Chapter Twenty-Three

A Royal Sacrifice

A true leader always makes the biggest sacrifice

Vaslias Hazernoth

Earth (The Mainland) EarthYear 999

Vasilias was lying on his bed replaying the meeting in his head. It had started as expected, everyone was edgy but Theoreous's plan, although risky and fraught with danger, had given them a plan to move forward.

While thinking about the future, Vasilias's mind wandered into the past. He remembered the elaborate ceremony that took place on Mount Bloom. First, they were taken to the Fountain of Blessings, an infinity pool from where the Spring of Eternity entered the Earth from the Bliss. Barely a minute inside the pool Vasilias saw the miraculous effects of the holy waters. His skin began to glow and the wrinkles he had collected over the last few years disappeared. His best friend Theoreous was gushing with the exuberance of youth that reminded him of the day they had passed out of the Holy School of Pieteous.

The five were bestowed with lavish silky robes laced with gold embroideries. Protectors of Mount Bloom then escorted them to Mount Bloom's House of Almighty. Carved into a side of the mountain with its spectacular views of the Earth and the sky, it looked more like a bridge that connected the two worlds rather than a house of worship.

Beneath the towering walls of the House of Almighty, five godly figures sat on high chairs carved out of pure gold. The Holy Five's radiant faces, green eyes twinkling like stars, perfect physiques, and mystical aura instantly made Vasilias and his friends bow their heads.

Each one of the Pieteous placed his right hand on the head of his successor. A hundred priests started chanting some verses in an unknown language. Vasilias felt a current pass through him when Antionne placed his hand on his forehead. His body and mind passed through the abysses of numbness to the peaks of anxiety, traversed the dark alleys of fear, and saw shining lights of joy. After what felt like a never-ending ride of extremes, Antionne lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. Vasilias came out of his trance.

"Rise, the Messengers of Supremes, the Pentes Potens, the Holy Pieteous of the new world." Antionne's voice echoed in the House of Almighty, in the valley, and beyond. Antionne and the other Pieteous removed their diamond-studded crowns and placed them on the heads of their successors.

Antionne led Vasilias to the golden chair in the center of the podium. Vasilias noticed that this chair was different from the others. Higher, larger, with some extra layers of precious jewels and a crown built near the headrest.

"The Holy Five manage these worlds together, but one of them must lead the way. I Antionne Abernath, by the powers vested in me by the Supremes, hereby crown Vasilias the Pieteous Primus. Hail Vasilias Hazernoth, The New Lord of Bliss, Holy be his name."

"Holy be his name." Everyone in the hall chanted in unison.

Vasilias was beaming when he sat on the golden throne of three worlds. Quite ironically, faith paid handsomely even in worldly life. Doing the work of the Almighty wasn't without its temporal rewards.

Antionne came near Vasilias, embraced him, and then whispered into his ears. "A true leader always makes the biggest sacrifice. You will be the most revered one but you might also have to suffer the most. So be prepared and also prepare your progenies to sacrifice for mankind."

Those words were still fresh in Vasilias's mind. And very soon, he was about to discover its true meaning.

***

Mysha

Earth (The Mainland) EarthYear 1998

Tri playfully punched Brendon's forearm when he came out of his car. "Seriously? Why didn't you tell me that you are coming?"

"Have ya heard somethin' called a surprise, sweetie?"

"Honestly, save your surprises for your girlfriends and your wife, although I doubt someone would be dumb enough to marry you."

"Strewth, my heart just blew up into a thousand pieces."

"Believe me, you are horrible at melodrama."

"After all those late-night mind-chats, I thought ya'll pounce on me n we'll go straight to ya bedroom."

"I can't believe this. When will your brain climb out of your pants and reach its designated place? Those mind chats were just like Mike-Testing. Exploring my powers, nothing more."

"Sweetie, don't be shy. I felt ya intimate vibes," Brendon said with his most licentious wink.

"Honestly, I am working on that. I have to push hard in long-distance chats to make you feel the emotions, so they get a little exaggerated. Affection feels like love, innocent flirting seems like passionate lust."

"What do ya mean?"

"Holy Angels, Brendon! That means you are unceremoniously dumped," Ryan muttered under his breath. "All those under-the-sheets fantasies, that you bored me with during our whole journey, are never going to materialize."

"Brendon, I can't believe this. You discussed your fantasies about me with him?" Tri's eyes were scorching Brendon.

