Chapter Eighteen: Bring The Rain

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"Hey, watch it!"

I scoffed. "Sorry sir. Just trying to get to my seats."

Halina and I scooted across the row of magi avoiding the angry people the best we could. It had been hard to spot Ursula, but she managed to get front seats to this spectacle. Interesting enough, it had brought a packed house. The raw power of all these magi puts me on edge. Too many of them make me nervous because the second one decides to focus real hard they smell me, and flip their shit.

Moving like I have a purpose, I sat down beside Ursula, Katlen and the one named Haggar on her left. Unfortunately, Katlen still seemed on edge. Poor girl, I know I'm a beast beyond imagination, yet that doesn't mean I'm not approachable.

"Where's the guest of honor?" I asked. The crowd was yelling, loud and unbearable. I was surprised Ursula was even here. "The greatest magi who's ever lived."

"So some would claim," she responded quietly. "He's fought multiple one's. Lead multiple raids. He's our greatest weapon against the demons."

Is that right? Huh, then the arrogance must be overwhelming. I smiled. A player, like myself. Someone who has skill beyond belief, who can change battlefields just from a word. If our wills clash, can I come out on top? Or maybe be a bottom........

"All the way from the capital. He must really want to make an impression. Will this be flashy, I wonder?" said Haggar, who had dirt in his hair. A man had a huge grin. Another notion worth thinking about. The magi are constant flash and bang. The more powerful they feel, the more you get out of things like this. "I suppose he is wanting to convince minds of all."

"I'm already convinced," I said. And there we sat to what would be the dumbest shit I've ever witnessed.

Talk about flashy. The Arena, basically a giant stone bowel, lit up with fire. Rings and rings that condensed up to the middle of the floor. Then a bunch of buff magi lept to the center, obviously military men and women. There they did some fancy moves before a stone pillar rose with the magi himself upon it.

"Welcome!" he boomed. The crowed cheered. Now that he's revealed himself, I suppose you all want to know what he looks like. Tall, handsome, white skin. He wasn't wearing any decorative medals, just basic magi armor, meant to deflect magic. Long blonde hair, tied in a pony tail. Ah, yes, he sure had power alright. It was literally sizzling off him, electricity and light. He spread his arms. "To those who want to fight against Darkness!"

And so it begins.

"Welcome, esteemed magi of Kal'en! I'm so glad you could come and join me!" Jacro gave a smile, bright and shining, trying to pierce the minds of fools and heroes alike. "Give me a reason. Give me a reason to bring the fight here."

The magic carrying his voice had me squirming. It's eerie, I think, when magic can touch you from a distance. If it hasn't been made clear, I do best at close combat. I like feeling people's deaths in my hands. Strange, cruel one might say, but I do. Necromancy is a hard magic to master. It takes energy. So it's easier to just go hand to hand.

Tasting the magic in the air was like watching the bullet take your brain.

No matter. Adaption is apart of not dying.

Jacro went on. "The Pillar have found it necessary to branch out. Our military schools are doing a great job at creating heroes ready to fight."

"Huh, same speeches down here," Halina muttered.

"If the title makes you want to go fight for a cause that really has no implications, then people will claim them and use them however they wish."

"Now, I know we've kept the military actions within the schools designed for them. But the time has come to expand. We're done losing to the demons!" Jacro screamed.

Every teen and twenty-odd year old went bananas. Is this what Americans hear from their leaders? This unadulterated form of patriotism that honestly has no meaning?

"So our plan is to set up a recruitment station and classes. We'll train anyone who wants to fight to fight, and create the best and brightest soldiers the Darkness has ever seen!"

Ah, the roars for death exploded my ears. Ursula was clutching her own with a fierce strength. And we watched as the men and woman below Jacro went and grabbed a large cloth covered box from the edge of the arena.

The pillar of stone lowered. "I think as future soldiers for the Light Layer, you must see what you're fighting against. Because you must know! Even you might have to duel against the Demon Slayer!"

My heart pounded. What did he just say?

"Hey Ursula." I tapped on her arm. "What's the Demon Slayer?"

