by Diem, J. C.
I didn’t have to tell the nightmares where to go. They took off at a trot rather than a gallop. We rounded the palace and I glanced out through the window. The road leading out of the grounds was clogged with demons. Quickly building up speed, the nightmares called on their invisible force field. Bodies went flying as the soldiers and servants were tossed aside. The wheels bumped over a few unfortunate souls, then we were in the clear.
Barreling down the main thoroughfare, we clattered out through a gate and the steeds headed towards the mountains in the near distance. This time, no one attempted to follow us. Our path became much rougher once we left the road. The wasteland was littered with petrified trees and rocks that had exploded out of the volcano in previous eruptions.
Distances were hard to gauge sometimes. It took us several days to reach the foothills of the mountains. A wide river of lava cut across the barren ground, completely barring our way. There didn’t appear to be a way around it, but the nightmares seemed to know where to go. They turned and cantered alongside the river. We were a couple of hundred yards away from it, but I could feel the heat emanating from it.
Sam stuck his head out the window to see where we were heading. When he pulled it back in, his hair was dusted with flakes of gray ash. “I see a bridge ahead,” he informed me.
I took a quick look myself. I saw an ancient black bridge made of the same volcanic rock that I was so used to seeing by now. It arched high above the river and I wondered how the nightmares would be able to make it over without slipping on the slick surface.
We turned onto a worn pathway that would take us over the bridge. My fears faded when the hellhorses had no trouble pulling us up the sharp incline. Sam, my minion and I were pushed backwards into the soft backrest. The rest of my soldiers had to grab hold of their seat to stop themselves from falling onto us.
We levelled out when we reached the top. After a few short seconds, we were hurtling downwards. My minion held onto the door, I held onto the seat and Sam grabbed hold of me when we rushed down the other side with a noisy clatter of wheels. The bridge had been even steeper than it had looked.
Shadows surrounded us as we entered the petrified forest that the Demon Lord had mentioned. The nightmares stayed on the path that wended through the trees. A glance outside showed me the damp patches where snakes would surely lurk. To step off the road would mean certain peril.
Reading my mind, the nightmares slowed down before we approached the not-so-secret palace. They came to a stop and waited for us to disembark before disappearing.
An unpleasant swampy smell permeated the area. It was even stronger than the reek of sulfur. Through the gloom, I saw large bugs flitting around. They were easily the size of my fist, which meant they were far bigger than anything I’d ever seen on Earth. As black as most critters in these realms, their legs were hairy and dangled like thin strands of string.
One of them lowered itself down until it was hovering over a snake pit. Other bugs gathered around it, but kept their distance. It looked as if they were waiting for something. Its legs lightly brushed the ooze and a snake shot upwards. The bug darted away before it could become a meal.
Gnashing its teeth, the snake was clearly annoyed that it would go hungry. The other bugs surged forward and wrapped their long legs around its slimy neck before it could fall back into the sludge. With horrible chittering sounds of triumph, they bit into its scaly flesh. In seconds, only a skeleton remained. They let it drop and it disappeared into the ooze.
“Holy crap! Did you see that?” I said to Sam.
His eyes were round with fright as he nodded. “They are like the piranha fish on Earth.”
I suppressed a shudder and was glad when the insects flew off into the darkness. I doubted that any bug spray would be strong enough to kill those things. I wasn’t even sure if something as devastating as napalm would work.
Sam looked around at the spindly black trees that surrounded us. “I feel as though we are being watched,” he said quietly.
I had the same feeling and I had to fight off the urge to shiver again. I towered over my friend and lackeys and it was against my instincts to show any weakness. Going still, I realized this was a new emotion and that it came from my demonic half.
Be wary, Morax warned me suddenly. One of the soldiers just informed me that he has been to this palace a long time ago. He advises that it is filled with traps.
Awesome, I said with false enthusiasm. What sort of traps can I expect?
