“Then they are not our brothers,” Seethed the oldest, “and they will fall along side the oppressor they serve.” He spat in disgust. “In a days time Azire and Drex will be arriving with the professor. Madron will be so focused on his revenge he would never expect an attack from within his own ranks. Gather all you know who are loyal to our cause and in a nights time we will purge our lands of those unworthy to walk it,” The eldest ordered.
The Shadow Breathers quickly dispersed and began seeking out any willing to fight and purge the realm of its scum.
Loyalty is an Illusion of Grandeur
“Cause you’ll never know that you’re my hero, and I can fly ...….. hum hum da dum ….. You are the wind beneath my wings.”
“I can’t take anymore of this,” Drex said covering his ears, ripping at the few puffs of hair he had left. “For two days…two days,” he griped to Azire holding up two fingers to prove his point, “he has been singing that same annoying song…and he doesn’t even now all the words,” He screeched throwing his hands in the air.
“It won’t be much longer till we hand him over to Madron and then…” He made a slicing noise as he slid his finger across his neck. “So just hang in there,” he patted Drex on the back. “Perhaps Madron will let you get a few licks in on the Professor,” he added slyly.
“Oh that would be lovely,” Drex said as he looked at the professor, his mouth salivating as if he were a savage dog waiting to dismember his prey.
“You better get control of yourself Drex,” Azire warned, “remember what happened last time you disobeyed Lord Madron’s orders.”
Drex winced at the memory. His fingers mindlessly followed a large scare that ran from the top of his left ear, across his right cheek, than disappeared down the front of his neck and into his shirt. That one lesson was enough to remind Drex and all other hunters and Shadow Breathers what happened when they stepped even a toe out of line.
“You feel better?” Azire asked as he watched Drex’s face take on a more controlled scowl.
“I just want to……” he whimpered softly not finishing his sentence.
“I know,” Azire said patting Drex’s back again, “I know.”
The pair continued in tormented silence enduring the professor’s haggard rendition of “Wind beneath my wings” floating and swirling in the air around them. They derived small amounts of pleasure by yanking the chain binding the Professors causing him to stumble and collide with the scorching earth.
Their actions only fueled the professor. He sang even louder pausing only to shout, “Oh I remember the words now.” Then he’d start the song over again.
Three hours later, an endless game of tug-o-war, and the constant bombardment of “Wind beneath my wings”, the trio reached the door to the realm of Barathrum. A wide smile spread across Drex’s face
“Let see how long you sing once Madron has his way with you,” He snickered giving the cord a final yank before pausing to open the realm.
The professor gave a faint smile trying to avert his mind from the pain racking his body. His hands and knees were skinned to the bone. Little beads of blood slowly raced down his chin, escaping from the gash on his cheek. Bits of gravel and other debris embedded themselves in his wounds. He watched closely as the two hunters stood before a large dead tree and slid a small stone into the heart of the trunk. He saw their mouths move, but couldn’t make out the words.
The air around the tree began to ripple like water. An image appeared that reflected nothing in their current surroundings. His thoughts were averted, as another yank on his chains pulled him forward. The portal slowly devoured him, than spat him into the rough hot darkness of the other world. He glanced back. The doorway immediately shut behind them. Nothing of the other world remained, just a solid stone wall with no means of escape. Despair washed over the Professor as they dragged him into the heart of Barathrum.
“My lord, Drex and Azire have entered the realm with your prisoner,” Merrick informed Madron.
“Wonderful,” Madron smiled. “Show him to his quarters once he arrives…..and make sure he’s comfortable,” His sinister voice crawling over the room, “He will need his strength while he is here,” He snickered.
Merrick nodded his head, “Is there anything else you need my lord,” he asked.
“No thank you Merrick, you may leave now,” he said waving his hand towards the door.
Merrick exited the room ensuring the doors closed firmly. He listened for the soft sound of the latch catching behind him. Making sure no one was around he pulled a small pebble from its hiding place in his left sock. He searched for the large fissure running the length of the hallway wall. Checking to see if any one was watching, he placed the pebbled deep within the crack. He quickly tapped on the wall opposite him. A small door emerged in the old stonework. He slipped through undetected, watching as the doorway sealed shut behind him.
The passageway was as dark as any other corner of Barathrum. Night and day were distinguished only by the large tower clock Madron installed. The clock chimed differently during the day, than during the night. He produced a small lantern, striking a match against the wall to light it. A faint light flickered dimly inside the lantern slowly gaining strength. The light cast tiny shadows on the passage walls, prancing after Merrick like a small parade.
He followed the corridor till it branched of in three directions. He followed the path to his left soon finding himself in a small musty smelling room. There he waited. He sat nervously intertwining his fingers and wringing his hands, wishing he’d brought his pocket watch so he could tell how much time had passed. His nerves tingled. After sitting in the dark for god knows how many hours he dosed off.
