by T. A. Uner
“This is not over, Leopard Master!” the lead skeleton said before it disappeared. Tullus saw another light flash, and everything went dark.
He awoke inside the stable. Bruticus leaned his head out of his stall and whickered. Tullus rubbed his eyes and Celestra looked up at him, her eyes looked tired, the battle had cost her much Vigor.
“What happened, Girl?” Tullus asked as he rubbed his forehead. “We were in the forest one moment, and the now we’re here.”
“The Fuga spell,” Hradack said as Tullus turned to face Hradack. The old man smiled. “It’s a Fortis III spell, but it allows the user to teleport out of difficult situations. Along with myself, I cast it on you and Celestra.”
“For a man carrying a curse, you have remarkable Vigor,” Tullus said.
“Cornelia’s cooking keeps me healthy. That, and a good dose of fresh air. You both did well in the forest, against those odds, although I fear we may have angered the skeletons.” Hradack yawned. “The Excito spell I cast summoned the Skeleton Warriors from the dead. Elemence users are forbidden to summon such a tenebrous spell. The dark arts are not for men like us.”
Tullus looked confused. “But you summoned it.”
“Yes, and I must suffer the residual effects of its incantation.” Hradack sighed. “Now you know the opposite of Elemence. Let us not dwell on it further.” Hradack took a deep breath and exhaled. Looking relieved he straightened himself. “We’re done here, come, let me show you something else.”
Tullus followed Hradack toward a small wooden structure with a thatched roof. They passed Vespillo who was busy chopping firewood. He stopped his work for a few moments, nodded at Hradack and Tullus before resuming his work.
“Where are you taking me?”
Hradack remained silent and Tullus and Celestra followed him inside the shack. The Leopard Master lit a taper with his finger.
“You need to show me how to do that,” Tullus said.
“Here we are,” Hradack said. He found a chair in front of a large wooden table containing various potted plants and flowers.
“What is this place?”
Hradack placed his staff on the table and motioned for Tullus to come closer. “You will know the answer shortly, Tullus.”
Tullus looked at Celestra, who shrugged and followed him to where Hradack was looking over a flower. There were various types on display, each with its own unique color. Looking at them reminded Tullus of the arboretum in Eliana’s villa.
“Ahh, yes. Now I remember where I put them.” Hradack pulled open a small drawer under the table and placed a small seed on the table. “Take it, Tullus, that’s you!”
Tullus stared at Hradack with a confounded look on his face. “I don’t understand.”
“The seedling, my friend! The seedling! This seed represents your Soultrail!”
Tullus looked at the tiny seed and wondered what Hradack meant. The Leopard Master smiled and placed the seed in Tullus palm. “Each one of us is like a seedling, after we arrive into this world we begin to take shape. When we grow older we must work hard developing ourselves to blossom into something great. Always remember, Tullus, inside every one of us there’s a legend waiting to be born. This all ties into Egression.”
Tullus looked puzzled. “Egression?”
Hradack nodded. “Egression is the emergence period of one’s true identity. Once the Distractor is conquered by the Finest. The Distractor is the negative traits one possesses, which must be purged so that the Finest, which is our true selves, can emerge, and allow us to fulfill our individual Soultrails.”
Hradack pointed at the other flowers and plants on the table. “These flowers represent every family member in my household: Cornelia, Caltus, Vespillo, Mithras and Plato and Socrates.”
Tullus looked at the seed again. “Who are Plato and Socrates?”
Hradack patted Tullus on the shoulder. “Ohh, you’ll meet them soon enough. But for now only concern yourself with the seed.”
Tullus again surveyed the collection of plants and flowers inside the brisk room. “It amazes me how they can grow in such cold surroundings.”
“That’s because the warmth of their souls keeps them alive.” He extended his hand proudly at the collection. “Now, we will plant your seed, and it shall take its place next to the others.” Hradack shuffled off to the corner and found a pot which he placed in front of Tullus. Celestra growled at Hradack who smiled at the Leopardess. “I haven’t forgotten you, Celestra. I shall find a second seedling for your Soultrail.”
