Ruin, The Turning

by Lucian Bane

  “Dear God,” Isadore breathed, looking all around. They were waiting for them.

  Isadore looked at Ruin trying to discern if he were surprised or concerned. All she got was a mask of unreadable anger.

  The sound began like a trickling of noise. One, then two gasps whispered across the crowd, slowly growing until each person wailed and moaned with some secret tragedy. The cacophony became terrifying and Isadore latched her hand in Sam’s, fear pumping through her heart.

  A small section of curtain parted and three forms entered. Oh God. Valkrin was in the middle.

  Ruin erupted in growling snarls, then roared in agony, dropping to his knees on the other side of Sam. She wanted to help him but she was useless and locked in terror. What were they going to do to them? Why were they there? Isadore’s throat closed up at seeing the other two things with Valkrin. They appeared like twins, skin an iridescent orange, eyes like solid white marbles. Rivers of orange lava flowed from their heads in the form of hair, seeming embedded into the skin wherever it lay on their body. They appeared male but without muscle. Young and yet the same towering size of Valkrin. They wore no clothes except a flap of odd skin over their privates and staffs in their right hand, aglow with bright orange fire.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t my long lost brother.” Valkrin glanced at Isadore now and gave his slow seductive grin. “And his lovely little bride.” Isadore’s heart raced as she stared into those eyes once again, drawn without thought to what called to her. He winked and finally turned to Sam. “And his darling little syndesmos.” He stroked his long elegant fingers along Sam’s cheek who stood unmoving, unbothered it seemed. Where did he get his courage?

  “The seer,” both beings said at once in perfect unison, their voice like crystal in the wind.

  “A seer,” Valkrin said. “How quaint.” Though he appeared unbothered, something in his voice said he didn’t like that. Maybe that he didn’t know. What was a seer to him? “And what hath this seer seen?”

  “This, we cannot see.”

  Valkrin’s sharp gaze landed on the being at his right.

  “Something protects the seer.” They both spoke again in tinkly unison.

  Valkrin slowly turned back to Sam, a look of pure evil on his impeccably handsome face. “Does it.”

  “Shall we see how far this protection lies?” the two beings asked, sounding eager.

  Valkrin walked toward Isadore, his gaze locked on hers. “Please do.”

  Isadore fought not to let Valkrin’s close proximity get to her as she focused on the beings. They stood side by side, their staffs slowly crossing in perfect sync, like they moved by the same mind. When the staffs were an X, Ruin flew back through the air and landed some ten feet away while Sam remained still and unaffected.

  “Well, my brother isn’t protected I see.” Valkrin let out a low eager chuckle. “I wonder if that means his little princess isn’t either.” He kissed the top of Isadore’s head softly and she fought the full body tremble that took her.

  “What are you going to do?” Isadore finally managed.

  Valkrin turned his full attention to her, and Isadore was suddenly frozen by that blood red gaze. Her heart rate slowed and warmth trickled slowly over her spine like literal fingers. His arms went around her the same instant her legs turned to noodles, those fingers of heat now hot between the cheeks of her butt.

  Isadore gasped and grabbed the shoulders before her as that warmth moved in and out of her in a seductive motion.

  The roar seemed to fill her ear just as something large slammed into Valkrin, throwing him on the floor. Isadore gasped and made her way toward Sam as Ruin in his new form, roared above Valkrin. Isadore wiped at her tears at seeing Ruin this way. Is that what he’d done? Is that the price he paid for her? He was a black monster with six flaming red horns. Two protruded from his back and curved down to his legs, two protruded from his head in a fiery arch, and two bowed out at his sides, from his shoulders. His face was large and beastly, his teeth jagged and black and his eyes bright red.

  A sob escaped her at the idea that he’d sacrifice eternity…it was wrong. So wrong.

  Ruin roared and slammed his fist down at the face beneath him. Valkrin caught it and threw Ruin into an invisible barrier around the circle, the air rocking with an explosion of black flames. Ruin landed on his feet, flying at Valkrin.