“Is it in place,” A voice asked cutting through the silence.
Startled, Merrick jumped from his make shift stool, his heart beating wildly in his chest.
“Is what in place?” He asked squinting into the darkness looking for his company.
“You only had one assignment,” the voice reminded him as if he were a child.
“Oh yes,” Merrick replied nervously, “It is where you instructed me to place it.”
“Were you seen by anyone?” the voice asked.
“No,” Merrick answered shaking his head. “It is safe.”
“Good,” The voice replied. “You have fulfilled your duty well.”
“Will you not show yourself to me?” Merrick asked nervously, still casting quick glances about the room. “Have I not proven myself to your cause?”
“You have, and your actions will be greatly rewarded,” the voice replied with great approval.
“Thank you,” Merrick said blushing at the compliment.
“Now I have one more task for you to do,” the voice instructed. “You must listen closely. Should your timing be off by even a few seconds the consequences could be disastrous. Do you understand?”
Merrick gulped. “Yes, I understand.”
“Good, this is what I want you to do…..”
Three floors up, Madron was lying in bed snuggled under layers of fine cloth dreaming of his childhood days, when he felt a presence in the room. He peeked out from under a half closed eyelid.
“Ugh,” he said, throwing the blankets over his head. “You again,” he groaned, his voice muffled by the covers. “Don’t you have anything better to do than following me like a shadow,” Madron asked.
“I have been doing other things,” The boy defended his presence there.
“Really,” Madron skeptically raised an eyebrow, “Like what?”
“Oh you know a little of this and a little of that,” the boy answered flopping onto the foot of the bed, propping his head up with his hands.
“Why are you here?” Madron asked, frustrated by the boy’s constant appearance.
“Because I have a secret to tell you,” the little boy said excitedly crawling up the massive bed and pulling the covers off Madron’s head.
“A secret,” Madron repeated in a mocking t
one, “Let me guess…..You used the bathroom all by yourself today,” Madron snarled sarcastically.
“HAHaHaHa very funny,” the little boy said sticking his tongue out. “As a matter a fact,” he began, sticking his face in Madron’s, “I know a secret about your Shadow Breathers.”
“What about them,” Madron sighed completely exasperated.
“I know they don’t like you,” the boy stated, anxious to see Madron’s reaction.
“Don’t like me,” Madron repeated glancing at the boy over the hem of the blankets, “Of course they like me. I helped set them free. I let them run wild about the universe dooming worlds they came in contact with. Why wouldn’t they like me?” He reasoned mostly to himself.
“Oh I don’t know,” The boy replied, his eyes gleaming, finger tapping on his cheek as if pretending to think.
Madron rolled his eyes. “Just tell me okay. I am not in the mood to play games,” he stated jumping out of bed. He marched to his dressing closet and grabbed the scarlet cloak he always wore.
“Well, I was wandering around the labyrinth blindfolded, seeing if I could find my way out, when I over heard a very interesting conversation. Now being as smart as I am……” Madron rolled his eyes when the little boy said that. “I figured I should not alert them to my presence so ducked deeper into the shadows, if that is even possible to do, and I found a place to hide,” He paused for a moment.
“And…” Madron gestured for him to continue.
“And I heard a few Shadow Breathers talking about how they wanted to kill you.”
“Kill me,” Madron repeated completely dumbfounded, “How….. Why….. I don’t understand. What else did they say?” Madron asked, feeling anger boiling in his blood.
“Just that it was time the Shadow Breathers regain their land and something about you being an oppressor,” The little boy answered, tapping his cheek again as he stared at the ceiling as if trying to remember the exact details. “Anyways that part is not important.”
“How is that not important?” Madron demanded.
“I know their plan,” the boy announced triumphantly. “They believe you will be so distracted by your thirst for revenge, and your god like ignorance, that you would never suspect an attack from with in your own ranks.”
Madron’s blood pounded through his veins as he listened to the insolence. “So we are going to have an uprising are we,” He said through clenched teeth. “Perhaps it is time I remind them of their pitiful existence before I freed them from their imprisonment,” his voice rising as he spoke.
“Oh yes yes, yes,” the little boy clapped, jumping up and down with glee.
Madron looked at him curiously, “Do you really enjoy hurting people?”
“Only when they deserve it! I know you enjoy it,” The little boy admitted, slyly pointing at Madron.
“Well……” Madron hesitated trying to stifle a smile.
“Come on, lets go kick some shade butt,” the little boy yelled, grabbing Madron’s hand and eagerly dragging him towards the door.
“Okay, okay,” Madron laughed, “I am coming.”
