Dwarf IV: Into Hell

Lawrence Dodge, a black male with a pleasant look, lying on his tan trench coat looked up at a starry night. He looked around himself. He was trapped in a maze; in fact he was in the center, made up of tall hedges.

His face was relaxed and his arms were rested firmly behind his head. He was fearful but wasn't sure why. He did enjoy the seclusion. Mostly, he couldn't take his eyes off of this beautiful night. It happened slowly in his eyes but small powerful hands gripped and began crushing his throat.

He felt a pressure on his chest.

He saw a dwarf, a short, muscular male with red beard and axe strapped to his back, staring down at him. The dwarf spoke," You did this! You created all of this!" Dodge could hear his spine crack and feel his air leaving his throat. Dodge passed out. He had a vision.

He watched his past. He saw as he and some other men raided a small event, a regular police banquet.
Lawrence began following a woman and child leaving the auditorium. The others gathered the officers made up in their dress uniforms.

They began killing them in the middle of an auditorium execution style. Officers struggled but were pushed forward into the execution.
"Ill Make Love to You" by Boys II Men played as families watched officers shot in the center of the auditorium and stacked like a pile of potatoes in another part.

Lawrence followed the woman and child now running outside. She and her son headed to the parked cars in a lot in front of the auditorium. She ducked low in order not to be seen. She held her son close.

Lawrence let them get out of the door and to a car. The woman reached for her keys. Lawrence shot the woman through her back as she opened the door. The boy looked at his mother, face wet and mouth agape.

He looked at Lawrence. He got shot in the face before Lawrence even looked in his eyes.
Lawrence awoke from that tragedy. The dwarf held Lawrence in the air, "There are no more people. You didn't start there genocide but you contributed. You are the reason for our creation."

The dwarf threw the taller male over his head slammed Lawrence to the ground to his other side. He passed out. He awoke to vision. He was shown a fly over of a nice peaceful neighborhood at first light.
Zoom in as he watched as Dobermen, half dog and half men, attacked people on the street and bursting into their homes.

Orc statues, large, ugly but powerful living stone, plodded around small neighborhoods destroyed homes and squashed the people inside before they even awoke. People walked by walls and were absorbed by shadows. A struggle ensued but they all only came out seconds later as bones.

The Cavalier officers, a special police force created to handle the law in an unorthodox way, were cornered in their police station. A woman elf, a fair haired, bow carrying wispy white female leads two Orc Statues to rip the ceiling from the station. Goblin warriors, humanlike, hunched, murky colored, ugly creatures carrying clubs, machetes and what looks like just large pieces of metal for bashing stand outside of the station cheering and attacking the lifeless building.

The woman elf raises her arms.
Some goblins then drop in on the horrified officers pummeling, cutting and biting at the men but not killing them. They hold the officers and inject them with needles holding a strange brown liquid. The men are immediately still at first but convulse at times as the liquid begins taking effect. They're human features, bones and skin all break to create more grotesque and goblin like features in the once humans.
Lawrence awoke again.

The dwarf slaps him. He says, "Look what you did. The humans are helpless. " He slaps Lawrence again. Lawrence this time awoke. He looked at his hands. They were small but thick. He had been tied to a tree in a forest. He broke the ropes with his arms.
He knew it was in Philadelphia. As he looked above the trees, he could see the familiar city skyline. He looked around and had seen two goblins.

They were two gray goblins with hints of green. Their faces looked like a cross between a pig, a wolf and an old man with multiple folds in his face. These features were all melted together to look lovable. They were broad creatures, with thick legs and bloated guts.

They stood with no weapons but attention on the forest around them, specifically an opening of green grass leading to trees further ahead of them.
Lawrence had no control over his body but watched as it seemed he was inside the dwarf. He was a passenger on this ride.

He took the two goblins and slammed there heads together. Strangely there hadn't been anybody close by. Lawrence had seen Dobermen, the shadow creatures and even elves watching him but gathered far behind him.

The focus shifted to the opening. He looked as he had seen a naked white male, large, bald but solid and wide who came across the grass opening and moved quickly toward Lawrence. Lawrence could only watch as the man got closer.

He noticed smoke and it came from this shiny man who was at least 6'5". He was a giant to the dwarf who maybe only 3'0".
Lawrence reached behind his back but had no weapon.

There were no weapons around him at all. He had only clothing on his body: rags to cover his personal areas and chest. The large man was in front of Lawrence and fell to his knees, pain in his face.

He looked at Lawrence and said," I beg you put me out of my misery?" Lawrence balled up his fist, "I will I will just give me some time." He threw three punches sending the large smoking man limp on his knees.

