The Lord of the Undying Storm opened his eyes again.
His back was in such a painful twist he could not sleep for more than twenty minutes at a time. These bizarre runes were making it harder and harder to move, so his very massive body was stuck in a space a bit too small for him to be in, and with movement requiring far more strength than he had at present - if possible at all - he had no option but to sit in misery and hate his present existence.
It’s so dark in here… He let out a quiet suppressed groan, before cutting it off suddenly. Wouldn’t want Ekimu to hear me… Wait, why do I care?! Why should I, Lord of the Undying Storm, care what any Okotan thinks or believes?
…Because this one Okotan hit me so hard I blacked out, that’s why. He huffed as he sucked air into his lungs and tried - completely in vain - to move again. Well, why do I even keep trying that?
Another couple of minutes dragged on in silence. Why do these Okotans have so much power, anyway? Power to challenge those who rightfully belong in authority? A low growl escaped his lips instinctively. Those rotted Okotans and their… Incredibly tiny cells, runes that-
Runes that… The Storm feebly looked about the room, but the only light he saw was a very faint light so dim it could not light up anything else, present outside the cell. Runes that must be draining my power.
It was no secret, these runes, to the Storm, but he either hadn’t cared enough to hear anything more about it or had simply forgotten over the many years of solitude. But… Is- is it temporary? Surely it must be temporary! A week, a month, maybe… They come back. They must come back. Surely they must! Ekimu couldn’t- he wouldn’t do that to me!!
Two more minutes dragged on. No, I know what it is. He must be the only one who can restore them. Yes, he’s going to use me as a puppet, is he? Well I’ll show him… First, play along with his game… Then, after he’s convinced I’m his personal errand boy, leap on him and choke his lights out! Yes, then, with that mask, I can…
I can… I can… The Storm looked about in failing desperation. I… Can’t. My brothers were all imbeciles, they fell for every gimmick I pulled. But Ekimu - there’s no way I can put on an act in front of him, not after… Goodness, what has it been? a day, at most? I am really pathetic, aren’t I?
Maybe there’s still something left of that cringing, whining cowardly fool Vaalku left in me… He tried to ignore the water in his eyes. Enough that I’m still afraid of the dark sometimes…
…
It’s so dark in here…