Tower of Ancients

by Jaeger Mitchells

  “I’ll try the second. Hold on.”

  Sylvana cut her palm as well and pressed the hand against the second spot. The door started humming as more and more symbols lit up. Finally, dust started dropping from the ceiling as the massive stone door opened. It wasn’t a smooth affair, no, pieces of rock started crumbling as the door got caught in something invisible before the slabs of stone crumbled.

  “What the--?” Sylvana whispered as she stepped in closer. Dozens of torches lit up all around the room, revealing what looked like a library. Row upon row of books were arrayed on the shelves. The area was deep and went in as far as the eye could see. I stepped up to the sisters and pulled them back, not sure if the library was safe.

  “Minotaur, go in first,” I ordered. “I’m right behind you.”

  He didn’t respond but walked in slowly, stepping over the rubble and almost stumbling. He was clumsy when it came to the fine stuff, but when it came to killing, he was the best we had.

  Dimas followed after I hopped in over the rubble and took the right corridor while I went left. As we moved around, more torches lit up one by one, bathing the library in bright light. What a crazy kind of magic.

  Dimas and I finally met up with Mino at the far end without anything to show for it. I was more than relieved for not having to fight something in such a narrow space.

  “You can come in,” I yelled as we made our way toward the entrance. “We’ll need to clean this place and set up—something in the adjacent room. Maybe a workshop or something?”

  “Something for your blacksmith where he can do his stuff in private?” Dimas proposed.

  I shook my head.

  “Not practical. How will we get the war machines up there? I’m thinking of giving him part of the first floor, or we create a large place for him and his family outside within the palisade.”

  “I think that’s better. Use the ground space to create a big kitchen and space to meet and eat. For the Humans I mean, not us,” Dimas laughed.

  “Yeah, it would be a bit awkward seeing us drink from Humans up there.”

  I couldn’t help but let out a laugh as we strolled down the center corridor.

  “So, did you find anything?” Helena asked as we met with them halfway.

  “Nothing. You can read to your heart’s content,” I replied with a wink. She stared at me as if I had no idea what I was on about.

  “I’m not the reader, you know?”

  “But I am, sis,” Sylvana added as she circled around her. “I’ll be down here for a while. Can you leave Mino to guard me just in case?”

  “I guess I’ll join you as well,” Helena murmured.

  I nodded.

  “I’m off to the camp then. We need to take care of some things over there and have a chat with the Basilisk. Maybe also with the Razorback. Have his kin roam the area and provide them with protection.”

  “And you think the Basilisk will come just like that?” Sylvana asked.

  “It will. There are thousands of corpses outside. I think he’ll be able to eat and go dormant for a while as he digests them.”

  She put her arms up as if in defense.

  “Whatever. It’s your pet snake, not mine.”

  “Yeah, it is, but soon you’ll have one too when our egg cracks.”

  “Ugh, don’t even remind me. Yrneha knows what will slither out of it.”

  “Alright then, my Queen. I’m off. Dimas, do you want to join me?”

  He shook his head.

  “No, someone has to stay here. You go ahead but hurry back again, alright?”

  “See you in a couple of days then, brother.”

  Chapter Fifty

  The camp had grown even larger in the last couple of days. A couple more of the buildings had been finished and the sewage project was done as well. That’s basically what I could see from atop the nearest tree. The people were milling around and getting on with their business. The crops were already almost ready, which was quite an important matter as it meant that they would have the necessary food.

  I dropped down next to Rennes’ home. She sat on the port chatting with Rohan about the Trolls from what I could make out before they noticed me.

  “We’ve survived our first major battle,” I said as I walked up the small flight of stairs.

  “You’re back!” she laughed, getting off her chair and running up to me. She threw her arms around me and pressed her head against my chest.

  “I am. Barely at that to be honest.”

  She looked up at me worriedly.

  “Did they really attack?”

  I nodded as I pushed her off me.

  “They did. About fifteen thousand of them.”

  “And you survived?” Rohan asked incredulously. The shock was written all over his face and it seemed he wasn’t quite willing to trust my word despite witnessing the battle against the Trolls firsthand.

  “And you don’t believe me?”

  He looked away, lowering his head like a puppy.

  “I’m sorry, Lord Raziel. It’s just hard to believe, is all.”

  “Never mind. Rennes, do you have anything to report?”

  “The Razorbacks have really stopped attacking us and are even helping down at the Quarry. The Basilisk hasn’t attacked us either, and everything else is in order. People are getting along well and integrating. Everything is just like heaven.”

  “Heaven, huh?”

  She shrugged, offering me to sit next to her. I took Rennes up on the offer and drank her half-full glass of that shit she kept pouring every time.

  “Want more of that?” she asked, her one foot already in the doorway.

  “If you’re insisting, but I won’t be staying long. There’s a shit ton stuff to do at the tower.”

  “Give me a minute then, alright?”

  I waited until her footsteps receded and tapped my fingers against the table.

  “What were you talking about regarding the Trolls?”

  “Huh? What are you—oh right. We were thinking of sending someone to contact you regarding them. I think it would be smart to stay ahead of them. If no one else would want to go, I’d offer to go and spy on them for a week or two a month.”

