Cain, the Executioner, had been revived, and Lorenzo could only watch in a mixture of awe and fear. He came to understand this boy was not a normal Necromancer and was potentially dangerous. One wrong word or act on his part, and he feared he could bring Pain's wraith down upon him and his people. But there was one certainty that gave Lorenzo hope—he was faster than Pain. A swift beheading of the young gent, and he was done for.

  As Lorenzo contemplated his thoughts, Beka watched in horror and rage, unable to believe that this young gent had brought back a powerful mage to life. The need to escape and spread the word came over him. Beka knew now that he had to live and inform North Star. But he wondered what his chances were of escaping these monsters. He eyed Emily, her back toward him. Would they ever let him leave the city freely, he wondered? No, I must take action.

  LORENZO

  Why does he look familiar?

  Lorenzo mumbled.

  ABIMELECH

  It might be because he is known as Cain, the Executioner.

  Lorenzo's jaw dropped, and then he glared at Pain.

  LORENZO

  What!?

  He bellowed in disbelief before blinking fearfully at the absurdity of it.

  LORENZO

  This is absurd...

  CAIN

  A fucking pain in the ass.

  Cain growled, taking a step toward Pain.

  The two stared at each other. Cain grinned sadistically while Pain glared back in disgust as their endless mana energies began to pour out. The air shook from the pressure, and everyone watched, amazed by the mana energy the two could emit so freely.

  Cain finally averted his gaze to look at Beka bound in the corner. He stared at him for a moment, then eyed the room before facing Pain and relaxing his energy.

  Cain chuckled,

  CAIN

  Can I have some clothes, master?

  Pain couldn't hide his bewilderment as Cain folded his arms in embarrassment. Pain was positive Cain would attack carelessly. But why the sudden fealty, he wondered.

  ABIMELECH

  Unbelievable.

  Abi uttered, taking a step forward.

  PAIN

  I was expecting a revolt of some sort.

  Pain professed.

  CAIN

  I am not that idiotic,

  Cain retorted.

  ABIMELECH

  You gave him complete freewill?

  Abi directed toward Pain, and Pain nodded as he sneered at Cain.

  PAIN

  You will get some clothes only if you are a good little executioner, trash.

  Cain clenched his jaws and returned a sneer,

  CAIN

  It's cold, and I want my enchanted robes back.

  PAIN

  You can cast Fire, right?

  CAIN

  Pain in the ass...

  He mumbled.

  PAIN

  I can be if you want me to.

  Abi took a step toward Cain and studied him thoroughly.

  ABIMELECH

  Does he really have freewill Pain? Do you have total freewill?

  Abi asked Pain and Cain eagerly.

  CAIN

  Other than this nagging voice in my head that tells me the master's location,

  Cain breathed.

  CAIN

  Yes, I have freewill!

  ABIMELECH

  Fascinating.

  Cain suddenly realized he was talking to a blue translucent ghost and shook his head.

  CAIN

  What on god's plains are you?

  ABIMELECH

  Ah, pardon me,

  And Abi bowed courteously.

  ABIMELECH

  I am Abimelech Delamont Goodgent—

  CAIN

  Abimelech!?

  He bellowed, taking a step back. Pain's bewilderment returned at the sight of fear painting Cain's face. Was he actually scared of something?

  CAIN

  The First Bishop?

  His eyes then snapped to Lorenzo.

  CAIN

  If you believe I am such a great name. The one standing beside you is more of a monster than I.

  Cain shook his head in disbelief as he studied the blue fiery silhouette beaming back at him.

  CAIN

  Inventor of the Eldritch Battery.

  Cain stated bluntly.

  He knew Abi as the First Bishop from his days of learning the history of the Fire Kingdom. Standing there, a new wave of emotion came over him, and he understood his current status with a devious grin. His eyes glanced over the vampires and Beka once more before finding Pain's stern face.

  CAIN

  Oh, I will be a good little executioner.

  He said with a soft smile. Pain raised a brow at him.

  PAIN

  What is an Eldritch Battery?

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  He asked, glancing at Abi, who shook his head freely.

  ABIMELECH

  It is nothing all too great. A simple contraption that separates tainted mana from pure mana.

  Pain gawked at him,

  PAIN

  That is not a simple contraption.

  ABIMELECH

  And it is quite dangerous if not created or used correctly. But let us speak of my pathetic invention later. Let us continue with the revivals.

  Pain eventually left to retrieve a pile of clothes for Cain to forage through, refusing to hand back Cain's old enchanted clothing. Pain prepared the ritual once more in order to bring Dean back to life.

  CAIN

  I was in Hell, literally, Hell.

