The Undying God

by Nathan Wilson

  He spun toward his assailant.

  “Ethan!” he spat, blood trickling down his jaw. He could scarcely believe the young man had assaulted him. Furthermore, he wondered how much Ethan had heard. Staggering back from the pool with a burst of fear, he fled the chamber to warn the others.

  Kayla regarded Ethan in disbelief, tears flowing from her brown eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” she sputtered.

  She wondered if he had seen her bathing. She darted into the halls, leaving Ethan in solitude to wrestle with his conflicting thoughts.

  Chapter 33

  Arxu stirred from his rest within the crystal-laden antechamber. Exhaustion blurred his mind, fading to clarity as he adjusted to his surroundings. Nishka was not there to greet him with a nurturing hand as she so often did.

  Nonetheless, he was grateful for a small measure of privacy. He gathered up the stones that spilled out of his satchel. He could barely feel the magickal energy quivering inside them.

  He expected to find his companions in the adjoining chamber but there was no sign of them. His shadow stretched like a twisted caricature across the walls as he approached the entrance.

  Arxu squinted at the morning light that jaundiced the cavern in shades of amber. He emerged from the tunnels to join Nishka and Hrioshango. The darkling looked uncomfortable in the rich daylight, wearing an expression of unashamed disgust. Arxu stepped into the blinding dawn.

  He preferred the luxury of darkness that night brings, but he couldn’t afford to wait. Three days of travel separated them from the city of Eternitas. He feared Margzor would soon descend upon the temple to perpetuate his campaign of violence. If they were to stand a chance against this deranged murderer, they had to leave now.

  Not once did Arxu notice the presence creeping up from behind him in the cave. It skulked on all fours along the earth, an anorexic figure with a jutting spine. Nishka turned to speak to Arxu when she saw it. Her paralyzing scream froze him in his steps.

  “Oh my Gods—” Arxu spun on his heel as the creature scampered backward with a shriek.

  It was a humanoid with gray skin, a fleshy beak, and bulbous eyes rolled into the back of its head. Two curled horns protruded from its scalp, and an additional pair jutted from its cheeks Its hands possessed six fingers each, twelve clawed feelers that twitched and shuddered. Lastly, Arxu observed a tail protruding from above its backside.

  He felt too weak to engage the creature in battle, but perhaps he could intimidate it into fleeing. Arxu reached for the dagger at his waist but it was strangely absent. Hrioshango spun around when he heard the monster’s piercing scream, and he smiled warmly.

  “Ah, so you have met Hrioshango’s new friend!”

  “What?” Nishka uttered.

  “Yes, Hrioshango’s new friend! Gilith!” He darted past Arxu and drew close to the cave dweller. Nishka couldn’t take her eyes off the emaciated fiend.

  “Gilith?”

  “Well, its kind is called a Gilith, Eyegadi for ‘ugly.’”

  “That’s pleasant.”

  “I knew you would agree! They are not often found this far from the cities. Hrioshango believes this poor, frightened Gilith has lost its way. They are normally drawn to dark places and dead things, particularly catacombs. Perhaps you’re closer to death than we all believed, Arxu!” The darkling expelled a horrifying laugh.

  “But Hrioshango is only joking...” he murmured when he saw Nishka’s expression. “We wouldn’t want that at all. Because Nishka cares about you—ahem, I mean, she doesn’t care about you—” Her threatening expression both amused and unnerved Hrioshango. “Never mind. As I was saying, Giliths normally seclude themselves in the catacombs and necropolises of cities. Truly, blessed are we to witness such a hideously wonderful creature!”

  “Right... You can stay with Gilith if you want,” Nishka said. “But I need to take Arxu to the city to rest.”

  “Which is precisely why Gilith is such a valuable and chance encounter!” Hrioshango insisted. “I have reason to believe the cavern tunnels lead to Eternitas. It may be faster to travel this way with our guide.”

  “Can we trust such a creature?” Arxu inquired. The lanky Gilith turned its head at an impossible angle, the gesture making Nishka’s skin crawl. To make matters worse, its bulging eyes were still rolled into the back of its head.

