The Necromancer: Part Ten
by J Jericho Born
Abel sat behind his desk in the underground cavern he called home. He was busy sorting through various books and manuscripts, always faithful about his studies. The diligence he showed in his work was interrupted as his tutor entered.

Abel looked up and questioned, "How goes the construction of the lair?"

"It goes satisfactory. I must say that your zombies are very good workers indeed," commented the older necromancer.

"That's the way I resurrect them," Abel stated proudly with a smirk. No smile was given in return.

"You have a call," said the elder necromancer.

"I'll take it in the seeing room," said Abel as he got up and took a brisk walk around a couple corners to reach his destination.

The space he now occupied was made of barren earth; walls, floor, ceiling, and all. The only illumination came surreally from the ground itself. Abel stared at the center of the glowing floor. As he stood focused, his eyes soon met a worm like creature that wriggled itself out of the dirt and came about chest high. As it stood there unsteadily a sort of eyelid opened to reveal none other than a horrific eye.

As this strange creature drifted back and forth, to and fro it beamed an image into the air above it. The picture was of a dark, hooded figure who's facial features could not be made out.

"I trust you have everything in order there," spoke a voice that must have been partnered with the figure.

"I am always in control," replied Abel confidently.

"That is good to hear," commented the voice.

"Trust me, it's much better to say," said Abel with a smile.

"I am sorry to have to tell you that a coup de tat is being staged against me," said the voice.

"That's unfortunate to hear," remarked Abel.

"It's much more unfortunate to have to say," the voice said with much grief.

"I must ask you to return and help me put down this uprising," shakily added the voice.

"What?" angrily questioned Abel.

"You are my only hope. No one can match your prowess as a necromancer," the voice said as its tone became more and more worried.

"But, if I return we will lose our link to this realm," reminded Abel.

"I am aware of this," somberly stated the voice.

"How typical of us! Too busy infighting to seize the opportunity to conquer this world," exclaimed Abel.

"You are needed here," the voice persisted.

"I do not wish to be there!" yelled Abel in return.

"Then I will retrieve you," ominously stated the voice.

"Oh, no, guess again, big guy. Consider the Gateway closed!" defiantly declared Abel.

Before any reply could be given Abel laid waste to the worm creature with a terrible hellish fire. Its muffled screams sang a duet with the awful sound of the flames themselves. As the pupil of its eye dilated and it fell to the ground Abel turned to leave. However, his egress was blocked by his tutor standing in the entryway. The two stared each other down.

"Are you with me?" questioned Abel.

"Let me consider my options. If I err on the side of loyalty and say no, you will most certainly kill me. If I err on the side of self preservation and say yes, I will become your perpetual lap dog," stated the older necromancer.

"Well?" snapped Abel.

"I can hardly be against you. My allegiance lies in your camp," said Abel's former teacher.

"Good. Come now, we have a world to conquer," said Abel as he led the way out of the room.


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