The Twisted Gate

by Matt Glicksman

  "The Royal Throne? What is that? When I spoke with Archdon Feranis, he said that people wanted Sect Eighty-Eight to go the way of the Royal Throne."

  "It's just an expression. When something goes the way of the Royal Throne, it ceases to exist. I suppose growing up in Nesinu, you were never really exposed to nobility. It's a sore spot for them."

  "So, what is it? Some sect?" Millan asked.

  "Not a sect. A guild. And not just any guild. The Royal Throne was the first guild to ever be created, and it was done so by King Thoris himself. Members of high nobility were invited to join and act as advisors to the king. It went on for centuries."

  "So, what happened?"

  "Well, after the demons appeared and Candelux was formed, the monarchy began to turn to the priests more and more for council. The nobles grew restless since they were being ignored. The king at that time, King Vask, feared that the kingdom would fall apart if there was a revolt against the crown. He saw the guild as a meeting place for the nobles to plot their rebellion, and so he had it disbanded indefinitely."

  Millan brought his eyebrows together. "Wouldn't that just make them angrier?"

  "Absolutely. But in the end, he calmed them by allowing Corriani, who was in line to be the next duchess of Royal Oak, to marry his son."

  The Nesinu priest recalled this part from his homeschooling. At some point in history, each of the three noble families married into the monarchy. "You're talking about the unification of the bloodlines."

  "Yes, or at least the start of it."

  "Hmm, wait a minute. Wasn't it also during the reign of King Vask that Verago stole the Amulet of Yezda?"

  "Yes, that's right. I'm curious. What exactly did Don Skully tell you about the Amulet?"

  Millan thought back to his lessons. "Well, he said its origin is unknown, but it's responsible for the emergence of demons. It was discovered a few hundred years ago near the city of Alovajj. Candelux created the Talisman of Zavi to merge it with the Amulet and negate the dark energy flowing from it. Later, when Verago betrayed humanity, he stole the Amulet and used it to become the Devil. Right?"

  "More or less. So, all Don Skully told you was the Amulet's origin is unknown? That's it?"

  "Yeah. Why? Do you know where it came from? Do the Death Gods know?"

  Eriph shrugged. "I couldn't say. I'm not a Death God. Yet."

  "But you know something?"

  "There are always stories. The tricky part is figuring out which one is the truth."

  Millan was starving for information. "Like what?"

  "Hmm, let me see. I heard one theory as a squire that the darkness of all evil deeds and intentions from around the kingdom materialized into an unholy relic."

  "And you think that's possible?"

  Eriph's face was serious for a moment before his smile broke through. "I think it's a ridiculous idea."

  "So, out of all the stories you've heard, what do you think is the real origin?"

  Eriph lightly pulled the reins to stop his horse, and Millan did the same. Despite the pair being obviously alone on the road, the excluded priest craned his neck to check the area. "What I'm about to tell you, you can't repeat to anyone. Understand?"

  The tone concerned Millan. "No. Why not?"

  "Let's just say you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in the kingdom who'd believe you. If you go around talking about it, people might think you're crazy."

  "But, you're still willing to tell me?"

  "I wouldn't have thought so a couple of days ago, but I sense now that you don't follow blindly. You have an open mind, much like I do."

  "So, is this theory crazier than the first one?" Millan asked.

  "Perhaps, but I'll let you be the judge of that. It involves another race of humans. A shadow race."

  A lone cricket chirped in the forest. The whole reason Millan wanted to ride with Eriph to Royal Oak was because he represented a fountain of knowledge to the young priest. Millan had a lot of respect for him. Eriph had followed his instinct to do what he believed to be right, even in the face of Exclusion. Even Archdon Feranis had sought information from the former don. Up until this point, Millan wanted to absorb everything Eriph was willing to divulge, but this last statement crossed a line for the Nesinu priest.

  "You're messing with me again." Millan hoped this was the case.

  "Not this time. Feeling dizzy yet?"

  "Look, I'm trying to keep an open mind, but a shadow race? What the depths is that?"

