by K R Leikvoll
“What is it that you wish to know?” Vince replied as calm and confident as usual. It was a mask he put on to cover his unrest. Beyond that, there was an instigative air about him, as if the Queen’s words were an annoyance. Of course, how dare anyone question the mighty traitor.
“The list continues to grow every day,” she snapped, her temper rising. She said a few choice words in Femoran that I didn’t understand. My Master gestured for her to continue, only adding to her agitation.
“Fine, if you are going to act ignorant. The Zaarian Emperor is dead, as I’m sure you have received news of,” she continued, pointing at James who looked back at her with a shrug. “Do you know how many refugees are crossing into my borders because of your war? They have already destroyed our southern communities and slaughtered my people in the process of fleeing Diam’s rebellion. I have to deal with the east as well now because of your little games.”
“I had not heard that he passed,” Vince said nonchalantly. “We have no forces in Zaar. Your situation is precisely why I sought to come to an agreement with them.”
“Do you take me to be a fool? He died of poisoning a fortnight after your embassy left. Now, they may be too stupid to know it was you, but I am not. If you are going to siege them, I would prefer it to be done before my country is destroyed.”
“Nobody would be idiotic enough to attack Zaar in the summertime when they are prepared. Wars take time to plan, darling,” he replied, trying to nudge her perfect head like a child. She scowled and avoided him as not to have her crown removed. “But you know, Alexis, you could have just written this in a note. What is your real question? The Phoenix Queen would not travel all the way to Duskwraith in the winter for a simple complaint.”
The giant being released Guinevere and took a step toward the arguing Femoran pair, causing the ground to tremble. Her sword-like limbs stretched out threateningly toward Vince with a clearly displeased reaction, though her face’s emotion remained blank.
“You know why we have come. So tell us the answer,” a disembodied whisper demanded from her form, though her lips never moved. “I do not wish to hear lies.”
The room became incredibly tense. Every person there wished to tell Queen Alexis and our strange visitor what the Void Lords had said, yet none had the courage.
“Naazvaba has determined the end of our time on Praetis has come. They gave us a prophet and a deadline – no need to worry about something as minuscule as Femora anymore,” Vince finally stated, avoiding the obvious. The giant being did not seem remotely anxious by his words, but the Femoran Queen did. She began to wring her hands and pace.
“A prophet… and that is why I no longer hear the whispers of our Gods?” she inquired, staring at our coven for answers. It was somewhat blasphemous to hear the very child of Asinea declare the Void Lords as her Gods. In fact, before that meeting, I had no glimmer of an idea that she was a demon or an ally of Duskwraith. That is because truly, nobody knew. Not even the Femoran citizens to this day know that their precious Queen betrayed them long ago.
At last, Sendrys had enough of Vincent’s desire to remain favorable. “We cannot hear our Gods as punishment for Vince’s crimes,” she responded. “We all face the realm of Treachery if we do not finish what we came here to do.”
“Treachery?” Queen Alexis asked in disbelief. The giant being beside her finally showed a physical semblance of anger and frowned. Perhaps she was so old, it was difficult for her to express anything beyond nothingness. “What did you do, Master Vince? What crime?” Alexis begged to know with a hint of despair in her voice. I doubted it was because she cared about our Gods. I think she was only worried about her own soul.
“He blocked their ability to see into our realm,” Guinevere interjected sharply before Vince could manipulate the situation. “So naturally, they think we are conspiring against them.”
The glare he gave her after her remark was the most loathsome stare I had ever seen. She stood so near the giant being that he did not dare to do or say anything at the moment. Still, one would have to be blind not to notice the wrath in his eyes. Despite my numbness, I knew that if he was making a threat, he would be good on it. I may have even been momentarily overwhelmed that I would be placed back in that box beneath the ground again if I did not work carefully.
