Atticus & The Blade King

by M K Drake

  Atticus beckons them all to stop, thinking that nothing short of Razakel could take such a barrage. The Majjai stay their ground, patiently waiting for the chamber to clear. But their feelings of victory are quickly hollowed, as a guttural laugh begins to emanate from the centre of the room. It gets louder as the giant minotaur climbs to its feet, its bull-like head protruding high above the cloud of dust. The beast storms forward, its horns pointing down and low as it charges on all fours towards Khan, who is impaled and sent hurtling hard into the chamber’s wall.

  “No!” screams Atticus, sending a massive fireball to unbalance the beast.

  Olof follows up the attack, attempting to wound the half man, half bull monster with spears of ice. He throws a glance to Kalle to aid Khan.

  Atticus throws another large, but much brighter, fireball towards the head of their foe, blinding it momentarily and using the distraction to cover his follow up attack. With a mighty swing, he uses the Sword of Ages to slice off part of the Minotaur’s left horn.

  The beast screams in pain, holding onto the remainder of the protruding bone. The wound spouts a strange, pungent liquid all over the chamber floor, which hisses and spits as it hits the ground. With a final roar the Minotaur runs from the chamber, its screams slowly echoing away in the distance.

  Safe in the knowledge that the Minotaur was no longer an immediate threat, Atticus, Olof, and Alvaar rush to aid Khan.

  Kalle shakes his head as they approach. “Some sort of poison from the beast’s horns has entered his body. I fear the wound is… fatal.”

  Khan’s eyes are closed, and his breathing is heavy, Atticus places his hand on his friend’s chest and attempts to heal him. He strains hard, trying to use everything Joyce has taught him in the past. The chamber glows brightly with the attempt, but it is soon clear that the effect is minor. Khan sighs slightly, but remains sleeping.

  Olof places a hand on Atticus’s shoulder. “Alvaar and Kalle can take Khan back to the Manor. We need to find a cure for the poison. Hel may have it.”

  Atticus stands and nods slowly, he picks up the severed horn and hands it to Alvaar. “Take this too. If Hel does not have an answer, this might hold traces of the poison, which can be used to formulate a cure.”

  Alvaar nods. “Do not worry Atticus, all will be well. Khan is strong, and you will find Hel. Bring back the knowledge we need.”

  Kalle picks up Khan as Alvaar takes a crystal from his robe to open a portal which the two Norsemen quickly travel through.

  The hum from the portal soon disappears as it closes sharply, leaving Olof and Atticus to continue on.

  The Scrolls of Kazmagus: Catalogue Translation ID 301.22: The Brothers Three

  The Blade King has also disappeared. First Al Amir, then Kazmagus, and now Alfatun. We are doomed if we do not find a way to fight back.

  The Blade King left instructions, diagrams, all for the Tomb of Kazmagus. We are to use the Hearthstone of Creation. I do not know why; I wonder if there will be enough of it. Add to the fact that the density of the rock itself is unlike anything any of us have ever worked with.

  It was lucky that word reached us in time. The new Demon King, Razakel, managed to steal a piece of the Hearthstone. We do not know why – what could he do with just a tiny piece? At least enough of us were there to prevent him from stealing it all. We managed to take it away, and hide it again.

  Some of the Majjai have complained of vivid visions. Kazmagus screaming at them through the Void, trying to warn us about something, about someone. But the words, the name, it is always muffled, unclear.

  One swore he could hear the word ‘Brother’ being shouted out. We need to look at these events more closely, the number of reports is too many to ignore, despite their absurdity.

  Do we try to find Al Amir? Or the Blade King? Maybe they could help. For now, we have to clear up the mess they have left, build a castle, and find a hiding place for the Staff!

  Chapter 3

  The Blood of The Honest

  Atticus ponders, actively distracted, his thoughts wandering towards Khan. That feeling of responsibility, of questioning his own actions. Maybe if he hadn’t reminded or pestered Khan about his feelings for Safaya, and discovering the information about the Princess’s brother, his friend would have been more alert and would have escaped the blow from the Minotaur. He would have been with them right now as they continue their journey towards Helheim. But instead Khan is wounded, possibly dying, all because he couldn’t keep his own mouth shut for a little while. He can see Olof peering down at him, eager to say something.

