7.7 HOUNDS OF DARKNESS

  Around Sri Kihod's lifeless body, black wisps circled, appearing and disappearing like fireflies in the night. Only then did Amburukay and Tikum realized what was happening. The sorcerer-king's charred remains were nothing but a glamour– an illusion to trick simpletons. And right that moment, the trickery was slowly disintegrating, crumbling down to dust and expelling a most pungent odor. It smelled of rancid meat– like something decaying had burst out from a tumor sac to corrupt the air they were taking in. The two cursed. They haven't defeated their master yet. It was only a mirage cast over a simulacrum of a human-shape banana stalk. And they fell for it.

  Amburukay shook her head.

  It was one of the many powerful tools that a wizened and experienced sorcerer could employ. She hissed feeling a bit ashamed. She should have seen it coming. She was too careless. Kihod was no ordinary thug. The glamour was a testament to his cunning and breadth of knowledge, and few could argue against it. It was a simple illusion but the detail was flawless, barely indistinguishable from cruel man it imitated. But the magic’s complexity was overshadowed by the mere fact that Sri Kihod was still alive. Their vilest foe still lived.

  Tikum gagged.

  Real or not, the glamour still smelled as though a rain-soaked corpse finally met the smiling radiant sun. It left an aftertaste of death and malignant magic at the back of his throat. As the spell dissipated, the ominous laughter continued. They strained their ears, looking for its mysterious source. It echoed and bounced, weakening and amplifying as though the speaker was beside them, whispering at their ears. Then, it would shift and it would seem like the speaker was miles and miles away. Tikum did not like it to say the least. He warned his wife.

  Amburukay hissed a curse and demanded Sri Kihod to show himself.

  The laughter halted and the pregnant pause seemed to strangle time itself before continuing again. This time, it came straight from behind the balete trees at the base of the hill. Amburukay and Tikum turned towards it and the laughter amplified into a unnerving guttural howl. It sounded like an animal was being slaughtered, but there was a hint of intelligence between the screams and cries.

  "Sri Kihod!" Amburukay said as the glamour that hid him faded.

  Dressed in a golden crown of horns and robed in a silver tampi with a chain belt, the Lord of the Manghihiwit revealed himself to his former agents. But he no longer resembled the affable man he once was. Towering among them, the thing that was once Sri Kihod, gazed with his six yellow slitted eyes at the Black Dog and Amburukay– all the orbs glinted with hunger and bemusement. His once tanned skin was now covered with red scales hardened into steel plates. An extra pair of clawed-limbs also protruded from his wide and muscled torso. Behind his great form, a cape of living shadows trailed and flowed like black ink. His terrific countenance cracked as his slit of a lip twisted into a wide grin to display a full-set of fanged teeth.

  "The ungrateful and ambitious apprentice," Sri Kihod said, voice deep and jarring as though it all came from different maws. "And surprisingly, in alliance with her traitor of a husband. All side by side in this grand reunion. How wonderful of you to join me."

  Tikum scowled. "Traitor? You put it so delicately, master."

  "How's it been Amburukay?" Sri Kihod turned to the sorceress, ignoring Tikum as he grumbled something obscene.

  Amburukay sighed, raising her chin. "Better than you'll be after we're finish with you." Her feet almost gave way as she eyed Sri Kihod. It was not the image to portray in front of a predator like Sri Kihod.

  "Ah, still the arrogant and proud woman. Much like your dim-witted companion."

  "Arrogant?" She smiled with disdain. "Proud? Is that supposed to rile me up? I think you know better."

  Tikum took a step, sniggering. "Yeah, we're not arrogant, we're just genuinely better."

  Amburukay rolled her eyes as their former master chuckled. She eyed the Black Dog. Tikum had always been overly-dramatic with his words to sway people and it had often worked better than his actions. But sometimes, sometimes he was just plain cringed. And the fact that Tikum didn't actually deny the part where he was out right called dim-witted by their former master added to the embarrassment. Amburukay was about to retort with a snide comment, but her former husband made his move.

