What a way to go...

Ghanash awoke. He opened his eyes, and saw... nothing. Not blackness, not darkness, he was not blinded - there was simply an absence of... everything. He was standing, but on what he could not tell, and there was no apparent horizon to separate earth from sky. He looked down and smiled, exposing his sharp, pointed teeth. He may not know where he was, but at least he still had his armour and weaponry. Things were looking up...

Never one to rest on his laurels, Ghanash chose a direction at random and was about to begin walking when something changed. Almost imperceptible at first, more a feeling or sensation than anything physical. But that feeling grew and grew, the air began to shimmer, it became hot and cold, dark and light, wet and dry, and everything in between.

Then, gradually coalescing into existence, a light began to appear. It grew brighter and brighter, until Ghanash had to look away, but as the afterglow faded away a majestic figure emerged. Bare-chested, but bearing a huge warhammer with a lightning bolt sigil, he was immediately recognisable.

Dropping to one knee, head bowed, Ghanash spoke: "Kord".

"INDEED YOUNG DRAGONBORN." Kord spoke quietly, but his voice resonated with unspeakable power and penetrated Ghanash to his core. "YOU SLEW THE FEY QUEEN IN MY NAME. I HAVE SUMMONED YOU HERE TO GIVE YOU MY THANKS. YOU HAVE SERVED ME WELL."

"I would continue to serve to serve you, my Lord, if only you would send me back from whence I came..."

"WHILE YOU GAVE YOUR FINAL BREATH IN MY HONOUR, THIS I WILL NOT DO... FOR THERE IS ANOTHER WHO REQUIRES YOUR ATTENTION."

As Kord spoke these final words he motioned behind Ghanash, and vanished. Turning, Ghanash noticed a speck in the distance and - drawing his battleaxe - formed a combat stance. Swiftly it approached, growing larger and larger. As the shape came closer, its features became apparent. Leathery wings, a scaled and bloated belly, and arrow shaped head... A dragon!

Strangely, though, Ghanash did not feel feel afraid. Instead, he felt serenity emanating from the huge beast as it landed in front of him and he knew instinctively that it was his most revered God. Without speaking, Bahamut's words coalesced in Ghanash's mind:

"MY SON, YOU HAVE RETURNED TO ME."

"Then I truly am dead." As the realisation finally hit Ghanash, his armour and weapons dissolved - symbolic of his own life-force having left the world. Naked, Ghanash had never felt so vulnerable, nor so weak. He sank to his knees and began to weep.

"BE NOT AFRAID. DEATH NEED NOT BE THE END FOR YOU."

As the words entered Ghanash's head, he looked down. A new suit of armour - shimmering in celestial blues encased him, a huge and highly ornate battleaxe appeared in his hand, and a crystalline shield appeared strapped to his harm. He felt strong again. He stood, as tall and proud as only a God's champion can.

"COME NOW, BLOOD OF MY BLOOD. THERE ARE BATTLES YET TO BE FOUGHT."