She lowered her hands, but still appeared tense. "A local legend that soldiers hear of when in the Dark Layer. Supposedly it's a creature of unimaginable power, who strikes fear in even the hardest of demons. We don't know if it's a magi or what, but it's considered an enemy until we catch it."

Halina laughed. Fuck woman you're gonna give me away.

I have to stay calm. The emotions in my head though.......blossomed. My rumors have spread to the Light Layer. To the heart of the empire: the Pillar themselves. It's curious that I'm not exposed as a creature of unimaginable power. Great, how am I supposed to live up to those standards?

Jacro placed a hand on the cloth. "You must have steel if you are to join us!"

His hand flew back, and beneath the cloth was a cage with a beetle demon trapped inside. A class five demon. Weaker than weak. Basically useless in a fight except as cannon fodder. Imagine a big, black roly poly. It was hissing and screaming and cursing.

"This is a beetle demon. We face them all the time." Jacro laughed at it's smallness. "Harmless in small numbers. Deadly in thousands. Hundreds of thousands. These babies can rip apart a magi in minutes if you let your guard down."

"Gah! Let me go magi!" The demon was snarling angrily, shaking the cage. "Let me go! Hui Kah Olio log'rcran kril."

The God-Demon will kill you. Him? He's asleep, useless at the moment.

"Silence! You're nothing," Jacro hissed.

The demon still shook the cage violently. Oh, it wanted freedom. Wanted it so much. Then it looked at me, narrowing its beady eyes. "A prince of darkness."

I swallowed. "Eep."

Jacro rounded to lock gazes. I sank deeper in my seat. Dammit woman why did you get front seats to this? Why have I found women who are currently screwing me over in this particular predicament?

"What did you mean by that demon?" He was still looking at me, forcing my bowels to nearly expel themselves. And still audible by all. "What are you saying?"

It pointed. "A prince--no, King of Darkness. He's emitting dark energy like crazy. It's making me crazy!"

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh why would you say that you stupid beast?

Plus, did I claim that title? No. So shut up.

Jacro nodded to a magi close by. Together they walked to the edge of the arena, coming ever nearer. I didn't quiver, but Ursula was cursing under her breath.

"What does it mean?" he asked, almost to the entire stadium. I now noticed a small scar on his lip. So, the warrior bears his wounds openly I see.

The magi had all grown silent, also wanting to know. Shit. Ever Heart might not be enough here. I cleared my throat. "Uh, I'm.......cursed. With a dark curse. Yeah. That sounds right."

Jacro glanced at my ring. Maybe he could sense the curse that laid within. Though even I'm not sure what it was. He got closer, squinting his colorful eyes.

"I do not think that's it."

I cocked my head."Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize your were an expert on other people's ailments. And I think everyone else would appreciate you continuing the program." I faced the crowd. "Don't you agree?"

They yelled. Jacro looked up and around, grunting. "You're eyes give it away. Necromancer."

Ahhhhhhhhh I forgot my sunglasses. I whispered, "Halina, prepare to run."

"But I thought they were extinct," Jacro shouted.

"Well." My mind blanked. "Well. I guess one lived."

He smirked, as did his motley crew of magi. Focus Ditto, how's this going to play down? He's going to announce me to the world. Then say something like 'coward and darkness' or whatever. After that he'll challenge my abilities. Finally, ignore me and go back to doing his thing.

"Magi! Not only will you be fighting demons, but other creatures of the night. If you're lucky, you might run into a necromancer." He went back towards the middle, spreading his arms. "Lucky for us we have one here! Basically a demon. Why don't you come down and join us?"

Now Ursula went into a panic. "Don't. He just wants a laugh."

"Do it," said Haggar. "Because so do I."

"Ugh," I said lowly. "Fuck it. The Light Layer has refused my presence for too long. I exist. And I'm a bigger player than this fool."

Standing, I went and hopped over to the hard ground. The stadium booed. Wait, is this being televised? God I hope not.

The good General waited for me to walk up. Entering his presence was without a doubt the most alpha male thing I've ever done. It was clear he believed to be the most powerful. But his smile faltered for a moment, before changing back to being bigger and brighter.

"Two demons in one day. What a treat," Jacro said. "Who thought they'd ever get to witness this?"

Witness? Witness! The anger burned deep. This isn't anything you glowing asshole! You've yet to witness me and my rage. My fury. I cracked my knuckles.

