Chapter 19: Credesar is Finished!
"Quiet!" Dameon ordered, shaking Kelden. "Our enemies will hear us."
Kelden clamped his lips shut, realizing he'd been having a nightmare. "I dreamt I was killing people...and.... It was awful."
Dameon and Theodus exchanged a grim look.
"It was no nightmare," said Dameon. "The Arnwolf took control of you and slaughtered some soldiers."
Kelden jumped up, his face pale. "Then I actually...?"
"No," said Dameon. "The Arnwolf was the culprit this time. You had no control over it at all. It wasn't even you."
"But we're the same being," Kelden pointed out. "I am the Arnwolf."
"In a sense, yes," said Dameon, sighing. "But in another sense you are completely separate beings. Otherwise your clothes would be in tatters. Yet you don't even bear a single bloodstain."
"I don't understand it," said Kelden.
"Who does?" said Dameon. "My guess is that a few physical or magical effects may be exchanged between you and the Arnwolf. There is a merging of sorts. It's a complex process. But that doesn't mean you're responsible for killing anyone."
"Put it out of your mind, Kelden," said Ellistar. "The men the Arnwolf killed were slaves to Jarvin, and now they are free. But we must struggle on."
Theodus patted his master on the back. "None of this is your fault. I'm just glad you made it back one more time."
Thayan rolled his eyes. "Right. You're good and pure, Kelden. You bear no blame, and so on and so forth. Do you need a hug to help confirm that?"
Kelden ignored Thayan's sarcasm, his mind too occupied to pay it heed. He wasn't sure how he'd made it back, but he had a dreadful feeling he'd been very lucky to do so. Such good fortune couldn't hold out long.
They turned a corner and came face to face with four of Tannis' soldiers bearing swords. The fighters leapt forward to attack, venom in their eyes.
Dameon dispatched one of the soldiers with a mace blow to the head. Theodus seized another soldier's sword and snapped it in two. Then the Dar fiend smashed the man against the wall so hard his bones cracked.
Ellistar, Thayan, and Kelden stepped back, with the intent of allowing Dameon and Theodus to defend them. Renstad also hesitated, for lack of a weapon. Then, seeing they were outnumbered, Kelden leapt forward and laid hands on Theodus, calling forth his magic. Theodus' crimson flesh brightened, even as a poorly delivered sword glanced off his stony skin. The Dar fiend raised his hand, and Kelden sent a furious burst of blood lore energy into Theodus, feeling the familiar connection to his link; and Kelden's power doubled in strength. A force exploded from Theodus' hand--viewable only as a warping of the air as if by heat--shattering a soldier's armor and sending his broken body tumbling along the tunnel.
Kelden reeled back, stunned at his own power, hoping he hadn't killed the man but knowing he almost certainly had inflicted massive damage on him.
Dameon deflected another sword stroke with his mace before landing a crushing blow on the soldier's head. The remaining soldier tried to flee, but Renstad tackled him from behind and began strangling him. The huge warrior seethed with rage as he did the ugly deed.
Kelden prayed Renstad would stop choking the man. But Renstad's eyes were cold, his lips twisted in a murderous sneer, and finally the soldier shuddered and went limp. When he was done, Renstad rose and kicked the corpse.
"How dare he attack me!" Renstad growled. "He knew who I was, and he still tried to cut us down. Filthy traitor."
"It wasn't his fault," said Dameon. "Their minds have been hopelessly corrupted, Renstad. These are innocent men--the same ones you knew. For whatever reason, they gave in to Jarvin's will and were transformed into monsters. They may have faced torture if they refused. You should forgive them for their human weaknesses."
"In light of that, I forgive them," said Renstad, bowing his head. "I don't understand it, but I guess you're right. Somehow, good men have lost their very souls. I'll make Jarvin pay dearly for this!"
"We'll do what we can," said Dameon, shrugging. "These men came to a sad fate, but now we must leave them where they lie and move on."
As they hurried past the fallen men, out of the corner of his eye Kelden saw a figure that wasn't moving--the soldier who'd been battered viciously by Kelden's magic. Kelden cringed and looked away. He found himself hating the ways of humanity--the evil, the killing, and the warfare. And he was unable to fathom how Renstad had slain a man in such a brutal fashion. Surely the barbarian had to be cold hearted, and people like him were the cause of misery in the world. By dwelling on Renstad, Kelden managed to distract himself from the fact that he was likely now a killer as well.