The soldier was chosen to be a test subject when the palace was first built three thousand years ago. He only made it halfway down the first hallway before the floor disappeared. He fell into a pit of sharpened stakes.
I winced at the picture that conjured up. “We have a problem,” I said to Sam.
He didn’t seem at all surprised to hear that. “What did Morax have to say?” He’d known by my vacant stare that I was talking to the spokesdemon of the legion.
“The palace is full of traps.”
Sighing, he shook his head. “The Prince must have planned for your arrival a long time ago.”
“We’ll just have to be careful and take our time rather than rushing in blindly.”
“With luck, the Prince does not know we are here yet,” Sam said. “Perhaps we can sneak in before he even knows that he is in danger.”
A derisive caw shattered that hope as the raven landed on a branch above us. “Damn it! There goes our advantage of surprise again,” I said in defeat.
Almost seeming to grin slyly, my feathered nemesis launched itself into the air again. It took off towards where the palace must be. We trudged after it, making no effort to sneak now.
“I hate that bird,” Sam said darkly. “It has caused us nothing but misery since we first encountered it.”
We followed the road through the forest and soon saw the walls of the dark palace through the gloom. Hints of red from the lava flowing down the mountain that loomed behind the building glinted off them. It was a much smaller version of the normal palaces, but the walls were high and it was still fairly intimidating. The only thing it lacked was a tower with a beacon on the top and the circular chamber where the prince’s quarters would normally have been.
Reaching the edge of the forest, we stopped to survey the building. Instead of the usual glassless windows, thin slots were the only openings that I could see from here. The door was standing open. It was an obvious invitation for us to enter. Forewarned about the traps that lay inside, I searched for any indication of danger and I couldn’t see any. The soldier had managed to make it halfway along the hallway before he’d fallen. I was pretty sure the doorway itself wasn’t booby-trapped.
“Since the Prince already knows we’re here, I think it would be best for you to wait here and for me to go in alone,” I said to Sam.
“It is too dangerous for you to enter by yourself,” he protested.
He was right, but I wasn’t going to let him venture into the death trap that waited for me. “I’ll take some of my minions.” I looked at them and they stared back at me blankly. “You two, stay here and guard Sam,” I ordered two of them. They nodded and took up positions on either side of him. “Wish me luck,” I said to my best friend and bent down to hug him. He barely came up to my collarbone now.
“Come back safely,” he responded.
“I’ll try.” Since I had no idea what trials were ahead of me, that was the only answer that I could give him.
₪₪₪
Chapter Thirty-Six
A long expanse of open ground offered me no cover at all as I walked towards the wide front door. Hearing a whistling sound, I didn’t realize what it was until an arrow lodged in my chest. Staring down at it in surprise, I looked up to see half a dozen more projectiles heading straight for me. Archers stood in the slots high on the wall. They were already nocking more arrows to send down at us.
“Run!” Sam yelled and I took his advice. My three minions took off after me as I zigzagged my way
across the cracked ground. Ash floated down from the volcanic mountain, obscuring my vision. It was showing no signs of erupting, but that didn’t mean it was stable. Anything could happen after I killed the prince. The Hellmaster would find some way to show his displeasure and to punish me.
Making it to the door without being hit again, I pulled the arrow out and tossed it aside. One of my soldiers had been wounded as well. His face remained expressionless as he pulled the projectile out of his shoulder and dropped it to the ground. His wound closed immediately, but mine would take longer to heal. One of the downsides of having an angel inside me was that it interfered with my healing abilities when I was in hell.
A long hallway stretched ahead of us, leading to a throne room. The prince sat on the stone chair. Slouched in what looked like an uncomfortable position, he beckoned me closer with a clawed hand. Sly anticipation filled his scarlet eyes as he waited for me to charge at him. Knowing better, I ignored him and pulled my dagger.