The large man lifted his arms in anguish. The smoke from his body shot straight upward. It got thick. In an instant, he was engulfed in red and orange flames. His body began to blacken.

In one shot flame, skin and smoke shot in the air as soot and the man stood surrounded in a blaze that lit under the dwarf's feet and soon spread to the forest.
He grabbed Lawrence. Lawrence felt his body his body go limp as the man touched his skin.

He would droop in the large man's hands, now a creature of pure black matter and flames. The heat increased and his flame had got larger. He squeezed Lawrence more. Lawrence couldn't break the grip of the man but noticed the elves and other goblins getting closer to the scene.

The ember man screamed to the forest and to them, "Get away!" The flame engulfing Lawrence had him faint and another wave of flame quickly spread throughout the forest swallowing trees and the creatures.
Lawrence awoke from that vision.

It was December of 2020. He felt cold on his back and wondered if he was in heaven. He found himself surrounded by beautiful black stone walls carvings, pillars and a massive hall. His legs were part of the way in a large hole in the wall. Flowers surrounded his body. He was surrounded by broken pieces with words like "Husband" and "Forgotten" lying to his sides. He looked up to see two women staring down at him.

His wives he recalled, Karen and Denise. He had taken two women from their homes and gave them homes in his underground palace.
Karen said quickly," Are you okay?" Lawrence replied, "Yes angel." She left his side immediately and went into the shadows of a wall torch.

She picked up a lifeless object and held it close to her. Lawrence said, "Wait. " Denise lifted her husband. His sons Warner and Bret stood with a few of the other smaller children and held them.

Everyone was weeping. They're large faces distinctly cheerless and all focused on Karen's rocking. She cried," No!" Riley, a young black male with cornrows, bulky with muscle and holding a broadsword stood over Lawrence saddened.

Denise said to Lawrence," We have to form a plan. We have to get this world in its right place. Things are horrible Lawrence and we had to get you back home." Lawrence sat up. He pushed Denise aside, gently.

He walked over to Karen as she held his other son, Derek lifeless in her arms. Lawrence looked at him matured and very much looking like a reflection of his father, no beard but with more youth in his face.

He was blue with no life or color in his skin. Lawrence squeezed Karen who pushed him aside. She yelled, "He gave up his life for you!"
Lawrence grabbed the boy from her arms. He went to his knees and draped the boy, full of holes, in front of him.

He began to weep but forcefully threw the tears from his face. "No No!", he said. "How did this happen? " He grabbed Karen and hugged her tight to his chest. Warner stepped forward. He was bronze, carved from stone but not massive, with a beard.

He stood over his father. He had nothing but fear in his eyes. "I tried to lead them and stop all of this. It just didn't work out right. ", he said, head down. Lawrence stood and made the boy's neck snap with a slap across his face.

Tears ran down Warner's face as it sank into his chest. He whispered, "We had buried you. " Lawrence yelled, "Speak up!"
Warner cleared his throat," We buried your body and became intent on going to find a place called the Ward. It would be a crossroads that was once a railroad train station.

It leads to four different places we felt we needed to go. We learned there are four specific creatures, the other monsters call them Gods, who run things and control all of these beings. They have began breaking territory into four specific areas. They have stayed close by for unknown reasons. "

Warner continues," We decided to head back home to make a plan and find out what was happening in these four territories. We had been confronted by a bald man. "
Lawrence's' eyes widened," He was massive and smoke came from his body?" Warner pointed to his father," He had smoke lifting from his body but was small. He looked sickly, discolored. He came to us and asked us if we had come to make trouble.

We simply said we were looking to stop the domination of these creatures and prevent the killing off of humanity. He seemed unfriendly at first but then he stared at all of us.

Then he just seemed to have given up. He sat down with us and explained why these creatures were staying in Pennsylvania. What in fact happened in those four regions and if they can even be stopped.

Across Pennsylvania and leading into Ohio a huge chasm has been opened. The man said he didn't know what was in there, and there is something, a place there, but he'd understood he didn't want to know.

No creatures lingered near it. Four regions in Pennsylvania were ruled by four dominant Gods making their own small armies and owning those territories.

They individually didn't get along so they made lines to give each space and neither of those creatures saw the other.
But there were actually five from what he had understood.

The fifth simply lingers around the territories claiming none for it self but is respected by all of them. It is described as a black liquid that travels in many parts as some sort of guardian.

