Savage Betrayal

by Anni Antoni

  There was no saving these poor wretches who had unwittingly given their souls in service to a demon. However, instead of keeping a large stable of servants, I gave them away to demon soldiers as rewards for their good behavior and service to the King. In time, I became immensely popular because of this.

  I kept only a few servants, mainly to keep me clothed, run messages and to prepare my bath. Yes, even though the King didn't like it, I kept clean.

  I took pride in my appearance and bathed regularly, washed my hair and felt much better for it. However, I was always careful to be less well dressed than the King, for I doubt he would have liked me to outshine him.

  For his part, I noticed he began washing and brushing his hair, and seemed to take some pleasure in running his fingers through it. It made me smile.

  ********

  One day, not too long after I had gone to the Underworld, an excited mindspeak communication came from Marron.

  Meet outside the entrance to the Underworld as soon as possible, came the message.

  Yes, coming now, I sent back. Still not well versed in mindspeak, I was becoming more adept, thanks to a few lessons from Marron.

  I walked to the outskirts of the Underworld, and when I was sure no one was looking, flashed to the entrance and walked through a hedge. Marron was waiting. He reacted with surprise when he saw me but enveloped me in a huge bear hug.

  “Joshaviah, I can't believe how well you look. Don't tell me the Underworld is agreeing with you.” Marron held me at arms-length, looking me over.

  “I keep busy with my duties and console myself with the fact that I'm serving humanity -- I'm fine,” I reassured him. “Your message sounded urgent. Why did you summon me?”

  Marron smiled, looking proud and happy. “I have a seat on the Council now. It has taken a while, but I hated the injustice they did to you.

  I am also joined there by another Guardian. Now we’ve helped right wrongs done to you and others. Furthermore, we now ensure all new Guardians are properly trained and supported.”

  I shrugged. There was no way to undo what had happened, and, no matter what he said, I would always feel guilty for failing my human charges.

  He grabbed me by the shoulders shaking me. “Don’t you understand what this means? Your Guardian privileges are now reinstated --you can be a Guardian again.”

  Standing there I took in what Marron was saying, but it meant nothing and I couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

  "Sorry Marron, it’s too late. My decision is final and I can't imagine ever being a Guardian again. Now I belong in the Underworld. Guardian responsibility is too great -- I couldn't face the possibility of losing humans again.”

  Marron gave a heavy sigh and put his hand on my shoulder. “Joshaviah, don't you see? It was not your fault. If you'd had proper training and support, none of this would have happened.”

  I shrugged again. “No matter, this is my life now.”

  “One thing may interest you. The human Councilor who treated you so cruelly, Councilor Metraven, has been found guilty of subverting the Guardian program. He was actively working to undermine it, by making sure new Guardians like yourself would fail. He betrayed you, planned your downfall, and the downfall of others like you. The Guardian program was almost discontinued because of his actions.”

  That spiked my interest. “What has happened to him?” I asked, hoping he would receive just punishment for his treachery.

  “We don't know. He disappeared – in hiding somewhere, no doubt, but rest assured he can never do such damage again.”

  That was some consolation, at least. “Will you tell me when he’s caught?” I asked.

  “Of course -- you have every right to know,” he said. Putting his hand on my shoulder, he took a deep breath and continued, almost pleading. “Come back with me, please. You don’t belong in the Underworld and I would love you to be part of my former community. You would be welcome there. Full training and support would be available for you to start afresh. Everything you missed out on...” Marron’s voice faltered as he saw the look on my face.

  Frowning, I shook my head. “Thank you, Marron, but no. It makes no sense now. The grief for my human family and Rachel is still too strong, and I could never imagine being a Guardian again.”

  Giving Marron a hug, I said goodbye and wished him luck in his new task as Councilor, pleased the Council was in his hands. He would be fair, compassionate and wise in his treatment of young Guardians. The Guardian program would now be safe, I was sure.

  The grey gloom of the Underworld wrapped around me like a familiar worn blanket as I trudged back home. Thoughts of the past churned in my head, and remembering the sadistic face of Councilor Metraven, anger for his part in my family's downfall burned within me. As it happened, I would soon learn his fate.

  Chapter 34.

  Ultimate Revenge

  Ah!” The King smacked his lips and wiped the back of his hand across his face. “This stuff, what is it? Mead? Very nice. Try some?” he said, offering the wineskin to me.

  “I tried it once -- don't like it. Give me this ale any day," I said, taking a swig from my cup. I briefly turned away as repressed memories tried to surface.

  “Please yourself.” King Lutoz flipped his hair and ran his fingers through it, pulling it down and arranging it over the purple cloak at his shoulders.

  “I've got to hand it to you Joe. The women in my harem love my hair like this -- drives them wild. You sly dog! Why didn't you say that's the reason you kept your hair washed?”

  Laughter erupted from me. “I thought it was obvious, didn't think it worth mentioning.” Looking at him, I couldn’t help noticing how attractive he was, especially now he took more interest in his appearance.

  Tall, well-built with pale blue eyes and a disarming smile, no wonder female demons were attracted to him. Now, with a luxurious mane of golden hair tumbling over his shoulders, combined with the power of authority that came with being King, he would, no doubt, be irresistible.

