The Contracted Soul

by Luke Antony Baker

Greed snatched it before reclaiming his seat at the stolen throne. The satyr saluted before leaving quietly.

  The entrance door opened to reveal legions of skeleton soldiers and troll commanders standing at the ready.

  “We are ready for his arrival,” Affluence sneered as he walked over to a large map table in the middle of the stone chamber.

  “Apathy had better be sure that the vampire’s brother does not intervene before Umbra plays his role like Wrath has foretold,” Greed snarled breathing his noxious sulfur breath.

  TWENTY TWO

  The giant stone doors of Astralode’s tower burst open with a loud bang. The levitating candles lit up to welcome the new guests.

  “Marin! Umbra!” Gladius called out, his voice echoing around the room.

  “They must be upstairs boss,” Fletcher suggested.

  Gladius complied and the two of them scaled the spiral polished wooden staircase at top speed, their steps heavy from fatigue. Astralode, Umbra and Marin emerged into view as they reached the top and entered into the library floor.

  Their reflections were seen in the polished marble floor beneath their feet. The floor shook lightly as Gladius’ metal stirrups paced over it.

  Gladius strolled over to the wooden table where the sorcerers were seated. They faced towards him, curious of what he wanted.

  “I have a question, boy. Now you say you are a necromancer, correct?” he began, he removed his helmet and wiped the sweat off his forehead, his beard damp.

  We’re back on this again? Umbra rolled his eyes

  Umbra looked up coyly, “As long as it’s legal,” he chimed, nodding at Fletcher in acknowledgement.

  Marin stood to her feet following Umbra as he walked over to Gladius with a glare on his face. Astralode put his hand on Marin’s shoulder.

  “Leave them be,” Astralode whispered in Marin’s ear freezing her in her tracks.

  Fletcher stepped between Umbra and Gladius, facing Umbra. “All we want to know is how to kill a demon, Umbra. We aren’t here to start trouble. Isn’t that right, boss?” trying to dispel the tension between Umbra and Gladius.

  Astralode shot up to his feet. “Demonology? That is forbidden magic! Why do you come here and inquire about it?” he demanded glaring at Gladius.

  “Don’t they execute people for stuff like that?” Umbra feigned ignorance.

  “Sit down old man!” Gladius ordered. “Umbra, do you know anything or not?” he demanded. Umbra eyeballed him.

  Astralode frowned, whispering under his breath.

  “Well, I too am trying to kill a demon. The only way I know is with the spear of destiny,” Umbra retorted, walking slowly away.

  “Sealing them is one thing, killing them is something else entirely.”

  Fletcher and Gladius looked at each other. What choice did they have but to put their trust in this sharp-tongued boy?

  “So where is this spear?” Fletcher questioned.

  Gladius put on his helmet. “Greed has it I’m sure; he has pretty much everything else.”

  Astralode nodded in agreement.

  “We can’t face Greed with our dwindled number of soldiers, he has an army,” Marin reminded them.

  “Do you have any allies who will support you?” Umbra inquired; eager to get the spear. Astralode scratched his beard.

  “Years back Myst City belonged to an ancient alliance—the Grand Alliance with Sunrise City and Plateau City. We battled as one against the hellish Demon, Zuul herself in the Twilight Wars,” Astralode interjected.

  “Perhaps that ancient alliance still has its merit between the kingdoms,” he postulated, closing his eyes.

  “There hasn’t been friendly contact with them since,” Fletcher sighed

  “Then we must send messengers to prove our allegiance to the Grand Alliance and stand against Greed!” Gladius suggested, followed by approving nods from the room.

  “But we’ll have to split up to reach both cities in time,” Marin fiddled with her hair. “Umbra and I will go to Sunrise City on the other side of Rumble Mountains in the east while the rest go to Plateau City in the west,” Marin dictated.

  “Then it is agreed, we’ll split up to meet our allies and ask for their help. Once we have their combined armies we can finally destroy that demon Greed,” Gladius decreed.

