The Binder
by
James S. Love
author's note: hey everyone I am writing this story with a new pep in my step. I am still getting reviews for my mason fairweathers so I am happy to annouce that after my eclipsa queen of the blood moon story is done The mason fairweathers fanfiction will take it's slot… and I haven't forgotten about you aidan clawthorne fans I am just trying to refuel my Batteries on that story
P.S.: Since you all seem to be enjoying this story I Decided to post this chapter one week after the last one instead of biweekly. Next week and the week will be my eclipsa story but I promise you'll love what I have planned for next chapter
Chapter 6: Tying The Knot
Walking down the road to Bones borough Lukas Nocenda hummed a happy tune. He carried a small stack of books once again Eda had sent him to return the books to the library. Meanwhile she allowed Luz to read books on potion craft and giving her a hands-on Lesson.
Lukas would normally be hurt by this, but today he felt good. Because today he learned that he could use the light glyph if he wore gloves. He discovered this by wearing his winter gloves which he brought in case he had to camp on a particularly cold night.
He had a small note pad in his pocket with pages filled with light glyphs… he liked having power to call on that would be reliable. Unlike these so called blessings which always ended up costing Lukas his ability to control himself and would end with him being completely broken.
He still remembers how it felt the first time he used his blessings. He felt strong, mighty, and free. It was a feeling unlike any other and one that could be called addictive.
Lukas's walk down the road was interrupted by the sounds of someone sobbing. Lukas deciding to investigate walked into the woods and found sitting on a stump a familiar green haired witch… Amity.
Lukas crept toward Amity and a twig branch snapped revealing him to the witch.
The witches head rose with a sharp snap, turning her head toward Lukas. "What do you want?" she said wiping tears from her eyes.
"Why are you crying?" The boy asked sitting on the stump next to her.
Amity did not look at him and just grabbed a stone. She flung it into the woods and it bounced off both tree and rock.
"Amity, are you okay? I'm here if you need to talk."
She ignored him and stomped toward the edge of the clearing and grabbed a stick. She began whacking it at the nearest tree and grunted in anger.
"You'll feel better if you talk about it. Whenever I get mad I would always go to my Mami… it helps having someone you can trust listen to your problems." Lukas said the last bit in a voice just under a whisper.
"Human! Lukas… just go… you can't help me." Amity said, her tone defeated and her pride washed away.
Lukas emboldened by his friends plight stood suddenly and walked to her. "A
mity, look at me." he held her shoulder and when she tried to fight him he pulled her to meet his face.
"Look at me! Amity! I'm your friend… and I won't abandon you." Lukas said, his voice taking on a calming timbre.
Amity In response looked Lukas in the eyes and she began to soften. Her eyes began to tear up and she wrapped him into a hug. "I'm sorry." she repeated this four more times.
Lukas never let her go and he held her protectively.
"I bet you hate me now?"
"No Amity, you're my friend and I'm here. I want to help you, but I can't if you don't tell me what's wrong."
"My parents want me to find a boyfriend." She said.
"Oh, that is annoying but is it really that bad?"
"You don't know what they are expecting of me. They want to basically have me find a boyfriend to marry eventually so that they may form an alliance with a powerful witch family… and I don't want to marry for an alliance… I want to marry for love."
Lukas was stunned… what kinda parents would force their children into arranged marriages. It was an archaic practice… and one Lukas was at loss of how he could fix it for Amity. He returned to his seated position on the stump and tried to form a plan… but he was still at a loss.
"Amity, I'm sorry… I had no idea." Lukas looked at his friend and felt something that he had hoped to forget… helplessness.
Just then a voice shouted from the distance. "Lukas! Lukas!" a man yelled crashing into the foliage of the woods. "Where are you Lulu… Daddy isn't mad, he's just worried." the voice yelled.
"Daddy?" Amity asked staring at Lukas confused.
Lukas lifted his arms to let her know that he didn't have a clue what was going on.
Into the clearing was the skinny seductive man from the school. This time he was dressed in a bright blue vest and a green undershirt… his pants were black as sin. He smiled when he looked at Lukas. "There you are… well I hope you're proud of yourself? You had me worried sick… sneaking off from your lessons like that." he said, his eyes then locked onto Amity. "well I guess I now know why." he walked to the young witch with a confident swagger and extended his hand "Deus Knot darling, what's your name?"
