text: [Themes: grimdark fantasy]
  
  You edge forward slowly, hoping your prey doesn't notice.
  
  Crack
  
  You feel the ground breaking under you wait, and let out a piercing scream as you go through the ground. You fall flailing, before you hit the hard stone ground with a painful thud. You rub your legs, and thankfully they're only bruised and not fractured or broken. You look up, seeing that the entire ground has fallen away into some cave system. You're surprised the rabbit didn't bring it down, let alone you. You stand painfully, looking around the empty cavern. You can hear deep breathing echoing off the cave walls. You draw your long sword, a weapon you're barely able to carry on your back, let alone in your hands. You decide to sheath it, and draw your knife. You move forward slowly, before spotting it. The dragon's scales shimmer black like a canvas of nothingness, its teeth look sharp enough to tear through an armored knight in a second and its wings wrap around itself in an effort to keep warm. Its eyes are closed, and you assume it's sleeping. You spot one of its teeth, a long, beautiful white curved fang, lying next to it's body, lodged in the rotting body of a sheep. You slowly begin to edge towards the tooth and carcass. Then, it's eyes burst open.
  
  "Why, little Orc, have you disturbed my rest?" it asks in a booming voice.
  
  You struggle not to scream as its head raises, staring at you. It's eyes are red and slitted like a snake's, and they appear to peer into your soul.
  
  > explain your situation
  "I... have come to take one of your teeth."
  
  The Dragon pauses, perhaps confused by this answer.
  
  "My teeth? Why? A dare, perhaps? An attempt at black magic?"
  
  "For a girl."
  
  The Dragon breaks into booming laughter, a horrible noise that makes you want to claw out your ears.
  
  "For a girl? I remember my days of mating past. I had entire Dwarven settlements wiped out and their treasure hoard stolen to be gifted to me by potential mates."
  
  "Well, I can't do that."
  
  The Dragon stares at you, before it laughs again.
  
  "I'll be honest, Orc, I'm nothing if not amused at this. It's amusing enough for me to let you live, and damn the Gods, I'll let you take the tooth. It's of no use to me."
  
  Your eyes widen.
  
  "Really?"
  
  "You're still here? You shouldn't be. Go."
  
  You nod, and quickly grab the dragon tooth and rush out of the cave. You quickly make your way down what is either a very large hill or a very small mountain. You manage to find your mount, still tied up, and untie it. You climb up on its back and into the saddle, and kick it gently. The horse begins to gallop off towards the castle.
  
  > One Hour Later...
  You arrive at the castle, and ride through the gates. The undead guards watch you wordlessly, and you ride back into the stables. You tie your trusty steed back in it's home, and sneak back into your bed. You fall asleep, happy with your success. You can't wait to see Blaise's face on her birthday.
  
  > One Week Later...
  Today is Blaise's birthday. Blaise seems quite down and depressed from the absence of the Grand Necromancer, and is slumped over the feast table, pecking at the apple core that remains of her breakfast. You've yet to say a single word to her, just watched her embroiled in her sadness. Finally, you talk, breaking her silence.
  
  "Happy birthday," you say.
  
  "Thanks," Blaise says, not looking up.
  
  "Are you alright?" you ask.
  
  "Yes," she answers.
  
  You sigh.
  
  "Listen, Blaise..."
  
  Blaise looks up at you, appearing close to tears.
  
  "What?"
  
  You decide you really need to do something to perk up her spirits.
  
  > flirt with her
  "That dress looks really pretty on you."
  
  Blaise looks down at the light blue dress she's wearing, and blushes.
  
  "Oh, jeez, thanks. I just kind of threw this on, it's nothing special."
  
  "Well, maybe it's just you who's pretty."
  
  Blaise blushes even brighter, and shyly smiles.
  
  "Thank you," she says softly. "Come on. It's early. Let's go watch the sunrise from the top of the walls."
  
  "OK," you nod.
  
  Blaise jumps up from the table, and rushes off.
  
  > follow Blaise
  You follow Blaise through the halls until she reaches outside of the castle. She quickly begins climbing the stairs to the castle walls. Several undead soldiers stand by the walls, although with a wave of her hand, Blaise commands them to leave.
  
  "You're getting good at that."
  
