by D L Colon
The Lost City:
The Champions
of Darkness
D.L. Colón
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 D.L. Colón
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without prior written permission of the copyright owner. This is a work of fiction.
Prologue
A guard tells Lucifer of the prophet he found while searching through the many layers of Hell and once he is finished speaking a rare and evil smile crosses her face. “Take me to this prophet.” She orders.
The guard silently turns and leads Lucifer to the prophet. As soon as they stop outside of his cell the prophet’s eyes go dark and he says in a mystical voice: A new Savior has been chosen, The Champions of Darkness have been set free. Now who will be the true Savior of the world? Will it be Noryad King, the Champion of God or The Champions of Darkness, who were awoken the moment The King claimed his Inheritance?
Lucifer, curious about the ramblings of the prophet, asks him, “Where are these Champions of Darkness?”
“In Hell!” The prophet answers.
“How can someone be my champion when I have not chosen them?” She asks herself.
“Because, I am your only hope at stopping Noryad King from rising to power and saving the world.” A voice says from behind her.
She turns around and sees a figure in the shadows. “How can you be sure of that?”
“Because I want to see the world burn.”
“Prove it.” Lucifer challenges.
Suddenly the prophet stops rambling and starts screaming. His screams end when he explodes into a pile of dust.
Chapter 1
Lucifer looks at what remains of the prophet for a moment before she looks back at the one responsible for it. “Well that is quite amazing. Since you aren’t supposed to be able to do that in here I order you to tell me your name”
“Well, Lucifer, my name has been long forgotten in this world. I am called Osiris.”
“Interesting. It matches your features.” She said as she took in his long, black hair, his red eyes and his toned body. “You have the body to fight Noryad King in a sword fight, but are you strong enough to repel his magic and make sure nobody in the Lost City survives?”
“I don’t know who this Noryad King is, but it doesn’t really matter because he is in my way. I am stronger, wiser and I know the rules of the game. I was a King in my past life and I have been in war more times than this new, young King. I know everything about my powers and I am the most suited to face your enemy, but for that I need information. I need to know the details of who I will be facing except for Noryad King. I will take care of getting his information myself, but I want something in return.”
“Indeed you are correct. You are wiser and you know the rules of the game. So tell me, Osiris, what is it that you want? Depending on your answer I shall decide if I will proclaim you my champion or if I shall send you to the deepest part of Hell where your powers won’t work.”
Osiris looks at Lucifer with defiant eyes and says, “What I want is rather simple. I want my life back. I want to walk again on that forsaken earth and I want to choose who I will be bringing with me to face your enemies. Grant me this and I shall serve you willingly. But remember, I bow to no one”
“Pretty simple requests. Those are ones I can grant you, but before I can give you that you must gather your team, and prove to me that they are strong enough to fight in the Lost City and survive. I will grant you access to a place where only the strongest survive.”
Osiris’ expression turns dark and with a devilish grin he says, “Let me guess, Hell’s Coliseum?”
“How do you know of the Coliseum?” Lucifer asks curiously.
“There is nothing in Hell that escapes my ears. You may be the owner and have the power over all of us within, but I have deep connections in all of Hell and that’s why I know you need me. That’s how I know your son, Raphael, failed to do his job.”
Lucifer’s expression turns dark. “Don’t push it,” she tells him in a menacing voice.
Osiris, knowing he has touched a nerve, bends over in a sign of respect, but he smiles knowing he will be the next Champion. When he rises he says, “Very well, Lucifer.” Osiris turns around and leaves
After Osiris leaves Lucifer says, “We will see who needs who. You are just a piece in my chess board, and, like a pawn, you will be sacrificed.”
Chapter 2
As soon as Osiris leaves Lucifer he heads toward the Coliseum. When he notices that he hasn’t changed his fake appearance he shakes his head. As he continues walking his appearance starts to change to his real one. His long black hair now is half black and half white, but his eyes remain red. His body remains the same toned physique he showed Lucifer, but his facial features change. His face now shows the appearance of his prime days when he was killed by his so-called friend. As he walks toward the Coliseum his clothes change and his hands now hold a magic staff holding skull. Strapped to the back of his waist he has two daggers and he has a cloak covering his face and body. He can see, but no one can see his face.
Once he arrives at the coliseum he lowers his hood covering his face and Cerberus is waiting for him in his human form. “Osiris long time no see how things are going with you”
“Well, Cerberus, my friend, I have news for you. Lucifer has granted me passage to the Coliseum”
Cerberus looks at Osiris like he made a dumb joke, but seeing the serious expression on Osiris’ face he asks, “Why would you need passage to the Coliseum when you have been the reigning champion for thousands of years?”
“Lucifer doesn’t know that. She believes I am just a peon on her chess board, but in reality I am the King. While she has been focusing herself on the War on earth I have been the one who has been taking care of things here in Hell.”
“Osiris, what is it that you want? Is it Hell?”
Osiris’ expression turns seriously dark and he answers, “I don’t want Hell. I want Earth.”
