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sparkindarknessThis turned out a lot longer than I thought it would be. I split it several times into Darren and Rick's POV rather than post about a dozen tiny snippets.
Why yes, it does end with a cliffhanger, but that doesn't mean I'm falling back into my addiction.
I'll add this to memories, but the order is still out of sync there (thankfully I numbered them all) anyone know how to sort out the order?
Edit #1 some of the text was unreadable
Edit #2 some of it still is.
Edit #3 *growl* third and hopefully last time
**************************Rick****************************
“What was that?” Zara swung around madly, her accent actually thickening under stress. Learn something new every day, I thought she just put on the accent to sound mysterious. No, pushed it aside. Really didn’t matter right then.
“What’s what?” Eric was still bent other tracing and extra layer of runes around the knife, trying to build up a super coating that might hold Darren back. We didn’t have to beat his magic, just force the magic in the wards back into place. How could it be as hard as it was?!
“Someone’s looking for us! I can feel it!” Mia’s normally brash voice had dropped to a whisper, her drumming faltering slightly... Oh shit. The ground just shook. That’s seriously not a good sign right?
“Fuck, keep that drum going, Mia. Eric, you got anything to help?”
“I’m on the knife! I don’t even know what they’re feeling.” Eric was near panicking, trying to force his runes to work on the knife. I really should have planned this better... I could have got some spirits together... got some more help from the other magic users in the city... fuck, we’re screwed.
“Quick, give me that.” What the fuck? A complete stranger just pushed next to the table and grabbed one of Eric’s runes! I tried to grab him as he ran past me but he slipped past me like water. The guy was slick, not even looking at me and he still managed to avoid my hands.
He jumped away from us, his long black hair near blinding Misha as he pushed past her and threw the rune into the doorway.
“Who are you?!” Zara’s eyes seemed to be getting larger, her voice rolling wonderfully. I felt the wind, just slightly. It was almost like the spirits, but not quite... it was colder, sadder? I really did think it was all an act, but hey, she’s really got the skills.
“A friend.” The stranger winked at us from beneath these really heavy black eyebrows. He was actually quite hot, really. Got this sensual pirate, leather clad sexy corsair going there. Even though he wasn’t wearing leather, he definitely had that slightly sleazy sexy bad boy thing going. Ok, not the time or place? Yes, I know. Save the city now, eye candy later. He raised a vile of some strangely bubbling liquid and turned towards the rune. Misha ran to try and grab it but couldn't get there before it smashed against the rune.
The blinding light dazzled us all for a moment. I think we were all counting to make sure we still had all our arms and legs. Yup, all accounted for.
************************Darren*******************************
He has set up an occlusion. He tried to hide from my sight, from my power! The challenge thinks he can escape my gaze, here? In my own realm? My own domain? Nay, it will not be. My magic thickened throughout the city with that thought, no longer gently seeking, no longer probing cautiously for the unknown threat. No, know it was hunting, forcing it’s way through the city, sending thick tendrils to roam the streets and houses, ruthlessly parsing through minds and hearts, searching through the myriad of souls to find the culprit. A hundred, perhaps a thousand felt my touch and recoiled. All darkened, all destroyed just a little by that caress of darkness. It pleased me. All those people feeling the first touch of the power that now ruled them. I had to laugh, all those people quivering from an unknown dread! Cowering like sheep, all so terribly afraid of me. It was an amazing feeling, really...
I jerked back, my body recoiling as if in pain. But it wasn’t my flesh that was scourged. A burning, a sudden flash of conflicting force rolling invisibly over the city. It scattered my darkness in chaos and confusion. That was it... utter chaos, chaos and light and darkness all working together and all fighting fiercely.
I shook my head, trying to clear the shards and echoes. I couldn’t dispel them, only push the aside and wait for them to fade. I growled, turning to face the window again. The glass started to melt under the pressure of my gaze. So, this was to be a real challenge. I was a fool to think my enemy weak just because he hid.
