Death and Pestilence

Chapter 5- The Bruncheon

"Greetings, knights." Said a certain violet sorceress to me and whom I assumed to be Mole Knight. "Given this is your first day and everyone else was just as late as you, I will pardon your tardiness. But just this once." Her eyes glowed evilly. "A deadline is a deadline, as you are aware. If this happens again, the price will be more severe than expulsion."

I giggled, but Mole Knight shuddered. "Y-yes your highness!" He squealed, then dashed as fast as he could into the dining room. I walked in behind him, but the Enchantress stopped me with a clawed hand.

"And you...dare you mock me? Know your place, Plague Knight."

"Ha...hee hee hee...I don't have to bow to my equal. What an asinine thing to do."

The ghastly woman cocked her head to the side, then smiled. "Oh? A man with backbone...how marvelous. I chose well, I believe." She said, waving to King Knight as he passed by and hissing to him not to be late next time. Then to me, "Or...perhaps I forgot to inform you of the great magical power I possess?" She said, sparking up a vibrant purple flare in her hand.

I laughed. "Ha! I am aware of that, however there is no 'magic' in not knowing what you're doing. Sorcery is a fool's endeavor. All you do is repeat the spells of ancient scrolls, unable to build upon them or create your own spells. It's not a science, so you cannot do actual research to extend your 'magical' horizons. You can't experiment, you can't alter the words or recipes of your enchantments. That fireball you just summoned up is nothing compared to what I can do."

"Oh, I know. That's why I chose you. However, your claims are incorrect. Magic is indeed a skill one can develop and build upon. I've created higher level spells and hexes. I use my fire to create matter rather than destroy as the ancients and nature intended. I am an entity all on my own, and I am very aware of what I am doing."

I leaned against the doorway. "Oh? Prove it."

"Fine, we're still waiting on Treasure Knight anyhow." Suddenly, she created a dagger from thin air. "Ever seen this kind of alchemy?"

"No. It's just a cheap trick, I presume. You probably teleported that from elsewhere."

The Enchantress huffed. She grabbed my wrist and slashed at my palm, drawing viscous, infected blood. It dribbled onto her hand but didn't burn or harm her. "What the...?" I rasped.

"See? The typical barrier spell creates a body shield that is molecularly permeable on a larger scale. Thus, microscopically miniscule viruses, such as the ones you harbor, would possess the capability to infect me under the influence of such a shield. However, I have adapted my barrier to have much smaller pores. Therefore, I am unaffected by your viral agents." She let go of my wrist, using a spell to clean up the blood. My cut healed quickly on its own.

I blinked underneath my doctor's mask. This sorceress was something else! I should've given her more credit. "Oh...heh. I suppose that is adequate proof." I admitted reluctantly.

"Precisely. I'm surprised you don't integrate magic into your science and alchemy. Honestly, I thought that's what you were already doing. The potions and explosives you manufacture are fabulous; beyond most men's comprehension, even."

"Hee, hee, you flatter me, Enchantress. But I've never really considered my work to be 'magical,' per se. That's just narrow-minded. From my perspective, magic and science are the same thing. Although the connotations are different, what actually separates the two is simple: magic is simply science we don't understand. It's an inaccurate way to explain phenomena."

The Enchantress put a hand to her chin, musing the thought over. "Maybe, maybe not. I have to disagree, however. No matter how you look at it, the two seem to be completely different subjects, besides their origins. But nevertheless, one thing is for sure: your undertakings and research at the Explodatorium are one-hundred percent magical; you are simply the kind of sorcerer who has a better grasp on the magical and alchemical fields. You use sciences every day to study natural occurrences and the physics of life. Then you use those sciences to enhance your magic. Trust me, Plague Knight, magic is definitely something one is capable of comprehending and developing."

"Hmm...well, no…ah, never mind. Your argument is valid. I can't think of a way to counter you yet. Mayhap after the meeting."

"Not a problem. And would it be an insult to you if the meal of the afternoon is roast chicken? I know you're fond of birds and all."

At that, I cackled sharply, holding my gut because I was laughing so hard. "Eehee hee hee! No, no, I only like crows!"

"Oh dear, what a relief. My chefs grow very cross one denies their meals."

"Then I'll make sure to note that it tastes horrible."

"Not when it overwhelms your palate, (to quote a wise man)! Also, you stubborn scarecrow, I'm going to grant you a shield that prevents your plagues from infecting others. So you can socialize, you know? You're quite the notorious recluse, cooped up in that laboratory of yours." She said, and waved a hand towards the dining room. "Now get inside and sit down. I can sense that Treasure Knight has just arrived."

"As you wish. And thank you, friend."

