Tartarus Beckons

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “You’re right. I haven’t seen that one,” said Labiru. “Now to business. Let it be as you said.”

  At his words, Tyler felt a sharp, rapid rise in the level of magic in the cave, all centered on Asag. It was not visible, even to his magically enhanced eyesight. But its strength was enormous and its complexity beyond his comprehension. It was a raw expression of Adar’s magic; one the mage hasn’t experienced before. But the locus of the immeasurably powerful and concentrated force was the demon. The mage heard Asag cry out in pain, a reaction which again surprised Tyler.

  This binding must be a different kind, and I admit it’s a bit scary, he observed. No bells and whistles either. Just a brutally efficient way of using magic. Though I could see Asag’s form losing its cohesion under the impact of such power.

  As quickly as it happened, it was over. Tyler saw the demon was splayed on the chair with eyes closed. It was apparent that the magical process ruthlessly tore through his innermost being, possibly changed something, and in the end, left Asag terribly exhausted.

  “Well, that’s done,” said Labiru nonchalantly.

  “First time I’ve seen such a magical procedure for creating a geas. This one is spectacularly and painfully different,” commented Tyler.

  “It is. For one thing, even thinking about breaking his word would result in tremendous psychic pain. A guarantee of sorts. Even Asag might forget his responsibilities once in a while. I can’t blame him though, it is, as he confessed, but his nature,” explained Labiru. “Though I doubt if he wants to be brought back to the place where Adar’s judgments are rendered. He told me it gave him nightmares for a long time. I didn’t know then that demons could have such dreams. Though it didn’t help that he was brought there with his form squeezed inside a tiny square dimensional space. It was the size of a thimble, if I remember correctly.”

  Abruptly, the attention of the two was drawn by a moan from Asag. The demon had now correctly sat on his stone chair, back in the almost-regal posture he had adopted before, but his hands were rubbing his temples. His expression still bore traces of pain, and it was evident that whatever magic was used on him, such power had side effects which took time to wear off.

  “By Dumuzid! That was an experience I wouldn’t mind not suffering again. Your world’s magic is indeed powerful, Labiru. If that’s merely a drop in Adar’s ocean of magical power, a spoonful would be the death of me!”

  “Dumuzid?” asked Tyler. He had not heard of the name but assumed it was a Mesopotamian deity, hero, or yet another demonic creature.

  “A shepherd god, also known as Tammuz. A major figure back then, considering sheep were important to Sumerian society. The consort of the goddess Inanna, a husband who failed to mourn her descent to Irkalla, the Underworld. I wonder why?” A slight snide smile appeared on Asag’s features. Then with a loud laugh, he dropped his punch line.

  “Only, she came back, understandably furious, and sentenced him to spend half of the year down in Irkalla to be tortured by demons. There’s a valuable moral lesson there, and an interesting tale, but you won’t get it from me.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Introducing a Demon

  “Time to leave then,” said Asag with a very expectant smile. To Tyler’s amused observation, the demon fairly glowed with excitement and had already transformed back to its warrior persona.

  I’d be shouting with joy if I was in his place. But I never did understand the minds of these dark creatures even after several encounters with them. The Aztecha ones were the weirdest though, reflected the mage. But this situation also means we now have a chance of leaving the mountains and get back on our original course, the observation followed.

  Then he remembered the trio of rogues.

  Shit. Those three have a different destination. A double request then from Labiru. Asag doesn’t know about the abandoned temple of Freyr. It’s a recent addition compared to his arrival in these mountains. The demon wouldn’t know how to get there even if he’s allowed to use his magic. And there’s that unacceptable appearance of his warrior self to fix, plus an acceptable explanation for his sudden presence.

  “You do have to change the material of the armor and sword, Asag. Gold really doesn’t spell inconspicuous. And a new name for you,” said Tyler.

  “Gold is so remarkable, you know,” answered the demon, as the precious metal in his armor and the khopesh changed to steel. “Some mortals say it’s a source of evil, but place a pile of the thing in front of them, and they’d kill their brother for it.”

