Latest / Shallow Nights: Scary Bedtime Stories / Clash of Shadows: Demons, Angels, and the Battle for Power
Transcript
- 0:15I faced the young man. Outside of the scruffy attire,
- 0:19he was a fairly attractive young man.
- 0:21More so however, I saw a demonic taint within him.
- 0:24This man who wasn't like a Munda, piqued my interest.
- 0:29He had no symbols or packs etched into his flesh like a
- 0:32Munda, nor did he carry a continuous scent of sulphur
- 0:36about him. I explained to him we were
- 0:39hired, but a Munda interrupted me.
- 0:42My expertise was requested. Amunda said, approaching the
- 0:46newcomer. I had to thank Amunda, having
- 0:49him in our deception kept me from accidentally exposing us
- 0:53because of this unknown variable.
- 0:56I rolled my eyes. Yes, of course, master, my
- 0:59apologies. With welcomed contempt, the
- 1:02newcomer mocked Amunda. Fancy tattoos you have there?
- 1:06I can't imagine what weird basement sorcery gathering he
- 1:10found you 2 at. As Amunda furrowed his brow, I
- 1:14did my best to suppress a laugh. I'll have you know.
- 1:18Amunda defended. I have done this before, boy.
- 1:22He narrowed his eyes. I'm far more practiced at this
- 1:25thing. You likely are.
- 1:27Ignoring Amunda, I answered the man's question.
- 1:31The two of us, as a matter of fact, escaped from a Vatican
- 1:34prison. Why was I there, my dear
- 1:38apprentice? Amunda asked, clearing his
- 1:41throat. My agitation was rising, but I
- 1:44had to keep the ACT up. Because you were tasked to
- 1:47summon forth a demon. I grumbled, which I did.
- 1:51The Munda celebrated back to his old form.
- 1:54A truly vicious little demoness. He added.
- 1:59Who else escaped? I interjected to bring a Munda
- 2:02down a notch and still managed to take down an age.
- 2:06I cut a Munda off before he could continue and give away too
- 2:08much. But you are.
- 2:11I paused, locking my eyes with the newcomer.
- 2:14Far more interesting. What exactly are you?
- 2:18I asked to giving him a sweet smile.
- 2:22My name is Alec. He began before Minister Dentry
- 2:25appeared. His name is Alexander, and yes
- 2:29my dear, he is special. Minister Dentry announced.
- 2:33That's why I brought him here tonight, because of the things I
- 2:36have heard about him. What have you heard?
- 2:39Alexander asked. That you have a very special
- 2:42gift when it comes to demons. What would that gift be, Joshua?
- 2:48Alexander continued with a grin. Minister Dentry replied.
- 2:52I haven't quite figured that out yet, but I'm not fretting about
- 2:56that. Let's get this party started.
- 2:58He beamed. Amunda motion to the circle he
- 3:02had drawn. Mr. Dentry, if you would stand
- 3:05by the circle and think of the name of the demon you wish to
- 3:07barter with, we can begin. Let's keep things within reason.
- 3:12Yes, Master. I grimaced, recalling how Amundo
- 3:15reached too high last time while the circle he drew was weak but
- 3:19didn't guarantee things would go according to plan.
- 3:22The last time you reached too high, you summoned A concubine
- 3:26rather than the demon in question.
- 3:27I reminded. Do you mind repeating that?
- 3:32Alexander asked, his head turning towards me.
- 3:36This man couldn't know anything about our succubus, could he?
- 3:40I grin. To him, my master's greatest
- 3:44accomplishment was attempting to someone one of the seven Crown
- 3:48Princess of Hell, but instead he called forth his concubine, a
- 3:52powerful and rather ravishing demoness.
- 3:55I recalled the beautiful succubus who passed my cell.
- 3:59I envied her, so we tracked her here.
- 4:02She's quite powerful as I recalled the succubus and pulled
- 4:07the feather from the Angel out from my sleeve.
- 4:10This came from the Angel she defeated during her escape.
