Levithion smiled at the impatient bald man, daring him to act. Seeing it wasn't going to happen, he shifted his gaze to Ravion. “I don't answer to either of you… But if it will set your mind at ease, everything I’ve done has been to further the goals of this order. I couldn’t simply walk in and take what I needed as Kane. Too many questions would have been raised. I needed the dreu to die at the right time so I let them fight their way into a place they'd be unable to escape and otherwise unable to reach without the proper guidance.”
Ravion walked around his chair and took his seat. Choosing his words carefully, he locked his gaze on the man. “Your actions, however beneficial they may have been, have shaken our trust. There are matters we must discuss as an order. We have to know you’re in this just as much as we are. Between Malakai’s death and Krenin's disappearance it’s just the three of us. This whole thing falls apart if we can't trust each other.”
“I’m not here for your trust. I’m here because you asked for my help. If I wanted trust I’d get a dog. At least I wouldn’t have to explain my actions to it at the end of the day.” Kicking his boots from the table, Levithion leaned forward and started to rise.
“I'm sorry you feel that way.” Ravion nodded.
The hidden doorway along the side wall flew open, revealing the half-orc. Rushing forward Krenin threw his arms around the heavy, wooden chair and the dark warrior's chest, pulling him back into the seat and pinning his arms to his sides. Struggling to keep the subdued man in the seat he flexed his muscles, squeezing as tight as he could. “Hold still. This be over in a minute.”
Rising from their seats Gareth and Ravion approached the occupied chair, taking positions on each side. Ravion reached into Malakai's vacant seat and grabbed a hand full of leather straps. Handing a few of them to Gareth, he went to work securing the man to the seat.
Gareth threw the straps around the man's chest, careful to leave room for the half-orc to release him. Pulling them as tightly as he could he locked the buckles and tugged, making sure they didn't have any slack.
Krenin slowly released the man, ready to grab him if the straps didn't hold. Backing away he took position behind the chair, ready to do what was asked of him.
Flexing his muscles Levithion struggled against the belts, hoping he could bulk up and leave enough slack to slip out. Waiting for them to back away he released his hold and tried to move, to no avail. Held tight, he sighed deeply and glanced at his captors. “Really guys? Do believe this necessary? I must commend you on hiding the pigger. I legitimately didn't know he was here.”
Krenin bulked up at the slur, but held back. Spending so much time around humans he'd grown somewhat accustomed to their racism, though it still stung. More so coming from a friend.
Pulling against the bracer on the man's left arm, Ravion grabbed the thin straps and released them letting the leather covering fall to the floor. “Unfortunately, we do. Did you really think we didn't know who you were? A mysterious masked man that only shows up when Kane is away. Never mind the glow or the fact that you have the same build. Let's not even mention all the accusations your little schemes have risen. We let you play your little charade, but it’s gone too far for too long.” Digging around the loose fitted sleeve of his black tunic he uncovered the peach flesh beneath, spotting his query. Releasing the shirt he took a step back, his fears confirmed. “Damn it, Kane!”
Leaning over the backrest to get a better look, Gareth studied the deep scale shaped scar. Several blackened veins retreated from the mark, disappearing beneath the skin. “Is it as bad as we feared?”
Glancing over the bald man Krenin looked upon the mark, recalling the books Ravion had tasked him with guarding. The pages rushed through his mind, pairing the conversation they'd had hours earlier. Remembering the mark sprawled out in the ancient text he lumbered to his reinforced chair and took a seat. A confused expression on his face he tried to piece the information together, clearly missing something. “What’s it mean?”
“It's one of the strongest binding spells I've been able to find. Sadly most of the books on this sort of thing were in the tower's library. We got lucky with the information we were able to find. It seems this Levithion figure, best I've been able to translate, has locked itself inside Kane’s body. From what I learned from Kane, and judging by the shape of the mark, I’d say we’re dealing with a dragon of some kind.”
“How do we free him?” Gareth probed the scar, watching the veins react to his touch.