Amity took the man's hand hesitantly. "Amity, Mr. Knot."
"Please, sweetheart Mr. Knot was my father… just call me gorgeous."
"Okay, uh so you're Lukas's dad?"
"Yes, and I am also deeply hurt…" Deus then turned his head to Lukas and started wagging his finger at him "Shame on you Lukas, keeping your girlfriend from meeting the family… you'd think that you're ashamed of us or something."
"I, ah, well I mean…"
"Lukas, don't stutter, it's an unattractive trait and may scare away this little wildflower here."
"Wait a minute I remember you!" Amity exclaimed. "You're the heir to the famous Knot fortune… you're parents innovated the training wand technology… you're an elite family."
"Oh, my fame precedes me. And you look a lot like a girl I once knew… Odalia blight I think her name was…"
"That's my mom." Amity said, an idea beginning to form in her head.
"Oh yes, I remember her well. I do say you are the spitting image of her. Especially with that hair. You have to let me take you to a saloon. Oh we'll get your hair done, get you manipeddie, and we'll just dish like witches." he said with an energetic tone.
"Okay, uh I have a request… good sir." she said off put by the eccentric man in front of her.
"For my little Lulu's dream girl… anything." he said looking Amity in the eye with an earnest smile.
"Would you like to meet my parents?… You and Lukas that is." She said tapping her thumbs together not even looking up at Deus.
The man had a surprised look on his face and he looked Amity up and down… "Young lady, I don't know what to say but… we'd love too… I'll get my best suit and I'll make sure Leese wears that nice charcoal suit that really hugs his features… Lukas! We'll need to get you something nice to wear. We're meeting your girlfriend's parents after all."
"uh, sure let me talk with amity for a second." Lukas indicated to a spot where he and Amity could discuss what just happened.
"okay… but I better not catch you giving that girl a hickey." Deus said with a mischievous look on her face.
Lukas red faced grabbed amity's hand and led her to where Deus couldn't hear them.
"What are you doing?" he asked, confused. "why would you invite us to meet your parents?"
"Lukas, in order for my family to leave me along I need to have a boyfriend from an elite family. You come from an elite family… if you are accepted as my boyfriend then my parents will leave me alone."
"But, I thought you just wanted to be friends. Remember the letter?"
"Yes I do. But, I also want my parents to stop pestering me… so here's the plan. You and your parents come to blight manor, my parents are impressed by the idea of our families alliance, and we pretend to be dating… it's foolproof."
"it sounds like a lot can go wrong."
"Nonsense, Lukas please. I need your help. Please."
"I don't know? I have a bad feeling about this."
"Don't forget Lukas, you owe me… remember how I let Willow get away with taking my badge? I kept my mouth shut and didn't tell on her… now it's time to return the favor."
Lukas sighed and smiled at Amity. "Okay, I'll do it. But I hope you know what you're doing."
Amity perked up and let out a small squeal of glee "thank you Lukas, this means a lot. Now let's go tell your dad."
Amity led Lukas to where his 'father' was and she saw that he was tapping his foot and looking at his well manicured nails.
"Finished your make out session did you?" he teased, sticking his forked tongue out.
Amity blushed at the comment. The young witch let out a gulp and took a breath. "Mr. Knot…"
"Please sweetheart, like I said, it's is just Deus."
"Alright then Mr. Deus. I would like to invite you to Blight Manor to enjoy a dinner with me and my parents to discuss the possibility of an alliance from my relationship with your son."
Deus smirked then let out a shrill squeal. "ooh, a party with the famous blight family to discuss my little man's relationship with such a pretty girl… what parent would say no to that? I'll bring the baby pictures and the egg salad."
Amity let out a few soft chuckles "okay, come by the house at noon and I'll have our servants prepare a proper dinner for you too."
"It's a date… right Lukas." Deus laughed at his own joke and slapped Lukas on the back.
"Okay, see you then Lukas." amity walked off waving at Lukas.
"You know she's very pretty… you're a lucky man, Lulu."
"Alright, who are you?"
"Why, aren't you inquisitive today." he replied.
