“It is good to collect things, but it is better to go on walks.”
― Anatole France
“The whole point of collecting is the thrill of acquisition, which must be maximized, and maintained at all costs.”
― John Baxter, A Pound of Paper: Confessions of a Book Addict
As soon as they entered the interior of the Black Tower, the doors closed and disappeared. Revealing a solid wall once again, but nobody looked back. Looking back was never an option, the only option was to move forward without hesitation. Olana and the Collector walked side by side with Nile and Balca behind the pair. Talin, Malice, and Zula were behind them wild the twins picked up the rear. As they walked, Nile looked around this strange new environment. While outside of the tower is a sold black surface, the interior was illuminated by glow lamps and floating orbs. Revealing walls of dark-purple, and floors of earthy brown. Nile thought her eyes were play tricks on her, because she could have sworn that the walls were…moving. It was slight, barely noticeable, but if you concentrated on one spot you might see the surface shift a bit.
“The exterior of your tower is quite impressive, but the interior is…”
Tabitha paused, looking for the right word. She smiled and finished with.
“…extraordinary.”
“Thank you for the compliment Lady Olana. I am proud of my domain. It has served me well.”
The Collector said, and although Nile could not see his face. She imagines that he had a satisfying smirk on his face. They walked through a long hallway towards another seemingly blank wall. Yet again, a door appeared on the wall and opened. As they walked through the door and entered a new room. It was more of an open space than a room. There a large number of stairs leading up many levels. To Tabitha, it reminded her of those old prison movies with cell blocks. Except, instead of small prison cells with bars. On each level there were glass-like cubes stationed a meter apart from each other. Some of the cubes were small, while others were big. Whatever size they were, they all had the same geometric shape.
“I assume those are your collections.”
Tabitha said.
“Yes.”
The Collector replied simply. Nile was shocked when she heard the conversation. She studied the cubes more intently now, and yes, she could see humanoid shapes inside some of the cubes. Nile could not see clearing into the cubes, it was like trying to see through a fog. All Nile could see were silhouettes of humanoid shadows. Not all of them were humanoid, there were beings with multiple limbs and different features. In one case, Nile could have sworn she saw the shape of a dragon inside an exceptionally large cube.
“How do you…find your collections?”
Tabitha asked in a calm voice.
“Oh, there are many instances where a collection has found its way to my Black Tower.”
Nile could guess how those types of situations could happen.
“How so?”
Tabitha asked the follow up question.
“Individuals let’s call them beings of great power and influence. Give me rare specimens for my collection. These specimens are sometimes the last of their kind or a dangerous creature whom the gods do not wish to see ever again.”
The Collector shrugged then.
“In truth, I provide a service. Other powerful individuals have given me custody of beings who would otherwise prove dangers if left free to do as they wish.”
“So, you’re like the warden of a prison then?”
Balca asked. The Collector turned his head around to frown at the little green demoness.
“Please my dear, do not place me in the same category as some lowly warden of a prison. I am the Collector. I collect rare and special beings and objects.”
As the Collector said these words, the group entered another room. This time there were objects and items on daises and pedestals. Nile saw weapons such as swords, axes, maces, and spears. She also so objects of such complexity, she had no idea what they might be. There were crowns, and necklaces, as well as rings and other jewelry.
“My, my Collector. Weapons and riches, you are wealthy indeed.”
Tabitha stated whether it was praise or condemnation, Nile could not tell from her tone. The Collector shrugged again.
“I have acquired many artifacts on my travels throughout the multiverse. Most of the time, they lay in ruins or abandon temples forgotten by time.”
Somewhere that statement does not tell the whole truth, Nile thought. But Tabitha was on a different train of thought.
“You’ve traveled to other realms?”
The question was asked innocently enough, but Nile could have sworn she saw the Collector straighten up a bit.
“Yes, I have agents throughout the multi realms ever searching for new and rare collections.”
He chuckled before saying.
“Adding to my collection is a most enjoyable task. Finding rare and forgotten things is not just a hobby, it’s a duty.”
Finally, they came into another room. Right away, Nile could tell that this room was the personal quarters of the Collector. On the other side was a chair of gold and crimson cushion, a throne. Seven meters to the right of the throne was a bar. With bottle and decanters, and glass and goblets. The Collector walked over to the bar and poured several drinks. Once that was done, he waved a hand and the glasses of fine amber liquor floated towards Tabitha and the others. Tabitha took her glass when it came to her, it was the largest of the others. She took it but she did not drink. Thankfully, the others followed Tabitha’s example. The Collector had his own drink as he sat on his throne. He took a sip of the fine wine, then made himself feel comfortable.
