The Dark Path

by James M. Bowers

  Gen walked through the entrance he had made and looked up. He cursed under his breath. The sphere had erased the stairs leading up. The center of the tower was hollow. The only floor inside was the top floor. Gen stood under the stairs and bent his legs. He jumped and just managed to hang on the bottom step. He pulled himself up and began the long ascent to the top.

  Thomas watched from the siege engine set up on the top of the distant hill as the two armies collided. He was right. It was slaughter. Thomas had ordered the engines not be used until necessary. The undead troops marched stoically through the Eremians, methodically killing as they closed in on the center. Thomas had vomited so much that he thought there was no way he could have anything else in his stomach. Beth walked up beside him.

  “I'm going to go help him.” Her tone offered no chance of argument.

  “How will you get through the troops?”

  “Easy. I won't go through them.” Beth turned to face him. “Slap me.” Her tone was calm but she had clenched her teeth.

  “What? Why would I slap you?”

  “Your mother was a whore.” She spat on his face.

  “My mother was a kind and gentle lady.” He wiped the spit from his face.

  “Slap me!” She screamed at him.

  “No!” He screamed back. He felt his anger growing.

  “I saw Marcus with another man yesterday behind the greenhouse,” Beth taunted.

  “You lie!” Thomas was seething. Before he knew it, he had grabbed her and slapped both of her cheeks red. Beth lay her head back and screamed as her skin turned red and the scales grew once more. Her left hand returned to a claw. She reached up and pulled her robes off. Thomas jumped back as wings tore through her back. She reached out when all was through and grabbed the front of his robes. She pulled him close to face her.

  “Next time don't take so long.” She kissed him on the forehead and leaped away from him. Her wings unfolded and she flew semi-straight over the troops.

  Thomas vomited again as the adrenaline pumping through him dumped to his stomach. He forced himself to turn and watch the battle once more.

  Gen climbed the marble steps slowly. His enemy knew he was coming so there was no reason to hurry. There were no windows in this part of the tower. The white marble walls lit the inside of the tower with a faint white light. Gen could feel the presence of the god of ambition watching him here in his temple. Gen smirked. He wondered who had the greater ambition here today, him or his enemy.

  Eventually the stairs ended in a large iron-bound door. Gen reached up and knocked with the back of his right hand. The sound echoed through the large empty tower. The door opened slowly on well oiled hinges. Gen walked through into grand living quarters. The center of the room had been cleared of any obstacles. Aaron stood in the center of the room. He wore the armor of an Eremian general. The only thing out of place was that Aaron wielded a hand and a half sword instead of the gladius.

  “I see you've finally come home.” Aaron's voice grated on Gen's nerves. Gen had shifted his vision as he entered the room but he could see no spells active other than the ones on Aaron's armor and weapon. They were basic spells of protection. Gen smirked at the rough weave of them. They looked as though a child had cast them. The hairs on the back of Gen's neck stood up and he instinctively dove to the side. A small ball of fire bounced off the shield on his left arm. The ball had come from behind him.

  “So that is the game,” Gen said a hint of anger in his voice.

  “This is my game. My rules. My playing field. I'm afraid you will not live through the day.” Aaron's tone was mocking.

  “You are forgetting something,” Gen said quietly.

  “Oh? What am I forgetting?”

  “No one says I have to play by your rules.” Gen suddenly vanished from the room. Aaron looked all around from where his illusions hid him. He cursed under his breath. Where had he gone? He wasn't using another illusion. He stepped toward the center of the room and fell to his knees in pain. It felt as if his soul were being ripped from his chest. Gen stood directly behind Aaron though not exactly in the same plane of existence. He was in the shadow world, the land of the dead. His right hand was embedded into Aaron's heart and he was ripping toward him. He knew that Aaron was helpless back in the tower. Gen didn't have time to waste playing games with his enemies anymore. He was so sick of playing fair to the enemy. Gen ripped Aaron's soul free and held it out before him. The soul looked at Gen with sheer terror in its eyes.

