The Twisted Gate

by Matt Glicksman

  "I know that. But why should that keep us apart?"

  "Please, Batar. I don't wish to revive this discussion right now," she pleaded. "There is a grave matter at hand."

  Defeated, the king gazed out a window. "Fine. Tell me."

  "Last night, Nolka was attacked by demons."

  "I heard something of that nature. One of my guards was fetching the report when you arrived. Was it serious?"

  "There were some casualties, but for the most part, the city is back to normal."

  "Is that it?" His face was beaming. "You do miss me after all."

  Mashira kept a stoic face, even though she knew he expected a smile. "This is serious. There's more. Your life is in danger."

  "Is that so?" Batar sounded more curious than concerned.

  "A twisted gate has appeared by Nesinu."

  "A twisted gate?"

  "Yes. And now there's a new demon loose in our kingdom, and apparently, his purpose is to kill you."

  The king silently walked to the table and picked up a grape from the plate of fruit. Nonchalantly, he popped it in his mouth.

  "It seems," she continued, "that Verago has not given up on claiming your life."

  "So it seems. I can't say I'm surprised." After he swallowed, he picked up another grape. "Hmm, this is troubling, isn't it? So what is this thing? Iymed? Greater iymed?"

  "Possibly. Probably. Maybe something more. There's a chance this thing could even be a demon lord."

  The king furrowed his brow. "A demon lord? That's not possible, is it?"

  Mashira knew he wanted confirmation that he was safe from the most powerful classification of demon. After all, they believed this demon rivaled the strength of the Devil himself. But how could she offer him comfort when she knew there was none to give?

  Batar tossed the grape back on the platter. "Is it?"

  "I'm sorry. I can't say for sure. We're looking into the matter. He came through a twisted gate, just like during the Assault. And since his descent to the Depths, Verago has successfully overcome many obstacles to create more powerful demons. So, is it possible? Sure, I suppose it could be."

  "But I have this!" Batar yanked on the chain around his neck and lifted it out of his shirt. A large four-pointed star dangled at the end of it. The sunlight reflected off the crystalline object.

  Mashira felt a warmth in her chest at the sight of the Talisman of Zavi. This was the only thing that could defeat Verago and stop the seemingly endless war. Typically worn by the reigning Prima or Primus, the artifact was a powerful conduit for casting blessings, but it also naturally protected its user from dark energy. Any demon who touched it would be cleansed instantly. Out of fear of the object, the Devil had stayed off the Surface for hundreds of years with only one exception.

  "I still wear the Talisman," Batar said. "No demon can touch me. Even Verago would lose all his power, and he would never sacrifice himself. We already know that."

  "That's true," the Prima conceded. "It's what saved you during Devil's Breach."

  "So, there's nothing to worry about then." The king pinched the discarded grape and slipped it past his lips.

  Mashira shook her head. "I wouldn't say that exactly. This demon entered Nolka undetected."

  "What do you mean? Undetected?"

  "I mean, he walked right past the watchers. Past a seeker. There was no indication he was anything but human. It wasn't until nightfall that they sensed him."

  "And you think he'll come to Light's Haven and do the same? It's not as though anyone, demon or human, is simply permitted into this castle."

  "No, but that's not the point."

  He innocently challenged her. "Then what is the point?"

  Mashira composed herself before lecturing the king. "The point is that you have to take this more seriously. Verago wants you dead. He stepped on the Surface for the first time in centuries just to kill you. He saw firsthand that you're wearing the Talisman, and yet, he's still sent this demon to kill you. There's more to this plan that we cannot see. Even the Seductress has come out of hiding to help him."

  Batar shuddered. "The Seductress."

  "Yes. Verago has lived for centuries, and he's no fool. He wouldn't have created and sent this demon to the Surface unless he thought it could fulfill its purpose. And now, one of the greater iymed is with him. This is the beginning of something terrible. Verago has been plotting since the Assault failed. We both know that. What we don't know is why you're so important to him. Why does he want you dead?"

