Odder- The Blood Curse

by Nathaniel Red

  Odder stood at the edge, contemplating the distance to the next island. I can make it. He took a few steps back, sprinted, and leaped - landing on the next island. The surface gave way, and he fell into the rock up to his knees.

  "Argh!" He gripped his legs and yanked them out, leaving behind blood and flesh. Odder climbed to his feet. His anger grew with each limping step.

  "You need to go back," commanded a familiar voice.

  Odder looked up. "Destin? What are you doing here?"

  "I'm here to help you. You need to turn back before you’re trapped here for eternity."

  Destin here? This doesn't make sense. Odder lowered his brow. "You're the demon trying to trick me."

  "No, I'm your beloved Prince, and I'm commanding you to leave." He lifted his hand and Serra appeared upside down, hanging from a scorched tree. "Or I will drain her of every last drop of her delicious dark blood."

  Odder seethed. He clenched his fists. "You're disgusting!"

  Destin pulled out his blade and held it up to Serra's neck.

  The anger raged inside Odder like the boiling Flume of Iclattis. He reached for his sword and calmed his voice. "You don't need to do this Destin."

  "Need to? I want to." Destin laughed then pierced Serra's throat. She let out a gurgling cry and flailed her body.

  "NO!" Odder unsheathed his sword. It ignited as he swung it at Destin.

  Destin parried, knocking Odder sword to the side. Then sidestepped, hitting the back of his head with the hilt, and knocking him to the ground. Destin leaped on Odder's back, pressing his forearm into the back of his neck, and held him down.

  He lifted Odder by the hair, just above the ground, then whispered in his ear. "I need more rage." He jabbed the tip of his sword into Odder's ribs.

  Odder cried out.

  Destin jumped to his feet and scraped the tip of his sword on the rocks. "I can't kill you in this realm, but I will enjoy giving you the pain of a hundred deaths."

  Odder held his side and rolled to his back. He stared at Serra swinging above a pool of black blood. Her eyes subdued and pale, her skin drained of color and translucent. His anger erupted again. He grabbed his sword, and he climbed to his feet. He slashed at Destin in a blind rage. Destin stepped back and blocked every attack. The lava, as if called, erupted and fumed all around them.

  "You are pitiful." Destin stabbed Odder in the gut, placed his hand over his shoulder, and pulled him into his blade. Again, he whispered in his ear, "More," and pulled out his sword.

  Odder fell to his knees. Agony carved into his face. I can't defeat him with anger. He took a deep breath and cleared his thoughts. He imagined his rage drifting on a tide back into a calm ocean.

  "Get up and fight me you fool!" Destin jabbed his sword into Odder's thigh.

  Odder flinched, slightly. Pain is an illusion. He gripped his sword and stood. His eyes attentive yet serene.

  "I can fight you without anger."

  Destin's eyes widened, and he stumbled back as if hit by a blow. He regained his composure and raised his sword. He roared then charged, swinging his blade.

  Odder stood his ground and meditated on his breathing. Time slowed as he studied Destin’s approach.

  Destin lifted his sword, violence screaming in his eyes, but Odder took a knee, swung and removed Destin’s leg. He crashed to the ground. Odder stood over him with his flaming sword at his throat.

  "You can't fight your anger." Destin's face morphed into Renzt. "Swamp slug."

  Odder pressed the tip into its skin. "It won't work demon. Your wrath no longer controls me."

  Renzt's face morphed into a bull. It growled and gnashed its teeth, then his entire body turned into ash and flattened into the ground.

  The plumes of lava settled and the smoke faded. Odder marched, unhindered, into the cave. A stone fell blocking the cave's exit. His demon marking illuminated. Here we go. He waved the Maha'De to light the room. He stood in a giant hot chamber which reminded him of a pit oven. Sulfur filled the air and burned his lungs. The ceiling faded into a deep darkness like his previous demon encounter. He walked toward the center when he heard a grunt. He moved his sword in the direction of the noise. The light didn't travel far enough except to glisten off what appeared to be two glowing eyes along the far wall. He moved toward it.

  "Bilusund, show yourself."

  The demon huffed, and the sound of large metal chains moving on the rocky ground echoed.

