“Touch Kira and I’ll rip your throat out!” the half-elf shouts, a surge of anger giving him enough strength to free himself from the tree. He makes a wild leap at the warlord, but the black-haired man transforms into a figure of choking smoke. “You’re a coward when things don’t go your way. All you can do is threaten innocents when your real enemies prove to be too defiant and strong. If you were as powerful as we were led to believe then you’d have broken me by now.”
The Baron solidifies and plunges his hand into the forest tracker’s back, gripping the young man’s spine. “A moment ago, you were promising me screams and an ocean of tears. The great Luke Callindor begged me to stop causing him pain and then he thinks a small change of my plan is an opportunity for defiance? Do not try to make me believe you have any courage left after such a pathetic display. Still, I am a benevolent and gracious ruler even to my enemies. If you truly want me to make you suffer in place of your love then I will do as you wish. Until Yola takes you away, my only rule is to keep you alive and conscious. Neither of those require that your body be kept whole.”
With a flick of his thumb, the Baron snaps Luke’s spine enough to paralyze him. He merges the limp body to the tree and makes sure the champion’s face is the only part exposed. When the ancient warlord stomps his foot, the Garden of Uli shatters to reveal the desolate landscape of Shayd. He waits for the mirrors to reappear and motions for the darkened ones to move away from those that show Luke’s remaining loved ones. Turning his pointer finger into a slender blade, the Baron licks his lips and chuckles at what he is about to do. Gripping his enemy’s slack chin, he thickens the tree and heals the half-elf’s spine enough to revive the pain receptors in the young man’s body.
“I refuse to let you look away,” the immortal whispers as he presses his elongated nail to the corner of Luke’s eye. He careful slices off the champion’s eyelids and leaves an enchantment to prevent the exposed orbs from drying out. “Every loss will be burned into your memory. By the time you are released to your friends, those you truly wish to protect will be nothing more than rotting corpses in the sun. That will not be a surprise because you will have watched every second of the slaughter and destruction. In regards to your earlier offer, I do not want you to give me screams and tears. All I want from you, Luke Callindor, is to see the hope and fire disappear from your eyes forever.”
*****
“This is a strange request,” Lord Gideon whispers, the sounds of the party slipping through the closed windows. Not wanting to be interrupted, he checks the hallway for signs of anybody watching before touching the wall. “Please know, Lady Nyx, that I would not agree to this if it was anybody else asking. That goes for both you and my daughter. I trust that you will not unleash a disaster, but I admit that I have some misgivings. Lady Adara and I spent a week repairing the damage you caused last time.”
“Well, I was younger and less experienced back then. Now I know what I am and what I’m capable of,” the channeler replies as the wall opens. Fixing her green and yellow dress, she carefully steps onto the stairs and is happy to see a solid railing has been added since her previous visit. “Thank you for doing this and keeping my secret. The others might not understand what I’m about to do. I promise we’ll be out of your home by the morning. Enjoy the rest of the party.”
Nyx heads down the steps and shivers when the door silently slams shut, the quick motion pushing cool air down the stairwell. A faint smile is on her face when she remembers falling into the hidden chamber during her previous visit to Silverstar Manor. Fritz Warrenberg had been with her then and the memory makes her feel sad even as she tastes the burning energy of the demon summoning circle. Entering the dimly lit room, Nyx takes in the sight of the runes drawn in dragon’s blood upon the floor. The smell makes her stomach twist, but there is a charge of excitement that ripples through her flesh. Giving herself time to reconsider her actions, the channeler walks around the edge of the room where empty weapon racks have been placed. A dented table and fire-licked shelves are on the far side of the room, but they are covered in a thin layer of dust. Finding an overturned stool, Nyx moves it to the edge of the summoning circle and stands on top of the seat.
