Empire of Blood, page 24
part #2 of Armageddon Series
“Fire sticks? Oh, I think you mean our guns.”
“Meh. Whatever you call them.” Kiba clapped her hands together and summoned a stone disk. “Think fast!” She waved her hands and the rock lunged for Selena’s head. Without time to analyze the situation, Selena held out both her arms. Two large stone pillars erupted from the ground beside her. She then moved her arms together and the spires followed. They positioned themselves in front of her, and Kiba’s attack crumbled upon impact with her block. “You are doing well, but if you want to keep up with your training, then I would recommend practicing every day to stay on top of it. Don’t lose your drive and keep thinking stubborn thoughts.” Kiba reached up and knocked on Selena’s forehead.
When they were satisfied with Thor’s and Selena’s lessons, the four of them went back inside and sat down together in their upstairs room with glasses of cider and water, while Thor and Doragon curled up near the horse pen to rest.
Azrael glared at the door while Selena and Kiba went over their success. Rahim joined them after ordering a plate of food.
“I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. Yes, you struggled at first, but you still did it!”
Selena smiled. “Thank you, Kiba. Once I found out how to connect with the earth, it became like second nature. I’m so happy that I finally understand! Azrael's talk about what the elements mean and how they connect with everything in life was amazing information. I can connect my energies with the elements around me to have control. I don't know how I came to realize that, I just did it.”
“The Lich wouldn't be able to stand a chance against you!” Rahim exclaimed.
“I highly doubt that,” Selena corrected, “after all, I just learned. I've seen him do it with ease.”
Both Rahim and Kiba fell silent.
“I hope there's a chance.” Rahim muttered. “Selena, do you think we’ll be able to stop him before the Day of Eternal Darkness?”
“I don’t know. We just have to do everything we can now.”
“Since you can now use both fire and earth, now we can focus on the other types of magic. This is exciting!” Rahim clapped his hands together and wore a huge grin.
“Since we’re heading to Nuvak next, then I think I should learn about air, and then…”
“Water… Snowhaven.” Rahim’s tone turned grim. “Will we ever find Niamh?”
“We will find her. I’m sure Azrael would have said something by now if we couldn’t save her.” Selena was a little unsure in the certainty of her words; she looked up at Azrael for some kind of reassurance, but he didn’t stir.
“How do you all know each other?” Kiba asked to change the subject, scratching at the metal tankards.
Selena and Azrael exchanged glances with one another, unsure of how to discuss their first encounter.
He went first: “I'm not going to lie, Selena and I hated each other.”
“It was complicated. I tried to get to know him after joining the Force, but-” Selena was interrupted by Azrael.
“How could someone like you understand me? You don't know anything about me.”
“What was wrong with me trying to understand you?” Selena asked.
Before she could react, Azrael pushed the table aside and drew a knife he kept hidden in his sash and held it to her throat. Kiba squealed while Rahim started swearing.
“You know nothing,” he growled through gritted teeth, “do you think I wouldn't do it?”
Selena tried to keep calm. Deep down, she knew that Azrael wouldn’t kill her. “I know that you wouldn't do it. And honestly, I think you're a good person.”
Azrael's eyes widened as he lowered his knife. “Don't say that,” he whispered, “I am not a good person.”
“Yes, you are. You were showing me that you were capable of killing me right then and there, but I saw it in your eyes. You wouldn’t. If anything, you taught me to watch my back.”
“Even in the face of death, you don't cower down,” Azrael commented, putting his knife away, “interesting.”
“What in the Divine’s name… what in Oblivion is wrong with you? You’re always trying to hurt her!” Rahim shouted.
“I think I should be used to it by now.” Azrael’s lip twitched from Selena’s joke.
Rahim wasn’t amused. “You shouldn’t have to be used to it.”
“It’s a little bit difficult when the Lich is still out there-” Selena said but Rahim cut her off.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean that Azrael needs to be threatening to kill you.” He glared at Death.
“I wasn’t going to kill her.” Azrael rolled his eyes and acted like he was bored.
“You better not, or else I will kill you.” D’s voice rumbled over their heads. Selena’s group immediately turned to see him walking inside their room.
“Right, I forgot you were still here. And you can’t kill me.”
“A god can still be killed.” Azrael glared at D, but he didn’t argue. “Unfortunately, I need to leave earlier than planned. I have other matters to attend to. See to it that you four leave by morning to stay on schedule.”
“Wait, I thought you were going to stay with us for a while?” Selena asked.
“My plans have changed. I need to head back to Alfheim as soon as possible.”
“When will we see you again?”
“In due time, I assure you. Pray that the next time we meet, it’ll be celebrating our victory over the Lich’s defeat. Farewell.” D put his mask back on before leaving the tavern.
A stone sank in her stomach. Selena felt it was unfair for her family to leave her once again. However, she held her tongue and silently prayed to herself for a hopeful future.
Azrael scratched his chin. “I know what he said, but I still think we should probably head out to Nuvak very soon. Doragon and I are already packed and ready to go. I suggest you should do the same.”