The Leopard Master picked up a small hand spade and dug some black soil out of a pan. He packed it carefully inside the clay pot while Tullus and Celestra watched. “Each of us have two lives: the one we are born with, and the one we create. Now Tullus, place the seed in the soil.”
Tullus, dug a small hole in the damp soil with his thumb and dropped the seed before covering it up. Hradack smiled. “As your growth progresses, so shall the seed. Now, I think it’s time for lunch.”
Tullus felt a pulse stab his temple. He rubbed his forehead.
Hradack looked at him alarmingly. “Tullus, what’s wrong?”
Tullus' temple throbbed again. It felt as if needles where stabbing the sides of his skull. Hradack placed his fingers on Tullus’ forehead and closed his eyes.
“The sensation is disconcerting.” Tullus felt the room swaying around him, as if he was drunk. “I was studying the Visio spell earlier today from one of the scrolls you gave me. I don’t know how but without uttering the incantation, it just activated!”
“Your powers in Elemence are evolving. It happens often, for those blessed with Gift, to experience outbursts of spells without notice, especially for a learner in training. Your raw Gift trying to get a feel for Elemence. In your case, Periculum had asserted itself as your Gift spell, which is beneficial. Gift spells require no Vigor.”
Tullus sank into a chair while Celestra nuzzled his leg with her head. “It happened once in Rome, while I was at a Banquet in Senator Remus’s villa. Before I even knew Elemence…or the Periculum spell.
“You must always keep your mind clear, Tullus.” Hradack said. “Purge every ounce of residual emotion. Then the pain will decrease.”
Tullus closed his eyes and did as Hradack instructed.
“That’s much better,” Hradack said.
At first it did not work. Then, Tullus felt the pain subsiding before something unexpected happened. A dark, writhing image resembling a black cloud appeared in his mind. Slowly the cloud transformed into a humanoid figure. As it took shape it taunted him, challenging him. It carried a sword with a skull carved into its crossguard. Tullus heard laughter as tall shadows sprouted around him. He soon found himself inside a grotto, sunlight peeking through the cave entrance glinted off the surface of a pool of turquoise water. He was looking into the pool and saw his face in the reflection, before a wave of ripples on the water surface broke apart his image. He opened his eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“I saw a grotto. There was also a pool of water. The bluest I’ve ever seen.”
Hradack nodded. “There is a blue grotto on the island of Capri; it was once used by the Serpent Cult.”
Tullus shook his head. “But, I’ve never been there. What could it mean, Hradack?”
“The Visio spell is a complex incantation. Who knows? Most likely it is something that lies ahead of you…along your Soultrail.”
Hradack led him and Celestra out of the arboretum. “Come Tullus, we can discuss this over a good, hot meal. And later we can work to find out what it means.”
But Tullus couldn’t get the grotto out of his mind. What did it mean?
{II}
Serpentus walked along a dusty street, his face shadowed by a headdress that Afaa had loaned him to conceal his identity. Two days had passed since the incident at the Jaded Serpent, but he did not want to risk arrest, especially after his recent stroke of good luck. Scamios was right, there were riches to be found her
e, only in another form. In his former state, as Norbanus, he could not see that.
The powers that Afaa offered were the answers to his problems. When he was fully trained in Serpent Eye, things would be different. He would no longer be helpless without his family’s wealth to sustain him. Under his new name, he would carve out a new legacy at the expense of his enemies.
Though it was late February, the dry heat clawed Serpentus’ back as streaks of sweat crawled down his chest. This armourer that Afaa had mentioned was very reclusive, and Serpentus hoped that he could be contracted to do work for him. He turned off the street and walked down an alley. The smell of spoiled fruit and vegetables found its way to his nose and he grimaced. No doubt the heat would only intensify the odor. Bits of leavings lined the alley, as did beggars in tattered rags slumped against the wall, bony palms outstretched for alms. What a strange place to find an armourer, even a reclusive one, Serpentus thought. At the end of the alley he saw a large sign hanging over a shopfront. It read:
Chaos Spikeskull: Armourer
Work done through special appointment only!