  "Well, you know how war-mages use elemental energy to conjure fire or water spells? And how priests use light energy in our blessings? Well, these people are masters of dark energy. Instead of dons, they're all zaidons."

  Millan had an unsettling feeling in his stomach. "Zaidons? Like the greater iymed? I thought only demons could manipulate dark energy."

  "Humans are quite capable."

  "So, these masters of dark energy. Where did they come from? And where are they now?"

  "South of the kingdom, beyond the Yaggi Mountains."

  "The uncrossable Yaggi Mountains?"

  Eriph had a smug look on his face. "So they say."

  "Then how would anyone know they exist?"

  "There are…books."

  Millan narrowed his eyes. "What books?"

  "Books in Alovajj. Books that were unintentionally protected by demons for centuries."

  "And you've read them?"

  "Well…" Eriph scrunched his face. "Not exactly. Only the Death Gods are allowed access to the library in the palace. But, I look forward to reading them when I get there."

  "Hmm, well, what else do these books supposedly say? Do they explain where the Amulet's name came from? I mean, was Yezda a place or a person?"

  "No clue. I never heard much detail on the artifact's name, but I bet someone from that other race would know."

  "Right." Millan straddled the line between belief and doubt. "I see what you mean now about how people might think you're crazy."

  "The things you see and hear in Alovajj will change your life." The excluded priest flicked his wrists, and his steed began to walk again.

  The Nesinu priest softly kicked his horse to catch up. "Let's say everything you've said is the truth. A shadow race of people, who are masters of dark energy, created the Amulet of Yezda and somehow crossed the uncrossable mountains. Then what? They just left the Amulet here?"

  "I don't know. I don't know exactly how the Amulet ended up in our kingdom or why, but I do believe it was created by those people."

  "Why?"

  "Think about it. Something like the Amulet doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It had to be created by someone. Someone very powerful. Just look at what was involved in making the Talisman of Zavi. Now, you have two artifacts of opposite energy, but equal strength. It only stands to reason that the effort to make either one would be the same."

  "The early priests spent years creating the Talisman," Millan noted.

  "All masters of light energy with the help of an angel. You know the Talisman couldn't have been created without the help of Verago, right?"

  Millan reflected on the story of Verago, once the savior of humanity, now its greatest enemy. "Yes, I know. And now, he wants nothing more than to see it destroyed. Ironic, isn't it?"

  "I suppose so."

  The two spent the next few hours discussing more of the kingdom's past mixed in with personal history until they came upon a fork in the path with posted signs.

  Eriph moved his horse to the middle path. "Well, this is it. Last chance."

  Millan silently read each of the five pieces of wood from top to bottom. The top two arrows pointed to the right path and read "Light's Haven" and "Inssen." The middle sign indicated that the path straight ahead would lead them to "Royal Oak." The fourth pointed back the way they came, and the fifth directed them down a narrow road that ended at "Malarekita."

  The excluded priest rested on the front of his saddle. "Well?"

  The young priest had convinced himself
he would go to Royal Oak no matter what, but he knew there was always the option to change his mind. Millan tightly gripped the reins and took a deep breath. "Royal Oak it is."

  "Excellent. We should probably pick up the pace, though."

  Millan agreed, and the two urged their horses into a faster gait.

  ✽✽✽

  "You fools! You cannot hope to defeat me!"

  "You've already lost, Erynion!"

  The dream faded as a nearby voice intervened. "Hey, are you all right?"

  A wave of water splashed on Erynion and forced him awake. The demon moaned and opened his eye to find the jester iymed crouching beside him. "Flinch, what happened? Where are we?"

  "Lake Ivorus. Did you know you talk in your sleep? And that you speak the language of the land when you dream?"

  "I do? What does that mean?"

  "Probably nothing. I wouldn't worry about it. Happens to some demons. Something or other related to the subconscious state. Sonojj could elaborate. But, I just thought it was odd that the Erynion in your dream doesn't speak Kisejjad." Flinch cocked his head. "Anyway, what happened last night?"