"Not a problem."

~~~

"Welcome one, welcome all, my dear comrades in shining armor!" Boomed the Enchantress, who floated high in the air above us. A malicious aura of dark energy swirled around her. Despite her genial demeanor, she seemed condescending. But that might've been a side effect of our previous debate.

Beside me sat Mole Knight and Propeller Knight. They were actually rather interesting fellows (once they got past how frightening I allegedly looked). The former was quite the jokester and spurred up heated conversations, while the latter was very laid back and easygoing, although apparently enjoyed major excitements every now and then. The two were talking of their travels both underground and high above before I sat between them. I listened in on their narrations for a bit until I joined in with my own stories. We had a few laughs, but throughout it all I could feel someone's eyes on me. They cut into me like trenchant blades.

"Before we eat our lunch or brunch or midday-whatever, I would like to discuss a few things with you all..." She went on to convey why she started the Order, the Shovel Knight we were to stop, her gratitude for joining her crew and the gifts she's given us in return. "In addition to the dominions I've granted you from this region I've subdued with my expansive power, I've also given you a special gift tailored to your needs. You don't have to thank me, I am aware of my prominent philanthropic side." That left the crowd in an uproar. The men beside me could barely contain themselves at the spurious statement. "I've taught Black Knight superior shovel-blade techniques to rival those of Shovel Knight himself, given King Knight all the gold he could possibly desire..." With each acknowledgement she made, each knight nodded in approval or smiled. "I've made Plague Knight an extrovert," a laugh from her audience. I myself cackled as Propeller Knight playfully elbowed my side. The Enchantress elaborated on the viral nullifier and continued. "I've brought Specter Knight back from the dead..."

My heart stopped.

What? There's no way she had the ability to that.

I looked over to the knight to whom she was referring. His spindly arms were crossed over his chest, and a red hood darkened his visored face. In response to his benefactor's acknowledgement he stared off into space. An icy-gray light radiated from his dead eyes.

Indeed, the man under that cloak looked very undead, or at least rather ghostly. It didn't even seem like there was a person in that robe, actually. Just darkness.

"How in Odin's name did ya do that?!" Boomed a loud, earthshaking voice. I swiveled my head in his direction. It came from the burly Polar Knight.

"Bring a dead man back to life, you mean?" The Enchantress asked. I suppose everyone else was just as clueless as I.

"Aye!" Barked King Knight. "Such an act is a perversion of the natural order!"

The horned witch smirked, then laughed. It reverberated throughout the dining room, unsettling most of the group and sending chills down their spines. "AHAHA...ah...hmph." She floated down to the head chair of the table, laying down along the armrests. "Oh my, you're quite funny, usurper. Has it not occurred to you already that I am not natural? That the Tower of Fate itself is a blemish on this placid land? Haha...the 'natural order.' My existence has already unbalanced it..." She mumbled proudly. Everyone in the room gasped, their eyes growing wide. I could see little Tinker Knight tremble in his armor, and Black Knight, distraught, look the other way pensively.

I thought of her words and nodded. It was then that I realized how deep we all were down the rabbit hole. Most of us had signed up for the job because of the deals she struck us, not realizing how dangerous and terrifying our boss actually was. A traitor or failure among us could affect the whole Order.

But of course, I wasn't scared. I was immortal.

King Knight coughed. "Oh...I see. My apologies..."

The sorceress cackled once more, then with a flick of her wrist lifted the covers off their dishes. Steam wafted from the succulent, mouthwatering chicken and steamed vegetables. Besides me, Mole Knight twitched and clacked his claws against the table, almost exploding in anticipation. I laughed.

"What? I haven't eaten yet!" He hissed back to me, removing his helmet. He was very hairy, actually, and I can tell by the way his nose curls up and his ears were rounded that he was some kind of a cross between a human and a mole. His mustache was even fashioned into a star.

"Prepare yourselves for the most breathtaking brunch of your lives!" The Enchantress declared, taking a bottle of wine from the center of the table and pouring it into each of our glasses with her powers of levitation. As she did so, the other famished knights removed their own helmets from their heads. Propeller Knight sported a head of long, braided hair, and King Knight had the gruffest beard you ever did see. I glanced at each and every one of my comrades' unique faces. But Specter Knight, who seemed to turn his head away once I glanced at him, kept on his visor. Odd. I thought as I idly removed my mask and hood. It seemed my pals wanted to inquire on the horrible marring and burns of my domepiece, but they kept quiet.

Once she finished, she manually lifted her own glass. "And here's a toast to our wonderful new gang, the Order of No Quarter! Let the world tremble and cower under our dominion as we extend our reach and crush our foes with an iron fist. As the ancients said on war, let us spare the conquered and vanquish the proud!"

The knights cheered and rose their glasses, some of them having a good laugh at that. Especially Treasure Knight, who replied with what everyone else was thinking. "Aye, Enchantress, but I won't be sparin' anyone for nothin'!"

"Fantastic! And that's why I chose you!"

The men clapped at that, and eagerly began to dig into their meals. I grabbed my fork and knife to slice up the meat, while Mole Knight hilariously speared the legs with his claws and stuffed them into his mouth.

"Ohoho, you are quite the gentleman, eh?" Propeller Knight joked in his charming accent, politely eating his food with silverware.

"As much of a gentleman as you are, skirt chaser." The excavator rebuked with a mouthful of chicken, much to the chagrin of the pilot. Thus spurred a battle of slanders, only to be followed by whimsical dialogues with the rest of the Order.

They, along with the other men, kept up such lively banter, intoxicated by wine and any other alcoholic beverages they requested brought to the table (Goodness, how much beer could Polar Knight imbibe!?). I laughed along quietly, but I couldn't help but feel those same, cold eyes bore into me. And I knew from where they came.

Why was Specter Knight so concerned with me?

