Catacombs of Kabal: Chapter 5
#5 of Catacombs of Kabal
Chapter 5
Alkaid lazily took a puff from his hookah rubbing his chin slowly with a grin. Qab was falling right into his hands. Perhaps now was the time to seal the deal? The gray fox pondered for a while longer enjoying his smoke until one of his guards knocked that the door. The grey fox sat himself up before speaking softly, "Come in."
The guard stepped in, a doberman, rather ironic, and spoke softly with a deep bow, "Master Alkaid. The captain of the guard has returned."
The grey fox grinned happily and nodded, "Ready Raine in the kitchen. Tell the chef we would like something exotic from the Far East. Raiden brought a book of recipes with him that should work quite well."
"Yes sir. I will show the Captain to the dining room then," Asked the guard curiously.
Alkaid nodded, "Of course. Bring out our finest of sake as well. Tonight is a special night."
Months had passed since Raine was sold into this life, Qab visiting at least once a week and finally the moment had come. Alkaid clutched Raine's papers in his paw as he slowly stood himself up from his pillow, his old bones creaking a little. Such is the effects of a life spent in laziness.
"You cannot give that boy away you know," Said a raspy voice from the nearby balcony making Alkaid jump.
He knew the voice but couldn't bring himself to turn to look at the creature, "And why is that Raiden?"
"When I gave you the coin to purchase him and engineered his capture it was to ensure he does not meddle. The boy knows too much about what is happening... I was hoping you would have killed him by now. You took so readily to the flesh of the living the first time my dark preist," Replied Raiden as he pushed the curtains aside and walked into the room.
Alkaid sighed and turned to look into Raiden's slightly glowing red eyes, "You're no master of mine creature."
Raiden laughed in his high pitched raspy way. It was like nails on the chalkboard making Alkaid's ears fold back in displeasure. The creature walked forward exuding black power and the chill of death around him, "You dare taunt the most powerful necromancer in the world?"
Alkaid swallowed hard with real fear in his eyes but soon redoubled his effort smoothing out his fine silks and speaking, "You don't scare me magician. You've no power on these grounds and you know it. I'll do what I please. Qab Talan will be mine."
The creature laughed again shaking his head, "Don't cross me Alkaid. Bad things happen to those that get in my way."
"The same could be said about those who cross me demon," Replied Alkaid before lifting his paw and shooing Raiden away, "I will do as I please."
Raiden smirked a little dropping his hood to show his yellowed teeth and gangly frame. Pieces of flesh were hanging from his jaw and the smell of rot was on his breath, "Then we will feast tonight on your bones. The moment those papers are signed your life is forfeit."
"BE GONE," shouted Alkaid angry now which made Raiden vanish into the shadows as the guards threw open the doors looking ready to battle whatever bothered their master. Alkaid stormed past them without a word as he slowly started taking deep breaths to calm himself. Raiden was no creature to be meddled with. He knew the extent of that demon's cruelty and it scared even him.
Alkaid couldn't lose his soul and will to Raiden though. He would go through with his plans no matter what the danger was. The prize was simply too tempting and Alkaid's greed blinded him to consequence.
Qab smiled and stood offering a friendly hug to Alkaid who accepted patting the fennec on the back as he guided the two to the dining room. Qab quirked a brow seeing Raine was set out on the table again with strange rolls of what looked like rice on him. He was displayed quite beautifully this time actually. Lotus flowers covered his groin rather tastefully as green leaves were a barrier between his fur and the strange food.
Alkaid pulled Qab's seat out for him and the captain smiled taking a seat while looking at their serving tray a little curious. "It's called Sushi. It's from the Far East and it's absolutely to die for. This specific presentation they call Nyotaimori, or body sushi. It's quite breathtaking isn't it," Asked Alkaid with a grin as he sat down across from Qab delighted at the display.
Raine lay there completely conditioned now. He knew not to move, bad slaves moved, bad slaved spoke, bad slaves are punished was all that was going through his head as he looked up blankly at the ceiling. It made Qab show a moment of weakness knowing that the man he had grown to love over these months was in hell.
The grey fox reached forward and snatched up one of the rolls with his fingers and popped it into his mouth letting out a deep murr as he nodded, "The chef has surpassed himself. Please enjoy my captain."
They made idle talk over their meal about the happenings in the city. Things had been fairly quiet since the string of murders. The priests had armed themselves and held up in the one remaining chapel that hadn't been desecrated yet and Qab had to put up with constant complaints from the patrons. All the stress had been getting to him and he was looking older and tired.
It was when they had finished that Alkaid smiled leaning back in his chair, tilting his head to the side, "I hope you believe me to be a wise man Captain."
Qab chuckled and nodded slowly, "You are clever."
"Good good... I would like to help advise you captain... and as a show of my gratitude for such a prestigious place in your heart... I am willing to give you this," Said Alkaid as he reached into his robes pulling free a scroll and handed it to Qab.
