The Witch and the Lich
-by Lord Perseus

Chapter 1:

This story starts a long time, but also a short time ago... In human timescales, it only took place 3 months ago, but in demonic time, it is too hard to tell... The thing that is the same, is the place of where it all started, the Capital of Tanelorn. There a traveller, old of mind but young of age, left the city, packed with supplies and equipment. His goal was still unknown, even for himself, as he followed a feeling, a strong feeling that he couldn't really describe, that lead him to the Great Plains, who supply the Capital.

He travelled for a few days, then he reached the coast. He looked to the left and the right, then he saw an old man, with a boat. He wandered to the man, that was busy with cleaning the boat, and when he was close he knocked the man down, with a single blow. He put the man on the ground, untied the boat, and got aboard. Then he started to paddle of the shore. Still unsure of the thing's to come.

A few days after he left the shore he reached the other side of the water. Arriving there he left the boat and continued his journey. He didn't follow the main road, but stayed of it, because he didn't want to be seen. A few times he was almost seen by travellers, but when they came looking, he casted his Invisible spell, so they never found him. Even though he didn't travel on the main road, he moved quickly, even when the main road didn't continue at his side anymore, he kept on going, only following the feeling...

Then finally, after travelling for more then 2 weeks, he reached the point where the feeling got strongest. It was at the gates, of a big fort, that was crowded with green creatures. He casted his Invisible spell once more, as he saw some of the creatures raising their bows and spears, and then he started to walk around, as he couldn't breach the massive gates. Some time later he saw a small hole in the wall and he went close to it. It was too small to go through, so he started to bash on the hole with his staff. Then, after the hole was enlarged, he passed through, not knowing what to find...


Chapter 2:

After the man went into the large fort, he looked around. What he saw was amazing. The green creatures didn't notice him, so they just kept on going with their normal lives. He saw them buying and selling things on a market, playing games, cleaning gardens and houses and a lot more of the things humans did aswell. It fascinated the man so much, he decided to head for the king of these creatures, because he wanted to learn even more about them.

So, the man went to the largest building, located in the middle of the fort. He looked around, bumping into the creatures a few times (which where really scared afterwards) until he discovered that the throne room wasn't on the ground floor. Then he headed downstairs, as he didn't see a way up. Down the stairs were the barracks of the soldiers. He managed to sneak past them all, and then ended up in something that looked like a garden. Atleast, he thought it did. It was all gooey and full of swamp plants. So he ran through it because it smelled so bad. Then he reached yet another stairway down.

The man looked around. He saw no creatures, so he casted his Invisible spell once more. Then, suddenly, he saw one of the creatures, in full weapon gear, storming towards him. The man didn't know what was happening, as he had casted his spell. The creature was probably smart enough to see through it... And so, he grabbed his wand and killed the creature with a few blows. He walked around, making sure no other creature had heard him, and when he had confirmed that, he hid the dead body in a barrel. Then, he went down the stairs.

Even though the man was still invisible, he proceeded with more caution. He didn't want to get caught again. And when he got down the stairs, he proceeded even slower, as there was an ancient Dragon sleeping just next to him. The man managed to sneak past the Dragon, and followed the path... he was sure that it would lead him to the throne room. A moment later, he arrived. His feeling disappeared that moment. Leaving the man deserted, in a place he didn't know. At the same moment, his Invisible spell wore off... leaving the man visible for all the royal guards of the throne. Then, the man fainted...

Chapter 3:

After time the man finally woke up again. He opened his eyes, but when he tried to move, he couldn't. He looked around, opened his mouth, but couldn't yell or even speak. The man was scared of this, as he was lying in a small room that had a weird stench in it. The walls were also covered in spiderwebs and they didn't look like they were brand-new. So, the man lay down on the bed, waiting for what would come...

A few moments later the door of the room opened. A beautiful woman with blonde hair and a red robe entered the room. The man was stunned. When the woman turned to him, she said: "Ah, I see you have finally come to again. Hmm, I'll start with...what is your name?" No reply followed as the man couldn't say a thing. "Come on, tell me your name!" Still no reply. "Hmm, can't you talk? Ack, that is not good. Ok, blink with your left eye to say yes, blink with your right eye to say no. Got that?" The man blinked with his left eye. "Good. Do you feel any pain?" The man blinked with his right eye. "I see. And you aren't able to talk I presume?" The left eye was blinked. "Hmm, I'll be right back." The woman left the room...

