Hokron stood over the map of his kingdom rubbing the bridge of his nose. He kept scouring the map for anything that might be able to slow the horrors charge. He let out a long breath as he looked over the map for the 100th time. He needed to find something, a chokepoint, a natural barrier, anything that might turn the tide. Yet, nothing presented itself.

A calm voice broke Hokron from his musing. “Thrashing yourself over what is already lost will not stop their charge, nor will it save your subjects.” Virgil quietly closed the door behind him as he entered the chamber. The exalted lord's chamber was surprisingly messy considering how barren its contents. The only table in the room was littered with maps and papers that spilled off its side. A plate of cold chicken and peas rested on the wooden chair behind Hokron’s desk. The desk in the corner was overflowing with rolls of parchment, laws that would never be signed or enacted.

“I’m close Virgil. I just need time.” Hokron blatantly lied.

“All you have found is exhaustion and malnourishment.” Virgil replied poking the cold food. Hokron gave him a dissatisfied look before replying “Ever since the Gods left food and rest were made unnecessary. You of all people should know that, exalted scholar.”

Virgil took only a moment before replying. “Indeed, we will not perish from lack of rest, but those who rely on our rulings very well might.”

***

It happened so fast. I could barely see the movement. One moment I was standing still the next I was split in half. My legs being ravaged like a fucking chew toy. I sat there in bewilderment, what happened? How could it move that fast? While I lost myself to these thoughts as a single paw came crushing down on my head.

Then there was only darkness.

Indryll, oh poor Indryll, Lord of the horde, Ruler of the pack. You who once defended the pride of men, the exalted Lord.

The words polluted my mind. No voice spoke them. Instead the words seemed to manifest directly in my mind. As if the words were always there, waiting in the back of my head. I stole a look around. I was still in the den of the hound. The hound was sleeping on a pile of half-eaten corpses, mostly humans but there were also some hellhounds mixed in. The only thing lighting the den was the flames radiating off the hound. There was no good place to hide, and I didn’t see any convenient traps I could use to catch the dog off guard.

Occasionally a hatch above the entrance would flip open and a few hellhounds would come running out. They took their time sniffing around the den before presenting themselves to the large one. With a few sniffles and grunts from the large hound all the hellhounds took off running back into the hatch.

Ruler of the pack, huh? I guess that makes the giant hellhound Indryll. I took a quick look at my gear. Thankfully, I only lost my lower half, so most of my gear was still intact. I waded my way through the bodies draining what vitality I could. If I was going to have a snowballs chance in hell, I at least needed the strength to stand. After draining nearly half the den I was back on my feet.

I slowly made my way around Indryll. If there was one upside to this fucked situation it was that the damn mutt was constantly sleeping. If I could just get close enough to start draining him I bet I could hold on for the rest of the fight. I slowly circled him calculating where I could stab him to not only do the most damage but also act as a handhold. Finally I decided on stabbing Indryll in the meat of his upper neck. That way I could ride the bastard's back keeping him from mauling me.

With my plan set I charged the hound trying to stick to his blind spots. I heard Indryll begin to stir and I knew time was almost up. I jumped forward and slammed my arms down, axe in one hand and dagger in the other.

Impact.

The dagger made a solid inch into the flaming fur, the axe wasn’t so lucky as the blade snaped straight off the handle. I felt the muscles on Indryll’s back flex. An attack. I jumped backwards and hid my body behind the circular shield.

It didn't make much of a difference as the shield was ripped straight in half from one swipe of Indryll’s paw. I tore the remaining scraps of shield off my arm and threw it into Indryll’s face. The scraps barely elicited a flinch, but it was just enough for me to avoid Indryll’s bite. As I primed myself for another charge I met Indryll’s eye. Once again, I was stuck in place, the only thing going through my mind was pure, unadulterated,

TERROR.