  Erynion was silent, stuck on the jester's previous comment. Why did the Erynion in his dream not speak like a demon?

  Flinch waved his hand in front of Erynion's face. "Hey, you there? Last night? Where'd you go? Did you pass out from the agony again?"

  Erynion cradled his head in his hands. "I don't remember. How did I get here?"

  "Well, Sereyna brought you back all unconscious. I mean, down and out, lost the bout. And, she wouldn't tell us anything."

  Erynion studied the placement of the sun in the sky. "I've been asleep for some time then? It looks like midday."

  "Yeah, Sereyna wanted to be at the lake so we can organize an attack on Royal Oak tonight. And when you didn't wake up after last night, one of the greater fray carried you."

  "Ah, Erynion. Pleased to hear you're awake and well." Sonojj joined the two demons. "Flinch told me you came back less than conscious."

  "He told me the same. How's the nose?"

  The shape-shifting demon traced the scar with his fingers. "It's healing. I'm starting to get my sense of smell back. Where did you and Sereyna run off to last night?"

  "I'm not sure. I vaguely recall a small town. I assume it was Malarekita."

  "Most likely. So, what happened? The agony?"

  Erynion sat up. "It didn't feel like it, but I'm not sure. My memory's failing me."

  "You know, that's becoming a common theme with you," Flinch blurted out, giving him a light jab in the shoulder.

  "Best to not force it," Sonojj said. "Try to relax. You remember leaving the camp with Sereyna?"

  "Yes."

  "And then what happened?"

  Erynion closed his eye and breathed in through his nose. His exhale was drawn out and controlled. "We were on a hill overlooking a town. We were talking about filling pouches with water. Energy and the agony. We approached the town. There were arrows and fire. Arrows on fire. I'm pretty sure I was hit multiple times."

  "You were wounded?"

  "Yes—no. No, I was hit, but I wasn't hurt. I pulled the arrows out."

  Flinch tittered. "I suppose that explains the burn marks on your shirt."

  Sonojj spoke over the jester. "Keep going. You're doing great."

  "We were met in the town by some priests. They were begging us to leave. Things start to get unclear after that. The last thing I remember is a black cloud surrounding us."

  "A black cloud? From Sereyna?"

  Erynion slowly opened his eye. "Actually, yes, now that you mention it. It was flowing out of her mouth."

  Flinch gasped. "Corruption. Why would she use that on a nothing town?"

  Sonojj tilted his head and his ear twitched.

  When the blind demon remained silent, Erynion said, "Fine, I give up. What's Corruption?"

  "We must find Sereyna." The iymed shifted into his cat form and raced toward the demon camp. Flinch motioned with his head that they should follow.

  As they gave chase, Erynion repeated, "So, what's Corruption?"

  "It's a very powerful spell. Most notably, it's Sereyna's purge."

  "I thought the purge was a safety measure to escape the agony."

  "It can be. But that's for demons like you who can't control their powers. When you learn to master your energy, your purge becomes your most powerful attack. Hers is Corruption, a cloud of dark energy that decays all it touches."

  "Is it harmful to demons?"

  "Nope. We're made of dark energy. It only harms living things."

  When the two caught up to Sonojj, he was back in humanoid form, alongside Sereyna, Maligus, and Alejjir. The Marksman had already summoned his weapon, a large, intricately carved bow. The ornamental offshoots that grew off the handle were small twisting vines that reminded Erynion of the gate he had come through.

  "What's going on?" Erynion asked before he was immediately hushed by Maligus.

  Sereyna leaned over. "Sonojj hears a rider coming from the east."

  The blind demon lifted his hand and pointed. Through the trees, a horse and its rider galloped along the dirt path.

  "Probably coming from Malarekita to warn Royal Oak. Wouldn't want that to happen. Alejjir, be a dear and put an arrow through his heart."

  The Marksman pulled the bowstring back to full tension and aimed his weapon. The tip of the arrow drifted as it followed the traveler's path. The rider's brown robe was flapping wildly in the wind. Alejjir finally let the arrow fly. The projectile whizzed past the horse, and the rider pushed the beast to run faster. Without a second attempt, Alejjir walked away from the group.

