Writetober Day 25 (Tasty)

Writetober Day 25

Tasty

                The air was crisp as it entered Vordmir’s lungs, a smile was plastered on his face.

“I never thought I’d taste freedom again.”  The pale skinned man spoke, his skin not seeing light for decades.  He inhaled again, allowing the scents of the forest fill his nose.  The branches and trees creaked and cracked as wind funneled around the two men, autumn had arrived with welcoming arms.

Vordmir was tall, easily a head higher than Kyle.  He was frail though, years trapped within the magical confines of a ring will do that to someone.  Vordmir’s black hair was wild and scraggly, his beard was long, but braided, tightly and neatly it betrayed the weak frame that Voldmir held.  Even in the weakened state, he was clearly a very powerful man.

“It’s delicious isn’t it.”  Vordmir flexed his arms, forcing the malnourished muscles to move ever so slightly.  “This magic of ours, well my magic…but you can use it.”  His sly smile caught Kyle of guard.

Kyle was prepared for an attack, an outburst, anything aggressive.  But nothing came, that might have been more terrifying.

“You shouldn’t have escaped.”  Kyle shouted across the emerald grass covered field.

“But I did, and I thank you greatly for opening the door.”  Vordmir’s eyes were closed, he was savoring the freedom, the escape from purgatory.

Kyle didn’t know what to do, he didn’t know what to say.  He knew his goal, but it only involved using Vordmir’s magic, not releasing him.  And now the monster stands before him, not as a dragon or a husky, but as a man.  As he always was.  The corruption attacked Kyle and his family, Vordmir simply opened the door for it.

“Putting it together I see.”

Kyle’s thoughts must have been written on his face.

“You and I are very much alike, we’ve only just met, and I can see that.”  Vordmir’s sunken eyes sharpened as they focused on Kyle.  “In search of power I opened the way for a great evil.”  The grin came back.  “And in search of power, you opened the way for a great evil.”

“I am not like you!”  The unknown anger boiled within him.

“Oh?  You require more power than you currently possess to defeat a monster unleashed on this world.  In search of that power, you released me.  I’d say we are nearly brothers.”  Vordmir laughed through his freshly used raspy throat.

The rage built up within Kyle.  Too many lives were depending on him, Michelle, Tom, and everyone touched by the corruption.  He had no time for this shell of a man that was playing with him.

“Shut up!”  Kyle clenched his fist, focusing on the ring as it began to emit a bright silver light.  “I’ll do what my grandpa didn’t do!”  Kyle forced the ring to pulsate, in a blink he was gone.

Vordmir slowly turned, taking in the beautiful scenery that surrounded him.  He reached out an arm, opening his hand as he faced the opposite direction as moments before, a yawn forced its way out of his mouth.  Kyle tore through reality and appeared behind Vordmir, but something was wrong, the devilish grin was facing him.  Vordmir gripped Kyle’s throat with his extended hand.

“Is this the choice you make?  To die here and now, before you’re able to save anyone?  Do not rush into death, it will come.”  Vordmir released Kyle.  “And it will be by my hand.”

Fury seeped from Kyle, the monster was right, and it angered Kyle more.  He embraced the rage and attacked.  The newly freed prisoner was ready for it.  As Kyle focused on the ring, Vordmir jabbed the outsider’s wrist, forcing the muscles to tighten and immediately relax.  Before Kyle could clench his fist once more, the ring was off his finger and in Vordmir’s hand.

“How…”  Defeat weighed on his words.

“You have a choice!”  The world went silent as Vordmir shouted.  “Continue this nonsense and die or take this ring so that we may destroy your true enemy.”

We?  The word shot confusion through Kyle.  “Why are you so eager to help?”  Kyle still coursed with anger.

“The enemy of my enemy.  Assisting you is simply the easiest way for me to secure my power in this world.”  Vordmir was serious now, his age truly showing on his face.  “What is your choice?”  He held out his open palm, with the ring resting gently on it.

Kyle took the ring, he stared at Vordmir.  “You won’t win.”

Vordmir ignored his words, he closed his eyes and took one last breath of the delicious air.