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Necromancer Zeromus of Elysium (#134)

Owner: 0x24D7…e52b

Chapter 1: The watcher in the shadows

Zeromus picked their way through the shadowy not-forms of the Void, keeping the deadwalker in sight, but remaining far enough removed so as not to draw its attention. They had no fear of the zombie, but felt that it would be a waste to have to terminate it without learning more.

Within the hood of their sleek robes, Kali adjusted her coils. Zeromus could sense the red mamba concentrating her energy into the manufacture of excess venom stores – a sure sign that the snake was on edge.

Zeromus, too, was alert to any sign of danger. They had come far too close to being discovered by the self-proclaimed ‘Voidlord’. The cyborg was certainly capable of wielding immense power in both the bowels of the void and in the expanse of the living Runiverse; but Zeromus did not for one second buy into Wizard #4298’s claims to divinity.

Zeromus had witnessed first-hand Voidoth’s transformation – how Wizard #3917 had poisoned the ambitious young schemer after one of his viewings, and how he had then manipulated the skeletal remains in the laboratories of Blue Wizard Bastion. Somehow Voidoth had managed to override the controls Apollo had inserted in his software; the warped concoction of magic and technology had birthed this vengeful monster that now stalked the realms of both living and dead.

Thankfully, the Voidlord was not here now – Zeromus had watched as he had passed through the membrane into the Quantum Shadow. There, he continued to muster his armies of the undead, the corrupted, and the craven followers who called themselves his Disciples, who scrabbled and squabbled for the scraps of power he scattered at his feet.

Zeromus flicked the tassel of their hood testily. They hated the bad name Necromancers had amongst the wizarding community. Others were either jealous or frightened of their ability to commune with the dead. Just one of the reasons Zeromus shunned the ancient halls of the Wizarding guilds, where you were only either witch or wizard.

Those who feared that which they did not understand were never a thing of the past; at the Temple of the Falling Stars, the Arch-Magician had been overthrown by zealots who believed familiars to be unholy and Animists heretical. Zeromus had not been able to influence events there. Kali stirred as the wizard and their familiar shared this flush of irritation. Zeromus made a mental note to check back in on how the Hydromancers were faring with keeping the deposed Temple leader safe.

Zeromus was yet to make any contact – they far preferred working anonymously from the shadows – but they had at least managed to help Isaac and the Atlantians avoid the attentions of the rebels en route to Goblin Town. It was imperative that Isaac survived to launch a counter-revolution at the Temple; the zealots could not be allowed to swell their support.

Zeromus shook their head disbelievingly. So many had been seduced by Voidoth’s duplicitous call to the Sacred Flames at the first glimmer of potential power. “Like moths, burning their own wings,” Zeromus muttered to themselves.

The deadwalker seemed to be readying himself to re-enter the world of the living. Zeromus narrowed their eyes, preparing to form the Dryad’s Ear spell. They could at least put one of the Voidlord’s new servants out of its misery before it caused too much damage.

Chapter 2: A duel interrupted

As Zeromus prepared to cast the spell, a split flashed across the darkness, revealing the translucent membrane between the realms of dead and living. The creature turned towards the light pooling into the gloomy darkness of the Void and let out an enraged bellow as it spotted the Necromancer.

Fleshrot! They cursed under their breath, as the zombie cast its own Dryad spell. As quick as Zeromus was, their festering foe’s magic unfurled in time with the Necromancer’s, bringing with it the overpowering stench of decay. The spells met in the air between the two Wizards – a silent duel, illuminated eerily by the light of the living. Zeromus’ Dryad’s Ear sprouted new green shoots, attempting to bind the leathery red petals of the gigantic Rafflesia – the flower of the tombs of everlasting slumber.

Out of the corner of their eye, Zeromus could see the hazy outlines of two wizards through the membrane – one short and stout, the other tall and gangly. The lanky wizard’s head burst into flame as he hurled balls of fire at the membrane in a futile attempt to break through.

Straining with the effort of combatting the zombie’s magic, Zeromus lamented the idiocy of their fellows… fire could do nothing to affect the fabric of creation. Evidently the fool on the other side of the membrane came to the same realisation, as the explosions ceased; his portly companion approached the membrane, studying its sheen. The figure’s features, although obscured, were familiar to Zeromus.

Zeromus communed with Kali, who wound her way out of the depths of the Necromancer’s hood and slithered off into the darkness surrounding the battling wizards, keeping out of the diffuse light filtering through the worldly membrane.

I know you can’t kill what isn’t alive, but the pain caused by your venom should incapacitate him, my friend.

Typically sinuous serpent-thoughts answered Zeromus, full of the thrill of the impending bite. Red mambas lived constantly with the magma-like heat of their venom; each bite they dealt brought with it sweet, albeit temporary, relief as they discharged the pressurised toxins.

Zeromus’ arms began to tingle as the Rafflesia’s petals battered the twining shoots of their Dryad’s Ear. The undead wizard was powerful… more powerful than they had anticipated! But then, an anguished cry pierced the silence and the giant Rafflesia wilted, curling in upon itself. Zeromus smiled grimly as they sensed the venom coursing from Kali’s fangs.

At that moment, a flash of bright light pierced the membrane in a solid beam. Startled, Zeromus lost hold of their spell. Two sets of fingers appeared, pulling back the dissected flaps. In the background, the zombie’s moans grew fainter.

Surprised that the other wizard had managed to penetrate the membrane, Zeromus gaped at the bespectacled face of Wizard #2398. The scholar grinned at them sheepishly.

“Ah Zeromus, old friend… I hope we haven’t come at a bad time?”

Zeromus blinked at Lux, then whirled back to finish off the zombie, just in time to see their adversary dragging himself through another slit in the cosmic fabric that sucked closed behind him.

Festering fleshrot! Some remnants of its Dryad’s Ear magic must remain in that disgusting flesh flower to counteract the venom.

Annoyed agreement crept back along the bond from Kali.

The Necromancer turned their indignant glare on Lux, but seeing the earnest look on the man’s face, they took a deep, calming breath, letting go of their irritation with a sigh.

“When do you ever come at a good time, Lux?” Zeromus smiled. “To be honest, with everything going on in the Runiverse right now, I expected you sooner.”

Zeromus welcomed the mamba back into the folds of their hood, and stepped through the membrane to join Lux in the living world. The Necromancer inspected the wide swathe of smouldering grass around the gateway between worlds, then raised an eyebrow at the Pyromancer they met standing on the firm ground of the Runiverse.

At least the flamethrower has the decency to look embarrassed, Zeromus thought, tutting at the damage he had caused to the landscape. Time was short, however, so they quickly turned back to Lux. “Out with it, Scrollmaster, I need to hunt down that deadwalker before he does any more damage in Voidoth’s name.”

“We’ll help you bring down the creature, Zeromus, if you’ll agree to help us in return,” replied Lux.

Zeromus nodded curtly. “Very well. There’s only two reasons you ever seek me out. I know you want me to find someone; will I also be required to usher them to the Void?”

Story Arc Index:

Prologue: Soul #7186

Part 1: Wizard #314

Part 2: Wizard #2398

Part 3: Wizard #134

Part 4: Wizard #3920

Part 5: Wizard #7935

Epilogue: Wizard #291

Entered by: 0x24D7…e52b and preserved on chain (see transaction)