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This entire situation with the demon worshippers and the cult of pain triggered certain flashbacks for Radiel. That day when he pledged himself to the Bone Nightmare—the key events that defined the very essence of his entire future existence. A ghostly sacred fire, blazing upon bones instead of firewood, despite the shroud of rain. Figures in black robes slowly dance in a circle around him—adept brothers chanting wordless hymns. Rising from his knees, the elf removes his hood and steps closer, gripping tightly by the throat an frantically writhing unknown creature resembling a large, toothy lizard. The slipping beast and a special prayer in an ancient, long-forgotten language are the mandatory components of the communion ritual.
Mortus kerhavailles en diem adventoro intreza.
Ensa mirre quent dumek seeyar. Le bit edhelen.
Vaerden feer host mano coedwig. Urman os seta.
The beast in his hand eventually twisted away and sank its teeth into his hand, forcing Radiel to pause. He knew it was meant to be this way, and also that under no circumstances should he let the slipping beast go. Overcoming the pain, he gripped the defiant creature tighter and continued the recitation.
Detremento aiellon pourquitos. Nio anle modus.
Brainne tuoref der spirite anusdero majestiko.
With the final words, the fire flared especially brightly. The circle around him accelerated, and the hymns began to sound more piercing. Gathering all his will, Radiel stepped forward, and the sacred flame enveloped him. He expected agonizing pain, compared to which ordinary wounds would seem like a light scratch, but it happened differently. A tomb-like cold pierced his body, all his organs froze into oblivion, and his skin began to melt in the ghostly fire. The beast stopped biting and shrieked desperately; the image of its flame-engulfed toothy maw was forever imprinted in his memory—later, this became his symbol and the decoration of his devilish instrument. Life and death—at that moment, these concepts distorted; an incredible power swallowed the meaning they hold for mere mortals. Powerful wings scattered the burning bones that had served as logs.
He felt this for only a few moments, being in the form of the Avatar of Nightmare for the first time, but that was enough to change him beyond recognition. Few manage to achieve such union with the deity during the first communion, meaning the Bone Nightmare recognized him as a competent source. However, the flame soon died out, and in its place stood a skeleton—he still had a long road ahead to fully master the acquired power. Not a problem for a true Child of Nightmare—the ritual is complete, and now the innate appearance is nothing more than a fiction.
The rain poured all day, and droplets flowed from empty eye sockets like tears of joy. From the remains of the sacrificed creature, he carved himself a pipe, and along with it came the idea of how else he could use his talents with his new abilities—then he began to learn how to transform a lute into an instrument that could convey music from the other side to the uninitiated. From now on, he would dedicate himself to the service of the only true deity, the most beautiful of the wonders of darkness.
Drifting in memories, Radiel came to himself already in the torture chamber, impaled on a spike that had grown from the ground, which scratched his ribs as it passed through. Too little to stop him. The memories gave him strength and dispelled any doubts that something could go wrong. Just like then, he again felt himself as a source and physically felt the power of the Nightmare responding to a silent call. All who are nearby are blessed by the witness of divine intervention—the Avatar has appeared in the earthly world. And for the souls consumed by demonic heresy, this means severe retribution for the crimes committed. A monstrous roar echoed through the room, and the bone dragon soared upward. Now this is no longer just a show; it is a phantasmagoria of destruction. The walls shook, and dust fell from the ceiling as the lethal monster dove, scattering enemy fighters as if they were dolls. Meanwhile, his comrades were actively destroying others, and the dragon focused its attention on the opponent who survived the first strike. Radiel growls to him through astral channels (perhaps he is a medium and will hear):
— And you shall see that my name is Nightmare!
And then he crashes devastatingly upon the insignificant club-wielder, tearing him apart in that very instant, causing shreds of meat to fly in all directions, leaving a bloody mess in place of the poor wretch.
That was the last one. Only Lin's puppets remained, who were promptly tied up and interrogated. Meanwhile, the dragon performed a final flight around the hall, gathering emanations of death from the site of the slaughter. using restoration if needed for healing Assessing the space, Radiel recalled how they dealt with large beasts in Revelin—luring them into some deep cave, then walling up the entrance and leaving them to die. Here it is slightly different—a large creature cannot fit through the passages, and if it appears inside, it cannot get out. So, for a final touch, spectacularly spreading its wings, the dragon disappears in a pillar of green flame; in its place appears Radiel in his humanoid bone form and draws his necro-guitar. Triumphantly towering over a pile of dead cultists, the Child of Nightmare releases the final dramatic notes in the light-show that took place here.
