Book 2: Chapter 113
John
6 days later
“Did you get the clay pot I asked for?” Asked Eskaal. He’d already fashioned the clay into a standing statue of a 6 horned goat-man. It was a copy of Rahraam, but since he was destroyed, I had a knocked out human for the sacrifice. He was a Hunter, so I didn’t feel bad at all. Eskaal also already had the ruby in the center of the statue’s forehead.
“I did.” I said passing it to him.
“And the bonsai tree?” He asked sternly.
“Yeah, but I don’t see why….”
“You’ll see. Just come over here and do what I asked.”
I played scavenger hunt all over the pack, but I managed to get all the supplies Eskaal wanted. Apparently, the ruby, or any kind of gemstone was also part of this. I was to get dirt, a whole deer, Heidi’s blood, my blood, and he would supply the magic.
I also hadn’t slept yet… but it could wait. I needed to get this done first.
Alright. He has a heart, organs, bones, the blood of its master, and the mark of the Horned One. It will be easier to try and beseech his blessing, since we already have a ruby of his realm.”
“I still can’t believe Dr. Sampson just Gave it to me.” I said being passed a bowl of water. I was to drink the glowing clear potion.
“Stop talking and pass me a bit more clay.” He grumbled. “I wish the master was awake… he likes to watch.” He said with a smile. “For your sake I do this the PG way. I could have done this in one day if I’d just used my powers, and ripped this human apart.” He complained.
“…. But I don’t understand.” I said seeing him put the fresh deer pelt on top of the clay.
“I didn’t either when the master showed me. He did all this in about half a minute, and expected me to just Know what to do… I made so many failures.” He said shaking his head smiling. He must have remembered some fond memory of the Tyrant King, but I wouldn’t be surprised. He was His general after all… I doubt he mistreated his own.
“He never did.” He said responding to me. “Now, I want you to bite the exposed clay parts.” He instructed.
“But it’s already dirt….” I said eyeing the 8 foot tall statue now that he’d made the horns taller.
“Yes but watch.” He pressed his hand into the clay. “It’s soft. Turn it into stone.” He said as if I knew how to do that….
/I do./ said my wolf.
/I can’t trust you./ I grumbled, but he protested in my mind. Terracotta was silent until Now, so he probably wasn’t lying… it was rare wolves did that anyway.
/I am No liar! I know! I swear I want to help our little mate… she has not awakened in days… she has not eaten… she has not drank water… let me do this./ he whined.
I’d been caught up in making this replica of Rahrraam’s demon form…. I’d ran all around the pack stopping Rogues, collecting any bones, teeth, or claws that I could find. I got lucky and got a full set of antique bear claws, I hunted the deer, and I got the antlers from some goats I bought outside of town…
Heidi had been out days. I should just let him do it… the worst he could do down here is piss off Eskaal and become a rug for his living room.
“That actually sounds nice, especially since you’re two-toned.” He added butting in. There was no way to block out one so old.
/…. Against my better judgment…. go ahead./ I said letting him have control.
He did, shifting to cover more area, then biting the clay. It became almost stone, but it still held its malleable nature. He was then tasked with smoothing out the holes created, and gave back control like a well behaved wolf.
/I understand how important this is John./ he stated. /Our little mate will not wake without this… so I need to do my best not to be in the way./ he said truthfully.
It made me outwardly smile.
“Alright. Now to do the ritual. Since this one is the watered down version, I can’t give this clay flesh and a soul, since I’m sure you wouldn’t drag about 9,999 more souls down here. Should the Horned One reject our pleas, it will remain stone and clay… or worse, a mindless untethered golem.” He scratched his chin. “Your mate’s attendance regardless of her affliction will drastically improve those odds. Her name is Heidi Charred-Stone right?” He asked.
“How do you know that!” I growled.
“You gave me your phone.” He rolled his eyes. “Plus I know you’re tired but you Also told me.” He pointed out.
“But why is her name important?” I asked to change the subject.
He snapped his fingers, and she was peacefully asleep in his arms. “Now I’m confident we have a 20% chance of getting this done instead of 0.001%....” He said with a weak smile.
“Wait Why didn’t you say that sooner?!” I yelled, while he drew a circle. “And put my mate back!”
“No, and If you Read my instructions, you would Know that it says that on the First Page. Neither of us hold the Horned One’s mark, so there is a pretty high chance it won’t work. And even if it does, we don’t have any means to tame it if she remains like this...You hold a blessing from him, but that isn’t enough.”
I also got a call… it was from the King.
“Take it in the kitchen. I’ll put her on the couch so you don’t freak out..” He said casually.
“Damnit… but at least that way I can see her.”
-----Heidi-----
“Ah, you stir… don’t be afraid.” Said a familiar voice. My gut told me to be afraid anyway, but that was just my wolf freaking out…. She Hated this place….
