Odder- The Blood Curse

by Nathaniel Red

  Rows of the imps lined up along the path. Odder stood in wonder. It would take an army to make it into the sepulcher. He stepped forward - no movement from the imps. Alright, nothing to fear. He took several steps. The imps moved their heads, fixed on Odder. He took a few more. This time, the thousand imps stepped with him, making a thunderous clap. He continued to the entry with the imps matching each of his steps until they arched around him. Odder wiped his brow unsure if the heat caused his sweating or the anxiety of the imps closing in. He continued until he stood at the blue hue of the iron gate.

  No handle? How am I supposed to get in? He kicked the door. The imps stepped closer. He turned. "Wait, wait, I didn't take a step." He held out his palms, but they stepped closer, now within a few feet. The imps raised their claws as if ready to attack. Odder stepped back, his amulet flashed, and he fell through the iron gate, landing on the ground.

  "What the..." He jumped to his feet. The amulet must have allowed me to go through. A strong smell of brimstone and a loud rumbling like giant boulders rubbing against each other caught Odder by surprise. He jerked around.

  And there it was, Odder cringed, the source of the silq. He covered his eyes, then peeked through his fingers. He pulled his hands down his face and covered his mouth. It can’t be? The Rigans treatment of the suffering elves is inexcusable, but this is appalling. The most valuable substance on Arcaina and it comes from this? A combination of shame for not knowing the truth and anger stewed inside his veins.

  Odder looked into its eyes. He saw a fire of unforgiving hatred staring back. "How long have they entrapped you?"

  It shook its head trying to free itself from a bluish illuminating brace that wrapped around its stone neck, jaw, and forehead. Chains as large as a hundred elves stretched out its arms with spikes inserted into its rocky hands. Shackles circled its waste with more than twenty chains connecting it to the inner volcano walls. Its flesh crusted and black like cooled magma. Metal claws pried open its aggregate rocky chest like an eagle gutting its prey. An iron spout, embedded into its red glowing heart, siphoned the silq into a system of ducts and out the chamber like a farmer harvesting sap from a tree. Odder knew, in an instant, the creature was another golem and maybe even the dragon fire golem Karzan spoke of.

  Odder raised his voice. "I'm sorry. This isn't right, but I must take some of your lifeblood to save this world. If I defeat the Queen and her goblins, I promise to come back and free you in return."

  Fire blew out the golem's eyes. Its voice muffled by its head restraint. It pulled its arms trying to free itself from its bindings.

  "I take it you don't like that idea." Odder searched the sides of the jagged cavern for a way to come close to the silq. A small ledge circled the walls and up to a domed ceiling. He spotted a metal basket at the end of a chain and pulley, hovering just above the pool of lava.

  Odder traced the chain up to a swiveling crane which circled above the golem and back down to a winch on the opposite side. He calculated. A two elf job unless my magic comes through.

  He scaled a small footpath to the bottom. The golem pulled again and shook the entire cavern. Rocks rained down from the ceiling and took out part of the path ahead of Odder. He heaved back, clinging to the rocks.

  Odder refocused. About a twenty-foot jump. I got this. He leaped and with a little magic push, landed one foot soundly while the other fell to the side. He fought to regain his balance then continued until he neared the basket. Another ten-foot jump but this time over erupting lava. He leaped, falling into the basket.

  The golem stomped like a stampeding herd. Odder used his magic to turn the winch and raise the basket just before a wave of lava overtook it. The golem twisted its body and yanked at the chains. More rocks tumbled from the ceiling and sides.

  Odder pointed a finger and used his magic to move the crane. The basket circled the golem and toward the spout. He unsheathed the Maha'De and knocked away some falling rocks. His swings nicked the golem's chain, causing the metal to fracture. The basket went past the spout, and he had to backtrack.

  The golem viciously yanked at the weakened chain until it snapped, freeing its right hand. It swiped at Odder, missing, but instead, seized the chain and flung the basket up and down. Odder flew out but grabbed the metal link at the bottom of the basket. He swung in every direction as the golem tried to shake him off.

