Dan sat and dug for the dagger, to double check that the crystal was working. He put the dagger in a bush and scooted back. No reflection, so he relaxed. The ground in this area was soft, and he looked back to see if he'd left any marks in the soil as he walked. He wasn't able to see any footprints.
Overhead, the sky was filled with dragons in a definite search pattern. The copper one would fly a short distance, then turn back and track back the way it'd flown, only to turn again, in a grid pattern. He watched all the dragons flying that same pattern.
It appeared they were eventually heading away from his position. He glanced back in the direction from where they'd flown and figured it was the main encampment. He dug out the map and struggled to open it with only one hand. Eventually he had it open, and he studied the map. He spotted the area where the ruins were, and he had to guess at his direction away from the ruins. He was still on course, as far as he could tell. Once it appeared the dragon search group were heading away, he slowly stood up and worked his way through the brush.
The brush stopped along an outcrop of a dark gray rock formation. The going was very smooth, so he made good time as he headed away from the dragons.
He shifted his pack and took a path that led across the rocks. It was a very worn path. He picked up his pace, since there wasn't a lot in his way.
As he hiked, he began spotting multiple fires in the distance. He paused and pulled the binoculars out. He surveyed the area. The fires belonged to some type of camp. He spotted men in gray uniforms, men dressed in flowing robes and tall creatures in maroon garb. The tall creatures intrigued him. He'd never seen men that tall or with such odd heads.
He stuffed the binoculars away and began walking. He spotted a small fork in the trail and he took the right-hand path, which would lead him well away from the camps.
Once he was out of view of the people in the camp, he stopped and pulled his left hand out of his pocket. His hand was cramping holding the crystal. He looked around quickly and didn't spot any air patrols. He sighed and released the crystal. He stuffed the crystal back into his pocket and started walking again.
The trail eventually led down into a small valley. He began passing blocks of stones, very regular in size. He realized that they resembled the standing stones he'd seen in photos of places like Stonehenge. The stones were laid out in a pattern which seemed to spiral inward.
He found himself enchanted with the symmetry of the patterns. He began circling the area, making his way into the center. In the center, there was another set of stones, much smaller, set in a circle.
He stopped for a brief rest on a stone and he noticed the area to his right, what he considered "East," seemed to be brighter. The top of the underworld appeared far overhead, lit by the blue light that could only come from Elysian. He frowned. Had he ventured too far off course? He started to rummage in his backpack, searching for the map when he heard an odd rustling noise.
He quickly stood up, and from behind the stones several creatures in dark maroon revealed themselves. He spun and saw there were more behind him. Each demon was huge, and they all linked hands, making an unbroken chain. One was a leader, as his clothing was different, he had flowing black robes, with a dull red orb of a head sticking up out of the robes, topped with an odd hat with a dragon logo on the brim.
Then he spotted the man who was riding the copper dragon.
They encircled him, holding hands. He started to reach into his pocket.
"No, don't move. You might be able to vanish, but we have you," the blond man said. He marched up to Dan and scowled at him.
Grimes pulled out a long blade and grinned.
"I figure you owe me an arm."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The R'giers marched Dan down a long black corridor. They had taken his backpack and jacket, but nothing else.
Earlier, after the demons surrounded him, the dragon pilot had every intention of cutting off his arm. He charged at Dan swinging a knife, but was intercepted by a tall demon in the black cape.
"He is to be unharmed," it said in a deep, gravelly voice.
Grimes had objected as the tall demon continued to hiss in a language he'd never heard.
A pair of enormous hands in black gloves grasped Dan, gripped him like a bench vise. They escorted the dragon pilot back to his dragon and told him to depart.
They had marched him several hours. Dan realized he was far off course and would have never found the prison blocks on his own. They had him right where he wanted to be, except for the small issue of his being without his backpack and Megaera's weapons.
