Chapter VIII
Everything stopped. Light, pain…
Everything turned silent.
Palin lay face down, the Mazi Staff still in his hand. He opened his eyes and saw the staff flashing with a cold, pure silver light. He did not feel any pain, his breathing was smooth and normal, his heartbeat was very regular, and his body was intact and uninjured. But he wasn't lying on the floor of the lab. He was lying in the sand! At least, that was how it felt. He looked around and noticed that he was in a strange environment. This place was flat, like a desert, without any special terrain. This place was completely empty and desolate. The flat terrain stretched endlessly in all directions, as if there was no end. He looked around in confusion. He had never seen this place before, but this place was very familiar. The ground was a strange color, a dull pink, just like the sky. His father's voice rang in his ears, as if there was a fire somewhere in the sunset…
Palin closed his eyes, trying to block the waves of fear, but he felt that he could not breathe and even lost the strength to stand.
The Bottomless Abyss, he mumbled, his trembling hands gripping the staff as support.
Palin's voice turned into a choked wail.
Palin was surprised to hear his own name and opened his eyes suddenly, alert because of the despair in the voice.
The young man staggered around in the sand and looked in the direction of the terrible sound. He watched helplessly as a stone wall rose from the previously empty sand. The two undead creatures dragged their bodies toward the wall. This figure was a human, and Palin could clearly see that it was a living human! He struggled in the hands of the undead as if trying to escape, but the demons from the tomb had strange strength that could not be measured by common sense. Struggling was meaningless.
The group of people got closer and closer to the wall. It was obvious that this was their destination. Because a demon was pointing at it and laughing maniacally. The human stopped struggling for a moment. He raised his head and looked straight at Palin.
Golden skin, hourglass-shaped eyes…
Uncle? Palin panted and prepared to take a step forward.
However, the figure shook her head and made a gesture with her slender hand that was almost invisible to others, as if to say, not now!
Palin suddenly realized that he was alone in the Bottomless Abyss. There was no barrier except for the Mazi Staff in his hand. What was worse was that he did not know how to use the magic power of this staff. The undead creature was focused on the struggling prisoner and had not noticed him yet, but it was a matter of time. Palin was afraid and tired, searching around, trying to find a place to hide. He was surprised to see a dense bush suddenly appear out of thin air, as if it was responding to his call.
The young man didn't even think about running into the bushes. He covered the crystal ball of the staff with his hand, afraid that the light would reveal his hiding place. Then, he carefully observed the pink scorched earth.
The undead creatures had dragged the prisoner to the wall in the middle of the sea of sand. Under their incantation, handcuffs appeared on the wall. The monster lifted Raistlin into the air with incredible strength and hung him up from his wrist. Then they bowed mockingly, leaving him hanging on the wall, his black robes billowing in the hot wind.
Palin stood up straight and was about to move forward again. Suddenly, a black shadow blocked his vision and made him completely blind. His whole heart and soul were filled with indescribable fear and horror. Although it was pitch black in the darkness, Palin could see something moving in the darkness. What he saw was a woman, a woman more sexy and beautiful than any woman he had ever seen in his life. He saw her walking toward his uncle and noticed that his hands were twitching. He could see everything clearly, but at the same time, he felt as if he was at the bottom of the darkest sea. Palin understood. This darkness was in his heart because he saw Takhissi, the Queen of Darkness.
When Palin was about to kneel down due to fear and awe, he noticed that the woman had changed her shape. From the dark void, from the sea of sand that burned the earth, a dragon appeared. The dragon's wings covered the sky, and its five heads kept twisting, letting out ear-piercing, mournful laughter.
Seeing Raistlin, Palin couldn't help but turn his head away. His golden eyes seemed to be closed because he couldn't face the demon beast in front of him. However, the archmage continued to struggle, trying to get out of the shackles. His arms and wrists were bleeding.
The dragon slowed down on purpose and extended its sharp claws elegantly. With a swift wave of her hand, she cut Raistlin's black robe. She then used the same elegant move to disempt the archmage.
