The Overlord sat down, beckoned to Grasant, and his servant quickly brought over a goblet filled with a strange liquid. The Overlord embraced the chalice, finished its contents in one swill, and continued. “Since there is a challenge made and accepted,” he paused and looked over at Tam, then back at Dybbuk, “you have the option of embracing it at first light or defeating one of my Superior Drones.”
Dybbuk grinned, exposing his bottom row of fangs. “Even though I welcome the opportunity to battle one of your Superior Drones, I’ll take greater pleasure in extinguishing the pathetic life of Tam.”
Tam’s eyes burned with rage.
“Let it be recorded that the battle will take place tomorrow morning in the courtyard. Send out word to the regions. You are dismissed.” The Overlord rapped his staff loudly several times, indicating the trial was officially over, then he stood up, adjusted his robes, and left through the door from which he arrived.
Shortly thereafter, everyone else followed, except for Chargen and Dybbuk.
The big drone walked over. “I was disappointed that you didn’t pick me for your challenge. I wanted to test my skills,” he said.
“I would’ve hated to kill you, my friend,” Dybbuk replied and walked past the stunned demon. In all reality, he wasn’t sure if he could’ve actually beaten him, but learned at an early age to bestow some sort of doubt in others.
****
Dybbuk arrived at his keep, ate, then prepared for his upcoming battle with Tam. He donned his most prized armor, which was not only crafted from the finest material throughout the plane, but was also enhanced with special oil that made it virtually impervious to weapons. Even without it, Tam didn’t pose any real threat, because he wasn’t as strong or skilled as his teacher. However, what he lacked in physical prowess, he made up for in astuteness, and that was what he needed to keep in mind. Dybbuk knew the key to victory for any battle was to know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and be prepared to adjust to the unexpected during the fight.
After he finished making his final adjustments to the armor, he opened the cabinet housing his weapons and carefully selected the ones he would use for his fight. The first weapon of choice was a unique, two-handed sword he called Organ Hunter. The blade was longer than most swords of that style by three feet, crafted from the strongest steel, sharp enough to slice through metal, and had hinged blades running up and down the main blade that were angled toward the foible. The tiny blades served a unique purpose; after the sword entered the body, they changed direction toward the forte and latched onto the surrounding organs. When the sword was removed, the organs followed and death was certain. He strapped the weapon across his back and stared at the remaining cache of weapons in the cabinet.
Several seconds later, he found just what he was looking for. A pair of perfectly well-balanced axes that, when thrown, would be drawn to his opponent’s body heat and often scored a direct hit.
Lastly, he selected a curved dagger. It was the weapon he employed when he was about to finish off his opponents. Pleased with his choices, he hooked the axes to his side and placed the dagger into his boot, then waited until dawn before leaving for the courtyard to face Tam.
“No, my lord, don’t fight him. You’re far too valuable to our cause,” Masset pleaded with his master.
“Don’t be afraid for me, Masset. I have something he’ll never possess: courage and the heart of a champion. He’s a coward and a disgrace, and he assassinated my mentor. I will have my revenge, and his head, by the light’s end,” Tam confidently said.
“I fear that he’ll use something to change the course of the battle. He’s done that before, my lord.”
“Masset,” Tam faced his most trusted servant, “I do this not only for myself but for my teacher. His spirit will guide me to victory. Now help me with my armor.”
Masset was about to say something more when Tam held up his hand and stopped him from doing so.
It took a little over an hour for Tam to get ready. After placing his helmet on top of his head, he said, “I will prevail on this day and move up in rank, so for both of our sakes, don’t interfere. Do you understand?”
Masset nodded in acknowledgment. Tam took hold of his mighty two-handed ax and left.
Masset watched his beloved master of seven years walk away. He wondered what would happen to him if Tam fell. Usually, if your master died, you had two choices: join him or serve another. He was too old for the latter, and when his fears finally got the better of him, he went to his room and grabbed his throwing blades, then stormed out of the keep after his master.
