Into Oblivion (Book 4) (28 page)

Epilogue

The Keeper wandered the plains near the former north-south border of the kingdom of Eirenoch. He sensed the remains of a great battle here; one that had marked Eamon’s first major victory. Here, the Onyx Dragon and his allies had defeated a massive army of Jindala. The Prince had proven himself to be a strong leader, and a skilled tactician.

Here, also, he had killed the shaman that the Keeper himself had brought into being. A shaman that had strayed from his purpose and fell to the temptation of power and position. Torak had become a servant of Absu, becoming a murdering, vengeful demon.

What a great disappointment.

The Keeper sat at the very spot where Eamon had destroyed him once and for all. He wept as he thought of Torak’s childhood; how he had shown such great promise, but had delved in things that even the Keeper found repulsive. He had given Torak great power, but did not give him the soul to
wield it responsibly.

Torak was supposed to take his place when he moved up in the ranks. But then, he had become too consumed with darkness and hate.

That would never do.

Though Torak could never fully be redeemed in the Keeper’s eyes, perhaps he could atone for the evils committed against the people of Eirenoch.

He would no longer be known as Tyrus; that was his Jindala name. No, he would Torak again.

The Keeper stood, reaching down into the soil. He released his will into the ground, calling upon it to do his
bidding. Slowly, the ground began to rumble. He withdrew his hand, stepping back to make room for the clay to rebuild the body that had rotted away.

From the dus
t of the Earth, Torak rose anew; naked and free of The Lifegiver’s hold.

“Welcome back, my son,” the Keeper said. “You have work to do.”

About the Author

Shawn E. Crapo lives in the great state of Indiana, where he hikes through the forests of Martinsville in search of the banshee’s lair. When he is not exploring nature, he also plays guitar, builds them, and does other artistic things. He has recently developed a love for flint knapping, and practices whenever he can.

The Dragon Chronicles

Wrothgaar’s Quest (prequel novella)

Onyx Dragon

The Ascent

King of the North

Into Oblivion