Several months had passed, the dark elves had kept to their word and had accompanied them across the singing mountains, they were nearing the edge of the singing mountains. When Lucifer called to everyone telling them to make camp, Azazel walked up to Lucifer. 'We must make the journey back, but if you should need us or my people. The dark elves will follow you Lucifer.'Azazel told him bowing, before him then calling to the other dark elves and starting their long journey heading west to their home lands.
'Well, I shall miss having elven company even if they are dark.' Leif told them happily stretching out his sleeping bag. 'Think I should like to see their home land one day.' Lucifer told them as he closed his eyes. The next morning they reached a seaside village, heading for the docks to board a ship and sail to Dormath where the Gaea Jungles reside. The voyage should take a month at most. Lucifer and his companions headed to the local tavern, where they met Captain Drake Southstar, a half- dwarf elf. Taller than a dwarf shorter and stockier than a elf. He was clothed like a pirate, with a sword at his waist.
'So you want a lift to Dormath, well alright but you'll have to pay a price. I'm not going near demon lands for nothing.' the Captain told them greedily. 'Very well, I shall pay your price if we reach there as swift as the winds can take us.' Lucifer told the Captain over an ale.
'I don't think this is a wise course of action. Lucifer.' Lilith told him speaking in his mind. Lilith had grown to a substantial size an was now capable of carrying Lucifer and one other person a fair distance. Lucifer kept Lilith within himself as to make himself and his companions as undetectable as could be. The following morning they headed to the docks where the Captain's Ship was anchored, it was huge with crimson sails, the deck was made of oak. Lucifer, Leif and Odin shared a room beside the captain's reserved for passengers. The black ocean was calm, Ocea. The goddess of the seas and oceans has granted them safe passage for the moment. Early the next morning Lucifer was above deck practising his martial arts, when the Captain interrupted. 'You are very talented in the arts of combat. Which is good because we've entered mermaid waters.' Lucifer looked at the Captain quizzically but kept his mouth shut.
As the morning past Odin remained in the cabin unwilling to come above deck. The first sign of a mermaid came from a haunting, eerie glow coming from the water.
'Get below deck and block the doors!' the Captain yelled at his men but it was to late. A beautiful voice rose from the black ocean, making the sailors dumb, clumsy and careless. One of the sailor was near the starboard of the ship, leaning over the side gazing down into the inky depths. A topless woman with the tail end of a shark for legs grabbed the sailor with her webbed hands and bit out his throat with her sharp teeth dragging him down bellow.
'Leif what are you doing!' Lucifer exclaimed as he saw the elf heading for the port-side of the vessel. Lucifer ran at Leif tackling the elf to the deck of the ship. A mermaid that was on the port-side hissed at him for taking her food and began singing to him. Trying to sway him into coming forwards, Lucifer's eyes flared a reddish crimson as he summoned Lilith's drakon fire, hurling it at the demonic creature with a roar. The mermaid was blasted of the ship, the other creatures became a frenzy as they witnessed their kin die.
'Leave here at once children of Ocea, I do not wish you harm.' Lucifer bellowed as the ship rocked. One of the mermaids broke away from the school and held onto the side of the ship. 'Watch your self, child of Nyx you are not a God! Ocea will not stand for you killing one of us.' hissed and gasped the mermaid.
Lilith spoke to him hungrily eager for a fight. 'Release me and we'll have barbecued mermaid for luncheon.'
'It is as expected by their kind.' Lucifer replied curtly as he dragged Leif below deck, returning with Light-Weaver. 'I will not ask you again mermaid, leave at once!' Lucifer growled pointing his sword at the lead mermaid. The mermaids begrudgingly left diving into the water. Nodding Lucifer checked the fatalities a quarter of the ship's crew were dead or dying.
Lucifer wandered over to the Captain, 'You have lost a quarter of your men.' Lucifer told the Captain who had bound himself to the wheel and was in the process of being untied. 'So it would seem, although I would like to know how it is that you were unaffected by those enchantresses?' the Captain responded to him, as Leif and a few crew men came out onto the deck. 'Mermaids are vile creatures!' Leif exclaimed angrily crossing over to Lucifer and the Captain. 'That was worse than a months latrine duties, hmmmp!' Leif told them.
'Are you going to answer my question?' the Captain demanded ignoring Leif. Lucifer looked at the man. 'I am the son of a high fae sorceress queen and the Ancient, Nyx. I do not know what I am capable of.' Lucifer told the Captain honestly as he sheathed Light-Weaver. 'Very well, we should be insight of Dormath soon. We will be docking at Ironside docks.' the captain shouted at the crew and passengers. wandering off barking orders at his men.
