Tokala’s wrinkled nose had him saying “Anyone want soap?”
“Where are you hiding soap?” Ethan asked as everyone else was overwhelmed, not knowing what was more important.
The Kitsune pulled out a furry looking seed and winked before he planted it between a crack in the ancient stone floor. Power over plants had a strangely hunched tree grow in moments to look more like a wet cue tip, weighted down to appear a question mark with silvery leaves. A plant clearly not native to Earth. The other Demons knew exactly what it was for as others watched Tokala peel back the white fuzzy exterior with his black claws and beneath the husk looked like gold corn. Tokala plucked a giant kernel the size of a baseball and said “Best soap from Demon World. It smells a lot like pine actually. Definitely better than the rest of you. Just wet it and it’ll suds up like normal soap.” He tossed it over and Ethan caught it gratefully. Everyone else plucked a kernel on their own.
Ethan got a large bucket and an old rag. He sucked in a breath as his wounds stung from the cleaning soap. Tokala was also kind enough to design clothes out of supple leaves for everyone who asked politely. Cleaning his sore wings were harder. Eventually he struggled to the hard to reach places and Panther said “Allow me, Master.” and without waiting for a reply the wet cloth and soap were taken and Panther gently washed his back. Ethan managed to say “Thanks.”
New pants had never felt so great now that he was modestly covered rather than buck naked and cold. He sat down and Panther stood in front, clearly warning everyone to not approach. So he said “Guys, get some sleep. Real sleep.”
“Twist my arm.” Moomba commented as she stretched out on one of Tokala’s giant flowers while untangling her now pristine white coat.
Chapter 13
“We need to talk.” Ethan said as the room finally settled in.
Panther maintained his stationary vigil, making sure none pass his watch, but even he could not hide a slight sigh. “You need to rest, Master.”
“And I will get it, but right now I need to know more of the man who has watched me for months and gone undetected even to Kanade who can smell Demon Energy. What are Balam? Why you came and why you are so loyal to me? Do not worry about being overheard, I’ve spelled this area with just us to communicate.”
“Master, there are many things I’m unable to share.”
“Then do only as much as you can. I owe you that much.”
“Thank you.” Panther said genuinely despite his calm monotone and without turning around. “As for what I am, my kind are known throughout the realms as Balam. We are one of the most ancient races of Demons to evolve and also one of the strongest. We cannot create spells, but our bodies are highly resistant to them. If not immune. Only the greatest spells may affect us, but to far less efficiency. It is what makes us so lethal. And I am their leader, as I suspect you’ve assumed when your heartbeat rhythm skipped when Tokala called me General. I am the Balam general of Demon World. We are the finest guards and assassins of all other Demons. We are cunning and ruthless.”
“If that is true, why would you be loyal to me of all people? A conflict of interest if you ask me.”
“Because there are Demons far stronger than I. My last master freed me of my service and sent me to watch over you. Do no inquire of my former master’s motives. Just know, I’m the best choice believed to keep you safe and alive. Only under the most dire circumstances could I reveal my presence… as it is. Balam need masters or we go feral, especially those near enough to my strength.”
“With your level of power, what do you feed on?”
“Balam feed only on their master’s energies and in turn fiercely protect them. If you were a lesser being, I would have drained you with a breath, but you not noticing over these months proved you are a worthy master.”
“I get the strange sense we met before you arrived at the First House. And how the hell did you breach the perimeter undetected? Does it have anything to do with being a housecat?”
“You forget I just told you that spells have little or no effect to me. I hold no ill will to Order so I came in as simple as that.”
“Oh.” Is all he could come up with.
“As for meeting, no, you merely felt my presence. I too was out hunting the Incubi nest that day you supervised Kira’s hunt. I hid and observed. The Incubi’s Elvin master was the one I hunted. He was brought to my attention, planning against my former master, on secretly building something larger than you ever knew the extent of and would have caused more death and suffering. But then I caught your scent and knew what you were before you did. But you still retained human characteristics. I watched as you killed them all, including my target who got away for a short while till the Seeker found him.
