“We’ll continue this tomorrow,” he said with an evil yet satisfied grin. “Hopefully she’ll make it through the night.” He laughed and left them alone, taking the book with him.
Eli felt nothing but despair as he held her frail form in his arms. The ritual had taken almost all the life from her. He wished he could just travel back to Santuario and give her to Magdelin to heal, but somehow Zar’Asur kept him from that ability. His hope now rested with the Council.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zar’Asur walked up the central stairwell of the castle, completely pleased with himself. He would have a positive report for his master, which would improve his position greatly. When he reached his study, he opened the large, ornate wardrobe and stepped inside. The wardrobe opened into a secret chamber, which he used to communicate with his master. He laid the book on the small pedestal, then knelt down on the plush cushion in front of it and waited. He didn’t wait long before a faint image appeared before him. His master’s harsh voice commanded him to report. “Tell me that you have been successful using the Watcher’s power.”
“Yes, Master, it worked exactly as you said it would,” he replied reverently.
“Very good. How many did you summon?”
“We now command six,” Zar’Asur replied.
There was silence, and Zar’Asur started to get nervous.
“They will try to free the Watcher and her Sentinel,” the master said.
“We will crush them easily,” Zar’Asur replied with confidence.
“No, you will take the book and leave.”
Zar’Asur almost stood in defiance. He could not hide the contempt on his face. “Why would I run when we’re so close to destroying them, Master?”
“Our goal is to upset the balance in our favor, not theirs. Do not lose sight of the true purpose,” his master replied. “And do not question my commands.”
Zar’Asur lowered his head to the floor. “Yes, Master. Forgive me. I’m just anxious to see their destruction.”
“As am I, but we must be patient. Make sure you are gone before sunrise, and leave the demons to fight the Council.”
“Yes, Master. It will be done.” Zar’Asur did not raise his head until he felt the connection die.
He removed the book from the pedestal, closed the wardrobe, and started packing his things. He resented his master’s plan. He wanted to watch the destruction of the Council, knowing that his newest demons would crush them. But he would not disobey, as the punishment for disobedience was worse than the disappointment of not seeing their deaths. As the sun started to rise over the mountain, he felt the presence of the man he truly wanted out in the hallway beyond his door. The Council would likely be right behind him. Zar’Asur knew he should leave, but he wanted one more confrontation with his newest foe, so he took hold of the man’s body and forced him to walk into the room.
Chapter 14
I was sitting on a garden bench with Cyrus when Raphael found me. Cyrus was fascinated by everything at Santuario and had dozens of questions about the people, where it was located, and how we all looked so young. I could’ve sat there for hours answering questions and was grateful for Raphael’s interruption, until I saw his expression. Mikel must have come up with a plan.
“Raphael, do you think someone in the library could start teaching Cyrus another language?” I asked.
“Yes, certainly,” Raphael replied, looking at the young boy. “There are several apprentices there that are fluent in many languages. They would be able to teach him anything he wished to learn.”
“Cyrus, it’s your choice,” I said, looking at Cyrus. I hoped to distract him from the fact that Raphael and I would be leaving soon.
He sat in thought for a moment. “Maybe I’ll try French, and if that’s too hard, I’ll pick something else,” he replied then glanced from Raphael to me. “You’re going back to the castle to rescue your friends, aren’t you?”
I sighed at the boy’s intuitiveness. “We can’t leave them there. I imagine we’ll be leaving within the next few hours.” I wouldn’t lie to him, he had already experienced so much in his young life.
“I understand,” he replied. “Please make sure you come back.” He jumped up and ran towards the library.
I looked over at Raphael as I stood. “Did you ever have children?” I asked as we walked towards the tower.
“No, I didn’t,” Raphael replied.
“I don’t know how to talk to him. Sometimes I feel like I should soften some of the reality, but then it feels like I’m lying to him.” I grew up an only child, so I didn’t have any experience with younger siblings.
“I don’t think he ever had the opportunity to be a child, so I’d recommend treating him like a young man,” Raphael suggested.