Above the words was the crest of a skull with spikes protruding from its face, challenging anyone foolish enough to enter the shop without appointment. The door to the shop was made of steel, and despite its inglorious surroundings, it emitted a white glow from the rays of sunlight that peeked through the overhead canopy. He approached the door and turned the handle. It was open. The inside of the shop was filled with tables, anvils of various sizes and an impressive forge. Various styles of spears and weapons lined the racks. Havoc slid out of his headdress and looked around.
He heard the sound of shuffling footsteps, before a large man appeared through a black door curtain. His body was sinewy and he wore a spiked shoulder harness over his hairy chest, a spiked skull mask concealed his identity. He reminded Serpentus of Blackcat Barros, Camus Scorpio’s champion. Serpentus removed his headdress.
“I’ve been told you’re the best armourer in this city.”
Chaos Spikeskull’s blood-veined eyes stared at Serpentus through his mask and he grumbled, “I don’t meet with customers without appointments. Now, leave.” His voice was firm, guttural, and Serpentus had to listen closely to understand the words coming out of the armourer’s mouth.
Havoc hissed. Spikeskull stared at the serpent indifferently.
“My friend speaks highly of you; he says you can craft powerful armor for me.”
Spikeskull picked up a spiked mace and waved it threateningly at Serpentus. “I will give you one last chance to leave.”
Serpentus tossed a small drawstring pouch at Spikeskull. It landed on a table in front of the armourer before its contents revealed thick golden coins minted with serpent heads. Spikeskull’s eyes widened and he lowered the mace. He picked up one of the coins and inspected it. “Where did you get these?”
“My Teacher, Afaa Quetznāgal, although most know him by his cultist name, Serpentsong.”
Spikeskull froze for a moment. “I know of him,” he said before clearing his throat, “he still…lives?”
“Yes, I am his student. My name is Serpentus and I am in need of your services.”
Spikeskull grunted again as Serpentus pulled out a drawing scribbled onto a roll of parchment. “I was hoping you could make me a very special suit of armor. One suited for your talents.” He handed the parchment to Spikeskull who eyed it thoughtfully.
“It will cost you much gold; my service does not come cheap.”
Serpentus laughed. “That’s alright, I have more than enough money.”
{III}
“Spikeskull says the armor will be ready in one week,” Serpentus said after he had returned to Afaa’s home. The snake charmer was seated in a corner and played his flute while a snake moved left and right, mimicking Afaa’s flute movements. Serpentus watched the spectacle before Afaa ceased playing.
“Excellent,” Afaa said. “Now, today we shall practice more. Come have a seat accrossss from me.”
Serpentus seated himself while Havoc slithered out of his tunic and disappeared through the open window, no doubt off to find a rodent for lunch. “Close your eyessss. The power of Serpent Eye comessss from emotion. I want you to summon a memory. Make sure you utilize your hate, or, anger. These are the two most powerful emotionssss. And, if you can combine them, it will increase the spell’s potency.”
Serpentus searched his memory. “Which spell shall I cast?”
“It does not matter. Anyone we have studied shall suffice.”
He thought of his father. Anger coursed through his veins. Then, another memory flooded his mind and he felt the surge of Vigor that he needed. The image of the Leopard King formed and Serpentus smiled.
“Atrum!” The room was plunged into darkness.
Afaa laughed. “Good…good! You see? Now you can cast Penumbra two spellssss my student! Atrum works well when facing multiple enemiessss. You can still see them but they are blinded. A most useful spell.”
Moments later, the darkness receded from the room. The spell had drained him and he staggered to the couch to lie down. “I only wish I could retain my Vigor after casting a spell,” he told Afaa.
The snake charmer nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later he appeared with a cup. “Have some more Reptor. It’s very useful in recovering Vigor after casting an intense spell.
Serpentus sipped from the cup as the Reptor warmed his chest. His stomach sizzled briefly before he felt the fatigue in his limbs dissipate.
Afaa smiled. “See?”