  Tikum left her side and approached his master, studying Kihod's fiendish face with every step. It dawned on him that the thing in front of him was not someone he could outwit easily. It was spelled out in broad daylight– Sri Kihod was no longer the embodiment of madness in action alone, but also in visage. Tikum hesitated, stopping at a safe distance from his former master. An unsettling sense of danger came upon him when he saw the manghihiwit's eyes. He could no longer see or feel even a strand of Sri Kihod's humanity. He was surely a creature of the shadows now– a monster of distilled hate from the dark realm of Saragnayan. Tikum shivered as his goose-flesh stood up. He feared for his life. He feared for all their lives.

  "Looking for something, Tikum?" The many-eyed beast regarded the former timawa, shifting its bulk and digging through the dirt with its clawed limbs. "Trying to find my weakness? Looking for an opportunity to exploit? Do not be afraid my boy. Come a little closer... and you shall see more."

  "I'm not really open to suggestions coming from you." Tikum offered empty hands.

  "No?"

  "Nah, were not doing that by virtue of you wanting to kill me slowly with your bare hands. But I just realized something that needs to be said."

  "Elucidate me..." The sorcerer bared his teeth. "Speak your mind, Tikum Kadlum."

  "Well..." Tikum smirked. "–you've gained some weight. And your face looks like you tried to drown yourself in a barrel of arak. You really let yourself down."

  A span of silence grew between them before Sri Kihod laughed, raining spittle.

  "Such wit... my boy. I taught you many things... cultivated many useful talents, but that I could never teach that." He crouched down at Tikum's level. "That audacity... that bravado. But I know you all too well. I know both of you too well."

  His gaze landed on Amburukay behind Tikum and he knew that the two were trying something out. The sorcerer-king smiled as he realized something. Surely the Lady of the Darkness Night was ready to throw a spell. Her posture told Kihod that. No matter how hard she tried to hide it. He stared closer at Tikum and knew the bait was well-protected by his pupil's sorcery. Magic was present here. He smiled again, showing all his fangs before he focused his aura in front of him, letting her know he came prepared with the same spell too. The invisible barrier shimmered around him. Any incantation that touched it would surely rebound back. The only weakness was that the buruhisan's concentration had to be weakened first before it could be shattered and destroyed by any magical attack. He let his aura surge again.

  Amburukay hissed at the display.

  Sri Kihod's lips twisted in to what amounted as a satisfied smile. She was a worthy foe in his eyes. Perhaps, savvy enough to equal him in arcane knowledge. Someone who had concrete and absolute mastery over all sorcerous skill. Amburukay was a prodigy after all. And such a waste too. But this... surely, this approach didn't come from her. Sri Kihod shifted his stare. This was fluid in its nature and quite devious... It smelled like it came straight from a dog's ass too. He turned his head to Tikum and saw the man's jaw tightened. Sri Kihod knew he had not stayed bound in Gadlum that long but this was quite unexpected. The Black Dog willing to sacrifice himself? Willing to be the bait? No. Sri Kihod must have misread the whole situation. Tikum would never do such a thing.

  "This is not the reunion I intended. I would have preferred a surprise visit."

  But, alas! you come to end my goal." Sri Kihod paused for a second longer to savor every word. "And yes... together you might have triumphed. Hmmm... might. But you've come too late. The buruhisan bloodline will survive for generations to come." He eyed them with ill-intent. "It will prevail! It shall. With these hands I shall shape our destiny."

  Tikum paused and shot a look at Amburukay. "The glamour!"

  "Yes. Yes," Sri Kihod said. "The mask. The veil. And the puppet. I knew there was a chance of you coming here. So, I summoned the Bone Gates before you came. It took a bit of time than expected but–" As he said this, Tikum and Ambu's brave facade cracked.

  "You son of a bitch!" Amburukay said.

