Book of Mors: Summoned

Arc: Knowledge is Power

Chapter 19, Part 3: Demonic Accord

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Kelora did not answer Mors as she dragged him behind her, refusing to let go of his hand, as the pair quickly moved through the dark side of the alleyway.

Distracted with all the information he had gained, most of which he considered irrelevant at the moment, Mors suddenly stopped as he was about to step into the half of the alleyway bathed in sunlight.

Although they had only been walking for twenty minutes, the angle of the light indicated it was late evening or even sunset, which was impossible, causing Mors to tense. "I feel honoured. You have gone to all this trouble to ensure I can't use most of my abilities."

Kelora shook her head. "A bit slow but not too bad. Though you aren't that strong, those abilities are indeed troublesome. I don't fancy wasting my time chasing you around the city."

His eyes, locked onto the back of Kelora's head as he released a hiss, preparing to fight. "Sorry to disap-"

Before he could even move a muscle, Kelora pulled Mors past her and flung him onto the floor.

Kelora's melodic laugh echoed through the alleyway, causing Mors' hairs to stand on end. "That little stunt you pulled in the Arena has shown me the error of my ways. I will no longer underestimate you, especially in the shadows. Though you may be an imp, you definitely have the right, and strength, to be called a demon. As such, even if this is a little demeaning for you, it's a lot more respectful than it could be."

"Oh, and don't even think about it. Though I have no intention of fighting you, I am a little... rough when I play." The demoness crossed her arms and squatted, causing her brown leather armour to creak.

Mors' free hand, which had started pulling a small dagger from a crevice in his leather armour paused, a strange feeling telling him that drawing the blade was a terrible idea.

"Calm down." Kelora's laugh gently died out. "We are just going to have a little chat. If you answer in a satisfactory manner, then I will teach you what it means to be a demon. If not, you can train with the other brats for four weeks. Think carefully, I doubt four weeks of normal training will be able to prepare you for the front."

The demoness's thin, black tail swayed behind her playfully, her appearance more similar to a cat toying with its prey than a demon.

Mors wanted to ask her what she meant, but he had a relatively good idea. They were going to be sending him to the eastern border. The idea of having found a safe haven until he got stronger shattered. "Trial by fire is it?"

Kelora blinked in surprise. "Exactly how the Captain said it." Sighing she tilted her head. "Looks like you have spent too much time around the Captain. Oh, and before you start whining like a little fairy, all of this is on her orders. She is too busy to deal with you right now and has probably already left the city. I would be out there having fun too if it wasn't for you, so you better be grateful." Kelora's smile caused Mors to shudder.

Mors had already got back to his feet and was rubbing his aching, tired muscles. "So, what do you want to know? I would like to find some hot water and bathe before having a nap so make it quick."

Kelora frowned. "What's wrong with you? In the past, just me speaking to you would set you off on a little tantrum, let alone throwing you to the ground and demanding answers. I would say you have lost your spine but you aren't exactly being submissive either."

Mors tiredly looked at the demoness. "You have no intent to hurt me... for once, and I don't have the energy to waste on you. Tell me what you want."

"This change have anything to do with you slaughtering your way through every species in the western district?" Kelora countenance changed, turning serious as she intently studied Mors' eyes.

Mors stared back at the red-eyed beauty in front of him, the bright light causing her to squint slightly. "In a way. You have a problem with it?"

"No and yes," replied Kelora. "Us demons have a pretty bloodthirsty nature and love a good brawl but," Kelora paused for emphasis. "We are not in the demonic plains. We are not mindless beasts that kill for no reason. It's that sort of behaviour that has lead us to the brink of extinction and to be the most hated species on the continent."

Kelora growled a little in frustration. "Can you believe they are even comparing us to the Devils of old these days. The Church of Light are just waiting for an excuse to launch another holy crusade and purge the lands of the 'tame' demons." Kelora obviously hated that demons that resided outside the Plains were called tame, even if they didn't have a blood contract. "Are you trying to get a fan club of inquisitors after you? Or worse, the rest of us. Not even the Captain would be able to save your ass."

"Who cares? They were only monsters." Mors could see the logic behind her reasoning but didn't fully understand the problem, though the new information of the Church of Light gave him a worrying feeling.

Sighing, Kelora held one hand up. "First, I need to know why you did it. Then I will resist beating you to a bloody pulp for being so stupid. Where do you get these half brained ideas' from?"

"I need strength," responded Mors in a flat tone. "I am sick of being pushed around and not being able to decide my own fate. I am tired of failing for no other reason that my inadequacies."

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He had also realised, a long time ago, that he had a lot of preconceived notions, while not completely wrong, where often bad enough to cause a problem. The demoness in front of him, trying to talk it out, instead of feast on his flesh or corrupt his soul, being one of them.

"So that made it OK to slaughter those weaker than you? Even for a demon that is a pretty lousy excuse. There are far better ways to gain strength. Also, I thought you had a dragon's heritage and the sin of Pride. Unless, " Kelora paused, studying Mors' face. "There is a more sinister reason."

Mors' eye twitched. "I needed to know my body and its limitations, inside and out. To do that, I had to push myself to the limit and then, surpass it. You can't get that in some safe, cosy castle... even if the occupants are militaristic nutters."

Kelora's armour creaked as she shifted her weight. "Only you or the Captain would say this place is safe and cosy. For most, they can't wait to be roughing it on some mountain or facing a tribe of ogres single in unarmed combat. Anyway, are those the only reasons?"

Glaring at the demoness for what seemed like minutes Mors finally looked away.

"You want to know what I thi-"

"No, not really." hissed Mors. "Silence is golden and all that."

