Chereads / Mark of the Jackal / Chapter 24 - Khokbus

Chapter 24 - Khokbus

I stood still and silent watching the black mush of the dämon's heart slowly disappear just like the world that imprisoned me. Unlike shards of broken glass, the heart became one with the air as black smoke rose from the crevices of my hand that now held clumped ash freshly cremated and obsidian in color. It wasn't the first time I held ash as past memories of watching clouds being carried away in the breeze. As those memories concluded, I poured the ashes from my hand allowing it to be lost in darkness where it belonged along with its owner. My mind was once again clear and free from the Reekers' influence yet I felt somewhat gratitude towards them for toying with me.

Sighing, I made my way to the door ignoring the three souls that I had set free before dying with hope that they may live their lives as they saw fit. I had no right nor the reason to keep their souls entwined with mine, especially Erebus who had suffered for so long in his crypt alone until I stumbled upon it. With that reasoning, I had given him the metaphorical key to his prison and all the denizens that lived in it hoping he'd finally find peace along with Tartarus and the Ent. Call it my way of repenting for past sins. A last good deed before fading into the eternal slumber and becoming lost in the darkness.

[(I'm still weak.)]

I placed my hand on the center of the door and focused on materializing my internal conflict into the blood crimson aura that began to surround my palm. As the aura began to envelope the door, my mind remembered the advice mother had given to Veronica and I one winter's day during a lecture. Mana is just one element needed for a mage to cast the spells of their chosen craft though it is considered by some to be the major of the two components. The other component necessary is the mage's own emotions which fueled each spell. Though, this component could be interchanged with a person's will.

Cracks began to splinter throughout the wood as if aged rapidly. Once I was satisfied with the amount of damage, I removed my palm and took a step back before kicking it forward into the adjacent wall. I took several steps into the hallway and found a world of torment as sounds of pained screams filled my ears. I was instantly reminded of a dungeon that I infiltrated to free a client's brother who was apparently wrongfully accused of a prostitute's murder only to watch that same client kill the mark before me. Smiling, I stared at the massive violet crystal structure hanging from the ceiling spreading ominous light throughout the dungeon.

I made my way to the edge of the walkway and looked into the heart of the circular tower. "Erebus," I said the primordial's name without looking back, "where would your brother be?"

Footsteps rang out against the black stone as they drew closer and stopped beside me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Erebus had taken my form once again as he pointed down to the floor at the bottom of the massive pit where an uninviting sight loomed with watchful eyes ensuring no soul escaped into Drumorta, Khokbus's demiplane where he watches the souls of the dead. Sitting on a mound of bones like the death god himself, a large dämon stood guard watching over the flying imps carrying out their duties assigned by their lord until given further instruction. Like a noble, the dämon swatted several of his lesser kin out of the air as they flew to close. I instantly knew that the dämon had to be gotten rid of if my plan can bear fruit and so I could save Nyxis, and the others

The large dämon reminded me of Solomon because both looked to be of the same tribe. Where Solomon had wolf like legs, the dämon below had taloned bird legs with plums of blue feathers and a greyish hue. Four masculine reptilian arms were bound in chains that held the massive blades it wielded at hand. A single large golden eye stared from the broad brown chest as a fanged maw devoured souls that tried to escape their torment. Yellow scales ran the length of the dämon's back like strips of armor. Two bat wings wrapped around the dämon's lower half like some sickly skirt ready to be taken off after one to many.

[(Vagal the Abyss Watcher, I presume.)]

"Little Sparrow," Erebus whispered as two imps slowly began their ascent making their rounds of the prison, "my brother's throne should reside through that portal."

Two white serpents wrapped around the imps sinking their fangs into the exposed necks just as the flying dämon were about to screech. I watched as their bodies turned to skeletal remnants that burned to ash just before striking the ground below. Several dämon occupying the floors below looked over the respective edge in awe of the spectacle as two of their own had been slain without reason. Their glowing eyes slowly looked up at me with surprised expressions that a soul was able to break through their personal prison meant to torment until consumed. I didn't care if they found me because I still needed to get stronger and they would help me, willingly or not. Strength was needed if I wished to achieve my goal and to avoid watching Nyxis shed more unwanted tears.

