Bane indicated Mirra with an angry flick of his hand. "She wants to come with me."
Lyriasharin turned limpid eyes upon Mirra, smiling. "Bless you, My Lady."
"Bless her? It is madness!"
"A little, but mostly courageous and, since you will not go without her, fortunate."
Mirra blushed and smiled, then gasped and fell to her knees as Kayos appeared beside Lyriasharin, his silver eyes and hair gleaming in the candlelight. Grem and Mithran sank down again, bowing their heads. Bane snorted and swung away once more.
Kayos made a languid gesture. "Arise. Greetings, My Lord."
Bane turned to scowl at him. "We can decide this matter without celestial intervention."
"I understand your anger."
"Of course you do. I will wager you understand everything."
"Quite a lot, yes. You have no wish to be dragged from your peaceful existence, and I would not ask such a great favour of you if it was not important. My granddaughter's pain is endless, Bane."
"And if I was not... what I am, you would have no way of saving her."
"Yes. But you are what you are, and for that I am truly grateful." He paused, considering Bane. "I want to show you something before you decide."
"I have already decided."
"You should see it anyway." Kayos waved a hand, and an image appeared in the air above the table. A beautiful woman lay in the grip of a seething sea of grotesque dark creatures. They tore at her tattered, shimmering white raiment and flesh with clawed hands that left glowing wounds. She writhed, her face twisted, her mouth open in a silent scream. Silken skeins of dark golden hair swirled around her head, and her creamy skin was flushed with exertion, her lips twisted with pain, her eyes stark with it.
"This is how I found her," Kayos said.
Within the Eye, the dark creatures scattered as a fire demon in true form waded into the fray until the goddess lay in the midst of its flames, her flesh glowing golden as she burnt. She thrashed, and, although the image was silent, Bane could hear her terrible screams in his mind, for he had heard their like before. Streams of pale light became visible, flowing into Ashynaria to replace the power that was being used to keep her alive. The image swelled, and the demon was struck aside by a shining white shield that lashed out from behind the eyes that beheld the image, for this was Kayos' memory.
The fire demon dimmed and swirled, then turned its white-hot eyes upon its attacker, causing Bane's hands to clench with futile anger. Kayos smashed the demon until it weakened, and the dark creatures watched the battle with glowing red eyes. Ashynaria lay on a cracked stone floor, her wrists, ankles and neck shackled with black metal that had an oily sheen, like the blade of Bane's dagger. Kayos fought the demon for several minutes, then more appeared, and the image faded.
"At that point I knew Telvaron was on his way, and I had to leave." He looked at Bane. "You could have defeated those demons with a single lash of power, and freed her from the chains, which are made from duron, a metal found only in dark realms, and which will only obey the will of a dark god. I was able to give her only a few moments without pain. You do not have to fight Telvaron, just free Ashynaria. That is all we ask."
A soft sob made Bane glance at Lyriasharin, whose cheeks were wet with tears. Kayos put an arm around her shoulders, and she leant against him. Bane jumped as a hand slipped into his, and he looked down at Mirra.
"Please, Bane. I want you to free her."
Bane walked over to a chair and sank down on it. Mirra settled on his lap and twined her arms around his neck, burying her face in his hair. He looked up at Kayos.
"I do not want to do this."
"I understand."
"How long will it take to get there?"
Lyriasharin slumped with a soft cry, and Kayos patted her shoulder. "That depends on what hazards we meet. If all goes well, about a year."
"I require an oath from you."
"Name it."
"If I am unable to, you will protect Mirra."
Kayos nodded. "I swear it."
"I'm coming too," Grem declared.
"And me!" Mithran chimed in, not to be outdone.
"No." Bane shook his head. "It is too dangerous."
"All the more reason," Grem said. "You'll need us."
"Grem can teach me to use a sword," Mithran added.
"No. Mirra at least is immune to the black fire, and she is hard to kill when she has her power. You two would only be liabilities."
"We would not." Mithran scowled. "Whatever else you are, you're still my son, and you'll obey me. We're coming."
