* * *
Bones were everywhere. Hidimba had awakened in a pile of them, bound and bruised, and certain that his skull was broken. His head hurt terribly. He was lying face down with his hands cinched tightly behind his back. His legs, crossed and numb, were equally bound just above his hoofs. He was completely helpless, and he had no idea how long he had been here.
He shifted his head ever so slightly and then moved only his eyes around the heap of bones that he lay amongst. They were familiar. He could tell that they belonged to other demons; they had come from mostly lesser demon kind like him.
Hidimba recognized the skulls of a great many Se'irim scattered about. All of them were damaged in some way. Something had been killing a great many of his kind, especially goat demons, for quite awhile. That was evident by the height of the pile he was laying on top of. He had a pretty good idea of what was doing it. He also had a pretty good idea of what was to become of him.
Food. Just like the rest of them . . . blood, bile, and humor drank . . . flesh picked clean from the bone . . . left alive until the very end. Where is it at? Has it left me? Where is master?
Despite a very real fear of drawing attention to himself, he had to turn his battered body over atop the great pile of bones. He had to get a better look at his surroundings if he was to have any chance of escape, no matter how impossible that seemed, or any way of seeing what his captor was up to. It was a painful undertaking, as many fragments of skeleton jabbed into his carcass with even the tiniest of movements. Eventually, however, he made it to his back, and he was pleased by how quietly he had pulled it off. He began to look around, and within moments identified his tormentor.
It was a giant. Hidimba had figured as much. When he first saw the thing's leg back in the tunnel, man shaped and horribly oversized, he knew that was all it could be. But he still couldn't believe it. These were creatures of legend even among demon kind. He couldn't recall how many thousands of years ago they were supposed to have been tricked by the archangels-excited one against the other and slaughtered to the last-but that was well before his time or any other demon that he knew. He was confident that the great demon lords had been around then, but he had no way of knowing for certain. No demon lord had ever spoken to him.
It doesn't matter. There's a giant here now, and I, Hidimba, am around. Master needs to know about this giant. Master will know what to do.
He watched as the giant tended to a fire. The colossus was about a stone's throw away from where he lay with his back to the pile of bones. As far as Hidimba could tell the flames came from a hole in the stone floor of the giant's cavern. Every so often the giant would pour something out of a bowl, probably demon fat judging from the way it popped, hissed, and spat, onto the open flames. The fire would then rush up into the air with a wicked crackle and burn brightly for a moment or two. When the flames reached their highest, Hidimba could make out all the detail of the creature's fascinating lair.
It was not as large as the earlier cavern Hidimba had visited, but it was of goodly size. It was round with a high ceiling, though not nearly as lofty as the great chasm with the dais, and the walls were smooth and shiny. The wall nearest the fire was inlaid with shelves and storage spaces that had been cut into the rock. One such space, near the center and by far the largest, had its contents concealed by a cut sheet of stone that filled the opening—its once smooth surface covered with strange glyphs that Hidimba could not decipher. An artisan, seemingly very skilled, had etched them onto its surface and fit the stone almost perfectly over the hidden chamber. In fact, the only reason that Hidimba could tell that a compartment existed behind the rock was because of a faint glow that outlined it. The demon concluded at once that this was where the giant kept his treasure. He knew that the giants had been a greedy lot. Also near the fire were two raised sections of rock like he had seen in the larger cavern, but they were much smaller and lower than that one. As best he could tell, they served as a table and a bed for the giant.
Hidimba was impressed by the amount of work and craftsmanship the giant had put into his lair. Just from listening to the legends, he had always imagined them to be simple and monstrous creatures that coveted and destroyed, not created. Nothing he had seen of Sheol before this day had led him to believe otherwise. Most of the place seemed to have been created in a rush; it was as if those who labored did so only to create space and protection, which they did a very good job of. Sheol remained vast and undisturbed. Hidimba knew, however, that the giant that shaped out this room was no mindless savage.
He seemed too . . . well . . . civilized. There was a kitchen area, dining area, sleeping quarters, storage space, and even a refuse pile in his cave. This was not the lair of a monster; it was more like a home. And Hidimba figured the giant that lived in here must be patient and organized. That was a good thing for the demon. Hidimba knew that with patience came wisdom, and if this giant was wise then perhaps he could be reasoned with.
Hidimba continued to watch the giant working with the fire. He was most impressive looking. As tall as a young tree, his muscles were thick and corded. He wore no hair on his head, a full beard just below his chin, and only stubble on his face and upper lip. Something about him reminded Hidimba of lord Kokabiel and master. Perhaps it was the proportion of his body, or the perfect glow of his skin. He didn't look as old as Hidimba thought he should either. Very few age lines were visible upon him. He did, however, carry many scars on his massive frame. They were all faint and well healed, but anyone could see that this giant was a warrior and very battle tested.
