Chapter 31: Donn, Bringer of the Apocalypse

  We were waiting again. This time, at least, we had a cool lab to explore. With the vortex of shadows dealt with, the most interesting things in the room were the cages and a single desk in the back of the room riddled with documents.

  Primith and I walked over to examine them while Vince climbed into something that looked like an overgrown bird cage.

  “They are very interested in the darkness,” Primith commented.

  I pointed to a word written in all upper case several times. “Apparently, they are after this person called Nott.”

  “Nott is not someone you want to trifle with,” Iris said, uncoiling her tattoo and appearing behind me to read over my shoulder. “She is a primordial god who presides over the nine realms, including this one. If the witch manages to rouse her, it would be a tragedy beyond compare. W-why are you laughing?”

  “You said nott not!” I chuckled, clearing my throat to continue. “In all seriousness though, the wraiths serve a new master who recently acquired a bloodline that might help them bring eternal darkness. I wonder if they meant this goddess?”

  “Impossible,” Iris said, her voice rising. “Gods don’t possess bloodlines.”

  “But Kiki does,” Primith said, looking concerned. “We need to find her.”

  “We have to wait for Carlito,” I sighed. “Why didn’t we invite him to a group? That way we could communicate.”

  “I did,” Primith replied, crossing her arms as she gave me an exasperated stare. “Someone had to be organized.”

  Primith Landia has invited you to join a group

  I groaned and clicked accept.

  You have joined the group

  Tell us what you saw again, Primith said once I was in the group.

  There’s an army of shadow people outside the castle, Carlito reported. The castle is locked down, and I can’t explore further without the risk of tripping alarms. What do you want me to do?

  We looked at each other.

  Isa answered for us. Do it. We have to find the bard at all costs.

  I hesitated. Can you escape if you trigger a trap?

  It depends on the trap, he replied.

  Is it safe to come to you? Primith asked. If we’re going to risk it, we might as well all be together so we can fight if necessary.

  Yes. He replied. Just try not to make too much noise. I don’t know how soundproof these walls are.

  Before leaving, I swept all the paperwork off the desk, and into my bag. I would have to give it a proper read later.

  What happened to the screaming? I asked when I noticed how quiet it was.

  Primith pointed to the spot where the swirling shadows had been. You disposed of them. Didn’t you hear them wail when you touched it?

  They wailed? To be honest, I didn’t hear anything. I was a little distracted subduing them.

  Primith nodded. It was kind of like the screams we heard, only a whole lot more of them. Whatever you did, you terrorized them.

  Did that mean wraiths feared me the same way they did Pi? Then again, I did just subjugate a full pit of them. The whole thing made me wonder what Pi was up to with his wraiths. Hopefully he was upstairs and could tell me.

  We walked up the winding stairs and came out in a grand hall on the main floor. The floors were covered with embroidered red carpet that led from a massive entry door to a grand staircase that led to an audience chamber on the second floor. Carlito knelt beside the entrance, beckoning us to join him.

  Where is the locked door? I asked.

  Over here, he replied, pointing to an oak door down a side hall. The living quarters are locked away behind it.

  Open it. I said.

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  He took out a pair of pins and stuck them into the lock. It only took a few seconds before the lock emitted a satisfying click.

  Here goes nothing. Carlito announced before trying the handle.

  The door creaked as he gently pulled it open. Beyond was eerie silence. Long halls led to multiple closed doors on both sides. The only problem was, there didn’t seem to be anybody home.

  What do we do? Carlito asked.

  Part of me wanted to shout to see if anybody was home. The only issue with that was it would make it that much harder to rescue Nax and Zelle that way.

  So I went with the stealth option. Scout ahead, we’ll check the rooms on this end.

  On it! Carlito replied as he sped off, his running footsteps not making a sound.

  Where do you suppose everybody is? Primith asked after we poked our heads in the fifth empty room.

  Guys? Carlito’s voice sounded shaken, even through group chat. Please come to the last room at the end of the hall.

  What is it? I asked, taking off at a run since I was worried something happened to him.

  He only said two words. Your friend.

  I erupted through the door, a good clip ahead of the others. “Pi?”

  I didn’t call him Jericho. There was no time for that. I needed answers.

  “Alex,” Jericho replied, not acknowledging whether Pi was with him or not. “I was waiting for you. We have some problems. Are you familiar with the M bloodline?”

  “You told me about it before,” I replied. “And Alariel told me you were trying to exploit her wife’s bloodline.”

  “That is only partially true,” Jericho said. “While I did require her cooperation, I was unable to obtain it before the Puppermaster absconded with her. She is not the true evil, though. Another M has entered the planet and merged with the soul of The Lord of Darkness.”

  “You mean Donn, right?” I asked.

  Jericho smiled. “You’ve done your homework for once. He is a dark entity from old times that has only one goal: to resurrect Nott. With the M bloodline and a certain artifact, he can achieve that goal. We must stop him at all costs.”

  “What about the Puppetmaster?” I asked.