  At an opportune moment, the basket swayed by the spout. Odder swung the Maha'De and severed the duct. Silq sprayed out like a severed warm artery from a frost giant. Odder plunged his sword into the golem's lifeblood.

  The Maha'De radiated, filling the cavern with beams of blue light. The golem flinched and tossed the basket into the side of the wall. Odder tumbled off the rocks, down to the footpath, and nearly rolled off into the lava. He cried out in pain as his leg jammed in between two boulders.

  The golem searched for Odder and found him helpless. It reached for him when several golden imps flew from above and jumped on its hand. Several more jumped onto its broken chain and pulled it toward the opposite wall.

  Odder lifted his head. Above him was the door he fell through but now with numerous golden imps flying into the cavern to subdue the golem. They guarded the source of the silq as well as made sure the golem doesn't escape. Odder took the opportunity to retreat while the imps were distracted. He forced the boulders away, healed his leg, and climbed out into the imps' chamber. He sprinted to the iron door and slammed his fist into it. The door opened, and Odder hurried out.

  ***

  Ostasis led the group into a luxurious tropical room with fresh ponds, waterfalls, and exotic birds and vegetation. Rigan servants served chilled water and food to the group. While they ate, Odder finished telling them what happened.

  "I know you hate what we've done, but please understand our golem is a mindless raging brute that terrorized Rigan for centuries." Ostasis handed Odder another cold flask of water. "Nothing like your golem from what you say. The King received many plans. Some called for its destruction and some for its capture. The King found the golem too precious to destroy, so our clerics enacted a plan to capture the golem and harvest its magic."

  "Yes, but look at the harm it's done outside your walls," Finkle said.

  "Somewhat true," Ostasis replied. "There are some unintended consequences but look at all the good. The advancements in our magicurgy, spells, armor, weapons, and our great economy. The positives cannot be denied. The silq is life. There must be order. We have over two thousand years of this truth."

  "It doesn't sit right with me," mumbled Finkle. "Karzan and Serra - What do you think?"

  Serra leaned in and in a snarky tone said, "I don't care."

  Finkle scowled. Her words too crass even for him.

  "I don't believe in the suffering of elven kind, but at this moment we have a bigger battle than politics," Karzan said, his voice subdued in diplomacy.

  Odder stood. "Karzan's right. This is not our battle."

  "Your new power is blinding you, Odder?" Finkle said, pointing his finger at Odder’s face. "Where is your compassion?"

  "It disgusts me as much as it does you, Finkle, but our quest comes first," Odder answered. "Once we're triumphant, then we can work on changing the laws of the land."

  He bowed to Ostasis and thanked him. "Will you lead your men with us to Skyger?"

  Ostasis shifted in his chair and placed his fist on his mouth as if holding in his contempt. A guard approached and whispered into his ear. He stood. "We have done our part to help you, but our greater purpose is to protect the source of the silq." He held out his hand. "May the Celestines be with you."

  "But we are fighting an army of goblins," Finkle interrupted. "We need an army!"

  Odder gently pushed Finkle behind him. Holding in his anger, He took off the amulet Ostasis gave him and placed it into his hand. "If we can't stop them, they will come for you."

  With a hardened heart, he turned and left Rigan - leaving them to face the consequences of their own
decisions.

  CHAPTER 27

  FALSE SAVIOR

  Once outside the granite walls, the group searched through the lifeless crowds of half-dead townsfolk for Aimma.

  They spotted Corbin standing alone.

  "Corbin, where's Aimma?" Odder asked.

  "I do not know."

  "This is where we left her," said Serra.

  "She left or maybe taken," Finkle said.

  Karzan looked up at the Eye of Adeit. "It is almost time."

  "How long?" asked Odder.

  Karzan adjusted his spectacles. "Ah, Mid-morning but we still need to find transportation to Skyger."

  "Let's split up. We can cover more ground." Odder pointed to Finkle and Corbin. "You two check west. Karzan and I will check north, and Serra..."

