Even with Mercy’s help, speaking Abyssal made your throat feel raw and strained. It was all guttural noises and low snarls–which was at least easier than Enochian, but you'd much rather avoid butchering a demonic language if you could help it.

And while Mercy's phonetic guidelines made things simpler, it didn’t mean that you were an entirely fluent speaker. This must have been evident to your new partner as well, because she you suddenly found your diaphram being asqueezed by your clothes. She even covered your mouth and moved it for you towards the end.

But it must've been enough, because a tingling sensation replaced the numbness you'd felt in your arm as soon as you picked up the ritual. Black smoke poured from your hand and rolled from your skin, sinking to the ground instead of rising into the air.

You and Mercy both shivered. Dark magic was weird.

The tether detached itself from the amulet, retreated back into your hand, and coagulated into a ball of shadowy slime.

You made a digusted sound and shook it off of your hand with a little help from Mercy. She literally took off your glove and wrung it out for you.

“Thanks.” you muttered, returning your attention to Simon. He seemed unsteady on his feet, and the amulet seemed to have been severely damaged. Black veins were spreading from the now dull, cracked gem in the center.

Simon teetered slightly, and a slight groam escaped his dry lips. Then, all at once, the zombies surrounding you stopped, and went dormant. Their groaning stopped as well. It grew so quiet, that the only noises you heard were the Monster Council expressing their confusion.

Simon stared around, his one remaining eye focusing on Young. She breathed out a sigh of relief.

“Is that you, Simon?” she asked, approaching him with her guard up.

The Zombie Prince nodded, and brought a hand to his head. He let out a pitiful moan.

“We know. This wasn't your fault.” she reassured him. “I am just glad to have you back.”

You just hoped Varnae was writhing in pain after having received that curse.

There was a great deal of shuffling as the zombies climbed down to the street, and then proceeded to file out of the plaza.

“He's sending them away.” Young explained.

“Away?” you said.

“Out of the city.” she replied. “They will be forced to wander the black sands once more.”

“It's probably for the best.” you concluded. “The people around here probably won't be too comfortable with zombies hanging around. Not for a while, at least.”

Young nodded, but you saw a bit of sadness enter her expression when she looked back at Simon.

“...I suppose you are right.”

—------

Now, that the zombies had been dealt with, you and the Monster Council were free to welcome your new allies into the city.

(Cont.)