Chapter Forty-One

Ambrose picked the upgrade to [Infernal Sanctuary] as the legendary version was too good to pass up. The second skill he chose was the ]Infernal Aegis] upgrade. He wasn’t sure how manipulating his spirit would help, but something in Vivienne’s tone suggested he would regret not selecting it. The bottom line is that if it was the type of skill that the strongest beings in the multi-verse had access to, he would follow their example.

Vivienne’s mouth twitched downward, and she turned her head.

“What is it?” He asked her.

Her response was a murmur,

“A group of beings wish access to the island. A devil, specifically, requests permission to teleport here.”

Ambrose crossed his arms,

“It’s likely Misaq. Allow him to teleport to the surface; the inner glade should do. I’ll meet them there.”

Vivienne turned to him, inclining her head.

“As you wish, Sir Knight. I have given him access.”

Ambrose nodded and activated the teleportation feature of his armor with a thought. A moment later he appeared in the inner glade. It was called such because it was a massive glade tucked in the Avalon forest that spanned most of the island. Grass and beautiful flowers of every variety extended the massive glade. Trees with multicolored leaves swayed in the gentle breeze from the enormous mountain looming over Avalon.

It really is a different place. Ambrose thought as he swept his gaze around the area. There were no threats to find. A pop sounded, and Misaq, Darren, Jenny, Andrea, and Thomas appeared before him. Misaq gave him a wry smile and a wink and swept his arm out in a flamboyant presentation.

“Ta-da! One group of people, safe and sound.”

Little Jenny’s face lit up, and she bounced up and down in an excited way that only children could manage.

“Mr. Ambrose! Hi! Oh, we have so much to tell you! Daddy has a profession now! He can make all kinds of stuff! Oh, oh! Mr. Thomas can make rocks go boom with his mind now! Kind of a weird power. I said so, but Daddy said that was mean and I shouldn’t tease.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. Her hair was now in pigtails, which swung from side to side.

“I don’t get it, but I trust Daddy. Oh, and Miss Andrea says she can ‘manage’ stuff now. Whatever that means.”

Her face fell,

“I can’t do anything. Daddy says I don’t need to be involved in this stuff.”

Ambrose just stared. Are all kids like that? He wondered to himself. Darren rubbed the back of his neck, Andrea chuckled, putting a hand on her hip, and Thomas’s face even cracked a small smile.

Misaq just blinked,

“Human children are curious, indeed. No matter, it is time to collect payment from dear Darren here.”

Darren looked at Ambrose.

“I’m supposed to give him someone from the island. Says that you have to give him to me.”

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Ambrose crossed his arms, staring at the devil. His eye-patch swirled as if trying to pierce something over the devil but couldn’t quite manage it.

“You knew about this island. You knew it was cursed, and I would have to become the Knight to lift it. You told me this was an opportunity to grow stronger. You manipulated me.”

Misaq put a hand on his chest,

“Moi? Manipulate? Perish the thought.”

Ambrose growled, taking several steps towards the devil. Everyone else looked alarmed. Stepping back, Darren put an arm in front of Jenny as they did. Misaq’s yellow eyes went flat. A subtle power gathered around the devil. It was the type of presence you felt when you stepped out into the night to take out the trash—that slight indication that something was out here.

“Careful, Ambrose Severen. Be very careful before you consider assaulting me.”

People who know how to deliver violence well very rarely feel the need to get loud about it. They can convey it by how they held themselves and spoke calmly, clearly, and with a direct gaze that held a willingness to do you harm within their depths.

Misaq looked at Ambrose with the faint shadow of the reaper himself in his eyes, and he knew that any fight with the devil would be very short.

Ambrose uncrossed his arms.

“Quit playing coy. You lied to me. Used me. Why should I give you anything?”

Misaq’s yellow eyes glittered like a vipers in the sun. Suddenly, Jenny cried out. She collapsed to the ground, body shaking.

“Owie! Ow! It hurts.”

Darren was at her side instantly, whipping his head to Ambrose.

“What’s happening?!”

Andrea and Thomas flew to her side, but they could see no wound on the girl. Misaq’s voice was as hard and unyielding as the mountain behind them.

“Allow me to remedy a few misconceptions you have about the nature of our relationship.”

He leaned forward as Jenny cried beside him on the grass.

“I am not your friend, human. We made a deal. I promised you a path to power. I kept my end of the bargain. I promised the father I would heal his dying child, and I kept that bargain as well. The stars would fall from the sky, and the System would unravel before I keep not my given word. Would you like to see what happens to those who do not keep their end of the deal with me?”

Ambrose worked his jaw, hands itching to lash out at the devil. His gaze flicked over to Jenny, whose face was scrunched up, body shaking. Darren was looking between them.

Ambrose looked away first.

“Stop. I’ll give Darren what you asked for.”

Misaq straightened, and as he did, Jenny opened her eyes, her shaking stopping.

“Oh, it’s gone. That hurt.”

She threw herself into her father’s arms. Darren unfolded her into his embrace, rocking her gently. Misaq straightened his tie.

“I’m so glad we could reach an understanding. I do dislike such unpleasantness. Now then, please bring me Sir Lancelot from below.”

Ambrose looked over at Jenny and the others.

“I’ll be back in a moment.”

No one said anything in response.

Ambrose teleported below where Vivienne stood beneath the tree.

“I must give the devil Lancelot. Can you retrieve his crystal?”

Vivienne went still.

“Are you certain that is wise, Sir Knight?”

Ambrose arched a brow,

“Why not? Lancelot wasn’t a bad guy, was he?”

Vivienne shook her head,

“Almost all imprisoned below are malevolent in some capacity. Lancelot…His story is not a pleasant one, Sir Knight. He is perhaps the deadliest swordsman ever to walk the multi-verse. Whatever the devil wants him for, I assure you it will not be for anything good.”

Ambrose sighed, shaking his head. He ran his hand through his hair.

“It doesn’t matter. If I don’t give him Lancelot, he’ll kill a child. A little girl.”

Ambrose felt his eye harden.

“That’s not an option. Bring me the crystal from below, Vivienne.”

She gazed at him for a moment before waving her hand outward.

A single black crystal about the size of a basketball emerged from the earth’s depths. Ambrose was slightly surprised it wasn’t larger.

“It contains all that he is in a kind of…essence. I find it hard to explain to you in a way your limited mind will understand.”

Ambrose twisted his lips.

“Yeah. Thanks for that.”

He picked up the crystal.

Time to pay off this debt.