- 4:14I slowly spun the large feather back and forth, watching as the
- 4:18white and black size of it contrasted so beautifully.
- 4:22Does your master's accomplishment have a taste for
- 4:25frat boys? Alexander questioned.
- 4:29He must have been tracking the succubus too.
- 4:32Did he have a lead? He must have been closer to her
- 4:35than a Munda. Very likely.
- 4:37I said with my eyebrow raised. Have you seen her?
- 4:41I very much need to speak with her.
- 4:43I explained as I close the distance between Alec and me.
- 4:48I think if she is powerful enough to beat an Angel then
- 4:52perhaps you should steer clear. Alec warned.
- 4:57He was aware the feather wasn't some bobble as he eyed it
- 5:00curiously. So tell me, what kind of plans
- 5:04do you have for that feather? I smiled, he knew far more than
- 5:09a Munda, he was an intriguing man.
- 5:12Before I could find out more from him or see if he could
- 5:15serve as an ally or fodder Minister, Dentry interrupted.
- 5:20Will you 2 quit your bickering and focus on the task at hand.
- 5:23I brought you 3 here for a reason.
- 5:26Fine, I will get your goddamned demon.
- 5:30Alexander said as he reached into his pocket and from his
- 5:33jacket pulled out a bottle of blood.
- 5:37My eyes went wide as I saw this Swirling within the human blood
- 5:40was the blood of a demon. It was some kind of natural
- 5:44mixture, as if they drew it from someone with a demonic lineage.
- 5:48Where did Alexander get such a thing?
- 5:51In a rather proud moment, he turned to a Munda.
- 5:54This is how real sorcerer's summon a demon.
- 5:58My eyes went wide. That was too powerful for our
- 6:01purposes. Before I could act, Alexander
- 6:05had already poured a few drops out of the bottle and into the
- 6:08salt of the circle. Amunda shot Alexander a dirty
- 6:12look as I looked on helplessly as the blood sunk into the salt.
- 6:17And what is that? Amunda scoffed.
- 6:21The ground shook as the salt sucked in the blood.
- 6:24That's Amunda began. Never happened before.
- 6:29Why actually bringing something powerful?
- 6:32My stomach sank. Even though he activated the
- 6:35circle, no one had spoken the demon's name aloud.
- 6:39Things weren't terrible. I could suggest a lesser demon
- 6:42quickly and we wouldn't be in over our heads.
- 6:45I tried to give a name to the spell, but someone had already
- 6:47given a name. Wait.
- 6:49I turned to Minister Dentry, who did you summon?
- 6:54I stumbled back as the ground shook once more.
- 6:57He burst forth from the floor as the salt glowed and melted.
- 7:02One who can do what needs to be done.
- 7:05Minister Dentry announced. To bring about the apocalypse.
- 7:09The Destroyer? My eyes widened.
- 7:13There was only one well known destroyer that Dentry could even
- 7:16know about. Christians demonic knowledge is
- 7:18limited, so if he was only referring to the book of
- 7:21Revelations, that meant there was one creature he could speak
- 7:24of. You called upon Abaddon.
- 7:27I shouted. Yes.
- 7:29Minister Dentry shouted in joy, the complete fool.
- 7:33Because when I do, the time of revelations will finally be at.
- 7:37A thunderous boom from the circle interrupted Minister
- 7:40Dentry's preaching. Thankfully.
- 7:43I rushed to Alexander, grabbing him, giving him a desperate
- 7:46glare. Whatever you did, undo it.
- 7:49Undo it now. I growled.
- 7:51I want to serve a demon Lord, not get destroyed by one of
- 7:54their purge. Everything flunkies.
- 7:57The smell of a burning wood filled the air, and I turned to
- 7:59see the summoning circle was now burning up.
- 8:02The salt had melted into the floor, searing the surrounding
- 8:05wood, and I saw the name of the demon now burning forth from the
- 8:09other side of the floor in the center of the circle.
