Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane)

by Brux, Boone

  She rolled her shoulders, repressing the urge to shiver and glance back. Siban’s warm presence radiated behind her, solid and reassuring. Their path angled downward again and the gnawing bite of the Bane increased, grating more sharply than it had with the minions. Though they still hadn’t encountered any Bane, demons were definitely in the vicinity.

  Tension rolled through the group, and Rell had to close the barriers of her mind so as to not be carried away by her companions’ anxiety and anticipation. Again their route leveled out. A narrow corridor to their right disappeared into darkness. Chunks of debris littered the floor, giving it an unused and unwelcoming quality.

  To the left, an ornate arch ascended to thirty feet above them. Rell’s eyes followed the graceful curve of the entrance, surprised by the detail of the work. It was obvious that a master sculptor had created this, but whom? The Bane seemed incapable of creating anything but destruction and pain. Compared to the harsh and cold caverns of the Shadow World, this masterpiece stood in direct contrast to the Bane’s brutality.

  Beyond lay a wide corridor, the walls smooth not by time, but by physical effort. Lavish braziers, equally as ornate as the arch, burned with cold blue flames, giving the passage a foreboding atmosphere. A foul breeze wafted from the finished hall. Rell stepped back, bumping into Siban. His hands steadied her and for the first time, his touch did not induce calm. His wariness enveloped her, indicating that he felt the threat as well.

  Despite the suspected danger, Gregory stepped under the carved arch and inched forward down the passage. The Bringers spread out to stand two wide. Odette and Okee took their positions at the rear. Rell glanced back. The twins faced each other, moving forward with a side step, which kept their backs to the wall and their eyes behind the group in case of an attack.

  Rell skirted a thick metal loop secured to the walls at ankle level. Chains of rusty iron hung over the ring and lay in a disorganized pile on the floor. Every few feet another loop and more chain had been attached, as if prisoners had once lay shackled there. Rell assessed the thickness of the chain. Or perhaps something far worse had been bound here, a creature they’d not yet encountered

  Statues with their arms uplifted to the sky rested within deep niches’ cut into the walls. Rell halted, drawing closer to one of the figures. She’d seen something similar in the temples of the Order of the Saints. Leaning closer, she narrowed her gaze, trying to discern what was carved into the statue’s chest. A star with eight arrow-tipped points that emanated outward was engraved into the stone. She turned to Siban and pointed at the design with the tip of her sword. Brita stopped next to Rell, her eyes growing wide.

  “The chaotic star.” The words rushed from her. The Tell’s expression sent a wave of alarm rushing through Rell. Normally Brita wore a look that instilled confidence. Now she seemed genuinely frightened. She lifted her eyes and quietly called down the corridor. “Magnus.”

  Magnus skirted the group and moved toward them with Gregory following. As they approached a colorful curse slipped from Magnus. Gregory’s steps slowed, his eyes narrowed and his mouth tightened into a straight line. He looked at Magnus, a silent message passing between them. Gregory exhaled, his gaze traveling down the still empty corridor in the direction they’d been heading. Several of the Bringers gathered around him.

  His raised the point of his sword toward the statue’s chest, his voice coming out in an almost inaudible whisper. “The mark of the Summoner.”

  Siban muttered a curse. His hand wrapped around Rell’s waist, pulling her close. She went freely and rested against him, needing his strength. The Summoners were supposed to have been imprisoned by King Harlin. Why would their statues be in the Shadow World?

  Though she’d known this journey would be fraught with peril, the realization that they might be walking into a trap set by the most powerful of the Bringer groups nearly paralyzed Rell. It took all her strength to continue and not contemplate the possible loss of her soul again—or worse.

  “This is not good news,” Gregory said, his gaze traveling over the group. “If these statues indicate that the Summoners have joined with the Bane, we are most definitely outmatched.” He exhaled. “What say you? Do we continue or turn back?”

  Juna edged forward. “We continue. Until we confront Vile we will not know what we’re up against.”

