Izaryle's Prison

by Levi Samuel

  Rubbing his hand over the short stubble of his freshly shaven head Gareth paused, adjusting the strap holding his eye patch in place. He hadn't grown accustomed to the feel of it yet, but it made him a bit more sightly. Leaning back in his form fitted chair he listened to the wood creak beneath his weight. Growing impatient, he slammed the front legs back to the wooden floor. A loud crack echoed out, grabbing the attention of the others in the room. “How long are we going to wait?”

  Ready to fight, Ravion snapped around finding the source of the commotion. Relieved it was nothing more serious he lowered his guard. “Just a while longer. He said he’d be here.” Continuing his ritual he paced back and forth, allowing his usually calm demeanor to dissolve with each step.

  The chamber door creaked open revealing a black cloaked figure in the shadows of the upper keep levels. He stepped into the room, unnaturally finding every available shadow to cloak his face.

  Ravion froze, watching the figure enter the room. Ready to spring into action he held fast, hoping it wouldn't come to that. Glaring his discontent, he spoke. “Thank you for answering my missive. Would you care to explain why you broke into the vaults?” Unsure if he was making the right decision he slowly approached the table, leaning against the back of his own chair.

  A sadistic, yet calm voice echoed from the shadow. “Let’s not play coy. You know why I've come.” Drawing his sword he smiled, watching the others tense at the sight of steel. Without a word he laid it on the weapon rack. Quickly laying the remainder of his weapons to rest, Lythus lowered the hood, revealing his face to the men and tossing the cloak over the stand. Approaching one of the five chairs he took a seat.

  Ravion kept his eyes locked on the familiar face. It didn't disarm him in the slightest. “I know exactly why you’re here. You didn’t answer my question, Kane.”

  Lythus kicked his feet up, letting them rest on the well-made table. Bits of dirt and mud fell from the soles of his leather boots, littering the surface. “I don’t go by that name. It’s Lythus.”

  Gareth lunged forward, unable to control himself. Getting a better look at the dark warrior he let his words fly. “I don’t give a damn if you’re going by Remle De Leon now. He asked why you broke into the vaults. You could have easily gained access without attacking the city with a unit of dreu!” The name of the vile race left a distasteful film in his him mouth. Spitting it to the floor Gareth glared at the man, awaiting an answer.

  Lythus smiled at the impatient bald man, daring him to act. Seeing it wasn't going to happen, he shifted his gaze to Ravion. “I don't answer to either of you— But, if it will set your mind at ease, everything I’ve done has been to further the goals of this order. I couldn’t simply walk in and take what I needed as Kane. Too many questions would have been raised. I needed the dreu to die at the right time so I let them fight their way into a place they'd be unable to escape and otherwise unable to reach without the proper guidance.”

  Ravion walked around his chair and took a seat. Choosing his words carefully, he kept his gaze locked on the man. “Your actions, however beneficial they may have been, have shaken our trust. There are matters we must discuss as an order. We have to know you’re in this just as much as we are. Between Malakai’s death and Krenin's disappearance it’s just the three of us. This whole thing falls apart if we can't trust each other.”

  “I’m not here for your trust. I’m here because you asked for my help. If I wanted trust I’d get a dog. At least I wouldn’t have to explain my actions to it at the end of the day.” Kicking his boots from the table, Lythus leaned forward and started to rise.

  “I'm sorry you feel that way.” Ravion nodded.

  The hidden doorway along the side wall flew open, revealing the half-orc. Rushing forward, Krenin threw his arms around the heavy, wooden chair and the dark warrior's chest. Bulling him back into the seat, he pinned his arms to the side. Struggling to keep the subdued man seated, Krenin flexed his muscles, squeezing as tight as he could. “Hold still. This be over in a minute.”

  Rising from their seats Gareth and Ravion approached the occupied chair, taking positions on either side. Ravion reached into Malakai's vacant seat and grabbed a hand full of leather straps. Handing a few to Gareth, they went to work securing the man in place.

