Nullinarc

The Prompt

Invent a word, then write a microfiction story that encapsulates its meaning.

This has also been entered in this excellent unofficial challenge as well:

Nullinarc: noun: A golem or demon summoned by wizards in desert wastes to destroy an enemy or rival. The nullinarc devours the souls of its victims and turns them into nullinarcs by ossifying them and then turning them into sand

The music is "Enter Sandman" by Metallica.

This is an enhanced description of the creature introduced in this story.

The Nullinarc

The evil wizard made the summoning. The village had shunned him and refused to pay him tribute so he would summon a nullinarc to destroy them all and take their souls.

None would be spared, child, woman or man, it would take them all.

When he told them what he would do to them none believed him, he was just a mad old man who lived in his tent outside of the settlement trying to sell cures and advice, but they shunned him, they had animals to tend and water and food to gather.

The nullinarc stood before him. He said "Take them all" and showed it the settlement.

The nullinarc could see the souls. This would be a rich and satisfying feast. It had been summoned from the Extrovo, the place of nothing between the realms of reality and would never go back.

One by one it took the people in the settlement. Men tried to attack it to defend their families but as soon as they came into contact with it, their souls were taken and their bodies transformed as they became nullinarcs.

The wizard looked on, satisfied that his revenge had been served.

The nullinarc was fed, but had one more soul to take, the wizard would not send him back, and then he would move on through the desert to find more souls to feed on.

The wizard saw the nullinarc returning and he knew why. He needed to send it back now, but he was too late. He felt the touch of the nullinarc and he too was gone.