  "I've been practicing. When Dad gets back, I'll have him teach me more. I've been practicing really hard, to be honest. I'm better than Mr Nilvos now."
  
  You reach the top of the castle, seeing the sun rise over the Eastern Horizon.
  
  "I've always liked sunsets," Blaise says softly.
  
  Suddenly, you hear the sound of the gates being opened. You turn, to see a black cloaked figure riding through on a skeletal horse. He quickly hops off the horse, and rushes up the stairs to the top of the wall.
  
  "Hello, sweetheart!" he cries happily.
  
  "Dad!" Blaise cries. "I thought... You said in your letter you wouldn't be able to make it!"
  
  "It was only a white lie to surprise you. I wish you could've seen the look on your face!"
  
  The Grand Necromancer tousles his daughter's hair, and pulls her in for a hug.
  
  "I've missed you so much! Happy birthday, Blaise! I love you so much."
  
  "I love you too. How was your campaign?"
  
  "I killed and conquered, like always. I've conquered much territory, and gained a new series of subjects who aren't rotting. I do now have to deal with things like taxes, trade routes and having an image. I'm still working on my title. Would you prefer to be a Princess or Archduchess?"
  
  "Well, if you can pick whatever title, what about God? I'd like to be a God."
  
  The Grand Necromancer laughs.
  
  "Sure thing, honey. Oh, I almost forgot. I come bearing gifts! The main army will be here within a few hours, and they're bringing your birthday presents."
  
  "Thanks," Blaise smiles happily.
  
  The Grand Necromancer grins back at her, before turning to you.
  
  "Dagden! How have you been? It's been a while. You've grown."
  
  "Yeah. I've been good, thanks. How's the war going, Grand Necromancer?" you reply.
  
  "Please, I've told you, call me Dante. It's going well. Very well, thank you. Oh, and don't worry, I brought you some late birthday gifts as well... Or early birthday gifts. When is your birthday?"
  
  "About two months ago."
  
  "Well, a late gift, then. Come on. Let's go inside. I have a few things to discuss with Thorin, and then we'll spend some time together."
  
  You look out at the army of undeath. You don't spot Balok the Honorless, but you spot Trant the Undying, and repeat to yourself that you'll get your revenge, if more for tradition's sake of avenging family than anger. Then, you follow Blaise and Dante down the stairs back inside the castle.
  
  > Two Hours Later...
  You sit in the Main Hall, watching as a massive amount of zombies begin to enter the hall. You see a couple new Necromancers and Mercenaries among the crowd of undead. Blaise sits at the head of the table, as you realize how differently you were raised. Blaise's mum is dead and her father is rarely around, although she's spoiled by riches. Your parents were always there, but they never spoiled you. You decide you got the better deal.
  
  "OK, bring out the gifts! Happy birthday, Blaise!" Dante yells.
  
  You look at Blaise as she begins to receive her gifts. A large ceramic bowl covered with decorations of wild and fantastic beasts which you're told is of High Elf creation, is presented to her, filled to the brim with large, plump red fruit the size of a man's head. You stare eagerly as more gifts are brought in, looking for anything interesting among the boring, "pretty" gifts. You see Blaise is given several new dresses made of various materials, ranging from a plain white cotton dress to a sparkling blue dress made from fine silk. Then there's some more bland, banal gifts, before you spot something of interest, a large oak box with golden trim. Taylor opens it slowly, revealing a polished, shining dagger made of pure black.
  
  "It's obsidian. A choice tool of magic users from the Pyromaniac of Igia Falls to the Demon Price Narxhall to Grand Elder Hyde. You've become so skilled at Necromancy I think you deserve a weapon. The obsidian blade is performing rituals and brutally stabbing all your enemies. I hope you like it."
  
  "Thanks. I love it," Blaise says, hugging her father.
  
  The next few gifts are interesting and decorative, including a shining dragon egg with the dragon inside now dead, a full set of Elven Archer Armor on a stand that's far too big for her to ever wear and is purely decorative, and a massive Dragon skull the size of Blaise that takes four undead beings to carry it. As well as her father's endless barrage of gifts, the Necromancers, some mercenaries and even some Wights and Revenants give her presents, ranging from flowers for her garden to jewelry to clothes. All this makes your gift seem rather inadequate. You feel Mort run along your arm to sit on your shoulder, and gently stroke his head. You've got used to the little monster. You check your pocket, to find your gift's still there.
  
