The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  As Benzoete and George entered the Tombs, a musky smell hits them. "Wow, you can tell this place has been sealed for three centuries." George waved his hand in front of his nose.

  Benzoete snapped his fingers and a row of torches lit up the room. He called back to the others. As everyone entered, they saw a table in the center of the room. Around the walls were several paintings dictating the great battle between Craotonus and the Heavens.

  Gabriel walked to the table. "Benzoete, is it possible this day was foretold to the elders before they were laid to rest?"

  Benzoete rubbed his scraggly beard. "It is possible, why do you ask?"

  Gabriel pointed to the chairs sitting around the table. "There are twelve chairs around the table, and eleven of us made it here."

  The old wizard looked really puzzled now. "All things are possible, my king. Why the extra seat is the question?"

  At that moment, a rumble came from the back of the room. They saw a wall slowly descend to the floor. Three coffins stood along the wall. Above each was the name of the one enclosed inside. First read Malotorin, the brave. Second read Aliz'Ra, the relentless. Over the last read Chrin'lolas, the eternal.

  Benzoete started to tremble, "No, this cannot be!" The sarcophagus with his mother's name stood open and empty. "They didn't bury her here. Why would they not lay her to rest with the other two elders?"

  Then they heard a voice. "Because, like myself, she did not perish in the great war."

  Everyone was startled and drew weapons. From the shadows behind the sarcophagus stepped a terribly fragile, extremely old and worn elven man. Benzoete rushed to him, "Chrin'lolas! You live? How?"

  The old elf made his way to the table and took a seat. "The Gods chose to let me rest and wait for you to find this place. I was awakened when you entered the valley. I have much to tell you and to prepare you for the Demon Lord."

  Elos stood by trembling. "It is a glorious honor just to be in your presence, dear Elder."

  Chrin'lolas smiled and gave a nod of his head. "My time is short. I was to die in the battle, but the Gods let me live for this reason. Once I fulfill my destiny, I will take my place beside my fallen comrade."

  Benzoete asked the elder, "You said my mother did not die that day. If she did not, does she still live then?"

  Chrin'lolas replied, "Yes, but I am not sure where or how. I only know that when we were chosen as first seats of the Elders, our essence was fused together. I can sense their life force. Alas, dear Malotorin’s is extinguished, but I feel Aliz'Ra still."

  Gabriel whispered to Antoine, "We need to try and contact Natallia and Zachery, let them know we made it in and tell them the news of Aliz'Ra. If we can find her that would swing more momentum in our direction."

  Antoine nodded. Benzoete, Elos, and George sat with Chrin'lolas while the others set up a makeshift camp inside the tombs. Andrea studied the paintings when she saw Aliz'Ra wielding a strange-looking sword. "If I may ask, what is that blade she has in her hand?"

  Benzoete looked up. "Oh, I can answer that, she had the Bloodblade. It was a sword made from the blood of the Gods. We thought it would be enough to kill Craotonus, sadly it was not."

  "That is why it is important to find her. If she still has the Bloodblade we need to equip it with this," Chrin'lolas said as he opened a box mounted in the wall next to his sarcophagus. "This is a gem given to me by the Gods. It is named, Heaven's Tear. When the Gods saw how evil Craotonus had become, they wept. As their tears flowed to the floor, they formed this gem. It has the power of pure Light, love, and compassion. If we combine it with the Bloodblade, it will make it powerful enough to destroy the immortal demon forever, ridding him from the shadows."

  Antoine came over to them. "We have everything set up. You can try to contact Natallia now."

  Benzoete walked to the area with his candles and mirror; with a snap of his fingers the candles light. He took a small green amulet out from under his robes, closed his eyes, and concentrated. The mirror started to ripple like water. Antoine, Gabriel, and George watched anxiously, they desperately wanted to see their family.

  Suddenly the mirror ran red like blood and a face appeared. Instead of their family members, Craotonus appeared. "Ah, my dear Benzoete how long has it been? I just want to thank you for showing me where you hid the Champion. I will show my gratitude with the gift of your loved one’s heads delivered to you by my minions."

