Chapter 56: Shadam the Dark Oracle
Selene was making her way to the Legion of Five's lounging room.
Selene: Shadam!
But Shadam wasn't inside. She looked around but he was no where to be seen.
She exited out looking for him until she came across Steve.
Selene: Steve!
Steve: AAAH! ( nervous) I mean uh Head Witch Selene. I-I-I-I I was just uh...uh heading to the training room. Yup that's what I was going to do. Definitely was not picking my nose.
Selene: Have you seen Shadam?
Steve: Shadam. Oh uh yeah I think I saw him go into town. He looked a bit tensed today.
Selene: I see. Carry on.
Steve: Phew. Close call for Steve.
We then cut to Selene looking around in Bonesborough. But she was having trouble finding him.
Selene: Kaa, search for him.
Kaa wakes up from his staff form and slithers around town. Selene keeps on looking until she hears Kaa's hissing sound.
Selene: You found him Kaa?
Selene's eys began to glow as we cut to her vision seeing through Kaa's perspective. She can see Shadam shopping from a vendor and purchasing something.
Selene: What is he doing?
Scene shifts as Selene follows Shadam to where he was going. It was a long travel until she eventually saw him go to the left hand of the index finger. The finger was as tall if not bigger than a mountain. She saw Shadam step onto a platform and formed a spell circle. The platform activated as a small elevator and brought Shadam to the top. Selene got onto her staff and flew up after him. She flew up higher until finally to her astonishment discovered an old temple.
Selene: What is this?
Selene flew to the temple and entered. The place looked old and abandoned. It looked like a battle took place here.
Selene: Well Shadam has a lot of explaining to do.
But then she came across something. It looked like a small shrine. A memorial kind. There were some candles, an old photo and flowers. She kneeled down and saw a picture of an old man.
Selene: Who's this?
But then she heard someone coming at her fast from behind. She turned around quicklly formed a blue transparent barrier to block the attack from Shadam with his blade.
Shadam: Selene?
Selene: Is that anyway to treat your superior?
Shadam got off of her.
Shadam: What are you doing here?
Selene: I should be asking the questions. You were supposed to attend our meeting today regarding the planned attack on the Owl Lady's house.
Shadam: Sorry I missed it, but I have a lot on my mind today.
Selene: About what?
Shadam: For one, today is the anniversary of the day I lost my home.
Selene: This?
Shadam: You know how I mention I was once one of the Monks of Zabi. This was our sanctuary. I spent a majority of my life here and this...
Shadam then took out what he last purchased, it was a bottle of apple blood.
Shadam: This is for my Master Dozzle.
Selene: The one in picture right there?
Shadam: Yes. Before Belos, this was the one witch I admired the most.
Flashback, a long time ago.
We see a man walking through the forest of the boiling isles. He was a tall man wearing a robe similar to what Shadam normally wears. His face could not be seen as he keeps walking through the forest. Finally he made his way to the village he was heading towards. But he let out a small gasp to what he had seen. The village was completely destroyed. He made his way down as he looked around the area. Houses were burnt and their were bodies of witches and demons laying around either all charred up or cut to bits as blood was also all around and some body parts. That's when he heard a small crying. A crying of a child. He followed the sound and soon stumbled upon the crying child.
The child he found looked like Shadam, curled up to his knees sobbing, wore rags and there was blood on him, on his clothes, hands and feet. But it wasn't his blood. The stranger kneeled down to him and placed his hand on the child's shoulder as he looked up at him with tears in his eyes.
Kid Shadam: Get away.
?: What happened here? Who did this?
Kid Shadam: I...I did this?
?: You?
Kid Shadam: I couldn't control it. I-I got so mad. Father kept beating me and mom, the other kids kept picking on me. I couldn't stand it!
Electric power was forming around Shadam and his eyes turned red.
Kid Shadam: They kept tormenting me! Why?! Why do they keep tormenting me?!
?: Hold it!
The stranger placed his hand on Shadam's head as it glowed blue. It was channeling Shadam's power as he calmed down.
Kid Shadam: What did you...
?: Calm yourself down child. I can sense you have a power. At your state it's very dangerous. You need to control it.
Kid Shadam: But I don't know how.
?: I can help you. What is your name?
Kid Shadam: Shadam.
The stranger took off his hood to show his face. He was a middle aged man, bald but had a blue bushy mustache with purple eyes and his right ear a small cut to it.
?: Well Shadam, my name is Dozzle. I can help you control it. If you come with me. I'll give you a place to stay.
