| Sect sixteen: bonds of blood By Richard LeBlanc Within the lair of the elder witch - a look of shock and mild horror overcame Drake. He sat down on the table and looked over at the little girl who had just informed him that his father - a man he himself seen slain almost a lifetime ago - was back. "I saw him killed," he replied. "The magic that sustained him was potent. Yes - he did die - but the daemon that possessed him did not. He fled to the shadows of that forest and waited. When all was clear - and the confusion had passed - he raised his lifeless corpse and returned to the ruins of Gernome. Although he has not the full power he had not so long ago - as his invasion failed and all and was seriously demoted - he is still frighteningly powerful,' she replied seriously. "My father - is alive," Drake muttered. "He lives - and he hates. He hates all that was - all that had became of that struggle - and all that he lost. A madness consumes him. And his madness is equal only to his fury. Even with the aid of Kaine - I fear you will not be enough to fell him and make right the seal," she replied. "So - exactly how do we beat him then?" Julia asked. "You can't," the girl replied. "Can't? That I can not believe," Kaine stated. "Hear me zealot. The daemon that possessed the black knight of Gernome - was the one made mention in your holy text - the one that warred with Chrinose himself. If your elder god was unable to vanquish him - what could you do?" the girl retorted. "We face - Sabuat? The soul render - himself?" Kaine asked hesitantly. "Yes. All we can hope to do - is send him back through the dark gate he guards and repair that broken seal before he returns. None of you three can do that - I can. Take me to that ruin. Buy me some time - and I can close that door on him," she replied. "But what good would that do? There is still a gate and a seal at Temal? He could just escape through there," Drake pointed out. The girl shook her head. "The champions that guard each gate - are forbidden to travel through another. If that seal is set - and that gate is once again closed - he will remain trapped over there until the time of the second coming," the girl replied. "But - the only way that we would be able to get him through that gate," Drake began. "Is if we lured him through it," Kaine added. "That is correct. The three of you would have to traverse into the ether - into the lands - of hell. From there - his power will be greater - almost a hundred-fold - but so too would your powers Drake," the girl pointed out. "And while we do this - we must trust - in you - to seal the gate without locking us there?" Kaine asked. The girl nodded. With a wave of her hand - a talisman appeared in the cleric's hand. "When I start the ritual to reset the seal - and close his dark gate. The jewel will glow red. When then the seal is in tact - the jewel - will glow yellow. This - is most important - so heed me carefully. Once the seal is in tact - I will begin the spell to seal that gate. Once this has begun - the jewel will glow green. At this time - you must begin your retreat," she instructed. "Why is that?" Julia asked. "Because when the jewel glows green - it will signify that the gate between the ether and our world is closing. If - you can not make it back. The jewel - will turn black - and you will be trapped with Sabuat and his unholy legions until the time - of the second coming," she answered grimly. "How much time will we have when the talisman turns green?" Kaine asked. "A minute perhaps less. Do not try to calculate it. You won't have the time," she answered. "Then I guess we should," Drake began. An explosion of black smoke engulfed them. When the smoke cleared the four were at the remains of the outer wall of Gernome. The three looked to the girl who smiled and waved at them. "You did that?" Julia asked. "Time is of the essence. As we spoke - I sensed that dark minions were on route to stop us. I normally shy away from traveling in such a manner - but it could not be helped. Come - we have much work to do," she replied seriously. Before anyone could say another word - she vanished. "I hope she did that," Kaine muttered. "Why's that?" Drake asked. "Because if Sabuat made her vanish - our chance to send him back to hell went up in smoke," he explained. "Oh - I see. Presume everything is going as planned. Can't afford to think otherwise," Drake stated as they made their way over the moss covered rubble that was once the outer wall. "If this daemon is here - where is he?" Julia asked. "Catacombs - there is an intricate hive of them under the castle," Drake replied. The three made their way over the partially buried bodies of dead soldiers that had tried to turn back the invaders. "Do you know where the entrance is?" Kaine asked. A cold chill went down Drake's spine. It was not something that went unnoticed. "Something wrong Drake?" he asked - gripping his staff tightly - anticipating a potential attack. "He knows I'm here. He's calling to me," he replied quietly. "So much for the element of surprise," Kaine muttered. The three pressed onward through the ruins. It was then that they saw a shattered trapdoor that covered a spiraling staircase. Julia looked down and sighed. "How many levels of tunnels are we dealing with?" Kaine asked. "I was told there were six - lowest level was the armory. I was told that was where they made their last stand," Drake answered. Kaine sighed and shook his head. "He is going to be on the