Chapter Eleven: The other Necromancer
Raul made sure the coast was clear before he came out into the open. Elessar was long gone, along with his brother. He felt a little shame for not being able to baby-sit his brother well. Rindy would be mad. His thoughts flow back to Rindy. He still could not sense her and he yearned to know where she had gone and if she was safe. He is mad at himself for losing his temper at her. He should never have raised his voice at the girl. If anything should happen to her, he would be eternally guilty.
It was then that he felt alone for the first time. And where the hell is everyone? He thought angrily. Had the Night People fled when they saw Fayth and Elessar? And if so, what about the humans? Have they fled too?
It seems to him that he is all alone in the Night World now. Warily, he sat down on top of a fallen tent. He was still at the Western Border. Maybe he could try his luck by going to the Garden of Eden. Maybe then he could find some witches. If they cannot help him locate Rindy, at least he could have some fun toying with them. It was better than sitting here and doing nothing, he decided.
Then he suddenly remembered his cape of ashes. Virginie's ashes. If his powers have not deserted him during his slumber, he should be able to conjure Virginie back.
He thought about this seriously. If he could bring Virginie back from the depths of hell, he would be glad. But then if he failed, Virginie would become a zombie, mindless and crazy. And he would be force to consume her soul. He hadn't practiced bringing something back to life before and most of the time he tried, he brought back zombies instead. But what the heck, if he did fail, he will just kill the girl.
It was decided then. Raul got up to his feet and unfold the cape. Inside lies the ashes of the vampire girl.
He closes his eyes and begin to chant the words of Necromancy. A tongue that will bring back the dead. But usually as the undead.
"Elus cres Anor! Annum Ein easel!"
Flames of Anor! Awaken thee!
The ashes began to blew and it started to circle around Raul as he continues his chant. The ashes flew higher and higher until they were just above Raul's head, as if a black halo was on Raul.
Then, there was a hissing sound, much like that of a snake's. And the ashes disappeared.
Raul reopened his eyes slowly. Lying just a few feet away from him was a green snake. Its pale yellow eyes were staring at Raul.
He stared at it and with a sudden movement, kick it. The snake recoiled, hissed some more, and slithered away.
"Stupid." Raul muttered.
But then he heard footsteps behind him where the snake had slithered of into a bush. He spunned around.
It was Virginie. As much as he could still remember her, she was much the same. Her long black hair curls around her face in a seductive manner, and her pale yellow eyes flickered slightly at him. He eyed the rest of her. Her body was lean and well-endowed. There were a few scratches on her right arm but other than that, she looked pretty fine to him.
"Are you better now?" He asked.
She looked at him, a moment of silence passed between them. Then she spoke, her voice thick with sorrow. "Raul.?"
"Yes. Are you really sure you're alright?"
"What happen.?I was.I thought I was on the cliff.ready to free you and."
He motioned for her to quiet down. "I will fill you in on the story so far. But first, are you sure you are really alright?"
She nodded hastily. "Yes. What about you? Are you alright?"
Raul nodded thoughtfully. "That is weird. I must say you are the first I've managed to conjure up and not turned into a zombie."
"A zombie?" Virginie wrinkled her nose.
Raul shrugged. "Anyway, we can talk about that later. Now, let me tell you what is going on."
"This place is beautiful. It looks almost like the war had not touch it." Iker muttered.
Rindy nodded, eyeing the beautiful white lilies. "It is strange, is it not? The Night World is not as dark as the humans are led to believe. It has beautiful things as well."
"I can see the hills from here in the horizon." Iker sighed deeply. "Yet this place is beautiful only because there is no traces of buildings. Does no Night People ever dwell here?"
Rindy smiled. " The faeries used to roam this lands. But since they flew away, they abandoned this beautiful field. No other Night People ever come to this place any more. They say it is a sad place."
Iker nodded, thinking. "Yes. Come to think of it, this is a sad place."
"I will bury him here if his family will not claim him."
"You mean Nicky? That is his name, you said."
