Alter Aeon The Great Library

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Note - as with any topic, researchers should question the reliability
and veracity of these texts.  The library's aim is to preserve
documents, not verify accuracy.

AABN:  24222
Title: a book titled, 'The Drakdrol Crisis Epilogue'

Gisco the Necromancer kept busy in the laboratory, shuffling around various
samples of herbs and spell components.  It wasn't long before that a divine
sensation he was expecting, one now familiar to him, tickled his
perception.  He mentally acknowledged its presence, granting its source
entry.

Gisco put a stack of bowls on the table before him as the laboratory filled
with rainbow light and a swirl of snow.  Within moments, the light returned
to normal and snow dissipated, leaving in its wake the corporeal forms of
the gods Dentin and Draak.  Gisco experienced a brief sense of deja vu,
recalling an encounter that he and his former master had had with the two
gods long ago.  He quickly dismissed the thought, kneeled himself and
addressed the pair of deities, 'O gods, how may this unworthy one  be of
service to you?'

'Rise, Gisco the Necromancer,' Dentin's falsetto voice answered.  Gisco
stood as he continued speaking. 'You have done well.  The gods have taken
notice.  It isn't every day that one destroys and then remakes a planet.'

Draak's gravelly voice followed Dentin's.  'Yes, you have stirred some of
them up quite a bit.  They think you're dangerous.'

Dentin then spoke, 'Fortunately, I like a little danger once in a while. 
We don't often have much at our level, and it tends to keep us motivated. 
That's why I am extending to you an invitation to join the pantheon.'

'Join us, Gisco,' Draak beckoned, 'Tarrant misses you.'

A geyser of emotion erupted inside of Gisco at the mention of Tarrant's
name.  He missed his old master, and the thought of seeing him again as a
peer, god to god, almost brought a tear to his eye.  Notwithstanding, he
had foreseen such an offer and was already prepared with his resolute
answer.

'Your offer is generous, but I cannot accept.  My thoughts and cares are
still largely of this world, and I could not bear leaving it in its current
state.'

Draak replied, 'Are you certain, Gisco the Necromancer?'

Gisco nodded solemnly.  'I am certain.'.

'Such an offer may not present itself again.'  Dentin added.

'I understand,' Gisco answered flatly.

Dentin then replied evenly, 'All right, Gisco.  Have it your way.  I won't
force godhood on you.'  Dentin then turned to Draak, adding, 'I have
another loose end to tie up.  Would you accompany me to Morpheus' realm?'

'Of course, Dentin,'  Draak meekly responded.  Light and snow enveloped the
gods, and seconds later they vanished from sight.

As soon as they had departed and awe of their presence wore off, Gisco
stepped around the table and over the line of glowing runes in the floor
that separated the laboratory from the entryway.  He flung the door open
and beheld the mist-covered deck of the doomed vessel.  Not far away, a
green-skinned humanoid the size of a halfling with white feathered wings
was engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a zombie wearing a sailor's
uniform.  She fought defensively, slapping away the zombie's clumsy
attacks.  Gisco called to her, 'You can come now.'

She cast a spell at the zombie which emitted from her cupped hands a
graceful sound like windchimes dancing on a gentle breeze.  The zombie went
stiff and stood perfectly still, and she sprinted away from it, heading
toward Gisco.  The two of them ducked inside, and Gisco closed the door
behind them.  She began pacing the floor of the laboratory.

Gisco cleared his throat and said, 'You should be safe.  Dentin and Draak
are gone.'

'What did they say?'

'Dentin offered to make me a god.'  Gisco paused a moment to let that sink
in before adding, 'I refused.'

'Why?'

'Through my own power, I am immortal.  I will gain godhood when I so choose
and under my own terms.'

'Did they say anything about me?'

'No.'

'What if Dentin comes looking for me?  You've said that he has a keen
memory.  What if is still mad and wants to punish me for following Pyriel?'

'You're right, Dentin has a good memory.  I'm counting on that.  He'll
remember that this is my laboratory.  I am of such stature that he should
not enter without my permission.  Even if he does, those runes will start
flashing before he arrives, giving you time to hide.'

'Gisco, you've done so much for me.  I can't believe that this worked out.'

'The Keeper owed you a favor, and Ixillia owed one to me.  We made it
work.'

They embraced.  Gisco's lanky orcish form crouched over the much smaller
angel, covering almost her entire body.  They released, and Gisco began
fishing through his scrolls in his knapsack.

'Can't you stay?'

'No, it's too dangerous, and there is work to be done.'  Gisco retrieved
the scroll he was looking for and unrolled it.  'My study of the Art must
continue.'

'I love you, Gisco the Necromancer.'

'I love you, too, Miruana.'  And with that, he recited the scroll and
disappeared in a large mushroom cloud.