You take the logical approach that most things don't like fire and cast a few quick flame bolts at the horde. This works to a small degree in that it sets a few on fire and causes them to fall to the ground trying to put the flames out, which stops the momentum a bit as the non flaming "villagers" trip over the burning ones.

As you run through the village more of them are coming out their homes ahead of you. Several of the inhabitants attempt to grab you, but you cut them down instead. They're tougher and stronger than they look and seemingly very resistant to the concept of pain. You sliced into the neck of one and the hideous thing actually began laughing.

The end of the village is in sight and a little further in the distance you can see another structure, which you guess is the temple. Naturally your line of sight is quickly blocked by another horde of the villagers get in your way. With one group ahead and the other group still behind you, you'd actually be in danger of being trapped if you weren't the quick thinking one.

You quickly climb up the side of one of the houses up to its roof. It isn't the climb that's difficult, but rather the fact that the house is in such terrible condition that part of it starts crumbling. You nearly fall through the rotting roof when you get to the top. The villagers howl and moan at you as you stand out of their reach, but they begin to correct that by trying to climb up as well.

You lob a couple of fireballs into the horde, but that soon turns out to be a bit of a mistake as the blast back (along with burning villagers running around on fire) end up setting the house on fire along with others nearby it. The only way you're getting away from this madness is by rooftop jumping and hoping you don't fall through them.

You make your escape across the rooftops while a raging inferno starts to slowly envelop other houses and will most likely burn down the whole cursed village. The villagers don't give up on you that easily, some of them actually make it up to the roofs as well and continue their pursuit, while the non burning ones start trying to pelt you with nearby stones.

You get to the last house roof before you need to jump down and one of the bastards manages to grab you at the same time another hits you in the head with a rock.

"Shit!" you utter as you fall off the roof taking the villager who grabbed your arm with you.

With some quick moving you pull the villager so he lands on the ground first and all your weight lands on top of him. With your elbow in his neck when you both hit the ground you hear a satisfying snap. When you scramble to get up, you see that you're out of the village, but not out of danger.

You cut down a few more of the villagers that have caught up with you and distance yourself from the damned place by running towards the temple which is looking much closer now. You expect the villagers to chase you all the way there, but they don't go much past the outskirts of their village, which continues to burn.

Your journey to the temple isn't far, but it certainly starts to feel like it is. The closer you get to the temple the more you start feel the effects of the island's toxic environment. Soon each step is an effort and you can hardly concentrate on even walking towards the temple.

"Give in…join ussssss…lay down…diiiiiiiiiiiiie…" you suddenly hear in your head. You hate these psychic spirit attacks.
"NO! The Emperor will give me strength to carry out my mission!" you yell out and redouble your efforts to shake off the mind assault.

Eventually you reach the temple and the signs of battle are very obvious here. You see one of the silver doors blown off the hinges. Several large bones lie strewn about and from the looks of it; these weren't from any ordinary skeleton. You also notice two ruined black statues on either side of the temple. While they have great large chunks missing from them, you notice that these statues resemble the ones the Emperor has just outside his chambers; they're just on a smaller scale.

"Son? Is that you outside?" you hear the Emperor ask from within.
"Yes, it's me. Are you okay?" you answer.
"Yes! Just get in hear quickly, we don't have much time!"

You enter the temple which actually isn't all that large inside. In fact it looks more like a shrine rather than a temple since the only thing inside is a small pedestal against the far wall. You see the Emperor who is holding an old looking book and he seems very excited. More excited than you've ever seen, even when all the gnomes were reportedly exterminated he wasn't this excited.

You notice he's drawn several circles and symbols on the floor.

"Good, good, you're here! We have to begin immediately! Step into that circle…no I mean that one!" he exclaims.
"Erm, okay. You know I got attacked by a whole village of freaks?"
"I'm sure you did. Probably ghouls. Generations of inbreeding and cannibalism tends to make folks insane and unfriendly to outsiders. Please, now we have to begin, they'll be here soon!"

You step inside one of the circles and the Emperor steps into another one and obsessively fondles the book he has in his hand.

