The roads radiated from the city’s hub, where diamond spires pierced the clouds. From above, the citadel resembled a giant, glittering flower, its lustrous boulevards splitting into narrower lanes that wound between shining houses where angels dwelt. Hazy, distant mountain ranges bounded the plain on all sides, penned the city in and protected it somewhat from the vast storms that swept through on occasion.
Two yellow suns shone in the sky today, filling its misty reaches with soft golden light. Yesterday there had been four, two yellow, one green and one blue, which had shed a strange aquamarine light and turned the clouds a peculiar shade of pale yellowish-green. Today was a far prettier day, the calm air scented by the exotic blossoms that grew in angels’ gardens and numerous shady parks. Thus it was in this area of the God Realm, each day different, some swept by wild storms, others calm and balmy, a few ravaged by fire and ice. It made the otherwise boring existence of angels a little more interesting.
Pillars of white fire wandered the surrounding God Realm, guardians that warded against dark creatures and gods. There had been a time, ages ago, when the pillars had moved to and fro at speed, destroying the darkness, but these days they drifted aimlessly, since few foes approached the Sacred City anymore.
The seer’s home was tucked away in a glowing alley paved with diamond, the surrounding buildings made from alabaster and marble, some with crystal roofs. Everything in Airedene shone with soft radiance, even when there were no suns in the sky. Sarmalin inclined her head to friends, her smile a fixture even though sorrow filled her heart. The seer, Ezmaral, was her only contact with her long-lost husband, imprisoned these past five hundred years in a dark realm far from Airedene. She missed him still, as did their daughter, and wished there was a way to free him from the dark god who had mutilated, tortured and imprisoned him. Perhaps Majelin had been foolish to try to save a light god from the monster who had attacked him, but she did not blame him, any more than she blamed the light god he had tried to save. Lord Pretarin had perished, and Majelin had paid a high price for his bravery.
Entering the radiant residence, she paused, waiting for Ezmaral to sense her presence and welcome her. The elderly angel sat in his usual spot, basking in the sunlight that poured through the transparent roof, his snowy wings outstretched. His long white hair framed a serene, fine-featured face whose slightly darkened skin – a strange, greyish-golden hue – told of his vast age, well over ten thousand years. Despite his elderliness, he remained otherwise untouched by time, his well-muscled torso draped in a swathe of air-cloth from one shoulder, belted at his hips with braided gold. He opened dark green eyes and smiled at her, gesturing to the gilded chair on the other side of the delicate crystal table in front of him. She sank onto it, raising her wings. He drew the silver bowl that rested on the table closer, poured water into it from a pitcher and set it down with a clink.
“There is much afoot in that domain now,” he said.
“What has happened?”
“There is a strange rumour of a dark god accompanied by three light gods, one of them a Grey God.”
Sarmalin stared at him, surprised. “How can a dark god be powerful enough to enslave a Grey God, as well as two other light gods?”
“That is a good question, which the Circle is pondering, even now. Many strange things have been happening there. The humans try to fight the dark god, a futile endeavour, but they are godless and ignorant. Strangely, he has not punished them, and the Grey God has awakened Pretarin’s daughter.”
“Who is the Grey God?”
He leant across the table and lowered his voice as if afraid of being overheard. “Kayos.”
She straightened in surprise. “That is not possible, surely? Kayos is far too powerful to be enslaved.”
“That is what I thought,” he agreed, leaning back. “Yet, there it is. There is only one other explanation, but it is so outlandish that I fear the Circle will not even consider it.”
“What is that?”
“That the one whose company he keeps is not a true dark god. He is tar’merin.”
Sarmalin’s heart pounded. “Could it be?”
“It is extremely unlikely, but then, so is Kayos being enslaved.”
“But if it is true, Majelin has hope.”
Ezmaral hesitated. “Even if the dark god is tar’merin, who will tell him of Majelin’s plight? And even if someone did, there is no certainty that he would help. To him, the suffering of an angel is inconsequential.”
“Someone will, and he will save Majelin.”
“You sound certain.”
“I am.”
Ezmaral inclined his head. “Would you like news of your husband now?”
“Yes, please.”
The elder angel turned to the bowl and gazed into it. “He remains as ever, but I fear that he is in grave danger now that the dark gods whose plaything he was have been cast down. He is at the mercy of the demons, and they have none.”
“Neither do dark gods, yet Majelin has survived all these centuries. I believe fate has brought this tar’merin to that domain to restore the balance.”
“I hope you are right, my dear.”
“The light protects its most precious children.” She rose. “Thank you for the seeing.”
Ezmaral smiled as Sarmalin swept out, her head high and her heart buoyant with fresh hope.
Bane stood beside Drevarin on a mountainside that gave a view of Darjahan, capital of Bayona, and the landscape for leagues around it. Low grey clouds made the outlook dismal, and a cold breeze rippled his cloak. In the distance, forks of lightning flickered to the ground from a black storm, too far away for the thunder to reach them. The scent of rain on hot rocks rode the wind, mingled with the faint pungency of sulphur. The mid realm’s worsening weather and frequent seismic activity was the result of the masses of shadows and light in it, along with humanity’s abuse.
