by Jeff Gunzel
“Once we begin, our minds shall be joined as one in the eyes of Odao,” Assirra called out, her voice crisp and clear. “As his divine power flows through me, you shall all see what I see, feel what I feel… But understand that the imagery you witness is meant for me and me alone. Do not concern yourselves with the cryptic nature of these visions. I shall translate the meanings of all that we see. Open your minds, friends, and walk this spiritual path with me.”
The candle in the circle’s center ignited on its own, flame shooting high into the air. The dancing light flickered across their faces, making them squint against its brightness. Gray mist clouded their vision, rolling and bubbling in a shapeless haze. Dark faces emerged from the chaos, flashing brief expressions of suffering before vaporizing back into the gray rolling mass.
The imagery changed, rolling gray beginning to take on some semblance of form and color. A flash of red assaulted their vision, clearer images now starting to form. A boiling river of liquid fire flowed through a canyon of rock. With each molten bubble rising, white ash spewed from the top as they burst.
The vision sharpened further, as if they somehow drew closer to it. Ghostly white men came into their vision. They stood around the flowing lava howling in pain, bloodcurdling shrieks echoing through lipless slitted mouths. Their colorless bodies endured the scorching heat, absorbing the pain, although never seeming to burn. Large pink eyes opened wide with each howl, tears evaporating as fast as they formed.
“The laberaths are not the only ones hunting Viola,” Assirra whispered, her voice shaky with focus. “The ghatins have joined them as well. You see before you the white devils who have terrorized your human cities. It would seem that their fiery prison is no longer able to contain them.”
Liam looked on through his spirit-guided eyes. Sure enough, those creatures fit the descriptions reported by the survivors of each attack. Once again the candle shot fire into the air, its light flashing across their faces sending the images swirling and boiling into a churning blend of color.
The rolling colors reformed once more, images slowly taking shape for a second time. It was a dimly lit room with a mother and her babe. They watched as the baby suckled its mother’s nipple, the face of the mother unseen. The baby suckled harder, suddenly displaying a desperate need. It seemed to grow teeth despite appearing to be only a few weeks old, and began biting with an animalistic voracity.
Blood ran freely from the unflinching mother’s breast, down the sides of the baby’s cheeks, blood filling its mouth. Displaying a calm demeanor, the mother ignored the mutilation of her body, lightly bouncing the babe as if nothing were wrong. It ripped and tore, pulling away bits of red flesh with each vicious bite.
“You have not been forthright with me,” Assirra accused, all eyes still closed as they listened to her voice. “You suffer from the thirst, Viola. This is not a thing that should have been kept from me.” Everyone stirred uncomfortably, legs readjusting their positions. The candle flashed again, this time its blaze releasing considerable heat in the small room.
The mother and babe meshed together, colors swirling into a rainbow of light. Another flash of red assaulted their vision. This time they saw Viola encased between a grid of iron bars. She screamed and thrashed, attempting to free herself. Below her, molten lava flowed like red honey, burping large bubbles that threatened to reach up and grab her.
The grid began to lower in bouncing jerks, her screams intensifying as her body drew closer to the heat. Her clothes began to smoke, steaming flesh peeling away from her face as flakes of skin hissed against the red river below. When the grid touched the surface, her whole body erupted in flame, a final bloodcurdling scream echoing through the chamber.
Pasty white ghatins looked on as her corpse blackened into ash. Suddenly, it burst. White spectral faces with long, misty tails exploded in all directions, soaring through the air like ghostly bats. Ignoring the specters, ghatins began leaving the fiery chamber. The scene drew back, now showing ghatins drifting down the side of a mountain.
Everyone gasped, trembling hands clenching their neighbors’ with false reassurance that it was nothing but a horrible vision. Viola was fine. They would never let this happen to her. “The ritual,” Assirra gasped, her voice trembling with fear for the first time. “This is why they need Viola. The ghatins will be free to roam the world once more after her body has been sacrificed to break the curse. Why didn’t I see it before?” The candle flared again, this time a bluish burst that felt more like a cool breeze against their faces.