Dozzle offered him a hand. Shadam looked his hand and then to his face. He didn't have anywhere to go now. No family, no home. As of now he only did it for shelter. He took Dozzle's hand.
Dozzle: Good, come with me.
Dozzle held his hand and lead him out of the village.
We then cut the two arriving at one the fingers on Boiling Isles, the one that we had previously seen in the present. It looked like it would be a hard climb. But Dozzle formed a spell circle as the platform they were on began to levitate like an elevator. They kept going up and up and up until to Shadam's amazement, there was temple.
Kid Shadam: Where are we?
Dozzle: Welcome to the Zabi Temple. Home of the Monks of Zabi.
Kid Sadam: Zabi?
Dozzle: We the Monks of Zabi devote our lives to the house of the Titan. The creator of our world. We are here to serve him and offer our spiritual help to the outside.
Kid Shadam: So how is this supposed to help me?
Dozzle: To control your power, you must learn our ways of channeling your emotions.
We then cut to inside the temple where Dozzle has introduced Shadam to the three elders. They were sitting down wearing long robes, their faces could not be seen but had long beards hanging down from the hoods
Elder 1: Dozzle, you want to make this child a monk?
Dozzle: Yes, I do.
Elder 2: Preposterous! This child has no experience of our ways.
Dozzle: He can learn.
Elder 3: Dozzle. You know the rules.
Dozzle: Please, he has no where to go. His home is destroyed.
Elder 1: Dozzle, it's not that I'm against it, but I can sense anger and despair from this child.
Dozzle: That's why he needs our help. Isn't that our purpose?
Elder one placed his hand under his beard and stroked it as he thought about it.
Elder 1: Step forth child.
Elder 2: You can't be serious.
Elder 1: What is your name young one?
Kid Shadam: My name is Shadam.
Elder 1: Then Shadam, are you willing to learn our ways to be one of us.
Kid Shadam: ( nods) I am.
Elder 2: You can't possibly...
Elder 1: Sometimes those who have no place needs help to find one.
Elder 2: But he has no experience.
Elder 3: Neither did we back in our youth.
Elder 1: All in favor, aye.
Elder 3: Aye.
Elder 2: ( groans) Aye.
Elder 1: His training begins tomorrow. Dozzle, show him to his room.
Dozzle: Thank you, Grand Elders.
Dozzle gives them a bow. Shadam did as he did and bowed as well and left the council room. Dozzle showed him his quarter. It wasn't anything too nice but a stone room with a bed and window.
Dozzle: This is your room. Here.
Dozzle hands Shadam a robe.
Dozzle: Put this on. Dinner is ready in an hour.
Kid Shadam: So this is it for me?
Dozzle: It's what you wanted no?
Kid Shadam: I don't have much of a choice. I lost my old home.
Dozzle: Sometimes our paths are chosen for us. Sometimes we never choose them but the only thing you can do now is make the best of it.
Dozzle placed his hand on his head.
Dozzle: Just stay by me. I'll be there to guide you.
We then get a montage of Shadam's life. He was doing chores with younger monks as part of a daily basis. There were times he would meditate and pray with Dozzle. Dozzle would then bonk his head with a staff sensing he's not clearing his mind. He would also learn their fighting style, similar to that of shaolin monks. But also would spend the days with his Master Dozzle. He there to guide him and train him. There was scene where he was showing him the meditation technique to face his rageful power. But time and time again he would fail. Then there was a scene of the two hopping across rocks in a river while training, but then Shadam slipped and fell into the water. Dozzle laughed and while Shadam looked annoyed he started to laugh as well as these next few years would have been the happiest times of his life.
We now cut to several years later as Shadam now a young adult was doing his special training to channel his inner power. He was sitting at the top of the finger meditating as we then see in the inside of his head. Him fighting against a red version of himself. They seemed evenly matched, but then red version of Shadam swept the real one's leg and with his sword stabbed him.
Shadam's eye opened up as he began breathing heavily.
Dozzle: Having some trouble there I see.
Shadam looks over and see's Dozzle standing by him looking down.
Young Shadam: Master Dozzle. I failed again.
Dozzle: It is only natural.
Young Shadam: But I've been doing this for years. I can never beat my inner power. To tell it who's in charge.
Dozzle: It's not an easy task. I too once had that problem. It took me fifty years to do so.
Young Shadam: Fifty years? It's going to take me that long?
Dozzle: Perhaps.
Young Shadam: How old are you?
Dozzle: ( laughs) Old enough.
The two of them laughed. That is until they heard the bells ringing.