  Sri Kihod continued, "The kafiri almost undid the surprise though. He was close."

  With a wave of his taloned-hand, a pillar of emerald light shone through from the twisted balete from whence Sri Kihod came, piercing the darkened heavens above. The column of light sent tremors underfoot and a blast of arcane energy emanated from it. The force was strong enough that it almost doubled over Sri Kihod's bulk. While Tikum and Ambu huddled down against its force.

  "And I would not have done it without my key," Sri Kihod said, gesturing at something at a distance. "Without Ukok..."

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  The manghihiwit shook her head as she followed her master's hand. "No! No!" Amburukay cried as her fear coalesced right in front of her. She tried to speak out as Kihod unveiled his final glamour, but something caught her attention. In the midst of the pillar of power, suspended in the air, was a giant red crystal. Inside it was no other than her daughter. Amburukay's jaw dropped and her heart stopped.

  Ukok lay suspended, floating inside the red crystal like a babe on a womb, unmoving. Behind her was a rift in space that was truly mind-boggling and sublime in its great vastness. It was so large it almost encompassed a quarter of Mount Laon. And both, Tikum and Amburukay knew what was coming next.

  ***

  The Bone Gate was gargantuan even before anyone could see its entirety. As it appeared from the rift, the ground shook and great boulders crumbled. Elder baletes splintered and the sky bled darkness, waking the serpentine denizen of Mount Laon after a thousand years of deep slumber. The alabaster doors to Saragnayan's realm was an ancient structure, one of the many pathways that connected the different realms. But unlike the others, the gate between Gadlum, the dark realm, and the waking world exuded a most dreadful aura. Crafted by no human hands, its carved edges were deft and sure, showing no imperfection of any kind. Running through out its arches was ancient magic embedded between the alien markings that decorated its paneled doors.

  Tikum felt a great power pulse from its foundations as it radiated colors unseen by many mortals before. When the doors were in full view, its hinges yawned and a howling of fierce pain burst forth from faceless mouths from the other side.

  Sri Kihod turned the key with his aura, moving the crystal-red encasement of Ukok to the crest of the Bone Gates. It was received by grasping alabaster hands, moving inch by dying inch until it all enveloped it, locking the key in place at the highest point of the portal gate.

  The key writhed in agony as a crack of darkness between the towering doors grew. All the while, a subtle force crept and slithered, sending everyone's goose-flesh standing. Without forewarning, the doors sprung open and revealed a doorway into the abyss that was as dark as the spaces between the stars. And in its blackness hid a numberless horde of creatures- creatures never before seen by mortal eyes, entities that lived before the gods of Vijayas.

  Tikum stepped back, blood running cold and face so pallid he looked like a marble sculpture. He swallowed a curse as the gadlumanons gnashed their teeth at him. He tried to look away but could not as fear caught him in its vice grip. As he stared longer at oblivion, he saw many eyes twinkling back like countless flickering bonfires in the night. Or so he thought. Primal fear quickened Tikum's heart as forked tongues licked the edges of the opening. In the dark pool, they skittered and crawled, they craved and hungered and swam in the waters, patiently biding their time.

  Tikum strained his eye, there was something beyond the dark recesses of the portal... farther than the slavering creatures of Gadlum or the broken monoliths and the towering spires beyond the threshold. He swallowed the clump on his throat. Beyond madness and ruin, placed high above a ziggurat of bones, a hand born from the primordial shadow snapped its fingers. A torch was struck and green light washed the deep darkness away, driving the creatures of Gadlum to a sudden frenzy. They scurried and twisted, revealing the crooked silhouette of their master, the demi-god, Saragnayan bound on his obsidian prison-throne.

  Cloaked in living shadows, the lord of gadlumanons groaned.

  Tikum backed away, seeing his opportunity to flee passing by. He couldn't fight this. They couldn't win.

