Pat laughed and nearly doubled over from coughing. “I’m shocked they both would choose a time like this to test them.”
“They need to prepare and this house would be the place to temper them.” Grakan opened the door to the house to return to his post. “If they can survive the night here then maybe they can survive the endeavor they’re going to face in the depths of Hell.”
Chapter 38
Riell, Gerald and Drean followed the three ghosts from the lobby up to the second floor of Gri’s manor. Drean reached out to brace himself against the railing. When he touched the golden rail he drew his hand back quickly as if it had burned him.
Did it just move under my hand? Drean thought himself delusional but felt it shudder beneath him violently.
Riell noticed his reaction and looked at him quizzically.
“Why did you flinch?” she asked.
“The rail. It vibrated when I touched it,” Drean said.
Riell and Gerald both stopped to touch the rail.
“Do either of you feel it?” Drean asked them.
“Nope,” Gerald replied, he watched Drean for a moment though.
“I don’t either,” Riell said. “Are you alright, Drean?”
Drean didn’t answer her, but continued to stare at the rail. Why did it react like that when I touched it?
“We must continue, please,” the elder spirit said from the top of the stairs.
Gerald shrugged and walked up the stairs. Riell looked Drean over before she followed. When Drean walked up the stairs the headless ghost slid silently in front of him.
“Obe, leave the young man alone. We need to get them to their rooms,” the elder ghost said.
Drean watched the ghost as it touched the railing and flitted about the ceiling frantically.
“He says the house fears me.” Drean said after a moment.
“Obe, let him be.” The elder ghost waved at Obe.
Obe settled at the top of the stairs.
“How did you understand him?” Riell asked.
“He just spoke out to me with his body language. I’m not sure how. I just understood him,” Drean said.
They reached the top.
Moans and screams escalated all around them. It grew colder. Ghosts with twisted taffy-like limbs wandered about. Holes gaped where their breasts and genitals should have been.
Drean could not understand them, and then all at once he could hear them clearly.
“One more time? Please?”
“I just want to make love. I just want to have her again.”
“Give her to me! She’s mine! Mine!”
“I’ll rape them, every single one of them, if I don’t get free service now. I demand it.”
“Am I a man, or a woman? Tell me! Tell me!”
“I need it. I’m dying. Dying.”
Each ghost had similar laments of desire or dissatisfaction.
“Just ignore them,” the elder ghost said.
“What are they?” Drean asked.
“Half-eaten souls. They are the product of prolonged succubae or incubae use,” the elder ghost said.
“Which is why I got out of that,” Gerald said.
“You had sex with a succubus?” Drean asked.
“Uh. Once. A few times. Ok, more than I should have,” Gerald said.
“Why?”
“We don’t have time for this,” Riell interrupted. “Drean you don’t need to know these things.”
“Tell me why, Gerald.”
“Sex with them is one of the most phenomenal experiences I’ve had. That’s why. One time and no one else will compare. That is if you get an experienced one. And the one that I saw… well; she really set the bar.
Riell gripped Gerald’s arm.
“That’s enough.”
“Damn. Fine. He just needs to know what he’s up against you know?”
A great bronze double-door awaited them a short distance from where the stairs connected to the balcony.
A snarling demon was depicted on its left side. Its aversion was directed at an angel that faced him from the right door.
The angel had a drawn sword, ready to defend itself from the incoming demon. A torso and head were engraved across the center of the doors: the half on the left, the angel’s body and the half on the right, the demon’s body.
Why did you try to stop Gerald? Drean thought at Riell.
I have my reasons.
If we are going to be faced with succubae here, I need to know what to expect.
We’ll protect you. He shouldn’t have said what he said about them. I don’t want you to be tempted if we do see them, and now you have in your mind that they can give you pleasure of that magnitude. Your curiosity could outweigh your resistance against them. They play on curiosity and desire. Just remember these souls around us. They are the reason you must stay away from them.
Drean set foot on the balcony and the doors shuddered. The whole company glanced back at him.
“I’m not doing anything,” Drean said.
The elder ghost floated over to the door and touched it with his hand. Its tumultuous reaction to Drean’s presence lessened and ceased.
“Obe’s assessment is correct. The house fears you,” he said.
Obe pointed at Drean.
“Is he accusing me of something?” Drean asked.
“No, angel, don’t be so anxious,” the elder replied. “You are our guest here. The house may not understand why you are here, but it will not harm you unless you show intent.”
Drean sighed in relief as the headless ghost beckoned to him with a finger.
“Drean, don’t leave his side until you’ve reached your room,” the elder ghost said. “Riell, follow me from now on. Gerald will follow Gustav.”
“So you’re Gustav.” The ghost faded out of view and reappeared at Gerald’s side. “I’ve heard a lot about you. You had quite a reputation with the ladies when you were living.”
Gustav grinned at Gerald’s recognition of his past life.
Riell walked up beside the leading ghost.
“And you are?”
