Chapter Twenty-Five: Chasms That Fly

XXXX

"Hurry! Let's go!" Grandy shouted. Her and a few others were getting the few supplies left into the vehicles. How they managed to get twenty of those things in here is beyond me. "Get the spiral guns ready. We're going to take fire."

Kol watched me as I wrote out with chalk on the floor. It had taken a minute to remove the blood, but I'm good at removing the substance after years of practice. He leaned over my shoulder, a curious look on his face. "What are you writing?"

"Shadow magic. Mostly. Some life magic too to throw off the magi's idea of how many people are in here once you get going. Should I add some painful traps? I'm debating because I really want to kill them all myself."

Kol's face blanked. "Um, whatever you feel like doing."

"Alright, death by my hand it is." Scratching out a few more symbols, I needed some non-necro blood to not give away my scent. Grabbing Kol by the arm, I gave him a small prick, eyeing the blood welling up. "Sorry mate, magi essence is more predictable than mine."

"You killed four elites, four magi that killed at least two apiece." He was shorter than me, I admit. But there was fuel for fighting tucked beneath that angry shell. "I would ask how deadly are you, yet I don't think I'd be given a straight answer."

"Hey, you did pretty well yourself, Old Man. Just focus on what's important." I examined the large door. Metal which will easily blow to any magic or explosives. Do I have anything to help? I went into my satchel, pushing aside stuff for something useful. "Say, got something I can use to seal up the door?"

"Uh..."

"Fair. I guess I'll do it myself." Writing with a sharpie on my palm, I got a good flame jet going. Almost like the end of a welder, my first finger went to work melding the door to the wall. I didn't do the whole thing, just enough to make it a challenge. Wiping off my hand with a rag, I quickly drew out another spell. This one to kill a little easier.

"Better get going Kol. I sense the movements of their team. I'd hate for you to get left behind," I said. This time I meant it too. "And turn off the lights while you're at it."

The rest of the rebels finally got the vehicles started, and to the back where they'd make their escape. Grandy called out to Kol. He sighed. "War was never my forte."

"Same. I hope to see you later." But I shrugged in a somber way. "However I always assume the worst."

"Wow, love the voice of confidence."

"I was speaking about myself," I snapped. "Though when thinking of faith I usually feel queasy. Move Old Man. I'm leaving no survivors behind."

He nodded, then went off. The lights went out shortly after, making it dark minus the Swirling light. I hate that light. It just doesn't feel like true darkness with the mix of colors insulting the eye.

"Ugh, Triton owes me for slaughtering his former bosses soldiers," I muttered to myself. Why is it I'm who's always stuck doing dirty work like this? This is how monsters are born, how demons are made. You let them fester and develop their own minds. True, I've been hard to kill, but still. If twenty or so of the trained -- basically your versions of Navy Seals -- can't kill me, then what can?

Giving myself a good slap for motivation, there wasn't any time left to bail and let the rebels die.

My ghosts said there were ten in front of the door. Then some number behind each wall opposite of me. Lifting both swords, I slid a finger down the stolen one. Ice forged steel, with runes etched across both sides of the blade. Cold to the very touch. Probably hurts when getting sliced by it.

Poor bastards.

Turning on my ghost vision, they'll help me see in the dark. My second, and third, and fourth pair of eyes.

As I readied myself, the weight of my necklace bore down on me as though it were stone. A great, increasing weight. I miss home, and my cat, and my friends. Fina would be useful here. She loved killing as much as I. And she would make good use out of all this metal.

What I'm saying is if I don't make it back, I hope those who believed in me know the way. And can forgive the man who only wanted what was rightfully his.

I stood in the middle rune. And let it's shadows run over me with the greed of an ever-knowing beast.

The door blew wide open, and in came my friends. Ten exactly, their magic began storming into the warehouse with fire and fury. No class, the magi, no need for subtly. Raising my left arm with the ice sword, I ignited the spell written there-- the death cloud. It surged down into the sword and mixed with the ice in an instant, and I ate apart their magic and the first few magi running in. They died first by ice, then by black death.

Saying another spell, the shadow transported me to the back of the room. I watched as about six magi ran in. Same builds as the other, only with more fear wafting off. The presumed leader looked confused, trying to get some light with fire, to see how many he was facing.

"Show yourselves rebels. This ends now!"

Oh, I agree.

I stepped out and cracked my neck. "Hello boys and girls. I'm afraid you just missed them."

The magi was going to speak into a device on his ear, but I charged. Two matched my speed, getting in front of their leader. They let loose fire and earth. Which I avoided by once again teleporting behind them. I stabbed one magi, watching as he fell in a scream. Muttering more words, the air became stifled with dark energy.