  He did not know what to do. He could not even comprehend the situation he was in. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in despair, cursing his luck. But he had to pull himself together. It was at that moment when the demi-god shifted his attention towards the petty mortal. And like a wave, dread of the most insidious kind crashed towards Tikum, transfixing him in place- helpless as the divine watched. It felt an eternity for the man but in truth it was just half a breath...

  "Tikum!" Amburukay said, breaking his reverie. "Ukok is waiting for us!" she added, her tone between pleading and admonishing. "There is still a chance, Tikum! He hasn't broken the gates yet."

  Tikum nodded, almost ashamed of his cowardice. He glanced back at the portal of darkness but could not ascertain if he just imagined seeing the devata of Gadlum or not. But Amburukay was right. Sri Kihod hasn't fully unleashed the seven-headed dragon of Mount Laon. Sri Kihod would need a lot more power and time to do it.

  And Tikum had no right to give up now. Or ever. He promised it to himself. If it was for Ukok he would do everything. He steeled his core, readying to fight his way through anything fate brings him... But instead of facing Tikum, Sri Kihod turned his back and eyed the Bone Gates.

  The Lord of Manghihiwit's goal were far more important than petty revenge, that, he now realized. And all of it could wait, he'd already satisfied his own arrogance. The encounter with the kafiri had already proven that his grip on the situation might not be as firm as he thought. Others might try to stop him. So, this opportunity must be seized before it slips him. This was, after all, his chance to do good to the entirety of the buruhisans-kind. But to achieve everything he dreamed of, he would need the realm gates' own power to bring forth the monster beneath the mount. He needed to free it and when it was unleashed, he would let it rampage through Mount Laon and destroy the Bone Gates. This very land would be the font of magic for all buruhisan-kind. His own hands would usher a new era, an age of magic. He would create a wave of resurgence that would ripple across Buglas and its neighboring islands. The great sorcerer-king linked his clawed fingers and emptied his mind as he carved a direct path to his source of magic. And as he channeled chaos energy from the dark realm's portal, a halo with a greenish glow enveloped his whole misshapen body.

  His lips twisted into a cruel sneer. First things first. Leaving her former agents unattended was not a mistake he was willing to make. He would not allow them to halt his goals any longer. A passing thought came to him that nibbled and tested his patience. He could risk it and fight them. He was confident he could crush both Ambu and Tikum. As individuals, they had their strengths. Together, they could do even the improbable. But apart... divided, they would die in the most cruel way in Sri Kihod's hands. After all, he was stronger than ever, but revenge was just a secondary goal for him.

  And If he truly wanted vengeance, destroying the Bone Gates first would leave Ukok between realms– torn by unimaginable forces... a fate worse than death. It would shatter the two. Still not equal to what they did, but the pain would be comparable to what Sri Kihod felt when they sent him to Gadlum. When they betrayed him. But time was of the essence now. To dally any longer would also give far stronger beings a chance to thwart his cause. For now, all this was still veiled with his spells but the devatas themselves might interject if they sense that their delicately crafted order and unduly nurtured balance was actually imperiled.

  Sri Kihod's sneer turned into a scythe-of-a-smile, before his lips uttered the old tongue to summon forth lesser creatures from Gadlum. As he finished his incantation, the black hounds from beyond answered back. He stared at the gates and a single ripple in the inky surface of the portal appeared. Then, red eyes glaring with fury unsatiated shone through. Sri Kihod's smile grew wider as one by one the lean witch dogs with their blackened fur made of shadows exited the portal, all giving the human realm a curious sniff after centuries of imprisonment. Then, the creatures howled at the black sun high above them, awaiting Sri Kihod's command.

  Tikum took something out from the folds of his lubid belt as soon as he saw what was happening. They were not ready but they had no choice. When he found what he was looking for, he gave the amulet and talisman one last look. It was only a few seconds, but he felt the energy coursing through the twin artifacts.

  "You're sure about this?" he said, passing it to Amburukay.