Despite that, I had faith, for his time of keeping the Void Lords out of his affairs was over. Lord Nakarius’ presence was one that was consistent since I returned. It was odd, but I could feel him seeing through my eyes, hearing my innermost thoughts, and experiencing me in a way I did not believe was possible. I did not mind; it was comforting to know that Vince would always be monitored no matter how hard he tried to shut them out. I was not strong enough to kill him yet – for the time being, I had to focus on increasing my demonic power. I would not strike before I was sure I could win.
“If we hurry this along, we needn’t worry,” Sendrys said to comfort fretting Alexis. “Lord Azmordius will reward all that show their loyalty.” It was a broad assumption, but I still had no urge to speak up.
“If you have any pressing matters that you wish to have passed along, they can be directed to me,” Vince said to reassert his dominance in the room. “The Queen will hear your displeasures and decide whether or not it’s worth their time.”
Nobody in that room – James and Raven included – would ever believe such a ridiculous statement. He had locked me in a trunk as punishment for his own mistakes – why would anyone think that their message would be passed along? A few of them even stole glimpses of me hiding off in the corner away from the situation in the middle of the room.
“The Queen?” Alexis muttered confused. When she finally noticed the unfamiliar face among our coven, she understood that he must have meant me. I’m sure she never imagined she would take orders from anyone other than our Master. He reached out for me, and I willingly walked to his side. My actions had to be just as thought out as his.
“Yes, the prophet,” Vince said, pushing me in front of him as if I could keep the focus off of how upset everyone was. The tall being and Alexis looked me over and made their assessments. They must have decided it was the truth, as both kneeled, but neither did so happily.
At the time, my Master was still the dominant being in our coven, regardless of my status. I may have been the voice of our Gods, but I was still a newborn demon. As any demon would say, powers are not gained without sacrifice. Killing a regular mortal would provide an increase, but Vincent had sacrificed all of the dragons that called Praetis home. Soon afterward, he sacrificed a great percentage of the Dryads. The number of grand tributes he had given made me lowly in comparison. Lord Nakarius’ guidance in my subconsciousness told me to play my role well – so well that not even Vince himself would be able to read what I was thinking.
Though I hardly needed to, I bowed back to them. I kept my arm wrapped around Vince when the pair brushed their lips to my hand. I was unprepared for it, but I pretended they owed it to me. My Master noticed my strange boost in tenacity. My physical contact with him made me seem more like his beloved, as I was expected to be. I wished for him, and all others that may be my enemies, to believe I had forgiven him.
“Queen Lazarus Lyon, the greatest thing to ever come from Evya,” Vince stated to the room, fully taking advantage of my attitude. “This is Lilith Ashena, the mother of our coven. I’m sure that you already know of Queen Alexis of Femora. If they wish to speak their thoughts they need to be relayed to Naazvaba, I’m sure we could be of assistance, isn’t that right, darling?”
I wished to tell both of the worried women I would certainly relay their messages, but I could always convene later without Vince’s company. I did not trust Lilith, while the Femoran Queen shared my distaste for my Master.
Unbeknownst to me, he had wronged her all her life, and someone like me that could possibly put him down would be a powerful ally to her. None of that was said, obviously. It was a silent, split-second understanding those wanting to
avoid Treachery were aware of. I may have not noticed without Lord Nakarius helping me see the details of other’s thoughts. It was not that I could hear their mental pleas for me to help them escape his reign of terror. Small twitches of facial features or hands, the way they stood, the risky glances they threw at me when my Master was looking elsewhere – it all gave away their desire to oust him.
“If you help ensure the goals of Naazvaba, you have nothing to fear,” I told both our visitors and my other kin in the room. “Now is the time to rejoice. Not all demons have the privilege to ruin planets. We have been chosen for divine reasons, so do not waste our chance over petty attachments like countries or wealth. There are no belongings or mortal pleasures in Dys, nor is there any liberation once you enter the realm of Treachery. I promise each and every one of you that we will be the most favored coven in the Vast Dark if we continue Azotl’s work.”