Only thing they forgot was the small crystal in his pocket and his pistol, which he'd placed into his pants waist under his shirt. Obviously these creatures had never heard of the concept of "pockets".
They stopped in front of a plain black door, one guard slipped in a bronze dagger like Megaera's, and the door swung silently inward.
With no warning, the guard pushed him roughly into the cell, and the door slammed shut. He was plunged into total blackness. He walked carefully and felt a smooth wall, and he felt his way along the inside of the cell. As he did, a dim purple glow started along the edges of the ceiling.
In a few moments, the light was bright enough for him to see he was in a bare room, about seven feet by eight. He couldn't tell where the door was, the entire room was without texture or detail.
He sighed. He figured he was somewhere near Megaera, but no idea how he'd ever escape and find her. He tried to cheer himself up by telling himself at least he had found the prison cells.
He let out a long sigh and slid down the wall and sat on the floor.
<<<>>>
Dan had dozed off, he jerked his head up, awake. Something had changed in the cell, he wasn't sure what it was, when the door silently opened inward.
A tall demon in a blue-gray uniform stood in the door, his eyes on Dan. Behind the demon guard was a thinner demon, in all red clothing. He wore a tall hat and had the air of a bureaucrat, holding what looked like a clip-board.
The thing said something in a guttural language Dan had never heard. It sounded familiar, like out of an old movie. Dan just shrugged and stayed seated.
The demon with the clip-board gestured and the guard loomed over Dan. It reached down with massive paws and pulled Dan upright. He sat Dan down on his feet and stepped back.
"Okay, I get it. I have no idea what you are saying pal," Dan said. The guard grasped Dan by the arm and shoved him out of the cell. They led him down a long corridor and to an intersection, then turned right. They marched Dan down a long corridor, crossing several more corridors with cells. Down an adjacent hallway, Dan spotted a guard standing in front of another door. He paused but was shoved hard by the guard. The demon made another guttural sound, irritation at Dan walking so slow.
"Sorry guys, I have short legs. I can only walk so fast." All that got him was another hard knock to his back, causing him to trip. He caught himself and kept walking.
They went down another long hallway and across several intersections. Eventually, Dan was stopped in front of a curtained doorway. The red demon with the clipboard paused, opened the curtain, and allowed it to shut behind him.
Dan thought briefly about making a run for it, using the crystal. He figured he'd get about a foot before the monster behind him would make his life painful. But it might be worth if it the guard let up on the pressure.
Before he could even test his theory, the other demon was back and holding the curtain open.
They shoved him into the room and he walked into the throne room. Walls were all black, made from polished stone. At the far end, an enormous demon sat on a polished black chair. He looked familiar and then Dan remembered. This was the monster that had appeared in his hallway several days ago.
"Sorath..." Dan mumbled. That earned him a sharp knock on the back of his head and the guard said something which might have translated as: "No talking."
Dan looked around as he was pushed t
o the huge throne. Earlier, the man who was riding the dragon spoke English, heavily accented, but understandable. Here? He had no idea what the small demon was saying.
Not knowing what was expected of him, he just stared at the monster. The massive demon turned a pair of red eyes to him and just looked at him, unblinking.
Sorath said something to him. Then waited for a reply.
"I have no idea what you just said," Dan replied.
Sorath's eyes narrowed. He glanced at Themis. "He's not an immortal, he has no understanding of our language," he pointed out. Themis nodded.
"His highness says you are not an immortal," Themis said to Dan.
"I understood that," Dan said. "No kidding, I could have told you that."
"Yes, and you had no concept of what was asked. I'll translate. His highness wants to know who you are and what you think you're going to accomplish in this realm," Themis explained.
"Oh, I plan to release Megaera, and maybe find Hades and release him," Dan told Themis. "If I have time. I'm on a short schedule. I'm due back at my job in a week."
