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Of Ancient Passages: Chapter 22: What is the Nature of A Beast?

Out from the palace grounds they go down the street. A left corridor and then a right. From here, they duck under a bridge. The path turns left and so do they. The way leads them to a circular dead end.

Up to a red door she walks. Maleen knocks three decisive beats. The sound of feet is heard. Something looks through the window. They look right back. The locks unlock and a strange face peaks out. A small figure looks up at them.

The eyes lock on Maleen. “Well, if it is not my favorite guest.”

“Hey Rokai.”

“I see you have brought people with you this time.”

“Yes and—“

“He is sick. I can see that. Please come in.” He widens the gaping door.

One by one, they enter. The room smells of tea and incents. Spices and poultices line the walls. The whole house seems converted for his unusual practice. Whatever his practice is, he seems well versed in it. That much is apparent by the sights around Rokai’s home.

“Please sit down.” They do. Sol is between the two girls. “Maleen is going to try to convince me to have a look at…Sol. There is no need. I will do it.”

“How do you know Sol’s name?” D’ereen asks.

“Telepathy runs in my family. Forgive me if I tend to cut you off. But I usually know the questions before you choose to ask them.” He picks up his slightly filled cup of tea and finishes it. “Would anyone like tea?” No one does.

Not even, he can sense my presence. None of them can. I was a god after all. Being divine gives me certain privileges. Do you wonder why I tell you this? Because I can.

“What do you think is wrong with you, Sol? Give me an idea what to look for.”

“I…I ummm, well.”

Alunda nudges. “Go on. This person knows something of magic. I can sense it. He may know what to do.”

Rokai takes a breath. “The magical variety.”

Sol’s eyes sneak to Maleen. Dare he frighten her? “There is something inside…me. It is…different. A monster. It….” He stops the shame draws up.

D’ereen helps him. “From what I have seen of the thing it changes his physical appearance. His eyes glow like magma. The skin ripples black, blacker than mine. Like charcoal or a terrible burn but not unpleasant to look at.”

“His mana and physical strength are greatly altered.” Alunda works in. “It is a terrible thing to sense and feel.”

Rokai flicks his whiskers. “Sounds like it could be a demon. Or maybe an elemental. I am uncertain.” Shivers snap his teeth. “I am a little drafty give me a moment.” He rolls some newspaper into the fireplace. The wood is slightly burnt from previous use. Searching himself, he cannot find a light. “Where did I leave those matches?”

“I could light it for you.” Sol offers.

“No, no please. My house my matter. Where is that blasted fire sprite? Whin! Whin! Where are you?”

A tiny ball of red energy floats into the room. Behind the splatter light is a small figure, unseen by them. Shades of scarlet flash as a tiny voice speaks. “You woke me up.”

Rokai grins. “You are really useless you know that.”

The sprite dashes about, repeating: “Don’t say that.”

“Take it easy. I was only joking.”

She comes to rest. “Company.”

“Yes, we have company.”

While everyone looks at the sprite, D’ereen rests her hand on Sol’s thigh. Maleen slaps it away. Seeing this Whin floats up to him. The girls stop fighting and look up. The light seems to twinkle. For Sol an unwilling urge to touch it spreads.

The boy’s arm stretches out. Fingers are inches away. Warm softness twines around his fingers. Whin chippers in surprise. The deep crimson slips into a lighter shade.

Giggling she slides into his pants. Sol squirms and wiggles as Whin climbs to her destination. A burst of light comes from the crotch. His head slumps back against the coach. The light escapes anywhere it can.

His fingers dig into the coach. “Feels…so…good. I…cannot stop…her. Get her…quick. Too…good….” The intensity amplifies.

D’ereen and Maleen’s hands wrench into his pants. Instead of catching her, Whin retreats. Sol cannot break the feeling. Maleen’s face is red. D’ereen nearly melts. Maleen jerks her and D’ereen’s hand away. She looks away shyly.

Pulled from the stupor he is left dazed. A glaze of confusion quirks Sol’s mind. His waist feels an empty free. Those blue eyes blast wide. Quickly with an embraced flush, the buttons are closed.

Rokai’s ears slant back. “Forgive me. I am so sorry. I have had guests over before and she never behaves so badly. Whin! Whin, no chocolate for a month, no two months.” He holds fingers up for emphasis.

The sprite swirls around the room. “It was worth it.”

“Light this blasted wood and go do something else, anything else.”

“Okay, okay.” She says diving into the wood. Instantly the fire rises. Hesitantly she floats out of the room.

“Let us put this out of our mind.” Rokai gets close to Sol. He produces a spiral piece of glass. “This will be cold.” Touching the glass to the boy’s skin, it is chill. “I see. Hmmmmm, I see. Your mana is off the chart. I’m sure you suspected this.” Putting the piece away, he brings out another. This one is circular and has electrical currents within. “Now let’s see.” Holding it close, various motions are used. The electricity rages. “Impressive.” Then it dies. It produces various strong bursts. “That is curious. Okay ladies and gentleman,” he says as he puts the object away. “It seems I have done all I can in this room. Sol if you would come with me to my office.”