  “I’m game, boss,” Fletcher agreed, stretching his bow-string and adjusting his hat.

  “Umbra and I are in,” Marin declared.

  Umbra didn’t match their enthusiasm. “I… uh, we don’t have time for this!”

  “So what do you suggest?” Fletcher asked. Gladius frowned.

  “If Greed has the spear I’ll sneak in their and get it myself!” Umbra grunted, turning to walk away.

  “Stop right there!” Gladius ordered his voice heavy with authority.

  “Umbra, what you’re suggesting is crazy,” Marin exclaimed.

  Umbra stopped cold. “Fine,” he sighed. Once I get that spear I’m breaking out of this contract!

  Astralode peered at Umbra, reading his thoughts. “Then it’s in your best interests to help us then.”

  “Take this insignia, boy,” Gladius held out his hand. A shining gold sun-shaped badge glistened in his palm.

  “With this you can prove your connection to us.” Gladius explained.

  This is a mistake. Gladius thought to himself.

  Umbra stared blankly at the insignia. Gladius saluted him before turning to venture west with Fletcher.

  “Now we match!” Marin beamed, revealing her insignia. Umbra and Marin left the tower waving to Astralode as they went.

  “I will be watching you on your travels and offer as much advice as I can. Be careful!” Astralode called as the door shut behind.

  “About Gladius, he’s not a bad man, Umbra,” Marin assured him.

  TWENTY THREE

  The night was settling in as Micah trekked the path towards Myst City, the only thing on his mind was revenge. Revenge for Lydia, his beloved sister who had been murdered by Umbra.

  Every time he thought about it and Umbra’s mocking smile back at the swamp when they had fought he clenched his fist. Kicking up his feet as he stomped angrily by, not hearing the rustling trees behind him.

  The pale-faced Vlad clung to the canopy watching intently as Micah stomped past. He could smell the healthy blood pumping through Micah’s veins. It smelled fresh and full of power; it was a soothing thought in his otherwise troubled mind.

  Vlad dropped silently from the tree. His cloak flicked behind him like a black flag. He tiptoed up to Micah hoping to snap his neck and drink some much-needed blood.

  “Freeze!” yelled Micah. He spun around with his sword outstretched.

  Vlad froze in surprise and held up his hands submissively.

  His speed! It was inhuman! Vlad thought to himself.

  Micah glared at him.

  “You’re a vampire,” Micah concluded after scanning Vlad. “Tell me what you know about Lydia!” he demanded. His sword burned a bright red terrifying Vlad.

  Vlad sensed the raw power emanating from him. As great as it was, he knew Umbra’s was stronger.

  “I know she was killed a few nights ago,” Vlad alluded.

  Micah glared at him. He knows something

  Micah lifted Vlad’s chin with the sword tip. “You know where he is, don’t you?”

  “Who are you talking about?” Vlad inquired, playing dumb. He knew Micah was asking about Umbra.

  Vlad had caught Umbra’s scent from the night Lydia was killed.

  Micah called his bluff. He saw the fear in the vampire’s eyes. “You will take me to him,” he ordered, his eyes piercing Vlad.

  Wait, this might not be such a bad thing Vlad realized.

 
“You can’t face him alone!” Vlad blurted out. “I have felt his power growing immensely over this last day. You won’t stand a chance against him!”

  “Why should I believe you?” Micah raised his sword again; the red energy had slightly faded.

  “Because… I want to see him dead as much as you!”

  Micah lowered his sword, his gaze still fixed. Can I trust him? Micah wondered.

  “Why are you telling me this?” he inquired.

  “I know how to make you strong enough to face him,” Vlad promised.

  Micah rubbed his neck nervously. “I won’t be turned, so don’t bother.”

  “I know a better way. You will be invincible.”

  Micah’s curiosity peaked. He put his weapon away.

  Vlad stared at the sword recognizing the demonic text; she will know how to help him, surely.

  Gladius and Fletcher had mounted their horses and sped off east through the woods just as the moon was overhead. Their horses’ hooves thumped on the stony road as they sped onward.