  Hrioshango replied, “Don’t worry, it won’t lead us to our deaths, nonetheless a macabre and painful demise! I have confidence in Gilith. It saved me from one of the more treacherous and less friendly creatures here.” The mention of another threat did not comfort Nishka.

  “I think the road above will be less dangerous.”

  “Why do you insist on walking in the sun for several days? I’m confident we’ll make good time in these tunnels. Besides, I do not have—uh, Hrioshango isn’t on good terms with—I lost my pass to Eternitas.” It didn’t take long for Arxu to decipher what Hrioshango was really trying to say.

  “You were banished from Eternitas for your crimes.”

  “You presume too much. Since when is expressing anger a crime?”

  “Since murder was deemed a crime.”

  “Yes, Arxu knows all too well about releasing anger after his violent outburst at the tavern.”

  “You aren’t making this any easier.”

  “Hrioshango can’t enter Eternitas with the guards present! I need a discrete way to infiltrate—er, enter the city. Through the necropolis.” His suggestion was met with deafening silence. Arxu contemplated the unorthodox proposition.

  “How long will it take to reach Eternitas?”

  “We must travel an entire day and night,” Hrioshango excitedly said. “But we must go now.”

  “No,” Nishka interrupted. “Something is wrong with this whole idea. Arxu, you aren’t trusting this creature, are you?”

  “Are you referring to Hrioshango or the Gilith?”

  “The Gilith—well, both. I’m not about to throw my life away and chase after that thing. We need to discuss this.”

  “No time for talk!” Hrioshango screeched. “While you are talking, danger approaches the city!” Nishka looked to Arxu for support.

  “Nishka, please understand me. I don’t ignore what you say; I do listen to you. I think this may be the faster alternative.” Nishka was surprised that he actually listened to her. That acknowledgment alone seemed to calm her.

  “Okay...”

  “Wonderful!” Hrioshango said. “Now that I have entrapped you both in my conspiracy to infiltrate, it is only merciful of me to give you some advice! Be careful not to frighten Gilith. He has a very disarming scream. And he will kill you.”

  Nishka looked repulsed.

  “In case he does turn out to be a homicidal, bloodthirsty predator, how will he try to kill us?” Hrioshango smiled delightfully at her morbid question.

  “Giliths are particularly agile and attempt to swarm their prey. Their ability to climb walls adds further advantage. However, as you can see, he did not bring any of his brethren with him. Now that we’ve finished discussing niceties and homicide, let us follow our resourceful friend!” Hrioshango addressed the Gilith and pointed into the black abyss of the cave. “Lead us to carrion!”

  Arxu didn’t expect the creature to comprehend their language, but he was surprised yet again when the monster scuttled away. Nishka looked as though she had just tripped over a dead body.

  “Carrion?” she asked.

  “He said Giliths are drawn to death. Hrioshango wants to infiltrate Eternitas through its necropolis.” The young woman smiled with unease.

  “How did we ever agree to this?”

  “The only way we would ever agree to one of Hrioshango’s ideas: desperation.”

  Suffocating darkness oozed through the grotto. Every step forward was a mystery that could only be solved by trial and error. Perhaps the next step would plunge them into an abyss or carry them to safety. Just when Nishka thought her sanity couldn’t take it anymore,
something glimmered in the black void.

  The glow was accompanied by the wet murmur of water, and she followed Hrioshango beyond the underground valley. Pools of water met her eyes, illuminated by the same ghostly tinge in the lake.

  “Don’t get too close,” Hrioshango whispered.

  “Do you know what’s down there?”

  “Hrioshango knows.” His angular face glowed suspiciously in the light. “It is best that Nishka does not.” She considered the ominous warning and slowly retreated.

  “I see.”

  “We cannot linger here. We must follow Gilith and leave this place,” the darkling insisted. Lagging behind, Arxu emerged from the tunnels and set foot on the narrow walkway. He came to a feeble stop at the sight of the pools. The eerie spectacle beckoned him, compelling him to plunge off the precipice and enter the light.

