Role

Chapter 9

Hovering over the broken corpse of the Scarab Gargoyle, Zah cracks his
bloodied knuckles and prepares himself to face the Lich within.

"GRRRGGHH"

The sound echoes throughout the temple, the rumble of Zah's massive
stomach. Cursing to himself, Zah realises he did not pack enough food for the
forthcoming battle and turns back in frustration.

After consuming what feels like an endless amount of Candi's bakery
cookies, a feeling of impending doom overcomes Zah, yet within it, Zah too
feels a spark of exhilaration. Looking up, he sees the Warlord Jormyr looming
over him, shrouded in a cloud lightning and ash. The Warlord has come to
discuss the Village Wars and their lack of progression.

As the pair speak, a new realisation rises within Zah. Never has Zah given my
thought to the Heavens, his old Tribe, their Village and last name long since
abandoned, were God fearing. Like most Cloud Giants, they did not worship the
Divine for fear of drawing their attention.

Zah looks down at his hands, hard, calloused and stained pink from years of
blood. Yet despite their strength, they shake as always before the fearsome
Warlord. But it is not fear that causes them to tremble, it is something
deeper, something far more primal. It is the savagery of the Ancient Village,
it is the Thirst that constantly calls to him, and it is so much more.

The Warlord vanishes, Zah is left alone. Hands shaking, heart racing, a storm
of emotions raging within him. Turning back towards the Temple, Zah lets
loose his Cry of Thunder and charges the Gargoyle once again, determined to
bring Destruction to all within.

As the Lich Coprophagous falls, the Unholy Icon of the Scarab appears in Zah
hands. Looking down at it, Zah notices that it remains still, his hands no
longer trembling. With the battle now ended and the temple quiet once again,
a feeling of calm washes over Zah.

He hates it.

The need for the Destructive power of the Thirst still yearns within him,
only this time it is something greater, something Divine. Determined to find
this feeling once again, Zah leaves the temple with a new goal in mind. He
will seek out the Warlord Jormyr and he will embrace the Fury of Winter, for
better or worse.