- 8:13Abaddon. Amunda shouted.
- 8:16This is far more potent than the succubus.
- 8:18I called forth. I need help to bind it.
- 8:21Amunda was an absolute moron if he thought he could bind Abaddon
- 8:25to him. No human had that capacity.
- 8:28None alive, anyway. If I knew that crazy Minister
- 8:32wanted to summon him, I would have never, ever come here.
- 8:35Alexander argued. The Regents I had were designed
- 8:39to pull a lesser demon. I had nothing potent enough to
- 8:42draw forth Abaddon while the men bickered about.
- 8:45Who is more responsible than the other for our impending doom?
- 8:49The ground jostled, sending a stage light hurtling towards the
- 8:52ground. I staggered back, grabbing a
- 8:55curtain to steady myself as the ground shook beneath me.
- 8:59Expecting this to continue, I slipped my heels off.
- 9:03Whatever was about to befall us, I'd need to run without fear of
- 9:06snapping off a heel and winding up some sad, sorry damsel in
- 9:10distress. A dark hand reached out from the
- 9:14circle. And any other circumstance, this
- 9:17would have thrilled me. But Abaddon wasn't a demon that
- 9:20cured for bargains, reason, or souls.
- 9:24Abaddon had only one goal if they summoned him.
- 9:28A pair of massive black wings spread out of the hole, followed
- 9:32by a pair of huge hands grasping out of the circle.
- 9:36He looms out, massive iron armor stuck to his huge body, rusted
- 9:41and tarnished, portions burned by fire.
- 9:45The face on the creature is beyond hideous, distended like a
- 9:48horse but with sharp predatory teeth.
- 9:52Behind, a huge scorpion tail rises out as massive hoofed feet
- 9:56crash against the floorboards, snapping them beneath his
- 10:00weight. As he roared at us, Minister
- 10:03Dentry approached Abaddon with little care.
- 10:06Well, I thought to myself, at least he will die shortly.
- 10:10Oh, happy day. Minister Dentry cried happily.
- 10:13The end times can finally begin now, demon.
- 10:16Break the seals and begin the time of tribulation.
- 10:20As if my disgust for humanity and the faithful could not get
- 10:23any more intense, a new level of hatred dawned on me.
- 10:27The fool thought he could bind a demon of hell, all to bring
- 10:30about his version of the End Times.
- 10:33Abaddon roared at Minister Dentry, knocking him flat on his
- 10:36ass. Hey.
- 10:38Minister Dentry cried out. You are bound to me, demon
- 10:42trifling mortal. Abaddon bellowed.
- 10:45Your arrogance will be your undoing.
- 10:48I grinned as Minister Dentry held his hands up uselessly as
- 10:52Abaddon crushed his skull beneath his mighty hoof.
- 10:56At least I got some satisfaction for the evening, watching
- 10:59Dentry's face twist into a look of absolute fear and dread as
- 11:03the very thing he called forth murdered him.
- 11:07At least this part of the plan had gone well enough.
- 11:09Dentry was dead, and that was one soul paid to asthma.
- 11:13Die now, this world shall burn at the hands of Abaddon,
- 11:18Destroyer of Creation. The world burning with me in it
- 11:23didn't fit into my plans all too well.
- 11:26I was still 8 souls in the hole, I couldn't fulfill my debt if I
- 11:30was dead. Amunda was staring at Abaddon
- 11:34with wide eyes, shocked and proud of what he felt.
- 11:36He called forth. Are you going to gawk at him all
- 11:41night? Alexander shouted.
- 11:43Amunda stammered. I didn't have Regents capable of
- 11:46pulling such a potent demon. This is.
- 11:49He stumbled over his words beyond my imagination.
- 11:53Fear said into him as the gravity of the situation made
- 11:56itself clear. I put an end to the bravado that
- 11:59surrounded me and threatened to kill all of us.
