The Sorcerer's Return (The Sorcerer's Path)

by Brock Deskins

  Azerick tried to force down his mounting anger, but his frustration was evident in his voice. “I do not expect you to be able to do what Raijaun and I do, but it would not hurt for you to act a little more like him. Raijaun is kind, selfless…”

  “Ugly as a troll’s ass.”

  Klaraxis stabbed sharply at Azerick’s mounting fury, fueling its intensity. Azerick’s hand struck out seemingly of its own accord, slapping Daebian hard across the face. Daebian ignored the stinging wound and glared into his father’s startled face as he looked at his hand in confusion.

  “How easily you succumb to your true nature, Father. Do not expect me to weep into my pillow like Mother does every night, praying for her true husband to come back to her.” Daebian knew he struck a chord as Azerick began to visibly tremble and his face flushed. “Does the truth pain you, Father? Will you now kill me in a fit of anger like you did in the Valley of Lies?”

  Azerick took a step back and gasped as if struck a physical blow. “How can you know that?”

  “I was there, Father. The creature told you I was not a simple illusion. Granted, my body never left this place, but I saw everything. I saw how you let mother and the other woman die, and then you killed me, your precious little boy. You dare judge me and my actions? I do not know if I can ever be like you. You set a rather high bar for horribleness.”

  Azerick stood stunned as Daebian stomped up the stairs to his room. His son’s parting comments buried his anger in an avalanche of guilt. He desperately wanted to go to Miranda and tell her how sorry he was, that everything would go back to the way it used to be as soon as this was all over. But he knew it was a promise he could not conscionably make. To give her hope only to possibly crush it later was too much. Maybe he could return to what he was once they were all safe, but he would not pin her hopes on a maybe. Azerick hung his head as he descended the stairs to his laboratory, wondering when the walk had become so long as the steps continued to spiral ever further downward, much like his humanity.

  I can sense your anger and humiliation. Klaraxis said as Daebian sat on the edge of his bed stroking the black soul stone.

  “He would never hit Raijaun like that.”

  Raijaun is too much like him. Your father respects him. Not like you. I can help you get his respect.

  “How?”

  The sword I told you about in my citadel. It functions much like the soul stone in your hand, only monumentally more powerful. It was what made your father what he is, and it could unmake him as well. What I have shown you so far is but a tiny fraction of what I could do for you were you to retrieve the sword.

  “You mean I should kill my father?”

  His power would be yours. You would save your people from the Scions and be hailed the greatest hero who ever lived. You would be immortal. You are smarter than he is, and you would be even stronger if you wielded his power. I know you want to make him pay for his abuse and neglect. We have no secrets between us.

  “It does not matter. I cannot get to it in your citadel.”

  Your brother can find a way. You are both tied to my realm through me, and he can use the Codex Arcana. I am certain he could find a way.

  “Do you really think I could kill my father with it?”

  It can kill a god!

  A dark smile played across Daebian’s face. A trip to the abyss did not sound pleasant at all, but it would certainly be interesting. He would get his father’s respect if it killed him—either of them. He just needed to get Raijaun to agree.

  Raijaun immediately sensed Azerick’s distress when he returned to the lab. He had heard about Daebian’s conduct in the city earlier that day. Apparently Father’s talk with him did not go well, which did not surprise him at all. Daebian was difficult when he was not being intentionally hostile. When he applied some effort, he was beyond impossible.

  “Are you all right, Father?”

  “I’m fine. How are you coming along on your spell?”

  “The only way I have found to cover a large area is with a fog I can then give the solidity of water. It would slow the ravagers considerably, but it would also conceal them from our army.”

  Azerick nodded. “There will be so many, our ability to see them is unimportant. Arrow volleys and large area spells will have no problem finding targets. Can you translate it into something the mages can learn?”

  “I should be able to within a few days.”

  “Good. I am going to check the barrier.”

  Raijaun watched his father leave for the summoning chamber. He had already checked the barrier for weaknesses and knew Azerick was using it as an excuse to remove himself from this world. The fact his father could find any sort of solace in such a place worried him. He watched Azerick pour everything of himself into protecting this world. He wondered how much he had to give, and what would happen when there was nothing left.

  Raijaun found Daebian sitting on his bed looking almost as morose as his father had. “You should not upset father so much.”

  Daebian looked up from the floor. “I should not upset Father? What about me? Does no one care if I am upset? Do you have any idea what it is like to know your own father hates you? Of course you don’t. You are his pride and joy.”

  “Father loves you. He is just very distracted and gets too engrossed in his work. He is doing his best.”

  “I just feel useless. I feel like I am nothing more than a disappointment to him. All I want is his respect and for him to spend a little time with me.” He threw his arms up in frustration. “Jansen was more of a father to me. Warmer too, and he hardly ever talked!”

  “You do not exactly make it easy for him with your behavior.”

  Daebian looked back at the floor. “I know, but it seems to be the only way I can get his attention. I know it’s stupid, but what else do I have?”

  “You are an excellent swordsman and smarter than anyone I know, Daebian.”