I was forced to stare straight into Indryll’s gaping mouth as I was burnt to a crisp by his flaming breath. There are only a few things I rate as more painful then being burned alive. Namely being drained and whatever that gate from the pit did to me. That said being frozen in terror feeling the gambeson and chain shirt melt into my body as my flesh began to boil and sear was one of my more painful experiences. I was truly glad when everything went dark.

Oh, how far you have fallen. To now reside over those deemed as beasts. Lost to their vices and forgotten.

Great more thoughts forced into me after death. This tidbit wasn’t even helpful. At least in the last one I got to learn the damn dog’s name. It took me longer then I care to admit to cut the cloth and metal fused into my skin out with the dagger. During this time, I decided to review what I knew.

I was locked in a dungeon called the pits. From what I have seen so far nobody in this world can die, myself included. No matter how bad the wounds given enough time they will heal. The bone dagger seems to just expediate the healing process by taking the vitality of others. If I tried to wait for my vitality to naturally regenerate, I would probably just be eaten by Indryll like the other corpselings in the den. Speaking of Indryll, the mutt is strong, fast, breaths fire, and can paralyze its victims. Meanwhile I once again barely have the strength to stand.

Yep, I’m fucked. Why did I even think I could do this? Did I really think I could accomplish anything? Did I really think I could get revenge on the prince who has probably been doing this for centuries? Hell, I couldn’t even escape the pits without a fucking magic dagger.

'It’s ok to give up.'

'You’ve done enough.'

'There’s nothing wrong with fearing death.'

No.

“NOoooooOOOoooo!!!” I screamed out in rage before charging the hound. As I ran my legs buckled and snapped with every step I took before finally breaking apart as I reached Indryll. I rammed my arms down on the hounds front right leg breaking both my forearms but pushing the dagger nearly hilt deep into the beast. A flood of vitality overwhelmed me. All thoughts in my head were swept away in the ecstasy of vitality and the adrenaline from my rage.

As my bones healed I clambered up on top of Indryll pulling the dagger along with me leaving a nasty cut on his leg. The Hellhound did all it could to shake me off, it threw itself side to side, jumping around and even letting out a flaming breath over its shoulder. I simply took the pain. The adrenaline in my body blocking out my thoughts.

I began to stab the hound in the neck repeatedly not even bothering to drain its vitality. I let out a primal scream of anger. I was seeing red. Nothing seemed to matter as I started pounding down on the hound beginning to ignore the dagger in favor of biting, punching, and kicking the top of the beast.

With one last roar of frustration Indryll rolled onto its back crushing me against the floor. The dagger once embedded in his neck was now crushed into my heart by his sheer weight. Once Indryll notice it had finally shaken off its passenger it angrily bit down on my legs before swinging me around the den. The hellhound slammed me against every wall and orifice it could find before finally giving up and throwing me headfirst against the far wall.

I could only assume my head was destroyed instantly as before I could feel the impact I was met with darkness.

May your piercing eyes halt those without courage and may your claws remain sharp to forever rip apart those who dare challenge your rule.

I was just starting to miss the feeling of people playing with my mind. Well that confirms the paralysis theory at least. What was I thinking in that fight? Why did I let go of the dagger and stop draining? What was I doing? Speaking of the dagger. The bone dagger’s hilt was still stuck in my chest. In a quick motion I tore the dagger from my chest. As if ripping away a seal a wave of anger and adrenaline flooded my mind.

'Charge him!'

'Rip him to pieces!'

'Force his eyes down his throat!'

Although unwelcome these compulsions were still better then the others telling me to give up. Just rushing in won’t do. Sure I was able to deal some damage but, I lost myself to the rage and ended up with my head splattered against a wall. I need to do this calmly, slowly. I need to be in control.

As I thought up a plan, I slowly made my way around the den draining the remaining corpselings for whatever strength I could put together. When all the vitality was used up I slowly crept my way back to the gate. I would need to time this right and it would surely hurt like hell, but I could do this. I could best Indryll. For a while I sat there observing, waiting for the right moment.