Young Shadam: What's going on?
Dozzle: Someone has arrived to the temple. But not a monk.
Young Shadam: Let's go see who this is.
Dozzle nods to him as they finally make it to outside of the temple where all the monks and the Elders were meeting the strange visitor. It was none other than Belos wearing old clothing and a more worn out and old mask.
Emperor Belos: Greetings, Monks of Zabi. I've been looking forward meeting you all.
Elder 1: And who might you be?
Emperor Belos: My name is Belos. Prophet of the Boiling Isles.
Elder 3: And why is it that you are here?
Emperor Belos: To show you all what I know and to warn you of the dangers.
Elder 1: Danger?
Emperor Belos: The danger of wild magic.
We then cut to inside the temple in the Elder's council room with Dozzle and Shadam present.
Elder 1: So you want to discuss of the Titan's will?
Emperor Belos: I have received a message from him. He says what we're doing with magic is all wrong.
Elder 2: What do you mean all wrong?
Emperor Belos: That we are misusing it. That's it's out of control and result of this has lead to disaster and chaos. There are withes out there misusing it and harmed innocents and destroyed homes.
Shadam lets out a small gasp as this was reminding him of his childhood. Is that what he is he thought? A wild witch.
Elder 3: So why come to us?
Emperor Belos: You monks devote your lives to the Titan. I have an idea but I need help from you monks. Help me form a new order to the isles.
Elder 1: I don't know what to make of this.
Emperor Belos: What do you mean?
Elder 3: Forming an order to forever change the lifestyle of magic. We're supposed to embrace it not restrict it.
Emperor Belos: But I've seen what it has done. It's destroyed homes, families. My family.
Elder 1: We are sorry for your loss, but please give us some time to talk this over. Dozzle, show our guest to his room.
Dozzle: Yes master. Follow me.
Dozzle, Belos and Shadam exited the room. Shadam was last to leave until he overheard the elders conversation.
Elder 2: I don't trust him.
Elder 3: But what if he says is true? What if he can talk to the Titan.
Elder 2: We the Monks of Zabi have been devoted to the Titan for centuries, why haven't we been able to actually talk to it.
Elder 1: Before we do anything else, we must look into this further. Let us hold hands.
The three elders took their hands and formed a circle. The began to chant as a blue aura formed around them.
Dozzle: Shadam, hurry along.
Young Shadam: Yes Master. Coming.
Shadam approaches Dozzle and Belos.
Dozzle: I have something I must do. Show our guest to his room.
Young Shadam: Yes Master.
Shadam then leads Belos through the temple to his room.
Young Shadam: Excuse me Belos. But I couldn't help but really listen to what you said. About wild magic and it's destructive capabilities.
Emperor Belos: Do you really?
Young Shadam: Can I tell you something.
Emperor Belos: Of course.
Young Shadam: I too have a problem with my magic. I was born with this...raw explosive power that triggers whenever I get mad. When I let it go, it takes full control of my mind and throws out all reason. I know what you're talking about but I don't want to be that way. I want to keep it under control but my training is going no where.
Emperor Belos: I'm glad you're being honest. I'm glad someone here agrees with what I...I mean what the Titan wants.
Young Shadam: If you don't mind me asking but how are you able to speak with the Titan?
Emperor Belos: Well, my life changed ever since I stepped in the skull.
Young Shadam: You went into the skull. But that's sacrilege. What were you doing going in there?
Emperor Belos: Searching for answers. That's when my life forever changed.
Young Shadam: So then, the Titan thinks that what we're doing is wrong?
Emperor Belos: He wants you all to correct it. I'm hoping together we can fix it.
Belos then grunted and held his head.
Young Shadam: Are you alright?
Emperor Belos: I'm fine. I just need to rest. But think about it.
Belos leaves to his room.
We then cut to Dozzle and Shadam walking out of the temple.
Dozzle: Have you been talking to that prophet?
Young Shadam: A little. Do you believe what he says Master?
Dozzle: To be honest no.
Young Shadam: Why do you say that?
Dozzle: Because of how he wants us involved his plan.
Young Shadam: But it's the Titan's plan.
Dozzle: We don't know that yet. That's why the Elders are searching from beyond to know who he really is. We'll know soon.
Young Shadam: But what if he says is true and I...I...
Dozzle: Shadam you cannot just believe what he says.
Young Shadam: But what he said is what I'm dealing with. You know how dangerous my magic is.
Dozzle: You're nothing like that. You're trying to keep it at bay. These wild witches he describes, they're the ones out of control. We haven't seen these wild witches yet and I just feel like theirs something off about him. Do not listen to what he has to say.