  “Father does not care about that. All he cares about is magic and the Scions. He’s right, I am useless, at least in that regard. But maybe I don’t have to be.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What if I could get something, an artifact that could help me fight the Scions with you?”

  “I have been through Father’s store of magical items and do not know of anything that would be of much use fighting the Scions. There are things that could help you fight their minions though.”

  Daebian shook his head. “No, that is not enough. Everyone will be fighting the Scions’ horde. I was at the library today.”

  “You were at the library?”

  “Yes, I’m the smartest person you know, remember? I went there after the drunk made me angry. Anyway, I was frustrated at not being able to help. That’s why I threatened the man. I found a reference to an artifact called a soul blade. It is rumored to be capable of killing a god. The only problem is that it is in Father’s old house.”

  “What do you mean, in Father’s old house?” Raijaun asked suspiciously.

  “It is in Klaraxis’ citadel.”

  “Now I know you are insane. I had always had suspicions, but this proves it. You cannot get to the abyss, and even if you did the demons there would devour you.”

  “That is why I need your help.”

  “I do not know how to get to the abyss, and I would not go there if I did. The whole idea is ridiculous.”

  Daebian looked back at the floor. “You would not say that if Father had said you were useless.”

  “Father does not think you are useless,” Raijaun said defensively.

  “Yes he does! I heard him say it. He said it to Mother.”

  “I do not believe you.”

  “He did. I was outside the door when he and Mother were arguing. All she wanted was for him to spend a little time with me. He got mad and told her the reason he did not want to be around me was because I was useless. Can you imagine how that felt? Can you imagine having your father come home after being away your entire life and heari
ng him say you were worthless? I know I have been an ass at times, but maybe you understand why I am angry, bitter, and so desperate for his attention.” A tear rolled down his cheek. “You want me to come out and say it? Fine, I’m jealous of you. I am jealous of your power and the time you spend with Father. I am jealous of how he looks at you as if you are the sun and I am something he stepped in.”

  Raijaun could not believe what his brother was saying, but he could not deny this was how Daebian felt. He understood how those feelings could fester and affect his behavior. Maybe his terribleness was not entirely his fault.

  “Even if that is true, I do not know if we could get to the abyss, if the sword actually exists, or if it can do what the book claims.”

  “Hold out that ugly paw you call a hand.”

  “What?”

  “Do it. Hold it out in front of you.”

  Raijaun held his hand in front of his face at arm’s length. “Okay, now what?”

  “What do you see?”

  Raijaun looked at his hand and then at his brother quizzically. “I see my hand.”

  Daebian held his hand out in the same manner. “Do you know what I see?”

  Raijaun shook his head. “What do you see?”

  “Everything, Raijaun, these eyes see everything. I know the sword is there, I know what it can do, and I know you can find a way to get us there.”

  Raijaun looked into the strange, dark eyes of his brother. “I need to get back to the lab.”

  “Sure, we would not want to keep Father waiting.” Raijaun shot him a pleading look. “Sorry. Just think about it will you?” Raijaun nodded slightly. “Thanks. I know I have been a jerk, but you are a pretty good brother, even if you are as ugly as a troll’s ass.”

  Raijaun shook his head and returned his brother’s grin. He returned to the laboratory to continue working on his newest spell. Try as he might, he was unable to focus as Daebian’s words and grief weighed heavily on his conscience. He was as wrapped up in his work as his father was and never gave his brother’s feelings much thought. He never really looked past his taunting and troublesome behavior to see the boy inside him crying out for his father’s attention, love, and acceptance.

  Azerick did not return from checking the Scions’ prison until the next morning. He found Raijaun dutifully studying the Codex, but at second glance saw that he was not writing anything down and his eyes had a far off, vacant look to them.

  “Is something amiss?” Azerick asked.

  Raijaun looked up. “No, Father. How fares the barrier?”

  “Not well. There are flaws throughout its length and height. I have mended the worst of them as best I can. Hopefully it is enough to prevent a major breach. I will need you with me from now on. I think it is more important than your training with the other mages.”

  “How much longer will it stand do you think?”

  Azerick released a long breath. “A few months, perhaps a year at best if we are supremely vigilant. Pinpointing an exact time of failure is impossible. The Scions appear to be biding their time and not attempting to create lesser breaches like the ones in Southport and Bruneford’s Mill. For all I know, they could cause a major failure tomorrow if they poured their full strength into it.”

  Raijaun shifted nervously as he tried to think of how to broach the difficult subject. “Father, I have been thinking that it may be good for you to spend some time with Daebian. I can watch the barrier and even make some repairs.”

  Azerick sighed and rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. “Did he say something to you?”

  “I have just been thinking about how I would feel if my brother got so much more attention than I did. Especially if I was the one who resembled my father and my brother looked like a monster.”

  “You are not a monster, Raijaun, and you are more like me than Daebian in every way. But that is irrelevant. Our work requires us to work together, and because of that it is only natural we spend more time in each other’s company. It has nothing to do with how much I love either of you. I love both my sons, but I have a duty to perform, a duty that will destroy thousands of families if I fail.”

  Raijaun looked down at the floor. “Did you tell him he was useless?”