Hidimba's fear had yielded to fascination while he watched the giant work the fire. Things changed back quickly when he realized it was a cooking fire that the behemoth was trying to get just right, and rakshasa demon was what he intended to cook. He didn't have much time left. With the last bit of his courage Hidimba took a gamble.
"Giant," he yelled. "Giant . . . come and free me from these bindings."
Hidimba didn't have to yell twice. The giant obviously had exceptional hearing because he snapped his head around quickly before the second word had even left the demon's mouth. He then sat his bowl down and began lumbering towards Hidimba with an amused look on his face. He looked even more intimidating from the front. The closer he got to the bone pile, the more Hidimba regretted opening his mouth.
What a fool . . . to order a giant. A giant that would eat me. A giant that will see through this false bravado and suck my eyes from my skull. Quiet Hidimba. I should have stayed quiet and worked on the bindings . . . maybe sneak out of here undetected. Now it is too late. It is over.
"Awake and talking I see," the giant said as he drew close to Hidimba. "Both are surprises."
The giant's voice was deep and smooth. He spoke clearly and not too fast-like a good leader would. He was not as ugly as Hidimba imagined him to be either. Up close he reminded the little demon even more of his master. He was a lot bigger though, which Hidimba would have thought impossible before seeing him.
Azazel and Kokabiel were much larger than any humans Hidimba had ever seen, and he never imagined discovering another man-like creature that dwarfed them both. But this giant did. Hidimba guessed him to be thirteen or fourteen foot tall, and figured he must weigh the same as a bull. He wore a pair of pants cinched around his waist that looked to be made from the skins of animals sewn together and a pair of much worn sandals. Hidimba lost his voice once the giant was upon him. The colossal didn't fail to notice.
"Oh come now," he said with mockery in his tone. "Just a moment ago you were ordering me about. What was it that you wanted again? For me to free you . . . is that correct? Isn't that what you said?"
Hidimba managed only a nod and some sort of mewling sound. Nothing had prepared him for this amount of fear and nervousness. The giant was so near to him. Just the thing's presence seemed to choke him down.
"And why would I free you? Tell me that, huh . . . I mean I'm not even sure what you are. A demon surely, but what kind I d
o not know. Certainly you're no goat, or one of those little pig faced incubi, and I 'm not positive of this . . . but I don't think that you're Dantalion either." The giant barely managed to finish his last sentence before a hearty laugh rushed out of his chest. He was clearly amused and having much fun at Hidimba's expense.
The little demon watched as the giant bent at the waist, put his hands on his knees, and continued with the uproarious laughter. Hidimba didn't find the jest as funny. He knew who Dantalion was-the great Duke of Hell, commander of legions of demons, resident of Sheol-and that he could never attain that kind of ancient power. But unlike the behemoth before him, he also knew that his master and Lord Kokabiel, who were just as ancient and maybe as powerful as Dantalion, were residents of Sheol now to. And they were looking for those that would oppose them. A little of Hidimba's fleeting courage managed to return to him, and he finally addressed the giant.
"I am rakshasa . . . shape-shifter and possessor of men. My kind is few. We live near the top of the first chasm upon the Ledge of Sorrow." The little demon saw that the giant had quit laughing and was listening to what he said. "I am called Hidimba," he stated nervously and watched for a reaction from the giant. He didn't expect the one that he got.
The giant began to laugh again. This time it was harder than before. Only now, right after he would draw a breath, he would precede almost every laugh with a few words. It was no secret what he found so funny.
"A named demon . . . right here in my bone pile . . . says his name is Hidimba," the giant squeezed in between his great chuckles. After some time he regained his composure. The little demon had remained silent, only watching as the giant berated him.
"Forgive me demon. I've forgotten my manners, to laugh at such an esteemed guest as you. Hidimba you say. Well Hidimba, may I ask you a question?" The giant continued straightway, without waiting for an answer. "How is it Hidimba that you would need my help to free yourself from your bindings? How is it that I was able to even put you in the bindings in the first place? And how come you and I are not battling each other fiercely this very moment? You see little demon, I know Dantalion . . . and I know Naberius . . . and I know others of their kind. I do not, however, know of any Hidimba. And while it's possible, perhaps even likely, that I may not know all named demons . . . I know you're not one. I will applaud your ingenuity though. Telling such a magnificent lie in order to stay alive was very original."
"I'm not lying giant."