“Now, shall we discuss the reason you are here?”
The Collector began.
“Yes, the first thing I want to know. Will you release Danisha, Goddess of the Storm to us.”
Nile was surprise at Olana’s straight forward approach, but the Collector smiled as if he had expected this.
“Danisha, Goddess of the Storm.”
The Collector said her name with relish. Nile did not like the way he said her goddess’s name, as if he had ownership of it.
“The Storm Goddess is my most prized collection.”
The Collector had admitted that he indeed had Danisha in his collection. Nile could no longer contain herself.
“Release my goddess at once! You have no right to hold her!”
“Priestess Nile!”
The call came from Olana, at hearing her name Nile snapped her head towards the Devil Queen. Who gave her a slight shake of the head? Nile understood, Olana would handle this. With a strength of will, Nile calmed herself. Tabitha nodded in approvement and returned her attention back to the Collector. Who was watching the whole proceeding silently, he was taking notes?
“Now, what do you want in return for Danisha’s release?”
Tabitha demanded; it was time to get down to it. The Collector saw no reason to deny that he had the goddess. It was time to negotiate.
“I don’t know. I have a Sart Goddess in my collection. What could you give me that would be equal or worth more than a goddess?”
Instead of answering that question, Tabitha gave a shrug and asked a question of her own.
“Tell me, how long have you had dealings with the God of Deceit and Treachery?”
The Collector blinked once; it was the only sign of his shock.
“I—”
As soon as he uttered a syllable, Tabitha cut him off.
“Don’t lie me please. We both know that the only way you could have gotten your hands on a goddess is because another deity delivered her to you.”
The Collector closed his mouth and recalculated the situation. He narrowed his milky white eyes for a moment as if thinking of a way he could come out of this discussion on top. Nodding to himself once, the Collector made his decision.
“Romanto makes use of my service from time to time. He wanted me to hold on to Danisha permanently, but I am willing to relinquish the Storm Goddess for the right price.”
“Now we’re talking!”
Balca’s sudden exclamation and clap of her hands startled Nile. She had forgotten all about the she-demon and the others. Nile was so focused on the confrontation between the Devil Queen and the Collector, that she forgot all else in the room. Balca hovered between Tabitha and the Collector, turning her head to one and then the other.
“Now everyone, both parties have established that the Storm Goddess is in the building and for sale. All that’s left is on the price and payment.”
Balca faced the Collector.
“You got Danisha, we want Danisha. What will it take to get Danisha?”
Balca was acting like a broker or middleman, brokering a deal. The Collector was amused but he decided to play along.
“My price is simple and easy.”
The Collector stared at Tabitha, no…his eyes were looking down to her right hip.
“The Rod of Olana would be suitable compensation for the Storm Goddess.”
“What!”
“You must be joking!”
The twins Lydia and Nanina protested, they glared at the Collector who ignored them. He had eyes only for Olana and her rod.
“I agree! I ask for too much!”
“The nerve!”
Malice and Zula let out their own exclamations of disapproval. The Collector did not ignore them, he glanced at the succubi. Admiring their form and beauty, he said.
“If I am to release a very powerful individual from my collection, then I must be compensated equally. The Rod of Olana is a very powerful item known throughout the multiverse. One of a kind I dare say.”
The Collector turned his focus back on Olana and finished with.
“Would you not agree Lady Olana?”
Tabitha smiled revealing her fangs and chuckled.
“You have some balls on you Collector. You do realize that Romanto is my enemy, the god who slew me so long ago under a banner of truce. You have been dealing with my enemy for a long time, perhaps centuries. Tell me Collector, why shouldn’t I kill you and tear this Black Tower apart to find Danisha. Why should I give you my rod which is my most powerful weapon in the upcoming war I will have with Romanto? Why should I deliberately weaken myself.”
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“She’s got a point.”
Balca chimed in with a sing song tone. The Collector stapled his long blacked clawed fingers together seeming at ease. Nile saw no traces of fear at the threat to his life.
“You could kill me…”
He began.
“…and that would be a mistake. Because if you do kill me, you will never find Danisha. You could search for and eternity and you would never come close to freeing the Storm Goddess. The reason is simple, the Black Tower is mine. I control every square centimeter of it, my will governs this tower. Without me, you will never find Danisha.”
The Collector sat forward with a confident smirk.
“So, if you want Danisha then you will have to trade something valuable for her. The Rod of Olana is more than valuable, and it is the price you must pay for the Sart goddess.”
“What do ya say Olana?”
Balca asked, still playing the middleman. For a long time, Tabitha did not respond, she just stared at the Collector thinking.
