The Birth of a Demon

By Christian Pietka

Chapter 1

            Marcel DeVore fine-tuned his invention for their first human subject. How long had he waited for this moment to come in all his years as a sorcerer? Years? Decades? It didn't matter how long, soon he would taste the fruit of his tree of labor, and it surely shall be sweet. Emperor Dornkirk guided him with new theories and ideas which led him to the design, and finally the creation of his child, of his soul, of his life, the Fate Alteration Engine was finally complete for experimentation. If it was successful they could now figure out how to make it powerful enough to affect the whole world, for Zaibach's ideal future.

            His sweat beaded on his forehead, time was running low and Dornkirk would soon want to begin testing. He checked every part of the Engine, and then he checked it again, and again. He could never seem to check it enough for one problem could lead to the end of the project, which would end his entire life's dream.

            A sound was heard from behind him. He heard the sound many times; it was the monitor turning on. Emperor Dornkirk had finally come for his Engine. The Aged-worn face looked ominous on the screen. It was like looking to the face of the creator of Gaia.

            "Marcel," Dornkirk's voice boomed through the monitor. "Has the Engine been properly examined yet?"

            Marcel bowed before Dornkirk. No matter how hard Marcel tried he could never achieve the intelligence of science as Dornkirk had achieved. "Yes sir, but I am still uncertain about this."

            "This can not wait any longer, we need to test it before I can find the power spot."

            Marcel grit his teeth. He truly wanted another month before testing his life, but Dornkirk's word was law, and he will obey. "Yes sir, it will be ready within the hour. Will the power preparations be complete by then?"

            "They were complete yesterday. Zaibach will invest all energy to the Engine."

            Amazing how quickly the Emperor worked. Truly the gods were merciful when they brought him to Zaibach. He remembered how it was before the Emperor well. He was merely a child, but his memory of that time was still fresh. The barren soil, the scorching sun, and the enemies always invading his home. It was brutal and he had no faith in a savior ever coming.

            But when he was playing on a field he saw a man. A frail man, not even knowing how he would become the emperor. He looked at the man who seemed to look through a narrow tube. He gave it to Marcel and when he looked through it he was amazed. He could see beyond the dunes and almost saw the next town. The man called it a telescope. He taught him how glass can bend light and make things look larger. That was Marcel's first lesson in the magic Dornkirk called "Science". The magic that would bring Zaibach to become the power it was today.

            He made one final check of the entire Engine and took a breath. He could make no more, and it was finally time. It was time to put his Engine, in fact his dream to the test. He made a silent prayer to any god who would hear him. "Please make this work," he muttered, "Let this become the glory of Zaibach."

            Marcel pushed the button on his board and the floor started to rumble. With a quick jerk the floor begun to descend to a room many times the size of his old one. Tubes, machines, and most importantly, his fellow Sorcerers were all ready for him. These men were the reason why Zaibach grew. With the knowledge of Dornkirk to guide them, there was nothing that their imaginations couldn't think up.

            "So, Marcel, is the Engine working properly?" A sneer voice from behind said.

            Marcel turned around. It was Gular, one of the top Sorcerers who wanted the Engine project. He was brilliant, Marcel couldn't overlook it, but it was his arrogance that was his downside. He seemed to overlook obvious faults and underestimated his students. This was what put Marcel over him, and Gular resented him for it. Many times Gular tried to ruin Marcel's reputation and Dornkirk's satisfaction with him, but many of Marcel's students and other sorcerers always thwarted his attempts before they became to serious so that Marcel could concentrate more on the Engine. If it would work then Gular's arrogance shall finally be destroyed, however if it failed it would only fuel the fire.

            "Yes, Gular, it is quite finished and I believe that it will make a glorious addition to the Empire of Zaibach."

            It was then that someone caught his eye. Someone was behind Gular. He stood tall, and had a young face. Silver hair that stood up, his eyes were purple, and shimmered with intelligence, but also with regret. His face was handsome, but there was a tear on his right cheek. He wore a yellow robe, which meant he was a student. "Who is he, Gular?" I asked pointing to the boy.
            Gular looked over his shoulder and smiled. "This is my new student, Folken Strategos, former prince of the land of Dragons. Folken say hello."

            Marcel extended his right hand and in return was gripped by a hand of steel. Marcel eyes were wide with terror to find that Folken's arm was made of metal.

            Folken looked surprised but suddenly calm. "I lost it during a rite of succession."

            "Such barbaric nature your country must have," Marcel responded. "I am certain that you will appreciate the civilized nature of Zaibach. But, this is a top-priority experiment and we cannot have students enter here. I must ask you to leave."

            Folken nodded and departed. Marcel had a feeling that he couldn't shake from that man, that he would be a critical part of Zaibach's future. He just hoped that Gular wouldn't spoil this fresh mind.