A murky haze formed before their eyes. Turbulent and wild this time, it looked like a storm of clouds all funneling into the eye of a hurricane. Wisps of vapor seemed to be torn apart, shredded by raging winds. The explosion of movement began to slow, rolling vapor starting to take shape.
It was Viola once more, her face pale as ever, lips black as night. Her red eyes seemed to pierce into each of their souls as a knowing smile creased her lips. Suddenly, her eyes enlarged, easily tripling in size. This disproportion made her look like an insect. Her grin widened, pointed teeth now fully on display. The skin on her face began to turn scaly, as if all the moisture were being sucked out.
In a crackling blur, her lips peeled back under her chin and over the top of her head. The skin on her face flipped inside out in an explosion of red. At the center of the gory massacre that was once her face, a long pink tongue waggled about like a streamer in the wind.
Assirra shrieked, releasing the hands on either side of her, falling back against the wall. With a collective gasp, everyone’s eyes jetted open. Stunned by the horrific visual, chests rose and fell with panicked breaths. Unfazed, Viola stared down at the melted candle, a vacant empty look in her eyes.
“What the blazes did I just see?” Owen growled, the normally unflappable hunter sounding quite shaken.
“I...I’m not sure,” Assirra admitted, slowly rising to her feet. “The visions are always cryptic to all those who bear witness, but they’ve always been clear to me, yet I only partially understood its meaning. The vision represented a direct link to Viola’s origin, of that much I’m sure. Only...”
“Only what?” Liam prodded.
“Only, the conclusion was not clear. It’s as if Odao himself is confused.”
“I’ve run the tests myself,” Liam pointed out. “Her blood consists of both human and laberath.”
“Your findings are not in question,” Assirra replied. “It’s just that...there is something quite alien about her. An infection, for lack of a better word. Her blood is...tainted.” Everyone fell silent, their foreheads beaded with sweat from the ordeal.
“Enough of that then,” Liam said, eventually breaking the long silence. “Let us focus on what we do know. Those ghostly white creatures we saw. Every report of those random attacks described those things in great detail. There could be no mistake. But you referred to them as ‘ghatins.’ At first I couldn’t recall the name, yet it seemed oddly familiar somehow. But now I do indeed remember the tale. Those creatures are from the story of Malikye. The old folk tale of white beasts which were finally subdued by an ancient sorcerer. Although unable to destroy them, he cursed them to live out their days in a smoldering volcano, thus saving the realm.”
“Looks to be a bit more than an old folk tale,” said Owen.
“I don’t believe this,” said Liam, rising to his feet. “So not only is the story true, but they’re trying to lift the curse by performing some ancient ritual.” Liam began to pace, knuckles knocking his forehead while he tried to remember the old story. “Why now, after so many centuries have passed? What’s changed?”
“They now have a vessel that fits the formula,” said Assirra, as if that should be obvious. “Tell me, Liam, how many beings such as Viola have you met in your time? Can’t you see? She is the missing link!”
“And if they manage to succeed, the curse will be lifted and these powerful beings will roam the world once more. And what’s more, they’re working with
the laberaths!” Liam replied, suddenly realizing how dire the situation had become.
“But I don’t understand,” said Owen. “It seems they’ve already found a way to escape their molten tomb. Somehow, they’ve already beaten the curse on their own.”
“No,” Xavier replied, still displaying his ever-present calm. “Well, not exactly. It’s not that they’ve found a way to leave the volcano.”
“Of course,” Liam said, disgusted by his own stupidity. “They’ve found a way to bring the volcano with them! They’re using its ash as a gateway to move around on the surface world. Theoretically, they are still confined within the volcano. And look how much destruction they’ve caused while still being so limited. Imagine if they were to lift the curse!”