Palin gasped and closed his eyes to avoid this cruel scene, but it was too late. He had seen everything, and he would repeat this scene in his dreams forever, listening to his uncle's painful screams. Palin felt dizzy and his knees went soft. He slowly knelt on the ground, hugged his stomach, and retched.
Then, in this horror and evil mystery, Palin suddenly sensed his existence after discovering the darkness! He could feel her searching for him, listening, smelling…He didn't think of hiding, because there was no place in the world that could hide from her search. He couldn't resist and didn't even dare to look up at her. He did not have enough strength. He could only curl up on the sand, trembling as he waited for the final outcome. Nothing happened. The shadow disappeared, and Palin's fear began to fade.
Palin... save me... The voice mixed with pain echoed in the young man's mind. There was also a chilling sound, the sound of liquid dripping, the sound of blood flowing…
No! The young man held his head and howled in pain. He desperately dug into the sand as if he wanted to bury himself. There was another cry, and Palin began to retch again. This time, he sobbed in fear, sympathizing and hating his own weakness. What could I do? I'm nothing. " I can't help you," he muttered, his right hand still holding onto the staff. He turned around and hugged his staff, trembling non-stop. He did not dare to open his eyes and face the scene in front of him.
Palin-the voice struggled to breathe. Every word brought great pain. You must be…strong. For me…and for…yourself.
Palin was speechless. His throat was dry and painful, and the bitter bile in his mouth made it difficult for him to breathe.
Be strong. For him…
Palin slowly stood up weakly, leaning on his staff. Then, he pressed his cheek against the staff, allowing the cold wooden staff to help him calm down. Finally, he opened his eyes.
Raistlin's body was hanging on the wall by the shackles. His black robe had been torn to pieces. His once proud neck hung down, and his long white hair covered his face. Palin tried to force himself to stare at his uncle's face, but he couldn't. His gaze involuntarily shifted to the bloody deformed body. From his chest to his crotch, Raistlin's flesh was cut open by sharp claws, revealing his beating organs. The dripping sound that Palin heard was the sound of blood pouring out of Raistlin's body. The blood dripped into a huge stone pool on the ground.
The young man's stomach began to churn again, but this time he didn't vomit. Palin gritted his teeth and walked toward the wall, his staff supporting him with every step he took. However, when Palin finally reached the disgusting stone pool, his weak legs could no longer support him. He was afraid that he would faint from fear and the scene in front of him, so he could only bow and kneel on the ground.
Look at me... the voice said. You! Do you know me…Palin?
The young man raised his head reluctantly. The golden eyes stared at him, the hourglass-shaped pupils dilated in pain. His blood-stained lips trembled slightly, but he did not make any sound. His weak body twitched. I know your... uncle... Palin began to sob, but he kept repeating a few words in his heart. Daddy was lying! He lied to me! He had also lied to her!
Palin, be strong! Raistlin whispered. You…can release me. But…you must…hurry…
Strong…I must be strong…
Alright.?Palin swallowed his bitter tears. He wiped his face and staggered to his feet, his eyes never leaving his uncle's eyes. I-I'm sorry. What should I do?
Using…a staff. Touch the shackles on my…wrist…quickly! After the darkness…
Where was it? Where was it after the darkness? Palin stuttered. He carefully crossed the blood pool and stood beside his uncle. He extended his staff and used the crystal to gently touch the shackles that were hanging on his uncle's hand.
The dying uncle could not speak, but his words still appeared in Palin's mind. Your appearance forced her to leave. She's not ready to face someone like you. But this wouldn't last long. She would return. The two of us…will have to leave then…
Palin touched the other side of the handcuff. Raistlin broke free of the chain and staggered forward, falling into the arms of his nephew. Palin hugged his uncle, and the fear disappeared in the impact of sympathy and pity. He gently placed the broken and bleeding body on the ground.
But how can you go anywhere else like this? Palin muttered. You're about to die…
" Yes," Raistlin replied silently, a heavy smile on his thin lips. I'll die in a few minutes, and I'll have to go through this countless mornings. When dusk falls, I will be resurrected and wait for the dawn to arrive. I will let the darkness tear my flesh apart again and let me die in extreme pain.