Since the dark gods who had ruled the domain had not been bent on destroying it, the dark power had merely infused everything, dispersing throughout air, earth and water. That made it difficult for Bane to send below, and he had decided not to bother. It would seep back of its own accord over the centuries, and he did not believe this world was destined to last all that long anyway. Even though the Sources and world gates were now closed, the two powers warred in unnatural storms that laid waste to vast tracts of land, and the oceans sometimes rose to flood coastal towns. One such storm, accompanied by violent earth tremors, had swept through Darjahan just days before, wreaking havoc. That was why he and Drevarin were here, to see the resulting devastation.
Weird rock formations rose from the ravaged ground, where lava had erupted in geysers and flash-cooled in the ice storm. Part of the city’s residential area had sunk into a depression and been engulfed by lava, and ravines snaked across fields and agricultural land. A forest’s trees leant drunkenly, some dying, their roots undermined. A few of the city’s glass towers had gaping holes in them where windows had shattered, and other buildings had collapsed altogether.
The light god turned to him. “I have often wondered what it would be like to fight a dark god.”
Bane smiled. “I would not recommend it.”
“But if I was attacked, what would be the best thing for me to do?”
“Flee, or go into your shield sphere.”
“I have been thinking,” Drevarin said, “with you to teach me, perhaps I can learn to defend myself better, even fight back.”
“You would be dead in minutes if you tried it with a dark god.”
“Nevertheless, I am curious. I would like to see what happens.”
“You want to fight me?” Bane enquired, amused.
“Why not? I think it would be an interesting experience. Do you not also want to know how well a light god could defend himself?”
“I would never attack one. When one attacked me, he did not survive long. Or, at least, I think he died. I am unsure.”
“What fool attacked you?” Drevarin asked.
“An ignorant child, who thought the light could kill me because I am mortal. It would have worked, too, except I cast out the dark power, which killed him, I think.”
“Huh. Still, I would like to see what happens. Perhaps you can teach me how to use the light to fight back. If I could use it the way you use the shadows…”
Bane shook his head. “The light is creation and life, although I used it to defeat a dark god once.”
“How did you do that?”
“A light goddess channelled it through me.”
“So why would it not work for me, if it worked for you?”
“I do not know.”
Drevarin created a shining shield and thumped Bane on the shoulder with it in a flash of blue fire. “Come on.”
“See, you are already thinking of defence, not attack, and if you got close enough to a dark god to hit him with your shield, you would already be dead.”
The light god pondered the shield. “So I should form it into a weapon, like a sword?”
“Can you?”
Drevarin frowned at the shield, and it reformed into a glowing lance. “How about that?”
“Better, but again, if you got close enough to your foe, he would kill you before you had a chance to use it. The white power protects. It does not destroy.”
“But you destroyed with it.”
“I used it as I do the shadows.”
“Show me.”
Bane turned and directed a blast of black fire at a rock, turning it into a pool of lava.
Drevarin gazed at it. “If I did that, it would do no harm. Yet I can destroy shadows.”
“Light is stronger than darkness, but only if the shadows are not commanded.” Bane gestured, causing a black shield to shoot up from the ground. “Try to destroy that.”
Drevarin raised a hand, and a snaking filament of light shot from it and struck the shield, mantling it in blue fire. When the fire died, the shield remained. He contemplated it. “So if I did that to a dark god…?”
“It would tickle him a little.”
“But it worked for you.”
“I did not use it like that,” Bane said. “I formed it into a stream, as I do the darkness. Perhaps it was because I know how to use the darkness to destroy; that is what it wants to do, while the light is a harmless healer.”
“So if you could use the light, you could destroy dark gods with it.”
“Yes.”
“But you cannot.”
“It does not obey me, and it burns me.”
Drevarin nodded. “Because you are mortal.” He reformed the shield and thumped Bane with it again. “Come on; show me how to defend myself. In fact, we should do it in the city.”
“Why?”
“They do not believe in gods, but perhaps they would if they saw some.”
“They would dismiss us as weird beings with powers.”
“Perhaps not all of them,” Drevarin said.
“So you want to give them a show, a dark god fighting a light god?”
“It would be impressive, do you not think?”
Bane smiled. “Until I accidentally blew your head off. Mind you, that would be impressive.”
“What if we both used shields?”
Bane considered the young god, a little curious despite his reservations. He would certainly not find another light god with the courage to challenge him. “I suppose that would be safe enough.”
Drevarin chuckled. “A dark god, afraid to fight me.”
The darkness within Bane surged at Drevarin’s words, hating them, and he quelled it. Even a mock fight between them would test his command of the shadows, probably more than Sherinias’ impertinence had, but he was confident he could control it. He formed a black shield in his hand, red motes sparkling within it, and Drevarin stepped back, raising his, then lunged, striking Bane’s shield in a blinding explosion of blue fire and a sizzling thunderclap.
Bane blinked spots from his eyes and rubbed a ringing ear. “Wow. That was bright.”
Drevarin squinted and knuckled an eye. “Loud, too. More so than I thought it would be.”
