As I said I have more important things to do. Tell them that, and tell them they never should have involved Shrazz in this in the first place.
She closed her mind off, felt the exous’ summons poke at her mind’s eye, and then they ceased.
Drean faded into view a few feet behind Grizaltus.
“You’re back. What a relief,” Riell said and met him with an embrace.
Gerald walked over to welcome Drean as well.
Drean held out a hand in the direction of Grizaltus.
“Give it to me, warlock,” Drean demanded.
Grizaltus continued his incantation.
“He’s enchanting it now...” Gerald began and sat back down on the couch.
“You mean to tell me it’s not ready yet?!” Drean fumed.
“Calm down, Drean.” Riell put her arms around him and held him tightly. Drean’s face softened after a moment, and he returned her embrace.
“I’m glad to be back with you two,” Drean said.
“Good to see you too, Drean,” Gerald said. He nodded at him when their eyes met. “Dark hair looks sexy on you by the way.”
“Dark hair.” Drean ran his hands through his short hair. “What happened to me?”
“It looks good,” Riell said. “You look fine.”
“He lied so much...” Drean said. “The half-breeds weren’t protesters. They were in a base across the street from the capitol planning some kind of retaliation if the Executor knew too much.”
“We saw it all,” Gerald said.
“All of it?” Drean asked.
Gerald nodded. Drean wanted to apologize, but Riell put her hand over his mouth.
“It’s over, you succeeded. That’s all that matters.” She embraced him.
“Thank you,” Drean said.
I don’t know how they can look at me in the same way... I have no idea what happened, and I had no control over my actions when it took hold, Drean thought.
“Yes, congratulations,” Gri said, as he turned to Drean. “Your display of integrity, courage and intelligence has earned you this.” He presented the medallion to him.
Drean pulled himself away from Riell and snatched it up. “I neither need nor accept no compliments from the likes of you.” Riell sighed and patted him on the shoulder.
“You do realize it’s my other half that was impassible in this situation?” Gri asked. “I’m on your side.”
“I can never tell the difference between you two,” Drean said.
“He’s maniacal. I’m insane,” Gri said.
“Right,” Drean said.
“Anyhow, about the medallion,” Gri said. “It will only work twice. Channel a small amount of Inner into it to activate it and it will open temporary passage to the Black Crown Isle where the gates of Hell are located, when...”
“The deal was for a gate to Hell,” Drean interrupted.
“I did what I could to aid you,” Gri replied.
“You lying...” Drean began.
“It would have taken us months to find the isle on our own, Drean. By then we would have been out of time,” Gerald said. “We have what we need now. It’s okay. No one blames you for what happened.”
Drean took a deep breath.
“I apologize, sir. I’ve been quick to anger lately for some reason.”
“No need for that,” Gri said with a wave of his hand. “I realize what I’ve put you through.”
“Thank you, Grizaltus,” Drean said.
Zaltus hissed. Gri smiled and nodded his head. He sat on the couch and turned the television back on. “As I was saying. You can only use the medallion twice. When you’re ready to return, activate it using your Inner, and it will bring you back to this laboratory.”
“Alright,” Drean said.
Drean channeled Inner into the medallion. A whirling vortex of clouds formed a few feet in front of him. It expanded. Bolts of energy sprouted out of it and scarred the ceiling and floor of the study.
“I should have mentioned for them not to use it in here.” Gri sighed.
The vortex grew higher and wider than Drean’s body, and the clouds cleared.
Rocky desolation was before them: the wastelands of the Black Crown Isle. Frigid, damp, dusty gusts tore through the portal and into the study. Books and lab equipment crashed against the walls and floor. Red lightning constantly streaked from the cloudy skies.
Drean hesitated. He turned from the portal and looked to Riell.
“I’m with you, Drean.” She took one of his hands into hers and squeezed.
“We’re with you she means,” Gerald corrected. “We’re with you all the way, Drean.”
“Thanks again, Grizaltus!” Drean yelled over the rushing wind. They stepped through the portal and it disappeared behind them.
“Well?” Zaltus pleaded.
“You waste no time. I’ll see you in the morning.” Gri’s eye closed, and the face became entirely Zaltus’.
“Ahh,” he said, relieved at the absence of Gri’s consciousness. He flipped through channels on the television with the snap of a finger. He reached one where scantily clad succubae teachers seduced captive humans and provided their students with in-depth explanations as to how their powers would facilitate sexual domination.
He smiled as one of the students danced around the cage of a young woman.
The caged human cried out at first, but her expression soon changed from one of horror to one of lust. She clawed at the cage to try to reach the demon. The succubus leaned forward and kissed the woman through the bars. The human was overcome with ecstasy, but her face paled as the succubus fed on her sexual energy.
A tendril of drool ran down Zaltus’ mouth. He wiped it off with the sleeve of his robe. He reached down to disrobe himself.
Zaltus.
A low tremulous hum stabbed into his brain like an icicle and froze his thoughts.
Xochra, so soon? he thought and gripped his aching head.
You sound disappointed, Xochra’s tone remained the same.
Of course not, my queen. How was your journey from the nethers?
Icy pain spread across his body. He cried out.
I apologize for my insolence, great queen.
Does the warlock suspect betrayal? she asked, her pitch heightened.
He knows nothing, Zaltus said.
His body warmed.
He believes my ramblings are nothing more than the ravings of an insane old man, Zaltus said.
I knew I couldn’t trust you to hold your tongue, Xochra’s tone grew higher and operatic. Worthless human!
Zaltus’ body spasmed as the cold bit back into him.
He knows nothing! I promise you...
Frigidity numbed his body. He struggled to breathe.
An innumerable amount of my citizens have died so that I could traverse the planes of limbo, she sang to him in low mournful tones. I will not have their sacrifice be in vain. Have you taken the steps to dispose of the demon?
Yes, my queen, as we discussed. Marylza was successful. I only await her return from Hell.
Zaltus coughed to get air into his lungs as the suffocating cold receded.
Your path to this world has been paved, Zaltus thought. I sent the bishop ahead to assure that.
Very well, her tone became elated. I will ascend to your plane soon.
Her presence left him.
“Cold is coming. Then, death, death, death!” he sang out in dissonance, again and again until his throat was hoarse.
He lounged and watched his television.
About the Author
Sherrod Wall is from Houston, Texas but currently resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with his wife Brooke and his four children: Karoline, Colin, Alex, and David. He received a B.A. in creative studies from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond in 2007. He specializes in fiction, specifically the fantasy, sci-fi and supernatural genres. He draws from historical sources and mythology to produce familiar, yet unique settings and characters.
&n
bsp; This harmony is readily seen in his novel “ From Heaven To Earth”, the introductory novel of the Faith in the fallen series. Where mythology and religious ideology of the east and west are married, generating an innovative perspective of the human condition. This physical aspect is coupled with character driven narrative, vivid description and fluid action.
Sherrod is currently editing “From Earth to Hell”, the sequel to “From Heaven to Earth” and creating exciting new writing projects, all of which will be released on upon completion.
From Heaven To Earth (The Faith of the Fallen) Page 37