Under gloomy skies, the courtyard stands were packed with restless demons eagerly awaiting the fight between two high-ranking Demon Lords. It wasn’t every day they witnessed a battle of such magnitude.
A short while later, the Overlord, dressed in royal robes, arrived. He was escorted by several Superior Drones and took up his rightful seat in the center of the courtyard. His appearance was followed by both warriors entering from opposite ends of the courtyard and walking over until they stood in front of the Overlord.
Thunder suddenly crackled overhead, which was followed by thick sheets of acidic rain falling from the sky. This excited the crowd, and they erupted into a series of cheers that didn’t stop until the Overlord stood up and hushed them with a wave of his hand. After the crowd quieted down, he spoke.
“We are here to witness the battle between Dybbuk of the fourth command and Tam of the twentieth command for the right of innocence and ascension.”
The crowd once again erupted into a frenzy of cheers and only calmed down after the Overlord waved his hand several times.
“Combatants, do you have any last words before we begin?” the Overlord asked.
Tam was the first to speak. “My master will be avenged on this day.” His statement, simple in sentiment, brought a brief round of cheers from the crowd.
“And your death will bring me great satisfaction and prove to our kind that your life meant nothing.” The crowd hissed and howled in response to Dybbuk’s rebuttal.
The Overlord waited for the masses to be quiet before stomping his staff and telling them to begin.
Tam withdrew his ax, and Dybbuk unsheathed his mighty sword, then both demons circled each other. Tam, the larger of the two, howled in rage and attacked his opponent by swinging his ax repeatedly. Dybbuk raised his blade and deflected every attack Tam had to offer, then shoved him backward. Tam stumbled, regained his balance, and attacked again. Dybbuk successfully fended off his advances, then grabbed his arm and tossed him over his shoulder, where he landed hard onto the ground.
Dybbuk walked away from him. “You’re too slow and will die soon,” he taunted and angered his adversary further.
Tam got up and attacked again. This time, he used a style he thought Dybbuk didn’t know. His adversary effortlessly avoided the onslaught while countering with a series of near misses, using them to analyze and effectively draw Tam off-guard. Unaware of the latter, Tam thought because he was avoiding his attacks, he was better than him and pressed forward, feeling confident. Dybbuk suddenly swung at the side of his head, causing Tam to raise his ax, then he changed direction to a low strike and sliced him across his right leg and midsection, cutting through his armor and stomach. Tam stumbled a few steps until his legs gave way and he fell to the ground. He wasn’t sure how deep his stomach wound was until he saw thick blood turning his platemail crimson. He tried to rise again, but his leg weakened, and he fell back down to one knee. Confident the battle was nearly finished, Dybbuk slowly approached his wounded prey.
“Very soon, Tam, you’ll be crossing over to the abyss to stand by your master. Like his, your techniques are flawed and did not serve you in the end,” he said laughing and moved closer.
Tam waited for him to draw nearer, then found the strength to lunge forward, striking his left arm and nearly severing it. Dybbuk’s arm went limp, and he dropped the sword and fell. Tam’s sudden rush of adrenaline ca
used him to forget about his injured leg, and when he shifted his weight upon it, the leg faltered, and he missed Dybbuk’s head. His following attacks were thwarted after Dybbuk produced an ax and deflected them, then moved out of range. Tam hobbled after the retreating demon. When he failed to gain ground, he called him a coward and beckoned him to fight. Dybbuk had enough of his mouth and hurled his ax with such velocity and accuracy that it struck Tam’s left shoulder and sent him sprawling to the ground. Holding his last throwing ax, he waited for Tam to get to his feet, savoring his death.
Tam used his ax to stand and steady himself on his good leg.
“Tam, it’s time for you to meet your maker,” Dybbuk said.
Tam stood proud and raised his ax one final time. “Let’s end this,” he said.