The magi began choking as I teleported in front of the group. Grabbing one magi, Ever Heart went through her neck like warm butter. The others, confused and disoriented, just began to spew magic. Earth, wind, fire. A band from the eighties. Throwing up a few shields, I speared another magi then reached into my satchel, pulling out two small grenades, shaped as spheres. They rolled into the group.

Remember my black hole demonstration earlier?

Well, that happened again, sucking down the soldiers and turning them to ash with no remorse or love. Though with their deaths the walls exploded to reveal the rest of the magi strike team. Not one, but both. Concrete went flying, huge chunks falling down with hard, loud crashes. Panicking, I watched as about five per side came rushing in. Huh, not the smartest tactic. Why not just like throw a bomb in here or something? Automatons? Life is dumb sometimes.
Raising a necro-circle, I created three half-bloods, using blood from the previous fights. Oh, these spirits raged with power. Too much blood, they scream! Too much to use!

I sent them to the right group. I faced off against the left. "Hey there guys. Can I help you?"

"Beta formation!" the leader shouted. What's with the shouting? Be a little more respectful of my ears if you could. The magi did some fancy flips, before combining their magic to form a large elemental. A little bit of everything. It roared, and I flinched.

Briefly, oh so briefly, I looked at my hand. It clutched Ever Heart tightly, when I know better. To be loose is to not die. Or so my old master use to say. Facing the magi who now were moving for me, my grip lightened up some. And I began humming 'Mr. Roboto'.

Spinning both swords in hand, their bravery could only be matched by their magic.

Weak.

Predictable.

And most importantly.

Pathetic.

********

A caw. I heard it over the house. Not like any bird around here though. I've studied and recorded every bird species that lives in this area. Strange, then. Was a summoner near by, practicing some magic? I don't sense any summoner.

Oh well. It was dinner time, and I just wanted to relax. The past few days had been hard, near stressful, for one such as me. And I still had to finish my research. The Board will not take me seriously with half written papers that hadn't been proofread.

Now I know what it's like to be one of my students.

Though I doubt any of them are reporting to factions that absolutely hate the other.

I've been calling Ditto a fool this entire time, but as it turns out I've been mistaken. No, he's still a fool, but one who has purpose and reach far greater than I can imagine. It was true then, he was here to spark a war. Either to lead it or let Triton take command, I couldn't tell yet. I find it interesting though I was able to meet Triton and figure out Ditto's plans all in one night. A miracle, by all accounts.

Eating my soup, filled with potatoes and carrots, there was a silent wind outside, filling my hollow body. The soup bowl was uneven, and I adjusted it, trying to make it right. The potato chunks were perfect cubes, and the carrots perfect slices. No, I am no cook by any means. Yet when you live alone, you make things how you like them, and don't apologize for it.

As I stared at nothing, eating my food, I thought about the news today. The demons, they were increasing their attacks, raising more armies to destroy the magi. The most unrest is near Jan'Ko, the region with the largest chasm. Cameron was once stationed there, and that's how I know how terrible it is.

The war between the magi and demons has been eternal. No one knows why the magi were chosen as the guardians of the Light and Earth Layer. Even before the Great Migration, when the races were pushed out -- though the Necromancers used the word exiled -- from this Layer, the magi always defended against the demons.

Of course that was tens of thousands of years ago. Millions of magi have died from the hands of those dark beasts. Feuds between class two's and one's have been passed down between the great generals for generations. I believe General Jacro has had many duels with a demon named Grathen, the Tooth-Filled. I think it's a two, but I can't remember.

Anyways, the magi, we're a race born with power. Maybe that's why we've elected ourselves to do this. We're born with raw, pure strength. Our caller organs let us abuse the purest forms of magic available, the power for most of Light. Those who summon Darkness are usually banished, or forced to leave their homes.

For as we know Darkness usually leads to bad things.

Huh, this could be more of a history project than nature. I might have to visit Jaak again. Why did the necromancers not fight against the demons? Did they not have the foresight that the demons could one day rip the us all apart?

No. They were too busy being power hungry and self-absorbed. Too busy being wrapped in their projects and gold-lined temples. And the magi had to step up, to save what needed to be saved. No wonder we were in constant warfare. How many magi could've lived if the necromancers had not been selfish? Their thirst for death was unparalleled, even the vampires didn't have their body count.