“I am Ajeb,” the ghost said. Ajeb placed both hands on the door. “Interesting. The doors are not responding.” He pushed on them a little. “Nothing.” He turned to face Drean. “Perhaps it seeks to deny you entry,” Ajeb said to him. “Reassure the manor, Drean,” Ajeb urged, and motioned for him to come forward by the door.
“But, how?” Drean asked.
“Explain why you’re here,” Ajeb said.
“I am only a humble guest in this magnificent home,” Drean began. The doors shook. Drean moved closer to them as he spoke. “I mean you no harm and understand that if for some reason I break this vow you will retaliate.” Drean stood in front of the doors now.
All he could hear was the cacophony of anguish around him. His hands trembled as he reached for the door.
“Grant me entry, so I may speak to your master,” he finished.
When Drean’s hand neared the door the demon on the left side roared, cast a menacing stare, and the head of the demon-half of the middle engraving snapped at Drean. Drean drew back and pushed the door with both hands.
It shuddered once more, and the demons within it sank into the door.
A rush of cool wind blew against Drean when the door opened. Beyond the door a long narrow walkway led to a circular courtyard. Exotic vegetation reached from the ground up through the skylight of the courtyard from all sides of the walkway: enormous colorful flowers, bushes and trees. Green wooden walls stretched up high into the air a few feet behind the plants, and oriental style roofs curved upward from the top of them.
A life-like sculpture of a robed humanoid at the very center of the courtyard caught Drean’s eye. Its robe encompassed his face and body and Drean could not discern its race. Its hands were raised at his sides, palms facing up as if he were balancing an immense amount of weight.
“This is the common area,” Ajeb remarked. “Many of our s
tudents and teachers walk through these gardens in-between lessons.”
The three visitors followed their escorts.
Drean peered through the growth around him. He thought he could see through the wall beyond the plants. Drean stretched an arm through to test his new theory and was surprised when he could feel no wall where there should have been one.
“Sir, I strongly recommend you desist.” Ajeb flitted in front of him and glowered.
“I... I, apologize,” Drean said. “I just wanted to see if the wall was where I thought it was.”
The ghost nodded. “I know you’re a curious one. The garden around the perimeter of the courtyard has no end to answer your question. At least not one that I know of. It stretches through this plane and into another.”
“But how is that even possible?” Riell said. She stepped closer to listen to the conversation.
“Gri is an accomplished soul-botanist. His garden is grown from discarded soul-seeds,” Gerald said.
“Heaven’s discarded soul-seeds? Why would he dabble in something so volatile?” Drean asked.
Gerald shrugged.
“He believes all souls deserve a chance to live.”
“Each to his own I suppose,” Drean said.
“Gri considers his garden his masterpiece,” Ajeb said. “Most of it remains uncharted to this day. However there are several paths you can walk that will bring you back to this courtyard if you wish to explore it.”
“Maybe some other time,” Riell interjected. “We should be getting to our rooms.”
“So this is him then.” Drean stopped underneath the statue and stared up at it.
“Yes, this is the master of the manor,” Ajeb said.
“What does this say?” Drean peered at an inscription at the statue’s base. “I can’t read it.”
“It is in demonic,” Ajeb said. “It reads: ‘Feed your mind. Feed your body. Feed your soul. Embrace your identity. Claim your destiny.’”
“Interesting,” Drean said.
Why would Gerald bring us to see someone who has obvious ties to the demonic? Drean thought about saying something to Gerald but decided against it. I have to trust him, at least until he disproves his worthiness.
Riell noticed three stone walkways branched off from the statue: west, north and east of their position.
I should have known, she thought. Three ghosts, three paths, three guests. Three different fates? They’re trying to split us up for a reason.
“We’ll be going to different wings of the house from here,” Ajeb said.
“Drean you will be following Obe.” The headless ghost flew around the group excitedly before coming to a rest by Drean’s side.
“He’s taken a liking to you, sir,” Ajeb remarked.
Drean raised an eyebrow and tried to grin at his new companion but could not hide his disgust.
Riell stifled a chuckle. “It’s really not necessary to put Drean and I in different rooms,” she said.
“Those were our instructions, madam,” Ajeb said. “We must follow them.”
Be careful, Drean, she thought at him.
His eyes met hers and he nodded.
“Alright, let’s get on with it,” she said.
“Gustav, you will lead Gerald...” Ajeb continued.
Gustav faded from view and reappeared at Gerald’s side with a wide grin on his face.
“...And I’ll accompany you, Riell,” the ghost finished.
Obe led Gerald on the northern path, behind Gri’s statue.
“He’s taking me to my usual room in the north wing. See you guys later.” Gerald turned and waved.
“See you, Gerald,” Drean called after him.
Riell gave him a nod.
“Why are you so irate, Riell?” Drean asked.
Riell’s lips tightened when she heard Drean speak.
“We should be in Hell right now. Not lounging around here.”
“We need to be rested for the journey and for the battles to come,” Drean said.
Ajeb floated to Riell’s side. “Drean is correct, madam. Let us be on our way.” Ajeb floated down the eastern path.
Riell cast Drean a worried glance and followed the ghost.
“See you later, Riell,” Drean said with a wave.