  Several of the Bringers nodded. Rell remained silent, unable to make a rational decision. She caught Jade’s wide-eyed stare. It seemed Rell was not the only one questioning the foolishness of their venture, but neither she nor her sister voiced their concerns. What Jade had said in her bedroom only a few days before came back to Rell… What’s happening between the Bringers and the Bane is so much bigger than the both of us… Rell drew strength from her sister’s words.

  When nobody spoke up to dispute Juna, Gregory nodded. “So be it. We continue on.”

  Again he took his spot at the front of the line and proceeded forward. Before moving, Rell looked back at the statue. The urge to crush the figurine to a fine powder surged through her. From the memories Magnus had showed their group, the Summoners had defied the Bringer law. No moral code bound them. The dark magic sect had made their own rules. If the Summoners were still alive, then it was not only the small group of Bringers who were in trouble, but the fate of two worlds.

  The bite of the Bane clawed at Rell’s arms, which meant Bane were near. She released her Tell, letting it flow forward. Two dark voids rippled along Rell’s awareness. Juna had obviously felt them too. She grabbed Gregory’s arm and raised two fingers. At the end of the wide passage Gregory stopped and pressed his back against the wall, raising his sword. He flicked his head forward and made a circling motion overhead. Juna and Rell mimicked his stance.

  With the ease that comes from training together, the Bringers who had accompanied Gregory through the Arch fell into two lines. They spanned the width of the corridor. The first line faced forward in the direction they’d been headed. The second line moved to the back and faced the direction in which they’d just come, ready to engage in an assault from behind. Rell, Siban, Luc, and Jade fell in behind the first line, facing forward, while Rhys, Ravyn, and Meran turned toward the back to form a second line of defense. Okee, Odette, and Trace took the very back, reinforcing the rear. Though they would be trapped if attacked from both directions, at least their positions would allow them to take out several Bane before being overpowered.

  Gregory and Juna slipped around the corner. None of the others moved. The silence stretched like a tight band between them. Blood pounded in Rell’s ears and power danced along her skin, wanting to pool in her hands. She glanced behind her and noticed that Ravyn and Rhys each held fireballs in one hand and their weapons in the other.

  A riot of emotions rolled through Rell. She refocused on the corner that Gregory and Juna had rounded and let the vibrating power pool in her hands. She sent her Tell forward. Two Bringers registered, their presences sending positive sensations along her awareness. Beyond them stood two dark voids—the Bane. Neither demon seemed to be aware of the approaching Bringers.

  The impression emanating from both the Bane was like nothing Rell had ever experienced. It wasn’t dull, like the minions, but sharp and completely focused on their task of standing guard. What they watched over, she could only imagine. Rell tried to shake off the hollowness the mental touch caused and forced her Tell to remain to take in information. If and when Gregory and Juna needed them, she would be there with her sword.

  Quivers of anticipation traveled back to her. Then she sensed Siban’s Tell, ghosting forward and absorbing some of Gregory and Juna’s apprehension. Though she couldn’t see the Bringers, Rell recognized Gregory’s intent to attack. A flash of emotion spun along her path at the same time the sounds of struggle erupted around the corner.

  Then Brita and Magnus rushed forward with Rhys and Ravyn in their wake. Not waiting, Rell followed. As she rounded the corner, her gaze fell on two of the biggest demons she had ever s
een. Not hulking like the malformed minions, but broad and muscle bound. Their skin was marbled with intricate tattoos.

  One demon had Juna pinned against the wall by her throat. From her reddening face, he was effectively choking her. Magnus’s blade slid through the thick leather of the demon’s vest, burying it to the hilt.

  The Bane released its hold on Juna. She dropped to the floor and clutched at her neck, gasping for breath. Without hesitation, Rell sprinted forward and hooked one arm under Juna’s shoulder, pulling her out of the reach of the demon. Magnus hauled his sword free and stepped back. The Bane turned, its piercing yellow eyes narrowing on him. Its body convulsed once but didn’t fall. Gregory impaled the second demon with his blade, piercing its chest until the tip protruded from its back.