The two walked hand in hand as they descended the marble staircase to the main hall. They strode past the many doors leading to the many cozy studies, luxurious entertaining rooms and majestic bathrooms, and out onto the large terrace partially hidden behind heavy velvet curtains.
The citadel’s design was constructed around this one massive opening. Gracing either side towered colossal granite pillars, each meticulously carved by hand. With varying sizes and colors of stone, the terrace floor mimicked the spiraling labyrinth below. But the most impressive detail was seen from those gazing up from the grounds below.
The tortured face of an enormous sculpted demon stared down in agony as he struggled against the weight of the terrace on his back. His powerfully clawed hunches dug into the wall. His burly arms grasped the sides as his long fingers clawed at the floor. A mask of scaly skin plastered his face. Blunted fangs hung down over his bottom lip. His eyes were large and bulging, a bulbous nose divided the center of his tangled features. Four horns of varying sizes crowned the sides of his head. A halo of bony barbs shadowed his eyes. A large emblem was crudely carved into his powerful chest. His whole body reflected the strain of his enormous burden. You could almost see the beads of sweat drip down his rigid body; his eyes pleading for relief.
Madron grasped the cold stone railing, gazing into the darkness of his domain. With a nod of his head, a horn sounded through out the camps demanding an audience. A silent stampede of swirling blackness filed into the labyrinth. The Shadow Breathers waited anxiously to hear their lord speak.
Madron raised his arms. A hush fell over the crowd.
“Many years ago I came to your world with an offer, an offer that would release you from your prison. A prison built by those in fear of your strengths and superiority. With the light barrier removed you have been free to roam the galaxy, and our bond, our alliance of strength, enabled you to rise against your oppressors and take back the honor that was brutally striped from your names. Your loyalty to me is a constant display of your appreciation.”
A cheer went up from the crowd. Madron smiled hushing the crowd again.
“Today will mark the beginning of a renewed friendship. In honor of this occasion I have planned a celebration. So let us drink together and remember that our alliance is our strength. Without each other the world would not hesitate to snuff out our life forces and wipe our existance from the books of history.”
A deafening roar rose from the crowd as a servant placed a heavy silver goblet in Madron’s hand. “I raise this cup not in honor of our alliance, but in honor of you who have become my brethren.”
On that cue, loud music blasted through the labyrinth. Madron’s servants began busily preparing food for the event, while others rolled out barrels of drink. The air became electrified as the Shadow Breathers immersed themselves in the celebration.
“I don’t understand what you are trying to accomplish,” the little boy asked as he followed Madron off the terrace.
Madron’s eyes flickered with malicious intent. “In a few hours all those who dare stand against me will inebriated and incapable of defending themselves,” He seethed.
The little boys face flickered with confusion, than sparkled with understanding. “How very scandalous of you, strike at them they way they would strike at you,” He giggled. “I love it!”
“I figured you would,” Madron said, flattered by the boy’s response. “Now I want you to find Pherix, my high commander. Tell him to gather his nine most loyal soldiers and bring them to me.”
“Of course,” the boy replied, speeding off as fast as his little legs could take him.
Madron stared out into the ever present darkness. “Tonight the shadows will thicken with the blood of those who’d seek to betray me,” he whispered in a low growl.
As he stood at the window, an aromatic breeze drifted up from the feast below. His stomach churned as he inhaled. He wandered to his private dinning room and rung the bell for his servant.
“You beckoned my lord,” Merrick replied, entering the room seconds later.
“I want you to bring me a platter of food,” He demanded, “oh, and bring a carafe of my strongest brew,” He added with a smile.
“Of course my lord,” Merrick bowed as he left to fetch his master’s dinner.
He returned minutes later with a glass carafe in hand, followed by a skinny kitchen maid bearing the weight of the heavy platter on her shoulders. Merrick instructed the girl where to put the platter before shooing her out of the room. He busied himself pouring the brew and preparing a plate of steaming food.
“Thank you,” Madron said tucking a spotless linen napkin into the collar of his shirt.
Merrick gave a silent nod as he closed the heavy doors, leaving Madron to eat in silence.
“There here!” The boy exclaimed bursting through the dinning room doors moments later.
“Who?” Madron asked, his fork pausing in the air.
“Pherix and his men,” The boy replied rolling his eyes.
“Oh right……….” Madron said rising from his chair, “show them in.”
The boy opened the door, gesturing for the Breathers to enter.
“My lord,” they said taking a knee.
Madron bowed his head then signaled for them to rise. “I have an important task for you to carry out,” he began “Some of your brothers believe I am oppressing your people. I have recently uncovered a plot to end my life. This constitutes an act of treason,” He turned to his soldiers, his face filled with anger. “I want you to find them and purge their minds of such thoughts.” His eyes glowed with vengeance. “Take no mercy on any,” he seethed.
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