  “We’re humans, Asag. With all the frailties and weaknesses it connotes. That change in your appearance will do. Archaic, and I don’t know if that’s the fashion in arms and armor in the western kingdoms, but it’s a lot better than your old glowing self. And your new name, any ideas on that?”

  “A new name? This gets better and better!”

  Such enthusiasm over a name? wondered the mage.

  “I see you failed to see the importance of such a simple event, First Mage,” smirked Asag, catching the mage’s puzzled face. “A name is a crucial element in one’s magic and destiny. It reduces to one word, or a few, all your twisted or altruistic – take your pick – ambitions and ideas about how you look at life and how life should treat you.”

  “But mortals don’t have that luxury. Our names are selected at birth by parents,” answered Tyler.

  “I know. That what makes a mortal’s life more interesting – whether such a creature could escape the name-cage its birth or foster parents unwittingly gave it. It is a rare occurrence when the name and nature of the newly born being coincide. Magic and fate do have a way of being wary and envious of a person’s name, and at the mistaken pretensions of grandeur that one has control over one’s destiny. You know what makes such a situation ironic?”

  “Nope,” Tyler answered. The demon was going to continue anyway, whether the mage wanted or not.

  “The name is not the mortal’s choice in the first place,” laughed Asag. “It’s an imposed contrivance built out of another’s hopes and dreams! Talk about trying to fit a sword in the wrong scabbard.”

  “So, your name? We have to decide that before you leave,” persisted the mage. The demon was already becoming loquacious, yet Tyler couldn’t blame him. This must have been the first time over the millennia the creature had a decent discussion. Labiru’s talks with Asag were necessary inconveniences in the powerful entity’s mind, and the demon knew that little fact.

  “Alal!” exclaimed Asag. “That’s my name for this new life of mine!”

  “Alal?” asked the mage.

  “The Destroyer!”

  “Isn’t that too obvious?” commented Tyler doubtfully.

  “Nah. Warriors back then were fond of using it as an arrogant suffix to their given names. I could use Alla Xul, though it means evil god, or Utuk Xul, evil spirit this time. Even Alal Xul, or evil destroyer. But that would be what I call obvious and a serious, certified magnet for unwarranted conflicts.”

  “Fine. Alal the Akkadian you will be. The evil suffix is certainly out of the running. Your aura is disturbing enough.”

  “Not Sumerian? I had my origin in that society.”

  “Too obvious. One bright mortal or deity might be able to put it all together. Anyway, from what I have heard, they’re now all collected in the Dual Monarchy as one people. Many tribes though – Akkadian, Sumerian, Chaldean, and others,” explained Tyler.

  Then Tyler turned to the watching and listening Labiru and explained the problem of the party above them having two destinations. The mage didn’t need to explain anything else. Trying to would be an insult to the intelligence of the old man who was already fidgeting with impatience. Labiru said he’d take care of it. Two rock portals would appear – the one on the right would lead to Freyr’s temple, and the one on the left, back to a place near the main road, close to Fargravik. A large opening then appeared on the rock wall.

  “There’s your passage back to the surface,
or specifically, the cave. It will take a few minutes of walking. We’re that deep under the mountain. Call me by my name if there’s anything else, my magic will bring the message to me. Labiru will do,” said the old man.

  “And our magic?”

  “For now, my cloak of magic covers this part of the mountains. Members of your party, except Asag, or Alal as he now calls himself, would be able to use your spells inside the mountain. You’ll be able to use it normally when you’re at your destination,” clarified Labiru swiftly, who then leaned toward him and whispered in his ear. “And my utmost, heartfelt thanks for getting that annoying imp out of my hair.”

  “I heard that!” shouted the demon. A reply to which Tyler and Labiru merely laughed in amusement. Alal, for his part, seemed to take it in stride.

  Quite a strange entity for a demon. More like a dark god. A weird dark god, observed Tyler again.

  Saying their goodbyes and thanks, the two entered the magical portal, but not without Labiru’s hope never to see you again remark to Asag. As the two walked through the tunnel which reminded the mage of Hrun’s passageway. He turned to Asag.