"Who'll be here? The ghouls?"
"No! The…nevermind, look I'll explain everything to you afterwards, but right now I have to concentrate and you will have to as well. Now begin this chant with me."

The Emperor starts chanting and you try to follow along as best you can. The circles and symbols on the floor begin to glow. As much as you don't want to interrupt, you're a little lost on what exactly is going on.

"Father, what is…"
"Silence!" the Emperor screams and then you hear a second voice, but this one is from no spirit.

"Casimir, is that you? I see you've finally returned. Always knew you would. Have you come back because you've seen the error of your ways or is this just a visit for a mad dash of power? Judging by the mess, I'd say the latter." You hear the voice shout from outside the temple.

The Emperor suddenly looks very nervous. Worried even. You've never seen such an expression from him before.

"Yes! It's me, Nicodemus! And you'll not be stopping me this time!" the Emperor shouts and then a red barrier materializes in the temple entryway. You see a robed figure walk up to it, but can't make out much more than that.

"Casimir, you have to know this cheap trick isn't going to stop me. If you just let down the barrier we might be able to talk about this. "
"Never! I wasn't deterred then, and I won't be deterred now! I have the book and after this rejuvenation ritual, you and the entire council won't be able to stop me from my destiny!" The Emperor shouts and starts making elaborate hand gestures.
"Don't you think over six hundred centuries of this nonsense is long enough? You've had your fun and now its time to realize you need to act your damn age. Casimir I'm coming in and I assure you if you attack me, you will be destroyed this time."

The Emperor ignores this threat and continues his spell. He begins to eminate a purple glow and you soon follow.

"Am I supposed to have this purple glow?" you ask.
"Shhh! It'll all be over soon. Just have to cast one last spell." The Emperor quickly says before beginning another spell.

About this time the barrier disappears and an ancient looking man in a black robe steps in. He doesn't look very imposing, but it's pretty apparent he exudes great power. He completely ignores you and looks directly at the Emperor. Its one of disapproval, but there's no anger at all behind it.

"Casimir, you have to know this isn't even necessary. If you desire immortality so much, you could've just stayed here to begin with, you could still stay here if you'd just recognize the error of your ways."

The Emperor looks out the corner of his eye at Nicodemus, but doesn't stop his spell. Meanwhile Nicodemus now looks over at you and begins studying you. He then closes his eyes and lifts up his own hand while mumbling something.

You have no idea what he's doing, but at this point you're starting to feel like you're genuinely threatened. The circle you're in will probably protect you, but he broke through the other barrier with ease. Who's to say he won't do the same with the circle?

There's also the matter of risking ruining the elaborate ritual the Emperor is currently casting…which you're also starting to have separate concerns about.

Semra's words: "You will learn the truth too late." begin to ring in your mind.

You trust in your current defenses

You've believed in the Emperor this long and this far. You and he have overcome all obstacles and enemies together. This Nicodemus is just another in a long line of them. You don't know all the history that he and the Emperor have, but all you know is he will fall like all others. If the Emperor's next conquest is to be this island then that is what will be done. If it is you that will be needed to help in this mission, then you will gladly serve and die if necessary.

And if…

And if the Emperor has lied to you about everything, it doesn't matter because you have been loyal to the end and have played your role perfectly. The Emperor gave you purpose so if you are to be his new vessel of destruction to accomplish his destiny then there can be no greater honor. You are ready to make that sacrifice. You were created for it.

Nicodemus lowers his hand and stops mumbling. If he's cast a spell it either hasn't worked or it has no obvious effects.

"Casimir, I know what you're trying to do and this isn't going to work. I urge you to stop before it's too late."
"Yes, it is too late FOR YOU!" the Emperor shouts and finishes his spell with a laugh. He then turns to you.

"Goodbye my son, I'm sorry I lied to you, but know that your last sacrifice will help me achieve my destiny at last."

The Emperor suddenly looks unwell again. Like he did when he was sick except now it's happening at an accelerated rate. You see him rapidly age before your eyes.