Without waiting for them to come and get me, I leapt off the side out of reach from hands hoping to bring me in like a prized fish. Wind blew throughout my body as I closed my eyes and allowed gravity to do its work. In the darkness, I searched for the threads that bound me to my body hoping to relay a message to the others that I was on my way or die a second death trying. I felt the shadows around me screaming with open arms at the faint presence of their master ready to follow once more. I reached farther into the willing shadows and saw a losing battle as Zeke and Scarlett were on the ground badly injured. They still stood up no matter how much a beating they received to the Ghoul's delight.

The image changed to Veronica and Orion who weren't in a better shape as they continued to fight the undead dragon. That being said, the undead wasn't in much better shape as pieces of flesh were gone revealing the charred bone underneath and a large chunk of its left chest gone. Still, I knew the two of them would run out of stamina to keep away from the beast or mana to keep the offensive. White shattered armor crumbled into pieces as Veronica was struck out of the sky by a torrent of green flame followed by spikes of bone thrown from the dragon's wings. Luckily Orion caught her but only to soften the damage she took as the green flame surrounded them obscuring them from my sight.

Finally, the image held Nyxis at the center as she still wept over me behind a dim barrier unable to keep fully formed with the state her mind was in. Even in death, I still felt her grief stricken tears run from my forehead and down my cheek. Her hand lay on my chest as she tried to heal me even knowing that only divine magic could bring a soul back without the body turning into a mindless thrall. Seeing her unable to smile made my heart burn with saddened anger as the realization that I was to blame for such tears finally set in. If only I had been stronger then maybe she would be filled with such sorrow nor would Orion, Zeke, Scarlett, and Veronica would be placed in danger.

"Don't," I heard Vilra's voice in the darkness, "don't give up. You still can change your fate just as you have many times in the past. Don't allow yourself to wallow in fear or grief but rise above it."

[(Easier said than done.)]

I opened my eyes and maneuvered my body so that my feet would strike the ground first. Using an enhancement spell, I strengthen my legs to the point that they wouldn't shatter under the immense force yet soft enough to cushion the shock. Dust rose around me obscuring me for a brief moment from the sights of the large dämon who I sensed making his way over to the commotion that interrupted his meal. Through the dust, I saw his thirty foot figure loom over as his lower left hand reached to capture me. With one powerful swipe, my camouflage was taken away revealing nothing but an empty space.

Tartarus' low voice whispered in my right ear, "Even for a dead man, you're quite capable of deception. That being said, what is the plan here? Hopefully it involves leaving this plane and returning to the living world."

"Half right," stalking the shadows behind a scorpion dämon known as a Kutash and pulling it into the shadows with me, "I plan to return to the living but not before taking Khokbus' head. After all, take the head and the body will soon follow."

I looked Tartarus in the eye, "That is the only way to truly leave this place or with his blessing. The latter option is already out of reach, especially since I killed some of his followers along the way. However this discussion can wait, I want to know why the three of you are here in the first place when I freed you all from your bonds to me."

Roots grew from underneath a group of scamps searching a nearby coffin and swallowed just like the Reeker before. "It's simple," the Ent spoke as he rose from the ground with another dämon impaled on outreaching limbs, "we want to make sure you keep your side of the bargain. That and though we hate to admit it, your words held some truth that each of us are the same in some sense anyway."

A group of monstrous bat dämon known as Zotid fluttered their four large wings diving towards us only to be enveloped in by shadowy tendrils and pulled into the darkness. Erebus stood where the dämon disappeared in the midst of several ash piles of those cut down without hesitation or consideration of his standing. It seemed he had chosen to stand beside me in my goal to slay his brother or for the time being at least. Of the twelve primordials, only three were true siblings and Erebus was one of those three along with Khokbus, and Vilra. Knowing this, it was just a matter of time before his true allegiance resides yet I couldn't blame him.