When the woman returned it had gotten dark outside. Atleast, the man thought that because the room was getting dim. As the woman returned, she started to make a fire, and then put a large cauldron above it. The man got a bit suspicious. The woman threw a lot of things in the cauldron, making the colours of the substance go from yellow to purple, before she poured a bit of it in a mug. She then put the mug on the man's lips and he drank it. "Now, say something." "What do you want me to say?" "Haha! I knew it would work!" The man was still amazed that he could really talk again. "Now, tell me your name!" "My name is Serret." "Serret? I do not believe you." "Well, they all call me Serret Brokenblood. It is the truth." "No, don't try to fool me, man. I see it in the twitch of your eyes! Tell me your real name!" "I will not. Tell me yours first." "The stubborn type, eh? Well, get some rest, I'll get working on those arms and legs tomorrow, so I can get you out of here soon." Then the woman walked out of the room, still mumbling.

Chapter 4:

The next day, when the man woke up, he was alone again. The woman was probably out again looking for herbs or other plants. So, the man lay on the bed, looking around once again. He closed his eyes, and listened to what happened outside, but other then some birds, he didn't hear too much. The man then tried to get up, which was still impossible, when he heard something stamp on the floor. The man didn't know what was gonna happen, so he closed his eyes again. Then, he heard what was stamping outside. One of the green creatures had probably gone out looking for something, and now he was outside the building, sniffing loudly.

A few moments later, the creature arrived at the window in the room. When it looked inside the man was frightened. Then suddenly, the creature had a look of intense pain. After it, the body slowly descended to earth. Then, the woman entered the room. "You are a witch, aren't you?" the man asked. "You noticed? I see you aren't that stupid after all. Well, yes, I am a witch. And you are a sorcerer, eh?" "A Master sorcerer, please. I have studied more then a normal one." "But you didn't learn more!" The witch laughed. "Well, drink this, it should make your arms better." The witch handed him a potion.

"Much better!" the man said while moving his arms around. "I can finally do something now. Laying here is so boring. Where's my backpack?" "Your backpack? I'm investigating it. Why?" "Investegating? Hand me it back!" "Why?" "Because it's full of things you don't need to know." "Like your name?" The witch laughed again while walking out the room. When she returned she had the backpack in her hands. "Here." "Thank you." The man checked his backpack, everything was in it, except for his wand. "My wand?" he said. "Wand? What is a wand?" "The staff I had with me, it was burning on one end. You didn't get it?" "Ah, I thought it was a torch. Moment." The witch went out of the room again.

She returned with the wand. "Thank you once again." "What does it do?" "It fires shots of fire. Pretty powerful against any creature, except for the onces made of fire." "Why did you pass out in the throne room then? If you were able to kill them all.." "I didn't know what was happening. Some strange feeling led me there. How did you find me anyway?" "I saw you entering the fort while I was searching for herbs. I knew you couldn't stand there alone." "And how did you rescue me?" "Easy, the King is an old friend of mine." "I see. Is he a worshipper of evil as well?" "Why do you ask it in that tone? Do you have something against it?" "I lost my whole family to them." "Sorry to hear that." "You can't be sorry to hear that! You don't even know what family is! You just destroy and feast upon everything!" "Watch your tongue, I didn't kill you, right?" "I'm still wondering why.." The witch ran out of the room. "MEN! THEY ARE ALL THE SAME!" She yelled.

Chapter 5:

In the evening the witch entered the room again, gave the man the potion and said: "drink that, and get out of here." The man grabbed the potion, drank it, and suddenly he could feel a tingle in his feet again. When he stared up at the witch, her eyes looked mad. "I apologize.." "Gah, like you mean it!" "I do." "Get out of here! NOW!" "Please don't. I would like to learn from you." "I SAID GO!" The man sighed. "Ok, I'll tell you. My name is Perseus. My tutor was Serret Brokenblood. He has taught me all that I now know about magic. After I left him I joined the army of Tanelorn, making King Alastor my King." "Haha. Do you think this makes me change my mind?" Perseus got a cold look in his eyes, and brutaly he said: "yes." The witch sighed. "My name is Kaiser, Crimson Kaiser for I wear a red robe. A witch, a servant of evil." "I see. It is good to meet you." "Come, to what I call my living room."

