Absalom, the half-zombie, twitches and jerks as he stands there in the shadows, facing the trio of Barns, Eldrie, and Osmond. There's sothing deeply discomforting in the way he shuffles about, sowhere between life and death. At least his mind is intact.
"Changing…"
"Absalom, you okay?" Barns frowns. "What are you talking about, anyway?"
The forr Zombie Lord shambles toward the three of them, holding his arms out.
"The Lord of the Horde is different than…what I was," Absalom quivers. "He speaks to the First directly. The First speaks to him…"
Barns has many questions - including about this 'First Undead' that has been ntioned so many tis. But Absalom does not appear to be in the mood to answer questions as he flails about, consud by his madness.
"There is one like , Masters. One caught…between life and death, that can speak and act and retains his mind. But even awake, he chooses the path…of evil. He does not need to be controlled because his soul is corrupt alone. He…leads the horde."
Absalom continues to shuffle toward them, standing just a few feet away. He's no longer enshrouded in darkness - now, the moonlight shines bright upon him.
Barns watches the half-zombie cautiously. He's looking a little healthier…but that's not saying much. The forr Zombie Lord is still half-rotted and sallow - but now he presents like he's only been dead about a day, instead of weeks.
That's as much of an improvent as anyone could hope for in Absalom's condition. Not everyone can turn around their life the way Eldrie did.
"Do you think you're good to answer questions?" Osmond asks sheepishly. "Not to offend you or anything, but…you are a wee bit unapproachable, Sir Zombie."
"What…questions do you have?"
Absalom's voice is earnest, albeit slow and sickly.
"A lot. Barnie, would you like to go first?"
Barns gives Osmond the side-eye. "Sure. Absalom, what can you tell us about the First Undead, or about this Zombie Lord controlling the horde?"
"Tell…many things. But…I can…show you more…"
Barns tilts his head. "Show us? What do you an?"
Absalom raises a shaky hand to the sky. "My mind…the zombies…all connected. The undead…perceive the world…but not as it is. They live disconnected from…ti itself."
His words create more questions than answers, but finally he says sothing striking.
"A zombie in the present…is locked in the past. What they see…is not the real world…they are…living in a dream."
Absalom closes his eyes. "Let …show you…and you will see…the First Undead."
The air begins to thicken. Boil. Churn. Distort.
Barns staggers backward as the world around him fades out of view. He's surrounded by blackness, locked in a void.
His instinct is to panic - but he senses no malevolence. He hasn't known Absalom for long, but there is a distinct lack of evil that radiates from the forr zombie. Only sadness.
Barns takes a deep breath and lets the darkness swallow him. It cos slowly, cautiously - as if Absalom himself is afraid to reach too quickly. He too understands - this is an unnatural experience, but one that is needed to convey the information Barns seeks.
He opens his eyes, and he's floating soplace else. The world is black and white, like a dream. Around him is a busy city.
He recognizes this place. He's been here before. This is a scene from the past, he's sure of it - with his own eyes, he saw this city destroyed.
It is Ravinatra, a city just hours away from where Barns grew up in his first life. A desert oasis of sin and debauchery, not dissimilar from Dimartino, but with a heightened interest in gambling.
It was a place where people ca from all over the world to try their hand in poker, blackjack, slots - you na it. Everyone hoped to gain Lady Luck's favor, and visitors arrived in droves from all over the world.
The neon signs blinked to life in the flashback - though he could not see the colors he could imagine them - the deep, violet hues, the electric blues - a city of overwhelming energy.
He jolts suddenly when he sees Absalom floating next to him.
Barns stares. Not at the city, but at the man beside him. At first, he doesn't recognize him. His hair is lighter, and falls in gentle curls around his shoulders - his face is unblemished. It's not just that he looks human. It's that he looks... young. Alive. Real.
And his piercing eyes survey the bustling city below.
"This is how we control the undead," Absalom says gently. His voice is no longer a slow whimper but rather deep, strong, and confident.
"We bring their minds into a world of illusion, disconnected from their bodies. When they attack a human, they might think they're fighting off a wild beast. So saw fire. Endless fire. Others sat at dinner tables that no longer existed, talking to children who had long rotted away - without even realizing they were devouring their own kind. Horrific, is it not? To lose control so thoroughly that they do not even realize…"
Barns looks down at the city, still unsure why they're here of all places. "You're not going to make do anything against my will, are you?"
"Absolutely not. You have given a second chance at life. For you, for Dimartino - I would die in an instant, to repay your grace. It is more than I deserve."
They float over the city, moving forward. Barns tries to move, but he's unable to - Absalom controls this space. He lets the mont take him and looks around at the 'Strip' - the most iconic part of all Ravinatra. The epicenter of its hedonistic and vibrant culture. Clancy would have loved this place.
"Why are we here?" Barns asks, turning back to his floating guide.
Absalom blinks slowly, pondering over the monochro city of sin. "This is where Emperor Yharan t the man who would help him beco the First Undead."
"Wait…you an to say -"
"Yes. Emperor Yharan, overseer of the Sentinels. He is the First Undead, and he is the one who controls the hordes that roam the world in lifeless hunger."
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