I tired to will the darkness back under my control. The power came in fits and starts, balking and shimmering, still wounded by the strange attack. The glass dripped and ran down the outside of the building as my glare narrowed. I didn't know how long it would be before I would be able to stretch my power like an insidious blanket over the city, and I could not wait. No, I would not wait, would not be denied. Not for a second. My eyes unfocused as my gaze turned elsewhere, seeking new tools.
I smiled then, perhaps there was more amusement to be had with a worthy foe rather than an easily broken toy. After all, I could look out of my window any time I chose to find a hundred fragile playthings.
*************************Rick********************************
“Who the fuck are you?” This guy better have a fucking good reason for the shit he just pulled. You don’t ever fuck with someone else’s magic. Hey, fuck the magic, you don’t run up to complete strangers and steal there shit no matter what they’re doing. I think Misha’s got the same idea, and by the look on her face I don’t think he’s ever going to pull a stunt like this again.
“My name’s Liam,” he just reached up to straighten his long black hair, fussing over it like he hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Are you planning on explaining yourself, or do we just assume you have a death wish?” I’ve always admired how Misha keeps cool and calm, never looses her temper, never shouts. She just remembers everything and will spend the next few months or so doing whatever she can to make your life a living nightmare. Got to admire the dedication there.
“I intend to remain in the land of the living, thank you.” Sarcasm dripped perfectly off his extremely English accent. “In fact,” his deep blue eyes unfocused for a while, his heavy brows and full curved lips made it look like he was planning something erotic. Shit, I’ve got to get my head together. Focus! “I should remain alive for the next few hours at least. Whether you do the same depends on whether you‘re willing to listen to me.”
“Tell us what you just did and we’ll think about it.” Liam raised an eyebrow suggestively at Misha. I think the whole expression was supposed to be contemptuously amused, but his face managed to turn it into a come on. Or maybe that was just me... maybe Darren did something to my head when we had sex.
“I don’t know what I did myself. I took a potion from home which I knew would be useful, took a couple more off your good self - before you ask, I don’t know which potions or what they were supposed to do - mixed them together and threw them,” he gestured vaguely at Eric who was still scribbling runes around the knife, pausing only to concentrate on some of them. Imbuing them? Fuck, I’m no rune caster. “At his rune at an entranceway. I knew it would work, but not why.”
He laughed sharply. “Of course, none of you believe that. Some more certain proof. If the lady in black doesn’t act soon worse things than I are going to pay you an unexpected visit. From the east and from the south.”
Zara blinked, her black eyes loosing al focus as she rocked back. She cursed, I think it was a curse, under her breath. “Necromancer! No, you will not have these souls... no you will not have me. I call upon ye, all those who would call me friend and ally. I call ye for aid, I beg in the name of the friendship we have and the services I have granted. Please. Help us.”
The air turned cold. Really fucking cold. I could hear something, not just Zara’s whispering, but something just on the edge. I really aren’t happy with death magic. I sat on the floor and closed my eyes, reaching out for the spirits. I called, they answered.
Darren thinks the city’s his. The mayor probably thinks the city’s theirs. I’ll bet there are people who’ve lived here all their life who think the city’s theirs. They’re all wrong. The city’s mine. Mine by right of every spirit, from the sky to the earth beneath our feet. From the tarmac, to the glass, to the steel. From every car and electric current to every tree and urban creature. From every hope and dream to every worry and despair. The spirits of the city hear my voice and have heard my voice for years now. Years of friendship and pact. Years of favours and service, years of friendship and joy. Years of power and relationship. This city’s mine.
I only half saw the room after I started chanting, the rest of me lost in the spirit world. I half saw the cold spirits of death pour into the room. Then I don't think I would have seen anything even if I wasn't half in the spirit world. It was utter chaos, Zara’s friends probably weren’t as ;powerful as Darren’s minions, but they knew exactly where to lurk - Liam had been dead on. I think some of Darren’s minions changed sides! Ok, everything I ever said about Zara? I take it all back, she’s the real thing. Seriously so.
