Chapter CXI: New Strides Taken ~Multehx

Malachai appeared back in the main chamber, Orson slung over his shoulder. Similarly, Jadea, Vole, Rebdok, Nero, Cydak, and the other council members, save Fanah,
appreared in the room. Malachai wiped sweat from his brow and looked around. He noted Vole and Jadea were panting. "You two have a rough time?," he asked.


Jadea nodded, breathlessly
and Vole nodded as well. "You could...say that. @#%$ kids found something of immense power! Some stupid eating utensil."


Malachai nodded and looked to Nero and Cydak. They appeared not in the least winded and grinned triumphantly. "I assume you two got the weapons..," Malachai breathed.


Nero nodded and held his dice up between his index finger and middle finger. "Lady luck blesses Nero the great again!"


NecronimusII stepped forward, a new gold medallion around his neck.
He only nodded to Malachai before taking his spot on the wall.

Malachai looked around. "Where's Fanah? Silly girl is never around when there's work to be done!"

Rebdok spoke up. "She was with me on that acursed planet of the lizards...not where
the war is but the other. She left but I think she's into some new mischief because she was doing quite well last I connected with her mind." He paused then pointed at the smoking
body of Orson. "Don't think me out of line, my commander, but what happened to him?"


Malachai glanced over at Orson. "Oh, old boy had a bit of a bad run in. He should be fine, just needs time to recover."


The group nodded, then looked over as someone noisily pushed the double doors to the chamber open. Nictem limped in, one eye shut, a nasty gash on his forehead, the other eye frowning in pain. A line of blood ran from the corner of his mouth and he hobbled into the room, using his staff as a support. Nero drew a breath then asked with a tone of amazement, "By WHYR, what the hell happened to you?!"


Nictem heaved a breath and looked over. "Had a little run in with...someone." Malachai drew his breath and asked, shaklily,


"Nictem, boy, is it...true? What I felt?? Is...HE?"


Exhaling, Nictem nodded. "Yes..the Lord is back. Not fully physical bodied yet, but he is...he was a bit cranky, did this to me."

"Then...why don't we recruit him to find the Creation's Weapons for us to speed the revival?"

Nictem shook his head. "No..they're not powerful enough now. He needs the power of the main Weapon, the Weapons don't provide nearly enough power."

Malachai rubbed his chin. "So, it's no longer nessicary for us to collect them?"

Nictem shook his head again. "Not quite; those heroes could use them to foil the master's plan; to even kill him before he is fully revived! We need to get them before they do."


"But..why?"


"Simple...we need to destroy them. We can't leave any chance of them winning alive. We must destroy all the weapons left, and all in their posession."


There was a murmur amongst the council members, but they filed out when Malachai asked for the room to be cleared for Orson to rest and recover. As they were leaving, he caught Nictem's sleeve and looked him in the eyes. "Boy..how did you?"

Nictem smiled slightly. "I'll tell you later."

Malachai looked at the rings on his fingers. "Each of them...is one...of the weapons, aren't they?" Nictem again smiled and nodded. Malachai looked up to question how, but Nictem interrupted. "Never you mind. That will be explained
too some day."


The group dispersed, and Malachai lay Orson down on the table, telling him to rest and try to relax. He walked softly out, shutting the doors behind him.