We encountered something like this before.
He never encountered any of them. He didn't know if they could be killed. Rumor had said one of them was invincible or immortal. "
Lawrence looked at his son," So you took on the four creatures?" "We were ambushed before even starting any journey. The burning man looked at us and asked if we had a father. He said he recalled crossing a dwarf, in the past.

The ember man said he was dying. He would have died sooner had he not absorbed your energy. It kept him burning. He wanted to give it back to us. He explained that you weren't dead but simply shut down. He felt you'd be very important for that task ahead.

It was then they came. "Warner said.
Lawrence stroked his beard. Warner spoke quickly, "First trails of black liquid trickled under our feet and then a wave of the same liquid washed us in all directions." Warner covered his face with his hands.

Lawrence slapped the boy arms down, Speak!"
Warner continued," It was black pool creature, the fifth God; these dark elves erected. It carried with it a small goblin army with it; there were only five of them.
Derek attacked them but was held in the air. They stabbed him repeatedly and threw him down. We took Janie with us?"

Lawrence saw his father stand quickly.
Warner moved away from his father," They, the goblins, took her and killed her. We were attacking them when Riley saw them raping her at first. Bret, Riley and I had our backs turned when we were swallowed by the black pool creature and were being beaten by the shifts and swells inside its belly.

Warner continues,"The bald man became a large inferno. The creature continually whipped him with water tendrils and waves. He couldn't hold a consistent flame. He would burn out.
He leaped into the creature's belly and explodes causing the black pool creature to evaporate and sent us flying and unconscious. The goblins ran away. When we awoke we buried Janie. There was not enough of the bald man. His body was ash. He faded into the atmosphere. Derek was going to touch him and could absorb what he had left. He had the plan to bring you back and heal himself.
We rushed to get Derek home. He was nearly dead. He transferred his left over energy to you. "

The dwarf simply walked away from his son. He shook his head and grabbed his double axe. Denise said, "No, you need a plan of attack and you need your sons. Let them redeem themselves. "
"I know my plan and it involves killing these four Gods and closing this chasm."

Lawrence said as he rushed out of the palace. He followed an underground tunnel leading from the front and would hit the ground running towards Northern Pennsylvania. It was all a blur: trounced Doberman and Goblins as he went. He was covered in their blood but he was able to get the area the first God was located.
He discovered the area is simply called Susquehanna.

A creature lingered in the forest areas of the territory and would stay nearby the Susquehanna River.
It was night and Lawrence rested somewhere near the opening of the river or more his body seemed to have given out on him.

He attempted to get up but simply could not. "You feel a bit helpless?" a deep foreboding voice said. Lawrence heard a voice but could only it feel it vibrating in his skull. "I am inside. I am the dwarf and you are a dead man. You will not be the hero this time. You want revenge for your family and even redemption. I just don't feel the same way. I am pleased with what I've done, why can't you be? I just need the right time to show you. "

Lawrence suddenly got up and swung wildly at the air. He had full control of his body. He looked at his hands; he got his legs under him and felt his body again. He moved north.
This territory was musty; everything had been drenched in large piles of mucus. Trees were broken and the grass and brush were stamped flat into the ground.

The forests Lawrence had entered surrounded the Susquehanna River but were bent to a froe as though something large had consistently been through there. Lawrence waited at first out in the open by the river.

He then followed the river to an area that was cluttered with blood, bones, broken timber and had a huge hole in the ground.
As the afternoon came, Lawrence hid under a tree near the pile of goblin bones. As it got darker, he decided to fall asleep inside the trunk of a large tree. He placed his face just under a hole in the tree to see out.

Lawrence just fell asleep when he awoke to voices. He looked through a hole to see two goblins with large iron hammers setting up camp. They made a fire and were waiting for something. One of the goblins was timid.

He was the larger goblin, with a skinny upper body and with welts on his large green legs. The other goblin was tiny, 2'0", green, with no torso mostly arms and legs.
In addition to his hammer, he had a huge log. He picked it up with ease. He said," He'll remember us when he sees us." The welted goblin said," He never can tell us apart. As you can plainly see from that pile of bones over there he eats us all. "The smaller goblin shunned his friend.

They began cooking something that looked like large strips of bacon but whatever it was smelled viler to Lawrence. Lawrence shifted in the tree.
The goblins looked in his direction immediately. They grabbed their hammers and had seen a pair of eyes staring from the trunk of the tree. They started to walk over to the trunk when a growl came from the high over head in the trees behind them. Two large glowing eyes looked down at the goblins. "Tiny!" the welted goblin cried.

