Song of Death and Resurrection

After playing for some time, Vallynor noticed a goblin sitting on a bench and enjoying the music. This goblin was known as Gimy, a lover of long conversations and, undoubtedly, one who was able to extract scientific knowledge from him. Most of this knowledge was already known to the goblins, but there were also secrets that remained unknown both to him and others.

These goblins were different from their counterparts who lived in the forest and sowed destruction around. They were smart and inventive, had limited magical abilities, but compensated for this with a variety of magical tools. Considering the depletion of mana, they, along with gnomes and dwarves, had switched to using electricity. They gathered in an underground city, where, along with other races striving for industrial development, they engaged in science and manufacturing.

Unfortunately, Vallynor had not yet visited this city, but Gimy's description evoked a vivid picture in his imagination. The city, according to Gimy, was filled with pipes and cables, essentially being an underground industrial center.

"Come with me..." said Gimy, grabbing Vallynor by the hand, and the next moment they moved.

Vallynor, looking around, first thought he had found himself in a library. However, noticing mechanical tools and seeing representatives of different races walking around, he realized that this was a completely different place.

"Welcome to our library…" Gimy began his story about the library, about how it was copied from a castle but adapted to the needs of their society.

While most of the visitors, having already noticed Vallynor and Gimy, were eager to approach to get acquainted with the new arrival.

***

Lia stepped out of her chambers and looked at the crack left behind by Tify. He approached, gazing at Lia's glowing face, and couldn't understand what had happened. Only one day had passed.

"You look so joyful, as if you took part in some grand event. There, you were probably torn to pieces with pleasure... My apologies, madam."

"When will you learn not to utter coarse words? No, I am happy because I was able to mark a person who is dear to me. And in the future, I will always be able to find him, even if he completely forgets me."

"It's time to go to the meeting."

"I know! Follow me."

Lia headed to the meeting, piercing the air with a sense of captivating mystery. A gleam of determination sparkled in her eyes, and her steps were full of grace. Tify followed her, trying to understand the meaning of her joy and the secret event that had changed her mood.

***

In the vast black infinity of space, where no stars twinkled and nothing of unclear origin existed, several figures appeared. Among them were Alexander, Gabriel, and Caesar. Cracks emanated from them, out of which grotesque creatures of enormous sizes crawled, some with tentacles covering their bodies. Initially, they were gigantic but then shrank to 5-10 meters. Among them stood out Lia with Tify, sitting on a summoned throne and enjoying wine.

"Everyone is gathered. We can start our meeting!" announced Caesar, with a glance confirming that all attendees had arrived and posed no threat.

"Why have we been called?" a vile, repelling voice sounded from one of the creatures, casting a glance at Caesar and the others. It was evident that many were surprised and disapproving.

"We will discuss the end of this world and the prisoner," declared Caesar, ignoring the confusion among most of the attendees.

"I see," came the response, emanating from the depths of a huge creature with a female voice.

"If you're going to talk about the hole in the seal, we're already aware and ready to give our last drops if your words are true," said a tired static voice, prompting everyone, except Lia and Caesar, to nod or show something resembling approval.

"We need to discuss the details..."

Caesar began to outline his plan and the actions needed for the mission's success. When he finished, a moment of silence ensued before Caesar continued:

"Now, let's move to the second topic. It's almost free."

Everyone stood silently, drenched in a metaphorical rain, looking at each other. Then, the silence was broken by one of the attendees:

"I'm ready."

All eyes turned to the one who had uttered this decisive phrase. It was a long creature with a female voice, which had long hesitated in its thoughts and finally decided to seize the opportunity.

"Good. But, unfortunately, that's not enough. We need another volunteer."

Caesar, expressing gratitude, announced the need for another participant. After a while, a tentacled creature caught everyone's attention with its unpleasant sounds.

"I will also volunteer," said the entity, looking at the others.

"Then it's decided. We'll start immediately after the meeting ends."

Everyone, nodding, began to say their goodbyes and joke, realizing that these two might not return.