“But didn’t that guy – D, you said his name was?- say that we can leave in the morning?” Rahim asked.
“Yes, but we’re still behind. If we can leave now, then we can make up the lost time. Doragon said he’s ready and it’s not nearly as far from here as the pass was.”
“I was hoping to practice a bit more before leaving.” Selena was concerned that she wouldn’t get another opportunity like this again.
“I think you’ll be fine,” Azrael said.
“Very well. As long as Thor is ready too then we can go. I don’t want to put him in any more uncomfortable situations.”
While they packed, Selena pulled Rahim aside. She felt bad for interrupting him earlier, and she promised that she would explain who D was.
“So, he really is your father?” Rahim asked. Selena nodded. “And he really is the true Emperor of Armageddon?”
“Yes, but he’s been in hiding for a long time. He’s a wanted criminal by the Council.”
Rahim’s eyes widened and he frantically looked around to make sure that nobody overheard their conversation. “Why? Wait, I remember you told me. Is it because he was involved with illegal magic?”
“Yes.” Selena turned away.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that!” Rahim put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. “I know that necromancy and genetic experimentation is illegal, and for good reason, but you would think that the Council could be reasoned with. You and your family have gone through so much, and it’s all because of them and the Lich.”
“The Council and the Lich,” Selena repeated. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
When Rahim saw the look of horror on her face, he said: “Wait, do you think there’s a connection?”
“No, no! It can’t be. Let’s… let’s finish packing.” No matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she had an odd feeling that Rahim was right. It was like Selena tumbled in the darkness after missing a step on the stairs. Were the Council’s notorious notions part of something more? Selena could not say. Even Azrael had his doubts on where the Council’s allegiance lay.
As they finished packing what little they had brought inside, Selena asked the innkeeper as they made their way outside: “About how far away is Nuvak from here?”
“Nuvak? Why on earth would you want to go there?” he asked.
Selena looked at him strangely. “We have official business there and we need to meet with the king. Why?”
“Oh, well,” the keeper stuttered, “umm… his majesty isn't allowing any visitors in or out at the moment.”
“Why?”
“Haven't you heard? Apparently, a disease is spreading! Everyone inside the city are dropping like flies! The king was trying to keep the plague from entering the city walls by closing the borders and he kept hosting parties to celebrate their cleanliness. However, the disease grew worse and started spreading over Nuvak. The king still forbids opening the city gates.”
“That's awful!” Selena cried out, but Azrael came in and pushed her a bit to the side.
“That sounds like a load of rubbish to me. Come on, let's go and get this over with.”
“Be careful,” the innkeeper shouted just as they were leaving, “once you go in, you can never get out. That plague keeps everyone contained within the gates.”
Azrael whispered in Selena’s ear, “Don't listen to him. That man is probably crazy from being alone at his inn for a while. I reckon we're the first visitors he's had in years.” He whistled for Doragon and grabbed his small pack off the ground.
“I don't know. He said that people are dying in there from the disease. Is that true?”
Azrael bit down on his tongue. “Let’s find a courier or something so we can report to Vidar that we’re in the area...”
Selena grabbed his shoulder and wheeled him around. She was frustrated that he kept avoiding her point. “People are dying in there. We need to get to Nuvak.”
“People haven’t died from the plague!”
“But they will soon, won’t they?”
He shrugged her hand off and walked away. “Nobody’s died from the plague because there isn’t a plague! Everyone in Nuvak is still alive.” Azrael still cringed at his words, as if what he said bothered him. Selena took note in how strangely he acted; she had a hunch that he was lying to her to deter her away.
Thor and Doragon circled above them before landing. Kiba and Rahim were already aboard, waving to them.
I’m wondering if Azrael is getting tired of you manipulating him to save lives.
Why is that wrong?
Because if it’s their time, then what can he do about it? And if it wasn’t their time, then things will work out.
But nothing has been working out! Life and death are at an imbalance because of the Lich’s power and influence over Oblivion. Until we can help him fix that, we need to still do what we can.
“We almost left without you,” Rahim said. He started laughing, but Thor reached up with his talon to hit his head.
They took off towards Nuvak once Azrael and Selena climbed aboard.
“If you really want to get to Nuvak, then we should be there by midday,” Azrael said.
“Thank you,” Selena said. She and Kiba looked out towards the horizon.
Kiba crinkled her nose. “I smell something disgusting.”
Selena put a hand over her face and pinched her nostrils. “So do I. What is that?”
“I feel like the innkeeper wasn't lying. Look.” Rahim pointed ahead to what appeared to be a misty green cloud that polluted the oncoming city.
“That can't be right. But why?” Azrael pulled out an eyeglass from his pocket to get a closer look. “What in the Divines?”
“You said there was no plague.” Selena shot at him.
“I said that so you wouldn’t have to worry, but nobody has died!”
“Yet. We have to get in there.”
Azrael sighed. “Nobody has died yet from the poison-” he tried to repeat but Selena shut him down.
“Just because no one has yet doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do something about it. I know you can probably feel their torment at least. That’s probably why you acted the way you did when you tried to deter me before. Maybe we can talk to the king to find out what the source of this mist is.”