Themis's face was stoic as he talked to Sorath. Sorath listened, then gazed at Dan. Themis and Sorath were silent for several moments, then both broke out in laughter. Sorath bent forward, howling with laughter. Themis doubled over. After a few minutes, the laughter died down. Sorath was wiping away tears while he talked to Themis.
"His highness is amused by your joke. He repeats the question, asking that you please be honest and tell why you are really here," Themis said.
"Tell your boss, I was not joking. I fully intend to release your prisoners and assist them in escaping. After which we'll probably go back to the surface and get ready to defeat your army in battle." Dan looked at Themis and smiled.
"You can't be serious," Themis grimaced. "That answer is unacceptable."
"I also demand my backpack be returned, with all contents untouched."
Dan turned to stare at Sorath, who had stopped smiling. The demon's red eyes narrowed. He spoke to Themis, he went on for quite a while. Themis turned back to Dan.
Dan held up a hand. "I figured out what he's meaning. I'm telling the truth. I'm a mortal on a quest, and by rules, I get at least two rolls of the dice and then we roll for effect."
"I have no idea what a dice is, sir," Themis said.
"He's thinkin' this is some type of game is what it is," a voice said from the far left. Melinoe walked in, looking the human prisoner over. "I heard about it when I visited topside years ago."
She grinned at Sorath and translated what she'd said. Sorath growled, stood, and began shouting.
The girl looked at Dan. "He wants to tear you apart and have you consumed by some monsters. It's what he does. He leads by fear."
"He can start by eating my dick," Dan said.
Melinoe cracked a grin and turned to Sorath. Sorath stood and jumped down the steps to tower over Dan and the girl.
"I don't think I need to translate. You guys are doing a good job of being understood," Melinoe said.
Themis cleared his throat, and addressed Sorath: "Sire, if he is a mortal, you kill him, his spirit will escape."
Sorath bent to where his eyes were level with Dan's eyes. He moved closer. Dan refused to give, refused to even blink. Sorath reached out and hit Dan across the face, sending him flying across the floor. Dan slid to a stop and picked himself up, wiping as his mouth. His hand came back with a bit of blood.
"You drew first blood, buddy. Games on," Dan said, his eyes grew cold as he stared at the huge demon. His hand slowly moved to his back where his automatic was hidden. He didn't take his eyes off Sorath as he quickly drew the weapon. Everyone in the room stopped moving and stared at Dan.
Dan raised the automatic and took aim at Sorath, and while everyone's eyes were on the pistol, Dan's left hand dove into his pocket and grasped the crystal.
The look of shock on Sorath's face was almost worth the price of being slapped. Dan slowly moved to his left as the demons all moved in on him.
He had only gotten a few feet away when the guard grabbed Dan by sheer luck. He shook Dan until he had to release the crystal. Dan reappeared for everyone. The guard dragged Dan back to the throne. Themis grabbed the crystal out of Dan's pocket. He held it up for Sorath to inspect.
"Take him away," Sorath grumbled. This time, in English. "This isn't some game. Soften him up, strip him of everything except his clothing. Be thorough."
The guard dragged Dan back the way they'd come. He shot Melinoe a look as he passed.
Sorath turned to the young woman. "Tell me more of this game and leave out no details."
<<<>>>
Dan sat in the cell, staring out into space.
The purple light was already on and he sat against a wall and simply waited. He was racking his brain to figure out a way to get out and get to Megaera. Again, he lost track of time and was dozing off when the door snapped open.
Behind the usual guard was a thin man, in green iridescent tunic and tights, with short cropped black hair and a goatee. He stopped and just observed Dan for a moment, then he squatted.
"I have just one question. Where did you get that interesting crystal? That's ancient technology. No human has access to that type of power," the man said in a calm, and soothing voice.
"And you are?" Dan asked.
"Ah, forgive me. I am known as Bune. I am a demon, a duke," Bune said.
"You look like an old actor. Errol Flynn," Dan observed. "Senior, not junior."