lowest level. And he was a warrior demon. And - according to that witch - a very powerful one. This will be a long day," Kaine commented. "You forgot the part about going into hell," Drake taunted. Kaine scowled at him. "You are not helping. I'll go down first Julia follow me - you cover our backs - fair?" Kaine suggested. Drake nodded and effortlessly removed the debris that covered the stairs. Kaine whispered a silent prayer and slowly descended into the pit of the damned. Time seemed to slowly crawl for them as they fought the lesser demons that littered the corridors. The three sat down and looked at the fifty some odd broken demonic bodies that littered the floor around them. "How many more floors?" Julia asked tiredly. "By my count - two more. The population isn't as heavy as it was up there. I think Sabuat is testing us," Drake commented - taking a sip from his flask. "If this is just a test - I am not looking forward to the actual confrontation," Kaine commented. Drake smirked at him. "Losing faith?" he remarked. "Don't push me assassin," he retorted. "Play nice," Julia remarked. The two reluctantly laughed. Seeing them laugh made her laugh too. It was then that the catacombs began to shake. "Play time's over," Drake muttered. The three got up and hurried down the torch-lit corridor. Within minutes - the three had made it to the lowest level of the keep. The walls of tunnels around them were stained with blood - the floor was littered with piles of bones - not all of which were from creatures born of their world. "A great war was fought here," Kaine commented. "Looks like more than one great war occurred," Drake replied - they made their way through the halls. They rounded one corner and froze. Along the hall - standing guard were over fifty powerful looking demons clad in jet-black armor. "Those aren't statues," Drake muttered "Why aren't they attacking?" Julia asked. "Because he's expecting us - don't look at them - just keep moving," Drake muttered as they made their way between the rows of demons. "Even weakened he possesses the power to command such beasts," Kaine commented - not looking at the creatures he spoke of. It was then that they found themselves at a set of blood-washed iron doors. Kaine touched it. His hand burned as he jerked it away. "Warded against my magic," Kaine stated. Drake placed his hand on the door - nothing happened. He gave the door a push - effortlessly it swung open. The three reluctantly entered and looked to the end of the hall. Both Julia and Drake turned pale. For sitting atop a pile of slain corpses - was a man both saw in their nightmares. "Welcome," the black knight hissed. His voice was raspy and sent a shiver down all of their spines. His eyes were jet-black orbs that caused each to look away. "What - irony - what pathetic - humor - the gods that bind me have!" the black knight echoed - rising to his feet. "What have I before me? My own son - the wench offspring of the whore that felled me and sentenced me to this wretched place - and a follower of a zealous god that sought my end so long ago - all working - hand in hand!" he all but screamed. Drake slowly looked up at the man that was his father. "With you - around you - or through you - either or - is of no consequence to me," he challenged. In fashion with the rights and rituals of the black knights of Gernome. The black knight laughed a shrill demonic laugh. "You challenge me? Thy power must have gone to your head. Or perhaps - it is something else that clouds your judgement and common sense," the daemon knight stated - his eyes darted over at Julia. "Perhaps your head is still trapped in her loins," he hissed. "With you - around you - or through you - either or - is of no consequence to me," Drake repeated - getting his father's attention. Flames sprouted outward from his hands. When they faded - two serrated blades were in his gauntlet clad fists. "By the ancient rite - and rule - I - accept," the black knight mocked. Drake charged at his father. The daemons smiled and made no move as his son leaped. It was then as his sword was about to hit that Drake was sent soaring into the far wall. The black knight looked over at Julia and licked his lips with a forked tongue. "You must be a pretty good lay to have him so confused - perhaps I will take you for myself," he hissed. Kaine instantly stepped before Julia. "To get to her - you must first get passed me," he warned. The daemon knight laughed a hearty laugh - showing his carnivorous fangs. "My foolish zealot - I was hoping - beyond hope - that you would say that," the knight stated. Kaine could feel fear welling inside him as the daemon slowly stalked his way towards them. "With you - around you - or through you - either or - is of no consequence to me," Drake stated - forcing himself to his feet. The black knight moaned and looked over at his son. "We - are not finished yet," he added. "Julia - can you find the gate?" Kaine whispered. Julia looked around and saw a hole of spiraling darkness behind the pile of bodies the daemon had been sitting on. "You - can't see it?" she asked in disbelief. "Not yet - point it out to me and I might," he replied. Julia pointed. As soon as she did - it became visible to him. He shuddered and whispered a silent prayer. If ever there was a task that would test his faith it would be this. "Let's go!" he called out. The two raced passed the startled black knight. At first he thought they were hoping to flee - but they were running