(Insignificant, Streets of Artis Port, Praelium.)

The man cringed when the Dominus decapitated the mage's corpse, it would make the ritual much harder to perform successfully, of course all he truly needed was the head, but the whole corpse was better. He muttered to himself in frustration but calmed quickly, he held up his fist, shaking under the burden of the powerful spells he was using.

"You're so quick to desecrate the dead, if only they could fight back," he hissed. "Now you've had your fun, you've cleared your head, exorcised the demons as it were. Now you will do as I have asked," he was beginning to grow impatient, and his body was beginning to grow tired due to the spells and the stress they put on his body. He ran a hand over his mouth, collecting any spit that had begun to condensate in the corners due to his stressing.

[i]Enough of the fear tactics,[/i] he decided, holding up his hand. With a wave the fog departed, revealing that he had been joined by three others, all horrifically wounded with vacant stares and unsteady footing, they hissed and howled, their eyes locking onto the Dominus hungrily.

"Death comes to all, you are no exception. You may prolong your suffering and life if you wish, or you may die at the hands of the fallen. All it takes is a choice, give me the body, or die," he growled. He then held out his hand, and the dead began to stumble towards them, two armed with boards and one armored and brandishing a sword. Another gesture, and another corpse emerged from one of the flame-damaged homes, burnt to the bone and missing an arm.

The power of necromancy, banned due to the fear it brought into the hearts of men and mage alike, they were right to fear it, the power to conquer death was not one to be taken lightly. Ghouls devoured whatever they found without care, unbound by a mage's power, while his creations were subservient and brainless. The more powerful creations had the minds of men, but their power was too great to allow their creation, it was far too dangerous they said, it could be the death of them all. Of course he knew death was conquerable, so there was nothing to fear.

The corpses began to close on the dominus with a chorus of howls and snarls. The man closed his fist just before they arrived and they all halted as if a chain was locked around their throats. The form of a woman in a white dress darted above. The man smiled.

"Hand them the body, or they will kill you. And you will give me the whole body, or they will kill you the same as if you hadn't given anything."

The dead snarled and snapped their jaws like snakes attempting to feed. The man scowled and tightened his fist, and they stood completely still. He was in control here, and he would get what he was owed.