  “It is not your fault, Atticus. Khan knew the risks. We must focus on getting this book, and persuade Hel to reveal the cure for the poison. If anyone knows of one, it will be her,” Olof strides forward, as if hoping it will act as a catalyst to Atticus’s own pace.

  “How powerful is this Hel?” asks the young Majjai.

  Olof sniggers under his breath. “Well…” he says, pausing as he tries to prevent the snigger from turning into a laugh, “she is the Goddess of the Underworld. So I would expect her to be, very powerful.”

  Atticus can detect the playful sarcasm in Olof’s voice, and it helps. He appreciates the Norse Majjai’s attempt at deflecting his attention from Khan. Before he can reply, the two are disturbed by a loud crack in the air and Ju Long appearing in front of them.

  Ju Long looks around at the cave walls before turning his attention towards his fellow Majjai. “Well, this is cosy, just the three of us.”

  Atticus is pleased to see Ju Long, not only for the fact he has the ability to transform into his demonic dragon alter-ego, but also for his humour. He knows exactly why Elric sent him. However, Atticus still needs to ask. “How is Khan? Is he okay?”

  Ju Long sighs. “What, no hi, no hug?” he holds his arms out, closing his eyes as he does so… but nothing arrives. He opens one eye to see both Olof and Atticus just staring back at him. “Fine fine. He has definitely been better. He is sleeping right now, and Madame Healsey has stabilized him – she is using some sort of stasis cocoon. It doesn’t smell good. I actually think the bad smell is to try and wake him up sooner. Think of rotting egg, and one of those...” Ju Long tails off when he sees Atticus’s face stay motionless, worried.

  Atticus lowers his head slightly, again blaming himself. “Did… did Elric say anything? Does he know what this is?” he asks as he returns his gaze back to Ju Long.

  “He suspects, but he needs this book you guys are here for to be sure.”

  Atticus looks towards Olof, the affirmation of what needs to be done rising within him. He grabs the hilt of his sword tighter, finding strength within it. “Then let’s go get this book shall we?”

  Atticus marches forward, as his fellow Majjai follow closely behind him. They venture further down for about twenty minutes until they hear a faint sound, like rushing water.

  Olof takes a sniff of the air. “The River of the Dead. We are getting closer.”

  Atticus holds his hand up, there is something else mixed in within the noise of the water. “What is that?” he turns his head to its side, facing his right ear in the direction of the sounds. “It sounds like screams.”

  “Right,” quips Ju Long. “I’m done, brought you guys this far… time for me to go. Screams…River of the Dead… Hel? Yup, that’s enough Majjai’ing for one day,” he turns to walk away, before being dragged back by Olof.

  “Funny, but focus. Hel is not one for humour. As you will soon find out,” Olof nods his head forward, indicating the direction the trio should now take.

  It is not long before they reach an opening into a larger cavern. The sound of the water is ever louder here, as are the screams. There are other sounds as well now; that of metal crashing against metal. Cries of war, of blood being spilled. Their path is dark again but for flickers of light further ahead aiding their course. The screams coincide with each spark of illumination as the three Majjai step ever forward. Another turn and they finally see it.

>   “How the hell are we going to cross that?” remarks Ju Long before he points out to the obstacle in front of them.

  Atticus turns his gaze in both directions at the violent, rushing river in front of himself and his fellow Majjai. The flow of the water is fast and hard, booming against the banks, expelling large sprays onto the rocks and walls. The cavern is warmer here; Atticus can feel his body starting to sweat within his heavy robes, making his journey even more uncomfortable. He shrugs off the feeling quickly, trying to refocus on the task ahead. They need to get to Helheim and retrieve the book. And somehow find a cure to save Khan.

  “You can fly remember?” smirks Atticus.

  Ju Long shrugs in a brooding manner. “Yeah, but, I’m still going to get wet!”

  “Over there!” shouts Olof, pointing to a giant portal that has just opened ahead of them.

  “What is that? A battle?” asks Atticus.

