Garinor was furious at the turn of events. He was not only to choose the ruler but also to give up his life for the right to do so. In his anger he made a rash decision that went against his original intention.
“The prince will rule,” he said bitterly.
“Very well, Chosen One,” echoed the Voice before it disappeared forever.
The green light surrounding Garinor seeped into the top of the scepter, drawing with it Garinor’s soul. The pain was unbearable, but he had no way of ignoring it. It tore him apart from the inside and his body crumpled in a heap of bones as the rest drizzled away. His remains were now nothing more than one more skeleton littering the cold, stony floor.
The shards of hematite inside the scepter melted into a silvery light that wafted into the air. The glow left everything feeling heavy, but it carried Garinor out of the cavern and across the land. Part of him relished the sensation of flight, but the rest of him wallowed in the unfairness of the price put upon his soul. He knew he would hurt Tomli greatly by giving reign to the prince, but his own turmoil mattered to him more just then.
With a final surge upward into the sky, Garinor’s spirit shattered.
In the cave, Tomli watched as Garinor reached for the scepter. There was a strange glow and then he felt a deep sinking sensation in his soul. He understood that Garinor had not acknowledged him as the ruler of the land and he was bitterly disappointed.
The prince, however, delighted in the revelation and he wasted no time commanding the others to action. They removed his bonds and held Tomli still as the prince raised up a borrowed dagger and brought it down upon Tomli’s chest, killing him instantly. “Never will you taunt me again,” he spat.
The entire kingdom was plunged into darkness as the prince lashed out at everyone who had ever opposed him. Terrian was slain, as were countless others, many of whom had never spoken against the prince. It was a dark and depressing lifetime where the vile prince took over the throne and bled the kingdom dry. He surrounded himself in luxury and shared enough of it with his army in order to ensure they would protect him in times of need. The prince bore three children and he fed and clothed them well, but he left them a dying kingdom, for which they detested him.
Amidst all the turmoil, Garinor’s spirit was left to roam the land. With Tomli dead, he had no one who could see him. He watched in utter horror as the land he had loved so much fell to ruin. He never so rued his existence. His spirit searched for Tomli’s, hoping beyond all hope that he would find his friend to at least offer his apologies for his rash and emotional reaction, but he never found him.
Garinor was destined by his choices to roam the land forever. Alone.
You have come to the end of Garinor’s adventure, but there are other paths to explore. Start over and guide Garinor again along his journey.
The End…