Random stories

A groan echoed through my tomb, low and terrible. I looked up from my work, a maelstrom of souls screaming for freedom from their confinement. The groan was followed by an echoing boom, as the doors to my home swung shut. Someone was here.

I stood, motioning towards my work. One of my servants, a mass of living shadow, flowed over to my workbench. It gathered it up, to take it to my vault. As unlikely as it was to happen, I did not wish for someone to take my work. Not until I was finished, then they would be welcome to try.

But that was not my concern right now. I extended a thought to my grimoire, making the black leatherbook follow me like a dog. The spectral green chain that linked it to me shimmered as I did so. With it close by, I took hold of an ancient staff, its silvery surface as bright as the day I made it. The Primordial Gem atop spun delicately in place, starting to smoke as I picked it up.

Now prepared, I activated a bone white ring. It connected me to my tomb, allowing me passage through the dimensional and teleportation blockades I had crafted. I felt the world collapse away, before returning in a new place. A room lit with low burning candles, walls covered in images of planes I had seen. Many shifted in place, as even depictions shared echoes of those maddening locations.

The floor was smooth, a flat clear crystal surface. Below was the endless void of the stars, one of my masterwork enchantments. It was reflected above on the vaulted ceiling, showing my tombs splendour. Three stairs led up to a dias, on which a throne of bone sat. It was carved from the skull of Evax the Ravenous, the first dragon to fight me.

Taking a seat, I waited for the visitor to come. Once entered, only I could let them out. I did not know what to expect. Sometimes groups of adventurers sought to slay me, for fame, glory and wealth. But if that was the case I would have heard their self-righteous voices by now. Maybe a conqueror wished to plead for my assistance. That would cost them a lot, as fresh materials weren't always available to me.

I was broken from my thoughts by a creaking. The iron doors of my throne room opened ponderously, revealing the figure who had entered my lair. I expected an adult or two. But what I saw instead was a child. She wore the rags of an uncared for servant, ones that hung from her emaciated body. Her skin was tight across her face, giving her a skull like appearance. She practically radiated fear, enough to the point I could almost taste it.

She took a few shaking steps in, each one looking like a great effort. The doors swung shut, sealing her in with me.

"Why have you come?"

My voice was a harsh whisper, echoing throughout the room. She looked up at me, whispering with a voice of a near broken spirit.

“F...forgive me for disturbing you...I had nowhere else to go.”

Her words intrigued me. I clicked my fingers, causing the candle flames to rise. My throne room filled with light, far more than natural. She winced at the flare up, shifting in place. I could clearly see her thinning hair, and evidence of bruising.

"What do you seek?"

She shivered. I peered into her unprotected thoughts. I saw pain and suffering, mocking and hatred. An idea, of revenge. A thought of safety. A prayer that someone would care for her.

"A.... h... home."

I had seen countless men die. I had slaughtered armies, razed cities. I had bent the very threads of reality, and defeated death itself. Good people cowered at my name, the devil himself respected me.

But in that moment, I was undone. I stared at this poor, lost child, and knew I was defeated, before I even started the fight. Holding up my staff, I pointed it to her, the Gem sparking.

"Then a home you shall have."

---

Submitted by Shalidar13 on Thu, Jul 14, 2022 to /r/WritingPrompts/

The prompt

You are an ancient lich, feared throughout the lands for your grey and fair vengeance. One day, you are summoned, but not by a corrupt king or angry mercenary, instead by an unnaturally thin girl dressed in servants rags, who says “f...forgive me for disturbing you...I had nowhere else to go”