13- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR - SECTION 5

                                                                                   

Fradel Rurik Korvald still cursing, grabbed Lord Asger by the neck and with a demigod’s strength held him up high. There he kept Asger effortlessly suspended in midair for a while, as his vice grip tightened increasingly on the flesh and bone. It nearly choked the very life out of Asger, reducing him to a near unconscious state.

Demonic power had to be behind Fradel’s superhuman strength. Asger knew nonetheless he must at all costs, defeat this dastardly villain! He could not have lived in vain all those years and endured what he had, just to have failed in the end. He could not disappoint Nevetsecnuac whom he loved like a son, his father Lord Wutenzar Thuxur Marrog Zhon, his mother Lady Anselma Marrog Zhon (who was the elder sister of 7^th Prince Shon- Nevetsecnuac’s father) and his beloved Sovereign Zuronghan Alric Therran Valamir! His mind obstinately hence defied the present reality that his weighed chances were less than zero (nil) and time was fast running out, with the effects of the poison coursing through his veins, soon would be by any means, irreversible!

 

01- FRADEL RURIK KORVALD ( ACTUALLY EGIL VIGGORIES) -JP 333

   

“Are you hard of hearing old man? I said, “"Look at me! Look hard or I swear I will pluck out your contemptible eyes!”  Outraged Fradel spitting vile and venom, violently shook Asger who was still hanging, suspended in midair.

When this too, did not get the desired effect- that single sign, that glimmer of recognition still missing from Asger, Fradel ground his teeth then growled: “Are you daft; look more carefully, cur! You know very well who I am! The potion has not affected your eyes, your cognitive abilities, only your speech!”

Asger all this time artfully regulating his vitals, with his empty gaze (blank stare) on Fradel had only paid half heed to the ravings of the deranged adversary; when suddenly Fradel’s plaguing assertions: “Why have you betrayed me, for that despicable Prince Nevetsecnuac? You cannot deny my existence!” had all at once rushed into Asger’s mind, when) to awaken him to an unconceivable reality.

But how was that possible? Asger’s eyes widened in shock, for despite his flat rejection of this implausible notion he was still taken aback when a tiny bud (of elucidation) sprouted and then took root in his brain.

 

02- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON  (98)JP

“Ivar!”  A silent, heart wrenching cry that same instant pierced Asger’s soul. Could any less be expected of that contemptable Zakhertan? Asger closed his eyes in utter resignation and deep dismay.

 

When Ivar noted the sequential miens (expressions) of surprise, of remorse and then of pity registering in Asger’s pupils, he grunted, “I spit on your conscience! Save your abject pity for yourself!”  With a contemptuous snort, he then hurled Asger violently back at the far wall. Asger’s back crashed against the hardwood panels (holding up the inner wall), and badly bruised. He slid to the floor, scattering his medicine flasks all about him.

 

Going over, Ivar grabbed Asger by the collar and growled, “You have so callously.

(hardheartedly) disregarded the kinship laws of any civilization! You have severed the basis, the root which the trunk, branches and the fruit, future generations of your line, had counted on. You have forsaken, abandoned your own flesh and blood, and sacrificed everything for what, for honor and glory? Selfish beast... Your loyalty should have been first to your own offspring, not your maternal cousin’s whelp. You forsook your ancestor's, Zhon’s legacy to perpetuate that of Valamir? Thanks to you, the person, the name Ivar is forever dead and gone; but as you have already construed (deduced), Egil Viggoaries lives on… the most feared, most powerful (Internal Security) Minister in Wenjenkun.” Egil waited for it all to sink in.

 

All at once the (relayed) prior intelligence about Dark Eunuch’s copious, ignominious, vile acts had flashed by in Asger’s brain, burdening his heart and tormenting his already guilt-ridden soul! The intense pain that oppressed him was evident in his eyes. But Egil Viggoaries’s abhorrence of Asger, not in the slightest bit assuaged, he gnashed his teeth and promised: “The ultimate vengeance shall be mine; and even in the nether world you will not escape my wrath. I shall launch a grievance against you in Hell, be sure of that! Your despicable soul will never be allowed to dwell in Heaven or be able to reunite with your beloved Sovereign!”  He scornfully hissed, his face inches from Asger’s, then rising to his feet. He slowly walked away.

His back to Asger, head lowered; (in contemplative pose) he lapsed into thoughtful silence for a spell that however seemed more like an eternity to both.

At first when the truth had been revealed (exposed, laid bare), Egil had felt as though an enormous weight, one that had burdened him, tormented his soul his entire life, had been lifted from his shoulders; but briefly after that, it had lost its (effect) potency. Egil pensively shook his head. Why didn’t he feel any better?

Damn him! Gnashing his teeth, Egil swore inwardly. Asger, his contemptible father (retribution at hand,) was now at his mercy, but mercy he would not have. He (Egil) would make Asger pay and pay dearly!

Bitterness and resentment still gnawing at his innards; Egil’s battered soul demanded more than retribution and vengeance! But what else was there?

