Strangely, or at least Alex thought so, they didn't bind him. Nor did they pull him or even escort him. The three shades and the behemoth Astaroth walked out of the carriage simply expecting Alex to follow. To their credit, he did. Not because he wanted to, but because he had little other alternative. There was only one way out into the narrow passage surrounded on all sides except forward, and the prospect of staying in the lava covered carriage alone didn't seem enticing. Alex chose to follow about twenty or so paces behind them. Azrael and the wins walked side by side ahead of the monster among them who was almost as wide as them combined. They spoke about something, but Alex couldn't hear them. Right now, he thought, he didn't really care. His anxiety was through the proverbial roof and his worry about his companions consumed his thoughts as he strolled forward. The air was hot and heavy, as if somewhere nearby a convection oven pushed out heat at a supreme pace. Alex wiped the sweat from his forehead as drops dripped from his brow and stung his eyes. Either it was getting hotter and hotter, or he was getting worse at handling it. Soon, the passage began to open a few hundred feet ahead of them and an ominous rumbling noise began to permeate through passage, increasing in volume with every step. Alex felt his anxiety reach new heights and his paces grew smaller as he became more and more fearful of what awaited him. His captors disappeared from vision as they exited the passage into red light. Moments later Alex followed them out and stood rigidly still as the sight that greeted him froze him.
They had arrived at a large, wide balcony, overlooking a vast canyon filled with a sea of what Alex could only describe as things. Thick, green, and angry bipedal beasts filled the miles-wide canyon for as far he could see. Their chanting and shouting combining in to a meaningless but terrifying hum.
"How many?" Alex asked quietly.
Azrael turned to Alex, "Right now. At least six hundred thousand. Soon, millions."
Azrael nodded in Malpas' direction. The shade and his twin understanding his meaning, they walked down a set of carved rocky steps, out of sight.
"The armies of the darkness are reformed," Azrael said proudly.
As he took in the sight, Alex felt fear like nothing ever before. He had been afraid when his mother was in danger or when his possessed science teacher tried to murder him but that was different. Personal and grave, but there had been hope. Right now, Alex thought, everything was hopeless.
"What uh.." he stammered, struggling to form words, "What are they?"
Azrael seemed to chuckle inwardly and spread his arms out toward the masses.
"They are family," he replied philosophically, "They are me, and I am them."
He continued, "Ghuls and banshees who once served under Lestrat. The tall scaly ones are the Rarknoss, formerly under the control of the twins you just had the pleasure of meeting."
He pointed to the distance, "Filling out the back are the Lutums. A new creation crafted out of the very rock and clay of this canyon. Given life by my master, they will be the very bedrock of this army as we wage war on the realms of the light."
There were at least a dozen other different types of creatures filling out hundreds of rows. Alex assumed Azrael didn't think they were worth mentioning. It didn't surprise him that he had favourites, but Alex was surprised that Azrael wouldn't take the opportunity to brag some more. In his short time with the shade Alex had gotten the impression Azrael sure loved to talk, Alex thought as he stared out at the sea of monsters that had left him speechless and frozen like a deer in headlights. He closed his jaw, which he just realised had been gaping open, and swallowed. Millions more, Azrael had said to him. He felt scared and inferior but also strangely awed by the sheer might of the dark.
"We know of the great quest," Astaroth said in his typical raspy fashion, "We have always known."
"That is why the Ethereals and all of the light had to die," Azrael explained, "You were destined to destroy us."
Alex turned, visibly cocking his head sideways in confusion.
"Yes," Azrael said nodding, "The prophecy came first."
"That's..." Alex stammered, "That doesn't make sense."
"Why? Because the forces of light are the forces of good?" Azrael asked mockingly, "Because this age-old war is all our fault?"
Azrael snorted.
"This enmity exists because the light would never countenance balance," claimed Azrael.
Alex didn't know what to say, he felt overwhelmed and confused. He didn't trust a word that came out of his mouth obviously, but things were becoming decidedly greyer every day, he thought.
Astaroth stepped away from the conversation and walked to the edge of the balcony, reaching out his arms dramatically and clearing his throat.
"Welcome!" he shouted, his voice booming through the canyon like a megaphone, "All who have made the journey here, where Lucifer's lava once flowed through. Each and every one of you is going to witness history. Soon our armies will march on the ruins of Ethereum to the Sakura and beyond!"
A great rapturous cheer erupted deafeningly.
"Each and every one of you will be armed with the strongest armour forged in the fires of Astaroth!" Astaroth shouted. He ripped something from a chain hanging around his neck and raised it high. A bright red beam erupted into what passed for a sky. Alex tracked the beam down to the source and was momentarily taken aback.
"Holy shit," he said.
The monsters once again cheered and shouted in almost unison. Astaroth stood proudly as the beam faded and dissipated back into the Orb of Fire which he held in his enormous hand.
"Now," Astaroth continued, "Witness the execution of the last child of the light!"
As if on cue, the shade twins Malpas and Marpas returned up the stony staircase. Stumbling behind them, dishevelled but surprisingly unbruised, came Tom, Zach and Michael with their hands bound by obsidian black rope that also tied the trio together.
Zach, at the back, still carried his bag-pack. Quickly Alex wondered about the possibility of triggering their escape mechanism but was immediately disheartened as Malpas reached into it and grabbed the orb of darkness.
"You are kept here because you travelled with thisss," hissed Marpas, "We will keep your anchor."
As Alex stared at his friends, and he felt yet more fear, a thought occurred to him.
Astaroth continued to rally the army into a frenzy, whose screaming and chanting seemed to rise in volume exponentially as they waited impatiently for the show. The execution of his father, the last child of the light.
Alex reached out and tugged at Azarael's arm to get his attention.
"Where is my snake?" he asked.
Azrael's eyes narrowed, "The ophidian?"
"My friend," replied Alex.
Momentarily, Azrael looked at Alex silently.
Then, much to Alex's surprise, Azrael stepped forward and pushed Astaroth back.
"The execution will be postponed!" He proclaimed.
The canyon grew deathly silent and a ringing filled Alex's ears to replace the rapturous noise.
"What?!" Growled Astaroth.
Malpas and Marpas stayed quiet. Knowing better than to challenge the new number two shade.
"The crowd expects blood!" He exclaimed.
Azrael lowered his voice so as it did not echo toward the army baying and begging to see death.
He spoke carefully and gently, "The boy has darkness within him. The ophidian saw it, and so do I. We will not execute the prisoners until I have converted the child to the darkness."
Astaroth guffawed, "You cannot convert an ethereal, unless you intend to possess him! The crowd demands an execution!"
Azrael huffed loudly, offended by the disrespect, "And they will have one unless you stand down. We converted a god damn ray didn't we?"
The giant Astaroth and Azrael locked eyes, and for a moment Alex wondered if a potential dispute could erupt and provide a means to an escape.
However, Astaroth backed down when Azrael put a hand on his shoulder. A gesture of understanding and promise.
"Besides," said Azrael, "When I am done. The boy will execute them himself."
YOU ARE READING
The Ethereal Saga - Volume Two - The Abyss of Abaddon
Fantasy"Then breathe. Really breathe. In and out. You're somewhere where thousands of your ancestors have stood before you, to travel between worlds. This place, it's like... it's like a leaf on the blowing winds of creation. We're all floating on it somew...
