At last, Marrdo had mastered the power of necromancy. He knew he should feel something. Satisfaction? Pride? Instead, all he felt was the same hollow emptiness that haunted him ever since that day.

He still remembered it as vividly as if it just happened…

A monster burst from the mountain cave and charged forward. Marrdo froze, uncertain what he should do. His powers weren’t strong enough, since he’d tried to reject the path most Haunted chose.

“Marrdo!”

A small body leaped in front of him. The monster’s claws struck Veredin instead, and the gnome flew backward with a spray of blood.

“No!”Marrdo used his magic for the first time and lashed out at the creature with all the power of an enraged Haunted.

It fell.

Dizzy with fear, he raced to the spot where Veredin landed and crouched beside him. “Veredin?” Blood poured from deep gashes across the gnome’s torso. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. “Veredin!”

Veredin’s eyes fluttered open. “I’m glad… you’re okay…” The gnome’s lips lifted in a weak smile. “Don’t… forget me…”

“How could I ever forget you?” Marrdo carefully lifted him into his arms. Veredin felt lighter than he expected, like a children’s toy. “And don’t talk like that.” He stood. “You’re going to be fine.”

They had to get off the mountain and reach a town. Someone there could heal him. Even if they refused to deal with one of the Haunted, surely they’d help a gnome.

What will happen next?.....

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