Nightslayer - Chapter Fifty-Eight

 

Zoe and Thaddeus arrived at Gelevan Gorge in a ball of fire. Traveling by fire had been Thaddeus’s idea, and Zoe thought it no doubt fueled by the battle they had had with the Mother’s demons. Toward the end of that fight, Thaddeus had fought with a ferocity Zoe had never seen before, and she had even gotten the impression that he had begun to enjoy the killing. She had wanted to talk to him about it before they left for the Gorge, but even she had been forced to admit that there was no time. Maybe I’m worrying about it for nothing, Zoe thought, despite what her Sorceress’s senses were trying to tell her. Maybe he’ll be okay.

Aylander appeared before them seconds after their arrival. There was a triumphant smile on his face, and Zoe could see why – the battle seemed to have ended, and it appeared that the side loyal to the new Magister of the Torvaran Empire had won. Not that there weren’t signs that it had been a very close run thing. Many of the soldiers Zoe saw were dirty, bloodied, and looked exhausted. Because of her nature, and the way the Order had trained her, she felt an urge to go and see if she could help, but there were others of the Order, here, and her presence, alone, would bolster them enough to help with any of the injured that they could.

“Welcome, Brother!” Aylander said. His smile grew into a grin. “Trying to wait until all the fun was over before showing up, were we?”

“Hardly,” Thaddeus said. “Those demons did their damnedest to delay us, as you well know. We took care of them, though.” A dark smile touched Thaddeus’s lips. “We took care of them.” He refocused his gaze on Aylander. “What’s the situation here?”

“Well, as you can see, because of a very convenient turn of events – which I may, or may not, have had something to do with – the Baron’s forces have been driven back across the Gorge. They would be withdrawing further if they could, and if they still had competent leadership, but I’ve made it so they can’t leave here, and the Baron has been so unmanned by the loss of his Necromantic powers that his leadership abilities are currently nonexistent.” Aylander paused, and the joviality in his tone and expression vanished. “There are two Demon Lords here, Brother. One of them is Hel, the Mother, herself. I believe the other might be the Hidden King.”

“Why aren’t they trying to do something? Either one of them is more powerful than all of the magic users gathered here combined.”

“I don’t know. Shock, perhaps. I don’t think either of them were expecting a god to show up and ruin their battle plans.”

“A god?” Zoe asked, already knowing Aylander was referring to himself.

“Yes, my Lady,” Aylander said. “The new God of Death and Magic stands before you. Tell me, do either of you sense anything different? Anything new?”

“There are a lot of mages here,” Thaddeus said after a moment. “A lot.”

“Indeed there are. All of them awakened by my presence.”

“There were Abominations, here,” Zoe said. “I can sense their echoes.” She looked at Aylander. “Something happened to them. You put them back to sleep, didn’t you?”

“All but the Twisted Sword Priests,” Aylander said. “They are somehow beyond my touch.” He frowned. “I wish I knew why.”

“It’s their connection to the Demon Lords,” Thaddeus said. “Though their souls were Twisted by a Necromancer’s touch, the process for them was different than for normal Abominations. Once the power of the Demon Lords is broken, they’ll be yours, Brother. I’m sure of it.”

Aylander studied Thaddeus for a moment, his frown deepening. “And what of you, Brother? Are you well?”

“Yes,” Thaddeus said. “Quite well.”

Is he? Aylander asked Zoe, touching her mind. That he was able to do it without being linked to her via Thaddeus’s sword proved how powerful he had become.

I don’t know, Zoe told him. I’m afraid he isn’t.

“Having a nice little chat, are we?” Thaddeus asked. He glowered at both of them. “I can’t hear it, but I know you are. I’m fine, I tell you. You needn’t worry. If I’m seeming a little harder, a little darker, than I was, maybe it’s because that’s what I have to be. I am the Nightslayer, after all.” He looked away from them, toward the other side of the Gorge. “And, right now, there are two Demon Lords, here, that must be dealt with. Perhaps the two most dangerous of all. Taking care of them is my responsibility.”

Zoe reached out and laid a hand on Thaddeus’s arm, stopping him before he could leave, which is what she knew he was about to do. “Let us go with you, my love,” she said. “You know we’re better together than we are apart.”

Thaddeus looked at her. The light from the fires burning on the battlefield glittered in his eyes. “Not this time, my love,” he said. “I’m sorry.” And then he was gone.

“He’s traveling like I did,” Aylander said. “He shouldn’t be able to do that.”

“Unless he’s giving in to the power the darkness, here, has unleashed. You don’t think that’s something he needs to do, do you? To become what he needs to be, I mean?”

“It may be. But something about this feels wrong. We need to follow him, Zoe.” Aylander looked at her. “I fear he may have just stepped into a trap.” He reached out to her. “Take my hand.”

She took his hand, and the two of them vanished, following after Thaddeus.