  Odder approached, his sword leading the way. "You are defeated. Your wrath no longer affects me."

  "Bahl?" The demon's eyes turned bright amber, and flames spilled onto its face.

  The demon became clear. The face and horns of a bull and the body of a giant. It lifted itself off the ground, pulling massive golden chains attached to its wrists. By its side laid an enormous battle hammer, twice Odder's size.

  Flames flew out of its mouth. "You cannot defeat me that easily."

  Bilusund picked up the hammer and charged at Odder, swinging until it hit a wall, and leaving a large crack. Lava spilled through the impact.

  Contrary to Infadecus's confining chains, Bilusund’s chains gave it enough length to roam throughout the chamber.

  Odder dodged the demon's blows. With each strike, more lava entered the room. He put away his sword and hid in a far corner of the chamber. I can't even get close to him.

  Bilusund searched the room, snorting, and grunting. Then went into a full berserker rage, shaking and roaring - striking the wall and ground over and over again.

  Odder covered his ears. "Karzan get me out of here!"

  A looking glass appeared in front of Odder. He leaped to his feet and ran for the mirror, but Bilusund smashed it with its hammer.

  "No!"

  Odder ran under the demon's legs, pulled out his sword, and struck the demon's Achilles tendons. It roared and fell to the ground. Odder jumped on its back and stabbed the demon’s neck. "That's for Serra."

  It fell to the ground gripping its throat.

  Odder stood over Bilusund, staring hard into its eyes. A sense of inner peace overcame him. "And this is for me." He swung, severing the demon's head. Its body burst into ashes which flew into the dark void in the ceiling. Dull laughter echoed in the room.

  The chamber shook, and more lava poured through the cracks. Odder retreated onto a small raised rock. "Karzan," he cried out.

  Another mirror formed in the air, hovering above the lava. It was too far to jump. He had to run. Odder leaped into the molten rock. His feet burst into flames. With each step, fire traveled up his legs until his entire body turned into an inferno, and his eyes scorched into ash. Blinded, he took a final leap.

  CHAPTER 18

  SHATTERED

  Odder fell to the ground, his body quivering. Still blinded, he heard the shuffling of feet, furniture moving, and voices.

  "Quick Aimma, clear some space on the table," said Karzan.

  Finkle helped him to his feet. "You made it, laddy."

  "I... I can't see." Odder rubbed his eyes in hopes of recovering his sight.

  "Just relax," Karzan said. "Your brain is reacting to the trauma. Your blindness is only temporary."

  "Lay him here." Aimma tapped the table. "I'll try a healing spell just in case."

  Odder moved his head in the direction of each sound like a blind beggar.

  Finkle guided him to the table and helped him lay flat. "Don't worry. You're in good hands."

  Aimma chanted a spell for several moments. A wave of warm energy covered him. Red and white flashes danced under his eyelids until the shadows took form. He gently opened his eyes, blinked several times, and then smiled at everyone around him.

  "I defeated him." Odder sat up. A sharp pain incapacitated his spine, and he laid back down.

  "Your mind and body need time to recover." Karzan lifted Odder's neck and helped him take a sip from a cup. "This will help."

  The elixir gave Odder a sensation of drinking liquid light. The warmth traveled down h
is throat, filled his stomach, then expanded into the rest of his body. His body became weightless and his mind, lethargic.

  "I thought we lost you when the demon destroyed the mirror," Karzan said.

  Odder's eyelids became heavy. "How did you summon another?" he slurred.

  Karzan smiled and stepped aside. "I had some help."

  Serra stepped forward, a big smile on her face. "Hey, Oddy."

  "Serra, you came back." Odder tried to stay awake but drifted to sleep.

  ***

  Odder woke to buzzing and whistling sounds. He sat up from a cot and looked around to get his bearings. The room was hot and muggy like an underground mineral spa. The golden golem shoveled coal into a furnace at the end of the room. Copper tubing with various types of gages, bubbling tubes, swirling knobs, and spinning dials traveled from the furnace to a large boiler then in all directions, some leading into another tank marked mulder berries and some into the walls and ceiling. Odder walked up to the golem, who was unaware that Odder woke. He jumped when Odder tapped him on the leg.

