 HeroQuest
Issaries, Inc. except for the text of Humakt and the Death Song which is Copyright © 2005 Laurent Castellucci |
Humakt
and the Death Song
|
| Note! This is a fan contribution. The information may be contradicted by official material. |
This took place as Humakt gathered all the pieces of Death that had been scattered to make up for releasing Death into the world.
He had gathered almost all of Death back to himself when a song floated past him, dancing lightly on the air. It was laced with sadness and longing, and in its mournful tones, Humakt could sense that there was some part of Death.
He followed the tune to a rocky outcropping that formed a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by trees and overlooking the waters below. All was still save the music, which echoed and re-echoed through the air, off the rocks, the rustling of the leaves, the waves upon the shore, even the scuttling legs of the creatures under the earth. And Humakt knew he was in the presence of Donandar.
"Cosmic Harmony, Maker of Music, Master of Song and Tone and Rhythm, how is it that you have grasped a portion of Death?" asked Humakt.
The trees and the wind and the rocks and the waves all sang their response, "All things now know Death, grim Humakt, you released that knowledge into the world. Is it so strange that I have learned of this thing?"
"No. But I have sworn to repair the harm I have caused. I have sworn to gather Death back to me, and so you must give me this piece you have found."
"I will not," sang the rustling of the trees.
"I shall not," sang the lapping of the waves.
"I cannot," sang the echoes off the rocks.
"You have left pieces of Death with others," Donandar hummed, "be content to leave this piece with me."
"Why would you want to keep this thing?" Humakt asked, "You do not need it for defense. You do not war with Gods or Demons. Music has no need of Death."
"But it does, Grim Humakt," Donandar, "for Death has brought beauty in its wake. Do you not know this, or have you cut all these things from you so completely?"
Then the wind sang a funeral dirge. It held all the grief of those who had lost their loved ones to Death, yet Humakt felt no sadness.
Then the sea sang of war and battle and the glory of those who would die a warrior's death. The song rang with all the courage and hope that only the true fear of Death can bring out, yet Humakt was not stirred.
Then the trees sang of love and light and birth and growth; all the joys of living. That joy was sharpened by the hint of Death that Life stood in separation from, but Humakt did not smile.
"Do you understand?" Donandar asked.
"I understand that you do not intend to give me the part of Death you have claimed," said grim Humakt, "I understand that I will therefore have to take it from you."
"You cannot," sang Donandar. "Death is part of the songs of all the world now. Every life is bound by it, sadness is tinged with it, joy is sharpened by it, war contains it, love flies in its face. Music has all these things, and all these things have Death. As long as there is music, Music will hold a piece of Death. You cannot take this piece of Death from me unless you wish to slay me, and still all the Music in the world."
Humakt thought upon this. "I have no wish to cause more death by this quest. But I have sworn to claim back Death from those who have it."
"You cannot take it from me," sang Donandar, "but I can give it to you. You must know, however, that just as Death cannot be taken out of the songs, the songs cannot be taken out of this piece of Death. I will give it to you, but I will still also keep it. That is the nature of song."
Humakt accepted.
So Donandar taught Humakt the Death Song. And in this song only, Humakt again briefly knew love, and family, and grief, and joy and all the blessings of life. It was a song of crystal clarity, each note as perfect and keen as the edge of a blade. And when Humakt heard it, he knew it was complete.
"This song will I sing only when Death must be unleashed in full," he said, "For this song is of Death completes Life, and all that it means to have cleaved a line between the two. All who hear it shall know that Death comes, without let or hindrance, without fear nor favour, until the song has stopped."
And to this day Humakti know they can summon the DeathSong. And only when they must will they do so, and only then will Humakt plant Donandar's gift in their mind. And as Humakt promised, all who hear it know that Death comes in full, without let or hindrance, without fear nor favour, until the song has stopped."