I fought to wake up…. I could hear the flaps of someone or something as it carried me. They smelled really nice, like amber gris cologne and campfire… though I knew it was a demon… That was the strange part about it. No matter their appearance, the general vibe and scent of a demon never goes away for the observant…
Though even when I opened my eyes, the cologne didn’t dissipate.
“Don’t move too much… you’re pretty banged up.” Said the Herald of the end. I finally recognized who held me.
It was now that I was fully awake. I felt my chest burn, and I subconsciously put my hand there…. It was a hole there about the size of a softball…
“What happened to me?” I asked.
“Well… you came here yourself from what everyone says. The master found you wandering the Forest of Sorrows and told me to watch you while he readies a soul mending bath. Since you’re living, you can’t just hop into the pools we have.” He said looking down on me with a smile.
“…Where are you taking me?” I asked quietly. There was no way I could do anything in this condition, being so high in the air with no broom or magic.
“To my home. My husband made dinner and I field dressed your wound…. You injured yourself coming here already in a weakened state…. It didn’t help that you’re heartbroken…. In Tarteron, heartbreak manifests itself…. It is why relationships here are so permanent.” He admitted. “There’s literally a hole in your heart. If you were returned right now, you’d die.”
“I lost my demon… my power… my acceptance…. And he was so angry. How could I not be heartbroken? What did anyone expect?” I asked a little snippier than usual. The words came out my mouth without me thinking, and I covered my lips with my fingers.
“I won’t drop you.” He said shaking his head. “Hell and confession go hand in hand. I’d be More surprised if you could lie about how you felt. The Master Didn’t Abandon or Banish you fully. He’s just mad… Well, he Was until he saw what happens when you punish a repentant soul. He’s very passionate, but also regretful. To just Give you another demon disrespects not only himself, but your new demon, as they would feel like they hold no value to the master. To leave you without one would Also be bad. You Need a partner, but I don’t know if any are willing after seeing his anger….”
“But my choices… I killed a man… I killed Rahrraam.” I mumbled.
“He did that himself when he Lied about what happened. The Master wouldn’t have been so angered and offended had he just told the truth that he couldn’t endure the pain.” He said showing his fangs. They were long and straight like a vampire. “You’re too sweet to be here.” He mumbled. “And don’t beat yourself up over a mortal who belongs here. Even Arviel didn’t want his putrid soul.”
“Thank you…” I said sheepishly, and he looked at me strangely.
“You’re weird. I like you.” He said with a nod. “I have to admit, I initially thought you were faking it, but seeing you now, I know that you’re genuinely sweet.”
“I try to be.” I said quietly. I could see the pit from here… it was just a black whole in dark reddish brown dirt.
“Don’t worry of that place either.” He said soothingly. “That may be my job, but today’s my day off.” He said as if he were joking.
I didn’t say anything, but I did at least smile for him. He was making an effort to extend an olive branch…
Demons were not like other beings… with everyone else, they have choice. It’s why people of any race can become a sinner… because they Choose to do evil. Demons do Not have such options. Technically since they’re made with dark energy… they Are evil, being servants of the Night Father. Their sole purpose is to serve the Horned One first, their master should they be a familiar second.
He gently glided, slowly descending to the ground. With a gentle thud, we landed in front of a hole in the ground covered with old cellar doors. However, when we went down clay stairs, inside it looked homely. It was lit by oil lamp, and there was little here. Black wooden furniture, and scrap fabric sofas and chairs made the living and dining area. It was spacious at least, and inside was his mate.
He was a tall, thin man with dark skin, but his face was pale and boney. It looked almost like he’d been bleached, and the skin was only a veil to hide his true features.
“Noirnamu, could you make some tea?” He asked.
“Of course Herold.” He said with a nod. He seemed as if he couldn’t make facial expressions, and his mouth moved only as if he were mouthing peanut butter. It was definitely a farse…
“It isn’t much, but have a seat.” Said the Herold.
“…. Your home is nice.” I said with a small smile.
“Thank Noirnamu.” He smiled. “We both work, but he manages the house.”
“I was tasked with the Lord’s care. I was made for this purpose.” He smiled, something I didn’t know he could do. It was grotesque since his face looked almost undead... but it was sweet.
“But you still have choice. Should you ever wish to leave, you know that you may. I will be hurt, but I will heal.” He said giving him a kiss on the forehead.
“Yes, and I Chose to be here.” He said serving me tea. “It’s Hell mint.” He encouraged. “It’s Rare, only growing on souls who died of excess.”
The Herold was also passed a cup, and he sat on a wooden stool. “After this, I will gather the remnants of his energy… it will feel like nothing, but I suppose it will give you some closure mortal.” He said sipping his tea. It was boiling hot, and he didn’t even blow.
The black tea smelled like regular mint tea, and I could see the herb hung to dry above the wood burning stove. I blew mine and took a sip. It tasted like normal mint tea, but it gave me energy.. “Why would you do that?” I asked.
“Because the master went too far, and is too proud to say it.” He said with a smile. “And before you get sassy and quote his ruling, I already got 100 lashes and a good scolding for saying it to his face.”
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