“I returned to Demon World to tell my master I had discovered your existence and not long after, he tasked me with protecting you. The moment I scratched you that night and licked your blood, I became your minion forever unless you banish me from your service or transfer me. Since that day I’ve observed.”
“So that is why you suddenly appear randomly all the time?” Panther nodded. “Wait… then that means you like sleeping between Kanade’s breasts.”
“A fine perch indeed.” Panther momentarily looked over his shoulder and smirked.
“Alright, I’ll forgive you, but only because you’re completely right. They are rather fine to rest on.” Ethan’s smile slowly faded. “And before my capture I asked you to watch over her…” He dry swallowed what seemed a boulder. “What happened?”
Panther’s tail went still, clearly showing he cared for her deeply as well. After all, they bonded deeply as friends. And everyone loved her. “I obeyed, Master. The two of you weren’t the only ones who felt something amiss that day. I saw the TV change when Floa took over them all just as you were captured. I was about to jump and go after you, but Mistress Kanade held me and wouldn’t let go. Then I was under Blossom’s care while Mistress Kanade searched the world for you, but…”
“Just tell me. My blood let me connect to her mind and I felt her wild, erratic and violent side beyond any I’ve sensed. Her mind is gone and her body is in pain. It is torturing her and…” He couldn’t finish either.
“The first five days were hard so she worked day and night. But.. she grew worse day by day. She stopped eating, drinking and talking. She retired to her apartment in the castle so she could always be close or news, but after seven days she closed herself off from the world completely. I stayed to comfort her and it did help slightly. Her emotions were beyond natural. She began snarling at the faintest noises and then would cry. Any time she would try to close her eyes she’d jerk awake with a terrified scream and cry all over again.
“Eventually Floa sent her to a prepared bunker in the old dungeon. Padded and comfortable for her own good. But they are constantly sedating her and before I left I saw Floa Translocate food straight into her stomach. She is under the best possible care, Master.” Ethan watched Panther’s fist ball tight and his tone remained neutral. “For doing this to both you and the Mistress, I hope you kill them all, Master.”
A deep growl had Panther go still. It was a growl he knew all too well. “Believe me. I doubt anyone will survive.” The conviction eased the Balam’s body and mind.
“Before I get some sleep, can you find me a few nails or a chunk of steel from one of the extra weapons? I need to see if there is a way I may seal by aura now that I’m part Demon. My hour’s almost up. Can you show me the enchantments of whatever my kind uses to regulate aura. The second seed thing you gave me is weakening.”
“Right away, Master.” Panther silently moved to the nearest weapon crate and literally ripped the round pommel off a sword sticking out of a barrel and returned.
Ethan turned it into a puddle of liquid metal within seconds and quickly cooled it while reshaping it into a basic round amulet to thread on a necklace he’d make later. As he rapidly cooled it by pulling heat back inside the body, Panther warned “Your ancestry has no permanent sol
ution to blocking their auras. They are too powerful, as you can attest even though you’ve yet to fully take on full aspects. It will always wear out, Master, within a week at most. Though I cannot create runes, these are the ones I do know that work.” He grew a lone claw out slightly to begin carving into the stone like soft cheese.
“I take it by the way you phrased it, you will not tell me what kind of Demon I’ve been turning into?” Panther’s round ears sagged and his jaw tightened so Ethan let it go.
For now.
How would be the best way to make it? The two sides of Order and Chaos don’t mix… His thoughts were halted as his focus turned from outward to in without trying. It was a first and Panther’s quick reaction had soft hands steady Ethan’s shoulders, the dark palms were also supple, just like a cat.
Part of his vision took in the spell written in stone on the floor before him.
