At the Gates of Darkness (26 page)

Pug and the others had come out of the small building as the ebb and flow of the struggle had taken the combatants to the other side of the large fortress. Kaspar said, “We’ve got the upper hand if something doesn’t change unexpectedly.” He nodded. “I’ve got to find my commanders and see if we can coordinate this a little better.”

He hurried off and Pug turned to Laromendis. “Why don’t you see what your brother and Amirantha are up to down there. Magnus and I will protect this building.”

Laromendis said, “Of course,” and ran back into the building.

“There’s a new war under way,” said Belasco. “It’s been under way for centuries. The five demon kings have been battling for supremacy since time began, this endless Demon War. But this new war is something different.”

Amirantha said, “How is it different?”

The sound of laughter filled the room, both Belasco’s and the demon’s. The demon’s was hate-filled and bitter, while Belasco’s was genuine amusement. “I don’t really know,” said the motionless magic-user. “Lying is as much a part of the demon nature as it is mine, dear brother.

“When I first began to dabble with summoning it was for the usual reason; I wanted to better you. I tried to kill Sidi once by creating a litch, did you know?”

“No,” said Amirantha.

“It wasn’t well conceived, really. Too much emphasis on irony and not enough on learning the craft. Sidi quickly disposed of the monster and I spent the better part of a year living in a very cold cave up in the Northlands, surrounded by ice bears, snow leopards, dark elves, and not a lot to eat.” He sighed, more an emotional footnote than any real exhalation of breath. “You’d think I might have learned, but I really didn’t.

“With you I decided to not just conjure up a random demon and turn him loose on you, as I knew you’d easily better it, but I thought I could subvert one of your spells so that you would summon in something you didn’t expect. I thought that was very clever.”

“It almost worked,” said Amirantha.

“Almost?”

“I had help. Had I been alone, I would have perished.”

“Well, that’s some sort of consolation.” He paused, then said, “To learn enough to do that I began studying demon lore, much of it familiar to you I assume. But I did find a few odds and ends, a scroll here and a book there that made it clear that there was far more to the demon realm than you suspected. I wasn’t doing this for scholarship, really. I was looking for a very clever way to kill my brothers.”

Gulamendis looked at Belasco and then at Amirantha and just shook his head. Sandreena kept her eyes fixed on Amirantha’s face.

Amirantha said, “The Demon War?”

“Something is driving the demons. Something has come into their realm and is struggling with them for supremacy in their own realm,” said Belasco. “Millions of demons have been destroyed in the struggle and three of the kings have united to oppose the invaders.”

“Who?” asked Amirantha.

“I don’t know,” replied Belasco. “I only hear vague references to ‘them,’ or ‘the invaders.’ One time I heard ‘from the darkness.’ Other than that, they are a force that has destroyed the order, such as it was, of the Fifth Circle.

“Of the two kings who did not ally, one took a wait-and-see position, my friend here, Dahun.”

That brought a sound of snarling but no coherent speech.

“The other was Maarg. Some fool on a world in this realm opened a Demon Gate, into Maarg’s realm, and he unleashed the outer horde, the demons from the edges, into this world. There were great battles I was told, but in the end, the demons found themselves on a world with no way off.”

“Shila,” said Sandreena. “Pug has spoken of that world and the demon battles with the Saaur.”

“But it was Dahun who saw the potential in this realm. The demons have their own magic-users and before Maarg devastated the entire world of Shila, Dahun sent spies and
agents into that world, pillaging the libraries and studies of their priests and magicians. They returned with everything they could carry and for the better part of a half century they studied.

“Dahun first recognized the need to solidify his own position so he annexed Maarg’s realm, trapping Maarg on the mortal world knowing the demon king would eventually starve to death after he devoured everything.

“He then allied with the three remaining demon kings and sent forces to battle the invaders—but the forces he sent were those he inherited from Maarg’s realm, keeping his own loyal army close by.

“He then set about to leave the Fifth Circle.”

“And come here?” asked Gulamendis, as his brother walked into the room.

“The battle goes well,” said Laromendis, as Gulamendis held up his hand to indicate silence, while nodding that this was good news.

“Yes,” said Belasco. “This realm is weak compared to the Fifth Circle. But Dahun is by far the most intelligent of the Demon Lords. He realized that changes would be needed to prepare the way for his entrance into the realm.

“You know as much about demons as any man can learn on his own, brother. You know that without control, a demon will continue to feed until he devours everything he can find. Dahun created that control.

“He created a hierarchy that was more than was known before in the demon realm, not only one of power and alliances, but loyalty as well. He orchestrated betrayal and infiltrated spies into the domains of the other rulers, and he began a series of conflicts between his neighboring rulers.