The tunnel split in two. The oracle led them down the left one, and no one questioned her decision. The tunnel sloped downward. They could soon hear running water and smell the stench of the sewers. Escape seemed possible.
Kelden began to consider a drastic move--striking off from the group alone for Frindagan. Once Credesar was out of him, he could find some remote city and learn a trade. Or maybe the seers would let him resume his studies. Either of those alternatives seemed far better than dying with a group of crazed misfits trying to enter a fortified Legaran tower that was controlled by a man who considered himself a god.
"What's our big plan?" said Thayan, as they hurried along.
"Same as before," Dameon said gruffly. "We head for Iragantheos, find a way in, and gain possession of the mind soothe. Then we escape."
"There we go," said Thayan. "Couldn't be more simple. Should we slay Jarvin once we get inside, just for good measure?"
Dameon turned, scowling, and grabbed Thayan's tunic. "I don't know, Thayan. What do you think? Maybe you should lead this bedraggled group."
Thayan slapped Dameon's hand away. "Maybe I should. Your leadership has nearly gotten us killed more than once."
"Enough," said Ellistar, her remaining good eye opened wide in disbelief. "We can afford to think of nothing but escaping this city right now. We haven't the time to pause and fight amongst ourselves."
"Agreed," Kelden said. "Let's get going. We can discuss our plans once we get out of these wretched tunnels."
Thayan laughed. "I'm sure we will. Does any one of us really have a clue what we're doing? Look at us! We've lost touch with reality. We should be trying to find someplace to hide out and spend our remaining years like everyone else does. But instead we're determined to get ourselves killed. It's kind of funny. I'm just going along with it to see where it leads, so I can get a good laugh."
Kelden wondered if Thayan was somehow reading his mind, so similar were Thayan's thoughts to his own. But Kelden said nothing, not wanting to get in an argument with Dameon and get choked.
"You don't have to go," Dameon said. "You have free will, Thayan. If you want to abandon this quest and strike off on your own, have at it."
"I'll tag along for now," said Thayan. "But so far all I've gained on this journey is nearly being tortured to death, poisoned, and cursed. Yet we press on for Iragantheos because of a vague vision that Kelden had in a village of savages. Meanwhile, Kelden ignores the advice of the seers and finds himself periodically turning into various demons and running amok. Am I the only one bothering to question this whole affair?"
"You're not the only one," said Kelden. "But Ellistar is right. Now is not the time. We need to find a way out of the mountain."
Thayan shrugged and started off down the tunnel in a quick and careless fashion. The others exchanged concerned glances, and then followed.
Traveling through the sewers was an unpleasant affair, but it became much more tolerable when Renstad announced they were on their way to freedom. He took the lead, and they followed eagerly, their steps full of renewed energy.
But Thayan didn't let up. "Looks like we're actually going to escape. And it's all thanks to that Arnwolf thing."
"Do not speak of that," said Dameon. "Kelden needs no reminding of it."
"Right," said Thayan
. "It's okay to remind me that I'm some sort of freak, but we must protect Kelden's feelings at all costs."
"What are you talking about?" said Dameon. "No one is saying anything. You have taken to babbling nonsense, Thayan."
"I know what you all think," said Thayan. "I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. Kelden might have monsters inside him, but I am a monster."
Dameon threw up his hands in disgust. "No one is thinking anything except escape. What's gotten into you, Thayan?"
"Forget it," Thayan muttered.
Kelden cleared his throat. "You know, Thayan, I'm sort of tired of your whining." He knew he should let it go, but Thayan's words angered him. "We're all facing challenges. So quit being a baby. Face up to your problems like a man, the way I'm trying to do."
Thayan's eyes widened, and he stepped in front of Kelden--so close that Kelden could feel his breath. "You better watch what you say!"
"Get away from me," said Kelden. "Quit acting like a fool. Don't forget who saved you when you were hanging from the West Gate of Valganleer."
Thayan shoved him back a step. "So I'm a baby and a fool, huh? I could kill you easily. I'm not some weak Ulden student anymore."
"Do not threaten my master!" Theodus said, his yellow eyes narrowing and his bat ears twitching.