The smaller goblin left the tree where Lawrence was and grabbed the huge log quickly. The little man spoke," Aww did you miss me spunky? Come here pup." The large red eyes seemed to begin jumping around the forest excited. A dark shape could be seen leaping up in the air but coming down to make no sound at all. Whatever it was is four legged.
The small man lifted the stick," Wanna fetch pup? Come on lets fetch."

The little man swung the stick in the air and waved it towards the creature but was to low to the ground. It moved closer to the fire light. It had the features of a huge canine boxer, brown and white. The little goblin threw the timber at the canine. It caught it, easily, but dropped it before him as if to say "try harder". The goblin again grabbed the log. The dog sniffed towards the welted goblin as blood drew down his legs.

The little goblin threw the stick again further causing the larger dog to go running through the forest as if it were grass in a grass field. He walked with the tree in his mouth. He held it looking at the goblins. The little goblin yells," See he remembers us! Come on drop it boy."
The canine quickly drops log onto the welted goblin. The lumber rolls on his body and scrapes past his legs. The welted goblin begins bleeding more heavily. In that instant, the large dog bites the welted goblin and begins chewing him slowly.

He is swallowed. The little goblin yells, "What are you doing! You dumb animal." Lawrence braces himself in his tree. He grabs his double axe. The little goblin is swallowed, given a quick bite before being gulped. The canine turns to the tree Lawrence is inside. "No." Lawrence whispers.
The dog bites the tree and squeezes it with his powerful jaws. Dry leaves fly everywhere. He claws at the tree bending but not breaking the wood. He bounces the tree off the ground. The boxer rushes its head into the tree. It pounds the trunk again and again with its skull. It spits on Lawrence as it gets closer. It finally gets its head stuck in the trunk. Lawrence jumps onto the dog's head.

He quickly chops a hole large enough to fit through above the dog's head. He then begins working on the large canine's neck. The dog is pushing with its powerful legs, clawing at the tree and attempting to free its massive skull. Lawrence steadies himself on the dog's neck and begins chopping at the creature.

Three big swings and the dog's body collapses. Lawrence falls on the ground out of breath. He lies on his back as the large dog's body goes lifeless. Lawrence sits and waits the night and watches the dog's body.
The next day arrives. The dog corpse is still. The head is still in the tree. Lawrence walks past the body and says," Not immortal."

Lawrence goes over to the campfire made by the goblins and takes the strange bacon, overcooked, they had made the other evening. It was dwarf meat. It could have been his daughter. The scent was very familiar and caused him to tear some. He swallowed the meat quickly. The tears were on his face when he slapped himself to stop. "West. I have to head West. " he said.

He began walking slowly toward the west. He didn't encounter many creatures or armies. It was mostly small abandoned towns, forest and grassy areas. He did come across another river, the Allegheny. He would follow it. As he went it seemed to get shallower. It finally disappeared and was cut through by a giant slice into to the earth.

Lawrence walked cautiously toward the black opening. The grass around it was gone. The trees were far back from it. It seemed to widen further eastward and shrink going west. Lawrence looked over the edge into the chasm. Lawrence body and mind gives out right then. Lawrence envisions himself falling in this gap. He hits the bottom covered in flame and molten rock. He feels his body being consumed by flames.

The flesh melts from his body leaving only clean bones.
Lawrence awakens looking to see he had fainted at the chasm. A cold breeze fires from the rift nearly lifting him up and then attempts to suck him in at the same time. He digs his axe into the ground. The draft passes. Lawrence slowly claws his way over a still connected portion of the chasm. He looks down into the deep and still can only see black.

He crosses the chasm and quickly heads away from danger.
He runs through some trees until tired. He eventually runs into a tree trunk and is flattened by it. Lawrence shakes his head. He looks up to see it's a shadow creature hiding in the shade of a tree cluster looking down on him.

Sitting by the same tree are a fat elf, covered in gold laced robes and diamond rings on every finger and a goblin with furs covering his body and outfitted with diamond designs.
The Rich elf says to Lawrence, "Are you on duty or not on duty?' Lawrence said slowly," On duty?" Lawrence hides his axe behind him. "I suggest you get back towards the mines. Riches don't find themselves in Washington."
Lawrence faced the creatures until they walked off into some part of the woods.

Lawrence kept south.
He began seeing signs of Washington, 'The town that is full of hopes'. He assumed this sign was from before when humans had lived in the territory. He found more signs directing him to Washington. The ground has less trees and more pavement, stone roads and there was civilization.

All sorts of creatures, shadows, dwarves, elves, goblins, Orcs statues coexisted in homes, worked and shopped together. There were even some humans. Lawrence watched all of this in amazement until someone approached him. A shadow creature came from the wall of a home and said, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the mines?" Lawrence said," I lost my way."

