FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Can be a little bit violent. May edit more, but currently tired and not feeling well.

Chapter 6

Choosing Sides

A Skeletal rat peered around the boulder, something catching its undead gaze; one of the gathered imps noticed the strange little creature, not knowing it for what it was, the stupid demonoid waited for the little corpse to come into the open. Samael growled in sudden dismay and set out in search of his familiar. He had felt the crushing blow to his pet, as clearly as if someone had punched him.

The creature was grinning at what he thought was a wonderful strike. He hoisted the shovel to the side and gazed at the smashed rat skeleton on the ground. His friends came over and were picking at the bones; one even pocketed the skull of the creature. It felt so cold which tingled its hot skin.

The necromancer came across the group. He just stood there looking at the creatures, anger boiling inside his blood. He raised a hand and the main perpetrator lifted into the area, his bones stretching out in all directions, his companions watched in a mix of fascination and fear as the creature shuddered and cried out, then suddenly split open as his individual bones shot outwards like bits of reverse shrapnel. They all turned to run and all met similar fates on the spot.

Samael looked around at the corpses, a wide heartless grin spreading across his features. He formed an image in his mind and what seemed like random bones rose up from the shattered bodies. Anyone who would have been watching would have been scarred for life seeing what the necromancer dead.

After about 20 minutes the necromancer gazed in wonder and pride at his bone creation, an elemental of the dead. He looked to what was left of the corpses and whispered into the wind. Shortly after his chants, the spirits of the imps appeared, bound to his will. He looked off into the distance and smiled a grim smile.

"Let's go find a few friends."

It was sometime later when the old man felt the presence of his old companion approaching. He had warded his tower perfectly. No unwanted visitor, whether corporal or physical could approach without his knowledge. He had not expected the guest of the day though. It's not that he has visitors often; it's more that he doesn't get visited much anymore.

All of those who had known him personally had died off a long time ago or had forgotten him. He had been a great mage in his prime, a hero in a long near forgotten war. The war of heroes as it was known in the years following it. Now it is simply a legend of which has been watered down in the telling and retellings. There were not even many ruins from its time. Of course there were a few still in the world. The war is remembered as 'The Darkness'.

The reason why Torthongel was not expecting the visitor is because he was the one who sealed the mad being away. He opened the door with a smile. Standing there with a dead rat riding its shoulder and several bone creatures behind and beside him, was Samael.

Samael smiled wide, with that bone chilling grimace of his, at the old man. It had been millennia since he had last seen the wizard. He gestured at the entry chamber on the other side of the archway.

"Won't you let your old friend in?" He spoke those words in the way a best friend would. He even took a step forward as though he was free to do so.

Why of course Sam, come in, come in," Torthongel stepped back with his response, spreading his hands out to the side, one clutching a finely cut walking stick apparently used for support, inviting the necromancer into his home.

The necromancer took a peek at the inside, only taking a passing interest in the magic artifacts and the home décor in the chamber then turned to see that his minions were unable to cross the threshold. He chuckled at this and grew serious a bit, and then he turned to face the wizard wearing a smile.

"You've gone old; I am surprised you can still answer in the door in such a timely manner. The wizard took the insult with a smile and outwardly ignored it all together. He responded with his own jab.

"And you have not changed one bit," he clutched his staff tighter, reassuring himself of his strength before speaking some more. "I highly doubt you are here to just have friendly conversation."

"You really think you know me don't you?" the necromancer replied mockingly.

"You know very well, how much I know you, you damned fool......."

The necromancer's familiar growled from the doorstep, having been forced to remain there. Samael just shrugged and smiled.

"Come now, I just came seeking your companionship, I miss having fleshy companions, don't know if you knew, but I've been imprisoned for some time. Samael walked to a low shelf to observe a hollowed crystal sphere on a spider silk square of cloth. He was having a few thoughts come to mind involving essence cage. Then his attention was caught by a shattered but still softly glowing spear blade. The wizard noticed the interest and the scowl on the necromancer's face.

"What do you want with me?" asked the wizard. He was quickly tiring of the obvious charade.

The Necromancer returned his thoughts to the crystal sphere; he knew just the spell for it too. He turned around and gave Torthongel a wry smile and a tilt of his head.

"Why I want to have you on my side...... but I see that won't be the case." As he finished speaking, he quickly muttered under his breath a few phrases of an infernal tongue, a powerful soul trap spell.

