The gate of the castle was open with only one guard standing next to it in black armor. Morn approached and saw that the guard resembled a large ant. It held a spear in one hand and its two antennae twitched before the creature turned its head to face Morn and spoke to them with a metallic monotone:
“I am the Voice. You are Morn.” The mandibles moved as the creature spoke.
“Yes.” Morn said sourly as they remembered why the Voice knew their name.
“You come for one of mine, whom I will give you. In return I want to know about the one that took you from me.”
“Morrigan.” Knowing their name was one thing, but how it knew of Morns desires to retrieve Saint Iratus, they could only guess. The offer, though, was a good one.
“Tell me what you know of her.”
“She was divided into parts, but now has become one again. She was very weak when she left my company to go to Mundus. That is all I know.”
“Do you now belong to her?”
“No.” Morn pulled up their chin and looked the ant square in the eye. “I belong to myself.”
“Very well. I have summoned the one that you search for. He will be here in one week.”
“One week?”
“Feel free to wait here.”
Morn sat themselves down at the gate, after jogging for days, their legs felt tired. For a moment longer the ant person looked at Morn with its two black, beady eyes. Then it directed its gaze out of the gate again over the plains of Hell. Morn noticed that the colors of their surroundings seemed less red every day. Morn closed their eyes and slumbered.
“We have destroyed the temple, or rather, everyone who was in it.”
“I am waiting for Iratus at the Imma castle.”
“Is it safe there?”
“Yes.”
“We will meet you there, Morn. Don’t leave without us. Ok?”
Throughout the days, Morn saw people come and go though the gate. The castle seemed relatively unguarded and the people were quiet and meek. There was something about the way they moved that made Morn think about sheep.
On the sixth day of waiting, Morn noticed, between the black-armored people, a hint of blue. There he was, Iratus. Morn stood up and suppressed the urge to run up to him. Saint Iratus was no longer wearing his trademark silver armor. Instead he wore the same black armor as the Sun’s people. When Iratus noticed Morn, a small smile shone through his grim demeanor.
“Morn,” beckoned the Voice. The ant guard turned towards them and stretched out its arm. “I give you the rights to his soul.”
Morn looked at the creature hesitantly. Even if it was a trick, Morn still had to risk it. They took the insect’s fingerless hand, which felt hard and cold inside Morn’s own. Morn gasped as they became aware of Iratus on a different level, there was an invisible bond between them now. It felt like when Morn carried Iratus soulbound sigil, but stronger, more intimate. The antennae on the guards head moved up and down seemingly in response to the small group of Iratus travel companions passed through the gate. Iratus stopped besides Morn and looked at them expectantly.
“Bye,” said Morn to the guard after letting go of its hand.
“Fare well, I hope you will change your mind and join me one day.”
“Do not count on it.”
Morn grabbed Iratus’ hand and pulled him away from the castle. After a fair amount of running, Morn stopped and turned towards their friend who was the first to speak.
“I am happy to see you, Morn.”
The two orcs embraced. One of them naked and free, the other wearing unfamiliar armor and bound to the other. They let go and Morn looked around, not knowing where to go. Then they decided that just walking would be fine. So they did, to nowhere in particular.
“Two days after I called you,” said Iratus, “the Sun had besieged our castle. I had never imagined Madigas would fall.”
“Madigas was a strong Totem. Perhaps the strongest.”
“Indeed, but now the Sun has consumed him and his power. Madigas let us down. My body is gone, slain in the battle, I have no means of leaving Hell and returning to Mundus. I do have this weird armor. I even carry a sword! What do I need a sword for?”
“Most elves use swords. You know, instead of hands.”
“I am no elf.”
Morn pulled Iratus hand and brought it up to chest-height. Looking down at Iratus gauntlet, they told him:
“If you dislike your armor, you should take it off.”
Iratus pulled back his hand.
“It feels weird, Morn. I feel like we are not equal.”
Morn grunted: “Indeed we are not. Your soul belongs to me, which means I hold power over you.”
Morn lay their hand on Iratus’ shoulder, pulling him closer and Iratus let them do so. Iratus took off their gauntlet and Morn grabbed their naked hand. Morn squeezed Iratus hand briefly before letting go and telling him:
“You should find a way to restore yourself.”
Morn backed away from Iratus, creating distance between them.
“Thank you,” said Iratus with a relieved smile.
“HELLOO?” Morn heard Jade’s voice in their head “We’re almost there, where are you?”
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