Chapter 23 – The Fallen Disciple
“I don’t care,” I protest loudly. “I’m sick of being here. I want to go get Whisper.” It has been two days but the doctor refuses to discharge me or Sarrow. You would think they had more important issues to deal with. Creatures are still pouring forth from the holes in reality created by the vision users and the army is having a hell of a time containing them. The entire area is quarantined and affectionately labeled the crossing zone. Occasionally I hear explosions even at this distance as another monster meets its end. All over the newspapers and television are reports of the five worlds with physicists describing the multiverse theory to everyone or something along those lines. I can’t follow any of it. Sarah had been a public figure during the whole vision mess and now she’s a superstar describing our adventures to all who ask. I don’t mind. I just wish I could see her on the television instead of just listening to the audio. I bet she looks great.
“Just a few more tests then we can…” says a man in a white lab coat.
“No,” Sarrow says sitting next to me in our private hospital room. “We have our own affairs to attend. Our companion is waiting for us in another world. I’m sure he’s anxious to return.” The irony of the comment is not lost on me. Only a month ago such a statement would have led to serious questions about our mental stability. Now the doctor simply nods in agreement.
“The army should have faxed over my release documents already,” I say.
“They did,” he says with a defeated sigh. “I’ll get the discharge papers. Can I have just one more blood sample?” He asks Sarrow tentatively. Doctors and scientists have been pestering us both nonstop since we got here.
“I am not interested in your desires to remove my life fluid,” she says tartly. “Besides it hurts.”
“Should I mess with the man,” my shadow says. “I’m bored.”
“Better not,” I say facing my shadow. “He’s just curious.”
“Who are you talking too?” the doctor says.
With a flick of my head I indicate the darker shadows where my shadow leans casually against the wall. “Just my shadow, he’s getting bored.”
“Oh, well I’ll get the discharge papers ASAP then,” the doctor says, heading into the chaos of the main hall.
I shake my head. “I’m not used to people actually believing me,” I say.
“Why not, brother?” Sarrow says, looking perplexed.
“They can’t see the things the way we do,” I say.
My phone resting on the table near the bed, rings. The distinctive sound of the R.E.M song The End Of The World fills the room. Reaching out, I flip it open.
“Jerry,” I say.
“Hey, it’s Sarah,” comes the reply.
“Oh hi,” I say cheerfully. “How did the interview go?”
“Great,” she says. “I’m now an advisor to the Interworld Control Enforcement Agency or just ICE for short.”
“Cool, congratulations,” I say. “By the way, it looks like Sarrow and I are getting out today. We’ll head to your place and how about we go out to eat later? Sarrow has expressed an interest in trying sushi.”
Shortly after my check in at the hospital I was wondering where I would live since Sarah told me that all my belongings had been in lockup after my disappearance. So great was her confidence in my return, she got all of it out holding and took it to her home for me. Fortunately it is far away from the crossing zone and Sarah offered to let melive there with her. I was so touched that someone could believe in me that strongly. I can’t wait to get settled into my new home with Sarrow, Whisper, and of course Sarah.
“Sounds like fun,” Sarah says. “Don’t tell her what wasabi is, ok?”
I laugh, “You’re a very wicked woman.”
“I’m wicked in many many ways,” she says rather seductively. I swallow hard. Laughter fills the line at my silence. “I’ll see you around five. Tomorrow we’ve got lots of requests for help. Damn creatures keep coming from the crossing zone. I promise I won’t keep you up too long tonight. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I say hanging up.
Fetching the clothes that Sarah had brought us, we dress while waiting for the discharge papers. I have on my black trench coat over army pants and a deep green, long-sleeve shirt that Sarah said brings out the color of my eyes. Sarrow has on a large, black hoodie vest over a light blue long-sleeve shirt that helps to hide her skin tone. Wearing blue jeans and white sneakers my shadow affectionately says ‘Kiraten in da hood.’ We all laugh, even Sarrow who doesn’t get it.
The papers come and an hour later we are standing outside my new home, Sarah’s home. It is a comfortable house with two stories, a white picket fence and a nice, well-kept lawn. It’s so stereotypical I want to laugh. I wonder what the neighbors would think of Whisper and Sarrow. Looking down at the key in my hand that Sarah had given me the other day I feel like nothing could go wrong. Opening the door, we go inside. Like the outside it’s comfortable with pleasant carpeting and hardwood floors. Heading into the dark living room we go to a stack of boxes with the label ‘Jerry’ stenciled on the side in Sarah’s crude handwriting. Then a voice speaks right behind us.
“I can’t believe you did it,” the voice says. “Are you a monster?”
Spinning, I scan the room for the voice. There it is, sitting in a recliner bathed in shadow. The figured leans forward slightly, his facing entering the dim light of the room. It is Solarkar. He looks awful, like he has been drinking steadily for a month. His green hair is plastered to his face and is so filthy that the green luster it had is gone. The sigil armor he had before is completely out and cracked in dozens of spots. He holds no weapon just a sigil stone which he activated and I felt the worlds close off to me.
“I knew your plan, you know,” Solarkar says leaning back into the seat as if talking to an old friend. “I saw Belaroth waiting there. Then Melephos said you were coming. But never in a million cycles did I believe you ever had a chance to succeed. Shifting an ancient one to Fomoria all by yourself. Even now, after I saw it with my own eyes, I can’t believe it.”