  Something discretely rose above the water, an antennae ending in a glowing node. He could not tell what kind of life form it was attached to, whether an animal or subterranean plant life. He thought he saw two bulbous eyes peering back at him from the primordial soup. The water flared like green magma in a volcanic pit. If he concentrated, he could hear something humming below. It reverberated in his eardrums, droning subconsciously in the back of his mind…

  He stuttered as Nishka gently took his hand.

  “Come on, Arxu,” she coaxed. He continued to hold Nishka’s hand as they navigated the cavern, following the figure of Gilith. The Nightwalker decided to illuminate his staff despite his primal instincts. He feared it would attract dangerous predators, but he could not see well enough. Should he come upon a chasm, it would swallow him whole.

  Arxu peered into the distance, where he could see Hrioshango’s silhouette wavering in the shadows. He seemed all too at home in these dark and cold tunnels.

  “Arxu, shine your light over there,” Nishka said, pulling on his sleeve. The Nightwalker lifted his staff as he roamed the passageway. Fluorescent crystal deposits glistened on the walls, mimicking constellations in a blackened galaxy. Amazement washed over Arxu, one of the few times he would feel awe. He wanted to collect a specimen of the crystals, curious to see what powers it possessed.

  “Oh no...” Hrioshango breathed. Arxu bristled at the tone of the darkling’s voice. Had they come upon something? Arxu’s hand slipped from Nishka’s and tensed for a spell.

  “Hrioshango... must go...” He took a tentative step forward, his nimble grace now replaced with hesitation. Something invisible may as well have pulled him forward against his will.

  Fear crept through Nishka as she watched.

  “Hrioshango… what’s going on?” she asked. Without warning, the darkling broke into a run.

  “Hrioshango!” Their guide fled into the darkness, zigzagging around stalagmites with frantic speed.

  “We can’t find our way out of the caverns without Hrioshango!” Arxu exclaimed. They plunged into the tunnel in pursuit. The passageway widened and narrowed at random intervals, as if shaped by an extraordinary creature.

  “Where is he going?”

  “Let’s find out!” Arxu couldn’t wrap his mind around Hrioshango’s disappearance. The chaos magician was notorious for impulsive behavior, but this went too far. Abandoning them to this cavern was unforgivable. Their feet churned a shallow pool of water as they charged into the void. Suddenly, the ground ended in a drop.

  “Damn it!” Nishka yelled. She seized Arxu’s hand as he stumbled over the edge. With a cry, she fell to her knees, but the weight of her companion dragged her forward. She managed to clap her ankles around a stalagmite before the inevitable fall.

  “Hrioshango!” she screamed. The chaos magician did not answer. Her grip failed.

  Together, they plunged over the lip of the chasm. Entangled with Arxu, Nishka clung tightly to him as their bodies impacted. A piercing splash echoed in the obscurity, tainting the surface of an underground lake. For many moments, silence permeated the underworld.

  Nishka’s face erupted from the water, choking for breath.

  “Where are we?” she asked when she regained her voice. She searched for the Nightwalker without success. She almost screamed when cold fingers wrapped around her wrist.

  “Are you okay?” Arxu asked.

  “Never do that again. I thought you were that Gilith thing…”

  “Do you suppose it led us into a trap?” Nishka’s expression quickly soured.

  “We shouldn’t have trusted it,” she said. “It was probably luring us to a nest of Giliths.” While she didn’t accuse him of any wrongdoing, her eyes clearly said, How could you be so stupid?

  “Hrioshango won’t be killed that easily,” Arxu said.

  “Can you say the same about us?” He didn’t have a chance to reply. Spots began to swim before his eyes, dulling his brain. A few seconds more and he would pass out. However, it became clear that his eyes were functioning perfectly fine—the green spots were swarming in the lake. A chill ran up Nishka’s spine as the light intensified.

  “Get out,” Arxu urged.

  They swam toward an unseen shore. Arxu spied a silhouette below as his arms knifed through the lake. Engorged, black eyes stared hungrily into his. A fleshy branch was growing out of its head, terminating in a pulsing node. One glance at its fangs was all it took to compel Arxu forward.

