Chapter VII
Malachi
“I have been waiting for you,” growled the Wolf, “my name is Kendra.”
She leapt from the rocks and landed in front of Humming Bird. It was large indeed, almost in height as tall as her, broader at the shoulder; it slowly circled Humming Bird. The wolf's deep clear blue eyes were piercing, it was as though the creature were studying her, gauging her mettle.
“We,” said Kendra, “must be quick, dark spirits have been raised in the mountains - they are powerful Manitou. What is it you seek?”
“We,” said Humming Bird, “wish to free Uziel, he is one of the Sky People held captive by a great enemy of theirs they go by the name of Malachi or Moloch of the Mages. They may in appearance be mistaken for dark spirited Manitou. Also we understand that they may joined with the ones called the Ifrit.”
“I know the Ifrit,” said Kendra, “you have mighty enemies indeed.”
“Can you help?” interrupted Gabriel.
“We,” said Kendra turning to move away, “shall see, but to free your friend I fear we may first have to battle much devilry. Come - let us leave this place.”
Kendra sprang quickly forward followed by the others. It was as if she knew exactly where Uziel could be.
At last, they would finally confront and banish Malachi and with him gone, Moloch would be bound to the Vision Realm for a little while at least and that would be long enough to make Lothos vulnerable. Gabriel watched Michael with concern, could the strain of the past thousand years finally be taking its toll? Michael could see the worry on Gabriel’s face and smiled reassuringly at his old friend.
“It will take,” said Gabriel, “a mighty effort if we are to destroy Malachi once and for all.”
“Destroy him?” replied Michael, “we don’t need to destroy him, just cast him into the deepest void. His essence would wander the universe, shapeless; powerless, it might take him an age to find his way back and by then it is hoped this war will be over.”
“What of Uziel?” Gabriel asked.
“Hopefully,” said Michael, “we’re not too late to save him.”
The four strode quickly forward led by Kendra. They disappeared into the tangled web of sycamore trees that blanketed the mountain side. Kendra, being a spirit guide, knew the road they travelled well; each visitor to that realm brought with them different aspects of the life they had come from. To be sure, she had not encountered the Mages before, nor Malachi, who were from a different realm to hers altogether, and as for the Djinn she knew how terrifying they were. So she was more guarded during their journey than would normally have been the case.
Kendra had stopped ahead of them. Her grey fur, brushed by the wind, softened and glistened. She carefully sniffed the air - something had captured her attention. By her side Humming Bird anxiously begun to slowly back away.
“We are close to the enemy,” said Kendra looking back at Anaki.
Anaki raised his staff and as he did so the crystals faintly shone.
“Umm,” said Anaki almost grinding his teeth together, even for him such a vision quest as this one was taking on aspects more sinister than he had encountered in many a year.
“The Djinn,” continued Anaki, “are here.”
“Can you tell us,” whispered Humming Bird, “how bad is this going to get?”
“To the first people they are the mightiest of the Manitou and yet you say that this Moloch and Malachi are mightier still,” replied Anaki. “The Djinn offer allegiance to nothing but that which serves their own purpose. They will be in the guise of man or beast. They are ancient beings indeed almost as old as the Sky People.”
“They’re not that old.” Michael said, “And we know the Djinn well. In many respects they were our children whom we loved, but Azazel the Dragon went to them with Moloch at his side, for they had a Mighty Codex in their charge and they desired it for themselves. And while they treated with them, their treachery was perceived and the Djinn sensing their deceit, withdrew and became distant from all, as they did not know who to trust, and so it was that they were lost to us. And what became of the Codex no one knows, as when war came they fled and hid it.”
“Now you know they were not altogether lost,” replied Anaki. “They came to the Vision Realm, or some of them did and it was just regrettable that they fled from their home to a place that was already home to something else. And we were unwelcoming hosts, seeing them as invaders instead of exiles, we did not wait to hear their reasons as to why they were here and set upon them in a most fearful manner, thinking we were defending our domain, and I’m afraid the conflict that sprung from that encounter was savage, where no quarter was given and none taken. You say they fled because they did not know who to trust or perhaps follow. In effect they were driven from a place of hardship, to a place of hardship. So they were forced out by those that loved them only to be forced out by those that hated them, and the outcome in both instances would have been the same, leading to a tragic sad end...”
