“What message?” asked Hal. “And how do I find this ally of yours?”
“His name is Mrido,” said the Pale Lady. “All I require is for you to ask him if he is now ready. I’ll use my magic to transport you to an area close to his tower, and back again once you’ve finished.”
“That’s it?” Hal quirked an eyebrow. “Why do you need me to do this for you?”
The Pale Lady didn’t answer him. She wasn’t even there, anymore. The space where she’d been standing was empty. Hal spun around and found that his companions were unfrozen behind him and looking at him strangely.
“Hal?” asked Laurel. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re okay?” He hurried over to her and took her hands into his. “All of you are…”
“We’re fine, master,” said Zoria. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
“You were frozen,” said Hal. “All of you were… frozen in ice. I spoke with the Pale Lady, and she told me what we have to do for her in exchange for her help.”
None of his companions said anything. The silence stretched, becoming tense and a little awkward.
“Are you positive?” asked Cadrian. “And this happened just now, when we entered the palace?”
“I didn’t feel anything,” said Laurel.
Hal scowled. “It happened. You just have to trust me. I know how it sounds.”
Zoria walked over to him and placed two fingers on his forehead.
“Hmm… He’s not feverish. And he certainly sounds like he believes what he’s saying.”
Hal ignored her.
“She wants us to bring a message to someone named Mrido,” he said. “She’ll use her magic to transport us there, just as she brought us here.”
“And you trust her?” asked Cadrian.
He wasn’t sure he did. The things she’d told him about Jessa had made it clear that at least one of the two women was omitting details, or possibly outright lying to him.
“I don’t trust her,” said Hal. “But I don’t think we can afford to pass this chance by.”
CHAPTER 46
The snowstorm picked up the moment they stepped back outside, as though it had been waiting for them to finish their business. Hal and the others locked arms as they made their way down the stairs. They’d barely taken three steps into the courtyard when the storm abated, the snowflakes losing their enthusiasm and falling to the ground. A very different landscape surrounded them, punctuated by a massive difference in temperature.
They were on some type of island, made of black volcanic rock and far warmer in climate than the Eternal Palace had been. Hal and the others hurried to pull off their heavy outerwear. He was still hot, even in just his shirt and trousers, but there was nothing he could do about that.
A swollen volcanic mound emitting smoke into the sky was one of two notable objects on the horizon, discounting the ocean at their backs. The other was a large tower of jet black stone, with two spherical chambers at the base on either side. It was one of the most phallic-looking structures Hal had ever seen, and he had to clear his throat to disguise his laughter.
“Is that where we’re heading?” asked Laurel.
“I think so,” said Hal.
“Interesting style of architecture, don’t you think?” said Zoria.
“It is,” said Laurel. “I wonder how they managed to get the stone so smooth.”
Hal’s smile widened at her apparent obliviousness to the tower’s shape.
“Be on guard,” said Cadrian. “I don’t like this.”
“Right,” said Hal. “Let’s hold on for a minute, though. There was something that the Pale Lady told me that I need to talk to Jessa about.”
“Right now?” asked Laurel.
Hal nodded. “It can’t wait.”
He fished the memory crystal out of his pocket and sat down on the black rock. It was easy for him to enter her sanctum now, requiring no more than a moment of thought and opening his awareness.
Jessa was awake and looked almost as though she’d been expecting him. Her white silk robe was tied around her waist with a thin belt, and her feet were bare, suggesting that she wore nothing underneath.
“I spoke with the Pale Lady,” said Hal.
Jessa nodded, but didn’t say anything. Her eyes were pensive, though she was reluctant to meet his gaze.
“Tell me the truth,” said Hal. “Did you really guide me to the Eternal Palace for the sake of getting your body back?”
He spoke with an accusatory tone, but as the words left his mouth, he felt himself sympathizing with her. She was all alone in what amounted to a tiny, sad prison. He was probably the only visitor she’d had in a century’s time.