  “You’re weak in your incubus state,” Valkrin growled, evading him easily. “You are no match for me until you are fully reborn.” A staff appeared in Valkrin’s right hand and he aimed it at Ruin, shackling him to the floor. Ruin bellowed and thrashed, looking at the restraints and yanking with a rabid strength, causing the floor to shake.

  Valkrin made his way to Sam now and stood before him. “It is only because you are the link that you are even alive.

  “I saw that,” Sam said.

  “Did you,” Valkrin’s tone dragged as he paced before a bored looking Sam. But Isadore saw it in the boy-man’s eyes…knowing…ready….waiting.

  “Well, there is nothing to hide. We’re here to finalize my brother’s re-birth into his rightful family. He and his…” he gestured toward Isadore with a wink that made Ruin thrash and roar, “little precious human.”

  “That you need in order for him to exist in this realm.”

  Valkrin regarded Sam for a moment and gave a slow nod. “You see correctly, Syndesmos.”

  “So you have her and him. What’s the hold up?”

  “Prices must be paid,” Valkrin hissed eagerly as he paced slowly again.

  “The Carnificem has paid his price.” Sam’s voice shook a bit, telling his link was solid with Ruin and he knew enough to be angry over it. But what was he angry for? That he’d done such a stupid thing, or that they were making him? But then… the decision was his. He’d made it…for her. Isadore’s heart throbbed with agony for him. At what it all meant. At how entirely and utterly horrific this had now turned. Eternal hell. That’s what he took for her.

  “Yes,” Valkrin said, excited. “Indeed our brother has paid the price. And now,” he stretched his hand behind him to Isadore. “She must pay a price. For him. Balance of power and all of that,” he wagged his hand. “All is fair in love and war you see, even in the underworld, the foundations of the universe dear, dear, child.”

  “She doesn’t have to do anything,” Sam said.

  Valkrin spread his arms wide. “You’re absolutely right. She doesn’t have to. But she will.”

  Isadore’s heart hammered at the grinding sound behind her. She turned to see the stone floor opening and a huge alter looking slab rising up through the darkness. Oh God. A boy was tied to it. Clothed in a white robe.

  “The perfect sacrifice to make this power-exchange complete,” Valkrin said.

  Isadore stared at the boy who peered at the ceiling above. Without thought, her legs took her, slowly, until she stood next to him. A sob constricted her throat when he turned clear gray eyes to her. She wiped the tears from her vision to see what was in his gaze and her sob wouldn’t be contained when she saw peace. The child had peace. And how, when severe starvation and torture marked his small body at his hands and feet. Slow cringe took her as her mind automatically envisioned his entire little body to hold the same nightmare.

  “I’m ready,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”

  At hearing the urgency in his young voice, Isadore sobbed again, the sound more anguished than the last. What horrors brought him to an eagerness to die? The thought lit a silent and slow rage in her, beginning at the pit of her stomach until her body shook.

  “Yes,” the boy said to Isadore’s shaking head, like he worried she might not. “It’s okay, just do it fast. Please.”

  Isadore looked at Valkrin. “I won’t do this.”

  “Please, they’ll kill me anyway,” the boy whispered. “I’ve been waiting for you. I saw you coming. To set me free. God showed me.”

  She looked back at the boy, fresh tears filling her eyes, fresh pain and fury
. “I can’t do that,” she gasped shaking her head. “I can’t.”

  “Yes.” The word came on his strained sob, his gray eyes glowing bright with tears too now. “You can. You can do it, you have to.”

  “Oh God,” she whispered, turning to Valkrin, shaking. “How could you!” she screamed, her body shaking uncontrollably now. “He’s just a child!”

  “Exactly!” he said excited. “And innocent!” Wicked eagerness lit the red in his eyes. “He’s perfect, isn’t he? And the power of his sacrifice…” his gaze rolled up, “will rock this age, dear sister.”

  “They’re going to kill me,” the boy’s quiet whisper came on his choked sob. “I’ve been waiting for you, waiting for this, God said…God said you’d come, I promise, he said it, I saw you coming.”

  Isadore gasped and fought to think as Valkrin floated toward her, a vision of evil, black dagger laying in both his palms.

  “Take it,” he said.