'You did well Lucifer, I am glad we practised in the mountains.' Lilith said proudly, as Lucifer headed back to his cabin for much needed rest. They reached ironside a few hours before dawn, the ship docked and the crew unloaded it's cargo. Lucifer, Lilith , Leif and Odin disembarked heading down Ironside Docks and into the small port town of Triton. The people of Triton were selkies people who could shift into seals, they were the harmless cousins of the merpeople. Although there were a few dwarves, elves, goblins and orcs that Lucifer could see as he walked down the main street into the heart of Triton where the tavern, bank and brothels were located. Lucifer ignored them all walking ahead of his companions. When three Orcs blundered out of the tavern as drunk as a skunk. 'Y'all beh, sorry ya kicked us out! Ya filthy, stinkin seals!' a large bull Orc shouted at the tavern using racial slurs. The Orc turned to the street and upon seeing a fae male accompanied by a burly dwarf and an elf. They laughed heartily blundering over to Lucifer and his friends who had grabbed an drawn their weapons, while Lucifer had kept his weapons sheathed. Ignoring the brutes they continued past unfortunately the Orcs stepped in their way.
'Looky what I got a half-man, an elf and a fae baby.' the largest of the Orcs chortled, grinning hungrily. 'Tell you what you hand over those nice looking weapons and your money. We'll let you off with a some bruises and maybe if your real lucky some broken bones.' Lucifer glared at the Orcs his heart pounding, his blood coursing through his veins filled with adrenalin. 'How about you leave now before you get hurt!' Lucifer snarled his eyes clouding from violet to a dark crimson.
'What the hell!' exclaimed the youngest Orc, just as Lucifer launched himself at the orcs.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he spun, dodged and cleaved the vile creatures apart. It was beautiful and horrific. He moved through the orcs using nothing accept his hands and feet pulling jaws out, tearing limbs off. All before his companions could assist, Lilith awakened from her slumber within him and lent him strength as he finished off the last orc roaring at the mutilated bodies.
'Calm yourself my Lucifer, control your anger for it strengthens your gifts and unleashes the Drakon Fury. The Drakon Fury is a rear gift only those of the Ancient heritage of Nyx are capable of it. It gives you unbelievable speed, strength, stamina and agility. But it also comes with a hunger for battle and violence. You must learn to harness this ability, quickly for it may become disastrous but I believe in you my Lucifer. You have the potential to be the greatest Drakon Lord of all time.' Lilith's voice whispered to Lucifer's mind as he tried to calm himself. Once he'd sufficiently calmed down he motioned to his companions and headed off into the forest at the edge of the coastal town ignoring the glances from some of the locals. Not waiting for his companions he stormed right into the dense, dark, dank and gloomy Gaea Jungle.
'Hold up,' Odin grumbled from behind as he jogged to catch up with Lucifer and Leif who had been easily keeping pace. Lucifer obliged breathing a sigh. 'I'm sorry my friend, I'm learning new gifts and with everything else I'm just so angry.'
'It is okay my friend, we are here for you. To be honest I don't know how you're doing it.' Leif told Lucifer grasping his forearm as Odin finally caught up.
Lucifer laughed. 'Here we are in the middle of no where and I'm having a breakdown.' The forest was slowly getting darker, it was all right for himself and Lilith unfortunately for Leif and Odin they had poor night vision better than a humans though so that's something. 'We'll make camp here and wait till down. Lilith will keep watch.' Lucifer told his companions as he sat down and began unpacking his supplies. He unleashed Lilith to go hunt and set a fire with wood Odin had chopped down with one of his axes.
Lilith brought back a young stag in her claws, leaving it at Lucifer's feet. As he pulled out his hunting knives so he could skin and cut up the stag. Lucifer stoked the flames and put the venison atop the rack so it could be cooked. After they had eaten Lucifer cured the remnants of the venison after giving a portion to Lilith. In the dark of the forest a hungry howl pierced the silent night proceeded by multitude of other howls. Lucifer was awoken by Lilith's paw.
'Something of Nyx comes. We must fly before they surround us!' Lilith cried to Lucifer as he lightly kicked his companions awake. 'Rise and take up your arms!' Lucifer shouted drawing Light-Weaver as viscous snarls and growls came out from around them. Lucifer with his fae sight saw what they were up against. 'Lycans, be ready.' Lucifer declared with a growl of his own. Lycans are wolfish creatures, incredibly smart, as big as horses and viscous to boot. They were created by Nyx to guard and patrol Demean Ogg Taran to keep the living and the dead separate. Although it was said Nyx fought beside the Lycan demi-God Cerberus.
