A Cave in the Far North

"Ahhh!" I growled in frustration. Even like this, in my natural form, the wound still hurt. It had been years now, and the injury from that accursed blade still hadn't fully healed. The fact it had been in a different body, in a different universe, didn't matter. Such were the properties of magical weapons of great power. How had the human even acquired such a thing?

The only positive in the whole matter was that the injury somehow gave me a link to the one who caused it. A little over four years ago I had actually felt my hated enemy enter this universe. Felt was an understatement. The pain it had caused had nearly been enough to finish me off for good. It had been a close thing. Still, it had also allowed me to begin planning my countermeasures.

"Master, are you all right?"

"Of course I'm not!" I gave my servant a backhanded slap, sending him across the floor of the cavern.

And that was another debt I had to repay. I should be in my manor house, but no, I couldn't afford for my rivals to see me in such a weakened state. My fist squeezed tight with frustration and anger.

Another minion approached, bowing low as she held a communication crystal in her claws. 

"Master, the being you were expecting is trying to reach you." 

I took the crystal and settled myself before tracing the activation rune. Even this tiny amount of magic hurt to use. It worked though. The flat surface of the purple stone shimmered, and a deeply hooded figure appeared. The fact I couldn't see their face actually pleased me. It meant I was dealing with someone who wasn't stupid. Had I known their identity, they would be a target after any work had been completed, to ensure secrecy. 

"They have left the academy," the faceless person said. I couldn't even tell if it was male or female. In our talks before, they had just called themselves Person X. 

"You know their destination?"

"We think it is to their home. They have a farm in El."

"Can you intercept?"

"We could, but I believe it would be better to wait until they return. To attack now would be to go in not fully prepared. You know who the target is travelling with, they cannot be underestimated."

"Very well. Then eliminate him on the return journey. I don't care what happens to the others, do as you please with them."

X bowed, and the link was broken. 

I relaxed, and my injury ached again. 

Curse Midex, it could only be that interfering god-creature. How else would the hunter have followed? At least there was an opening, a chance to eliminate the threat early. The longer I waited, the stronger he would become. Of course, the longer I waited, the more I would recover. 

Even so, it would be good to get rid of the problem early.

Pleased, I signalled my servant.

"Master?"

"Bring some food and wine," I snapped. "Some of the good stuff too. I feel the good times will soon be here again!"