Year of the Ram – Third Entry
It was wrong of me to doubt my lord as I documented
previously, for he has tasked me with composing the sad history
behind his half brother's existence. Ghast had imparted his memories
unto my lord, and in turn, released old memories inherited from his
father, Agrond, as well. After Ghast was left to slowly regenerate,
my lord and his cohorts returned to the dwelling of the human called
Kate Walker. Both Animal and the young girl, Meryle, rested in Kate's
home while the others gathered to discuss. Kate and the masked
warrior she now called Blue, worried over the strange illness that
had seemingly infected young Meryle and if Animal would survive his
injuries. My lord explained that Animal's wounds would heal in time,
but that which afflicted Meryle was beyond his comprehension, a ruse
well placed for later. During their discourse, Wraith appeared
bewildered by the commotion taking place. His entrance sent my lord
into a terrifying rage as he lashed out against him and pinned Wraith
to a wall, his one massive hand imprisoning him between gnarled and
clawed fingers.
Kate and Blue immediately attempted to remove my lord
away from Wraith, but with a free arm, he threw them both to the
ground snarling and raving about how all these occurrences were
Wraith's fault. Wraith, however, remained collective and showed no
fear towards my lord's anger. He instead calmly demanded that my lord
explain his actions, lest his friends would seek retribution against
his rash behavior. My lord slowly backed away and set himself down
upon a large cushioned seat on the far side of the room. Kate, at
this point, demanded that he explain his actions, as they had no
place inside her home. My lord looked over at the eyes that engaged
him and felt that he had no reason to entertain the others with
something they could not begin to understand. This was a matter
between my lord and Wraith, something that I will reveal in great
detail soon enough.
My lord remained silent, refusing to disclose the truth
that he wished to discuss with Wraith alone. Kate and Blue asked
Wraith to examine Meryle to determine what was wrong with her. My
lord knew well enough what had afflicted the young girl, and chose to
remain silent in the hope that Wraith would reveal the secrets that
he was so recently given. Then, perhaps the others will see the truth
themselves and have no reason to doubt him. For my lord was fully
aware that his actions in the past has made him an enemy to his
present company, and they would not be so trusting as to believe what
Ghast had imparted to him. Wraith surveyed over that girl's form and
inquired if Ghast or one his “minions” cut or scratched her.
Kate's reaction was one of reserved anger as she questioned how
Wraith knew about Ghast. My lord watched intently hoping that Wraith
would be forced to reveal his true relationship to Ghast.
Wraith explained, in truth, that he had encountered my
lord when he had unknowingly released Ghast from his prison. Kate,
who I have come to know personally as highly inquisitive and
determined, immediately asked if Wraith learned about Ghast then, or
if he had prior knowledge of him. This was a question that my lord
silently applauded Kate for, as it would determine how much Wraith
was willing to reveal to his so-called friends. But Wraith's answer
both pleased and displeased him. Wraith admitted that he in fact knew
who Ghast was and that he was well acquainted with him from long ago.
Kate demanded that Wraith explain if he was aware of Ghast's presence
in Kingston Heights prior to his arrival in the valley, to which he
replied hesitantly with, “...Yes.” Kate, looking disillusioned,
backed away and looked at my lord with a gaze that seemed to
acknowledge his previous assault on Wraith. After a short moment to
compose herself, Kate placed a hand on Blue's shoulder, who was
comforting young Meryle, and motioned towards Wraith and resumed her
questioning.
Kate inquired if Wraith had a relationship with Ghast
and asked if it was his intention to come to Kingston Heights to
release him. Again, Wraith replied, “...Yes.” Blue immediately
stood up and faced Wraith with the same look of rage that my lord
displayed only minutes prior. Kate accused Wraith of betraying her
trust, but even worse, betraying Animal, who looked up to Wraith as a
mentor. Wraith's response was unexpected, though at the moment it did
fully sway my lord's opinion of him, it did affirm all the Primeran
tales of Wraith's wisdom, kindness, and understanding. His words have
stayed with my lord, and he has asked me to document his response to
his friend's accusations.
“My friends, and I do mean 'my friends.' You have
every right to be angry with me, but if I am to preserve some inkling
of our relationship then I must deliver to you a response that
neither insults your intelligence, nor arouses your ire. I did come
to this land to find Ghast, and it was my intention to release him. I
planned to do this so that I, in hopes, could absolve my guilt for
the crime that I have committed. I wronged him, and I took it upon
myself to right that wrong by any means necessary. Unfortunately,
when I learned of Monster's connection to Ghast, I realized that it
would be dangerous to awaken him so long as Monster remained in the
valley. Monster had done me no wrong, so ending his life to aid my
quest would only add more guilt to my already burdened conscience.
When I noticed what Animal was capable of I decided to train him so
that he could repel Monster on my behalf, for there was no guarantee
that Monster would live if I challenged him. I knew that Animal would
not be able to kill Monster, his life has been devoid of their harsh
Primeran philosophy towards survival. I then allowed the idea of
Monster's death to continue to spread in the hopes that he would have
given up on finding Ghast. As Animal looked for Ghast's resting spot,
I was looking instead for Monster, hoping to return him to Ferus
Mundas. But before I could do so, I discovered him on his knees
having just released Ghast, who had become nothing more than a shell
of his former self. If I had intervened, he would have killed me for
my crimes after realizing that my presence here would validate his
desire for vengeance. You must be furious, I know. But allow Monster
to share what he has discovered, for it would be best that you hear
about the reason for Ghast's rampage from someone other than myself.
I cannot hope to regain your trust alone, so I will place my fate in
the hands of someone who was once our enemy, and it is my hope, that
this will show all of you how I mean you no harm. Monster, it is your
turn. How you you choose to reveal these sad events to them will
indeed affect what I do next. You now have something you want, my
fate in your hands.”
My lord tells me that he was unsure of what to think of
Wraith's words. Was he indeed telling the truth? Why would he offer
to place his friends' trust to him? Such questions he could not
answer, but deep in his heart he knew that whatever intentions Wraith
may have had, the reality was that they all faced an insurmountable
enemy. Even if Wraith was toying with the truth, he would not dare do
so at the risk of his life. Wraith was no longer mortal, he had been
born again in Ferus Mundus, and now the essence of the Primeran home
world coursed through his body as it did his. This undeniable fact
proved to my lord that Wraith would not make himself vulnerable to
such an foolhardy gesture unless he had no reason to be afraid of
death, something all Primerans respect and fear, more so than humans.
Primeran instincts run strong, and Wraith would not be able to mask
such fears so easily. My lord knew that he could tell the tale of his
forsaken brother and expect that Wraith will do whatever is needed in
order to survive the calamity that they all faced. Then again, Wraith
was renowned for his cunning nature, and his long existence was a
testament to his ability to survive and adapt. Was this but one step
in an elaborate plot to save himself, or a plan to save them all?
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