  Olof nods. “Yes, but not just one battle. All battles. The dead are being pulled through the portal. Hurry, we can follow the fallen to the entrance!”

  Atticus agrees and beckons the three of them to quicken their pace. He looks into the portal, as another one forms ahead of it – the source of the screams they were hearing. The violent sound of war becomes ever more aggressive as the cries of death echo through them. Sword against sword, axe against armour, even more modern wars, where bullets scream through the air finding their targets. Each soul being forcibly captured in a vacuum of time and space, soaring towards the destination the trio seek. The Portals switch views violently, entering different wars, different times, dragging the souls of the fallen through.

  They run faster, as they race against the tormented entities, still screaming, agonising over their final painful moments, fearing their new journey, perplexed, scared, as if they are dying all over again.

  Atticus looks ahead and can see the bodies being sucked into a giant pit on the other side of the raging water. Beyond the pit is another huge door. “Olof, we need a path. That must be the Hell Gate!”

  The Norse Majjai acknowledges and holds out his right arm, shooting out a blast of icy air, powerful enough to freeze the water ahead of them.

  The three skate across as quickly as they can, knowing that the strength of the river will ensure that the ice will not hold for long – and they are right. They have barely landed on the other side before the water crashes through the frozen barrier, sending icy debris into the air and crashing back down into itself.

  The portals suddenly stop forming. Atticus can feel the damp air within the chamber rapidly turn cold. The fireball that was lighting the way goes out, and he feels his breath turn icy.

  “She’s here,” whispers Olof.

  Atticus grasps the hilt of his sword with greater tension, wrapping his now freezing fingers tightly against the cold metal. He can sense the fear within Olof and Ju Long; it is something he is not used to experiencing from his stalwart friends. They are usually much more composed and fearless, but then he himself realises the dire straits they are in. A guardian and custodian of the ’Hell Gate is not something to consider a trifling opponent. And the fact that Olof himself is fearful sends Atticus’s heartbeat into overdrive.

  All light suddenly disappears, and a voice fills the chamber.

  “You are here, and you bring my uncle’s hammer with you? Do you come peacefully, or with futile intentions that will only lead you to join my realm forcefully?” Hel’s voice is deep, but still feminine, strong and purposeful, resonating with different tones, as if several voices are speaking in unison.

  “We seek the book, ‘The Sparks of Hel.’ We come only for guidance, and seek audience with your auspicious self,” Olof answers, trying to sound as pious as possible.

  “For what purpose, holder of Mjolnir? You wield the hammer but you do not lead this journey,” Hel sniffs the air, pauses for a moment, and continues. “Ah, Atticus.”

  “And me, Ju Long here!”

  Atticus pokes Ju Long. “Shhh!”

  “What? Everyone forgets about me. I was just letting her know.”

  “Silence!” Hel shouts out loudly, simultaneously creating a burning flame surrounding the chamber around them, allowing everyone to see. “You jest in my presence. Then you will annoy me more than my own fool of a father. He also seeks the book. But his courage, it seems, is much lesser than yours. What is its importance to the Majjai? Why do you seek this knowledge?”

  Atticus turns slowly to face Hel, for a moment he is mesmerised, she holds a dark aura but one of such beauty Atticus forgets himself momentarily, catching his breath as the purpose of their journey returns to the forefront of his mind. “Kazmagus, he said we need information from this book to defeat a common enemy... Razakel!”

  Hel smiles towards Atticus, her raven hair glistens with a violet hue against the orange flame that imprisons everyone in the chamber. “Hmm, Razakel is indeed a concern. You wish to ally yourself with me? What is your benefit in this?”

  “Our friend was poisoned by the Minotaur, is there a cure?” Atticus asks quickly.

  “Did you harm it? My guardian?”

  Olof steps forward, wary of giving the correct answer. “The beast bested us, it was luck that we managed to sever part of one of his horns. This was purely in defence for our lives.”

  Hel moves around the trio slowly, then swiftly, her long black cloak floating behind her. “That will heal. But, it means my gate is unprotected while that happens. Who will guard me during this time?”