The crowd cheered in response, sensing the fight was coming to an end. Dybbuk grinned as he approached Tam for the final time. Meanwhile, Tam knew he had to be patient if he wanted this fight to end favorably for him, so he waited for his adversary to move within range and then swung for his head. His attack surprised Dybbuk. If it wasn’t for his deep wound, he would’ve hit him. Instead, his weapon went wide, exposing his right arm to Dybbuk’s ax, which came crashing down upon the limb and severed it at the elbow. Tam wailed in pain, his ax fell away from his grasp, and he dropped to his knees. A hush fell over the crowd as Dybbuk positioned himself directly in front of him and grabbed his throat, lifting him upright.
“You’re a disgrace to our kind,” Dybbuk said and tightened his grip to begin crushing his windpipe.
Tam immediately felt dizzy, and his eyes began to bulge from their sockets as he struggled to breathe. Dybbuk smiled, gazed over at the Overlord, and loosened his grip, allowing Tam to inhale much-needed air.
“I offer his pathetic life to you, my lord,” Dybbuk said.
The Overlord stood up and replied, “Dybbuk, you’re absolved of your crimes. Now finish him.”
Dybbuk looked into Tam’s eyes and began choking his life away once more. The demon, that was twentieth in command, who failed to avenge his teacher, saw black stars dancing before his eyes.
Dybbuk was savoring his opponent’s final moments when a welcoming death came sooner rather than later for Tam. From out of nowhere, a dagger pierced his left temple, killing him instantly.
Dybbuk, along with most of the courtyard, turned toward the assassin and, to their shock, it was Masset. He did the unthinkable and stripped Dybbuk of his right to kill his opponent.
Chargen quickly raced over, grabbed the little servant by his neck, and brought him in front of the Overlord.
The Overlord glared down at him. “Why did you rob Dybbuk of his glory?”
“I did not want him to disgrace my master anymore.”
“That was stupid, and now you will share Tam’s fate.”
The Overlord nodded to Chargen, who then flicked him high into the air with ease. Two female demons swooped down, took hold of his limbs, and lifted Masset higher above the courtyard. Masset struggled against their superior strength, and pain quickly coursed throughout his body as his limbs were being slowly pulled apart. Long agonizing seconds passed, allowing Masset to feel the pain and weight of his fate, before both demons flew in separate directions and ripped his limbs from his torso. The little demon fell freely, for what seemed like an eternity, until he slammed into the ground, shattering nearly every bone in his body. Barely alive, he looked over at his master one last time before closing his eyes to the darkness and hoping he would join him again in the abyss. After Masset’s death, the Overlord dismissed Dybbuk, and he gathered his weapons and left the courtyard to a series of cheers.
****
Back at his keep, Dybbuk placed an item called Wrap of Regeneration on his wounded arm. The enhanced cloth would heal his injury as long as it was wrapped tightly around the wound for three uninterrupted days. Before turning in, he thought about Tam and smiled. He always hated him and was glad to end his life; because that was something he would have to do if he was going to be the Overlord someday.
When he awoke at dawn, he tested his arm. It felt tight and sore, so he knew the cloth was already working. He knew the Overlord would be expecting him, so he dressed and left his keep. As he approached his castle, he felt a sense of ease knowing that he wouldn’t be on trial and that the accusations against him were finally put to rest. Another good indication everything was back to normal was that the bridge was lightly guarded, and the Void Tirips were nowhere to be found.
He was almost across the bridge when Chargen came walking in his direction. Dybbuk greeted the Superior Drone and was escorted the rest of the way into the Overlord’s castle. Chargen led him down a dimly lit passageway until it ended at a large rectangular-shaped room. This was one of the Overlord’s meeting rooms, Dybbuk knew. It was finely decorated with furniture, paintings, and plants throughout the room and was brightly lit by the many torches hanging on the walls. His escort motioned for him to sit at the square table in the center, then said what was on his mind since yesterday.
“I would like to test my skills in combat against yours.”
Dybbuk smiled inwardly, knowing his comments from yesterday made an impact on the big drone. “You’ll have your test when I return from the place known as the Other,” he replied coolly. In reality, the only reason why he didn’t accommodate the drone right now was due to his wounds.
“I’ll look forward to it,” Chargen said and left.
