Nulmik, the Tendril of Betrayal

Nulmik, the Tendril of Betrayal is the God of Betrayal (Also known as Treason, Rebellion, Insubordination, etc.), and in some continuities Contracts or Lies. During the war, Nulmik served as mostly an Advisor, lacking the power, or loyalty, of an Elite. Nulmik is a lowly scoundrel. No heinous act, no lie, no betrayal, is too low for him to carry out. Willing to do anything and everything to stay alive, the Tendril has no dignity and no shame. It is heavily implied that during the Cove Continuity, Nulmik was perfectly willing to sincerely betray Traxis, and that his attempts to convince Axial were not mere trickery. Nulmik was never seen in combat for long, and has surrendered or begged his way out of the fights he encountered.

## History

### **Cove Era:**

The first time Nulmik is mentioned, the Tendril was scouting the movements of the Elites of Aldis and their positions, regarding the endeavor as a prime opportunity for a gain toward himself. Although he telepathically conversed with Traxis at multiple, though compact, intervals, discussing schemes to slither his way into the Inner Circle of Aldis, it is unknown whether Nulmik genuinely wished for Traxis' victory or not. Nulmik was eventually spotted by Lorea and her group, the Goddess demanding Nulmik's retreat from the area.

Nulmik seemingly obeyed without question, however in truth he merely utilized the shadow cloak (An ability unique to Legath and Nulmik) to envelop himself and grant him invisibility. After following the Elites for a time, a ravenous, sickly behemoth was suddenly encountered by the group, who did their best to fend against the monstrosity emerging from the depths of Night's darkest corners, aroused by their traversing of the realm. Throughout several instances (Including the beast, whom had met its demise at the hands of the Elites.) Nulmik attempted to gain the trust of the Elites, manipulating their consciousnesses to assist him even in the slightest. Any attempt, however, failed, until Nulmik strove to unveil a secret in possession of himself, relating to Traxis' plans.

Before the shadow could possibly reveal any crucial information, a chain burst from the ground of Night and ensnared the Tendril, who screamed as he was dragged down and placed within the chambers of the Warden, also known as Mak'Ruth, the most secure prison in all of Myth. When an enormous battle (Aldians had supposedly pinpointed the location of Traxis' stronghold) erupted within the realm, now controlled by Aldian forces as the God of Lightning (Axial) had secured the sphere from Traxis' authority, Axial confronted the Warden, eventually overpowering the building using a charged blast of lightning. The Warden sunk into the ground and released all of its awaiting prisoners, never to be seen again.

Finally, Nulmik faced his demise against the God of Chaos, Azoth, and Jurallia, the Goddess of Storms, as he revealed his scheme to betray the Dark Royal alongside Tol'Reth'Mus. As the latter was obliterated by the supercharged Axial, after a lengthy duel Jurallia was able to convince the Tendril to surrender his sphere, which the Tendril did. Unbeknownst to him at the time, yielding his sphere proved to be utter stupidity as his entire essence vanished from Myth.

### **Blood of the Royals:**

The second part of Blood of the Royals depicted Nulmik on a final straw with Traxis, as the two apparently appeared to be on bad terms due to either failure or distrust on Nulmik's behalf. When Zukra was ordered to confront the Tendril to relay a message to the Keeper of Monstrosities, Nulmik revealed that he had attained information relating to Traxis' plot through unknown means. Despite Zukra's discomfort, he successfully demanded that Nulmik order the Keeper to deliver both Astrals (Which at the time he possessed) to Traxis.

In Obsidian Sky, Nulmik and Legath were assigned the task of aiding Krom in securing both Astrals from the Keeper, who seemingly refused to comply with their earlier demands which had been previously relayed to him. The two, however, had an advantage due to prime leverage; The Wisdom Goddess, Astalia, was at their mercy (With the slit of a clawed finger by Nulmik to her throat, she would be slain), having been captured by Legath at the Sanctuary of Wisdom during an ensuing battle which resulted in the capture of the Astrals by the Museum. With their advantage, and Muran's caring manner toward the Goddess, whom had earlier assisted him in containing and utilizing his Godly strength, the two Astrals were unable to attack until Traxis arrived, ordering Nulmik to toss Astalia from Krom, which he did hesitantly.

Now, with no assets to prevent the Astrals from intiating combat, Riasond advanced on Nulmik (Muran was preoccupied with Legath) to flay the Tendril. After hastily scouting for escape routes, the Tendril and the Moon engaged in a bloodlust driven battle.

After several evasions of Riasond's attacks, and Riasond's resistance toward the mental assaults by Nulmik onto his mind, Traxis instead ended the fight himself, knocking the Astral down to the fleshy surface which the battle took place upon with his own crescent blade. Traxis described Nulmik's performance in battle, although "as expected", "woefully inadequate".

During Aldis' arrival, Nulmik remained utterly silent, not daring to mutter even a single sentence or word against or to either side as the two Royals conversed, threatened, insulted, and argued with each other. When requested by Traxis to assist Muran in demonstrating his newfound strength, Nulmik did not have the opportunity to even issue a response as the Tendril was kicked square in his back, plummeting to the ground far below as he screamed obscenities, presumed dead. However, he is revealed to be alive as Mak'Ruth emerged from the ground, swinging from one of the rusty chain appendages stemming from the base of the prison.

Yaldrenth's assignment to impede the Tendril and Mak'Ruth (Who were protecting the Elemental resonance, critical to Traxis' plans.) proved a worthy task as the Tendril evaded all of Yaldrenth's movements, the latter even twisting his helmet 180 degrees and landing several hits. Unexpectedly, several fleshy appendages originating from the Fleshwrought knocked Yaldrenth into the beam of pure energy, charring his armor and obscuring the metal, sending him down to the ground, weakened and dying.

Nulmik greedily pondered his opportunities gained from the sphere of Honor, until Yaldrenth interrupted his thoughts. Questioning his ability to feel regret, to which Nulmik merely scoffed. However, Yaldrenth refused to accept his answer. The sentient suit of armor suddenly began to warp into a battle-worn remnant of himself, revealing the three spheres of loss, War, and Vengeance as his form coursed with icy mist. Yaldrenth, who had frightened Nulmik with this sudden development, demanded that Nulmik face his crimes.

As the Royals commenced their transformations into their true, other-realm forms, Yaldrenth confronted the Tendril atop the surface of Mak'Ruth, who turned on Nulmik in his dire circumstance, explaining that Nulmik can hold his own in battle, a reference to earlier dialogue. As Nulmik spoke a final plea to Traxis, he was slaughtered by Yaldrenth's gloved fists which converged on him. His corpse likely floated up to the Sky or was left atop Mak'Ruth, likely the former due to the statement that the Elementals were floating up toward it.