  Atticus and Olof look towards Ju Long.

  “What? Why me? I just got here, I didn’t even touch the Minotaur…. Wait, what’s a Minotaur?” Ju Long kicks a stone near his feet, realising he is outvoted. “Fine, I’ll stay, but one of you will need to pick up Pali and explain!”

  “Good,” says Hel. “A dragon of Draconus is ample defence for the time being,” she begins to motion her hands in a circular motion as a ring of light begins to appear around them. The light glimmers as though filled with glitter, then fades as the shining flecks gather together to form a book. “This is what you seek. The cure is here,” Hel turns to a page and marks it with her fingernail, charring the corner. “Use it carefully, as it will only work with the blood of the honest. The stronger the truth, the stronger the cure. And believe me, if your friend has been tainted by the guardian’s poison, the blood will need to be very honest indeed.”

  Atticus accepts the book as Hel hands it to him. “Thank you.”

  Hel smirks menacingly. “There will be a cost for this. You will all return for payment. It will not be cheap.”

  “To save our friend, nothing is too high,” Atticus replies firmly.

  “Careful, young Atticus. Honouring your words may be far more expensive than you think,” Hel turns her back to the Majjai and begins to walk away, she takes several steps towards her Hell Gate before pausing. “Well, Ju Long, dragon of Draconus, are you coming?”

  Ju Long shuffles gingerly towards Hel, looking sullenly back towards Olof and Atticus.

  “Come now, I won’t bite, I need to show you how to tend to the beast’s wounds. He might even like you.”

  “Wait, I thought you just wanted me to guard the gate?” Ju Long says.

  Hel chuckles. “Well, yes, amongst other things.”

  Before Ju Long or the other Majjai can respond, a flash of light snaps through the chamber and both Hel and her new helper vanish.

  Atticus turns to Olof. “Quick, we need to get back to the Manor with the book and the cure.”

  Olof nods.

  Atticus can see his Norse friend is visibly concerned about his brother in arms, Ju Long, but knows this road now needs to be followed through, the path has been set.

  A Majjai History: Vol 3 Chapter 2: A Delicate Accord

  The gods of lore have often had relationships at odds of one another. There is much chest beating amongst them, trying to prove which has the larger following. Most of the time this is harmless banter, but sometimes there are issues
that spill over into our world that we have to deal with.

  Deals between factions such as the Greeks and the Norse are fragile, and are sometimes broken on purpose, just so they can jostle. Their arrogance gets stronger with age, and they are all very, very old.

  The universe is changing. Time – well, our linear view of it at least – is creeping forward at increasing speeds. Not all of these old gods have survived, but most have. Some are able to manipulate Time Infinite for their own gains, others bargain with Death for more time.

  Alas, what this causes is tension between their ranks. The leaders, Odin and Zeus, are above much of this, but their subordinates tend to continue to play games.

  However, despite the weakened state of these deities, the Majjai are advised to not engage in battle with them. The old gods are very powerful, and should never be underestimated. Only the likes of Kazmagus, Al Amir, and the Blade King have ever dared faced the gods and lived.

  It has been rumoured that some of the old gods were in league with Asmodei, but information on who and how is limited. We hope the discovery of the scrolls within The Tomb of Kazmagus will shine more light on whether this is true, and what the implications could be.

  Chapter 4

  Truth

  Atticus shudders as he opens his eyes, shaking off the after-effects of the teleportation jump. The dizzying sensation soon fades, and he hurries towards the medical ward to see Khan. He can hear Olof’s heavy steps follow him at pace, but doesn’t allow that to distract him. Nor the other students who stare as he still wears the heavy warm robes to keep him warm from the Nordic ice. He feels every look and every glare from the Majjai students, the number of which increases the closer Atticus gets to his destination.

  The medical ward seems busier than normal. An outbreak of a strange yellowing of the skin amongst the Majjai has increased visitation there for some weeks now. An associated weakness is linked to it, but Madame Healsey has yet to find a cause or a cure. Word has also come from other Majjai schools and establishments of similar signs. Weakened states, yellow blotches; the sickness is becoming a concern throughout the lands all over the globe.