But she was still loosing. Fuck. I paused my chant. I hated doing the mojo the old fashioned way, yeah it went down better and got better results, but sometimes you have to modernise. “Hey, people, I need some help over here! Like now!” There was a ripple through the spirit world. Trouble with modern methods, especially this one? Traditional spirits don’t appreciate it much. “Look, I need some serious Life Spirits - celebration of life, power of life - you know the shit. Better than I do. I don’t need to spell it out, and I don’t have time to. You know I’m good for it here!”
***********************Darren*********************************
He was still hidden! I could feel him, but not where... but the dead had found them. I called the full strength of my Necromancy, pouring power into my servitors, calling all to follow them into the frasy., I reached out to those dark spirits of death, bodiless creatures that had never known life or peace or love, only hunger, need and the eternity of oblivion... I lashed them forwards, almost tasting the sweetness of victory and the glory of my enemy’s assured despair.
*******************Rick*************************************
Zara staggered backwards, blood running down her face. I saw Liam push Eric’s head to the table just as a chair suddenly floated into the air flew through the space his head had been. Next minute Liam pulled Eric out of his chair completely just seconds before it caught fire. Misha doused the fire before it spread, but we weren’t winning this... Shit.
“Get your spectral arses over here!” I screamed through the spirit world. And, thank you all that was holy, I got a answer. A shining, wonderful, welcome answer.
The wind that blew in the room then was warm and soft, but strong. Like a fresh spring breeze heated in some richly verdant valley, full of the scents of life and growth. To my eyes it streamed with brightly burning spirits. Spirit’s of Life, Hope and Growth filled the air, but the true strength, we’re talking the real fucking power houses, was a spirit of sheer Joy In life - the spirit that celebrates how wonderful it is to be alive, a spirit of Eternity (and those things are cryptic and hard to shift) and a spirit of Immortality (these are fucking rare!) They hit the dead like a hammer, smashing them aside, driving them out of the room on a flow of living power. Literally. Damn, I’m good.
Zara staggered to her feet, her wound had closed, side effect of some fucking amazing spirits streaming through the room. “Did we win?”
I felt the spirits leave. They were a little pissed, I’d have to make nice later. No way they would stay though, not with the ‘ritual’ I used. “I doubt it...”
********************Darren***********************************
I laughed. He was still fighting, still playing! Why, I could not remember the last time I had such an amusing challenge... ah yes, it was when my family last tried to hunt me. I must get in contact with my kin in the future, such entertainment is hard to acquire. For the future though, I have a more current play thing at present.
I would win. I knew that with every fibre of my dark soul. How could I not? I was a Sorcerer. A Necromancer. An Infernalist. I was the embodiment of dark magic, I possessed powers so black that most people could not even conceive of them. My might was unquestioned, the sheer destructive potential within me was unmatched.
So, he had fought off Sorcery and resisted Necromancy. Why, it was time for some Infernalism then... I still couldn’t find my new toy, but the wraiths would show my newest gambit the way...
**********************Rick*********************************
I went back to the table. Eric had scattered rune tokens made of wood, metal and bone all over it. The surface was also covered in runes now, written on with chalk, pastels, paint, some red caked stuff that looked like blood, and there's no fucking way I’m going to ask. Don't ask questions when you really don’t want to know the answer. Some of the runes were written in stuff I couldn’t even begin to guess at. Eric was moving onto the floor now, encircling the table, using the ash from the incinerated table to trace yet more patterns.