Perseus stood up, followed Kaiser through the door, and entered a room. This was larger than the room he had lain in, with a few chairs and tables. "So, how did you become a witch?" "Very long story. Don't want to tell." "Aha. Ever seen the Devil himself?" "Yes." "How is he?" "That's indescribable. You have to see that yourself." "Can you take me too him?" "He will kill you. Unless you become a worshipper of evil." "A Dark Monk, you mean?" "That's not even close to what the Devil admits in his halls. Only his finest worshippers, the Liches are allowed." "I see. Where does my training start?" "Haha, persistent are we? Well, are you sure your King would approve? He is a follower of Banor after all." "My King, he is far away. I do not think he cares." "Very well then."

The witch stood up. She grabbed a few books from the shelves. "You have already learned a lot about magic. But, nothing about dark magic. So, study these books." Perseus took the books from the witch. 'Necromancy Part 1' the title said. "That room can be yours to be used. Goodnight." The witch entered a room on the left side of the house. So, Perseus went back to his room, and started to read from the books. It started with most of the spells he had already learned. But in 'Necromancy Part 16' a new spell was described. It was called 'Life Drain' and took the whole book to explain it. So, Perseus started to study this, and the next day, he performed the spell with no problems.

And so, Perseus' training began. After learning all the Necromantic spells, the darker spells were learned. Perseus didn't actually know why he did it. It was something with this woman, that made him go further and further down the dark road. There was a moment when he didn't care anymore, but luckily that quickly passed. Somewhere deep down he knew it was wrong- what he did- but, this woman, and that strange feeling, they were just too strong. After months and months (in demonic time) of training, Perseus was finally brought to the green creature's king, who would judge him, if he was really strong enough to become a Lich...

Chapter 6:

When Perseus entered the throne room for the second time, he was amazed. There were "Orc's" everywhere, but, they didn't attack. As Crimson lead him, they all stepped back, making a path to the king. When they got close, they bowed down, waiting for the King to speak. "Arise, follower of evil, for you are my equal." Crimson stood up. "Tell me, why do you bring this mortal here for the second time?" "He wishes to take the test, king." "I see. Arise mortal." Perseus stood up and Crimson went behind him. "What is your name?" "Perseus." "Perseus? What a weird name. Tell me, why do you want to take the test?" "Because I want to become a master of evil, taught by the Devil himself." Perseus didn't even wait to answer, because he already knew what to say. As Crimson had done the test before, she knew what the king would ask. "Ok then. Follow me."

The king stepped off of his throne. He walked to the left, and grabbed one of the torchbearers. He pulled it down softly, and then, the throne started to go up, into the ceiling, showing a set of stairs beneath it. The king went down the stairs with Perseus, and then, the throne was put back into its place again. "Right." The king went to a coffin, opened it with magic, and grabbed two scrolls. "Here. The questions are on there, you've got 1 hour." Then the king went to his seat, while Perseus sat down in front of him, with the scrolls on his lap. He read the first question, to make sure it was the same one that Crimson had made, and when he saw it was, he started to write, and finished in 15 minutes.

The king was amazed. He didn't believe it, so he grabbed the scrolls, and checked them for ancient magic. He couldn't find it, so he started to check the answers, which were all correct. "Aha. Gifted are we? Well, as you have made this test without any wrong answers I see you gifted enough to take lessons from The Lord himself, the Devil. Take this scroll, it is my recommendation letter. Crimson knows the way, she can guide you too Him. So, good luck on your study and may you become a great Warlock, or even a Lich!" "Thank you, king. I will not forget you." Perseus said it all like he had learned it. "Neither will I forget you." Perseus thought about that line. He did only know the king for half an hour yet, didn't even know his name! But still, they would remember each other... How weird...

Afterwards, Crimson and Perseus left the fort. They first went back to Crimson's house, because they would need supplies for the long road to hell. "Is it really that far?" "For mortals it is. But, we witches, we can teleport there." "I see. What is it with this 'Mortals' thing?" "Well, since you haven't sold your soul to the Devil yet, you are still living, a Mortal." "And you have sold your soul?" "Part of it. Witches get a 'Discount' as the Devil himself likes them the best." "I see. I presume Liches do not?" "They don't. But they get something in return. When they sell their soul, they get the opportunity to put part of their lifeforce in some things at the same time. So, when they are defeated, they can return to one of those things, which are otherwise known as Keeper's of Life, and regrow from them. As long as one of the Keeper's is still in tact, Liches can regrow all the time." "Interesting," Perseus said with a grin on his face.

Chapter 7:

That evening they started to pack. Perseus put some meat and vegetables in his backpack, next to all his other stuff, while Crimson had to make a whole traveling backpack. After it was done, they went to bed to get some sleep for the long journey. Perseus wrote some notes in his diary, concerning his journey that now lay ahead, because he didn't want to forget anything for his report to the King.