  "Speaking of women, won’t you join me in my harem tonight? We'd have a great time." His eyes flashed red, and he licked his lips suggestively.

  I shook my head. “Sorry Lutoz, but I prefer to do my womanizing in private. Keep your females to yourself.”

  “So you keep saying.” The King laughed. “But I’ll get you in there, eventually. You don’t know what you’re missing.” He gave me a playful push.

  The King and I reclined on a mound of animal skins in his quarters. Since I had proven my worth and demonstrated my loyalty, he had taken me under his wing. I trained his soldiers rigorously until they became a disciplined fighting machine.

  Although I never killed any of his men, in a battle with other kingdoms, I was unstoppable. My reputation as a savage slayer grew. So did the reputation of the demons under my command.

  Guards lined the wall of his room. And a smattering of his favored guards sat together drinking, talking and laughing. In the adjoining rooms, the rank and file of his soldiers celebrated noisily, amid shouts, raucous laughter and occasional fights.

  It was a few days after the deciding battle between Zedok and Plutok, the next kingdom, several months after I arrived in Zedok.

  We had been victorious, of course. The Demon King of the next county, had been vanquished and slain, so had many of his guards and all his close officials. We now controlled two of the four kingdoms in the Underworld, and as a bonus, there were fewer demons throughout the other three kingdoms.

  King Lutoz leaned back on his pile of skins. “The human blood servants of the slain King and his men should be making their way to us soon. He had some interesting servants, I hear. There was one, I’ve been told, who is a top-ranking immortal, and the King used him to create havoc in the human world. I like that. It has all sorts of possibilities.” He rubbed his hands together and gave a nasty chuckle. “You killed the King of Plutok, so this man will be your servant, unless you want to give him to me.” He raised his eyebrows and waggled them pl
ayfully.

  “I have no need for servants. apart from the few I keep,” I said through my laughter, masking my concern. “I’m willing to discuss the possibility – but tomorrow, when we’re both sober.”

  This servant sounded like potential trouble for humans and my heart sank. I wouldn’t just hand him over to the King. I had to assess the damage he could do among humans first.

  This blood servant may need to meet with an accident before he met the King, I feared.

  Taking another swig of ale, I leaned across to him. “Hadn’t you better make your way to your harem before you pass out? That mead is potent.”

  As well as a slayer of demons, I had become a spy, working in secret in the Underworld to protect humans.

  **********

  As expected, the human blood servants arrived in a slow, but steady stream. The soldiers that had killed high-ranking demons in Plutok were waiting.

  I still don't understand how it happens, but somehow those humans who have become blood servants to one demon are irresistibly drawn to the one who takes him over. Even from the human world, they make their way to meet their new master.

  The victorious demons claimed their servants and took them away for whatever training they deemed fit. Their lives would not be pleasant, but I would not interfere.

  Those poor unfortunate humans sealed their own fate. Typically, greed or lust for power put them in that position.

  Of course, I possessed no demon ability to draw my new servants. Nor did I then have abilities to attract or enchant humans, as even a minor demon could.

  The servants of those I had killed, just milled around, looking lost. Something in their blood compelled them to come with the others, but they couldn't recognize me the way the other servants recognized their new masters.

  The ones remaining, after the claimed humans left with their new masters, were mine.

  I looked over my inherited servants -- a sorry lot. But not one looked important. I gathered them together to lead them to my own quarters where I would sort out how to best use them and pass them on as appropriate.

  By chance, as I led them to my quarters in the palace, I looked out a window and saw one lone human standing with his head bowed, looking forlorn, a late arrival. The demons had all disappeared with their new servants. No demon claimed this man. He was one of mine.

  “Stay here,” I barked at the men crowding together. “I'll be back soon.”

  As I ran down the stairs, I wondered if this was the man the King spoke of. A certain air clung to him, as though he had once been important.

  Immediate recognition blasted my senses as I walked over to him -- Councilor Metraven. My stomach churned at the memory of how he smiled sadistically when he sentenced me to a life of pain and suffering.

  As he lifted his eyes, they widened in recognition and his mouth fell open.

  He took a few steps back. There was no demonic compulsion attaching him to me, unlike with the demon soldiers, so I was unable to compel him to stay. “You! You're here? What? Are you a demon?” Bewildered fear made a comic mask of his face.

  “No demon,” I said. “But here is where I feel comfortable.” Looking back, I realized his harsh treatment of me was something he enjoyed at the time, so I felt no sympathy.

  “So,” I said, standing with my hands on my hips, enjoying the moment. “You are a demon servant, and I've won you by killing your master, the King of Plutok. You're my servant now.”

  “No,” he said, backing away. “No.” Shaking his head, he continued backing away, his eyes darting about in fear.

  “What are you afraid of?” I grinned at him, taking pleasure in his suffering for a little longer.

  “Please let me go. I'm sorry, I treated you badly when I was a Council member, but I was compelled. Resistance was impossible.” In his panic, his words tumbled over each other, and he inched further away from me. Fear rolled off him.