"NO! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?! THE SPELL! THE RITUAL! THE PREPARATION! I HAD THE PERFECT VESSEL! I WAS GOING TO RULE THE WORLD! I WAS GOING TO LIVE FOREVER!"

At this point the Emperor collapses to the floor as his body continues to decay. Meanwhile nothing is happening to you though you're in a state of shock watching the Emperor die in front of you.

"Son…help….meeeee…" the Emperor says in a dying raspy tone.
"I don't know how. I'm sorry father…I have failed you…" you reply sadly.

"I…want…to live…foreverrrrrrrrr…" the Emperor says with his last dying breath before he completely decays into a skeletal corpse, then bones, then dust.

And with that The Emperor, Casimir, your father is dead.

You just continue to stare at the dust in disbelief; meanwhile Nicodemus walks over to the pile and picks up the book your father seemed to be so happy to have before he died.

"(Sigh) I warned him it wouldn't work. When I scanned you with my identify spell I learned all I ever had to about you. You were not a suitable vessel for a transference spell."
"Impossible, I am an Eternal! I was born and bred for this purpose!"
"I'm well aware of what you believe, but that isn't what is. Perhaps your breeding was incorrect or perhaps a mistake was made."
'No. My father doesn't make mistakes."
"Really? Recent events would dictate otherwise."

You have no response you just continue to stare at the dust.

"Eternal, I can tell you are feeling a great sense of loss right now and you have my sympathies. Your life seems to be filled with nothing but pain, war and loss. And tragically one of your only stable foundations was Casimir and even he lied to you. Yet you're so broken that you believe you're the one that failed him. You must've been the perfect son."

You begin to gather your strength and thoughts as you are starting to become annoyed with this Nicodemus.

"I still am." You reply seriously.
"Hmm, I see even with Casimir dead, your indoctrination still holds. (Sigh) I hope for your sake that will fade in time lest you end up like he did or the power hungry ancestors of this place. This island was once lush and full of life you know. Makas as it once was called had a thriving civilization with a strong navy. Even the mighty Svelk Empire at the time didn't dare attack us. Then this accursed book was created and changed everything. This is why Casimir was exiled." Nicodemus says and lifts up the non-descript book while still clutching it his arm.

"Did he create it?" you ask.
"Hah. Casimir could've only hoped to create something so powerful. No he was just another of our kind that thought he could achieve the impossible, to become a god. This book is just an ancient mistake of our predecessors and a reminder of why we were not meant to live forever."
"So what is it, a powerful book of necromantic spells?"
"If it were only that, it might be less dangerous. The more dangerous part is the fact that it's not just a spellbook. It's a gateway to another dimension. Of course we didn't really realize that or what we were doing until it was nearly too late."
"I don't understand."
"Our civilization couldn't leave well enough alone. We had everything, but we still couldn't stop the ravages of time and ultimately death. So we did the logical thing of exploring the necromantic arts. It was an exciting time to be sure; I was actually a young and eager researcher myself back then. It took decades, but eventually we managed to unlock everything we could about the art of necromancy. We could've very well taken over the world I believe with our power, but our goals were bigger. We wanted immortality. To be as gods. Nothing less would do. In this book lies the combined knowledge of every forbidden, obscure and even common necromantic arts. We planned on using it to cast off these fragile mortal shells and ascend to a new plane of existence."
"So…what happened?"
"This. The ritual that was to give us immortality destroyed our civilization as we knew it and created what you see today. I was actually not involved in the ritual as at the time I was not as skilled of a wizard, but I saw the devastation that occurred. A black void opened up above the entire island and its very presence killed many weaker individuals instantly. It didn't take long for the arch mages performing this ritual to realize that they weren't being imbued with eternal life, they were opening a portal to death itself. Fortunately some of the mages weren't quite so obsessed with immortality and realized that this was a bad idea and so managed to close the gate before it engulfed the entire island…possibly even the world."
"That can't be the end of it."
"Oh no, it most certainly was not. The entire island had been infused with negative energy and necromantic magic to a point where it was oddly keeping those that lived a much increased life span. However it also made many mad with power. Some of the more obsessed mages were furious about the gate being closed. They desired that the gate remain open, still believing it would lead to immortality. Others settled for the lesser immortality, but desired more power. Thus began the war of the necromancers who marched armies of the dead to wage endless battles with each other and destroying the rest of the island in the process."
"It was only when every inch of this place was cursed and forever tainted that the survivors finally stopped to recognize the folly of their ways. The folly that someone can have total control over death, let alone cheat it forever."
"My father obviously disagreed." You say.
"Yes, though he wasn't the first and sadly he probably won't be the last. Every once in awhile one of our number gets a little power hungry. Usually it's a phase and we exile them as we did with Casimir. Most soon learn that their powers gradually weaken and beg to come back, others vainly try to make it on their own and usually die expending all their energy as soon as they try to raise an army of the dead to conquer whatever it is they've set their eyes on. I have to admit though, Casimir proved to be a little more determined than most. He was smart to stop using his necromancy and rely on more traditional means to run a nation. Even his way of attempting to cheat death was rather clever. A shame he didn't focus his energy on something more worthwhile."
"He did." You answer defiantly.

