Awakening from a Nightmare

The battle between the Old Ones, their Shadow Puppets allies, and Mörken and his Troth army was swift. You might even say anticlimactic. As the Troth forces attacked the Old One’s assault team, their commander opened a vortex to the ether and sucked the entire legion in. Mörken, sensing defeat, tried to escape, only to be imprisoned in a stasis cube by the Shadow Puppets.

Ioannis appeared at Fern’s house to give them the welcomed news. “It was a relatively simple operation. Eons of training have allowed us to master space-time manipulation, so we opened a vortex to the ether and sent the Troth there for the remainder of their days. Mörken was captured by the Shadow Puppets and placed in stasis until the end of time,” Ioannis.
“All this time, we have fought those demons, and we have suffered so much loss, and with a simple thought, you ended it all. Such a waste,” whispered Ursula.

“I am sorry we could not come sooner, but as you are aware, you needed to open the gateway locked so long ago,” said the Old One. He bowed and asked the wise woman for the key to the portal.

“What if we need your help again? We can’t open the gateway without the key,” said Ursula.

“Fear not, good woman, I am returning it to the Shadow Puppets for safekeeping. If the need is great, they will allow the door to be opened once again. You have much work to do to restore Ãlskad. I wish you all the luck in heaven on your task; it won’t be easy,” said Ioannis. Then, in an instant, he was gone.

“Well, that was a big letdown. There were no secrets of the universe or wand of ultimate power. I’m just sorry, and I’ll see you in another million years. What a bummer,” said Izba.

“I am inclined to agree with the cat this time,” said Franny.
“Be careful what you wish for; isn’t that what Thosis always tells us?” her sister replied.

“Well, you three, I’m going home to make a hot cup of tea and then sleep for a week,” said the wise woman, and then she disappeared.

“Come on, fleabag. Let’s go home and bake something chocolate. Do you want to join us, Fern?” said Franny.

“I’m sorry. I have to go stop my familiars from killing each other, but you can go and enjoy. I’ll stop by in a day or two,” Fern said.

So the Waldvolker and their beloved forest Ãlskad were safe for now, but as in all good tales, there is always something waiting around the next corner to jump out and get you. Until then, sleep tight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite.

THE END…?