"You're a demon. It's your nature to lie. But you don't have to really. Once I heard you speak, I knew I couldn't eat you. Good conversation is hard to come by when you live deep beneath a mountain inhabited by demons."
"Now who's lying giant?" Hidimba asked very skeptically.
"Well, if you were fatter perhaps it wouldn't matter that you can talk," the giant responded with a grin. "But you're hardly more than an appetizer, and besides, I've developed a taste for goat over the years. But I'm sure you've figured that out already."
"Will you untie me then?"
"Perhaps. But not just yet. I want to know where you heard the name Hidimba."
"My master gave it to me."
"Named demons do not have masters . . . at least none that I have ever known."
"I think perhaps that's about to change. At least to some degree. My master is very powerful," Hidimba said proudly.
"This is nothing new little demon. Every few hundred years or so one arch fiend or another, either from within the rock of Sheol or without, convinces itself that it is powerful enough to lead all the other demons. It never works. Demons have no desire to be led-they only respect and fear that which is stronger than they are, and no one demon lord or arch devil is powerful enough to force the rest to close ranks behind them. And so chaos and misery ensues, and the world of man and the elect stay safe and in control. It has always been so. Don't get too caught up in the vision of your master little demon. It will end badly for you if you do."
"My master is neither demon nor devil . . . he is . . . well . . . I think he's an angel."
The giant threw his head back, amused once again, but stopped short of uproarious laughter. Only a single "Ha" echoed off the rock. He was shaking his head slightly when he next looked at Hidimba. "Your stories are remarkable demon. I have never met one as entertaining as you. But I should warn you . . . don't go around this place announcing that you're in league with an angel. I find your lies amusing, but others here may not."
"But they're not lies. I know I'm not powerful. Not yet anyway. I had hoped that one day master would make me so . . . but anyway, master named me not long ago and we were on our way to tell the great demons of this place when I became lost. Goat demons chased me to the point of exhaustion, and then you found me, bashed me on the head, and I woke up here."
"I do hope your head feels better. It was an accident-you were taller than I thought you were when I lifted you up."
"I'll survive. At least, that is, if you're an honest giant and don't throw me into your cooking fires. You said you wouldn't," Hidimba reminded him. He was feeling better about his chances for survival, but he still didn't trust this giant. He did, however, find himself drawn to the hulking figure. "An idea has struck me giant . . . one that I think will be good for the both of us. You could free me, and then help me find my master. He would like to see you I'm sure. Perhaps he would even give you a name."
"I have a name little demon . . . I am called Og," the giant responded quickly. Hidimba knew he had offended the colossus; the warmth and humor left the giants voice. He couldn't concern himself with that at the moment; however, another thought was marching through his demon brain.
Og. I have heard that name. Why do I know that name. What did Og do? Who told me about Og? Og. Og. Og. I must know.
"And I told you that perhaps I would let you go," Og continued, "but I never said anything about finding your master. I have no desire to leave here. If and when I let you go, you're on your own."
Hidimba didn't know, if given the chance, if he would leave the safety of Og's cave without the giant accompanying him. The incident earlier with the Se'irim had been very trying on the little demon, and if he left Og to go searching blindly for his master more of the same would follow. Without someone, either his master or Og, to act as a safeguard, he could not survive this place for very long. His luck would eventually run out.
He resigned himself to befriending the giant. Strangely, he hoped that Og might like the idea. Hidimba found everything about Og fascinating, and he could think of worse things than having a giant for an ally.
First lord Kokabiel returns, then a new master, then a name, and now I have found a giant and I am still alive. Strange times. Strange times indeed. If only I could recall . . . Og . . . where in the name of the Morning Star have I heard that name before?
"Would you set me upright Og the giant? The bones poking into my back are quite uncomfortable." Hidimba was testing the behemoth. If Og cared one iota about his comfort then maybe he really wasn't going to eat him. Perhaps the giant even enjoyed his company. The loneliness and isolation of this cave would make even the most hardened creature long for some sort of companionship. "Even if I could escape these bindings, there is nowhere for me to run except right back into the waiting embrace of the goat demons. Grant me this one small request Og the giant. I beg of thee."
Og nodded once and reached out with his enormous hand. He grabbed Hidimba by the left shoulder and set him upright amongst the pile of bones. The heartiness had returned to the giant's face, and Hidimba assumed that all was forgiven.
"Thank you great Og."
"It is nothing. I'm afraid that I'm not a very good host to begin with. I'm out of practice. Almost all of the guests that I've ever had here, I've had to eat. Through the years I have learned to hold sway over my once voracious appetite, but unfortunately I cannot master it completely. I still require food from time to time. Speaking of which . . . are you hungry demon? I have food stored near the fire."