  With an evil laugh, the mirror faded back and Benzoete was knocked backward off his feet. "We have to get them back here now! They are not prepared for this on Earth!" shouted Gabriel.

  Elos helped Benzoete to his feet. The wizard brushed himself off. "Chrin'lolas, can we hide the Champion of Light for a few months or more until his eighteenth season day?"

  Antoine clenched his fists, "We have no other choice! You heard the demon as well as we did. They have to be brought back."

  Chrin'lolas paced back and forth, rubbing his long beard. "There is one way we may be able to bring them here and to keep the child safe."

  Andrea was now with Antoine, sliding her hand into his. "Well, it is more than we have with them alone in this other world. Whatever needs to be done, we will do it. We have beaten the odds on every challenge we have faced."

  George spoke up, "What about Earth? If we bring them back here the demons will tear that world apart looking for them. All those innocent lives, gone."

  Benzoete looked as if he would be sick. "We need for them to know we are bringing them here. Not hiding them but protecting them."

  Chrin'lolas nodded in approval. Gabriel shook his head, "You are talking about suicide. It would be a full war with all his minions and a fallen God. We are not ready for that."

  "They are not ready either. If Craotonus were at full strength, he would have already come for us. We have to act fast and get them here," Benzoete said.

  George asked, "I don't know much about the prophecies or lore of the elven people, but could Prince Tradan be strong enough before his eighteenth season day? Could he have trained and have learned all he can? Or must we wait for that day?”

  "It has been centuries since the last Champion of Light. Even before master Chrin'lolas. We do not have all the information either, just what the Gods revealed to us through the Book of the Ancients." replied Elos.

  Chrin'lolas turned to Benzoete, "You have the Book of Ancients with you? That could be the key to all our questions!"

  Benzoete opened his satchel and handed the book to Chrin'lolas. The old elder walked over to the table and quickly opened it up, flipping to the back.

  "I do not understand, the pages are blank. What is it you are looking for?" asked Gabriel.

  Chrin'lolas closed his eyes and smiled, "You shall see my new friend. You shall see." As the elder passed his hands over the pages, words began to form:

  “The Champion shall pass from one world to the next. His power has been proven. He is the chosen one. Call him, and the Rider to face the task. Take the castle, take your world for it is written. With my son at their side, the warriors shall not fail.”

  Seeing this written before their eyes brought a hush over everyone. Then Elos broke the silence, "Who is the writer and who is this son they speak of?"

  Chrin'lolas closed the book, "My good people, that was Akadius, lord of the Gods and Heavens, and you have been in the presence of his son this entire time." He shifted his eyes to Gabriel.

  Antoine’s eyes widened. "You are the son of a God? Did you know?"

  Gabriel, who was seated now, replied, "I did not know. My father was Owin, King of Whitehold, and husband to Jacquelin. This is a mistake."

  Chrin'lolas shook his head, quite calm. "There is no mistake, my king. It was written by the God himself. This sheds a much-needed light to this dark situation. You are the Champion's father correct?" Gabriel nodded his head, finding words were too hard to come by right now. "Then we have an unstoppable force. The son of Akadius fighting alongside his son, the Champion of Light as well as with the
first Dragon Rider in centuries. Bring them home Benzoete. Bring them home and put an end to this."

  Antoine jumped to his feet, a giant smile on his face. "Let us bring our family home!"

  36

  Coming Together

  After finding the Tomb of Elders, the refugees felt that they were finally on the right track to defeating the evil Craotonus and his brethren of demons. The original elder, Chrin'lolas, who was still very much alive, set them on course to bring Zachery, Natallia, and Tradan home. Given a second chance at life, Chrin'lolas could not leave the tomb. He had fulfilled his debt to the Gods and his time was over.

  Meanwhile, Aliz'Ra was with Zachery and Tradan helping with their training when she felt a jolt run through her that sent her to her knees.

  "Aliz'Ra! What is it?" asked Tradan.

  "This cannot be." And with that, she wept.

  Zachery tried to comfort her. "Let us help you, tell us what had happened."

  She slowly stood up. "When the Gods chose us to be the first elders of our people, we were given great power and our essence was fused together. I just felt the life force of Chrin'lolas fade. He died in the original war."