Thaddeus arrived on the western side of the Gorge, and couldn’t help but smile at the sight that greeted him. It was apparent that neither of the Demon Lords – and it was more than obvious which one was which – had moved since Aylander had left them. In fact, one of them – the male half of the pair, whom Thaddeus was certain was the Hidden King – appeared to have been frozen in place while in the act of lunging at something. That Hel hadn’t taken the time to reverse the Hidden King’s condition was something Thaddeus found more than a little amusing. Sliding his sword from its scabbard, Thaddeus started toward them.

“So,” Hel said, turning toward Thaddeus as he approached, “you are the new Nightslayer, I take it. The one who called himself your brother said you would be coming. Do you know how difficult that Eltaran has made things for me? I can’t even leave here because of his meddling.”

“He just wanted to make sure you had a chance to meet me before you left,” Thaddeus said. He gestured at the Hidden King. “What happened to him?”

“Oh, Magnus, you mean?” Hel shrugged. “Your brother took him out of time and froze him. I just haven’t gotten around to restoring him, yet.” She looked at the Hidden King. “I actually prefer him this way. You wouldn’t believe how troublesome, not to mention boring, he’s become over the millennia.”

“I could fix that for you,” Thaddeus said.

Hel looked at him for a moment, considering. “Yes, I imagine you could,” she said. “But what about me? Once you’ve finished with Magnus, I’m sure you’d no doubt turn your attention to me. Your brother did say, after all, that he was saving the job of killing me for you.”

“You’re right. I would turn my attention to you.” Thaddeus paused. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean I’d have to kill you.”

“Oh? What would you do, then?”

“I could take his place.” What was Thaddeus saying? He found he couldn’t stop himself, however. “I’m sure you’d find me a welcome change after having to put up with Magnus for so long.”

Hel walked – sauntered – closer to Thaddeus. “But I thought you were the Nightslayer?” she said, her tone teasing. “Isn’t it your duty to kill creatures like me?”

“Maybe,” Thaddeus said, licking his lips, “maybe I don’t want to be the Nightslayer, any longer. Maybe I want something greater.” He eyed Hel and smiled. “Something more rewarding.”

Hel returned Thaddeus’s smile. “Oh, rewarding is definitely something I’m good at doing.” She reached over and touched the side of Thaddeus’s face. “Will you kill Magnus for me, Thaddeus Alvarem?”

Thaddeus shivered. “It would be my honor, Mistress.”

Zoe looked on in horror. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing, what she was hearing. Right in front of her eyes, Zoe’s entire world was falling apart. By calling Hel his mistress, Thaddeus had all but pledged himself to her, and there had been nothing Zoe could do to stop him. No, she thought. No!

“Thaddeus!” Zoe shouted. “Stop!”

Hel lifted her hand and sent a blast of energy hurtling toward Zoe. The blast only crossed half the distance before Aylander dispersed it with a blast of his own. And then a force like a great wind pushed both he and Zoe back, knocking them to them ground, stunned. Once she was able to get her head cleared a little, Zoe tried pushing herself back up – and found herself anchored where she was. Since she was a Spellbreaker, this shouldn’t have been a problem, but, whatever had her bound was no ordinary spell, and there was nothing she could do. Zoe wanted to scream, but when she tried, she discovered her mouth had been bound shut, as well. Aylander! she called with her mind. Help me!

I cannot! Aylander sent back. She has bound me, as well.

Can’t you break it? You’re a god, now!

Every time I try, it fights back. It’s like it’s alive. I may be able to break it given time, but, by then, it will be too late for Thaddeus.

No! NO!

Suddenly, Thaddeus was standing above her. He looked down at her, but there was no compassion or concern on his face. Just cool indifference. His eyes still glittered, though the fires were less on this side of the Gorge. “I told you not to follow me, Zoe,” Thaddeus said. “You didn’t have to see any of this.”

The binds on her mouth relaxed, and, when they did, Zoe understood. Whatever held her and Aylander, it didn’t come from Hel. It came from Thaddeus. “You don’t have to do this, Thaddeus,” Zoe said. “Please. Please! I love you!”

“I know you do,” Thaddeus said. His voice was flat. “I thought I loved you, too. I was wrong. There is only one mistress for me, Zoe.” He paused. “Please don’t struggle against your bonds. They’ll smother you if you do.”

“Damn you, Thaddeus!”

Thaddeus gave her a mirthless smile. “No one can damn me, Zoe. Not any more.” He turned and walked away.

Aylander heard the entire conversation between Thaddeus and Zoe. He felt Zoe’s heartbreak and dismay, her anger, and he also sensed that, in the strictest sense, Thaddeus was no longer himself. But did that mean he could still be saved? Aylander didn’t know. He wanted to believe that such a thing was still possible, but Thaddeus had fallen under the spell of not only the Mother of Monsters – who, Aylander understood, was nearly as powerful as he, himself, had become – but also of the chaotic energies that had been unleashed. Could anyone survive falling under the sway of such a combination? Could anyone still hold on to even just a part of themselves? Aylander didn’t know.