“You’re probably right.” We reached the tower and went up to Mikel’s office to find Adalina, Aneera, and Magdelin already there with Mikel.
“Please have a seat,” Mikel said, then started outlining his plan. “It’s not a good plan, but I can’t come up with anything better, so any suggestions you have are welcome. I want Darian to go back to the same room where he found the book the first time. We need to know if it’s there, in the dungeon or in Zar’Asur’s possession. I’m betting that Zar’Asur has moved it, but once we know for certain, I want Adalina and her warriors to storm the front gate and engage that monstrous demon. Darian will join Adalina while Raphael and I search the dungeons for Juana and Eli. It’s highly unlikely that we’ll be able to destroy this monster, so don’t get anyone killed trying. We just need to keep it occupied long enough to free our companions. Once they are free, we’ll travel back here.”
“What about Zar’Asur?” Adalina asked. “I don’t imagine he’ll stand by and let you roam through the castle.”
“If we encounter Zar’Asur, I’ll engage him while Raphael continues to the dungeons,” Mikel explained.
We all sat there with troubled looks on our faces. It really wasn’t a very good plan, but I couldn’t think of anything else to add that would help us succeed.
“Cyrus told me that the demons dug another passage in the dungeons,” Magdelin said. “He didn’t know what they used it for, but it might be useful for you to know.”
Mikel nodded. “It could be a possible escape route for Juana, Eli, and Raphael, rather than trying to run back through the castle. I think we have to assume that our ability to travel will be nullified in the dungeon, otherwise our companions would’ve escaped already.” He looked at all of us for confirmation. “Then let’s be ready to go in ten minutes.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our small group of thirty arrived in the grove of pines just beyond the castle. Mikel inclined his head, indicating that it was time for me to go. I pulled the illusion around me and traveled into the castle, directly to the hallway outside of Zar’Asur’s room. As soon as I arrived, I could feel the book. Having confirmed its location, I attempted to travel back to Mikel but realized I couldn’t. I felt my legs moving towards the door and my arm reaching for the knob to open it. I mentally screamed at myself to stop, but my body wouldn’t listen. As soon as I entered the room, I knew why. Zar’Asur’s evil smile greeted me as I involuntarily closed the door behind me. I could still feel the air around me making me blend with my surroundings, but it obviously didn’t matter to him. I released the illusion and stood before him.
“Welcome back,” he said with a sneer. “I didn’t get your name the last time you were here.”
“That’s because I didn’t give it,” I replied sarcastically.
He snarled at me. “Yes, I know. Now, tell me your name,” he said.
“What do you want with me?” I asked, ignoring his question.
“I want you to join me of course,” he said. “You are the first to be able to stand here in the presence of the book.” He stood and walked towards me, carrying the book with him. “I can give you power and wealth beyond your wildest imagination. There is so much we could accomplish together.”<
br />
I had prepared myself for an encounter with the book, reinforcing the barrier that Raphael’s bracelet already held around me with my own strength.
“I would never join you,” I said in disgust. “You only seek death and destruction, which is something I will have no part of.”
Zar’Asur shook his head in mock pity. “Then it will sadden me to have to destroy you. So much power should not be wasted, but I can’t allow you to fight against me.” He opened the book, and I could feel its power pressing against my barrier, forcing its way through and trying to create a bond between us. I fell to my knees, sweat pouring from my brow with the effort to not lose control as flames flickered around my hands. The pressure eased when a loud, harsh voice echoed through the room.
“You disobey my command to leave so you can toy with this insignificant creature!” the voice roared. “Leave now, or your suffering will continue to multiply!”
As quickly as the voice came, it was gone, forcing the book’s focus back towards me. Zar’Asur slammed the book closed and looked at me with fury burning in his eyes. “You will not survive my dreadlords regardless,” he spat. He then picked up a large bag next to the door and left.