  “I win,” Gen said and with his bare hands ripped Aaron's soul to shreds. He made sure that Aaron would not pass on to any of the other worlds. He would not be able to come back as another form. He stepped back through the barrier and into the tower room. Aaron's body lay in a heap on the floor. Gen drew his katana and with a clean slice severed Aaron's head from his body. He picked up the head and walked to the door. As he was crossing the doorway, he felt a presence at the window.

  “It's already done. Follow me if you must,” Gen said without looking back.

  “Yes, Master,” Beth's voice returned to him. Gen walked down the steps. He hoped the battle would be over soon. He had other enemies to kill yet today. When Gen walked back outside, bodies covered the ground. It looked as if almost every Eremian was slain. He looked over and saw that the only fighting left was over to his right. A circle of undead surrounded a lone Eremian soldier. The soldier swung a war-hammer again and again. Each swing crushed the skull of an undead. Each undead he destroyed fell to be replaced by another. Gen commanded a halt. All the undead stopped instantly. The soldier destroyed a few more before he realized they were no longer attacking him. He stood leaning on the handle of the hammer and panted. Gen silently ordered the undead and they parted to give him a clear path to the soldier. The Eremian looked to be in his early forties. He was missing one eye. The wound appeared to be recent. When Gen entered the circle of undead, the soldier wearily picked up his hammer once more.

  “I guess this is it then,” the soldier said sadly. He saluted Gen then stood at the ready. Gen tossed Aaron's head at the soldier. The man caught it deftly and turned it around to see who it was. When he recognized his general, he looked back up to Gen.

  “Take the head and go home to Eremia. I will send some soldiers with you to make sure you make the journey. Tell your leaders there that they are to send no more soldiers into this land. If they do, I will add them to my army.” Gen ordered a hundred undead to travel with the soldier and protect him till he arrived at Eremia. With that said, he turned and started to walk off. The soldier called out and stopped him.

  “Why would you spare me?” The soldier called.

  “Think more on how you are going to live your life now. You fought here with honor but you should have left with Peleus. Now leave before I change my mind.” Gen walked away from the soldier and back up the hill to where he knew Thomas waited. When he arrived, he stood quietly beside his friend. Beth stood off to the side and gazed down upon the battle field. Her wings flexed impatiently.

  “Is it done?” Thomas asked quietly.

  “Aaron is no more.”

  “That isn't what I asked.”

  “No, it is not done. I must go to a cave southwest of here. That is where she is.”

  “We will go with you then.” Thomas reached up to put a hand on Gen's shoulder. He found that he couldn't grip it though. It was like a force covered Gen and wouldn't let his hand get closer than a hand-span away.

  “Take the students and return to the Schola. Show them around and tell them how things are done here. Offer them the chance to stay and be taught. I will be back before the dawn.” Gen walked over and mounted his horse once more. He rode silently away. Beth followed without comment, the blades in her claws appearing and disappearing absently.

  “Have you ever seen spells like those he cast today?” Marcus asked from beside Thomas.

  “No. The books at the Schola cover nothing like what he has done today.” He turned to face his love. “What
did you feel when he broke that illusion spell earlier?”

  “I felt as if my soul cried out in terror.” Marcus' brow furrowed in a deep frown.

  “I've seen Gen undo a spell before. I didn't think that you could rip one apart.” Thomas shivered. “I thank the gods that I am his friend. I can't think of anyone that could stand against him now.”

  “He will come back Thomas. Have faith in him.” Marcus put his arm around Thomas.

  “I know he will come back. That's not what worries me. I'm worried who he will be when he returns.” Thomas gave Marcus a quick hug then pulled away. “Come, let us do what he said.” Thomas turned and walked over to the nearest group of Gen's students.

  When Gen arrived north of the cave, he saw the dragon waiting on him.