Hi
dimba shook his head. "Unlike most of the others here, my kind requires little to eat. Which is good, because I'm no hunter."
"No you don't look like it," Og remarked. "You don't look very dangerous at all. Yet you tell me that you have a name, Hidimba I believe it was, and that your master whom you think is an angel, will soon be uniting all the other named demons in this place and assuming lordship over all of Sheol. Just entertainment to me, but to most others those are dangerous words . . . dangerous words indeed."
Hidimba sighed heavily. He was defeated. "I'm not dangerous. And I don't know what my master has planned for this place or those that manage to stay alive inside of it. I only know that when lord Kokabiel told my master of . . ."
"What name did you say demon?" the giant interrupted. All humor left his person, and his countenance became gravely serious. "Who told your master of something?"
"Lord Kokabiel?" Hidimba answered with a question of his own. He hoped this was the answer Og was looking for. The abruptness of the interruption and the tone of Og's voice had left him shaken. The giant could go from jovial to fearsome in the blink of an eye, and it was wearing on Hidimba.
"He has returned? Kokabiel. The star of God has returned?"
"Yes. I mean . . . I know he's been here in the past, but that was before I came to be at Sheol. I have no memory of him. I never thought of his arrival as a return." Hidimba found himself speaking in an apologetic tone, and he didn't know why.
"No," Og remarked, "you wouldn't know of the time before. Only myself and the eldest of demons here in Sheol would remember." He still spoke with a serious voice, but reason had returned to it. "You speak his name so casually Hidimba. Do you know anything at all about Kokabiel? Do you know why he was taken from Sheol so long ago? Do you know that it is impossible for him to be here now?"
"No, no, and no," Hidimba replied. "I know only this mighty Og-some time ago lord Kokabiel walked into Sheol from the direction of the old tunnel. He was followed closely by my master. They continued walking the old tunnel path until it reached its narrowest point right near the center of the great chasm. I had a very good view because, as I told you earlier, the rakshasa live near the trail on the great ledge. Once there, surrounded by nothingness, lord Kokabiel announced to Sheol that he had returned, and that he had brought his brother with him. His voice shook the mountain; it echoed throughout the great chasm and raced into the tunnels. All, except perhaps the old demons of the deep, heard or felt the power of his proclamation. They didn't linger out in the open afterwards. Quickly, they moved across the stone trail to the far side of the chasm where they lodged themselves in the old slave quarters. They have been there ever since. Now, I don't know by what means you measure the passage of time great Og . . . or if you measure it at all . . . but for the sake of my story I will tell you that it has been no more than two hours of an earthen day since I was summoned before my master, Azazel, and named. You know the rest of my story."
Og was staring at Hidimba with a look of disbelief frozen onto his face. His eyes were focused on the little demon's mouth, but his mind was somewhere very distant. This was a new reaction. Hidimba was beginning to tire of the giant's antics. It seemed to him that every time he spoke, Og acted like his words would topple the entire mountain range they lived beneath. He listened as the giant came out of his stupor and addressed him.
"I'm sorry Hidimba. Memories of a time that I had all but forgotten came rushing forward like a great wave. It overwhelmed me for a moment. You are certain that your master's name is Azazel?"
"That is what lord Kokabiel called him more than once."
"Then it is true. He has somehow freed himself, along with Kokabiel, from permanent imprisonment and certain damnation. Impossible."
"He is here. And he has been busy."
"Busy?"
"Many of us have been summoned lately, and for many different reasons. Master and lord Kokabiel have sent us all over. Such activity is . . . I don't know . . . very unusual for lack of a better description. It's almost like they have a purpose or plan, which is rare around here."
"Of course they have a plan," Og roared. "You are a young, silly little demon, and you have no idea who you're consorting with. They are not angels Hidimba. They are Fallen. They are Watchers. They are Grigori. Angels once, yes . . . but they left heaven to lay with mortal women and eventually corrupted the entire earth. There were two hundred of them at one time. Now all have been destroyed except for a select few who were imprisoned forever deep beneath the earth-their sentences pronounced by the Uncreated himself and carried out by the archangels. Lord Kokabiel and your master, Azazel, were two of their leaders. Azazel was . . . well is . . . the most purely evil and diabolical soul I have ever known. If he has escaped, then he has a plan, and all should be afraid."
Now it was Hidimba's turn to be skeptical. "You know my master?" he asked. "And lord Kokabiel?"
"Yes," Og answered. Concern now mixed with the disbelief in his voice. "I know them little demon, and we must find them after all. You see Hidimba . . . they are my uncles."
The Peacock Angel: Rise of the Decarchs Page 33