“For the Storm Goddess, my rod, my most powerful instrument is the price and you will accept nothing else?”
The Collector nodded.
“Okay, fine. If my rod is the price for Danisha’s freedom, then so be it. But I want something in return.”
“And what would that be Lady Olana?”
“I want your promise, your magically binding oath that once you have possession of the Rod of Might. You will free Danisha, Goddess of the Storm. There will be no double dealing or double cross, no back talk or going back on your word. There will be no tricks, lies, or the changing of minds. You will give us Danisha or there shall be a reckoning.”
Tabitha glared into the eyes of the Collector, and she was pleased to see a spark of fear. It was only for a moment, but she saw it in his eyes.
“I will agree to such a stipulation.”
“Swear the oath, do it now.”
Tabitha demanded and the Collector did. When the Collector utter the last words of his oath, Tabitha took her rod and gave it to the demon. The silver rod with 14 jeweled rubies floated into the Collector’s outstretched hands. For a long while, the Collector held the rod reverently. As if he was treating it like some holy relic, he studied every inch of the rod. The runes that crisscrossed the surface of the metal he paid particular attention to. Nile felt uneasy watching the Collector, it was like watching someone in a trans. Without warning the Collector suddenly stood to his feet saying.
“Follow me.”
Then, he strode to a door on the other side of the room. A door appeared on what was a blank wall, and the Collector walked through it. Tabitha and the others followed without hesitation.
“I know that your rod is important to you Lady Olana, but I want to thank you for trading it for the freedom of my goddess.”
Nile said in a whisper, she had walked up beside Olana. Moving her feet fast to keep up with the greater she-devil’s long strides. Olana chuckled.
“Don’t thank me yet. Danisha is not free. Once we have her, then we can move forward.”
Tabitha had spoken in a normal tone; everyone could hear her voice. They were all demons except for the Saracen, the Collector could hear everything. Nile soon realized this and nodded to Olana; she would stay quiet. Soon, Nile found herself back in the room with the objects and items. We must have walked around or there is more than one path leading to this room. It makes sense, so far, the Collector has only been leading us on a straight path. Both with the ability to open doors on virtually blank walls meant the Collector controls every aspect of the Black Tower. Like he said before. The Collector stood before his collection, his back to the others. Tabitha said nothing, she was patient. As the Collector summoned an empty dais, Tabitha remembered her life back on earth.
When the Holy Church of Romanto executed Tabitha’s parents, she was ten years old. Placed in the church orphanages, she wanted to escape. But she was young and inexperienced. Tabitha learned to be patient at an early age. To watch, listen, and learn. Because if you did something without a plan, then the consequences could be fatal. Tabitha was twelve years old when she escaped the orphanage. She would survive on the streets of Capri City for the next five years. Tabitha focused her attention back on the Collector as he placed her rod on the dais. The dais, a circular platform made of marble floated up several levels and disappeared. Nile could not tell which level the dais had stopped, the darkness of the tower just swallowed it. The Collector turned around to face the group and said.
“Now, shall we go to get your prize?”
“Lead the way.”
Tabitha nodded and gestured for the Collector to go ahead. They went into the next room where all the beings were held in glass-like cubes. As before, Nile could only make out shapes. Looking inside the cubes was like trying to look through fog. The Collector pointed to a platform saying.
“This platform will take us to where Danisha is being held.”
They walked on to the platform and it rose up like an elevator, but without relaying electricity and cables to move. The platform was large enough to hold everyone and move them around despite Tabitha’s 15-foot size. They went up several levels passing floor after floor. Nile saw more cubes of varying sizes. By all the goddesses, how many beings does he have in this tower? But Nile would never dare ask that question. After some time, the platform stopped at a floor. Getting off the platform the Collector lead them to another blank wall. The Collector planted himself before the wall and turned around.
“Danisha, the Goddess of the Storm is beyond this wall. It will take some time for her to be unsealed from her containment vessel but not too long.”
Tabitha nodded for the Collector to proceed, and he bowed his head in acknowledgement. The Collector turned around, raised his hands and began to cast a spell. His hands glowed with purple power and the wall began to shift. Individual dark-purple bricks began to move, it was like watching puzzle pieces moving all by themselves. There was a large opening that reveal a dark interior, so dark that not even Tabitha’s devil sight could pierce which she found very suspicious. The Collector stepped aside and motioned Tabitha to move forward. She took one step, only one before stopping. Eyeing the Collector with mistrust, she said.
“Where is Danisha?”