  “Could you do this spell?” he asked.

  “Not in the same way. We do have our differences in style. My version is not so… pedestrian,” replied the demon.

  That I expected, thought the mage.

  “About what you said back in the cave, the one about dazzling the masses. The tone you took could only mean you did rule, at least for time. Am I right?” asked Tyler.

  “That was back in the old world and through a mortal host. I did enjoy it while it lasted. Waging war and conquering kingdoms was an enormously satisfying experience.”

  “Human sacrifices and the like?”

  “Why do you mortals always equate demons with such things? And why would I do that? Reduce my potential market of bodies to possess? No, I did something far, far worse.”

  “And that is?”

  “I had all the temples destroyed and began a cult teaching that all the deities were demons and not to be trusted,” laughed Asag boisterously. “It was a prank. Something to give those arrogant bastards apoplexy. But they didn’t appreciate the joke. The small kingdom lasted eight harvest seasons before plagues, invasions, and unnatural physical phenomena wiped it out. I mean, a tidal surge twenty feet high from a small lake? Locust swarms, six kinds of contagious and deadly diseases. I got the full displeasure treatment. A lot of those dimwits were clearly unhappy with my teachings. But it was fun while it lasted.”

  “A reminder, Asag. Be what you appear to be – an ancient, formerly imprisoned warrior, though with magical abilities.”

  “Will I get to fight as mortals do? Engage in battles and the like?”

  “Of course. Try to blend in,” advised Tyler. “And no telling anybody that you’re a demon.”

  “You make it sound if it’s such a bad thing. But battles, spells, death, and destruction! This really is turning out to be a good day after all. I hope we get to fight soon! I can’t wait to try out my definitely rusted abilities!”

  Another Tyndur. But on a higher and more destructive level. Asag could probably level cities on his own. God have mercy on me.

  “So! what are you going to do to Loki?” Tyler asked finally. “Get your level or power back, among other things?”

  “I’ll wrest it from his dying carcass! But not before I give him the lovely treatment he gave me.”

  “You do know deities don’t leave physical remains behind when they die? It goes back to the ether or the energy of the world they find themselves in,” Tyler told him.

  “Of course, I know! I was speaking figuratively. For a human, I would have thought that a sense of the dramatic, gory and bloodthirsty it might be, would have made its impression on you.”

  Finally, they could see the end of the hallway of stone. At the end of the corridor was a shining open exit, its edges glowing with Labiru’s power. Beyond it, Tyler could see the companions still searching the cave for clues about his disappearance. With a deep breath, he stepped over the threshold, followed by Asag. The first one to see the mage was Habrok.

  “Hello, sorry to be a cause of worry. But I’m back,” said Tyler apologetically.

  “Me too.” A deep and clearly exhilarated voice sounded from the mage’s back.

  As the mage expected, a noisy welcome, peppered with questions, greeted him. He could sense the annoyance in a few of the queries, not that he could blame his companions. Tyler did notice that Kadir made a move towards him, obviously to satisfy his own curiosity, but Sford’s hand immediately pulled back the rogue. Orm merely stood to one side, his narrowed gaze on Asag. The party’s dokkalfr charges stood at the small pool’s bank and didn’t join in the general bedlam.

  Kobu was strangely quiet and immediately went to Tyler’s side. Yet like Orm, the exile’s wary eyes kept on looking at the Mesopotamian demon. The mage did note that Kobu picked a position between Asag and the mage. For his part, Asag stayed where he was, a few steps away from the mage, with an absurdly pleased countenance on his now surprisingly childlike face. The demonic entity was looking all over the place and at everyone. Asag also took time to minutely examine the attire and actions of the companions.

  I’d be curious too, thought Tyler. But now it should be apparent to him that he’s an entity out of place and time. And I’m not talking about his attire and hairstyle.