  The necklace wraps around your wrist. It's chain is iron, the links scavenged off the many undead who inhabit the castle, no longer having any need for their jewelry. Hanging from the chain is the large dragon fang that was so hard to obtain, the pendant of the entire gift.
  
  > give it to Blaise
  As you begin the walk over, Dante grabs your shoulder.
  
  "Dagden. I'm having one of my zombies bring your birthday gifts to your room."
  
  "Thanks," you reply.
  
  "I also got you this," he says.
  
  He drops a golden necklace with a giant diamond in your hands. You stare at the clearly feminine piece of jewelry for a second.
  
  "Is... Am I supposed to wear this?"
  
  "No, of course not. I doubted you'd be able to get Blaise a gift, so I got you one for her."
  
  "Oh. Thanks."
  
  "If you don't want to give it to her, that's alright. I just wanted to give you the option."
  
  You nod, and Dante disappears off to command some zombies to bring out the food.
  
  "Come on, sit! Time to feast!" Dante cries.
  
  You sit down, sliding both necklaces into your pocket. You'll give Blaise her gift later. You sit down, noticing Blaise sits at the head of the table in Dante's spot while Dante sits in Blaise's.
  
  "Happy Birthday, Blaise. Having fun?"
  
  "Yeah, I am," Blaise smiles. "So, did you get me a gift? Is it edible? Is it a puppy?"
  
  "I'll give it to you later," you smile.
  
  The undead, monstrosity that you've come to love known as Stitches rushes out, and you begin to rub his back. You've managed to teach Stitches not to eat Mort, so you're happy to have them both around. An undead zombie drops a plate of steaks, Blaise's favorite food, in front of you. You watch with many mixed emotions as Blaise eagerly snatches up a steak and crams it into her mouth. You have no idea how, but the massive chunk of meat is gone within seconds. You find it interesting that someone so small and skinny is able to consume so much. Maybe it's a human thing.
  
  "A toast!" Dante cries, raising a golden goblet. "To Blaise, may she have a long and prosperous life!"
  
  You grab a mug of frothy wort beer and raise it.
  
  "Cheers!" you say and hear in return from everyone at the table.
  
  You take a long drink, and put the mug down. You impale a piece of steak with a fork, and begin to eat your lunch eagerly.
  
  > Three Hours Later...
  The next few hours are a blur of toasting, drinking, eating and such. Eventually, in a break among the insanity of the hectic Main Hall, Blaise pulls you aside.
  
  "Hey, Dag," she says, pulling you off to the side.
  
  "Hey. Enjoying your party?"
  
  "Yeah. Well I was. The large crowd's getting very frustrating, even if most of them are dead. Do you want to go to the garden?"
  
  "Sure," you nod. "But won't the others be annoyed or...?"
  
  "They're all far too drunk to notice. If we're back in time for the dinner feast, we'll be fine."
  
  You nod, and quickly follow Blaise, exiting into her room. You push the bookshelf out of the way, and enter the hidden room, before entering the tunnels. You walk along the tunnels, then the hallways, before arriving at the garden.
  
  "The flowers are looking good," you mention.
  
  "Yeah, they are. The endless supply of bone meal that comes from being a Necromancer's daughter does help growth."
  
  Blaise leaps up through the tree branches and quickly climbs the tree. You follow after her, climbing the tree and reaching the top. You lie across the branches like you always do, as does Blaise.
  
  "So..." Blaise begins.
  
  "So?" You ask.
  
  "What'd you get me for my birthday? Is it a puppy?"
  
  "My friendship."
  
  "I already had that. What I didn't have was a puppy."
  
  "Well my friendship's better than a puppy."
  
  "Seriously, what'd you get me?"
  
  "A necklace," you say, sliding your hand into your pocket.
  
  > give her the Dragon Tooth Necklace
  You pull out the Dragon tooth necklace, and hand it to her. Her eyes widen.
  
  "Is that a...?"
  
  "Dragon tooth? Yeah."
  