The half-elf spreads her hands wide and carefully focuses her power on each of the swirling runes. She closes her eyes before the demonic language makes her vomit, the writing’s motions already making her queasy. A crimson light flows from the outer ring of the summoning circle and sends pulses of black energy toward the center. Nyx peeks at her hands and cringes at the sight of her skin and muscle coiling around the bone. She begins to have serious doubts about her plan, but knows that she can no longer stop the gateway from opening. All she can do is control the portal and make sure the correct target comes through. Horrific shrieks and threatening roars echo in her brain, the stronger demons hoping to tempt the channeler into choosing them for whatever she has planned. Following the out of place scent of grass and fresh water, Nyx locates her chosen target and plucks the creature from the Chaos Void.
Stepping out of the shadowy portal, the Hellfire Elf scowls at the familiar mortal who has summoned it. Glancing around the room, the green-skinned creature puts its hand to where an armor spike is missing from its shoulder. The red streaks in the demon’s ebony hair take on the form of rippling flames, a reaction caused by Nyx’s hasty summoning. While rubbing its jaggedly pointed ears, the assassin takes a few seconds to enjoy the raw power that courses through its veins. It makes a fist and grins at the echoing cracks of its knuckles, which are sprouting barbs that it senses can unleash tiny fireballs when struck. A crimson sheen runs along its gothic platemail, the effect vanishing when the Hellfire Elf grips the hilt of the serrated blade on its back.
“The last thing I ever expected was to be called by you,” the demon admits, remaining in the middle of the summoning circle. Extending its arm, the creature notices trails of amber energy flowing to the channeler. “This is not a mission. You need something from me. After being insulted and misused by my previous master, I request that you not repeat his mistakes. Though I am a demon, I still deserve respect. That is something the Callindor inadvertently taught me during our encounters.”
“I will tell you, but you are sworn to secrecy. Nobody can know what I’m doing,” Nyx says as she steps off the stool. She scratches at her chest and notices that spots of blood are seeping through her dress. “Luke has been captured by Baron Kernaghan and I’m performing the Ritual of the Lost Lamb to get him back. If we rush to Shayd for a rescue then all of us will be captured or killed. This forbidden spell will allow me to summon Luke to us and then we can fight the Baron at our full strength.”
The demon chuckles and takes a step closer to the channeler, its towering frame growing taller and more muscular. “You assume the Callindor will be salvageable when you rescue him. I have seen what the Baron does to his enemies. My old rival is strong and can endure much, but we are talking about a man who has had centuries to perfect his craft. Still, it is not my place to tell my master what to do and I would be disappointed if you gave up. The willpower and defiance I witnessed in all of you has earned my respect. Trust me when I say the respect of a demon is not easy to earn and should be accepted as a mark of pride. Now, what do you need from me?”
“The ritual requires that I absorb Luke’s residual aura,” the channeler replies, her eyes meeting those of the demon. She is surprised to see curiosity in the crimson orbs instead of the malevolence that she noticed a minute ago. “A friend pointed out that it wouldn’t only be friends and locations of positive memories that hold his energy. Aura is left behind at events that have an impact on a person regardless of them being good or bad. You fought Luke three times and were his first real challenge, which means you hold a piece of him. I would like to take it for the ritual.”
The Hellfire Elf’s laugh is like stones grinding against glass, which makes Nyx cringe and cover her ears. Drawing the Chaoswind Blade, the assassin walks to the edge of the summoning
circle and taps the weapon against the shimmering barrier. A dull hum rolls across the room as the evil sword is reflected with enough force to disarm the demon. The Hellfire Elf watches the precious blade fly toward the portal and remain embedded in the shadows. Turning back to Nyx, the creature looms over the woman and grins at how she refuses to back down. The sparks in her eyes and the fire curling around her arms send a chill through the demon’s core, but it is unsure if it is excitement or fear.
“I will return what is not truly mine,” the Hellfire Elf declares, putting its armored hand against the barrier. Jolts of pain run up the creature’s arm until it breaks contact and admires the smoke wafting off its palm. “You expected me to fight or be difficult, but my kind are assassins who follow orders. The stronger the master, the more obedient and loyal we are. You are the most powerful master I have ever had, so I will gladly do as you ask. Take what you need and I hope you are successful.”