What can I do? Palin shouted helplessly. How can I help?
You're already helping me, Raistlin's voice grew stronger. He waved his hand weakly. You see…
Palin reluctantly looked down at his uncle's terrible wound. It was healing! The broken flesh was healing! The young man stared in surprise. Even if he was a high-ranking priest of Paladin, he could not create a greater miracle. What happened? How could this be? he asked, bewildered.
" It's your kindness, your love," Raistlin whispered. If my brother had the courage to enter the bottomless abyss himself, he could have saved me as well. he said with a wry smile. Help me stand up…
Palin swallowed and helped the archmage stand up without saying a word. What could he say? Shame filled his soul, and he felt guilty for his father. He would make up for all of this.
Give me your hand, nephew. I can go now. Come, we must reach the portal before the darkness arrives.
Are you sure you can hold on? Palin hugged Raistlin and felt the strange heat that flowed out from it warming his cold body.
I must. I have no other choice. The archmage leaned against Palin, holding the broken robe and moving forward as fast as possible with Palin on the flowing sand sea.
However, after taking a few steps, Raistlin stopped. His weak body twitched because of the violent cough, making it very painful for him to even breathe.
Palin supported him and looked at his uncle with concern. Come, he volunteered. Take your staff. It'll let you go
Raistlin's hourglass-shaped eyes turned to the staff in the young man's hand. He stretched out his pale golden slender fingers and caressed the staff lovingly. Then, he looked at Palin and shook his head with a smile.
No, nephew, he said in a soft, husky voice. The staff is yours. Take it as a gift from your uncle. " You should have inherited it," he muttered to himself. I should have trained you myself and watched you undergo the trials. I would be proud... extremely proud... Finally, he shrugged and turned to Palin. What am I talking about? You make me proud, nephew. To be able to do it at such a young age, to be able to enter the bottomless abyss…
As if to remind them that they were in danger, a shadow descended and enveloped the two of them.
Palin looked up in fear. Then, he turned his gaze to the space-time tunnel that seemed to be further away than he remembered. he said in surprise. We can't escape her clutches!
Wait a minute! Raistlin stopped to adjust his breathing, and his face regained its color. We don't need to run. Palin looked at the passage. Concentrate. Imagine it right next to you.
I don't understand. Palin looked at Raistlin in confusion.
Just focus! The Great Wizard roared.
The shadow became darker and darker. Palin looked at the space-time tunnel and tried to do what his uncle said, but his father's face kept appearing in his mind, and the dragon tore his uncle's flesh and blood... The shadow that shrouded them became darker than the night, just like the fear in his heart.
Don't be afraid. His uncle's voice cut through the darkness and flowed toward him. Concentrate.
The magic training and courses had helped Palin a lot. He had to focus like this to be able to recite the incantation. The young man closed his eyes and isolated himself from everything-fear, sadness, and regret. The image of the space-time tunnel beside him gradually formed in his mind.
Very well, young man, Raistlin said in a soft voice.
Palin blinked in surprise. The space-time tunnel appeared exactly where he had imagined it to be, only a step or two away.
Without hesitation, Raistlin read what the other party was thinking! Thus, he instructed. The way back was not difficult, unlike the way back. Go ahead. I can stand on my own. I'll follow... Palin stepped in and felt a brief dizziness and the loss of vision, but it was all over soon. He looked around and heaved a sigh of relief. He appeared in the research lab again. The space-time tunnel was right behind him, but he didn't really remember how he had crossed it. He saw his uncle standing by the passage. But Raistlin did not look at him. His gaze was focused on the space-time tunnel, and a strange smile hung on his thin lips.
You're right! We have to close it! Palin thought he understood his uncle's thoughts and immediately said. After the darkness, they would enter this world again.
The young man raised his staff and stepped forward. A slender pale golden arm grabbed his hand. The strength of that hand made him feel a faint pain, and the extremely high temperature made him feel very uncomfortable. Palin bit his lower lip, endured the pain, and looked at his uncle in confusion.
'Not yet, dear nephew,' Raistlin whispered.'Not yet…'
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