The shadow pointed directly towards a sign with a black half circle to indicate mining areas. Lawrence followed the signs until he came to a series of caverns in the ground. This cavern area was much larger as the caverns themselves were divided in many sections.

He watched for a moment as what looked like clones of him had dove into one set of caverns clean. They would then come out covered in dirt holding silver, gold, rubies and many jewels. Lawrence then walked over to one of the caverns.

A dwarf had leaped into ground just before he arrived. He popped out of the ground and Lawrence confronted him. The clone dwarf simply took a tighter hold of his riches and walked around Lawrence.

Lawrence grabbed the creature's shoulder, "Excuse me."
The look a like growled at Lawrence. It delivered the treasures to a rail car, as a part of a rail and car system. This was then pushed to a large rectangular white stone building surrounded by a white wall.

A series of rails all left the various caverns and would push towards this building. Lawrence found a clone dwarf unoccupied. He shook him and said," Who are you taking all of these jewels too?"
The clone dwarf began digging in his nose. He started back to a cavern and disappeared. Lawrence took a rail car filled with mostly rocks.

He took some jewels from a missing dwarf and covered the rocks. He then pushed the pile toward the large building. He entered the building through its own caverns in the surrounding wall. There more dwarves, looking like him, waited and would unload the gold to be melted.

The jewels would be set aside and cut perfectly to be placed as stones in the gold jewelry, weapons and chalices, just to name some uses. As Lawrence watched the process, no one bothered him.

It became more refined. Yet more look a like dwarves would act as part of a delivery system and order system creating digging tunnels to deliver jewelry to what looked like a far as Las Vegas. Other dwarves have pieces of paper with typed or written orders on them.
Lawrence would be even more shocked as another set of dwarves were used to move a hydroelectric system to create electricity that was being sent over wires to it looked like many places around the nation.

Even more shocking Lawrence had seen dwarves created to deliver hot foods, clothing items and many specialty items like skates boards through a set of tunnels to locations like Montana, Texas and California.
"Exciting isn't it?" a rapid voice called to Lawrence. "In just a few hours we plan on getting a shipment of skateboards to some young people in Los Angeles and in a few minutes a family in Wisconsin is going to get hot food delivered."

Lawrence was stunned by the elf male, who was 6'0", a pouch belly and covered in a pope like robe, white and gold. He pointed at Lawrence,"Your brethren sold you out. It seems you're different then the other batch. "

Lawrence said calmly," Batch?"The elf continued, "Yes batch. The clones. You seem to think outside of the box." Lawrence calmly said, "Yes."

