The Tumulus Ball
Introducing Thoga'rith ... A Devil of Ru'Than. Grand Magnate of the Querulous Word. One Half of a Blasphemed Twin. Doer of Illusionist. Messer of the Mind. Bringer of Distractions. Turner of the Focus. "
Stepping into ground of the barrow within the Underdark of Ru'Than, Thoga'rith felt the stones vibrate as the metallic staff was whacked upon them. The longer the introduction the more important the attendee was. Thoga'rith is determined to get the longest title of any Devil at the next Tumulus Ball within this barrow.
It was hard to time arrival just on the sweet spot of time, to any Tumulus Ball. No one wanted to arrive first and seem overly eager to mingle with those not of their kind - especially when all in attendance must be complete unclothed. Yet, to be last to arrive could be seen as an insult to your own 'ruler'.
Moving to reside in Ru'Than had not been a choice for Thoga'rith. The Hells had been where they had resided for so long, being made to shift into the Underdark had taken some getting use to. Yet it was with a greater purpose, new title and greater possibilities of making a deal with a foolish mortal.
The devils took to peening themselves, once dusted with chalk by slaves, as the walk amongst the demons, whose bodies were being oiled and greased by slaves. The eyes of the slaves were blindfolded to avoid them seeing anything. Their ears were blocked so not to hear any true names.
Moving amongst the Fiend attendees, Thoga'rith complained to anyone who was within ear shot. Whether it be about the ground being so dry it was cracked and crumbling, or that the slaves being too limiting with their dusting of chalk. Being Querulous was a grand title for any Devil. Making others feel so much of your own annoyance and bitterness is a strong skill.
A Blasphemed Twin was an unusual title to hold. Many Demon and Devil refused the meld. It was only during the ball, that a Demon and Devil meld together into one creature with two heads.
Thoga'rith was waiting for the Demon named Zur'kono to arrive. They had both been forced to accept the request to try to become a Blasphemed Twin. Thoga'rith and Zur'kono had never meet before the last ball, yet their dislike for each other was instant. Their absolute hatred for each other grew quickly, from the first words. It has fueled the first melding. Hatred with such heated passion.
Thoga'rith still bristled over Zur'kono's perfectly timed insults laced with kindness. No Devil nor Demon wants even a back-handed compliment.
They had stood together. Eyes closed tight. It was not in any way good having to hold each other in an awkward embrace. The chanting and drumming had paused through Thora'rith's whole being - from the chest outwards. The tightness of Thoga'rith's devil-self intensived.
The pain had been so intense. Not in any pleasurable torturous way. It had felt like Thoga'rith was splitting in half, being torn from the inside, yet at the smae time imploding. Thoga'rith thought it would be the same if catch between two Outlying Pocketses (as the weak-hearted creastures of Celestia called those Blackholes). It felt so vile, even for a Devil.
It had taken what felt like hours for Thoga'rith's Devil bones to meld into the horrible slimy fat and mussle of Zur'kono's Demon body. The blood, sweat and goo of the Demon oozed over Thoga'rith's devil-self.
Then they were melded. Like one of the two-heads Giants. able to twist and face each other, however not able to pull away. The foul smell, the gross feeling, the strange taste, the sounds of the Demon breath, and the sight of themselves in the mirror held by a set of slaves - as one melded Blasphemed Twin.
Although it was the worst experience Thoga'rith had ever had. They had successful achieved what so many other Devil and Demon pairs had not. Both were still 'alive'. Both were still full of hatred towards the other. Both were more powerful, magical and robust than ever.
Thoga'rith and Zur'kono agreed inside their minds not to yet mention all their gained capabilities. They communicated a clay slabs when ordered to - as with the letter To Thoga'rith, which Zur'kono had sent. It was in effort not to reveal that even no longer melded, the two could communicate telepathically.
Other capabilities while melded, included gaining skills of the other creature, included no longer being able to be casted on by Demon or Devil, and flight.
After 12 hours melded together, Thoga'rith and Zur'kono had been so relieved to be separated. It was not quite as bad, yet still a horrible reversal.
The barrow was being prepared again for the ceremony. More adorned than anyone within. The place seemed to thrum with energy and purpose.
Thoga'rith went over to a slave, insisting loudly for more chalk dusting. Thoga'rith boned hand was around the Human slaves throat when she felt Zur'kono's presence.
Taking longer than their devil's body wanted, Thoga'rith turned as their hated Demon entered. Taking all the torment ahead to once more become a Blasphemed Twin, both had a hunger for that magnificent rush of power once again. Maybe the could get away with longer this time.
Introducing Zur'kono ... A Demon of The Abyss. One Half of a Blasphemed Twin. Commander of Written Clay. Master of This and That. Foul-Sweetened Tongued One."
The metallic staff once again hit the stones of the barrow.
Tumulus = a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Also referred to known as barrow -an ancient burial mound.
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