The Infernal Aether
Page 35
I looked up at the portal. “Oh, no,” I muttered; the blackness still loomed above us, unchanged. We were too late.
“Wait,” shouted Kate. “Is that...?”
I stared but could see nothing but sheer blackness. “What?” I asked.
“The mist,” she said. “It’s going.”
Sure enough, the tendrils of mist which had reached across the skies were retreating, like a vast sea creature fleeing a closing cave. I focused on the edges of the portal and, what at first I took to be an illusion borne of hope, was soon moving steadily enough to be incontrovertible: the portal was shrinking.
I looked back to Andras, or whatever the creature was now. It still stood, fists clenched and body rigid whilst its features shifted, the only outward sign of what was clearly a monumental internal battle for control. It shouted, a wordless scream which shook the very foundations of the building, and then doubled over and gagged. With a solid clink, an obsidian stone the size of a baby’s fist was ejected from the demon’s mouth.
The creature slumped backwards and looked up at me. I met its gaze and was relieved to see N’yotsu there, pale and shaken but unmistakably our friend. “It is over,” he said.
CHAPTER 43
We staggered out into the afternoon sun and looked up at a perfect blue and white sky, with no hint of Aether or portals. I breathed deeply as I struggled to keep my body, which was now feeling every one of the rigours inflicted upon it, moving and upright. My main motivation, as with all of us, was knowing that my pains were as nothing compared to those being suffered by my brother.
Finally released from Andras’s control, the golem carried Maxwell, who claimed to be bearing up well but still looped in and out of consciousness with alarming frequency. I was no physician, but I feared there was little which could be done for his legs. “Can you fix him?” I asked N’yotsu. “Andras said it could restore his legs if he did a deal...”
He shook his head. “Andras was lying. We—I—have no influence over the physical world in that way. I can cure my own injuries rapidly, but that is because I am not truly of this world. The best you can do is get him to a doctor as soon as possible. And both of you, as well.”
“We find a barracks,” said Kate, staring straight ahead, her speech hindered slightly by the weeping scar on her face, a mark which I feared would be a constant reminder of our terrible ordeal. “There’s bound to be a doctor somewhere.”
I grinned through gritted teeth. “Ever the optimist, eh?” I turned to N’yotsu. “You will come with us?”
“No,” he said, gesturing down the hill to where the battle still raged between the soldiers and the demonic outcasts from the Aether, now trapped in our world. “I have work to do. The golem will be able to get you where you need to go. I shall find you later, when I am done.”
I felt a jolt of power spark from my fist which was wrapped round the sword, causing me to walk a little taller and straighter. “I shall come with you,” I said. “You are right; we still have our friends to help.”
They eyed me suspiciously. “You should lay aside that sword,” said N’yotsu gently. “Stop using it, before...”
“It is too late?” I finished for him. “Too late for what, exactly?” I had my suspicions, terrible thoughts that the weapon was making me into something else, something other or more than human just as Andras had hinted, but I wanted to hear it from his own lips. After all, he was the one who had created the inscriptions which gave the sword its power; whatever was happening to me, he was the one to blame. Or to thank; I had not yet had a chance to consider that side of things.
He put a hand on my shoulder. “As with many things,” he said. “There is more to this than can be explained in a few short moments. You should go—we will talk later, when all of this is done.”
“What about Andras?” asked Kate.
“He is in here,” said N’yotsu, holding up a bundle of material which housed the obsidian stone. “Or rather, the essence of Andras; the elements which made it—me—do the things I did. Again, I am so sorry for what I did, and said.”
Kate shrugged. “It wasn’t you. As long as you’re sure it won’t return.” Her words were forgiving but there was a steely glint in her eye which spoke of a trust which would never be restored.
“Take this,” said N’yotsu, handing the bundle to me with a nod. “Put it somewhere safe; somewhere out of reach and out of sight.” I felt its cold, hard weight and nodded back, my heart beating fast as I realised the responsibility which he had so casually dropped onto me.
The sounds of gunfire continued to echo round us and in the distance we could see men running and shooting; clearly our Army friends were still hard at work.
“Ah, yes,” said Kate, looking down. “It looked like a pretty tough battle when me and Derek bashed our way through.”
“Derek?” I asked.
Kate patted the golem’s leg. “Yes—Derek.”
“Thank you, Derek,” grinned N’yotsu up at the golem, which in turn looked impassively down at him. “In the meantime, I have work to do,” he continued. “We have closed the portal but all of the creatures which passed over are still here. This world will never be the same again.”
“And we’re the ones to clean it up, protect the weak, all that stuff?” said Kate.
“I cannot think of a better team,” grinned N’yotsu. “Oh, and by the way,” he turned to me. “I agree with you, about your place in the grand scheme of things. You could have killed me before I had a chance to do what I needed to do, but you did not. You saved my life, and for that I am eternally grateful. In our motley crew of world-savers, you are the humanity, the conscience. The beautifully flawed humanity. And that is something we all need, now more than ever.”
I frowned. “Long may that continue,” I said, my mind still spinning from everything which had happened, all of which I might still be required to endure. As we started to make our way down the hill I looked back. “What do we call you now that you are officially a demon? Please do not say ‘Andras’.”