  He breached the shore first, crawling out of the water’s sucking grasp. He faced the lake as more illuminated nodes began to manifest. Dozens of the creatures occupied the pool. The lake was transformed into a frenzy of thrashing limbs and sickly wails. Nishka heaved herself onto the rocky bank, soaked and shivering.

  “We’ve got to search for a way out,” she coughed. The Nightlights clung to the solace of the lake, pardoning the intruders.

  “Good idea,” Arxu said, trudging through muck toward the infested tunnels.

  “Arxu…” Nishka said. She pointed at a mysterious shape on the floor. She picked it up, something warm and velvety between her fingers. “One of Hrioshango’s cloaks.”

  The fine material was lacerated to shreds.

  “His clothes aren’t in very good condition to begin with. It doesn’t necessarily mean he was attacked.”

  “Did you see the claws on that Gilith? It had twelve fingers,” Nishka argued.

  “Then let’s find Gilith.”

  Nishka’s jaw dropped as Arxu ushered her into the vault of stone. “Is that Hrioshango?” she wondered aloud.

  The silhouette in question couldn’t be mistaken. Hrioshango stood perfectly still in the chamber, paralyzed from head to toe. He broke their silent trance with two unlikely words.

  “My... home.” Runes and intricate glyphs bathed the chamber in turquoise light. They were scratched into crystal deposits on the walls and floor—even the ceiling. Overwhelmed with bittersweet memories, the darkling stepped forward into his personal sanctuary.

  His companions reluctantly followed the hermit. The idea of Hrioshango possessing a home struck them as surreal. Even the notion of him being born to a mother and father seemed ridiculous. He may as well have been born out of raw chaos.

  “How long has it been, Hrioshango?” Nishka ventured to ask.

  “Twelve years.”

  The young woman traced her fingers across several etchings that resembled people.

  “Did you once have a family?”

  “Hrioshango does not understand the concept of a family...” He followed her gaze to the cryptic symbols. “Hrioshango has been alone for nearly all of his life. I had only myself to speak to. That is likely why my dialogue differs from yours.”

  Hrioshango was flooded with memories of his dark, quaint hermitage. He did not long for his lonely past, but he could not deny the nostalgia of his younger days. Things seemed much less complicated before he encountered people.

  Arxu couldn’t take his eyes off the runes. He wondered if they represented anything at all or if impulse alone inspired them. One sigil spawned a hundred more, giving rise to thousands, all inevita
bly leading toward an elusive answer.

  “Hrioshango was trying to analyze himself,” the maddened artist spoke. “Hrioshango tried to understand the paradoxes of his mind. I wanted to understand what compels the brain to obsess. What compels it to insanity.”

  “Insanity?” Arxu echoed.

  “Insanity... when the emotions erode the logic; that is how I define ‘insane.’ Why did my brain decay into chaos?” The darkling grimly shuffled away, a stark contrast with his natural playfulness. “Hrioshango was not always this way. Once, I could think without the intrusions of obsessions, compulsions, and disorder.”

  He fondly picked up a crystal shard on the floor, turning it over between his fingers.

  “Emotions are merely chemicals,” Hrioshango explained. “Reactions. It is fascinating how it only takes a chemical reaction to make you feel like a god.” He brooded in the dark. “Or destroy you.”

  Arxu often heard the controversial theory that emotions were chemicals, but no one could prove it. It was possible that Hrioshango’s chaos abilities endowed him with insight into occult matters.

  “For all my chaos powers, I could find no way to repair myself.” He chuckled helplessly. “Sometimes, I wonder if I would truly be happy given the chance to reverse what has happened to me. Would I lose my chaotic abilities if I reverted to a stable mental state?”

  “You would place power above your sanity?” Nishka asked.

  “Not power. Control.” He regarded Arxu with a thoughtful smile. “Sometimes, I envy your lack of emotion, Arxu. How much easier Hrioshango’s existence would be without the fickle and illogical mechanism of emotion. Even I recognize that many of my fixations and aversions are irrational. Yet, that does not stop me from practicing them.”

  “What sorts of fixations?”