  The Lady of the Darkest night shrugged, tying the two magical artifacts on both her wrists. All the while, the witch dogs from Gadlum poured out, baring their rabid canines as they circled Tikum, Ambu and the rest of the Ulayans.

  Amburukay sighed. "Tell me we will win this, Tikum."

  "We will win this, Tikum," the Black Dog said, trying to hide his fear with a false smile as he brandished his blade out. He gave Amburukay a glance and the sorceress smiled back while she channeled the energy of the amulet and talisman on her hands.

  "Better retreat now, if you don't want to get caught," she addressed the Ulayan captain behind them. Ulisong quickly signaled his men to fall back to the safety of the treeline, telling them to rush after he gave the signal.

  "These things look nasty," Tikum said, watching the approach of the creatures from Gadlum slowly testing their clawed paws. Amburukay turned to him, dispersing the shield spell that protected them both. She had to break it to do what needed to be done next. Tikum noticed it. He tried to paw for it, just to make sure. Nothing. He understood what she meant by cancelling the spell.

  Amburukay hissed. "Yeah, they are nasty... And abundantly ugly too," she answered. "But nothing new really. And do not worry–"

  "You don't have to do this," Tikum interrupted.

  "No? Come on... Tikum," she snapped back. "You know what's on the line." She paused for a short second. "Just remember, the plan for now is to slow him down. Give enough time for me to change into something that could take him toe to toe. Disrupt his progress." She sighed. "But don't waste any chance you'll have if opportunity presents it. If I fail, save Ukok. Fight on... protect her no matter what."

  Tikum nodded. "Just be careful. Those trinkets in your hands are not playthings. And I ain't sure if–" He sighed. "I'll do my best."

  Amburukay nodded. "Huh... looks like these fancy things are going to hurt a lot," she whispered more to herself as she let the amulet and talisman soak in the dark energy from the realm portal and from the ancient magic inherent in Mount Laon.

  Tikum began to approach the Bone Gates as hundreds upon hundreds of witch dogs spilled out to the human realm. "Everything has a price... right?" he said.

  "Yes," Amburukay said grimacing. She took a deep breath. "But what are you willing to sacrifice, Tikum?"

  "All," he answered. "Everything. The world twice-over, if I must."

  "That's more like it." Amburukay held her chin up. "For Ukok."

  "For our daughter."

  Amburukay's lips twisted into a scowl, a pained look blossoming on her face. "Promises... Promises." Then, the sorceress raised both hands, leveling it at the creatures surrounding them. The braided necklaces shimmered with witch-light as the air vibrated, followed by the familiar feeling of magic slowly being gathered to one singular point.

  "I need a path through them, Ambu!" Tikum said, pointing at the misshapen creatures blocking his way and to Sri Kihod who was about to enter the Dark realm.

  "Already working on it, honey." She uttered the last word with a mocking tone.

  Then, Amburukay gave him a dagger smile as black orbs of pure energy formed around her. This was real strength, she thought. But this was also chaos. She hissed in pain. It felt like she was being flayed bit by bit. It started from the tips of her finger... She cursed. The dark rot was growing inch by inch, inking her pale skin black faster than before. The manghihiwit anchored herself on the wells of Gadlum, tearing the channel and letting more chaos energy than the golden tikbalang's mane could handle. Power surged through her veins, searing her very soul.

  As Tikum watched, he staggered down, feeling his ear pop. She was dabbling with magic so strong and so volatile he did not know what to expect. Suddenly, Amburukay screamed, "You better brace yourself, Tikum Kadlum!" The Black Dog immediately ducked low, realising the raw power Amburukay was about to let loose against the fiendish denizens of Saragnayan's realm.

  "Gi-atay!" he cried as an overwhelming sensation weighed him down.

  "This is how you make way," Amburukay snarled, eyes lucid with arcane power. And with that, she snapped her fingers, finishing the incantation and unleashing hundred upon hundreds of obsidian energy spears towards the gadlumanon's direction...