I say nothing, wishing I had kept Worldkey with me instead letting Sarah take our weapons here, hospital policy be damn. I wonder if I can distract Solarkar long enough for Sarrow to find it.
“You even freed the Shame of Valerdon. No doubt she was instrumental to your success. I don’t understand how it all went wrong. The plan was perfect until you had to ruin everything,” Solarkar says not rising.
“Yeah, I’m a real pain in the ass,” I offer.
“Traitor Solarkar,” Sarrow says. “Return to Inti and submit yourself before Valerdon so at least you may gain honor in death. Melephos has been defeated and your plot to overthrow Fomoria thwarted. You have nothing to gain by remaining here.”
“That’s where you are wrong, Shame of Valerdon,” Solarkar says. “I have you and the boy.” With that he rises slowly to his feet a hivetung sword that had been leaning against the wall now in his only hand.
“I made deals that no one should make to get this far and YOU RUINED IT ALL!” Solarkar screams. “I will take the girl’s head and present it to Valerdon. With his shame dead I might be forgiven. As for you boy, had I realized what you were capable of I would have killed you instead of allowing you to go free like I was told to.”
Told to? Someone told him to let me go free? “What the hell are you talking about?” I say.
“They gave me a lot.” Solarkar is a bit unsteady on his feet. “After my banishment he came to me. Shifted me to Pandedonium and told me that the Miasma of the Dead could free me from the Razoha, if I was willing to pay their price. What a heavy price it was but with the world I would gain the cost would have been minimal.”
“Even the Drow fear the forbidden pool and you willingly made a deal with them all for power?” Sarrow says, disgusted. “You have fallen far, Sola
rkar.”
“I DON’T EXPECT YOU TO UNDERSTAND, SHAME OF VALERDON!” Solarkar roars. “IT WAS MY PLACE TO LEAD! I WAS BORN TO GREATNESS! IT SHOULD BE MINE!”
“Who told you to let me go?” I yell.
Solarkar stops his mad ranting, regarding me closely. “I thought he must have been your sire, boy. After all why care about some brat born of human and Kiraten? He set me up in this city with several human assistants helping me with vision provided that I obey his will regarding you. Did he know that this would happen?” Solarkar seems to be talking more to himself than us. Spotting Sarah’s kendo sword laying atop of a box I slowly inch toward it.
“Now, now, none of that.” A new voice says, entering the room from the hallway just beyond. He has lank, dead-looking, long black hair and sickly skin that looks like wet clay. Wearing clothes a homeless man would reject he stands before us surrounded by a reddish haze that makes the room twist and bend. Worst of all are his eyes, burning with the fires of hell. I know him instantly. There’s no way in hell I could forget this presence of pure evil. He is the man I saw in the asylum the night I escaped.
“Miasma of the Dead…” Sarrow says her voice trembling in fear.
“What is it?” I say, recoiling from the man. I can feel the evil pouring off him.
“When a Drow dies they can merge with their shadows, existing as pure corruption. Over time they are driven mad and exist by infesting the bodies of others. Of all the five worlds only the dragons are more formidable.”
“You know a lot about us, girl. Of course, you’re his offspring so it’s not surprising,” the man with the reddish haze says. Turning to Solarkar he says, “The time has come for you to fulfill your promise.”
“I know,” Solarkar says. “The deal I made was that I would give them a powerful shifter who was able to traverse the worlds at will. I couldn’t use you boy, per my earlier arrangement, so I thought after Fomoria was mine it would be a simple matter to invite the Kiraten to this world, if they accepted my rule. Then one of them would suffer a misfortune and my deal would be fulfilled. Now, I just don’t care. TAKE THE BOY!”
The man shudders as a reddish cloud sprays from his mouth with the sound of a thousand angry bees. More keep pouring out as the man becomes emaciated, like he hadn’t eaten in a month. Still more continue pouring forth until the body before us is little more than a mummified corpse, collapsing to the floor. Swirling the cloud shoots forward with unbelievable speed, engulfing me.
“No!” Sarrow screams but is powerless to help.
Burning fills my eyes, ears and nose like molten steel is melting its way into me. Dropping to the floor, I clutch my face, feeling my mind begin to unravel.
“No you don’t, that’s mine!” My shadow yells and the red is suddenly swirled with black as the two corruptions fight within me. Sarrow and Solarkar are yelling but I can’t make sense of it. A final flash of pain and the red haze retreats, looking noticeably thinner, stretching into a red silhouette near Solarkar. My shadow also takes on the shape of a silhouette standing between me and the Miasma of the Dead.
“That is mine, you pathetic gnat cloud,” my shadow says sneering. “Try that again and I’ll show you what real corruption can do.”
“Brother, are you all right?” Sarrow says kneeling next to me.
“Brother?” Solarkar says, looking at my shadow then to Sarrow. Suddenly his eyes to wide as he realizes the truth at last. “You’re sire wasn’t a Kiraten at all… It was the abomination!”
“I can’t take this boy,” the red haze says. “His corruption is even greater than I.”
Solarkar ignores him, looking intently at me. “How could this be? He is dead and the Kiraten who helped me told me to spare you. Why would anyone do such! Unless… No, it can’t be. .” I’m not sure what is more alarming, Solarkar’s words or the look of absolute fear on his face. This Kiraten who would gladly sacrifice my world for his own ambitions is terrified.
