Five
Six Months Later...
The Heartless Swamp
Lady Crow had taken a lot of convincing to take on a second apprentice, but quickly noticed Micah's potential and raised him up to the training intensity of her other acolyte.
Daily exercises and instruction in dark arts consumed every waking hour of Umbra and Micah's lives. Every night the two youths went to bed beaten and exhausted.
In the dead of night when the two apprentices were sleeping, Lady Crow crept into the ramshackle room hovering like a phantom.
The glowing embers of the fireplace sprung to life in an eerie grey flame as her presence was felt.
The grey illumination highlighted every grotesque wrinkle and mark on her leathery old skin. She was not wearing her typical ratty old dress and purple shawl tonight; she wore the black pendant and crimson hooded robes of a demon-summoner.
Umbra struggled unconsciously on the couch; his sleep forever tormented after his gruesome initiation rite. His skin was beaded with sweat and dark mana residue sizzled in the air around him.
Lady Crow was not here for her first acolyte tonight; her intent tonight involved her second student, Micah. By the end of this night his powers would surpass even her own if her schemes were successful.
With a wafting gesture of her gloved hand, she awoke Micah from his rest and immediately held a finger to his mouth.
The groggy apprentice quickly complied and the two snuck out of the house leaving Umbra alone to his nightmares.
After donning a similar cloak to his master, Micah followed her down an unfamiliar trail.
Even in the dark and with the meager light of a dust-encrusted lantern Lady Crow walked confidently down the overgrown cobble road.
In a place as enslimed and wild as The Heartless Swamp an old hamlet could easily be enveloped in vegetation and disappear entirely.
So, the two maleficae walked down an ancient road under the cover of night and overgrowth until they reached an intersecting path.
Vegetation touching this odd divergence was withered and retreating. Micah could feel immense evil energy from this lost crossroad.
Cassius was already present at the site and had carved out an immense magical array, complete with strategically-placed blood-filled chalices and strange effigies, but the vile imp lacked any magical skills outside of shapeshifting.
"Master," the familiar hissed as he backed away from the circle and bowed to Lady Crow.
Micah had seen a similar array in his studies, but he couldn't remember from which grimoire he had seen it, but it soon became all too clear.
Lady Crow handed him a hooked dagger and a torn page of instructions. "Here," she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tonight, you get your greatest wish fulfilled," she assured him.
With a light push she moved him to the edge of the ritual circle where an empty goblet lay at his feet.
Cassius raised up a lantern so Micah could read from the passage.
"Expergiscimini Dæmonium, Expergiscini!" Micah called out uncertainly and dragged the ritual dagger across his palm.
The air seemed tense as if holding its breath. Cassius and Lady Crow watched with eager eyes and subtle smiles.
The instant the blood hit the old chalice the array burst to life, illuminating the crossroads. Micah stood at the precipice of a fierce purple binding circle pulsating with life.
A burst of thick black smoke swirled around the circle quickly coalescing into a humanoid form.
A roaring, crimson demon emerged from cloud and towered over the young conjurer. The demon outstretched its wings and tested his mobility, but it was anchored firmly inside the confinement of the circle.
"Foolish mortal, why do you call me forth?" the demon demanded. The demon, Asmodeus arelatively unknown and unaffiliated agent was chosen carefully by the wilyMalefica.
Ask for the sword: Souldrinker! Lady Crow's words echoed through Micah's mind.
He turned to her to see a reassuring nod. Souldrinker will grant you your desires... like saving your sister, perhaps. Lady Crow goaded him psychically.
"I want the blade known as Souldrinker, demon!" Micah called out to the infernal beast with an air of confidence.
The demon narrowed his translucent white eyes, and considered the request.
Asmodeus cast a subtle glance at Lady Crow before replying. "A new master for this ancient blade..." he spoke thoughtfully. "I don't have the blade," he admitted.
Micah frowned. "Do you know where it is?" he inquired.
"I do. But I may need a little something from you to jog my memory," the demon quipped. "Your essence should suffice."
My Soul? Micah's thoughts raced. Although he was expecting a high cost. To have Lydia back was worth any cost.
"Deal."
"The pact is forged!" Asmodeus announced.
With a roar he erupted into a pillar of flame and soaked into the ground like blood. A nauseating wave of sulfur left in his wake. A strange burned symbol appeared on Micah's palm- a demonic brand.
"Is it done?" Cassius whispered to Lady Crow.
Micah's thoughts raced, being bombarded with information foreign to him.
An old grove, a sprawling ruin, concealed in a stone casket. It felt like he was recalling it from memory as if he had been there just yesterday.
"It isn't too far from here!" he cried out triumphantly. "I can be there and back in just a few hours."
"Excellent," Lady Crow replied with an encouraging nod. "You will go there tonight. Take this lantern."
Micah didn't need to be told twice; he excitedly snatched it and darted off into the wilderness.
It's all falling into place. Lady Crow sighed in relief.
Umbra pawning his soul made him unable to bargain for Souldrinker, but the setback had been remedied. The forces she served would be very pleased to hear of this.
"What do we tell the other one?" Cassius inquired running behind Lady Crow as she set off back to her hut.
"That broken wretch doesn't need to know. We'll concoct something on the way back."
Umbra has outlived his usefulness to me.