  “Then what’s stopping you? Prepare enough food and go. Once you’re done, come by the tower to debrief me.”

  “Really? You’re sending me out just like that to die there?”

  “You just offered to go. What’s the problem?”

  “Nothing,” he murmured and looked away. “Can I leave tomorrow?”

  “Leave whenever you want, I don’t care. It’s your suggestion and mission.”

  “What mission?” Rennes asked as she returned.

  “Your brother offered to go spy on the Trolls camp. He’s to be commended for his bravery.”

  “Right? I told you so, Rohan! Lord Raziel appreciates hardworking people!”

  “Oh, shut it, sis!” he almost cried as he got up and stormed off. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “How are you holding up? They listen to you?”

  She nodded, pouring me a glass of the brew. It smelled horrendous and I would never get used to it. Or I would one day if I bathed in it for long enough.

  “Good, good. Everyone’s busy doing what they can. We’ve started pulling out ore and granite. It’s hard work but people have something to do and those who work more get more. It’s easy as that.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Things are about to change, though. I’m going to turn most of the soldiers who survived into Vampires with Dimas’ help and I’m taking the Basilisk with me.”

  “But what about—.”

  “Don’t worry. We already have something set up so that you’re always protected. I’m going to negotiate with a Human Warlord or General, or whatever he is, to get more people to come and live at this camp, helping make it prosper. A great Vampire army will need a big blood supply.”

  “Somehow I knew you’d say so,” she murmured. “Will people die?”


  “No, what do you think me for? Of course, I won’t be killing people off.” I let out a deep sigh and explained the situation to her, my thoughts, and my plans. She took it better than I could have hoped for. Not that it mattered in the end, but I needed someone who would tell me the real situation when I wasn’t here, which would be her most of the time.

  “We’ve got exciting times ahead of us then, Lord Raziel. Speaking of exciting,” she added as her hand landed on my knee. “Can I interest you in something exciting over here?”

  I huffed and shook my head.

  “No, Lady Rennes. I’ve promised myself never to get into anything with a Human again. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to do that on your own or find yourself someone who doesn’t mind.”

  I got up and walked around the table, ready to go find the snake.

  “I see. Don’t say I didn’t offer, soldier.”

  The woman really wasn’t letting go. I partially liked that about her, but I had my hands full with a Hybrid and two Elven sisters.

  I found myself wandering near the river searching for the snake, which was nowhere to be seen. What shitty luck. Still, I came too far to turn back so all I could do was rummage through the cave and see if there was anything interesting to be found.

  It looked slightly different than the last time. It was more spacious and dug out. The Basilisk must have grown even further to need that much space. There was nothing worth mentioning among the bones and half-digested corpses. Not even an ordinary weapon or piece of armor. What a bad snake.

  “What are you doing in my home?” a familiar voice suddenly asked, startling me.

  “Waiting on you, Basilisk,” I replied without even turning around. “I’ve come bearing gifts.”

  “Oh? Where are they? Hidden in here for my pleasure?”

  “No, it’s not. I’ll be blunt, though. I want you to come with me to the new place we conquered. There are thousands of dead for you to enjoy for a long time. In turn, you’d have to help protect us.”

  “Is that so? I thought our deal only mentioned this place.”

  “It did originally. What would you rather have? A couple of bodies a month or thousands and be full for the next year or so?”

  The Basilisk hissed and slithered around inside the cave, coming face to face with me. And I was right, it really had grown. Maybe even double in size if what I saw was real.

  “What are you smiling about?”

  “I see you’ve been busy,” I nodded, placing my hand on its head.

  “I have. The thing that was bound to my heart isn’t there anymore. What’s to stop me from killing you?”

  “Nothing. But I don’t think you will. See, if you join me up North at the No Man’s land, you’ll have more food than you know what to do with it. You can even use the corpses to help hatch your egg.”

  The Basilisk stuck its tongue out and touched my hand. I stood there unmoving and keeping eye contact. Maybe it thought that I would be frightened, but I wasn’t. I faced death so many times already that it became an everyday occurrence, especially after being pierced by thirty javelins.

  “It seems I’ve missed something interesting. Why didn’t you call for me sooner? I’d have killed them for you with pleasure, Vampire.”

  “You’ll have your chance to shine, serpent. We have many enemies.”

  What appeared to be a grin crept up to its face.

  “When do we leave?”

  “Whenever you’re ready. I don’t have anything left to do here.”

  “But I do. I need to bury this cavern for future purposes. And what’s with your—I feel something inside you. It’s as if there are two of you standing in front of me at the same time. Maybe that’s why I didn’t recognize you from the start?”

  “I killed one of my own kind with blood like mine. I think I might have inherited his Bloodline when I ate his heart. At least that’s what happened last time I did that.”

  “Interesting,” it hissed. “Why don’t you show me what a Bloodline does?”

  I shrugged.

  “If I knew how to activate it, I would have. The first time it was easy as it amplified my strength. This one has extraordinary speed and he could create another—using a body he made another one of himself.”

