This was a hard tale to write...

Note : Zykuk refers himself as a Sorcerer. Psions are seen as sorcerers in this universe.

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(Story by Koviell Sashermasock)

The murder of our Great Leader and protector was a disaster for our clan. Our traditions were shattered into pieces because of those humans. They even stole some of our clan members, including arcane prodigies just like me. It's a terrible lost for us and this won't go unanswered.

Our Great Leader Kromthax might no longer be, but the council is still intact. A year has passed since those disastrous events and now it's time to take action against those invaders of our land. I, Zykuk Sashermasock, arcane prodigy and Sorcerer of the Clan of the Mountain, will take part to the plan to bring back honor to our Clan.

The first part of the necessary measures was a success; infiltrate inside the enemy's walls and cause a great loss. They will never know who the source of this disaster was. Sleep well, puny humans.

The second part is when I'll act. We must search for the traitors and now exiles of our clan. They can't go unpunished for their acts and the secrets of the Clan must stay hidden. Our art is what keep us united. Only the most trusted Sorcerers of the Clan were assigned a target. We must dispose of it. I know who I had to find, I know him well. You give me a challenge by leaving the enemy ranks. I hope you feel safe there, you'll never guess who's coming for you.

My sources tell me that you're at Maedawara, in Centra. I'm coming for you, be prepared…


Maedawara, a fortified city. This place is huge. The city is built in layers, each with a thicker wall. The outer rings are the workers and places, while the inner rings are the place of the wealthy places. It looks well protected. I can see armed guys everywhere. I'm at one of the city gates. One of the armed guys is giving me a mean look, I think he expected to look intimidating, he looks more like a clown to me.

"What you're planning to do here?" Ask the armed guy.

"It's none of your business. Between us two, you better not try to mess up with me."

"Don't get in troubles." Said the armed guy, before getting out of my way.

I get into the city. Now where he must be? This place is full of people of every races. First, better blend in the crowd, then keep an eye open for what's happening. I can see a guy robbing another one, a trader selling rotten food, a bunch of people beating another on in an alley. Checking around might take some time; better find someone that can help me. I get inside an alley.

"Spare a coin for an old beggar." Said a guy poorly clothed, smelling alcohol.

I give him a gold coin. Beggars are the eyes and the ears of the cities, he might be able to help me.

"Thank you, kind sir." Told the beggar.

"Have you see a guy like me before? I'm searching for one."

"I may, or may not. I don't remember." Comment the Beggar before opening his hand to me.


I give him another gold coin.


" Now, have you seen one like me before?"

"I did, near the bazaar, he was stealing food there." Answer the Beggar.

"How often he went there? When? During the day? The evening? The night?"

"You see, I don't remember it well. I might…" Express the Beggar.

"Don't push your luck. You won't get another coin from me."

"You could give me a quick treat instead." Said the Beggar.

"What?!"

"You know, a quick treat. You guys are filthy creatures, so this should clean you up in the process." Suggest the Beggar, before he starts laughing.

"You pushed your luck too far…"

I raise my hand and concentrate. I got the right spell for him. He stopped laughing. In fact, he stopped moving. I whisper to his ear.

"See? You're paralysed. In three minutes, your lungs will stop functioning. In four minutes, your heart will stop beating. In five minutes, you'll be in dead. No one will ever miss you. Enjoy your last moments in this world followed by a quick death."


I pick the gold coins I gave him and place them in his mouth.


"This might be useful in the afterlife, unless you get robbed before you could pay the ghostship. Farewell."


I leave the Beggar there in the alley and now I'm heading to the bazaar. It's almost noon. If my target shows up, I'll be able to follow him. I look around; the bazaar is full of people. Better get into a higher place, so I'll get a good view. I climb to the top of a house and check; he might be somewhere.

I spend like an hour here and no kobold in sight. Either the Beggar lied, or he didn't show up yet. If only he shows up.

Mmm… I've seen him there. Bingo! He's about to steal a whole chicken. Be prepared; the hunt is on. Focus. I see him running with the chicken in hands and fade into the crowd, to appear after in again and hide in an alley. I leave my spot and jump from this roof to land on another one, and another one. I run and jump to land with grace in the alley. I see the kobold eating his chicken. He didn't notice me behind him.


"We meet again."

"Yip? Who? Who?" Ask the kobold, with his mouth full of meat.


He turns back to face me. I'm about to cast a spell on him… and I stop. He looks a bit like him, but it's not my target.


"Who are you supposed to be? Do we know each other? No lookie lookie on my meal. It's mine! All mine!" Barked the Kobold.

"Look at you. You're barely dressed in rags that smell horrible. It's a shame to see a distant brother like that."

"Look pal, go away. I don't know you. I don't like you. I don't want you. Shoo! Go away!" Barked the Kobold.

"Get properly dressed and get a decent job!"


I take ten gold coins and I throw them at his feet.


"Now get lost!"


The kobold looks at the coins, at the chicken in his hands and at the coins again. He drops the chicken and picks the coins on the ground before running away. Now I need to search for my target again. This is getting harder than expected. Thanks for the challenge.

I fade in the crowd again and look around till the evening. Now I'm on a roof in a higher class district. The roads are cleared. I see a few people around. I'll move somewhere else. I climb down the house.

Suddenly, I see someone on a cart fall off. Weird. A few seconds after, I see a guy jumping on it and searching something. Wait a minute. Mmm... Focus... Focus... The guy received a knife in the back and the other guy... Is a kobold?. It's him! I found you this time...

My target is running somewhere. He won't be able to hide from me. I follow him around the city, and then in the sewers. He didn't notice me already. He is counting something in a bag.


"Long time now see, Koviell. I hope you found what you were looking for on this guy."

"Zykuk?! How in the world you happen to be there?" Ask Koviell.

"You see. You betrayed our clan... and by now I've sentenced you to death for treason."

"So you travelled half of the globe only to find me? I'm pleased." Said Koviell.

"Pleased? I'll show limitless power."


He takes a knife and throw it at me. I catch it.


"You really think this could hurt me? You're too slow."

"At least I can try to." Said Koviell.


He takes another knife and runs to stab me. I grab his arm before he can even reach me with the blade.


"There is a fine lane between bravery and foolishness."


Focus. Crystal. Power. A wave of crystal energy hit and knockback Koviell. He falls loudly on the ground.


"Where is your wizardry now Koviell? Didn't your human friend teach us the wrong way to use arcane arts?"

"Wizardry is as good as Sorcery." Claims Koviell.

"This is why you're no longer there Koviell? You're a shame for our Clan and for your human friends."


Focus. Power. Life. As I'm casting a spell a him a barrier of force raise up around him. He can barely stay up on his feet and he's now all four on the ground.


"Now the great wizard shows his magic trick? I'll show you my favourite one : Mind Crush!"


I raise my hand at him and a hand made of energy grab his head and soon disappear. It's over. The energy barrier around him fade and he falls on the ground. He wasn't worthy of his name, pathetic. I get to his corpse. He's still warm, but he will soon go to the other world. I place two gold coins in his mouth and leave him in the sewer waters. It's time to get out and travel back to the Clan. My job here is done. Farewell, Koviell...