~~~

As our rambunctious brunch came to a close and the Enchantress's servants began to collect the dishes, the woman herself sent everyone home. "Farewell, my dear allies, and have a marvelous day! Good fortune to you in all of your endeavors!" She said, waving them off.

As the ecstatic Order left to their respective lands, I stayed back. I needed to talk to the Enchantress about her ability.

I walked back into the dining room and looked up. She sat against a windowsill and gazed out into the eternal night, which flared with sparks of green lightning every so often.

I clacked my cane against the floor to catch her attention. "Enchantress!" I called to her.

"Huh...oh hello, Plague Knight. Back so soon?" She asked turning toward me. "Have you formulated that witty comeback you promised?"

"Unfortunately not, your most magically inclined." I said jokingly. "I have returned only with an inquiry."

"Oh. You wish to learn how I rose Specter Knight from the grave, I presume?"

I nodded. "Why yes I do, mind-reading one."

"Hmm...well, I start from the beginning. I joined his spirit in the underworld for a while. It was in a separate plane of the Lich Yard, and this required the highest level transportation spell I had. With the ruthless, ambitious, and strong-willed nature of his past life, he had already established his dominion over both lands, dead and undead as a spirit and a specter. His underlings knighted him as their ruler, and he ruled with a cold, iron fist. By using my magic to connect his spirit with his past body's remains (I found some of his bones intact in a grave) I was able to create a new vessel for him. (See, that was scientific. Using his old cells to fabricate a model for his previous form. Have faith in me, friend.)

Anyways, though his new body may seem dark and frail, leading to discrepancies between his past and new life, that is not entirely the case. Or at the least it was not my doing. He shrouds himself in the shadows he grew accustomed to, and fasts because he is unable to eat. Hmph. either his organs have yet to function properly or he has forgotten how to care for mortal flesh. It's been months, though, so I cannot fathom why. I'll have to set him straight." She said, chuckling.

I stared bewildered at the powerful witch, unbelieving of her story. How in the world could any being travel to the land of the beyond and back, still living? This woman...she was a force to be reckoned with. In fact, I was beginning to believe she was just that: a force, an entity. No mortal being could possibly contain that much potential.

I considering the consequences of such a thought. It was great and all, to be evil. Yet in all honesty, I only considered it a fun hobby. But the Enchantress…she had something else in store for this world, there was no doubt about that.

Shaking my head of such musings, I returned to the previous topic. "So what you're saying is, you had to...erm...you could only...you had to have those two materials first? His energy in the form of his spirit, and his structure in the form of his cells? Thus you were able to...reconstruct him, so to speak?"

The sorceress nodded, toying with the long sleeves of her robe. "Precisely."

"Then I suppose I was looking at it all wrong! All this time, I was trying to impart energy into a dead structure and restore it thus! Oh, goodness!" I slapped my palm against my forehead, beating my head with my cane. "Of course I never saw that in my grief! All of my damned grief...it did nothing but lead me astray! Why in the world did I believe I could create energy, especially the amount needed to jumpstart a dead body? That would be impossible, breaking one of the most important laws of physics! But you, Enchantress, you are wise. Recycling a spirit's energy to galvanize a corpse...a very feasible transfer of energy. Kudos to you." I gave her a little bow.

"Why thank you. But I'm more interested in your story, there. How long have you been pursuing the art of death-reversal?"

"Years. Many, many years."

"Truly. And what, might I ask, caused said 'grief,' dear knight?"

"I would rather not say."

"Did you slay someone? Slay someone you were fond of?"

I huffed. Was I that predictable? She hardly knew me. "Yes but that does not matter, I suppose. Not until I can find a way to harvest a soul."

"Harvest a soul...ask Specter Knight for one. He's some kind of reaper, I believe. Or...he looks it. Regardless, I'm sure he'd help you out."

"Heh. I've got a strong feeling he wants nothing to do with me. And speaking of him, why did the ghost want to be brought back to life in the first place if he was so successful in death?"

The Enchantress shrugged. "That I do not know. Why don't you shoot that question to the knight himself? And ask him to reap a soul for you. Aha! Then you'd be killing two crows with one stone- erm, I mean birds."

I chuckled at her attempt to tease me. "Hee, hee, hee...you're quite the card, lady." Then I turned around and began walking out of the dining room. "But anyways, my gratitude goes to you, Enchantress, for all of your help!"

"And thank you, Plague Knight, for having enough of a brain to spring such entertaining conversation!"

Ha. Entertaining. That's a good word for it. I laughed and said my farewells, hopping out of the room. The Enchantress resumed her sky-gazing through the window while her minions finished cleaning the brunch-party mess. She had a glint in her eye, and a grin full of ivory fangs.