'Bloody wonderful, Lycans what's next a griffin!' Howled Odin as he twirled his battle axes grinning as the first Lycan stalked into the camp firelight followed by a score more of the beasts . Leif had leaped into a tree with his bow drawn and an arrow notched. Ready to fire at the Lycans at the slightest movement. 'Lucifer, Samael, Lord of Chaos and Destruction, Order and Creation. The Morningstar, Light-Bringer, wielder of Light-Weaver. First of the Fallen, You are destined for both great and terrible things. Hades, Osiris and Fenris are but some of the names that you will be known by.' A lilting feminine voice that came from the first Lycan that stood before them.
Lucifer snarled at the wolfish creature that had spoken. 'I don't take much stock in prophesies, prophets or oracles. it's all seems a bit staged. I am the master of my own fate!'
There was a flash of light and a beautiful, naked woman stood before him with long flowing raven coloured hair that went down to her waist shielding her assets from view.
'I am Priestess Lupa Blood-moon. My lord Cerberus as demanded that we shelter and accompany you until you reach the Demon Lands which is twelve days ride from here.' The Priestess told Lucifer, to which his response was a growl and a nod. 'You may accompany us.' Lucifer told them as he beckoned to Leif to jump down from the tree.
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'We shall make for Lunaopolis, where Blood-King Godric Swift-foot rules.' the Priestess told Lucifer.
'Lilith, let Odin and Leif ride upon your back, if something should go wrong. Fly as fast and as high as your wings can take you.' Lucifer said speaking telepathically with Lilith through their bond. 'As you wish, Lucifer.' Lilith replied begrudgingly. 'Odin, Leif ride upon Lilith's back it shall make the journey easier. No arguments!' Lucifer ordered his companions. Lucifer watched the Priestess as she shifted back to her Wolven counterpart. 'Why not.' Lucifer laughed as he shifted into a Wolven form similar to that of a Lycan with the exception that Lucifer's fur was as black as midnight and his eyes were a bright violet. 'Lilith when I want to speak to Odin or Leif, repeat what I tell you to them. Do so telepathically. ' Lucifer told the Drakon. As he crept up to the Lycan Priestess. 'Lets go.' Lucifer told her telepathically taking the lead. 'I did not realise that the fae could shift apart from their chosen form.' The Priestess asked. 'I am the son of Nyx and Queen Aelin Starfire. Their are many things that I can do that others can't.' Lucifer replied dashing ahead of the pack diving under and over fallen trees and branches. A few hours later the sun broke through the trees in morning light. Lucifer saw the Lycan citadel which was carved from rock and stone of the mountain it sat before. Surrounded by huts, shacks and caves of Lunaopolis.
Lucifer could just make out the forms of lunaopolis's inhabitance, some were in their wolven forms others walking as men and woman naked as the day they were born. Lucifer shifted to his normal fae form stretching out his arms.
'I don't know how you do it, all that fur. It feels great to be in my own form again.' Lucifer told the Priestess as she too changed shifted. 'That may be so for you, but me and mine are of two worlds. One foot in civilisation the other in the forest.' The Priestess replied strolling ahead with Lucifer, the pack and Lucifer's companions behind them.
They entered the city, the Lycan people stayed at bay although their cubs could b seen peeking out from behind their parents leg. The citadel was a true feet of engineering, the throne room was cavernous, the walls were decorated with silver, platinum and gold detailing the Lycan peoples history. The throne chair was crafted from bone and platinum. The Priestess led Lucifer and his companions to the foot of the Blood-King Godric Swift-foot's throne. 'What have you brought me daughter?' The Blood-king demanded of the Priestess. 'This is Prince Lucifer Samael ShadowFire, heir to the Elemental Empire. Son of the Dark Lord.' The Priestess indicated to Lucifer, 'And Lucifer's companions Odin and Leif.' 'What of the Drake?' The Blood-King asked motioning to the Large creature.
'She is mine your Majesty, I have gifted her the name Lilith.' Lucifer told the king as he absorbed Lilith becoming one as to keep her safe. Lucifer's eyes flashed with ancient magic before returning to violet. The Blood-King growled at his disrespect. 'Give them a cave beside the barracks. They must be watched by six of the Blood-Clarws, my personal guard. Until they are on their way on the morrow. Now begone!' The Blood-King growled waving his had for us to go as he sat atop his throne.