"I know you're one of the people whose blessings I bear… so who are you, what do you expect from me, what is your relationship with my parents, why do I have these marks, and finally, where are my real parents?"
"so many questions… such a bother. Especially since I can't answer any of them."
"What? You can't even answer one of them!?" Lukas exclaimed, agitated.
"I'm sorry, I am swore to secrecy… all I can say is… you are the one we chose to save the world." he said lifting his hand.
"Save the world… what are you talking about… save it from what?"
"I can't tell you. I'm sorry. All I can say is that you are the one we have put all our hopes on… our last hopes."
"why me?"
"why not you?"
"don't be cryptic.. just tell me your name at least."
"Asmodeus, the old man who I came with at Hexside was mephistophlese. The beautiful man that talks to you is Lucifer along with his shadow dis… and of course you can't forget Stygia those are the names of the people whose blessings you bear… happy?"
"wait those are the names of demons? So am I a demon?" Lukas was shocked to finally have a straight answer and for it to be so shocking. He read about these demon names on his free time and heard of their stories in both church and when it was bedtime with miss Nocenda. He couldn't think of what she would think of him if he became one of the demons that Miss Nocenda's faith despised.
"you are not a demon… you are a binder… a man with the blessings of the lords of the pit. But that is all I can say." Deus then grabbed from his pocket a small box. He opened it and inside were six big cigars. He pulled open out and then lit it with his finger which he set on fire with his will.
Lukas looked at him weirdly.
"Oh sorry, did you want one?" he asked.
"Uh, no thank you."
"Suit yourself." he took a huge drag on the stoogie and he blew a huge ring of smoke. It took the form of a beautiful woman her body perfect. Asmodeus looked at her teary eyed.
"who was she?" Lukas asked sensing a connection between the figure in front of him and the illusion beside him. "or are you not allowed to tell me that either?"
Asmodeus was quiet for just a few moments before finally talking. "she was my wife… the only woman I could ever love."
"what happened to her?"
The figure dissipated in the wind and Asmodeus flicked some ash from his cigar. He took one last puff and then dropped the cigar on the ground. Stomping it out… aggressively. "Just prepare for your date Lukas… I'll pick you up in bonesbourough at half past eleven… don't be late." Asmodeus walked away after that… Leaving Lukas confused.
––––––––––––––––
Lukas stood at the bus stop where Asmodeus told the boy he would meet him. Lukas had been thinking a lot the last twenty four hours. He had been given a plethora of information… but he couldn't be distracted… he needed to be ready for this date.
But it was hard… he wanted to know what all this meant and what his role in the future would be… it didn't help that he felt terrible for making the normally jovial Asmodeus upset at him. Lukas had grabbed a box of chocolates for Amity to at least look like he was a good boyfriend.
The carriage stomped forward pulled by four skeletal horses with manes of reddish black flame. They whinnied and reared once they stopped. Sitting on the top of the coach was a squat man that looked similar to a toad if it were humanoid. The sickly green skinned, bulbous black eyes, and elongated features were extremely off putting.
The carriage's side door opened, "come along Lukas! We don't want to be late." Asmodeus voice called from the inside of the carriage.
Lukas walked toward the door and entered the carriage. Inside he saw Both mephistophlese and Asmodeus sitting next to each other. Both were dressed in fine suits… Asmodeus in his blue vest and green dress shirt combo.
"how have you been boy? Been developing your blessings? Or are you still having trouble?" mephistophlese asked, eyeing the boy up and down.
"I like the look of your suit… is that your grandpa's dress suit?"
Lukas had borrowed Eda's suit and It loosely fit the boy… if it wasn't for her magical re-tailoring spell then it wouldn't have fit at all.
"No, it's ed's." he said.
"That woman gets more and more interesting. No wonder luci was considering her for binder-hood… to bad she would never have accepted."
"Anyway, boy I need to know… are you still having trouble controlling your powers?"
"Yeah, every-time I use it my body stops working, or my mind looses it's inhibitions, or my heart nearly stops… it's a strain."
"Yes, I guess this is our fault. You went through most of your life never knowing your powers and then when you came to the boiling isles they were suddenly awakened. Your body hasn't been able to acclimate to it… I believe that we will need to find a way to get a training regimen for you… but that can wait." Mephistophlese explained.