  Maligus growled. "Shall we pursue?"

  "No point," Sereyna said. "There's no way to catch him now."

  "But he'll warn the officials at Royal Oak," the ogre demon cautioned.

  "I suppose it'll just be more of a challenge then. You know how much I like a challenge. Wait here, please."

  ✽✽✽

  The Seductress left the group behind and made her way out of the camp to where the Marksman stood alone. Removing his hat, Alejjir ran his hand through his hair, pausing to scratch his head momentarily. With his back still to her, he restored the wide-brimmed hat to his head.

  "Any particular reason you disobeyed me?" she asked in her typical dulcet tone.

  "What do you mean?" Alejjir responded. "Hundred yards out, between trees, flying by on a horse. No one could hit that mark in one try."

  Sereyna scoffed. "Come now. How long have we known each other? Who do you think you're fooling?"

  "I'm not trying to fool anyone. I guess I'm just a little rusty."

  "You may have returned as a lesser iymed, but I'm sure you could've made that shot with your eyes shut."

  The Marksman glanced over his shoulder. "You're sure, huh? Beware of what you think you know, or your overconfidence will be your undoing."

  Sereyna circled him like a shark. "Are you threatening me?"

  "Of course not. Just a warning from one old friend to another."

  "Speaking of warnings, that priest is going to warn Royal Oak."

  "Why should that matter? Why are you even attacking Royal Oak?"

  "Why not? It happens to be on our way to Alovajj."

  "Right, Alovajj," Alejjir said. "Where the demon lord is, huh?"

  Sereyna caught the sarcasm. "Of course. You think I would lie?"

  The Marksman grabbed her by the arm. "You don't know what you're dealing with, Ezmi—"

  "Don't call me that!" she interrupted sharply, tearing her arm from his grasp. "And I know exactly what I'm dealing with. A source of unbridled power that I will soon control."

  "I doubt Verago will be pleased."

  "Verago?" Her upper lip curled in contempt before returning to the sly smile. "You know, as well as I, that coward won't show his face on the Surface as long as the Talisman exists. So, if I decide to take control of his new creation, what can he do about it?"
<
br />   "How is that even possible? Your puppet trick doesn't work on demons."

  "You're right, but this is different somehow. I wish I knew why. I only discovered it by accident on the first night. He was just seconds away from laying waste to the forest and everything nearby, which included me. In desperation, I gave my tail a try. The way I figure it, he had no control over his power, and so when his energy was looking to escape, instead of purging, it willingly flowed to me."

  "And what happens when he learns to control it?"

  "Well, he won't have the chance. He remembers so little from his dreams, he'll never discover his identity in time. It'll only take another prick or two, and then he'll be mine forever."

  Alejjir shook his head. "This is a mistake."

  "Don't be sad, my dear. You should be happy. Once I have control of him, there will be no risk of a purge. With time, I'll even be able to restore you to your former glory." The Seductress moved in closer and caressed the side of his face with the back of her hand. "Just think of it. You with your bow. Me with my pet. We'd be unstoppable."

  "I'm leaving. Despite what you think, the demon lord is dangerous. And I certainly won't be a part of your little rebellion."

  As he walked away, the Seductress followed and tried to persuade him. "Think about what you're doing. I'm giving you the chance to be great again. To be my right hand."

  "Maligus seems to fit nicely in that role."

  Sereyna caught him by the wrist. "Maligus is a brute, an ogre, an oaf. He's not nearly noble enough to ascend any higher. It's you I want."

  "Is that so?"

  "Please," she begged sensually as she brought her lips up to his. Pulling back from the kiss, the Seductress grinned innocently and stroked his arm. With the demon lord and the Marksman by her side, she really would be unstoppable.

  "How many have stared into those eyes and given their lives without a second thought?" he asked.

  The question caught her off guard. "Alejjir."

  "Good-bye, Sereyna."