***

At the very center of the planet stood a massive cage, crafted from a variety of minerals: orichalcum, mithril, and even rarer ones. However, this once perfect structure was now riddled with holes.

Inside was a colossal creature, surpassing even the primordial giants in size. It attempted to reach out to itself, but chains that clung to its limbs and penetrated flesh and bone hindered it. Yet, every second, it continued to pull its hands towards itself, and at one point, one of the chains tore a piece of flesh that flew against the wall, freeing a hand from another cursed chain. Only a few remained.

The runes on the chains and the cage walls began to sparkle and pulsate. The torn chains lashed out at the creature's limbs, penetrating its flesh and bone. The creature was full of wounds, and it couldn't heal itself quickly.

"Again, you replenish the energy of my prison. Your attempts slow down time, and the world loses its last crumbs of energy. Soon it will self-destruct," the creature said, using a demonic language understandable to all but ominous to the weak of spirit.

The creature stopped trying to break the chains and simply watched as they repaired themselves one after another.

A quiet, almost inaudible laugh filled the entire prison.

***

"Thank you, Vallynor, for this productive conversation," said Gimy's wife, who had also come to listen to Vallynor's lecture, or, more precisely, a retelling from school.

Gimy, in turn, translated most of the discoveries made and passed them on to the goblins so that, using the knowledge acquired from Vallynor, they could invent something new or create something wonderful.

Vallynor took a book containing all the discoveries made by the goblins over time and was grateful for the opportunity to share his knowledge.

"Let's go," Gimy teleported herself and Vallynor back to the tower where Vallynor had been before the teleportation.

"It's time for me to go," with a bow, Gimy quickly disappeared.

Vallynor, sighing, looked at the city that once was magnificent. But now, it was dying. Turning, Vallynor teleported to his room, where he decided to train and prepare for the upcoming meeting. In the evening, he intended to show these necromancers what he had achieved. Hands of souls emerged one after another behind his back.

They set about various tasks. After some time, Vallynor stopped and dispelled the soul hands spell.

Instead, he pulled out an almost finished musical instrument from his inventory, which he had designed a few weeks ago. An electric piano, gleaming with a metallic shine, lay in his hands.

***

In a dark room sat Kasiel. Before him and behind him were spread ingredients of various kinds: blood, skulls, brains, and much more. Among them stood out a pile of skin.

With his eyes closed, Kasiel recited a spell in a forbidden language. Runes and circles began to glow on the floor, and all the ingredients turned into dust, settling on the runes. At that moment, a crack opened from which wailing and screams could be heard. Kasiel, nodding several times, lay down fully on the floor and said:

"Your will is law to me."

The crack slowly closed, and before it completely faded away, a small box, white as snow, emerged from it.

Although Kasiel wished to open it and see what was inside, the order from above was stronger than his personal desires. He hid the box and vanished, leaving Isda and Forkas behind the door.

"Just as the demonic ritual said. You fell in love with me and decided to plunge into darkness for me," said Yena mockingly.

"Silence, demon," Forkas grumbled.

"Forkas, what are we going to do?" Isda asked.

"I don't know."

***

Vallynor was training on the practice field, using various spells. He summoned and dismissed his undead, trying to improve the speed of their summoning and creating entities with more specific characteristics and appearances.

At some point, a panel appeared before him with a new assignment.

[

Confessions.

A necromancer, only recently having begun their journey. Having the opportunity to follow the paths of others, studying and learning the secrets of necromancy from the best. But not everyone recognizes you as a necromancer. To do this, you must prove that you have all the rights to be an apostle of Death.

Goals: Prove what you have achieved by earning their favor.

Reward: ???

]

Reading attentively, Vallynor closed the window and pondered over his plan. The plan was devised, tools were created, only the clothing remained — both for himself and for the undead.

Sighing, Vallynor summoned threads and a magical instrument with which he was creating clothing. With soul hands, he drew runes on the floor.

Then, he began to create outfits for his undead. Today, they had to look dazzling. Spending some time, Vallynor evaluated the result of his efforts — outfits for both women and men.

