Necro Mage

by Robyn Wideman

  Kiana wondered how Rayne and Quinton would be able to stop the demons, but she stopped asking questions. It was time to trust in the old necromancer. She’d come all this way for her to give Quinton a chance to return to the world. She wasn’t going to stop now.

  Rayne started to chant softly as she circled the table. As she chanted, the candle lights would ebb and flow with light. There was no draft in the room so the changes were coming from her.

  Kiana waited to see what would happen next.

  …

  “Are you ready, son?” Quinton’s father asked as they looked at the portal that Rayne had opened for them.

  Quinton didn’t know what to expect in the seven hells, but he was ready to move forward, one way or another. Staying attached to his body, not being able to do anything but just watch as his friend dragged his corpse around the world had been frustrating. At least now he was an active participant. “I’m ready.”

  “Remember, as the witch said, we’re looking for a strong demon, but one that you can co-exist with.”

  Quinton nodded. He knew Hanna and Kayla, Hanna’s friend with a demon spirit, well enough to understand the balance needed. A more powerful demon spirit would give him more powers, but it would be riskier.

  They walked through the portal. It took them to a wide-open place that looked unlike anything Quinton had ever seen. It was dark and felt like a cave, but a massive never-ending cave. The ceiling was hard to see. It could be fifty feet high or five hundred. It seemed to shift moment to moment. The ground had plenty of plants and shrubs and they were luminescent, providing a soft greenish light throughout the cave-like space.

  “Where are we?” Quinton asked.

  “This is Ciusnnak, the fifth of the seven hells. The demons and spirits here are old, and extremely powerful. But they aren’t power hungry or thirsty for blood like some of the other demons out there. Well, for the most part anyways, even here there will be demons that can’t be trusted.”

  “What do we do now?”

  Quinton’s father looked around. He pointed to a pool of water. “There, the lake of offerings. That is where we have to go.”

  They walked towards the lake. While the plants emitted a greenish light, the lake had a soft white glow.

  “This is where we wait. The demons will sense your soul and the curious ones will approach.”

  Quinton thought it a strange way to choose a demon, but what did he know about choosing a demon? It was a shame he hadn’t spoken more to Hanna and Kayla about their demons. Perhaps they would’ve had good insights about the proper way to go about choosing a demon soul.

  “Put your foot in the water.”

  Quinton removed his shoe and put his foot into the water. It was warm, almost hot.

  “That’s long enough,” his father said.

  Quinton stepped back and looked over at his father. “How do you know all this?”

  “I’ve been dead a while now, so I’ve met other souls and talked with them, and when I saw what happened with you, I started asking questions. By myself, I couldn’t do anything to help you, but when your friends realized that your spirit stayed with your body and they sent you here, I knew I could help. I wasn’t the best father that I could be, and the way I died left a stain on our family, but I still love you and want you and everyone we know to have a good life. For that to happen, you need to return to the mortal plane.”

  “Why me?”

  “I’m helping you because I love you. Your spirit stayed with your body because of the mana-stone that you created. You are the reason you can return to the mortal plane.”

  Quinton wasn’t convinced that it was that simple, but at this point it didn’t matter. He wanted to return to the mortal plane, and if that meant bonding with a demon spirit then that was what he’d do. “What’s next?”

  “We wait.”

  It didn’t take long before the water in the lake started to ripple and then bubble. A dark shadowy figure rose out of the water. It looked like a man, but it had thick horns that came out of its head almost like a bull, and its skin was red. It carried a large sword in one of its right hand.

  The creature looked at both of them. “You do not belong here. Ciusnnak is a realm of superior souls. Humans are not worthy of being here.”

  Quinton’s father stepped forward. “No disrespect is meant. We are only here to offer one of the residents here an opportunity to go to the mortal plane.”

  The demon rubbed its jaw. “Intriguing. Yes, I can smell the life on the young one, barely beyond the grave and still connected to the mortal plane.”

  “Would you consider subjugating yourself to a human’s will for the opportunity to go to the mortal plane?” Quinton’s father asked.

  The demon laughed. “I am Bexchaurguh, I’ve never subjugated myself to any creature, I am a ruler of demons, master of any domain I enter.”

  Quinton leaned towards his father and whispered in his ear. “I don’t think this is the demon we want.”

  “Thank you for your time, great Bexchaurguh, we’ll consider another demon for our offer,” Quinton’s father said.

  The demon laughed as it walked out of the lake. “You think I care about your offer? If I want to possess the body of a mortal, I don’t ask permission I just take it.” The demon’s sword dragged along the ground menacingly as the demon came closer to them.

  Behind the demon, the water started to bubble again. This time there were even more bubbles

  Bexchaurguh turned. “Who dares interrupt me.”

  Out of the water a dragon rose and stood over Bexchaurguh. The dragon roared and Bexchaurguh flinched. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve come to claim the human’s offer,” the dragon said. The dragon’s deep voice filled the air.

  Bexchaurguh raised his sword. “I am master of this domain.”

  The dragon rose into the air and its tail swung around, knocking Bexchaurguh through the air. The demon landed twenty feet away. He rose. “How dare you attack the great Bexchaurguh.”