"Tell us Necromancer, you know this fine beast?" He nodded at the demon. The whole place cackled.

"No. I'm usually too busy entertaining guests of high stature. Fools the lot, but hey, nothing can be done." I knelt to the demon. Aww, kinda cute. "Curious enough, said fools are always begging me to speak for them. As though their ideology of greed and pride will keep them safe."

"Oh? What perhaps does that mean?"

I turned. "That you're an idiot who likes showing off skills that, for the most part, aren't impressive. True, it takes talent and patience to gain your title. But really, any magi can shoot some thunder and feel like a god."

Jacro's magi friends were pissed. Good. The general went on though with very little offense. "What's your name?"

"Manners. Thanks." I stood, taller than I did when the Queen of Fae accused me of stealing her precious crown jewel. "I'm Ditto Night, the Man Who Dies for Fun. And the Last Necromancer. So understand me General Jacro, don't insult my time and intelligence."

"Oooooooo a necromancer necromancer," the demon spouted out. "Free me. Free me!"

A magi smacked the cage. "Quiet."

"Wow, that's quite the declaration," Jacro clapped. "How sad in the end. A lone man who's trying to solidify his place in history. Why not die right now? End your suffering."

Talk about a reception. The magi cheered, even started chanting 'die die die'. I raised my hands. "Or, and I'm just saying, or we could not do that. Instead, we could just talk."

"Prove yourself Necromancer." He nodded at the demon. "Kill it, you coward."

Ope there it is.

And why does no one like using my name? Ditto Night. I don't understand. History, he mentions? History will remember one of us in very different ways. The good General will be given a title worth his station in life. I will be given one without a name. Because those with love in their lives will find a place in time.

My hand shot out. The demon turned to ash before another scream.

********

My voice got caught in my throat. Why would they let him out there? I had to fix this. But when I went to stand, a hand grabbed me. I shook it off, looking down at Haggar. He appeared concerned.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "That isn't a place for average magi."

I tried tuning out the sounds of everything. It wasn't working. "He's going to die."

"And how will that happen?"

"That's Jacro!" said Katlen, who was leaning back with a odd look. "He's basically untouchable. He's called the Pride of the Pillar for a reason."

I bite my lip. Their words were audible to all, clear as crystal. Ditto was trying to raise himself to the level of the highest ranking magi in the Light Layer. This was unbelievable. The man was attempting to spit in so many faces. Why? What was the point?

"I'm Ditto Night, the Man Who Dies for Fun. And the Last Necromancer. So understand me General Jacro, don't insult my time and intelligence."

"He's placing himself in the minds of anyone with a brain," Halina said. She was drinking from a bottle, cooling down from the heat. "This General, he's important. Ditto knows this. So he's hoping to make it apparent that Jacro isn't a threat. I think......I think he's also pissed out of his mind."

My hands covered my ears. No, too much noise. Too much going on. More words were said, yet I ignored them all. Fools. The playground of gods shouldn't be here with the mortals. It should be at the dinner table, where parents bicker over favorite children and how salty the ham is.

I kept my eyes forward, away from looking at any crowd. If I couldn't see what's behind me, I won't need to leave. Though what's in front of me is another problem.

Haggar's mouth was moving. Silence and ignorance. The two out in the stadium were still talking, evidence that Kam has no faith in the magi. She is laughing now, finding the amusement in the tiniest suffering.

Ditto's hand lashed out and in a blink the demon was ash.

I removed my own hands. "That's not good."

Halina was grinning. "Oh, this is amazing. I can see it. Can you? Jacro, he's trembling in his boots. The Necromancer has done something without hesitation. Death in its purest form."

I saw no trembling. In fact, Jacro and his buddies were enjoying the show that Ditto was giving them. The magi were eating this up. But they don't understand. Patience was being tested. Powers exposed, false promises. Control yourself idiot. I can't be summoned to the board yet.

Jacro went on. "Beautiful! Ash, grey and dust. How marvelous. And tell us, have you killed many demons before?"

"Have you?"

High Kam, the crowd screamed. I summoned two small plants, and put them in my ears. The noise died down, and I could just barely hear the two in the middle.