Sighing, I made my way to stand beside Erebus with Tartarus and the Ent in tow as more dämon appeared from unseen portals to surround us. "You've been with me ever since that fateful encounter," a shadowy blade formed in my hand, "protected me from the creatures residing in your prison and helped me hone my abilities as a Shadowmancer. For that, I am grateful and wish to tell you my true intentions."

The head of a goatish fiend slipped from its shoulders with one strike of my blade followed by black flames. I stared at the abyss watcher without fear, "I intend to claim Khokbus' head and return to the living world."

Erebus didn't say anything as I cut down more dämon and flayed undead that suffered a cruel fate. I felt his mind was in conflict between the two options before him yet he still joined the battle allowing me to focus on the Abyss Watcher. From the corner of my eye, Tartarus held the cursed gladius in hand as the runes carved in the blade burned bright blue like a beacon of sorts. I felt relief that in the end at least one soul had become whole once more and a growing determination to ensure it returns back to the living. The same went for the Ent who I sensed a beating heart hidden away in the branches of his chest as he created a wall of entangled roots around us. They each would be powerful allies for the kingdom I wished to build if I could manage to escape death and convince them to stay.

"Uoy," the Abyss Watcher roared, "uoy erad woh!"

With one swipe of his massive blades, our somewhat shelter was cut down allowing the surrounding dämon and the converging souls to come closer, all according to plan. Being a soul did have an advantage to it especially when casting spells consumed little mana and took only a second to will it alive. The downside is that such bliss affects the mind as the mana used to sustain the soul in such a place would be consumed without realization setting in first. That's why I consumed the shadows of each dämon I killed and the world I was imprisoned in to keep enough mana for the battle to come. I intended to consume this prison world to replenish that I had used along with every dämon in it.

Surrounding shadows converged in front of my outstretched palm as more was pulled in a spiralling loop around me sending the end of my tattered coat fluttering against a calm breeze. Transparent obsidian scales began to form as the spell I used to disrupt the barrier around the shack took shape. In front of me, two crimson eyes formed just as Vagal brought down one of his massive swords to cut me down before my spell could be casted. Like before, my body felt the exhilarating strain that such a spell put on it but not as it was before. I imagined a serpent devouring everything in its path just as it did the barrier before, leaving nothing but undisturbed air and earth.

Just as I was about to fire the spell, the room became lit with a symphony of light casted throughout the floor as a large binding magic circle appeared. All at once, my connection to the gathered shadows went wild as they fought free of my grasp, sending me backwards a few steps followed by an unseen force bearing down on me. Resisting the pull, I watched through clenched eyes as the weaker dämon instantly turned to ash piles leaving the Abyss Watcher straining to stand. His blade was rendered to pieces that barely pierced my chest and little room to move out of the way on either side. I continued to remain on my feet as I sensed a presence beside me that felt cold like ice.

"Interesting," a woman's muffled voice sounded she walked around me, "I'm surprised that a mortal's soul could resist such strain."

Through gritted teeth, I smiled as I felt the woman's cold hands run over my back. I chuckled as she came into view yet blurred, "Destroy the circle and I can show you what else I'm capable of."

"Dartsa, sith fo gninaem eht si tahw?!" Vagal roared in the dämon tongue.

At such hostility, the woman turned her gaze to the Abyss Watcher who shuttered in fear from just a glance. My mind began to swim with confusion as to why an Infernal Lord like Vagal would grimace at the woman's gaze. I knew the woman wasn't what she portrayed to be yet if she was a dämon then she would be of a lesser clan. From the books discussing Drumorta, Vagal was always presented to be the only high dämon that stayed in the prison world as its watcher and executioner for foolish souls like those it ate earlier. There was never mention of a dämon that the Abyss Watcher feared except for Khokbus himself who pried kingship of Drumorta from Vagal long ago.

[(Just who are you, lady?)]