“If I must.”

Alunda and D’ereen follow behind. Rokai makes no objection to this. This room is a doctors room or as similar as they can be. Motioning, Sol sits on the table. Rokai pushes him lightly, showing that he must lie.


“I am still unsure what you are. I may never know. We are working in the dark, if you take my meaning. I have worked on demon-ridden people. And others of similar variety. Never have I seen anything like you. I’m fascinated.” Rokai places orbs on his body. “I use this same method with those possessing demons. If you do have, a monster inside we will see it. I am sure it comes to you (if you have one) or you go to it. You must visit it now.”

“What are you?” Sol asks.

“I could ask you the same.”

“No, I—“

“You’re wondering if I am a doctor or some crazed witch-doctor. Well…I am a bit of both.”

“Oh damn it.”

“Don’t worry boy you are in good hands. I have very capable hands.” He gives him a liquid to drink.

Sol tosses it back. “What is it?”

“It will allow you to visit the monster inside. For your sake, you better not have lied to me. If you have then this drought may kill you.”

“I did not lie.” He says slurrily.

“Then this will be easier for it.”

Everything dampens quickly. Straight lines blur into curves. Shades bleed together. Before he is cloaked in it, he grabs D’ereen’s hand. The orbs zoom with electricity. The zap of the electricity currents through their fingers.

***

I hate these blackouts. They make me feel vulnerable. Wait what! D’ereen is here. How is that possible? She should not be here. The sight of this monster is mine to secret.

“Where are we?” She asks as she gets to her feet.

“We are in the dark place. The place in my mind and yet not in my mind. The dwelling of the monster. The realm that is mine yet it is not. Let us call this place the Crossroads. Because this is the starting point to other doors.”

“Other doors?”

“Other memories. Other things.”

It interjects. “A great deal of other things. Many beyond recognition. What tasty one have you brought for me little idiot?”

She jumps behind me. “What is that?”

“It is the monster. The dark creature that burns like rage in lightning. Changing me into my other form. The bastard.”

Tentacles make a wet thump on the bars. “You go too far. We are the same, you ignore the truth.”

I move forward. How dare it! That is too far. “We are not the same!”

Its magical pressure knocks me off my feet. “You cause us both harm! Do not hold it back. Give in!”

“Never!”

Its eyes try to discern the female clearly. A hand reaches through the bars and motions her forward. “Come closer child. Only the boy should be able to come here. Let me look at you.”

Her body moves of its own accord, as mine did. “Sol!”

“Don’t!” I scream.

Its eyes stretch wide as it sees her. Instantly it slams at the other end of the cage. “You! I hate you even more than I do this boy. You hurt my heart with your presence. I had a flicker of hope for happiness once. You destroyed it all.”

What does it mean? I do not understand. “What do you mean?”

It whips its head to me. “If you remembered like I do you would hate her.  You would hate her more than I possibly can.”

Something happens I never could expect. It quivers. It is actually quivering. As if the memories are rolling back opening old wounds. I open and shut my mouth.

Its eyes reflect something. I can almost see the memory in my head. I reach out to grasp it. My heart pounds hard as I try desperately to recall. As fast as I glimpse it, it is gone.

“You don’t deserve to live. You scourge…you…”

It continues to talk but I cannot hear it. They go on a great deal but I clutch my head, deaf. A wave of pain explodes in my skull. The only sound is a high pitched shrill. Hard to concentrate. The pain breaks as they finish speaking.

“Enough I do not care. You wronged us too much to be forgiven. If I could I would kill you now.” It says.

She holds her ground lip quivering. Light arranges around the dark. The Crossroads vanish. We go twisting into the light.  I can see her tear streaked face. What were they saying?

***

Their eyes open at the same time. D’ereen stands still rooted to the spot. The others come rushing in. Sol lets go of her to wipe the sweat from his face. The bulbs hum loud and explode; no image is to be seen.

“What happened? Why did they just explode?” Tsuk asks.

Carefully Sol gets up and avoids the glass. “She saw it with me.”

“Who?” Maleen asks.

“Me.” D’ereen worbles

“I think I know something now. I need it confirmed. Sol how did it come about?” Rokai learns about the aura and the wizard duel. “I see. Is it under your control or is it more of a reflex?”

“It’s more of a reflex.”

“I have it! It is understandable that I missed it.” Rokai slaps his head. “Your body is adjusting to the alien power. You are essentially in a larval state. That is why my devices fluxed on your energy and aura readings. Once your body adjusts you will be in good balance. Before you ask, I do not know how long it will take. But you must give it time; appropriate your power until then.”

“Thank you Rokai.” Maleen said first. Then the rest said the same.

“It was my pleasure and to my fascination.”

Now that it has been settled Sol’s eyes look to D’ereen. “Are you going to tell me what you were talking about?”