- 12:02If both of you would spend less time bickering and more time
- 12:06sending the Destroyer of Creation back to hell, it would
- 12:08be most appreciated. Both men turned their attention
- 12:12to me as I glared at them, doing my best to wear my indignation
- 12:16proudly upon my face. I'll buy time, figure something
- 12:20out. Amunda said to me as he
- 12:22approached Abaddon. Rather noble of him to sacrifice
- 12:25himself at this point. I turned my focus to the
- 12:29competence Summoner. If I would lose a Munda, I'd
- 12:32hide behind Alexander going forward, Great demon Abaddon.
- 12:37Amunda blustered. As the Summoner whom hath called
- 12:40you forth, I bind your will to mine.
- 12:42Submit to me. I'm sure that would work.
- 12:46Alexander shouted with a heavy helping of sarcasm.
- 12:50Men, I thought to myself. Alexander had his bottle of
- 12:54blood once more, now scrawled a sigil on the floor.
- 12:58It was a binding sigil, I realized.
- 13:00As much as he mocked Omunda, Omunda at least realized that
- 13:04his attempt was merely stalling for time.
- 13:07He's not a dog, I explained. He's a demon, and a damn
- 13:11powerful one, I argued. Is your blood even potent enough
- 13:14to send him back? And do you have any better
- 13:17ideas? Alexander snapped.
- 13:20Maybe Amunda was worth keeping instead of Alexander.
- 13:23False ego was better than ego with actual talent.
- 13:27He wasn't 1 to tolerate chiding, that was certain.
- 13:31While I had plans to use the angel's feather in some dark
- 13:34ritual that would corrupt it fully, I needed to rely on its
- 13:38purity. Dark cannot cast out dark, and I
- 13:41am forced to ask an Angel for help.
- 13:43I reached for my feather. I have this.
- 13:46I said begrudgingly. I had other plans for it, but
- 13:49all things considered, despite my offer, Alec drew his binding
- 13:53circle. I'll admit it was a powerful
- 13:56circle, and it would have bound just about any demon to it.
- 14:00It would have held firm too, allowing us time to escape or
- 14:04unmake the summoning circle, sending the demon back to the
- 14:07pit. But Abaddon wasn't just any
- 14:10demon. Abaddon's hysterical cackle
- 14:13emphasized this, which he let loose in reaction to Amunda
- 14:16trying to bind him. I turned just in time to see
- 14:20Abaddon's mighty tail crash into Amunda and send him hurtling
- 14:23towards Alec. Amunda's body barely missed me
- 14:27as he flew like a rag doll through the air.
- 14:30Amunda crashed into Alec and the pair tumbled 2 meters away from
- 14:33the circle Alec had drawn. Murda.
- 14:36I cursed as I made my way towards them to see if either of
- 14:40them or both were dead. I pulled Amunda off of Alecs,
- 14:45finding the pair alive despite the circumstances.
- 14:48We will need to work together. A grimaced.
- 14:51Finding both of them while not dead, not faring.
- 14:54Well, the circle wouldn't work unless we had some kind of
- 14:59miracle, and now I knew the feather was our only choice.
- 15:03It was that or die, and I wasn't really in the mood for death.
- 15:07Before I could break down the new plan, the ground shook and I
- 15:11turned to see Abaddon advancing towards us as who fell upon the
- 15:15sigil that Alec had drawn, causing him to halt.
- 15:18Did it somehow work? The sick grin which spread over
- 15:22Abaddon's face informed me that no, it had not.
- 15:26He moved his hoof away and the sigil broke with little effort
- 15:29from the mighty beast. Amusing mortals?
- 15:33Abaddon taunted. Quite amusing.
- 15:36I took a step back as the demon advanced on me.
- 15:39Unlikely as it was, maybe I could reason with it.
- 15:42Show who I belong to. I reached to reveal the brand on
- 15:46my shoulder. It was unlikely to save me.
- 15:49He'd most likely laugh at my misfortune and send me to suffer
- 15:52at the hands of asthma. Die.