Bane stepped closer and swung his shield, striking Drevarin’s in another blast of cyan fire and clap of thunder, this time closing his eyes. Drevarin’s soul shone pure blue-white, suffusing his form, and Bane realised that it would probably be better to keep his eyes closed. The light god skipped forward and smashed his shield against Bane’s again, the thunder of the impact rolling away across the mountainside to echo in distant valleys. Bane followed when Drevarin retreated, slamming his shield into the light god’s, who created a sword and struck Bane’s shield with it in a hissing shower of blue sparks. Bane also summoned a sword and struck back, his weapon clanging off Drevarin’s shield with only a glimmer of yellow sparks. Bane found the contest interesting and amusing, especially the different reactions of their powers to each other.
Drevarin leapt into the air and flew towards the city, and Bane followed. Next to the highest tower, high above the streams of flying traffic, the light god turned to him and swung his shield against Bane’s in another explosion of blue fire that lighted the streets below. The thunderbolt shattered all the windows in the towers around them, sending showers of glittering glass raining down. Faint screams came from far below as pedestrians fled the sparkling cascades, seeking shelter in shops and doorways. Many of the flying vehicles swerved or dived, while some stopped to hover at a safe distance.
Bane retaliated with his sword, which bounced off Drevarin’s shield, then smashed his into the light god’s in yet another thunderous impact and blue blaze. On the streets, people peered upwards from their shelters, some pointing and shouting. Bane wondered what the unbelievers would make of the mock battle, and how they would explain it. Drevarin struck back and Bane smashed his shield aside, careful to ensure he only hit the light god’s shield or sword. After they had traded explosive blows for a few minutes, Drevarin stopped and lowered his shield, his eyes sparkling.
“Throw a bolt.” He hefted the shield.
Bane hesitated, dubious, then directed a weak blast of shadows at Drevarin’s shield. The black fire struck it in a cyan flash and ricocheted into the building beside them, burning a hole through it. The dull thump of an explosion came from deep within, and an orange flare filled the windows for a moment.
Drevarin gazed at it and pulled a face. “Oops.”
Bane hovered beside him. “Maybe that was not such a good idea.”
“I hope no one was in there.”
“It looks abandoned to me.” The tower seemed have suffered in the quakes. It leant a little, and cracks snaked up its walls.
“Perhaps we should help them demolish it?”
Bane looked down again. The people on the streets below were well out of range of the column of black fire that supported him, but falling debris would undoubtedly injure some before they fled. He was surprised Drevarin would suggest such a risky venture. “I think not. People might be hurt.”
Drevarin followed his gaze. “Right, forgot about them.” He drifted over to the tower’s rooftop and landed upon it.
Bane dropped to the concrete beside him, dismissing his shield. “Had enough?”
The light god’s shield and sword vanished. “For now. I am curious, though. You use the shadows to fly, but you should be able to without them.”
“Kayos said so too. I have not yet mastered that power. I wish I could.”
“Perhaps I could teach you.”
Bane eyed him. “How would you do that?”
“Cast out your power, and I will show you.”
Bane had little left after half an hour of air walking, and had been about to start a Gather when Drevarin had quit the battle. He forced the remnants from his flesh, letting it stream from his fingers in shadow falls. When it stopped, he quirked an eyebrow at Drevarin. “What now?”
“This.” Drevarin grasped Bane’s arm and Moved. They rematerialised high above the clouds, and Drevarin grinn
ed, his hold on Bane’s arm keeping him aloft.
Bane glanced down. “You think so?”
“There is nothing like necessity to spark evolution.”
“Yes, but…”
Drevarin released him, and Bane fell. The wind rushed past at an ever-increasing speed, and his cloak whipped up in a rippling banner. Drevarin kept pace with him, assuming a sitting posture on the rushing air.
“So, if you do not wish to become a flat man, how will you stop your fall?” he shouted, the wind sweeping his voice away.
Bane leant back and folded his arms. “If I knew that, I would be able to fly already.”
“All right, so you need to use your inborn powers to command flight.”
Bane raised his brows. “How?”
“I am unsure. I was able to fly as a child. Perhaps imagine you are lighter than air.”
“I do not think imagining will do the trick.”
Drevarin looked down at the ground that rushed towards them as they passed through a layer of clouds. “Then perhaps push the ground away with your mind.”
Bane followed his gaze. The distant shapes of buildings swelled as he fell towards them, becoming detailed. He tried Drevarin’s suggestion, but his fall continued unchecked. “No, nothing.”
Drevarin’s brow furrowed. “If you do not think of something soon, you might be hurt.”
“Is that supposed to make me try harder to do something I cannot?”
“You cannot because you do not know how. Try commanding the air to support you.”
Bane stretched forth his aura to form the air beneath him into a cushion capable of supporting him, but the element was too tenuous, and the up draught that resulted barely slowed his fall. He shook his head. “Perhaps if I had more time to form a stronger wind, but the storm it caused would be fairly devastating, so I am sure this is not how it is supposed to be done.”
Demon Lord VII - Dark Domain Page 23