Though there's no point in dwelling in the past. The past is for the weak and outdated. I am not weak, nor outdated. I pulled at my sleeve, it was making my skin uncomfortable. Reminder, go and get my clothes dry cleaned for freshness. Maybe I should start going there twice a week. My clothes need to feel clean and fresh and as tight to my body as possible. There's no point otherwise. Loose clothing irritates me to no end!

Finishing my soup, I went and sat in the living room. Late it was, but tomorrow was the Dinner, and no school. I can afford a few more hours staying awake.

Flipping on the mirror, the news was on. Weather now, with a high chance of rain tomorrow night. Finally! The flowers have been screaming endlessly about the lack of rain. The trees have been cackling at them, calling them small and impatient. As though they'll grow into trees.

That's the problem with trees. They see those beneath them as small, tiny, insignificant. Blocking the sun to all. Greedy are the trees -- like the necromancers I suppose -- wanting the energy of life all for themselves.

It clicked, then. How does one grow old and powerful? By stealing what they can, and leaving the rest scraps. Poor flowers, no wonder you hate the trees. And are angry and spiteful. Not happy, like what most would think.

Click, and click, and click. The dinner... will be a horrid, beautiful event. With the forces of old meeting once again, in a civil environment, the possibilities are endless.

I've faced hardships, and pain, and loss. Don't I deserve a place at the table?

A shiver. I looked at the spot next to me. A stranger, who was watching TV with me.

"Wow, another segment on the demon war. Typical," he said, sipping on a bottle of water. A skinny man, dark skin, covered in tattoos to match his affiliation with air. He gave a small cough. "Who cares, this is old news."

Huh, I wonder which side he is from.

His right arm extended, and I saw a tattoo like the one from the dark magi. A diamond and pearl. Maybe I should charge for visits.

I chuckled. He raised a brow. "Something funny?"

"No. Just laughing out loud."

Shrugging, he gave me a small nod. "I'm with the Pillar. Name's Juhum. And we need another update on Ditto."

"You could just email."

Now he laughed. "I wish we could. But, apparently, that's too...robotic. They want reliable answers."

Juhum reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag of what looked like candy. He took a piece out and began munching. I got a hint of cinnamon. "So, what you got for me?"

"Where's the other woman?"

"Oh, Vul? She's sick. Got the sniffles." His smile was bright and happy. Not how I exactly felt. "Poor woman."

I sat there, tapping my foot. Was there anything new really? "I'm curious why the Pillar thinks he's bringing war to our doors in the first place. Where's the evidence?"

"Curious huh? Ditto Night, an enigma to probably all. No idea why he'd start war. Or how, in my personal opinion," Juhum said. "My job is just a lonely soldier, sent to gain information."

"But clearly you must know something."

Silence. He ate his candy, and drank his water. "Most of what the Pillar knows is merely rumors, or nonexistent. Fake. But you've been a great help so far."

Should I say he's here to find rebels? To ignite a war against the very cause I'm sure you're aligned with?

I sat there debating, when the news began going on about some trouble downtown. Apparently some warehouse was on fire.

XXXX

I ducked underneath a blade. As it whistled by, I stabbed right with Ever Heart. It took out a chunk of flesh and armor, filling the room with another scream.

Standing up, the large elemental slammed it's fist down and I barely avoided getting hit by the stone hand. The ground cracked, and more magic rained down upon me with an insane amount of energy. I put up shields, before running past two magi who were armed with high grade weapons. These magi, so very ready to kill. Those poor rebels never would've stood a chance.

"Stop this. You're outnumbered," one brave soul said.

I shrugged. "Never stopped me before."

Sprinting, necro-lightning flew off my swords in a multitude of directions. How many of these fools were left? I sensed only three, but the huge fucking elemental was making it hard to tell. Rushing forward, my teeth gritted as I got a feel for the enemy. A water and ice magi. Whatever. That simply means spells to try and immobilize me or drown me.

I directed my lightning at the ground, and as predicted it broke apart a sudden flash of ice. The two elites stood apart about five feet, trying to figure out where to go. Their fear wafted off only a little, but enough is enough. Summoning a ghost to my side, I forced it into the ice sword and speared it at the water magi, letting it fly from my hands as I went opposite and for the ice magi.

Guiding the other sword through my magic, I was able to cut the elites hand. Ignoring that for a second, the water magi had swirling jets circling him with enough force to slice anything within range. Three tendrils came for me, eager for my death.

I'd let him if there wasn't stuff to do. But alas, I must live. Digging in my satchel my fingers pulled up what I consider a pretty sweet tool. A Quick Tracker Stone, it overrides all magic for a few seconds -- cheap ones that is -- to follow it. Activating the stone, it glowed red, and I tossed it at the magi. His tendril, with a centimeter to spare, changed course and found the stone's destination; through his chest.