Levithion smirked, watching the young scout turned lord. “You know, you’re a lot smarter than you look. Though I’m afraid you can’t just remove it. It'd take something that can cut through magic to fully break the binding spell. I'm afraid the only things you had that can do that were in the vault. Had, as in not any longer in your possession.” Chuckling at his own joke, he continued. “But even if you managed to obtain one, it doesn’t mean I’d be gone. Just that I'd be able to leave. I'm afraid there’s not much you can do about that.” His amused expression shifted, settling to a stern gaze. “And just so we’re clear. If you try, I'll have no problem biting his tongue off.” As if the threat had served its purpose his usual demeanor returned. “I'm afraid the only way to get rid of me is for him to do it himself. It’s not all bad though. Despite what you may think, I have my uses. Hell, give it some time, you may prefer my methods over his. At least I won’t nag you about what’s 'morally right' every time a questionable problem requires a questionable solution.”
Gareth's gaze shifted from the possessed man to Ravion. “You know, he kind of has a point.”
Unable to believe what he was hearing Ravion scoffed, rising from his seat. Walking toward the prisoner he pressed his back side against the heavy table and folded his arms, wrapping his fingers around the kris, silencing its cries. “We can’t just leave him trapped in there. He’s one of us.”
“I’m not saying leave him in there. I’m saying we use this… this thing for a while and let it sort itself out. That is, after all, how it’s apparently going to have to play out anyway. If he had to find his own way out, who are we to interfere? I say we call for a vote. All in favor of using this thing's knowledge to better the order?” Gareth raised his hand and looked to his brothers.
Krenin glanced from one to the other, unsure who to side with. “Makes sense to me.” He slowly raised his hand, hoping he was making the right decision.
“I’d raise mine but I'm afraid you've strapped it down. But I feel it should count, I am after all, still a member of this council.”
Ravion shook his head. “I can’t believe we’re considering this.” Looking at the possessed form of his friend he stared deep into his eyes, promising more with his gaze than his words could ever achieve. “You’re going to do everything we tell you to. If you hesitate or question anything I’ll lock you in the vaults myself and you’ll rot until you die of old age. If you are indeed what we believe, I’d imagine that would be a very long time.”
“Oh, thieves honor.” Levithion wiggled against his bindings, mocking a salute in his immobile state.
Sighing heavily Ravion raised his hand. “Vote carries. Krenin, unbind him.”
The half-orc stood and approached the occupied chair. Digging his meaty fingers behind the buckle at the man's midsection he reached back, feeling the textured grip of the black and purple dagger in the palm of his hand. In a single fluid motion he sliced into the man's arm, watching the neatly filleted flesh peel away. Krenin pulled hard, yanking both the man and chair toward him.
The meat and skin shriveled around the mark like a branding on cattle hide. The charred, dark gray mass fell free and landed on the chamber floor, breaking apart into dust.
“You double crossing—”
Using the momentum Krenin punched as hard as he could, sending the chair toppling the other direction. It crashed to the floor, the secure straps holding its occupant in place. “Call me pigger again!”
Levithion felt bony knuckles smash into his
face, launching him backward. It was all pretty clear what had happened. What confused him was the lack of a crash. He should have hit the ground by now. Looking around he noticed he was standing. No straps, no chair, just himself in a room of darkness as far as the eye could see. The realization hit him. He knew exactly where he was. Smiling he looked around, searching all directions.
“You should have stayed gone. I was having fun!” He danced around trying to find where the noble warrior was hiding. How anyone could navigate this darkness was beyond him. “Warrior, come out and play!”
A fractured blue light appeared in the distance, growing closer. He could see the brilliant breastplate and sheathed greatsword protruding over the man's shoulder. He looked as righteous as ever. It made him sick. He sighed. “I suppose this day would have come sooner or later. I guess we may as well get it over with.”
Kane glared his dislike at conniving doppelganger. He stood for everything wrong in the world, and used him to do it. He was going to pay for his crimes. He had to pay. “It took me some time to find my way in this place. It seems it’s paid off. What are you?”