  “I take it that victory was yours?”

  “He is no more.” Gen's tone was flat.

  “What took you so long?”

  “He was inside the temple. I had to go to him. Sorry you had to wait.” Gen reached up and scratched the jaw of the huge dragon's skull. “What news of the cave?”

  “The dragon is a black one, fairly young. I didn't recognize him. I don't believe he saw me. He sits at the entrance to the cave waiting for you I would guess.”

  “I don't have time to deal with him. Do you think you can take care of him on your own?”

  “Without a problem. Would you like anything special done with his corpse?” The dragons eyes burned hungrily.

  “No. Do with it what you will.” The dragon turned his fiery eyes to Beth.

  “The scales suit you well, young mageling.”

  “Thank you.” Beth bowed slightly at the compliment.

  “Come and visit me at the Citadel later. We will have some tea.” The beast let out a bellow of a laugh as it launched itself into the air. Gen turned to Beth.

  “Is he serious, Master?”

  “He makes good tea.” Gen turned his horse around to face the direction of the cave. “Try to keep up.” He kicked his heels into the horse and galloped up over the hill toward the nearby mountain line. Beth took flight and glided easily behind him. They arrived at the cave to find the black dragon's corpse laying shredded to large chunks. Blood covered the ground all around the entrance. Gen didn't see his friend so he slowed his horse and dismounted. He patted the horse on the nose. “Eat if you are hungry.” He said to the horse. He walked calmly toward the mouth of the cave. He had to restrain himself from running. He had other obstacles yet to face.

  “Master, shall I come with you?” Beth asked quietly.

  “It may mean your life,” Gen replied coldly.

  “You might need my help, Master.” She hoped he wouldn't be mad at her for that.

  “True. Be on guard,” Gen said simply. They walked on in silence till they arrived at the cave entrance. Gen could see no spells cast over the entrance. He stepped to the entrance when he heard Beth scream. He turned to see a dark rapier tip protruding from her chest, a figure in black robes trimmed in blue flames standing behind her. The figure withdrew the blade and Beth fell limp to the ground. The figure reached up and pulled back his hood. He was an elf, Gen could see the pointed ears. His skin was ebony black and his white hair was held back in a long braid. His eyes glowed a deep red.

  “At last we meet.” The voice was heavily D'Nhian accented.

  “Who are you?”

  “You wound me! I am your rival.” The dark elf smiled in a sneer. His eyes glowed a deep red.

  “I wasn't aware that I had a rival.” Gen's mind was racing. He could feel no spells being cast though. He would keep up the banter a little longer. “Just what is it that we are in competition for?”

  “Our Dark Lord's favor of course. It seems that for me to become his General I have to kill you.” He licked his lips. “Oh how I've longed to kill you.”

  “Why would you want to kill me? If you want to become Necros Rex' General, then do so. I do not desire the job.” Gen was confused. What was all this about?

  “Oh, but you are his favorite. He chose you specially. His plans for your training were ingenious. Though of course, I'm much better without having gone through it.” He laughed. “To think a mage would think himself stronger than a follower of the Dark Lord.” He laughed again.

  “I really don't care what you think. Right now all I care about is that you are in my way and you seem to have killed my apprentice.” He looked down at Beth but could see that she was still breathing faintly. He hoped that her demon blood would keep her alive.

  “Oh, she's not dead. She may be fun to play with after I deal with you.” He grinned revealing sharp white teeth. “So, what shall be the method of our duel? I'm your match at everything so I will allow you to choose.” Gen could feel the presence of the lord of the dead over them both. So the Master was watching his puppets play. He hoped he enjoyed the show.

  “How about physical combat? I don't feel like wasting magic on you,” Gen goaded his opponent a bit.

  “Oh lovely! Shall we fight here?” The dark elf's eyes burned with his blood lust.

