They start talking, “remember this Zarvick? This is when you brought out your true heritage.”
This reminds me too much of Reaper, with both of them talking at the same time. It’s infuriating.
“Yes, I do remember this. I also don’t need the two of you reinventing this moment for me.”
Somehow they manage to look at each other before wrapping their fingers around my neck, tightly squeezing it with their combined strength. Trying to pry their hands from me proves futile, however, when I stick my fingers inside of their face I feel them gasp. Rapidly, I pull them apart until they are completely separated from each other.
Blood gushes down Edon’s body and up Delphine’s. I can tell something isn’t right with this situation.
“What’s happening?” I take a step back.
They continually talk like Reaper, “the final clue…the answer to defeating the immortal twins, Ures and Culbur.”
With that, they say their goodbyes and fade away from me…forever.
* * * * *
“…the last hint was blood running in opposite directions along a demonic and a celestial being.”
Asvarp says, “I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
That’s a first. Crystalline isn’t fairing much better than the mage. What does come as a surprise is Genu’s sudden response:
“The answer is obvious, you idiots. You must make a sacrifice at the Ruins of Cross-Roads in order to open a portal to the Underworld, then you must revive that person to open a portal to the Overworld.”
He’s all of a sudden rejuvenated. Must be because insults fuel his fuloque. My dear love is happy to see him, on the other hand, Asvarp is too busy thinking about his answer to actually notice that he’s made a full recovery. I decide to stand up and head for the dimension door. We better just get this over with.
“Where are you going?” Crystalline grabs ahold of my arm.
“To find those ruins, where else?” She doesn’t take my tone lightly.
“Those ruins have been lost to the ages, plus we’ll have to come up with a plan,” the mage adds, “however, we can do it along the way.”
The old man summons his staff to his side before joining us; Genu stands up, using his cane to help maintain his balance. Looks like we are all in a nonvocal agreement. Together we make our way through the door and exit the tent that Asvarp makes disappear. Guess we won’t be coming back here after this.
Effortless, I search across the lands with a single thought before finding the ruins. Asvarp teleports us there; I then begin to lift the broken down ruins from beneath the earth. Which leads to the old man dispelling the magical seals blocking our entry. However, none of us move a muscle. This is going to acquire a little more thought and also a miracle to actually complete. Knowing us, something always works out.
Wonder how we are going to go about the whole sacrificing part?
“Excuse me!” A young drow makes his way over to us. “I’m here to challenge the former Archmage Asvarp to a magic duel.”
Wow, what a coincidence. Can’t help but wonder if this is Reaper’s doing.
“I’m sorry kid, we have some important matters that deal with.”
Genu clears his throat and the archmage shakes his head. The drow is growing impatient in his wizardly robes. It’s basically a grey silk-like garment, raised an inch or two above the ground. If you ask me, this person has no know idea what he’s getting himself into.
The elf raises his hand casting a few runes out in front of him; Asvarp reluctantly does the same. The spells combine before they twist their hands, sealing the deal with a singular symbol burning itself onto their palms. Now the fun has started. The drow teleports back, whips out his wand and flicks out a heavy stream of flame that is instantly extinguished with a snap of the old man’s fingers. The wand explodes in the elf’s hand prior to Asvarp firing a radiant beam from his staff that traps the poor bastard in a bubble. He screams but we don’t hear a thing.
“What the hell?” Crystalline’s eyebrows furrow.
“A special kind of wordless bond is made in a magic duel. It’s a powerful protection charm that keeps us from dying by any outside forces that we didn’t cause ourselves; only the two mages that made the bond can kill one another. The catch is, you have one hour to do so or else you both die. Fun isn’t it?”
Grrreeeaaat!
“So, we are going to have to speed things up aren’t we?”
He waves away my question, “please, wordless bonds are child’s play.”
Twisting his fingers above the symbol fades away the magic binding him to the drow. With that, we make our way through the broken down Ruins of Cross-Roads, at the center of a terrifying jungle. Good to know, magical bonds mean nothing to a person like Asvarp.
