Chaos slowly marched on to Vendetta. The path led through a small grove. While it wasn't the best road to take, it was the only one that made it safer to travel compared to going straight through the village. Especially since what samurai had done before. It was closing to the evening and the sky started to turn orange.
- So I guess that we don't stop for a break?- Samukai asked, looking at the sky.
- We already had a break. Or at least me and Noktum had. You sounded like you were having fun
- I wouldn't really call that fun
- Oh come on, it wasn't the first asshole that you would hurt nor it was the last
Samukai sighed. One of the few questions now was what would await them in Vendetta. There was a probability that the guards were informed about his fight with Matthew, so there might be an ambush or some sort of a trap awaiting them. Another one was what happened to Eve and Robert? Now it came to him that they were with him, both of them could've been seen as guilty of heresy or something like that. That is if they already hadn't reported him to authorities. Last one was why was there a skull hanging from one of the trees? A skull hanging from the tree? That made the warrior stop in his tracks.
- Is skull a sign where we should turn back or we don't do it until we find a whole body?
- Standard procedure is to only do it when there are at least six whole bodies. Why do you ask?- demon faced the warrior, to which he pointed at the nearest tree to his left. Phantom followed after it and too noticed the skull. While it was not a pleasant sight to behold, it definitely wasn't uncommon, especially back in the days when people believed that it could ward off evil spirits. It worked as well as one might think. Now the version with a cross that was struck in on the other hand. That was a good protection. And when the cross was sliver, not even he could pass through them.
- Then we just ignore it, right?
- For now, yes
So like that Chaos continued the stroll through the grove. At first it seemed like the skull was just a one time thing, but when samurai spotted another one and then yet another good ten meters away from the previous one, he started to really question what was going on.
- Is it me or have we seen this skull three times already?
- Don't be ridiculous. Those were different skulls- demon replied as if that was a casual thing. Well maybe for him it was- But still no bodies, that's interesting. Well then, let's see what's up ahead
Samukai wasn't too keen on that idea. After all, it soon will be night and spending it in a grove that might or might not be full of human skulls wasn't the place he wanted to be in. This and the fact that this skull seemed to gaze at them didn't help in the slightest. Warrior was already checking what gods and deities might live in forests and places like that. At this point if they happened to find one, he wouldn't be too surprised.
Few good meters deeper into the groove and the team was welcomed by a mist. It was really thick, one could barely see further than their own tip of the nose. If that wasn't enough, Samukai felt something wet under him. The ground around here was becoming much more like a swamp with each step.
- Great, just great- he muttered- Don't any of you have some spell to get rid of that mist?
None of the mages answered, which warrior took as no. Taking a few more steps he noticed that the demon stopped in his tracks, seemingly feeling something. Samurai went closer to him and looked where the demon was gazing. Before them was a weirdly grayish ground. Not only that, the trees that rose there were completely withered. Low growls were escaping from Phantom's mouth.
- What happened there?
- Honestly, I am not so sure myself. All I can say is that it looks like life was just drained from that ground- Noktum said, trying to come up with some kind of a conclusion.
- And I think I know what, or rather who did that- Phantom finally replied.
- You do?
- Yes, and I think we will be able to cross out one name from the list. But in order to do that we must search this area
- So we are not going to Vendetta?
- Not now at least. Now scatter around!
Chaos did as Phantom ordered. While the "dead land" as samurai decided to call it, wasn't all that big as he expected, it still was far from being small. Demon didn't even want to tell what they were searching. When Samukai questioned him about that, all he got was that they will know when they'll see it.
The land itself was rather empty, save from occasional withered trees. Or at least it seemed to be like that until the warrior was coming closer to something that could've been called the center of it all. Right in the middle of this land was a ring made of withered trees. On each of said trees were hung a few skulls, each of them looking at visitors.
- Now there it is- Phantom said, slithering closer to the ring. Even though no one from the Chaos had known what their leader planned to do, they felt like it would be a bad idea. Their thoughts were confirmed when all of the skulls started laughing, which made both the warrior and magician jump.