  Micah saw them far off quickly approaching.

  “We must hide!” Vlad alerted as he tugged Micah and leapt into the canopy of the nearest tree

  The two horses galloped by unaware of the necromancer and vampire concealed above.

  “I don’t think they saw us,” Micah let out a sigh. The two of them dropped adeptly to the forest floor.

  Vlad’s stomach rumbled. “I need blood!” he whined.

  Micah grunted, tossing his blood vial to Vlad who gulped it down in an instant.

  “Thanks, what may I call you?” Vlad inquired curiously.

  “I am Micah,” he grunted.

  Vlad’s eyes widened as he finally recognized him. Lydia’s brother!

  Without making a sound Micah continued on the trail with Vlad leading the way.

  Micah’s need for revenge burned like a pyre within him. Umbra’s pyre, he thought to himself with a smile.

  He would kill Umbra for what he had done, he was trained in very dark arts after Umbra left and he intended to use them.

  The wind rustled in the trees animating the leaves and pine-needles, the dusk night held a great deal of tension over this precarious alliance.

  TWENTY FOUR

  The sun was setting as Marin and Umbra separated from Gladius and Fletcher. An uneasy feeling of dread crept through Umbra’s bones.

  Once he and Marin reached the foot of Rumble Mountains they took a moment to compose themselves before scaling this dangerous path. Sections of crumbling passes, razor-sharp canyons to fall into, dizzying heights, and dangerous conditions made this mountain range treacherous.

  Their destination lay on the other side and they had little choice but to brave this hellish summit.

  The road was well-worn from the traders using this route on foot. A skeleton lodged in a nearby rock pile was a keen indicator of how safe such a journey was.

  Rumor abound was that a dangerous enemy resided in these peaks. Umbra knew they’d be fine since his new powers had been awakened by Astralode. He was as confident as ever, perhaps even over-confident. It was a strange feeling, but his blood pumped with magical energy, yet he still felt cold and empty.

  The crystal tip of Marin’s staff lit up forming a make-shift lantern as the sky darkened.

  Umbra had his empowered pike at the ready. If they could slip by quickly they could make it through the mountains unchallenged.

  Umbra felt the Golden Sun insignia in his pocket and sighed.

  How did I get roped into this?

  Only a few days ago he was on trial for his life because of them. Now he was obliged to help them.

  Marin glanced back at Umbra who was beginning to trail behind.

  “Do you need to rest Umbra?” she inquired careful not to make too much noise. Umbra shook his head.

  “I was just thinking to myself,” he admitted, raising his head and sporting a fake smile.

  “I know this is overwhelming to you Umbra, but I have been on missions like this before,” Marin reassured him.

  “Horseback in these mountains is a bad idea so we are better off walking. It is safer. If you can call anything about this quest safe,” Marin whispered as she fell back to Umbra’s pace and held his hand tightly. Umbra smiled genuinely this time.

  “Besides, who would want to mess with us?” he added with a smirk which was matched by Marin’s.

  They continued scaling the pass up the rocky peaks. Nothing seemed to grow on this mountain. It consisted entirely of rock, with the occasional boulder.

  How could anyone live here? Marin thought to herself as she maintained her smile and pressed onward.

  Now as dark as it was empty, Marin brightened her light. She was nervous it could be seen far off, but what choice did they have?

  Umbra looked down over the edge of the cliff. Stone spears lined the shadowy canyon below, a terrifying sight to behold considering the erosion to the pass they walked. Umbra gulped.

  After walking for a few hours Umbra and Marin finally took a rest by a nearby boulder. Marin planted her staff in a rocky crevice. Umbra rummaged through his backpack finally extracting a loaf of bread, tossing half to Marin.

  Their eyes met, and blushing, Umbra averted his gaze.

  “We probably shouldn’t stop for too long, you brought your water vials didn’t you Marin?” Umbra inquired between bites, feigning aloofness.

  “Yeah, my regeneration spell will keep us energized so we won’t need to sleep. I don’t have too many vials so I should fill them when we reach some water,” Marin explained.