  "I love it. It's beautiful," she says, putting it around her neck. "Thank you. It's the best gift I've even gotten. How did you even get it?"
  
  "I snuck out the night we saw the dragon and stole it from the dragon's nest."
  
  "You idiot! You could've died! The dragon could've tore you apart, or bit off your skull, or..."
  
  "But it didn't, so I'm fine. I'm glad you like it."
  
  "I do. I really do. It's fantastic."
  
  What are you going to do?" Blaise asks suddenly.
  
  "What do you mean?"
  
  "In life? Are you going to become a mercenary, or travel as a wandering hero, or..."
  
  "I don't know. What are you going to do?"
  
  "I don't know either. My Dad always said he wants me to be his heir."
  
  "Do you want that?"
  
  "No. Well, yes and no. I do want to be his heir. But I don't think I'm able to. I'm not very powerful. I've spent my entire life inside this castle. I'm really quite ignorant of everything outside. There's so much I haven't done. There's also loads of stuff that I haven't done that I want to. I haven't see the Dwarven Mines, I haven't visited towns or the Kingdom of Man, or went to a real school. I've only ever had one friend in my entire life. I've never seen how a town works, or how trade works, or gossiped with friends, or been part of a group, or played games with friends, or been to a friend's house, or kissed a boy..."
  
  > kiss her
  You lean in and kiss Blaise. Her eyes widen, before closing. You've no idea how long the kiss lasts, but you're enraptured by it, every second lasting an eternity. Finally, you pull back. Blaise stares at you, blushing incredibly red like she always does when she's embarrassed.
  
  "Oh," she says softly. "I didn't know you..."
  
  You smile at her, and feel your own cheeks blushing. You sit next to each other in silence, then sunlight warming you both.
  
  "I really like you," Blaise says.
  
  "I really like you too."
  
  Blaise smiles, and looks up at you.
  
  "Come on, let's go inside."
  
  > Two Hours Later...
  After another two hours of drinking and feasting with Dante, other Necromancers and Mercenaries, all of who are far too pissed to even realize you exist let alone weren't there. You find the atmosphere awkward, and mostly spend it in a corner, stroking Mort. You do happen to spot Mr Nilvos trying to drunkenly convince Dante that he "knows a really, really cool demon who would make this party so much better after a goat sacrifice or two". You also spot Balok the Honorless drinking mugs of ale and Necromancer Trant having wine in a corner. You'll enjoy butchering them, eventually. Although your need for revenge is going down the list of things of importance, Papa would still want you to. Eventually, you end up talking to Blaise by the Main Hall.
  
  "Everyone here's so drunk. Should I be drunk?" you ask.
  
  "You're too young to be drunk," Blaise says. "We're the only kids here."
  
  "What about Thorin? He's dead, he probably can't get drunk."
  
  "I saw Thorin downing mug after mug of mead. If he's not drunk, he's not done trying."
  
  "Hey, I have a question."
  
  "Promise me you'll answer honestly."
  
  "I promise."
  
  "Are you going to leave?"
  
  "What?"
  
  "Well, you started as a prisoner here. I don't even know what you are now. Are you going to leave here, and never see me again?"
  
  "No. We'll stick together. I promise."
  
  "Thanks," Blaise smiles, giving you a hug.
  
  "Alright! Everyone! Gather round, gather round! It's time for a toast!" Dante yells drunkenly.
  
  > sit down
  You sit down at the table besides Blaise, who sits at the head of the table. Dante stands up, a goblet of wine in his hands. You realize he's far too drunk too actually be in the position to make a speech, so you stand to tell him to sit down.
  
  "Dagden, don 't ruin this!" Mr Nilvos yells. "This'll be funny."
  
  You sit down, and Dante begins making his speech.
  
  "I had Blaise eleven years ago today. She was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. The most beautiful human being I've ever seen. She's even prettier than her mother, may her soul find peace. When I met Annabelle, I thought I could never be in love more than I was with her. Blaise proved me wrong. I love Blaise more than anything in the world. I would abandon everything just to make her happy. So sweetheart, happy birthday, I love you, and you'll be the best goddamn... er... person ever!"
  
  Dante collapses into his chair to a polite round of applause, although Blaise seems genuinely touched by this.
  
