The Ravens of Death (Tsun-Tsun TzimTzum Book 4)

by Mike Truk

  “You’re not being fair,” said Brielle with a smirk. “Enigma and Victor are hard acts to follow.”

  “I’m done with it,” I said. “Done with playing nice, pretending we’re friends. When we’re ready, we’ll go to Morgana and order her to open the portal to the land below. Or find a way to fly down ourselves. Then we’ll make our way to this ‘Fulcrum’ before the two weeks are up and open the portal to Malkuth. And we definitely won’t be using this little token she’s going to give us that allows us to return here if we’re in trouble.”

  “A token?” asked Emma. “Like a get out of jail free card?”

  “Not free,” I said. “If we use it, I have to spend the night with Alusz.”

  Brielle let out a low whistle. “With the queen? She’s not subtle.”

  “We can’t say we’ll never use it,” said Valeria, moving to sit down. “Apologies, Noah. But it’ll all depend on what we’re up against.”

  “Maybe. But there’s one thing I do believe,” I said. “And that’s that we’re not ready. We go as we are, we’ll get our asses handed to us.”

  Neveah crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “You want to take Emelias up on his offer to train us?”

  “Not exactly. But we need to get our shit together. And my first thought is that we’ve not yet maxed out our newfound potential as a united group. Now that Neveah and I have - well, you know - we should all be able to manifest new abilities. We’ve seen some benefits already, but I’m positive there’s more. So, we’re going to focus first on fulfilling that potential, and see what comes of it. And once we’ve done all we can, we’ll test ourselves on Emelias. We’ll use his training as a litmus test, not a means to learn. I don’t want to learn shit from that snake. But crush his training courses? Sure. We can do that.”

  “He’s all fired up,” said Brielle, half-turning to the others. “Anybody else find him really attractive when he gets all earnest like this?”

  Little Meow half-raised her hand then dropped it self-consciously.

  “When do we begin?” asked Imogen, tone serious.

  “Now,” I said. “Put your stuff away and get comfortable, we’re going to sit in a circle. I’ll be awaiting you all in my sanctum. There’s a couple of things I want to try right away.”

  “Yes sir,” said Emma with an impish smile. “You should go get chewed out by evil regents more often.”

  “There’s only one left to deal with after Morgana,” I said, “and that’s Lilith herself. If we’re to have any chance against her, we need to get our shit together. So let’s go.”

  The girls shared glances between them as they shucked their packs and pulled off their cloaks. I left them to it, moving from the pool room and its steamy atmosphere to the master bedroom.

  Someone had remade the bed and piled up the cushions, smoothing down the comforter again. The bed was ridiculous, easily large enough for all seven of us to sleep in. I pulled off my boots then knocked all the cushions to the floor. Throwing the eight pillows after it, I tore the blanket and sheets away until there was nothing but a rectangular expanse of white.

  I climbed on, moving to sit with my back to the center of the sprawling headboard, and there waited, cross-legged.

  Neveah was the first to enter. She paused, took in the mess that covered the floor, then nodded and moved against the headboard to my left. Brielle and Emma entered next, paused the same, then sat at the foot of the bed, facing Neveah and me.

  Imogen entered, gave a small smile at the sight, and took her place at the headboard to my right.

  Finally, Valeria came in, still looking drained, and sat beside Emma.

  Little Meow remained in the doorway. “I’ll be here in case you all need me.”

  I nodded to her, then placed my hands on my knees. “We’re all going to meet in my sanctum. Once there, I’m going to teach you all the Siva Mantra, or Openness Mantra as it’s also called. The Wandering Magus taught it to me while I was undergoing Brielle’s manifold trial, and through it, he was able to connect our sanskaras and heal my sanctum. After Valeria’s trial, I was wrecked and couldn’t cast any magic; through this, he was able to heal me and get me going again.”

  “Interesting,” said Brielle, excitement running like an undercurrent through her voice. “And what’s your expected outcome?”