“You promised me a powerful shifter and your time to pay has come,” the red haze says dangerously. “The girl will not do either, for she is already with corruption.”
“What?” Solarkar says, frowning at the red haze. Then, seeing the evil grin in silhouette, backpedals. “Wait! I can find you another! I promise I can find you another! Lots more! PLEASE NO!”
Those are the last words Solarkar ever said as the red haze swallows him. His eyes rupture like microwaved eggs as the red cloud forces its way in. Spasming violently Solarkar drops his sword, levitating slightly off the ground as the red mist takes him.
“Go find my sword!” I yell to Sarrow as I dash for Sarah’s Kendo sword.
“It will not help!” Sarrow says. “The only way to stop it would be with shadow wood. We must flee now!”
Picking up the sword I face the thing formally known as Solarkar. “I have a still have my shadow wood pendant,” I say flicking my head to the stack of belongings. “Find it, I’ll keep it distracted.”
“I think not,” Not-Solarkar says, his voice like razors. He grins in the way only my shadow ever did, the grin of sheer malevolence. With a flick of his missing arm a stream of thick redness lashes out from the stump, slamming into Sarrow and sending her sprawling on the floor. She doesn’t move.
“BASTARD!” I yell as I rush forward, swinging Sarah’s sword in an arc.
Another flick of his stump and more red mist shoots forth. Moving even faster, my shadow comes between us, disrupting most of the attack. Enough does punch through him though, hitting me in the chest and knocking me over. Coughing, I get to my knees, glaring at the man.
“You are strong,” the corrupted Solarkar says, his eyes a burning red haze. “As expected of his kin, but with this body I am stronger!” Striding forward he suddenly jerks as gunshots roar through the air. Three more rapid fire shots go off, one hitting Solarkar directly in the head. He just smiles. Both of us turn and I ee Sarah standing in the hallway, her mouth open in shock. As we watch the hole pulses and stretches, ejecting the bullet then closing together, leaving an ugly scar behind.
“That was rude, girl,” corrupted Solarkar says as the red mist leaks from his stump. Acting like an extension of his arm, he latches onto the fallen hivetung sword by his feet. With a casual flick he hurls it as her.
Time slows as the blade cuts the air, sailing right for Sarah. She will dodge. Then she will get back up as I decapitate this bastard and everything will be alright. I believe that right up until the blade sinks into Sarah’s chest, throwing her backwards to the floor. She never makes a sound. I blink, not trusting my sight. Surely that missed. There’s no way that just happened. The world blurs around me as tears fill my eyes. Dropping my sword I run to Sarah. Surely only the hilt had hit her, knocking her down. That’s all, she’s fine. It can’t be anything more than that.
Corrupted Solarkar laughs as I reach Sarah’s side. Blood pools around her body, but that’s ok. It must be from the other guy the Miasma was in before, not hers. The world is very watery now as I stumble, falling to my knees next to Sarah’s prone figure. Hands trembling, I clutch my face and my fingers contort into claws as I drag them down my checks, feeling the blood flow. I can’t lie to myself any more. The truth is sticking out of Sarah’s chest as her head hangs limp on the floor, her white blond hair spreading out like a veil. She’s already dead.
“No. No. No. NO!” I scream into the room over the laughter of the corrupted Solarkar. Reaching out with unfeeling hands I cradle Sarah’s head in my lap. Tears pool on my chin, falling freely onto Sarah’s blood splotched cheek, leaving small clean spots in their wake. This can’t be happening. Not now, not after everything we’ve been through.
“Brother…” Sarrow says weakly, sitting up and holding her head.
“Oh, you’re still alive?” Corrupted Solarkar says, shaking his head sadly. “I can’t allow that.” With a gesture, more r
ed swirls out of him, swallowing Sarrow in its depths. Suddenly black surges all around her as her own shadow fights off the invading corruption.
“Brother!” Sarrow calls out as her shadow begins shrinking and the red mist draws nearer.
Rage blacker and deeper than anything I’ve ever felt fills me. I can feel a primal hate buried deep inside me burst forth as I grind my teeth together. Clenching my free hand so tightly that my fingernails pierce my own flesh, I am virtually unaware of the pain. The tears stop and I gently set Sarah’s head down on the floor, feeling the murderous intent build inside me.
“We can do it together,” my shadow says from next to me. “Neither of us can stop him, but together we can. Become one with me, it’s the only way.”
A deal with the devil. I don’t hesitate. I can’t even speak for the rage is simply too great. Looking at my shadow I see his dark silhouette glaring at Solarkar’s body. I nod. I’d gladly accept anything that would allow me to tear Solarkar limb from limb. With an evil grin my shadow moves, enveloping me.
Instantly I feel the anger disappear. It isn’t that the anger is gone but rather it has changed to something else. Into power itself. Everything stops feeling important except my desires. The world is immaterial and utterly unimportant. I can do anything I want to. Consequences no longer matter and right now I want to play. Letting out an evil laugh, I send forth a stream up darkness from my fingertips, shattering the red around Sarrow with contemptuous ease.
“That all you got?” I ask, my voice now a harsh rasp. “From all the talk of the Miasma of the Dead I thought you would at least have some decent power. How disappointing.”