This clothing did not possess powerful spells, except to be more durable and difficult to soil. Recalling his sewing lessons, Vallynor remembered how he initially pierced his body several times, making many mistakes. If he had devoted more time and effort, the clothing would have been of higher quality. But at that time, he had no opportunity to create something like this for himself.

First, he considered creating a new cloak. However, even a good cloak seemed too mundane to him. Then, the idea came to modify his old cloak, taking rare items from his inventory, such as dragon bones, golden threads, and much more. While soul hands applied runes, Vallynor recited a spell, summoning Death to come and assist. The idea to alter the cloak came spontaneously but was irresistible.

Black miasmas filled the air, and long bony hands emerged, taking the rare materials in hand. Together with Vallynor, they began to alter and enhance the cloak, sewing runes onto the sleeves and hood, giving it a more majestic appearance.

***

==============================================

Start Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrnmgMdvI6U

==============================================

In the dark world, saturated with corpses and vast graveyards, where the grave usually reigned, music played today. Near the cemetery stood a castle, inside which melodies, conversations, laughter, and the sounds of clashing plates echoed.

The castle welcomed its guests with a magnificent hall, full of dancing and conversing people. Others labored, carrying drinks and dishes. Where the throne usually stood, a huge musical instrument reminiscent of an organ, sparkling with majesty, was erected. A man, enveloped in a black cloak decorated with golden runes on the sleeves and hood, played the keys of this organ. These golden patterns gave him an imposing look. The musician, playing, closed his eyes, fully immersing himself in the world of his music.

Most attendees, whether men or ladies, waltzed to the music's sounds, succumbing to the melody's magic. Compliments and giggles filled the air. On one of the balconies of the second floor stood Duke Grave and Experavit, closely watching the proceedings. Both were dressed in black suits and held glasses of drinks. Experavit stared at the musician at the organ and the stream of souls emanating from his back, each connected to one of the attendees. They became puppets under the undead's guidance, performing every gesture and command. Looking around the hall, Experavit noticed many necromancers engrossed in the ball. They created chaos among the undead they controlled, managed by the evening's main actor.

Duke Grave and Experavit's eyes were drawn to Krina, draped in a long red dress, against the backdrop of flickering faces full of pain. Around her, a cloud of undead circulated, expressing compliments and conversing. Krina smiled and joked, occasionally interacting with the creatures of darkness.

Tod and Chen sat at the buffet, enjoying food and drinks. The undead staff, apologizing from time to time, tried to quell their merriment. But persistent refusals and taunts from this pair of fools remained unchanged.

Some watching undead whispered, discussing how unpleasant Tod and Chen were. It would be hard to guess that these beings were just puppets, given life through magic.

Edward, in gentlemanly fashion, danced with an undead lady, showering her with compliments. In response, the lady only laughed.

"I can't believe this guy manages to so masterfully control these creatures in just a few months," Experavit remarked, observing how Vallynor skillfully played the organ and managed his army of undead.

"But the fact remains. This proves he has the right to the keys," Duke Grave confirmed with a smile.

"You're right," Experavit replied.

The music began to change slightly, and half of the undead plunged into madness. An attack started on the other part of the undead, where the crazed creatures ignored the necromancers and tore their "brethren" apart. The undead, in turn, continued to pretend to be humans, screaming and pleading, but no one was spared. The banquet turned into a real massacre, where mad undead tore limbs and warm innards, throwing them in all directions and bloodstaining the entire hall.

Vallynor continued to masterfully play his self-created and modified organ. For him, the bloody banquet was a real delight, where screams and pleas became music. He wondered when he started to enjoy such a spectacle.

Tod and Chen continued to watch the show, feasting and laughing, sometimes supporting the innocent people, that is, the undead, dying like animals, subjected to the cruelest methods.

Krina smiled, watching the undead scream and die. She understood these weren't real people, and everything was fine. But this scene inevitably reminded her of her own bloody banquet, where she tortured her husband to death.