It takes us a good while to finally reach the right room where a giant floating stone circle spins in front of the farthest wall. A stone bed with cuffs for the arms and legs lies at the center of the room, in the middle is a small hole with a spike deep inside of it. Genu places the drow on the bed after Asvarp releases him (keeping his mouth shut with a bit of magic) and I lock the cuffs around his wrist and ankles.
“Now what?” I ask.
The mage slams his staff and the room lights up with a thrilling surge of life.
“The preparations are quite simple for this ritual. I already have the room setup, that circular object will absorb his blood and open the portal. We just have to kill him.”
Easy enough. I force the spike underneath his spine to pierce through him and back into its hole. His blood floats out of the wound and fills the runes engraved within the circular object; a dark portal to a flaming world opens up to us.
“Crystalline and I will go face Culbur together.” Genu is the first to speak.
“But I’m the only one who can resurrect him,” she argues.
“It’s fine. I can handle this,” Asvarp seems pretty confident, “let’s just meet back here once we kill Ures and Culbur.”
My love nods then gives me a quick kiss before jumping straight into the Underworld; Genu follows closely behind her.
“What’s the plan?”
The crazy old man ignores me and conjures a green flame in the elf’s wound; he casts out a yellow shock wave through his staff and into the fire. It takes me a moment to realize that this is part of the magic that he borrowed from Levouay right before he teleported us to safety. He’s using necromancy?! I’m a little impressed with his lack of morals at the moment, also just a tad bit scared that he may try to kill me.
I laugh when the corpse starts squirming; the portal brightens into a warm cloudy view. I can sense that his magic is failing and the body will re-die soon enough, thus I grab Asvarp and fly lightning fast through the portal. A humongous white and gold castle with multiple spires lie beyond a silver gate, surrounded by clouds and a compelling holy aura. The Overworld is absolutely beautiful.
Chapter 36
(Crystalline)
I should’ve gone to the Overworld because this place is an absolute wreck. I always imagined it as a black and endless abyss. Not an abyss filled with tormented souls forever trapped in an inferno. Genu and I travel down multiple jagged paths, avoiding any confrontation with the demon spawns that thrive here. It takes us about an hour to finally find the path that leads directly to a castle; it’s just as menacing, wicked, and dark as you’d expect the home of the devil to be. I mean, the castle is basically one giant flaming cracked rock with a symmetrical pentagram shape to it. If you look at the rocks at the right angle they outline a giant demonic face with twisted horns.
In front of the gates is a sleeping chimera, the guardian of hell’s gates; this three-headed beast doesn’t look so friendly. The middle head and upper body are that of an adult male lion, while the left head and lower body are that of an adult male ram. To top off this horror show of a monster is the head of a red dragon, large leathery wings sprout from his back; the chimera’s tail is even that of a lengthy vip
er. Just a terrifying and beautiful creature to behold.
“How about we just find another way inside?” I mentally call out to Genu.
“As far as I know, that’s the only way in,” his thoughts are weak. I can’t believe he actually joined me on this quest while he’s still recovering.
Okay, we are just going to have to go for it. Thus, I charge the chimera despite Genu’s objections; obviously, I should’ve listened because the beast quickly awakens. I raise a shield just in time to absorb the deadly breath weapon from the dragon-head. I synthesize a spear construct and blindly chuck it with full force. Without a doubt, my weapon missed but was enough to distract the creature; I lunge behind a nearby rock for cover.
A sudden shrieking whine sounds out above the screaming of the tormented souls.
“Everything is fine now, the chimera is subdued.” Genu walks towards the unconscious creature. I, on the other hand, cautiously walk out from behind the rock and then speedily make my way to him.
“How did you do that?”
“I attacked each mind simultaneously with a psionic blast. Easier said than done.”
We push the gates open and make our way past stalagmites and stalactites; on the inside, the castle is actually just a mass of rocks and darkness that gives the illusion of a kingdom. At the end of the path is none other than the devil himself.