“What? Oh no. We’re not doing what we did in Rhumbek. That was a huge waste of our time!” Azrael complained.
“How can we let the citizens of Nuvak die from a disease that can be stopped?” Selena asked. “This is much different than trying to stop a mad dragon god!”
“There’s nothing that we can do! Let’s just report in and be on our way as soon as possible.”
“We’re going to help them.”
Azrael gritted his teeth and swore under his breath. “Of course you do, and I bet that there's no way for me to talk you out of this?”
“No, there isn't. Matu is in there and all of those poor people are suffering and dying. We have to do something to help.”
“Don’t listen to him. Yes, we’re going to help them. We have to! Mum is in there! I don’t want to see her die from this!” Rahim cried.
“Err… if all of you really want to get in there and not die, then let me make a suggestion at least.” Azrael held his hand to his mouth to create a bubble that encased his his nose and the lower portion of his face. “This will give us continuous fresh air. I can give us all one.”
As they continued their flight, the view of Nuvak and the green mist grew larger.
Hold on. I thought that mist was coming from the mountains or something but look over there! Thor turned his head and pointed his snout toward the swirling vortex ahead. It looks like it’s rising from the palace!
They began their descent to land near the city gates.
We should get to the king first before we figure out where the plague is coming from. We need to make sure that everyone is safe. You and Doragon drop us off here and stay near the city. We will call when we need you.
Very well. We will be on lookout for now.
The four of them were dropped off inside the gate and the two dragons flew quickly out of the city. Selena's lungs started to hurt with each breath she took. Azrael quickly created an air bubble for them just as he did earlier for himself.
“Thank you,” she said.
“How can anyone still be alive here?” Kiba asked.
They looked around at the what appeared to be vacant houses and buildings. A cathedral stood tall in the middle of town, looking grim and desolate within the poison's grasp. The stone road split into a 'V' shape at the gate. The right side led towards the blacksmith with a string of other shops whereas the left held the residential district.
Standing behind them were two sickly guards sitting on the ground with their heads leaning against the gate door.
“My chest hurts. Please… help,” one of them said softly. Both of them coughed up a mixture of mucus and blood.
“Here.” Azrael walked over and summoned an air bubble for the pair to breathe through as well.
“Thank you, kind sir.”
“At first, I thought I was looking into the face of Death,” the other said. Both Rahim and Selena looked at Azrael, but didn’t say a word.
“Where is everyone else?” Selena asked. “The city looks completely abandoned except for you two.”
The first guard said, “Everyone is held up at the king's castle. He's locked everyone in. Once the plague settled in, the king ordered for everyone except for us two to take refuge inside. It's been about three days since it happened.”
“I was afraid we weren’t going to live much longer if you two hadn't come along,” the other said. Selena shot a look over at Azrael, who only shrugged.
“We're actually trying to reach the castle to meet up with your king,” Selena said.
“His royal majesty Camulus isn't seeing any more visitors,” the guards announced.
Rahim interjected and said, “I know you're just trying to follow orders, but this is an emergency. We also wanted to see if he can provide us some insight to find out what's causing this mist.”
The two guards looked down and sighed.
“Very well. Just follow the road here and it will lead you to the king,” one said.
“Thank you.” Selena bowed.
“Be warned,” the first guard began. “The king isn't like anyone else you've met before.”
“Do you mean he's mental?” Rahim asked.
“You've been warned.” The guards then resumed their post.
“Even if the fog wasn't here, this city seems off.” Kiba shuddered.
“It seems like that everywhere we go,” Selena said. She wondered how any of the provinces were able to operate and function under such terrible kings.
The four of them followed the road that lead around the cathedral and over a long bridge that ascended above the city wall. Suspended above was a large, stone tower on a rock platform with dark green clouds circling it.
“Seriously? This is where the king lives?” Rahim asked
“I will admit that the mist did a great job in hiding the castle from view when we arrived. Maybe this will be how I’ll build my own castle one day.” Azrael smirked.
“You're too funny,” Kiba said. “I know we're still on solid ground but I'm not comfortable with heights. I'm not sure if any of you saw how high we are from the rest of Nuvak.” Selena looked down and almost tripped over herself. Flying with Thor was different. There, it was as if she were looking straight into an abyss leading to Oblivion itself. “And if the king is intolerable, maybe Selena can slash him up.”
“That's not how diplomacy works.” Selena shook her head. “Why is everyone making suggestions that sound too silly and won't work?”
“I’m sorry to be the one to mention this,” Rahim interrupted, “but Kiba, you’re naked. I don’t think the king is going to appreciate public nudity in his royal court.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Kiba shot at him.
“Rahim is right,” Selena agreed, “please, at least cover yourself with a blanket if you want to go inside or maybe turn into a wolf. I actually don’t know if he would appreciate seeing an animal...”
“No! I would rather wait out here than to please someone else. If they don’t like me for being me, then I’ll wait for you guys to finish your business. Just don’t keep me waiting too long.”
