Aya was sceptical of course. ‘The promise is enough to make a sadist weep for joy … but how could it be possible?’
Charichalum Orme. The spectre grinned.
The idea intrigued Aya, until the creature held out a hand and manifested a small, sleek dart gun. My Lord requested that you shoot yourself.
‘Like hell I will!’ She backed away. ‘This mortal body doesn’t withstand much. Shamash never held me in high regard. He’s out to kill me.’
Would that be worse than where you’re at right now? the demon said. And if it were my Lord’s aim to do you harm, I could simply shoot you myself. Again the demon offered her the weapon and this time Aya took it.
‘I know Shamash.’ Aya was still wary. ‘There must be something in this for him.’
All he wants is for you to destroy Lahmu, the demon stated, already knowing that the notion would be pleasing to the Nefilim female.
It was difficult to repress her grin, but Aya managed to do so. ‘Tell Shamash that I shall do all within my power to grant his wish.’
My Lord Shamash already knows that you will. The demon withdrew into the mist that billowed and faded away.
Aya turned the weapon on herself and took aim at her heart. To that all-powerful dark force in nature, I beg deliverance from the righteous, so that I might pursue your designs. With a deep breath she found her nerve and pulled the trigger.
On the first level of the ziggurat, a long, wide stone passage led into the structure. Torches lined the walls, but the winged, spindly-limbed devils of stone that once featured atop the pillars, in between each torch, were absent.
‘I wonder where Tobit and his devilish friends have got to?’ Maelgwn voiced Tory’s very thought.
‘Maybe they couldn’t abide Mahaud either?’ Tory attempted humour, hoping that the crone had not bewitched the stony earth spirits into her service.
Before they entered the main chamber of the ominous stone dwelling, Maelgwn turned to his wife and took up both her hands. ‘Mahaud is a trickster beyond compare, as we both well know. But no matter what happens in her presence, no matter how she contorts the truth to her own end, remember that I love you, now, then and always.’
With a kiss, Tory showed she understood. ‘And I love you tenfold as much,’ she assured. Maelgwn shook his head in amusement.
‘We are one …’ he said, surely, ‘… in a reality not too distant from where we stand now.’
Tory tipped her head to one side, having an instinctive understanding of his statement. ‘I, too, feel that the time is fast approaching to be rid of this hindrance … this separateness.’
‘Something I greatly look forward to.’ Maelgwn returned his eyes to their path. ‘It will be a well-earned rest from this place, that’s for sure.’
Tory nodded. ‘Thank heavens Brian turned out to be Lahmu, that’s all I can say.’
This made Maelgwn laugh, as he heartily agreed.
The temperature plummeted as they moved towards the heart of the complex — the huge main chamber of the fortress was as cold as a meat locker. Shamash was slouched on a throne, seemingly unaffected by the cold. In his left hand was a goblet and in his right, a metal object that neither Tory nor Maelgwn could identify.
Is that a weapon? Tory bethought her husband, whose hand she was still clutching tightly.
Hard to say —
I’ve been waiting for you, Dragon, Lamamu. Shamash’s voice was saturated with Mahuad’s unmistakable tones, resonating with the harsh, gravelly echo of many unearthly spirits. The pupils of the Nefilim Lord’s eyes glowed deep red and his personal appearance had degenerated somewhat since he had last been seen. I knew that you would come for me before long … but you will not pacify me as easily as you have the rest of my kind.
‘Been following the progress of your kin, have you?’ Tory queried, wondering about the source of his information.
I’ve had visions. He grinned in a devilish manner.
‘No need to ask where Mahaud is hiding out then,’ Tory commented aside to her husband, and Shamash gave a snarl as he noted the instrument in Tory’s hands.
I cannot allow you to shield Anu, Shamash advised, cocking a leg to break wind in a loud, prolonged and satisfying fashion — the resulting stench was putrid.
‘What makes you think we plan to shield Anu?’ Maelgwn played down his surprise that Shamash was aware of their plans.