Nicodemus seems slightly exasperated now.

"And again you defend a man who cared nothing for you and would've devoured your life force just to extend his life span a little longer. What did he do that was so worthwhile? Create his Empire? Lesser men than him have done similar things and with a lot less resources, he wasn't really special in that regard. Live for centuries? He could've stayed here and lived for a lot longer than that if he'd just abandoned his mad plans. Power is fleeting Eternal. LIFE is fleeting. No one lives forever and no one rules forever. Not on this world anyway. Even necromancers die. Just takes us a little longer than most and trust me, we aren't ruling anything so much as we're doomed to act as guardians to this world's life. Most of us know or learn that lesson, because after it's all said and done, this book teaches that important message."
"Message? You've been going on about how dangerous the book is. And if the book is so dangerous, why not just destroy or get rid of it?" you say.
"You don't believe that's been tried? Trust me, it has by every known ability to us and then some. Getting rid of it would be unwise for it could just fall into the hands of someone who does not know its true power and they may unleash its awfulness. Better we should remain its guardians and make sure nobody else ever has to suffer the same fate we do. So if one good thing comes from the book, then it is that lesson. A reminder of what hubris does. Sadly some just fail to learn the lesson. Not everything is black and white, contrary to your worldview of things Eternal. I hope that will fade in time as well. Speaking of time, I believe yours here should be coming to an end. Your master is dead and you have no further business here."

Nicodemus mutters a small incantation and a portal opens up near you.

"This will take you back to your Empire. Goodbye Eternal, and I hope for your sake you find your own way, you'll find yourself a lot better off."

The Emperor is dead and while this man may not have caused it directly, you still feel he is somehow responsible. Part of you wants to attack Nicodemus, but you also know that may not be wise as it is obvious the man wields great power. Then there is the book he holds. You almost feel drawn to it…

You attack Nicodemus

While the Emperor might've been afraid of this man, you have no such fear. You're going to succeed where your father failed. You draw your weapon with one hand and cast a spray of ice at Nicodemus with the other.

He's not even fazed; he's not even all that surprised. Ignoring the frost on his body he merely stares at you and suddenly you feel severe drain of your energy. Like when Cyrus was clutching your throat, but this is even faster. You drop like a rock in water, unable to stop Nicodemus from approaching you.

"(Sigh) If I didn't know better I'd think that Casimir had succeeded in transferring himself into you, but you are not Casimir. You're not even half as powerful as he was. You are a confused child that's desperately and misguidedly still trying to prove yourself to an uncaring father figure. Under different circumstances, you'd be a figure of pity and mercy. However you do have the potential to be very dangerous and I can see that you've not listened to a single thing I've tried to tell you today. You probably never will either. May you find some sort of peace in death that you obviously couldn't find in life." Nicodemus remarks.

You can't even respond back, your whole body is becoming lethargic and numb. Your heartbeat starts slowing down, and your vision begins to darken. Soon you can't see anything at all and surrender to eternal sleep.