Mortus kerhavailles en diem adventoro intreza.
Ensa mirre quent dumek seeyar. Le bit edhelen.
Vaerden feer host mano coedwig. Urman os seta.
The beast in his hand eventually twisted away and sank its teeth into his hand, forcing Radiel to pause. He knew it was meant to be this way, and also that under no circumstances should he let the slipping beast go. Overcoming the pain, he gripped the defiant creature tighter and continued the recitation.
Detremento aiellon pourquitos. Nio anle modus.
Brainne tuoref der spirite anusdero majestiko.
With the final words, the fire flared especially brightly. The circle around him accelerated, and the hymns began to sound more piercing. Gathering all his will, Radiel stepped forward, and the sacred flame enveloped him. He expected agonizing pain, compared to which ordinary wounds would seem like a light scratch, but it happened differently. A tomb-like cold pierced his body, all his organs froze into oblivion, and his skin began to melt in the ghostly fire. The beast stopped biting and shrieked desperately; the image of its flame-engulfed toothy maw was forever imprinted in his memory—later, this became his symbol and the decoration of his devilish instrument. Life and death—at that moment, these concepts distorted; an incredible power swallowed the meaning they hold for mere mortals. Powerful wings scattered the burning bones that had served as logs.
He felt this for only a few moments, being in the form of the Avatar of Nightmare for the first time, but that was enough to change him beyond recognition. Few manage to achieve such union with the deity during the first communion, meaning the Bone Nightmare recognized him as a competent source. However, the flame soon died out, and in its place stood a skeleton—he still had a long road ahead to fully master the acquired power. Not a problem for a true Child of Nightmare—the ritual is complete, and now the innate appearance is nothing more than a fiction.
The rain poured all day, and droplets flowed from empty eye sockets like tears of joy. From the remains of the sacrificed creature, he carved himself a pipe, and along with it came the idea of how else he could use his talents with his new abilities—then he began to learn how to transform a lute into an instrument that could convey music from the other side to the uninitiated. From now on, he would dedicate himself to the service of the only true deity, the most beautiful of the wonders of darkness.
Drifting in memories, Radiel came to himself already in the torture chamber, impaled on a spike that had grown from the ground, which scratched his ribs as it passed through. Too little to stop him. The memories gave him strength and dispelled any doubts that something could go wrong. Just like then, he again felt himself as a source and physically felt the power of the Nightmare responding to a silent call. All who are nearby are blessed by the witness of divine intervention—the Avatar has appeared in the earthly world. And for the souls consumed by demonic heresy, this means severe retribution for the crimes committed. A monstrous roar echoed through the room, and the bone dragon soared upward. Now this is no longer just a show; it is a phantasmagoria of destruction. The walls shook, and dust fell from the ceiling as the lethal monster dove, scattering enemy fighters as if they were dolls. Meanwhile, his comrades were actively destroying others, and the dragon focused its attention on the opponent who survived the first strike. Radiel growls to him through astral channels (perhaps he is a medium and will hear):
— And you shall see that my name is Nightmare!
And then he crashes devastatingly upon the insignificant club-wielder, tearing him apart in that very instant, causing shreds of meat to fly in all directions, leaving a bloody mess in place of the poor wretch.
That was the last one. Only Lin's puppets remained, who were promptly tied up and interrogated. Meanwhile, the dragon performed a final flight around the hall, gathering emanations of death from the site of the slaughter. using restoration if needed for healing Assessing the space, Radiel recalled how they dealt with large beasts in Revelin—luring them into some deep cave, then walling up the entrance and leaving them to die. Here it is slightly different—a large creature cannot fit through the passages, and if it appears inside, it cannot get out. So, for a final touch, spectacularly spreading its wings, the dragon disappears in a pillar of green flame; in its place appears Radiel in his humanoid bone form and draws his necro-guitar. Triumphantly towering over a pile of dead cultists, the Child of Nightmare releases the final dramatic notes in the light-show that took place here.
Arandor