“Why do you hope for that?”
“Because I would like to face your little brother again one day.”
“Fifth time’s the charm?”
The Hellfire Elf licks its lips and reaches back to call the Chaoswind to its hand, a trick that puts Nyx on edge. “Every time I fight Luke Callindor, I grow stronger. I do not care if I win or lose as long as I gain more power. I believe he is my key to claiming the elite status of my people and becoming a king in the Chaos Void. If he dies then I need a new adversary who will extend my limits. This may sound strange coming from a demon, but we can become very . . . attached to the mortals who earn our attention. After all, most tend to die after one encounter. Feel free to relay my thoughts to him.”
Nyx nods her head as she presses her fingers against the barrier and begins absorbing Luke’s energy. A burning pain rips across her torso, the sensation starting at her right hip and running to her left shoulder. Blood seeps through her dress and dribbles down her skin even though there is no wound. The ichor sprays from her body and onto the summoning circle as she feels the unexpected agony begin to fade. By the time she is done, all that remains of the experience is a weakness in her legs and a bitter taste on her dried tongue. Falling to her knees, Nyx claims the rest of the residual aura and looks down her dress to see part of a familiar scar on her torso. The Hellfire Elf smiles at the gasping channeler before she waves her hand and releases it from her control. With a sucking pop, the Chaos Void portal bloats enough to swallow the bowing demon before vanishing in a blink. With blurry vision, the half-elf looks up and is terrified to see a tall figure walking across the room. Fearing that the creature has decided to remain and attack her, Nyx creates a fireball in her quivering hand and prepares to throw the spell.
“Are you really going to make this worse?” Delvin asks, a look of barely restrained anger on his face. When the flaming spell puffs into smoke, he continues walking and lifts his fiancée to her feet. “First you manipulate Luciana’s feelings to get access to this place. Then you summon a demon? Not just any demon, but one that has tried repeatedly to kill Luke. I don’t care if that thing had some of the energy you need for the ritual. There are plenty of sources that don’t require going against your own morals.”
“Morals? Nothing is more important than bringing my little brother back,” Nyx groggily declares, wrenching her arm free. She shoves Delvin away with a blast of force that turns into a gentle caress against his cheek. “Also, I didn’t manipulate Luciana. I made a deal with her. She wanted a dance and knew nothing else would come from it because I’m with you. Both of us got something we wanted and nobody was hurt. As for the Hellfire Elf, I had full control of the situation. Even if that thing got out of the circle, I could have defeated it with a single spell. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Except you going too far,” the warrior insists, conflicted on if he should be angry or concerned. Seeing the blood on Nyx’s chest, he runs his hands through his hair and curses in frustration. “Please look at what this ritual is doing to you. I know we have to see it through to the end, but we need to be careful. You don’t know what else you’ll absorb if you grab aura without a second thought. How do you know those markings aren’t because you’re acting too rashly? We should contact Casandra about this before we go any further.”
The half-elf closes her eyes and pretends to make contact with the other channeler, her mouth moving in a mock argument. “She says everything is fine. This is entirely natural and I’ll return to normal once the ritual is complete. Casandra also says for you to let me handle this and stop worrying.”
“Did you just lie to me?”
“No.”
“The conversation would have been longer. You lied to me, Nyx!”
“Because you’re getting in my way!”
“All to save your little brother.”
“Yes!”
“And what would he think about your actions.”
Another lie is on the tip of her tongue, but Nyx refuses to say it out of fear of the argument getting worse. The thought of facing Luke after crossing so many lines makes her sick and tempts her to release the energy she has taken from the Hellfire Elf. Glancing at Delvin, a surge of rage takes over her senses and she wonders what the warrior has to gain from making her question her own actions. A voice in the back of her head is screaming for her to behave and not succumb to the paranoia that the ritual is creating. Laughter ricochets in her mind and threatens to erupt from her mouth, but she swallows the sinister feeling and fights the desire to tear at her own throat. Her rational thoughts gain strength when Delvin punches the wall and storms up the stairwell in frustration. Left alone with the demon summoning circle, Nyx shivers and coats her body in an emerald flame. She can smell Delvin’s lingering scent in the air and wanders to the entrance where it is strongest. Sitting on the bottom step, the channeler cries tears that change color as they fall to the stone.
