Dark Lord: Rise to Power

The description of the potion had mentioned that it will work instantly. But to Arin's dismay, it had not. He had poured 2 vials of Health Potions back-to-back. They wee supposed to heal her for 100 HP, that too instantly. But there seemed to be no improvement. Arin was not sure what to do next when he heard Zulkarnash's voice in his head again, "Milord, we are at the mouth of the cave!". Arin ordered them to meet him at third level where he was right now. After a short while Zulkarnash arrived with his entourage of 34 Ghoul Ratman and 18 skeletal rats.

Zulkarnash rushed towards Arin, "Milord, what happened, you look terrible! All those curses in previous level of this cave, were they killed by you?". "Yes", Arin panted, "I won by breadth of an hair!". The Lich said proudly, "You are the Chosen One Milord. You are Hemnetzer Nerthazir! How can death touch the one who has been blessed by God of Death himself!" Arin smirked, "So, you want to imply, the Dread Father does partiality?". Zulkarnash dropped on his knees, "Oh no! I dare not! I beg Milord not to tease me in such way, I can't dream of committing blasphemy against the Shadow Sovereign or his Blessed One!".

Even in agony, Arin smiled witnessing the Arch Lich's antics, "It is okay, I was joking! Now get up and answer me a few things!"

Zulkarnash said, "Yes Milord!"

Arin asked, "First! I have provided this woman with two vials of Enhanced Healing Potion, which was supposed to instantly heal her, but she seems not to be responding. Second, how I am despite being Undead is having pain, why do I bleed, and how should I heal now? Would Healing potions work on me?"

"My sire!" Zulkaranash spoke, "unless, the wound was inflicted with a cursed weapon, Healing Potions indeed works instantly!"

"Then?" Arin asked.

Zulkarnash replied, "My Sire, Healing Potions are not miracle. The potion heals wounds and stabilizes the individual, but the body needs to recover from the shock and trauma of the injuries. This includes replenishing energy and repairing internal systems that were heavily taxed during the injury and healing process. Also, the potion restores the only physical wounds, but the mind and consciousness require time to synchronize with the healed state. May be, she needs more time to emerge from unconsciousness as her mind processes the traumatic event."

Arin nodded, "Aha! I got it". He felt happy as it seemed there were some silver ling at last.

"Also" Zulkarnash continued, "As you have raised the topic, with your permission, I should inform you something else regarding the same!"

Arin gave permission, "Proceed!"

The Archlich answered, "This is regarding effect of Healing potion on people who are sensitive to magic, that is Mages. Using such a potent healing potion puts a strain on the body's magic-sensitive systems. The person needs to rest to let the magic fully integrate and stabilize within their system, ensuring a complete recovery. Also, the healing potion may leave residual magical energy in the body that needs time to dissipate. This energy temporarily keeps the person unconscious until native magic molecules in their body can safely handle the full effects of the potion".

"So, would it affect me as well?" Arin asked.

"My Sire, you are blessed with Undeath!", Zulkarnash replied, "Healing potions work on living beings, in whose vein red blood flows. But in your veins flows the Verdant Ichor- the blessed blood that signifies your status and the divine connection. The Eternal Shephard has altered your blood not only for it to serve as a mark of authority and power among rest of us followers of his; but the green fluorescence also represents the potent necrotic energy flowing through your veins. However, it also meant your body would not respond to mortal healing technique or even may affect negatively. Healing Potions would never work on you, and Healing Spell based on light Magic would actually harm you!"

"So, only Necromantic Healing?" Arin asked!

"No Milord. Necromantic Healing is only performed by Higher tier Undead to Lower Tier. You belong to the Highest Tier, you can heal each and every kind of Undead with Necromantic Healing, but no one of us are worthy enough to heal you!"

"Then how?" Arin asked desperately!

Zulkarnash answered, "There are two ways, which are actually more effective than any Healing technique available to puny mortals. One is Life Drain. You can kill your enemy and heal yourself directly with the life energy. Second is you can use 'Consumption' skill!"

Arin asked, "what is this skill?"

Zulkarnash said, "This is a skill only accessible to us Undeads. With help of the skill a higher tier undead orders a lower tier undead to sacrifice its lifeforce to present it to higher tier undead. So, Milord, you can order any of us, and we will gladly give our life for you!". To Arin's surprise he witnessed all the undeads, including the Arch Lich himself bowing down to Arin, as if they are ready to sacrifice themselves any time, they are given order to do so. Arin felt good. He said, "understood, but let's try something else."

Arin ordered all those skeletal rats to scour the area for any living being there. He ordered them not to engage with the target but rather pull them at this location.

After giving such order, he looked at Zulkarnash, "So, my third question. Why, despite being Undead, I feel pain, fatigue, tired like a mortal?"

Zulkarnash replied, "Milord this is also blessing of the Shadow Sovereign!"

"How?" Arin asked.

"Pain is actually a wonderful gift mortals possess. Pain tells us about dangers, the area which needs direct attention. Also pain makes mortals more cautious, stops them from taking unnecessary risks that can put their body to harm. A skeleton do not feel harm or have fear of death. That makes them excellent soldier. But they can never be excellent general for they don't have pain or fear. You are the highest level of Undead. Of course you will not have this trait of lower level undeads. Pain is sign of sentience, intelligence, consciousness. That is why you feel pain. What mortals consider as curse, it is blessing actually, specially to you Supreme Overlord of Undeads!"

Meanwhile a few skeletal rats had pulled some Beasts. The Rat-ghouls and Zulkarnash quickly overpowered them and Arin cast 'Life Drain' on them to heal himself completely within a few minutes.