Back to the cave

Eamon began with a simple question, "How many days have you been here?"

They all answered simultaneously, "Six days."

Finding the discussion too disorganized, Eamon decided, "For my next questions, please raise your hand and speak only after I've called on you. I apologize for the school-like procedure, but it simplifies things for me."

Eamon continued, "Have you ever left this territory?"

All six people raised their hands, and Eamon selected the red-haired man who had been staring at him since they were brought in, "You, speak."

The redhead replied, "No, we haven't left the territory."

Eamon's face hardened as he looked at the man and then at the group, "You have nothing to gain by hiding the truth from me, but everything to lose by lying."

He repeated, "I'll ask again, have you left the territory?"

A young woman raised her hand while the others kept theirs down. Arthur smiled as he looked at her, "Let's hear what you have to say."

The young woman said, "Sir, there's a lake at the edge of the abyss. Two members of our group used to secretly go to this lake and climb the cliff."

Eamon's gaze shifted to Scaredy behind him, who quickly declared, "I was not aware of this, Great God."

Arthur looked at the woman again, who continued, "On the eve of your arrival, those two were planning to explore beyond the cliff."

Arthur was intrigued, "Describe these two individuals to me."

The red-haired man shouted, "Shut up, don't tell him..."

With a gesture from Eamon, a ghoul violently slammed the man's face into the rocky ground, breaking his nose and causing him to sob in pain.

Eamon kept his eyes on the young woman, "Continue."

"It was a young white man in his twenties, with curly brown hair and of average height, named Leo, and a slender black woman in her thirties named Felicity," she described.

Eamon nodded, "Thank you for the description; I'll take note of it. What's your name?"

The woman replied, "Deborah, sir."

Eamon responded, "Well, Deborah, I don't have time to deal with you right now. But I will remember your cooperation."

Turning to the ghouls, Eamon instructed, "Take the others to the Tormentress."

As the ghouls dragged the screaming prisoners away, under the terrified gazes of Deborah and Scaredy, the redhead shouted at Eamon, "You act like a conqueror, but you're a blind fool."

Eamon signaled the ghouls to stop, "And why do you say that?"

The redhead explained, "We had a barrier that was supposed to protect us for seven days, yet you came with your creatures and killed the lord."

Eamon nodded thoughtfully.

The redhead continued, "The purpose of this world is to make us kill each other, and you blindly obey rules that are beyond you. You're just a pawn in a game that's bigger than you."

Eamon laughed, "We're all pawns in a greater game. But I'm not outplayed; on Earth, the game was broken and beyond my reach, but here... I thrive."

The redhead's cries faded as he was taken away by the ghouls.

Eamon motioned for Roxy and Malakai to approach.

He declared, "I will need to reorganize the territory, and I'm counting on you both to enforce my directives."

Eamon continued, "I will soon return to the cave. Cassandra will come with her mount, and Fred will join as well."

Eamon surveyed the vast territory of the abyss. He needed to ensure its security. To achieve this, he planned to station numerous troops throughout the area and bolster defenses until the surroundings were pacified.

He added, "Malakai, you will stay here. Focus on honing your suturing skills and don't hesitate to hunt beyond the abyss to sharpen your abilities and gather more bodies for practice. Experiment on the ghouls and consider zombifying some goblins. You may keep ten ghouls for your experiments; the rest are needed for securing the territory."

Malakai nodded, lowering his head in acknowledgment.

Eamon turned to Roxy, "Roxy, you will stay as well. Ensure the ghouls remain under control and—"

Roxy abruptly interrupted with a piercing scream of dissatisfaction.

Eamon was shocked; it was the first time she had ever behaved this way. Roxy had always been obedient to him.

He asked, "What is the matter, Roxy?"

Roxy responded telepathically, "Roxy stays with you."

Before Eamon could reply, the Tormentress, drawn by Roxy's scream, hurried over and knelt before Roxy and Eamon, declaring, "I have a solution that could satisfy both mother and the Grand Master."

Roxy gave the Tormentress a piercing look, causing her to swallow nervously before continuing, "I have considerable control over the ghoul goblins. I've already made significant progress with the human prisoners you entrusted to me, and it's only a matter of time before I fully control the hundred goblin prisoners. I am, of course, your faithful servant, and the master's and mother's wills are commands to me."

Eamon asked, "You propose to temporarily take on Roxy's role?"

Gronda concluded, "Yes, mother can go with the Grand Master. I will control the ghoul goblins, the goblins, and the human prisoners for you."

Eamon replied, "That works for me. Utilize Scaredy's help and learn more about the territories beyond the abyss. Don't hesitate to send expeditions of ghouls and living servants once you have them."

He paused, "You will also assist Malakai with whatever he needs and obey him as if it were me."

Eamon added before departing, "Scaredy has proven useful and reliable so far. Treat him well, and do not use your powers on him or the human prisoner named Deborah, but they must not leave the territory of the abyss."

The Tormentress lowered her head, "I will not disappoint you, Grand Master."

Roxy gave an approving look before moving closer to Eamon, who climbed onto her back.

Eamon said to Malakai, "Besides Roxy, Fred, Cassandra, and her eagle, who will accompany me, I want the rest of the troop to remain here. You will command in my absence and Roxy's."

Malakai nodded, "Understood, master."

Eamon wasted no time and ordered Roxy to ascend the slope leading to the cave. Moments later, he saw the Lesser Wraith Eagle carrying Cassandra pass overhead. Roxy swiftly climbed the cliff and reached the territory leading to the cave. Cassandra was already there with her eagle. A few moments later, Fred arrived.

Seeing the corridor leading to the central chamber, Eamon couldn't help but declare, "It's good to be home."

He descended from Roxy and advanced down the corridor, where he encountered Richard and Emma, alerted by the noise of their footsteps.

Richard greeted, "Welcome back, Lord Eamon."

Emma added, "Pleased to have you back, Lord Eamon. Did your expedition go well?"

Eamon smiled at them. "Thank you, both of you. Everything went splendidly. What happened in my absence?"

Richard replied, "We haven't faced any attacks, but the eagles..."

Emma finished his sentence, "They're dying."

Eamon instructed, "Cassandra, take care of this."

Cassandra nodded, "Yes, master."

Eamon continued his walk towards the central chamber of the cave, followed by Roxy, Fred, and the duo of followers.

Emma remarked, "You might be surprised, but the portal in the main chamber has widened."

Eamon wasn't surprised; his portal had likely absorbed the portal of the former Lord of the Abyss.

He reached the chamber and noted that the portal had indeed doubled in width.

He would have liked to discuss this with Klac, but Klac was still dormant within his body.

A few minutes later, Cassandra rejoined the group. "I have successfully tamed the mother eagle and the eaglets."

Eamon said, "Very good, that was quick."

Cassandra added, "Indeed, master. It's thanks to the significant increase in my aura. The eagles have eaten and drunk a bit and are now resting. They should regain their strength gradually."

Eamon nodded before looking at the small group around him.

He realized it would soon be the seventh day in the cave, and the barriers were about to cease functioning. However, Eamon wasn't worried; he had already pacified the territories in close proximity to the cave, which should pose no threat to him. In the worst-case scenario, he could always retreat to the bulk of his troops in the abyss or flee the territory.

He declared to everyone, "Be prepared, the territory's barriers should disappear in a few hours."