  "... I'm fine on my own. I'll check south then track up north to meet you."

  "Perfect," said Odder. He searched for a landmark and found a giant fallen statue of a dragon to the north. "There. We'll meet at the statue in an hour."

  "I haven't had an opportunity to ask how you are doing," said Karzan as he walked with Odder.

  "As well as expected, I suppose."

  "And your magic?"

  "What I know is almost second nature." He paused. "I can see traces of magic similar to when I looked through your spectacles."

  Karzan raised a brow. "Really?"

  "Yet I still have doubts."

  "Uncertainty is natural, but the truth is you have become very powerful."

  "Powerful enough to guard the portal from an army of goblins and kill their scorpion Queen?"

  "As mortals, we have an endless number of future possibilities. Too many to know every outcome. All we can control is what we do right now." He gripped Odder's shoulder. "Trust the future to the Celestines but do what you need to do at this moment."

  A cloud of uncertainty loomed in Odder's thoughts. "The Celestines." He shook his head. "I still have my..."

  "... Doubts?" Karzan interrupted.

  "Yes."

  "So, seeing is believing even after all you've been through?"

  Odder sighed and relaxed his shoulders, then chuckled knowing he must surrender his contradiction at some point. "You’re a good teacher."

  Karzan laughed. "Indeed lad, the best. Now let's find Aimma."

  They searched the northern village until they came to the woods.

  "We should head back," Odder said. "The other's may have found her."

  Karzan nodded. "One more thing. Remember the Maha'De is powerful but not yet complete. You will need a Skyger high wizard to bless the sword with celestial energy."

  "You're a high wizard. Can't you do it?"

  Karzan tilted his head and looked to the heavens. "I suppose, if I knew the spell."

  "I know the spell," interrupted a voice from behind.

  Odder and Karzan turned.

  "The Mask of Vasul." Karzan pulled his wand from his tunic. "Stand behind me Odder."

  Odder questioned his eyes. "Prince Destin?"

  Dressed in black studded leather armor and wearing a matching cape and hood, Destin answered through his mask, "Yes Odder."

  "The last time I saw you, you were lying face down on the ground with a scorpion digging into your back. The Queen told me you were alive, but I didn't believe her."

  "Oh, I'm alive, and yes, I still have my friend." A golden scorpion tail with stinger rose behind Destin's back.

  "Why are you here?" demanded Karzan.

  "For the sword of course. Hand it over, and I will spare your lives."

  "I doubt that," said Karzan. He whispered back to Odder. "Can you see any goblins hiding in the forest?"

  "Don't worry potion master. I'm alone. The Queen had other plans."

  "In that case, you cannot defeat me. I am older, wiser, and much more powerful than you."

  Destin laughed. "Yes I agree you are older, wiser perhaps, but I am the most powerful wizard in Arcaina. A red glow encircled him.

  Karzan stepped back, shielding Odder, and gripping his wand. He shot a magic bolt at Destin who in turn deflected it.

  Karzan created a fireball and launched it. Destin caught it and flung it back, hitting Karzan in the leg. He fell to his knee.

  Odder unsheathed his sword causing a massive burst of light. Destin shielded his eyes for a moment.

  "Yes." He looked back. "The Maha’De - magnificent."

  "I don't want to hurt you," warned Odder. "Whatever spell the evil Queen has you under, we can break."

  "Oh Odder, always the faithful servant." Destin stepped forward, his stinger snapping in the air. "There is no spell. I wanted this!"

  "Odder!" Serra shouted, running from behind. She jumped and landed in front of Destin, striking him in the chest several times with her dagger. Sparks flew.

  Destin stumbled back but then vanished, reappearing behind Serra. He kicked the back of her legs, knocking her to the ground. He pulled out dagger - Serra's missing dagger and prepared to stab her when Karzan summoned a wind twister launching Destin into the air.

  Destin landed on his feet and dusted himself off. "Your magic is useless against me. I can see your every conjure. And Odder, the rumors are true, I see your magic aura now. All these years detached from magic, how does it feel?"