  He yanked on the sword in an attempt to pull it free but the weapon didn’t budge. The demon grabbed for him. Gregory narrowly dodged the big hands. Placing his foot on the demon’s stomach, he heaved backward, finally freeing his weapon.

  Both Bane convulsed several times, their bodies jerking and their yellow eyes turning milky white.

  “Run!” Gregory pushed Magnus in the direction they’d come. “Grab onto something.”

  Siban raced forward and lifted Juna into his arms. “Come on.”

  Having witnessed what an immortal weapon did to the Bane in the woods yesterday morning, Rell bolted around the corner with Siban and Juna on her heels. Seconds later a thunderous roar filled the passageway.

  “Grab onto the rings!” Gregory lifted Juna from Siban’s arms and slid to the floor with her cradled in his lap.

  Rell squatted and wrapped the chain around her wrist and up her arm before grabbing a ring. Siban and the others following suit.

  The figurines within the alcoves began to vibrate. Rell yanked her foot in a second before the statue above her toppled off its perch and smashed on the ground. Shards of stone pelted her face, but she didn’t have time to react.

  Tremors rippled down the middle of the passage, buckling the stone tiles. For a second, Rell thought the earth would open and swallow them whole. A blazing torrent of wind whipped along the corridor, flinging debris in every direction. Rell curled into a ball, shielding her face from the wind’s assault. The breath left her lungs, the wind growing in intensity and continuing to drive down the corridor.

  Shrieks erupted in Rell’s head, the same screams she had heard yesterday morning after Gregory had impaled the Bane. Pain ripped through her skull and she cried out. Pulling her head upward, she looked around, squinting to see the other Bringers. Rhys held onto Ravyn and her hands were pressed against her ears in obvious distress.

  The shrill howls escalated and Rell’s vision blurred. Sharp pain jabbed behind her eyes. She cried out, but the wind sucked the sound from her. Just when she thought she would die from the punishing screams, they stopped. The wind lessened, the last gust swirling down the corridor and around the corner. Air returned to the space and Rell drank in a deep breath. Little by little the searing spike behind her eyes eased until it was nothing but a dull ache.

  Chains rattled behind her and clanked to the floor. Siban grabbed Rell and hauled her against his chest. He swiped the hair from her face. “Are you all right?”

  She stared up at him but didn’t have the strength to speak.

  The other Bringers rose. Rhys helping Ravyn, who looked as if she was about to be ill. Had anybody besides her and Ravyn heard the screams? Aches racked Rell’s body when she tried to sit forward.

  “I’m all right,” she said, finally finding the ability to speak. “Help me up.”

  Siban bent and hoisted Rell to her feet. “Thank the Saints.”

  “Thank the Saints we’re all still alive.” She got her balance and gently pushed away from him so she could assess his injuries. “Are you hurt?”

  He shook his head. “No.” His gaze tracked around the corridor. “Our journey grows more perilous.”

  “Yes, and if this is what we’ve endured so far, think of those who Vile holds captive,” she said.

  He covered her hands with his. “From here on out, stay close to me. We’ll be more safe if we work as a team.”

  His worry was evident in his tone, but his idea of working together was sound. “We’re not alone this time, Siban. We have others to help us now.”

  His eyes searched her face. “A bitter blessing. With the Saints’ help we’ll all get out of here alive.” He held out her hand and she took it.

  “Please tell me that somebody else heard those screams,” Meran said, stopping next to Rell.

  “I did.” Rell rolled her shoulders. “It’s not the first time. I heard them yesterday morning as well.”

  “And I heard them when Rhys and I fought the Bane near Willa’s inn.” Ravyn gave a shudder. “Their torment has haunted me and it was something I never wished to hear again.”

  “What do you think it is?” Rhys asked, rubbing her shoulder.

  She shrugged. “I have no idea, and I don’t really want to find out. I just want it to go away.”

  “I don’t think that will be happening.” Gregory stood at the end of the hall, his arm around Juna, supporting her. “Come see what we discovered.” He slowly released her, but waited a second to make sure she was all right. When Juna gave him a nod, he walked to the end of the corridor. “It’s here.”