Cerberus smiles and opens the door to the Coliseum. “Welcome back, Champion.”
As Osiris walks through the Coliseum he passes through the room of the fighters and the condemned people are calling his name, waiting for him to enter the arena to defend his reign again. Osiris ignores them as he heads for his room. Once in his room he looks at the weapons he has in there and tries to decide which one to use today during his fight. After thinking for a while he decides that he won’t be using a sword today, he will be using his magic. Osiris sits down and closes his eyes as he waits to be called to fight.
“Champion, it’s time.” Osiris hears someone say from the other side of his door. He open his eyes, stands up and walks toward the door as it opens by itself and closes behind him. There are two Coliseum guards standing there to escort him to the arena.
Chapter 3
Osiris enters the arena and the condemned cheer loudly. He raises his left hand and everyone grows quiet as Cerberus walks into the arena. “People of Hell, the time has come.” The people cheer loudly again and Cerberus raises his hand to quiet them as he continues to speak, “Our champion, Osiris, has come to defend his reign. Are you ready to see another one-sided fight?”
Osiris has a calm expression on his face, but his opponent has his sights set on the throne over the Coliseum. Cerberus turns to Osiris and his opponent and says, “Osiris, you know the rules and Dragian, you know the rules, which means there are no rules.”
Dragian grins wickedly and says, “Well, Osiris, your reign ends today. I’m going after Lucifer next. I will defeat you and I will make sure Lucifer sends me to fight
for her.”
“Dragian, it will be my pleasure to disappoint you in that. The spot of Lucifer’s warrior is taken, but you are welcome to audition for any other spot. Maybe the janitor of the Coliseum perhaps?”
Cerberus chuckles at Osiris’ comment, which angers Dragian. Cerberus starts to walk away, but turns back and looks at both warriors. “Fight clean.” He says and chuckles while walking away. When he exits the gate closes behind him.
Dragian spits to the floor and says, “I will have your head decorating my room.”
Osiris looks at his fingers and then looks up at Dragian. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
Dragian goes to repeat it, but Osiris’ expression turns dark and he says, “Since when do I give a fuck what you want to say?”
Dragian gets angrier and goes to attack Osiris. The moment Dragian’s hammer is about to hit Osiris it hits an invisible barrier. Dragian, not believing what happened, starts to hit the barrier with his hammer, but can’t seem to dispel or penetrate it.
Osiris looks at him with a bored expression and yawns, “Is that all you’ve got?”
The crowd starts laughing at Dragian and causes him to get angrier. He brings out another hammer and hits the barrier, leaving a small crack in it. Osiris, mocking Dragian, feigns a frightened expression and Dragian, thinking he has the upper hand, says, “Not so strong now that your barrier is going to break, are you?”
Dragian swings both of his hammers and hits the barrier, shattering it. He looks at Osiris and grins and while swinging his hammer again. “Now, you are next.”
Osiris, who is in front of Dragian with the fake fear in his eyes, watches as Dragian approaches him swinging his hammers. He grins at the last second and takes a step forward, making the hammers hit each other. The recoil hits Dragian and Osiris uses the opening to put one finger on the floor. Suddenly the floor starts to move and skeletons rise up, surrounding Osiris and Dragian. As he watches what is happening around him, Dragian starts to recall a comment other warriors made while he was heading to the arena earlier, “Another soul foolish enough to join the ranks of The Seeker of Souls.”
The crowd starts cheering and chanting loudly, “The Seeker of Souls!”
Osiris grins and says, “Well, it seems I have pleased them enough. Time to end this fight”.
With one finger Osiris touches Dragian and Dragian starts to convulse. Osiris grins and starts walking away when Dragian raises both of his hammers to hit Osiris, but before he has the chance he explodes and the crowd cheers. Osiris continues walking away as what’s left of Dragian falls to the ground like a puppeteer just released the strings controlling him. The gates open and Osiris walks away from the battle, leaving behind what remains of Dragian’s body, that will now join the pile of trash he has killed throughout the years.
Cerberus watches him leave before he announces, “There you have it people, our Champion, Osiris!”
Chapter 4
Osiris walks out of the Coliseum and sees Lucifer standing in front of him, anger flashing in her eyes. “You bastard. How dare you lie to me? You have been the Champion of the Coliseum since you first set foot in Hell.”
Osiris looks at her calmly and responds, “I did nothing. Did it ever occur to you to pay attention to your own realm? No, it didn’t. You have been paying more attention to the war than what happens in here. Now, if that’s all you wanted, I will take my leave.”
Osiris turns and walks away, which makes Lucifer grit her teeth in frustration. Before he got five feet from her she stopped him. “Stop. You are right. I was careless. I have been paying more attention to the war on earth than to my own realm and that’s why I have come to talk to you. I need you to start choosing who you will be taking with you.”
Osiris looks at Lucifer and grins. “Does that mean I am your Champion?”
Lucifer looks at Osiris and shakes her head. “It means I’m giving you the opportunity to choose your companions. It doesn’t mean that you are my Champion. You still have to prove to me that you are able to follow orders.”