Bane eyed him, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "It is indeed a son's duty to obey his father, and I am surprised you failed to mention it before. However -"
"No. You'll do as you’re told. Your mother would have walloped you for disobeying either of us."
Bane sighed, and Mirra whispered, "He is as stubborn as you are."
"I know," he whispered back.
"Then unless you want to debate this all night, you may as well agree."
Bane glanced at Kayos, who looked amused and irritated, but clearly had no intention of intervening.
Mithran nodded, his eyes bright. "Good, that's settled then. When do we leave?"
Kayos turned to Lyriasharin. "I will spend a few days with my daughter, whom I have missed these past thousand years. Make your preparations. Perhaps you can find more volunteers to join our merry throng."
Lyriasharin took her father's hand with a smile, and they vanished. Grem let out a pent breath, sagging, and Mithran looked thoughtful.
"We'll need provisions, ropes, clothes, weapons and tools. I'll go to the village and buy them tomorrow."
Bane shook his head. "Bring only your weapons and spare clothes. All else, Kayos can provide."
Mithran sat on the chair beside Bane. "This will be a grand adventure."
"More like a torturous ordeal filled with hardship, danger and death. I wish you would reconsider, Father."
"No. If I stay here I'll just sit around wondering what you're doing and worrying about you and Mirra. I want to be there to help you if I can, guard your back and advise you, as I couldn't while you were growing up."
"That was no fault of yours."
"But this time it would be."
Bane gazed at the Realm Gate, studying the intricate patterns and carvings that covered it. Some of the runes he recognised, others he had not seen before, and the way in which they were used puzzled him. He sensed powerful wards of warning and defence woven into the fabric of the portal, directed towards the God Realm beyond. Kayos stood with his daughter, cupping her cheek as he gazed deep into her tearful eyes. Mirra stood beside Bane, her hand in his, and Grem waited nearby with Mithran, both gazing around at the magnificent Gate Hall and the glowing gardens outside. They wore hardy clothes and chain mail, swords at their sides, daggers sprouting from their belts and water skins slung over their shoulders.
Two Overworld weeks had passed since Lyriasharin had asked for his aid, and he had spent the time searching within himself for guidance and pondering this new path that now stretched ominously before him. The prospect of putting the people he cared about in so much danger had kept him awake many nights, but Mirra had divined the source of his unease and pointed out that Kayos would protect all of them without Bane extracting another oath from him, because he was a light god. More than that, the choice to come on the quest had been theirs, and they had the right to control their destinies.
The prospect of facing another dark god, one even more powerful than Arkonen, still filled him with dread, however. He had fought Arkonen to save the Overworld for Mirra's sake, but this dangerous adventure would gain him nothing if Mirra chose not to accept his gift. The prospect made him uneasy, and he wavered, tempted to revoke his agreement and go back to his peaceful existence. The fact that a powerful light god, perhaps the most powerful of all, would be at his side to help him allayed his concerns somewhat.
Bane sighed
, gazing at the massive Gate. He was not eager to see what lay beyond it, and waited for Kayos to bid his daughter a fond farewell. The Grey God kissed her brow and stepped back, and Lyriasharin approached Bane, laying a hand on his arm in a gesture of trust and affection that he had always appreciated.
"I will miss you, Bane." She reached up to run her fingers down his cheek. "Be careful. I fear the God Realm is a vast and terrifying place. I would not like you to come to harm."
"Nor would I."
The goddess turned to Mirra. "Look after him, My Lady. He will need your wise council and comfort. The path you have chosen, though a difficult one, is brave and worthy."
"Thank you, Lady."
Lyriasharin smiled at Mithran and Grem, who bowed. "You are courageous men, and I applaud you. Mithran, your son does you great honour, be proud of him."
"I am, Lady."