Striding forward I feel invincible; like the world is my plaything. I revel in it. Sarrow is slumped on the floor but she manages to lift her head. “Oh, brother… what have you done?”
“What I needed to do, girly,” I say. “Now go back to sleep, I want to have some fun.”
“How is this possible?” Corrupted Solarkar asks,his glowing red eyes expressing disbelief. “The Drow cannot merge with their shadows until after death. This should not be.”
Although he hides it well I can taste the uncertainty and fear deep within him. It’s intoxicating. Lashing out with blinding speed I send a jet of black corruption hurling at Solarkar, lifting him off his feet and propelling him into the far wall. The whole house shudders, spilling the stacked boxes. Falling to the floor Solarkar retaliates with his own blast of red corruption which I disrupt with a casual backhand.
“Can’t you do any better?” I ask. Strolling forward, I send objects flying out of my way with a mere thought and a surge of corruption. Sarrow is on her feet now, furiously digging through my fallen things, but I ignore her. It doesn’t matter. Solarkar kneels before me, holding the activated sigil stone in his only hand. With a flex of muscles the stone shatters under Solarkar’s grip and the worlds open up before me. Giving me a triumphant smile he vanishes. Laughing I reach through reality and pull him back with ease, slamming him into the ceiling with a cascade of darkness.
“Silly little plaything. You aren’t going anywhere. Now, let’s see, what to do first?” I say, one hand streaming darkness to hold Solarkar in place, the other stroking my chin as I consider. “I know let’s get rid of those pesky legs. Can’t have you running off.” The darkness engulfing Solarkar changes, collecting at his knees as I slowly pull them apart. With a ripping of ligaments and a tearing of muscles the flesh of the knee joints separate, stretching the skin comically thin before tearing off in an outpour of blue blood. It’s like pulling the wings off a fly.
“Damn you!” Solarkar roared falling to the ground with a wet thwack sound. “What the hell are you?”
“Brother, do not lose yourself!” Sarrow calls, still digging in my belongings. Ignoring her I go right up to Solarkar, slapping him lightly on the cheek. I have to be sure he’s paying attention.
“What to remove next?” I say looking him over. “So many choices. What is your favorite part?”
With a quick palm thrust Solarkar slams his fist against my chest in an explosion of red corruption, toppling me over.
“HAHAHAHAHA!” I boom. “That’s more like it!” Jumping back to my feet I see Solarkar shift again and with a snort I bring him back. With another surge of corruption I tear his remaining arm off at the shoulder.
“It’s like a real life Mr. Potato head doll!” I exclaim, waiting for him to do something interesting. Snarling in rage the red mist pours out of Solarkar, flying to the door. Solarkar’s body collapses to the floor in an utter ruin. Sending out my own corruption I mix mine with the fleeing red. Struggling briefly the red slowly becomes darker and darker until it is no more. A fresh surge of power fills me as its corruption becomes mine.
“Simply marvelous,” I say brushing off imaginary dust.
A shattering sound and the tinkle of falling glass gets my attention. Turning I see Sarrow standing before a broken full-length mirror, her hand a blue ruin where it had slammed into the reflective glass. Curious I watch as she picks up the largest piece in her bloody hand, the other held behind her back. Trembling she takes a tentative step toward me, her childish face fearful.
“Brother, come back to me,” Sarrow says.
“Nah, I’m good now,” I say dismissively. “Everything is stupendous!”
“Is it?” She asks and I don’t like her tone. “Your corruption is consuming your mind. Soon nothing will be left. Everything that is you will be gone.”
“Nonsense,” I say. “I feel amazing! The entire world is at my whim.”
“Is that what you want?” Sarrow says, drawing slowly closer. “What about Whisper? He’s counting on you. You are his entire world.”
An imagin of Whisper fills my head. Blissfully pure and white as snow with a heart far too big even when he is full size. I tremble at the thought before a surge of darkness takes the image away. I sigh, the impure thought gone.
“The rat?” I say. “Who cares? Leave the flea ridden beast where he is.”
“What about me?” Sarrow says. “I want you here with me brother, not some toy of Shalarom.”
Again at her words images and painful thoughts come up to the surface. But I don’t like those; they make me feel things I don’t want to feel anymore. Once again the darkness takes the pain away.
“You’ll be fine,” I say with a snort. “Once I train up your corruption, of course.”
Lifting the mirror I see myself past the blue stained edges. Damn, I look good. I have a thick visceral aura of blackness around me, making my pale skin stand out in contrast. My eyes are dark opals. They are so black that I can see myself in them. The entire left side of my body is as dark as the void, like the light refuses to touch that part of me.
“Interesting,” I say. Sarrow is right in front of me now. Looking into her purple eyes I see sweat trickling down her face. She begins moving toward the hallway, like she doesn’t want my attention to wander from her.
“Brother, you must separate yourself from the corruption. If you do not all is lost,” Sarrow says.
“Stop your meddling, little girl,” I say viscously grabbing her chin. She never cries out as I squeeze and push her aside. Now, with Sarrow out of the way I clearly see Sarah lying there, dead. Pain fills me, greater than what the darkness could consume. I look away.
“NO, BROTHER. LOOK AT HER!” Sarrow shouts.
“I don’t want to. It hurts too much,” I say in my own voice, the hazy rasp gone.