  Gareth threw the straps around the man's chest, careful to leave room for the half-orc to release him. Pulling them as tightly as he could he locked the buckles and tugged, making sure they didn't have any slack.

  Krenin slowly released the man, ready to grab him if the straps didn't hold. Backing away he took position behind the chair, ready to do what was asked of him.

  Flexing his muscles Lythus struggled against the belts, hoping he could bulk up and leave enough slack to slip out. Waiting for them to back away he released his hold and tried to move, to no avail. Held tight, he sighed deeply and glanced at his captors. “Really guys? You believe this necessary? Though I must commend you on hiding the pigger. I legitimately didn't know he was here.”

  Krenin bulked at the slur, but held fast. Spending so much time around humans he'd grown somewhat accustomed to their racism, though it still stung. More so coming from a friend.

  Pulling against the bracer on the man's left arm, Ravion grabbed the thin straps and released them, letting the leather covering fall to the floor. “Unfortunately, we do. Did you really think we didn't know who you were? A mysterious masked man that only shows up when Kane is absent. Never mind the glow or the fact that you have the same build. Let's not even mention all the accusations your little schemes have risen. We let you play your little charade, but it’s gone too far for too long.” Digging around the loose fitted sleeve, Ravion uncovered the peach flesh beneath, spotting his query. Releasing the shirt he took a step back, his fears confirmed. “Damn it, Kane!”

  Leaning over the backrest to get a better look, Gareth studied the deep scale shaped scar. Several blackened veins retreated from the mark, disappearing beneath the skin. “Is it as bad as we feared?”

  Glancing at the bald man Krenin looked upon the mark, recalling the books Ravion had tasked him with guarding. The pages rushed through his mind, pairing the conversation they'd had hours earlier. Remembering the mark sprawled out in the ancient text he lumbered to his reinforced chair and took a seat. A confused expression on his face he tried to piece the information together, clearly missing something. “What it mean?”

  “It's one of the strongest binding spells I've been able to find. Sadly most of the books on this sort of thing were in the tower's library. We got lucky with the information we were able to find. It seems this Lythus figure, best I've been able to translate, has locked itself inside Kane’s body. From what I learned from Kane, and judging by the shape of the mark, I’d say we’re dealing with a dragon of some kind.”

  “How do we free him?” Gareth probed the scar, watching the veins react to his touch.

  Lythus smirked, watching the young scout turned lord. “You know, you’re a lot smarter than you look. Though I’m afraid you can’t just remove it. It'd take something that can cut through magic to fully break the binding spell. I'm afraid the only things you had that can do that were in the vault. Had, as in not any longer in your possession.” Chuckling at his own joke, Lythus continued. “But even if you managed to obtain one, it doesn’t mean I’d be gone. Just that I'd be able to leave. I'm afraid there’s not much you can do about that.” His amused expression shifted, settling to a stern gaze. “And just so we’re clear. If you try, I'll have no problem biting his tongue off.” As if the threat had served its purpose his usual demeanor returned. “I'm afraid the only way to get rid of me is for him to do it himself. It’s not all bad though. Despite what you may think, I have my uses. Hell, give it some time, you may prefer my methods over his. At least I won’t nag you about what’s 'morally right' every time a questionable problem requires a questionable solution.”

  Gareth's gaze shifted from the possessed man to Ravion. “You know, he kind of has a
point.”

  Unable to believe what he was hearing Ravion scoffed, rising from his seat. Walking toward the prisoner he pressed his back side against the heavy table and folded his arms, hoping to wrap his fingers around the kris. Wishing to silence its cries. He was already feeling its absence. “We can’t just leave him trapped in there. He’s one of us.”

  “I’m not saying abandon him. I’m saying we use this— this thing for a while and let it sort itself out. That is, after all, how it’s apparently going to have to play out anyway. If he has to find his own way out, who are we to interfere? I say we call for a vote. All in favor of using this thing's knowledge to better the order?” Gareth raised his hand and looked to his brothers.

  Krenin glanced from one to the other, unsure who to side with. “Makes sense to me.” He slowly raised his hand, hoping he was making the right decision.