“That can never happen!” Assirra insisted. She walked over to Viola, who still remained seated, eyes calmly fixed on the inactive candle. “I still don’t know exactly who or what you are, or even how you came to be. None of that matters now. Now more than ever, I know that we must keep you safe. I pledge my full protection.”
Suddenly, a tarrin burst into the room. He bent over, hands falling to his knees as he fought to gain his breath. “Assirra!” he managed through his rasping.
“What? What is it, Growlen?” she asked, distressed by his urgency.
“They’re...they’re coming!” he huffed. “The reports are coming in from everywhere. There is no mistake.”
“Who? Who is coming?” Assirra pleaded, growing desperate for some clarity.
“The laberaths are on the move,” he bellowed. “They march on Eldham as we speak. They’ll be here by tomorrow evening!”
Chapter 10
Assirra’s creamy blue eyes swept the silent room, carefully measuring slouching postures and hung heads. “So be it,” she said, her head high and back straight. “I promised you sanctuary for as long as you remain with us,” she said to Viola. “I meant every word of that oath. Now more than ever!” She turned back to the messenger. “Go now and gather the villagers. I want everyone gathered at the base of our sacred tree within the hour.” He nodded and turned to carry out her orders. She grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him back. “Find Orfi as well,” she added, keeping her voice low. “Have him sent here immediately.” The moment she released him he was off and running.
“I’m sorry,” Viola whispered. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. You should have just left me in Redwater.”
“Nonsense,” said Liam, downplaying her words with a dismissive wave.
“People are going to die because of me,” she replied, her eyes tearing up.
Xavier came up from behind, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Of that there is little doubt,” he admitted. “But those numbers will reflect only a fraction of what it will be if you are captured by the laberaths. Owen and I have been bounty hunters for years, and countless times I’ve risked my life for the sake of a few coins. This is the first time I can honestly say I am willing to die for the cause. As long as my body draws breath, I swear they will not take you.” Viola managed a weak smile, not yet certain she believed him.
Just then, Orfi hobbled through the beaded doorway. He must have been nearby to have gotten there so quickly. When he limped up to Assirra, she leaned down and whispered something in his ear. His milky white eyes betrayed her confidence momentarily when they flashed towards Viola. “And hurry,” she said audibly, sending him right back out.
Owen ambled over to Liam. “Might be a good time to discuss a strategy,” he mumbled as he passed right by him.
“Agreed,” Liam replied, following him into the next room. Owen paced twice, then turned to face the mystic with an icy look in his eyes. “However, I don’t think that discussing strategy is the reason you pulled me away from the others,” Liam responded, returning the glare.
“Aye,” the hunter said. “But it be only a half lie. I think we be needing to clear the air on a few matters.” Liam nodded his agreement. There never really seemed to be a right time to have this discussion. Apparently Owen had decided that despite their impending doom looming right around the corner, this was about a good time as any.
“How be your wrist?” Owen asked, getting right to the point. Liam didn’t respond, all the while resisting the urge to glance down at it. “When were ye planning to tell me about your little incident regarding the girl?”
“You already knew,” Liam stated, having known that for some time.
“Aye, I did,” the hunter admitted. “Which was why I gave you plenty o chances to speak up. I thought we were past all of this. You still don’t trust me? What did you think I was going to do, put her down like a rabid dog?”
“Perhaps,” Liam sighed, his hard glare softening. “Yes, I lied to protect Viola. For what it’s worth, I regretted it the moment I did. But I wasn’t sure how you would react to her loss of control. Covering it just seemed like the simplest solution at the time.”
“I can’t keep doing this,” said Owen. “You heard what her messenger said. By tomorrow night this place is going to be crawling with laberaths, and who knows what demons they’ll bring with them? I need to know...and I mean really, really know, that you and I are on the same page.” He motioned towards the other room. “That girl’s life is in danger, and for some unexplainable reason, she seems willing to trust that you and I can protect her. In her own words, she seems to think we’re a family.” He paused, eyes lowering.