“You must, for this is what it means to be free. Yes it hurts, but you must accept it. With time it will lessen and you will recall all the good times and be able to smile once more. Do not hide from it.”
“NO! I DON’T WANT TO ACCEPT IT!” I bellow, getting ready to run. I will go and find more amusing playthings. I don’t have to acknowledge the truth.
“What would Sarah want?” Sarrow says s
oftly. That stops me. What would she want? An image of Sarah so bright and strong appears in my thoughts that the darkness flees from it.
“She would want me… to be me,” I say, my voice nearly a sob.
“Then do so,” Sarrow says bringing out her concealed hand. She holds my shadow wood pendant in her palm, the sigil on its surface glowing just like it had been when I freed my shadow. The corruption fights me as I reach for it, my arm frozen half way. It’s fighting me. Strangely enough it isn’t my shadow fighting me but something else, something that had been buried inside. Some foreign force that had been awoken. I can feel it taking over when a fresh surge of darkness adds its strength to mine. It’s my shadow. We are one and no words are needed but I know what he wanted to say. ‘Fight fool!’ Together we push the invader back as we grab the box.
Instantly I feel the pull like a high powered vacuum sucking out the corruption which claws at my soul, trying to stay in. A surge of brightness from the sigil and a strain of my will and the corruption leaves me, filling the box. Sagging to the floor as Sarrow cradles me, I cry, looking at Sarah’s lifeless body. Stroking my hair she sings a soft sad melody that I can’t make sense of, rocking me gently back and forth. Sarah is dead, I lost her. After a long long time we rise together and I make the phone call to her brother; telling him his sister is dead.
Epilogue – It’s A Mad Mad World After All
Sarah’s memorial is a somber affair with hundreds showing up to expressing their grief in various ways. It’s been just over two weeks and I still can’t believe she is gone. After her death I want nothing more than to wallow in self-pity but with creatures still entering our world from Sheol there is little time for it. It’s a welcome distraction. Now, with everything relatively under control, I am able to say my goodbye at last. Standing next to James and Sarrow, we all wear black, watching as the empty casket lowers into the ground. Having opted for cremation this is little more than ceremony but I feel it all the same. The pain I feel at her loss is still raw. I haven’t slept much since the incident and when I do I am plagued by terrible dreams. I never had dreams before, but now they refuse to leave me alone.
“She was a great warrior and a valiant friend,” Whisper says from my shoulder, the only white in a sea of black.
“That she was,” Sarrow says. “Although my time with her was brief, I could see how she made Fomoria a vastly better place.”
I say nothing as James tosses a bunch of white flowers onto the casket. “She was always getting into trouble,” he says. “After our parents died I had such a hard time keeping her in line. Always off exploring, determined to do the right thing no matter what.”
We listen in silence as the preacher does his sermon. I do my best not to think, turning away after it’s over. I don’t want to see the earth shoveled onto her grave. Walking back to the taxi with Sarrow, I am halted by James’ hand gently resting on my shoulder.
“I just wanted to thank you,” he says. “I know we didn’t give you much time to grieve with all that’s been happening, but I know Sarah would understand.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just glad I now get some time to rest,” I say.
“Sure,” James says. “Are you sure you don’t want her house? I don’t need it or anything.”
“That’s ok, Sarrow and I have a good place already. The army was kind enough to move us in. She even formally set up our business already, while I’ve been busy advising. Hell, I haven’t even see it yet.”
“Well Shifter Inc. is our only resident expert on the other worlds. I’ll come by in a few days after you get a chance to rest. I’m going out to get shit-faced.” He turns away toward his wife and kids waiting at their car giving us a wave as he goes.
“I would love to get shit-faced,” my shadow says. “Ever since you polluted me things have been strange.” I freed my shadow from the box just two days after Sarah’s death. Strangely he blames me for everything. He said it was me or something in me that was taking us over. The dark animalistic side of humans might just be too strong. Sarrow however, believes that the different races were never meant to interbreed and there’s no telling what such a combination might yield “Yeah, let’s go get plastered,” I say.
“We shall honor Sarah’s memory and all those who died,” Sarrow offers.
“Can we get pizza?” Whisper asks. “My sorrow is better drowned with lots of grease.”
Days pass and I spend all of it lounging in my bed, my exhaustion and grief overwhelming me at last. Our new place is huge with a large open area up front with several smaller rooms around it. The previous owner had a dojo up front and it was perfect for Shifters Inc. In the back part is a segregated living space with the kitchen, bathrooms, and several bedrooms as well as a back door entrance I’ve been using. It was given to us by the army a payment of our ‘consultant fee’ for taking care of Melephos and for my work advising them on how to deal with his remaining horde. I told them it wasn’t necessary, but they insisted. I do have to make a living somehow. Since then Sarrow has been busy setting things up. The army, convinced that she is a minor, has issues with her helping other than to shift Whisper in full-size on occasion. I haven’t paid much attention to what she’s doing. I’ve been so busy grieving and fighting that I left everything to her. She says she doesn’t mind and appears to be enjoying herself. I am about to go see if she wants to go out in New Chicago, built around the ruins of the old city, when a face appears out of the wall next to me.
“Hey Jerry, I’m sorry about Sarah. I really liked her,” Brick says.