  "Or so you thought. Everyone thought you were dead to, remember," Tradan told her.

  "We need to try and contact my son and the others. I feel they have news we need to know."

  ON AMUNDISS, CHRIN'lolas used his last power to send the brave refugees back to Doochary. The noble elder had earned his rest and he knew that the Champion of Light would soon take his place and eradicate the dark demons. As they exit the entrance to the Path of a Thousand Eyes, they saw the body of Stolos motionless on the ground.

  Antoine walked over and bowed his head. "Rest now, noble one. You have earned your place in the Heavens."

  They had to find a place to set up camp in Doochary and contact Zachery on Earth. Chrin'lolas, before passing, had given Benzoete the knowledge of how to bring all of them back to Amundiss.

  "We cannot stay here long. The demons know we were inside the path, we need to be far away from here," said Elos.

  "I agree though we also need to find a way for Craotonus to figure out that we are bringing Tradan and Zachery here without it looking like we meant for them to do so. We cannot have the demons going to Earth, they would devastate that world," Benzoete said.

  Gabriel had an idea. "Craotonus knew you were contacting them through the mirror, so this time do not try to hide it. We will contact the others; tell them they are coming home and Craotonus could hear the news."

  Benzoete silently nodded his head, tapping his fingers together in front of his mouth. The old wizard had a plan of his own brewing in his ancient mind.

  ON EARTH, ALIS'RA NEEDED to find a way to tell Cassy the truth. She took Zachery's news well, mostly because she did not believe him. Aliz'Ra went to find Cassy. She was at the saloon talking to some of the patrons.

  "Here she is now. I told Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell you should be here any time now" stated Cassy.

  "I am sorry, Maybelle. You and Eugene have anything you want on the house, me and Cassy have to get going."

  Cassy looked confused. "Going where? Don't ya want to hear their big news?"

  Maybelle spoke up. "We are having a baby, Miss Lizzy! We came to tell everyone good-bye. We will be leaving to go to Atlanta tomorrow."

  "Yes, Maybelle and I want to raise our child there to give her a better opportunity," said Eugene.

  "Her?" asked Miss Lizzy.

  "Well, we're not certain, of course, but we would like a little girl named Margaret. It sounds good, doesn't it?" replied Maybelle.

  Aliz'Ra, or Miss Lizzy to them, composed herself and gave them her biggest smile. "I hope ya'll the best, and that your little girl has everything the wind would blow her way. Now, me and Cassy have to go." She grabbed Cassy by the arm, and they headed out.

  Once outside, Cassy stopped. "Why do we have to go so fast and where are we going?"

  Aliz'Ra took a deep breath. "I will explain everything once we get back to Natallia."

  Cassy was not one to talk back to her grandmother, but she needed answers. "No, ma'am. I need to know what's going on."

  Aliz'Ra stood straight, brushed herself off, looked Cassy dead in the eyes. "My name is Aliz'Ra, second seat of the elders of my people, not Lizzy. My home is a planet called, Amundiss, and everything Zachery told you is the truth. They need our help and we must give it to them."

  Cassy stood there with her mouth wide open, gave her a nod of the head. "Well, let's go then."

  Once Aliz'Ra and Cassy returned to Zachery and the others, Cassy had to get all the answers. "Okay, please tell me this is some kind of joke. You're all in on it, right? Zachery, what's going on?"

  Zachery motioned for her to sit down. "As I told you before, we come from a place called, Amundiss. It is a place filled with magic that would awe you. Aliz'Ra is my great-grandmother and is also an elf."

  Cassy looked to Aliz'Ra who nodded her head in agreement, showing Cassy that what Zachery just told her was the actual truth. "So, does that mean I am an elf, too? I thought they were just in stories."

  "No, my darling, it does not. I love you as if you were my own blood, but I took you in after your parents lost their lives in a house fire when you were just a baby. You are a true Earthling," says Aliz'Ra.

  "Why are you all here? What is going on with your home?" asked Cassy.

  Natallia spoke up, "Demons. Our home is in danger from demons. They are led by a fallen God by the name of Craotonus who wants to destroy the remaining Gods and take control of the heavens."