He gripped his axe behind his back. "Not a problem that just means you can get suited to life here in Washington and if not the south is pretty sweet too. "The elf said as he put his arm around Lawrence.
Again, Lawrence looked confused. "We can just change your beard color or maybe get you a nice goatee, some dye. Let me explain to you what this is all about. The other's have no clue exactly as to what I am doing over here. There is only one guy we really have to be concerned about but he stays over in the east. The others. There are four guys who run this deal. Jewel, a massive dog, myself, my name is Orin. In the south there is Warren who is not really a tyrant and, Gore. Gore is in the east. He believes I am expanding his chasm, killing and slaughtering humans as I go westward. No . People bring civilized society into being whether that is tickling your tummy with the foods or massaging your back with recliners. I believe in innovation. Everyone who has a life here believes in a civilized society. They understand people aren't just for slaughter. There is creativity, innovation and entertainment that people get once they are influenced. Every basic daily task a person could have is taken care of by us on a whim. We are given innovation and ideas to construct a more comfortable society for ourselves."
Orin walked Lawrence to a room high up in the rectangular building. The lower floors were mostly all for production. The upper ten floors has offices or even spaces. They sat in recliners. The room they were in had two recliners, a fireplace, desk and two openings for windows. "A goblin came in last week. He sat in that chair for the first time. He sat forward, nervously. He leaned back, and back and next thing you know he wanted to sign up for what I am about to give you now. "
Orin reached into a desk in front of him. He pulled out a plastic card that was blank. He pulled out a stamp. He pressed the stamp onto the card. He pulled out a pen. He signed the one side of the Washington Citizenship card. A signature line was on the other side of the card. Orin leaned forward and said, "I need you to sign there." Lawrence pulled out his axe and placed it to Orin's throat. "You can't be serious?" Lawrence said. Orin responded, "With the exception of some industrial issues this a far better idea then going back to the dread and metal days. Many of my brothers agree with me."
Orin stared at him, "I am the only one that can protect you now. You don't think I know what you did to Jewel?" Lawrence knew the large animal's corpse was rotting up north as they spoke.
"Warren knows about you. He had crossed a dwarf in his past. He was once human. Then he was able to manage control of an electrical giant. They are one being now. He and I had problems some time ago. He explained the human way of things and that's why I am pushing for a society approach. This is a better way then what Gore wants. Warren won't care he is with me. We have an industry we are building. Jewel is passed which means more expansion for Warren and I. We will build another industry there but the concern is if Gore again finds out. If Gore finds out what we are doing we go to war with him. Thank goodness right now he is just happy staying east. "
Lawrence took the blade away quickly."I am offering you a life a real life with true possibility. A society where no one has to watch there back, the humans have west of this nation, north and south have all interacted of dealt with our kind, it is accepted, and who doesn't want to be a part of that? I didn't care who you were and you were watching my productions and could have been a spy for Gore. I am offering you freedom. Do you want it?"
Lawrence asked, "What is in the chasm? " Lawrence signed the card in the same breath. Orin grabbed it and Lawrence grabbed his hand. Orin tapped Lawrence's hand and leaned back in his recliner. He said," It is hell. Gore wanted to create this divide to go across this whole nation but it drained him. It would create a hell on earth. He had seen what was in there and it broke him and sent him far east. It stayed just as it is a big slice across Pennsylvania territory and part of Ohio. My suggestion is stay away from the gap and the Poconos because that is where Gore is. Can I do anything else for you?" Orin grabs Lawrence's hand.
Lawrence looked at his card, "I have a family back east. I want to bring them this way. Can we stay here?"
Orin smiled at Lawrence, "Yes. yes. We have underground tunnels so it creates a safer passage for dwarves than traveling above ground. Some folks out there still believe we should all be fighting and, lord knows, eating each other. "
Lawrence trusted Orin. He assigned Lawrence a clone dwarf. It was the same as him only Lawrence has gray mixed with his red whiskers. A cloned dwarf took Lawrence past an area of caverns for mining treasure, short distance caverns and long distance caverns. These would be areas to be dug and so the clone and Lawrence would have to dig a safe path to his home.
Lawrence followed the clone and together they strategized a way to head towards Philadelphia safely. They walked above ground through Warren's territory and followed a path midway through the state. Southern Pennsylvania territory was also filled with dwarf industry, civilization and many species in one area. Lawrence got to eat with his clone though he hadn't spoke and watched the different sites known for artistic influence. Lawrence hadn't actually met Warren but images of the man covered different areas of the territory. Lawrence remembered. "Pop" John Stevens but kept the secret to him.
Lawrence and the clone started back to Orin's territory. They entered the cavern and began digging a fresh tunnel that would go south and loop back toward his house. At first the tunnel was easy to make as other tunnels cross his but as Lawrence moved farther east the earth got harder, in some cases stickier and he and the clone had to take more breaks.