Her only hope at ever having another chance at existence, or even a chance at death, release from her purgatory.
“It wasn’t just for the sake of getting my body back,” said Jessa. “I didn’t lie to you about how you could strike at the Upper Realm.”
Hal nodded, unsure how he felt about her deception.
“How can I trust you now?” he asked. “Why didn’t you just tell me the truth to begin with?”
“You would not have risked your life, or the lives of your friends, for the ghost of a woman who lived in another age,” said Jessa. “I am every bit as desperate as I seem, Halrin. I apologize, but I would do things the same way if given another chance. You… can’t imagine how much time I’ve spent alone, trapped in here.”
She blinked, and Hal saw tears welling in her eyes. He shook his head, not knowing whether to comfort her or condemn her.
“Mrido,” he said. “The Pale Lady sent us to deliver a message to him. Do you know of him? Can you tell us anything about him?”
Jessa blinked the tears away, her face paling at the name.
“He is dangerous,” she whispered. “A powerful, ancient lich, old enough that he was a known power in my time. You must kill him as soon as you see him. Before he can even speak.”
“I’m just going to deliver a message,” said Hal. “I don’t care what he is, or what he’s done.”
“You should,” said Jessa.
“In that case, why would I want to make him my enemy if it can be avoided?” he asked.
Jessa didn’t say anything. Hal wanted her to, wanted her to explain more, but at the same time, she’d damaged the trust between them. Did she have her own reasons for wanting Mrido dead? Could he take her word about him being dangerous?
I have to figure this situation out for myself. Nobody is going to lead me through it.
He turned to leave the sanctum, focusing on his body in the outside world.
“Please,” said Jessa, her voice growing faint as Hal transitioned out. “If there is a way for you to help me… I’ll be forever in your debt.”
He jerked slightly as he reentered his physical body. Laurel and the others flinched at his movement, looking a bit like they had after he’d spoken with the Pale Lady.
“That was quick,” said Zoria.
“Jessa says Mrido is dangerous,” said Hal. “We should definitely be on guard. I don’t want this to come to a fight, though, if it can be avoided.”
He and Cadrian took point, leading the others across the volcanic island toward their destination. The island wasn’t large and seemed to be barren of both animal life and vegetation. How someone could manage to survive in such a place was a mystery to Hal.
The door was made of blackened wood, as though it had been cut from a tree charred by fire before. Hal set his palm against it and found that it swung open easily. Piano music greeted them on the other side, echoing off the walls of the empty stone chamber that awaited them.
The man playing the piano in the center of the room was tall and thin, with jet black hair that fell halfway down to his waist. He wore a black cloak over black clothes, contrasting against the paleness of his skin. He didn’t seem to notice that Hal and the others had entered his space, continuing with the song, slamming his fingers down on the keys harder as the melody bui
lt to a crescendo.
Hal kept his hands on his weapons as he approached and waited until the song came to an end before clearing his throat and drawing the man’s attention.
“Mrido?” he asked.
The man pushed the piano bench back, the wooden legs screeching on the stone. He turned slowly, a smile set onto his face. He was handsome, with sharp cheek bones and jet-black eyes. He looked at all of them, taking a second to let his eyes linger on the women.
“Welcome,” said Mrido. “What is your name, young man?”
“Halrin,” he said. “The Pale Lady sent me to–”
“Do you play?” interrupted Mrido. He gestured to the piano.
Hal shook his head. “I’m more of a dancer, than a musician.”
“You should learn how to play,” said Mrido. His smile was an evil thing, and the look in his eyes made Hal’s skin crawl.
“The Pale Lady wanted me to ask you if you are now ready,” said Hal.
Mrido nodded. “Of course she did. Tell her it is not yet time.” He waved a dismissive hand at Hal. “Now please. Leave me in peace.”
Hal turned and stopped as he saw his companions. Laurel was nearly doubled over, her hands clasped over her crotch, and her face contorted in something that wasn’t quite pain. Zoria was down on one knee, holding her hand over her mouth. Cadrian was still standing, but seemed to lack the energy to draw her sword.