Flickering torches cast moving shadows on the slick black walls and floor as my dagger transformed into a long-handled spear. Treading carefully, I probed the floor with the tip of my weapon. When I was at the halfway mark, the floor disappeared when I pressed on it firmly. A clever trapdoor had been set to fall open whenever anyone stepped on it.
“Nice try,” I murmured. Peering downward, I saw the sharpened stakes that had defeated the soldier that had now joined my legion. Looking up again, I saw fleeting fury on the prince’s face. A flash of silver metal captured my attention and I saw the tarnished object that I’d come for. It sat on a stone pedestal to his left, mocking me with its nearness.
I leaped over the opening and my lackeys followed suit. We carefully worked our way along the hallway. I didn’t get far before I walked into a nearly invisible obstruction. My foe roared in laughter when I staggered backwards in surprise. If I’d still been human, I would have flushed in embarrassment. Instead, I merely scowled.
Glass was rare in hell and it was usually only found in the carriages. The prince had managed to obtain some and it was now barring my way. I banged my fist on it as hard as I could and it just bounced off. Even with my new strength and size, I couldn’t shatter it. Turning in a frustrated circle, I couldn’t see any way to get into the throne room.
“What is the matter, Hellscourge?” the prince taunted me. “Are you so lacking in intelligence that you cannot solve a few little puzzles?” He threw his head back and laughed again. Clearly, he was having a great time watching me fumble around while I tried to stay alive.
Have you already forgotten the hidden doors from the larger palace , Morax asked impatiently. Perhaps you should search for a hidden trigger.
Mentally kicking myself that I hadn’t thought of that myself, I looked at the walls closely. Seeing a stone that stuck out from the wall slightly, I motioned for my lackeys to stand aside then pressed it. A hidden door sprang open, revealing another passageway. Expecting the worst, I ducked aside a moment before a gigantic spear shot towards me. If I’d been any slower, it would have impaled me.
Waiting for a few seconds, I gingerly peered up the long hallway. I was tempted to send one of my soldiers on ahead to trigger any traps, but they might come in handy later. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to sacrifice them so soon.
Walking slowly and staying alert for movement, I stood on another trapdoor. The floor fell out from beneath me and I came close to falling. Only the quick actions of my minions saved me. They grabbed hold of my arms and hauled me backwards to safety.
Feeling heat rising up through the gap, I edged forward to see a pool of magma below. Orange with red tints, it was almost too bright to look at after the gloom outside. We leaped across the opening and I wasn’t ready for it when doors swung open on either side of us. Soldiers boiled into the hallway, hacking and stabbing with their swords.
Morax surged to the surface, eager for a fight. I let him take over and he transformed the spear into his beloved axe. Any demon that came within reach of my blade died. The ones my soldiers took down simply shimmered and disappeared. One of my minions was pushed into the pool of magma, cutting down my bodyguards to two.
“This sucks even more than I thought it would,” I muttered to myself when my foes were all either dead or had disappeared.
I came to another glass barrier that barred our way, and turned to a doorway that would lead us closer to the throne room. With each obstruction that I faced, my anger rose.
Morax voiced his unwanted opinion. Losing control of your temper will not aid you. It will surely result in you making an error, which will end in your death.
Thanks for the newsflash, I said snarkily. I’d never have figured that out on my own.
There is no point aiming your displeasure at me, he replied so primly that I almost sniggered. Save your wrath for your foes.
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. After a deep, calming breath, I took my time to traverse the hallway. It was easier now that I didn’t have the prince goading me to make a mistake. I knew roughly where the throne room was. Reaching it was anything but easy.
Soldiers burst out from behind hidden doors periodically as I slowly and methodically found and triggered each new trap. They slowed me down, but I wasn’t in a rush. I didn’t need Morax to lecture me that speed wasn’t essential right now. Trying not to be impaled by spears, or falling into pits was my main focus.
