Bound by Fire

by Ronald Craft

Chapter 35

  Smoke rose from the top of the tower, and rubble covered the courtyard. Lifeless bodies stared upwards, their lives spattered across the stones beneath them. The smell of charred flesh and urine filled Kane's nose, and blood soaked his tunic up to the elbows.

  He emptied the contents of his stomach onto the ground.

  Valnoth got what he deserved, yet these others were innocent. All this death and destruction were for naught.

  As soon as Chaerok and himself had arrived within the keep they had attacked. Assassins darting from every corner, and every shadow. Knives, arrows and swords coming from every direction. He thought he would truly die for the second time at that moment.

  It was not to be.

  Black fire shot out from Chaerok in every direction, devouring any that ventured too close. Kane's demon sword hacked through them as if possessed by a will of its own. By the time they left the tower, its steps had turned from white to red.

  Each step he took made a sucking sound, as he walked through the sticky blood of a hundred men and women.

  Their blood is on my hands too. I should've done something to stop this.

  Once they emerged into the courtyard, the scene repeated itself. Kane, forced by Chaerok's control to wield his sword, danced and twirled, the dark sword singing in his hands as he separated arms, legs and heads from their owners.

  The crunch of foot on gravel came from behind Kane. “Face me,” Chaerok beckoned.

  He wiped his mouth on his tunic, and turned around, his eyes meeting Chaerok's own. No longer was Chaerok the scared and whimpering version of himself. He stood straighter, his eyes were like that of two dark coals, and his voice no longer quavered when he spoke.

  No, Kane thought to himself, this is no longer Chaerok. This man... this thing is something else. As much as it pains me to think this, I would rather have the old, useless Chaerok back.

  “You should thank me. Isn't this what you wanted? To punish the ones that caused you such grief?” He gestured to all the broken and burnt bodies around them. “I have granted your wish.”

  Kane shook his head. “No, this wasn't my wish. The only one that should have died here today is Valnoth. You went too far.”

  Chaerok shrugged. “So my dog isn't pleased. Well, howl at the moon then, dog, for all the good it'll do you.”

  Kane balled his right hand into a fist.

  Was that truly a god that was in chains inside Valnoth's dungeon? How could a god, immortal and all powerful as they were said to be, end up bound in chains by a mortal?

  The thought sent his heart racing. If what he had seen was real, then everything he thought he knew about the gods' was irrelevant. Nothing was as it seemed.

  “I can't do this anymore, Chaerok. I'm just a blacksmith. I can't just run around destroying innocent lives as if they're candles to be snuffed out.”

  Chaerok snorted. “You mean you were a blacksmith. What you were no longer matters. Be thankful I let you stay as yourself, and not a mindless servant. I could just as easily have stripped your personality away. It's a gift I've given you. You'd best not squander it.”

  If this is a gift, then what would a curse be like?

  He shook his head. “This is no gift you've given me. If you won't kill me, then I'll have to do it myself.”

  Kane walked away from Chaerok.

  Just a few steps more and I'll be there.

  He still remembered that day in the forest when he had tried to leave Chaerok to go find Ilian. Despair settled on his shoulders like a great weight.

  I never did find Ilian. All this distance I've covered, all the things I've suffered through, and it was all for naught. What did I ever do to deserve this curse?

  “Kane,” Chaerok said from behind him. “I know what you're doing. It's futile.”

  He continued forward, one step after another. “I intend on ending this miserable existence of mine here and now. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll climb the highest mountain, or sink to the deepest part of the sea. God or not, there has to be some place you can't follow me.”

  “Kane, what happened to all that determination you once had? Are you really going to give up on poor Ilian? Look how he struggles.”

  He stopped, and turned towards Chaerok. “What do you know of—”

  Kane's voice stuck in his throat at the sight in front of him. Black flames flickered before Chaerok, and within them he saw a boat gliding across the sea. The crew scurried across the deck like ants, and on the rear of the boat the captain struggled with the wheel, shouting orders. Two men held onto a rope, and a woman with bright-red hair stood staring at them.

  No, he thought. That's Ilian. He looks a man grown now. Kane gritted his teeth. And that treacherous bitch Karena is with him.

  The image abruptly changed from the ship back to Lochden. He saw himself pinned against the wall, blood leaking from newly opened wounds. Karena stood in front of him, her eyes full of fury. Blood dripped off her daggers.

  My blood. She took everything from me.

  Just as suddenly as they appeared, the images were gone. The flames chased their tails, and vanished in the air above Chaerok's head.

  “They'll be here soon, Kane. The ones you most want to see.” Chaerok's smile didn't reach his eyes.

  He's trying to trick me. Who's to say those images are even real?

  Kane's anger had returned all the same. He ground his teeth together, and the muscles bulged in his arms. He clenched his hands into fists. “Why did you show me that?”

  That same smile turned Chaerok's pale lips upwards. “Isn't that what you wanted to see? I only did the duty of the gods', and gave you that which you most desired.” He showed his teeth. “I do believe, 'be careful what you wish for' does come into play here, don't you agree?”

  “I won't let you trick me. It's plain to see you care nothing for the mortals that so revered you.”

  Chaerok laughed, long and hard. When at last he finally caught his breath he had that same smile on his face. “You have it all wrong, Kane. I may have a godly body, but I am no god.”

  “What? Dagfinn called you Bale right to your face.”

  Is he trying to play me for a fool now? What is Chaerok planning?