The goddess stepped back, and Bane faced the Gate as Kayos took something from his pocket that shone like a star and touched it to the mighty portal. The Gate chimed, filling the air with sweet notes that echoed around the vast hall. The sound chilled Bane's heart and made his hackles rise, though he had no idea why. Mirra's hand tightened on his, and Mithran and Grem tensed. The Gate glowed, its chiming peals shivering the air, and Bane glanced at Lyriasharin, who bit her lip. She flung him a tight smile when she noticed his scrutiny, then her eyes flicked back to the Gate.
The chimes stopped, and the locks disengaged with a soft grating of stone in the leaden silence that followed. The huge door swung inwards slowly, revealing a yawning abyss of darkness beyond, which swallowed the pale light of Eternity. Kayos stepped into it, vanishing as if he had passed through a wall of darkness. After a moment's hesitation, Bane followed with Mirra close beside him. He found solid footing that sloped downwards, and advanced cautiously. When it levelled off, he turned to look back at the Gate, which appeared to be too far away, a small rectangle of brilliant light. It narrowed and vanished with a faint boom, and he glanced down as Mirra's grip on his hand tightened. She frowned, holding her stomach, and Grem and Mithran also looked ill. Bane realised that the dark power around them was intense, and extended the protective shield that had automatically enveloped him in the presence of so much dark power. The trio relaxed, Grem and Mithran looking puzzled, while Mirra cast him a grateful smile.
Lines of white fire hissed across the Realm Gate, some extending from it for a short distance, and Bane moved away, their power making his skin prickle. He eyed the white wards that protected the Realm Gate, making mental notes for future reference. Since Kayos had built this domain, it stood to reason that these wards were stronger than most. The white wards shimmered with blue as the dark power around them warred with it, giving off a harsh light.
Bane turned to find a blue glow behind him and walked towards it. Kayos examined the sand at his feet, the nimbus of blue fire that surrounded him lighting the ground for a short distance in every direction. As Bane moved away from the Realm Gate, the wards vanished, telling him that it had been his presence so close to the portal that had triggered them. Bane stopped beside the Grey God and glanced down at the darkness at his own feet.
"It seems you have an advantage already."
Kayos straightened and turned to him. "It is my light that blinds you. Without me, you would be able to see a great deal more than I can. This is a dark place, better suited to you than me, but we will soon journey into more neutral territory."
Bane glanced around. Mithran held Mirra's other hand and Grem gripped his wrist, chaining themselves together in the darkness, which was complete for them, he assumed. Although they looked uneasy, they bore it stoically.
The Elder God set off, and Bane fell into step beside him, his skin prickling. The shivering darkness around them seemed to wave and ooze. There was no way to measure time, but after a while Mirra's hand grew heavy in his. When she stumbled, Bane stopped and turned to survey the trio. Mirra looked exhausted, while the men were merely grim-faced.
"I cannot summon a demon steed here," he said.
Mirra gazed through him with blind eyes. "I am all right."
"No, you are not." Bane reached around her and gripped his father's wrist, pulled his hand from Mirra's and placed it on his cloak. "Hold onto this, Father."
"Bane, no." she protested as he scooped her up.
"Be quiet."
Mirra wound her arms around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder with a sigh. Bane strode on, a tug on his cloak assuring him that Mithran held onto it.
There was no way to tell how far they walked, but Bane's legs ached by the time they reached an area of coruscating redness, like oozing magma, which formed a massive tunnel. Given his unnatural strength and endurance, he calculated that it was probably an entire Overworld day. They had stopped briefly while Grem, Mithran and Mirra had eaten the food Kayos had created from handfuls of dark sand, turning it into cooked meat in a flash of white light. Mirra's repast had consisted of nuts and berries, and they drank water from the flasks they carried, which Kayos kept filled.
The Grey God had created a glowing orb, like a tiny sun, to provide light during the rest period, but its presence had made him uneasy, and he had extinguished it before they journeyed on. Mithran and Grem looked exhausted, but after the respite they had marched on manfully. The silence between him and Kayos did not bother Bane, as it was relaxed and amicable.