They took a series of turns trying to avoid the chasm but would eventually come to the back of Lawrence's home. They were both worn.
The clone of course didn't feel, think or even understand the concept of exhaustion. It solely dug straight through the last few meters and into Lawrence's home finishing the tunnel. There it also died.
Lawrence picked up the clone and carried it. He grabbed a torch from a black stone wall and began walking toward the front most portion of the massive home. There his wife and children had seen him coming towards them. Lawrence seemed somewhat unfazed by seeing them. Karen hugged Lawrence but jumped back when seeing the clone. Karen cried,"This is not the real Lawrence. He killed Lawrence!"
Lawrence dropped the clone and embraced the woman. Denise got a closer look at the clone and then looked at Lawrence. She said, "Karen the beard!" The clones beard was perfectly colored red while Lawrence's beard was gray and white now. Lawrence clearly had begun to show age as his face was heavily wrinkled and skin was spotted.
Warner got his father a chair. He began his explanation by handing them all Washington Citizenship cards. He explained Washington as best he could. He explained how he killed the giant dog and met Orin and other creatures that were trying to make a better society. He hadn't explained Gore's invincibility.
Immediately, Lawrence told his family he was ready to move. They began gathering there weapons, books and items and would carry them to the far back end of their home. The tunnel was as fresh as when Lawrence and the clone had finished.
Lawrence said to them all, "Just keep going and take breaths carefully. You'll be in Washington in no time. "The small children went first followed by Karen and Denise. Denise gave Lawrence a big kiss before going into the tunnel. Riley immediately went into the tunnel carrying a load of items. All but two cases of food, Warner and Bret hadn't entered the tunnel.
They smiled at their father. Bret asked first, "So what are you going to do to this Gore?" Lawrence smiled, "Nothing. Orin said he'll protect us and if and when its time to fight I'll be ready we'll all stand side by side and fight that threat."
Warner asks," What about the chasm? How are we going to close it?" Lawrence loaded the two cases into the tunnel. He said," I don't know at some point it may just close on it's on. Bret asks," Don't you see something wrong with that? You promised you and you alone would do these things. "Lawrence immediately climbed into the tunnel. "What about Derek and Janie?" Bret asked. "Lawrence spoke over him, "You'll be surprised when you see Warren."
Bret grabs his father's shoulder," What about them? Father? " Lawrence screamed in anger," What about them! What would you have me go off to my death? I know where the creature is. He is invincible. I cannot do this now. I have time to spend with all of you and we can make a more civilized life."
Warner builds up to a horrible screaming, "You have to fight! We have to fight! Someone has to fight for them. It's not fair. You can't just get forget about them. There has to be justice. They killed your son and daughter! I was there and fought and you before me. We know it's not going to be some peaceful existence forever. There will always be injustice." Lawrence watched as Bret became influenced by his brother's words.
Warner continues," You say the creature is invincible or immortal. Let's test his metal and see if he is. Bret will come with me." Bret raised his fist in compliance. Lawrence lowers his head and whispers, "No he won't." Riley comes out of the tunnel and grips Warner's shoulder," I am with you."
Lawrence quietly says,"No." Warner continues, "Let's go then." The three young males arm themselves and begin heading toward the other end of the underground palace. Lawrence stands in there way. He throws there weapons to the ground. "Go to Washington." Lawrence points to the Washington tunnel. Riley and Bret begin changing direction. Warner gets in his father's face," Step aside old man." Lawrence slaps Warner, who doesn't budge this time.
"Go to Washington. You will not fight. This is my battle. You failed. You had your chance. You're not going to die. You're going to make a life. "Warner pushed forward past his father. Lawrence punched him in the back of the head. The male collapsed. Riley carried Warner into the tunnel. "Go to Washington." Lawrence says and points toward the tunnel. Bret follows but waves to his father.
Lawrence gathers some heavier furs to cover his legs, chest and arms. He situates his axe on his back but first destroys the entrance to the Washington tunnel. He cuts out the columns of the underground palace and the whole place implodes. He exits through the front tunnel of his former home. Lawrence treks toward the Pocono Mountains.
He is confronted by unfriendly Dobermen, shadow creatures and goblins. They all take a little piece out of him as he moves closer to the mountains. Lawrence retreats to an underground bunker he creates to heal his wounds. Lawrence attempts underground travel but is exhausted. The creatures rather than attack Lawrence watch him as he climbs the mountains. Lawrence scales each level, until his legs out and then his arms. He falls on his face.
He has another vision. A dwarf is again on top of Lawrence Dodge. The dwarf leaps on his chest and pushes him over an edge. He falls into a chasm. He begins this vision fighting Dobermen. They keep coming at him. Lawrence is eventually tied up. The Doberman begin to eat Lawrence. His body continues to heal but the creatures keep eating at him. Lawrence awakens from the vision and is inside of a massive log cabin.
The floor is gray stone, it has a huge fireplace and the minions, goblins and Dobermen surround a massive throne. At the deep corner of the throne is a small translucent peach colored goblin. The face of the creature looks like a wild boar its body is bulging with large purple veins. It watches Lawrence. Lawrence gets up quickly but the Dobermen and goblins are unmoving.