- 15:55Before I could display who I served, something had pushed me
- 15:58away from the path of Abaddon. I tumbled to the ground.
- 16:01A grunt in the familiar sound of snapping bones emanated from
- 16:04where I just was. I turned back to see Abaddon now
- 16:09crushing Alex's chest. Even without Alex's actions, my
- 16:13life might not have been an immediate danger.
- 16:16But now we might be down an actual Summoner.
- 16:19And the Summoner who brought this creature forth to boot.
- 16:23With a glare. I shouted at Alec, who now found
- 16:26himself pinned below Abaddon's heavy hoof.
- 16:28Very noble of you, but it doesn't fix our situation.
- 16:32I heaved A sigh. I had hoped to twist this relic
- 16:35or use it as an offering to the darkness, as they could use it
- 16:39as they saw fit. Now, however, I had to do the
- 16:42opposite. I had to evoke the spirit within
- 16:45the feather. I cast my dark spirits away from
- 16:48myself so that channelling the divine spirit within wouldn't
- 16:52destroy them, and held the feather firmly in my hand.
- 16:56Evoking spirits isn't hard. If the spirit was keen on the
- 16:59ACT, then it was an even better evocation.
- 17:02But to evoke a spirit properly, 1 needs to know the spirit's
- 17:05name. I hope the Angel would whisper
- 17:09to me, otherwise I'd die. With the feather firmly in hand.
- 17:14I took a deep breath, whispering to myself.
- 17:18I guess it's now or never. Alec coughed up blood while
- 17:22Abaddon taunted him. You stink of Mongrel's blood.
- 17:26To think a creature like you would bring me forth as
- 17:29asthmatized little whore fails to break the first seal as I
- 17:33stand before you. I began hoping to get an idea of
- 17:37the spirit's name as I tried to bring it forth.
- 17:39Almighty Spirit, nothing so far. This wasn't going well.
- 17:45I closed my eyes and continued the evocation, focusing on
- 17:49bringing the spirit from the feather.
- 17:52Bless me with the wisdom to understand you.
- 17:54Grant me access to your Kingdom so that I may communicate with
- 17:57you. Keep me safe.
- 17:59I felt light headed and I could swear I heard my mother's voice
- 18:02somewhere in the back of my mind.
- 18:05I opened my eyes to see the feather now glowed.
- 18:07Progress was being made, progress that burned my skin as
- 18:11the feather charged itself with holy power, but progress
- 18:14nonetheless. Abaddon's laughter broke my
- 18:18concentration briefly. You attempting to invoke the
- 18:22spirit of Enoch? He glanced at me, ignoring Alec
- 18:25for the moment. Laughable at best.
- 18:30Alec sat himself up and bit his hand, blood pouring from the
- 18:33wound. He shouted at me.
- 18:35I don't know if this will work, but dip the feather into the
- 18:37blood. Abaddon stood between me and
- 18:40Alec. This was why I removed my heels.
- 18:44I ran straight at Abaddon and slid between his massive legs.
- 18:47I got to my feet and barely dodged Abaddon's mighty tail
- 18:50before I got to Alex's side. Despite all the things that had
- 18:54gone wrong, Abaddon had made a grave error.
- 18:58He told me who the feather belonged to surround me with the
- 19:01light of grace and the Divine Guide.
- 19:04As I enter, a coolness settled over me that reminded me of the
- 19:08Angel who stared into my soul at the Vatican.
- 19:11Despite this, I continued your plan.
- 19:14I evoke you Great Enoch. The feather was white hot in my
- 19:18hands. It was as if I was holding fire.
- 19:22My fingertips felt like they were about to burst into flames.
- 19:26I held the feather over Alex's blood, releasing it from my grip
- 19:30and watching as the glowing object landed in the blood.
- 19:33The glow that had enveloped the feather now spread into the
- 19:36blood which it had landed. The blood boiled in a bright
- 19:40light flashed from the feather. A shockwave burst forth from the
- 19:45feather as it made eye contact with the blood, dazing me but
- 19:48knocking Abaddon to the ground. The mighty demon was down on his
- 19:52hands and knees, not knocked out, but certainly dazed by the
- 19:56burst of power. Alec grunted out.