"Oh, before I forget I need to feed Webster." Asmodeus added.
"Webster?" Lukas asked.
From under the seat Asmodeus pulled out a cage. Inside the cage was a black skinned badger with sharp gold claws and red demon eyes skitters in the cage.
"Yes Webster, he is our gift to the blight family every family needs a pitling and what better pitling then a blood badger?" Asmodeus said, making kissing faces at the badger. It swats at the Asmodeus who laughs playfully.
"gosh, you're such an idiot." Mephistophlese replied, disgust clear in his tone.
"and you're such a spoiled sport mephi… you could stand to have a little more fun in your life." Asmodeus stuck his tongue out and it slithered.
"Let's just go."
The ride to blight manor was a silent one. Lukas contemplated apologizing to Asmodeus but one look at mephistophlese was all he needed to know that was a bad idea. As if he and demon were mentally link Lukas knew it was a bad idea.
The trio entered the Blight's main hall and were met by a huge ogre of a butler.
Lukas and the demons were lead to the main hall and saw the five blights. There was Amity of course dressed in a nice dress with a long skirt that reached her knees, she had a look that said she was nervous. Beside her were two witches that looked identical. One was girl with a long braid and another a boy with a to knot.
Behind them was a man with a brown goatee and cleanly cut brown hair wearing a fine suit. Beside him was a woman in clean dress with a green gem over her heart. She had clean cut hair as well and wore a smile that Lukas instantly knew as fake.
"Ah, the knot family. It is a pleasure to finally be meeting you." the man said as he extended his hand "Alador blight at your service."
Asmodeus Instantly took it and smiled "Deus knot and I am at your beck and call at any time of day, handsome." he winked at the blight man and reveled in the nervous look in the man's eyes.
"Ignore him. I'm Leese knot and if it's all the same I'd like to get to the reason why my Friday plans were canceled so I have to play nice at a dinner… that I didn't wish to attend." he said the last bit glaring at Asmodeus who was making kissy faces at Alador.
The woman cleared her throat and gave the same fake smile to Mephistopheles. "well you see this dinner is being held to see the merit of your son's prospects so that we are ensured that amity has made the right choice in her forging of alliances."
"so it's a political wand measuring contest… okay… whatever… this is the stupidest thing that you people do… god I hate mortals." he said the last two things under his breath.
Amity's Mom let out a soft chuckle and never lost that same hungry look in her eyes. Lukas could swear she was appraising him… looking for his weaknesses. "I wouldn't put it so bluntly."
Lukas noticed that the woman's eyes were focused on his bandaged arms.
"why does your son have bandages on his arms?" she asked.
"Burns, unhealable… been that way since he was six." Asmodeus explained bluntly.
The woman smirked at the nervousness of the old man "of course, I'm so sorry for your pain young man… come along we shall retire to the living room and have a friendly chat about our families."
"very well, the boy and I need to discuss something first… as… deus! Go with the lady and try not to say anything stupid." Mephistopheles. said.
"Of course Lesley baby." Asmodeus hooked his arms with Alador. and lead the man into the living room.
"don't take too long mr. Knot… we are just dying to get to know the mysterious patriarch of the Knot wand making family." she said with that same smug smirk and analytical look in her eyes.
Once she was gone mephistophlese turned toward Lukas. He grabbed the boy by the shoulders and looked him dead in the eyes.
Lukas could tell by what he saw in the old demons eyes that he felt something that he was not in control of… fear.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I don't like the feel of this… especially with that woman. Somethings off." he said.
"Are you scared?"
"Yes, I hate to admit it but yes, I am terrified. That woman has a look in her eyes that would make lesser lords of the pit shake in terror. I may be a demon… but she is a monster."
"if she's got you this way Leese… then this must be serious." Mephistopheles always seemed to be the one who had the most control of the situation, Second only to Lucifer. But this woman had him shaking in his boots.
"exactly we need to leave… we can't stay here… it's too dangerous."
Lukas looked into the living room and saw a nervous amity squeezed between her parents. "I can't leese… I won't abandon amity."
"you fool of a boy! Don't you understand what is at risk?"