"Demon's curse, Tri. Some of them were like, you know... I told him that he can't share with me what he wants to do to you in the shower or on the beach or under the open skies, but he won't listen. He corrupted my mind. Now, whenever I look at you..." Ryan let others complete the picture in their minds. There was an awkward silence in the courtyard. Tri's face passed through different shades till it reached the color of molten lava before she turned around and stomped back into the castle.

"Tri.... Listen... that's not true. Ya know I'd never do that." Brendon called out. "Ryan, ya'll pay for this." Brendon hissed and ran after Tri.

Mysha chuckled. "You are such a devil, Ryan."

"Good Heavens! Most making-ups end up in making out. Brendon will be thanking me tomorrow."

"So Mister I-Am-the-Only-One-Left-Without-a-Girlfriend here knows most about girls. Well, why this surprise visit?"

"David's idea. He thinks lying low inside this fortress is the best option on the Dark Night."

"I never thought that mountain of stupidity could think this far but some people do get wise with age, although a little too late." Julian wouldn't even spare a person who wasn't even in front of him.

"I can recognize the old croaky frog and his disdainful tone from a mile away." Julian's voice was the first thing David heard upon entering the courtyard. "Hello Julian, I assumed, or rather wished, you had leaped and this world was a better place."

The two of them greeted each other with a hug. "Long time. Rather than reaching out to me, you sought out that trembling little sissy for the Soulment crisis in America."

"Alexander has the largest Army of Unseens on the Earth. And I seriously doubted you would help anyone ever after that wicked witch's arm twisting. Why are you still here? I thought you must be lounging somewhere on the infinite beaches of Bliss by now."

Mysha audibly cleared her throat. "Well, I assume I don't have to introduce you guys."

"Yes. Julian and I have had some unpleasurable experiences of working together, so you are spared that horror."

"Who is that sheepish swishy kiddie hiding behind you?" Julian asked pointing to the young man standing behind David.

"Roger Hardhomme."

"So, we have four Scions here. Wait, why I don't see that crybaby wimpish weakling?"

It took some time for David to understand whom Julian was referring to, but he guessed it in the end. "Alexander is pursuing a hot trail. We ambushed a Soulment hotspot yesterday but somehow they all slipped away before we reached there. Alexander is at their heels."

"Nothing about your demon hunts in the news. American reporters have become woefully inept."

"That is not true. These guys smell such incidents like scavengers but no one wants to rile up a ruthless King. A direct call from Joseph's office is usually enough to turn a demon attack into a road mishap."

"So how many Soulments did you chain?"

"Very few. We launched full-fledged simultaneous attacks at their known hideouts. We tried to capture them in the beginning but we suffered heavy losses. They had made up their minds. They chose annihilation over the chains."

Harbux had greeted Olivia with a warm smile in a rare show of affection, but then David's voice fell on his ears. "So you gave them their wish. Annihilation. So generous of you," Harbux said in a heavy voice. "How many did you slaughter heartlessly?"

"Your people don't leave behind dead bodies for a headcount," David shot back. "I am sure we got hundreds of them. I must say your Soulments are strongly connected. After the first few ambushes, they knew we were coming. Most of their regular hideouts were empty."

Mysha was more concerned about something else. "Well, how many Hubberts did you get?"

Mysha's question was greeted by silence. "Curse the Demon, none." Finally, Ryan spoke after clumsily adjusting his glasses. "Unless any of them got crushed under the iron slabs or got blown up by the bombs."

"They don't live in normal Soulment hideouts. Why would they stay in such gloomy places when they can turn into whoever they like?" David added.

"Well, the Hubberts must be kind of mighty pissed off after what you did to their armies."

"That is why we decided to lie low on the Dark Night. No point fighting them when their powers are at their peak."

"Which one of you had the supreme intelligence to take such a basic logical decision?" Julian was at his contemptuous best.

Max, as always, saw the flip side of this move. "Will someone tell me, when we go into hiding wouldn't they wreak havoc in the outer world? Wouldn't they vent their anger on normal people?"

"It is possible, Dimwit Dullard but they are rattled right now. They don't have time or troops to plan something big. They would have loved us going after them on the only night they could inflict heavy damage. I know your pathetically slow brain can't process so much information, but you have to learn when to take a step back."

"Julian is right. They might create some ruckus here or some tumult there but won't do anything serious." David endorsed the logic behind his decision.

