The Dawn Of The New World

1372  The Monastery

The Dark Stalker threw back its head and screamed, "MASTER! LEND ME YOUR POWER!" before jumping in.

As soon as he touched the ice his 'body', which was an incorporeal void, began to freeze from the inside out. But just before it was turned into a block of ice the space around it began to writhe in agony as a red mist tore through the fabric of time and space and surrounded him, nullifying the effects of the domain.

Hao Xuan's body froze, or rather, the space around him was completely locked down for a brief moment. He tried to release all of his spiritual energy in one massive blast but he couldn't control it anymore.

[WITCH!] he yelled.

Only someone from the outside could intervene and fortunately, the Old Witch came to his 'rescue' just in time. A four-legged hunched monstrosity entered through a portal behind him.

She pushed Hao Xuan into the domain and threw herself at the Dark Stalker to slow him down.

Hao Xuan couldn't see what was going on but the torrential outpour of corrosive energies that shook the castle's foundation painted quite a vivid picture.

His body flew through the doors as a result of the explosions and when he entered the frozen domain everything turned dark. The darkness even began to spread outside and within the blink of an eye the entire castle and everything in it was drowned in the same murky gloom.

Some indeterminable amount of time later both the Old Witch and Hao Xuan came to, finding themselves standing at the entrance of the castle.

The Old Witch took a quick inventory of herself before looking in Hao Xuan's direction, "It worked? Did you see the mistress?! What happened after??" she fired off several questions in excitement.

[You sound...surprised] he replied calmly, meeting her conflicted gaze.

Both of them seemed unchanged and were somehow returned to their original states in which they had first entered the castle.

Hao Xuan looked around and found the surroundings to be completely different from before, they weren't even the only ones there anymore.

There were countless hooded figures of varying heights, sizes, and shapes walking around the place minding their own business. Their bodies were completely hidden underneath the black hoods and it was obvious some of them weren't even human.

Almost every being was carrying some sort of an ancient scroll or item and if one didn't know any better they would think this was a religious gathering of some sort.

Hao Xuan had many questions but so did the Old Witch. She walked around him in a circle while her unbroken gaze scrutinized every minor detail of his body.

"Did you...really meet the mistress? I don't sense her energy on you..."

[I think that was the whole point, wasn't it? To not make it obvious? Can we get going or-]

"What bargain did you strike with her? What did you give in exchange for her blessing?"

Hao Xuan abruptly turned on his feet to look her dead in the eye, [Why don't you ask her yourself?]

Ceasing her examination she stepped back, "Hmm, I understand. You must be angry that I tricked you. How very human of you, nothing to be ashamed about."

[I am not ashamed...or angry. Just disappointed to be dragged into another power struggle that has nothing to do with me]

"Hehehe, well it does have something to do with you now. Since 'The Mistress' was able to get a vassal as valuable as you, the others won't stay still for too long. They too will find their own champions and send them to either coax or kill you..." she paused to let out a weary sigh.

"But do not misunderstand. They all might seem the same to you but of the Nine, only my mistress and one other have any love for your kind. All others treat mortals, especially humans like you as a blight on creation."

[You can save the speech, I am not going to betray your mistress as long as you do not give me a reason to]

"That is...reasonable but..."

There was still a glint in her eye which greatly bothered Hao Xuan so he hesitantly asked, [What do you want?]

"The mark, can you show me the mark she gave you? Or tell me in what form she appeared to you??"

[No]

"Then there is no helping it," her shoulders glumly fell, "Come, I will lead you to the halls."

She tapped once with her walking stick and every single hooded figure turned to face her simultaneously. With lowered heads they moved out of the way without making any sound.

The Old Witch explained a bit more as they both strode deeper into the 'monastery'.

"Everyone you see here serves an Old One in some shape or form. They are the pupils of the Old Ones, their admirers and worshippers. By some stroke of luck they were able to make a connection with one of the Old Gods and if they made adequate sacrifices, they would be presented with the opportunity of entering these hallowed corridors."

Hao Xuan was more than a little surprised to hear that.

[I was not aware that the Old Gods still had this many followers]