The bonds that kept Aylander anchored to the ground hadn’t come from Hel – something that Aylander should have seen at once, but had allowed himself to be willingly blind to – but they were incredibly strong. As he had told Zoe, it was almost like they were alive, reacting to even the smallest action Aylander tried to take, whether physical, mental, or magical. That Aylander could eventually break them was a given – he was, after all, a god, now – but once he’d broken them, what then? How could he bring Thaddeus back from the brink?

You cannot bring him back from the brink, a woman’s voice suddenly said from within Aylander’s mind. The voice wasn’t Zoe’s, but he still recognized it. It had been so long since he’d heard it, however, he couldn’t quite remember who it had belonged to. This is something that must happen. What’s important is that you are here for what comes after. That will be when you have your chance to save your brother and make sure he becomes what he needs to be.

Who are you? Aylander asked. I know your voice.

Don’t tell me you forgot me so easily. The voice had become teasing. Not after you held your silent candle for me for so long.

Lanaira? Is that you? But how? You died centuries ago.

And are you not, now, the God of Death, Aylander? None, save those whose souls have been swallowed by darkness, who have passed beyond are outside of your reach.

But I didn’t reach out to you. You came to me!

Lanaira sounded amused, now. The ability goes both ways, and I felt you needed a friend. Surely you remember how I was always that.

Aylander found himself smiling. Of course. Lanaira, please forgive me. There is so much I should have told you. So much I should have said.

Don’t trouble yourself over it. I’ve always known. And I’ve always loved you. I do wish you had been brave enough to tell me, but all of that is in the past, now. And we need never be separated, again.

Can Thaddeus be saved, Lanaira? Aylander asked.

He can be, but, in order for him to be saved, he must be allowed to die.

What do you mean? I don’t understand.

Neither do I, Aylander. Not fully. All I do know is that it must be allowed to happen. Only then can your brother be saved.

Stay with me, Lanaira, Aylander said, feeling a sudden stab of fear. Don’t let me face this alone.

You need never worry about being alone, again, my love. Aylander felt something, something gentle and ethereal, touch his face. I will always be with you.

Aylander closed his eyes. I love you, Lanaira.

He could hear the smile in Lanaira’s voice. I know. I love you, too.

Just as she always had before, Hel had won. Seeing what the new Nightslayer had done to his friends – one of which, it seemed, had been more than just a friend – proved that, once again, Hel had turned that which was supposed to be unturnable. Now, to solidify the deal, all she had to do was release Magnus and let Thaddeus – whom Hel was tempted to allow him to go on calling himself the Nightslayer, even after he had proven himself to be utterly hers – take care of him. There was no doubt in Hel’s mind who would win the fight – she could feel the new powers that had blossomed inside Thaddeus, powers that, someday, might even come to rival her own – but something made her hesitate. She didn’t know what it was that caused her to hold back, but something about letting Thaddeus and Magnus fight filled her with foreboding. Was it nothing more than the fact that Thaddeus was still largely an unknown to her? Or was it something else?

Thaddeus was looking at Hel expectantly, his sword drawn. The runes on his sword pulsed red – they were hungry for blood – but Hel noticed there was one that did not pulse, at all. It remained dark and cold, seeming to suck in some of the light coming from the others, and there was something about its shape that gave Hel a moment of pause. She knew that rune, didn’t she? Wasn’t it one of the six she had helped to create so long ago, the signs of power that marked someone a god? Hel wore one of those runes, herself, engraved on a length of the obsidian chain that encircled her neck. Hers was the Sign of Corruption, and was, at least in part, what conferred on her the ability to conjure her children. Which one was Thaddeus’s? And why didn’t it pulse with the same infernal light as the others?

“Shall I just kill him then, Mistress?” Thaddeus asked. “I was hoping we would fight.”

For a moment, Hel didn’t know what to do. Why now, all of a sudden, had a piece been added to the puzzle that didn’t seem to belong? Does it matter? she wondered. He has already pledged himself to me. He is mine! “Forgive me, Thaddeus,” Hel said. “I was reveling in my victory.” She waved her hand at Magnus. “Please, do you your worst.”

Magnus unfroze, the suddenness of his release nearly causing him to topple forward. He caught himself, however, casting a puzzled look at Hel before turning his attention to Thaddeus. “I remember you,” he said.

“Yes,” Thaddeus said, “I’m sure you do. And I’m not sorry to say that you won’t be able to run away, this time.” He stepped forward and raised his sword to strike.

Magnus conjured a blade of his own and, at the last moment, parried Thaddeus’s downward stroke, the two weapons coming together with a frightful clash. The fighting began in earnest, then, and Hel watched. She wasn’t able to enjoy the spectacle as much as she would have liked, however, for she had finally figured out what the rune on Thaddeus’s sword that failed to glow was. It was the Sign of Unity, the most powerful of the six. None had ever borne that sign, before, and its secret was supposed to be as forgotten as the ultimate location of the Key. How had Thaddeus gotten it, and from where? For the first time, Hel began to feel as if she were on the cusp of making a terrible mistake.