Culbur sits upon his throne made of crystallized souls, he stares directly at us with his four red eyes as we walk up to him. Massive wings made completely from darkness hugs his sides; his black scales shine against the light of the hellfire; thick horns spiral vertically above his head topped off with a flickering flame; sharp claws tick against the throne while his forked tongue glides across his fangs. The devil isn’t all that demonic when you come face-to-face with him.
“So, the almighty zouvx of souls has, at last, graced me with her presence,” Culbur’s voice is deep and fearsome.
“The devil of vulgar and terror isn’t as terrifying as I thought him to be,” I purposely direct my attention to Genu. It doesn’t have the desired effect as I thought it would.
“HAHAHAHAHA!” His laugh bellows throughout the abyss. “Allow me to terrify you then, your grace.”
The devil’s size increases tenfold, his features becoming more gruesome with every foot that he gains. He roars a mighty roar while extending his wings, this causes the flames to darken and expand. The next thing we know, five beings—slightly bigger than the two of us—appear at his feet. These are the remaining demons of the seven deadly sins. Each of them, for the most part, have a similar look and apparel except for their: shape, size, and color. I feel honored to be in front of the living aspects of dark elven desires; absorbing every major detail about them.
The female sins are Envy who is green, scrawny, and tall; Sloth who is light blue, fat, and of a medium height; and Lust who is pink, slender, and tall. The male sins are Greed who is gold, muscular, and short; and Gluttony who is orange, majorly overweight, and also of a medium height. The two missing here is my mother who is Wrath and Zarvick’s father who is Pride.
Genu transforms into his true form. He throws his scabbard off to the side while holding his diamond sword. Turning to me, the golden pupils of his black eyes shimmer right before the chimera leaps over us and begins its assault on the demons of sin. That was only the first of many beasts that come to our aid.
“I’ll take care of them, Crystalline, you deal with the big guy.”
I really want to switch roles with him but I must prove to myself that I am just as capable of using my powers as Zarvick is.
Leaving my bow and quiver behind, I soar up to Culbur’s face conjuring a violet sword and shield construct. He breathes an eruption of flames that engulfs me, nevertheless, I push through; widening my shield and delivering a swift strike right for his eye. The devil is seemingly unbothered by his wound and backhands me to the ground. I crawl my way out of the crater and brush off my cracked armor.
Culbur begins performing a spell, moving his hands around and summoning powerful magic. I can’t just let myself be killed so easily; just then, a thought occurs to me. Most of which includes Asvarp telling me to use my power the way they are meant to be used but the other part was my battle with the Grey Queen. I concentrate my soul dash until the reality around me warps; my consciousness splits apart into each of my past images until there are three transparent silhouettes of myself.
We branch off into different directions prior to Culbur releasing a discharge of black and red lightning. Image one focuses spiritual energy into a sphere around her fist in preparation for socking that smug look off of the devil’s face. Image two and three stab him behind the knees with swords and spears. I generate several orbs till they burst into beams, putting holes in his chest. None of that was enough to stop him, only make him laugh.
Either of his wings slams into image one, destroying it; next, the devil’s fire breath incinerates the last two images. Finally, he quickly grabs ahold of me before I can escape. Culbur’s giant fingers tightly squeeze me till I feel my bones fracturing; his magical energies seep into the cracks of my armor breaking what’s left of it. I scream in agony.
“I have greatly overestimated you, living spirit. I expected more of a fight from you,” he mocks my suffering.
Looking down I spot Genu trading blows with Lust. I am the only one that can stop this monster. So, I must will my survival.
I pry his hand off of me, the shattered pieces of my armor fall to the ground leaving me in my undergarments. I feel my heritage twisting with one another as my spiritual energy overcomes them. Fiery light blazes all about me, I sense myself living up to his expectations.
“How dare you insult me, fiend! I AM SUPERIOR!”
He breathes his fire at me once again but I reflect it back into his face with a potent wave of energy. The celestial and demonic mutations of my soul revolve around me before they fuse with my body, forming a humongous violet astral projection over me. Even I have amazed myself.
