Tides of Blood: The Origins of Bloodgrub

[Gladius]

Shaman Pakuna stared across the great hall.The walls were adorned with weaponry and armor of great orc warriors, and talisman of primal power and mysticism. Several other shamans sat in a horseshoe with Shaman Pakuna at its head seating on a high seat signifying her right as High Shaman. At the massive doorway to the chamber were two guardsmen escorting a diminutive crone to the center of the room.

Her face took on a look of distaste as she looked at the orc before her. Even for orcish standards she was filthy. Her wolfskin cloak had scarlet stains with smudges of dirt, her staff was broken and pulsed with forbidden power. But what truly worried Shaman Pakuna was the aura the orc gave off. She could sense the corruption of nature, the twisting of primal spirits, the torture souls of fallen orcs and the strong scent of blood.

"Grub Redstaff," Shaman Pakuna spoke with a voluminous voice,"We hold you here today in account of all your atrocities against your own people and forbidden rituals you have enacted. Have you anything to say?"

Grub sneered at her, "Those are mere accusations O' High Shaman.There is nothing to prove them true."

Shaman Pakuna grimaced. She remembers when this case was first brought forth. Several orcs were missing, found brutally murdered with their corpses horribly dismembered and drained of blood. only one shaman knew of the ancient art of blood magic but there was no proof she was able to perform the arts herself, until now that is. "We have found this on one of the corpses very recently," Shaman Pakuna said, asking for the guards to bring something.

They later entered the room, carrying a wooden box with ancient sigils carved onto it. They placed it in front of Pakuna and left.

Pakuna opened the box, the sigils grew bright green as she did. She brought out a putrid parcel shaped in the form of a miniature orc made of several pieces of orc clothing and orcs. The other shamans looked away as the glanced at the gruesome doll. "What is...that thing!" a shaman cried.

"This," Shaman Pakuna said as she held out the doll for all to see,"Is what became of our fallen brothers and sisters!"

Grub showed the faintest gleam of concern for the briefest of moments.

"They're bodies were brutally massacred and ripped apart, bound together by orcish charms ,which were blessed by the higher spirits, to form this horrendous idol." Pakuna looked at Grub, "similar to that which he found in your hut , as well as the location of the cave where you kept the body parts and ritual altar.

Grub gave a malevolent smile. Pakuna expected Grub to deny everything and weasel her way out with her forked tongue, what happened was far worse. With an insane glimmer shining in her eyes and maniacal smile Grub spoke," Yes, I did it."

Gasps rang out like a clichéd movie scene. Grub continued, "I am amazed at how you finally managed to prove it true. You took less time than I expected,so it looks like I'm short handed." She said as she quickly waved her hand, ripping out a torrent of red from one of the shaman, who fell back with yelp.

Orc warriors charged in bearing the insignia of a long forgotten cult, The Fallen King.

Shaman Pakuna glared angrily at Grub,"What heresy is this!"

Grub gave her a malicious smile,"I have perfected the art of blood magic and soon we will be able to resurrect the great king for his eternal reign."

Guards rushed in and soon the hall was aflame in battle as cult warriors fought with crazed fervor and bloodlust with the guards as the shamans tried to take down Grub and her acolytes as they unleashed the horrors of blood magic with their own mastery of magic.

The Hall was now drowned in the crimson liquid, bodies littered the floor as only a ragtag bunch of cultists stood standing with an equally few number of guards. Pakuna was the only shaman left standing staring against Grub, now alone with all her disciples slain.

Grub laughed crazily . Blood lifted from the ground, and ripped out from the bodies, as it swirled around her in a scarlet maelstrom. She was using her own allies as fuel to power herself. "You were all idiots in trying to commune and be in harmony with the spirits! Life flows in the blood not the spirit! I will take it from all and let it fuel my eternal thirst!"

Pakuna could see Insanity in Grub's scarlet eyes as her being was being ripped apart by the magic she wielded. Pakuna pleaded with the higher spirits to give her the strength to end this madness. She slammed her staff into the ground and chanted , harnessing the primordial arcane power sleeping within the natural world.

Then Pakuna unleashed a bolt of pure arcane energy as Grub also unleashed her tide of blood. Both beams met each other in a blinding supernova, that sent dust flying out.

As the dust cleared, a gigantic rift stood in the place of collision crackling with energy as it collapsed inwards sucking everything in. Cultist flew in along side weapons and furniture. Grub scrabbled for to get her grip

"Grub! Take my hand!" Pakuna's voice screeched holding out her hand. Grub stared at her for a long moment she could see a faint glimmer of hope in Pakuna's eyes although they both knew it was too late.

Grub let go, and got sucked into the portal.

"Good bye, teacher." Her last words rang in Pakuna's ears as the rift closed.
End of Part1