Part 14 Darcis had returned to the librarys lobby, weary from the increased mental strain. He fell onto his makeshift bed where sleep quickly overtook him. He woke early, goaded by the newest voice in his head. Sylus was in a hurry, he wanted to leave the library behind and hopefully save him. Darcis rose, frustrated at the mental prodding. He found Thomas in the kitchen working on breakfast, today it smelled like burritos again. Did you have anything to do with this? Darcis asked Sylus, knowing that this breakfast was perfect on the go. I may have asked Thomas to prepare them for me when we spoke yesterday, Sylus commented in Darcis head. Who are you talking to? Thomas asked, concern in his eyes. Sylus, Darcis explained with a shrug. Where is he hiding? Thomas asked happily, apparently fond of the man. In my head, Darcis answered, showing Thomas the newest stone. You must be a glutton for punishment, Thomas said as he looked at Darcis. I guess so, Was all the answer Darcis gave. Here, eat. Youll need your energy once you get out on the road again. Any idea where youre heading? East, Sylus told Darcis. Apparently east. No exact location though, Darcis said as he took the plate Thomas was offering. He ate in silence, enjoying the rich flavors of Thomas cooking for possibly the last time. Hed made these burritos with sausage, egg, sweet peppers, pepper jack cheese, and some kind of salsa. Obviously recognizing Darcis enjoyment Thomas pulled out a paper bag to pack away more. He slid a bag full of burritos over as Darcis finished the last bite from his plate. For the road, Thomas commented with a nod. Thank you, Darcis said with an appreciative nod, lifting the bag. Either Thomas had great faith in him, or he wanted to feed the world because the bag was absolutely full. Good luck out there, Thomas said before returning to the kitchen. Thank you for everything, Darcis said to Thomas back. He grabbed his pack and the rest of his materials, sad to be leaving such a beautiful place. He looked over the stained glass one final time, realizing that these seemed to depict Dracious and Michael. Maybe Darcis could end the story held in these walls. He pushed through the doors, leaving the smell of books for the smell of flowers. The gargoyles were chatting atop the gate, apparently bickering over who should throw the next lightning bolt, as Darcis reached the old gate. Leavin already? the first asked, noticing Darcis waiting below. Whyd ya wanna do that? The second chimed in. I wish i could stay but i have to finish what ive started. If i hide Dracious will find a way to hurt more people. I cant let that happen, Darcis said resolutely. Ya coulda just said ya have to, The first gargoyle laughed as the gate swung open. We kept it clear, but ye may find some deeper in waitin for ya, The second said with a parting nod. Darcis just shook his head, greatly entertained by the gate guardians. Straight out the gate Darcis started heading east, following Sylus direction. They were traveling away from areas Darcis knew, and he constantly felt eyes following him. Concentrate on the demon stone; its emanating a small amount of power that the other demons can follow. Dont waste your concentration trying to stop it; instead, we need to prepare you. Think about those demon manuals you read in the library, do you remember much about the dark aegis? Sylus asked calmly. The dark aegis, yeah, theyre a group of demons. Each has certain properties unusual to their own kind, theyre a specialist corps of demons who sell their skills to the highest bidder, why? Darcis asked. Because theyre following you, Sylus commented. So Dracious is getting serious, Darcis commented, moving forward more quickly. Dont waste your energy, theyll catch you anyway. Do you remember anything about fades? Sylus asked. Youve picked an odd opportunity to test my trivia skills, Darcis said as he grew frustrated. Just answer the question, Sylus pushed. Fine, Fades are a type of demon known for their ability to vanish in thin air, they are also known for their heightened suggestive abilities and their deadly poisoned claws, Darcis said, starting to realize Sylus idea. So do it, Sylus said. Do what? Disappear? I havent attempted it before, Darcis said , preferring the idea of a fight to a failed attempt at stealth. And? I said do, not try. You command the stone and force what you need, Ill worry about the rest, Sylus said with finality. Okay, Darcis said with a sigh, giving into the demand. He concentrated on the demon stone, forcing power from Dracious to fade himself from vision. He watched as his hands slowly faded away, eventually leaving no sign at all of their existence. He felt it now more than ever before, the approaching dark. Hed taken Dracious power by force, and now Dracious was going to exploit the opening. This was a mistake, everything was growing black around him. Stop, Sylus said firmly, not to Darcis but past him. He saw the familiar face of Sylus, though he now wore a tailored suit. Who are you… Darcis started as he rolled his head. Coming from the darkness he saw something utterly horrifying, a looming figure easily fifteen feet tall with dark crimson skin and silver reptilian eyes. It had six arms, three on either side, a two strong legs each the size of a man, four horns hooking up and around each other on either side of its head, and a long tail with sharp bones protruding from its end. This was Dracious, Darcis realized. I command you to stop, Sylus said, stepping past Darcis with the demons stone in hand. He was touching individual runes, bright green energy surging over them as he continued working. He boldly approached the looming demon, still tapping away at the runes. Pathetic, Dracious said, his voice booming and deep, the sound of grinding stones and innocent screams as the undertones. Yes, you are, Sylus said with confidence, striking one more rune. As the final rune flared with brilliant green light Dracious stopped, now held by the power of the stone. If you ever harm this boy again, Sylus said with venom in his voice, his face within inches of the demons, I will end you, He finished. He struck another series of runes to force Dracious from this mental space. Darcis looked at Sylus with a smile of admiration as the darkness was pushed away. He stood now, still invisible, in the woods. He could see the demons coming into the area, searching for the man whod apparently disappeared. He couldnt understand their language, but it brought him pain to listen. He waited patiently, hardly breathing. The claws now, Sylus said. Darcis concentrated, drawing more power from the demon stone. He could feel claws growing from his invisible fingers. The poison was fatal, especially to demons. If any demons came near they would die, and Darcis would be gone without a trace after. Now we wait, Sylus said confidently. Darcis smiled, ready for the fight that would come soon. Okay guys, i want to apologize once again. I told you that i would be more active but i ended up spending that time writing my book. After i finished writing, as i told you i had a few days back, i ended up needing to take a few days off from writing. Im not sure why, i knew id be taking time away from my book before i started editing but i guess finishing my book left more than a little unbalance. Anyway now ive compensated for that, im rested and refreshed and ready to get on it all. Ill be editing my book slowly and i should be posing new parts to this story every Monday and Friday. I dont intend to write another 1000 words thing because that is far too much to physically describe a picture, as im sure you all saw. Again, thank you for your support and for taking the time to read all of the things this group posts. -B.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 05:30:22 +0000
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