  Odder held up his hands. "Didn't mean to startle you."

  The golem put down his shovel.

  "Corbin, right?"

  The golem bent down, his gears cranked and whistled, he held out his hand. "Yes."

  Odder grinned. "You are an incredible creature." He shook the golem's finger and looked around. "Where am I? A basement?"

  Corbin's blue eyes blinked, but he did not respond.

  "This boiler, is it to provide heat?"

  "For protection."

  "Protection?"

  "Ah Odder, you're awake." Karzan walked into the room carrying a basket full of purple berries. "How are you?"

  Odder rubbed his head. "Much better as if nothing happened." His forehead wrinkled as his brow furrowed. "So, what is this place."

  "Yes, yes." Karzan poured the berries into the tank. "Remember the cloaking spell that protects the area?"

  "Sure."

  "Well, this is the source. I heat the mulder berry juice until it turns into steam. It then disburses to different areas along the perimeter where the steam feeds magical crystals - providing protection."

  "Amazing."

  "Yes. The crystals take the place of clerics. If I used clerics and something happens to them, then the stronghold is vulnerable."

  "Do you think that's what happened to Elestus during the attack?"

  "Only if someone on the inside allowed it."

  Odder instantly thought of Drugan. "I think I know who?"

  Karzan looked puzzled. "Who."

  "The King's defense advisor, a Xenduri named Drugan."

  "He’s the Shield of Elestus. A trusted position. Just because he's a dark elf does not make him a traitor."

  "No, but just before the attack, I saw him arguing with the King. He disappeared and never came back."

  "Let's concentrate on breaking your curse first before we waste our time on conspiracies. May I see your markings?"

  Odder pulled up his sleeve. "I still feel some pain."

  Karzan examined his arm and pressed on his veins. "The poison's spread past your shoulder. We must break the curse soon. Are you feeling anything else?"

  Odder yearned to tell Karzan about the sacrifice needed to break the curse but hesitated. He hoped destroying the last demon might bestow enough magic to kill the queen. "Yes, calmer and my thoughts are crystal clear."

  "Wonderful. Just one demon left."

  Odder walked over to the many gages and instruments. "Do you really need all these?"

  "I assure you, every whirling, wheezing, twirling, knocking, and clanging item you see has its place."

  Odder tapped the glass on a gage and watched its hand spin in circles. Still wrestling with his loyalty to Destin and his feelings toward Serra, he asked the real question on his mind. "Did Serra really come back to help."

  "She did," answered Karzan. "Despite what you may observe on the outside, on the inside, she is kind, gentle, and even meek at times."

  "After I saw what the demon did to her, I understand." He tapped on the glass once again. "Karzan, is this gage supposed to be glowing red?"

  Karzan nudged Odder aside and shook the gage. "This is not good. Come with me upstairs."

  "What's going on?"

  "We may have company."

  They ran into the other room. "Corbin," Karzan said, "guard the looking glass."

  Corbin whistled.

  Odder and Karzan ran down the hall and into the main house.

  "Everyone, to the third floor," Karzan announced.

  Finkle, Aimma, and Serra stood from the table and followed Odder and Karzan up the stairs, down the second story hall, and up a spiral staircase. They entered a dome-shaped room with panoramic views of the entire area.

  "Where's Martha?" Karzan asked.

  "She's in the field picking mulder berries," Serra responded. "What's wrong?"

  "Something's attempting to enter the barrier."

  "I see her." Odder pointed. "To the north next to the river."

  "She's not alone," Finkle said, terror in his eyes.

  "A shadow reaper." Serra clenched her fists. "It's hovering in the air above her."

  "No, can it see her? How do we warn her?" asked Odder.

  "The cloaking spell is powerful and will blind the shadow reaper to everything except the marshlands. If we shout or air script, it may sense us."

  "I think it may already sense her," Odder said.

  Karzan adjusted his spectacles. "The reaper is also hovering near a crystal.”

  "Can it break the crystal and enter the perimeter?" asked Odder.

  "No, even if it can detect the crystal, all seven have to be destroyed at the same time."