- The snake! The snake has come!- one of the skulls shouted.
- Yes! Yes he came!- said another.
- And he brought others with him!
The skulls then continued to laugh.
- You know them?- samurai questioned, not really knowing what exactly was going on right now.
- Maybe not them, but I know the demon who made them. Now help me cut down those trees and we will meet with Nebiros- Warrior then drew Izanagi and started to do as the demon told him. After a while they both made an opening in the ring.
The inside part was pretty much the same thing as before. There was only one thing that made it stand out from the rest. In the very middle of the ring right on the ground was some kind of a silver light. It looked like a cross in which a meter tall pole was struck in. It also made a quiet, but high pitched noise.
- What exactly are we looking at?
- This is the Court. And it's easier to show than explain what it is. Noktum! You two can come in now!- shadow and the wolf went into the ring and stood between the demon.
- You all should brace for impact- before anyone could question that, Phantom touched the light. For a split second the entire ring was covered in blinding light before fading. After that Chaos was nowhere to be found. Or at least nowhere in this area.
After the light faded, Samukai noticed that the ground they were on was no longer. Instead of that was some stone ring. That was all he could tell, because the rest was covered in mist. He saw the rest of the team, save from Phantom, was as confused as him. Phantom himself went deeper into the mist and they followed him. There was a walkway also made from stone that led through the mist. At first he noticed nothing there, but after a short while he saw various graves. Were they coming back to Hell? No, that couldn't be the case, but the demon said about meeting with some Nebiros.
Soon after, the samurai saw some kind of a town. A terrible run down town, but a town. It was kinda like a mix between Silesia and any other Roman town. So marble buildings, roads paved with stone and walls to protect townspeople, or whatever was left of it. The major difference was that nearly every building looked like it could collapse at moment notice.
Compared to normal towns it was also really empty, beside occasional rats and crows, there was no living soul to be found. But he guessed that this somewhat made sense, considering that demon supposedly lived there.
- He keeps it in a better state than I would've thought- Phantom said, taking a good long look at the town square or forum as the Romans have called it.
- I've seen better- warrior commented.
- I can set it on fire
- I'd rather you didn't
- I might end up setting it on fire either way
- Didn't you have someone to meet with?
- Fire would have been an easy way to shoo him from whenever he might be
- Can't you sense his aura or something?
- I would if it weren't for the fact that we are in the court. It's full of nothing but his aura. Now then allow me to work- demon then summoned abbadon and aimed it at the sky. Red beam illuminated the area, completely giving out the position of Chaos.
- I would like you to stop before you touch any of my properties. Those are truly delicate if you couldn't tell- a new elegant voice echoed through the empty town- If you want to find me, follow the crows and the rats- just as he finished many black birds landed on the ground before Chaos. Thus with nothing else to do, the team followed them. They had passed even more damaged buildings until the crows stopped before a structure that was the only one left in a good state.
It was a grand Roman palace that towered above all. It's equally grand gates opened and something dressed in red robes stepped out. At first Samukai thought it wasn't a demon but in fact a human, but when he noticed that his legs were like those of a crow he doubted that. Then he saw that Nebiros' hands ended with sharp talons and big black feathers growing from his arms. Not only that, but his skin looked like that of a corpse. And while his face was covered by the robes, the warrior could tell that he also had a beak.
- Ah, finally some guests decided to visit me- he spread out his arms as he spoke- But I know that none of you have good intentions against me. Allow me to guess that Lucifer no longer needs me?
- If you weren't a traitor to Hell, then maybe you wouldn't end like that
- Ah, a traitor. Such a bold word. It does not fit to be spoken from someone like you- Nebiros then dramatically pointed his finger at the demon. He pretty much acted like was acting in a theater- But maybe we should take that discussion inside? How does that sound?
- You know, for a demon he is really polite- Samukai whispered to Phantom- You might learn a thing or two from him- demon pretty much scoffed in response.