Dybbuk thought about the challenge and knew if he could best the drone he would gain his loyalty, thus achieving another foothold toward his ultimate goal of ruling their world.
An hour would pass before the Overlord entered the room and sat down across from his guest. Dybbuk remained seated because his rank of fourth in command meant that he was entitled to do so and not have to bow to the Overlord if they were alone. Servants entered the room, a few minutes later, carrying jugs of wine. They poured the sweet nectar into massive goblets and placed them in front of Dybbuk and the Overlord. The demons clanged their cups and took a few mighty swigs together.
“Now why don’t you finish your tale about your time in the place known as the Other? And don’t leave out the details.”
Dybbuk leaned back in his chair and told him the information he suppressed from the court yesterday. Quietly, the Overlord listened and was impressed that a human could accomplish what he did. Dybbuk continued. As soon as the Overlord heard him mention that Ailith was still alive, he stopped him.
“You said that you killed her, so how is she still alive?” He asked.
Dybbuk smirked. “I did kill her, well, at least her physical form.”
“So what proof do you have that she’s still alive?”
“My pawn used an arrow that broke Raum’s immunity to mortal weapons.”
“Where did he get it?”
“The leaves on the shaft could only be found in the forest where I killed her physical form, and there was no way my pawn would have known about it. I questioned him further, and he confirmed my suspicions when he said there was a Tree Spirit in the forest that told him what to use.”
“How do you think she escaped death?”
“I believe that prior to her death, she must have invoked the ancient Chant of Transformation and left her body before her life force faded.”
“Hmm, you might be right,” the Overlord stated.
“I will be rid of her once and for all soon enough.”
“How do you plan on doing that?”
“I have released my pet into their world to find and destroy her new vessel.” Dybbuk grinned.
“She definitely deserves it. So tell me why didn’t you kill the mortal?” the Overlord asked, interrupting his brief celebration.
“Because he decided the outcome of the battle and helped me end Raum’s life.”
“Nonsense. You had no way of knowing that. Next time, stick to our ritual and kill all who know of us. Do you understand?” The Overlord was annoyed by his lack of tra
dition.
“Yes, my lord.” Dybbuk nodded his head in acknowledgement, even though he didn’t agree with him.
“What’s next?” the Overlord asked just as Dybbuk raised his goblet to his mouth to enjoy the nectar he so eagerly wanted to taste.
“In two moon’s time, I will emerge once again in the place known as the Other and travel to the forest to make sure my pet did as he was instructed. After that, I plan on continuing our campaign for total domination.”
“Good, that’s what I like to hear.” The Overlord smiled for the first time.
“My lord, whatever became of the chosen one?” Dybbuk asked and took a swig.
“The lookalikes failed to assess her weaknesses, and she fell into what we call a lifeless rest. Although she is strong in some ways, she is weak in others, and her mind is one of them. They are working on bringing her out of it, and once they do, she will come to us.” The Overlord sounded confident on the latter.
“And if they fail?”
“They’d better not, because there won’t be a trial.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No. You have your destiny, and they have theirs.”
“What about Asherah of the fifth in command?”
“Asherah is making leeway in establishing a permanent way for us to travel back and forth among their plane. Once he has finished, then he will bring our kind with him, and together, we will rule their world.”
When they were finished speaking, Dybbuk got up. “I have much to do, my lord, and must be going.”
“Very well.”
Dybbuk turned to leave.
“Don’t disappoint me again, Dybbuk.”
After he was gone, the Overlord refilled his goblet, took another swig, and began pondering his future. Would he live long enough to see his dream come to fruition or would time finally catch up to him and rob him of his glory? He glanced at his body and knew that it was nothing more than an illusion created by his staff. Outwardly, he looked like a young demon with the physique of a Superior Drone, but inside, his strength and endurance were that of an archaic demon. The staff was a blessing and a curse. It once bathed him in power, and now it was slowly robbing him of it. There was a time when he could defeat five demons at once, and, at the moment, he didn’t think he could defeat a single low-ranking demon.
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 39