"I don't care… she's my friend and I'm going to help her." Lukas pushed past Mephistopheles and walked toward the living room. "if you want to leave then go but I'm going to do what I can for amity."
"I don't know why morning star chose such an unthinking idiot as the hope of our people… but I stand by his decision." Mephistopheles followed Lukas into the living area.
Lukas looked at amity's mother and noticed she had her eyes locked on him namely his bandages. He couldn't get those green eyes out of his head. They made him think of a serpent sizing up it's prey for strengths and potential weaknesses it made the boy uneasy
"So tell us mr. Knot what is the next big innovation to come out of your company?" she asked with a jovial timbre to her voice. Though everyone in the room knew that question was both an ice breaker and a land mine.
"I'm sorry misses blight but I can't divulge my company's secrets… it is bad business after all." Mephistopheles answered, his calm controlled tone was obviously a front.
"Please mr. Knot misses blight was my mother…" she said looking at Asmodeus who had picked up on the tension only a few moments ago. "… just call me Odalia."
"Well Odalia… we are here to discuss Lukas and his relationship with your daughter… so let us stay on topic." he said, sweating how nonchalant she was and still remained threatening.
"I completely understand… so I am correct in assuming that Lukas is adopted, correct?"
"Uh, what gave it away?" Asmodeus asked, coughing into his hand.
"well you two are obviously demons and he is what we would call… a human. Which begs the question… how did a human find his way into the boiling isles and in the care of one of the richest demon families… care to elaborate."
"we uh, we found Lukas in the sewers… abandoned… so we saw this cute human baby and decided to adopt him… you know why bring more demons in the world when there are other children in need of parental love?" Asmodeus explained chuckling nervously.
"well said mr. Deus. Well said indeed." Odalia replied her face never losing their smirk. "Lukas, dear boy, have you started learning magic or is that asking too much for a human?"
"I know how to do magic… at least a couple spells I have mastered." the tension could be cut with a knife.
Odalia chuckled "a human doing magic. That is something I need to see. I know! We'll hold an exhibition… Lukas and amity will do a friendly duel and we'll see if Lukas is truly worthy of dating our daughter. What do you say. I mean if you think the boy is too weak… then I completely understand."
"he'd love to duel with your daughter." Mephistopheles said his tone was jovial but Lukas knew he was agitated.
"Leese? What are you doing?" Asmodeus asked but was ignored by the old demon.
"Just don't be too sad when my Boy defeats your daughter… it is just a friendly competition after all."
Odalia just let out a soft chuckle and looked Mephistopheles in the eyes. "we shall see… after dinner."
As if on cue the dinner bell rang and the ogre butler cleared his front. "my lords and ladies dinner is served."
"Shall we retire to the dining hall?" Odalia asked sticking her arm out for her husband to take it.
"yes, we shall… come on boy… it's time to prepare for bloodshed."
Lukas whispered to Asmodeus nervously. "but whose blood?"
"you're asking me? It could be anyone's guess… but it's probably gonna be yours." Asmodeus replied.
"thanks for the vote of confidence…" Lukas looked at Amity who was following close behind her parents… she looked back at Lukas and with a frown mouthed the words… I'm sorry to him.
I am going to die… Lukas thought. His arm grabbed by the old demon.
"you're not going to die boy… trust me I have a plan." he said before looking at Asmodeus "get that damn rodent ready Asmodeus… I want to give the blights their gift as soon as dinner concludes."
"Uh actually Leese, badgers are part of the weasel family… it is a common mistake… so no worries."
Mephistophlese smacks Asmodeus on the head and mumbles about him being foolish.
The dinner table at blight manor was just as ornate as their living room. The table cloth was a fine green cloth with embroidered symbols of the covens, the wood was served on fine crystal plates and drinks were served in goblets of gold and silver with fine gemstones in them.
Lukas drank a fine punch and looked at amity who was picking at her food.
"Amity, dear… what's wrong you've barely touched your food." Odalia asked never losing that bone-chilling smile on her face.
"Nothing, just a little pre duel jitters you know?"
This answer seemed to please the old witch "I understand my dear daughter. But good girls don't waste food, so eat… the chef's worked really hard on your meal." she said in a tone that sounded sweet but belayed a threatening aura.