The next day they went out. Even though they were carrying their full equipment they were pretty fast. In two hours time they couldn't see the fort anymore. And after about 5 hours they reached one of the main roads towards Ab'dendriel, the elven city. Not that they cared, because they had to stay away from it. After 6 hours of walking, Perseus was tired and suggested to set up the camp. Crimson agreed in this, as she was a bit tired as well. So, they went to find a small cave, in which they spent the night. The next morning they travelled for hours again. And on the third day, they reached the entrance to Hell.

"Now, we're almost there. Check if you see anyone." "Alright." Perseus looked around. Then he used his Detect spell, which left him no results. "Nobody." "Good. Follow me." Crimson walked slowly and suddenly she was gone. Perseus didn't understand, but when he ran to her former position, he went gone also. "Utevo Vis Lux" Perseus casted. Then he saw where he and Crimson were, in a wasp cave. "Come, they are still asleep." They went further in the cave, went down a few times, and then finally, they reached a floor with water and a small island in the middle. Crimson grabbed a bag, took the content out and threw it on the water. Suddenly a bridge appeared. "The magic of Hell. Welcome."

After that, they went across the bridge, and dug open a hole in the floor. They went down a few floors again, but suddenly they saw a dead body on the floor, which seemed human. "I know. Sometimes normal humans come here because the elves have made it into a jail." "I see." "But, they'll never find the entrance to Hell itself. Only the worshippers of evil can see it. They moved along a wall for some time. "Here it is." Crimson suddenly stepped inside a wall, that seemed to be solid. Perseus then tried and he also managed to get on the other side. "Watch your step now." Crimson said, while starting to descend a stairway, which had lava on both sides. Perseus took a look around and saw fire everywhere. The stairs were so long, that he could only see some kind of Golden Gate at the end of it. "Come on Perseus!" Then he started to descend as well.

Chapter 8:

Some time later, they reached the end of the stairs. There was a huge gate, but it was open so it wasn't a problem. The moment they stepped into the lands behind the gate, everything changed. Suddenly there was one long path in front of them, with tortured people on both sides of it. Perseus looked at them with disgust, but after Crimson poked him, he looked in front of him. There, sitting on a massive throne, was the Devil, the master of all the undead beings, the son and most willing follower of Urgith himself.

When they came close to the throne, the Devil started to flow down. It couldn't be called descend as he didn't have legs. The three of them met at the bottom of the throne. Perseus and Crimson bowed immediatly. "Arise, young one, arise, and show me what brings you here!" Perseus stood up. "What brings me here are the lessons of your court, Evilest Lord." "Do not lie to me. Otherwise I would need to torture you." Then, Perseus opened his armor, and pulled a necklace from his neck. When the Devil saw the necklace he was stunned. "This is one of Meltrus' necklaces. One of his last Keeper's of Life. And as you see, it is broken." "You mean that the first Lich with it's own will has been slain? You mean, that he might never return again? How is that possible? He has brought me new servants for 150 years!" "He has been slain by humans because he made a foolish strike on their strongest base, losing almost all his minions."

The Devil was somewhat pleased, but also disapointed with this news. Perseus had atleast made himself trusted by the Devil. And so, his lessons of real Necromantic and even Demonic knowledge started. Perseus studied hard because he wanted to know everything before he would sell his soul to the Devil, which was done by every Lich after 1 month. So, after 1 month, Perseus had to appear before the Devil. It was not a hard test or anything, it were just 2 questions: "Are you prepared to sell your soul? And which thing do you want to be as your first Keeper of Life?" Perseus answered with a grin: "Yes, Devil, I am prepared, and as my first Keeper of Life, I would like my own soul." When the Devil heard this, he firstly laughed. But when he saw the serious look on Perseus' face, he knew he had been tricked...

The next time Perseus opened his eyes after that event, he saw that he was lying in high grass. He wondered how he had gotten there. Then, he checked his upper arm, which had a sign of evil on it. The sign only Liches carry. Perseus laughed. He now had gotten stronger in his magic once again, and, kept his soul. The only negative thing was, that he would be never again able to get into Hell. But, how bad could that be? He used his Explore spell and when he knew where he was, he started to walk to the West. Towards the land he still loved the most, the Kingdom of Tanelorn.

In memory of Crimson Kaiser.
Lord Perseus.