“I’ve been called an assassin, cutthroat, mercenary, and even a murderer,” he continued, his voice much softer this time. “But no one has ever used my name and the word ‘family’ in the same sentence. Even Xavier has never gone that far. So my question is a simple one: Was she wrong?”
“No, she was not,” Liam said. “Viola trusts you and Xavier implicitly, just as I do. My deceit of the situation was a kneejerk reaction, an unjustified fear I felt in the moment. I panicked, thinking you might do something rash. Although my intent was to protect her, my deception was a foolish choice. Your every action has done nothing but reinforce my trust in you, Owen. I do indeed believe the word ‘family’ now applies.”
The angry mutterings of villagers outside began to filter their way into the room. “Word spreads quickly in these parts,” said Liam, eyeing the doorway.
“I’m pretty sure that anger be directed at us. After you,” said Owen, sweeping a hand towards the doorway. The two of them marched out onto platform where the others were already waiting. They gazed down at the growing mob. Angry mutters blended together, the occasional fist shaking up at them. For such a supposedly peaceful race, these tarrins seemed rather livid right about now.
To no avail, Thatra waved her arms, trying to calm them down. “Quiet yourselves,” she called down. “Show respect in the presence of your High Cleric!” Viola peeked over the edge to a chorus of hissing. Realizing she was only making things worse, Thatra gently pulled her back.
“My fellow tarrins,” Assirra boomed, her powerful voice much stronger than it should have been. Perhaps Odao was working through her once more. “I do not stand before you today to offer false promises of hope and comfort. I shall be honest and forthright as I have always been. I know you have heard the rumors regarding an impending attack from our most ancient enemy. These are not mere rumors my friends, but a certainty we must face together. Indeed, the laberaths are coming. And true to their very nature, they shall show no mercy!”
Re-energized by the foreboding message, a hateful roar rose up like a storm.
“It’s her they want. Just let them have the dead girl!”
“I’m not dying for a witch!”
“She led them here. She’s working with the laberaths! Kill her now!”
Call after call for blood rose from the crowd, and none of it for laberath blood. A few even began inching their way up the steps, burning torches in their hands that they pumped menacingly.
“Enough!” came Owen’s deep voice like rumbling thunder. Startled by the human’s reaction, they quiet
ed down. “For over a decade now, I have been the only human to set foot in your village. For a time I deemed that a great honor. Despite our differences in culture and race, you trusted me and I trusted you. Xavier and I have spilled blood defending your village and asked nothing in return. I took that blood on my hands so each of you could sleep at night. We did what you couldn’t do. Is that all I am to you now? A butcher, summoned only when something threatens your village?” Where there was roaring anger only a minute ago, you could now here a pin drop on wet grass.
“What happened to that trust we once had?” he continued, no longer shouting. “They are coming, and nothing we do can stop that. And even if you send Viola away, they’ll still cut your families apart just like the butcher you seem to think I am. And if they do find her, then you’re all just as dead.” He groaned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “I can’t force you to defend yourselves. You must look into the eyes of your family and make that choice for yourself. If I have to stand alone, then so be it. I always knew I would die in battle, but I didn’t think it would happen defending cowards who would sooner sacrifice a young girl than defend their own village.”
He turned away, leading Xavier by the arm. “Leave them to their tarrin business,” he said. “You and I must prepare to make a final stand.” They disappeared back into Assirra’s private temple. Liam glared down at the group, then followed the warriors inside.
“So the humans do not fear to make a stand when my own people will not?” Thatra hissed down from the platform. “So be it. Then I shall stand with the humans, and perhaps even fall as one. Their blood and title bring me no shame. But I will fall with a blade in my hand, not cowering behind some tree.” Snatching Viola by the shoulder, she, too, went back inside.