I nodded to him, I didn't think he noticed, he was so focused. Going by how much he was sweating, I guessed what he was doing was far from easy. I bent to help, dragging some tools out of my bag and from the store room I kept in the back room (did I mention how useful it was to have a part share in this place?) I drew a larger circle around his and set up candles and incense. The traditional base, mainly a sop to the old fashioned spirits. Then I got my palm pilot, lap top and several creams and herbs you could easily buy in any supermarket. Really people, a bottle of bleach is just as much a spirit of cleansing as the holy herb of whatever burnt in the sacred fires of way too much effort. I started new chants, chants that ran with the sound of the music from the MP3 players. Chants that shifted to binary and through advertising slogans. I called for spirits of Life, Light and Purity. I called to spirits to banish evil and preserve good, to bring order in chaos and bind the darkness. I called on spirits of Virus Checkers and Detergents, on Cleansers and Cleaners. On spirits of Justice and Idealism. On spirits of Fire Walls and the Righteous Hacker, on spirits of the Determined Activist and the Driven Journalist. I pulled them all together and layered them one after another, offering chiminage, calling on pacts, singing praises, one after another, for seeming hours, I called and instructed and imbued.
Then I heard the screams. They were so terrified they cut right through my concentration, leaving my ritual hanging just on the brink of completion. Mia had run half across the room, abandoning her drum and trying to press her way into the wall. Her lips were moving frantically, but it wasn't some sung or spoken spell, it looked more like the fervent prayers of the terrified. Misha fumbled blindly in her pouch, eyes glued on the new assault, widening more and more as her breath came in ever more ragged gasps. Zara’s eyes rolled up into the top of her head before she collapsed heavily onto the floor. Eric took one look and ran for the back entrance, following in the path of all the norm al people who had long since left. He would have got pout as well if Liam hadn’t managed to get there before him and hold it closed. Shit, even Liam looked freaked and I was beginning to think nothing could rattle him.
I froze. I couldn’t think. It stood there and the only thing that passed through my head was the dull leaden certainty that the infernal really existed. I couldn’t describe it, all claws and wings and barbed tail, toped with horns and fangs and wreathed in black fire... the details just wouldn’t register, my head couldn't take it. It was a daemon. A real daemon. Here, in the flesh.
I think I whimpered as it reached one appendage towards me. I couldn’t move... I wanted to scream, but fear dried my throat.
“Cease!”
The daemon paused, turning some of its eyes to watch the small black cat striding confidently towards it.
WHO DARES? I nearly collapsed at the sound of that voice... It just hit my mind like a red hot iron. It fucking hurt just to hear it!
Ahrimadan’s eyes glowed golden back at the daemon. “I dare.” The cat’s voice had deepened. It wasn’t the unholy thunder of the daemon that nearly killed me, but it was more than bad enough.
The daemon actually hesistated. I finally found enough strength to shuffle backwards, out of reach. YO- YOUR GRACE... I AM CALLED TO SERVE BY ANOTHER. I couldn’t read its expression but it looked... scared?
“That other will give thee no thanks for thy work here today nor for any harm that comes to the golden headed one. Thou hast failed. Thou art dismissed.”
YOUR GRACE, I...
“THOU ART DISMISSED!” Ahrimadan’s fur rose on his back, his tail fluffing out. He bared his fangs in a hiss. It should have looked comical next to the unimaginable horror of the daemon. It wasn’t, oh fuck, it was anything but that.
The daemon roared with frustration, I could feel my ears bleeding from the sound, before a wave of heat forced me to duck behind one of the chairs. It was smouldering, it was that hot. Shit...
I raised my head cautiously, seeing the others do the same from their own hurriedly reached cover. Ahrimadan stood alone, purring smugly. He absently began to groom himself, fastidiously cleaning the speckles of ash out of his fur.
********************Darren**********************************
Yes, the cloak had been dropped! I grinned with vicious triumph. He had shown himself, he had revealed his location. Perfect, this was going to be so much more fun than I had ever anticipated.
It was time to get more personally involved.
Why yes, it does end with a cliffhanger, but that doesn't mean I'm falling back into my addiction.
I'll add this to memories, but the order is still out of sync there (thankfully I numbered them all) anyone know how to sort out the order?
Edit #1 some of the text was unreadable
Edit #2 some of it still is.