Rindy nodded. "Yes. But in the meantime, I think he is safe in the Garden of Eden. The Garden is said to be timeless. He will not return to the earth just yet. Until we can find a proper burial."
"You care for him."
"I do. He is a friend of mine."
Iker sighed and up ahead, he saw, for the first time in his life, a huge gaping hole that runs from end to end, almost like a sword had cut the earth into two, separating the two lands.
"That is.the Sword of the Earth?" Iker muttered, in awe.
Rindy nodded grimly. "It is. It is a scar upon the earth. A reminder of the blood shed in the past."
"You say the Book-keepers are down the Gap?" Iker peered down the huge gaping hole. It was black and looks a long way down.
Rindy nodded again. "Yes. Along with all the other lost souls."
"What is on the other side of the Gap?"
She shook her head. "I do not know. That is for another story. For this story, we will go into the deeps of the Gap."
"How far down?" The dragoon asked. He was not afraid, only nervous about the whole idea of jumping into a black hole.
"As far as the land will take us." She replied softly. "Will you meet the Book-Keepers?"
Iker paused. He had come thus far. There was no turning back now. He wanted to know about the war, about Raul's plans, about Alexia. There were too many things. But the Book-Keepers would be able to tell him all about it. He nodded finally.
Rindy nodded. "Good. Hold my hand."
He held her hand, firm and tight in his.
"It look like a long way down but it is not. You will not get hurt. But you may hear the voices of the fell ones."
"You mean the soulless?"
She nodded. "Yes. But ignore them at will. Close your eyes and only open them when you hear my voice."
"That will not be difficult. I will do as you say."
They held each other's hands. And each gave the other a firm nod. Then they jumped into the hole.
Shane felt a loud slap on his back and he was thrown somewhere deep. There was no light and he could see only the faint shadows of his surroundings. His head hurts and he momentarily forgot what was his name. Then he thought he heard a movement behind him. And he turned around. He could see nothing. But he remembers a great deal. He remembered the cliff where Anna had left him. He remembered she had cut her throat and her blood was everywhere. He remembered the elders had fled, but to where, he did not know. He also remembered his brother. And Rindy.
But where was he now?
You are in the depths of this world. In between the dimension of the human world and the Night World.
A voice in his head spoke. He felt a chill in him. Yet he was not alone. But he could see no one else. It was too dark. And too damp.
His fingers touched something wet. He did not know what it is. But he felt like he was in a small area. A well perhaps.
"Who are you? Where are you?" He asked a lot to no one in particular. He could remember little of what had happen after Anna had fallen into shadow. Apparently, he must had been in a coma, or else he had lost his mind a little afterwards.
But he was sane now and he did not like what was going on here. Why was he here in the first place?
Do you not remember me? Brother.?
He paused. Yes, the voice in his head just called him 'Brother'. Might it be his evil brother?
"Where am I? What do you intend to do to me!"
I intend for many things. You should know a Necromancer does not perish easily. Your deeds a thousand years ago were fruitless. I am back and I intend to take back everything that rightfully belongs to me.
"A thousand years ago?" Shane was more than puzzled. What was his brother talking about? "Where are you! Show yourself!"
I am quite disappointed that Elessar managed to take you without a fight. You have grieve me with the darkness you had cursed upon me. Now it is your turn!
Shane did not know what to expect. But there was suddenly a loud ringing sound so close to his ears, he bent and clutched at them. The ringing sounds continued for a minute or so and Shane felt every bones in his body aching and to the verge of shattering. He screamed and shouted but it seems like no one could hear him. His painful groans echoed in the depths of the well where he had been dropped by Elessar. If he could see, Shane would know he was in the well of Dead River. A river no longer crossed by the Night People because they fear the Mist. For the Mist, which consumes every souls that ever wander into it, was ever present in the Dead River Marshes. And it is also how it got its gruesome name.