  “I really hope this isn’t more bad news,” Luc grumbled as he limped forward. “I’m getting very tired of bad news.”

  “I second that,” Rhys said.

  In a far-less-uniform group than before, they shuffled forward and followed Gregory around the corner. He stood in front of another stone arch and beneath it a wooden door cut in the same chaotic star—the symbol of the Summoner.

  Gregory held his sword before him and glanced back at the group. “I say we take a peek inside.”

  “I was afraid you were going to say that,” Meran said, wiping her palm against her pants.

  Gregory grasped the iron handle of the door and pushed. The door gave a little click. He waited, but no noise emanated from within.

  “If somebody is inside the chamber,” Juna said, “I highly doubt they missed the maelstrom that just decimated the corridor.”

  Meran and Ravyn exchanged glances. Rell wondered if there was trouble between the siblings. From what she’d been told, they barely knew each other, having been separated as infants.

  Gregory looked over his shoulder at Juna, his eyes narrowing. “Still, caution is required.”

  She scowled at him and tapped her toe twice. Her gaze drifted to the door and eventually Gregory turned back to face it. Watching Juna was a lesson in itself. Rell couldn’t imagine how the woman hadn’t come to more harm already.

  “Open the door.” Juna’s order came out as a hiss, but there was a definite push of compulsion in her words.

  Gregory’s head snapped around. “Do not use that on me.”

  For good reason, Juna took a step backward. In the short time Rell had known him, he’d never raised his voice. The expression on his face now was enough to quell the most stubborn subordinate.

  With a gentle push, Gregory eased the door open. Still no sound stirred from within. He raised his sword to a vertical position in front of his face and crept forward, inching the door open. His body leaned to take in as much of the chamber as possible, and when the space had widened enough, he slipped inside. Juna shifted from foot to foot, trying to see into the room, but didn’t enter.

  A shiver skittered up Rell’s neck as the silence lengthened. The blackness she’s lived with as a demon oozed from the room. It would take all her willpower to enter.

  Finally, Gregory pushed the door open. “It’s empty.”

  Second to enter was Juna. She surged forward and the rest of the Bringers followed behind. To Rell’s surprise the chamber was sumptuously adorned. Thick brocade curtains ringed the bed and luxurious linens draped over the thick mattresses. Candelabra made of gold sat lit on an ornate table and a chair fit
for a king held the center spot against the longest wall. Thick tapestries, like those she’d seen in Illuma Grand, hung from the walls. Instead of a hearth, two large round kettle braziers burned with a low white flame.

  Rell held her hands over the flames, flexing her fingers and trying to return some of the warmth to their tips. “Real heat.”

  Jade joined her. “Ah, that’s lovely.”

  “Is this Vile’s chamber?” Rell scrutinized the room. “Surely this is not where he rests.”

  Everything within the chamber was a stark contrast to what Rell had experienced with the Demon King.

  “If I had to guess, I’d say yes.” Gregory walked to the table and examined the parchments strewn across it. He sorted through each one, shaking his head. “Yes, this is definitely his chamber.” He held up a yellow sheet. “It seems he’s planning on attacking Illuma Grand.”

  Rell stepped away from the brazier and walked across the chamber. A thick tome rested on top of a small table near the bed, the emblem of the Summoners emblazoned on the leather cover. “Gregory.”

  She waved him over and then stepped aside so he could look at the book. A curse slipped from between his lips when he saw the symbol. He picked up the book and opened it, his eyes growing wide. He thumbed frantically through the pages.

  “What is it?” Dread rolled off him, engulfing Rell. “What does it mean?”

  Gregory slowly closed the book and turned to face the members of the group. “An accounting of Vile’s life.”

  Silence filled the room. There was more to come; Rell could feel it. His eyes searched the faces of the Bringers, coming to rest on Juna.

  “Vile’s journal?” Juna asked.

  Gregory nodded. “It appears that the Summoners are not working with the Bane.” He swallowed hard. “The Summoners are the Bane.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Nobody spoke for several seconds.

  Siban let the information sift through his mind, trying to reconcile that the treacherous demons could be some of their own.