The dominions of nature are vast, even in the sub-planes. As above, then so below, he growled, placing aside his drink. I know all about Orme charichalum. He chuckled at their astonished expressions, stroking the unknown object he held. As there are devas above who would grant immortality, so are their demons below who shall do the same … a shadow self that we all have at our disposal. A whole hierarchy of chaotic and negative principles lie in wait to empower the adept student of the dark arts.
‘Am I talking to Shamash right now, or Mahaud?’ Maelgwn sought clarification.
Ah … Dragon, I was afraid you didn’t recognise me. Shamash stuck out his tongue and began waving it around in Maelgwn’s direction, then sank back into the seat. The crone and the God are one now, then and always.
‘So, how did you and Mahaud strike up this lovely friendship,’ Tory ventured to ask, ‘or do you consider that a personal question?’
What goes around comes around. Shamash relaxed, seemingly relaxed by the query. I know the incantation that invokes her demon spirit. I perfected and penned the dark invocation, to tempt mankind with promises of unlimited power. It was I who first summoned forth Mahaud from the sub-planes to wreak chaos on human history. In exchange for playing midwife to the demon’s birth into the plane of matter, Mahaud pledged to me life service. The crone is bound to answer my call and do my bidding until the day that I cease to exist in the physical world.
‘Then the reverse is true, right? And you shall be bound to do her bidding,’ Tory posed, as she knew a bit about demonology from dealing with Mahaud in the past.
I’m immortal! Shamash protested, making out he’d got the better end of the deal. And my accomplice needs me thus, to remain in the realms of matter where her skills achieve maximum impact.
‘But unlike we human beings you need Orme to remain so,’ Maelgwn reminded him.
Oh, I don’t know … Orme charichalum works just as well, he taunted with a sly grin. In my case, the outward spiral is simply reversed to an inward one to achieve an immortal state of being. This, of course, promotes contact with the demon, instead of the deva, within. He raised his brow a couple of times. It’s really a far more suitable solution for one of my ilk … instead of radiating energy, I suck it. And the coldness within that once threatened to end my days, now grants me life everlasting.
Tory and Maelgwn glanced at each other, alarmed by his boast. It did make perfect sense that the dark matter could reverse the inward spiral known as kundalini, which was a channel for the vital life force of the cosmos, into the subtle body of living beings.
So with that said … Shamash raised the weapon and took aim at the couple. I’ll bet you can imagine what this might be?
Tory raised the saxophone to her lips, to call Shamash’s bluff, but he only laughed.
It’s been a long time since you’ve played your instrument. Are you sure you remember the sequence of notes that summon the aid of the Lord of the Otherworld? He waved about the fingers of his free hand in Tory’s general direction.
‘Of course I remember it,’ Tory stated, when suddenly the four-note sequence known as the Pan call, slipped right out of her head.
Don’t waste your breath, your tune will not work here. You have walked into a circle that I have cast and fortified.
‘Oh damn.’ Maelgwn now noted that the main chamber in which they stood was circular and that torches were burning at the four cardinal points. Such a circle harnessed and magnified the power of the caster and protected Shamash from all undesirable elements. In this case, it protected him from positive stimuli that might weaken his p
osition. Anyone who entered this space could not draw upon outside forces for assistance and thus all psychic power was effectively rendered useless.
And don’t be thinking you can simply teleport yourself elsewhere as, inside this chamber, you are restrained by the same PK teleportation shield lock that keeps me prisoner here, and prevents any visitors. Gwyn ap Nudd is the warden of this place and only he can shut off the shield or release me from this dwelling. There was an implant inside Shamash which prevented him from leaving the fortress, lest he be inflicted with grievous pain.
‘Exit, stage right,’ Tory uttered aside to Maelgwn and they both made a break for the entrance door on foot. Beyond the fortress the PKT shield would not prevent them from using teleportation.
Dominions of stone fulfil my purpose,
make manifest an impenetrable surface.
At Shamash’s request, the absent stone gargoyles emerged from the large sandstone blocks around the entranceway and, crowding together into the opening, they merged into a solid wall that depicted a mosaic of the devilish creatures.
Both Tory and Maelgwn ground to a halt, trapped inside the circle.