But Shane could not see. And though he looked upwards for hope of light that may fell upon the deep well, there was none. It must be dark outside, he reasoned. And the hurt in his bones ceased. So he simply recoiled in the corner of the dark and damp well and trembled.
When morning came, Shane woke up. For he could distinctly smell the morning dews on the plants outside. His keen vampire senses had not deserted him and for that, he was glad. Yet the darkness continue to enshrouds him and he could see nothing, though he could smell and hear things as acutely.
His fingers blindly touched the walls of the well and they were wet. It would be impossible to climb but he was a vampire. He could leap high. What was his brother thinking? Why throw him down here?
"Raul?" He muttered and his wary voice echoed again.
There were no reply. He decided that his brother had left him. There were no signs of Rindy and Shane wondered if perhaps they had managed to free Raul but not Rindy. The thought is upsetting and Shane tried to brush it aside. Yet all he wanted was to look in her green eyes again and be reassured that everything would be fine, as she would have tell him.
But everything was not fine. When Shane did leaped out, into darkness. He realized that it was not the depths of the well that had deceived his sight. He had lose it.
Virginie stared in silent at her lord. He looked worried and she was not used to him looking worried. For he carry little cares in the world when he had ruled over them two years ago. She is so glad that he had revived her. And even though she felt that some parts of her were still a little sore, she did not care. She now know that her Raul cares for her and she is delighted.
She thought of the two long years when she had missed him day and night. Now she looked at him and it is a wonder that he had not aged. For he will never age a day. His black hair was still short. His dark eyes as sinful as ever. He looked the way he had left the Night World two years ago when he was sealed that fateful night.
"Raul, are you worried about something?" She asked, hearing how soft her own voice was. Her knees felt weak every time he looked at her.
And he was looking at her now. His dark eyes burning with intensity. "I have told you everything. Do you not have any cares?"
"My only care was you. And you are safe." the vampire replied, smiling. "I am glad."
"Fayth tried to kill you. Or should I said, Fayth killed you. Iker had switched sides. He commands the loyalty of his Dragoons squad, which should also mean that the Dragoons have switch sides all together." Raul paused, thinking. "And there is the matter with Elessar. Long have I missed summoning him. I never expected him to show up." He turned to the vampire girl that was still smiling at him. "You see now why I have much cares to worry about."
"But you have nothing to worry for! You are the greatest of all lords, my lord. You will be able to finish the Dragoons with one snap of your finger. You are revered in strength and in the power of spells. No one is your opponent and no one dares to be!"
"And for that, you are gravely mistaken, Virginie." Raul muttered, thoughtful. "I did not summon Elessar. Someone did. And no one, vampire, werewolf or witch can summon that beast. Something dark is at work here."
"I should think twice, my lord, before ever doubting the prowess of the cunning witches. Those midgets disappeared right after you were freed! And we found no trace of them! Did we not turn over every corpses we could find? No witches! Where are they, I wonder?"
"The witches, even though learned in their spells, are not summoners. They cannot summon Elessar. For that I am very certain."
Virginie sighed. She wanted to ask Raul where was Rindy. But since he had not brought the wretch up, she would not question him. For she is more than delighted that Rindy was out of the picture.
"I lost her." He suddenly said quietly, as if reading her mind.
"Lost her?" She knew he had read her mind. He was very much keen in mind-reading/
"She disappeared. I could not find Iker either. There is no doubt in my mind that Iker had capture Rindy."
"But why would he do a thing like that?" Virginie asked, frowning.
Raul shook his head. "I do not know yet. But there may be a connection. Iker had betrayed the Night People. He may want Rindy as a hostage at present."
"What will we do now, my lord?"
Raul eyed the girl. She looks so keen to please him. Yet he had always know Virginie's fierce loyalty to him. He would deemed her silly and cast her away if he did not find her useful enough. Still, she was a pretty sight to look at. And she would keep him company while he searches for Rindy.