“He created the illusion that Maarg had suddenly returned, feigning his own defeat by Maarg and allowing the other rulers to believe what Dahun wanted them to believe. Then he escalated the Demon War to a new level, contriving to set allies against one another, against the mortal races
he encountered in this realm, and against any who might pose a threat.

“In short he readied himself to enter this level of reality and assume supremacy over all he encountered.”

“But we somehow managed to frustrate that plan,” said Amirantha.

“More than you care to know,” said Belasco. “At first I thought this merely another opportunity for some grim fun, a little nasty play that might net me some personal gain, but when I discovered what Dahun’s plans were, in truth, it was too late.”

“You were in his trap,” said Gulamendis.

“Another voice,” said Belasco. “Yes, demons are by their nature creatures that cannot be reasoned with, negotiated with, or pleaded with; they can only be forced to reach an accommodation and the only thing you can be certain of, they will betray you eventually, given an opportunity.

“Amirantha, you would not believe what your so-called minions think of you. Before you take personal offense, realize they feel that way about all humans. We are cattle to them. We are food. We provide things they desire, nothing more. To get what they desire, they will serve if they must, but it is always about what they desire.”

“And Dahun desires to live on this world?”

“He desires to rule it. He sent every rim demon he could herd through his gates to vanquish the elves on a dozen worlds. He came here because—”

“No!” came Dahun’s voice. “You may not speak of that!”

There was silence.

Amirantha said, “Belasco?”

More silence.

Gulamendis looked at Sandreena and then Amirantha and said, “What do we do now?”

“I have no idea,” said the Warlock.

P
ug cast a spell.

A wave of pulsating energy rose above the heads of those struggling on the ground and swept the sky clear of the few remaining winged demons. Somewhere in the midst of the fray Kaspar was bringing order and the diverse units were beginning to coordinate their efforts. Demons were still crawling up out of the pit but the rate had slowed to a trickle and Pug sensed they were on the verge of defeating this invading host.

A dozen magicians had accompanied the soldiers and they used their arts to contain the more fractious creatures, or to neutralize the magic-using demons. Pug turned to Magnus and said, “It’s almost over I think.”

Before Magnus could reply, a loud thrumming filled the air as a huge pulse of green light shot up each of the four towers to explode in a near blinding display at the top of the columns.

The effects were almost instantaneous, as the ground heaved beneath everyone’s feet, knocking most of the combatants to the ground. Pug quickly regained his footing and pointed to the towers, which were now pulsing as ripples of green energy ran up to the top, where they fed into a growing, bright white ball of energy.

“Oh, gods, I know what that is.”

Magnus said, “It’s a summoning device of some sort, you said.”

“But it’s what ties the necromancy and demon lore together!” said Pug. “It’s why those death rituals that Jim told us of, and why there were bodies down in that pit when they needed the workers no longer, and it’s why Dahun doesn’t care how many demons we kill.” He pointed to the pulsing energy running up the towers, increasing in frequency and tempo. “When the gate is fully open, he’ll come through.”

“But he’s here already,” said Magnus. “He’s possessed the body of Belasco!”

Pug said, “It’s a ruse! He’s buying time.” He gripped Magnus by the arm and said, “Get back down there. Tell Amirantha and Gulamendis what is occurring.” He looked at the massive struggle and said, “I’ve got to come up with a way to stop the killing!”

The human forces were coalescing around Kaspar who was orchestrating a containment attack, pressing in on all sides around the remaining demons. The tactic forced demons to confine other demons, so only those on the outside could engage the human soldiers.

Then another wave of demons exploded out of the pit. “Oh, damn!” said Pug.

Magnus hurried into the chamber. “They’re using death magic to activate the Demon Gate!”

Amirantha looked at Gulamendis and said, “Now, I wonder who contrived that idea?”

Dahun’s contempt cut through the air. “Your brother thought to use me, human! He was bending power to his own ends. He envisioned a demon army here, serving him on this world, as he conquered and ruled. The fool!”

Amirantha’s brow furrowed. “I’ve never known him to be that ambitious.”

Gulamendis said, “People change.”

Laromendis said, “Whatever the motivation, am I correct in assuming this melding of death magic and demon summoning is creating unexpected problems?”

Magnus said, “Each life taken up there fuels the device, and it appears as if it has begun to open the Demon Gate. Lesser demons are coming through in waves.”

“Can you shut that creature up?” asked Sandreena.

Gulamendis closed his eyes and said, “No. But I think I have a trick…” He chanted something and abruptly the sound of Dahun’s “voice” in their minds retreated to a distance.

“What was that?” asked Magnus.

Amirantha smiled. “A very nice trick that I’m going to get him to teach me if we live through the rest of this day.” Looking at the still face of his brother, Amirantha shouted, “Belasco! Can you hear me?”