The wizard just barely had time to react; he had his own spell on his lips. He counterattacked Samael with a powerful blast. Samael was blown by a sheer wall of force straight through the barrier in the threshold.

The wizard saw a blast of dark light streak through his wall of force. Darkness engulfed his vision and knocked him down knocking his head into something hard. He woke up to an anguished roar coming from somewhere in the distance, he managed to open his eyes despite the throbbing in his head; he looked out and thought he was looking through some sort of window into the world. Everything had increased in proportions. It was then he realized had been trapped into his soul cage, robes and all.

Outside following the blast, a pile of bones landed strewn across the front patio to the tower. The skeletal creatures wore a mixture of awe and fear having witnessed it, however of much a mixture as such dead things could wear. The elementals went to work reassembling the skeleton with the blazing blue orbs in its eye sockets. The jaw had nearly come off its hinges altogether. The necromancer had been forced through a nether barrier and paid the price for it, his will still animating his skeleton. Once he was put back together he had stood up and walked to the doorway, roaring at the wizard once at the threshold, he did not know if the spell had worked, but he did not see the wizard so he assumed it did. He growled at the gaishean ghost as it abandoned his control, it had been among a crowd of spirits hidden away by his will. The ghost stepped through the threshold freely, angering the now-lich even further. The lich sighed in resignation once he realized he could do no more here. He turned and started away, his minions and the remainder of the spirits that were not able to flee him followed him into the dark woods. Someone would pay for this.

The spirit that had entered the tower searched for the old wizard. His eyes roamed the room, looking for wizard who taught his own mentor in the past. His eyes caught hold of the small globe, he stepped lightly over to it and leaned in close, he tried to pass his hand through the glass to help the old one. He frowned sadly when he realize it was pointless. Then the wizard woke up, following that scream.

The wizard sensed something kindred about the weary face looking in at him. It was the aura around it. It was similar to the arcane aura of one of his more recent students. A student from near two centuries ago had come to him. The man was a hard worker and a quick learner.

That is how the demon recognized the magical aura. Yes the old man was a demon, it had been wide spread knowledge up until 2000 years ago that one of the famed heroes of the darkness was a demon. It explained his ancient age. His necromancer companion from that era was not a demon, just a very strong willed creature, thus that one's control of its aging.

The old demon spoke mentally to the spirit, the spirit nodded. It set down the sphere and picked up one of the spear shards. The demon started casting a spell and finished it as the spirit smashed the spear shard into the crystal. The room was filled with many glittering specks of light. When the brightness of those specks died down, the wizard was standing there, trying to stand up straight, needing his staff which had gone with him as a crutch. Several pops were heard from his spine as the demon stood erect. He winced a few times and waited for the pain to subside.

"I hate growing old sometimes!"

The spirit watched him somberly and looked at its own incorporeal hands and back to the demon. He wore a wretched tormented expression, his tongue no longer of use to him due to the necromancer. He opened his eyes far and wide when Torthongel peered into the window of his soul, baring his memories to the wizard.

After what felt like an eternity, with the two mages walking through the deceased's memories, Torthongel blinked and smiled at the spirit who had managed a tear. The wizard thought for a few moments and took on a warm kind tone.

"I will find a way to restore you to flesh and life so you can finish that girl's training, it seems she will need it." The spirit smiled happily at this and followed the demon into his study. Neither the living nor the dead mage had any afterthoughts of the lich at the moment. It would also take some time to bring the spirit back to the world of the living, but it could be done.

The morning sun had risen as it should, but strangely the sky was a blood red. Out of the tree line came shadows, of multiple shapes and sizes. Rick slid his sword free of its sheath and dropped into a crouch. He glanced from side to side taking in the line of trees from his left to his right. He had company but he didn't seem to quite make out their faces. The sky was darkening instead of lightening. Lightning split the sky, the silence fell. Rick could hear the breathing and hissing of the shadowy forms. He kept his guard as one of the shadows stepped forth. He heard that horrible voice again, the one from the flight simulator. The voice came from nowhere but everywhere. Lightning struck nearby illuminating the shadows. A scarred face came forth, it was a handsome creature, but the cast iron looking wings protruding from its back only added to the sensation of dread in the air. Several more shadows came forth. Rick lowered his stance, ready for battle.