- 19:59Where the hell did you get that feather?
- 20:02My hands still throbbed from what felt as if I were holding
- 20:05hot coals in them, and I explained an Angel in the
- 20:08Vatican. A powerful one, apparently.
- 20:12Alec dipped his fingers into the now blessed blood.
- 20:16He turned to Amunda. Wake up, I actually need your
- 20:19help. Gather what is left of your salt
- 20:21and incense. Amunda pulled himself together
- 20:24enough to fish the salt and incense needed from his pockets.
- 20:28Whatever you plan to do. Amunda groaned.
- 20:32Do so quickly, he won't be still for much longer.
- 20:36I hate when Amunda is right, but he was.
- 20:40Abaddon growled in anger as he managed to his feet and the
- 20:43feathers effects wearing off. This mongrel is about to send
- 20:47you back to hell. Alec taunted a proud boast.
- 20:52But honestly the only other option was death.
- 20:55So either he was making a proud stand of holding firm or proud
- 20:58last words. The circle now glowed to blue
- 21:02and I could feel that deathly chill run through my bones.
- 21:06The ground shook and cracked beneath our feet.
- 21:09It cracked even more so beneath Abaddon's.
- 21:12Abaddon stumbled, his wings flapping uselessly as he sunk
- 21:16into the floor, mighty hands gripping at the ground as it
- 21:19dragged him back down below the pit.
- 21:22I glimpsed his face just before he vanished beneath the ground,
- 21:26roaring in a rage of hate and dismay.
- 21:29I stared at the center that now dented the floor, the roaring of
- 21:33Abaddon now a distant memory. With a grunt, Alec attempted to
- 21:38stand. Amunda was moving to help him
- 21:41and I did the same. True, he was the reason we
- 21:44nearly died, but he couldn't have known that idiot minister
- 21:48would beckon Abaddon. You're an interesting fellow.
- 21:52I didn't catch your name. I decided more formal
- 21:55introductions were in order. The name is Alex.
- 21:59He grimaced in pain. And what would they call you?
- 22:02Bella della vana. I grinned to him as I looked
- 22:05over his wounds, A devious plot coming to mind.
- 22:09I can heal you if you would like.
- 22:12That's a very pretty name, and considering sorcery doesn't
- 22:15offer great insurance, I think I will take you on that offer.
- 22:19Alec joked. I glanced at my dark spirits.
- 22:23They had scattered throughout the room, Slytherin their way
- 22:25back towards me as they sense my desire for their aid.
- 22:29One I instructed to channel itself into healing Alec's
- 22:32wounds. With some soft chanting and
- 22:35coaxing, the little spirit weaved through Alex's body,
- 22:38healing his wounds. As I thought, his blood itself
- 22:42had a dark power, otherwise the spirit wouldn't have been able
- 22:46to heal him as it did. Like a dentry, my spirit ended
- 22:49its task by slipping asthmatized Mark on his skin, right behind
- 22:53his ear. Amunda chimed in.
- 22:57I am Amunda, if you were curious.
- 23:01I noticed the bottle of blood in Alex's pocket and flicked my
- 23:04head towards it, hoping Amunda would take notice.
- 23:07Amunda did and wiggled his fingers to imply he was ready to
- 23:10snatch the potent liquid. Well, at the very least Minister
- 23:15Dentry is dealt with, so for that I thank you.
- 23:19I whispered, leaning forward and giving Alec a Peck on the cheek,
- 23:23hoping it would be enough to distract Alec from Amunda's
- 23:25thievery. The man had more blood to let,
- 23:29that was for certain, so I hardly considered it a theft.
- 23:33With a playful grin, I turned and made my leave with Amunda.
- 23:37I glanced at him and he showed me the bottle in his possession
- 23:40before slipping it into his coat.