Intuition or something close to it had all the runes he knew about start swirling around. Panther’s white teeth showed as he tried talking, but Ethan couldn’t answer as he was somehow trapped within his own mind as Chaos and Order runes of the male side began to blur worse than his vision.
Somehow he wasn’t afraid since it didn’t feel wrong at all.
Of the ninety eight runes Order uses, Ethan knew sixty seven by heart from countless hours of studying. The remaining thirty one were female specific.
Of the thirty nine Chaos runes, Ethan had access to twenty two. Again, seventeen belonged to women.
Unlike Order, Chaos spells were connectible rather than set up specifically to be written out in ancient sentences. It now made sense why so many demonic runes looked so harsh and striking. One rune could be laid upon the other or added to the corner or edge of a previous one to create something completely different.
Like it was doing in his mind at that very moment. The spiral of symbols began molding, blending and stripping away useless pieces to create something new and unprecedented. Swirls of Order and angles of Chaos began layering, fitting together like old puzzle pieces that had long since been lost.
The spiraling mess of thoughts all of a sudden came to a dead stop, causing a mental whiplash. In its place stood out in the front of his mind a single detailed creation Ethan couldn’t believe could be made. It looked like nothing he had ever seen before and it was powerful, more than he could consciously realize. It hummed like a buzzing bee wanting to escape and his head began to hurt from it. Ethan knew he had to get it out with all haste.
Focus returned to the world as he lifted the crude disc and made the right fist glow, aimed at the warm steel. He allowed feeling to guide his hand rather than force it. As his fist moved in wider lines, it was transcribed directly into the housing of the spell. As he rapidly moved, the buzzing pressure within slowly evaporated as the amulet seemed to take it from his mind.
In a minute or two his fist dimmed to its pale natural shine and in the other hand burned a lavender flame surrounding the metal, but gave off no warmth.
“Master… have you blended the two sides… into one?”
“Yeah, but I’m going to sleep now. I’m…” He didn’t finish his words as he slumped against the wall to leave the Balam general truly and utterly speechless. Panther though recovered and helped ease Ethan’s exhausted body into a much more comfortable position, on his back.
Tokala leaned up against a wall with his arms crossed, all nine tails pressed out in more of a peacock display so it was comfortable to lean. “He’s the one the old man’s been seeking isn’t he? The convergence is happening. Isn’t it, General?”
“Hold that tongue, Kitsune.” Panther growled low and deep. “It is not our place.”
“Fine, but what he just did ought to be impossible. His life is in more peril than I ever suspected. If the twofaced bastard found out, he’ll have Ethan killed without bothering to politely send a greeting card saying ‘Hi, please do me the favor of letting me tear your head off.’”
“I said hold your tongue. If I say it again I will force you.” Panther’s eyes bore into Tokala’s. “I will protect the master from any and all enemies. And you well know it. But on another subject, the others… they will not be rested or strong enough to fight properly. Many wounds are grievous from so long in Sheedan’s care. Can you…”
“I’ve already gave them sap from the Fire-nut tree. They will be twice as strong tomorrow and healed as if two weeks have passed. Why do you think none puked when they ate more than their shriveled stomachs could handle from extended starvation?” Tokala said as he looked to all the slumbering beings on plush flowers like giant sunflowers, but more comfortable than most beds and certainly more than their previous accommodations. Most had a blade clutched close like a safety blanket. “And they are all looking much better already. You can rest too, General. I set out seeds all over outside and in to alert us if anyone comes this way.”
“I am more than well enough.” Panther stood motionless in front of his slumbering master again, eyes constantly scanning for danger. “I will not fail my master again.”
“You didn’t fail him the first time.” Tokala said directly. “Had I not been so busy doing my own thing I would have known something bad happened. And you had your mission. I seriously doubt any House would willingly allow a Balam on their premises. You had to stay in your animal form so your energy would go undetected. I can understand that.” He pushed himself off and waved a hand over the bare ground and the floor cracked as green vines sprouted and made a bed he slept on.
