Ekver's Journal

**Ekver's Journal** contains diary entries of the Demonic fragment known as Ekver. Left behind within his isolation cell beneath the village of Stonevale.

## Research

Completed by Anastasia Ekatarina

*[...blind and unforgiving, that they should see me as a monster when I am so much more. Like cattle, we are herded into cells and chambers, placed in chains and flesh ripped from our bodies as they seek the truth behind our 'affliction' and our 'curse'. Can they not see that we are not cursed, but we are the chosen. To talk amongst mortals and grant them an essence of our radiant aura. That they should be so ungrateful to higher beings. Their short sightedness shall be their undoing...]*

*[...it is difficult to trust, when they have treated us with such malice. But this one, he seems to seek the truth through means beyond torture and experimentation. I dare say he wants to believe the truth, that I am the embodiment of a higher power. If he keeps to his word, and aids me in my ascension, then he shall be granted all manner of favour upon it...]*

*[...Harald is a good man. He has aided my escape, and seeks to take me north to a village called Stonevale. He said I will be safe there and away from the prying eyes of the government. I see no reason to doubt him now, he knows I could end his life without breaking a sweat. And he seems to know better than to turn upon a powerful entity...]*

*[...it is comfortable here, no doubt. But Harald is... changing. His kindness has somewhat diminished since our arrival here. True to his word, we are safe and have evaded parties in search of us, but I cannot help the feeling that he is not telling me everything. I thought that we were working together. And Kethri... she looks upon with disgust. I have warned her against her glaring looks, her prying eyes and judgemental tone. Yet she does not heed my warnings. Harald has promised to speak with her, but asks that I try and understand her concerns. But why should she fear me. I am a benevolent god. I am caring, kind and shall bring splendour to the world upon my ascension and bring judgement to the sinners of this land. I need only their faith to return to my former power...]*

*[...brass and lead, they're beginning to decorate every inch of this place. Harald says it is to block out divination magic. A suitable measure, though Harald has always been a keen mind. If nothing else, he is diligent in keeping me safe from the authorities...]*

*[...divination... what a fool I have been. Blinded by my own faith in him. They do not serve to protect me, but to bind me to this chambers and bring my powers to nothing but the void. I haven't even the strength to destroy them. To even lift this quill rids me of my energy now. This... psionic energy that renders me unable. They have taken the powers of god and torn them from him. I shall show them mercy, and offer them to chance to repent and undo their betrayal... and I will let them live...]*

*[...it cannot be. They now speak of things they do not know. Now I am rendered incapable, they have the gall to say that I am no god, but an abomination. Though these words are spilled from Kethri's lips, as Harald lays silent and riddled with guilt. And so he should. I am a prisoner, made captive by my own saviours. The small blessing is they share their research with me. Though I doubt its authenticity. They claim my affliction causes delusions of grandeur, that the power coursing through my veins are not that of divinity, but the Abyss. That I am but a host for a demonic entity that desires nothing but carnage and chaos...]*

*[...it has been weeks since they visited. Weeks since they have reported their findings to me. I should be angry, furious and irrate. Yet, I haven't the energy for such things. If what they say is true, and demon lives within me. An agent of chaos. Then I will seek to control it. I shall settle my heart, my soul and emotions. I will not feed whatever is is inside of me. I shall not feel anger, I shall not feel hatred. I shall feel nothing. I cannot control what happens beyond the walls of this prison, and so there is little need to feel anything for it. But I will allow myself one moment of emotion. One single act of chaos. Upon my escape of this place, I shall bring the Sanctuary to rubble and dust, destroying all within it...]*

*[...it is hard to keep track of time, with no time piece nor company. But I believe that something or someone is trying to reach me. These nodes of protection are working, for now. Given time, I believe these whispers will grow louder and clearer. I need only listen...]*

*[...she has a kind voice. Much like Harald once did. I will show the same weakness I had showed him. I will not be manipulated so easily. But company is pleasant none-the-less. She says I have been down here for nearly a hundred years, eighty of those years without speaking with or seeing Harald or Kethri. She said they had advanced their experiments and had little need for me. They had begun dabbling in energy and magic that they could not comprehend. But they would pay dearly for it...]*

*[...and there it is. Nothing comes for free. She seeks me as her servant, or her child, as she puts it. She says she cannot undo the binds or tear down the walls that imprison me, but guide her servants to me and release me. I have read her contract a hundred times, the wording of which is particular to the fullest extent. I have been lied to so many times, by so many people. What some call lies, others call truths. I would have her define her terminology more clearly. For it is lies that turn me to hatred and anger, emotions I have promised to cast aside....]*

*[...she tells me that everything is in hand, and I would wait just a little longer before I am freed from this place. The seed has been planted and her servants will find this place through her manipulation. An odd thing, to be told that an entity as powerful as myself will be saved by a kobold. Is this truly the power that the mother holds? A kobold?...]*

*[...it is nearly time. Soon I will be free from this place and I shall in turn repay the favour of this entity. These lost souls, these shattered souls... I shall find them, save them, and bring them to the mother's embrace...]*