Lawrence feels for his axe, still on his back. He arms himself. Gore speaks, "Please don't you're only committing suicide." Lawrence froze but stood ready. Gore approached Lawrence quickly. He steadied him. "We are brothers. Brothers sometimes fight but they also love each other. I do love my genetic brothers. There are hardly any dwarves on this side of the world. Orin, an elf lord in the West chooses to use dwarf clones for his bidding. You clearly are not a clone." Gore grabs Lawrence's beard with his three fingered hand. Lawrence slaps his hand away. Lawrence and Gore are same in height and size. Lawrence questions the creature, "Why am I still alive?"
Gore explains, "Dwarves are far and none here. You are the only. This is a cherished treasure being the only one. I am offering you an opportunity to enter my ranks. Help me spy on Orin, help me build structures underground. I will make best use of whatever skills you have. "
Lawrence nods his head," I cannot do what you ask. What will you do with me now?"
Gore large red eyes widen," Just like that? Are you sure the alternative is supper for one of my many minions? They enjoy tearing into tough old meat." Lawrence draws his axe," I came here for one reason only. There is a giant chasm I had found while I was digging. I understand you made it. I need you to move it. "
Gore smiles,"No. I am never going nearby it again." Lawrence goads the monster," Are you afraid of something? What is in there?"
Gore raises his hand. The goblins, ten hideous, green, short muscle men, leap toward Lawrence. Lawrence tosses his axe. He chops the heads from five of them. The axe gets stuck in the ceiling. The others leap onto Lawrence biting, and clawing at him. Lawrence falls on his back Lawrence and punches then all away. One goblin he punches the head from.
Five Doberman watch Lawrence dismantling the goblins. Two Doberman bite his left and right sides spilling meat, fur and dark blood on the floor. Lawrence yells in pain, Ahhh!" He falls to his knees.
Lawrence crushes both of their heads. The goblins and Doberman leap at Lawrence who leaps in the air and dangles from his axe's handle. Gore kills the few Doberman left. The goblins run from the cabin. The roof of the cabin begins to give way.
Gore grows large talons on his three fingers and digging and hanging from Lawrence's side.. Lawrence's rips the axe from the ceiling. The ceiling gives way and parts. Gore and Lawrence fall outside onto snow and ice. Gore turns his back to Lawrence. Lawrence on his stomach watches as Gore's purples veins grow larger and in turn Gore becomes leaner first as his limbs extend and then he begins getting bigger. Lawrence attempts to get up but cannot. The cabin itself is off to the side of the mountain. Lawrence watched as the cabin ceiling fell into the cabin walls. The walls also collapse. All the packed snow and ice hold the mountain begin to give way. Below Lawrence is not but sheer mountain face.
The walls then fall to the side of the mountain which begins an avalanche. Gore, still growing larger, is crushed under ice and lumber. Lawrence is carried down the mountain side.
The wave, building carries the two creatures downward and quickly towards the opening of the chasm. Lawrence watches as Gore's pops in and out of the wave. He reaches toward Lawrence steady on a single log. Lawrence finds a log and pushes it into the face of the Gore. He disappears into the snow pack.
He watches as snow and wood enter the opening of the chasm. Lawrence veers the log to his left and gets caught on a tree.
He watches as the wave rushes into the chasm until it final begins freezing and sets in place vertically. Lawrence labors from the log he was on and crawls to a pile of snow and on his other side is the opening to the chasm. He lies on his stomach.
Gore erupts from the snow on Lawrence's side. Lawrence grabs his axe. The seven foot beast stands over Lawrence while he tries to stand on a downhill. Gore grabs two logs and crushes Lawrence between them. He cuts the arteries in Lawrence's legs.
Gore then leaps toward Lawrence chest, talons extended, as Lawrence falls. Lawrence lifts Gore over him. Gore stabs Lawrence in his side pulling him to him in the momentum. They both fly into the chasm. Lawrence attempts to grip and successfully hacks into the side of the chasm's edge with his axe. Gore hangs onto Lawrence's side. Gore shrinks to a small size. Gore exclaims, "We have to pull up! We cannot fall in! This is where we go to die! We will surely die, brother!"Lawrence smiles at Gore, "You will die." Lawrence grabs Gore's talon and pulls it from his side. The chasm as if alive sucks Gore in and pulls Lawrence some but he is able to hang on.
An earthquake ensues. Lawrence hands on to his handle as the chasm starts to close. Lawrence starts to pull himself up. The chasm is nearly closed. Lawrence's hand slips and his grip on the axe begins to go.
A voice reverberates in his head," This is the time to show you what has to be done." It came from inside of him and with that came the failing of his body. Lawrence face struggled but his arms ad body failed. He was sucked into the chasm. The chasm shuts and breaks his axe.
Lawrence falls into blackness first, and then he sees the bottom, colored blue and white for good reason. He saw Gore below him shatter into pieces and explode under him. The pieces him and then he felt the cold of the place himself. Inside the chasm was all ice. The winds began freezing and breaking Lawrence's whiskers. Soon his fingers, hands and feet broke off. Lawrence saw the icy bottom coming closer and closer. Lawrence yelled, "Ah!" Lawrence hit the solid white ice ground and shattered into tiny pieces.
Washington allowed Lawrence's family to build a home. As Washington expanded, the concept that is, humans and creatures could coexist. An innovative society was being redeveloped with equality amongst all. The east was also reformed to be a part of this new innovative society. Carefully, a society was developed for everyone.