  "I keep telling you I have no idea!"

  Mashira sensed his frustration. It couldn't be easy to be the only person on the Devil's kill list, even if he was wearing the Talisman of Zavi.

  "So, this possible demon lord. Have you guys given him a name yet?" Batar asked.

  "Not yet, no. He calls himself Erynion, though. We're not sure if that's a real name, but I'm having the scribes look into the records."

  "Erynion?" The king tapped his lower lip. "Now why does that sound familiar?"

  "I don't know. I've never heard the name before. Why? Have you?"

  "I'm not sure. I could've sworn I've heard it before, I just have no idea where."

  Mashira felt a glimmer of hope as she closed the gap between them. "Please, think. If we can make a connection to his human life, maybe we can uncover his identity. Is it someone in Light's Haven?"

  Batar shook his head. "I'm sorry. Perhaps I was mistaken."

  The Prima sighed. She was no closer to figuring out who this demon was or how he intended to fulfill his goal. "Well, whether or not you feel you're untouchable, I think it'd be wise to increase your guards and put them all on high alert. All the cities should be prepared for attacks. Also, the Seductress is not the only one who has reared her ugly head again. The Brotherhood is at it as well. They were involved in the attack on Nolka."

  "What? I thought we had those traitors under control."

  "We did. After a good portion of them followed Shinigami to Alovajj, we were able to infiltrate many of the city clans as they tried to replenish the ranks. And for a while, we felt like we had a good sense of what they were up to. However, over the last couple of years, everything has become extremely secretive. Even members within the same city often don't know what their comrades are doing. There's a level of isolation that makes it nearly impossible for us to get information."

  "So, you're telling me the Brotherhood of Prevarra is a threat once again."

  "A minor one, yes. Not to worry, though. We're going to cripple their operation as much as possible. I already spoke with the head of the Paladin Order. Anyone associated with the Brotherhood will be imprisoned on the spot."

  "You already spoke with Champion Skarabin? Heh. Who's running this kingdom?" he asked sheepishly.

  "I'm sorry, Batar, I've already given out the order. I should've let—"

  "No, no, it's all right."

  The monarchs were respected and recognized as the sole rulers of the kingdom. However, ever since its creation, the Candelux guild always had an unwritten control over the people. It was something the citizens accepted and would remain that way as long as the demon threat existed.

  "Was there anything else?" Batar asked.

  "That was it. Thank you for speaking with me."

  "You know I always have time for you."

  "Well, I have things to attend to." The Prima politely bowed as she backed away. "Please, be careful and stay safe."

  "I will."

  Mashira gripped the door handle and paused. Amid controversy and against the advice of her advisors, she had allowed Batar—as a prince—to start courting her five years ago. But, everything changed the night of Devil's Breach. And despite Batar's best efforts, Mashira began to pull away from him. After King Cato fell ill and abdicated the crown to his son, the divide between the couple grew worse. And over the last year, their relationship barely limped along. As she opened the door, she considered uttering one more line, one of affection, but she decided against it. It
would have been empty since her heart no longer belonged to him.

  "May the angels watch over you, Your Highness."

  Chapter 12

  Arrows of Deceit

  "Don't move!" Archdon Feranis ordered.

  Millan and the rest of the Candelux posse had already dismounted. They left their horses nearby in order to venture closer to the unholy tree that served as a passageway from the Depths to the Surface. The group had come across three demons, two moved closer together and left the third sitting by itself.

  "What do you suppose those two are talking about?" Don Niktosa asked.

  Feranis turned his back on the creatures. "I'm not sure. Best tie them down before they bolt and leave their friend. You three, restrain the little guy with the jester hat. You three, deal with the hairy one."

  Since he wasn't one of the six priests chosen, Millan watched the holy chains of light fly toward the two demons.