03- EGIL VIGGORIES 2- JP

Egil reeled about and took a long hard look at Asger, trying to gauge the character, the weak points of this contemptible Lord, his besotted (begotten) father! Then, as if absentminded he turned and studied his own image reflected on the metal shield hanging by the far wall. The answer just then came to him; Egil smirked venomously. This body may not be his usual self, but it was whole, and eh, it will do. He shrugged a moment later, rebounding with that sinister aim; Fradel had, after all, the requisite (adequate) parts.

Hmm…though, not just yet. Checking his exuberance and lust, he half turned and glared at Asger. “In answer to your silent query, yes, I have but temporarily appropriated (seized, commandeered, arrogated) Fradel’s body.”  He sneered, then extrapolated, “as luck would have it. Five months prior, my path had crossed with a strange entity known as Samnuk (Cassar), which happens to be the ward of an Immortal Dwengzur. Samnuk, if you must know, is a rock spirit. Long story short, I tricked this Samnuk and acquired these positively useful aptitudes. One being that I could usurp (assume) another form against their will, after simply invoking the “Shapeshift Hex.”

 

04- DARK EUNUCH EGIL VIGGORIES ENCOUNTERS SAMNUK

Suddenly Asger recalling his own encounter with an unusual being, hope sprung anew in his heart. Having a retentive memory, he remembered all too well the incantation, of Zandar’s parting gift along with his cautionary words, “to never use “Ewbinuko Hex,” till, and only once at future time (eventuality), when it would be the only thing that would deliver him from dire harm. Unfortunately, his internal invoking of the Hex was abruptly interrupted and then his mind was compelled (directed), through supernatural means, to focus only on Egil’s spoken words: “As you can now attest to it, I have also acquired superhuman strength, hearing, healing, and agility.” 

Egil had, nevertheless, kept from Asger the fact that, this competence (ability) also came at a terrible price. Egil Viggoaries had been forewarned by Samnuk and thence, had avoided invoking the “Shapeshift Hex” till a week ago, when it was (absolutely) necessary, and it was an appropriate time. But as a result, he was now a marked, hunted being!

Egil Viggoaries however was not one to meekly surrender his life. He had a vast network of spies, officials, and invincible warriors of Black Molochs, in addition to his other means and faculties, to protect and preserve his life. After he had finished here, he would then assess (gauge) what he could do to effectively extricate himself from this objectionable dire predicament (consequence).

Presently, Egil shook his head and quickly brushed aside this unpleasant flash of intrusion into his mind; then, uninterrupted, he said: “When my agents got a viable information about your whereabouts, from no less, Heaven’s Gate Spiritual Temple, I set out at once to deal with this unfinished business with you, for I could not very well rely on anyone else to do as proper a job, then me. I am disappointed though, at not finding Nevetsecnuac here. Is he on a hunt or sent on some foolish errand?”

 

“Never mind, I can afford to wait to deal with him later. One thing is for sure however, after my return to Channing with my trophies, with all your decapitated heads, and collected my just rewards from Zakhertan Yozdek, well, I shall embark on that far more exciting and ambitious venture…Attaining my lifetime’ goal of becoming the next Sovereign of Wenjenkun.” Egil Viggoaries smirked, remaining silent for a time as he envisioned the glorious future.

“But for now, I shall be content with just tormenting you, like you have never been before and, make you squirm!” Egil grounds his teeth. “Shall I tell you the exquisite details of torture I put that imposter through, the one that was supposed to be me, languishing in jail. But you were (made) aware of every bit, through your contacts, weren’t you? Yet you persisted, forestalling, straining from any rescue attempt. You are such a hypocrite, leading a virtuous life, all the while condemning, ignoring an innocent being’s lifetime of torment. Long at last, the time has come for restitution; we shall see how you like it. I have been well instructed in the arts of sadism and torture by Zakhertan Yozdek, yes, your arch nemesis, after all.  Do not rely on your resilient, iron-will stand on your ground; I have countless means to break you. Doubt not, I shall exact total vengeance for what I have had to endure all those years. I hold you personally responsible for it all; but first, ignorance shall not be your defense.”  With a contemptuous snort he advanced towards Asger and squatted before him. “Oh, I have neglected to tell you, I have also mastered primeval, fundamental secrets (erudition) of the Dark Occults. I have motley means to torment you in inconceivable ways.”

 

05- EGIL VIGGORIES'S FACE DARKENED  1- 23 JP

 Egil’s face darkened; his vicious glare now burrowing into Asger’s flesh, he hotly snarled: “There is no substitute for firsthand experience; eyes being the windows of the soul, care to have a peek?”  Egil grabbed Asger by the collars, pinned Asger’s face to that of his own, and forced Asger to look hard into his now glowing, flaming pupils.

In his spellbound state, time being relative, Asger bore firsthand witness to sequential, fast paced events (unraveled episodes), particularly that of his innocent son Ivar’s pubescent (toddler) years being marred (sullied) by the unspeakable savagery and brutal abuse at the hand of Chief Eunuch Mokan, a devious, lecherous brute with a black heart. After the demise of Mokan, Asger (still immersed in that world long since gone by) bore witness next to Ivar’s, though by then renamed Egil’s, terrible adolescent years of perpetual violence, torture, and persecution. This wrenched Asger’s heart! But the worst was yet to come!