  Umbra rolled a new blood vial around in his pocket; Astralode had handed him for complicated arrays in emergencies.

  “And we can contact Astralode whenever we need him with this!” Marin held out a clear, round orb.

  “We are definitely prepared for anything,” Umbra smiled with a relieved sigh.

  Almost immediately an arrow flew through the air skimming Marin’s arm, followed by a lantern thrown into the scene. The lantern smashed spilling a puddle of ignited oil. The entire mountainside was washed in light.

  “Ahhhh!” she yelped, clutching it in pain. Umbra jumped to his feet.

  “Who’s there!?” he demanded, his pike at the ready. A small rock rattled above, before he could turn an unknown figure flew by and knocked him flat, winded.

  It was the slayer!

  TWENTY FIVE

  Robyn stood over Umbra, a look of pleasure on her face as she drew a cleaver. The fire of the broken lantern lit up Robyn’s equally fiery face.

  “Take that!” called out Marin, who had healed herself. Her skin damp, but her graze was gone. She cast a bolt of water at Robyn, who dodged it easily.

  Robyn drew a second cleaver and returned her focus to Umbra, who was now illuminated by the red aura of the speed boosting spell.

  His scar glowing fiercely as it burned through his glove to reveal itself. The surrounding shadows flickered and shook as if alive.

  Before Robyn could make a move Umbra slammed into her, knocking her over. She landed adeptly with tumble, her armor rattling on the sandy stone ground.

  Marin and Umbra stood either side of her. Robyn showed no signs of fear though. She discretely reached into her pocket.

  “Stop her!” Umbra yelled. Marin began charging for a second spell, her staff glowing deep blue as she focused herself.

  Umbra was on the scene instantly, he stabbed his pike at Robyn but it clanked off her thick breastplate. She extracted a small round ball and heaved it against the floor. Smoke erupted as Umbra coughed.

  Marin cast a small rain cloud over the smoke and dissipated it to reveal Robyn loading a crossbow. Umbra sped over to her and kicked it out of her hands. The crossbow soared over the cliff edge landi
ng at the bottom with a rattling crunch.

  He lifted Robyn up by the throat effortlessly. However, his fatigue was emerging from the exertion of his spell. “Give up!” Umbra demanded as he looked into Robyn’s hate-filled blue eyes.

  “Not a chance!” she retorted and landed a knee in Umbra’s gut. He fell to his knees losing his grip on her as his spell dissipated.

  Robyn drew a sword to deal the finishing blow when a magical blue bolt hit her across her face, scolding her. She glared angrily at Marin and parted her soaked red hair.

  The two women stared each other down for a moment before lunging towards one another. Marin cast a ball of water at Robyn which was easily deflected by her sword.

  The two locked in combat swing their weapons adeptly, dodging and parrying each other’s blows. Marin looked over Robyn’s shoulder to see Umbra standing defensively with a fuming expression of anger. He held his pike tightly in his hands and pointed it menacingly at Robyn.

  “You, and me! Marin, stay out of this!” Umbra growled his glare fixed on Robyn.

  “But Umbra…”

  “I said don’t interfere! This is between me and her!” he snarled.

  “Fine by me, if you want to die I will be the one to deliver judgment,” Robyn threatened raising her cleavers.

  “Let’s do this!” Umbra declared.

  Gladius and Fletcher continued forth on horseback heading west towards Plateau City. Their horses’ hooves rattled on the old road.

  They were just about out of the territory of Myst City and reaching the border to Darkwoods, the pine trees were replaced by thick oaks. The night sky was blocked out the canopy. The moonlight only filtered in through small gaps.

  Their fatigued horses slowed to a walking pace. The woods around them echoed with unfamiliar noises and the rustling of distant brush.

  “Do you think Marin and Umbra are okay?” Fletcher called to Gladius, who was riding a black steed along side Fletcher’s tan horse.

  Gladius took off his helmet and nestled it in his lap. “I’m sure they are fine,” he replied with his eyes fixed forward.