"Yes mother." Amity took a bite out of her food and continued to eat never looking up again.
"you seem to have quite a handle on your daughter. Mrs. Blight… what's your secret?" Mephistophlese asked glaring at Odalia.
"No secret Mr. Knot… just good old fashioned parenting. Children need their parents to be shining examples of what it is to be a productive member of society and to drive them to become all they are meant to be… don't you agree?" once again she asked a loaded question.
This woman gives me the creeps… no wonder amity is so rude to strangers. Lukas thought.
"I believe that to an extent but I also believe children need to be allowed their freedom once they get older… better to develop independence… don't you agree?"
"You're such an idealist Mr. Knot… no wonder Lukas thinks he can do magic and enter our family." she laughed openly into her hand. "you are a man of great humor and good spirit Mr. Knot. But I have to say your parenting style leaves much to be desired…"
Mephistopheles hand was shaking and the goblet of wine in his hand began to dent under his grasp.
"leese, are you okay?" Asmodeus looked at Lukas nervous.
"Deus, give them their present… now!" The old demon commanded, swing the wine.
"Ooh, a present you shouldn't have." Odalia said, smiling.
"oh yeah, this is Webster, he is a blood badger… very rare and he is yours to keep." Asmodeus lifted a cage to show the blood Badger sleeping.
"a blood badger… such an exotic gift… tell me has it been blood weaned?" Odalia asked.
"the guy I bought it from gave me his word that he has been properly trained." Asmodeus replied.
"excellent. Bischoff." Odalia called.
The ogre responded with a grunt grabbed the cage and took it to the back.
The rest of the dinner went by uneventful.
Both Leese and Odalia were taking jabs at each other and the blight woman always had the upper hand.
After dinner the group returned to the living room for post dinner conversation.
"so Mr. Knot, what shall the rules be for this duel?"
"you're asking me?"
"yes as you know humans can't do magic and thus I want to know if it is to be first-blood or first hit your choice."
"first blood." Leese sneered.
"Leese! Just because you and this woman… no offense, are having a spat with each other doesn't give you a right to put Lukas in danger… this isn't what he wants." Asmodeus argued.
"Idiot, don't tell me how to make decisions for my boy… he'll be fine."
"Oh don't worry yourself mr. Leese… we'll say first hit with a spell."
Leese growled at her for her compromise.
"madame, the dueling room is ready." the ogre butler said coming through the door.
"excellent… Let us begin."
Odalia lead the group to the training room which like everything in this house looked like it belonged to a king. It held banners of each of the big nine covens, a circular pentagram in the center and a stone bleacher with a permanent barrier of force.
The torches on the walls lit up with a perfect golden flame. Both Amity and Lukas stood across from each other and stared each other down.
"Amity! Do not disappoint me… failure is not an option… you know what happens if you embarrass the family." Odalia ordered.
Amity was shaken in fear and looked at Lukas. "I'm sorry I got you into this… I shouldn't have gotten you mixed up with my problems… just let me hit you and you can go… I wish it didn't have to be this way." She said.
"No."
"What?"
"Amity I love you! If fighting you and beating you is what it takes for me to prove to your parent's I'm worthy… then there is nothing else I can do!" Lukas exclaimed even though he was scared… he knew that amity needed him… he didn't like Odalia and how she treated her child but Lukas will make sure that she will leave amity alone for as long as he is here.
Amity nodded her head and prepared herself "Very well… I hope you know what you're doing."
"let's do this." Lukas charged amity and tried to summon the power of his blessings the lethal mode was still locked to him… he didn't know how to activate on his but he did understand enough about Mephistopheles's blessing to know he could activate in short bursts with minimal damage to his own body… he had been practicing by touching Luz's light glyphs and focusing the defensive capabilities of the blessing… it turns out It gave him resistance to hostile magical effects.
Amity in response to Lukas's brazen attack did a spell circle to summon an abomination. The huge beast formed in front of Lukas and raised it's mighty fist to strike.
Lukas managed to jump out of the way in a nick of time.
The creature almost hit Lukas on the back-swing but the boy ducked under it's tree like arms and dashed to the edge of the ring.
Lukas fished the sheets of notepad paper out of his pocket in order to pull out the light glyph. Lukas hadn't tested whether the light spell hurt just him or if it hurt witches as well… he was about to find out.