Edit #3 *growl* third and hopefully last time
**************************Rick****************************
“What was that?” Zara swung around madly, her accent actually thickening under stress. Learn something new every day, I thought she just put on the accent to sound mysterious. No, pushed it aside. Really didn’t matter right then.
“What’s what?” Eric was still bent other tracing and extra layer of runes around the knife, trying to build up a super coating that might hold Darren back. We didn’t have to beat his magic, just force the magic in the wards back into place. How could it be as hard as it was?!
“Someone’s looking for us! I can feel it!” Mia’s normally brash voice had dropped to a whisper, her drumming faltering slightly... Oh shit. The ground just shook. That’s seriously not a good sign right?
“Fuck, keep that drum going, Mia. Eric, you got anything to help?”
“I’m on the knife! I don’t even know what they’re feeling.” Eric was near panicking, trying to force his runes to work on the knife. I really should have planned this better... I could have got some spirits together... got some more help from the other magic users in the city... fuck, we’re screwed.
“Quick, give me that.” What the fuck? A complete stranger just pushed next to the table and grabbed one of Eric’s runes! I tried to grab him as he ran past me but he slipped past me like water. The guy was slick, not even looking at me and he still managed to avoid my hands.
He jumped away from us, his long black hair near blinding Misha as he pushed past her and threw the rune into the doorway.
“Who are you?!” Zara’s eyes seemed to be getting larger, her voice rolling wonderfully. I felt the wind, just slightly. It was almost like the spirits, but not quite... it was colder, sadder? I really did think it was all an act, but hey, she’s really got the skills.
“A friend.” The stranger winked at us from beneath these really heavy black eyebrows. He was actually quite hot, really. Got this sensual pirate, leather clad sexy corsair going there. Even though he wasn’t wearing leather, he definitely had that slightly sleazy sexy bad boy thing going. Ok, not the time or place? Yes, I know. Save the city now, eye candy later. He raised a vile of some strangely bubbling liquid and turned towards the rune. Misha ran to try and grab it but couldn't get there before it smashed against the rune.
The blinding light dazzled us all for a moment. I think we were all counting to make sure we still had all our arms and legs. Yup, all accounted for.
************************Darren*******************************
He has set up an occlusion. He tried to hide from my sight, from my power! The challenge thinks he can escape my gaze, here? In my own realm? My own domain? Nay, it will not be. My magic thickened throughout the city with that thought, no longer gently seeking, no longer probing cautiously for the unknown threat. No, know it was hunting, forcing it’s way through the city, sending thick tendrils to roam the streets and houses, ruthlessly parsing through minds and hearts, searching through the myriad of souls to find the culprit. A hundred, perhaps a thousand felt my touch and recoiled. All darkened, all destroyed just a little by that caress of darkness. It pleased me. All those people feeling the first touch of the power that now ruled them. I had to laugh, all those people quivering from an unknown dread! Cowering like sheep, all so terribly afraid of me. It was an amazing feeling, really...
I jerked back, my body recoiling as if in pain. But it wasn’t my flesh that was scourged. A burning, a sudden flash of conflicting force rolling invisibly over the city. It scattered my darkness in chaos and confusion. That was it... utter chaos, chaos and light and darkness all working together and all fighting fiercely.
I shook my head, trying to clear the shards and echoes. I couldn’t dispel them, only push the aside and wait for them to fade. I growled, turning to face the window again. The glass started to melt under the pressure of my gaze. So, this was to be a real challenge. I was a fool to think my enemy weak just because he hid.
I tired to will the darkness back under my control. The power came in fits and starts, balking and shimmering, still wounded by the strange attack. The glass dripped and ran down the outside of the building as my glare narrowed. I didn't know how long it would be before I would be able to stretch my power like an insidious blanket over the city, and I could not wait. No, I would not wait, would not be denied. Not for a second. My eyes unfocused as my gaze turned elsewhere, seeking new tools.
I smiled then, perhaps there was more amusement to be had with a worthy foe rather than an easily broken toy. After all, I could look out of my window any time I chose to find a hundred fragile playthings.
