“As I am aware. You shall have to receive an audience with the Elohim. Once in the tower, you will have to look for the room that holds the artifact. Once you’re done with that, you can leave. After you report back to me, we can discuss matters further.”
“How am I supposed to get an audience with him?”
“I know you are the creative sort; think of a way. When you are done, you know how to reach me.”
“Fine then. I guess I have no choice. What is this artifact that you are looking for?”
“It’s a sword.”
“You want me to get you a sword. I thought it was an artifact?”
“Don’t be so foolish, Jon. Or have you yet again forgotten where you ended up? To your eyes it may just be another sword, but the blade is indeed powerful.”
“How so?”
“Well the blade isn’t the power. The power comes from the hilt. It belonged to an angel.”
“I thought that the Elohim here were all cast down from heaven? How did a sword get here?”
“There was a time when He was not as forgiving as you make Him to be. There was an instance when the archangel Gabriel had a dispute with Him.”
“What do you mean he had a dispute with Him?”
“God decided to punish some of his followers for their sins against Him. Gabriel disagreed with Him. He thought the people deserved his mercy. His mercy was not spent on Gabriel. He cast Gabriel into these depths of Hell. Upon entry every Elohim in Hell sensed a new powerful being and immediately rushed to Gabriel. The ravaged him before He had the chance to see what had happened. He immediately pulled Gabriel back after seeing what the other Elohim were doing to him. He intended for Hell to be the only punishment for Gabriel, but the Elohim had other ideas. In the chaos of the battle, Gabriel lost his sword. It passed through many hands and finally fell into the possession of Beelzebub.”
“I think I understand. So what is so special about this sword?”
“As I said before, it grants a unique ability to the swordsman, an ability that I would be very happy with.”
“Are you sure the Beelzebub still has it?”
“Why do you insist on doubting me? I would not send you on a mission of death. You have convinced me of your usefulness, I wouldn’t just toss that aside.”
“Okay. So what does the sword do then?”
“That’s for me to know, Jon. You may know in time, but for the time, you should remain naïve.”
“Fine.”
8. Round and Round
I didn’t have the slightest idea how I was supposed to just waltz into the home of a fearsome demon. I was terrified of the idea, but at the same time, I really didn’t have a choice. Working for Charlie had been a dead end before, but it was a dead end that I had brought upon myself. I still wanted nothing more than to be with Shannon, and if Charlie could still grant me such a request, then I had to work for him. I was also pretty curious about the sword. What was so special that Charlie needed it? He basically said that it would be easy to get a hold of, but if I knew anything about Charlie, it was that he didn’t do anything without a reason. I decided to try and find someone I knew. I figured that they would be able to help me figure out what I needed to do to get an audience with Beelzebub.
I started back for Callista’s home. If she wasn’t there I thought I might at least see someone else I knew. Granted I didn’t even know a handful of people in Hell, but it was worth a shot. I only had time, after all.
While I was walking, I started thinking about my trip to Earth. ‘I can’t believe that she actually saw me. I wish that I only had more time with her. I wish that I could’ve said something to her. Tell her how I felt and what I’m doing. On second thought, I doubt she would approve of what I’ve done. Even if it is all for her, she wouldn’t like it. She is a good person. She made a mistake sure, but who doesn’t. I do miss her though. I miss everything, especially the little mundane things. I miss shopping with her. I miss sitting and watching TV with her. I miss carrying her up the stairs after she had one too many. I miss living.’
“‘EY, JONNY BOY!” a voice screamed that I couldn’t mistake for anyone else. I turned to unfortunately realize I was right.
“Hello, Stu,” I responded. I didn’t break my gate, he was walking beside me, so it didn’t seem like he minded it. “I was wondering if I would ever run into you again.”
“Of course you knew you’d see the likes of old Stu.”
“I guess you’re right. What are you doing here?”
“Just wondering around. What are you doing?”