"Well, then why is Alex not here?" There was a hint of uneasiness in Mysha's tone when she asked about his son.

"He didn't want to waste some precious time traveling down here. Don't worry, he is going to spend the Dark Night at my place. Although it is not the Balmoral fortress, it has some pretty good Soulment protection."

"All of you frightened chickens love hiding behind big cages," Julian quipped. "Actually, I am quite surprised that the spineless mummy's boy, who hid under the old witch's gown her entire life, has gone to the frontline."

"Alex is a natural talent. A sharp mind and lightning reflexes, even in the fiftieth year of his Earth life. He is a slayer."

"A wicked brain is a given since he is the son of that nefarious demoness, but this bravery? Where did he get that from?"

Mysha had heard enough of witch and demoness stuff. "Well, do you genuinely forget that I am sitting beside you, or do you kind of deliberately use these words when I am around?"

"Another dumb question by Tiny-Little-Witch. Obviously, it is the latter."

***

David's house was a sprawling mansion on the outskirts of New York. Alexander was lounging in the garden, reflecting on how he narrowly missed that bunch of rogue Soulments. Now he will have to wait out the whole Dark Night and start his search all over again.

One of the attendants in the house brought him a glass of juice. "How many times do I have to tell you no ice in my drinks?" He shouted after taking a sip. "Who are you? I am seeing you for the first time here." He couldn't properly see the attendant's face because of the dim lights.

"Yes, we just entered an hour ago."

"Where is Michael?"

"Gone. It took us some time to get rid of others in the house."

The stone-cold voice made Alexander's heart skip a beat. He jumped up from his chair but a mere glance into those deep green eyes made his blood go cold.

"How did you enter the house?"

"Your security is centered around Souls and completely disregards any human threats. It was a cakewalk. And you made our job even easier by sending your Guardian away to track those poor Souls."

"Soulments, even in human form, can't get through the security."

"We are afraid there are no Soulments here." Hubbert extended his left hand towards Alexander. The sleeve of his suit slid up revealing a shining Rolex on his wrist. "We present you the real Hubbert, in flesh and blood."

Every cell in Alexander's body was trembling, but he tried his best to keep a straight face.

"No, old man, don't even think about calling for help or we will blow your brain. We are right inside it. Hazernoths are historically poor in mind control. Always keep their minds wide open like a public park where anyone can take a stroll."

"So why do I get the honor of meeting the Boss himself?" Alexander tried to stretch the conversation hoping for some divine intervention.

"We don't pay visits but after your exceptional service to humankind in the last few weeks, you deserve something special. Our brothers, the ones you call our copies, said you were dying to meet us. Rest assured, you will definitely die after meeting us."

"So, are you here to negotiate your terms of surrender? You don't want us to annihilate your friends. How many chains should I ready?"

"No more chains Alex, no more chains. If you thought that you could win by destroying those poor souls then you know nothing. You shouldn't have done that, you made a big mistake." The chill in that last sentence would have frozen a lake.

"If not to surrender then what have you come for? You didn't take all this trouble just to say hi."

Hubbert gave a sardonic smile that made Alexander shudder. "We have heard about the Iron Lady and you are proving to be a worthy son. The way you are holding firm despite every inch of you shaking in fear is quite impressive. You know what we have come for. We have come to honor you for your services. Martyrdom is the biggest honor for a warrior."

Alexander sprung into action, but Hubbert calmly jerked his head, and everything froze. Hubbert waved his hand and Alexander flew in the air, more than a hundred feet, and came crashing to the ground. He felt every bone crack in his body. His foe didn't even allow him to activate his Soulments.

Alexander was sprawled on the ground with the last bits of life left in him. Hubbert lazily ambled toward him as if he were having an evening walk in The Central Park.

"Believe me this breaks our hearts. This is like cutting a part of our body, but rotten limbs must be amputated."

Hubbert raised his right hand and the iconic sword of Sherwin Windster flew to it from within the house. "A message must be passed, loud and clear. You deserve the honor of not getting slaughtered by magic." He pointed a finger at Alexander. His crippled body rose in the air and hung like an effigy in front of his slayer. "We will kill you with our own hands."

"See you on the other side, Alex." Hubbert swung the sword and Alexander's severed head flew from his body. "Welcome to the Infernal hell."

Hubbert had blown the bugle with a bloody royal sacrifice.

The war, to end all wars, had officially begun.