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- Albeit I am truly surprised that you all have managed to survive with him. Truly a feat not many can achieve- no one from Chaos knew if to take that as a compliment or not- Especially considering what happened last time- Phantom felt the sharp gaze of Nebiros rest on him.
- Now before you take my head, why won't you and your companions stay here for a while? I bet they have many questions about you
- I mean, it's not like we are in a hurry. Besides, I will take that time to check some of your books. Especially the one with arts. I might find something good in there- warrior once again whispered to demon.
- Fine, but only a while
- Splendid! Now then, come inside- Nebiros invited his guest. Fenfir stayed outside and waited until they were all done.
At first they passed a great hall that was terribly covered in dust. At least the walls were intact, or had minor scratches at most. Many, but many candles were hung on the walls, illuminating it if it was bright as day. Nebiros then opened richly decorated doors. He then let them inside a dome like chamber with a grand table in the middle. There were at least two dozen chairs around it. Just as many crows and rats lived there.
Everyone, except for Phantom, sat down and waited for the demon to accompany them.
- So you won't be joining us then?- the demon dressed in robes asked.
- I came here to kill you, not talk
- I see you are as loyal to Lucifer as ever. Nothing has changed through all these years
- And how can you know, traitor?
- And again with such big words. I said, those don't suit you. Besides, I am not a traitor. I just decided that I had enough of that pointless war on Lucifer's behalf. I might've played with it for a longer while if we in fact were even once on the winning side
- We would be winning if we didn't have deserters every five minutes!
- Then maybe you all can see that there is something wrong. After all, if there was a point to this war, a chance of succeeding, then I doubt that so many would give up. Can't any of you see for how long it is going, and still there is no progress. Not only that, many, many are tired of that. Demons like me live better without that war. But I see Lucifer has some problem with that
- Don't tell me you think like Lilith and too want to live in yours so called "peace"
- Ah, but why so angry? A demon can dream, right? Besides, I believe it was also her wish, wasn't it?
Phantom hearing the last part fired off an abbadon, aiming at Nebiros's head. Demon was rather shocked at the sudden attack coming from the spellcaster. But he dodged it and was already preparing himself to dodge much more. While the spell itself was that of a dark attribute and would cause no harm to him, it might've left him open for another spell. Right then a few dragon chains of various attributes came flying at him.
- Can't you resolve one thing in peace!- Samukai screamed at Phantom as he was ducking under the chains. Noktum followed and they both tried to escape from the soon to be battle zone.
The chains screeched as they tore through air, stopping only on walls or floor. Nebiros then summoned bone spikes that appeared on said walls. Each of them was able to grow so long and so fast that they in seconds hit opposite walls. For a while the entire chamber looked like it was covered in thick web made of bones. Yet Nebiros was careful enough to not hit any of the demon's companions. Now most of the spikes weren't too sturdy and most of them broke upon contact, thus the spellcaster wasn't as badly wounded as he expected. And this time, he managed to not get his wings torn or injured in any other way.
- I invited you to my house and you dare to attack me. That's just straight up lack of manners. Is combat everything you learned in Hell?
Demon didn't answer and started casting various other spells like Wrath of Garuda or bone cracking impact. While Wrath was easily countered by a ghostly wall that Nebiros summoned, impact on the other hand easily shattered it. Then many other spells came and the robbed demon was on the defense.
Meanwhile both warrior and the magician made their way out of the heat of battle and awaited for their leader to return. Interfering into the fight didn't seem like too good of an idea, considering that none of them knew what this Nebiros is capable of. So that was the only option. In the meantime Samukai wanted to check some Art books just in case he would find something interesting that could help them now. As Noktum handed him one, warrior couldn't help but wonder who that "her" was that Nebiros mentioned. He doubted he meant Lilith, but that was someone close to their leader. Or so he thought from Phantom's reaction. But the warrior doubted he would get an answer, especially from the demon. Sometimes he was a bigger unknown than samurai originally thought.