"Indeed, maybe I shouldn't," said Thayan. "Maybe he'll turn into a monster and tear me apart like he did those soldiers back there."
In a fit of rage and emotional pain, Kelden struck Thayan on cheek, rocking his head back. "It wasn't my fault!" he cried.
"You'll pay for that!" Thayan hissed. He tackled Kelden to the ground and choked him. Kelden struggled uselessly, his strength nothing compared to Thayan's unnatural power. Thayan was charged with dark energy and it was driving him to kill.
Theodus tried to break Thayan's hold, but Thayan was clinging with all his considerable might. Dameon lunged forward and assisted Theodus.
Meanwhile, Kelden instinctively summoned his magic, sending it into his hand. He seized Thayan's wrist and squeezed, snapping the bone. Thayan gasped. The grip on Kelden's throat relaxed, and Dameon and Theodus shoved Thayan against the cave wall. Dameon thrust his glowing mace against Thayan's throat.
Thayan stood clutching his broken wrist, his lip twisted in a sneer. "I'll bet none of you will insult me again."
"I'll say whatever I choose," said Dameon, glaring at him. "You can't intimidate me, Thayan. Your powers aren't yet a match for mine."
"I don't care," said Thayan. "I won't be insulted, and I'll take down anyone who tries it. You understand that? Nobody calls me a fool!"
"I won't insult you anymore," Kelden promised. "That wasn't right. But if I want to speak my mind on some things, I will. You don't scare me, Thayan. I know you're not evil."
Thayan's lip quivered. "You're wrong, Kelden. I was going to choke you to death. You felt it. I'm capable of anything."
Kelden rubbed his throat. "I don't believe you would have."
"No one around me is safe," said Thayan. "I'm too dangerous."
"I'm dangerous too," said Kelden. "You have a broken wrist as proof of that. It could have been your neck. So now we both know we can kill each other. So what of it? I say let's be friends and get along. We both have a similar problem, and we can help each other learn to deal with it so other people don't get hurt."
"I don't need anyone," said Thayan. "But you should learn to face reality, Kelden. You're not some righteous hero. You're just a man infested with darkness--a devil like me who can only come to a bad end. Now let's move on."
"We should do something for your wrist," said Kelden. Even though Thayan had choked him and had stated he was a devil, Kelden felt guilty for injuring him in such a brutal fashion. "Can you heal him, Ellistar?"
"Forget it," said Thayan. "I'm not human anymore, and I don't need to be treated like one. I'll crawl off and lick my wounds."
Dameon sighed, but said nothing.
"Are we done?" Ellistar said, her hands on her hips. "I thought I said we need to avoid fighting and keep moving? Didn't I say that?"
Kelden nodded. Thayan looked away, his wrist hanging awkwardly, his dark hair covering half of his face. When Ellistar kept glaring at him, Thayan finally turned and said sullenly, "I got it. Fine. Quit staring at me. My wrist hurts."
Then get to it!" Ellistar snapped, undaunted.
Their torch died out, but Theodus led with his glowing body. They hurried on through the tunnels, heedless of the fact that they lacked food, water, or medical supplies. Occasionally they stopped and listened for signs of pursuit, but heard only flowing water. The tunnels were infested with snakes, but Theodus stomped them to death.
Their journey through the winding tunnels lasted well into the morning, their steps growing heavy, but they didn't stop. Dameon limped along, occasionally pausing to rub his thighs, his jaw clenched in pain.
"You should rest those legs," Kelden told him at one point, certain Dameon was only making his way on sheer determination. Dameon's painful struggle made the others uncomfortable. He seemed on the verge of collapse, yet somehow he kept a fast and steady pace, groaning in agony now and then and occasionally stumbling. But Dameon only shook his head angrily at this suggestion, and on they went.
Daylight was breaking across the land when they emerged from the tunnels into open air. A mountain path that consisted of blue dots painted on trees and rocks stretched down the slopes ahead of them, lined with towering pines. When they first stepped from the tunnel, they were greeted with a terrible surprise. Three Halstarion worms were visible under some pines nearby. The worms were feeding on two bears, their luminous bodies quivering as they sucked away the creatures' life force.