“Yeah,” I say. Then, for the first time since Sarah died I feel a spark of interest. I turn facing Brick, his face chalk white like the walls of my room. “Did you know about Melephos and everything that was happening?”
“Hell no!” Brick says. “I knew of Melephos of course, just not his name. We call him the devourer of life. With our limited shifting ability we stay away from our world as much as possible. When the imbalance gets too great we go back and often many never return. That’s one of the reasons I like it around you, Jerry, I can stay much longer than normal. For some reason the imbalance doesn’t accumulate as fast.”
“It’s because of my nature,” I say. “I’m part Drow and Kiraten. I disrupt reality all around me.”
“I guess that explains a lot,” Brick says. “I did find it odd that more creatures seem closer to this world when you are around.”
“A side effect, I guess,” I say, shrugging. “Want me to shift you here? I change the reality of what I shift so you wouldn’t ever have to return.”
“Thanks, but no,” Brick says. “Things are changing on my world with Melephos in hiding. My kind has banded together and a community of sort is coming together.”
“Congrats,” I say.
“Thanks,” Brick says. “Now if you are done being lazy, you have a package on in your office.”
“Office?” I say.
“Sarrow’s been busy while you’ve been off playing soldier,” Brick reprimands. “Go out there and help her. You’ll feel better.” Before I can reply he fades into the wall.
Feeling like a heel, I come out of my room. Going to the front of the house I see that Sarrow, during my army exploits, has converted it into a professional looking office area with sofas and tables. Beyond that by the front door is a vacant desk with a large folder of paper with an arrow on it pointing further in. On the right side are three small rooms, each with a desk and gold colored name plates on the doors. The first one reads ‘Whisper of Clan Shifter’ and ‘Brick: Investigator Extraordinaire. The next one is simple, it reads ‘Sarrowind of Primehouse Ageroth’ then beneath these letters ‘Sarrow’. The last one is mine. It says ‘Jerry Price’ and below that in large font is ‘SHIFTER.’
Walking past the offices I am amazed by what Sarrow has accomplished in just two weeks. I see Whisper at his desk, slowly typing away using a s
ingle claw while Brick is overhead directing his movements. Brick flashes me a very white smile and an exaggerated wink. Whisper is too busy to notice me. In the next office Sarrow is animatedly talking with someone on the phone, her feet resting on her desk. Seeing me there she gets off the phone and rushes out to me.
“Brother! Are you well? Perhaps you should rest some more. I’ll bring you lunch. You haven’t slept much lately,” Sarrow says, giving me a critical look.
“How did you do all this?” I ask, stunned.
“I used the extra funds that James of house Clifford gave us for everything. It has been difficult understanding this world but both Whisper and Brick assure me I did it right,” Sarrow says proudly.
“I’m sorry. I said I would teach you,” I state, feeling worse.
“Do not concern yourself, brother,” Sarrow says dismissively. “Your grief is as great as the ocean. You need time to travel across it.”
“I think I’ve had enough,” I say. “Brick told me I had a package.”
“Yes, it’s in your office,” Sarrow says, pausing as her phone rings. Rushing off she dives into her chair, sending it twirling. She picks up the phone after the second rotation, her feet on the desk once more. I smile.
Going into my office I am amazed by the care Sarrow took with it. The desk is simple pressboard but has a rather nice black finish on it with everything neatly arranged on top. I can’t find one thing I want to reorganize. On the wall behind the desk hangs Worldkey, the silvery blade glinting in the light. I have two filing cabinets in the corner, one has the shadow wood pendant atop it, the other holds Sarah’s urn. For a long moment I look at it, remembering when James gave it to me containing half of the ashes. He kept the other half. Back then it was too painful to look at. Now I pick it up, reading the gold pressed label. ‘Sarah Clifford of Clan Shifter. She was a roaring fire in a dark world.’
“God, I miss you,” I say to the empty room.
Putting the urn back, I sit down in a nice, black leather chair. I recline a bit, studying the large brown package on my desk. It is labeled ‘Jerry Price Shifters Inc from James Clifford US Army.’ Opening it I stare at the contents, tears stinging my eyes. Inside is a large coffee cup that had the words, ‘Take my coffee and die’ on it. Stains around the edges show it has received great use. Next to it is a driver’s license with my picture on it. At the bottom of the box is a folded note over a large framed picture of Sarah and me.
Looking at the picture I feel my heart skip a beat. It’s from my birthday. Sarah was behind me, hugging my scrawny shoulders while Whisper was perched on my right shoulder. All around us the young ferrets of the Bartendor clan are climbing on me, jostling each other to see who could reach the top of my head first. I brace myself for the pain the picture would bring. Strangely, it doesn’t come. Instead I feel a moment of warmness like Sarah is right here with me, remembering that spectacular night. Setting the photo down facing me on the desk along with the coffee cup, I read the note.
‘Jerry,
Hope you got some well-deserved rest. I found these things in Sarah’s house. I think she was waiting until you got out of the hospital to give them to you. I only recently found it when I was cleaning this weekend. I have a job for you. We want to hire Shifters Inc. to help place landmines in the crossing zone on the other side but command thinks it’s too risky. They are not sure if we could get home. Call me as soon as you can about this job.
General James Clifford US Army Special Division ICE
Setting down the letter I am about to ask Sarrow where my cell phone is when the desk phone rings. Hesitantly I pick up the receiver.