"I shall have to look him up. He must be quite handsome," Bune said, smiling.
"Not anymore. He died ages ago. But yeah, you do look like his corpse."
Bune's smile twitched but never faded. "I see. I fail to see the connection between my looks and that device you had with you. Perhaps you can now inform me where you obtained it."
"It came with a box of breakfast cereal. I didn't know it was there, and I almost broke a tooth," Dan said.
"By examining the possessions you had with you, I have come to the conclusion you felt the need to make like a hero and rescue that Fury," Bune revealed.
"If you mean Megaera, then yes. I am a hero. I'm in the Underworld without having died, so I guess that qualifies me." Dan shrugged.
"Yes, I see. I can tell you this, Lord Sorath intends on correcting that situation. I'm afraid he has plans to put you to death. In a very painful manner." Bune stood and observed Dan's reaction. There was none. Dan just kept his eyes on the far wall. "In the morning."
"Ah, well. I'm probably not going to be in attendance. I have other plans, you see. I am planning on escaping and liberating Megaera. And perhaps her boss, Hades."
"I shall have to take a chat with Lord Sorath. I have a moral obligation when it comes to prisoners who are, clearly, not in their right minds," Bune mused, frowning. The mortal looked normal, but perhaps the time spent in the realm of the dead was taking its toll on the man. "I'll lobby on your behalf for a quick death."
Bune took one last look at Dan, then went to the door and out into the hallway. Dan watched as the guard pulled the door shut. It shut silently, not the usual clanging of metal doors. He turned his attention back to the opposite wall. He had no idea how long night lasted here, but he figured there were several hours until he had the opportunity to attempt another escape. One thing stood in his way, and that was getting through that door.
Fatigue overtook him and he stretched out and tried to get comfortable. In moments, he was snoring lightly.
<<<>>>
Themis, flanked by two guards, marched down the long corridor. Themis stopped outside the door to Dan's cell.
He nodded and one of the guards handed him the dagger. Themis took it and slid it into the slot in the door. The door "clicked" and silently swung inward. Themis nodded, and the guard stepped into the cell.
The cell was empty.
Themis stopped and stared. "Impossible!"
He stepped back into the corridor and shouted. "Get all the guards here, n
ow! Search this entire building!" Themis grabbed one of the guards by the tunic and pulled him close. "Not a word to the boss about this!"
"Yes, sir!"
The two guards ran at full speed down the corridor and turned the corner, disappearing. Themis stood in the doorway and glared at the empty space.
Melinoe led Dan quickly along a dimly lit corridor. He wore the backpack and clutched Megaera's bow tightly to his chest.
A few minutes earlier, he'd been sleeping and was awakened by the door opening. He woke, expecting a guard to walk in and grab him. But it was the young woman from earlier, Melinoe. She had held out the backpack, Megaera's bow, and his pistol.
Dan leaped up, grabbing the pistol, and quickly slid into the backpack's straps.
They had ducked out into the corridor and ran across down the hallway just as Themis had turned the corner.
"Do you know where Megaera is being held?" Dan whispered.
"Next corridor over. We'll have to do something about the guard, though," Melinoe said as she pressed up against the wall and peered around the corner. "Careful, she's in that cell."
Dan edged to the corner and spotted the guard.
"Those are new. The guards used to be just some dumb demons, now it's those things," Melinoe told Dan.
As they peered around the corner, another guard ran up and whispered to the other. They both took off at a dead run.
"Huh. I guess they found your cell empty. Lucky for us. I have to head back, or Sorath will suspect me. Good luck!" Melinoe said. She gave him a quick kiss and stepped back, grinning. She turned and ran back down the corridor.
Dan sat the backpack down and reattached the bow to the pack. He quickly checked the contents. Everything seemed to be there.
The corridor was dark. Dan dug out a chemical stick, cracked it and the hallway lit up in a green/yellow glow.
Descent into Tartarus Page 16