  “Several. I’m hoping to jump start our greater bond now that we all are connected. I want to see if we can’t channel our collective magic into Neveah’s sanctum to cleanse the shit out of that taint that fills it -”

  Neveah stiffened by my side but remained silent.

  “- and I want to give everybody’s abilities a boost. I want Valeria throwing fistfuls of heavenfire, I want Emma starting her first wards, I want us all to get to the next level.”

  Brielle’s fierce blue eyes were narrowed in thought. “And you think the Siva Mantra will help this happen?”

  “I’ve no fucking clue. But it stands to reason. Through it, the Magus was able to boost my abilities. Through it, I hope we can all boost each other’s. It’s a worthwhile first attempt.”

  “Excellent thinking,” said Imogen with a decisive nod. “I approve wholeheartedly and am a little ashamed I didn’t think of it myself.”

  I grinned, unable to restrain the expression under her praise. “Don’t take it too hard. I’m the tenth Savior, after all.”

  Brielle rolled her eyes.

  “But seriously,” I said, making eye contact with each of them. “We’re getting really close. We defeated the five trials back in Bastion, defied Shalarra, killed Taniel, and beat the odds to win through. We journeyed across Ghogiel’s wasteland, and resisted Victor’s corruption. We passed every one of Enigma’s tests and killed him as well. Now we’re here in Ur-fucking-Gharab, and no sweet-talking regent or bullshitting consigliere is going to trip us up now. We’ve already come farther than six of the previous Saviors, and I mean to go all the fucking way.

  “I know we can. I know we can do it. Because I love you, all of you, in a way that’s limitless and good. I look at each one of you and feel nothing but motherfucking joy and pride. We’re kicking ass, guys. We’re cutting a swath across the universe, and wherever Lilith is, whatever she’s doing, she knows we’re coming for her. She knows we’re different from the previous Saviors. That we’re going to make it all the way, and when the time comes, I’m going to shove Shard so far up her ass her mouth is going to glow gold like the rising sun.”

  My heart was pounding, and I felt so good, so right. All five women were staring at me, completely locked into my words, their faces flushed, eyes shining.

  “So buck up that faith. We’re going to take this whole companion-bond thing to the next level. We’re going to power up our abilities. We’re going to become a whole order of magnitude more lethal, and then we’re going to set about making it to the Fulcrum in record time so we can power on through to Malkuth. You got me?”

  Murmurs of agreement were heard from all sides.

  “No,” I said. “I asked you a question. You feel what I’m saying?”

  “Yes,” they said, voices quiet and intense.

  “Louder. You believe me? You have faith in us? Faith in each other?”

  “Yes,” they said, even louder, and this time I even heard Neveah.

  “Do you love me? Do you love each other? Will you die for me as I would for you?”

  “Yes.”

  Imogen laughed, joy burning in her eyes, bouncing her knees up and down in sheer excess of emotion. Emma and Brielle clasped hands. Valeria nodded her head with fierce determination, and at last, I turned to Neveah.

  She was so dark and mysterious, so utterly lethal and beyond any of us. In her eyes, I saw that illimitable willpower, that unstoppable force that had allowed her to conquer travesties and challenges that would have killed the rest of us a hundred times over.

  “Yes,” she whispered, eyes tearing up, and I reached out to take her hand. Pulling her in close, I kissed her before the o
thers, kissed her hard.

  And goddamn, if she didn’t kiss me back, her eyes closing as she focused with utter intensity upon the experience.

  I broke the kiss, squeezed her hand hard, and sat back. The others were smiling, approving, and I felt my heart soar.

  “No matter what comes,” I said, voice hoarse with emotion, “no matter what pain, what loss, what sacrifice: I regret nothing. Everything that has brought us to this moment, together, united like this, in love - all of it has served the Source, has served us. I feel nothing but gratitude. To be here with you all. Emma. My first true love. Brielle, the princess that broke my balls before allowing herself to love and be loved. Valeria, the first to believe in me, the rock upon which I stand. Imogen, my wise, sweet, brilliant, utterly amazing best friend and lover. And Neveah.”