Reaching a corner, I encountered a new trap when a fireball hurtled towards me. I dropped to my knees moments before it would have smashed into my chest. Crawling along the floor, I almost went headfirst into the next trap when the floor fell away. Again, my minions saved me. They grabbed hold of my legs and dragged me back from the hole.
Staying down low, I searched for a hidden door, but couldn’t see a way around the pitfall. You will have to jump over it, Morax told me.
I’d come to the same conclusion. Moving into a crouch, I saw a rune on the wall at the far end of the hallway. It was similar to the fireball symbol that Sy had created. The only difference was that this one wasn’t speeding up. It spat out a fireball at regular intervals instead.
Glad that the prince’s scribe wasn’t as talented as mine, I judged how much time I’d have to leap over the gap. Waiting for the next flaming death ball to pass over, I stood up and jumped over the pit.
Landing on solid ground, I took a step and another trapdoor fell open. Teetering on the edge of the precipice, I managed to turn and put my back to the wall just before the next fireball was ejected.
Reluctantly impressed with the ingenuity of whoever had created the traps, I carefully made my next jump between fireballs. The floor remained intact this time. I motioned for my soldiers to remain where they were and cautiously crawled towards the rune. No one jumped out to attack me from hidden doors, so I used my dagger to deactivate the symbol.
With the danger dispelled, my minions leaped over the pits to join me. We were in a labyrinth that had death traps everywhere. This was the hardest challenge that I’d faced so far and I was glad that Sam had remained behind. I had far too much to concentrate on without worrying about his safety as well. I just hoped he would be okay until I returned to him.
₪₪₪
Chapter Thirty-Seven
It took me several hours to work my way past the rest of the traps. Even being cautious, I didn’t manage to avoid them all. I was doused in boiling oil and only just leaped back as a fireball came whooshing towards me. The oil burned my skin, but it didn’t hurt anywhere near as badly as fire would have. I was already bleeding from several wounds that weren’t going to heal in a hurry. Being burned was something I’d rather avoid.
Spears were ejected from the walls whenever I stepped on a trigger plate. One rammed through my shoulder and I had to yank it out by brute force. Morax did his best to keep me calm as the red haze of rage threatened to overwhelm me.
Finally, I saw the throne room ahead. The labyrinth had brought me to one of the side entrances
to the chamber. It was huge and torches sent flickering shadows over the slick floor. The pedestal that held the tarnished silver object sat directly across from me. The prince was still slouched on his throne, guarding the prize that I’d come for. Turning his head lazily, he surveyed me and my minions. “I admit, I did not expect you to make it this far,” he said in a musing tone.
Even sitting down, he was impressive. His horns curved up from his forehead and swept back over his head to almost meet at the sharp tips. Leathery wings were folded behind him. His black metal armor was ornate, leaving his chest exposed to reveal the strange markings that had been carved into his flesh.
Sensing another trap, I searched the room, but I couldn’t see anything lurking in the shadows. That didn’t mean that we were alone in here. “Did you send the Wraith Warrior to mark me?” I asked.
He looked startled for a moment then frowned. “If you had been marked, you would be dead.”
“The toxin didn’t kill me. It made me into this.” I motioned at the new form that I’d taken on.
“That is not possible,” he said flatly, despite what his eyes were telling him. “No human could survive the touch of our evil essence.”
“I’m not human,” I reminded him. “I’m Hellscourge, which means I’m different from any being that has ever existed before. The normal rules don’t apply to me.”
The prince tensed when I started across the floor towards him. My two soldiers flanked me. We only took a few steps before one of my minions triggered a trap. He fell through a hole in the floor and silently plunged into the pool of magma far below.
Chuckling, the prince stood. He stepped away from his throne and called on his weapon. It was a spear with a blade that was two feet long. He gestured for me to approach, wearing a grin of anticipation.
Motioning for my remaining soldier to move behind me, I examined the floor. On close inspection, I saw it was made up of square flagstones. Some were faintly marked with a pattern. Touching one with my foot, it fell away, leaving another gap in the floor.