Gular gave a glare that would normally chill someone's blood, but Marcel had more things to worry about. "Where is the test subject?"

            "She will be here momentarily. Jajuka gave us some trouble apprehending the girl. We had to force him down."

            Jajuka, the beast-man who tended to the children who the Sorcerers were experimenting on. Marcel found it odd that he would cause an uproar for a child. He normally detached himself from the children. Perhaps he had found this one to be special. If that is the case it would be no other option than this child to operate the Engine on.

            The guards came in. The right one was bandaged up. Perhaps from Jajuka. She seemed to be about ten years old, perfect age for what they needed. Dornkirk wanted to use the Fate Alteration Engine to change a girl to a boy and be able to make that boy into a perfect warrior. Marcel never understood why, but he never dared question the Emperor.

            The girl seemed to be crying as she struggled against the solder in a futile attempt to get him to let go. This child certainly had spirit. Truly the perfect on to make a warrior.

            "Place her on the table. Let us begin!"

************************************************************************

            How long had he waited for this moment to present itself. Ever since Marcel had taken the project from him, Gular plotted this moment or ruin for him. Though he dare not act against Dornkirk directly. For years he looked at Marcel's formula of the Fate Alteration Engine. And to his surprise it was perfect. This child would certainly become the perfect warrior, and that Gular could not allow.

            Gular looked at the formula, but altered it slightly each day so Marcel wouldn't noticed. It would drive this girl to a craze madness and would go insane within a few days. She would become a mad child who will ultimately kill herself. He grinned at the embarrassment that Marcel shall receive.

            "Altering fate!" Marcel shouted.

            "It has begun," Gular muttered with a grin. "Altering Fate!" He shouted as he started his engine.

            The fellow sorcerers at their positions started to yell their response back to Marcel. The Engine started to charge up and move. The graceful beauty and perfect motion that the Engine possessed was truly remarkable. Marcel truly was Gular's superior, but that will be a secret that only he shall know. When the child dies, he shall present the same formula that Marcel originally constructed and be made responsible for taking over the solder project.

            The Engine fired at the child as she begun to glow. Her scream was high and piercing. Gular wanted to cover his ears, but he had to continue with his duties or else the Engine will fail and he would be to blame, but soon the child's scream subsided and when it was over the child laid still and reborn.

            "How is she…I mean "he" doing?" Gular asked.
            "He is doing well," Marcel responded.

            The boy looked the same as the girl he once was, but as a male. The Engine had worked, to Gular's demise, but it would be the formula where he shall take his vengeance.

            He looked at Marcel, he couldn't help but express his joy. His life's dream had been realized and with it he shall most certainly go down in the hall of the wise. A place where Sorcerers of profound knowledge and accomplishment were honored. Many sorcerers dedicated their lives to achieve such an honor, but very few made it. Marcel looked upon the newly made boy with such hope in his eyes.

            "Have you thought of a name?" One of the other scientists asked.

            "No," Marcel replied. He then looked directly at Gular.  "Gular, I've heard you were an expert on names. You were the one to call this the 'Fate Alteration Engine'. Why not name this child."

            Gular was surprise at Marcel's request, but he had one that was perfect. "Dilandau."

            Marcel's eyes widen in horror. "You dare name this child after the thousand head slayer?"

            Gular smiled at Marcel's shock. It seemed to suit Marcel quite well. "Why yes, though his blood lust and madness overtook him, he did win many battles for the Empire with his savage battles and his love of death. This child was made to not only meet that potential, but to surpass it too."

            Marcel looked down upon the boy. Though the boy did look calm and peaceful, Gular knew that he made sure that not only will he fight as the infamous Dilandau, but also act like him as well. He studied the mind after being rejected for the Engine project, and found what chemicals to add to bring such madness to one's mind.

            Marcel nodded. "I agree, Dilandau it is. This shall be the perfect solder to help Zaibach to reach its ideal future. He shall be the perfect solder for all Zaibach solders to aspire too. We have much hope rested on this child's shoulder, I pray that he shall live up to our expectation."

            The monitor came on and Emperor Dornkirk appeared. All Sorcerers bowed before the screen.

            "Marcel, has the Engine worked?"

            Marcel smiled with pride. "Yes, my emperor. It had worked perfectly. I present to you for the Zaibach Empire, our newest solder, Dilandau."

            "Excellent," Dornkirk responded, "I made a wise choice in selecting you. I have assigned him to be taught under General Adelphos. His fortress, the Lione, shall arrive within a few hours. Have Dilandau prepared by then."

            Marcel bowed, "Yes my lord, I shall have all preparations ready."

            Gular smiled, "Let all of mankind scream under the abomination we now know as Dilandau," He muttered.