  I turned back to her. “I don’t know much, but this I know: our success depends on you. The rest of us, talented and good as we might be, we’re - in some basic way - normal people. You? You’re like a fucking shooting star. You belong in the heavens. And the fact that you stand with us gives me more hope than I can express.”

  Again, her eyes teared up, and I saw her go to protest.

  “No,” I said. “I mean that. Knowing everything about you. Knowing everything, the good and the bad. You will make the difference, and when the end comes, everything you have suffered, everything you have withstood, it will all have been worth it when you plunge your motherfucking demon sword into Lilith’s black heart.”

  I saw goosebumps break out along Neveah’s arms, saw her shiver.

  “I thought Shard was already going to be up her ass,” said Brielle.

  I laughed. “And your flaming blade will be plunged through both ears. But enough. If I keep telling you all how much I love you, even Emma’s gonna get as conceited as our royal princess here.”

  “Someone hand me a pillow to throw at him,” said Brielle, extending a hand to an imaginary servant.

  “We ready? Let’s close our eyes. Imogen, please lead us through an initial meditation to get us all down into our sanctums. I’ll be waiting for you there.”

  “Before we start,” said Emma. “I just want to say I echo Noah’s every emotion.” She blushed a little even as she smiled. “Never in a million years would I have guessed I’d end up here with you all. Not even when I got pulled through into Bastion with Noah. But I love you all, just like he does. And thank you. For giving me the time to come into my own. For having faith in me even when I didn’t have it in myself.”

  Brielle squeezed her hand again, and Valeria reached out to squeeze her shoulder.

  “I’m not going to compliment anybody,” said Brielle, eyes glinting with humor. “So if you’re waiting to hear me say nice things about you, get over it.”

  I laughed. “Someone hand me a pillow.”

  “Let’s begin,” said Imogen, settling herself more comfortably into her spot. “Everyone, close your eyes. Become aware of your breath, but don’t seek to change it at first. Just observe how it enters and leaves you, and allow yourself to ride its waves…”

  I did as bid, and without effort floated within the warm void behind my eyelids - that vast, strange expanse of redness into which the twin owl eyes appeared, those vast, pitiless orbs of carnivorous disinterest.

  I stared up at them, feeling a quickening, a sense of events coming to a head, then dove into my reservoir. Down into its depths, following the thread of gold past the slowly revolving black sun of Manipura, past the glory of Svadhisthana, down, down to where the great flower of Muladhara awaited me, its fleshy petals closed over its ruby heart.

  My reservoir was filled with magic, which had replenished itself over the past day or so, the general tint of it being crimson. Muladhara infused then, stemming from my overwhelming desire for safety and security.

  I was tempted to bond with Muladhara, to channel my magic through that sanskara and cleanse it, purify it, but knew that now was not the time.

  The others were waiting.

  Instead I arose, floating up to where the five apertures revolved around the golden thread, each a portal to the sanctum of one of my companions. Threads extended out to each one, with three of them aflame. I knew intuitively which was which - the three that burned with gold fire led to Imogen, Brielle, and Emma. Valeria and Neveah’s were still dark. A sign that I had yet to break through to them, achieve a higher plane of love?

  No matter.

  This was my domain. My sanctum. I extended my will and each of the five apertures opened.

  Imogen was there in her spirit form, floating out almost immediately to mine, her body glowing with Harmiel’s taint.

  Hi there, she said, voice rich with amusement and delight.

  Brielle emerged a moment later from her own, her mane of crimson hair a burning corona about her stunning face, her body glowing just like Imogen’s.

  I’m still loving being able to talk without having to grab a thread, said Brielle. It’ll make teasing everyone so much easier.

  Emma emerged next, more tentative, floating out as if expecting to be sent back into her sanctum at a moment’s notice.

  So weird, she said. Like being in a dream. But my Muladhara’s been joined by this great green flower – Anahata, I guess?

  That’s right, said Imogen, smiling widely.

  I’ve still so much to learn. I feel like I can barely control it all. Emma came to a stop beside Brielle, her form glowing like the others. Like I’m filled to the brim with power, and will just like, slosh everywhere if I move wrong.

