In the Mountain of the Shadow King
A second person perspective micro story
You can’t stop unseeing can you Gronthir? You came into my mountain expecting riches, honor, and glory; found only deception and confusion. The more you try to light your way the more the shadows move and play. You can’t be sure of what you see, nor of what you have seen. What is rock? And what is shadow? What difference does it make when you are so lost? Perhaps the difference is life and death, for how could you know if what you saw a moment ago was a giant or sculpture? How could you tell in the echoes what is your clumsy footfall or the march of my soldiers?
I do hope you like the ringing in your ears. Deafening in a quiet way, isn’t it? I’ve worked hard on that one. What’s wrong Gronthir? Do you want to turn around? Go home? Find the scent of heather and the sound of birds again? I see you sweating, swiveling that fat head of yours all around. You can leave whenever you like, just find the door. Though, I forgot to mention in all those tales and rumors you followed; the door is much easier to find from the outside than from within. No no no Gronthir, don’t overthink it, it is not locked, I wouldn’t keep you so inhospitably as that to make you feel like a captive here. Done with that way? Yes why not try another route hmm?
I see you’ve stumbled into the hall, care for a dance? I’ll have my shadows twirl and prance; I do so love couples’ dances. But you didn’t bring a friend, did you? I know! A shadow of you! Here you go Gronthir, a perfect dancing partner, but oh, why is he crying? Doesn’t everyone love dancing? Give it a chance. Gronthir how careless! Bringing a silver blade to my hall, tisk tisk. Now look at you, bloodied up and no dance partners left to take your head. What? Why are you crying? You thought they were all just shadows, ghosts? Poor thing.
I can take your pain Gronthir, embrace my void. Gronthir, don’t walk away. How many times will you insult your host? How many times can your host bear to be insulted? I have been so patient. After all, you are the one who came to my home uninvited, but I let you in. I even tried throwing you a party, but you assaulted the other guests. If you would only… oh, oh yes let me show you that room Gronthir. Please, I’ve unlocked it for you, go on in. I insist.
Gronthir I ever do so love this apartment of my abode. No no, I’m not in here, sorry for the confusion. Yes yes the door is locked now. You might as well see. This is where I keep the dreams. And the key. Do you see that well? The one in the middle of the room, just where the torches fail to reach. You can’t see it I suppose, not with those eyes, but I know you can feel that it’s there. Go on. Touch it; take a look. There’s so much to see. So much to know. Come now, what a bore. Aren’t you the least bit curious. Dreams of the dead. Dreams of my own. Dreams of yours. They don’t have to stay dreams Gronthir. You came here seeking riches and glory; you came for power. I have plenty of it. Let me show you. Dip a hand. Now. Does power come to those who wait Gronthir? Take it! Take it. Taste it… A good dip Gronthir, yes, it’s sweet, isn’t it? There, see? You found the key just like I said, but what did you see? Oh, oh dear, you’re shaking again. You saw it, a throne of your own, you like it; don’t shake off the pleasure of it. You know what you need to do to sit on that throne; it’s a small sacrifice, one I could help with. You don’t need them, they’ve always held you back, always taken what was yours. Let me help you, come find me.
Oh. That isn’t the way to me sweet Gronthir, an interesting choice, however. I do desire to see how this goes. Mmm it has been so long since someone bathed in the abyss. Deeper and deeper little dwarf. You can’t resist, can you? To dive so deep. It makes sense that you haven’t come to visit me yet. The ambition of you people. Even I’m envious. Even I don’t know what you might find. Only that the abyss, always, reaches back to you. How do you think I got here? How I became what I am? The abyss takes you, or you get away, or you become it. Do you want to be like me? Just listen to my voice. There is nothing else to find down there, my sweet Gronthir. Nothing but me. “I spoke to the abyss, and the abyss spoke back. I stared into the abyss, and the abyss stared back. I spoke into the abyss, and I spoke back.”
You’re wavering Gronthir. It would be a shame if you fell in; it’s certainly the least entertaining outcome of this. I really don’t understand why you don’t trust me. I haven’t lied to you have I. Not much anyway, no more than most at least. Oh sorry. You’re still staring into the abyss; I thought you were going to repel or something; find a nice treasure. It’s so dark, isn’t it? It feels like you’re falling slowly, doesn’t it? Please Gronthir. I’m so lonely. We’re so lonely. Help us Gronthir. Embrace The Void! Oh! You’ve fallen on your behind. Not going to talk forever with the abyss either hmm? How tragic…what might have been…Gronthir. Gronthir. Gronthir. Get off the ground Gronthir, it’s too cold for your fragile body. Gronthir. Gronthir. Gronthir. Gronthir. Gronthir. Gronthir. Don’t shut me out Gronthir! I love you. Please. I have a nice fire for you. Come sit with me. Just that way over there, to your right. I’m everywhere in this place, you need only will to walk through my door, any door, with the right intent.
Oh Gronthir, to the left? Really? Go there and I warn you now you won’t leave it. I promise this is not a lie Gronthir. It is a binding contract if you open that door, you must serve in kind. You know I can’t lie about a contract. In you go? Alright. Please don’t vomit on my floor Gronthir. Or should I say your floor? A dungeon should be clean so you can smell the blood and hungry breathing. You look confused, you feel it, the contract binding upon you? Yes. You shall be my jailer and hangman, or you shall die. Then we will see the truth of your heart, if your spirit will fly from this place, or become one of my shadows. Do you think enough of your life to risk it Gronthir? Did you lead a good life? Or will you keep what you can of it and serve in my dungeon?
Thanks for reading! This micro story was a fun exercise in using the second-person narrative perspective. I imagined a dwarf found his way into a long-lost mountain kingdom; tragically it is ruled by a demon, who torments him.