Wrath

Osric flings his eyes open. With a guttural gasp, he rises to his butt. He’s lying in the grass in front of his mansion. His chest is healed, only the hole in his shirt remains. He’s alive.

Smoke hangs in the air. The forest fire has only gotten worse. He takes off into the flames with an idea. If I can make it to my parents’ house… the magic book — it has the spell that can create a rainstorm. Ugh, why didn’t I bring it with me?

“There’s no way you can take down Wrath,” Sloth's voice echoes in his head.

“I have to do something,” Osric objects, picking up his pace.

“Use me.” Osric stops at Sloth's sudden suggestion.

“No way. You'll possess me and kill people again.” Osric looks to his left. Against a tree, in a pile of ash, sits the Book of Sloth.

“Our deal still stands. I can help you with this. Then you give me a body so I can collect the books.”

Osric jogs over. “What if I collect the books for you? Will you help me without taking over my body?”

“Sounds good. Means less work for me.”

Osric picks up the Book of Sloth. His heartbeat rings in his skull, sending a painful throb through his head.

Alright. Go get your book. Sloth's voice cuts through the pain.

Osric takes off, moving lightning-quick — he's in control.

They’re out of the forest in an instant. Zooming down the village path, he stops at his house — it’s engulfed in flames. Every house in view is being burnt to the ground. Panicked screams echo in the distance. What a horrible sight...

Go. Get the book! Sloth's voice rattles, snapping him back.

In a flash, he's inside the house. The flames have yet to reach the second floor. He makes it to his closet, swings it open, there it is, on his sheet: the magic book Angus gave him. Just as quickly as he entered, he's out.

Rapidly paging through the book, he finds the storm spell. He begins a complicated, far-too-long incantation, then thrusts his open hand to the sky.

Deep grey storm clouds fade into existence, spanning the entire sky. Each cloud flickering with lightning. A torrential downpour follows.

I don't think it's supposed to be this big.

I upped your mana output, Sloth says.

Nice! Osric takes off again, following the trail of burning houses.

A flame-engulfed Elayne comes into view. He halts his sprint as a blast of air follows. Beyond Elayne, three beastkin slaves stare her down. Their tattered brown tunics and drawers are charred. Wielding axes and hoes, they charge her, following the orders of a man standing behind them.

Osric sprints between them just in time — the blast of flame intended for the slaves is blocked by Sloth’s invisible shield.

“Go! Get out of here!” Osric yells over his shoulder. “Tell everyone to evacuate!”

The three slaves and the man take off.

Osric's head whips back to her with a glare. “Elayne! Stop this!”

“Out of the way, Sloth.” The voice leaving her body isn’t Elayne's — a booming, deep voice shoots out.

“Nah, no can do Wrath. I'm lettin' this kid have the reins,” Sloth says, taking over his mouth.

“Why do you oppose me? We have the same goal, do we not?” Wrath's voice shakes the ground.

“Yeah, but that sounds like too much work. Short stuff here says he'll do it for me,” Sloth replies.

“What a waste you are. Your presence won’t be needed when we reunite.” Wrath sends a pyre of flames their way, but they can’t penetrate Sloth's shield.

Flip through my book! Sloth orders.

Osric turns the pages.

Stop!

The page reads “Chains of Suppression,” depicting giant chains wrapping around the outline of a man.

Say it! Sloth barks.

“Chains of Suppression!” Osric shouts.

A giant purple chain link bursts out of the ground. Wrath pounces into the air, but the chain shoots up, wrapping around Elayne’s leg. The chains retract into the ground, slamming her to it.

Wrath struggles to stand, the chains tugging him down. His flaming aura flickers — and then it’s gone. Osric is horrified at what Elayne has become. Her long, spiky hair is no longer dark grey but a deep red. Her eyes, too, now glow crimson, staring right through him as if her irises are ablaze. Red veins rise from her neck, pulsing as they snake up her chin.