  “Such interesting creatures you are. No wonder you were able to subdue me back then. I’ve had a couple of interesting talks with that other Vampire, Dimas, during your stay here. He’s very interesting and has seen much of the world. I would like to talk to him again.”

  I let out a slight chuckle. Dimas said so himself that he’d been talking to the serpent, but I had no idea that it was to mutual satisfaction.

  “I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that a creature like you is so sapient and can talk to us like any other normal—.”

  “Creature? In my eyes, your species are nothing more than ants as you call them. Why wouldn’t I be able to converse? What’s more, we beings of the higher order have abilities to communicate with any other creature after just a couple of minutes. We can read minds and absorb knowledge. That’s how I know you have been lying to me, but I still agreed on playing your game for a while.”

  “Huh, quite the revelation. Maybe we could start anew?”

  The Basilisk’s body shuddered as if it was excited at the prospect.

  “Maybe we were destined to meet, Vampire. I can’t even imagine the power I’ll possess once I digest all those corpses. What a magnificent Godly creature I’ll become.”

  “Hey now, don’t even get started using the word God so lightly. I’ve seen one in action, and let me tell you, you’re nothing like it.”

  “Ahh, so that’s what happened inside that forest. Once you entered I couldn’t see anything, as if there was a wall that prevented me from seeing inside your mind.”

  “Yes, that’s when I met a Goddess, and from her own words, she was in a very sad state. Imagine what a real deity could do.”

  The Basilisk remained quiet for a long moment, seemingly thinking about what I just told him.

  “The world sure is vast,” he finally said. “I’ve been holed up for too long in this place. Maybe it really is time to learn more about the outside world, Vampire. I will follow you wherever you go as long as I can get to see new and interesting things, eat my fill, and have your—protection and friendship as you people call it.”

  “I couldn’t be any happier right now. In that case, I’ll leave you to finish up whatever it is you want in here and wait outside.”

  I casually strolled out of his home, taking my time. I could feel his eyes on my back, but why would I have to hurry? It was one of the many tests I’d use to see how the serpent would react. If it really did pass all of them, then I could have faith in its honesty.

  The cavern started shuddering behind me and partially collapsed just as it slithered out. It was just then that I noticed how much larger the Basilisk had really grown. I wasn’t sure of the measures, but it looked like it was at least seventy-to-eighty feet long now. If it went on like this, it could coil around the tower and play a statue.

  “Shall we go, Lord Raziel?”

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Riding the Basilisk made the trip much more comfortable, if slightly slower. I had no idea how it managed to get that speed when slithering around, but it sure was a beauty to behold. I imagined riding into battle like this with Dimas and the ladies, casting magic and killing from afar. It surely brought a grin to my face.

  “Do you really think I’d let you ride me into battle?” the Basilisk asked.

  “You should stop reading my mind or we’ll have a problem.”

  “What kind of? Will you hurt me?”

  “No, I’ll destroy your egg.”

  “Hey!” it hissed and stopped suddenly. “What did you say?”

  “I said I’ll destroy your egg if you don’t stop reading my mind. What goes on in my head is for me alone and no one else. Is that understood, serpent?”

  “What? You dar
e call me a serpent?”

  I let out a laugh as he coiled around me threateningly.

  “You can read my mind. I’m sure you’re able to answer that for yourself.”

  The Basilisk let out what seemed like a sigh of its own and started moving again.

  “It’s no fun threatening someone who really isn’t afraid of me. Whatever. There will be enough weaklings at your tower who will worship me like the God I am.”

  I remained silent but chuckled inwardly, shaking my head. Maybe I’d be able to come to like it after all, especially with such a sense of humor.

  The place was in an uproar once I arrived since barely anyone had seen the serpent aside from Dimas and me. To my surprise, Dimas jumped atop its head and sat down.

  “Long time no see.”

  “Too long if you ask me,” the Basilisk replied. “I long for your stories.”

  “Tonight I’m all yours,” Dimas laughed. “If my wife lets me.”

  “Does she have a choice?”

  “Hey, that’s enough you two. The soldiers are frightened, we first need to give them an explanation, then you can go have your chat or whatever,” I interrupted.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Dimas replied waving me off. “Everyone! This is Bas! He’s one of our guardians alongside Mino! He won’t harm or eat you, that’s a promise, but don’t stir any trouble. If you do, we’ll look the other way when he does eat you!”

  I closed my eyes and shook my head. He was very—direct to put it like that. Still, I would prefer anyone who said what he thought out loud than having to watch my back around them.

  “Just as Dimas said! Bas, as he just named the Basilisk, is our ally and friend of Dimas and myself. Don’t fear but don’t provoke it. That’s all!”

  The soldiers didn’t seem much calmer but they went on with what they had been doing moments before. I couldn’t blame them. If I was an ordinary Human soldier or even a Hybrid, I would probably be shaking in my boots.

  “Lord Raziel!” Grestal called out from the palisade walkway. “The ladies are asking for you down in the library.”

  “Ugh! Can’t I even have a break before I’m needed?” I muttered. “Sure, sure. Thanks for the message. When did they relay it?”