A distant whisper answered, “Yes.”

They all had to strain to hear him over the still-ranting demon, but that was a very soft voice.

Amirantha said, “Was it you who created the death magic portal?”

“Yes,” said Belasco. “I almost killed Sidi once in Kesh, forcing him to abandon his lair. I found several interesting tomes and books.”

“You always wanted to better us at our craft,” said Amirantha.

“Because I
am
better!”

“Well, you’re about to get everyone here and probably half the world murdered to prove you’re not as clever as you thought,” snapped Sandreena. She was obviously tired and not feeling this was going well.

Jim narrowed his gaze and gave her a silent warning to keep still.

The magician’s ethereal voice took on a moment of urgency. “I can feel the tug! The gate is opening! Our bargain? If I tell you how to defeat this monster, do I get my day’s head start?”

Jim started to shake his head no, but Amirantha’s eyes warned him this was coming to a head. Finally Jim nodded once in the affirmative.

“One day,” said Amirantha. “You get nothing else, not food, water, horse, or weapon.”

A sound of distant laughter drowned out the railing demon. “Done! Here is what you must do. Within the next ten minutes, you must render me unconscious.”

Sandreena hefted her mace where the prone figure’s eyes could see it held in menacing fashion. “That’s no problem.”

Belasco laughed at the threat. “I like her!” In faint tones that seemed to be growing more distant, he said, “No, brother, you know what to do.”

Amirantha nodded and looked at Gulamendis. “His body isn’t the issue; it’s his mind. You need to keep aware of what Dahun is doing, while I stun Belasco’s consciousness.”

“Excellent,” said the recumbent magic-user. “As soon as you do, I will lose my hold on him between the realms and he will come through the gate.”

“This is your plan?” said Sandreena. “I thought we were trying to keep him out of this realm!”

“You must utterly destroy the gate while he is still
within. You will have less than a minute once he begins to manifest, but he will be completely vulnerable during this translation. That is when you must strike.

“Then revive me and I will be on my way, dear brother.”

Amirantha said to Magnus, “You need to alert your father. It’s going to be very nasty up there in a couple of minutes.”

Magnus closed his eyes. “I’m not the best at this, but I’ll try to save the time needed for me to run up there.”

Father,
Pug heard in his mind.

“Magnus?” he whispered.

Yes. Listen closely as I don’t know how long I can maintain this link. In less than ten minutes Dahun will manifest within the Demon Gate. He will be vulnerable for a minute, perhaps two. If you destroy the gate at once, you destroy him before his full power is manifest.

Pug let out a long breath. “I have it.”

Pug saw Kaspar a short distance away, but he was blocked by a half dozen demons. A particularly brutish one, with a head something like a rhinoceros and two large curving horns coming out of his shoulders sweeping upward, lowered his head, hefted a massive sword, and charged. Pug shouted, “Get back!” to those soldiers nearby and sent a pulse of force at the creature.

Pug was trying his best to stun or disable the demons without killing them, but it was not going well. Several of the monsters were so hearty that nothing short of a killing blow seemed to slow them down, let alone stop them.

Pug reached Kaspar and said, “We need to withdraw.”

“Why?” said the General, his sword actually smoking from the black demon blood on it. He had a nasty gash on his right cheek, but ignored it. “We’ve taken command of the field, have them surrounded, and are forcing them into a knot. We can cut them down from the edges and should have them all dead within a half hour!”

“Because in about ten minutes, each death here will cause that thing”—he pointed to the green column—“to bring a Demon King in and he, I feel safe to say, will have to be put down by magic that will level this entire structure. Nothing within a quarter mile of this place is likely to survive.”

“Withdraw!” shouted Kaspar, not waiting to hear any more. He had known Pug long enough never to doubt him in matters pertaining to magic. Zane, one of his key captains and a foster grandson of Pug, hurried over and looked as if he was about to question the order. Like Kaspar, he saw the human forces as having the upper hand.

“Get them south of here! We don’t want to be trapped on those bloody switchbacks! I want everyone at least a quarter mile away in the next six minutes!”

Zane knew better than to question an order like that, and began shouting the command, ordering it relayed to the other commands. The order was quickly passed and the soldiers confronting the demons launched a fierce assault for thirty seconds while those behind turned and began a hasty retreat.

Kaspar said, “This is where I’d normally use archers, but as I didn’t bring any…”

Pug said, “I understand.” He raised his hand and launched a red ball of light straight up. It was a signal every magician at that struggle had been prepared to see, though not if they saw the struggle as going well. Still, it was an order to cover an orderly retreat.

Those magicians who could fly or hover took to the air, laying down withering blankets of flame and shocking energy like lightning. Others climbed to the walls and used wands and staves to rain all types of destruction on the demons. Pug cursed the need to retreat. They were verging on repulsing the Demon Legion and if he could spend any time investigating this gate he could render it inoperative without destroying the entire structure.