Duke Grave, smiling, entered the hall, followed by other necromancers, observing but not wishing to participate in the macabre. Many of them, smiling, began to converse with each other, showering Vallynor with compliments. Most looked like old men and women, inconspicuous at first glance. However, when necessary, they could demonstrate the true horror of necromancers. All of them, gathered in the hall, waited for Vallynor to finish his musical composition on the organ.

Having finished playing the organ, Vallynor stood up from the stool and turned to the hall, which unfolded into an unimaginable spectacle. Bloodstained walls, strewn with corpses, testified to the madness that had engulfed this place. His gaze pierced the center of the hall, where many necromancers gathered, forming a gigantic group that continued to expand. Necromancers on the second-floor balconies also turned their gazes towards him. Among them were those who looked like ordinary people, children, and the elderly, but each radiated an aura of necromancy, and their attention was fixed on Vallynor.

The pressure surrounding Vallynor was immense, but he decided to disregard it, overcoming his doubts. The necromancers' gazes were filled with various emotions – dissatisfaction, curiosity, perhaps even respect. With a sigh, Vallynor realized that, despite their undead origin, they still retained their individuality and feelings.

With a confident look at each attendee, Vallynor realized that this day would be etched in their memory forever. It was a day filled with mystical music and undead chaos, caused by his magical artistry.

==============================================

Start Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YLhvjYKeSs

==============================================

Vallynor summoned his lich, holding a magical instrument that amplified his voice. The lich, starting to recite a spell, created temporary liches and skeleton mages, with which they then created undead. Vallynor himself, preparing the prepared undead, began to sing.

Many, upon seeing the summoned undead, flew into a rage. Krina, however, burst into wild laughter, seeing her favorite undead. Many necromancers also became enraged because Vallynor had created and summoned undead of his own invention.

Every self-respecting necromancer should create at least one new type of undead. Krina's "Blood Undead" were filled with a desire to torture. Tod and Chen created zombies from different body parts, one in the form of a strong beast, and another – an artificial beauty.

As the creators of such types, they had the rights to decide who could create them, and who could not. Anyone who breached the secret would become an enemy of all necromancers. This act, in essence, offended every necromancer.

Many of them awaited a response from Vallynor, but received only his song. Part of the undead behind him helped him sing, while another part attacked the necromancers. Krina, cackling with her mouth wide open, said:

"Want a fight? I've been bored for a long time. So entertain me, boy." – she ordered, summoning a whip and some undead, then rushed at the undead summoned by Vallynor.

Most, realizing what Vallynor wanted to prove, didn't know what to do. But, smiling, each summoned their weapon and no more than ten undead. And they attacked Vallynor's undead. Vallynor did not stop singing, summoning new undead. And behind him, soul hands emerged and took control of the undead, enhancing their combat abilities. The necromancers were slashing at Vallynor's undead everywhere. However, at this time, liches appeared, creating new undead, and blocked the bullish necromancers from casting spells.

While Vallynor sang, undead began to emerge from the floor under his feet, lifting their master upwards and becoming a platform for him.

The undead fought with the necromancers, holding up honorably, but still weakly. Ghosts, spirits, and all kinds of spiritual-type undead appeared on the battlefield. Many were surprised at how much undead Vallynor had summoned. However, this warmed the cold blood in their veins slightly.

While everyone fought, a small part of the undead drew a huge chaotic pentagram on the floor, more than half of which was already ready. This was a backup plan during the massacre, and, as it turned out, not in vain.

Tod and Chen fought with the undead, laughing with joy. One tore the undead apart with bare hands, and the other with a long, beautiful sword. They noticed some undead behaving strangely and realized Vallynor was preparing something special. Therefore, they began to ignore and not touch this part of the undead. Almost all necromancers, realizing that Vallynor was preparing something unusual, wanted to see what he would do. So they simply fought with the undead for their pleasure.

Vallynor, while singing, watched the battle and, realizing that he would soon finish the song, activated a magical scheme resembling a plate with a broken edge. This part was directed at Vallynor. The castle began to crack, walls filled with cracks, and the wall behind Vallynor collapsed, revealing a huge dragon made of undead. With a roar, the dragon burst forth, and Vallynor, finishing the song, stopped all the necromancers.