“Actually, I’m just heading to a friend’s home.” ‘Did I just refer to Callista as a friend?’
“Oh yeah? Who’s that?”
“Her name is Callista. Do you know her?”
“Nope. What are you going there for?”
“I was hoping she could help me with something.”
“What’s that?”
“I need to get a tour of Beelzebub’s tower. You don’t happen to know how to do that, do you?”
“Matter of fact, I do.”
“Awesome!” I stopped walking. “How do I get in there?”
“I know a guy. He works in that place. Name’s Ferrum Viscus. I can introduce you.”
“I have to tell you, Stu, I’m sure glad that I ran into you again. I hadn’t the foggiest idea how to get in there.”
“What are you going in there for, anyhow?”
“I have to get something for Charlie.”
“What do you have to get?”
“I guess I can trust you. I have to steal a sword from there. I can teleport there, but I have to be able to see the place first. So I figured that if I get a tour, I will see it and then after I leave I can go back and take it.”
“That’s all I need to know. We’re off!” he said as he started marching in the other direction. I quickly followed suit.
I wasn’t very excited about getting help from Stu, but at least it was free. Most other people would automatically expect some kind of payment for help. Stu was different than anyone else I had met in Hell. I still couldn’t be sure that his intentions were true, but for now I had to trust him. Besides that, he hadn’t given me a reason to not trust him. I have to admit though, that his accent was rather annoying, but I could put up with it. Sometimes it was just hard to understand what he was saying to me.
We walked for a long time. I stopped paying attention to where exactly we were going after the 15th turn. While we were walking he started telling me about Ferrum Viscus. In life he was a Roman lord and those skills carried over to his afterlife. He was a tyrant. After arriving in Hell he quickly moved to Gluttony and challenged Beelzebub to a duel upon their first encounter. He lost drastically, but Beelzebub was so impressed that he had the audacity to call a duel that he spared his life. After that, they quickly became allies. Henry would do Beelzebub’s bidding without question. In fact he generally enjoyed it. He was placed in charge of governing the four squares of Gluttony. That’s when he adopted the name Malphalgor which he named one of the squares after. Stu warned me that he wasn’t liked by Ferrum, so he would have to leave me for a time, but would wait at Terentu square after he pointed me in the right direction.
“All right, Jonny,” Stu began, “That’s the place.”
“Thanks again, Stu,” I said. “As soon as I’m done with this, I’ll head back to Terentu and meet up with you.”
“Until then, Jonny.” He turned around and started sprinting.
He pointed out a two story building on the corner of Malphalgor square. It was undamaged and even had a glass window. There was a guard stationed outside. I walked towards him.
“HALT!” he spouted and I did. “What business do you have approaching the home of the mighty Malphalgor?”
“I seek an audience,” I replied.
“The mighty Malphalgor is a busy man and cannot be disturbed.”
I was denied. Now that I actually found a way to get into the tower, I had t
o find a way to get to the way to get into the tower. My head was spinning.
“It will take only a moment.”
“What are you called?”
“I am Jon, Jonathon Cowley.”
“Very well, Jonathon Cowley. I will return in a moment, do not move.”
‘I wonder why I couldn’t just go in and see him?’ I thought. ‘For that matter, what does a man like Ferrum Viscus need a guard for? I can’t imagine that a man of weak will and a body to match would challenge Beelzebub. I haven’t even seen the Elohim and I was terrified of him.’
He returned. “Malphalgor will grant your audience. Enter quickly.”
I scurried to the door. When I entered I saw that the building was one single room with a staircase leading to the upstairs located in the very back of the room. There was a man sitting behind a stone desk in the center of the room. He looked strong. He had brown curled hair and a short beard. He was intimidating just to look at.
“Are you Ferrum Viscus?” I asked.
“I am,” he replied in a deep voice. “What do you want?”
“I am Jonathon Cowley.”