Kelora could only laugh. "Well, tough. You didn't go out there to find yourself; you went out there to lose yourself. The killing, the near death experiences, every day being a struggle, exhausted to the point of collapse. You did it to escape your own thoughts and feelings. You might try to be an alpha demon, and don't get me wrong, you have the potential, but... your insides." Kelora pointed to where a normal human heart would be. "Are weak, for a demon anyway. Is that why you go to great lengths to push everyone away? Is that why you insist on being alone? So you can't feel the pain of loss?"

Not waiting for an answer, a sadistic smile appeared on Kelora's face as her tone turned mocking. "And, do you know what will probably make it worse for you? You slaughtered innocent, sentient beings, not monsters. Men, women and children with families, loved ones, dreams and desires."

Mors frowned. "I only killed monsters."

"Monsters?" Kelora nearly fell over laughing. "They have intelligence on par with most species and a very complicated, if fundamental social structure. In fact, there are a couple of hundred trolls in the Huntsmen. Make for excellent hunters and trackers and once you become a member of their... pack, no idea what they call their groups, you are basically a family member."

Mors looked uncomfortable, but it was obvious he already knew and was trying to ignore the fact. He subconsciously accepted it when he saw the trolls trying to protect that young female and in the end, let her and the other go because of it, even if he did use the excuse that they were too pitiful to kill after they surrendered.

Kelora wasn't about to let it drop, sensing Mors' hesitation. "I wonder how many orphans you made out there? I wonder if you got a title like Orphan Maker. Though you wouldn't be the first, it's still relatively impressive."

Watching Mors like a hawk, analysing every muscle twitch, Kelora continued."Though I doubt you will get the troll bane title. It seems that your methods were rather... inspiring to them. From what the scouts say, they are almost worshiping you like some evil god of the forest."

Mors didn't want to think about it. He had been, was still in, a dark place, with the threat of not only the Sun Clan, but the Huntsmen becoming his enemies due to his loss of control that had led the death of Ethemeusa. Which only hurt more because she seemed to truly care for him.

He couldn't even say the same for Verz as he knew she was only using him for his skills. The memories of Ethemeusa's hug as she cried, relieved that he was alive after his fight with that blue demon, floated up painfully. "Lies, they ran around naked, tearing things to pieces and eating them raw."

Kelora looked hard at Mors. "Umm, and what were you doing Mr Rightous? Though you had some scraps of clothing, you behaved no differently. If anything, the fact that you can eat mana cores proves you are more of a monster than any of them."

"..." Mors went silent but was glaring at Kelora. He wanted to ask how she knew about that but it was pretty obvious. Verz must have told her.

Shrugging, Kelora continued. "Well, I guess I can accept those reasons. Just think next time before you want to kill everything in sight. Your actions do not only affect you, they reflect on the Huntsmen, everyone you know and your species."

Kelora's seriousness vanished as she winked. "Don't make it harder for us to cut loose and have some fun every now and again. The Huntsmen are always in conflict somewhere. You won't be getting itchy claws and will have more than enough opportunities to relieve some stress."

"So next question, why do you desire strength?"

"To kill those who have wronged me, have vengeance in place of the dead and..." Mors hesitated. "And, when it is all done so that I can retreat from this shitty world and live the rest of my days in peace and solitude."

"Huh?" The last part of Mors' answer caught Kelora off guard.

"I hate this world and everything in it. I had everything stolen from me and, was forced on this road built from the skulls of the fallen. No matter which way I go, there is only death and destruction. Even if I could let go of everything, I would still be hunted. Even when I have killed everyone who wants to harm me, I will have created new enemies from their friends, lovers and family creating a never-ending cycle." Though Mors' words sounded depressing, his eyes burned with determination. "Nothing is ever easy. I need the strength to break that cycle and create my own place in this world."

"Demon's don't make old bones and while dragons use to, now that pretty much all of their body parts can be used to make legendary potions and elixirs, they are hunted mercilessly." Kelora smiled, genuinely this time. "Luckily their subspecies don't have the same qualities or I would be able to think up a few rituals you would be perfect for. Then again, you already have enough of death's marks on you."

Kelora stood up and sighed. "Looks like I was worrying about nothing. You may be a Demon Lord candidate but your goals and reasons are pretty pathetic. Are you sure you don't have sloth instead of pride as your secondary sin?"

Mors had lots of questions, more than when he started, but what he really wanted to do is rest and recover. Over sixty-two hours had passed since he last slept. "So you will teach me more about demons? I have a lot of questions but they can wait for later."

Kelora nodded. "Why not? It's not like I have anything else to do before we can get to the front." Her sadistic grin returned "Apart from beat a little demon into shape."

She turned to face the wall, pausing only for a moment. "Be warned though, the next four weeks are going to make your time in the forest seem like a wonderful dream. After your training, you will join the Pathfinders, and be attached to our group. Fuck it up again and I will make you regret your very existence."

Mors didn't need to be told how he fucked it up before, yet he still felt the urge to challenge the demoness. After taking a deep breath, he nodded. "Fine.

Once again Kelora showed a surprised expression. "You really have changed haven't you?"

Mors' face, only for an instance, twisted into the same, unnatural smile that had terrified Bruce. "Who knows?"

Having a double take, doubting if she had seen the expression, Kelora reached out and tapped one of the stones on the wall. Instantly the light at the end of the alleyway dimmed, to the point one could see it was a dead in with a huge moonstone embedded in it.

As Mors frowned, trying to work out how his senses were so easily tricked, the stones around where Kelora pressed rolled away, revealing a long, downward spiralling staircase. "Come, let's meet the others."