The abomination followed Lukas stomping it's feet toward him leaving goop prints where he stepped.
Lukas slid under the Creature and raced toward amity screaming in order to get her off guard.
Lukas placed the paper on her shoulder and pressed it he forced the spell resistance out and it didn't hurt him… but it also didn't hurt amity. All it managed to do was summon a ball of light next to amity's head.
"what is this?" The witch girl asked confused.
"My last hope… crap." Lukas backed away and was almost caught by the abomination as it slammed it's fist down knocking the stone of the floor apart, cracks forming.
"Enough! You obviously can't do real magic, Lukas. Amity. finish this!" Odalia ordered, snapping her fingers.
Before amity could respond a loud growl reached the ears of the witches, demons, and Lukas as the blood badger crashed through the door.
It's small stature had grown to a ten foot tall monstrosity. It's claws were leaking out a red ooze like substance and it's musky scent was replaced with an acidic iron odor.
"I thought you said he was blood weaned!?" Odalia exclaimed summoning a spell circle.
"He was! I don't know what happened?" Asmodeus replied looking up fearfully at the creature.
Leese on the other hand was smiling as he grasped his cane which he pulled from his undercoat. "we can find out later… we need to save the children." Mephistopheles pulled his cane and drew a spell circle summoning fire.
The creature swatted it away and roared charging the old man.
Leese was surprised when the creature's attack didn't make any contact but was even more surprised when he found a bloodied Asmodeus on top of him.
"what are you doing buffoon?" he asked, surprised by the claw marks on his back.
"needed to save you… the claws could kill you forever." Asmodeus replied with a smile on his face as he passed out on top of Leese.
"we'll handle this… come along Alador." the two blights lasted far better summoning lightning bolts. They fought in unison using spells that worked well with each other or using the same spell. The creature looked like it was taking damage until one of it's bloody claws swatted at Odalia splashing her with red ichor burning her.
Odalia cried out in pain and Alador. stood between the creature and her.
"we need to help them… Lukas stay with my parent's I'm going to end this." amity charged the blood badger screaming in combat.
The blood badger lifted it's claw and swatted At amity but her abominations took it head on and burned it down, melting the creature making it scream in agony.
"She is going to die Lukas." Mephistopheles called. "she is as good as dead and there is nothing you can do about it." he shouted.
Lukas knew his words were true and he felt the deep dread reach into the pit of his soul.
"you are a fool Lukas. Worthless. Miss Nocenda and Luz would be way better off without you and you know it! Amity, Odalia, all of us! We are going to die because you are weak!"
His words hit deep in Lukas's soul but instead of giving in like he used he felt the need to prove him wrong. He was no longer cowed by his fear. He was upset, agitated, no… he was enraged and he was tired of feeling this way.
"shut up." Lukas said his voice barely above a whisper power radiating from his body. He felt his eyes begin to turn to their pentagram shapes.
"Make me boy! Prove me wrong… prove her wrong… prove them all wrong! Release the beast!"
Lukas roared in anger and shout out toward the beast as it was about to slash amity. Lukas kicked it in the skull sending it flying into the wall of the manner.
Lukas grabbed amity and bolted toward her parents. The boy heard the roar of the blood badger. He place amity down and ran toward the beast who was making a mess in the next room.
Amity looks up at Lukas and is about to follow him but one glare from those pentagram eyes makes amity realize that it was best to stay with her folks.
Lukas with supersonic speed dashes through the house and finds the blood badger in the kitchen eating all the food. The ogre butler bleeding on the ground with the red ooze coming out of his wounds.
Lukas jumps at the beast letting out a volatile scream and kicked it in the eye.
Creature took a swipe at Lukas as he tried to descend but the boy used his momentum to kick up and dodge the claw. Lukas then used a light glyph and slammed it in the beasts eyes burning it blind.
As it thrashed and crashed around Lukas prepared one last attack. He summoned all his courage and rushed into the creature slamming his fist into it. Lukas felt his hand met flesh, then blood, the bone, then he felt it hit brick as it came out from the other side of the blood badger.
The creature's death cry would put the fear of the holy into any but Lukas never even flinched.