"She have pass out of my heart. She had gone somewhere far and deep where I cannot reach her even if I did call out for her in my dreams." He sighed, a glimmer of sorrow in his dark eyes. "But I shall lament only later. We have need to find of the dark summoner that had tamed Elessar. He should still be around. I will sniffed him out if I have to!"
Virginie nodded happily. She would follow him to her death if it was to be her fate.
The darkness swirled around them, engulf them and threaten to consume them. But Rindy held on to Iker's hands and when she finally spoke, the Dragoon opened his eyes.
"This is it.?" He muttered, in awe.
Rindy nodded. "Yes. This is the Black Hole."
"What will we see?" His voice seemed to echoed in the darkness.
"We shall see many things." Rindy whispered. She started to walk and Iker quickly hurried behind her.
They seemed to be walking in darkness and Iker marveled at how Rindy appeared to know where they are going. They would suddenly made a right turn, continue on straight ahead and then, make another left turn. After several turns and straight paths, Rindy suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"What is it?" Iker whispered.
Rindy gestured at something but even a keen Dragoon eye was having trouble seeing clearly in the dark.
"I cannot see a thing." Iker replied, rather regretfully.
"Look above you." she said and Iker did. It was then he noticed a strange green glow coming from above them. It was then that Iker can make out that they had come to a dead end. And the strange green glowing light was emitted by the wall infront and above them.
"That is the door to the Book-keepers' realm." Rindy said softly.
"Is there a ladder to get up there?"
"No."
Iker looked at Rindy. Even in the darkness, he could see the light of stars in her green eyes. "How are we to.?" He did not finish his sentence. The girl suddenly held his hand.
"I will bring us up there."
"Alexia.?"
"Close your eyes."
Iker did. But he wondered if it matters. He could see little in the dark. But he closed his eyes all the same.
Then he felt himself getting lighter. It was as if he had suddenly grown wings on his back and he was flying. The feeling was most peculiar for the Dragoon. Although he had flown many a time on dragons before, this feeling was different. This lightness about him was most strange. Yet he did not open his eyes. He would trust Alexia.
When he felt his feet touched solid again, he reopened his eyes and realized the strange green glow was suddenly in front of him. They had reached the Door of the Book-Keepers.
He turned to her. "How did you do that?"
She shook her head. "Questions will need answers. And only the Book-Keepers may answer them. Follow me."
Iker followed gingerly behind and when the Door opens without a sound, he was not surprised to find another world.
A world full of the castaways, as Rindy had said. The Green Door revealed houses, rather queer-looking. They were made out of blue stones. And Iker could see there were roads and signboards on the streets. Even street lamps haunt their every move.
"This is the Realm of the Book-Keepers." Rindy said gravely. "They reside in the building over there." She pointed to a tall tower at the far end of the street.
"And all these houses.?" Iker was shocked.
"The soulless lives in them." Rindy said quietly. "Or should I say, they used to live in them. Until they got driven out."
"Driven out? By who?"
Rindy need not replied. For a small and humble door just beside them open and a young woman came out.
Iker stared at the girl. She looked nothing like one of the Soulless. She had long brown hair and she wore a white cape and dress. Her hair was plaited in two thick and long plaits and they hung down her shoulders.
The girl stared back, not surprised. Then she walked away.
Rindy turned to Iker. "She is a witch."
"A witch?"
Rindy nodded. "Do not be surprise to see even your kind here. They've taken refuge from the war waging outside."
"You mean there are Dragoons here as well?"
Rindy nodded. "Yes. I remember when I first came here with Raul, we could not find anyone. It seems like the whole Night World had emptied out. It was when I met you again later in the forest that it came to me, like a waking dream, that perhaps, the Night People have seek shelter here in the Black Hole."
"What about the humans? We did not see humans as well. Will they be here?"
Rindy shook her head. "No. I should think not. The humans have retreated. They know we have a civil war and they will not be caught in the middle of it."
"You mean the aeons that attacked everyone?"
"Yes. I should think that the humans have figured out a civil war when they saw our own aeons killing our own people."
"And the dragon.." Iker said sadly. "I should never have brought Fayth along."
