Demoni Vankil - Letter Thirteen
I have perfected the runes, and everything is in order. I am ready.
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.
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!
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LETTER THIRTEEN
My Beloved Ethany,
I awoke this morning to shouts echoing through the halls of Holääfeldi. Dwarven criers bellowing “High King Gaston is dead and Mahan is captured.”
Upon further investigation, I am told that the Omethiä, the Head Speaker of the Evolu, and Lord Soturi of the Nocturi, have also fallen.
King Kimmeldell the Bold, even now, clings to life, having received great wounds in the Battle of Northridge against the Vallen hordes. They dispatched the finest healers in Holääfeldi in haste, but there was little hope of arriving in time.
Had the dwarves not dismantled their own Prime Gate during the war, this would not have been a concern.
The victory is not yet full enough to outweigh the sorrow and devastation that has settled down upon these people. The dark cloud of grief engulfs them. And I mourn with them. I should never want to forget the moans and sobs of a people in despair when the savagery of war robs them of loved ones in open mockery.
The pains in my chest have become unbearable.
Ethany, I feel I am responsible for their loss. How can I not feel guilty when they sacrificed their lives for me to finish this work?
My only consolation is that it is done. Oh, that you could hear me cry to the mountains—‘I am done! You may have no more blood!’
After 1402 days since I left you and the girls, do I dare hope that this war is finally over? I have been praying for years for the end to come, and so much has been lost! Yet, I am reassured it is true—my time has finally come.
I know now you would not recognize me, my love, for I am nothing but a shadow of my former self. My mind may burn with the power of rune knowledge, but my body has all but withered away in my dedication to this task. Only now do I understand. The ancient Runelords of folklore did not allow this magic to fade into myth. It consumed them until there was nothing left of them.
I have perfected the runes, and everything is in order. I am ready.
Three runes.
One to bind the tongue and one to bind the body. It shall be impossible for the Dark Lord to weave his spells.
The third is special. It will bind him to Unrest itself, forged from the ore of that frozen world…forcing that immortal damnation to exist in a hell of living death.
I have named it Demoni Vankil, the Devils Prison.
I have separated the seals from the marks. If the seals cannot be found, they cannot be broken. We have only to place the marks upon him and it will be done.
I leave this very night for Castle Andilain with a branch of Kimmeldell’s personal guard to watch over me and preserve my life. Four of the three newly cast Runelords, only I remain to speak the incantations. We will travel light and fast to the capital for the ritual. I have the privilege of delivering the final blow. This irrevocable act holds my loathing, my pain, my hatred…and my revenge.
My warm clothing is worn through. They have given me a red cloak to keep me warm. I wish I could travel to Andilain by the Prime Gate, that my tasks may be done and I can return home.
Tell the girls it won’t be much longer.
Will you wait for me?
All my love,
Eamon
Demoni Vankil—the Devil’s Prison.
Ahem—Yeah.
That was my second guess.
Eager to know of the end, I unfolded the last letter.
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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!