  The dragon flew towards Bexchaurguh and blew a white flame at the demon that covered him.

  Bexchaurguh screamed in agony and then bent a knee. “I submit. You may have the puny mortal body.”

  The dragon stopped its flames, but it stayed in the air watching Bexchaurguh as the demon retreated to the water and then disappeared.

  When the demon was gone, the dragon flew back to them and landed.

  “Thank you,” Quinton said to the dragon. “Some demons don’t know how to accept being told no.”

  The dragon chuckled. Its chuckle was like a dull roar to Quinton’s ears. “Yes, that does seem to be the case.”

  “Why do you want to go to the mortal plane?” Quinton asked.

  “To help humanity survive the return of dragons.”

  Quinton frowned. “But you’re a dragon.”

  “Dragons are much like humans, we don’t all think alike. Throughout history dragons and humans have been at war, there have been times of peace, but those were few and far between. For both species to survive and thrive a balance must be found.”

  Quinton thought about what the dragon said. It sounded logical, but what little he knew of dragons told him that dragons weren’t the biggest problem facing his friends. “Why should we be worried about dragons. Lord Zellox is our most dangerous foe.”

  “This Lord Zellox has made a pact with the new leader of the dragons, Nelarth. A dragon that would see all humans dead or slaves.”

  Lord Zellox had a pact with the dragons? That explained the strange warriors in Northern Pailtar. It sounded like this dragon could help them against their common enemies. “Are you willing to subjugate yourself? I’m not willing to give over control of my body,” Quinton said.

  The dragon bowed so that its head was on the ground. “By my honor, I promise that I will never try to control your body without consent. My powers and knowledge will be at your disposal. I only wish to do what I can to help both of our kinds.�
��

  Quinton looked at his father who grinned. “A dragon is a formidable ally. Look at the way Bexchaurguh retreated.”

  “OK, dragon. I accept your promise. What is your name?”

  “My name is Apophis.”

  A portal opened beside them

  Quinton’s father looked at him. “Time to go back, son.”

  “Will I see you again?” Quinton asked.

  Quinton’s father smiled. “If you like. You will always have a connection to the spirit world now, son. If you call upon me, I’ll be there for you.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “It was the least I can do. Now remember, you won’t be the same person you were before. Death changes people, and you’ll have Apophis with you. That will take adjusting to. Don’t assume you can just resume your old life. Things are different now. You are different now.”

  “I understand,” Quinton said. He clasped his father’s shoulder and squeezed it. He then turned and walked to the portal. Apophis made his way to the portal as well. Quinton wasn’t sure how the large dragon would fit into the portal, but it was magical so the dragon’s size probably wasn’t truly an issue.

  Taking a deep breath, Quinton stepped through the portal.

  15

  He is back

  Quinton’s eyes opened. He could feel he was back in his own body. He could also feel that the dragon, Apophis, was with him as well. The dragon’s presence felt like a mild pressure against his mind. He felt strange. Cold, and hot at the same time. He sat up.

  “Quinton!” Kiana said.

  Looking around the room, Quinton blinked several times. His vision was different now, sharper and he could see the warmth of Kiana’s body and that of the witch. He focused in on his friend. She was crying.

  “What’s wrong?” Quinton said. His voice sounded strange, deeper, raspier, like dying had changed it somehow?

  Your body has changed in many ways, Apophis said in Quinton’s mind. It will take some time to adjust.

  Quinton was a little surprised to hear a voice inside his head, but it didn’t scare him. He could feel the dragon’s energy surrounding him.

  My magic sustains us both now.

  “I’m crying because it worked,” Kiana said as Quinton got off the table. “I was so worried that it after all this it wouldn’t work, that something would change and you wouldn’t be allowed to return. I’m so glad to see you.” She hugged Quinton.

  After the long hug, Quinton turned to the witch. “Thank you.”

  “I did little,” Rayne Bones said. “I just created the portals that allowed you to channel a spirit into your body. It is your new companion spirit that allows you to live once more.”

  She understates her importance. Without her magical connection to the spirit worlds I could not enter your body.

  Quinton agreed with Apophis, without her he’d still be stuck in the in-between. Not able to leave his body, not able to use it. “Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be here now without that portal. You have our gratitude.”

  It felt strange to be speaking for two, but it was true. Quinton could feel that Apophis was just as grateful as he was.

  “I have to admit, I was a little surprised by the spirit that you chose,” Rayne said.

  “It was more like he chose me; the alternative choice wasn’t one I would want in my body,” Quinton said.

  Seeing the confused look on Kiana’s face, Quinton explained. “A powerful demon spirit responded to my invitation, but it wasn’t really interested in going along for the ride. It wanted to control my body, to control me.”

  “What happened?” Kiana asked.

  “Apophis, a dragon spirit, came along and smacked the demon spirit around.”

  “Wait, I’ve heard that name before. Isn’t Apophis the leader of the dragons?”

  I was before my death.

  “Yes,” Quinton said. “But Lord Zellox killed him.”

  “Damn that Zellox. He’s caused so much death and pain.”