  “I’d raise mine but I'm afraid you've strapped it down. But I feel it should count, I am after all, still a member of this council.”

  Ravion shook his head. “I can’t believe we’re considering this.” Looking at the possessed form of his friend he stared deep into his eyes, promising more with his gaze than his words could ever achieve. “You’re going to do everything we tell you to. If you hesitate or question anything I’ll lock you in the vaults myself and you’ll rot until you die of old age. If you are indeed what we believe, I’d imagine that would be a very long time.”

  “Oh, thieves honor.” Lythus wiggled against his bindings, mocking a salute in his immobile state.

  Sighing heavily Ravion raised his hand. “Vote carries. Krenin, unbind him.”

  The half-orc stood and approached the occupied chair. Digging his meaty fingers behind the buckle at the man's midsection he reached into his belt, feeling the textured grip of the black and purple dagger in the palm of his hand. In a single fluid motion he sliced into the man's arm, watching the neatly filleted flesh peel away. Krenin pulled hard, yanking both the man and chair toward him.

  The meat and skin shriveled around the mark like a branding on cattle hide. The charred, dark gray mass fell free and landed on the chamber floor, breaking apart into dust.

  “You double crossing—!”

  Using the momentum Krenin punched as hard as he could, sending the chair and its occupant toppling the other direction. It crashed to the floor, the remaining straps holding the man in place. “Call me ‘pigger’ again!”

  Lythus felt bony knuckles smash into his face, launching him backward. It was all pretty clear what had happened. What confused him was the lack of pain. He should have hit the ground by now. Glancing around he realized he was standing. No straps, no chair, just himself and darkness as far as the eye could see. The realization hit him. He knew exactly where he was. Smiling he looked around, searching all directions.

  “You should have stayed gone. I was having fun!” He danced around trying to find where the noble warrior was hiding. How anyone could navigate this darkness was beyond him. “Warrior, come out and play!”

  A fractured blue light appeared in the distance, growing closer. He could see the brilliant breastplate and sheathed great sword protruding over the man's shoulder. He looked as righteous as ever. It made him sick. Lythus sighed. “I suppose this day would have come sooner or later. I guess we may as well get it over with.”

  Kane glared his dislike at conniving doppelganger. He stood for everything wrong in the world, and used him to do it. He was going to pay for his crimes. He had to pay. “It took me some time to find my way in this place. It seems it’s paid off. What are you?”

  Lythus laughed. “That's a simple question, one I'm sure you already know the answer to. I’m part of you, or more accurately, you're a part of me. I’m ambitious. You're stagnant. I get things done. You stand idle, waiting for a sign. It's all rather tedious.”

  “You’re trying to trick me. I would never murder or betray my friends. You’re a poison, siphoning the life out of me. Destroying everything I’ve created.”

  “While it's true I enjoy toppling your little constructs, I assure you this is no trick! I could have killed you many times over. But honestly, it was too much fun watching you build your little empire only to take it from you. The trouble is we're two sides of the same coin. Without me, you're nothing.”

  Kane looked down, admitting the truth to himself.

  “Unfortunately, the inverse holds true as well. Only one of us can control the body. I thought I'd finally managed to get rid of you during the war, though I must admit that I hadn't counted on you fighting so hard to get back. You’re stronger than I'd originally thought. That doesn’t change the fact that I'm stronger.” Lythus paused, letting his sadistic smile return. Looking into the eyes of his noble counterpart, he continued. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you think you were responsible for anything you’ve done? That’s cute. Everything you are. Everything you have is because of me. Your enemies, your friends, your position, I’m the driving force behind you. I’m the whisper in your ear telling you to seize opportunity. Telling you to attack your foes without hesitation. If I hadn't shown you the way you’d be a lost child wandering the wilderness. Who do you think guided you to this land? Guided you to a traveled road when you knew nothing? It’s all been because of me.”