"Vagal," the woman snapped with a cold voice, "you're a worthless wretch. You've been told several times by our Lord to alert him when he has guests, especially since his followers bound him and harvested most of the strength he has left. That also goes for souls of the living that came to our domain by an unknown means and the soul that has escaped death multiple times. Even more so, our Lord should be told when the visitor is a fellow primordial and his own kin."

Fear appeared in Vagal's eyes as they moved to the shadowy figure with burning red eyes standing beside me. I gritted my teeth as the pull of the circle continued to drag my body to the ground with growing force. I turned my head and saw that the Ent and Tartarus were also fighting the pull as their legs began to buckle underneath them. Knowing it wouldn't be long until we were kneeling and at the mercy of the woman, my mind fluttered through all possible solutions that could work but it would involve trying to cast magic within the serpressing field which would empty the supply of mana I had left. The woman was the metaphorical key that I needed to break free of this prison.

[(Killing her would most likely break the circle, but how? The Shadow of the Devourer was blown to pieces before I could finish casting it and nearly killed me. Maybe if I got the jump on her somehow then I could free us. Then again I'd still be in the thick of things with Vagal freed as well. That was always a risk in all possible solutions and the death of me in several outcomes that needed to be avoided. Out of the four of us, Erebus was the only one unaffected by the magic circle due to his divinity. The least I could do is try and break free then kill her to free the others.)]

I focused on forming a small black blaze surrounding my arm to converge in my open palm pointed towards the woman who continued to scold Vagal like a mother or spouse would. More and more I focused with every failed attempt as the blaze was snuffed out by an unfelt wind. I continued to will the blaze to spark using my growing anger to fuel it with enough strength to stay alight. Still, the blaze could not hold its shape as the woman took notice and smiled making her way toward me. Panic set in with each step the woman took just as her shadow became more and more visible between the shimmering lights of the circle.

[(Just a little bit more.)]

In honesty, I didn't know if what I had planned would work, especially since the circle was made to cancel any and all spells within along with binding those inside to the spot they stood, unable to move until allowed. The flame was just a diversion to keep everyone occupied while the main spell gathered in the shadows of my left sleeve, one of the perks of severing my arm I guess. The strain was quite irritating to cast two spells simultaneously and keep enough so that my soul could still function. A minor setback that was necessary if the main spell worked, if not then I'd be at the mercy of not only the woman, but Khokbus himself. Even with such precautions in place, I felt my soul being torn in thirds between each pull.

I was about to try the spell when the woman placed a hand on my left shoulder as if knowing my ploy. "It won't work," she muttered as the shadows dissipated, sending exhaustion throughout my spectral body.

I felt the pull strength even more as my legs began to buckle underneath the weight, unable to keep its balance any longer. My gaze fell on Vagal's fearful eyes that looked back into mine out of disbelief for being able to withstand the circle's grip for so long only to fall short, or that's what I thought. Suddenly, my body became able to move freely without the constant pull bearing on my shoulders as the lights of the circle began to fade, releasing all ensnared within. Taking the chance, I pulled free from the woman's clutches as my vision returned normal and greedily sucked in the air like some rare commodity. I felt hands help sit me on the ground when the room began to spin faster and faster only to stop, leaving a severe headache behind.

"We are not the enemy," the woman muttered, "but merely pawns of those truly to be blamed. I understand you may have your doubts but please save such judgement until after hearing what my Lord has to say."

I chuckled between breaths, "Not the enemy? Then why was your Lord's symbol carved in the wall when my parents were killed? Wh--"

The woman placed a finger over my lips promoting me to quieten down like some child. "As I said," she whispered, "hear what my Lord has to say."

I stared at the woman with the growing urge to bite her finger off and spit it to the side like the garbage it was. "Oh," her icy blue eyes sparkled behind the mass of pale blue shoulder length hair, "I see why you've intrigued not only my Lord but his siblings as well. Your eyes burn with the hatred and fear of many tucked away within. I can feel the heat even now with that gaze of yours. Makes me wonder, how many have you killed to acquire such eyes?"