Still, what one wishes and what is are often two very
different things, the magician thought. Of Magnus he asked,
Are you safe down there?

I’m coming up. This chamber is deep enough the others should be safe, but you may need help with Dahun.

Pug knew better than to argue. His son was most likely right. For a brief moment he pushed aside a rising fear, for he knew he was fated to see Magnus dead alongside his mother and brother, and he wondered if this was the moment. He prayed not as he rose into the air and began blasting demons back into the pit.

Kaspar’s soldiers were as well trained and disciplined a group as Pug had ever seen, despite most of them not having trained together. They withdrew in rapid order, leaving it to the magicians to hold the demons at bay. The advantage to the human forces was enough that even with the soldiers withdrawing, the demons could not pursue due to the punishing magic directed at them from all sides.

Magnus appeared in the air next to his father and said, “You’ve gotten good at rising into the air, Father!”

It had been something Miranda, Pug’s wife, had been able to do with ease, but Pug had trouble managing. It was a point of pride with Pug that he labored to master those skills at which he was not gifted and he smiled as he said, “I can’t let you get better than me in everything, now, can I?”

Magnus tried to chuckle at the quip, but knew his father was nearly frantic with worry. “It will be fine, Father,” he said, trying to reassure Pug.

Both magicians unleashed as much destructive energy as possible, creating a curtain of death between the demons and the retreating humans. “Now it gets dangerous,” said Pug, as the last of the human soldiers turned and ran.

Only the magic wall of flame and crackling energy confined the demons, and Pug said to Magnus, “Tell Amirantha to do whatever it is he’s going to do.”

Magnus sent word to the Warlock.

Amirantha’s eyes widened as he heard Magnus’s voice in his mind.
Father says in two minutes the area will be clear.

Amirantha said to the others, “Two minutes.”

Belasco’s voice said, “Good. I am getting very tired holding this beast in check.” There was a sense of a dark chuckle, a humor rooted in pain and anger. “I guess we can both say this time I overreached myself, brother.”

Amirantha looked around the room and saw Jim ready to cut Belasco’s throat, Sandreena ready to bash his head in with a mace, and the two elves ready to do whatever they needed to subdue him should the need arise. “Given there are five people here ready to see you dead in an instant, and you’re stuck in some mental struggle with a Demon King, and thousands of lives are at risk because of your choices…yes, I can agree you overreached.”

“Well, I’d tell you I was sorry, but we both know that would be a lie,” he said with what seemed to be an echo of evil glee. “You may be right, you know.”

“About what?” asked the Warlock.

“About me being insane. I’m not sure, because I’ve always felt this way. I know Sidi was mad, but that was easy to see. You, probably not, or you hide it well. But I realize now that a lot of what I’ve done…Don’t get me wrong on this, dear brother. I still don’t care, but I realize that one must be a little crazy to try what I’ve tried.

“I saw myself as just too smart.” There came a hollow laugh. Then suddenly the tone changed. “It’s starting! You must do it now!”

Amirantha nodded, and Gulamendis said, “I will delay the demon within for a few minutes.”

Sandreena said, “I can pacify your brother, Amirantha.”

“Begin,” said Amirantha.

“Farewell, brother,” came Belasco’s voice. Amirantha’s eyes widened slightly, for in his lifetime, his brother had
never offered him the slightest wish for good fortune. As if understanding this, Belasco added, “For if you do not fare well, I most certainly perish.”

They began their spells.

Demons withered under the blistering attack of the magicians surrounding them. Pug could sense more than see that some of the magicians on the walls were failing, exhausted from the tremendous demand on their willpower and endurance to channel so much magic in so short a time. Only Magnus seemed unfazed by the demands placed on him.

A massive wave of energy swept up the four towers and suddenly a figure began to appear, suspended in the air, slightly translucent in appearance.

Twenty feet tall, Dahun’s massive torso was heavily muscled, descending into huge legs and a scaled black lizard’s tail below his spine. His black legs and tail blended to red at his stomach and turned crimson at his chest. His face was contorted in pain, as if this transition was causing agony. He bellowed and it was a distant, hollow sound. His eyes were solid black orbs, opened wide, looking, seeking something as he came into this world. His head moved side to side, the hair braided with human skulls swinging over his shoulders. His brow was adorned with a massive golden circlet, set with a dark stone pulsing with purple light. The fingers of his left hand ended in black talons and flexed slowly, restlessly, as if in anticipation of rending apart his enemies. In his right hand he held a flaming sword. His hips were girded with a metal-studded kilt, and two large leather bands crossed his chest with a massive golden emblem.