Demoni Vankil - Letter Fourteen

I wish someone had provided solid proof of how this was done, but the records are tainted. Each race involved in the conflict has their own version of the story.

Demoni Vankil is the historical and award-winning work of Höbin Luckyfeller, and the precursor to Chronicles of a Hero.

An ancient puzzle box.
Fourteen letters.
A Council of Whispers.
…and a clerk.
Discover the 700 year old secret millions died to protect.

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LETTER FOURTEEN

It is done.

There is nothing left for me here and I am free to go.

I have lived a lifetime without you these four years. A life I would wish upon no man, nor ask any heart to endure, though I have few regrets.

In the time I have labored, I have learned an important lesson.

Though we have bound the Dark Lord and cast him out from among us, darkness will return. It is a heavy blow to a man’s greatest work to know it is for naught. We will forever be vulnerable to the weaknesses in our own hearts and our selfish desires. Power, money, lusts of the flesh and any other desire which takes a man, a family, a village or a nation from peace or freedom.

It is the sword of tyranny and the enemy of all.

For until men desire to control their own passions, evil roots itself in their hearts and darkness will rise again.

I am certain of this.

Mahan will return, though it be by another name.

Such is the war of mankind.

My deed is done. I am consumed.

I am coming home.

All my love,

Eamon

That is the end of the letters. But not a satisfactory end of the story for me.

I want to know the details of the Demoni Vankil.

I wish someone had provided solid proof of how this was done, but the records are tainted. Each race involved in the conflict has their own version of the story.

They claim that their race defeated and bound the Dark Lord, except for the Iskäri.

The Evolu used the power of the elements to send the dark army fleeing and then cast a great sleep upon Mahan.

The Nocturi destroyed the dark armies with such power that Mahan begged for mercy.

Humans say Gaston challenged Mahan openly. That his archers pierced the Dark Lord with arrows to the extent it weakened him enough that the mägo Orders could use befuddlement and sleep charms on him.

The Kutollum say King Kimmeldell and his legion of dwarves decimated the dark army and bound Mahan in chains of enchanted metal.

…but the greatest version was from my people.

They claim to have annihilated the dark army with Gnome-powered robots and kept Mahan sedated by an electric choke-collar.

Yeah—the Gnomes didn’t have technology yet…and they didn’t even FIGHT in the war!

However, the accounts are straightforward that the Kings of all four races gave their lives to defeat Mahan and his army upon the fields of Andilain. That’s in the Book of Four Kings.

What happened to Eamon?

I don’t think they would rebuke me for saying this man is one of the greatest mägo in history. Yet, according to prominent records, he doesn’t exist?!?

After what he accomplished, I’m surprised.

Did nobody think that they should write this down? To remember?

Did he go to Bailish to meet his family?

No. Somewhere along this trail I read of Bailish being overcome.

Apparently he met up with Ethany and the children, because I found her letters and Hammel’s puzzle box in the kirk.

Where’s my happy ending?

Full and satisfied?

Neat and tidy?

Nope.

I am going to Andilain.

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Paid subscribers can access the entire archive of this series from the beginning, along with other stories and every article I’ve ever written. If you aren’t a paid subscriber, you can access the archive for free with a 7-day trial OR earn a paid membership by joining the referral program!