! Inform the king of our guests. I’m sure he’d be delighted to meet them.”
“Why, may I ask, would your king be delighted to meet people who trespassed in his palace?”
“Because our king is kind and is a great scholar in magic and the other realms. He’d want to know everything of your world! Come on, let’s not keep King Abhoth waiting!” The man started to push Xaphan and Grim forward. “Oh, it just occurred to me, what is your name? It would be rude to call you ‘hooded one’ or something! Hah!”
“It’s Grim Mortbane.” They’re too kind…even if their king may like us… makes me feel uneasy…
“You people do look a little strange though, even if you’re from another world. What is that lump on your face with two holes? And those two flabs of skin on the side of your head? You nearly look like you’d fit in the circus! Hah! No offense of course!” The leader of the group asked Grim.
“The ‘lump’ is called a nose and the ‘flabs’ are called ears. I do wonder how you can breathe with your mouth closed though.”
“Why, it’s because of our gills on our necks!” The man moved a part of his shirt to show four flaps of skin moving as his chest did. “They say in ancient days we could only breathe water through them. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but now we can breathe air through them at least!”
“So, you can breathe underwater then? Interesting… What do you call your race?” Xaphan asked, entering the conversation.
“We are Zothins, named after our world. Our race was the first born on this world, only one race existed before. The servants to our gods’ rivals, demons they are, we call them “The Unforgiven” – though we do not know their real name. We call them that because, despite how generous and kind our gods, especially Yidhra, are those demons constantly offended them to the point that the gods would no longer forgive their actions. I’ve never seen one of them myself, but rumors say they have four arms with wings and no legs, just a giant tail…”
****

“Welcome, my friends! I am King Abhoth, but you are our honored guests now, you don’t need to call me ‘King’ if you wish. Come, come. Make yourself comfortable and tell me your names, please!” Abhoth greeted Xaphan and Grim with a great big smile on his nearly flat face.
“My name is Grim Mortbane, and this is Xaphan Sariel, your highness.”
“Oh come now, there’s no need for formalities, you are like ambassadors to your world! Tell me where you come from, tell me all about it.”
“The world we come from is called Tyria, it is filled with a highly diverse amount of races. Our race is called ‘Humans,’ we are the most spread out and currently dominant race in the planet. At least, of what I’ve seen and know of. Other races include the Dwarves, who look like humans, but are much shorter and love to deal with the underground. There are also Norn, which are like taller versions of humans. Then there are those who look nothing like us, such as the Charr, Tengu, Centaurs, Naga, Asura, and Forgotten. All have their distinct looks and aspects. There are more, of course.” Grim said, explaining the world of Tyria to Abhorth.

*Chapter Three*
“Fascinating, truly fascinating; to think my theories on there being other worlds was not only correct but beyond what I thought! But I’m sure you have your purpose for coming here. Do tell that with me.”
“I’m here to learn more about the universe, he’s here on accident.” Xaphan said bluntly.
“Well, you are welcome to my libraries, but I’m afraid there isn’t much that you’d be able to learn. Our race, our planet, has never been very scholarly, and for a long time anyone who didn’t dedicate themselves fully to the gods’ worship or to the sword were exiled, some even killed. So there isn’t much to read. Sorry to tell you that your trip has been mostly in vain.”
“In that case, I shall go see what else lies in this world. My main intention for knowledge was, after all, to get to the gods themselves… Or their servants.”
“But, that is blasphemous, to force your way to the gods is punishable by death! They must go to you. I may be a scholar and I’d love to learn more of your world, but I cannot let you get to the gods by force. If you wish to continue that, I’ll have to exile you. More for your own safety than my dislike of you.” Guards rushed in as Abhorth shouted, seizing the two foreigners by their arms and with their bladed pikes. “Take them to the countries’ boarders. I hope you are not killed there, Xaphan and Grim.”
The doors swung open and the two were led out of the palace. A fresh breeze brushed Grim’s face as his eyes widened in awe. Dozens of meters below their steps, the city shone in bright yellow, and the sky glowered in orange and red. The buildings were not houses, nor did any building was run down. They were all towers that shined in the sunset sky like gold and rubies.
It was like climbing down a mountain; from the immense height of the palace, the buildings looked small, now they grew slowly, with each step. Walls surrounding the city made it look like a prison with everything seen from the palace. No secrets, no hiding, the King had perfect view over everyone and everything.
Down the stairs, all the way down, by the time the group got down all the steps the sun was set and a wagon was at the bottom sitting there. Waiting for its exile-to-be who are to be escorted out of the country. Although Grim couldn’t tell it above, it was not a city that he saw, but the country. For hours the wagon moved, and never left the walls. For the “city” was twice as long as the palace was high, and high it was.
“How large is this city? It seems to go on forever…” Grim asked the silent guard who was facing them, tightening his grip on his sword as Grim spoke.
“No one knows how big it is anymore, the cities have pretty much merged together within Yidhrin, even goes past the wall a little since the Unforgiven’s attacks have settled down. The wall itself can be measured to be 10,000 feet in any way. Yidhrin was founded on an entirely flat plain and the palace now lies where the very first building was built.” The guard responded, never loosening his grip.
“If you intend to kill me with that sword, go ahead and try. You won’t get far though, so I suggest you just take your hand off of the sword and save your own energy and humiliation.” Xaphan said as he studied the area as they passed through. “I’d guess we’re just about to the gate…”
“How are you so sure?” The guard asked.
“It’s right in front of us.” Xaphan responded without feeling in his tone, as he turned to the guard, the guard drew his sword and stabbed Xaphan right through the heart.
“I AM REALLY SICK OF YOUR ATTITUDE EXILE!” The guard shouted as he dug the sword deeper into Xaphan’s chest.
“Didn’t I tell you not to humiliate yourself? Simple swords won’t work on me anymore.” Xaphan said, as if he felt no pain, with the sword piercing his chest still. “I am no simple mortal anymore. Why do you think I willingly left my own world? Too little to bother learning there anymore, and now nothing could harm me.”
Stunned at what he saw and heard, the guard stumbled backwards and fell to his seat, so pale as if he saw a ghost. Grim was in no better shape, eyes more wide than when he saw the whole of Yidhrin from the palace and sure that Xaphan was dead moments ago.
“D-d-d-DEMON!!!! You’re an Unforgiven aren’t you! Hurry up! Let’s get this… this THING out of Yidhrin!” The guard shouted, and in return the wagon quickened to an immense speed as Grim reposition himself to prevent falling off. The wagon sped through the gates of the wall and to past the buildings under construction into the vaste sandblasted outlands until it came to a small green steep gulley. The guard pulled his blood-covered sword against Grim’s back and forced him and Xaphan out as quickly as they could move. As Grim and Xaphan slid down the only slope of the gulley, they could hear the wagon turning around and speeding back to Yidhrin.