  That’s got to be the best description of magic I’ve ever heard, said Brielle. Sloshing with power.

  Whatever, said Emma with a grin.

  We all turned to regard Neveah as she floated out to join us. I knew how she would look within her sanctum, speared through the chest by her demon blade and drowning in taint. But just as Imogen left Harmiel’s corruption behind when she entered my reservoir, so did Neveah leave hers.

  Hey, I said.

  Hello, she said, and hugged herself tightly.

  Still hard being in here? asked Emma. I recalled how it had hurt Neveah to enter my sanctum last time, how it had reminded her of her past, of being bonded to Ilandro.

  A little less. But yes. Not exactly… comfortable.

  Coming from you, said Brielle, that means I’d probably be screaming hysterically.

  Neveah raised an eyebrow. No comment.

  Valeria? asked Imogen.

  Let me look. I floated over to her aperture and peered within. Valeria hung suspended within her sanctum, hair a mass of golden coils, pulled into a knot, arms wrapped around her shins.

  Hey, I called. Valeria? Can you hear me?

  Like the last time, it was as if my words pulsed out to her, floated in a bubble of their own, to be absorbed by Valeria’s spirit body.

  She opened her eyes, turning to me as she uncoiled. Noah.

  You all right?

  I was having trouble… I don’t know. Connecting with my spirit self? She sounded troubled. I’ve done it before. I don’t know why it was harder now.

  What matters is you’re here. Come. The others are waiting.

  I extended my hand, and she floated forth to take hold of it. I drew her into my reservoir, down to where the others awaited.

  You guys ready to do that power hug? I asked.

  Imogen’s smile couldn’t get any wider. The one where we spontaneously regenerate all our magic just by embracing? Yes, please.

  Then gather in, I said, opening my arms and pulling them into a group embrace. We clustered together, arms overlapping, forming a tight knot. As we did, golden light began to fountain from above our heads, as if we were the base of some geyser, filling my reservoir with its scintillating light. I felt a vast wind blow through me, like a heated gale off desert dunes, rising from my core with a roar to blow forth and manifest in that golden light. We all looked up, amazed once more.

  Incredible, whispered Imogen as the golden light
topped off the uppermost regions of my reservoir.

  As before, I willed everyone’s apertures to open, and the golden light spilled through, filling them to the brim with this impossibly pure magic. It didn’t take long; most of them were already quite full, so in a matter of moments we were all topped off.

  We need to remember this, said Imogen. This changes everything. We can go all out in each encounter, hold nothing back. For in a matter of moments we can restore everyone to their full potential.

  Assuming we have a moment’s respite between battles, said Valeria.

  True, said Imogen. But still.

  And we need to include our ability to discuss in here in our future plans, I said. If we’d had this ability back in Ghogiel…

  We have it now, said Brielle firmly. And the fact that we can enter each other’s sanctums… I wonder. Can we pass through yours while you’re not here?

  I don’t know, I said. Worth experimenting.

  Huge tactical importance, said Valeria. The ability to coordinate attacks, locate each other, share information…

  But still just the tip of the iceberg, I said. I can sense it. I know it. Which is why we're going to learn the Siva Mantra.

  Nobody told me last time about those glowing threads, said Emma. And look. Mine’s on fire now as well. What’s that mean?

  Shit.

  Well, I think it reflects how, ah, connected we are? I forced myself to sound calm, clinical. How well we’ve been able to express our love for each other. After our experiences in Tagimron, I think you and I… well.

  There was an awkward silence.

  So, what does that mean? asked Valeria. That what you and I have been through hasn’t been enough?

  Valeria, began Emma.

  No, I said. That’s not it.

  Seems pretty clear to me, said Valeria, drifting back from our group a little. You, Imogen, Brielle, and Emma are all bonded by a greater love. I guess mine is second-rate?

  Stop, I said, putting some edge to my words. I love you. We’ve just not yet broken through to complete… I hesitated, looking for the right word.

  Trust? Valeria’s voice turned hard. You don’t yet trust me, Noah? After all we’ve been through?