In amidst all the spindly limbs, bodies, wings and ghoulish faces depicted in stone before her, Tory spied a golden object, which upon closer inspection turned out to be her wedding ring. ‘Tobit,’ she whispered, and the little devil that wore the band of gold around his neck winked at her and then returned to his lot of appearing gruesome. ‘Traitor,’ she told him, as they’d once been friends.
Maelgwn was relieved to have sent the Devas back to Kila. If the weapon Shamash held shot Orme charichalum bullets as feared, then the witch had the power to convert even the holiest spirit to her cause. An overdose of the substance would disperse all cosmic light from the soul-mind, plunging it deep into Density where it effectively put a stop to itself. ‘Why should the shielding of Anu be of concern to you?’ Maelgwn walked back over to confront Shamash. ‘Beyond that it will save the lives of billions?’
Ah … Shamash was pleased they’d finally got back to the issue at hand. No light from Anu will be able to penetrate the shield you propose, and once cut off from the light of the soul’s source, the Nefilim will cease to exist … which will prove awfully inconvenient for myself.
Tory could hardly believe that a Nefilim Lord could be so gullible. ‘Anu is going to self-destruct anyway! Can’t you see that Mahaud is just playing you for a fool so she can wreak some mischief before she claims your soul forever?’
That’s not what I have planned at all, he hissed and it seemed that Mahaud had taken control of the conversation. I shall have possession of your immortal body, Tory Alexander, so I am no longer confined to this place. And he, Shamash pointed to Maelgwn, shall be completely devoted to my cause. Shamash screeched with the crone’s grating laughter. I will survive this Nefilim fool … he shall be bound to our service forever more, once Anu withdraws from this level of awareness.
Tory squeezed Maelgwn’s hand to fortify their love for one another, then let go to approach the crone and her captive. ‘If you can hear me, Shamash, we’re here to tell you that your future doesn’t have to be as the crone would have you believe —’
Mahaud began growling and snarling loudly to drown out Tory’s words.
‘You can return to Anu’s fold,’ she yelled in defiance. ‘Your mistake doesn’t have to cost you your soul! By allowing Mahaud into your body she can now inflict her will upon you, but she cannot occupy your body against your wish. Banish her and save face with the Logoi.’
Shamash released a great howl, as the two occupants of his body did battle briefly. I’ll move when I’m good and ready. He took aim and fired his weapon at Maelgwn, and although the Dragon dived aside the space-age dart hit his leg.
The sharp tip bore deep into his skin and self-administered its dosage on impact. ‘Oh Goddess, I’m hit!’ He pulled the dart out, having felt the vile substance enter his body.
‘Please, no.’ Tory fell to her knees beside him, helpless to change the horror that was about to transform the man she loved into his grossest aspect.
‘I am going to say and do terrible things.’ Maelgwn grabbed hold of his wife. ‘Don’t hesitate to defend yourself … ah!’ He curled up, experiencing great torment as the warm energy centre in his chest began to turn cold, his attitude along with it.
Tory stood, angered by the harsh torture the crone had inflicted on her love. ‘Come on, Shamash, you piss weak excuse for a God!’ she yelled, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. ‘You must have a charm that keeps the crone bound to you. Give it up, or I shall tear you apart to find it!’
Dragon, control your wife! the crone ordered as Tory stormed towards her. Mahaud had her own problems as the angry soul of Shamash was attempting to regain control of his right hand to reach inside his robes. Back off. Mahaud assumed control of the renegade limb, and with a wave of her hand, sent Tory flying backward into her husband’s arisen form.
‘Too easy.’ Maelgwn gripped her behind the neck, and Tory’s automatic response was to defend herself.
A well-placed elbow to her captor’s gut, and a smash to the face with the saxophone she held, won Tory freedom and she darted away to circle her husband in a sparring fashion. ‘He won’t defeat me,’ Tory told the crone, casting the saxophone aside, regretting that she’d used it as a weapon. ‘You’re wasting your time.’
Who said I wanted him to …? I shall find it far more entertaining watching you beat the one you love senseless.
‘Oh, I shall defeat her,’ Maelgwn assured, wiping his bloodied nose as he glared at Tory hungry for the challenge. ‘I’ve just never put my heart and soul into it before.’
