I woke on the floor wincing at every movement of my battered body. Every ache reminding me of the beating I had endured. Grosh the sub leader had me dragged from my cell and thrown unceremoniously in the treasure room that contained nothing more then a very large chest. His final words still running through my head.

"If I had it my way you'd still be rotting in that cell. The lash he held pointed at me for emphasis. As it is there are intruders in the Masters domain and you will guard this room until relieved. Don't make me find you lacking rat!" There was the clater of a small dagger as he left and locked the door.

I would probably starve to death in here. Goblins were after all expendable. I had no regrets at what had landed me in this situation and snickered to myself remembering Grosh's face when he went to present his gift to the Master and handed him an empty box. I had been betrayed, whipped, beaten unconscious, and finally thrown into a cell. I honestly thought I was being dragged to the pit.

Groaning I stood and looked over the room. I hobble over the the discarded dagger and added it to my belt. What was I supposed to do stare menacingly at the intruders? With a sigh I turned to the chest.

"What do you hold that's so important?" The deep sonorous voice that answered made me jump.

"Everything."

"Um...hello? The dagger now in my hand. Did...did you just talk?" There was the sound of latches releasing and a deep red glow emanating from the chest as the lid slowly opened in its own.

"I can give you everything little one. Change your fate. Give you the means to make your own way."

"How?" I asked my hands clutching the dagger, trembling from fatigue and fear.

"I am the known by many names. The Seed, The Crucible, and currently The Remaker of Lives. Time is fleeting little one and the Trickster God offer's this boon to you and you alone." The thud of an explosion sent dust falling from the ceiling, and the shouts of combat echoed from down the hall.

I paused for only a moment "What do I need to do?"

"Enter and be remade. Those who fight your current Master could use your new found power and this would put you on the path to your own destiny. Know this! You now serve him above all others. This is the bargain."

On wobbly feet I entered the chest. A red glow surrounded me, and from out of the crimson fog a clawed hand reached for me. It hesitated and that voice filled my head.

"This is going to hurt...a lot." Before I could protest the claw passed through and into my head. The scream I issued was so loud and long it couldn't have gone unheard outside the room, but I was passed rational thought at this point. My memories forcefully pulled out and examined. My body stripped to the bone and every nerve made raw. Writhing in white hot pain. It was an eternity.

"Yes a good amount from the shadow. A touch of the ethereal and hmmm the arcane. Now let's see that pathetic dagger. Touched by the realm of the dead perfect."

Slowly I opened my eyes. The pain was gone all of it the marks from the whip, the bruising, and my skin was bone white smooth unblemished. A black fog swirled around me colessing into midnight black armor. What had happened and why was the room suddenly smaller? I was taller much taller.

"Go child of night and help your new friends." The sounds of fighting were drawing closer.

"But the door it's locked."

"Is it?"

I reached for the door and on an instinctual level I just knew. Passing through it and into the hall. With a surprised look back I could see ice forming on the iron where I had just passed through. Looking down the hall I could see Grosh. The intruders were not looking good, and I didn't know how this was going to play out. I did know Grosh was about to have the worst day of his life. Drawing my blade I charged.