Thanatos was too quick. He grabbed Myles’ leg and threw him against the tunnel wall. “So you quote poetry to me? Do you hope to kill me or court me?”
Myles stood up and started dusting himself off. “The point is—”
Thanatos made a thrust with the spear but Myles jumped up, landed on the spear, and began to walk it like a tightrope. “—Your name doesn’t matter—”
Thanatos just held the spear in place. Myles began to believe he was facing something more dangerous even than a Kalat, and that at least they were at a standoff.
Myles let loose three of the glowing knifes that Omar had given him. “—You still stink just as bad as Moluno.” If Myles had been fast with the knives before, it was nothing like this time. The knives plunged into Thanatos, lodging in his eye, his chest, and his shoulder. Thanatos fell back and screamed. The daggers fumed and sizzled like a dose of acid. He pulled the dagger from his eye and slowly rose, staggering. “I’ve changed my mind, Adam. I’m not going to kill you after all. I’m going to torture you for eternity.”
Tendrils of darkness oozed out of nowhere and grabbed Myles, constricting around his head, arms, and legs. They slowly suspended him in mid-air. Thanatos opened his hand. A whip of shadow darkness formed in his palm. The tendrils spun Myles, and Thanatos began to lash his back with the shadow whip. It tore at Myles’ skin. Thanatos laughed as Myles struggled not to cry out in agony.
Myles dropped to his knees when the laughter abruptly stopped and the tendrils withdrew. Kasey stood over Moluno’s’ body. The dagger that Myles had thrown into his eye was now lodged in the back of his head. Myles stood up.
Kasey radiated a brilliant, dazzling light. The darkness of the tunnel had fled under the force of the radiance. Her wings looked like they were made of fire. She wore white, iridescent plate armor. Reflections from it rippled across the bricks.
"You just showed up right at this moment to save my life? Like my personal angel?"
Kasey smirked. “I should have expected that I’d come back to find you in some kind of trouble.”
“Are you kidding me? I had him right where I wanted him.”
Kasey suddenly stopped laughing. They both watched black shadows escape from the body of Moluno and just disappear. Kasey shook her head in disgust. “I should’ve known that it wasn’t Moluno. He never had such power.”
Myles nodded. “Yeah, he told me that he wasn’t Moluno. He called himself Thanatos.”
“Thanatos is an Arch-demon. This is bad, Myles.” She glanced down the tunnel in both directions. “We need to get back to the Core now, before Thanatos returns.”
Myles was happy to see Kasey, but he definitely didn’t want to face an Arch-demon. Never in his life had he wished so much to be closer to God. He felt unprotected right now. Hey, I did hurt that Arch-demon after all, and I genuinely surprised it with my moves. He came to his senses quickly and decided it was better not to test his prowess again. He ran with Kasey back to the opening.
After they closed the opening in the wall, Myles and Kasey headed back toward the city. Kasey’s wings lost their brilliant glow. She was still an amazing creature, but she no longer looked so angelic. She now appeared to be a more typical Miyka. They hurried toward the tower.
Myles slapped himself mentally but he couldn't help being delighted just to see Kasey. He recalled the prophecy Omar had mentioned. Both he and Kasey would return and help Musterion defeat the dark presence. Maybe they just did that. Maybe they were about to become an unstoppable team. Come back to reality. Get ahold of yourself!
“Hey, where did you go when you passed through the fire wall that Gabriyel created? At first I thought I’d never see you again. I made you a promise that I’d find you. Kinda wondered how I was gonna keep it. By the way, how do you know about Arch-demons?”
“The place I went…it’s the spirit world that overlaps the material world of Earth. It was quite literally indescribable. I never realized the wars that angels and demons fought for our souls. When I arrived I joined the armies of the King of Kings and was trained for spiritual warfare. I fought battles alongside angels against demons and the armies of the Dark Lord. That’s where I learned about Arch-demons.”
That's what I get for asking questions. All of this spiritual stuff is way too much for me. I have no idea how to respond, “I’m glad to see you.”
“I’m glad to see you too, Myles. Hey, let me see your back.”
