Talos'+Aftermath

Talos boarded Elek’s rigid boat to begin his journey home. He couldn’t wait to see his family and his kingdom once more. He longed to breath the fresh air of Arcis. It had been his home all of his life. He rarely ever left, and if he did, it was strictly for political reasons only. It wasn’t too long before the boat had run ashore. Talos leaped of the side, motioning a goodbye and thank you hand sign to Elek. He nodded in return. Talos turned in the direction of Arcis and began his long, tiresome walk. He eventually made it to the borders of Arcis where three horseman stood in full armor with four horses. Two of them were dressed in standard plate armor. Silver in main color with a deep black trim. But this other knight, was wearing the same armor but left his face guard down. This was a disrespectful in Arcis, but Talos had too much on his mind to care. The armor of this peculiar knight was as dark as pure ebony with a vibrant golden trim. Immediately, the knights bowed and put their fist to their chests in respect. They all mounted their horse and strode off toward home. When they approached the castle, cheering was heard all down the streets. “The King has returned!” one man shouted. “He comes back to us!” another said. They reached the stables outside the door of the castle and dismounted their horses. Upon entrance, Talos was greeted with wife’s loving embrace. “Its been too long, my King,” she spoke, holding back her tears. She grabbed his hand and guided it to her belly. “He will be a fine prince,” she exclaimed in the same, emotional manner. “He... He is my son?” Talos became overjoyed, only to be interrupted. The ebony knight that lead Talos in was now resting his hand upon Talos’ shoulder. Talos became enraged. Never was a knight supposed to lay a hand on the King. He ordered the man to lift his face guard and reveal himself. “As you wish, my lord,” the man replied. His voice sounding faintly familiar. The knight lifted his guard, revealing something all too surreal. It was Vesom. He wasn’t quite how Talos had remembered, he now had a large gash leading from his scalp to his chin, leaving him blind in one eye. “How are you alive!?” Talos nearly yelled. “You were dead! I saw you!” “No. You saw me before I was about to die. You got sucked into that gate and never came back. I figured you were safe wherever you were and embraced death as if it were an old friend. One of those damned silhouettes lunged at me dragging his clawed hand down my face and over my eye. I was able to stop it before it got to my throat and jabbed my knife into its stomach. They began to surround me from all sides. Just as I had given up, something happened that I never would have expected in Arics. The trees extirpated themselves and took up arms agains the silhouette, wrapping their earthly tendrils around their throats, snapping their necks. They picked me up and brought me to an odd watering hole in the middle of the forest. I was nearly dead from blood loss, everything was in a fog. I became fatigued and lost consciousness. From what I gathered, I was dropped into the pool. Even though my mind was blank, I could still feel the effects of the water. I began to feel as if I were a new person. That my soul had been cleansed of all the pain I’ve endured throughout my life. Consciousness found its way back into me. I could feel the gaping wound on my face seal up, becoming nothing more than the scar you see on me today. Talos. I’ve become something that no man on this world should be. I... Have become immortal.” Vesom continued to explain what happened for a short duration. He could see that Talos needed a minute to process everything that he had just learned. Vesom led him to his throne where he sat with immense prestige. “This pool... I already know of its existence. It must be rid of. Having one man be immortal is enough. Immortality is a gift that only the gods above should have. Consider yourself blessed, but no other man shall attain your gift.” These were Talos’ last words before returning to his personal chambers to plan his next move.