- 23:42So which one of you is the skillful pickpocket?
- 23:46Alec called back to us. I flinched, cut red handed it
- 23:50seemed. I played it off as coy as I
- 23:52could, turning to him with a knowing smile.
- 23:55Consider it an even trade for the loss of my feather, yes.
- 24:00To my surprise, Alec merely waved to me.
- 24:03Agreed. The last thing I need to be
- 24:05doing is repaying favors after this mess.
- 24:09Sorry for the deception. Then.
- 24:11I beamed to him. Ciao.
- 24:13And with that, Amunda and I left as swiftly as we could.
- 24:17We slipped into the black Town car Amunda had purchased, and we
- 24:21were flying back to our condo. That was an experience.
- 24:26Amunda remarked. The blood?
- 24:28I demanded, holding out my hand. Amunda deposited the blood into
- 24:33my hand and I looked it over carefully.
- 24:36It was Alex's, and it hummed with a dark energy all of its
- 24:39own. A grin spread over my face.
- 24:43Your Master's not going to be pleased about this.
- 24:46Amunda reminded me. Their goal is Armageddon.
- 24:50I held the blood up to the window, letting the light from
- 24:53passing St. lamps pass through it.
- 24:56We'll get over it. We'll report to him immediately,
- 24:59explain ourselves and ask what we can do to please him.
- 25:03I already sealed that man to him.
- 25:05I said, turning to Amunda. I don't, as Madai will forgive,
- 25:09but he's a demon Lord. He wants to be the one to bring
- 25:12about the End Times, not Abaddon's master.
- 25:15Amunda frowned, keeping his attention on the road.
- 25:20When we returned home, I quickly grabbed my bloodletting knife
- 25:23and 1 rabbit from the cage. It squeaked as I gripped it by
- 25:27the scruff of its neck, digging my nails into its fur.
- 25:31I was nervous, excited, fearful, and giddy all at the same time.
- 25:36A small drop of blood from the bottle soon lined my finger.
- 25:40I slid it over the blade and cut the rabbit's throat, spilling
- 25:44its blood onto the kitchen tile. I drew a sigil into a single
- 25:48tile and closed my eyes tightly, focusing on opening a channel to
- 25:52Asthmadai. Emunda stood by, not sure what
- 25:56to do with himself. Bella, Are you sure?
- 26:00Asthmadai, Lord of hatred and Wrath, I beseech thee to hear
- 26:04your servants call to you. I chanted.
- 26:08I hear a loud bellow followed by the stench of sulphur candles
- 26:12around the kitchen, self ignited with green flame and Asthmadai's
- 26:16voice soon came in clear as a day.
- 26:19You wrenches are all pathetic failures.
- 26:22You roared. The brand on my shoulder burned
- 26:25and I clutched it, gasping in pain.
- 26:29Why send Abaddon back, fool? Explain yourself, for I shall
- 26:32make you suffer all the more. I winced and gritted my teeth.
- 26:37Great Lord Asthmadai, I am sorry for my transgression.
- 26:40Abaddon threatened to kill me and my companion.
- 26:42Before I can make good on your debt.
- 26:44I was thinking of my service to you.
- 26:46Asmodey's voice grew enraged. You were thinking of your own
- 26:50life. It will not happen again.
- 26:52I begged, bowing low and sliding my hands over the bloody sigil.
- 26:57My eyes rolled back into my skull as screams filled my ears,
- 27:01their shrieks of terror and agony mixing into a cacophony of
- 27:04noise that was drowned out only by the growing ringing which
- 27:08threatened to split my skull. Soon, the light around me
- 27:12vanished, and I was left in nothing but a familiar darkness.
- 27:16Within the darkness, a green light glowed from above me.
- 27:20Looking down was the face of a man, a powerful man with a bald
- 27:24head and a thin beard. His eyes were dark pools of void
- 27:27filled with wisps of green smoke.
- 27:31He was adorned with heavy looking armor.