  “Wait, wait. All answers in good time. For now, we have a chance to get out of the mountain. The paths leading out of this place might have been blocked either by the ancient dokkalfr or by the spiders themselves. I wouldn’t dismiss that idea, they are intelligent. Rapaciously so. And again, I apologize. But it was a summons. Of a sort.”

  “Summons from whom?” immediately asked the Valkyrie.

  “I said all in good time, Astrid. But for now, the guardian of this mountain has agreed to help us get back on course,” replied the mage. Tyler hoped that the fierce demi-goddess would forget she ever asked that question. It was a difficult and inconvenient one to answer, and he didn’t want to lie to the companions.

  “Guardian?” remarked Tyndur. The mage acted as if he didn’t hear the question.

  On cue, two man-sized openings appeared on the opposite cave wall. Everybody, except for Asag who was still wearing a silly grin and examining everything and everyone, stared at the wall and then at Tyler. The mage then noticed that among the companions, Tyndur appeared more focused than Kobu on the new addition. Tyler could see the faint expression of distaste on the einherjar’s face. If the others had the same idea about Asag, they hid it well.

  Or they’re not as sensitive as Sford, Kobu or Tyndur, thought the mage.

  “There’s our way back. The one on the right. The left is for Sford and his friends. Sford! Yours will lead you back to the main road near Fargravik,” said Tyler. Then he noticed everyone was now staring at Asag.

  “And this is Alal the Akkadian. He had been trapped in this mountain for a long time. He’s a being from the past, and I doubt if the world out there is the same one he remembers. Explanations later. Hurry. I don’t think those portals will be there forever,” the mage continued. For now, he wanted to avoid awkward inquiries about the newcomer.

  “Our thanks, First Mage,” came Sford’s voice as the orange-clad mage pushed Orm and Kadir toward their opening. Then the tall mage quickly strode to Tyler.

  “Well meet, First Mage. I only wish we had more time. It appears I have a lot to learn from you. Though the path you chose seemed quite interesting but extremely strange and dangerous,” said Sford as his gaze shifted meaningfully to Asag.

  Then Sford whispered in a voice full of trepidation.

  “You do know what that being is? He is an extremely powerful dark one. I could sense willful suppression of any emanations of his power, but my… unique abilities give me some idea of his magic. I admit it frightens me.”

  “Thanks for the concern, Sford. I know what you mean about Alal. He’s a burden
imposed on me. With the appropriate geas, of course. Beyond that, I cannot say anything else,” Tyler whispered back.

  “Ah, good. A bound one. But be wary. Such dark creatures always try to test the limits of such precautions.”

  “I know. It’s like carrying a venomous spider in your pocket all the time or carrying a double-edged sword by its blade. Though I have to admit I also would have preferred more time with you to learn more spells. That cage of lighting, for instance,” replied Tyler.

  “That makes both of us then,” Sford laughed. “But as to the spell, it could be fire or whatever destructive element you wish. I could make it one of venom if I choose.”

  “You’re one strong magic-wielder, Sford. Even I haven’t gone the poison, or even acid, route yet,” commented Tyler with disappointment in his tone.

  Sford’s eyes widened with disbelief, and his eyebrows rose. The mage clearly thought Tyler was joking. When he saw Tyler was serious, Sford shook his head.

  “Still on a journey of knowledge like me, First Mage? Sadly, such a path never ends. There’s always the next batch of eclectic spells to learn. But for the cage spells, it should be easy for you. It’s like creating a shield, only that the posts or frames of the magical manifestation would be made of the element you wish.”

  “That’s all?” said the astounded First Mage.

  The peculiar mage smiled at Tyler and then quickly left, increasing his pace to catch up to his friends who were already at the mouth of the opening. Tyler looked for his companions and found them, except for Kobu, waiting for him at their magical gate. Even Asag and the dokkalfr were already with them. The young mage looked at Kobu, nodded, and started walking towards the group.

  “Sire, Sford is right, you know,” ventured Kobu suddenly. The exile had heard Sford’s warning.

  “You could sense it too?” asked the astounded Tyler. Are all of the companions this magically-sensitive? I know Tyndur felt something by the way he was looking at Asag.