The Priestess led Lucifer, Odin and Leif out of the Throne room accompanied by five gruff, hairy looking men wearing leather jerkins and greaves. They had a sharp, heavy long sword sheathed across their backs, a dagger at their waist and half a dozen hidden knives upon their person. There was also a beautiful woman with golden hair, wearing similar clothes but she wielded two long hunting knifes, a dagger and two dozen throwing knifes. They exited the citadel through a side door that led to a commodious cave scarcely lit with glow worms and burning torches. Lucifer could see rooms and steps calved into the rock. They were given a tore by the Priestess showing them a room with a huge swimming pool sized bath with heated water, a steam room and a corridor that led to the Blood-Clarws barracks where there was an enormous training hall with an assortment of weapons and armour.
'I'll be in my room.' Leif said looking queasy from the lack of fresh air in the cave. Odin on the other hand was in his element as dwarfs were renown for living in caves and underground. Odin blundered off to the training hall. Lucifer was doing fine for he could see as clearly as if the sun was shining inside the cave. Too Lucifer the stones and the rocks themselves gave off their own enthral light, it was mesmerising to behold. 'A gift from Nyx. Seeing the world as he does.' Lilith told Lucifer, as he looked around. ' It is truly beautiful.' Lucifer thought back at Lilith. The Priestess nodded to Lucifer and told him. 'I must go to my king now but I shall return when I am able.'
Lucifer went to the Baths, he proceeded to remove his armour and weapons. Which had grown dirty with blood and grim over the months since he'd left the Empire. He signalled to one of the female servants out in the main hall of the cave. She hurried in with a bow and a blushing face. 'I want my clothes cleaned and some things to clean my weapons and armour.' Lucifer told the young Lycan. 'Yes Lord right away.' The girl responded hurrying away to get the items Lucifer desired as Lucifer removed his clothes and dove into the heated waters.
Lucifer had gained more muscle in the year he'd fled the empire in search for his half-sister and father, so that he now had the body of a God. His obsidian hair had grown, it now sat at his shoulders and he had grown a bit of hair on his face. Lucifer conjured a straight razor from water and proceeded to shave off the few hairs he grown so that he now had a smooth face. The Lycan servant girl came back with his items placed them on a wooden table to the side of the bath and took his clothes. As the girl left with his clothes the female Blood-Clarw guard strode into the bathing room and sat on a chair.
'Can I help you? Or you going to join me!' Lucifer asked with a devious grin as he saw her eyes flare at his words. 'You must be watched.' the guard said with finality. Lucifer's eyes flashed with violet fire. 'REMOVE YOUR CLOTHES AND JOIN ME!' Lucifer commanded his voice reaching into the guards mind ensnaring her will.
'YOU WILL STOP RIGHT NOW!' Lilith demanded inside Lucifer's mind snapping him out of the thrall of the female guards beauty. Lucifer released the guards mind, launched himself under the water and sat upon the floor of the bath. 'What was that Lilith?' Lucifer thought at Lilith. 'You used magic to ensnare her mind, it is a gift only the very powerful of sorcerers are capable of using. I believe it was triggered by your desire for the female guard.' Lilith replied telepathically. When Lucifer breached the surface of the water the guard had no recollection of what had happened. Lucifer grabbed a cotton towel and wrapped it around his waist. Lucifer began meticulously cleaning, polishing his armour and weapons. Once he'd finished, the servant girl returned with his clothes freshly cleaned, dried and ironed.
Lucifer motioned for the girl and the guard to leave so that he could dress. Clothed he bound his long hair with a leather strap, carried his armour and weapons to his cave room where he promptly dropped them on a chair and staggered to his straw bed where he collapsed asleep. Lucifer awoke early strapped, tugged and pulled on his armour. Then sheathed and hid his various weapons. Once fully prepared Lucifer strode out of his room accompanied by his guards down the tunnels and corridors until reaching the training hall beside the barracks. The Blood-Clarws were awake and already going about their daily routine of military manoeuvrers and exercises as well as combat training of various types.
Lucifer moved into an empty area and began going through the various hand to hand fighting styles and techniques then moving onto using weapons and back again. Lucifer had drawn quite a crowd from his training regime. It was a hour or so later when Leif and Odin joined him for his training exercises. Finishing Lucifer and his companions washed quickly and headed to a table the Blood-Clarws had set up for them to breakfast. The table had fruits of various succulent selections as well as venison, pork, beef and a variety of fish. After the meal Priestess Blood-moon arrived to guide Lucifer and his comrades on their journey to the Demon Lands, she was wearing similar armour to that of the Blood-Clarws unlike the day before. The Priestess led Lucifer, Odin and Leif followed by their guards out of the caves into the citadel. Then she led them out of the citadel into the afternoon sun as it shone through the trees and plants of the jungle.