  "Happy birthday, Blaise," you say. "May the next few years bring good fortune and luck for us all."
  
  > Two Years Later...
  Over the next two years, Dante spends varying amounts of time at Reaper Castle. He says he has a newborn empire to command, and its slowly growing through small military engagements and negotiations, giving him more and more jobs that need to be done. You and Blaise continue to bond, although at this point you've both explored pretty much everywhere and done everything there is to be done. You've found the mass grave hidden under the kitchens, you found the hidden room filled with paintings under Dante's bedroom, you've even discovered the escape tunnel that links through the tunnels through a hidden door. You find it odd that the hidden door is only accessible through going through tunnels that themselves can only be accessed through hidden doors. You also devise many, many plans and ways to butcher Necromancer Trant and Balok the Honorless, though boredom is the main reason behind that.
  
  Although the boring castle stays the same, as you hit twelve and then thirteen, you change. As you reach maturity, you grow in size. Puberty hits you especially hard and early, even for an Orc. You become taller, larger and stronger as your muscle mass rapidly increases. You teeth sharpen, your skin toughens and your strength. speed, endurance and stamina increase. Your maturity also heightens your abilities in Blood Magic. Mr Nilvos tells you that this is natural, and your puberty is awakening your dormant magic abilities. This further helps you become the killing machine you've become.
  
  Blaise also matures, in different ways. Her magical abilities increase substantially. She gains control of her lightning powers, but those are pathetic in comparison with her necromancy. Her necromancy powers awaken and allow her control over the dead and the ability to raise them on a level unknown to her before. She's improving so quickly that she'll outclass her father much sooner than expected. She also changes in some other ways, that may or may not affect you in new and weird ways and awaken some primal part of you.
  
  You sit in Mr Nilvos' Class, watching Blaise work. She stands surrounded by a circle of dead corpses, lying around her. She closes her eyes and begins whispering to herself, and the corpses begin to stand. They growl, and turn to look at Blaise. The dead salute, before drawing swords from their side. They all stab themselves through the heart, and collapse.
  
  "Good, good. Well done, Blaise. Though I would've preferred if you had them leave my class before killing themselves."
  
  "Oh yeah. Sorry," Blaise blushes.
  
  "Alright, let's finish for the day. We'll meet back here tomorrow and see what other undead monstrosities can be raised."
  
  Stitches runs into the room, barking happily.
  
  "Perhaps we'll kill the mongrel tomorrow," Mr Nilvos says, staring disdainfully at the dog. "Dagden, practice your blood magic. Try to see if you can master breaking through a door when powered by blood sacrifice."
  
  You nod, and follow Blaise and Stitches out of the room eagerly, heading straight to Dante's private Chambers. Tomorrow is the day of the Ceremony of Pledging. The various Necromancers, Mercenary Captains, Lords, Ladies, Mayors and Politicians who hold positions of power among the new empire of undeath are going to meet at Reaper Castle to pledge their loyalty to the Grand Necromancer. This means there's going to be a massive celebration and people coming from across the land, which will draw powerful and rich merchants from across the globe and all the goods and valuables that they bring, which can only be good.
  
  "Dad! Dad!" Blaise shouts, rushing ahead of you and arriving at Dante's room, before sharply knocking.
  
  Dante opens the door, dressed in his Necromancer Robes.
  
  "Ah, Blaise! Is your class finished already? That Dark Elf is getting lazier. Well, what is it?"
  
  "Have any of the Merchant Caravans come to supply the Ceremony of Pledging?"
  
  "Not to my knowledge. I do believe the Chinkrinski Entertainers have arrived, if you want to visit them. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
  
  "Who are they?" you ask.
  
  "A newly formed band of entertainers I've hired to entertain the visitors. I'm sure they're not the sweet rolls and delicious fruit you were hoping for, but I'm sure they'll be of some entertainment."
  
  "OK, cool," Blaise smiles. "Thanks, Dad."
  
  "Sure. Now, go along, They're in James' Barracks. I need to be alone, I need time to prepare. Some of the guests are arriving today, I need to get ready."
  
  Blaise nods, and Dante closes the door. You follow Blaise out towards James' Barracks, and knock on the oak door. The door is opened by a tall figure wearing a top hat and a black coat with purple trim.
  