“I already know this. If you called an audience just to introduce yourself then I think this meeting is over.”
“No, wait!”
“Is there something else then?”
“Yes. I understand that you are employed by Beelzebub.”
“I am. I know you aren’t just here to introduce yourself, does that mean you are interested in learning of me? I suggest you get to your point before my temper runs thin.”
‘This isn’t going to be as easy as I thought,’ I thought. ‘I guess I should’ve formed some sort of plan before I came in here.’
“Well?” he demanded.
“I seek an audience with Beelzebub. I thought that as his right hand you would be the first I would contact in those regards.”
“I can see why you would come here first Jonathon Cowley, but I must deny your request.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Because you are unimpressive. You lack everything that appeals to me or Beelzbub. Why should I seek an audience on your behalf?”
I had to think about that. ‘I could tell him the truth, but I doubt he would allow anything to happen if he knew. Evil he may be, but I think he still has honor and loyalty. Come on, Jon, think!’
“If you have no reason than I’m afraid it’s time for you to go.”
“Then I will fight you.” After I said that, I looked around to see who was there. I didn’t believe the words actually came out of my mouth.
“You wish to engage me in battle?” he asked with a smirk on his face.
“If that’s what the situation calls for.”
“It has been some time since last I battled. I think I still remember how to do it. However, I must ask you, are you sure you wish to engage me?”
“If that’s what it takes. I must have an audience with Beelzebub. I will do anything for it!” I had to keep Shannon in my mind. She was giving me strength, and after all, that’s the real reason I needed and audience with the Elohim.
“Very well, Jonathon Cowley, I am prepared for battle. Come back to this building when you are.”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you serious?”
“I don’t understand. I just challenged you. Doesn’t that mean I’m ready?”
“It means you are ready to challenge me. Do you have a weapon? Have you trained at all?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Then you are not ready, Jonathon Cowley.”
“I think I am.”
“And what of your weapon?”
“Do you not have more than one?”
“Very well. I choose broad swords. You may use one from my personal collection, if it pleases you.”
I couldn’t believe what I was getting myself into. There was no way I would be able to beat this man. I had never even held a sword a day in my life and now I was going to wield one in battle. I had to be smart about this. I had to outthink Ferrum which I knew wasn’t going to be easy.
“My collection is upstairs. Follow me.”
“After you…” I was nervous, but I couldn’t back down now. If I did then I knew he would never help me get into the tower. He didn’t back down from Beelzebub and I had a feeling that he wouldn’t respect me if I backed down from him.
As we proceeded up the stairs my stomach began to twist with anticipation and nervousness. I could see over the edge of the floor, the wall opposite the stairs had swords of all kinds mounted across; some beautiful and some unremarkable.
“The broad swords are over there,” Ferrum began. “Take your pick.”
“Okay,” I said with a sigh. I walked over to the wall. He had four broad swords mounted to lie on their sides: one had a leather hilt, one was steel, one was wooden, and one was a golden metal. Each of the blades had a different dragon etched into the steel of the blade. My eyes and my hands were drawn to the golden one.
“Good choice. That is a well-balanced sword.” Ferrum picked up the steel blade. “Let’s go to my square.”
“As you wish.” It was all becoming real to me. I was about to fight a powerful man. I was going to have to find a way to beat this person that had most likely killed many more powerful a man than I. I didn’t have any idea how I was supposed to beat him, but I was in too deep at this point.
We arrived at his square it what seemed like an instant. I was hoping to have more time to consider my possibilities and come up with some sort of tactic that would best Ferrum at his own game, but it seemed like time wasn’t on my side this time.
“It’s not too late to back down from me, Jonathon Cowley,” he said. “There is still time to run home with you tail betwixt your legs.”
“I will not back down from you Ferrum,” I responded. “I have a greater goal in mind than you, and I won’t let you take that away from me!” It was true. I had to keep Shannon in mind. She was going to give me the strength to defeat this man so that I could get back to her. She was my angel.