Culbur grabs ahold of my shoulders, releasing a surge of dark magic through more astral giant; I grip his wrist, giving him a taste of his own power and headbutt him with full force. Gaining his balance, I am met with flaming breath. Pushing through it, I punch the devil in the face and give him a hardy uppercut. Conjuring a bow I leap back as I draw an arrow, firing it before I land; it ruptures into an explosion of energy right in his face. Now that he is knocked on his ass, I unleash my astral giant into his body; my spiritual power causes Culbur great pain as it shrinks him down to the size of a mortal.
Descending to meet him, I say, “my power is second only to the sisters of time and space. Even without my full potential, you are nothing more than a pest to me.”
Earlier than he can attack, I thrust my hands forward—just like I did with the Red King—and rip his soul out of him. It’s just a mass of darkness and fires with a tiny light flickering inside. Reaper managed to augment them with Zarvick’s soul fragments instead of actually killing them, but why? I grasp onto that light with all my might and energize it until Culbur’s soul shatters. The fragment fades away, hopefully back to Zarvick.
As the devil’s body dissolves, the Underworld quakes. Genu flies over to me and hands me my bow.
“Was Culbur so hot that you just couldn’t resist taking your armor off?” He jokes.
“Oh, shut your trap. Also, you’re practically my father so stop looking at me,” I snap back at him.
“That you are right. So, as your practical father, I must advise that you put some clothes on.”
A glittering violet cloak waves onto my body. My soul’s outburst is withdrawing as I regain a more calming control over myself, however, it’s not happening fast enough. I still have the urge to let loose.
On the other hand, this place is falling apart faster than all of the other kingdoms combined and I’m not trying to die. I alter the veil that separates the physical and spiritual realms, moving us through it and back to the Ruin
s of Cross-Roads.
Zarvick and Asvarp haven’t returned, that can’t be good.
Chapter 37
(Zarvick)
Magic is being thrown every which way between Asvarp and the remaining virtues; he’s donned a full set of armor and a bastard sword. When we approached the gates, they sprang into view and started their assault on us; I managed to chop off Temperance’s head but that only made matters worse. They are just as magnificent as I’d expect them to be. Each bears holy plate armor with brightly colored clothes over them.
The male virtues are Kindness who has garnet colored wings, and is both muscular and short; Diligence has tan colored wings, and is both skinny and of a medium height; and Chastity has teal colored wings, and is both fit and short. The female virtues are Charity who has violet colored wings, and is both thin and tall; and Temperance had cobalt blue colored wings, who also was both scrawny and of a medium height. Of course, the only two missing here would be my mother Humility and Crystalline’s father Mercy.
Anyways, I ran to the golden doors at the castle's entrance, they strangely remind me of the doors that lead to Genu’s training room. Asvarp dispelled the seal on the doors, however, I still had to warp the metal in order to push them open.
This particular room is about the same size of Genu’s entire castle; it is more of an ivory color than anything else. At the center of the room lies a circular pool of water. Upon closer inspection, the water shows an entire layout of Elvendora; focusing my vision, I spot miniature sized elves moving to and from places. This is creepy, to say the least.
“The Pool of Seeing, it’s how we keep track of what happens on Elvendora,” a pitchy and gentle voice emerges from the silence, “then again, I doubt you really need such a utility as this; isn’t that correct, the all-powerful zouvx of the elements.”
“Ures…show yourself!”
A puff of white light drops down on the other side of the pool, leaving the archangel in its wake. An electric halo shrouds over her blonde hair; feathered wings made of a blinding light compliment her golden plate mail armor. Blue eyes like the sky and creamy white skin, that is brighter than this room, outlines her beautifully crafted face. Attached to her hip is a metallic morning-star engraved with many runes, connected to a long and bulky handle. Ures is truly a remarkable representation of her title: the archangel of righteousness and will.
Dark Form_Book 1 of the Shadow War Trilogy Page 31