Levithion laughed. “That's a simple question, one I'm sure you already know the answer to. I’m part of you, or more accurately, you're a part of me. I’m ambitious. You're stagnant. I get things done. You stand idle, waiting for a sign. It's all rather tedious.”
“You’re trying to trick me. I would never murder or betray my friends. You’re a poison, siphoning the life out of me. Destroying everything I’ve created.”
“While it's true I enjoy toppling your little constructs I assure you this is no trick! I could have killed you many times over. But honestly, it was too much fun watching you build your little empire only to take it from you. The trouble is we're two sides of the same coin, you and I. Without me, you're nothing.”
Kane looked down, admitting the truth to himself. “Unfortunately, the inverse holds true as well. Only one of us can control the body. I thought I'd finally managed to get rid of you during the war, though I must admit that I hadn't counted on you fighting so hard to get back. You’re stronger than I'd originally thought. That doesn’t change the fact that I'm stronger.” Levithion paused, letting his sadistic smile return. Looking into the eyes of his noble counterpart, he continued. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you think you were responsible for anything you’ve done? That’s cute. Everything you are. Everything you have is because of me. Your enemies, your friends, your position, I’m the driving force behind you. I’m the whisper in your ear telling you to seize opportunity. Telling you to attack your foes without hesitation. If I hadn't shown you the way you’d be a lost child wandering the wilderness. Who do you think guided you to this land? It’s all been because of me.”
Kane felt his emotions swelling up inside him. He had to act quickly. If they got the better of him, if he allowed them to cloud his mind, he'd make mistakes. He couldn't have that. If he showed the slightest weakness, this… demon could gain the upper hand. And that wouldn't bode well for anyone. “I’m done with your games. If you’re truly a piece of me, then prove it. Kill me and claim my body as your own if you can. That’s the only way you’ll ever keep me from rising up!”
“Oh, if it were only so simple. I can't just kill you outright. I wouldn't be able to have any more fun. I’d be forced to join with you, unable to escape your constant nagging inside my head for the rest of our time. I can’t have that.” Levithion casually circled the armored man, watching him, taunting him. “No, I seek a more permanent solution. I’m going to break you. I'm going to cut you down at the knees and make you lick my boots clean. By the time I'm done you'll beg me for a mercy that will never come. You're going to lie in wait at my feet like a submissive dog hoping, one day, I'll reach down and pet you. The longing will drive you mad. You'll become a shell of your former self. You’ll be a withered and shrunken husk of a man long forgotten, left to writhe away into an unrecognized lump on this shadowed floor. I'm sure a time will come, long after this world has abandoned your memory, a time when seven lands have learned to fear my name, that I'll consider letting you see the fruits of my labor. I'll contemplate allowing you to set your eyes on the darkness of a world long past your touch. And on that final day, the day you draw your last breath, I'll remember the promise made this day. And I'll deny you that last question, letting you die without ever knowing what happened to the world you spent so much effort fighting for.”
Kane watched him circle like a shark ready to devour its prey. Rebellion grew inside him like a wellspring of light, he smiled. “You'd better strike fast and hard then. For I'll not go down without a fight.”
“Ah, there's that rebellious spirit I've come to admire. The very reason I took an interest in you in the first place.”
Ready to end the taunts Kane thought about the sword strapped to his back. He’s too fast. I won’t be able to reach it in time. I’ll have to improvise. A plan in mind, he lunged at the encompassing man, drawing his dagger and plunging it into the chainmail rings covering his chest. The blade sank to the hilt, stopped only by the silver cross-guard.
Glancing down, a bellowing laugh escaped the dark warrior. Calming himself, he stared his victory into the helpless man, watching the defeat work its way into him. “Did you really think I could be killed by such a puny weapon?” Wrapping his gloved hand around the black and silver banded dagger, he plucked it from his stomach. Glancing over the sharpened edge, clean of any blood, he dropped it, letting it disappear into the shadowed floor beneath him. Inspecting the stretched rings where the blade had entered, he let out an exaggerated sigh. Shaking his head he waved his hand over the tear. The broken rings reformed, weaving themselves together. In a matter of seconds the torn armor had completely mended itself back together, removing any sign if the broken links. “I'm afraid you won't be rid of me so easily. I still intend to show you what I’ve got in store for your friends.” Reaching forward quicker than Kane could react, he pressed his finger into the man's head letting the magics flow into him.