The pressure from the book receded, but the power I had absorbed did not. I hesitated leaving the castle. The exorbitant amount of power coursing through me might be enough to destroy the dreadlord that Adalina faced. I thought about traveling to the courtyard, but was afraid I couldn’t contain the power while using the travel spell. I rushed down the stairs, and just as I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I nearly ran over Raphael. He startled when he saw me, fear washing over his face.
“I’m fine, Raphael.” My voice didn’t sound like my own, and the look of disbelief on Raphael’s face indicated he didn’t agree. “It’s a long story, but we’ll have a repeat of the plateau outside of Santuario if I cannot leave here. Except this time, dozens of innocent lives will be taken as well.” I motioned towards the people in the kitchen who were frozen in fear, watching our interaction.
“I’m trusting you, Darian, because you have not failed us, but I think this power will be better used against those demons,” Raphael replied.
One of the kitchen workers approached Raphael. “They summoned five more,” he said. “They are down in the dungeon, waiting to attack your army.”
Raphael and I looked at one another, fear still in his eyes. I looked down at my hands; they were covered in flames.
Raphael looked at the people standing around us. “Get everyone out of the castle, now. As far away as you can get. Avoid the battle out front as much as possible and run.” They nodded and started rushing out of the room. Raphael looked at me. “Come with me.”
I followed Raphael into the stairwell that led to the dungeon. When we reached the bottom, I saw Eli and Juana standing next to the bars of one of the cells. They stepped back when they saw me, the same fear consuming their faces. I wrapped my flaming hand around the lock, and it melted instantly.
“Raphael, they made me summon more of those monstrous creatures. They are in a cavern at the end of this tunnel,” Juana said as she pointed towards the newly dug passageway. “We need to hurry before they exit the cavern. I assume Adalina is up there.”
I looked at the three people standing before me, each looking back at me with alarm. I knew my eyes were burning just as bright as my hands, making me look like the rest of the demons.
“Go to Adalina and Mikel, tell them to retreat now. I will destroy the demons in this cavern with the power that Zar’Asur gave me before he fled.” I turned towards the tunnel, not giving them an opportunity to argue, only hoping they would hurry. I couldn’t contain the fire pulsing through my veins for much longer. It took several minutes for me to walk through the passage and find the cavern that Juana described. As I entered the cavern, five of the monstrous demons turned to look at me, roaring as one. I raised my arms in the air and released all the power that I pulled from the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“We must hurry,” Eli said. “We cannot be anywhere near this place when Darian releases that.”
“I agree,” said Raphael. “He’s holding more power now than when he arrived at our gates from his first encounter. I don’t know how he’s not burned alive.”
They emerged from the dungeon and immediately traveled to the grove of pine trees. Adalina and her warriors were still fighting against the single monster that engaged them in front of the gates.
“I’ll get Adalina,” Eli said. “Take Juana back to Santuario. She is still very weak because of what he did to her.”
Raphael nodded and they left. Eli sprinted to Adalina, a look of relief crossing her face. “Time to go!” he yelled at her. She gave the same command to her warriors, just as the ground shook beneath them. She looked at Eli with a worried expression and he yelled again, “Time to go, now!” They all disappeared, leaving a confused and angry demon behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mikel was in the castle looking for Zar’Asur, but he only found dozens of Csökkent. A few tried to engage him in battle, but most were running out of the castle with bags on their backs, clearly abandoning their stronghold. He had sent Raphael to free Eli and Juana, feeling certain that Zar’Asur wouldn’t be hanging out in the dungeon with his prisoners. But Mikel couldn’t find him anywhere in the castle. Did he flee before the fight started? Mikel doubted that was the case; if Zar’Asur left, it was for a different reason. He was running up the main stairwell when he felt the castle shake and saw cracks running up the walls nearest to him. He paused, wondering what could possibly cause such destruction. It shook again, and an immense heat nearly engulfed him as he traveled back to Santuario.
He landed at the gate just after Adalina, Eli, and the warriors arrived. They were shaken and bloody, but Mikel was blistered and burned from the fire.