  The jester hastily climbed a tree to dodge the attack, but the chains wrapped around the branches and pursued him. He acrobatically evaded the attacks until one blessing finally caught him by the ankle, slowing him down long enough for the other links to catch up. With their target captured, the three priests removed the slack on the chains, stretching the demon out in the treetop.

  While the jester failed in his attempted escape, the furry demon dropped to all fours and took on the form of a large cat. Galloping away, he seemed to use the trees as a natural defense against the blessings and swiped at any spell that came close to capturing him. One set of restraints briefly caught him across the face, but after flailing about, the cat demon cut himself loose and fled deeper into the forest.

  "Your Grace, the hairy one has escaped."

  "Never mind him. Let's see what we have here."

  "Zigip ujjnu adim tel!" the jester screamed. The energy pulsed around the bound parts of his body. "Lo ujjli klijja! Lo ujjli klijja!"

  "You'll have your turn to speak, my friend, don't worry," Feranis retorted. The demon thrashed about in the web of holy energy and spewed insults, but the archdon ignored him. Feranis cautiously approached the third demon, who was still sitting peacefully.

  Curiosity forced Millan to step forward, but a hand caught him.

  "It's probably best if you wait here," Eriph said.

  Millan opened his mouth but was unable to find the words to argue. The Nesinu priest nodded and stayed with the group.

  ✽✽✽

  It seemed very much like a dream. Deep within his mind, Erynion found himself behind a marble pillar. A young boy, barely a teenager, was crouched beside him. Erynion had the distinct feeling he wasn't much older than his companion. Before he could speak, another voice made an announcement. "Your Majesty, presenting High War-Mage Drevarius of Summa Arcana."

  From behind the pillar, Erynion spotted one of the leaders of the mage guild, and the scenery flickered. The marble column transformed into the corner of a stone building, and he was transported outside.

  A man raced past and nearly knocked him over. "The gates have been breached!"

  Erynion stuck his head out from around the corner, and his eyes widened. It was chaos. Everyone was running every which way.

  A watcher ran up and pushed him back behind the corner. "What are you two doing here? Where's Sereyna?"

  Erynion identified her as a captain due to the decoration on her armor. "We left her at home."

  "Thank the angels for that, but we still have to get you two out of here. Follow me and stay near the walls." She navigated the two boys through the streets as arrows sporadically struck the ground near them. Erynion felt the pounding in his chest. The fear of dying was a sensation he vividly remembered. They finally halted at a bridge, and on the opposite side were many watchers and priests apparently waiting for them.

  "We're almost there. We just have to get across Vask Bridge." The watcher captain kept the boys beneath the roof of the nearby building. Screams came from the direction they had just come from. The watchers and priests were encouraging them to make a break for it. Arrows continuously rained down and then evaporated when they hit the ground.

  "Captain!" Another watcher joined their small group. "They've breached the city gates!"

  "Tell me something I don't know. We need to cross the bridge. I need your shield."

  The watcher glanced down at Erynion and his companion. "Is that—"

  "Yes," she said sharply. "We don't have time for this. Give me your shield."

  Before he could obey, the watcher stumbled forward and groaned.

  The captain caught him. "What happened? Are you hit?"

  "Back off!" Shoving his superior backward, he unsheathed his sword and charged at the captain.

  She parried the attack and kept the two boys away from the deranged fighter. "Are you insane!? Get a hold of yourself!"

  Erynion spotted a slender, black arrow shaft protruding from the back of the man. He attacked again, and the captain slammed him against the wall. His weapon clattered as it skipped across the ground. The two scuffled as she tried to remove his shield. With a jarring motion, she smashed the metal plate into his face, and he crumpled to the ground.

  Erynion pointed to the bridge. "Look. The arrows. They've stopped."

  "Now's our chance. You boys need to run as fast as you can," the captain instructed. "I'll be right behind you. Go! Now!"