  Cain responded to Abi's question, and Mac blurted out in laughter from behind the barrier. Cain shot a glare in her direction, and she hid from his gaze.

  PAIN

  Serves you right. Do anything stupid, and I will send you back.

  CAIN

  I see no difference.

  Cain retorted.

  PAIN

  I will be sure to see to that.

  CAIN

  Whatever, I can do without Dean.

  Cain muttered as Pain was already in the midst of the ritual.

  PAIN

  As if I care what you want.

  Pain spat, but Cain laughed at his remark.

  The ritual continued, and the elements raged throughout the Chamber. Pain was relieved to see an absence of black lightning as the ritual came to an end and the catalyst took form. Its undead skin smoothed into a brownish-black pattern with white spots. As his face and skull formed into that of Dean Sonfire—a Mage/Scribe, seemingly twenty-six years old—his eyes and pupils of pure white blinked in confusion. The moment he was completed, he spun around in confusion.

  DEAN

  Another realm? A dream?

  Pain whipped a rope of fire at Dean's feet, making him jump in fear.

  PAIN

  Does that feel like a dream?

  Pain demonstrated, and Dean eyed his nakedness. He eyed the room once more and noticed Cain.

  DEAN

  Cain?

  He questioned, and Cain looked away in embarrassment. Dean faced Pain with curiosity.

  DEAN

  You can bring the dead back to life?

  He asked carefully.

  CAIN

  Stop asking the obvious.

  Cain spat at him, and Dean relaxed his nerves. He kept his eyes on Cain, hiding his joy to see him again.

  DEAN

  We have another chance.

  CAIN

  Shut it! What makes you think that! Your pain in the ass student hates us!

  DEAN

  And you are going to blame me?

  Dean's anger flared back.

  DEAN

  You were the one who forced us to treat them like shit.

  Cain clenched his jaws, biding his rage as he glowered at Dean.

  CAIN

  Amazing,

  He growled.

  CAIN

  I see that you have finally found your spine. After whimpering like a dog at his feet—

  He nodded his head, referencing Pain.

  CAIN

  —and begging like a limp-boned bastard.

  DEAN

  You were the one begging for my release. Do not come at me as if I broke our promise first. You were the one who got us into this mess in the first place. Learn to take responsibility.

  CAIN

  I take lives, not responsibility.

  MAC

  You two sound like a married couple.

  She commented a bit too loud.

  CAIN

  I will set you on fire, wench!

  He barked back at her.

  PAIN

  That is enough.

  Pain interrupted calmly.

  PAIN

  Why the two of you are a married couple is beyond me, but finding out was one of the reasons I brought you fools back to life. The other reasons—

  Pain telekinetically threw Dean into the pile of clothes.

  PAIN

  —we need to discuss this right away.

  Later, dressed, Dean attempted to pry Pain for answers, but Pain was in no mood to entertain him. A brumaire with a eloko riding on its back strolled in and approached Emily. She eyed it suspiciously before calling out to Pain,

  EMILY

  What does it want?

  Pain faced her,

  PAIN

  Oh, a few of them will be joining you. Brumaires are great with Fire and Water. They have Petty Control and Manipulation of both elements, allowing them to create fog.

  EMILY

  Oh wow, that's useful in a season like this.

  Pain eyed the eloko, recognizing it immediately. It laughed strangely in response. The weird one, Pain thought to himself.

  PAIN

  Elokos are quick—

  EMILY

  Oh, you don't have to tell me, I'm aware. I beat some up during my younger days.

  She chirped as she briefly punched the air.

  PAIN

  Perfect. Shadinus—

  Pain gestured to the approaching shadinu—a slander wolf-like fiend with two pairs of eyes and a large tail made of barbed fur.

  PAIN

  —and a few pantheras will be aiding you as well.

  The pantheras—a slick black feline, crept up beside the shadinus. The two snarled at each other in disgust. Pain raised a brow, and they ceased their rudeness.

  ABIMELECH

  Young master,

  Abi approached with his hands interlocked.

  PAIN

  Yes?

  Pain turned.

  Abi averted his gaze for a moment,

  ABIMELECH

  I am ready.

  He finally stated, and Pain's face lit up.

  PAIN

  Finally!

  And Pain dashed toward the ritual.

  ABIMELECH

  But—!

  Abi called out, stopping Pain in his tracks. Pain studied Abi's doubtful demeanor.

  PAIN

  What is it? Are you still afraid?

  Pain attempted to joke, but his smile faded once Abi nodded.

  ABIMELECH

  Of course.

  PAIN

  But why?

  Pain approached.

  ABIMELECH

  Because I do not want to be a kinan again. Young master, I want to be brought back as... as a white arachne.