The Day After Death

I've travelled with Vulkrem across the Western Plains and amid the trees of a forest we happened across an amazing thing. My Blood brother Syr'Cap and my father Degotoga! Praise Daestrus for saving these from a death at the hands of the Moon Shepherds.
 
Syr is pleased to see me but my father, probably in his grief of losing his wife and me so soon, grief stricken is claiming I am not myself. His anger is understandable but I can not risk my work going unfinished. Which means Vulkrem has to stay alive, my fathers anger is directed at him and I must intervene. The fight almost kills me again but Daestrus comes and takes us all to a weird place. It is here he gets us all to align with him in a common cause - Blood, War and Death!
 
Degotoga in his addled mind tries to be clever with his words when making his oath. Daestrus strikes him down. It is deserved, to try and trick the God of Death is not a wise choice. However, during his death something else worms its way into his corpse. It states it is an agent of Venumbra. I for one am not impressed. It seems that my father is still tucked away inside, being kept there by this shadowy snake.
 
Degotogas death was demanded by Daestrus. It is owed to him by His right! None can escape death. All things must answer to Daestrus eventually and enter his deathly embrace. This...thing, has spat in His face by denying Dego's death. I will not let this stand!
 
We head north towards the lake and find a curious thing. A small tribe hiding behind water and leafless trees. We approach and find out that this tribe is clever. These "walls" and water ditch are designed to keep other tribes out. Clever. They invite us in. Not so clever then. Their leader is an interesting man but the talk between him and the others bores me. A good thing I am pretending to be dying then. I am carried away to the shade, thankful to be out of the sun. Its light brings me discomfort. The snake of Venumbra sits near me muttering, asking for a chance to prove itself. I shall gladly answer that payer...later.
 
After some time has passed I am taken outisde the camp and left under a tree, at least I don't have to listen to the prattling of Venumbra's worm anymore. But as Vulkrem returns to the camp to leave me in peace a blinding pain shoots through my body. Such pain. Worse than anything I endured when alive! The chain that binds me tightens inside my chest. I feel the tether trying to rip me apart. This damnable link will be the end of me! Thankfully Vulkrem returns and the pain vanishes. Together then. We must learn how to exist in each others shadow....for now at least.
 
My tortured screams are heard from the camp and its ants come scurrying out to see what caused it. Me raised (agian) from death has their eyes wide. Their chief seems to not trust us. Can't say I blame him. Turns out Syr'Cap and Vulkrem have been discussing a plan to merge our groups together. Not a wholly terrible idea. But the chief wants us to prove our worth! This insect of a man wants US to prove to HIM that WE are worthy! HA! His death for this insult will be savoured when the time is right. But someone else's death is demanded first. He will have to wait.
 
A young man by the name of Busiris has been commanded to join us. We are to fight a tribe and return some trinket from the chiefs dead wife. A menial task but the promise of blood and battle and death has lifted my spirits. So we ready ourselves and head out towards the swamps.
 
I find that I no longer tire. I do not hunger. At least not for food. The humming demand for blood. For battle. For war. For DEATH! It can not be ignored, it will not be ignored. There is a slight than requires an answer and as his champion, I shall commit to the answer. On our travels during one night where everyone sleeps, I stand vigil over the walking corpse of my father, the puppet to the snake of Venumbra. I pray to Daestrus. Reaffirm my oaths to Him. I do this till the sun breaks overhead and as my fathers dead eyes start to open, I take the obsidian dagger in my hand.
 
"It is time father. Time for you to go to Daestrus. Your death has been demanded. It has been denied by this worm. As his chosen, his champion, I shall rectify this wrong. I do this looking into your eyes. I owe you at least that much honour."
 
I drag the blade across his throat and watch the shock register. Watch the unlife fade from them. "Go to Daestrus father. We shall meet again one day."
 
The others wake and look at me, the blood still warm and wet on the dagger and my hands. Syr'Cap nods - he understands. Vulkrem looks disturbed but doesn't let it affect him - he is growing more accustomed to our ways, growing stronger. This is a good sign. Busiris looks uncomfortable - he will soon learn the ways of Daestrus...or perhaps fall to them.
 
Finally we make it to the swamps. The fighting, the screaming, the blood! The death! Soon Daestrus!