“Here we go, its now or never.” Indryll lifted his head as I muttered the words aloud. I made sure to avert my eyes. No matter what happens I needed to keep my eyes on his side. I couldn’t afford to be paralyzed. We began to circle each other waiting to see who would make the first move. After one slightly longer breath Indryll let out a flaming roar and burst forward. I sidestepped the flames staying just barely out of his range. The hellhound reared its head back in frustration, before lunging forward with a bite. I jumped forward catching the bite with my arm.

Indryll has the tendency to play with his food. He wouldn’t rip my arm off immediately giving me just enough time to make my move. I jabbed the dagger into his eye socket making sure to twist the blade once it was in. Indryll let out a scream of pain letting me free my arm from his fangs. The Hellhound stared angrily at me and snarled as he circled me. I made sure to position myself between him and the door stalling for as long as I could. Then I heard the sound of a hatch opening.

“Just in time.”

I quickly turned and caught the first hellhound as it jumped down from the hatch. I honestly didn’t think it could make such a distinct look of surprise. I didn’t waste the opportunity.I stabbed the dagger up through its mouth into its head and drained. The first hound was already a husk by the time the other two entered the den. I threw the husk at Indryll with my newly healed arm before charging the other two hounds. One bit deeply into my leg and was promptly stabbed in the head as a result. I kicked the corpse off my leg and caught the other hound by the scruff of his neck.

I took the time to drain him looking straight into Indryll’s wounded eye. There was no terror, no paralysis. I rushed Indryll once more. Throwing the withered husk in front of me as an opening. I had used the same trick too many times though. Indryll quickly swiped the body away and followed it up with a flame breath trying to keep me at a distance.

It didn’t work. I charged through the flames and slid under the hound’s legs making sure to slash at everything on my way through. I wasn’t able to slide all the way through and was stopped just a little further then halfway past his front legs. The surprise of having its meal disappear right in front of his eyes must of made Indryll hesitate because it gave me just enough time to roll out from its side.

While Indryll angrily spun around and roared in confusion. I ran back to the last hellhound corpse and raised it up in my arms, dagger piercing its chest. Indryll noticed the commotion, whipping its head around and staring at the corpseling that dared take its eye and hurt its pack.

I met his eye.

Fear took my body and Indryll charged forward.

I was paralyzed.

Or at least I would have been if I hadn’t slit my eyes open. As Indryll barreled towards me I drained the hound in my arms dry. Giving me just enough vitality to heal my right eye. Noticing my movements Indryll flinched in surprise trying to halt his charge as he noticed the dagger poised at his throat. It was too late. His momentum carried him forward ripping the dagger from my hands and forcing it down into his throat. The dagger seemed to disappear into his flesh not even the hilt dared peak out from the wound.

I watched as Indryll fumbled around coughing up blood. It took what felt like a few hours but finally the strength left his legs and Indryll fell. I slowly approached the hound making sure it wasn’t playing dead. I reached into its throat and grabbed hold of the bone dagger.

Then I began the drain. Vitality flooded into me and I could feel muscles form, bones strengthen, the bloody crust that was my skin began to crack and fall off in mass revealing an ashen gray skin underneath. Indryll began to wither the roaring flame that once covered his body was near extinguished when the vitality stopped flowing.

I took a moment to rest. Holding the bloody dagger over my quarry, wondering what to do next. As if to answer my thoughts I heard a mechanical clank reverberate through the den. Dried blood and dirt fell from the back walls to reveal glowing runes. The wall split in two and I was greeted by a white marble stairwell trimmed in gold. As I made my way forward, the glowing runes on the wall took form as words in front of my eyes.

[You have proven yourself worthy,

You who were wrongly judged and forced to endure,

You who show the virtue of proper courage,

An immaculate balance between cowardice and recklessness.

You have truly taken the steps of change

Welcome to the Path.]