*************************Rick********************************
“Who the fuck are you?” This guy better have a fucking good reason for the shit he just pulled. You don’t ever fuck with someone else’s magic. Hey, fuck the magic, you don’t run up to complete strangers and steal there shit no matter what they’re doing. I think Misha’s got the same idea, and by the look on her face I don’t think he’s ever going to pull a stunt like this again.
“My name’s Liam,” he just reached up to straighten his long black hair, fussing over it like he hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Are you planning on explaining yourself, or do we just assume you have a death wish?” I’ve always admired how Misha keeps cool and calm, never looses her temper, never shouts. She just remembers everything and will spend the next few months or so doing whatever she can to make your life a living nightmare. Got to admire the dedication there.
“I intend to remain in the land of the living, thank you.” Sarcasm dripped perfectly off his extremely English accent. “In fact,” his deep blue eyes unfocused for a while, his heavy brows and full curved lips made it look like he was planning something erotic. Shit, I’ve got to get my head together. Focus! “I should remain alive for the next few hours at least. Whether you do the same depends on whether you‘re willing to listen to me.”
“Tell us what you just did and we’ll think about it.” Liam raised an eyebrow suggestively at Misha. I think the whole expression was supposed to be contemptuously amused, but his face managed to turn it into a come on. Or maybe that was just me... maybe Darren did something to my head when we had sex.
“I don’t know what I did myself. I took a potion from home which I knew would be useful, took a couple more off your good self - before you ask, I don’t know which potions or what they were supposed to do - mixed them together and threw them,” he gestured vaguely at Eric who was still scribbling runes around the knife, pausing only to concentrate on some of them. Imbuing them? Fuck, I’m no rune caster. “At his rune at an entranceway. I knew it would work, but not why.”
He laughed sharply. “Of course, none of you believe that. Some more certain proof. If the lady in black doesn’t act soon worse things than I are going to pay you an unexpected visit. From the east and from the south.”
Zara blinked, her black eyes loosing al focus as she rocked back. She cursed, I think it was a curse, under her breath. “Necromancer! No, you will not have these souls... no you will not have me. I call upon ye, all those who would call me friend and ally. I call ye for aid, I beg in the name of the friendship we have and the services I have granted. Please. Help us.”
The air turned cold. Really fucking cold. I could hear something, not just Zara’s whispering, but something just on the edge. I really aren’t happy with death magic. I sat on the floor and closed my eyes, reaching out for the spirits. I called, they answered.
Darren thinks the city’s his. The mayor probably thinks the city’s theirs. I’ll bet there are people who’ve lived here all their life who think the city’s theirs. They’re all wrong. The city’s mine. Mine by right of every spirit, from the sky to the earth beneath our feet. From the tarmac, to the glass, to the steel. From every car and electric current to every tree and urban creature. From every hope and dream to every worry and despair. The spirits of the city hear my voice and have heard my voice for years now. Years of friendship and pact. Years of favours and service, years of friendship and joy. Years of power and relationship. This city’s mine.
I only half saw the room after I started chanting, the rest of me lost in the spirit world. I half saw the cold spirits of death pour into the room. Then I don't think I would have seen anything even if I wasn't half in the spirit world. It was utter chaos, Zara’s friends probably weren’t as ;powerful as Darren’s minions, but they knew exactly where to lurk - Liam had been dead on. I think some of Darren’s minions changed sides! Ok, everything I ever said about Zara? I take it all back, she’s the real thing. Seriously so.
But she was still loosing. Fuck. I paused my chant. I hated doing the mojo the old fashioned way, yeah it went down better and got better results, but sometimes you have to modernise. “Hey, people, I need some help over here! Like now!” There was a ripple through the spirit world. Trouble with modern methods, especially this one? Traditional spirits don’t appreciate it much. “Look, I need some serious Life Spirits - celebration of life, power of life - you know the shit. Better than I do. I don’t need to spell it out, and I don’t have time to. You know I’m good for it here!”