“Teacher, why don’t you get tired after casting spells?”
Afaa laughed. “I have been using Serpent Eye since you were a child. My Teacherssss have shown me the way to retain my Vigor even after casting the most powerful of spells.”
This still didn’t answer Serpentus’ question. “Can you teach me?”
Afaa stared at him for a few moments. Then emitted a shrill of raucous laughter. “Why, of course, Serpentussss. Isn’t that is what I am here for? A teacher is uselessss without a student to instruct. But it takessss time to build up Vigor. You must commit yourself completely to Reptokk. Only he can show you the true power of emotions.”
“I have a score to settle, Afaa,” Serpentus said, “with an old enemy, one who brought me great pain.”
A smile spread across Afaa’s lips. “I see, well then, by all means, let us continue.”
{IV}
“As you can imagine, huge amounts of Vigor is needed to cast Serpent Eye’ssss most potent spellssss,” Afaa said. “Many years ago, after the Five discovered Kaotika, they studied the ancient texts scribed by Reptokk. In these scripts he stated those who can harness and maintain their emotionnssss for extended periodssss can wield unlimited power.”
Serpentus was intrigued. “Describe this Kaotika.”
Afaa paused for a moment before continuing. “It is a land where the Black Sun never setssss and the sky is blood red.”
“A pity I had never heard of it before.”
“Of course not, after the end of the Serpent Wars, the Air Paladins destroyed the Serpent Doors. Thus sealing off one route. But, there’ssss another way to summon the powers of Kaotika.”
Serpentus remembered the Door he had fought so hard to find. No wonder his uncle’s name had been sullied. The loss of such a powerful item would be disgraceful.
Afaa stood up and walked over toward a shelf filled with scrolls. He brought one back and unrolled it. “This scroll containssss the incantation for Umbra, a Penumbra two spell. Umbra, when uttered correctly by a powerful spellcaster can summon one of Kaotika’s most powerful creaturessss, the Erebus Demon.”
Serpentus had never heard of such a creature. “So how can I summon this demon?”
“It issss difficult,” Afaa began, “but not impossible. First you must study the incantation, and, with my help, you may be able to summon the demon. You must also find an area that is shrouded in total darknessss. Nighttime would be best,
but any dark place will suffice.”
Serpentus stood up and summoned Havoc who was still outside. The King Cobra returned and took his place coiled around Serpentus’ shoulder blades. “Then, let us waste no time, Teacher.”
Afaa led him outside, they passed tenements where occupants stared at them through windows. Away from Tunis’ thoroughfare, they located an arched alleyway and found a secluded spot beneath the wall of an old apartment and sat down. The area was shrouded within a square of darkness, which provided reprieve from the relentless African sun.
“Thissss spot should suffice. Are you ready?”
Serpentus nodded while Havoc’s red eyes glowed ominously in the darkness.
“Use your emotionssss, like you did in the tavern where we first met. And channel your emotionssss of revenge, using the memory of your hated foe.”
Serpentus slowed his breath and remembered the cursed day when he was bested by the Leopard King along the Via Appia. He focused on the incantation code, Umbra.
A few moments passed; nothing happened.
Serpentus channeled his emotions again while across from him he felt Afaa’s presence inside his head, his Teacher adding his power to help him conjure the spell.
“You must focussss on the darknessss from which the Erebussss demon will be summoned,” Afaa said,” or else the spell with not work.”
Serpentus focused harder. Channeling his hatred toward the Leopard King and the Incantra Leopardess. He recalled the tree creature who had nearly crushed him and forced him to divulge his secrets. His eyes ached in their sockets while droplets of sweat formed on his forehead and nose. In the background he heard Afaa’s breathing, and, Havoc’s soft hissing. Time slowed. His emotions summoned the spell and he spoke its incantation, “Umbra,” powered by the revenge that had spawned it. He felt the dark spot drawing Vigor from within him. Moments later two twisted hands emerged from a section of the shadow, followed by a dark head which gave birth to two red eyes. A pair of wings unfolded from its back, and were followed by two sinewy dark legs.