  Kane felt his emotions swelling inside. He had to act quickly. If they got the better of him, if he allowed them to cloud his mind, he'd make mistakes. He couldn't have that. If he showed the slightest weakness, this— demon could gain the upper hand. And that wouldn't bode well for anyone. “I’m done with your games. If you’re truly a piece of me, then prove it. Kill me and claim my body as your own if you can. That’s the only way you’ll ever keep me from rising up!”

  “Oh, if it were only so simple. I can't just kill you outright. I wouldn't be able to have any more fun. I’d be forced to join with you, unable to escape your constant nagging inside my head for the rest of our time. I can’t have that.” Lythus casually circled the armored man, watching him, taunting him. “No, I seek a more permanent solution. I’m going to break you. I'm going to cut you down at the knees and make you lick my boots clean. By the time I'm done you'll beg me for a mercy that will never come. You're going to lie in wait at my feet like a submissive dog, hoping, one day, I'll reach down and pet you. The longing will drive you mad. You'll become a shell of your former self. You’ll be a withered and shrunken husk of a man long forgotten, left to writhe away into an unrecognized lump on this shadowed floor. I'm sure a time will come, long after this world has abandoned your memory, a time when the seven lands have learned to fear my name, that I'll consider letting you see the fruits of my labor. I'll contemplate allowing you to set your eyes on the darkness of a world long past your touch. And on that final day, the day you draw your last breath, I'll remember the promise made this day. And I'll deny you that last question, letting you die without ever knowing what happened to the world you spent so much effort fighting for.”

  Kane watched him circle like a shark ready to devour its prey. Rebellion grew inside him. He was a wellspring of light in such a dark place. “You'd better strike fast and hard then. For I'll not go down without a fight.”

  “Ah, there's that rebellious spirit I've come to admire. The very reason I took an interest in you in the first place.”

  Ready to end the taunts, Kane thought about the sword strapped to his back. He couldn’t draw it fast enough. He’d have to improvise. A plan in mind, Kane lunged at the encompassing doppelganger, drawing his dagger and plunging it into the chainmail rings covering his chest. The blade sank to the hilt, stopped only by the silver cross-guard.

  Glancing down, a bellowing laugh escaped the dark warrior. Calming himself, he stared his victory into the helpless warrior, watching the defeat work its way into him. “Did you really think I could be killed by such a weapon?” Wrapping his gloved hand around the black and silver banded dagger, Lythus plucked it from his chest. Glancing over the sharpened edges, clean of blood, he dropped it, letting it di
sappear into the shadowed floor beneath him. Inspecting the stretched rings where the blade had entered, Lythus let out an exaggerated sigh. Shaking his head he waved his hand over the tear. The broken rings reformed, weaving themselves together. In a matter of seconds the torn armor had completely mended itself, removing any sign of the broken links. “I'm afraid you won't be rid of me so easily. I still intend to show you what I’ve got in store for your friends.” Reaching forward quicker than Kane could react, Lythus pressed his finger into the man's head letting the magics flow through him.

  Kane tried to evade, tried to flee. It was no use. The man was too fast. He felt a pressure build in his head, throbbing against his skull, begging to be released. Dropping to his knees, Kane grabbed his head, struggling against the torment, helpless to the flood of visions racing through his mind. He watched his body enter the tower, the brilliant armor reflecting the beaming rays of sunlight. He felt the darkness flow from him, tainting the red brick, coercing it to store his corruption. The scene shifted, revealing a village. He felt the necks of children snap beneath his grip. Their pure blood spilled on the ground, coating his boots. He looked into their parent's eyes, watching their hatred form at his sight. He felt the pleasure of their deaths, burning them alive, trapped, and unable to cry out. The scenes shifted again, forcing him to watch murder after murder, each one growing more daring than the last. As if he wanted to be caught. A lingering pain grew inside him. He knew that his face was their final vision. All those people believe him a monster. People that trusted him. People that depended on him for protection. He saw the pain in their eyes. A pain worse than any he'd ever felt. How could he save them? How could he prevent others from suffering a similar fate? Everyone he'd ever known was helpless to the dark radiation seeping from him, slowly corrupting them.