They stopped walking and Kasey checked the shadow-whip welts. “Oh no, it’s already infected. We need to do something fast or the infection will spread, and you’ll become a mindless servant of Thanatos.”
A crowd of Magi approached, on the run and on the wing, accompanied by the City Guard. Spectators started to gather too, watching the Magi race through the city. Kasey exclaimed, “The Dark Spirit wounded him on his back. Nekar said you’d know what to do.”
Omar took a quick look at the wound. “This is worse than what was done to Sebastian.” Omar turned to Sebastian. “Return to the tower, tell Peel-off what’s happened and bring him back here with the proper supplies. And hurry!”
Sebastian rocketed toward the tower. Omar probed for more information. “Does it hurt? Is it affecting you in any way? And did you find the woman?”
“It only hurt initially. And no, I didn’t find the woman. But I did find Kasey.”
“Greetings, Kasey, it’s good to see you," Omar exclaimed. "We were told of your transformation and that you’d be returning to Musterion. In fact, we were warned not to take on the darkness in the tunnels until both you and Myles had returned. We’ll need to talk more about this later. Right now we need to attend to Myles and find out what happened to the woman who was attacked.”
Omar motioned for a few of the Magi to check out the secret passage. “Test the blood that was left behind.”
Sebastian returned, carrying Peel-off. Myles leaned forward and Sebastian placed Peel-off on Myles’ back. Peel-off muttered, “That’s a mighty nasty injury, Myles. I’m afraid your modeling days are over!” Myles snickered but tried to stay still.
Peel-off snapped his fingers and put his hand out. Sebastian handed him a vial of a green, glowing liquid. “This is going to sting just a little.” He poured the liquid directly into the open, puss-filled wound, and turned away as a cloud rose from the liquid.
If Myles could’ve jumped out of his skin he would have. He jerked so violently that Peel-off fell off Myles’ back, only to be caught by Sebastian.
Myles glared at Peel-off. “Sting? Really? Terrific bedside manner, Doc! What did you put in there, salt? That doesn’t just hurt on my back, it burns all over my body!”
Peel-off nodded. “That’s because the virus was already spreading through your system. Had you waited another hour, you’d be a mindless drone. We lost two Magi to this virus from our last encounter with the darkness, and we almost lost Sebastian in the first meeting. So to counter the virus I concocted this solution using Earth science, the moss, and a few other things. But you probably don’t want to know what they are.”
Myles was too busy gritting his teeth, enduring the pain sweeping across his body. It seemed to die down quickly, so he stood up again and took some deep breaths. The Magi team that Omar had dispatched to check on the woman returned.
Kleis recounted their findings. “The blood turned out to be phony and the streaks on the ground were definitely staged. There was no woman who was attacked.”
"So all I did was stick my head in a noose, not go to the rescue," Myles grumbled.
“Thank you, Kleis. Let’s get back to the Magi Tower,” Omar patted Myles on the shoulder. “Kasey, you and Ischus are invited to join us.”
Myles nodded. “That’s a good idea, Doc. Kasey seemed to know the dark spirit that attacked me in the tunnel. She has some valuable insights that we need to hear. But I agree that we should go back to the tower to have that discussion.”
~*~
Though the Council of Six and those that followed the
m were now considered outlaws by the majority in Musterion, they didn’t run and hide. Since the Councils had split, certain regions had always been predominantly made up of believers. Others were filled with non-believers. In the face of the reports of the evil in the tunnels, followers of the Council of Six had even more freedom in their own cities, since the followers of the Council of Seven stayed clear of the tunnels. Darkness increased, hanging over the regions of the Council of Six like smog. The inhabitants didn’t notice it because they denied the reality of spiritual things. Mysticism and superstition had no bearing on their "real" world.
The Council of Six continued to meet. Peace with the Council of Seven was no longer possible, but several members of the Council of Six wished that they could find a way back. They’d gathered several times but without their chairman they could not agree on any course of action. No one knew what had happened to Moluno, why his usual iron fist of control over the Council was missing. Each time they met, they waited, and then they drifted away.