***********************Darren*********************************
He was still hidden! I could feel him, but not where... but the dead had found them. I called the full strength of my Necromancy, pouring power into my servitors, calling all to follow them into the frasy., I reached out to those dark spirits of death, bodiless creatures that had never known life or peace or love, only hunger, need and the eternity of oblivion... I lashed them forwards, almost tasting the sweetness of victory and the glory of my enemy’s assured despair.
*******************Rick*************************************
Zara staggered backwards, blood running down her face. I saw Liam push Eric’s head to the table just as a chair suddenly floated into the air flew through the space his head had been. Next minute Liam pulled Eric out of his chair completely just seconds before it caught fire. Misha doused the fire before it spread, but we weren’t winning this... Shit.
“Get your spectral arses over here!” I screamed through the spirit world. And, thank you all that was holy, I got a answer. A shining, wonderful, welcome answer.
The wind that blew in the room then was warm and soft, but strong. Like a fresh spring breeze heated in some richly verdant valley, full of the scents of life and growth. To my eyes it streamed with brightly burning spirits. Spirit’s of Life, Hope and Growth filled the air, but the true strength, we’re talking the real fucking power houses, was a spirit of sheer Joy In life - the spirit that celebrates how wonderful it is to be alive, a spirit of Eternity (and those things are cryptic and hard to shift) and a spirit of Immortality (these are fucking rare!) They hit the dead like a hammer, smashing them aside, driving them out of the room on a flow of living power. Literally. Damn, I’m good.
Zara staggered to her feet, her wound had closed, side effect of some fucking amazing spirits streaming through the room. “Did we win?”
I felt the spirits leave. They were a little pissed, I’d have to make nice later. No way they would stay though, not with the ‘ritual’ I used. “I doubt it...”
********************Darren***********************************
I laughed. He was still fighting, still playing! Why, I could not remember the last time I had such an amusing challenge... ah yes, it was when my family last tried to hunt me. I must get in contact with my kin in the future, such entertainment is hard to acquire. For the future though, I have a more current play thing at present.
I would win. I knew that with every fibre of my dark soul. How could I not? I was a Sorcerer. A Necromancer. An Infernalist. I was the embodiment of dark magic, I possessed powers so black that most people could not even conceive of them. My might was unquestioned, the sheer destructive potential within me was unmatched.
So, he had fought off Sorcery and resisted Necromancy. Why, it was time for some Infernalism then... I still couldn’t find my new toy, but the wraiths would show my newest gambit the way...
**********************Rick*********************************
I went back to the table. Eric had scattered rune tokens made of wood, metal and bone all over it. The surface was also covered in runes now, written on with chalk, pastels, paint, some red caked stuff that looked like blood, and there's no fucking way I’m going to ask. Don't ask questions when you really don’t want to know the answer. Some of the runes were written in stuff I couldn’t even begin to guess at. Eric was moving onto the floor now, encircling the table, using the ash from the incinerated table to trace yet more patterns.
I nodded to him, I didn't think he noticed, he was so focused. Going by how much he was sweating, I guessed what he was doing was far from easy. I bent to help, dragging some tools out of my bag and from the store room I kept in the back room (did I mention how useful it was to have a part share in this place?) I drew a larger circle around his and set up candles and incense. The traditional base, mainly a sop to the old fashioned spirits. Then I got my palm pilot, lap top and several creams and herbs you could easily buy in any supermarket. Really people, a bottle of bleach is just as much a spirit of cleansing as the holy herb of whatever burnt in the sacred fires of way too much effort. I started new chants, chants that ran with the sound of the music from the MP3 players. Chants that shifted to binary and through advertising slogans. I called for spirits of Life, Light and Purity. I called to spirits to banish evil and preserve good, to bring order in chaos and bind the darkness. I called on spirits of Virus Checkers and Detergents, on Cleansers and Cleaners. On spirits of Justice and Idealism. On spirits of Fire Walls and the Righteous Hacker, on spirits of the Determined Activist and the Driven Journalist. I pulled them all together and layered them one after another, offering chiminage, calling on pacts, singing praises, one after another, for seeming hours, I called and instructed and imbued.