the wrong way. It was then that he turned and saw them vanish through the dark gate. He was going to comment when Drake followed suit. What seemed like an eternity later - Julia and Kaine appeared. They slowly got up and looked at the horrors around them. Lakes of fire burned - demons and daemons of all frightening shapes and sizes walked free and unchecked. Rituals both horrific and disgusting happened on altars of living flesh. Scenes of such harsh brutality caused Julia to shield her eyes against Kaine. He closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer. "Be strong. All things are for a reason. Even a pit like this," he reassured as he led them away from the gate. "This - this is where the daemon rules? The one that possessed Drake's father?" she asked. Kaine looked around and shook his head. "I can only imagine," he began. It was then that Drake emerged from the gate and hurried towards them. "Is he coming - or does he suspect the ruse?" Kaine hesitantly asked. An echoing laugh shattered the silence and disrupted all activity. The black knight stepped through the gate and deeply breathed in. "Why you chose to come here is beyond me. But in a way - it is sort of appropriate. After I break you Drake - and break you I shall - I will inflict such pain on your precious Julia that her immortal wretched soul will be forever scarred. And as for you zealot - I will have a special fate for you," the daemon knight remarked. Kaine was going to comment when the talisman around his wrist began to glow red. "It goes as planned - Drake - you keep him busy - I will protect Julia," Kaine stated. Drake nodded and stalked his way towards his father. "It is time we finished this father," Drake hissed. Kaine and Julia watched as Drake attacked the daemon knight with a power and fury unlike anything either had ever seen. However - the black knight was defecting the attacks with minimal effort. "You might not have been aware of this boy - but my power and prowess is a hundred-fold what it is in your world. Fighting me here," he began. With a wave of his hand Drake was sent soaring into pool of flames. "Is a sentence of death," he muttered. Drake rose from the flames and slowly waded out. "Your prowess and power have increased - but so too have mine," he retorted. Kaine was going to comment when he noticed a surely surly looking group of demons heading their way. "I would banish you to the darkest depths of hell - but we are already here. Feel the power of Chrinose foul things!" the cleric hissed he waved his staff around. He pointed it at the advancing creatures. A bright burning light flashed at creatures. Screams unlike anything Julia had ever heard echoed in her mind. When the light faded - the demons were completely charred. It was then that she noticed something equally important. "Kaine - the amulet," she pointed out. Kaine looked at it - it was now glowing yellow. "Almost time," he muttered as he led Julia around the fighting father and son. The daemon knight looked over his shoulder and smirked at the two thinking they were planning to ambush him from behind. It was then that the amulet turned green! "Drake! It's time!" he shouted out. The daemon looked over in their direction. Drake landed a powerful punch to the face of the black knight that sent him to the ground. "Run Julia! We will cover your escape!" Kaine reassured. Julia didn't look back as she ran. She vanished into the gate. Drake hurried over and stood beside Kaine. He wasn't moving. "We have to go," he stated. "If we go - he will follow. Leave - I know what I'm doing," he replied coldly. Drake looked over and saw his father slowly getting up. He shook his head and vanished into the gate. "I am Kaine - disciple of Lord Chrinose - lord and master of order," he called out proudly. The daemon knight laughed. "I know him well. He tried to vanquish me - yet here I am. And if your - god - could not best me - what hope could you possibly have?" the daemon taunted as it slowly stalked towards Kaine. "You might have survived - but I possess something that my god did not. Absolute faith in his will - his might - his power. In the name of Lord Chrinose - Burn!" the cleric screamed a white light unlike anything that unholy realm had ever seen blinded everyone - including the daemon knight. In the confusion - Kaine ran towards the gate - the amulet pulsing green. The gate was almost closed. The black knight looked up and realized too late what was going on. "No!" he screamed. Kaine vanished into the gate... Back in the ruins, Julia Drake and the witch were watching as her glowing talisman went black. She was going to say something when Kaine appeared. He was almost free - but the swirling gate slammed shut on his hand! The others watched as he looked at the empty space where his hand used to be. "It - is done," Kaine muttered. "You lost your hand," Julia muttered. "A hand is a small price to pay for sending a daemon like Sabuat back to hell. All that remains now - is the last seal in Temal," he stated calmly. "And the most dire challenge - the daemon lord - that guards it," the girl remarked. Kaine looked over at her as if she had mutated into a strange beast. "The daemon lord - is already on our world?" he asked in disbelief. "He has been free - for quite some time - only now has his power returned. What we face now - is the power that Sabuat once possessed. Now we must face - Gaurre - the lord - among the daemons," she replied grimly. To be continued... |