Nebiros finally could counterattack, summoning many undead to fight on his side. In a flash of bright blue light, appeared many undead soldiers, some of them looking more human, others were like monsters. While they weren't too great, this maneuver gave the demon some time to breathe as Phantom was busy burning down everything he had summoned.
- Come and fight me like a man!- snake demanded, cutting down one of the last undead soldiers.
- Storm of the dead- after those words, a great wave of heavy air hit Phantom, sending him flying at the doors from the chamber. He quickly needed to dodge as bone spikes started to erupt from the ground. They barely missed him, piercing through the doors.
- Say, am I the first on the list? If so then I am honored
- You are as weird as always- demon replied, dodging some more spikes.
- Oh, but to know that Lucifer fears me so much. It fills my soul with joy- Nebiros then posed dramatically.
- I'll fill your soul with arrows if you won't shut up!
Nebiros ignored those words and summoned four sickly greenish orbs, that stunk of rotten bodies. They circled around the robbed demon. He then pointed his finger at Phantom. All four flew at incredible speed, screeching like a banshee. While the first two didn't hit, the last two left a rather nasty wound on the demon's body. Where black blood was oozing, something akin to darkly greenish moss was forming.
Phantom was quick to act and tried to burn it off, using a simple fire spell. He hoped that it didn't give him an infestation of any sort. The assault of the green orbs continued. Demon blasted most of them with an abbadon.
- Do you wish for a good fight?- Nebiros suddenly asked, catching Phantom off guard. Spellcaster had a hard time figuring out what was going on in the necromancer's head. Shouldn't it be obvious? He was a proud warrior, so of course he wished for it.
- I might give you one, if you survive that
Phantasm wasn't sure what Nebiros had planned, but he gladly accepted the challenge. Nebiros stretched his arm and his hand looked like it held something akin to a tiny bell. A hand bell to be precise.
- Abandon all hope, ye who hear its tool, Bell of Hell- he then gently swung the bell. A quiet toll followed. Then a great wave of gray and green energy appeared. It destroyed the chamber and sent the entire Chaos, along with remnants of the walls, flying out of the palace.
- Is everyone fine?!- Samukai asked frantically. A pained groans from his comrades assured that they were at least alive. He noticed Phantom lying nearby, his wounds closing in.
- Get out of there! He's using a tenth tier!- demon warned them. While the samurai didn't know what tenth tier magic was used, he didn't want to stay there long enough to see- Noktum, cast a barricade! Now!
Shadow did as he was ordered, not really knowing why. He doubted that his barricade would stop whatever just hit them, but it was worth a try.
Phantom expected for Nebiros to come down to him, yet he stayed in what was left of the chamber, waiting for the spellcaster to make his move. He pretty much taunted the demon, by faking a yawn. Yet he was quick to dodge when dragon chains came flying at him.
- I see without your main spells you are not too great of a fighter. Honestly this is saddening to think about- Phantom was deaf to that and just continued his offense. When that wasn't enough, he finally met Nebiros at the "arena". Spellcaster then summoned his scythe and used one of the two martial arts that Samukai taught him. His weapon was covered in red aura. He took a swing, but the necromancer effortlessly blocked it.
- Really?- necromancer asked, truly disappointed- A first tier martial art?- demon then hit Nebiros right in the right leg. While his scythe wasn't the best weapon and he himself was far from being a good close combat fighter, it still was made of black lead and it hurt like hell when hit by it.
Before Nebiros was able to recoil from that, he was hit by a bone cracking impact. It sent him a good few feet away.
- You still play dirty, don't you?- he said, wiping blood that was leaking from a corner of his beak. He then once again tolled the hand bell. A powerful wave of energy once again hit Phantom, but this time he used his wings for protection. It still felt like being hit by a ram, but it was better than before. And this time he was sent only a few feet away.
Now Phantom needed to count how many times Nebiros will be able to toll it. He already did that twice, so he guesses three were left. That is if his magic aura didn't grow, which was rather unlikely.
Nebiros rang it once more. Phantom felt that his wings won't survive another one, so he had to act quickly. He already prepared some dragon chains, but then noticed something forming under Nebiros.