“Jerry,” I say, then a moment later add, “Shifters Inc.”
“Oh, thank god!” Comes a hysterical voice on the line. “I didn’t know where else to call. The police say they can’t do anything. I think I’m going mad.”
“Calm down and tell me what happened,” I say, grabbing a conveniently located pad of paper and a pen.
“I can’t be certain but I think the wall just ate my neighbor…”
THE END
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, won’t you please taek a moment to leave me a moment to leave me a review at yoru favorite retailer?
Thanks!
John Sharp
Lilith Torrawind Saga
Book I
Quest of the Hellborne
Prologue
On deck of the skyship Oneshot
Absolute darkness enclosed the skyship Oneshot as Captain Towerin strode about the deck uneasily, his footsteps echoing loudly on the wooden planks. All around the nothingness mocked him with a situation that a day ago, he would have declared impossible. They were stuck in the void as if it had real substance, not unlike a spec in a jar of ink. Now, there was nowhere they could go, and not even the light of a single star to guide them. Leaving the helm unattended Towerin descended the raised deck, walking down to the center of the ship. Over and over the impossibility of the situation forced its way into his mind asking… no, demanding an answer to which he had no reply. How can this be happening?
In his thirty years of captaining his ship he’d never seen anything like it, and he had seen a lot. Nearly as old as his ship, he had a short cropped, gray beard that perfectly matched the gnarled hair sticking out from beneath his cap. The beginning stages of a round belly strained against his gray frock coat, as if threatening to spill onto the deck. He was a patchwork of scars from a lifetime of fighting pirates and the other hazards of sailing the sea and sky. His ship too bore the marks of a hard existence, and most days Towerin felt like he and the ship were one. His scars represented the aging hull and the numerous gouges marring the wood. His steadily worsening arthritis was the creaking of the sails’ rigging as it strained to do its job, and the inexhaustible beating of his own heart was the marvelous engine allowing his ship to fly. Yes, he was one with his ship. That made this failure to his crew deeply personal.
“Any idea what’s going on?” First mate Darwin said in a soft voice, striding up next to him. He was a good lad. Quite young to reach such a position, but he’d earned it many times over with his loyalty and quick wits. Tall and lean, he had the smooth flawless features typical for one of his kind, framed by silvery hair that shone from the torchlight around them. Turning to face him, Towerin was always amazed by his deep, sea-green eyes that stood out in stark contrast to his golden skin and flowing white robes. He could almost pass for human if it wasn’t for his residual wings. Feathery white, they were too small to grant true flight but were magnificent nonetheless. To be expected, since his father was an angel.
“No. Did the engine break down?” Captain Towerin said knowing full well the ship would be dead if that was the case. Still, the need to ask was there and the desire to do something, even if it was pointless. Looking up Towerin saw the celestial sails spreading out like wings on a moth from the central pole shaft. They had an unearthly soft blue glow, pulsing with energy powering the ship in the void between Heaven and Hell. Again, the glowing sail indicated all was well, even though it plainly wasn’t.
“I checked like you asked. It’s running fine,” Darwin said, looking just as perplexed as Captain Towerin felt.
“I don’t understand. I’ve never heard of anyone getting stuck before,” Towerin said shaking his head. Suddenly the entire ship rocked, sending all those on deck stumbling. One unfortunate soul was looking over the railing and the lurch sent him over the edge. Towerin could hear his screams as he plummeted into the abyss.
“What the damnation?” A man shouted. Running to the edge of the ship, Captain Towerin gripped the railing in horror as dark shapes swarmed the hull. Nearly invisible in the surrounding void, Towerin could just make them out as they skittered across his ship.
“TO ARMS!” Darwin cried, having joined Towerin at the side of the ship. Leaping backwards he pulled Towerin out of the way as
the first creatures boarded the deck. A twisted combination of beetle and man, it was black like the surrounding void with a shiny exoskeleton that creaked and revealed moist red joints as it moved. Its four long, arm-like appendages reached the wooden deck and its stout claws left long scratches in the plank. Its carapace was mottled and as thick as armor, with a distinctive split down the back for insect like wings that Towerin clearly saw as it moved around uncertainly on two stubby legs ending in wide, spade-like feet. The worst part was its face. Eyeless with two small, gnawing mouths where a normal creature’s eyes would be. It had no lips, just sharp teeth that reached toward them before contracting inwards. Two long, segmented antennas, at least a meter long, stuck out of the top of its head and danced around like a dousing rod. An immense set of pincers dominated its head with small, human-like fingers nestled between them, leading to a third, larger mouth.
Towerin felt his legs go watery, but he was the Captain damn it, and he had a duty to his ship and crew. Pulling his Heaven-forged revolver from under his long overcoat, he took careful aim. The single shot pistol made Towerin feel in control again, and he squeezed the trigger. There was a flash of blue, as the blessed round left the barrel and slammed into the creature. It had time for a high pitch wail of pain before it was briefly engulfed in bright blue flames. It fell lifeless to the deck, reduced to a smoldering cinder like an exhausted log in a campfire. His elation lasted only a moment before the rest arrived.