  "Look," Finkle yelled. "The shadow reaper's pressing on the shield. It knows we're here."

  "Quick Serra," Karzan said. "Mind whisper to Martha, tell her to hurry back."

  "I see another shadow reaper to the east." Odder pointed, panic setting in.

  "And I see several more," added Aimma.

  Serra pulled out her daggers. "They always travel in threes.”

  "I count seven," said Odder.

  "Then two more are hiding out of sight," Karzan said.

  Serra focused and whispered to Martha, "come back, hurry."

  "Impossible! The reaper is reaching for the crystal," said Karzan, his voice sharp. "Serra get her back now."

  "I'm trying. She's singing a musical tune in her head." Serra placed her fingers on her temples. "Martha, danger, come back now."

  Martha stopped, looked back, and waved.

  "I don't think she gets it," Finkle said.

  "Hurry Serra," said Aimma. "Whisper something else."

  "Martha look up behind you."

  Martha waved again but this time turned. She froze for several moments. The shadow reaper soared above her then launched lightning bolts at a crystal embedded in a boulder. Martha turned back, dropped her basket, and ran.

  "I suspect the reapers found all seven crystals and are attempting to destroy them." Karzan gripped Serra by the shoulder. "Take Odder back down past the potion room, into the boiler room, and seal the door. Tell Corbin you need to escape. He'll take you into an underground tunnel that leads to Salvat's land. I'll meet you there."

  Serra sheathed her daggers and pulled at Odder’s arm.

  "Wait, Salvat? He's the wizard that gave me this curse," said Odder.

  "No time to argue. I will meet you there."

  Odder stood his ground. "We can't leave you."

  Flashes of purple lightning raced across the sky from the crystals. Martha glanced up and tripped into the bushes. The shield shattered above and shards like glass, fell to the ground. The shadow reapers shrieked then flew into the fields shooting energy bolts at anything moving.

  “Go!” Karzan said, jumping out the window and levitating to the ground. He raced toward Martha, waving his wand.

  "Odder, we have to go." Aimma tugged at his arm with Se
rra.

  He hesitated, conflicted by his choice, but ran for the door. The home filled with smoke and fire just as they made it to the potion room.

  "The looking glass." Odder attempted to pick it up. "We need to take it with us."

  "Too bulky. It will only slow us down - Leave it," Serra said.

  "No, I won't. It may be our only hope. Finkle help me lift it."

  Finkle grabbed the other side. "I think she's right, laddy. This thing's going to slow us down."

  “Corbin, can you help?” Odder asked, but Corbin held up his hulking hands, insinuating that the mirror may be too delicate for his bulky fingers.

  Odder lifted the mirror. "I'm not leaving it."

  The door to the potion room heated red and then imploded.

  Aimma screamed. "It's the shadow reapers."

  Startled, Odder dropped the looking glass. It shattered on the floor. "NO!"

  "Now forget it and let's go!" Serra shouted.

  They ran into the boiler room.

  Corbin appeared to know what to do. As soon as everyone entered, he pushed a massive stone to block the door.

  Serra chanted a spell and blue energy launched from her hands to the stone.

  "Create a portal and get us out of here, Serra," Aimma said.

  Serra reached for her bag, but her hand slid down her skirt. She growled and kicked a nearby table. "I left it upstairs."

  "What now?" Finkle asked, twiddling his fingers.

  "This way," said Corbin. He lifted the boiler to reveal a hidden staircase leading into a tunnel.

  They all climbed down into a foot of water, and once clear, Corbin lowered the boiler.

  Aimma and Serra ignited a magic torch to light the way.

  "I will guard the rear," said Corbin as he followed.

  They sprinted down the tunnel, looking back several times along the way until they came up to two large rusted chains attached to the walls.

  "I will wait here," said the golden golem. He grabbed the chains and wrapped them around his wrists.

  The others continued until they heard screeching sounds.

  "The reapers," Aimma said.

  Corbin wrenched the chains with a reaper clawing at his chest. He pulled and yanked until the walls fell in. Water flooded the tunnel, and the reapers retreated except one trapped by the flow. It flew against the walls of the cave, bouncing wildly like an insect trying to escape a flame.