  The power in his words drew her hands to the blade like a magnet. With trembling fingers she lifted the jagged ugly metal and he gave a wild laugh at her futile attempt to stab him. The crude weapon wagged wildly in her hands, making her feel like a useless little clown. She waited for him to force her to do the deed. Maybe even hoped.

  “That has to be all you, little one,” he said in response to her thoughts.

  “I-I-I can’t.”

  “Y-y-you you can,” he mocked with a giggle. “Would you like a little inspiration?” He turned eagerly raised brows, and stalked toward Ruin. “I can surely help with that.” He stretched his hand out and red fire wrapped it, with long whip-like strands dragging behind as he went. “Here’s your inspiration, princess!” He cocked back his entire upper body and swung the braids of fire across Ruin’s torso.

  Ruin jolted as a long gash of fire lit up his torso. He grabbed hold of the chains and pulled hard, gritting his teeth with clenched eyes, muscles and veins bulging as he readied to take whatever came, in a silenced agony.

  “That’s it, princess, get your inspiration little one.” Valkrin swung again and marked his legs. “We all know how much you love inspiration. Isn’t that right, brother?” Valkrin’s voice growled with a hunger as he circled Ruin and slammed the fire whip over his body again and again.

  Isadore screamed when Ruin finally sagged in the chains. “Stop it! Pleeeease!”

  “Lady,” the boy whispered. “Do it, please. Do it.”

  The blade shook violently in her hand as she gazed at Sam, desperate. “Sam!” she sob strained on a long wail. “Help meeeee!”

  Her plea seemed to set off a bomb in Sam and he shot at Valkrin who greeted him with his whip. The fire wrapped Sam’s arm and Valkrin yanked, slamming him into the invisible barrier.

  “Come on Sam!” Valkrin roared, his face twisted with fury. “Inspire us!” Valkrin threw the fire ropes with all his might, and Sam rolled, escaping the explosion on the stone. “Play with me, human,” Valkrin huffed, “I long to have a bit of fun in this boring realm.”

  Sam ducked the whips several times then caught the flaming strands with a painful yell. Valkrin yanked and Sam met the being’s face with a forearm, getting a hit in.

  Valkrin roared and threw Sam into the invisible barricade, strands of fire hitting seconds after.

  “Inspiring!” Valkrin yelled, latching the fire ropes to his limp body on the floor and jerking him through the air. Isadore shrieked when Valkrin sent him flying with a kick to the chest.

  “Are you inspired our little darling?” Valkrin huffed, delivering rapid swings of the whip onto Sam who fought to escape, screaming and thrashing in pain. Why was he not protected? God, he was supposed to be protected, he’d been protected, what was wrong!

  “Valkrin!” Ruin yelled. “Punish me!”

  The maniacal demon flew to fulfill Ruin’s demand, covering Ruin with streaks of fire over already flayed flesh. Ruin let out a roar, face to the ceiling, thrashing. Isadore tried not to watch, tried not to hear the torment and agony, smell the burning skin.

  “Do it lady, please, he’s gonna kill him!” the boy sobbed.

  Sam stumbled up from the floor to defend Ruin, getting thrown like a rag doll.

  Isadore watched in horror as Sam attempted again and again, meeting lashes of fire every time.

  The audience’s roaring applause seemed to shake the air along with Ruin’s agony.

  “You have to do it!” the boy screamed at her now. “You have the power to stop it!”

  You have the power to stop it.

  The words echoed inside Isadore, slow motion. She searched around for the source of the words and found Sam’s eyes on her, a hand stretched out. Isadore watched as ink spilled from his fingers, forming words above.

  You are his link.

  Isadore gazed at Ruin, their time together shooting through her mind like hot sparks until tears of joy poured from her, until she felt the answer that would end his agony.

  Chapter Seven

  Ruin fought the monster inside of himself. Every part of him was at war with it—to hear, see, taste, feel, smell, all of him was gripped in a battle. When Valkrin had appeared in that room, the wall inside keeping him from feeling Isadore, fell. His love had torpedoed through him like a comet and Ruin had taken hold of that beast. With every wound Valkrin slayed him with, love seared it shut. But where did this end? Ruin hadn’t realized they were walking into this, why had he thought anything would end well? Why did he bring her here? The helplessness made him roar to the Heavens. Roar at her God for doing this to him, to his beloved wife, his heart, his soul. How could he demand such a thing of him and expect him to serve Him?