Michael glanced at Anaki as his voice trailed off and following his eyes he looked up; above them, staring down from a perilous looking crag was one of the Djinn. He was in appearance not an animal but one of the First People, a Mohawk, his sinewy youthful body was ready at any moment to spring into action. His dark flowing hair was carried in the wind, his eyes were aflame. Appearing at his side was a large creature -the one they had fought against earlier. It let out a great roar. Anaki’s staff blazed all the more.
“At least,” said Gabriel with a nonchalant glance toward Michael, “there are only two of them.”
Michael looked back at Gabriel and with a gesture and an exasperated shake of the head he pointed toward where the Djinn were standing; more had quickly gathered close to the ones that were already there.
“Ah,” added Gabriel, “spoke too soon then.”
Kendra stood by Anaki who gave a slight nod of his head. The proud looking she-wolf gave out a howl that echoed round the mountain. It was answered by a roar and from behind the cover of the trees came a large bear, a coyote, a mountain lion and an elk whose antlers were like great scythes. Its golden fur gleamed in the sunlight. Riding atop of it was one of the first people, his long hair flowed down his back, dark penetrating eyes and a muscular shape made him a fearsome sight to look upon. In one hand he clutched a bow and arrows and in the other was a spear. Its flint tip glistened provocatively.
“These,” said Anaki, “are Spirit Braves, warriors all. They will help us in our fight against the Djinn.”
The Djinn backed away from the cliff’s edge.
“Ah well,” said Gabriel looking up at where the Djinn had disappeared from, “nice to know what we’ve got to look forward to.”
“What,” replied Anaki, “did you expect?”
“Exactly this,” answered Michael, “the problem is they now realise we’re coming. And they have the high ground.”
“You,” said Anaki, “still believe you are in the physical world, here there is no high ground or low ground no day or night, except that which you see as so. We will create a distraction while you three go ahead to free your friend.”
“No offence,” said Michael, “but you’re going to need all the help you can get fighting the Djinn.”
“None taken,” replied Anaki with a confident smile, “that’s why I’ve called upon the spirit braves - they are all the help I need against them. You had better look to defeating this Malachi of yours. So when the fighting starts, make your way over to the ledge of the cliff - waiting for you will be mighty Thunder Birds, they are large strong and powerful creatures. They will fly you to your friend.”
“Shame,” said Gabriel, “they couldn’t have come sooner.”
“Before now,” replied Anaki impatiently, “we did not know where your friend was, but the place he is being kept in has now manifested.”
Anaki waved the Spirit Braves forward. Slowly they began to climb the sheer face of the mountain. Behind or beneath every crag
or overhang Anaki expected a threat to manifest itself but there was nothing. Finally they reached a shallow plateau, it stretched out in front of them, a short flat plain strewn with boulders and an uneven shingle base. And there waiting for them, partially shielded from view, were the Djinn. Arrows hurtled towards Anaki whose staff blazed in defiance as it let out a burst of vibrant energy. The arrows burst into flame and crumpled to dust in mid-flight.
From behind the boulders the Djinn rushed forward to be met by the Spirit Braves, as their bodies clashed it was as if they irresistibly entwined, almost as though they were moving in some ancient unholy dance. Screams, cries and roars all bellowed out. The large elk slammed into one of the Djinn that in appearance was like a ferocious lion, hitting it so hard that it was flung into the air. As it landed it slid along the shingle, great giant claws dug into the ground preventing it from disappearing over the cliff’s edge. With a roar it leapt forward, challenging the elk once more. Gabriel and Michael protected Humming Bird from flailing savage blows as they slowly moved to gain the ground needed to escape the battle. One of the Djinn, a large grotesque looking man whose savage face and unearthly aspect gave him the stature of an ogre, broke free and rushed toward Humming Bird. In one hand he held a heavy club and in the other a shield, his leather breechcloth and moccasins fitted so tightly that you could not discern them from his body, his bone breast plate looked like it was attached to his barrel chest and shook violently as he moved, his black hair leapt from his head as though it were aflame, his eyes were burning coals which held an intense fire. Anaki tried to block his path but he was charged to the ground, the man’s shield hitting him in the midriff. A wolf Spirit Brave sprang forward to confront the Djinn but was swiftly beaten back by the heavy club. The creature, escaping their attentions, reached its target with a final leap in the air, his back arched, his sinewy arms tensed, the club was held so far behind him that the end of it almost touched the back of his feet, and as though it were a tightened spring suddenly released, he flung it forward. It flew toward Humming Bird, as it was about to smash into her. Michael managed to push her aside, and the club crashed into his shield instead, shattering it. Michael was propelled back against a large boulder. Gabriel moved to intercept as the Djinn ran forward to quickly pick up his club. As the Djinn was about to land the fatal blow on the dazed Michael, Gabriel parried it just as it was about to find its target. He kicked the Djinn away, and struck wielding his sword ferociously one way then the other. Michael, though shaken, unsteadily got to his feet. Gripping the hilt of his sword, he joined Gabriel as the Djinn threatened to gain the ascendancy. Once more his club struck. Gabriel blocked the blow with his sword giving Michael the opportunity to thrust his sword into the midriff of the Djinn, who gave out a roar of anger as he drew his last breath and slumped to the ground. Michael patted Gabriel on the back, puffed out his cheeks and gave a sigh of relief as he leant on his sword.