“Let’s get you to Magdelin,” Adalina said to Mikel. “You look like you almost didn’t make it out.”
Mikel let her take his elbow and lead him through the gates. “What was that?” he asked. “Was it one of the demons that Zar’Asur summoned?”
“I have no idea, but the entire ground split open beneath us just as we left,” Adalina said.
Eli stopped walking. “It was Darian,” he said quietly. Adalina and Mikel stopped as well.
“What do you mean?” Adalina asked. “Is he still there?” She looked back and forth between Mikel and Eli. Mikel shrugged, clueless about what had just happened.
“Zar’Asur used Juana’s power, bonded with that damn book to summon five more of those huge demons.” Eli shook with anger. “They were waiting in a cavern beneath the courtyard to attack you. Darian must have met Zar’Asur before coming to us because he was burning with power, which he intended to use to destroy the cavern and probably the whole valley as well.”
Mikel and Adalina stared at him in shock.
“I have to go back for him,” Adalina said with tears in her eyes. Mikel nodded, and she left.
“I’m sorry, Mikel,” Eli said sadly.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Mikel replied. “I assume that Juana made it out as well?”
“Yes, Raphael brought her just before we arrived. She should be with Magdelin now.” Eli hung his head and continued to walk towards Magdelin’s home. “Come, you need her attention as well, or these burns will leave some very nasty scars.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adalina traveled back to the same grove of pines, but this time the trees were gone. A large rift ran from the edge of the trees to a crater where the castle once stood. Everything around her was smoldering from the fires that dotted the area. She followed the rift towards the castle, looking for the place where she thought the courtyard used to be. She picked her way down into the crater, occasionally sliding on loose rocks and debris from the castle. The bottom of the crater was littered with huge beams of wood and chunks of demon flesh still burning from the explosion. When she finally reached the center, she
saw him lying on a cleared patch of dirt, as if everything was thrown away from him. His clothes were in tatters, but his body was untouched. She knelt down next to him and pulled his massive frame to her. He felt very warm, and it only took her a second to realize he was still breathing. Her heart raced with joy as she lifted him from the ground and traveled back to Santuario.
When she arrived at the gates, she bellowed at guards. “You, open the gate!” she yelled and pointed to one and then the other. “You, help me carry him to Magdelin.”
When they arrived at Magdelin’s, her house was already full. They all looked up when they saw Adalina and the guard carrying Darian.
“He’s still alive,” Adalina exclaimed with tears running down her face. “Where can we put him? He’s not light, you know.”
Magdelin reacted first. “Take him into my room. The extra bed is already in use,” she said. When they laid him down, Magdelin took over. “He’s burning up. Get me a bowl of cold water and several towels.” Adalina rushed from the room and was back within minutes. “I’ll take care of him, Adalina. Please go in the other room so you aren’t in the way.” Her words sounded harsh, but her expression was gentle and compassionate.
Adalina went back into the living room, joining Mikel, Raphael, and Eli. They sat there in silence until Adalina could not stand it any longer. She stood and put her hands on her hips.
“Will someone tell me how he ended up in the middle of that destruction?” she demanded.
The three men looked at one another, shrugging their shoulders.
“I have no idea,” Mikel said.
“I found him in the castle’s kitchen when I was going downstairs to free Eli and Juana. It was obvious that he’d had another encounter with the book, except this time he was somehow able to control it.” Raphael paused. “I hope it was the bracelet that gave him the strength to maintain his focus.” He smiled sadly. “One of the slaves in the kitchen told us that there were five more of the large demons in a cavern in the dungeon. I think it was then that he decided to stay behind to destroy them, knowing that he would not be able to contain the power for much longer. We went to the dungeon and found Eli and Juana. Darian melted the lock on their door with his bare hand.” Raphael had an amazed look on his face. “His whole body was radiating such an intense heat, it was almost impossible to stand next to him. When Eli and Juana were released from the cell, he told us to get Adalina and her warriors to safety, and that he would take care of the remaining demons in the cavern.”
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