“What did you do to them?” shouted Hal.
“Nothing they aren’t enjoying,” said Mrido. “I must thank you for bringing me such attractive specimens.”
Hal reached to draw his sword, but Mrido made eye contact with him, and suddenly, he couldn’t move.
“They’ll be returned, eventually,” said Mrido. “Though, it’s unlikely it will be before the end of your limited life. And they may be… transformed, when I do finally release them.”
Mrido slowly began to undress, first tossing aside his cloak, and then pulling his shirt up and off his body. Large, purple welts covered his chest and shoulders, almost like spots of magical rot against his pale skin. He was grinning as he reached for the waist of his trousers. Hal felt sick to his stomach.
“There are many kinds of magic that go beyond the conventional limits of what society deems acceptable,” said Mrido. “Necromancy is the one that everyone loves to point fingers at. Using the right kind of crystal to raise the dead, create husks, it’s all very… practical in its results.”
Mrido pulled down his pants. Hal would have felt a touch uncomfortable at giving the man his full attention while he was naked, but Mrido’s body was such a disgusting thing that he seemed to disqualify himself from being anything but a monster.
“Hemomancy, the magic of blood…” he continued. “It’s interesting, but so very messy. Not that I mind messy, but the cleanup isn’t worth it if there’s no fun. No, my focus has always been on eromancy. The magic of forced pleasure. Enthrallment through such intense lust that a person loses all sense of who they are.”
Mrido’s stomach and crotch were swollen outward, a fact hidden before by the looseness of his clothing. Black welts were piled atop one another, some of them oozing with a glowing purple liquid. His cock looked much the same, except worse. It was almost too large to be practical, jet black with disgusting red veins, and most importantly, it seemed to move with a mind of its own, like some type of snake that had been sewn on in place of the original.
From beside Hal, Cadrian made a noise. She somehow managed to summon the will to draw her sword, and took a step toward the horrific, naked, monster man. Mrido chuckled and looked her way.
“Yes,” he said. “Why don’t you come over here? I’ll start with you.”
Cadrian gasped. Her sword clattered to the ground, and she clutched a hand between her thighs, her knees shaking visibly. Hal wanted to believe that it was from fear, but suspected that it wasn’t the case.
She walked over to Mrido, coming to a stop within a foot or two of him. Mrido pulled loose her robe with a rough movement, and she was naked underneath. Cadrian made no move to resist, though Hal could tell by the intensity of her expression that she was fighting to withstand what he was doing to her.
“It may be hard for you to believe, but you will start to enjoy this,” said Mrido. “It will hurt, in the beginning, but oh… we’ll turn things around. You will beg me to continue, past a certain point.”
Hal already had a plan of action formed, but strangely, he hesitated before moving forward with it. Mrido’s attention was entirely focused on Cadrian, for the moment. Part of him wanted to help her, but another part of him, a darker part, suggested he might take his time. Consider the plan for another minute or two. Wait for a better opening. Let the monster have his way with the woman who’d murdered his family and never faced any consequences for it.
What am I thinking? No… that’s not who I am.
Mrido was slowly bending Cadrian over against his piano, his sentient cock swirling in spirals in anticipation of penetrating her. Hal couldn’t move, but he could still feel his heartgem and the essence inside of it. He took a breath and exhaled sharply, casting Wind Dash from directly behind himself, so the rushing air knocked him forward.
He fell, sliding on his stomach a few inches. More importantly, he could move again. He was smiling as he pulled himself to his feet, and eager to let the sex-crazed lich know exactly who he was dealing with.
CHAPTER 47
Mrido pulled back, his cock only briefly brushing near Cadrian’s parted thighs. He glared at Hal, trying the same trick he had before with his eyes. Hal looked away, keeping the monster in his peripheral vision.
“It makes me sick to think of all the women you’ve probably done this to,” said Hal. “I’m not about to let you add any of my companions to your count.”