  Erynion snatched the hand of the other boy and sprinted into the open. He felt the tension in his arm as his companion struggled to keep up. They were about halfway across the bridge when the light on the ground faded, as if a cloud had passed in front of the sun.

  "Angels help us," the captain said.

  The sky was filled with thousands of arrows about to blanket the bridge. The watcher's shield was in no way big enough to protect them all from the impending doom. The captain slipped her arms through the straps of the shield so that it was positioned on her back and gathered the two youths close to her. She held them tightly with her back to the sky. Erynion found it difficult to breathe, and the other youth clung desperately to his arm. As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but wonder if this was the end for him.

  As Erynion braced for the impact, he heard the arrows land all around them. He opened one eye and then the other. He examined himself and the young boy before noticing a white scarf swaying beside him. A large woman in a black robe stood over them. Above her head, she held a circular shield which projected a dome of light and surrounded the small group. No arrows had penetrated her barrier.

  "Let's go," the archdon said. Her dome faded, and all four completed the run across the bridge.

  As they entered the shade cast by the gate on the other side, the scenery changed. Erynion couldn't see the faces, but he knew their guide wasn't the same. Instead of the watcher captain, there were four men covered in plate armor. Erynion figured that the two with large shields must have been guardians and the other two were likely bloodseekers, all from the Paladin Order.

  "Iymed!"

  "Where? Where is it?"

  "There! Assassin! No wait, over there!"

  "Shields up! Protect the boys!"

  There was a commotion as the sound of colliding blades rang in Erynion's ears. He wasn't able to see much of the action because the two guardians blocked his view. As one rotated and deflected an attack, the paladin sent a small shadowy figure over their heads and against the wall. Despite the impact, the assailant was not fazed. Hunched over, he stood ready to strike again. In each hand, the fiend held a large serrated dagger. One was pristinely clean and gleamed in the light, while the other was lined with the blood of its first victim. Between the two guardians, Erynion made out the image of a wolf's head just as the two paladins stepped back in front of the youths. Behind him, one of the bloodseekers knelt beside the other.

  "Oh depths! That's the fangling Shade, isn't it?" one of the guardians yelled. "We're so fangled. What the depths do we do?"

  "Enough of that nonsense. Steel yourself. We protect the children
," the gruff voice commanded. The guardian looked back at their fallen comrade. "How is he?"

  "He's in bad shape, Diyel. He needs help now, or he won't make it," the kneeling paladin stated. A large two-handed sword lay on the ground beside the speaker. The blade ended in two points like the tines of a fork.

  "You know our orders," the guardian barked.

  Erynion peered between the two massive shields. The demon was perfectly still like a statue. The blood from his dagger dripped steadily into a small puddle on the stone path. Suddenly, the assassin dashed away.

  "Where the depths did he go?" the panicked guardian asked.

  "What difference does it make? He left. Let's hurry before he decides to come back."

  The kneeling bloodseeker cradled the head of his injured friend. "You two go on. I'm taking him to the Sanctuary."

  "No," Diyel said. "You need to stay with us. The Pink Leaves have a station inside the castle walls. You can drop him off there."

  The scenery once again shifted. The young boy was still with him, but the paladins were replaced by a group of other people. Erynion wanted desperately to ask his companion who he was and where they were, but his voice was silent. The doors to the large room burst open, and people started clamoring.

  "It's over! The demons have all retreated!"

  Some cheered and embraced while others streamed out into the open air. Outside, Erynion noted the paladins guarding the room. Everything began to fade to darkness. Erynion frantically searched for more clues, but he was only able to catch portions of statements from the faint voices around him.

  "A demon lord surfaced…"

  "…but he defected! The Brotherhood must be…"

  "…heard the Marksman was caught…"

  "…helped set the trap and killed hundreds of…"

  "…hasn't been seen, and the Brute just retreated without…"

  "…believe the Zaidon was cleansed, and I…"

  "…attacked by the Seductress? What will…"