  “In just a moment.” Gen bent and picked up Beth. He carried her well out of the way. As he lay her down, she grabbed his wrist with her left claw. “He is more than he appears,” She whispered before she lost consciousness once more. Gen turned from her and walked back to face the dark elf.

  “Are you finally ready? I'm afraid I can't wait any longer.” His red, glowing eyes pulsed slightly.

  “Then let's begin.” Gen drew his katana just in time to block the elf's lunge. He was fast. Gen had to give him that. Gen pushed the rapier point away and finished his draw. The elf licked his lips and smiled. He winked and flew at Gen. Gen saw a blur of blade points all seemingly coming at once toward his face. He brought his shield up just in time. The force of the blows knocked him back slightly. Gen looked at his shield to find it riddled with a dozen holes. So his blade cut through his defensive spells. Gen began to sweat a bit under his helm.

  “Will you hold a second?” Gen asked.

  “Most certainly. Don't take long though.” The elf giggled and stepped away. Gen removed his shield and helm. He took off all his armor wearing only the black cotton pants that he wore underneath. He went through a short series of stretches. When he was finished, he nodded to the elf.

  “I'm ready.” As soon as the words were said the attacks came again. This time Gen responded with the same speed. Steel rang against steel throughout the valley. The combat went on without break for a long time till the elf stepped away. He was breathing heavily and his face was twisted into a snarl. Gen stood calmly, his breathing was light and untroubled. His expression was blank.

  “How are you able to block my attacks with that stupid weapon?” The elf panted out.

  “I'm merely better than you are,” Gen said quietly. The elf screamed as he came at Gen again. The blades rang their song of violence once more. This time Gen started attacking as well. Soon the elf was backing slowly away from Gen's constant counterattacks. The elf suddenly slipped on a pool of dragon's blood that covered the ground. Gen took the opportunity and sliced the elf upon the arm before he caught his balance. The dark elf's eyes burned in anger and he pushed his left hand outward toward Gen. Lightning arced from his fingers and covered Gen. Gen fell to the ground under the attack as the lightning burned through his shields. He hurriedly cast another shield but felt the rapier tip rip through his left shoulder. Gen didn't cry out in pain. He brought up his blade to impale his opponent but the elf ripped Gen's blade out of his hand with another spell. Gen knelt upon the ground and looked up at the hatred in the dark elf's eyes.

  “We agreed no magic,” Gen said through clenched teeth.

  “Your rules. Not mine. Now you die.” The blade ripped out of Gen's shoulder and Gen braced himself for the killing blow. It didn't come. Gen opened his eyes to see the dark elf held off the ground a few feet. A massive hand was clenched around the elf's throat and was squeezing. The elf's eyes were starting to bulge out of his he
ad. His arms and legs twitched uselessly. Gen's opponent suddenly covered his body with green fire. The fire didn't burn the hand that held him though. The flames quickly died out as if they were drained into the one holding him. Gen stood slowly and looked up to his savior. He nodded as he recognized Duncan.

  “What shall I do with him?” Duncan's deep voice said calmly.

  “Lower him so I can reach his head,” Gen replied. Duncan lowered the elf and Gen reached up and placed his right palm upon the elf's forehead. The dark elf's eyes glowed with bright white light. The body turned to ash a second later.

  “Thank you, Duncan,” Gen said calmly.

  “What I did in the past can never be forgiven. My life is yours if you want it,” Duncan said flatly.

  “We'll discuss that later. For now, help me by gathering Beth over there.” Gen motioned toward his apprentice's unconscious form. “It's time I brought her back. I will return shortly.” Gen walked into the cave, blood flowed down the wound in his shoulder. He didn't seem to notice.

  XXXIII

  Awakening

  The cave was lit with a dim green light that flowed from around a stone dais. Atop the dais, lay Meeka's still form, dressed in white robes, her body eerily lit by a sphere of green energy that covered the area. Gen's eyes shimmered briefly as he looked at the weave of magic cast upon it.