There was a sudden roar and heavy stamping, the two looked round, and there in front of them was Razor Tooth, a large cumbersome Boar. Its tusks curled like scimitars and true enough the creature’s back was arched so violently that they thought it would snap. Its coarse hair stood rigidly on end. A scar ran down one eye which was horribly disfigured.
“This has to be,” said Gabriel shaking his head wearily, “a bad dream.”
“I think,” replied Michael who was also panting, “you mean a bad Vision Quest.”
Razor Tooth gave out a rumbling boom and with a vicious shake of its head charged. Gabriel and Michael stood firm, not really knowing what to do. The beast tore forward frenziedly; it buffeted other Spirit Braves out of the way not allowing anything to slow its attack. Both Gabriel and Michael watched, slightly perplexed, then looked at each other and laughed in the face of their adversary. As the sight of their doom rapidly came closer they braced themselves swords at the ready; suddenly they were quickly forced to duck as over their heads flew a spear which embedded itself into the creature, penetrating through the eye and killing it instantly. The creature slumped to the floor in front of both Michael and Gabriel, who were still standing there in awe. In fact Gabriel was so put out by the sudden demise of Razor Tooth that without thinking he plunged his sword into it anyway.
They slowly turned their heads to see Humming Bird shaking the dust from her hands.
“If you two,” shouted Humming Bird, “have quite finished, can we be on our way?”
She had picked up a loose lying spear and had thrown it with all her might at the creature. Gabriel and Michael were shaken out of their surprise, realisation creeping in that they still had their mission to complete. Humming Bird was already climbing up the sheer rise of the Mountain; she was soon joined by Gabriel and Michael who with great agility caught up with her. The fighting could still be heard beneath them, it had taken on, if it were possible, a greater intensity. Anaki’s staff blazed as great streaks of light propelled first one way, then another, driving the Djinn back. The Spirit Braves fought with tenacity but still more Djinn appeared coming from above and below, ferocious looking wild creatures, grizzly bears whose roars echoed round the mountain, and Viking Warriors with double headed axes. In response to this more Spirit Braves also entered the fray, a pair of bald eagles, a pack of wolves, more First People, whose arrows flew straight and true. The clashing and grunting mass beneath them congealed into one; not a single part of the plateau was devoid of struggling bodies. The great elk could be seen its strong sharp antlers ramming a Viking out of the way before going on to skew another into the hard rock of the mountain. It let out a loud bellowing cry and was immediately set upon by a vicious looking mountain lion that leapt onto its back, long ravenous claws dug deep into its hide.
Humming Bird clambered over to the mountain’s edge while Michael and Gabriel scrambled to meet her.
“What now?” asked Michael.
Humming Bird smiled at him and jumped from the cliff. Gabriel watched in disbelief and reached out to grab her but he was too late. They both looked down horrified, only to see her appear in front of them on the back of a Thunder Bird. Suddenly great talons gently rested on their shoulders and hoisted them aloft. It was quite disorienting having their legs hang in mid-air. One Thunder Bird dropped Gabriel on the other one’s back, while the other holding Michael did the same. The three mighty eagles soared ever higher. Below them where the battle was occurring dust filled the air, and within it could be seen pulses of light, no doubt from Anaki’s staff - at least - thought Michael, he was still alive. Now they had to face Malachi and no doubt Moloch.