Saying the goddess’s name with a growl alerted the others that something was not right. Lydia drew out her black rod with the red ruby and Nanina unsheathe her bastard sword. Balca, Malice, Talin, and Zula stepped back giving the twins space. Nile stood behind the others, not wanting to get in anyone’s way. However, she also prepared herself for a fight. The Collector chuckled but Nile could have sworn she saw his eyes flicker with unease.
“I assure you Lady Olana, Danisha is inside.”
Tabitha frowned and then sighed.
“I may not be able to see inside because of the darkness special you cast a minute ago. But I can smell, so I know there is nothing inside, it’s barren. Do not lie to me Archdemon.”
The Collector slumped his shoulders in defeat and gave out his own sigh.
“You really are extraordinary Lady Olana, this would have been much easier if only you had just stepped inside. Oh well, plan B it is.”
The Collector uttered a word which Nile could not understand but she knew instinctively that it was a word of power. Some type of infernal nether speak that only demons and devils could understand. Without warning, black tentacles of smoke shot out of the dark room. Nile saw Olana move, she was fast but was not fast enough to avoid the tentacles. They wrapped around the limbs of the greater she-devil, one even wrapped around her neck. Olana let loose a roar of rage and struggled against the smoke tentacles.
“You treacherous dog!”
Bellowed Nanina as she launched herself at the Collector who stood in place with a smile on his face.
“Nanina watch out!”
The warning came from Lydia and just in time too. Something streaked towards Nanina out of nowhere. Nanina stopped and held out her sword in a protective posture. The clank of metal on metal ringed throughout the level. Nile was able to see what had attacked the Cambion, it was big, a cross between a black beetle and a lizard. Whatever you would call it, the creature was black all over with horns, spade tail, and beetle wings. It swung a scimitar at Nanina who blocked it and countered with a thrust. Her sword bounced of the thing’s armored carapace which sound like she had struck a granite rock. Nanina fought the beetle-lizard demon with more ferocity.
Lydia was going to her sister’s aide when another one of those beetle-lizard came out of the shadows and attacked. This one had a long black spear with jagged edges, and Lydia found herself dodging and ducking. Barely able to cast a spell in defense or offense. Soon, Nile and the others found themselves surrounded by beetle-lizard demons. Because they were all black with red eyes the melded well with darkness. Balca and Talin were fighting two of the demons, one with a long chain with an iron ball at the end. The other used two short swords and used them effectively. Malice found herself fighting two of the beetle-lizard demons with her fire wipe. One demon was using a bow and arrows while the other had a black spiked whip of its own.
Zula used her fire sword to duel against one of the demons who wielded a massive double headed battle axe. Nile saw all of this before her gaze returned to Olana who was ripping and tearing at the smoke tentacles with little to no results. Each time the she-devil tore at the restraints, they reformed like smoke. The Collector just watched her struggles with amusement. Nile wanted to do something to help, but she did not know how to combat this kind of magic and she did not even have the time to figure it out. There was movement at the corner of her eyes and on instinct Nile jumped to the side. Just in time to avoid the sledgehammer that crashed to the floor. Splitting the bricks and creating cracks. One of those beetle-lizards managed to flank her somehow. Nile could not believe she had missed it; the damn beast was big but moved fast. It recovered and struck at her again. Nile ducked just in time again, feeling the air whistle past her head in the wake of a hammer swing.
“BY THE GRACE OF THE MOTHER GODDESS, PROTECT THY THY SERVANT AND CAST OUT THE DARKNESS! HOLY GROUND!!”
The demon was about to swing the hammer down when it suddenly screamed out in surprise and pain and tried to shield its red eyes. Then an invisible force slammed into the demon which pushed it back several feet. The demon righted itself by using its wings to prevent its fall. Nile had cast a protective spell called Holy Ground, a spell use to protect from unholy beings like undead, some monsters, and demons. It was a powerful spell, capable of holding off a greater demon. Anything higher and it would shatter, but Nile was not done just yet. As the beetle-lizard demon was regaining its barring, she cast another spell.
“ALL DARKNESS FADES AGAINST THE LIGHT! JAVELIN STRIKE!”
Nile had held out her hand towards the demon as she spoke the last incantation. A long stream of white light emerged out of her palm and shot out like lightning towards the demon. She had aimed for the head but struck the right shoulder. The light pierced through the demon’s carapace. The demon growled but that was it, and Nile watched in horror as the wound she had inflicted healed in a matter of seconds. Now, the demon had murder in its eyes. Javelin Strike was a light attack spell, a medium range attack magic able to slay creatures of darkness and even lesser demons. Not only did this demon still stand, but it had also held from its injury in a matter of seconds. This is not a lesser demon. Nile thought as the demon attacked, swinging its hammer. It crashed into the barrier of her holy ground spell, protecting her…for the time being.