Curiously the yellow fennec reached out and took the scroll opening it and when he realized it was Raine's slave papers his eyes went wide. Finally, after all of these months, Alkaid had fallen into their trap. He teared up slightly but was hidden behind the scroll. Recovering he rolled up the papers and spoke, "You are quite generous Alkaid. You are welcome to advise me whenever you wish."
Taking out a quill Alkaid nodded licking the tip before jabbing it into Raines' thigh making the fennec twitch slightly though he kept looking to the ceiling blankly. The blood was used to sign the papers over to Qab and then the papers were once again handed to the captain of the guard for safe keeping.
"Well he's yours now, your quarry finally your own. I was more than happy to have broken him in for you. He will serve you well," Said Alkaid softly as he stood with a smile. He reached across the table and shook the captain's hand as the doors to the dining room swung open and a guard ran in bloodied.
"Alkaid! The undead are attacking," Shouted the guard making all the color fade from Alkaid's face. The fool Raiden was actually attacking one of the brotherhood?
Qab quickly stood and unstrapped Raine from the table before reaching up and undoing his collar. The black fennec stood there confused and uncomfortable as he had grown to feel naked without his restraints on. He looked to Qab and a small glimmer was in his eyes. He was happy but just couldn't find the strength inside his will to show it.
The captain looked to Alkaid and grinned slightly, "You're a foolish and greedy man to meddle in the affairs of state. I can't let you die here but I have what I want already. An innocent man condemned to a life he does not deserve... sold into a world of living hell. I'll see you hang for what you've done here monster!"
Qab whispered into Raine's ear softly, "Collect whatever you have and escape into the desert. I'll meet up with you at the stagnant oasis."
"Yes Master," Replied Raine running quickly from the room as Qab's heart dropped and he let his tears flow before looking to Alkaid with rage.
"That man was your best chance of surviving this crisis and you broke him," shouted Qab to the horrified Alkaid even as the undead rushed in through the doors.
Qab found himself pulling Alkaid quickly escaping to the Kitchen as the grey fox's eyes were fixed with fear and he began to mumble, "I've done a terrible thing... I've done a terrible thing," Over and over again as he was dragged along.
The fennec quickly found a large machete the chef had used to slaughter hundreds of poor souls. Qab could almost hear their whispers in his mind as he brandished the blade and the undead rushed into the kitchen. He began to hack into them ruthlessly as he dropped Alkaid and shouted, "Escape monster! Don't expect your freedom to last!"
The fennec struggled against the seemingly endless flood of undead until they backed off and one stood forward. Half of her vulpine face was missing and the skull twisted into a smile. Upon here was a red and white harlequin costume and her fetid flesh and fur were pained to match. Even the skull had paint on it as it was painted white and a red star was around the empty eye socket while red was painted on her jaw.
"Oh Misure... So very very violent. We only want the man Alkaid and his slave," Said the undead thing with a quaint giggle as she flicked her wrist and between her bony fingers appeared six throwing knives, three in each hand.
The yellow fennec readied the machete and growled low covered in blood and gore from the slaughtered undead on the floor, "This blade craves more souls... corrupted and twisted by blood magic to free the innocent. I am Captain of the guard Qab Talan, a knight of the people and protector of the weak. Your kind will not be permitted to harm anyone anymore."
The woman put her paw on her muzzle and giggled again, "Oui oui I know you Sir Qab but your chivalry will not be enough to defeat the sisters of fate... I doubt you could even defeat one of us. I am Yin... sister of great fortune."
Her seven tails waved behind her nothing but bones making a chilling, hollow clatter. She leapt right into the fight throwing a punch at Qab catching his cheek and slicing it open with the blade. He let out a yowl as soon he realized there was a pain toxin on the blades making the wound burn and sizzle.
"Oh non did I scratch you? You must feel so terrible misure knight of the weak," Said Yin with a giggle as she readied a kick. A small click was heard as a blade popped out of the front of her shoe this one stained with caked blood. The captain stumbled back holding his cheek before gritting his teeth and swiping at the woman finally engaging in real battle as the undead watched one of their generals in action.
Alkaid ran through the rear yard of his home panting with his eyes wide with fear. He looked over his shoulder trying to see if he was being chased but because of this didn't see the two white wolves standing in the way. He ran directly into the wolf brothers falling over with a grunt before looking up with rage in his eyes.
"You bafoons! What the hell do you think you are doing," Shouted Alkaid as they both collapsed in pain holding their collars and letting out airy yowls as their voices didn't seem to work. This did show who was standing behind them though. The naked black fennec holding a blade he had stolen from the kitchen. The emotionless face twisted slowly into a sinister grin as he leapt forward pinning Alkaid to the ground as he gnashed his teeth just centimeters from the fox's muzzle.