The birds’ wings came together with such strength that it was as though they had the force of a hurricane. The mountain shifted in appearance and the trees that had surrounded it retreated, to be replaced by cold hard stone. The fighting could still be seen below them but it had become detached, as though it were part of a different story. As the eagles soared ever higher what came into view was truly unexpected. At the summit of the mountain was a large citadel. It was cut out of the rock, two towers jutted out like jagged uncompromising teeth, high steep walls ran round the mountain’s face. As they rose above them they could see a large cobbled yard with a stable on one side and a long flint terrace with a slate tiled roof. A stone keep lay to its rear, with a large pristine marbled statue to its front which shone as the light bounced of it. Other than the wings of the Thunder Birds there was no sound to be heard; it was as if it were deserted. The mighty birds set them down on the cobbled stones of the court yard and once free of their cumbersome baggage alighted. Gabriel stood listening pensively, Michael slowly drew his sword. Humming Bird could not fully take in her surroundings; this was a place she had not conceived of.
“What do you think?” asked Gabriel, as his eyes searched for any unnatural movement in the shadows.
Michael murmurred something; this was enemy territory as far as he was concerned, they had now left the realms of Humming Bird’s Vision Quest and moved into some nightmare kingdom most likely conceived
of by the mind of Malachi or Moloch. And yet they were nowhere to be seen - in fact there were no signs of life at all. From the walls hung standards, all were inset with a Dragon breathing savage flames. The statue in front of the keep was of a Viking warrior but the face was unmistakable; it was Azazel.
“I’ve seen enough,” said Michael with disgust. After so many millennia he had not got used to the utter vanity of his adversary.
“Not a very good likeness,” scoffed Gabriel.
Michael nodded and mumbled to himself as he stared up at the brooding monolithic sky. The sight was daunting to look upon; great swirling dark clouds were appearing above the citadel. Humming Bird seemed to shrink at their appearance as she backed into Gabriel. Sensing danger Gabriel grabbed her hand and ran for the large stone building just to the side of them, Michael made a dash for the keep. Lightning struck the court yard, shaking the ground as they fled. Gabriel quickly kicked one of the doors in and pushed Humming Bird inside before leaping through the entrance. Michael had just reached the keep and hurled himself through the open gate just as another lightning strike hit the ground behind him.
Michael picked up his sword and dusted himself down, immediately taking in his surroundings. Torches hung from the walls, and their muted flames sent soft shadows flickering along the floor. A great crystal chandelier filled with candles hung from the ceiling which was where the main light came from. Strange, he wondered, how from the outside he had not noticed any light emanating from the keep. He rubbed his chin free of any remaining gravelly particles and pondered what to do next. The keep was split into two levels. A large wooden staircase led up to the first floor, the carved banister was in the form of a snake. A stone gargoyle on a small plinth stood guard in the centre of the hallway; its cold eyes and ominous gaze stared right at Michael. Taking down a torch he smiled grimly to himself. To the sides there were doors, probably leading to antechambers. Michael moved across to try one of the door handles, it opened without much effort. The room was dark, only lit by the shadowed light emanating from the torch he held, and he decided that this was something worth investigating. The room appeared to be a library in the centre of which was a stone stand and on it was a book. Michael looked at the book. Interesting title, he thought: ‘The Angelos and the Dragon Wars.’ He suddenly became attentive, could their enemy really have made such a fundamental mistake as leaving a written account of their exploits? He reached out to open the book and stopped himself. Michael began to chant over the book and from the pouch at his side he removed some crumbled pieces of stone and threw them over the book. It shone with a dark reddish halo. He grimly smiled, it had been a trap. Had he opened the book no doubt his enemy would have been alerted to his presence. Michael raised the torch and stepped past the plinth to look over the books. There did not seem to be anything of interest, and just as he was about to turn away something caught his eye. One of the books was irresistibly propped as if inviting Michael to pull it free from the others. Slowly he reached up paused a moment, and wondered whether this was another trap. Again he took some stones from his pouch and whispered something over them before casting them at the book. This time there was a light blue halo. Michael immediately pulled the book free and almost at once there was a click and the book shelf sprang back to leave an opening, behind which was a secret room.