Kane tried to evade, tried to flee. It was no use. The man was too fast. He felt a pressure build in his head like a throbbing against his skull, begging to be released. Dropping to his knees he grabbed his head, watching, helpless to the flood of visions racing through his mind. He watched his body enter the tower, the brilliant armor reflecting the beaming rays of sunlight. He felt the darkness flow from him tainting the red brick, coercing it to store his corruption. The scene shifted, revealing a village. He felt the necks of children snap beneath his grip. Their pure blood spilled on the ground, coating his boots. He looked into their parent's eyes, watching their hatred form at his sight. He felt the pleasure of their deaths, burning them alive, trapped, and unable to cry out. The scenes shifted again, forcing him to watch murder after murder, each one growing more daring than the last. As if he wanted to be caught. A lingering pain grew inside him. He knew that his face was their final vision. All those people believe him a monster. People that trusted him. People that depended on him for protection. He saw the pain in their eyes. A pain worse than any he'd ever felt before. How could he save them? How could he prevent others from suffering a similar fate? Everyone he'd ever known was helpless to the dark radiation seeping from him, slowly corrupting them.
He watched the power flow into a green gem, stolen from Shadgull. Its taint slowly flowed into Remle upon his throne. The crown, taken from the man himself, lay hidden in the cellars of Shadgull City's fortress waiting for a time when it would be found and placed atop the next lord, ready to corrupt him. Every scene played out revealing a small seed of darkness, ready to sprout up and pollinate the world. Even Mordimus, his mentor so long ago, had inadvertently been killed by the shadowed form of himself.
“No!” His vision returned looking upon the creature that had stolen his face. Anger, regret, and despair flowed through him. A mix of emotion, swirling about, tested his sanity. Am I responsible for it all?
Levithion didn't give him time to fully pro
cess everything. Continuing on he leaned in, nearly whispering to the defeated man. “Once I’ve reclaimed your body, the first thing I’m going to do is slice Ravion's throat from ear to ear. He was a useful tool, but I have no need of him any longer. Gareth on the other hand… He's an excellent puppet. All I have to do is suggest the dreualfar are involved and he’ll fall into line.”
He couldn't take any more. He had to put a stop to it. Drawing his short sword he stood, raising the blade. “You underestimate me.”
Levithion laughed. “I've already proven your weapons are useless against me. What do you hope to gain?”
He slid the blade under the leather straps along the side of his armor. Slowly dragging the keen edge, it cut through. The greatsword fell free, disappearing into darkness without a sound. He pulled the breastplate free letting it fall from him. To his surprise it didn't vanish as his weapons had. It seemed to glow a faint light, repelling the shadow around it. “You aren't the only one who's learned how to manipulate the shadow.”
Closing his eyes, Kane focused on the warmth inside him. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. Thoughts of Ravion and Gareth shot into his mind. He couldn't be having this conversation had it not been for them. They were the sail keeping him moving. A bright light erupted from the discarded breastplate, burning the darkness away. Even with his eyes closed Kane could see its radiance. Wrapping his hands around the warm glow he opened his eyes, seeing the pulsing greatsword in front of him. The blade was made of the purest white light. Its hilt and pommel equally brilliant. For the first time since he'd arrive in this place, he felt hope.
“That's not possible!” Levithion studied the summoned blade. How could such a weapon exist in a place of darkness? He'd spent more time in the shadow than most, yet he'd never seen anything close to its purity. Only the gods are capable of harnessing such raw power. But which one? The answer filled his mind, sending a slither of doubt through him. Deidre! Silently, he called out to the god. I know you're here! Magic like that doesn't just spring up from nowhere.
The Order of the Trident: Speculum (Eldarlands Book 2) Page 14