  Odder launched a massive fireball. Destin knocked it into a tree making it burst into flames. "Does that answer your question?"

  "Impressive. Wielding magic with your thoughts. Very high-level wizardry."

  Serra threw two stilettos into Destin's shin. He yelled and bent down. Karzan fired bolts of lightning, one right after the other. A think bluish haze shrouded Destin, hiding him.

  "Odder, run back and find Aimma and the others," Karzan commanded. "Then head to Skyger."

  "I won't leave you."

  Serra stood holding her dagger and stiletto and keeping her eyes fixed on the haze.

  "Just go!" Karzan yelled.

  Odder stepped back slowly until he was far behind them.

  The haze cleared revealing Destin crouched to the ground with his cloak covering him. A sinister laugh emanated, then the earth shook and split like linen ripping. Karzan made a circular motion with his wand and chanted a spell. A purple ball of magic formed around him and lifted him in the air.

  Serra flipped back several times and jumped just before the ground crumbled under her.

  Destin stood and flung back his cloak. He pulled the stilettos from his shin and launched them at Serra while she jumped. She blocked one, but the other landed in her side and knocked her back to the ground.

  Odder had enough and charged back with the Maha'De drawn.

  Destin's cloak turned into giant demon wings, and he flew toward Karzan.

  Karzan reached into his cloak, pulled out two small golden cubes with magic symbols stenciled on all sides, and threw them at Destin. “You may be able to anticipate my magic attacks, but these you cannot avoid.”

  The cubes enlarged, twisted open, and attached to Destin’s hands.

  “What are these?” Destin laughed. “Toys? You are indeed senile.”

  Destin tried flicking them off with no avail. He then clanged them together, but a golden chain released and connected the cubes like shackles.

  Karzan fired a web of electricity and nocked him to the ground.

  “Enough of this!” Destin yelled. The cubes heated to a glowing red and burst. He snarled and vanished but reappeared in front of Karzan.

  Destin reached through Karzan's magic bubble, gripped his wand, and snapped it. He glanced at Odder, then lashed his stinger into Karzan’s neck. Karzan fell to the ground.

  "No!" Odder jumped twenty feet into the air and sliced off one of Destin's wings.

  Destin fell, landing on the ground on all fours like a feline.

  Odder landed behind him and charged.

  Destin turned and blasted Odder in the chest with an energy ball, knocking him ten feet back.

  Odder laid on the ground, his chest smoking, and bones
aching. He gasped for air and rolled to his side.

  Karzan laid on the ground with his fingers twisted and black poison splintering through the veins on his neck. "No! No!" Odder cried out.

  Serra pulled the stiletto from her side. Blood shot out like a decapitated onyx snake. She held her palm over her wound to keep anymore from spilling.

  She marched toward Destin, one hand on her side and the other holding her dagger. She passed Karzan and glanced at the pain frozen on his face. Her jaw tightened, and she growled. "I'm going to kill you!"

  "Look at you," Destin said. "You wasted your whole youth trying to find and kill me."

  "It's only a waste if I fail," Serra said, spitting blood.

  "You're weak, but you can be so much more. You are clueless about your true potential."

  She marched closer. Her white knuckles tightened on her dagger.

  "Watch Odder. Witness the Xenduri's true nature." Destin held up his palms and chanted. A fog left his hands and surrounded Serra, then seeped between her fingers, sealing her wound.

  Geometric marks formed and moved on her skin. She struggled to move her legs and fought to take the next step.

  "You have darkness running through your veins, and I control the darkness."

  A film covered her piercing blue eyes making them black as tar. She cried out, dropped her dagger, and fell to her knees.

  Rage fumed in Odder. He focused on his healing in hopes his magic would mend his wounds in time.

  "Xenduri, take off your skin and let me taste your evil." Destin motioned for Serra to come. "You are bound to me."

  She stood and walked toward him.

  "Come closer and witness the truth. Then you will understand, and you will no longer be alone." He held his hands out as if to embrace her.