He laughed. “Oh, no.” A group of demons had noted our passage and were charging toward us, hideous visages twisted in a sheer desire for destruction. He turned and grinned at us. “I am N’yotsu, Destroyer of Worlds.” And with that he launched himself into the air, straight at the advancing hordes of Hell-fiends.
AFTERWORD - AUTHOR’S NOTE
As they say, the battle has been won but the war is far from over, and Augustus, Maxwell, N’yotsu and, of course, Kate, will return in A Christmas Aether, a free novella to be released in December 2015 exclusive and direct to fans. The second novel in The Infernal Aether series will follow in mid-2016.
Word of mouth is crucial for any author to succeed. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on my book’s page. Even if it’s only a line or two, it would be a huge help!
Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00QO5K8VQ
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QO5K8VQ
A Christmas Aether - Three New Short Stories from the universe of The Infernal Aether
Following the events of The Infernal Aether, surely humanity is safe at last?
In A Christmas Aether, Augustus Potts, beaten and bloody amidst the demon-infested London East End, is visited by three familiar spirits who reveal terrifying insights into the past, present and future. Can Augustus save his friends as well as the world before it is too late?
In The Ballad of William Morley, a zealous police officer struggles with personal loss in the midst of increasing unrest resulting from the Aether's demonic invasion. Can he retain his sense of right and wrong while everything crumbles around him?
Finally, the newly rediscovered scientific / occult document The Potts Demonology provides valuable insights into the changes which took place in the late 19th Century, as well as the creatures which forced this chaos onto the world.
A Christmas Aether brings together three new stories following on from the events of The Infernal Aether and fore
shadowing the battles to come in the next instalment: The Bornless Ones, coming in late 2016.
As an exclusive offer, sign up to my readers group and receive a FREE copy of the e-book A Christmas Aether, the next chilling instalment in the series. Click here to get started - http://peteroxleyauthor.com/readers-group-landing-page/
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are so many people without whom this book just would not have been possible.
To those fantastic Indiegogo backers who took a risk and supported an unknown author in achieving his dream—I can’t say this enough, but you are amazing: each and every one of you! So a huge, huge thank you to mum and dad, Andy Bruce, Steph McMahan, Iain McMahan, Caz Sharpe, Matt Sharpe, James Doran, Carolina Cautillo, Chris Rooney, Claire Rooney, Alpesh Naik, Hazel Naik, Andy Heaney, Mathew Rees Jones, Jamey Novick, Jenny O’Brien, Tim Betts, Bruce Oxley, Helen Oxley, Jude English, Miriam Donnellan, Matt Turk, Chris Brewster, Bridie Brewster, Gareth Brooks, Ju Casstles, Gary Fall, Dorothy Fall, Kev Bygrave, Ruth Bebbington, Janito Filho, Jennifer Pinkley, Al Foster and Nick Daws.
To all those on Wattpad who took the time to read, comment, vote and just say nice things throughout the first draft—thank you for giving me the motivation to keep ploughing on.
Thanks to John Harten, editor extraordinaire—your comments and amendments were a revelation, and this story is so much tighter and more immersive for them.
There is one man who deserves an extra special mention, someone without whom this book truly would not have happened—Ken Foster, a.k.a D. L. Mackenzie. Throughout the process I have been in awe of your talents, not only as an outstanding writer but also challenging and pushing me, mentoring me through the writing process, providing the inspiration for so many aspects (including the genesis of the name: “N’yotsu”), editing and finessing the book, marketing, crowdfunding, cover art sourcing, video making (and presenting!)… Thank you Ken—so, so much.
And finally, a huge thank you to my darling wife Jess and our fantastic kids, Tom and Sam, who have lived / suffered through all of this with me - right from the early days when I was thrashing around with some vague short stories about demons in Victorian London (well, we all need a hobby…). Thank you for being there for me, putting up with my darkest hours and giving me the courage, motivation and encouragement to keep pressing on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Oxley is a writer, consultant and coach who lives in the English Home Counties. He enjoys reading and writing in a wide range of areas but his main passions are sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction and steampunk.
His influences include HG Wells, Charles Dickens, Neil Gaiman, KW Jeter, Scott Lynch, Clive Barker, Pat Mills and Joss Whedon.
He is also the author of the nonfiction book: The Wedding Speech Manual: The Complete Guide to Preparing, Writing and Performing Your Wedding Speech.
He lives with his wife, two young sons and a slowly growing guitar collection. Aside from writing and willingly speaking in front of large crowds of strangers, Pete spends his spare time playing music badly, supporting football teams that play badly, and writing about himself in the third person.
peteroxleyauthor.com
Twitter: @Peterdoxley
Facebook: PeteOxleyAuthor
DEDICATION
For Jess, Tom and Sam - my support, inspiration and source of so much happiness. I love you all so much.
Table of Contents
PART ONE - BEGINNINGS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
PART TWO - THE WHITECHAPEL INCIDENT
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
PART THREE - GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
PART FOUR - MEN OF CLAY
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
PART FIVE - WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
PART SIX - BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
PART SEVEN - ENTOMBED
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
PART EIGHT - WORLD’S END
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
AFTERWORD - AUTHOR’S NOTE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DEDICATION