Then I heard the screams. They were so terrified they cut right through my concentration, leaving my ritual hanging just on the brink of completion. Mia had run half across the room, abandoning her drum and trying to press her way into the wall. Her lips were moving frantically, but it wasn't some sung or spoken spell, it looked more like the fervent prayers of the terrified. Misha fumbled blindly in her pouch, eyes glued on the new assault, widening more and more as her breath came in ever more ragged gasps. Zara’s eyes rolled up into the top of her head before she collapsed heavily onto the floor. Eric took one look and ran for the back entrance, following in the path of all the norm al people who had long since left. He would have got pout as well if Liam hadn’t managed to get there before him and hold it closed. Shit, even Liam looked freaked and I was beginning to think nothing could rattle him.
I froze. I couldn’t think. It stood there and the only thing that passed through my head was the dull leaden certainty that the infernal really existed. I couldn’t describe it, all claws and wings and barbed tail, toped with horns and fangs and wreathed in black fire... the details just wouldn’t register, my head couldn't take it. It was a daemon. A real daemon. Here, in the flesh.
I think I whimpered as it reached one appendage towards me. I couldn’t move... I wanted to scream, but fear dried my throat.
“Cease!”
The daemon paused, turning some of its eyes to watch the small black cat striding confidently towards it.
WHO DARES? I nearly collapsed at the sound of that voice... It just hit my mind like a red hot iron. It fucking hurt just to hear it!
Ahrimadan’s eyes glowed golden back at the daemon. “I dare.” The cat’s voice had deepened. It wasn’t the unholy thunder of the daemon that nearly killed me, but it was more than bad enough.
The daemon actually hesistated. I finally found enough strength to shuffle backwards, out of reach. YO- YOUR GRACE... I AM CALLED TO SERVE BY ANOTHER. I couldn’t read its expression but it looked... scared?
“That other will give thee no thanks for thy work here today nor for any harm that comes to the golden headed one. Thou hast failed. Thou art dismissed.”
YOUR GRACE, I...
“THOU ART DISMISSED!” Ahrimadan’s fur rose on his back, his tail fluffing out. He bared his fangs in a hiss. It should have looked comical next to the unimaginable horror of the daemon. It wasn’t, oh fuck, it was anything but that.
The daemon roared with frustration, I could feel my ears bleeding from the sound, before a wave of heat forced me to duck behind one of the chairs. It was smouldering, it was that hot. Shit...
I raised my head cautiously, seeing the others do the same from their own hurriedly reached cover. Ahrimadan stood alone, purring smugly. He absently began to groom himself, fastidiously cleaning the speckles of ash out of his fur.
********************Darren**********************************
Yes, the cloak had been dropped! I grinned with vicious triumph. He had shown himself, he had revealed his location. Perfect, this was going to be so much more fun than I had ever anticipated.
It was time to get more personally involved.
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Date: 2004-07-17 03:11 pm (UTC)Rick: hey, people NEED to modernise. Besides (don't tell anyone, this is off the record) modern spirits are neglected so they work for a lot less chiminage. Anyway, their chiminage is easier too. The Righteous Hacker wants me to monkey wrench somewhere, but a spirit of the Glorious Crusader (aside form being waaay to morally dubious for this day and age and a complete prat besides) wants me to run off to the Holy Lands or kill some Moors, I mean, isn't a moor one of those grassy plain things in England? How do you kill a moor?
Hey, and respect due the Righteous Hacker, some of them are on the up and up. Yeah, some are prats, but some are on a mission and it's a lot better than the Crusader's!
Ahrimadan? Just scares me. He's probably the only voice in my head who can match Radoslav (perhaps Darren on the Necromancy, but I doubt it). When it comes down to it, Ahrimadan's a Duke of Hell. No messing with that.