  "Ah, Children! I love children! Please, do come in!" he says in an eerily excited tone. "Who are you, may I ask? The children of diplomats? Very young merchant workers?"
  
  "I'm Blaise. I'm the Grand Necromancer's daughter."
  
  "Ah, wonderful! So wonderful! I bet you've come to be entertained, amused and amazed! You've come to the right place: Mister Chinkrinkski, master of magic and murderer of the mundane! Not literally, of course!"
  
  Mister Chinkrinkski's smile is creepily wide, and you back away slightly. Still, Blaise pushes ahead inside the barracks fearlessly.
  
  > follow her inside
  You follow Blaise inside, and Mister Chinkrinkski closes the door. You find yourself in a large, empty sitting room that branches out into dozens of smaller rooms.
  
  "Please, take a seat! Arantri, please come here! Blaise... What was your name, again?" Mister Chinkrinkski asks.
  
  "Dag."
  
  "Ah, yes! Blaise, Dag, please sit down. Have you ever seen a Centaur?"
  
  You both sit, shaking your heads. Then, a large creature appears. Its body is a horse, but where the neck would be is the upper half of a man. His hair is dread locked, and he holds two curved swords.
  
  "Behold! Aranti, the horse-man of Kasikstinya, the Prowler of the Wandering Wastes, the Hunter of the cursed!"
  
  The Centaur, Aranti, stares at you both for a second.
  
  "What?" he asks.
  
  You stare at him, trying to comprehend how something like him would even come around.
  
  "Are... Is one of your parents a horse?" you ask, confused.
  
  "Is one of your parents a pig?" he says. walking away.
  
  > Continue
  "Look at you! Delightful! Absolutely delightful! They're amazed!" Mister Chinkrinkski laughs. "Entertainers! We have visitors! Please, children, feel free to explore our humble abode and see what talents, tricks and delights we have to offer. Aranti's room is down the hall on the first left, Samwell on the second left, the delightful, stupendous Cursed Crew second on the right, Dog-Tongue's room is the first right and Tiny Tonk's room is underneath in the cellar! Please, explore and enjoy! If you're hungry or thirsty, just ask, or I could show you a magic trick."
  
  > visit the Cursed Crew's room
  You walk into the Cursed Crew's room, and are hit by a blast of heat. Inside are three red, imp-like creatures, a large black, skeletal, rotting creature and a red creature with the head and lower body of a goat and the torso and arms of a man.
  
  "Look what we have here. A girl and her Orc," the skeletal, rotting creature rasps.
  
  "Or an Orc and his whore," one of the Imp-like creatures laughs.
  
  "Demons," Blaise growls.
  
  "Well done, you recognized the most notable things from the Infernal planes," the red goat-man laughs. "Death to the Gods, the girls are getting sluttier and dumber. Soon they'll be too bad for us!"
  
  > insult the Demons
  "Go fuck each other in the asses!" you yell at the demons, and they burst into laughter.
  
  "The Orcs got balls! You'll need them to satisfy the bitch!"
  
  "Go fuck yourselves, you undying cunts!"
  
  "Hahaha! You're alright, kid. You're alright, kid, so's the chick. Come on, have a drink with us," the red goat-man says, holding up a golden goblet.
  
  You walk into the Cursed Crew's room, and are hit by a blast of heat. Inside are three red, imp-like creatures, a large black, skeletal, rotting creature and a red creature with the head and lower body of a goat and the torso and arms of a man.
  
  "Look what we have here. A girl and her Orc," the skeletal, rotting creature rasps.
  
  "Or an Orc and his whore," one of the Imp-like creatures laughs.
  
  "Demons," Blaise growls.
  
  "Well done, you recognized the most notable things from the Infernal planes," the red goat-man laughs. "Death to the Gods, the girls are getting sluttier and dumber. Soon they'll be too bad for us!"
  
  > attack the Demons
  Scorched
  
  You charge at the demons, but the red goat-man wraps his arms around you and bursts into flames. You're set alight and scream, throwing the goat-man off you. You look around, only to find yourself in a red landscape of pure hellfire. You scream as the flames burn your flesh, but doesn't kill you. You scream among the flames, ever burning but still living.