There is a long pause. No one speaks. “Sol I…I am so sorry.”

“For what?”

“I am pr—“

Suddenly the wall is ripped away. A lone figure stands there. “Sorry to break the suspense but I could not take anymore. I have had to kill assassins and scum to get to you. It has been fun.” He points to the boy. “But you Sol are the main course.”

“You! You killed the King.” Tsuk states as he pulls his sword out.

“Who are you?” Sol asks.

He holds his arms wide. “I am the quake in the night. I am the herald of death. The murderer of madness, master of malaise and a malignant morose. Thrice is my name and thrice am I Morzak.”

Tsuk takes form. “You’re going to fight all of us? The odds are not in your favor.”

“Thrice am I Morzak.” Three copies of himself appear at his side. “The odds have turned.”

Sol pulls out his ace. “Maleen, Rokai get back.”

They do as he says. The Morzak’s pull various weapons from their person. Each takes a different stance. Sol flicks his card and Alunda swishes his staff. Nothing happens.

They speak together. “Anti-magic crystals are wondrous replacements for jewels. I never enter a fight without knowing my opponents. Especially when they are wizards.”

Alunda holds his staff like a club. “If that is the way you want it.”

Sol’s eyes smolder. He makes the change. “You have underestimated me.”

D’ereen changes. “And me.”

The middle Morzak is taken aback. “So it is true.” He smiles knowingly. “I have finally found you. This is going to be fun.”

The Morzak copies spread out. Two more come into the room. Sol goes for the middle one. The card turns into a sword. He looks at it for a few seconds. Before putting it into action.

His thrusts are easily blocked. However, they are not childish swings. In fact, he seems rather good with it. There is no time to wonder why. Actions now speak miles above words.

One of the copies takes his blind back. With a single motion, Sol brings the sword around and through the belly. Blood and entrails slip out and death becomes him before he hits the floor. The fight resumes and neither gives ground. Morzak’s blows grow heavy making Sol’s weapon shake. Each blade sings one part of a duet, what an unwholesome and foreboding song they make.

Sol catches a territorial passion in the opponent’s eyes. A passion that makes a mockery of the finiteness of war and death. Twisting the boy comes around to the right side; it is easily parried and checked. The check is made right back. So it goes back and forth, unrelenting.

Morzak backs up and goes to strike, Sol’s blade comes up to block. Mid-strike the assassin moves his blade to an awkward position. The sword comes for him. The flat of it hits on his cheek. Morzak is toying with him.

“So this is the Wreoth.” The laughter is mockery.

D’ereen’s teeth rip through jugular, carnal drips from fur. A short distance away Tsuk finishes. Bending D’ereen sprints to him and pushes off from his back. The unfortunate foe gulps. Bones crack from the impact, the body rests at odd angles.

They stalk towards the last Morzak. Twisting the blade it sticks between the assassins cross guard. Sol’s claws swipe across the assassins face. Deep marks are left. Touching the blood, he grows angry. There is something eerily familiar in that expression.

“You have me riled up. No one ever manages to do that. This is not the time or the confrontation.” The skin spreads grey and diseased. All strength and energy sap out in one loss of connection. “Goodbye for now Sol. See you soon.”

Tsuk comes over and examines it. “This has been dead for weeks. They all have.”

Alunda speaks up. “This is not magic. It is something else.”

“We should leave now.” D’ereen says.

“I agree.” Rokai says after examining his house.

They move to go. “You’re not leaving without me.” Maleen says unexpectedly.

“No Maleen stay where it is safe.” Sol deters.

“I need to be with you. I do not want to lose you again. I cannot bare it. If…if…you want me to stay then tell me. Say the words and I will stay but do not think that I can let you from my heart.”

“Maleen…I…I…cannot say that. I just don’t want anyone to die for me.”

“Do you think Alunda, D’ereen or Tsuk stay with you because they must? No, they stay for you. They stay because you have made the deepest connection on them. You have made the deepest connection on me. I will not stay here. I need to be with you.” She blushes fleetingly. “You disappeared from me once and I cannot let circumstances keep you from me. I will not.”

“Sol.” D’ereen says. “Let her come.”

He takes a breath, taking a moment to think. Then he wipes his hair back. “Okay. I will not stop you from coming. Not that I could if I tried.”

Maleen almost jumps into his arms but thought better of it. She makes a short courteous bow. “Thank you.”

Rokai walks over to Maleen and takes her hand. “Be careful dear. Take my carriage. It is a gift and will carry all of you safely. I doubt highway men will get in your way as they do me. Not with this band anyway.”

“We cannot tarry any longer.” Says Alunda.

Some distance away Morzak watches them through binoculars. Licking his lips with excitement. Taking his hat away, a cool breeze rustles in his hair. Taking a drink from his cantina his throat soothes. The fight only wetted his appetite. The real fun is ahead.

“He must be tested. It is the only way.” Morzak whispers. “What fun I will have. It is intoxicating















Written by MrE (C. R. Powers)
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