"Y...You!? You can't I... Stop," said Alkaid struggling against the enraged battlemage as Raine locked eyes with him snickering softly.
"Oh you don't want me to do this," Asked Raine as he slipped the knife along the former master's chest making a clean cut in the flesh which made the grey fox yowl in agony.
"Don't like it!? But it's good for you," Shouted Raine as he sunk his teeth into Alkaid's shoulder making the fox cry out again and show terror in his eyes as Raine's bloodied muzzle floated just above his nose again dripping the slaver's blood onto his face.
"You couldn't possibly hurt me more than he will if he catches me," Said Alkaid panting and whining only to yowl as the Knife traveled south and Raine removed Alkaid's most favorite of torture tools in a single swipe.
Raine smirked lifting the severed member and held it in front of Alkaid as he spoke, "Oh I guess you won't be needing this will you... but I suppose every prisoner is allowed a final meal... and you seem to enjoy flesh so very much... Open your mouth."
Alkaid turned his head away as he was getting cold and tired as he blood was draining quickly from the wounds inflicted. Raine smeared the bloody member against Alkaid's face laughing softly, "Oh you don't like the way it tastes anymore? That's too..." He jabbed the blade into the cut flesh of the man's groin making him yowl and Raine shoved the flesh deep into the grey fox's muzzle before forced the mouth shut, "Bad."
The wolf brothers slowly began to recover and they tapped Raine on the shoulder as hands were starting to rise from the ground where the mass graves of butchered slaves were. He was a little surprised but grinned at the irony. He reached down and searched the former master's pocket and found what he was looking for, a small green orb, a rare and precious item that prevented magical use around the carrier. Raine cast the orb into the wall of the compound shattering it and releasing the anti magic field around the home.
"N...no! What have you done," Shouted Alkaid as he tried to spit out his severed flesh.
The black fennec was quick to drop down on the grey fox again and shoved the flesh back in, "Who said you could talk... swallow bitch! Swallow your shame!"
Alkaid wasn't complying so Raine figured he would give a little encouragement. He forced Alkaid to look up at the emerging undead and chuckled, "Swallow your shame or I'll leave you for them. I'm sure they will have much more fun with you than I can imagine."
Reluctantly at first Alkaid began to chew and then swallowed with a whine as he looked up at Raine in fear. All the cruelty he had shown the man could be seen reflecting in the fennecs eyes as he was tortured. Raine stood up and smiled, "Heal it. All of it at once... I want you to sing for me."
Alkaid nodded slowly as the green light started to flow from his fingers and he screamed as the wounds began to close and slowly his shaft grew back. His body writhed and wriggled from the pain as he knew now what sort of agony he put people through but the only thing that came to mind was revenge.
Before he could open his eyes he felt something clasp around his neck and the click of a lock. He opened his eyes quickly only to see the wolf brothers rubbing their necks and Raine with a key in his hand.
"Stay!" Said Raine firmly and grinned as he knew Alkaid wouldn't be able to disobey now.
The grey fox tried to stand up but was stricken with pain from the collar making him writhe again as it felt like magma was flowing through his veins instead of blood. He began to cry as the undead were rising faster than before many of them mutilated without limbs or twisted from butchering.
"Good boy. Now you're going to let them have a proper feast. I suppose you could try to save yourself by healing it but I think we both know the undead always hunger," Smirked Raine as he turned his back and began to walk away.
"Y...You said you wouldn't," shouted Alkaid desperately trying to fight the power of the collar.
"I said to swallow your shame... There's no way you can swallow a meal of that size that fast," Said Raine as he and the wolf brothers hopped the wall.
Alkaid struggled as hands started to hold his wrists and he was surrounded by mindless undead. It is said that the screams of Alkaid as he was eaten alive can still be heard on cold moonless nights when the desert winds blow in from the east.
Qab pulled the blade out of his shoulder flipping it in his paw and threw it back strait into the empty eye socket of Yin making her fall over and go limp. The undead around them seemed shocked which bothered the captain quite a bit. It meant they were becoming more and more dangerous. This was his opportunity to escape while they were distracted.
The fennec turned tail and began to run even as Yin slowly sat up and pulled the dagger free with a giggle, "Oh I'm going to enjoy killing that one."
Sitting up the rest of the way she shouted after the fennec making sure he could hear, "Au revoir Knight of the Weak. Dream of moi!"
Upon reaching the back yard Qab found a pile of twisted and mutilated undead feasting on something. He grit his teeth fearful of what they may have caught. Blood streaming from his many wounds Qab limped forward and cut through the pile of undead ending their suffering only to see a mess with grey and orange fur. The only reason he could recognize it was the purple silks torn about the location.
"Karma... Unfortunate I couldn't be its hand this time," Said the captain looking down at the bloody mess. The sound of the back door being thrown open made him frown and run. He bolted for the wall and vaulted over it out into the desert to meet with Raine and the others.