“Your chains cannot hold me!” Wrath bellows, writhing as the chains wrap around Elayne's body.

He lets out an earthquake-inducing cry. His flaming aura returns, shooting straight into the sky, blowing a hole in the clouds, letting the sun pierce through.

Osric snatches the magic book from his belt and chants the storm spell again. This time, the clouds are much denser, and a downpour unlike anything he’s ever seen falls from the sky. It doesn’t seem to do much — the rain evaporates as it hits the fire.

The chains are sucking his energy. Just wait, Sloth explains.

>>>

Osric watches, completely soaked, his heart twinging. Wrath lets out guttural, animalistic screams as the chains spin ever tighter. The rain only grows harder, whittling away at the flames’ peak. He can only imagine the pain Elayne must be in.

All the houses have been put out. Nothing but charred frames remain.

Wrath’s screaming grows more desperate as the flames flicker just above Elayne’s head. Then he stops — the flames poof away.

Now, stick out your hand! Sloth orders.

Shink!
An invisible blast shoots from his palm, severing the chain of the necklace. As it slides down, it transforms back into a book.

Sloth's chains slither off of her and sink back into the ground, leaving her naked body flopping to the dirt.

Osric rushes to her side. Ah! Why is she naked? Oh my gosh, I see them. He quickly unfastens his cloak.

Her clothes burned off. Sloth speaks through a yawn.

Above her breasts, a red sun symbol is burned into her chest — the origin of the red veins. They continue to pulsate, squirming up her face and down her abs.

He drapes his cloak over her, grazing her skin — it's scorching hot. His hands recoil. What's wrong with her?

Wrath burns much quicker than I do. The corruption might have spread too far, Sloth suggests.

Can this be healed? We have to get her to a priest! Osric tries to lift her up, burning his arms.

Healing magic doesn't work on the corrupted.

Huh!? Osric sets her down and shakes the pain out of his arms. What do I do then?

You can't do anything. The corruption will consume her, and her soul will be no more.

Meaning you can do something? Osric grimaces as he watches the veins spread up her eyelids.

I might be able to expel the corruption, Sloth yawns in his head. But that would be too much work. I don't feel like it.

Please! I'll do anything! I'll find those books for you, please! Osric drops to his knees, interlacing his fingers.

Hmm. I can transfer the healing I gave you to her. That would be quick and simple.

Then do it. Do it right now!

Sloth yawns again. Your knee would go back to being broken.

I don't care. Just do it!

Osric’s left knee gives out, and he falls to his side. He lets out a sigh of relief as he lifts his head to see the red veins slowly fading from her face. He hops onto one knee, scooping her up. Even more relief washes over him — she’s not too hot to touch. He lifts his cloak — the red sun is still there.

Is she okay? Why is that still there?

Sloth sighs. Stop asking me questions... She's fine. But that symbol's not going away.

Like the moon under my eyelid? Osric asks.

I'm not answering any more questions. I'm done. I did my part. So now you'll find those books for me, yes?

I will, I promise.

Good. Don't ever call me again. Let me relax. Sloth’s echoing voice slowly trails off, fading from his skull.

Osric shoves the Book of Wrath in his belt, along with Sloth. "I still hate you, but... thanks." He says, gently tapping Sloth's cover.

He struggles to lift her. Man, she's gotten heavier... she's gotten so much more amazing. He lumbers to his feet, then sets off toward the forest, hopping on his right leg, his left dragging behind.

Hobbling down the path, he can't help but stare at Elayne. What happened to her? She's not the annoying, loud brat anymore. The way she fought the elf while injured. She's... cool. I can't believe I tried to kiss her yesterday... and I just stared at her naked body — Those chiseled abs though... Stop!

And now she's "corrupted." Whatever that means... And it's my fault.

He stops hobbling for a second to catch his breath. His head pans across the burnt buildings of his village. This is my fault too... It's all my fault.

He continues hopping, dripping tears onto Elayne every time he hits the dirt.