Maelgwn lashed out with a fast-moving sequence of kicks and strikes, and Tory found herself on the defensive, for she could not put her heart and soul into the fight.
‘If you are enjoying this, Shamash,’ Tory appealed, between fending off Maelgwn’s fury, ‘bear in mind that Anu’s demise is a blink of the eye away, and if we destroy each other you’re going to be Mahaud’s toyboy for keeps!’
Take her, Dragon! the witch urged, whereby Tory suddenly found her movement restricted and Maelgwn copped her a beauty in the jaw.
Crashing to the floor in the arena, Tory regained control but she was not fast enough to her feet to prevent Maelgwn grabbing a handful of hair to drag her up. ‘For better or for worse, wasn’t it?’
She blocked his strike and he was open to her attack. A knee in the abdomen and then the jaw, sent him hurtling backwards. ‘Sure was, honey, I’m real sorry about this.’ Tory took a running jump, and a flying sidekick to the stomach knocked the huge warrior clean off his feet.
Lamamu. Tory heard Shamash’s true voice for the first time today and turned to find the God holding out an amulet. Hurry. He strained to maintain his will.
Maelgwn was still clambering to his feet. Tory made a break past the warrior to retrieve the item that could banish the witch from the Lord’s body, whereupon Mahaud would lose much of her influence over the physical world. Maelgwn nearly dive-tackled Tory to the ground, but a well-timed jump and she managed to maintain her sprint for the amulet. ‘Gotcha!’ Tory claimed it from the God.
You must completely destroy it. Shamash began to wail as the crone attempted to force her way back into the driver’s seat. Quickly!
Tory took off as Maelgwn approached, trying to view the charm as she ran. ‘Oh great.’ Among the collection of feathers, bones and herbs was a metal trinket. ‘Not even the torches will destroy that.’
‘Come here, bitch,’ Maelgwn snarled, infuriated that she kept managing to elude him. ‘I should have taught you to obey me a long time ago.’
Tory ignored his cutting tone, blocking it out of her heart so that she could think. ‘Tobit!’ she cried, veering towards the blockade of hardened stone. ‘Ningal granted you your fire aspect, now is the time to show your gratitude. Destroy this!’ she commanded.
As the wee stone beast began to emerge
from the mosaic, Mahaud cried out an objection. Aid her, rock rodent, and I shall personally disperse every element from your body myself.
Tobit sank back, losing his heroic urge to rebel against the crone’s oppression.
‘She’s lying, Tobit. She is weak!’ Trapped in a deadend with Maelgwn fast approaching, Tory held the piece up towards the creature. ‘Please!’ she appealed in desperation.
Maelgwn decided to return his wife’s kind sentiments by launching himself at her and landing an almighty kick into the small of her back.
A great snap was heard, and as Tory fell to the ground near unconscious from the pain of a mini-death, she realised he’d broken her spine.
‘Let this be a lesson to you … never underestimate a male.’ Maelgwn ripped the amulet from her hand, and then dragged his wife’s broken body along by the hair, as he returned the item to the crone.
Excellent. Mahaud applauded her new champion’s capabilities. Drag her up. I want to have a little chat.
‘Ah!’ Tory’s felt the physical pain as her spine snapped back into place, and the nerves of her lower body began working, along with her legs.
I’ll call him off, if you’ll just take a little astral trip and leave your body vacated, Mahaud proposed. I’ll bet it was awfully tempting to break out of your body just then. And I feel sure the Dragon can come up with something suitably agonising to draw you out, if you won’t come out willingly.
Tory eyeballed the possessed God, ready to tell Mahaud where she could stick her proposal, when Tory noted Tobit emerging out of the stone floor beside Shamash’s throne. ‘Would you consider a time-share arrangement?’ Tory made useless conversation to give the gargoyle the chance to retrieve the amulet from the crone’s lap.
Don’t mock me, slut guts, or I’ll hit your pretty boy here with another bullet and send him straight to hell.
‘No,’ Tory begged.
Then do as I wish — Mahaud began, but feeling the amulet slip from Shamash’s lap, she looked down. What?
Tablet of Destinies Page 48
