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SKULL
SKULL’s EYES LAZILY glazed over the humans in front of him. He had just portaled in to the world of Ashirra. “It’s time to make yourselves useful,” he said with a wicked grin.
“Of course, Lord Skull. We will not fail to please the Master,” one of the humans said.
“I would hope not. After all, I taught you the very magic you use. Don’t fail me.” Skull’s voice took a dark undertone as he walked out of the main room in the temple housing the portal. The humans were annoying, but useful to his Master’s plans. Skull almost hoped they weren’t up for the challenge. At least if they failed in their Corruption, Skull could have some fun with the magic-users.
Skull strode in to a room branched away from the main portal room. Inside, three of his underlings awaited him. Useful creatures, even if they were clawing for his attention. “Skull... we were told to report to you,” the first underling said. He was similar to a goblin with bat-like wings and inverted eyes. Rather than intimidating, though, his eyes were widened in fear that wafted away from him in waves.
“Yes.” Skull gestured to all three underlings. “I’m sending the three of you to three different worlds that need to feel the joys of Corruption. Whichever one of you thinks of the most intriguing way to Corrupt that world will become the general of my army, and the two who lose must serve him.” Skull crossed his arms as he watched the underlings all nod.
He gestured to the goblin-like, one. “You will portal to the world called Taekkim.”
The goblin-looking creature nodded and said, “Yes, sir,” just before scurrying off.
Skull’s lazy gaze fell on the second. This creature was quite human—at least, he used to be—but Corruption him had twisted him into a hunchbacked, ugly thing. Casually leaning on the wall of the temple behind him, Skull flicked his wrist at the ugly man and darkness pooled around his feet. “You will go to the world Blakkern to the Gannorian Empire. Go.”
The ugly hunchback shakily stood. “Y—yes, s—sir.”
At last, Skull’s eyes rested on the last underling. Not small or twisted like the goblin, and not ugly like the man. This one appeared normal, just like any other human in the galaxy. Except for his hands. They ended in claws. “And you,” Skull said, gesturing to the door. “Portal to Yacol’ai.”
The clawed man nodded and rushed off.
He debated about sending the last underling to the world Qazynne, but he had taken care of that one personally. By now, their queen no doubt had control over the planet, exactly as Skull had instructed her—and taught her.
Taekkim, Blakkern, and Yacol’ai. Three new worlds to Corrupt. Taekkim would be a difficult task but a prize if they could Corrupt it. Once, it had powerful magic and an ancient race that likely would have stood against Corruption. Now, however, the race was likely extinct. Blakkern, more specifically the Gannorian Empire, had too much focus on its military. If Skull’s underling was smart, that would be his way in. Lastly, Yacol’ai. It wouldn’t take much for the blood-soaked world to be Corrupted. Out of all the underlings, he had the easier task. Then again, easier to Corrupt wouldn’t necessarily win him Skull’s little challenge if the underling wasn’t creative.
Skull stepped out of the temple and gazed out at the world he stood on. Ashirra. Water stretched along the horizon as far as he could see and lapped at the edges of the temple. It was a deep ocean world, yet it also had magic—thanks to Skull’s teachings ages ago. If his human servants did as requested, then...
Skull smiled at the thought of what fate awaited the magical water world. Soon... very soon... it would be plunged into complete chaos.
Chapter 1: Lynia
AT ANY MOMENT I was going to run out of air. It was so dark I could barely see, not to mention the pressure of all the water crushing down on my body.
Here, at the bottom of the ocean, I was all alone, except for the dolphin which my right arm slung around and the mermaid I held onto with my left hand. But then again, they were just constructs, so technically, I was still completely alone.
All for a silly package, I thought to myself. Not even a well-paying one at that.
I was supposed to deliver the package to the Ocean Floor Mining Unit, which was a part of the tech-guild Silla. Only instead of paying the fee to take the elevator down the tower to the ocean floor, I had decided to use my keys to have my dolphin and mermaid take me... the cheap way.
Well, here’s to dying just because I didn’t want to spend 12cc’s.
Shadows and darkness consumed the world around me. Down here, there was no light and, even peering around the building, I couldn’t see anything but blackness. Great. Now, what was I supposed to do? Sucking in a deep breath, I took my hand off the dolphin and placed it on the wall, sliding it across to try and find the door. Any door.
Panic creeped in, but I tried to stay calm. Just breathe. Then again, that was terrible advice since I couldn’t. Underwater, remember?
My lungs burned for air and my eyes blinked several times. Unconsciousness gripped me with unforgiving hands. I needed air, and I needed it now.