Nobody – especially not my kin – thought I would make such a speech, short or not. It was not a statement Vince could disagree with without looking like the traitor he was. As a newborn, there was a chance they might think I was talking of things I hardly understood, as they were all at least over a few hundred years old and had dealt with the Void far longer than me. It worked in my benefit, however, for being the prophet was a title they all took seriously. Perhaps even more seriously than I did.
“Finally, we have someone that wishes to do more than drink wine and torture peasants,” Queen Alexis said, daring to cross that line with my Master. She felt emboldened by my words. His grip slightly tightened on my side from irritation, but it was unknown to any other.
“Come now, Alexis. If it was not for me, Lazarus would never have been united with the Void. You won’t be so negative once you see the reward for these countless years of work,” Vince tried to reason with her.
To her obvious annoyance, he motioned to the door, likely to take her to the diplomat chambers. He had enough of being the source of everyone’s dismay and hardly wished to be seen like he was losing control. Nobody felt comfortable around either of us, even if I was the key to avoiding the repercussions for using the Void’s power for selfish means. Most of our kin followed him out, even Lilith and Guinevere, but Sendrys and Raven remained.
Though I favored Raven more than any other in our coven, he was still questionably cautious. He approached me quickly after the others left as if he wished to embrace me, but he was hesitant, remaining at a distance like I was a vicious animal. At the time, I did not know that my appearance had changed, yet again. My eyes were as crimson as Lord Nakarius’ that dwelled in my soul. It was a startling difference, as they looked near the peculiar appearance of my Master’s. A lack of white in one’s eyes was a mark of power in the demonic world – one most of them knew meant I had evolved during my time underground.
“How long did Vincent keep me locked in that crate?” I asked them calmly. The more allies I had the better. Sendrys was as valuable an asset as James, for she knew Vince just as well. Her connection to the Void had always been strong, and she had led the way for the birth of necromancy. I assumed before I finished my trials that they were close as kin and colleagues, but clearly, his recent actions had driven them apart.
“Queen Lazarus, we did try to have you released sooner,” Sendrys told me, attempting to calm any spite I may have held for them. I remained emotionless, waiting for her to continue. Raven noticed her slight apprehension; it was likely because she feared to lose her Gods for someone elses’ mistakes. Unlike the Femoran Queen, Sendrys truly did wish to serve them selflessly.
“Nearly half a year, though it took us a month to revive you,” Raven answered for her. “When James and I endured the teachings of sacrifice, we never thought to go to the Void as an escape. Such a long time outside of your body tore your soul. Even now, I’m not sure how you managed to make it back home. Nobody has ever stayed in the Void that long and returned besides our Master himself.”
Half a year… perhaps they thought that was a long time, but I felt I had been gone over a century. I had outgrown my nativity and delusions of a romantic eternity spent at Vincent’s side in this world. The true immortal existence I longed for was the one I created myself; one that was with my version of my Master. It was the version of him that cared for me as a lover should. The one that would always put me and my happiness first – not the man who had entrapped me in a game far bigger than I originally comprehended when I met him.
“The border conflicts have been increasing every day, not only in Femora but here and Evya as well. Instead of doing more to prepare our military, he has spent most of this time in solitude continuing his foolish research. It is as if he isn’t even worried about Treachery,” Sendrys went on to say, emotional and unlike her normal composed self. “He has been refusing to sleep, starting altercations at any given moment… if he truly was working for the Void’s best interests, why would he turn on us all in this way? I have never witnessed my brother act so neurotic.”
“There’s more,” Raven added with a slight grimace. He removed a torch from the stands and motioned for us to follow him. Behind the towering throne made of the bones of Vince’s enemies, there was a hidden staircase to a cellar. I had quite enough of basement dwellings and all of the secret underground rooms. The last shred of my mortal side was uneasy to willingly follow them, but Lord Nakarius was curious enough for both of us.