“Well, now what Xaphan?” Grim asked Xaphan as he moved to a small pond in the shade just a few feet from where they were pushed into the gulley.
“I will go looking for these ‘Unforgiven,’ you can do whatever you want.” Xaphan said as he started walking down one way of the gulley.
“You do not need to look far, creatures.” A sly voice said as a snake-like creature came out from around a bend in the gulley behind the two. “Though that is not our races’ name that is what those who live nearby call us.
“I thought the Zothins’ description of you seemed familiar. You’re Forgotten. The caretakers of the so-called ‘True Gods.’” Xaphan said after seeing the creature.
“Unforgiven, Forgotten, you creatures love making humorous names for my race. You are not Zothins, but you do look familiar.” The Forgotten waved them toward itself, “I do not think you fully understand the situation on the planet, follow me.”
Grim, Xaphan, and the Forgotten moved to a tunnel where there were other Forgotten conversing. “Those that call themselves Zothins are nothing more than blasphemers. They worship beings that call themselves the ‘Outer Gods,’ one such ‘god’ is Yidhra. Though these are not gods, they are demons. The king of theirs is also one of those demons. He kills and takes the shape of all hiss children, maintaining hiss rule over the Zothins. And worse is that the Zothins don’t even realize they are being tricked. They view us as evil because we try to save them, but they are too fooled. Tell me, which world did you come from? Since you are not of this.”
“We came from Tyria. And, while I can’t speak for my friend here, I for one am really wanting to return to there.” Grim responded to the Forgotten’s question with little hesitation.
“Tyria… it’s been a long while since I’ve heard that world’s name… Sure, sure, you may return. But did you tell any of the Zothins of the world?”
“Yes… the king was very interested an-“
“FOOLSS! You just let the demons know that this isn’t the only world! Now they’ll try to get to your world the way you came here!”
“They could try, but the portal wasn’t stable and closed behind the two of us.” Xaphan said. “I think you should just let Grim go back to Tyria, if you can.”
“On one condition. Grim… You must promise that you will warn your world of a possible attack from these demons.”
“Well, there are the Order of Whispers, Sunspears, and the Zaishen Order that have dealt with demons before, so I suppose I should let them know.”
“Order of Whispers. I know of that name from my broodmate Zisthus, he’s been in the Realm of Torment and said that they helped with Abaddon… Yes, they would be best to warn. You should go now, the ‘Outer Gods’ may have already started trying to get to your world. Xaphan will stay here, for now, to help combat the demons on this side.” With this, the Forgotten muttered a few words in a chant. Flashes of all different colors flashed before Grim’s eyes.
Before he knew it, he was in the clearing past the tunnel. He walked to the tunnel and saw the Golem that he had set before, still standing there. He walked through, no sign of Grekk or the machine at all, just the golem and nature. He continued on…
Might as well tell the Order of Whispers what happened… if I can find them.