Necromancer himself felt something bit his lower half. He looked down and noticed a fox's fangs biting into his body, keeping him from moving. That gave opportunity for the spellcaster to cast the chains to his heart's desire, or until his magic aura shrinks down.
The robbed demon couldn't really do much against the assault. The only thing left was to toll the bell again and hope that it would destroy the fox. Luckily for him it worked and now he once again could fight against Phantom on equal ground. Or so he thought until he saw a black blur coming right at him.
An armor made of black lead crashed into him, making him fall on his back.
- I told you to get out of there!
- And watch you get beaten around from a distance? I'd rather be in the first row and swing my blade a little- that comment made Phantom smirk a little. He was still a little mad that the warrior, and he guessed that the rest, disregarded his order. But then again back in his youth he too didn't follow every order that was given to him.
Before Nebiros got up, he had a bunch of fireballs flying at him. Both Fenfir at Noktum were very precise and aimed carefully. Thus most of them hit their target, but didn't do as much damage as any of them would've liked.
- An interesting bunch you got here. Now tell, have you bribed them with something? To think they would fight alongside you- that was all the demon was able to say before Samukai started swinging Izanagi at him. Nebiros deflected most of the blows, but with the remaining three casting spells at him it was rather a hard task.
While he still could toll his bell one more time, he needed to hit all four of them. Then he could pick them one by one. It was a risky move, but in the end it would let him win.
- Sea of souls- Nebiros outstretched his arms. Something like a whirlpool was forming, but instead of water it was a mist. Soon it started dragging Chaos right at him. It was becoming stronger and stronger with each passing second, so it wouldn't take long until they all were in one place.
Phantom on the other hand came up with his own plan. But first he must've checked how much chaos has been generated. From the amount of the weird color, which was forming all around them due to Nebiros's spells, he thought that it might've been enough. It wasn't the amount that he used when he met with Pharaoh, but he didn't have time to generate more.
Now the whirlpool brought them right to its center, exactly where Nebiros wanted them to be. All that was left was to toll the bell and end it all. But before he was able to do so, he saw a weirdly red flame that was coming at him.
It wasn't a simple fire, it was melting him. He felt like lava had been put on his face. Nebiros covered his head, trying to focus on the regeneration. While he did so, he didn't notice that Phantom struck his scythe at the ground.
There was a rumbling all around the necromancer. A giant chunks of stone rose up from the ground. They quickly closed in on the demon, crushing him. Nebiros tried to free himself, but it was in vain when he heard many snaps coming from his body. Then everything stopped.
His body was set ablaze in sickly green fire. From it rose an orb in the same color. Phantom aimed his scythe at it and shot some kind of a purple, transparent missile. When it was hit by it, the orb exploded and the court vanished, returning Chaos to the ring.
- Well- Phantom started- That was a crushing defeat for him- there was a moment of silence, until the demon started laughing. His team just looked at him, with disappointment painted on their faces.
- My last spell surely rocked him hard- another fit of laughter came from the spellcaster- But the fact that he was able to toll the bell so many times was an astoneshing feat- demon continued to laugh.
- You know, if you plan to become a jester then maybe polish your jokes a little- Samukai commented. Yet he was rather disturbed by how their leader casually joked, right after killing someone. He could've expected that, but that still was rather concerning.
- Oh come on, those were funny. Noktum, hand me the list- demon commanded. When he finally got the list, he crossed out Nebiros's name by dragging his finger all the way through it.
- So can we finally go to Vendetta?- Samukai asked.
- Yes, unless you want to spend the time here until the break of dawn- Phantom pointed at the withered land and trees.
- A kind offer, but no. Big no
- And I am already saying that no, I won't replicate the Bell of Hell- Noktum said as he hopped onto Fenfir's back. Samukai joined him, but the demon stayed on the ground. Thus he was leading them through the grove, straight at the Vendetta. He already wondered what might await them there. One thing he was certain, that it wouldn't be anything normal.