I didn't say anything as the woman turned and headed for the swirling portal leading to the throne room where Khokbus resided. Black flames came to life surrounding my arm to converge at the center of my palm just as it did within the circle. Anger made the flames burn bright as I focused more on the emotion and the will to kill the woman where she stood with her back turned toward me, mocking me. I felt a hand on my shoulder and found Erebus looking at me with soft eyes trying to persuade me to rethink my actions. Sighing, I allowed the flames to extinguish and followed in line behind the woman as Vagal collected himself.

"If it had been anyone else," I whispered so that Erebus was the only ear that heard, "I would have killed the woman right then and there."

Erebus chuckled at such a remark as we neared the portal, "Even you would have issue killing her, Jackal."

I was about to say something when the ground behind me began to rumble followed by the grinding sound of long stuck gears began to move once more. I turned in time to watch a clear obsidian wall block the paths of Tartarus and the Ent behind me. Light began to shimmer against the wall's surface as a barrier was formed to negate magic spells casted toward it making the wall more durable to break. Surprised intrigue filled Tartarus' eyes while dragging his clawed nails against the barrier resulting in an ear splitting squeal to harmonize in the air. His mind looked to be processing how to reach the other side as the Ent tried to use brute force to destroy such a barrier that ultimately led to failure and exhaustion on his part.

"I am sorry to say this," the woman spoke, "but the living are not granted to see the Primordial of Death and shall be returned to a destination of their choosing. Those are the laws of what remains of Drumorta and shall be followed."

A smile flashed on Tartarus' face as if knowing this would happen and already chosen a place beforehand. "Very well," he looked to the Ent who nodded in some unknown agreement between them, "send us to the sanctuary where he died."

My eyes went wide at hearing such a proclamation from an entity that tried to harbor my body just as the Ent did once before. My legs began to tremble as the soft touch of Nyx's tear once again ran the length of my face. The scent of blackberries and sage filled my nose just as it usually did when she was near filled my nose on a phantom breeze. Her beating heart drummed against my chest with the signs of hope. Hope that they would be able to receive needed aid against the two undead that killed me and a chance of reprieve from combat to lick their wounds. It was the hope they needed to be reassured that I was on my way back no matter the consequences.

After separating from Tartarus and the Ent who I would make sure to ask his name, the woman led the way through the portal that took us to a large throne room. Braziers of white flame burned casting light upon the twelve obsidian columns, bringing a certain life to the room. The thousands of gems on the sloped ceiling danced in the flickering light while gargoyles and sculptures looked down upon the marble floor. Illuminated sculptures of each primordial's insignia sat forever between each column waiting to be worshipped once more. At the far end of the room sat a great ivory throne below a grand chandelier of bone.

When we stopped at the edge of a viridian carpet, I noticed that the throne was covered in sacred carvings and fixed on each of the slim ears was a sparkling bat wing. The carvings were the same as the ones that were discovered in the sanctuary and were painted with a golden hue allowing them to be freely seen in the blackened background. Behind the throne was a tattered veridian violet tapestry of an all-seeing eye with an enlarged pupil residing in the all too familiar palm. I couldn't turn my head from the pupil as two different images fought for supremacy. On one side, a beautiful maiden clad in a fine dress watched the western wall holding a plump apple in hand. The other was of the same woman except with withered skin and tattered clothing holding a decayed apple in skeletal fingers faced the east.

[(The beauty of Life withers away in the coming of Death.)]

"Lord Khokbus," the woman knelt before the seated figure clad in disturbed armor, "I have brought the soul and your brother just as you command. I feel it necessary to let you know that this particular soul has vowed to be your executioner."

Silence came from the armored figure whose face was hidden away in shadows only allowing his orange crimson eyes to be seen. "Good," two voices spoke in unison, one was like a faint whisper close to death while the other sounded to be filled with life.