Once again they gathered with no sign of Moluno. Asah Towb of the Daqad looked around the table at those who were present. Besides himself, the Council of Six included Pyra of the Haspen, Nabal Leb of the Akana, Avah of the Kat-ken, and Esomai of the Gauntmen . None of these weaklings will brave the wrath of of Moluno and take the lead.
Asah spoke up. “It seems the chairman is absent for a third time. Under our laws, we need to vote in a new chairman. Moluno must have died in the tunnels during his trip there.” Feeble nods confirmed his suspicions.
While the suggestion hung in the air, total darkness swept in and overtook the room. Chaos broke loose. The council members screamed and groped wildly. “What’s going on?” “Who’s there?”
A dim light slowly returned to the room. Moluno sat at the head of the table. His untreated wounds oozing blood paralyzed the other council members. He’d removed the dagger from his head, but he’d left the ones in his chest and shoulder. He showed his teeth. “I’d be dead, had it been up to the Council of Seven and their minions, the Order of the Magi. I was just attacked in the tunnels by Myles, Ragal, and Omar.” He stood, yanked the dagger from his chest, and showed them the subtle glow. “They have infused their weapons with tunnel moss poison, but I’ve grown too powerful for that to work.”
Asah spoke. “Moluno, we thought you were dead. It’s been so long!”
Moluno hissed. “You hoped I was dead, yes. But here I am, still much alive.”
Asah blanched. “Not so, I—”
Moluno cut him off. “Forget your pitiful excuses. I propose that we wage war against the Magi and the Council of Seven! They’ve abandoned any pretense of peace and are preparing to eliminate all those who don’t "believe". We must strike first!”
Nabal Leb timidly spoke up. “The Akana will not wage war against the Magi. We can’t! There are many of our own who’ve joined them. I’m told they truly are neutral. We’d lose too much knowledge if we defeated the Magi and eliminated them.”
Moluno held out his hand. A tendril of darkness came out from under the table, lifting Nabal Leb into the air. “Would you care to re-evaluate that answer, Nabal? As you can see, I’ve become persuasive. The Kalat are going to war whether you agree to come with us or not. But remember, when the dust settles, your lack of cooperation will be remembered and will be dealt with severely.”
Moluno waved his hand and the tendril withdrew. Nabal dropped to the floor. The council voted immediately and unanimously approved waging war on the Council of Seven and the Magi.
17
Saying Goodbye
The medicine that Peel-off had created worked wonders for Myles. All signs of the infection were gone. While Myles got some rest, Omar gave notice to all members of the Council of the Magi, the Council of Seven, and to Nekar.
"It is time to establish a plan for battle."
Chara, the female Nepsah, stood before the gathering. “I’ve just come back from a secret trip to Sarx-Ergon." The Nepsah ability to travel and remain invisible meant she would have valuable intel. “Moluno has returned from the tunnels, and he has the Council of Six preparing for war against the Magi and the Council of Seven. The smiths are working overtime now at creating weapons, and the Kalat are training for battle. They will be coming soon!”
Myles interrupted. “That’s not actually Moluno. It’s an evil spirit named Thanatos who’s possessing Moluno.”
Kasey corrected him. “It’s an Arch-demon, not just an evil spirit. Thanatos is far more powerful than any evil spirit.”
Omar waved his hand. “Let’s not get caught up in some meaningless semantics. Something powerful controls Moluno’s body, something that is also causing the darkness in the maze, and we've been told that only Kasey and Myles can defeat it. Those are the facts.” Omar, the consummate scientist, wanted to keep the discussion away from what he considered religious distractions.
Nekar spoke up. “Myles and Kasey have their facts straight. Though Myles lacks faith right now, he believes. You, Omar, are useless against what we face. You have neither faith nor belief. It’s imperative to know it’s an Arch-demon that you are battling. He’s an enemy of the Lord. And you must also realize that you need to know and serve the Lord to be able to defeat it. If you don’t know your enemy, you will never overcome the darkness.”
Myles cleared his throat. “Then what use am I? I’m not like Kasey. I don’t have any powers.”
“I’m only the messenger. For all I know the Arch-demon is supposed to kill you.” Nekar's replied.
Myles sighed. “Thanks! A lot of comfort you are.”