He calmly pulled his fist from the beast and jerked his hand splashing blood on the ground. He then made his way to the sink to wash his hands. The beast looked at Lukas weakly as the light left it's eyes Lukas had just applied the second layer of soap. By the time his hands were clean the beast was long dead.
Lukas breathed in and out then returned to his normal state though his body felt tired he didn't pass out or even better didn't hurt as much.
The boy walked toward the training room when the wear and tear of his magic hit him. His knees buckled and he supported himself on the wall. Limping toward the room with a ringing in his ears. His breathing heavy and his mind taxed.
He came upon the blights who had been healed and Asmodeus whose back was taped back to normal.
"Lukas!" he called running to the boy. "I'm so glad you're okay!" he said hugging the boy.
"I'm fine deus… is amity okay?" he asked his voice strained.
"she's fine Lukas… is it dead?" Odalia asked.
"it is madame." the ogre butler said the ooze still leaking from his wounds. He had followed Lukas a distance back. "the boy killed it with one well timed punch."
"Lukas, that was a very brave thing you did. I am very proud of you." Mephistophlese said giving the boy a thumbs up.
"Mr. Leese and mr. Deus… mayhaps we misjudged your son. It is obviously that he uses magic in a different way… so it is with great pride that we accept Lukas and Amity's betrothal." Alador said, gaining a nod of approval from Odalia.
"we will discuss this more at a later date. For now, the boy needs his rest." Leese said supporting Lukas.
"you did well boy, you realize now what you need to harness to use your power… fear… the fear of loss is both your best friend and worse enemy. Never forget it lest they find you in a shallow grave. You'll need to grow stronger… the future has it's eyes on you and it is neither going to aid nor coddle you."
Lukas nodded and walked back to the carriage.
"Lukas!" Amity called running to her friend. "thank you for saving me."
Lukas placed his hand under Amity's chin and looked her in the eyes. "you looked very pretty in your dress… I think you're beautiful." he said before passing out.
"I'm sorry young lady… but my b… son needs his rest." Leese led Lukas away. Meanwhile behind him his 'partner' was giving him a death glare.
Asmodeus glared at Mephistopheles and knew what the old man had done and why he so eagerly agreed to this charade.
––––––––––––––––––
It was a warm summer night in the boiling isles. The slums of bones-borough reeked of decay and filth… just the way mephistophlese liked it.
He was the lord of vermin after all, the master of plague, and the king of pestilence… a pit-lord of unequaled power once. Then he came and took his crown from him… and in return Moloch and Crowley took it from him… it was a vicious cycle.
"that was a very risky thing you did leese…" a calm voice called from the shadows.
"I refuse to talk with the shade… face me like a lord."
out of the shadows came the beautiful man two golden glared at the demon lord. "you put Lukas in danger, and worse you risked the lives of the innocents in blight manor."
"what innocents? All of the family were corrupt… save for the girl none of them have any redeeming qualities."
"Does that go for the servants and their families as well. They just work there for a place to live and food in their bellies."
"if it means that this so called 'plan' you have can be brought to fruition then I'd say a few casualties are necessary."
"we are not like Them Mephistophlese!"
"well we should be! Light bringer… you care too much for those who betrayed us… that's what kept you from claiming the role lord of the nine pits."
"what does that make you leese… a fool who lost to someone who was unfit to rule the nine layers."
"I did what was necessary. Lukas has become stronger and that is what you want… isn't it. I'm done here."
"where did you get the pitling?"
for the first time in a good while… mephistophlese smiled… his grin hid wicked intent "I still have allies in the pit… do not forget… you are the one who has been banished and is to be hunted. I can go back whenever I want."
"then why don't you?"
"I will not let anyone kill you except for me… it is the vengeance that is mine alone to claim."
With that both pit demons left… neither one giving ground but both equally powerful.
Mezentsevmicheal
I will say that Lukas will be upset with amity… but I have different plans for that chapter…also if you think Eda is is rough on lukas… wait until you see how Lilith interacts with him find out next week.
Chance Green G King
I sent you a pm and humbly await your answer… if you have already given it I respect your answer.
Djinn:
Wait no Longer… because here it is… next chapter will be the covention chapter and I can't wait for you guys to see how lukas interacts with lilith