  “You were a demon servant back then?” I asked him, my mind ticking over. The King of Plutok must have known about the Guardians and what they were doing on Earth to benefit humans. This situation was potentially disastrous.

  King Lutoz would demand this man, despite my protests. He would question the man, compel him to answer truthfully and make sure he got the right answers.

  Consequently, he would find out about the Guardian program, and he would want it disrupted too. He would eventually find out I was a Guardian. That meant I was in danger, and my quest to bring down as many demons as I could was threatened.

  Lutoz could not be allowed access to him. I knew I must kill Metraven, and soon.

  The thought horrified me. Although I had killed humans before, it was while in a blind rage. I had to kill this man in cold blood and it went against all my early programming. However, this man had contributed to the deaths of Pelle, his family and Rachel, by having me abandoned in a savage world, ill equipped for my duties as a Guardian.

  I paced while thinking, my confused thoughts chasing each other, not watching the former councilor.

  What would Pelle have advised? The answer was clear. Do what led to the greater good. That settled it. Metraven must die by my hand.

  When I looked up, I saw he had backed away a good distance, and imps were appearing, heads raised expectantly. Perhaps he sensed my intentions. Perhaps a sense of guilt over what he had done increased his fear.

  “Come back,” I called in horror, knowing what was about to happen. “You are in danger out there.” He turned and ran in blind panic, instead of coming back.

  That did it. Hundreds of imps poured out of every crack and crevice in the landscape, drawn by the scent of his fear. From behind grey rocks and trees they crawled, clutching, grabbing and shrieking.

  Too late he realized his danger. The imps seized him and he screamed in panic. Imps were irresistibly drawn to him the more he screamed, until he was buried under them.

  I turned my head away, unable to watch. They solved my dilemma, however. The imps had stepped in and done the job I was so reluctant to perform.

  Eventually his screaming stopped. The imps scattered and nothing of him remained. He had been instrumental in the deaths of Pelle, Pelle’s family and Rachel. And so had the Demon King of Plutok, his demon master, who I had slain.

  My revenge was now complete, but it gave me little satisfaction.

  Sickened by my encounter with the former councilor and his barbaric demise, I hung my head and walked inside to my new servants. He was gone, no longer a threat to humans.

  The threat now came purely from the demons, and, as much as I liked King Lutoz, I knew he would have delighted in using this man for his own ends against humans, given the chance.

  Even trapped in the Underworld demons sought to influence them. It was their sport. Demons knew what humans craved and promised them exactly what they desired through their blood servants.

  They whispered in their ears, tempting, enchanting, until they had snared them, then compelled them to do their bidding, never delivering on their promises. Demons caused chaos and misery in the human world, even from a distance. For all I knew King Evrat may have been influenced by them.

  Rage bloomed anew in my breast, focused more intensely on demons. I had experienced the effects of their actions on humans at first hand and knew how far their influence could spread.

  I and my human charges had suffered deeply as part of demon sport.

  The Underworld was where I would serve humanity. Here was where I belonged and would do my penance. My resolve deepened.

  Chapter 35.

  Everything Changes

  Years passed, followed by centuries. Kings, generals and army captains came and went. But I endured. Why? Because I took no part in demon intrigue.

  Although often approached to support this one or that in their quest to be king or general, I would have no part of it. The only promise I made was to support whoever was victorious.

  The demons came to respect my stance, knowing I would train soldiers and nothi
ng more, and the intrigue offers faded away. Training soldiers was my job, my sole ambition, and no one did it better.

  It also didn't hurt that I was the best fighter in all the Underworld. I had been challenged but effortlessly defeated any opponent. When it became clear I was unbeatable, I was not challenged again.

  I did much work in secret however, becoming devious, as devious as any demon.

  Those that treated their human servants badly would become embroiled in fights, disagreements, arguments and eventually be killed. I became adept at encouraging these things behind the scenes.

  A word here, hints there, and demons would invariably quarrel with anyone I wanted eliminated. Secretly I laughed at how easily demons were manipulated.

  If a demon was too inventive in ways to attract more humans as servants and infiltrate his servants back into the human world, he too would become besieged by demons picking quarrels with him until eventually there would be fights. These fights would continue until he died. All my doing, but no one ever suspected me.

  Occasionally, I ventured into the human world. Each time, amazed at the progress there.

  I watched new lands being discovered, cities built and ingenious inventions being discovered. Human progress always astounded me, their wars and conflicts saddened me.

  I learned martial arts in the human world, but passed only superficial knowledge on to demons. It gave me a strong edge in my own combat skills. Legends of my fighting skills and invincibility grew up in the Underworld, much to my amusement.

  Each time I journeyed forth into the human world I returned to the Underworld with renewed resolve to continue my self-appointed duties. Humans must be protected from demon activity. That was my primary focus.

  Even Marron stopped suggesting I should leave the Underworld. We continued to have contact occasionally although many years passed between contacts. He didn't know to what extent I was doing my job and didn't ask.

  Such was my life among demons, and I never expected to be a Guardian again. Fate had bestowed this life on me, and who was I to argue?