  “It's true, I do have Bale's body.” Chaerok tapped his head with a finger. “But I am not Bale.” His smirk widened. “Bale was killed a long time ago with the rest. I only needed to rid myself of Dagfinn. If I'm to become a god myself, then I can't have any of those old crusty gods hanging around.”

  Kane was taken aback.

  If this isn't Bale, then just who is it?

  “How did you obtain this body, Chaerok? What exactly are you?”

  Chaerok shrugged. “Don't know.”

  “You don't know?” Kane threw his hands up. “What sort of fool do you take me for?”

  “That's the truth of it.” Chaerok cocked his head. “When I found you, my memories were all but gone, and I was practically dead.”

  Kane shook his head. “It clearly wasn't you that picked me up off that street. Why do you have two personalities? Who is Chaerok, really?”

  “That weakling personality of mine...” Chaerok spit. “I don't know where it came from. It disgusted me every moment I had to watch him mope around, unable to do anything for himself. Finally, I have enough strength to take over.”

  “One more question, then, if you'll humor me,” a voice said from behind them.

  Chaerok whirled around, and Kane's eyes widened.

  “Why did you call me brother?”

  Valnoth stood before them looking as hale as he did when they first encountered him. However, the voice was not his own.

  “You took over Valnoth's body, Dagfinn? I thought I had rid myself of your stench permanently.”

  The expression on Dagfinn's face was full of something that went beyond hate. His eyes were narrowed, his lips curved downward into a frown, and white-hot fi
re covered his arms. “Answer my question. Why did you call me brother?”

  “Why,” Chaerok gestured towards Dagfinn, “I was just playing the part. You're the one that named me brother. I didn't want to disappoint you. Besides, I'll be a true god soon enough once I have Bale's heart.”

  Not if I have my way. I will stop you, Chaerok.

  Dagfinn raised his arms up, and a blast of flame so large flew from his fingertips that Kane felt the heat even from behind Chaerok. Darkness blazed from Chaerok, and swirled around the white flames. The two opposing fires churned like two great serpents in the sky trying to devour one another, but neither made any headway. It felt as if his skin would melt should he venture any closer.

  “I see you wield my brothers' power well enough,” Dagfinn said. “Even so, you're not my brother. Bale's power was darkness itself. Your power pales in comparison.”

  It seemed to Kane that they were equal. Neither could overpower the other.

  Wait, I see it now. Sweat is beading Chaerok's head, and his breathing grows heavy, but Dagfinn doesn't even look like he's struggling.

  “I'm only just warming up,” Chaerok panted. He sent forth another burst of dark fire but Dagfinn equaled it with a flick of his hand.

  “Is this what you thought a god was?” Dagfinn asked. “Is this what you thought Bale was? Someone that went around harassing humans, enslaving dead sparks to himself, and shooting little balls of fire around?” Dagfinn clenched his teeth. “I'll show you what a god can really do, you worm.”

  The ground around them trembled, and lurched beneath his feet. Kane threw himself out of the way as the earth parted beneath him. Bodies and rubble from the tower all vanished within the great hole that opened.

  A large gout of flame burst from the depths of the hole far off into the sky. From within it emerged a creature that Kane had only heard in legends. A large snout and white eyes, a mouth with a set of massive square teeth, and a serpent tongue coated in the same flames that surrounded its body. It had arms and legs the size of tree trunks, and a hammer in one hand that could crush a dozen men in one blow.

  “The demon that burns, Pureus,” Kane uttered, strangely calm despite all that stood before him.

  Chaerok sent a blast of flame towards the demon, but it swung its great hammer and smashed through it with ease.

  “T—This cannot be,” Chaerok dropped to his knee, drops of sweat pouring off his face. “I should be your equal.”

  Dagfinn walked over to Chaerok and grabbed him by the chin. “You are far from my equal, worm. I may have hated my brother, but he deserved better than having a worm crawl around inside his skin.” The white flames slithered down his arm towards Chaerok. “It's time I purged you.”

  Chaerok screamed, and a huge burst of dark fire sent Dagfinn flying backwards. The true god tumbled and rolled across the ground. Thirty paces away, he pushed off the stone beneath him and flipped backwards, sliding to a stop on his feet.

  Dagfinn chuckled. “The flame always burns hottest just before it dies. You shan't be doing that again.”

  Chaerok faced Kane, and met his eyes. His breathing was labored, and Chaerok looked even more haggard than before. The look on his face sent a shiver down Kane's spine.

  Are you truly gone, Chaerok? Is this all that's left of the man I journeyed with? The man that was searching for himself, searching for some recollection of his past?

  Kane closed his eyes. Did you even have a past, Chaerok?

  “Dog, I have need of you.”

  Kane's eyes opened, and his hand went unbidden to the sword at his side. He drew it with the same raspy sound he had started to become so accustomed to hearing. Dark flames licked the air around the blade, and devoured the light around him.

  Dagfinn's gaze met his. “A worm, and a dog. How fitting.” He spread his arms wide “Show me how a dog fights.”

  The fire on Kane's sword erupted, and coated his body in an armor dark as night. Flames danced across his arms and legs, but they did not burn. The fire was cold to the touch.

  “Kill him,” Chaerok shouted.

  And then he was flying, the point of his sword aimed at Dagfinn's chest. The same chest of the man that had once been Ilian's true father. The man he had wanted to kill so badly.

  Now, he wasn't so sure.