His plan was perfect, without her Rod of Might. Olana could be taken with proper preparations, and the Collector watched as his black smoky tentacles wrapped around Olana’s limbs. Constraining her and dragging her into the containment room he had prepared for her. His gaze shifted to Olana’s entourage; they were good standing their ground against his Bion Demons. They were his greatest creations, after many centuries of bio-sculpting and generic-engineering. But they were still having trouble subduing the small group of females. Even the mortal Saracen is managing to defend herself well against one of the Bion. It was no matter to the Collector. As soon as Olana was properly contained he would have no problems in dealing with her servants.
Tabitha cursed as the smoky tentacle around her waist tighten a bit more. She could no longer move, and because she could no longer move. She could no longer resist because she could no longer resist. The many tentacles were finally able to drag her into the empty room which was now illuminated. Tabitha saw mechanical objects and pipes and tubes, and she understood the real purpose of the room. It was some kind of processing chamber where she would be placed inside one of those glass tubes. Tabitha glared at the Collector who gave one of those condescending smirks.
“You are making a very big mistake Collector. If you stop your transgression now, I might be lenient with you.”
Tabitha said in a surprisingly calm tone. The Collector scoffed at her words and said.
“Without your Rod of Might I fear you not Olana. I am indeed glade you came to my domain. To have the Devil Queen of the Great Crystal Pyramid of the Nether Realm become one of my prized collection will be one of the greatest acquisitions I have ever undertaken.”
The Collector thought for a moment before saying.
“Probably even greater than my acquisition of Danisha. After you, I will make another great acquisition. The Great Crystal Pyramid itself will by my prize.”
Tabitha was still glaring at the Collector, then all of a sudden, she smiled. The smile was not friendly, and the Collector was taken aback by it.
“I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Tabitha declared as she was dragged fully into the room which closed once again. The blank wall reappeared, and no one could see what was going on inside the room that had just taken the Devil Queen. With Olana taken care of, the Collector focused on her entourage. He was surprised to see that all six she-demons had formed a circle with the mortal in the middle. He was even more surprised to see a few of his Bion Demons were incapacitated. Some were cut to piece while others looked to have been…melted? In either case, the Bions were regenerated. In the meantime, more Bion Demons entered the fight and the females found themselves outnumbered. The Collector clapped his hands twice, and the Bions stopped their attack and stepped back several feet giving the women some breathing room.
“Ladies, you have impressed me with your skills in battle and spellcasting. I will honor you by making all of you a part of my collections.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
Balca said nonchalantly, flicking black blood off her claws.
“Double crossing the Devil Queen is a big mistake Collector. Especially, since you swore an oath to Olana’s face.”
Lydia declared angrily. The Collector laughed.
“This is my domain; I can say and do whatever I please. I all need to do was separate Olana from her rod. The rest was easy.”
The Collector shrugged looking confident. Malice let out a bark of laughter, it was not elegant.
“You are a fool Collector. If you believe Olana gets her power from the rod, then you do not understand the true might of the Devil Queen.”
“Enough!”
The Collector snapped. He was tired of their words and defiance.
“I do not wish to damage my new acquisitions. Surrender and submit yourselves to containment. Let’s make this easy for all of us.”
Nanina responded with a one fingered salute saying.
“Screw you, your over inflated ego. You motherless bastard.”
The others also flung insults at the Archdemon, some more profane that the other. The Collector just shrugged and said.
“You will all regenerate in time, even the mortal.”
As the Collector was about to give his Bion Demons the order to resume hostilities. But he paused just before giving the order and cocked his head to the side. The women noticed the Collector’s action and they too listened. There is was again, a rumbling sound. At first, it was slight barely noticeable. Then the sound grew louder and louder until the very ground began to shake. Then, the entire level began to shake. The Collector looked around in both disbelief and shock. Nile was wondering what was going on, but when she saw the look of confusion on the Archdemon’s face. She began to guess who was making the level shake and those rumbling noises. Her guess was confirmed when Balca said with a smile.
“Uh-oh, somebody’s in trouble.”
The Collector looked at Balca in confusion, not understanding her sing song words. But before he could ask any questions, the wall behind him flew up. Sending the Archdemon and rubble and debris flying forward. As the Collector got back to his feet from the ground he looked up and for the first time in his immortal life his heart skipped a beat. Olana stood in the opening she created through the wall; she had made a big hole. Everyone could see the damage she had done to the interior of the processing containment chamber. The mechanical arms were broken, the pipes and tubes were destroyed, and the room itself was on fire with hell fire.
“Collector.”
Olana said in a low growl which carried across the level.
“Now, it is my turn to collect from you.”