I laughed. Then cursed as the elementals foot sent me into the wall.

Groaning, my limp body fell hard. Vision slightly blurry, I saw the elemental getting closer. The ice magi was down, screaming from the ghost infection, while the third magi decided to help his comrades against the half-bloods. So five alive magi, one who was now insane, four who were getting picked off by my soldiers.

"Fuck this," I said. The giant elemental lumbered over, and I swear it cracked it's knuckles. Man, even the mindless monster has more coolness than me. What am I doing wrong? Shaking my head, there was no time to waste. As the monster stood over me, fists raised high, I grabbed its stone and grass foot. Decay travelled up it's leg, consuming it, devouring it. It's leg crumbled to dust, and it fell over with a boom.

Necromancers are good at death and decay. The natural order of things.

The elemental flopped around without its leg, useless and hopeless. Going past the creature without remorse, the magi were struggling to hold their own against my soldiers. Turns out it's hard to kill blood.

Spitting phlegm, my power surged, ready to end this. I dissipated my soldiers and sucked all of their blood into my palm, forming a baseball sized sphere. The magi regrouped, preparing themselves for the final attack. Adorable, in all honesty.

Without even so much as a warning, the sphere shot finger length needles of blood into every direction in front of me. Fast too. The three remaining magi managed to put up shields, but it didn't matter. The needles found every crevice, found every flaw, every hole, and struck their marks.

Still the magi weren't completely dead. Their bravery for their comrades kept them going, I could feel it. That need to protect one another. I tossed the ball over their heads, and the needles finished the job. Three very, very bloody bodies now laid before me.

Welp, that takes care of--

Screaming, absolute pain shot through me from my right leg. Looking down, the magi that had gone insane was twisting a knife in my calve. His twisted features laughed. "Die!"

Panicking, I turned his face to ash, then fell to my knees.

"Fuck!" I cursed. That was a mistake, killing him with ash. I should have removed his lifeforce, healing my leg. Clutching my fists, the pain was so great. Now my vision was turning black, either from pain or rage I couldn't tell.

Laying there in my now flowing blood, I gritted my teeth and in a blind rush turned my arm to demon, shooting hot fire into the ceiling. It caught, and began burning. The ghosts, I could sense them around me, angry and knowing of my weakness. Going to try and take advantage of a poor little necromancer.

Rolling on the ground, the roof was burning and pieces were starting to rain down from above. Smoke began clouding the warehouse. Spitting what little liquid was in my mouth, I rolled over, looking into the eyes of a dead magi far away. I got cocky, lost my attention, and a ghost got me, using the body of that stupid magi.

Now the others were going to use me. To tear my mind apart.

Getting on my knees, the first wave of memories came rolling in.

"Where am I?" he asked. Always with the same questions. "What happened?"

"Where is the boss? Where is Dustin?" another voice cried out, a woman's. She cried, weeping massive tears. "We need to stop the rebels."

Last statements and thoughts, memories flooding like a summer hurricane. A red wagon, a girl chasing butterflies, a man fucking a woman, a man fucking a man. Emotions of grief and pain and love and loss. Why do people have so much to live for?

"Hen, will we come back from this?" a man asked a woman.

"Probably, just some dumb rebels," she responded. "We're the Dusk Squad. What can some backwash magi do?"

Then he felt a stab, between the eyes. Once he was holding a shield, then nothing, then he was gone. The pain was quick, and actually painless. Now he wandered, looking for the woman who had saved him from a life of destruction. But he could not find her. Not until he asked the sentence they all had to ask.

But I can't get to you all. There's something happening, something I'm forgetting.

"I want to see my daughter," another voice yelled. She was searching in a memory, looking for a girl behind a couch. "Where is she?"

"Ah yes! Right there Gethy, right there," a woman said in passion. Her eyes watched as a man humped her vigorously. "Fuck, yes! Deeper! Oh, sweet Kam! Don't stop."

No! Stop, your memories aren't even good! You all live sad, short lives, filled with hopes and dreams. Where are my dreams? My lost hopes? Who will give me my memories back with every ounce of torture they deserve?

But the answer never came. Instead the ghosts just kept on feeding me their once lives they could never remember on their own. They whispered, and bitched, and laughed, and cried. No mercy though, none for the Man Who Dies for Fun. They mocked, and found my flaws, found their own flaws, and screamed some more. But none were asking the question.

"Where am I?"

"Where am I?"

"I'm scared."

I was... doing something.

