To Take a Tome

"I'm going to be straightforward here. I am only comfortable being friendly with all of you on the premise that you all depend on me to live. At best, I would repay you with freedom only when I feel I have enough power to challenge you on my own," said Aldrich.

"I know that well, Usurper," said the Death Lord. "And I am fine with it. My time has passed. I am content with allowing you to inherit my power and realm.

But Medula, as you may well tell, is not as tired of existence as I am."

"It is in my nature. I yearn for knowledge. And there is knowledge in vast droves in the Usurper's new realm," said Medula.

"I understand. But you will do as the Usurper wishes. Treat him with the respect that you would treat a heir of mine." The Death Lord admonished Medula.

"Fine." Medula sighed. She said to Aldrich, "Then I want another favor. I am going to split my heart into a fragment. I want you to take that fragment to your world and see if there is a suitable being that it can possess.