My eyes never left the figure who leaned forward revealing the personification of life and death tucked away. Short greying burgundy hair was nicely trimmed and brushed back allowing the entity's face to clearly be seen. Soft honey skin clung to a well toned bone structure underneath giving the figure the look of a prince waiting to save a damsel like the old stories. Black make-up surrounded the lower part of his eye like most women working in a boutique would wear or stage performers would to help highlight their features more on the stage in an ill attempt to receive the recognition they felt was needed. Red lips twisted in a grin giving the figure a more animalistic look as if he was waiting to sink his fanged teeth into fresh meat.

The other half was a dramatic change to the face full of life; it was adorned to look like two sides of the same gold coin. Unlike its counterpart, the flesh and muscle had long since decayed away leaving behind well preserved bone. Two rows of dagger like teeth trailed away from the red lips that still held its grin. Exhaled breath whistled through the dark hole where the other half of a nose should be present. An orange crimson eye floated seamlessly in an ocean of darkness forever lost at sea as it burned bright hoping to attract long needed aid. From the temple, rose a broken horn with jagged edges that could still pierce unprotected flesh.

My eyes fell on the body if the figure especially to the spikes hammered deep within his chest, forearms, and legs pinning him to the throne. Wide, squared, and large pauldrons that hung gently off the figure's shoulders were decorated with metal bat wings which curved toward each side. Metal rerebraces, rounded and layered, sat nicely underneath each pauldron providing protection to the upper arms while the lower halves were protected by matching vambraces decorated by several rows of barb-like spikes along the outer sides. A cuirass made from several layers of metal stacked over one another narrowed as it went down to the waist and had hair thin cracks running throughout the center where the spike was driven. The upper legs were covered by squared, half covering cuisses while the lower legs were protected by greaves which have a skull shaped metal ornament piece on each outer side.

Between each gap of armor, a wire of barbs dug into flesh or bone restraining the figure even more. "I see you've noticed my peculiar state," the figure whispered.

I didn't say anything as a shadowy blade formed in my palm. Before Erebus could stop me, I rushed the seated deity hoping to claim his head but that idea was quickly stopped with the thud of my body against the ground and the sharp pain spreading throughout my arm as it was pulled behind me. From her kneeling position, the woman swept me off my feet and mounted my back while placing the blade against my throat and the other immobilized my limb. I just stared daggers at the seat figure hoping he would die by my gaze but all I found was amusement. In my frenzied state, I didn't notice the all too familiar cold sensation of chains binding my legs until the sound of the shackles closing rang in my ears.

"There," the woman released me and made her way to stand beside Khokbus, "now you have no choice but to listen."

"The Immortal Jackal," Khokbus chuckled, "one who defies fate itself no matter the reason and the one who has avoided death in the most severe situations."

The images of that fateful day began to play before my eyes as the world around me was drowned out by the roaring blaze. I saw nothing but the way my father and mother were slaughtered before my eyes like cattle in a butcher shop. The heat of the blaze melted away the cold metal that bound me as my anger grew with each inaudible word spoken. More and more the heat grew until it consumed my body. Those memories were followed by the unwanted lives ended by my hands and the image of his symbol branding my mind over and over again like a broken music box.

"Enough," Erebus whispered, placing a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to calm me.

I felt him grab hold of my arm and helped me to my feet as his eyes never left his brother or the woman who stared back without fear. For a moment however, I saw relief tucked away within those hostile eyes. As I thought more about it, I remembered how Erebus had frazed his words earlier like he knew the woman but wished to keep me in the dark about it. I thought it was unusual at the time but didn't press the matter at the moment hoping to face Khokbus sooner than later. It felt as if the two had some kind of unspoken history together but from the books I had read never mentioned a lover except for one.

Before I could ask, Khokbus released a long held sigh before speaking once more. "I plan to return you back to the living," my ears peaked at his words, "but first, I'd like to tell you a tale. A tale that happens each era and those responsible for the occurrences which is known as the Great Culling. The tale of those chosen in each era to become what are known as Songs of Calamity."