Bane knew he would have to summon demon steeds to carry his father, Mirra and Grem soon. Already their strength was all but gone, and the journey just begun. The tunnel offered the prospect of fire, but he did not look forward to his father witnessing his use of the dark power. He had not permitted Mithran or Grem to see him perform the Gather before Lyriasharin had transported them to Eternity. In the tunnel, Mithran released Bane's cloak, and Grem gazed around with keen interest. Kayos stopped and turned to Bane.
"We can rest here for a while."
Bane put Mirra down and walked over to the wall, running his hand along it. His fingers sank into it without any reaction, which meant it was almost pure dark power, like the thick blackness from which they had just emerged. He turned to find Kayos and the others watching him.
"Interesting to see the different reaction of this realm to you," Kayos remarked.
The nimbus still shone around the Elder God, and blue fire sparkled between his boots and the floor. He went to the wall and laid his hand against it, sparking a blue glow that spread along the wall, transforming the swirling redness to stone. When he removed his hand, it gradually reverted to its state of flux.
Bane gestured, and a portion of the floor rose to form a seat, which he sank down on with a sigh. "At least you do not get tired."
"True."
Bane summoned a cup of ambrosia and sipped it. "How big is the God Realm?"
"Vast. I know of no end to it."
"So it is infinite?"
"Perhaps it is now, but it was not when I was created. Yet it grows bigger all the time, and it changes constantly." Kayos eyed Bane. "There is much I must teach you. You are powerful, but I think you lack skill. You will need both to free Ashynaria."
"You do not even know what I can do yet."
"That is why I shall wait until then before I begin to instruct you."
"As you wish."
Mirra came over and sat on Bane's lap, yawning. "Can we sleep here?"
He glanced at Kayos, who shook his head. "It is too dangerous. We will find somewhere further on."
Mirra sighed and leant against Bane, closing her eyes. Mithran and Grem sat back to back, their chins on their chests as they snatched a few minutes of rest. Kayos created more food for the trio, and Bane contemplated what he must do next. When they had finished their meal, he stood up, allowing the rock seat to sink back into the ground. He had not intended that his father should ever see him use the dark power, but now he had no choice.
Scanning the area for hot spots, he went over to the nearest and stretched out his hand, allowing a trickl
e of power to flow from his fingers. The hot spot flared, sprouting flames, and Bane spoke the harsh words of summoning. The flames roared up into a blaze that made his father, Grem and Mirra step back, their eyes wide. Mirra had seen a summoning before, but that made it no less daunting.
A chiselled head formed in the fire, weaving with sinuous grace atop a powerful arched neck with a flowing, fiery mane. A graceful body coalesced, and the demon steed pranced, its glowing hooves striking sparks on the molten rock as it turned to Bane and bowed. Its white hot, malevolent eyes sought the three humans, then flicked to Kayos, brightening. Bane commanded it, and it swung away. Its fire darkened, and glossy black hide covered it until it almost looked like the normal horse it had once been. It snorted and tossed its head in displeasure, fighting Bane's control, then subsided and stood still, becoming statue-like.
"Shaniss," Bane murmured, repeating the name the dark power whispered in his mind.
Turning to the hot spot again, Bane summoned a second demon steed, this one darker and bulkier than the first, which fought his control with more determination, snorting fire, but subsided too, defeated.
"Ardon," Bane named it as it transformed into a mighty iron-grey charger.
A third demon steed stepped from the fire at his behest, this one burning almost white-hot with fury. Its narrow head snaked towards him, ears laid back as it defied him. Once more Bane's power forced it to bow to him, its eyes filled with baleful fire as it turned into a shining red roan.
"Kess." Bane frowned at the third demon steed. "You will obey these three humans. You will harm nothing unless attacked, and you will protect them."
Kess lunged at him, its teeth snicking together beside his cheek, then retreated, swishing its tail. Bane made no attempt to avoid it, knowing it could not harm him. He commanded the other demon steeds, then turned to his father, who stood open-mouthed, his eyes wide. When Mithran glanced at Bane, such intense sorrow filled his expression that Bane was unable to meet his gaze.
He faced Mirra. "Which one would you like?"
Demon Lord III - Grey God Page 7