If you need me let me know. She spoke to him telepathically.
I will.
Heavy winds stirred the plants of the courtyard. Thousands upon thousands of leaves and flowers rustled simultaneously. The garden’s vastness awed Drean.
Drean turned to look behind him one last time. Gri’s statue was no longer in sight.
Drean sighed and walked with Obe down the western path.
Deaf and blind to what is all around me, yet I must press onward, Drean thought.
Chapter 39
Gerald turned to look back at the center of the courtyard but could no longer see it. The path seemed to stretch on infinitely behind them.
“That trips me out every time, Gustav,” he said as he tried to break through the illusion.
What if there isn’t one though? What if the ground moved beneath us so quickly that we didn’t even notice? he thought.
Gustav smiled broadly at him and led the way.
When Gerald turned round he could see the entrance to the northern part of the living quarters in the distance: a large double door made of blackened metal. As they drew close to the entrance a low rustling sound whispered from the west.
“The garden creeps me out.” Gerald shuddered. “It has a mind of its own just like this cursed house.”
Gustav turned and frowned, displeased at Gerald’s comment.
“It’s beautiful don’t get me wrong,” Gerald said.
Gustav grinned.
“I just wouldn’t want to walk around in it. I would get lost for sure,” he said.
And probably tortured by whatever lives in it for all of eternity, he finished in thought.
Gerald stopped in front of the door, but Gustav continued through it.
“Hey, I’m not as blessed as you, Gustav. You’re going to have to let me in,” Gerald said.
A rush of perfumed air hit Gerald full in the face when the doors swung open.
Gerald hesitated at the entrance.
If I enter I risk reverting back to the way I was, and if I were to see her again... Gerald thought.
“Gustav, tell me something.”
The ghost faded from view ahead of Gerald and appeared right in front of him with a smile on his face.
“Is... Marylza working today?” he asked.
Gustav’s smile widened into a grin, and he flitted about Gerald excitedly.
“No, I don’t want to see her. I just wanted to know if she was on duty,” Gerald said.
Gustav hung his head, faded from view and reappeared in the hallway.
Gerald’s muscles instinctively tightened when he breathed in the air from the hall.
I could always ask for another room. He nodded at this thought and changed his mind. No. I have to face this.
Gerald stepped into the wing. Its door slammed shut behind him and left him in darkness.
I guess the hall keeper hasn’t come round to light the torches yet, he thought and tried not to breathe in too much of the perfumed air at a time.
“Gustav can we...” Gerald heard a woman’s low moan from down the hall. He felt his loins stir at the sound. He took a deep breath to try to calm himself, but the perfume only excited him more. Gustav appeared in front of him. His iridescent form was the only light in the hall.
“Get some light in here?” Gustav studied Gerald and then disappeared.
God, I felt like I was on trial when he was staring at me like that. Gerald managed to calm himself a little, and his erection receded.
Bright yellow-orange illuminated the hall from a newly lit torch on the wall. Its light revealed another set of double doors framed by shimmering, flowing red cloth. Two more halls branched off to the right and left of the door, leading to mor
e living quarters and training rooms.
More women joined in with the singular moan: a chorus of ecstasy.
“It’s getting hot in here,” Gerald muttered. He tried to ignore the sounds but found himself aroused again.
Gustav lit torches along the wall until he reached Gerald. The ghost stared at him, smiled and offered his torch to him.
“Yes, you’re right. I know my way from here.” Gerald took the torch from the ghost. Gustav grinned.
“Take care, Gustav. It was nice meeting you,” Gerald said.
Gustav gave a curt bow and faded away.
Gerald’s footsteps clicked against the smooth gray tile of the hall. Every time Gerald passed the wooden doors to the student’s rooms he could hear not only the moans of the succubae but human sobs and whimpers.
The succubae must be eating breakfast, he thought.
Images of the hundreds of succubae in the wing leisurely torturing humans in unison sickened him. He found it very easy to control his libido.
Halfway down the hall he saw a tapestry of two naked succubae entangled with a human male. Terror was on the man’s face while the succubae were the ones overcome with ecstasy.
Maybe I could have just one taste of Marylza while I’m here. Her green irises encompassed his mind’s eye. He wanted to lose himself in them.
Gerald shook the vision from his mind and continued down the hall. As he walked the moans intensified and ceased altogether. One after another the doors in the hall opened. Succubae of different ages, nationalities and figures came out of their rooms and walked briskly down the hall. He moved against the wall to let them pass. Their crimson garments accentuated their curves.
Most of these aren’t pure demons, Gerald noted as they passed by. I guess pure succubae are getting harder to come by these days.
Gerald watched the succubae gather around the door at the end of the hall. An older demon in a black robe trimmed with crimson walked up to the door and muttered an incantation. They waited while it opened. The elder succubus stood aside and ushered the other demons in then stepped inside herself. She looked at Gerald and smirked.
Gerald offered a wave.
The succubae’s mouth moved, but her words were not for Gerald. Gerald saw her smirk at him again before the doors closed.
From Heaven To Earth (The Faith of the Fallen) Page 28