Rick sat upright suddenly; he looked across the room and sighed in relief when he saw the midmorning sun peeking through. He looked over to his side and smiled some seeing that Merelda had fallen asleep next to him. He laid himself back down and eased both of his arms around her torso; he stared off into the distance thinking. He had not a clue what their day would be like.

Jergal had been waiting in the dark passage, eyes shut so as not to give away the red glow of his eyes. The guard was looking the other way when he sensed something. His gaze returned to what lay ahead s Jergal was locking his hands onto the man's face. The man was too paralyzed by fear to react. Jergal grinned as his claws dug into the poor guard's cheeks, eyes going wide in shock, his sword arm now going for the hilt of his longsword. A sickening crunch and the guard was able to view the back of his cuirass. That was the last thing he saw before the world went black. Jergal chuckled and let the body fall back slumping against the wall. He tasted the blood on his claws, before leaning down and stripping away the armor and weapons on this one. He closed his eyes and groaned as his body begin altering its shape, gears vanishing magically.

After a few moments of what the demon found to be very irritating, he looked down at his form, flexing his fingers. He removed the clothes also from the body, so as he would not be walking around in the nude. He forced the pants on, tucking his lower appendage to the side to fit more comfortably. Bit by bit the demon looked more like the guard, and then the armor was equipped. There was a long low growl in that hallway. The demon soon stepped out dressed in full personal guard regalia.

Gerrard was walking the halls of the residence, making his way to the room of those two special guests, the human Rick and his companion, one of the females of his own species. The three of them met in the hall near the baths. Rick and Merelda were arm in arm , having a nice conversation with the Lord when a guard who should have been outside at his post came up.

The scar faced Guard cleared his throat. "Uhm...uhmm, begging your pardon but I saw a pretty suspicious character sneaking around your craft. Several others went looking; none have come back so far. " Gerrard showed horror on his face, genuine panic at the notion that someone may be tampering with his treasured vessel. He looks to his guests and then his guard.

"Ok let's go find out what's going on out there."

Rick and Merelda nod, seeing they might as well come along and Gerard speaks to the guard. "We will be out there as soon as we can get there, go inform the others."

Jergal watches the three of them rush away, smiling wider and wider, then winces at the sensation of the gears grinding. He looks over his shoulder and sees nothing, sighing in relief. Rick stopped in their flight and looked back wondering what he heard. Sounded like gears he thought. Rick shrugged and went off with them.

The demon made his way shortly after he knew the others would be out of sight, he would ambush his prey when they were alone inside the craft, then the demon would rejoin with the necromancer and head towards the citadel. It all seemed so easy at this point. The Mage was dead, his apprentice would soon join him, and this human, would disposed of. It was all so easy he thought, he just needed these last 3 together. The necromancer would deal with the other pawns in this game. The demon crept down a hallway, slipping through a servant door. He stepped out into the gardens making his way to the landing field.

Gerard, Merelda, and Rick made it to craft. Merelda was staring up at it in awe as Gerard walked around the vessel looking for anything out of the ordinary. There were no guards around. There was usually only one guard keeping an eye on it, the perimeter along the woods was also guarded. Gerard could not find the guard and was wondering until the scar faced guard came up and acted as though he wasn't sure what to do.

"What was going on here soldier?" Gerard looked to the soldier, questioning. Jergal pointed up to the main deck.

"I saw a shadow moving along, so I jammed the door and came to inform you my lord."

Gerard stared at Jergal, concerned. He turned on his booted heel and opened the hatch; he lowered the step and hopped up on board. Turning around he gestured to the guard first and then other two. To the guard he said, "Keep an eye out and shout if you see anything." Then he said to Rick and the girl, "If you will, I would like you two to come inside and give me an extra set of eyes." They nod in complete awe at the majestic craft. The two of them then slipped in after the noble demon hunter. Gerard led the way through, checking rooms on his way, not finding anything he would close the doors behind them.

They arrived at the engine room. Merelda had no idea what she was looking at. Rick understood machinery somewhat; he looked around the room taking it all in. Gerard chuckled as he crossed a metal grate over a series of gears. He slipped around a large water tank. There was a large lever on the wall. The Noble smiled still finding nothing wrong. He flipped the switch and backed away. He had to stop as a large clockwork arm crossed in front of him. Once it was past he crossed the bridge and was in front of his guests again. He smiled, spread his arms wide and exclaimed, "A beauty isn't it she." Merelda looked at the man curiously at his reference to it as a 'she'. Rick nodded approvingly. They stood there for a bit longer listening to the steam engine power up, a few whistles blew and there was a sound of steam escaping a pipe. Now the floor and the walls were humming with the power of the motors. Gerard led them back into the passage, making way for the stairs to the main deck.