Panther maintained his standing vigil in silence from that point on.
For once there was no delirium upon returning to consciousness. A full, uninterrupted, comfortable, dreamless night’s sleep did wonders for not only the mind, but the body as well, especially for Ethan. He groaned as he stretched his arms over his head and popped his back while his legs fully extended before sighing and going slack to enjoy the moment. “Ah.” He sighed again and felt whole after so long.
Then he opened his eyes and sat up. Immediately he noticed Panther hadn’t moved even an inch from his station. It touched him and a smile came out all on its own before he looked his hands, wings and body over. His skin was finally intact and back to perfection. Hairy red chest? Check. Ten toes? Check. Beard? He touched it. In need of serious grooming. Long hair? Shorter, but needs brushing.
His temple itched pretty bad and required an immediate scratch. At once he felt something different. There was hard bone that had broken through and the skin peeled back more than an inch.
Horns had broken through, but just barely.
Ethan grabbed the bucket that was little larger than a cup and brought it over, waited till the ripples stilled and looked closer to find ivory white knots growing perfectly from either side. Food had not only returned his rapid healing ability, but also growing things that two months ago weren’t detected in scans. Additional bone in his temples would have been flagged.
And when he looked back in his own eyes, there was very little gray remaining. They were both almost pure ruby red. He sighed “Panther, you know Kanade and I have spoken in private with you in the room about all the growths appearing. I’d like to know what other changes I need to look forward to. How tall will I become? Will I grow claws? Will my face change…”
“Master,” Panther said in a low, private tone only they could possibly hear. “be not fearful your looks will be grotesque in any way. No, you will not have claws nor will your face be altered in any way aside from horns that have finally appeared. Your heritage will find you somewhere between eighteen to twenty feet when the final changes are finished. Next to the predatory beauty of we Balam’s,” Panther touched his chest. “your rare kind is most fawned over.”
“How many of my kind are there?” He asked as he stood.
“I’m not permitted, but I can say Demon World could welcome one more.”
“Fair enough.” He stretched his wings fully and noticed the bone running down was more edged than round and the ripples runni
ng through the sails were more prominent. Like arms and legs, his wings being fully extended to stretch were sigh worthy. “I’m going to check on everyone now.” Panther stepped aside as Ethan silently stepped closer and knelt down to gently brush Moombae’s hair out of her eye. The gentleness had her groan and look up into a smiling face she didn’t at first recognize. Her first conditioned response was to tense and fear being struck and spill the whereabouts of her mistress’s lair. So she locked up defiantly and waited for the coming pain.
Instead was the kindest touch she had ever been given. Feather light, but she didn’t realize Ethan was being extremely careful. He felt his strength was exceptionally more than weeks ago. “Morning, Little lady. How you feeling?”
“Ethan.” She relaxed and opened her eyes. “I didn’t recognize you… you’re handsome when not scabbed and bloody.”
“And your fur is pretty when it isn’t matted and burned, but you’ve got a long wait for it all to grow back one day.”
“Thanks to you at least I’ve got the chance to get a full coat again.” She grunted. Then she got up. “You know I’m with you all the way, but I would like to prove it will be forever I’ll be loyal. I will find someone who will teach me to understand so if you have need of me, I will be there. It would be an honor to be bound to your blood, if you’ll have me.” She hesitated.
“Me too, Master Ethan.” Her Ghoul cellmate said.
“Same here.”
“As would I.” the other Demons in the room came up to him to offer true and binding loyalty, but not too close as they saw Panther’s claws extend some. Few tangoed with a Balam and ever lived to tell the tale. Very few.
Ethan dropped to his knees so he didn’t tower over them as he held out his forearm. “Panther, if you would please.” The Balam painlessly pierced the stone hard skin enough to draw blood and Ethan wiped a thumb over the drops and held it out. Each and every Demon didn’t hesitate to wipe a drop and lick it.
02 Wrath of Flames Page 50