She shook her head. "Do not burden yourself with guilt. You are not at fault."
They moved on, each time, they saw more Night People. No one regard them strangely. It was as if they expected more Night People hiding out here anyway.
"They do not seem to recognize you." Iker said finally.
"I am not a memory to them." Rindy said. "Only those that came close to me will be burdened with my dreams and memory."
"You are not a burden to anyone." He said softly, eyeing her.
She looked up at him, her green eyes shining with something he could not understand. "You will soon learn everything. The whole truth."
They reached the Tower. Rindy knocked on the big iron gates and it slowly opened, again without sound. Iker and Rindy peered inside. There was no one about. In front of them, was a great big staircase that seem to run forever to the top of the Tower.
Rindy glanced at Iker. She looked slightly amused. "Are you up for this?"
Iker chuckled softly. "I should think we have little choice."
She turned grave. "We always have choices."
"What are the choices?"
"We can go up and meet the Book-Keepers, we can turn back to the Night World, or we can stay here forever and hide from the evil that dwell above us."
"You make it sound so simple."
Her face betrayed no emotion. "It is that simple."
Iker shook his head. "It is never simple, Alexia. Everything is just.so complicated."
She suddenly touches his heart. "What troubles you?"
He was slightly embarrassed by the intimacy between them now. "Nothing.I just wished none of this had happen."
"That you never met me? Two years ago at the forest?"
"No.that is not my wish."
She stepped away from him. "Raul and Shane are bound together by something.and the other Necromancer must also be connected to them in the same way." She sighed. "I wonder what part you have to play in all this."
"Maybe I am insignificant in this great matter you speak of. But I still want to try and make a difference. And to try to at least understand better. We will climb up and meet the Book-Keepers."
Shane trembled. He felt so cold. And so blind.
He was afraid. And he was alone. He wanted someone, anyone to be beside him right now.
He suddenly thought of his human friend, Nicky. He prayed his friend was well. He also prayed he would be able to find some answers soon. He still had no idea why he was in the Night World in the first place. His memory stopped at the Cliff at the Forest Isle. His memory stopped with Anna cutting her own throat.
Anna.
He was thirsty now. He had gotten himself out of a well and now, he needed water. It was ironic but no way was he getting back into that stinky hellhole again. He just need to rely on his sense of smell to guide him to a lake nearby. But where was he in the first place? Is he still in Night World? Or had he landed in some other unknown island?
So many questions all unanswered. And so wary he felt in his heart that he stumbles nearly every time on a rock or stone and he would tripped and fell. But never once he did hurt himself seriously. But the darkness that surrounds him grieves him with each fall he took.
Why are you doing this to me.brother?
Shane became angry. Hadn't he done in all his ability to free Raul? And although he cannot remember what happens exactly on that cliff that night, but he remember all too clearly that the voice that had spoken to him in the well was his brother. The voice had called Shane 'Brother'. And no one calls him that with such detest and malice as Raul would have done.
Oh, how he hated his brother now. Raul had taken away his sight. So that Shane would be forever locked in darkness. So that he would never be able to look unto Rindy's beautiful face again. He would never see that pure light of green in her eyes again.
No, he will never give up without a fight. He had released his brother, thinking most naively that in time, Raul and himself would learn to love each other as siblings would. Shane had grown up without the love of his mother and father. Because he had been exiled into the Human World the moment he was born. As if being born weaker was a sin. He did not know even how they look like and how they were like.
Were they kind and strong and loving?
But Raul would know. He was the stronger of them. A Necromancer. And he had reside in the Night World, having the love of their parents. Maybe that was also the reason why Shane wanted to free Raul. Maybe by freeing his brother, he felt he was also freeing his parents. The ones he did not remember.
How could you do this to me, brother.?
His heart blackened with rage. Blind rage. And he strike out aimlessly and blindly infront of him. He would kill his brother, he would. He swore it in his honor. And a vampire's honor is a promise that can never be broken.