Asger was moreover tormented, by subsequent, far baser incidents that had transpired in Egil Viggoaries’s adult years. Those terrible occurrences, the ineffable, odious acts inflicted on Egil, and he in turn, had done to others, specifically to his jailed (imprisoned) namesake, deeply wounded Asger’s soul and made his body cringe!  Asger’s eyes now brimmed with tears as his heart drowned in the interminable pool of inconsolable grief.

  

The Dark Eunuch at first was amused noting how his father, having reached a near saturation point, now did not want to see anymore, yet forced himself to endure it stoically and penitently (remorsefully) all.

“Oh, how noble of you!” Egil Viggoaries contemptuously ground his teeth.

 

Asger, just then had silently cursed his incapacitated state, for he wanted very much, to implore his son’s forgiveness and to explain the dire circumstances that had necessitated his previous act.

Surmising this, Dark Eunuch’s rage still not allayed, he derisively scoffed. “You would only waste your breath. It is too late for that anyhow, and it is too late for any mercy (clemency)! Now, do you care to see further what a terrific life and fate, the ramifications which your actions fostered for me? At least it was not dreary (lackluster)! Come, bear witness to my multitude of accomplishments! As the brilliant official of Wenjenkun, I dare say, I have (excelled) outdone my part, far more than that undeserving proxy (substitute) Nevetsecnuac. You should be proud, for technically (theoretically) at least, a good measure of my accomplishments, ought to be accredited to you!”

 

The following horrors again witnessed by Asger, as the ferocious Eunuch Egil Viggoaries preyed on numerous innocents and noble courtiers, the copious tortured, carved up and maimed individuals, savagery at times committed on a whim, unmercifully denigrated (abused) Asger’s already wearied soul. The ghastly images of those unjustly accused as they were being beaten up even though they had no skin left to flay then set on fire, the anguished cries of those being buried alive as part of Eunuch’s nightly entertainment, all these atrocities would unfortunately forever, hereafter, would hunt Asger’s peace.

Presently however, bearing in mind Wenjenkun’s welfare, his grave responsibilities, and his obligation as a liege man (to Zuronghan  Therran Valamir) Asger with his strong will deliberately overcame the flood of emotions and withstood the tremendous pressures. What is more, from that near saturation point, instead of descending to phantom depths of no return, he had rebounded to resist the onslaught of mounting horrific images and, stemmed the damage of the all-encompassing and unremitting evil tide which had been thrusted upon him. His firm (unyielding) logical mind, moreover, had hardened Asger’s heart and resolve (steel determination) irrevocably against the vile beast which (Ivar) Egil had now become.

 

06- LORD ASGER THUXUR MARROG ZHON  (97)JP

 

Asger had always held the firm belief that, despite the terrible trials and tribulations of life and the adverse environmental conditioning, individual’s nature could still be good, and that, each man was the master of their own destiny.  Over two decades (since that crucial time) now, Asger had silently borne the burden of guilt, for abandoning his flesh and blood to an unknown fate; but he would not from hereafter, shoulder full blame for Ivar’s (Egil Viggoaries’s) brutal actions. Had Ivar (Egil) been benevolent (virtuous) at core, he would have withstood all pressures, all manner of brainwashing, all perversions, and he would have perished rather than succumbed to evil. Truth, justice, love, loyalty, and compassion being the essential elements (key ingredients) of moral fabric, the epitome (embodiment) of it would have without fail, steered even the most repugnant, fallen man back onto the righteous path and beget his salvation. There was no excuse therefore, for Egil Viggoaries’s (Ivar’s) mature (grownup) years of rapacious, barbaric crimes committed against humanity.

Egil Viggoaries, though from the same noble blood and gene-pool with Lord Asger, the Dark Eunuch’s quintessence (character, heart, and spirit) had elected to succumb to and perpetuate iniquitous (heinous) evil, hence, giving Asger at present, a just cause to forever disown (renounce) him.  

 

Egil Viggoaries becoming aware of this change in Asger’s countenance (expression, visage) now and realizing that his sinister and vengeful design had ultimately (basically) failed, he let go his supernatural hold on Lord Asger, as there were still more avenues, he had not yet explored. Heck, the longer Asger held out with his strong will, the more prolonged would be his ultimate enjoyment of the conquest and the inevitable decimation (obliteration) of Asger’s fundamental being (quintessence, soul).  And so undeterred, rising to his feet, Egil Viggoaries went over and picked up the sword.

His eyes slowly caressing the blade, “Now,” he declared viciously, “I shall pay you back in another way. I shall first taint that beauty in the next room that you are so protective of. She must be Nevetsecnuac’s wife, and those two must be his spawns. And when I am through with her, both her and the children shall have a taste of this magnificent blade. Your precious ancestral sword!”  With a sinister smile on his lips, resembling a marauding tiger, he then turned and simply went out of the room (exited the room).

 

 

(END OF SECTION 5)