  "I fought Craotonus in the first War of the Gods over three thousand years ago. I followed him here and thought I had bested him. His power is stronger than we realized. He destroyed my amulet of power that would enable me to return home. So, I have been moving from place to place trying to stay out of the way," Aliz'Ra told her.

  They all sat around the table and told Cassy every detail, introducing themselves to her truthfully now. Zachery sat there with one burning question for Cassy, "After hearing all this, I have something to ask you. Are your feelings for me still what they were, and are you willing to go back with me? I cannot go back without you."

  Cassy blushed. She was madly in love with Zachery and although the news seemed to be too much, she was glad to know he was not crazy. There was a huge risk if she chose to go with him, but she knew she did not want to be without him either. "Yes, of course, I will go back with you. You have become the most important part of my life; I will follow you anywhere you want to go."

  Now that everything was out in the open, secrets revealed to the most important people here, we all felt complete. Cassy and I could actually have a life back on Amundiss. It was always in the back of my mind that we were too different, that we were meant to live our lives apart. But that gave me hope. That was another reason we had to destroy Craotonus and his minions and I couldn't wait to introduce her to my father, I know mother would have loved her as much as I do.

  37

  Orc Rising

  At Castle Whitehold, the demons discussed what needed to be done to ensure Craotonus's full recovery, as well as how they intend to handle the demigod son of Akadius.

  "My bargain with the Shadow Lords is still strong. I feel their presence inside me, stirring, wanting to choke the life from our enemies," said Craotonus as he peered out the window.

  "My lord, what do the Shadow Lords need from us? We will do everything in our power to further the cause." Rauko' said as he kneeled before The Remissum.

  Dori'naur sat at the table, running his finger along the wooden top, slivers of wood cut from underneath his fingernail fell to the floor, "Something troubles you Dori'naur?" asked Craotonus.

  "These Shadow Lords are willing to help us destroy the Gods and watch the heavens crumble. At what cost to us? What do we sacrifice for their involvement?" asked Dori'naur.

  Craotonus looked at him. "Not what we sacrifice, it is what we gain! We gain power, we
gain respect, we gain..."

  Dori'naur leapt to his feet, eyes glowing red. "We already have these things, thanks to you. You are a God, and we are your loyal subjects. What do they offer that we do not already have?"

  Craotonus slowly walked to the table, leaned over, and braced his hands on top. "The way."

  Rauko' and Dori'naur looked toward each other rather confused. "The way to what, master?" Rauko' asked eagerly.

  "The way to destroy the Heavens and get my revenge on the ones who shunned and mocked me. The way to have Akadius groveling at my feet, begging me to spare his pathetic existence."

  "Are we and our minions not enough?” Dori'naur asked. “You are a God..."

  At that moment, smoke filled the room, swirling about them. As the black and purple smoke dissipated, a hooded figure stepped forward.

  He could have passed for a cleric if not for the sense of death that spilled out from him. "The offer we gave your master was simple. Be our pawn, our vessel of darkness, and see the Gods at his feet," the Shadow Lord said.

  "And in return?" Dori'naur questioned,

  The Shadow Lord turned to look at Craotonus, "In return, eternal servitude."

  Rauko' slammed his fist down on the table. "I will not become a slave to you! I serve my master by choice."

  Suddenly, the Shadow Lord reached towards Rauko'. Shadowy tendrils wrapped around the demon’s throat, moving up to his nose and mouth. "But you do have a choice, dear Rauko'. What was it you told the good people here Dori'naur? Serve me or suffer." The tendrils started to tighten, cutting the life force from the demon. Rauko' tapped on the table in submission, nodding his head in agreement.

  "Enough, Malonox! We understand," exclaimed Craotonus.

  "Good. Glad you chose to see it my way!" the Shadow Lord said with an evil laugh. Malonox released his grip on the demon and Rauko' fell to the floor gasping. Malonox then turned to face Craotonus, "As long as we understand each other, all will be well. I will have the head of Akadius for my trophy or yours will be on my dinner plate." Instantly, he was gone.