  Azerick’s face fell and he stumbled over his response. “Did he tell you that?”

  “Did you say those words, Father?” Raijaun asked as he looked into Azerick’s eyes.

  “Raijaun, I did not mean it the way it sounded. I would never intentionally say something so cruel.”

  “What is intent to a child, Father? Does a dead man care whether or not you intended to kill him? Your words struck Daebian like an errant arrow and with the same lethal results. Your words killed something within him, and we all chastise him for his wounds. You are right on one count, Father. We must not forsake our duty.”

  Azerick slumped into a chair and cradled his head in his hands as Raijaun left the room. He had taken in and cared for hundreds of homeless children when he was barely a man. He had provided them a home, food, clothing, education, and even a sort of loving family. How could he fail so terribly at being a father to his own son?

  He needed to connect with Daebian before it was too late, if it was not already. Although having been birthed less than nine years ago, he was already a young man. He was fierce, strong, and independent. Could he still reach him? Could he yet be the father Daebian needed? Azerick sighed as conflicting duties collided like two runaway carriages. It was The Valley of Lies all over again. If he tried to save both he would lose everything. It would doom them all.

  Deep within Azerick’s psyche where the sorcerer could not hear, Klaraxis cackled gleefully, relishing the torment he was able to inflict. The human’s children provided the perfect vulnerability to allow his subtle influence to destroy him. Subtlety belonged to the devils of the abyss, but necessity provided Klaraxis with a powerful learning tool.

  Never taken by surprise, Daebian lurched up from his bed the instant Raijaun entered his bedroom.

  “I will help you,” Raijaun said without preamble.

  Daebian smiled. “Thank you. Do you think you can do it? How long will it take?”

  “Going from our world to the Abyss is much easier than the other way around. Since we are bound to both worlds and are stepping from here to the abyss, I should be able to do it. I will need to seek answers in the Codex, but I have a good idea of how to accomplish it already from what I learned helping father with the gates between the cities.”

  Daebian clapped his hands together loudly. “Then stop standing around! You aren’t getting any prettier. The Giles brothers have an adventure to go on!”

  Raijaun shared his brother’s laugh before heading for the kitchens. Despite his brother’s eager insistence, he was famished and needed to eat. He was not surprised to find his father gone when he returned. Raijaun saw little of Azerick over the next few days. He assumed his father’s vigilance had as much to do with guarding the barrier as avoiding his emotions or facing the source of his pain.

  Raijaun felt a bit guilty for his relief with having his father avoiding him. If he were being more attentive, he might start asking why Raijaun was studying transdimensional magic instead of developing spells for the mages to better fight the Scions.

  He was surprised to find the spell was not overly complex given the nature of it, but this was only because of his and Daebian’s link to the abyss. Dark priests and wizards had been using something similar to offer sacrifices in exchange for power. It took a couple of days to prepare the small room Raijaun chose as the ritual chamber. It was one of the storage rooms located under the old tower and was perfect for his plans.

  “Everything is ready,” he told Daebian.

  Daebian smiled and took a steadying breath. Despite his previous eagerness, he now felt some trepidation as the reality of what he proposed came to fruition.

  “Okay, what do I need to do?”

  “Follow me.” Raijaun took Daebian to the room he prepared
. “The spell requires a bit of our blood to help anchor us to this world and connect to the abyss.”

  Daebian pulled his knife from its sheath and smiled as he held it up. Raijaun presented his hand and Daebian made a neat cut in the meaty part of the palm. Daebian watched the dark red rivulet slowly run down the blade toward the soul stone as Raijaun dribbled his blood onto the sigil etched into the floor.

  “Now you,” Raijaun told his brother.

  Daebian wiped the rivulet of blood from the blade with his thumb just before it disappeared into the handle and drew it across his own hand. His blood spattered the design like the first fleeting drops of red rain as he imitated his brother’s actions.

  Raijaun handed Daebian a chit of stone with a similar design to the one etched on the floor. “Wipe a bit of your blood onto that and keep it with you at all costs. It links you to the sigil here and is the only method of return you have if anything happens to me.”

  “We certainly would not want that to happen. Imagine how upset Father would be—and myself of course.”

  Raijaun gave his brother a sour look. “Of course.”

  “I’m serious! You are very important to me. You are like the cow pie from which this beautiful flower blooms.”

  “Remind me again of who is doing whom a favor?”

  “Stop being so serious, I’m just joking with you. You have an even worse sense of humor than Father. Now make with the magic, spell boy,” Daebian ordered imperially.

  Raijaun shook his head but could not dislodge the grin he shared with his brother as he began the incantation. The runes marking the floor beneath their feet thrummed with arcane power and began to glow, emitting crackling blue sparks throughout the designs. The glow turned red as it crossed the many dimensions of time and space and found an anchor within the abyss. Raijaun shuddered as he tapped into his abyssal power, tying its strands into his arcane weave to connect the two worlds. The room went black for a moment before light slowly began to fill it once more. Like the rising of the sun, the darkness melted away to reveal a red, barren landscape. Only the great, black citadel thrusting above the horizon provided any contrast to the scene around them.