“As you wish. Let’s begin.”
“Very, well.”
“Let us set the ground rules. There will be no dishonorable strikes. That’s all. Do you have anything to add?”
“I don’t think so.” ‘What am I getting myself into?’ I asked myself. ‘I know I can’t beat this guy. What the hell am I going to do!?’
We got into position: back to back. Ferrum’s cronies were standing around in a circle waiting for their master to deal the final blow and scream with victory as if they were the ones that had sliced my throat. They were cheering him on in hopes that he would best me. I had not audience. I stood alone against the insurmountable odds.
“Three steps ahead and then turn,” he said.
I was holding my sword with both hands pointing straight out from my stomach. I didn’t know how to hold it but it seemed like a good place to keep it. I could feel each step creeping me closer and closer to my death. I could feel the icy breath of Death himself breathing upon my soul. Images of my wife flashed before my eyes. I couldn’t think of anything else, even though it was time to think of a way out.
The final step and I turned to face Ferrum, my opponent.
“Time to die!” he bellowed as he swung for my throat.
I barely had enough time to raise my sword and block him. As his sword struck mine it sent me back a few steps under the sheer force of his blow. I regained my footing and readied myself for the next offense. He came in quick slicing from underneath. I lowered the blade and caught his sword with mine. The power he was swinging with nearly toppled me over as my blade went into the air, my death grip barely holding as it tried to leave my hands. He pulled the sword back down through the air. I crouched and held my sword strong at an angle to try to deflect it. No avail. It came crashing down and nearly sent me to the floor. A near miss. I rolled back and as soon as I was on my feet, Ferrum was again in my face.
“You can’t win, Jonath
on! Submit and be spared!”
“NEVER!” I screamed.
He came in from the side. I managed to block but he sent me in a circle. When I stopped, he was already swinging again. I moved back, but the blade sliced my arm. It was only a flesh wound, but a wound nonetheless.
“I draw first blood! Prepared to submit?”
“I will not end!”
I swung for his face and he not only blocked my shot, but was able to grab my sword with the curved cross guard and send it flying from my hands. It landed with a loud “TING” and my heart dropped. I turned to him and he was pointing his sword directly at my face. I was unarmed and he was heading at me. He was walking and had a smile on his face as if he had already assumed victory. I wasn’t going to allow it. I had to do something and fast. He thrust forward at me and I jumped back. Again he thrust and again I jumped, but this time too far. His men grabbed me and held me for Ferrum’s approach.
“I though you said this would be an honorable fight!” I reminded him.
“Honor comes with victory,” he responded. “You are a worm. You are loathsome and unworthy. You will not be missed.”
He slowly approached me. I couldn’t break free. There were two men holding each arm and I didn’t have the strength to break their grip. His blade was coming closer and closer. Then to make matters worse, one of his men shoved his thumb into the open wound on my arm and sent a burning pain through me. I screamed in agony.
“I will give you one more chance to submit to my will, Jonathon,” he said. “Do you accept?”
“I will never bow to you or any other!” I defied him.
“Then it is time for you to die.”
He placed the point of the blade on my throat. Time was running out and I had to do something. I was trapped under the force of his men, and under the pain of his sword. I had to think of something. I couldn’t let me journey end at the hands of a mortal, no matter how powerful he was. Shannon was there on Earth. I saw her with my own eyes and I had to be with her. I couldn’t let him take that away from me. I didn’t let anyone else stand in my way and I wouldn’t let him either. I had to find a way. I had to think fast before it was too late. He pulled his blade back for extra strength and his eyes burned with fury. My life flashing before my eyes was starting to become a regular thing and it wasn’t affecting me anymore, other than making me miss my wife more than I had. The blade came at me in slow motion. As it approached my throat I started to black out and lost control of myself. I snapped my fingers and appeared behind him.
Hellbound: Chronicles Page 14