  He would suffer eternal damnation gladly if it meant saving Isadore. He’d never regret that.

  But the look in Isadore’s eyes as she gazed at him next to the altar said she was being burned alive at a crossroad in her soul. She couldn’t…she couldn’t kill the boy.

  But she needed to do it quickly or they’d do it for her, and all of them would be sorry. There was no nice way out of this.

  Isadore finally turned to the boy and stared down at him. “Do it!” Ruin roared.

  She finally and slowly raised the blade above her head. Ruin watched for eternal seconds as sudden silence filled the room while all waited for the trembling blade to plunge in execution.

  “I love you!” Ruin yelled with all his might.

  A scream tore from Isadore, long and heart wrenching as she brought the blade down quickly. The boy’s eyes shot open wide, his mouth frozen in a silent cry.

  Then he screamed and thrashed and Isadore turned, stumbling back into the altar. The executioner’s blade buried in her stomach.

  Her eyes latched to Ruin’s as she reached a trembling hand to him.

  Ruin stared at the impossibility and Valkrin roared and dropped to his knees in fury.

  Isadore mouthed the words, “You’re free…you’re free.”

  Agony exploded through Ruin and he broke the chains holding him. In one jump he landed at Isadore, catching her as she fell.

  “Angel.” Though he fought hard to say her name softly, the word warbled out in his monster’s voice. He stared at the handle of the blade, confused. “Why, why, Angel, why!” He gasped, unable to breathe. If he removed the knife, it’d kill her. “Don’t die, Angel, don’t,” he shook his head, putting every ounce of power he possessed into the command. “You cannot die.”

  A small smile pulled at her mouth. “For you,” she whispered. “Now you’re free. Tie…is cut.”

  “No!” He shook his head, firmly. “You can’t cut that tie, you can’t,” he gasped. “You fucking can’t.”

  She nodded a little. “I can. And I did. S-save…the boy. Save Sam,” she gasped. “I’m not scared.” Her head shook a little. “This was…right. I’m not scared.” She smiled a little.

  “Isadore, please,” Ruin begged. “I’m scared. I’m scared, don’t,” he moaned, even as the life slowly left her sky blue eyes, “don’t, don’t, no,
no.”

  “I have her, brother.”

  Ruin knew the voice of Grim on his right, but he didn’t, couldn’t look at him. “I have her!” Ruin roared. “I have her! I fucking have her.” But he felt her leaving him, the bond they shared. “No! Isadore, no, no, don’t fucking leave me, goddamn you, goddamn your God! Don’t you fucking leave me!”

  “You fools!” Valkrin roared. “Take her!”

  The two Dark Carnificem aimed their staffs at Isadore. Ruin spun with her as the ice of his blue fire woke inside him, soaring to the surface to block the dark power at his back in an air shaking collision.

  He gasped and stared down at Isadore. He couldn’t let them have her body, he couldn’t. Clenching his eyes tight, Ruin called forth his all-consuming fire and held her fiercely to him. He roared out in agony as the flames exploded from his pores and obliterated her. Obliterated his wife. Ashes and all.

  Ruin slowly stood, vaguely aware that Isadore’s connection was still there among the rage boiling inside him, hungry to be aimed and executed. Turning to locate the source, he froze at finding Sam standing a few feet from him, body covered in familiar designs.

  Valkrin charged and Sam met him in the air, spinning like a propeller with his arms out, black ink flying form his fingers.

  Scriber.

  “Get the boy.”

  Ruin recognized Scriber’s voice. He was lethally pissed as he used Sam’s body to engage in battle, a graceful ballet of bloodlust and destruction.

  The need to destroy everything was harnessed by that still lingering feeling of Isadore. She wanted him to help the boy, and honoring that was the only thing strong enough to stay his lust to kill.

  Ruin hurried to the boy and set him free as the barrier around them exploded, jolting him. Lifting the terrified boy in his arms, he turned to find Sam, the tattoos on his body glowing bright red, and every individual in the place covered in matching ink.