  The death that Zellox has caused is nothing compared to what will happen under Nelarth’s rule.

  Quinton frowned. Apophis’ thoughts about the new leader of the dragons was very troubling. Things were bad enough with just Lord Zellox trying to take over the world. A human hating leader of dragons made things that much worse. “I’m afraid things are going to get worse.”

  16

  Quinton

  “There. They are in that cave,” Eddie said as they reached the witch’s camp.

  “Let’s go get them,” Envee said.

  Eddie pulled out his axe and dagger and nodded in agreement.

  Torun shook his head. The trouble with dealing with amateurs was that they didn’t think before acting. “Let me get this straight. The two of you want to go into the cave of a completely unknown adversary and face a sorceress powerful enough to levitate a giant scorpion hundreds of yards into the air and almost drop it directly on top of us? Not to mention we have no idea how many others are in the cave or what kind of powers they have. She didn’t come all this way to meet someone for tea...”

  “Perhaps setting an ambush is the more prudent option,” Eddie said. “Attack them when they come out of the cave.”

  Torun grinned. “That’s an excellent idea. Why didn’t I think of it?” At least Eddie had enough sense to see the stupidity of walking blindly into the dark cave, Envee still looked like she wanted to burst into the cave to save her beloved Quinton’s soul. Bloody stupid girl. Dead is dead. Waiting a little while to burn his body wasn’t going to do anything. Not that he actually cared about why Kiana had dragged the body across the desert all the way from Elderwood to this gods forsaken desert. All that mattered was killing the girl.

  “How do you want to set it up?” Eddie asked.

  “First, I want you to scout around the dune, make sure there aren’t any surprises or back way outs that will cause us trouble later. Then you and Envee will take up position on the left side of the cave entrance. Eddie, you’ll position the two of you so that you’re invisible until anyone is at least four feet outside of the cave. I’ll be on the right. I’ll make the first attack. Eddie, don’t attack right away. Once the fight starts, climb on top of the dune. You’re the second wave of attack.”

  “Sounds good,” Eddie said before leaving to examine the rest of the territory around the dune.

  “You don’t trust me to find my own spot to stand?” Envee said.

  Torun looked at the girl’s pouting face. He wanted to smash it. She was without doubt the most annoying human being he’d ever met. That wasn’t necessarily true, but at least he’d been able to kill the others who’d annoyed him this much. Having to keep her nearby for this long was what was really annoyed him. Thank the gods that this ordeal was almost over. He faked a smile. “How many ambushes have you participated in?”

  “None, but I am not stu—”

  Torun interrupted her. “Eddie is a trained scout with questionable morals. He’s done this sort of work plenty. He’ll put you in the best position and then you will be the most important of us all. I will draw any return fire from Kiana and you’ll have a shot at her back. You get to kill the girl who stole your beloved’s body. I cannot imagine the corrupt and evil things she has planned for Quinton’s body. We’re all counting on you to kill her. Can you do it?”

  Envee’s eyes flashed and her face contorted in rage. “I’ll destroy her.”

  Torun almost laughed, manipulating stupid people was so damn easy. One little speech about her obsession and she was frothing at the mouth. If she wasn’t so annoying, he’d consider keeping her around. A mage like her was useful.

  Eddie returned. “I didn’t see any other openings. I think we’re good to go.”

  “Everyone into position. It’s time,” Toran said. By the seven hells he felt good. He’d teach that bitch Kiana not to throw a scorpion at him.

  …

  “Shall we go home?” Kiana said.

  Quinton nodded. “Yes. I’d li
ke that.” They’d spent the last hour talking with the witch Rayne Bones about the troubles in the nearby Morthon and Balta, along with Rayne telling them about what abilities he might gain from having died. It seemed that his connection with the spirit world would be strong now, and certain animals that had connections with the spirit world would gravitate towards him. She wasn’t sure to what degree he’d have those abilities, but she was confident he’d have new unique abilities. She wasn’t sure how Apophis’s dragon magic would affect him. Quinton wasn’t too worried about it for now. The main thing was he was alive.

  As they left the cave, Quinton smiled as the sunlight hit him. He stopped and closed his eyes, wanting to take in the moment.

  Get down.

  The loud warning inside his head made Quinton react quickly. He dropped down. A bolt of magic singed the top of his shoulder.

  What’s going on? Quinton asked Apophis as another shot of magic went over his head, and a fireball struck behind him.

  Ambush. Two mages, one on each side of us.

  Quinton looked behind him. Kiana had taken the fireball in the chest, but her clothing had taken most of the damage. “You take the one on the right side?”

  “Got it.”

  Kiana had a look of determination on her face that made Quinton feel sorry for whoever was on the right side of the cave. Confident in her abilities, Quinton focused on the left side. There was a mage holding his hands together. It was obvious he was preparing another spell to attack them with. While Quinton had been an exceptionally talented illusions mage, his battle magic had always been weaker.

  You have dragon magic at your disposal now. Hit him with it.

  Quinton launched a fireball at the mage. Normally his fireballs had been small little balls of golden fire. This one was the size of a man’s torso and the white-gold flames looked hotter than the sun.