“I’m sorry,” Nyx whispers, unsure of who she is talking to. Looking up, she sees the flickering image of a mirror that reveals Luke bound to a tree. “Please don’t hate me, little brother.”
*****
Timoran and Aedyn continue playing chess while ignoring Delvin pacing from one side of the room to the other. The barbarian is aware that he looks silly sitting on the small stool and hunkered over a table made for a child’s tea party. Forced to accept the only unclaimed guest room, the champions are in the highest tower that was once Luciana’s bedroom. The four-post bed is still adorned with pink curtains and a pile of colorful pillows are haphazardly stacked in the corner. Dariana and Fizzle remain slumbering in the collection, both of them exhausted from their busy night. A single bedroll is on the floor, but it has been shoved against the wall by Delvin kicking it upon his arrival. Timoran stretches his arms and twists to avoid hitting his walking friend in the face, the other warrior oblivious to his surroundings. When their companion begins muttering to himself and getting closer to the balcony, the chess set is put aside and the players stand in the annoyed man’s path.
“We assume you had a fight with Nyx and came back here for a reason,” Timoran says as he leans against the wall. The crack of a picture frame causes him to cringe and remove the decoration from behind his back. “There are plenty of places to pace or wander. If you want to talk with one of us then please do so. If for no other reason than to allow Lord Karwyn and I to finish our match.”
“Nyx isn’t acting like herself and I’m afraid she’s going to do something she’ll regret. It’s something I’m far too intimately familiar with,” Delvin explains as he sits on the edge of the soft bed. Reaching out to move one of the game pieces, he freezes when both men loudly clear their throats. “Sorry. You are the wisest person I know, Timoran. I trust your opinion and would like to hear what you think. The same goes for Aedyn who has known Nyx for longer than the rest of us. I remember Luke saying how smart and wise you are too. Guess I need all of the opinions that I can find. So, what do you guys think?”
“I feel that we need context here, but I can try,” Ae
dyn admits, receiving a nod from Timoran. The priest rubs the flesh and bone part of his upper leg, which is aching from a night of dancing. “Nyx and Luke have a very close relationship. They draw strength from one another, so a separation like this will take a toll on them. You probably know more about their connection than me since my time traveling with them was cut short. So, I must ask for more information before I get further involved in this conversation. The last thing I want is to inadvertently take a side.”
Delvin rubs his chin and blushes, feeling foolish for leaving out the actual argument from his explanation. “I understand how protective Nyx gets when it comes to Luke. He gets into a lot of trouble and she’s become used to being there to help him. That still doesn’t give her the right to do what she did today. Nyx manipulated Luciana’s feelings to get access to the demon summoning circle. Then, she called the Hellfire Elf that Luke previously fought to get aura from it. That’s a line I never thought she would cross. I told her that she was going too far and asked what Luke would say about it. After that, I stormed off.”
“Where is the demon now?” ask the other men in unison.
“Nyx sent it back once she was done.”
Aedyn gestures for Timoran to join him on the balcony and he quietly closes the door behind them, the blue moonlight casting their shadows onto the wall. Delvin goes back to pacing around the room, but changes his path to come within reach of the chess board. He does not dare to touch any of the pieces since he is sure the barbarian will hear the movement, but he looks at what move each of them could take next. The gentle snoring coming from the pillow pile gives him pause, the warrior having forgotten that Dariana and Fizzle are sleeping nearby. He wonders if they are aware of what is going on around them, so he inches closer. A puff of rainbow mist comes from the drite’s nostrils and sinks onto the telepath’s face, her pores absorbing the powerful magic. A translucent sheen runs along her skin and her lips twitch in response to whatever she is dreaming about. Delvin jumps when the balcony door opens and the others return, their faces showing no sign of their decision.
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