Everyone was quiet and sober for a few minutes. Omar walked over and put a hand on Ischus' shoulder. “What’s bothering you, my friend? You look especially troubled.”
“Omar, I’m sorry," Ischus said finally, "but you and the rest of the Magi need to leave Musterion. You must lead the Magi away from Pneuma Karpos and into the maze. I can handle a war with the Council of Six. King Thalassa is a seasoned commander and the ’Am Mayim are strong warriors. I also have much battle experience. I’m sure that we can bring the warriors of Sarx-Ergon to their knees, but Pneuma Karpos will not survive an Arch-demon. We have no way to battle such a being.”
Omar stepped back. “Are you kicking us out of your city?”
“Ischus is right,” Nekar agreed. “Thanatos will spill innocent blood and slaughter as many as he possibly can.”
Omar bowed his head. “I understand, Ischus. You have to protect your city -- women and children.”
Ischus sighed. “Yes. Thank you for understanding.”
Myles jumped up. “Listen! We have another option. Gabriyel, the great dragon that serves the Master, is our best chance. I know that he can defeat Thanatos. We need to find him and ask for his help.” Nekar and Kasey both smiled at his suggestion. “Nekar, will the instructions you gave me last time get me to Gabriyel again?”
“Yes,” replied Nekar, “but you must be careful not to stray. There are worse things residing in the Maze of Musterion than Thanatos.”
“Worse than an Arch-demon…? What could that possibly be?” Myles and Kasey asked together.
“Yes, worse than an Arch-demon," Nekar shuddered. "The Great Red Dragon himself has dominion in part of Musterion. Thanatos only serves the Great Red Dragon.”
Myles muttered to no one in particular, “Well, this just gets better and better.”
Kasey paced back and forth. “I will not lead almost a hundred people straight to their slaughter," she cried. "Thanatos will mop the floor with the Magi. I believe that if the Master says only Myles and I can face Thanatos, then he and I should go into the maze to seek Gabriyel by ourselves.”
Omar began, “You’d be surprised what the Magi could—”
Nekar interrupted him. “Thanatos can possess any being that isn’t a servant of the Master. In fact, he could be among the ranks of the Magi right now, just waiting for his opportunity. He can move from body to body, and he can even animate the dead. Omar, do
n’t let your pride taint your hands with the blood of your comrades. Listen to what we’re saying.”
Omar threw up his hands. “Okay, Nekar. You’ve made your point. I know you want the Magi as a whole to leave Pneuma Karpos, but I’d like to leave eight of our order with you who can fight on your behalf.”
Seux, the agitated character that Myles had confronted during the training orientation, instantly flew up between Ischus and Omar. “Oh me, me, me! I’ll stay behind. Let Myles and his wife go into the maze and the rest stay behind. Then when—.”
Kasey cut him short. “Wife? Who are you? Why would you say that? You don’t even know me? Do you see a ring on this finger?” she demanded as she shoved her hand in Seux’s face.
Seux flew backward as Kasey and Myles approached him. “Oh! I don’t know you! I promise, really! I’m no one! Get away!”
Myles closed in on Seux, reached out, and grabbed him.
Nekar stopped Omar from interfering.
Myles had suspected that Seux was hiding something when they first met. This little squirt knows something, and Omar can't keep me from learning the truth this time. Myles shouted, “You’re lying! It’s all over your face and in your body language. You can’t wait to get out of here, but you don’t dare leave with the Magi! You’re determined to stay here and not go into the tunnels. Why is that? Tell us everything right now or so help me I’ll squash you like a mosquito!”
Seux turned a dark shade of red and began to hyperventilate. “I came here to Pneuma Karpos three days before your return. I’m Prince Seux of Caelsis from Soterion. I don’t want to go back with you because I want to return to Soterion. But if I go with you’ll end up in the past. In my time I’m second in command of the Magi, and people don’t try to squash me like a mosquito! If I tell you anything else, I’ll ruin everything in my time. So go ahead, squash me if you want, but I’m not a bad guy! Isn’t someone going to save me from this angry man, please?” Seux took one last deep breath and passed out.
Bridgeworlds: Rise of the Magi Page 18