The worms were roughly ten feet in length, made of smooth, transparent, and glowing flesh. Their elongated organs were visible pulsating inside them, crimson strands that expanded, shrank, and quivered. They seemed to have no eyes, ears, or means of flight--though they hovered at will--but they did have a round, gaping hole for a mouth that seemed to contain a few teeth-like lumps. Each worm had luminous horns protruding from its head that had no recognizable purpose since the creatures didn't use them in combat. An eye-shaped formation glowed on the underbelly of each creature.
The worms inspired terror and revulsion--the feeling they were an abomination and shouldn't exist. The natural world, however, had accepted them and learned to adapt. Many animal species had perished, but some had gained new tricks for dealing with the worms and got along just fine. Life went on across the continent as it had since the beginning. Only humans like Kelden and his companions could never live in harmony with the worms, since to do so meant surrendering the land and acknowledging the creatures as the top of the food chain. It was an ironic fate the human race had suffered, a crushing blow to the vast ego of humanity.
Their hearts full of fear and disgust, the travelers tiptoed back into the cave like the mice they knew themselves to be. They were forced to wait until the worms had sucked away all the energy from the bears and left them dead. This took nearly an hour, since Halstarion worms were notoriously slow feeders. Finally the worms finished their dinner and floated away to sleep above bodies of water or in factory ruins.
Dameon used a sharp stone to hack some meat from the bears, then impaled them on a stick. Halstarion worms often left large chunks of meat fully intact, which was why some animals--particularly scavenger birds--followed them when they hunted. Dameon played the role of scavenger now.
"We need to find a way to get a fire going," said Renstad, "and cook some of that. My stomach is growling."
"Not yet," said Dameon. "We must get away from this cave mouth before we stop to eat. I suggest at least an hour of walking first."
Exhausted, the travelers slogged along the trail out of the mountains. Kelden could hardly stand to keep moving, and he kept lagging behind. He just wanted to find a nice soft bed of pine needles and sleep the morning away.
Now that they were in the open again, Kelden
began to fret about the Blue World sorcerer. Chills crept along his spine and he found himself trying to hide amongst the others as they walked.
"Shouldn't we get some sleep?" Kelden asked, leaning against a pine.
"It's daytime," Dameon said gruffly, still carrying his totem of bloody bear meat. "Do you sleep in the day?"
"Actually, yes," said Kelden. "Or at least I used to when I was at Valganleer. We should leave this trail and make camp somewhere."
"We'd be wasting daylight," said Dameon. "Foolish."
"Why?" said Kelden. "What's the big hurry? Oh, I forgot, we can't keep our deaths waiting. We have to rush to Iragantheos on our noble quest, right?" He knew he was being sarcastic and mocking, but he was so weary he didn't care.
"Why do you mock me?" said Dameon. "You sound like Thayan. Remember, it was your vision in the Gald village that has inspired this journey."
Kelden sighed. "I'm not trying to mock you, Dameon. But this pace is unnecessary, and sort of foolish. Don't you think that Tannis fellow will be expecting us to be on this trail? Not only that, but we're wearing ourselves out. If we get in a fight or have to flee, things could get ugly. We need some sleep."
"We must keep moving," Dameon said.
"I'm done," said Kelden. "Leave me behind if you want. I'm finding a place to sleep. And we should eat that meat before it rots."
"Weakling," Thayan laughed. "Dameon's legs are ruined, I'm in pain from a broken wrist, and we travel with an old woman who has been tortured. Yet who breaks down first? The healthiest amongst us--and the one who can't stand the slightest discomfort."
Kelden glared at him, but said nothing. Thayan was right. In some ways, Kelden was weak. He was sickened by violence, had no love for hard physical labor, and was in fact fairly lazy overall. But considering the burdens he bore, he felt Thayan had no right to insult him or point out his flaws.
"Shut up, Thayan," said Dameon. "Kelden makes a fair point, and if he cannot go on, then we'll rest with him. We might as well find a secluded place to camp for the rest of the day and tonight. We should be ready to start fresh tomorrow."
"I was about to suggest that myself," said Renstad. "We have some things to discuss. I haven't yet agreed to go where the rest of you are headed. And I'm not going any farther without some breakfast."
"Yes, we have issues to talk over," said Ellistar. "We find ourselves full of doubts at this critical time. As of now, Dameon, you appear to be the only one who fully believes in what you're doing. If you cannot convince the rest of us to share your faith, then we'll end up going our separate ways. I assure you we won't go to Iragantheos without having our hearts firmly set on it."