“You talk big,” said Mrido. “But do you have what it takes to back it up?”
Mrido lunged forward. One of his arms morphed, reforming into what looked more like a hammer of flesh and bone than a limb. Hal drew his pistol and fired a Flame Shot, trying to aim without looking at the lich directly. He pushed into Ruby Ascension as he did it, not wanting to underestimate his opponent.
His Flame Shot struck Mrido in the shoulder. Purple blood and black ichor oozed from the wound, and the flesh immediately began to weave back together and self-heal. Mrido charged Hal, swinging his club arm at torso level.
Hal leapt back, fighting the hot, passionate emotions of Ruby Ascension as much as his opponent. He wanted to go on the offensive. He wanted to attack and destroy the monster who’d been about to rape the women he cared about. He forced himself to stay calm, knowing that he needed to fight more defensively until he better understood what he was up against.
He dodged again as Mrido attempted an overhead strike, his hammer fist hitting the floor and shattering one of the stones. He used Flame Slash to open up a searing cut in Mrido’s back. It began to heal, just as the other wound had. Hal needed to find where he could hit the lich where the wounds would stick.
“You’re a fool,” said Mrido. “I would have let you live, if you’d been cooperative.”
“It’s hard for me to take a lich at their word,” said Hal. “But even so, I already said I wouldn’t let you touch my friends. I don’t think it bears repeating.”
“I would have shared them with you,” said Mrido. “Along with my secrets. Along with my magic. Would that not come in handy, Heart Holder? Eromancy to pair with your passionate ruby magic? The possibilities would be endless…”
He wants me to converse with him and let my guard down.
Hal attacked again, slashing twice with his sword and attempting to fire a Flame Shot into the gashes he’d opened up. He was limited by his reluctance to look directly at the monster, and his shot ended up going wide. Mrido pushed outward with his club fist to retaliate, bruising Hal’s chest and knocking him back.
Hal fell back, forced into defending, rather than attacking. Not being able to match Mrido’s strengt
h made it a chore to keep his guard. Mrido was fast, and far more dangerous than his slender build had originally let on. Hal took another strike from the club to the side of the thigh and felt his hip joint explode with pain as he fell into a sprawl.
“Which of them is your favorite, I wonder?” asked Mrido. “I’m almost tempted to keep you alive just to have the pleasure of finding out.”
Hal growled and fired a Flame Shot in the direction of Mrido’s voice. The lich sidestepped it, and the fiery projectile nearly struck Zoria as it continued on the same path. He forced himself to breathe and let go of his emotions, like he’d been working on with Cadrian.
Ruby Ascension wasn’t helping. His fire magic was useless against an opponent who could regenerate at Mrido’s speed, and the emotional influence of the enhanced casting state was only pushing him to fight a foolish, aggressive battle. A losing battle.
He exhaled and let himself return to Baseline. It opened up the possibility of using the other elements, and while his sapphire spells were admittedly rather useless in the fight, Wind Dash gave him mobility.
“Oh?” Mrido laughed. “No more flames? And you were just getting warmed up! Ha!”
The lich attacked with the club again. Hal dodged with Wind Dash, cutting one of Mrido’s legs at what he hoped was the tendon as he moved by him. Mrido stumbled, but remained standing, the wound beginning to heal almost instantly.
“I suppose I’ll have to start trying, if you really intend to be this much of an annoyance.” Mrido stomped one of his feet and let out a grunt. Underneath his skin, his bones and muscles began contorting. His eyes gave off a dark, purple glow as his body expanded to double its normal size, skin stretching as he morphed into something inhuman and evil.
He stood almost twice Hal’s height. Both of his arms were now massive cudgels of flesh, each one the size of Hal’s torso. His head was the only part of him that had remained its original size, and Mrido wore a cracked smile on his face. The floor shook a little as he took a long step, closing the distance between them.
Eternal Palace (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 4) Page 25