I blinked, and saw the fire had engulfed the roof. Large pieces of concrete and wood were beginning to fall, catching the rest of the house on fire. I looked down at my leg. The blade was still in, cutting and ruining so many muscles and ligaments, I'm surprised he didn't hit an artery. Or maybe he did and I was actually going to die in a few minutes. Who knows.

Reaching in my bag, I pulled out my healing salve, and put every ounce of it on the wound. That should stop the outer bleeding. Tossing the can away, I found Ever Heart, propped myself up, and began moving for the exit. Even as debris started to bring the entire place down.

Moving, coughing too, I managed to get outside while cursing every bit of the way. The roof finally caved in when I just barely tasted the fresh air. The sounds of vehicles coming hit my ears. Time to leave, before things get even worse.

"Hey, what are you doing?" some woman asked, walking up to me. She had a uniform on, so she must've worked somewhere around here. "Did you cause this fire?"

Angry, I went and pulled the knife out of my leg, shouting pointlessly. Throwing it aside, the magi was getting riled up. "Hey, I said answer me--"

With her throat in my hands, I sucked her lifeforce out, healing myself and shriveling the woman to a crisp shell. Dropping the now dead carcass, my exhausted body hauled itself away from the burning building.

That wasn't the only thing burning. My mind was on fire, dying with every step I took. My vision hadn't gotten any better. Dark splotches raced across the scenery, the beautiful city which hated me so. Gaining control again was appearing to be a difficult task.

"He is a fool beyond fools,  one who thinks he can master death."

"Not master, just...use to my liking," I said in response, trying to figure out how many ghosts were looking for the question. Pissed, the answer was seeming hard to grasp. They were roaming, poking and prodding, and the weak ones were yelling like children.

"You know what to do, to get us to stop," some spirit said.

"Yes, I know."

But that didn't mean I had to like it.

The movement of a lot of magi were close by, and I snuck into the shadows between two large buildings. Their brick and metal would do good to hide my trace.

Leaning on the wall, I whispered, "Fine, give them to me. All of them."

A caw sounded over head. Finally, holy shit. About time she showed up.

Memories ripped me apart, and I once again fell to my knees, proving I was the King of Ghosts after all.

********

"He's joined the rebels," I said, looking at the magi. "He wants to fight against some fairy tale."

Juhum sighed, almost as if the answer was one he was dreading. "So, he has officially made allies with the rebels. We were worried about that. With him on their side, things are going to become a lot more complicated."

Nodding, my focus went back to the TV. The warehouse -- some unnamed one -- was on fire, and water magi were trying to put it out. They were having trouble it seemed.

"Does the Pillar honestly think he's dangerous?" I asked. "Their wealth, resources, the entirety of the magi seems pretty expansive. Too much for the Last Necromancer."

"Well, I keep saying the same, and they've both listened and are taking precautions. He must not be that important a threat to them."

Interesting, to say the least. There was vengeance to kill him, but no motivation. Yet all this secrecy and fear, it's probably more harmful than helpful. I wonder if that's what Ditto wants. The Pillar, hidden behind their cities and lust, to try and figure out a silent way to kill him. Is this just wrapped in his ungodly plan?

Whatever plan it happens to be.

"You have a nice TV," he said suddenly. "Nice quality. Perks I suppose of living alone."

"More money to spend," I answered back. "And next time knock before entering. The Pillar has no right to break into my house."

"Fair, Ursula. Fair. I can't believe you've tolerated this for so long."

"What? Ditto?"

"Him, the Pillar, the University, everything," he said carelessly. The magi sat back, almost getting comfortable. "There are some things we should never meddle with. I feel as though you are meddling with all of them."

"What's the point of life if you are afraid of going after the things which make you alive?" My senses were tingling. It's not fair, I never wanted to fight for a lost cause, for worthless endeavors. And here I am being used for my sins. "Give me a reason to be afraid."

Juhum shrugged, his small frame almost lifting off the couch. "I can't. We of the Light, we have nothing to be afraid of. Because it's our job to not be afraid. So, we claim the idea of bravery in the holiest of lights."

Normally I'd argue, but I'm tired and must rest for tomorrow. The Dinner of Tenacity will be one of the most hostile meetings in the last century. And the eyes of knowledge looking upon me will have no sympathy.

"I need my rest. If you'll excuse me, young Juhum."

"Same, my friend. If we may call each other that." He winked, stood, and left in the silence he entered in. I found the need to use the bathroom. Scratching my neck, there was only the idea of mistakes roaming my mind.

Another caw over my house. What the hell was that bird?