'We shall guide you to the borders of the Demon Lands.' The Priestess told Lucifer as she led them out of the city of Lunaopolis. The Lycan people had came out to wave good bye to their warriors. They headed deeper into the jungle away from Lunaopolis, it had grown increasingly hot and damp as they traversed the miserable terrain. As the sun began to fall below the horizon, they made camp in a small area beneath the tree canopy near a stream. 'Leif gather some wood and dry leaves. Odin smash a few of those boulders and make a circle with shards.' Leif and Odin quickly left the group to do Lucifer's bidding. 'Priestess command your warriors to keep together. Watch out for predictors.' Lucifer demanded as he unleashed Lilith. 'Go hunt!' Lucifer told Lilith through telepathy. Lilith launched into the air breaking through the canopy and soared above their heads hunting for game. Lucifer pulled his bag off his shoulder and rummaged inside it until he pulled out a folded hammock. Lucifer leaped into the trees without making a sound he tied his hammock to two tall oak trees. He made sure it was secure before dropping to the ground beside Leif as he returned with the fuel for the fire. Odin had made a magnificent chair out of the remains of boulders that had not been used for the border of the fire. Once the fire was going, Odin sat in his stone chair and Leif leaped into the trees to set up his own hammock.
'You know it's quite beautiful out here. Even with the mutts.' Leif called down in his native Elvish to Lucifer. 'Yes it is rather beautiful.' Lucifer replied in Elvish as Lilith returned with a large young stag in her jaw. She landed behind the Priestess, Lilith dragged the stag to Lucifer dropping it at his feet.
'Thank you, Lilith you may hunt for yourself.' Lucifer told her as he pulled a knife from its sheath and began skinning the young stag. Lilith launched into the air. He placed the pelt beside Leif so that he could turn it into a coat and gave the antlers to Odin to make a knife handle or something of worth. Lucifer cooked the stag over a fire, the meat was tender and succulent. After eating Odin fell asleep upon his chair clutching his battle axe. Leif was sound asleep in the trees upon his hammock swaying in the night breeze. Lucifer stayed awake so that he could absorbed Lilith when she returned.
Lilith returned sometime in the night haven eaten her fill Lucifer absorbed her and stretched out walked past the sleeping Priestess and her pack. Half her pack had fallen asleep curled up together in their wolven forms. The Lycans who remained awake guarded their sleeping pack mates from danger. Lucifer looked around something felt out of place. He smelt the air smelling something new and cat like watching them hungrily. Lucifer drew one of his hunting knives looking into the foliage of the jungle floor. He could see a large cat with yellow fur covered in black spots. Lucifer stalked towards the cat from the side as he drew close it pounced upon him with a growl.
Lucifer fought the beast knife to claw they rolled upon the jungle floor, the cat bit into Lucifer's neck drawing golden incur the blood of immortals. With a roar Lucifer tore into the cats own neck its life blood flowing down his throat. His neck healing as the cat snarled in pain and with a mighty wrench of his hands Lucifer broke the cats neck. Lucifer's nails hardened and grew becoming like claws as he drove his hand into the beast's chest. Lucifer gouged out its barely still beating heart. Lucifer opened his mouth ripped a piece of warm, wet, chewy meat and swallowed it. Finishing the cats heart he pulled the beast onto his shoulders and walked into camp dumping it beside his seat. Sitting down Lucifer skinned the cat placing it beside the stags pelt, Lucifer quickly washed the blood from his face, neck and clothes before retiring to his hammock in the trees. Lucifer awoke to the smell of cooking meat, looking down he saw that Odin had set the fire going and they were cooking the large cat. Leif was well on the way with turning the stag pelt into a coat. Lucifer untied his hammock folded it and placed it inside his bag before jumping down. He walked up to Leif with the cats teeth.
'I'd like you to make a necklace out of these and a cloak out of its pelt.' Lucifer asked him handing over the teeth. 'It will be done my Lord.' Leif replied returning to his busy work. Lucifer went over to Odin and sat beside him. Along the way he grabbed one of the beast’s legs and began to eat with relish. The Lycans were around the fire eating happily. Lucifer ate one of the cat’s legs, a lung, the liver and a kidney. Lucifer was finishing of it kidney when the priestess wondered over.
'It is common among my people to eat both the heart and the brain of the Cheetah in order for their spirit and strength to be bound to you.' The Priestess said bowing to Lucifer as she offered him the cat's brain. He took and ate it begrudgingly; once they'd finished of the beast they packed up their things and continued on.