Rick heard the strange gears shifting again and went back to the hatch. Gerard led Merelda up to the deck. Above them loomed a large sewn together cloth bag, it was altogether longer then craft itself. From up here it looked like a ship. There was a forecastle and a forward section. Instead of a mast holding sail there rails and ropes attached to the airbag holding the two together. She looked aside to one of the side mounted props as it came to life. All around the ship was coming to life, levers connecting to external gears which led to the props. It was an engineering marvel. Gerard led her to the wheel and gave it a turn to the side, he pointed back and gestured to the rudder and it's ailerons which moved with the movements of the wheel. The young woman was breathing hard, exhilarated. It was then that Gerard noticed Rick wasn't with them. He looked to the girl with a curious glance.

"Where is Rick?"

Merelda gestured back to the door, "I think he went back towards the outer hatch."

Rick was down at the hatch, it had been closed shut. He could hear the grinding sound on the other side; he managed to open the door and peered out of the small crack of space he had opened. He was not sure what he was seeing. The guard was standing with his back to the craft. He was hunched over and groaning, the armor on his back was bulging somewhat.

Jergal was in the process of tearing off his armor, his anxiety at his prey being so oblivious was gnawing at his nerves to the point that he was reverting forcibly back to his form. The gears were whirring loudly against the metal plates on his back. He was tearing free of the armor, the buckles at his legs busting as his calves lengthened and his upper legs grew in thickness. Leather was ripping in places underneath the armor plating. The demon groaned in accepted misery as the gears emerge fully, causing the ruined cuirass to fall apart. He stood up as straight as he could all the metal falling away, some of the leather hanging onto his naked form. The demon spread his arms out, muscles and joints straightening out in a series of spasms with the forced transformation. His flesh darkened to an almost ashy black color. He took a few deep breaths and relaxed when it was done. He looked back to the ship and suddenly growled. He saw the human watching him. The demon thought to himself 'time to die' as he turned around fully and started walking forward, wings still tucked away.

Rick slammed the door shut, his heart pounding; He knew that face that looked at him. It was from the cafeteria back on the spaceship. He shuddered and without thinking about it, he forced the inner lever of the door shut, the drop down step breaking off at the manhandling.

Rick ran through the ship, remembering the path, coming up onto the main deck in a sweat. Gerard and Merelda looked at him perplexed, not noticed the sounds from down below over the hum of the engines. He was firing his baby up for its engine test.

It was then that they heard the screeching of metal and wood being torn into. Rick led the two others to the guardrail, and pointed down at a very angry demon ripping his way through the entry hatch. The demon didn't noticed them at first, his attention solely on the door in front of him. His attention was caught however when the craft started to lift. The anchor ropes were being cut the three up on top. He snarled, the ship lurching up, his claws dragging deep gashes through the door and right through the door base. The craft left his reach just a second later. The demon stood there glaring, the strain of the engines launching the craft into the sky.

Gerard made sure he was back behind the wheel guiding his craft in its sudden leap skyward. He knew it would happen too with cutting the anchor lines. Rick and Merelda were hanging on tight, though it turned out the craft was remarkably stable. Merelda watched the demon get smaller and smaller down on the ground. She gasped when the demon's back opened up and a pair of wings came forth, actually attached to the gears. Rick came over, slipping an arm around her waist, thinking they were going to be alright until he noticed the demon's wings coming into full view.

Gerard quickly got the hint, getting them as airborne as possible. He heard the strange flapping of wings, he turned around to his companions, seeing the fear in their faces, he understood now what was wrong. He reached for a lever to the right of the wheel and pulled it as far towards him as it would go. There was a loud click which triggered a chain reaction. Extra free spinning gears met up with the props. There were a few rumbling reverberations through the flooring as the engine roared.

The demon growled loudly as the craft above and in front of him gracefully darted forward, steaming venting from several openings. He couldn't take off flying on a whim and had to wait for his wing shoulders to line up. Once they were he took a running start, wings beating hard and taking him off the ground. The chase was on.