Swarming over the side of the ship like locus in a crop field, they were suddenly everywhere, literally tearing his crew apart, stuffing bits of them into all three of their mouths. Snarling Towerin drew his sword from its protective scabbard. Forged of Orichalcum and stardust, the blade shone with blue angelic magic from all the heavenrunes imprinted on the blade. With a roar Towerin charged into battle, Darwin just behind him with his rapier in hand. A battle haze took over Towerin as he hacked and slashed the damn bugs that would dare to threaten his ship, moving with sureness from a lifetime of fighting. Green ichor flew about like raindrops, as the bugs fell one by one before him. Steadily his sword’s glow grew fainter, as its reserve of power dwindling with each blow. He would have to ask Darwin to recharge it later, or pay the exorbitant fee to have another do it.
Slashing through two arms of the nearest bug with little resistance, Towerin spun deftly around for the killing blow, only to have his blade ricochet off the creature’s carapace. Gasping in shock, Towerin looked down only now realizing his blade was dark, the holy power of the heavenrunes empty. With a viscous backhand, the bug cracked Towerin across the face, sending him sprawling and bloody to the deck. Stars appeared before his eyes and pain burned in his face as the creature loomed over him, its mandibles wide. A flash of red and the bug stumbled backwards, howling in pain right before it was engulfed in intense hellfire flames. A moment later it exploded into a shower of bits and pieces.
Getting to his knees Towerin spat blood onto a sizzling piece of the bug that landed nearby, looking around at the rest of his crew as they poured onto the deck, armed to the teeth. Nearest was his Security Chief, Ervin. Tall and strong, he had a long lock of blonde hair tied in braids behind his back and the chiseled face of a man who knew how to fight dirty. Wearing a bright white overcoat with large dark buttons done up all the way down to his knee high black laced boots, he flashed Towerin a cocky smile. Carrying enough weaponry for two men, he had a sheathed saber on his back and a pistol in each hand. Crisscrossing over his chest were two bandoliers of bullets, each round as big as a shot glass. In one set, the bullet tips were glowing a brilliant blue, and the others burned a dark crimson. The pistols were polar opposites, one forged in Heaven the other in Hell. Towerin had scoffed at him for using weapons from both above and below; told him to keep it simple and choose one or the other. But his son never did listen to him.
Firing the left gun Towerin saw a flash of blue and an accompanying shriek as a bug fell victim to blue flames. With a practiced twirl, he spun both pistols in unison ejecting the empty rounds and neatly tucking them under his arms. Quickly loading each with its corresponding ammo his eyes roamed the fight, taking in everything with a gunfighters ease. Another twirl and he was taking aim at the next bug which almost eviscerated Darwin as he fought off three of its brethren.
To his right Towerin saw his recently purchased security golem heading toward him casually crushing any of the creatures that got in his way. He only bought it last week at Darwin’s insistence. With the increased pirate raids, it could make all the difference, he had argued. At first Towerin scowled saying that he could fight off some filthy pirates with his own crew. It wasn’t until Darwin pointed out it was on sale, thanks to the owner moving to Hell, that Towerin reluctantly agreed. Now he was certainly glad he had. Towering over everything the ten foot golem made of Orichalcum and refined Talerite strode through the battle, ignoring the claws scrapping its reddish black, stony shell. Hands larger than Towerin’s head lashed out with impressive speed, crushing the carapace of any bug foolish enough to get too close. Reaching Towerin, it extended a hand covered in green ichor. Ignoring the offered hand, Towerin got to his feet surveying the fight. The battle was still raging as an endless supply of bugs crawled onto the deck from all sides.
“Master, the situation is perilous. I recommend you go below deck for your own safety,” the golem said in a flat, dead voice.
“Forget it, you pile of gizzard stones. Get out there and protect my ship and crew!” Captain Towerin barked at the golem.
“Yes, master,” the golem said. Turning, it charged into battle, shattering carapaces with every blow.
“Hey boss, take this,” Ervin said reaching Towerin’s side and tossing him his sword before reloading his pistols again. Snatching the blade from mid-air, Towerin was dismayed to see half of Ervin’s rounds already gone.
“Told you to call me father,” Towerin said.
“Sure thing, boss,” Ervin said, giving him a rebellious smile. The boy would make a fine captain one day if he didn’t get himself killed. Ignoring his son, Towerin dashed back into the fray, hacking and slashing as he went.
After what seemed like several days, Towerin sat down on the deck next to Ervin and Darwin. Breathing heavily they watched as the security golem crushed the last bug.
“Told you…” Darwin said gasping, his wings hanging limp. “…it was a good idea to buy that golem.” Too tired to respond Towerin simply nodded as the golem planted its foot into the thorax of the final bug. A loud crunch along with a splattering of green and it was over.
“What I want to know is where did all the pissed roaches come from?” Ervin said panting, both of his bandoliers empty.
“It doesn’t matter,” Towerin said, struggling to his feet. “We have to get out of here before…” He never got to finish, as a massive dark shape rose before the ship’s bow. It could not be seen; it was so black that it perfectly matched the void, but it could be felt. An evil so overwhelming that everyone still standing collapsed to their knees, shivering in pure terror. Even the golem, which had no emotions, trembled before this awesome presence. Before Towerin could offer a prayer to any who would listen, a pure white eye half the size of his ship opened right ahead of them. It could see into the very depths of their being, it could see everything.
“My god…” Darwin said. Towerin thought that summed it up nicely.