Young Shadam: But I want to contain my power!
Dozzle: Shadam! The easy way is not always the right way.
Young Shadam: Yes Master. I'm sorry.
Dozzle: Be patient. You will get it under control someday.
Young Shadam: I know. You've always believed in me Master Dozzle.
Dozzle: ( smiles) Why don't you go to town? I could use some apple blood.
Young Shadam: Master, that's against the Zabi rules.
Dozzle: ( chuckles) Can't your old man have a little fun now and then.
Young Shadam: ( nods) You old man.
A while later
Shadam had gotten the apple blood and was making his way back to the Zabi temple. But as he went onto the platform that sent him up he began to smell smoke. Once he made it to the top a horrified look was shown on his face as the temple was on fire.
Young Shadam: Oh no... Master!
Shadam ran inside. He looked around and saw fire all around and dead bodies of the other monks. He entered the Elders rooms and saw their bodies had been set on fire. Near them was Belos, who looked hurt and was bleeding from his shoulder. He went to him and kneeled down.
Young Shadam: Belos.
Belos: I'm alright. I'll live.
Young Shadam: What happened here?
Emperor Belos: It was terrible. The wild witches. They followed me here. They attacked without warning. They tried to kill me and in the result everyone.
Young Shadam: We have to search for survivors.
Emperor Belos: I don't know if there are. I barely made it out alive.
Young Shadam: What about Master Dozzle?
Shadam got up and ran to look for him.
Emperor Belos: Shadam wait!
Shadam didn't listen and ran around looking for Dozzle. He kept shouting his name in hopes to find him. Shadam soon found him, on the ground with a sword stabbed through him.
Young Shadam: Dozzle!
Shadam went down and held his Master's body in his arms as his master's blood stained his hands. Shadam looked at the blood in his hands as his body began to shake.
Young Shadam: Master! Master...no. NOOO!
Shadam body shook as tears were shed and fell on Dozzle's body. As this was happening Belos appeared behind him.
Young Shadam: How could they have done this?
Emperor Belos: Because of wild magic. Don't you see Shadam, as long as wild magic exists it will corrupt the minds of witches, making them rogue. They're defiers of the Titan.
Young Shadam: They are, especially for attacking us. After what we've done for them.
Emperor Belos: I'm very sorry for your loss. I too lost a loved one from wild witches. My brother. I didn't mean for this to happen. But that's why I need your help. I want to form a new order where we can keep these witches at bay. Make sure they can't misuse magic. A new system But I need your help with it. What do you say? Will you help me create a new and perfect world? For the Titan and your Master?
Shadam gently placed Dozzle's body on the ground and took out the sword out of him, with blood still dripping from it.
Young Shadam: I lost one home and now I lost another because of wild magic. I will ensure nothing like this happens again.
Shadam stood there as he stared at his reflection on the blade.
Flashback ends.
The flashback ends with present Shadam staring at his own blade.
Shadam: The blade I use here is the very one that killed my Master. I wield to kill those who killed my Master.
Selene: That is quite the tragic story Shadam.
Shadam: Ever since then I helped Belos start the coven system and his empire and was one of the first members of his coven.
Selene: That had to have been over 50 years ago. How old are you?
Shadam: It doesn't matter.
Selene: So let me guess, ever since you've been here you slacked off on your training to control your rage.
Shadam: I never slacked off, but never been able to complete it. But I had other priorities now. I'm not exactly a true Monk of Zabi anymore. I focused most of my studies of being an oracle and learning dark magic.
Selene: Why is that?
Shadam: I've been hunting wild witches and traitors. I despise those kinds of witches and for that I want them to be found and suffer like I did.
Selene: So is that the case for Lilith and Golden Guard?
Shadam: You can have Lilith. The Golden Guard I always hated. Always making a mockery of my skills and acting he knows everything. Next thing he betrayed his own uncle and now...
Selene: And now you can finally get back at him. You already did with the Scorpion's Curse you placed on him. Wait but Belos wants him back alive so this is kind of a bad situation.
Shadam: There's more. Tomorrow at midnight, the Scorpion's Curse is finally about to take it's toll and...and there's a good chance I may not come back.
Selene reacts with a bit of a shocked look on her face.
To be continued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Not much really but been wanting to dig into some of Shadam's backstory. Finally an easy chapter to write. Okay it's not the best one I made and could have been longer but again it's because I'm really about to get to the good stuff and you all now know where this is going. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always thank you and until next time.