The tunnel led deep into the ground, going somewhere none would think to look. Our demonic coven may have known the location, but it was specifically hidden from our enemies. What he had concealed would be very dangerous in the hands of anyone with a magical affinity, or perhaps a demon wanting to commit treason.
We entered a cask room, though it was hardly a simple wine cellar. It was far bigger than the ritual chambers, completely stocked row after row with barrels at least eight feet long. Not only was it the vastest collection of wine I had ever seen, but there was something peculiar about them. They were organized based on the runic markings near their taps, all in different colors. Many near the staircase were already empty, as they were tilted upward and cracked open.
“Do you recognize this?” Raven asked. He dabbled his fingers on the tap of the nearest cask and showed it to me near the light of the fire. I did indeed know what the substance was. It was the special wine I had a few times before. It shimmered as usual and smelled intensely stronger with my new senses. There was a glow faintly radiating off of it that I had not noticed with my mortal eyes. “It’s andvara – wine made from the blood of dragons. There is not a substance or source mightier than what is stored in this room.”
Raven put the torch on its stand and led us deeper into the cellar. We turned the corner and followed one of the longest rows halfway down before he crouched at the taps once more. He twisted them on five separate barrels, and not a drop of wine came out. It was interesting as they were still neat as if they had never been opened before.
“Usually it takes our Master years to finish a single cask… he drank these in a matter of months,” Raven explained to me. The worried stares from Sendrys, who had always been composed, showed that it was indeed a serious situation. I understood the implications even though I did not fully comprehend the amount of power he was accumulating. If the wine was a piece of the puzzle as to how he remained stronger than us all, it was something I needed to keep an eye on, especially if Raven and Sendrys thought it was important. He may have appeared restless at times, but looks were deceiving.
“We could have been using this stock to end the world. Instead, he has been hoarding it and gorging himself. Why waste so much power on this stupid weapon when we could have already moved along to the next planet? The Void does not wish to continue this folly experiment,” Sendrys inquired as if I knew the answers – and I did.
“Because if he controls something capable of killing Seraphim and Void Lords, he does not have to take orders from anyone but himself,” I replied, only stating what Lord Nakarius had shared with me. To my sur
prise, both of them appeared rather shocked by my words.
“Killing Void Lords? We have always been doing Azotl’s work. Why would they believe him to be creating this weapon for anything but the Vast Dark?” Sendrys wondered. “He may be guilty of blocking them out, but my brother is only doing what they themselves originally instructed him to.”
“I think perhaps you have more faith in our Master than our Gods do,” Raven answered after thoughtfully contemplating our words. “Even if it is merely a possibility, we cannot risk him damning the entire coven. I suggest that we execute the plans we have been working on and end our mission on Praetis. Let’s not give him the opportunity to betray us, however unlikely that may seem.”
We had different perspectives of Vincent, but Raven’s statement was one we could all agree on. They were both correct – the Void Lords, even in their vast wisdom, had no way of knowing for sure that he was intending on betraying them. There was always the possibility that he wished to finish creating the weapon for the sake of Azotl. But the other possibility – the one where he betrayed everyone, even our Gods and sacred Void – was too pressing of a matter to ignore. I did not desire to tell anyone that Naazvaba wished for me to kill him eventually because he was a threat. It was far too soon to divide our coven without clear evidence he meant to do what the Void suspected. For the time being, I would monitor him, and maintain a connection to Lord Nakarius so they could be aware of his actions. Though he was very different from the companion I yearned for in my secret paradise, I still hoped he was not as big of a traitor as Naazvaba perceived him to be.
As I am sure anyone could expect, it took me a little while to get used to being in my body again. Though I hardly noticed not having one in the Void, returning to it was far from easy. My reactions and physical strength had dwindled away in those months underground. Walking was a chore; even lifting Misery felt like too much. I was expected to assist Typhlon in destroying the Empire of Zaar which would require me to be in the best shape of my life, and I was far from that after my long nap.