- 27:33On either side sat the giant heads of a bowling ram, their
- 27:37eyes glowing red and yellow respectively.
- 27:40Though they made-up part of his massive armor, they appeared to
- 27:43be alive, saliva foaming at their mouths as their eyes
- 27:47scanned me critically. This was Asthmadai.
- 27:51It had to be. He towered over me, his mighty
- 27:54frame filling my vision with his dark black and red armor.
- 27:58Multiple swords sat on either side of his hip, each carrying
- 28:02powerful magic within. One blade in particular was a
- 28:06long black blade with a ragged edge and an ornate silver
- 28:10handle. It pulses and resonates with its
- 28:13master, and it filled me with the familiar heat that overcame
- 28:16me when I took revenge on someone.
- 28:20I lifted my hands to him, careful not to offend or enrage
- 28:23him. I serve you, Lord Asmodai, not
- 28:26Abaddon nor his master, only you.
- 28:29When I do your bidding, it will be your name upon my victory for
- 28:32the powers of hell. When the world burns, your
- 28:35masters will know it was your servant who brought forth hell
- 28:37on Earth. Asthmatize eyebrow rose and he
- 28:41walked around me. Heavy footsteps shook the
- 28:44ground. The darkness shifted behind him.
- 28:47It wasn't the darkness, I realized.
- 28:50The shifting black forms behind him were a pair of massive black
- 28:53feathered wings. He was magnificent.
- 28:57Whatever you wish for me, I'll do.
- 28:59I professed, I even offered you the soul of that minister who
- 29:03tried to bring Abaddon forth. He brought Abadon forth as Madai
- 29:09growled. While I appreciate his soul, the
- 29:12cost to get it was not worth while.
- 29:15I bowed low to his feet. I also marked another a man.
- 29:20Yes, Alexander. As Madai mused, Our eyes had
- 29:25been upon him for some time. We dislike being thought of as a
- 29:28jinn to grant people's wishes for the cost of a mortal soul,
- 29:32and Alexander has transgressed often.
- 29:35I smiled. So these souls will go against
- 29:38my debt to you, Master Asmid. I scoffed.
- 29:42I should tear your soul from your body.
- 29:44Reaping your soul now would give me satisfaction and proper
- 29:47punishment for what you have done.
- 29:49He roared. I bowed low before him on hands
- 29:53and knees, shivering. Please, O Lord as Mediah, I will
- 29:57make this up to you. I will break the seal in your
- 29:59name, no one else's. I glanced upwards.
- 30:03Besides, it is Abaddon's own failings which led us to defeat
- 30:07him. I merely acted in self
- 30:08preservation as Mediah glared down at me, before his
- 30:13expression softened slightly. You have a point.
- 30:16He gripped. My minions have already failed
- 30:19once. My favor with my master wanes.
- 30:22Abaddon should not have been bested by you and your lot so
- 30:25easily, so his punishment will be significant.
- 30:29I frowned, unsure of where my fate would lie.
- 30:33Asthmadon grabbed me by the throat, the pain of the brand
- 30:36searing itself into my shoulder. There was a chance for you.
- 30:40One chance, wench. Listen to me and listen well.
- 30:44Yes, my Lord. I choked.
- 30:47A servant of mine is waiting in a prison.
- 30:50His name is Andrew Sanders. He has sold me his soul for
- 30:54great power and strength. You are to make 5 potions using
- 30:58the blood you have received from Alexander.
- 31:01You are to distribute the potions to the few death row
- 31:03inmates inside this prison. Upon these men's deaths, the
- 31:08potions will allow more of my servants to enter their bodies.
- 31:12From there. He continued.
- 31:15You will prepare him as my vessel.
- 31:18Your vessel? I wheezed, eyes wide.
- 31:21I have great vengeance to bring forth.
- 31:23He growled. For you and I share a common
- 31:26adversary. I gasped.
- 31:30The green smoke with an asthmatized eyes swirled in
- 31:33anger. Father Edward Thomas.