The Peacock Angel: Rise of the Decarchs
Page 59
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Og was at a full sprint. He could see, he had full control of his body, and he was ready for whatever tried to stand between him and his little demon friend. Dantalion's cave was not much further ahead. He could smell the water in the air, and the sound of it crashing down into the pool was growing in volume. He managed to run even faster.
He was well into the lair of the Great Duke when he finally slowed. Instinctively, he assumed a defensive posture and readied himself for the attack from Dantalion or his guards. It never came. Og was alone.
He took no time to ponder his good fortune, choosing instead to race past the falling water and rock pool straight over to the stage apron where he bypassed the stairs and leapt up to the center of the stage. Past the statues and beyond the throne, Og could see Hidimba still lying on the stone bed. The hope in his chest began to bloom. As he drew closer to the little demon and could see him clearly, however, the hope withered, died, and was replaced by a pain that dropped the giant to his knees.
The process of turning Hidimba into a Deadtalker had begun. They had already burned him. Og was too late. Hidimba was almost unrecognizable, but the giant knew it was his friend they had done this to. He lay exactly where Og had seen him last, and his cloven hooves with their unique markings were left unharmed. The rest of him, however, had not been spared.
It was hard for Og to look at what lay on the bed, but he forced himself to. The little demon was all one color now—a raw pinkish hue had replaced his mottled skin. His ears and most of his nose had been burnt off. His lips, formerly thin and dark, had swollen so much that they were splitting near the center. His eyes were also swollen, and Og couldn't tell if they remained in their sockets or if they had been plucked out. Bone was visible where the flesh from his cheeks had been cooked off and on the end of most of his fingers. Og imagined that Hidimba had tried to shield himself with his hands, thus the severe burning of his digits. That visual took Og down to all fours. He wanted to die right here next to his friend. This was his fault.
Hidimba was still alive. The demon's body trembled continually from the trauma inflicted upon it. The giant wished it wasn't so. Death was release for the demon. Hidimba would be far better off free from this ruined body, his spirit unbound and able to roam. Perhaps he could even find a new body-a better body. And like a stone cast from an angry mob, and idea struck Og with dizzying force.
It was madness. It probably couldn't be done. It was their only chance. But first Og had to take Hidimba away from here. Moving the demon would most certainly kill him, but there was no other way. Dantalion and any of the others could reappear at any moment. Og would kill them if they did, but that wouldn't do Hidimba any good. And if Azazel came here, well, Og hoped he didn't.
"Hidimba," he whispered. "Hidimba . . . I'm going to take you away from here. I'm going to fix this. I'm so sorry for what they did to you, but I'm going to fix this. Can you hear me little friend?"
There was no response from the demon besides more trembling and a raspy wheeze that escaped from its throat. It may have been an answer, or perhaps just Hidimba fighting to stay alive. Either way they had to go. The giant scooped Hidimba up in his arms as gently as he could. He could feel the demon's ruined flesh sticking to his own. He fought back the tears that threatened his eyes.
The same raspy noise came from Hidimba again. This time Og knew that the demon had said his name. He tried to compose himself before answering. "I'm here little friend," he said. "I've got you. I'm taking you away from here."
"Og," the demon found the strength to whisper, "I wanted badly . . . to hear . . . the rest of your story." Hidimba collapsed from the effort. He didn't even tremble anymore. Og feared it was over.
"You will hear it little friend," the giant whispered back. "I'm going to fix this. Get you a new body. A strong body." His thoughts turned to his own cave, and he began to run back to it with remarkable speed. But no matter how fast he moved, he still couldn't outrun the giant tears that were trailing him again.