  Jericho walked to a desk and picked up a slip of paper, which he offered me. “The Puppetmaster is inconsequential. The threat she poses is secondary as most. I believe she wants to wipe out all humankind on this planet to avenge her ancestors. That’s nothing compared to plunging the universe into darkness. Even I cannot escape that.”

  “What about Nax and Zelle?” Isa screamed, unable to wait while we discussed the important stuff.

  “Oh, right,” Jericho handed me the parchment. “Alex, hold onto these for now. We can figure out what to do with them after we save the universe.”

  When he touched my arm, I felt more souls getting crammed through my mana channels. I quickly withdrew into my core to prepare more traps. That last thing I needed was some errant soul merging with mine by accident.

  It took only a moment to discover it was Nax and Zelle.

  “Hey guys,” I said awkwardly. “Long time no see.”

  “Don’t hey guys me!” Zelle snapped. “You better be taking good care of our bodies.”

  “Isa’s parents are,” I replied.

  “Does Isa know?” Zelle asked, looking appalled.

  “She does,” I chuckled. “Don’t worry, she knew all along. This actually gave her time to reconnect with them.”

  “That’s good,” Zelle replied, her expression softening. “Any chance of putting us back in our bodies now?”

  “Give me a sec,” I replied, eager to get back to my conversation with Pi.

  “What about my wife?” Nax asked. “My son?”

  “She’s worried about you,” I explained. “She was still pregnant the last time I saw her.”

  “How long ago was that?” he asked with desperation in his voice.

  “It’s been a few months,” I replied glumly. “I promise, we will sort this out. Give me time to deal with Pi…err…Jericho.”

  “We know all about Pi,” Zelle said, her soul smoldering.

  “Let’s talk later,” I said dismissively, pulling myself back to reality.

  Jericho waited patiently for me to collect myself. “There is one play left for me to make. I must get what Donn seeks before he locates it. You need to rally the rest of Gaia. Head to Celestea. I’m told there may be another link to the M bloodline there that can help even the playing field. And whatever you do, do not approach any visible wraiths. Any of them can be Donn. You do not stand a chance as you currently are. Once I obtain the relic, I will meet you in Albion. Prepare to defend. Find the M.”

  He vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving me the slip of paper and a lot of unanswered questions.

  “No no no no!” Isa squealed, forgetting about group chat. “Why did you let him go?”

  “Let him…?” I wondered what exactly Isa wanted me to do. Then I remember what she was worried about. “It’s okay. I got Zelle and Nax. He didn’t take them.”

  “Y-you do?” she whimpered, tears welling up. “Put them back right now!”

  “Okay,” I mumbled, nearly dropping the note Pi handed me at her desperation.

  I took a moment to glance at the document in my hands. A drawing of a black heart accompanied some notes.

  The Heart of Umbral Damnation (THUD)

  Also known as Qlipoth - The inky husk known to contain the beating heart of Sephirot.

  It is a vital ingredient in the ritual: Apocalypse.

  I stared blankly at the gruesome picture. Was Pi trying to prevent the apocalypse or cause it? I didn’t know what to believe anymore.

  Isa snatched the paper from me and stomped her foot. “Did you hear me, Alex? Put them back now!”

  I sighed and walked over to Nax. Out of the pair of them, I liked him the most. The moment I touched his hand, Vince’s soul swept into me unbidden. I followed him back to my core where he stopped.

  “We figured we’d speed the process along,” he explained.

  “Don’t you want to stay in their bodies?” I asked. “Or maybe go to Isa’s body? I’m sure she’d love to have you.”

  Vince laughed. “No, no, no. These kids need their privacy. We were thinking about moving on. Reincarnation always sounded tempting.”

  “You get options?” I asked, intrigued by the whole death process.

  Vince’s soul shimmered for a moment before replying. “I’m afraid I can’t answer that for you. You’ll know when your time comes.”

  I moved over to where Nax’s soul waited idly in the trap I’d prepared for the other souls. “Are you ready?”

  “Am I ever!” he whooped. “How soon can you get me home? I hope I didn’t miss the birth of my son.”

  “Don’t worry, we have an airship,” I reassured him.

  After guiding him back to his body, I did the same for Zelle. Our exchange was less dramatic as Anna floated next to her husband and Zelle followed me out without a word. I only opened my eyes once I was positive everyone was back in their proper bodies.

  Zelle stood and walked hesitantly over to Isa.

  “Isa?” Zelle tried, gently running her hand along her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

  “Zelle!” Isa whimpered, pulling Zelle into a bear hug. “I was so worried when we lost your souls.”

  Nax cast me a sidelong glance, whispering, “Is she…uh…normal again?”

  I gave him a reassuring smile. “About as well as can be expected.”

  Isa, who’d heard us, pushed Zelle away. “I’m fine, you two! No more helping me. I can’t stand it when you two get hurt.”

  “Don’t worry,” Nax chuckled. “I think I’ve had about enough adventure for a lifetime. “Take me back to Yew and I’ll gladly grow old without setting foot out of town ever again.”

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