Chereads / The Accidental Bloodmage / Chapter 22 - Road to Hades

Chapter 22 - Road to Hades

Every mercenary, servant, and even the locals now spoke of my accomplishment in the Emberheart's trial to the way I had handled the wyverns. The once-suspicious looks had changed into respectful nods, and the quiet chats teemed with questions mixed with wonder. Even the tough Borin nodded curts, a silent homage from someone who rarely spoke, and getting information was definitely more easier for me.

Unlike the solitude and contempt I had encountered in the dungeon, the attention was hypnotic. I took in the fresh respect, my confidence rising daily. However as I basked in the happiness of it all, something still didn't sit right with me. Silence from Kael Emberheart was deafening, his affirmation suggested but never spoken clearly. I knew my value was determined just by my utility; I was a weapon in his toolkit.

Foreboding swept over me as Malachi and I stood inside my room as I prepared to leave for hades that morning. A cool breeze murmured across the battlements as the rising sun created long shadows outside as I peeked behind the curtains while waiting for Malachi to begin his briefing.

"Remember, blood mage," he muttered, his voice a deep growl. "Your mission is absolutely vital. Deliver the staff then go quickly back. There is no alternative, especially not failure."

Despite the fact that I was willing to do this to remain in Kael's favor, I also couldn't help but feel scared about what I was to expect in Hades. Hades according to my knowledge from Earth was where I was to meet Hadesthe goddess of death so what were the odds of actually this being the underworld but I couldn't ask Malachi that because that would be weird.

Hades didn't seem like a secret place here and my guess was that wherever the real Ash was from, they were supposed to know it so asking would make me suspicious. The place was just foreboding and was more of a nickname than the actual place of torment for the dead. As for how I knew this, it was all thanks to Ash. His memories were helpful as always. He knew the place and now I knew it too.

"I understand," I replied, my voice neutral. Innerly, though, I seethed with a mix of fear and mild annoyance. The weight of the staff in my hands represented my dedication to Emberheart and felt like a burden.

"And what if I come upon complications?" I questioned, my voice tinged with a little defiance. "What if the people living in Hades prove... unwelcoming?"

Malachi turned his lips into a nasty smile. "then improvise, blood mage. You are a blood mage boy, act like it. Others should fear you and not the other way around."

"Make use of your magic, your cunning. But under no conditions should you disclose your relationship to Kael Emberheart. This staff isn't yours to play with though, it's a gift to the one you're going to. Don't forget that."

I frowned at his cold attitude. "And if they ask who sent me?"

Malachi shrugged, his lack of interest infuriating. " Lie. deceive. Misdirect. Are you not a blood mage.? Surely, you should know our race finds such skills natural"

My rage boiling beneath the surface, I tightened my hands. Being used like a disposable instrument in Emberheart's larger design weary me. But I held my tongue, knowing that rebellion would only lead to greater troubles.

"Very well," I remarked, my voice carefully measured. "I will do my best."

"Your best won't be enough if you continue with this attitude," Malachi said forcefully. "This isn't some game, Blackwood. Hades is a world of shadows and death. Tread carefully, or you'll find yourself lost forever."

His words struck a chord, a chilly shudder racing down my spine. I had faced danger before, but the notion of walking into the unknown struck me with a primitive fear. I tried to disguise my fear with a false smirk.

"Relax, Malachi," I replied, my voice lighter than I felt. "I am not some naive recruit. I have gone through plenty of challenges. I'll manage anything Hades tosses at me."

Malachi's eyelids closed, his doubt clear. "We shall see," he muttered, sounding as if a deep growl. "But remember, blood mage., arrogance is a dangerous friend in the realm of the dead."

It wasn't a threat but it sounded like one. He wasn't wrong, I was acting more confident than I felt and I would likely end up in trouble at this rate.

I controlled my mouth even though I wanted to reply and confront his uncertainties. I understood he was correct. Arrogance had brought me to this point, to Emberheart's grip and this dangerous quest. I had to walk softly and apply my power and cunning sensibly.

"One more thing," Malachi said, his voice softening just slightly. "Blackwood, be careful of the murmurs. The dead. Their voices a siren song of misery, and they became more powerful in Hades. Resist their calls to temptation."

I nodded, coldness enveloping me. So it was the land of the dead and I was going alone. That was beginning to sound unnerving.

Malachi rested a hand on my shoulder, his hold unexpectedly strong. "Good luck, blood mage.," he remarked with a rather sincere tone. "May the shadows be to help you and not to distract you"

He turned and went back into the fortification, leaving me at the gates alone. I watched his withdrawing form, a swirl of thankfulness and contempt inside me. Though I couldn't dispute his wisdom, he was a demanding teacher or should I say guardian?

Now that it looked like I had being given all additional information that I could hope to get, I went back to get my stuff. Based on everything so far, it seemed like I should expect a long journey. I packed lightly, mostly leather armour, and some food. I was surprised when I found out I would be going alone. At first, I thought it was because I was now considered reliable then I remembered the armband. The armband was likely to be Emberheart's insurance plan. Now that I had taken what little of my things that made sense for me to carry, I left the room that was given to me. I walked out towards the gates.

Once at the gates, I inhaled deeply, steeling myself for the trip ahead. The air hummed with an eerie force, a tangible blackness that seeped through the fissures in the old stone. I hesitated, the grasp on the staff tightening. I didn't like the fact that I was walking about with a magical staff when I knew I would not be powerful enough to defend it from determined forces if they ambushed me. Emberheart knew this too, yet he sent me with no escort. Is this all some game to him? I got irritated at all the games that everyone seemed to want to play with my life.

"Damn it, Ash," I told myself. "Grab a hold of yourself. You have overcome worse than this."

That was bullshit though. I was never alone the previous times I faced danger. Even in all the trials, I knew that I was still very much more useful alive than dead. Letting me die would be a lose of investment for the warlord and nobody likes to lose. At least, I don't like losing.

So the words came out hollow even as I said the.. The idea of exploring Hades, a world I knew nothing about, sent off an instinctive terror in me. Though I was still learning and finding the depths of my ability as I was a blood mage, I wondered if it wasn't a mistake staying here and not just fleeing. Nevermind the armband, I'm sure there must be a workaround.

I required a defender, an ally. Someone, or something, to keep an eye on my rear in this strange land. Emberheart was one such individual in this land, maybe. At this point, I don't know. But in this given task, I needed someone to follow me there, a guard of sorts.

So I crouched on the ground, my fingers creating a sigil on the ground as blood magic surged through me. I murmured an incantation, my voice a deep rumbling over the deserted courtyard. The ground shook, and a skeletal figure staggered out of the ground, its bones clattering as it ascended to its full height.

Before me, the thrall stood, its empty eye sockets riveted on my face. It was a shoddy production with jerky, uncontrolled motions. But it was mine, a faithful servant limited by my will. It would do, now I have a guard. A level guard but still a guard.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," I remarked, a nervous laugh breaking free. "Not exactly the most charming companion, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers."

The thrall tipped its head, its bony fingers quivering. I couldn't help but grin. Talking with an undead minion was ridiculous, but in this state of doubt, its presence was oddly consoling.

Clapping my palms together, "All right, then," I exclaimed. "Let us go discover the beauties of Hades, shall we?"

I moved toward the gates, the thrall charging with me, one hand holding the staff and the blood dagger in the other. The gates were opened as I neared it and people gave me a wide berth and I blame that on the thrall. I was prepared for whatever Hades threw at me since Malachi had dodged all my questions about it so I was ready to tackle it on my own.

Or so I told myself.