Osiris looks at Lucifer through narrowed eyes. “Very well, Lucifer. I will do as you ask, for now. But remember, I bow to no one. Do you have the information of who I need to take care of in the Lost City?”
“Yes, Osiris. I have the information on the key members of the Lost City you need to kill to destroy any resistance against me.” Lucifer hands him seven spheres then continues talking, “In there you have information on the ones you need to take care, except for Noryad King. If you prove you are worthy of being my champion I will let you take care of that matter.”
Osiris grabs the seven small spheres, ignoring Lucifer’s comment. As he walks away he says, “I have been champion of the Coliseum for thousands of years. There is no one who can defeat me, Lucifer, but I will humor you in your stupid game. I will come out on top in the end anyway.”
Lucifer looks at his back and murmurs, “Asshole,” before she turns and walks in the opposite direction.
Despite the distance, Osiris hears her clearly and grins. “I love you, too, Lucifer.”
Chapter 5
Osiris walks back through the Coliseum to where his room is located because it’s the only place he can have peace while he sees what information the spheres hold. He gets to his room and looks around at the set up. It’s what they call a hide room in the Coliseum. It’s called that because unless you know where it is you cannot find it. He likes it because it’s a place where he can go to sleep and not worry about being disturbed. His status as reigning champion has granted him that much power. He can’t help but grin at the thought of the power he has gained by being champion of the Coliseum. His grin grows at the knowledge that he will be going to earth again soon.
Osiris grabs the first sphere and looks at the writing on it, Drake Blackfaith. He opens it and words appear on the flat surface within. Osiris starts reading the information and notices some key points, Drake Blackfaith is the man of the prophecy given six hundred years ago and he is half angel and half demon. It gives some additional information about him being able to transform like the Saviors and Destroyers can and gives information about his sword preference. Gaining all the details the sphere has to offer Osiris shuts the sphere and passes onto another one.
The next sphere has information on Rick Blaze. “He can control his powers. That is all we know about him.” Osiris shuts the sphere in frustration. “Well, that was educating.” Osiris says sarcastically and makes a mental note to himself to research Rick Blaze.
When he picks up the third sphere he sees the name Selene Hearts. When he opens it all it says is, “Drake Blackfaith’s Mate. Powers still unknown.” Osiris shuts the sphere in frustration and tosses it beside the others. “Garbage. It seems I will have to research everyone myself because they can’t get anything except the most basic information.” Osiris yawns and looks at the remaining spheres. “I’ll take a look at the rest of this later. I need to rest,” he says out loud then gets up and goes to bed.
Chapter 6
Few hours later
Osiris wakes up and sits on his bed while he stretches. Then he gets up to exit the secret room when he hears Lucifer say from behind him, “Have a good nap? The noise didn’t wake you?”
Osiris turns to face her, noting the sarcastic tone to her words, and responds, “Well actually, Lucifer, it was thanks to them that I was able to take a nap without any worries.”
Lucifer’s smile disappears and is replaced with a look of irritation. “I came to find out if you have any news. Did you make any progress with the spheres?”
Osiris recalls what happened with the spheres and with a serious expression he tells Lucifer, “Well, Lucifer, all I can say is that your team is a piece of shit. They can’t even gather information well. The spheres you gave me contain garbage. They don’t work for any reference I might need to use when I get my team set up. I will have to do the research myself once I get back on earth.”
Lucifer smiles again, “Oh, I
forgot to mention that I don’t have much information on the young members of the Lost City, but it still hasn’t been decided that you and your team are the ones heading back to earth as my champions.”
“Lucifer, I know I and my team will be the ones going to earth, but if you want to test my conviction I will humor you. I do ask that you remember this moment when you said that it hasn’t been decided. Now, if you don’t have anything else to say I’m busy. I still have the Guild leader’s spheres to look at and see what your useless team has found on them.”
“One last thing,” Lucifer says before she turns toward the door. “I grant you permission to go anywhere in Hell to look for your team. All of the guards know this.” Lucifer hands Osiris a black sphere. “Destroy this once you have assembled your team of eight, including you, and you will be transported into my throne with your team. Then I shall have a match, your team against mine.”
Osiris smiles at the news that he is allowed to go anywhere in Hell. “Understood, Lucifer.” Osiris says and grabs the sphere. He turns around and puts it on his table. When he turns back around to face Lucifer again she has disappeared in a wisp of black smoke. Osiris looks at the lingering smoke and wonders out loud to himself, “I wonder if I will be able to do that once I am her champion?”
He shakes his head at his wandering thoughts and sits down to look at the spheres. He looks at them for a moment and changes his mind.
Leaving his room he seals it with his powers and heads to the gates to see Cerberus. Standing there looking bored Cerberus sees Osiris and waves. “Hey Osiris, what brings you here?”
“I am putting a team together to take with me to earth and I am going to need your help. I am going through some information before I start looking, but I need to ask if you will be my guide through all of Hell while we look for the best around here.”