Jacro laughed, one of arrogance. "Of course I have! I've been in the front lines since I was a boy."

"Cool," Ditto replied. "Sure. Same I guess."

"And do you get that thrill from it too?" He waved at the audience. "That thrill of taking such life."

"Bro, I've killed more than demons. There's no thrill. Never has."

"Well, maybe there's a thrill for fighting still." Jacro nodded at one of his guard, a woman magi who held her shoulders high. "What you say folks? How about a little spar? To see what skills you'll be learning if you join me?"

The response was overwhelming.

"What say you Necromancer? Care to fight young Nethi here? She's one of my best. A small spar is all. First one to yield wins."

Ditto looked at us. Whatever he saw must have dissatisfied him. "Yeah fine."

"Then ready yourselves!" Jacro got the others to clear the floor. Ditto drew the sword Ever Heart. The magi Nethi produced a whip of fire and stone. A duel magi. A hard fight indeed. Once the two made it clear they were ready to go, Jacro waved a hand. "Begin."

I knew I wanted to see the man in action. But not like this.

Ditto, for whatever it was worth, was faster than I guessed. One moment he was standing in his spot, the next he was in Nethi's space. She barely had time to move as he swung his sword. Was this even fair though? Nethi was wearing armor, was prepared for a real battle. The other just had a satchel and sword. Is that even a competition?

Nethi recovered, and sent out her whip, the end blazing. Ditto slashed, then sent black flames to try and eat her. They were outdone by the magi's red fire, but that was just a distraction. Ditto ran through it all, hand scraping the ground.

Nethi was going to raise the earth, I saw it in her eyes. But she frowned, and nothing happened. Ditto rushed forward, with another knife in his hand. Both blades danced with the magi, who dodged and danced herself out of harm's way.

The Necromancer then stopped.

"Crap. He's doing something," Halina said.

"Doing what?" Katlen responded.

She shrugged. I take that as a good sign.

The magi gathered her magic, the build up of bright red fire, the swirling of brown sand. The magics performed by someone who's perfected the skill, who's mastered it and knows what they're doing. A finisher if need be.

Ditto's next trick was much more subtle. A red substance ran down his arm, over his hand and covering his sword. It turned dark, blood red. He held it up to his face, the flat facing him. I saw it then. The red substance bubbled, then turned to symbols. Those of the arcane.

"Ah shit," Haggar said.

Nethi released her torrent. It was beautiful, a perfect mixture of fire and sand, like a volcano with no end, no tomorrow.

Yet it was not enough.

The spells Ditto created made my jaw drop. First came a blast of red energy, cutting through the attack and protecting him. Nethi barely managed to avoid being shredded to pieces.

The next wave was not much better. Ditto then shot red looking bullets, ripping apart her magic and once again forcing the woman on the defensive. And while one small rock cut his leg, she was not getting anywhere. It was appalling to see the magi lose in such a pathetic manner.

Nethi on her part finally collected herself and formed two twin flame blades down her arms. Stone elementals emerged behind her, big and tough looking. I smiled. "He might be in trouble."

"No. She's already lost," Halina said. "I don't know much about things like magic duels and magi, but I've seen Ditto go at it." She pointed at him and his dripping blood. "He lives for challenges. See how he's not backing down? I suspect he will take Nethi head on, while submitting the giants without any effort."

Katlen huffed. "Really? Nethi is a Forged Guard. They are elite bodyguards meant to protect the wealthiest and most powerful magi. Taking her head on will be suicide."

Ditto moved, two blades raised. Nethi did the same, her dirt soldiers moving in unison. Watching this was like watching two sides of a spectrum. The side with Nethi was one of elegance and grace. While she wasn't winning, her moves were well performed and finely executed. Ditto though was on the side of shadows and deceit. Just looking at him, one would think brute strength and simple attacks. Yet that wasn't the case. I doubt he's as strong as a Forged Guard. I doubt he's as well trained too. He's not relying on that. He's using sly strength and even sneakier tactics. Obviously unobvious.

Feet apart, right before they met, Ditto flicked Ever Heart. Two large drops of blood hit the elementals, coating their faces.

Nethi had no time to deal with it. They once again clashed weapons.